[dalsingh101]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Kee Fateh

Here is an article on Bhai Vir Singh's editing of Bhangu's Panth Prakash. If any of the sangat is up for translating this, let me know. Maybe we can form an online team to do this?

Attached File(s)

•  1.jpg (183.28K)
  Number of downloads: 127
•  2.jpg (174.41K)
  Number of downloads: 145
•  3.jpg (200.05K)
  Number of downloads: 94
•  4.jpg (197.16K)
  Number of downloads: 57
•  5.jpg (210.57K)
  Number of downloads: 47
•  6.jpg (191.68K)
  Number of downloads: 32
•  7.jpg (83.6K)
  Number of downloads: 24

[drawrof]

Hey Guys,

Im' at work and have quite a bit to do. I'll translate a bit by bit to give the gist of it all.....and then maybe the details can be picked up by others?

I can't have the windows opened for too long, thanks for the patience.

[drawrof]

Page 188

Bhai veer singh has done much editing in the form of addition and removal when writing panth prakash. This editing isn’t meaningless (meaning it isn’t minor or without impact) because it has been done with intention and motive. The changes have been examined by looking at panth prakash from 1952 and comparing it to the Chandigarh manuscript (797) that is handwritten and the handwritten copy in guru nanak dev university (276). <Drawrof believes that 797 and 276 are the manuscript numbers>. There is a difference between these 2 manuscripts and what bhai vir singh has edited (which eventually is evidenced in the 1952 version of panth prakash).
The most noticeable/important thing is that rattan singh bhangu , the writer of panth prakash, views Sikhs as Hindus (I, Drawrof,believe ‘Hindu’ here means ‘people of India’ as opposed to the modern day view of what Hindu is). Bhai Vir singh cut out Hindu and replaced it with Sikh. In places where sikhan/singhan has been written, the manuscript versions have ‘Hinduan’ written there. Rattan singh writes about bootay shah….

[singh2]

Is it editing or noting opinion. I am not sure about panth parkash but Bhai sahib spent 14 years studying Suraj parakash of Bhai Santokh singh ji. He did not edit it but gave his opinion as footnote.

I am not sure about panth parkash.

[dalsingh101]

Drawof, thanks for the kickstart. I've tried to develop it further. This is much harder than I thought. Feedback from the sangat is welcome in terms of the translation. If we do that first, we can discuss the contents after. Can I suggest any potential translators try and use equivalent words from the original as much as possible. I know my own prelimnary effort here is a tad bit literal but hopefully it will improve along the way. I've also added footnotes and anyone should feel free to follow this convention to supplement the text.

Quote

Bhai Vir Singh has done much editing in the form of addition and removal when writing Panth Prakash. This editing isn’t meaningless because it has been done with intention and motive. The changes have been examined by looking at the Panth Prakash edition printed in 1952 and comparing it to Chandigarh manuscript (number 797) that is handwritten and the handwritten copy at Guru Nanak Dev University (number 276). A handwritten manuscript located at Rarewale didn't come to much use due it being incomplete. There is a difference between the 2 handwritten manuscripts and what Bhai Vir Singh's published (1952) edition contains. Because of this the unchanged details of the text will be given where there is agreement between the two handwritten manuscripts that has subsequently disappeared from the printed edition.

The most noticeable/important thing is that Rattan Singh Bhangu [the author of Panth Prakash], views Sikhs as Hindus but for Bhai Vir Singh Sikhs are not Hindus. Because of this Bhai Vir Singh cut out the word Hindu and replaced it with Sikh. In places where Sikhan/Singhan has been written, the manuscript versions have ‘Hinduan’ written there. The author [Rattan Singh] says about Bootay Shah(1):

"He is a Muslim Maulvi.How could he explain the story of Sikhaan/Hinduan". Even when describing the hostility between the Tat Khalsa and the Bandai, Bhangoo refers to the Tat Khalsa as Hindu.

Need help translating the quote here folks!


In reference to Baghel Singh's seizure of Delhi, [Bhangoo writes]:


"The houses of The turks filled with fear[?] whilst the minds of Sikhaan/Hinduan obtained peace."

It's no matter of astonishment that Bhai Vir Singh removed all reference to Chandi, Raja Janak and Hindu mythology. On the eve of fighting with Ahmed Shah Abdali, Singhs sacrifice an ox to the goddess chandi.

(1)Bute Shah - A maulvi that was tasked by the British to write a history on Sikhs.

