Varan Bhai Gurdas
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| Guru Granth Sahib |
| Dasam Granth |
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| Varan Bhai Gurdas |
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Varan Bhai Gurdas is the name given to the 40 Varan (chapters) of writing which is generally attributed to Bhai Gurdas. They have been referred to as the "gurbani di kunji," or "Key to understanding the Sri Guru Granth Sahib" by Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru.
Bhai Gurdas was a first cousin of Mata Bhani, mother of Guru Arjan Dev. He was the first scribe of Guru Granth Sahib and a scholar of great repute. From his work it is clear that he had mastery of various Indian languages and had studied many ancient Indian religious scriptures.
Each of the 40 chapters of "Varan Bhai Gurdas" consists of a differing number of Pauris (sections, paragraphs). The composition is a collection of detailed commentary and explanation of theology and the ethics of Sikh beliefs as outlined by the Gurus. It explains the Sikh terms like sangat, haumai, "Gun", Gurmukh and Manmukh, Sat, Naam, etc. Many of the principles of Sikhism are explained in simple terms by Bhai Sahib and at times in many different ways.