After years, Bhai Sahib Vir Singh received a message from his college friend. The friend was in the hospital and urgently requested Bhai Sahib's visit. Surprised and eager to assist, Bhai Sahib promptly went to the hospital. Sadly, his friend was terminally ill, with only a few weeks left to live. Despite his friend not having a spiritual inclination, upon seeing Bhai Sahib, he began to weep and confessed, "I have lived a wasted and purposeless life. Now that death is approaching, I am filled with fear."
Bhai Sahib, known for his compassionate nature, responded, "There is always mercy in the Guru's house. Start meditating on the Guru's Word - SatNaam WaheGuru." It is often said that a drowning man will cling to even the smallest twig. In this case, his friend delved deeply into the practice of meditating on the Guru's Word. Bhai Sahib returned home and gradually lost touch with his friend, as they were not particularly close during their college years.
A few weeks later, Bhai Sahib had a dream about his friend. In the dream, his friend was sitting atop a berry tree at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, joyfully enjoying the berries. Looking down at Bhai Sahib, he exclaimed, "Guru Nanak has accepted me. I am free! Here, have a berry..." and tossed one to Bhai Sahib. Startled, Bhai Sahib woke up from the dream.
Being a deep researcher of spiritual matters, Bhai Sahib realized that this was no ordinary dream. He promptly recorded the day and time in his diary - it was 1:16 am. He also resolved to visit his friend that very day. Later that day, Bhai Sahib went to the hospital, only to find his friend's bed empty. Upon inquiring, he learned that his friend had passed away at 1:16 am that morning.
Who was Bhai Veer Ji?
Bhai Vir Singh, born on December 5, 1872, in Amritsar, was a renowned Indian poet, scholar, and theologian who played a significant role in the Sikh revival movement. He made notable contributions to the rejuvenation of the Punjabi literary tradition. Singh's impact and influence were so profound that he was canonized with the honorific title of "Bhai," a term often bestowed upon individuals who are regarded as saints within the Sikh faith.
His life
He was the eldest son of Dr Charan Singh. His family had a long lineage tracing back to Diwan Kaura Mal, who served as a vice-governor (Maharaja Bahadur) of Multan. Bhai Vir Singh's grandfather, Kahn Singh (1788–1878), dedicated his youth to studying traditional Sikh teachings and became well-versed in Sanskrit, Braj, and various oriental systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Yunani. Kahn Singh's influence on his son, Dr Charan Singh, prompted him to actively engage in the Sikh community and express his devotion through poetry, music, and writings, with the aim of reviving and revitalizing the Sikh community.
At the age of seventeen, Bhai Vir Singh married Chatar Kaur and were blessed with two daughters. Bhai Vir Singh played a significant role in Sikh literature, promoting Sikh values and spirituality through his writings. He contributed to the revival of Punjabi literature and helped establish the modern Punjabi literary tradition. His works often delved into Sikh history, philosophy, and spirituality, inspiring a sense of pride and devotion among Sikhs.
Bhai Vir Singh's contributions to Sikhism and Punjabi literature continue to be celebrated and appreciated. He passed away on June 10, 1957, in Amritsar, leaving behind a rich legacy of literature and spiritual teachings.
Educational achievements
Bhai Vir Singh had the advantage of receiving both traditional indigenous education and modern English education. He possessed knowledge of Sikh scripture, as well as languages such as Persian, Urdu, and Sanskrit. In 1891, he took his matriculation examination at Church Mission School in Amritsar and achieved the first position in the entire district.
He continued his secondary education at Church Mission High School. During this time, Bhai Vir Singh witnessed some of his classmates converting from Sikhism to Christianity. This experience further solidified his own religious convictions towards Sikhism. Inspired by the Christian missionaries' effective use of literary sources, he conceived the idea of imparting the core principles of Sikhism to others through his own written resources.
Utilizing the skills and techniques he had acquired through his English studies, Bhai Vir Singh began creating stories, poems, and epics, while also documenting the history and philosophical ideas of Sikhism. Through his writings, he aimed to disseminate knowledge about Sikhism in modern literary forms and make it more accessible to a wider audience.
