Baba Srichand and Maharana Pratap

 Maharana Pratap seeks Blessing of Baba Srichand

Maharana Pratap with Baba Srichand

Maharana Pratap Singh, the Rajput ruler of Mewar is a legend in Indian history for his exploits against the Mughals. In stark contrast to other Rajput rulers who accommodated and formed alliances with Mughals by marrying their daughters to the Mughals, Maharana Pratap did not yield and fought till his last breath. Mewar had a long standing conflict with the Mughals which started with the defeat of his grandfather Rana Sanga in the Battle of Khanwa in 1527 to Babur and continued with the defeat of his father Udai Singh II in Siege of Chittorgarh in 1568.

Did you know that Maharana Pratap was a disciple of and got his inspiration from Baba Srichand? Here is the legend on the meeting between the two legends: 

Maharana Pratap had to face defeat in the field of Haldi Ghati in 1576 A.D. and waged guerilla warfare against the Mughals for next twenty years. He was running out of funds and losing supporters in his struggle. Baba Shri Chand ji was passing through Mewar area from his journey from Mount Abu. Maharana paid him a visit on the advice of Seth Bhama Shah Jain and asked for his blessing.

Giving him blessing, Baba Srichand advised him to continue fighting till he wins. Babaji said, “Matters of Victory or Defeat are decided by the Hukam (order) of the Creator, but with good intent and upholding Dharma, you will see glory. This is the wisdom of Guru Nanak.”

Blessings and encouraging words of Baba Sri Chand inspired the Maharana. Seth Bhamashah, sitting by Maharana’s side was so inspired with the discussion that he donated all his wealth to Maharana Partap. With the monetary help from Bhamashah and his devoted soldiers, Maharana Pratap regained almost all of his lost empire of Mewar. The noted scholar K.M. Munshi confirms that Maharana Pratap sought Baba Sri Chand's blessings to fight against Akbar.

Baba Srichand

Baba Srichand in Meditation

Baba Srichand was the elder son of Guru Nanak and the founder of Udasi, the ascetic order of the Sikhs. Baba Sri Chand continued his religious pursuits in a direction different from GuruNanak and became a celibate ascetic. Guru Nanak was against the concepts of celibacy and seclusion but he recognized and respected the interests of his son and instead of forcing him to follow in his own footsteps, gave his blessings.

Guru Nanak and Baba Srichand

According to local tradition, baby Sri Chand was born with natural flesh mundra (rings) in his ears, matted locks and ash smeared body, giving additional credence to his connection with the lineage of Guru Gorakhnath. Also remembered is Guru Nanak’s debate with Gorakhnath's successor in the Siddha Goshti. It is said that Gorakhnath told Guru Nanak that he will take birth in the Nanak household as his son. Hence, many believe Sri Chand to be an incarnation of Gorakhnath.

Sons of Guru Nanak - Lakhmidas and Srichand

Baba Srichand had immense respect for has father, and traveled across India to spread the message of Guru Nanak. In fact Sikhs owe the construction, maintenance, and preservation of historic sites associated with Guru Nanak to the followers of Baba Srichand - Nanakmatta (previously known as Gorakh Math), Mangu Math at Jagannath Puri, Udasi Math in Dibar, Srilanks, Kurukal Mandap, Srilanka, Lakhpat shrine, Gujarat, and hundreds more.

Guru Nanak with his two sons

His devotion to Guru Nanak is demonstrated in the Aarta of Guru Nanak Dev ji composed by Baba Srichand ji:

These beautiful words of praise for Guru Nanak are the words of Baba Siri Chand ji written in praise of his father, Guru Nanak and sung by him and the entire sangat as they welcomed the great Guru home from his third Udasi (world pilgrimage) with flowers and candlelight:

Aarta Keejai Nanak Shah Patshah Ka, Har Har Deen Dunia Ke Shehan Shah Ka
Aarta Keejai ...

Char Kunt Jaki Dharamshala, Sangat Gawey Shabad Rasala
Aarta Keejai ...

Kot Devi Jaki Jot Jagaway, Kot Tetees Jaki Ustat Gawey
Aarta Keejai ...

Chhinwey Kror Jakey Charan Pakhaley, Chand Surai Jaki Jot Ujaley
Bhaar Athharah Jaki Pohap Ki Mala, Param Jot Satgur Deen Dyala
Aarta Keejai ...

Pawan Rai Jako Chawar Jhulawey, Rikhi Muni Jako Dhian Legawey
Aarta Keejai ...

Panj Parwan Hai Satgur pura, Bajey Shabad Anahad Toora
Aarta Keejai ...

Ghanta Bajey Dhun Onkara, Adhar Akhand Jako Jhilmil Tara
Aarta Keejai ...

Srichand Bakhaney Satgur Nanak Poota, Agam, Agad, Adol, Awdhuta
Aarta Keejai ...

