Bhagat Maalaa ~ Part XI - Chandar Hans

Introduction to the short stories

 

The short stories are a collection of stories taken from the Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala, which have been translated into simple English. The purpose of translating these stories is to provide understanding and the significance of these stories when reciting Gurbaani.

The Sikh Gurus and other Bhagats within Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have made references to the various saints and disciples who existed at the time of the Hindu deities. By no means are these stories a form of praise or worship of the Hindu deities, but they are used as a reference to purely develop the meaning of Gurbaani.

The stories taken from Hindu mythology provide examples from the lives of the disciples and saints as parallels to understand the power and greatness of the One Lord, the righteous practise of faith and Dharma and how one is emancipated from sin and misfortune through meditating upon the Primal Lord.  

 

~ Harjinder Singh Khalsa

 

The Story of Chandar Hans
 

Chandar Hans was the only son of Raja Mehdhavi and was born in the South of India. In the age of Duaapar, there was a huge battle between the kings and Chandar Hans' father was killed by Drishtbudhi. Chandar Hans' mother became sati (a common Hindu practice where the widow threw herself on her husband's funeral pyre, which was abolished by the 3rd Guru, Guru Amar Daas Ji). Chandar Hans became an orphan and was raised by one of the maids, who raised him as one of her own.

Mehdhavi's enemy wanted to kill Chandar Hans. When Chandar Hans' nurse heard about this, she took Chandar Hans and fled to Kuntalpur. Although she saved Chandar Hans' life, she had nothing left to provide for him. Chandar Hans grew to be a great warrior and a great devotee of Krishna.

Drishtbudhi continued with his quest to kill Chandar Hans. Dridhtbudhi's son, Jalaad organised some men to kidnap Chandar Hans and take him to the jungles. They tied him up and stuffed his mouth with a piece of cloth so that he could not cry out for help. They threw him next to the river and left him there. Chandar Hans realised that Jalaad had him taken to the jungles so that he could be killed there. Chandar Hans asked Jalaad, "Tell me this, why do you want to kill me? Have I done something good or bad because you normally kill someone if they have done something bad?"

Jalaad answered, "I do not hate you neither do I bear enmity with you. Drishtbudhi wishes for you to be killed. He has sent us to do it. We have to accept everything he tells us to do or he will kill us."

Chandar Hans: "But why does he wish to kill me? What have I done to cause him so much pain and hatred towards me?"

Jalaad: "He is worried and suspicious because you are the son-in-law of the Raja in Kuntalpur and you will become Raja one day. He wants to kill you so you do not become the Raja and wage a war against him. There's no time to talk now, I have to kill you."

Chandar Hans: "Fine, kill me! I cannot hold your hand but at least let me meditate upon the Lord before you kill me, so that if you do kill me I can at least be emancipated by the Lord."

Jalaad agreed and allowed him to do this. Chandar Hans took out a small statue; he placed a few leaves and flowers from the jungle in front of it and began his prayers. Chandar Hans prayed to the Lord to save him. The Lord became merciful and He entered the mind of Jalaad. Jalaad decided to not kill Chandar Hans. As he was about to leave, he looked at Chandar Hans' foot and saw that he had six toes. He chopped the sixth toe so that he could show Drishtbudhi the toe and say he killed Chandar Hans.

Chandar Hans remained in the jungles. His foot was bleeding and he was in a lot of pain. He prayed to the Lord again and the Lord stopped his foot from bleeding.

One day the Raja of Kuntalpur, Raja Kulindar went hunting in the jungles. He saw Chandar Hans meditating and he approached him. He told Chandar Hans to go home and get changed. Chandar Hans told him that he has no home, his parents both died and Drishtbudhi wishes to kill him for no reason. Raja Kulindar felt pity for Chandar Hans and saw how sincere and devoted Chandar Hans was that Raja Kulindar took him to his palace. Raja Kulindar made Chandar Hans his son and made him a prince.

 

ਜਿਉ ਜਨ ਚੰਦ੍ਰਹਾਂਸੁ ਦੁਖਿਆ ਧ੍ਰਿਸਟਬੁਧੀ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਘਰੁ ਲੂਕੀ ਜਾਰੇ ॥੬॥

Jio Jan Chandhrehaans Dhukhiaa Dhhrisattabudhhee Apunaa Ghar Lookee Jaarae ||6||

जिउ जन चंद्रहांसु दुखिआ ध्रिसटबुधी अपुना घरु लूकी जारे ॥६॥

When Dhrishtabudhi tormented the humble devotee Chandrahaans, he only set his own house on fire. ||6||

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Related Articles:

Part I: Raja Ambrik

Part II: Bhagat Angra ji and Bhagat Bidar

Part III: Sri Dhru Bhagat & Sri Prahladh Bhagat ji

Part IV: The Story of Ajaamal

Part V: The Story of Bhagat Sudama

Part VI: The story of Gotam Muni & Ahalia

Part VII: The Story of Raja Janak

Part VIII: The Story of Raja Bali

Part IX: The Story of Ajraja-Akrur

Part X:The Story of Bhisham Pitaama 

Part XI: The Story of Chandar Hans

Part XII: The stories of Durbaasha Rishi and Gajinder (the Elephant)

Part XIII:The Stories of Kubija Maalan and Oudhar

Part XIV:The Story of Sarvan Bhagat

Part XV: The Story of Rishi Balmeek 

Part XVI: The Stories of Sankaadik and Rukmaangudh

Part XVII: The Story of Sukdev Muni

Part XVIII: Madhusudan Demon Destroyer

Part XIX: Mother Daraupti

Part XX: The Story of Ganika

Part XXI: Sulhi & Sulbi Khan's Evil Conspiracy

Part XXII: The Story Raja Hari Chand

Part XXIII: The Story of Kaesee Dainth

Part XXIV: The Story of Raagmaala