Kabitt Swayye Bhai Gurdas Ji

About the Book Bhai Gurdas (1551-1636), a leading Sikh scholar of early Sikhism, presented a genuine and standardized exposition of Gurbani in his classic and voluminous works Vars and Kabitt Swayyas. His works were blessed with the epithet of 'Key to Gurbani', by Guru Arjan Dev himself. These works form a part of accepted Sikh canon and are sung at the Sikh congregations along with Gurbani.

This book presents the firstever English translation of Kabitt Swayyas of Bhai Gurdas to apprise the western audience to this classical interpretation of Sikh theology. The text of the Kabitt Swayyas has also been incorporated in Gurmukhi and Roman scripts to enhance the utility of this important reference work.

About the Author Shamsher Singh Puri is a civil engineer by profession. After having worked in his chosen profession he migrated to USA. in 1974. After working as a well reputed construction engineer for 14 years in his adopted country he voluntarily retired and absorbed. himself in the study of Sikh scriptures.

Love of Gurbani being strong in his inheritance he had opportunity, means and mind to pursue the study of Gurbani and write about the message of Guru Nanak. Hence many of his articles were published in reputed journals of U.K., U.S.A. and India. These articles were widely applauded by the readers.

Encouraged by the publication of his articles, he wrote his first book Prayer which was published in 1995. After that he authored Handbook of Sikh Theology, Bhagats and Saints of Guru Granth Sabib, Happy Marriage-the Sikh Perspective, Spiritual Sayings, Sikh Philosophy and Spiritual Life, Ab to faag Masafir Pyare (Punjabi), The Joy of Surrendering to His Will, The Essence of Japji, Let us Learn Gurmukhi (4 parts). All of his works have been well received by scholars and general readers alike.

Introduction It is an accepted fact that Bhai Gurdas was not only the first Sikh scholar but has also been the greatest scholar of Sikhism till date. Despite that there isn't much literature on him (his life-sketch and works) available in English, though some that is obtainable in Punjabi is not very descriptive and beyond the understanding of a common man. To produce life-sketch of great personalities like Bhai.

Gurdas is futile without delving in his thought frame and vision as reflected in his works. Bhai Gurdas lived about three hundred seventy years ago. It will not be wrong to say that he was the first example of a person who lived his life in accordance with Sikh. scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which he had scribed under the guidance of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Fifth Guru of Sikhs).

He (Bhai Gurdas) had read and grasped the import of Vedas, Shastras etc. very thoroughly. But he did not anchor his thoughts on them for exposition of Gurbani, though his comments on Vedas and six schools of Indian philosophy are ample proof of the detailed knowledge that he had.

**Contents and Sample Pages**