How did 'Garab Ganjani' come to existence?

How did 'Garab Ganjani' come to existence?
In 1843, two major events occurred: Maharaja Udhai Singh did Akaal Chalaanaa, and the British annexed majority of Punjab. After Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Akaal Chalaanaa in 1839, Punjab faced occupation as a result of the classic political strategy: divide and conquer. This British map is from 1909. Can you locate Kaithal?

For the previous section, please see here
ਟੀਕਾ ਰਚਨ ਦੀ ਵਿਥਯਾ:
Teekaa Rachan Dhee Vithhyaa
The manner in which this Teeka came to be written:

ਚੌਪਈ ॥ Chaupaee
Chaupaee is a type of chhand [poetic form]
It follows these general rules: Four lines. Each line is 15-17 Matras each depending on which source of rules consulted.
This chhand is also referred to as Jaikaree.
Note: There are offshoots of the chaupaee that are referred to by different names.
ਉਦੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਡ ਭੂਪ ਬਹਾਦੁਰ ।
Oudhae Si[n]gh Bad Bhoop Bahaadhur
Word-by-word:
Bad = Vadaa = Great, Grand | Bhoop = Bhoo-path[i] = Protector, Honour of the Land = King | Bahaadhur = Brave, Courageous |

Oudhae Si[n]gh Bad Bhoop Bahaadhur
Udhai Singh, the great brave king...
ਕਵਿ ਬੁਲਾਇ ਰਾਖ੍ਯਾ ਢਿਗ ਸਾਦਰ।
Kav[i] Bulaae[i] Raakhyaaa Tdig Saadhar
Word-by-word:
Kav[i] = Kavee = Poet [Santokh Singh Ji] | Bulaae[i] = called | Raakhyaa = Kept | Tdig = Nearby | Saadhar = With Respect, Honoured |

... summoned this Kavi, honoured me and cherished my presence.
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਗੁਰਬਾਨੀ।
Sree Gra[n]thh Saahib Gurbaanee
[Among all] of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Gurbani...
ਸਰਬ ਸ਼ਿਰੋਮਨਿ ਜਪੁਜੀ ਜਾਨੀ॥੧੪॥
Sarab Shiroman[i] Japujee Jaanee
Word-by-word:
Sarab = All | Shiroman[i] = Shiromanee = Highest, Ultimate, Supreme | Jaanee = Know/Knew, Understand/Understood,

... [Kavi Ji, Raja Ji, or both] know the [Most] Supreme Bani to be Japji Sahib
ਅਰਥ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਮਹਾਨ ਮਹਾਨੇ ।
Arthh Ga[n]bheer Mahaan Mahaanae
Word-by-word:
Arthh = Meaning | Ga[m]bheer = Profound, Deep | Mahaan = Great, Grand |

Having quite profound meanings, [Sri Japji Sahib] is the Grandest among the Grand [masterpiece scriptures].
ਅਸ ਲਖਿ ਕਵਿ ਸੋਂ ਬਚਨ ਬਖਾਨੇ।
Word-by-word:
Lakh[i] = Lakhee = saw/seen | Kav[i] = Kavee | So[n] = Oh, Vah = That, Them, to refer to a particular subject | Bachan = Words, Command, Instructions, Teachings | Bakhaanae = Spoke |

As Lakh[i] Kav[i] So[n] Bachan Bakhaanae
The [following] is what was understood to be instructed to Kavi Ji by the king:
ਅਲੰਕਾਰ ਯੁਤ ਟੀਕਾ ਰਚੀਏ।
Ala[n]kaar Yuth Teekaa Racheeae
Word-by-word:
Ala[n]kaar = lit. Decoration, Ornaments, or Literary/Poetic Devices | Yuth = Including, Along with | Teekaa = Steek = Commentary | Rachee-ae = Develop, Create |

Write a Teeka (Commentary) including Alankaars (Poetic Devices)
ਨਿਰਨੈ ਅਰਥ ਧਰਹੁ ਮਤਿ ਖਚੀਏ ॥੧੫॥
Nirnai Arthh Dharah[u] Math[i] Khacheeae
Word-by-word:
Nirnai = Discussion, Investigation, Analysis | Dhharah[u] = Take on, Accept | Math[i] = Mathee = Mindset, Lens | Khacheeae = Khicheeae = Let’s Pull, Gather, Connect, Purify |

