While trans-creating a chapter from Bhai Vir Singh’s book Kalgidhar Chamtakar, I was transported into another dimension. Prose and poetry blended effortlessly. And what I experienced was a glorious symphony, an unexpected beauty that touched the depths of my being.
This story seems to have been set around the period of the Battle of Bhangani (1688). The Hill Rajas had formed an alliance to fight Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Suspicion and turmoil are in the air, which comes out loud and clear in this story.
However, this is not that story.
This story is about a woman – the rani of Raipur, who secretly loves the Guru in this turbulent time. Why secretly? Because her husband is not an admirer of the Guru.
Through the sensitive pen of Bhai Vir Singh, we too get to experience her anguish, her yearning, her deep love and her faith for the Guru.
This is truly a unique love-story.
The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh is an audio series exploring the legacy of the seminal poet presented by Sikh Research Institute.
Known as the Sixth River of Panjab, Bhai Vir Singh gave style, rhythm, and flow to the modern Panjabi language. His writings, spiritual in nature, stimulate the soul and open our eyes to the Beloved.
The purpose of the series is to introduce poems, letters, and essays of Bhai Vir Singh in new translations as a way ofconnecting his work with the audience at large.
The translator Inni Kaur is the CEO of the Sikh Research Institute. She is also the author of ‘Journey with the Gurus’ series, ‘Sakhi-Time with Nani ji’, and ‘Thank You, Vahiguru.’
This series is supported by the generosity of an admirer of Bhai Vir Singh’s writings.
The Sikh Research Institute recognizes its ethical responsibility to promptly correct any factual small or large errors. Please get in touch with us via email to request a correction if you have identified a mistake.
Suggest a correction →In this podcast, we are invited to pause and reflect: What does Sikhi actually say about death? How are we meant to face it, understand it, and live in its awareness?
In saloks ninety-three through one hundred thirty, Sheikh Farid Ji reminds us that the entire world remains under the sway of death. Even the most well-nourished bodies cannot escape it; when old age arrives, even the once strong become weak.
In saloks sixty-six through ninety-two, Sheikh Farid Ji reminds us that with each day comes someone’s time to depart this world. All those here are like guests; yet they spend their lives oblivious, forgetting to prepare for the journey ahead.
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