This post has been edited by dalsingh101: 18 November 2009 - 10:16 AM

[Maha Singh]

dalsingh101, on 17 November 2009 - 05:44 PM, said:

Drawof, thanks for the kickstart. I've tried to develop it further. This is much harder than I thought. Feedback from the sangat is welcome in terms of the translation. If we do that first, we can discuss the contents after. Can I suggest any potential translators try and use equivalent words from the original as much as possible. I know my own prelimnary effort here is a tad bit literal but hopefully it will improve along the way. I've also added footnotes and anyone should feel free to follow this convention to supplement the text.



(1)Bute Shah - A maulvi that was tasked by the British to write a history on Sikhs.

Dalsingh, the term is Sundeh, which means an ox, a portion which is missed out of Bhai Vir Singhs Panth Parkash and the Panth Parkash of Baba Santa Singh is the Havan which the khalsa did prior to the battle with Ahmed Shah Abdali. Baba Santa Singh accepted that this did happen, however for some reason it isnt included within their steek.

[singh2]

Maha Singh, on 17 November 2009 - 08:10 PM, said:

Dalsingh, the term is Sundeh, which means an ox, a portion which is missed out of Bhai Vir Singhs Panth Parkash and the Panth Parkash of Baba Santa Singh is the Havan which the khalsa did prior to the battle with Ahmed Shah Abdali. Baba Santa Singh accepted that this did happen, however for some reason it isnt included within their steek.

I have panth paraksh with me. Its teeka is done by Baba santa singh. But i do not find any reference about additions and alterations done by Bhai Veer singh ji. Am i missing something?

As far as i know Bhai veer singh ji had got panth parkash printed in 1914. When Dr Balwant singh dhillon compared the printed version of Bhai veer singh ji it was found that there were footnotes only.

This post has been edited by singh2: 17 November 2009 - 11:47 PM

[dalsingh101]

singh2, on 17 November 2009 - 11:38 PM, said:

I have panth paraksh with me. Its teeka is done by Baba santa singh. But i do not find any reference about additions and alterations done by Bhai Veer singh ji. Am i missing something?

As far as i know Bhai veer singh ji had got panth parkash printed in 1914. When Dr Balwant singh dhillon compared the printed version of Bhai veer singh ji it was found that there were footnotes only.

Any chance of you actually helping with the translation effort Singh2?


Maha Singh - Thanks for the info. I have changed the text in light of this.

This post has been edited by dalsingh101: 18 November 2009 - 10:17 AM

[dalsingh101]

People! Come on! Pull your unglees out.

If we can't translate something like this between ourselves, what hope have we got!

No wonder we have to rely on the McLeods of the world.


Please, people with language skills, make some effort.

[Maha Singh]

Ill try to translate the quote your having a problem with. Correct me where I got it wrong and could someone clarify the last but one line.

Quote

Coming they placed the Samagri [Coals, Insence,Herbs etc] in one place, by this means a Hom was created. In the pit the fire was started, and by reading [scriptures] the Goddess Chandi was evoked. Then correct time came for the evocation of the Goddess, the aromas of the Havan were pleasing to the gathered people.

Two Singhs stood facing each other with their Khandas unsheathed, when the permission was given one Singh struck with his Khanda [on the ox], at the same time the other Singh struck too.

[Im not too sure about the last but one line but I believe it mentions that the beautiful head of the ox fell into the Havan]

The whole Panth uttered the resounding sound of victory Jai Jai Kaar!

This post has been edited by Maha Singh: 19 November 2009 - 04:45 PM

[Matheen]

Maha Singh, on 17 November 2009 - 08:10 PM, said:

Dalsingh, the term is Sundeh, which means an ox, a portion which is missed out of Bhai Vir Singhs Panth Parkash and the Panth Parkash of Baba Santa Singh is the Havan which the khalsa did prior to the battle with Ahmed Shah Abdali. Baba Santa Singh accepted that this did happen, however for some reason it isnt included within their steek.

Interesting point, Maha Singh. Is there any reference where Baba Ji accepts the havan happened? Most, if not all, Mahapursh I've spoken to agree that it didn't. However, like all historical texts written such a long time after the actual events, there are bound to be contentious issues. It's the same with parts of Suraj Parkash.

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, Dalsingh.

[Maha Singh]

Matheen, on 19 November 2009 - 06:15 PM, said:

Interesting point, Maha Singh. Is there any reference where Baba Ji accepts the havan happened? Most, if not all, Mahapursh I've spoken to agree that it didn't. However, like all historical texts written such a long time after the actual events, there are bound to be contentious issues. It's the same with parts of Suraj Parkash.

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, Dalsingh.

I have Baba Santa Singh on tape talking about it.

