On this day, the Panth was blessed with a great gem, Kavi Santokh Singh Ji - author of Sri Gurpratap Suraj Parkash Granth. Kavi Chooramani Bhai Santokh Singh Ji was not only a poetic and linguistic master but also one of the greatest scholars of our Panth. Their voluminous work of Sri Gurpratap Suraj Parkash consists of 51,829 couplets and 9700 couplets of Sri Nanak Parkash. For the average person, producing one couplet in accordance to literary techniques is not an easy task.
Kavi Ji's main aim in life was to write the Guru Sahibaan's history. This could only be achieved by intensive research and most importantly with spiritual guidance. In order to gain this spiritual guidance, they spent many years meditating before proceeding to write. It is also said that Kavi Ji would get Partakh Darshan of Guru Sahib when writing the Granth. Kavi Ji had an immense knowledge of the Sikh scriptures, history and spirituality as a result of the Kirpa (blessing) they had, their amazing teachers including Gyani Sant Singh Ji (once the Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib). Their knowledge in various fields is evident in their writings. For instance, their deep knowledge in Botany is evident when they describe the flowers at Hemkunt Sahib in detailed manner. In 1813, Kavi Ji was appointed the Raj-Kavi of Boodia Riyasat (State), where they were greatly honored. They were also given the title of a Churamani Kavi, a prestigious title for a poet because of their ability to write Sri Gurpratap Suraj Parkash in full Alangkars (figure of speech) and being able to evoke all the 9 Ras (essence/feelings) in listeners.
Suraj Parkash Katha is more than just a historical account. It is like a step-by-step guise to building sharda; falling in love with Sikhi. There are many ways how Sri Nanak Parkash and Sri Gurpratap Suraj Parkash katha helps us in our jeevan:
1. A Method of Building Focus
When listening Ithihaas (historical) Katha, one needs a lot of focus to understand the narrative being told. Since the Granth is in a narrative form, it is easier to understand. It can take a few reincarnations to develop the ability of fulling focusing your mind when meditating, but Guru Mahraj has blessed us with an easier route. We can utilize Katha as a tool to train our mind to focus and that will carry over to meditation. Listening to Katha itself is a form of Bhagti.
2. Builds Shardha (devotion)
Learning about the life of our Guru Sahibaan helps us understand to a certain extent the nature of each of our Guru Sahibs which in return deepens our relationship with our Guru. The more we listen to Ithihaas Katha of Guru Sahibs, the more we realise how truly great our Guru Sahibaan are. We also get to learn about how puratan Gursikhs did sewa of the Guru and Guru Ghar and this in return teaches us how to be a Sikh. When we listen to narratives of how Guru Mahraj saves their Sikhs in various situations, it gives us the assurance that we too will be saved by our great Guru. This can also be greatly therapeutic for our mental health knowing that we ultimately have a great Guru to rely on regardless of how challenging life gets.
3. Lessons from Others Mistakes
In historical katha, we get to learn about the common questions we have today which were also asked by puratan Sikhs to Guru Sahib. Listening to the replies given by Guru Sahib to them helps to answer our questions as well. We also get to learn from mistakes made by Sikhs in their spiritual journeys and how Guru Ji guided them in return. This helps us to reflect and learn from these incidents so that we don't repeat the same mistakes. as some of them are made to teach us, the future generations. The lessons that our Guru wants us to learn would not reach us if we don't learn our history.
4. Sanggat of the Guru
Every time we listen to the Katha of Guru Sahibaan with focus, our consciousness goes to them and this enables us to do the Sanggat of our Guru Sahibaan and their Sikhs. Listening to the esteemed life and praises of our Guru is a form of meditation too. When we love someone, we would want to know more about the person. In the same way, how would we call ourselves as a Sikh of the Guru without actually knowing who our Guru is, how they used to speak, what they used to eat and wear etc?
In a nutshell, undoubtedly, without Suraj Parkash, our historical record on the lives of all our Guru Sahibaan will be very limited. Kavi Ji has given us an opportunity to experience the life of our Guru Sahibs, attaining heavenly Anand while living in this challenging Kalyug. We’re indebted to Kavi Ji for gifting us this Khajana (treasure) and we should take the initiative to listen to its Katha.