Bachitra Naatik - A Part of the Sikh Scriptures

by Guru Gobind Singh, Dr. Ujagar Singh Bawa (Translator)

In the last 10 years several translations of the Dasam Granth have become available to English-speaking sangats. This has really been a blessing, and it is wonderful to access the knowledge and incredible inspiration of the 10th Master’s writings, Siri Guru Gobind Singh ji. However, translating the words of Guru Gobind Singh is no easy task, and some work is better than others. They say that Dasam Bani (bani of the 10th Guru) is “mangi bani” – meaning precious but very difficult. Even with the credible works of Dr. Jodh Singh and Surinder Singh Kolhi, my favorite translation is an earlier work by Dr. Ujaghar Singh Bawa. The Bichitra Naatik -A part of the Sikh Scriptures, published in 1991, is a translation of the first part of the Dasam Granth that contains Guru Gobind Singh life history in his own words, beginning not only from conception, but even before during his time at Hemkunt Sahib. “This is an unusual autobiography of a saint-soldier whose principal aims of life were to cleanse the soul through meditation, to profess and uphold righteousness, freedom of religion, protection of human rights, [and] to live with dignity.” It consists of 14 chapters and 471 verses. Dr. Bawa translates this difficult text with a deep sense of consciousness and sensitivity. He doesn’t shy away from the truth as it is written, and gives us an honest representation of the Guru’s words. This is a book I have referred to over and over again in the exploration and discovery of the life of Guru Gobind Singh ji.

162 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1991

About the author

Guru Gobind Singh (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ); 22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708) was the tenth Guru of Sikhism. He was born in Sikh Hunjan near Patna, Bihar in India and became a Guru on 11 November 1675, at the age of nine years, succeeding his father Guru Tegh Bahadur. He was the leader of the Sikh faith, a warrior, a poet, and a philosopher. In the Sikh society, Guru Gobind Singh is considered an epitome of chivalry; scholar, skilled in horsemanship, armed combat, chivalrous, and generous in character.

Guru Gobind Singh's life and teachings have had a lasting impression on Sikh ideology as well as in their daily life. His establishment of the Khalsa in 1699 is considered as one of the most important events in history of Sikhism. He fought several defensive battles with the Mughals and their alliances, such as Rajas of Shivalik Hills. Guru Gobind Singh was the last human Sikh Guru; and in Nanded he declared the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, as the final Sikh Guru on October 7, 1708.