His continuous contributions to the Sikh community
Bhai Vir Singh believed that Sikhism was a special religion that needed to be preserved. He wanted Sikhs to understand their faith better and be proud of their unique beliefs and culture. During that time, Sikhs were often mistreated by the British who wanted them to blend in with mainstream society. The British even humiliated Sikhs by forcibly shaving their hair and beards. Despite this, he aimed to revive Sikh culture and religion peacefully. He wrote many novels, epics, and poems to inspire Sikhs. He played a key role in revitalizing Sikhism through their literary works.
His literary contributions
Bhai Vir Singh became interested in the Singh Sabha movement and wanted to support its goals. So, in 1894, he started the Khalsa Tract Society. This society published inexpensive booklets called Nirguniara, which covered topics like Sikh theology, history, philosophy, and social reform. Bhai Vir Singh used this platform to connect with more and more readers. He also used the Nirguniara to express himself and even serialized some of his major works like Sri Guru Nanak Chamatkar and Sri Guru Kalgidhar Chamatkar in its pages.
Bhai Vir Singh also wrote novels that are considered early examples of Punjabi novels. His novels, such as Sundari (1898), Bijay Singh (1899), and Satwant Kaur (published in two parts in 1900 and 1927), aimed to depict the heroic period of Sikh history in the 18th century. Through these novels, he presented his readers with examples of bravery, strength, and human dignity. Bhai Vir Singh respected other religions and didn't belittle them in his writings. In fact, he criticized the destruction of Hindu idols in Kashmir in his book Avantipur de Khandar. He also spoke against religious fanaticism, explaining that it often stems from fear and excessive beliefs.
A renowned Punjabi scholar
The novel "Baba Naudh Singh" by Bhai Vir Singh, also known as Subhagji da Sudhar Hathin Baba Naudh Singh, was serialized in Nirguniara starting from 1907 and later published as a book in 1921. It explores the story of a widow's strong desire to be reunited with her deceased husband, similar to Bhai Vir Singh's previous work "Rana Surat Singh," which he began serializing in 1905.
After publishing "Rana Surat Singh" as a book in 1919, Bhai Vir Singh shifted his focus to writing shorter poems and lyrics. Some of these works include "Dil Tarang" (1920), "Tarel Tupke" (1921), "Lahiran de Har" (1921), "Matak Hulare" (1922), "Bijlian de Har" (1927), and "Mere Sayian Jio" (1953). These writings played a significant role in the development of Punjabi poetry.
In November 1899, Bhai Vir Singh started a Punjabi weekly publication called "Khalsa Samachar." He also worked on revising and expanding Giani Hazara Singh's dictionary, originally published as "Sri Guru Granth Kosh" in 1898. The revised edition was released in 1927. Additionally, Vir Singh published critical editions of various old Sikh texts, including "Sikhan di Bhagat Mala" (1912), "Prachin Panth Prakash" (1914), "Puratan Janam Sakhi" (1926), and "Sakhi Pothi" (1950). Another important contribution by Bhai Vir Singh was his annotation of Santokh Singh's "Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth." This annotation was published in fourteen volumes from 1927 to 1935.
Revolutionary stance towards the inclusion of women
Sikhism emphasizes equality between men and women. It considers it sinful to favour one gender over the other. Bhai Vir Singh reflected this belief in his novels by featuring strong female characters. His first novel, Sundari, showcased Sunder Kaur, a woman who converted from Hinduism to Sikhism and led an adventurous life in the jungles with a group of Sikh warriors. Sundari was the first novel written in the Punjabi language and was well-received by the Sikh community, gaining immediate popularity. Bhai Vir Singh also created other important female characters like Rani Raj Kaur, Satvant Kaur, Subhagji, and Sushil Kaur. Even by today's standards, these female characters are seen as well-rounded and inspiring to both male and female Sikhs. In fact, Bhai Vir Singh often portrayed women in his novels as more likely to achieve spiritual enlightenment than their male counterparts.
Bhai Vir Singh was highly respected and honoured for his contributions to Sikh literature. He played a crucial role in establishing the Punjab & Sind Bank. In recognition of his remarkable achievements, he was awarded the Sahitya Academy Award in 1955 and the Padma Bhushan Award in 1956. After his death, his commentary on nearly half of the Holy Book, the Adi Granth, was published in seven large volumes. His passing marked the end of an era in Sikh scholarship, but his works continue to inspire and educate readers across generations.
*Based on a blog titled ‘Goodbyes’, published on 16th June 2008