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BHAI Bala who was a life-long
companion of Guru Nanak, was the son
of Chandar Bhan, a Sandhu Jatt of Talvandi
Rai Bhoi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.
Three years senior in age to Guru Nanak,
he was his childhood playmate in Talvandi.
From Talvandi, he accompanied Guru Nanak
to Sultanpur where he stayed with him
a considerable period of time before
returning to his village.
According to Bala Janam Sakhi, Bhai
Bala at the instance of Rai Bular set
out from Talvandi to join Guru Nanak
who had already left Sultanpur on his
travels abroad and met him in Bhat Lalo's
home at Saidpur. After Guru Nanak's
passing away, Guru Angad, Nanak invited
Bala from his native Talvandi to come
to Khadur and narrate to him events
from the First Guru's life. Very graphic,
if somewhat miraculous, is the version
contained in an old text, the Mahima
Prakash. To quote: "Guru Angad
one day spoke to Bhai Buddha, 'Seek
the disciple who accompanied the Master,
Guru Nanak, on his journeys far and
wide, who heard his preaching and reflected
on it, and who witnessed the many strange
events that occurred; secure from him
all the circumstances and have transcribed
a volume which may please the hearts
of those who should apply themselves
to it.' Bala Sandhu made his appearance."
The anecdotes narrated by Bala were
recorded in Gurmukhi characters in Guru
Angad's presence by another Sikh, Paira
Mokha. The result was what is known
as Bhai Bale Vali Janam Sakhi, a biographical
account of Guru Nanak's life. Bhai Bala
died in 1544 at Khadur Sahib. A memorial
platform, within the precincts of Gurdwara
Tapiana Sahib, marks the site where
his mortal remains were cremated.
Macauliffe, Max Arthur, The Sikh Religion.
Oxford, 1909
McLeod, W.H., Guru Nanak and the Sikh
Religion. Oxford, 1968
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