Jo Jan Nanak Shah Ka Aarta Gawey, Basey Baikunth Param Gat Pawey
Aarta Keejai ...

Saran Parey Ki Rakh Dyala, Nanak Tumrey Bal Gopala
Aarta Keejai ...

"Let us sing the praises of Nanak, King of kings of both worlds . The whole world is His temple, congregations sing sweet songs in His praise Millions of goddesses kindle holy lights in His honor All the gods sing psalms of His praises All wash His lotus feet The Sun and moon illuminate Him with their radiance He is garlanded with mountains of flowers The True Master, the fountain of Light is merciful to the poor The king of the winds fans Him while saints and sages meditate on His holiness The whole universe vibrates with His celestial song The bells ring out - Onkar Continuously illuminating the heavens He is one with God whose name is Truth In Nanak saints find their support Siri Chand, Nanak's son, declares Nanak is unattainable, unfathomable, unshakeable and pure Whoever sings Emperor Nanak's praises resides in heaven and achieves complete salvation Oh kind master: give protection to those who seek your shelter. Oh Nanak: You are the savior we are just your children."

Udasi at Golden Temple

Relation with Sikh Gurus

Baba Srichand was well respected within the mainstream Sikh community and given honor by the Sikh Gurus. In fact, several sons of Sikh Gurus became disciples of baba Srichand. 

When Guru Amardas ji visited Babaji in his Dera at Barath, he bowed down in deep humility and recited “Anand Sahib” to the immense pleasure of Baba Siri Chand ji. Babaji accepted Guru;s son Baba Mohan ji as his disciple and gave him Pothi, the handwritten collections of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s bani.

Guru Amardas with Baba Srichand

When Baba Srichand visited Amritsar in 1636, Guru Ram Das ji received him warmly, and with great respect seated Babaji on a higher seat than his own. Babaji remarked lightheartedly, “Guru Ram Das ji you have such a long beard!” Guru ji in his humility replied, “It is to wipe the lotus feet of great men like you,” and actually bent forward to demonstrate. But Babaji caught him in a warm embrace.

Guru Ramdas with Baba Srichand

 Guru Arjan Dev ji visited Babaji at Barath in 1655 and waited outside for Babaji to come out of meditation. When Guru ji shared his goal of compiling Guru Granth Sahib ji, Babaji gave whatever handwritten bani he still had, and suggested that Guru ji obtain the other portions from Baba Mohan ji. On Guru ji’s request, Babaji provided the line to resume the 17th Asatpadi. He respectfully chose Guru Nanak Dev ji’s verse: “Aad Sach, Jugaad Sach, Hoebi Sach, Nanak Hosi bhi Sach” 

Guru Arjan Dev ji with Baba Srichand

 Guru Hargobind Sahib presents his eldest son Baba Gurditta to Babaji to serve him. Babaji blesses the boy saying “Gurditta, Din Dunia da Thika” (You are the Prince of both the Spiritual and Temporal Worlds). Baba Gurditta ji became Baba Siri Chand ji’s successor and Patriarch of the Udasi Semperdai.

Baba Gurditta ji

We should remember that when Guru Gobind Singh ji left Anandpur Sahib, he put an Udasi in charge. During the battle of Bhangani, Udasi Mahant Kirpal fought alongside the Guru.

Mahant Kirpaldas in Battle of Bhangani

Udasi Order of Sikhs

The travels of Guru Nanak Devji are called Udasis. It is believed that Guru Nanak on his return from every Udasi, blessed his son by giving him the choga (long dress or cloak) that he carried during his journey. Guru Nanak nominated Guru Angad as the next Guru of the Sikhs and appointed Baba Srichand as the head of the leaderless Gorakhpanthis, renaming them as Udasin after his travels.The word Udasi itself is derived from the word 'Udas' as in sad, meaning one is sad until the final merging in the divine, Parmatma.

Baba Srichand

In most gurudwaras of Baba Siri Chand, called Akharas as in the Nath language one will find the Guru Granth Sahib enshrined within the sanctum sanctorum and the Dhuni fire with the chimta (fire tong) of the Nath yogis on the outside. Udasis are known for lighting Dhuna or fire that burns continuously, a tradition followed since ancient times by the Gorakhpanthis of the Nath order.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib at Udasi Akhara

It is unfortunate that ignorant Sikhs are being disrespectful to the Udasis. The shrines maintained by the Udasi order are forcibly taken over and converted into formal Gurdwaras.

Historic Math in Hyderabad

For me, this combination of the Adi Granth and the Dhuni at Udasi Akhara is a lesson on how while being a householder one can also be detached like ascetic yogis. The true confluence of both and a river I seem to be floating down from past lives.It is the bridge between Sikh philosophy and Hindu traditions.

I hope the Dhuni at Udasi Akhara continue to lightup the flame of Guru Nanak's message.

Dhuni - flame atUdasi Akhara