Let [the Teeka] explore the meanings and connect [the mind] towards the Guru’s Way of Thinking.
ਹੋਤ ਅਸ਼ੰਕਾ ਯਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇਤੀ।
Hoth Asha[n]kaa Yaa Mah[i] Jaethee
Word-by-word:
Hoth = Become | Asha[n]kaa = A-Shankaa = Without Doubt | Yaa Mah[i] = Due to this, Because of this | Jaethee = Jithnee = Whoever |

Any doubts that may have existed [many of which caused by Anandghan’s Teeka]...
ਬੁਧਿ ਬਲ ਕਰਹੁ ਹਰਹੁ ਅਬ ਤੇਤੀ।
Budhh[i] Bal Karah[u] Karah[u] Ab Thaethee
Word-by-word:
Buddh[i] = Budhhee = Decision making faculty, Perceiving part of mind | Bal = Strength, Power | Karah[u] = Make, Do | Ab = Now | Thaethee = How many ever, As much as there exists |

...remove as many [the doubts] using your strong budhhi
ਸੁਨਿ ਕਰਿ ਬਚਨ ਨ੍ਰਿਪਤਿਕੋ ਨੀਕਾ।
Sun[i] Kar[i] Bachan nripathiko neekaa
Word-by-word:
Sun[i] = Sunee = Listened | Kar[i] = Karee = Did/Made | Bachan = Words, Command, Instructions, Teachings | nripath[i]-ko = of the King | neekaa = Good, Positive |

Listening to the wise words of the king...
ਕਵਿ ਨੇ ਰੁਚਿਕ ਰਚਯੋ ਜਪੁ ਟੀਕਾ ॥੧੬॥
Kav[i] nae Ruchik Rachyo Jap[u] Teekaa
Word-by-word:
Nae = Did | Ruchik = With Eagerness | Rachayo = Developed | Jap[u] = Jap[u]jee Sahib |

...Kavi Ji willingly developed this Teeka of Japji Sahib

Garab Ganjani was forgotten and not easily accessible. Bhai Veer Singh was in possession of Kavi Ji's works. There was a memorial committee formed to republish and recognize the work of Kavi Santokh Singh. Again, this Teeka was lost over time. We aim to meet the same goals by translating the Teeka and making it widely available online. 

ਦੋਹਰਾ॥ [Dhoharaa]
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਜਪੁਜੀ ਕੋ ਅਰਥ ਪਰਿ ਪਰਬਤੌਂ ਹਿਤ ਸਾਥ
Sree Japujee Ko Arthh Par[i] Parbathau[n] Hith Saathh
Word-by-word:
Par[i] = Paree = Task, On Top | Parbathau[n] = Mountains | Hith = Heart, Bosom | Saathh = With |

To take on the task of explaining the meanings of Sri Japji Sahib, feels like being among the mountains [such a great task, seems so difficult]...
ਕਥੌਂ ਤਥਾ ਹੈ ਜਥਾ ਮਤਿ, ਬਿਘਨ ਮਥਹਿ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਥ॥੧੭॥
Kathhau[n] Thathhaa Hai Jathhaa Math[i] Bighan Mathhah[i] Gur naathh
Word-by-word:
Kathhau[n] = Tell, Narrate | Thathhaa = Like This | Hai = Is, Are | Jathhaa = Yathhaa = In the same way | Bighan = Obstacle | Mathhah[i] = Churn, Grind, Destroy | naathh = Master |

Explaining this task as such... in the same thought... [I ask] for Guru Sahib – my Master – to remove any obstacles [which would prevent me from completing this task].

Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji Maharaj give shine to our heart. Through loving Guru Sahib, we can enjoy Their Presence.