If you go through Panth Parkash of Baba Santa Singh, there is also a portion which describes the Havan carried out by Banda Bahadur in an attempt to evoke the Goddess Kalika.

[dalsingh101]

Worked on this a bit. There are still sections/lines that are unclear. Please help with these where possible (I have emboldened these bits and added comments where appropriate).

Quote

Bhai Vir Singh has done much editing of Panth Prakash in the form of the addition and removal of text. This editing was not pointless but done with a distinctive purpose. These changes have been examined by looking at the Panth Prakash edition printed in 1952 [By Bhai Vir Singh] and comparing it to the handwritten manuscript at Panjab University, Chandigarh (number 797) and the handwritten manuscript held at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (number 276). A handwritten manuscript located at Rarewale wasn't of much benefit due it being incomplete. There is a difference between the text of the 2 handwritten manuscripts and the contents of Bhai Vir Singh's published (1952) edition. Because of this the unchanged details of the text will be given where there is agreement between the two handwritten manuscripts that has subsequently disappeared from the printed edition. This means that Bhai Vir Singh himself must have removed or altered this text.The most noticeable/important thing is that Rattan Singh Bhangu, the author of Panth Prakash, views Sikhs as Hindus but for Bhai Vir Singh Sikhs are not Hindus. Because of this Bhai Vir Singh cut out the word Hindu and replaced it with Sikh.

Places where the words 'Sikhan/Singhan' have been written [in Bhai Vir Singh's publication], contain the word 'Hinduan' in the original manuscript versions (1). The author [Rattan Singh] has this to say about Bute Shah (2):

"He is a Muslim Maulvi.How could he explain the story of Sikhaan/Hinduan". Even when describing the hostility between the Tat Khalsa and the Bandai, Bhangoo refers to the Tat Khalsa as Hindu.


Still need help translating the quote here folks! When I read it, it makes no sense and seems like: "The Sikhaan/Hinduan saw life as a pari, they had but one Guru." I thought the word 'pari' meant female, it doesn't make any sense in this context, does it have another meaning I don't know of?

In reference to Baghel Singh's seizure of Delhi, [Bhangu writes]:


"The houses of The turks filled with fear[?] whilst the minds of Sikhaan/Hinduan obtained peace."


It's no matter of astonishment that Bhai Vir Singh removed all reference to Chandi, Raja Janak and Hindu mythology. On the eve of fighting with Ahmed Shah Abdali, Singhs sacrifice an ox to the goddess Chandi.

"Coming they placed the Samagri [coals, insence, herbs etc.] in one place. By this means a Hom was created.
In the pit the fire was started. By repeatedly reading [scriptures] the Goddess Chandi was evoked.
Then the correct time came for the evocation of the Goddess,
The aromas of the Havan were pleasing to the gathered people. **<Dal - I read a reference to red vermillion (sundhoor) being put on the captive (kaedee) ox[?] here??>**
Two Singhs stood facing each other with their Khandas unsheathed.
When the permission was given. The Singhs got ready with their khandas
First one Singh struck with his Khanda. In the same way the second Singh struck too.

[Im not too sure about the last but one line but I believe it mentions that the beautiful head of the ox fell into the
Havan - Maha Singh] **<Dal - What does 'mees' (first word) mean? And how would you interpret 'koob' (fourth word?) A translation of each
word may help here.>**

The whole Panth uttered the resounding sound of victory Jai Jai Kaar!"


In the next section 'Chandi' has been placed where the words'Shri Mukh' existed previously:

"It was said by shri mukh ..../It was said by the exalted Chandi "

In the stanza that is given next, the removal of Chandi has resulted in a purposeful beheemani [WT????]:

So shri satguru thought I'll...unclear here, what does 'soap' (the word before the last) mean?)/
Then shri satguru I'll....unclear see about

According to Bhangu, Guru Sahib's [Gobind Singh] four sons were given as an sacrificial offering to Chandi. The section below has been removed by Bhai Vir Singh:





(1)Drawof, makes the point that this may be the usage of the term Hindu as an inhabitant of India as opposed to the modern interpretation of the word with its distinct religious connotations.

(2)Bute Shah - A maulvi that was tasked by the British to write a history on Sikhs.

This post has been edited by dalsingh101: 24 November 2009 - 03:00 PM

[Matheen]

Dalsingh, you can download Mahankhosh from www.ik13.com it should have most the words you're looking for explained in Punjabi, from where you can work out the English meaning.

Good luck, sorry I don't have time to give you a hand.

[dalsingh101]

Thanks for the advice Matheen.

I have actually downloaded and been using Mahan Kosh. Believe it or not certain words aren't in there!