On the Compilation of Suraj Prakash

A translation of Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha's belief regarding the compilation of Sri Gurpratap Suraj Granth, as found in Gurmat Martand Volume I.

A Granth named Gur Pratap Surya was compiled and completed by the Bikrami Samvat year 1900 (circa 1843 CE.)

Its author, Kavi Santokh Singh, passed away that same year in the month of Kattak in the city of Kaithal.

Late 19th century depicition of Kavi Santokh Singh.

The respected Bhai Sahib described the process of the compilation in the following manner:

First I hath related the exegesis of the esse of the Great Guru Nanak, which I transformed according to my sense into versified form.

Then I willed to pen the days of the rest nine Gurus but I could not continue to my great regret. (9)

In my quest I wandered about but my heart was firmly attached to my mission of completing the account of the greatness of the Gurus.

Due to a great turn of my furtune I was able to enter the city of Kaithal, where I sat and completed a pure teeka of the meanings of the Japuji. (10)

Thus did my destiny shine that I was able to put my mind into writing an account of the times of Lord Rama.

Upon hearing the exposition of Ramayana of the sage Valmiki, I was moved to render it (into the common tongue of Braj) in the known forms of poetics. (11)

…

I continued and recorded a treatise of the essence of the Upanishads. It was named Atam-Gyan (knowledge of the soul) and it was quite magnificent. (13)

…

In a trice I was able to gather the histories of the Gurus. I discovered the stories of the Gurus’ glory in complete form. If the Guru wills it one is able to be bequathed with the blessing that allows them to access the magnificence of the Guru. (15)

Beholding everything collected, I was inspired a great deal and proceeded to author this present volume of bonafide resplendence. Just as Bhai Ram Kuir hath narrated the whole history (reffering to the original source), I follow in that same pattern. (16)

….

In the beginning of the year of Samvat 1900 (circa 1843), in the early month of Chet, the evil forces (East India Company) invaded and caused great commotion. (35)

Great loot was followed in the city of Kaithal and many thugs and dacoits joined in to profit. All citizens abandoned the city to protect their lives. (36)

…..

After this ordeal, the present volume was completed later that year in the month of Sawan. The Great Creator aided me in my task and thus I was able to avoid many hurdles. (40)

Ruins of Kaithal fortress, 2007. It was from 1767 to 1843 the seat and residence of the royal family of Bhai Udai Singh of Kaithal.

The venerable Bhai Sahib had immense love and devotion towards the institution of Gurmat, however owing to his having mingled with the company of Pandits, which functioned as a goad to his will, he hath been persuaded to author the bios of the Great Gurus in a manner akin to the Puranic frameworks of the myriad Avatars of Lord Vishnu and not in a manner antithetical to the Shastras — his books were bound to be widely lauded and much vaunted across the greater expanse of the adherents of the Brahmanical faith — and on grounds of this he hath committed indiscretion.