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਾਨਿਕ ਸਰਸ ਉਰ ਧਾਰੇ ਦੁਤਿ ਪਾਇ।
Sree Naanak Maanik Saras Our Dhhaarae Dhuth[i] Paae[i]
Word-by-word:
Maanik = Red Jewel = Ruby | Saras = With Bliss | Ur = Heart | Dhhaarae = Takes on, Accepts | Dhuth[i] = Shine, Radiance, Glory, Lightwave | Paae[i] = Paaee = Receive |

Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj are the Ruby of Bliss,
if we keep Maharaj in our hearts then we will shine/radiate [Infinite Love]
ਜਿਨ ਕੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਸੁ ਸਿੰਧ ਮੈ ਅਰਥ ਸੁਧਾ ਦਰਸਾਇ॥੧੮॥
Jin Kae Shabadh Su Si[n]dhh Mai Arthh Sudhhaa Dharsaae[i]
Word-by-word:
Jin Kae = Jis Dhae = Who’s | Su = Positive Connotation, Good | Si[n]dhh = Ocean | Mai = Essence, Within | Sudhhaa = Pure | Dharasaae[i] = Dharasaaee = Shows, Presents, Displays |

Whose Shabads are like a Beautiful Ocean from which pure arths are found.
ਜਹਾਂ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਨ ਸੰਸੇ ਸਨੇ ਹਨਿਹੌਂ ਉੱਤਰ ਲੇਖ।
Jahaa[n] Prashan Sa[n]sae Sanae Hanihau[n] Outhar Laekh
Word-by-word:
Jahaa[n] = Where | Prashan = Questions | Sa[n]sae = Doubts, Constant Change of Thoughts | Sanae = With | Hanihau[n] = Destroy | Outh’r = Answers | Laekh = Written, Wrote |

Wherever there are doubtful questions, [Maharaj] destroyed them through the answers written [in Gurbani].
ਦੂਖਨ ਦੇਉਂ ਦਿਖਾਇਕੈ ਭੂਖਨ ਹੈਂ ਸੁ ਬਿਸ਼ੇਖ॥੧੯॥
Dhukhan Dhaeou[n] Dhikhaaeikai Bhookhan Hai[n] Su Bishaekh
Word-by-word:
Dhookhan = Dosh = Faults, Mistakes, Bad qualities | Dhikhaae[i]kai = Showed, Displayed, Presented | Bhookhan = Bhooshan = referring to Alankaars = Jewels | Bishaekh = Vishesh = Particular, Specific |

Showing them their mistaken [perceptions], Gurbani is full of rare jewels/alankaars (poetic devices)
ਗੁਰ ਸ਼ਰਧਾ ਉਰ ਊਰ ਜੇ ਸੁਨਤ ਸਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਇ।
Gur Shardhhaa Our Oor Jae Sunath Sapooran Hoe[i]
Word-by-word:
Shardhhaa = Faith, Trust | Our = Heart, Bosom, Mind, To Go

| Oor = Almost Full | Jae Sunath = If Listened | Sapooran = Sampooran = Complete, Fulfilled | Hoe[i] = Hoee = Become, Became |
If our hearts are filled with faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib then listening [and following Shabad] will lead you to become fulfilled.
ਬਹੁਰ ਨ ਸੰਸੈ ਸੋਚਹੀਂ ਪਠਹਿ ਗੁਨਹਿ ਇਹ ਜੋਇ॥੨੦॥
Bahur n Sa[n]sai Sochahee[n] Pattah[i][n] Gunah[i][n] Eih Joe[i]
Word-by-word:
Bahur n = Not Again | Sa[n]sai = Doubts | Sochahee[n] = Thoughts | Pattah[i] = Learns | Gunah[i] = Qualities, Virtues, Attributes | Eih = These | Joe[i] = Joee = Whoever |  

There will be no more doubtful thoughts for whoever learns [and gains] the qualities [like shardhhaa]
ਬਯੰਗ ਲੱਛਨਾ ਬਹੁਰ ਧੁਨਿ ਨੀਕੇ ਦੇਉਂ ਦਿਖਾਇ।
Bya[n]g Lachhanaa Bahur Dhhun[i] neekae Dhaeou[n] Dhikhaae[i]
Word-by-word:
Byu[n]g = Worth-Knowing | Lachlan = Attributes, Qualities, Characteristics | Bahur = Again | Dhhun[i] = Sounds, Poetic Devices | Neekae = Plural reference of Neekaa = Positive Connotation, Good | Dhaeo[u]n = Given | Dhikhaae[i] = Shown, Presented, Displayed |

These qualities are worth knowing and come from many dhuni’s.
the greatest of which are given and presented [in this Teeka]
(footnote states ‘dhuni’ here refers to poetic devices)
ਅਲੰਕਾਰ ਸਭ ਤੁਕਨਿ ਕੇ ਲਿਖ ਪਰਖਿ ਬਨਾਇ ॥੨੧॥
Ala[n]kaar Sabh Thukan[i] Kae Likh Parakh[i] Banaae[i]
Word-by-word:
Sabh = All, Every | Thukan[i] = Plural of Thuk = Line | Kae = Of | Likh = Write/Written | Parakh[i] = Parakhee = Analyzed | Banaae[i] = Made, Done |

The poetic devices of each line are written and analyzed
ਏਕ ਦੋਇ ਤ੍ਰੈ ਚਾਰ ਤੇ ਰੈਂ ਅਰਥ ਮਤਿ ਜੋਇ।
Aek Dhoe[i] Thrai Chaar Thae Rai[n] Arthh Math[i] Joe[i]
Word-by-word:
Aek = One, 1 | Dhoe[i] = Two, 2 | Thrai = Three, 3 | Chaar = Four, 4 | Thae = Of, From |

One, two, three, four... arths are presented [for each line] based on Kavi Ji’s Knowledge... If there are any left
ਜੇ ਸਿਖਯਨ ਤੇ ਸ਼੍ਤ ਸੁਨੇ ਸਰਬ ਲਿਖੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਸੋਇ॥੨੨॥
Jae Sikhyn Thae Shrath Sunae Sarab Likhyo[n] Mai[n] Soe[i]
Word-by-word:
Jae = If | Sikhyan = Sikhs | Shrath = Divine Truth | Sunae = Listened to | Sarab = All, Every | Likhyo[n] = Written | Mai[n] = I | Soe[i] = Soee = Them |
As I heard [further arths] from [other] Gursikhs,

I have [also] written them all down.
ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰਬਾਨੀ ਕੇ ਬਿਖੈ ਕਾਵ੍ਯ ਰੀਤਿ ਸਭਿ ਆਹਿ।
Shree Gurbaanee Kae Bikhai Kaavy Reeth[i] Sabh[i] Aah[i]
Word-by-word:
Bikhai = Within | Kaavy = Poetry | Reeth[i] = Tradition, Style | Aah[i] = Fall Within |

All of Gurbani is written in poetry
ਕਿਨਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਨਾ ਕਰੀ ਜਗ ਅਸ ਪਿਖਿ ਮਮ ਭਈ ਚਾਹਿ॥੨੩॥
Kinahu Pragat naa Karee Jag As Pikh[i] Mam Bhae-ee Chaah[i]
Word-by-word:
Kinah[u] = Who | Pragat = Made Visible | Naa = Negative connotation | Karee = Done/Made | Jag = Universe/World | Pikh[i] = Analyze, To Look Into | Mam = I | Bhae-ee = Formed | Chaah[i] = Desire, Eagerness |
No one in the world has yet analyzed and presented this aspect, realizing this [fact]…
I had a desire to [analyze in the lens of traditional poetry]

Kavi Ji is referring to themselves as a miner, they are digging for the jewels of arths & poetic devices in order to be appreciated by the Sangat.

ਧਰਨੀ ਹੀਰਨਿ ਕੀ ਸਰਸ ਗੁਰਬਾਨੀ ਮਤਿ ਮੋਲ।
Dhharanee Heeran[i] Kee Saras Gurbaanee Math[i] Mol
Word-by-word:
Dhharanee = Earth | Heeran[i] = Diamonds | Kee = Of, From | Saras = Glory, Bliss | Mol = Worth |
Just like the earth’s worth is given by diamonds, in the same way the mind is given worth by Gurbani

ਖਨਵਾਰੀ ਜਯੋਂ ਖੋਜਿ ਕੈ ਅਰਥ ਦਿਖਾਊਂ ਅਮੋਲੁ ॥੨੪॥
Khanvaaree Jayo[n] Khoj[i] Kai Arthh Dhikhaaoo[n] Amol[u]
Word-by-word:
Khanvaaree = Miner | Khoj[i] Kai = Dig, Searches | Amol = Priceless | Like a miner, I will show you the Priceless-Treasures of meanings of Gurbani


Please point out any mistakes, omissions, corrections etc.
Forgive for any mistakes.
Guru Panth Ka Daas,
Aaeenaa

Our Parent Group