The Translation Story
There was no plan to translate Baavan Updesh. Daas did not even know it existed till Sant Giani Bhagwan Singh Ji Bhindranwale 'Thapa Ji' were selectively distributing the pothi to parcharaks at 2023 Experience Sikhi Camp. Daas was staying in the same cabins as Bhai Sahib Bhai Harman Singh & Bhai Sahib Bhai Supreet Singh Ji and Giani Ji had gifted them the pothi. Daas had the opportunity to have darshan of the pothi while in our cabins.
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Before this camp, daas was aware of the different Gursikhs attending camp. In the depths of my heart... my only goal was to make the Gursikhs happy. I wanted to do their seva. Through their sangat and seva, I felt my breaths would be fulfilled while at camp:
ਸੰਤ ਸੇਵਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਨਾਥ ਰੰਗੁ ਲਾਲਨ ਲਾਏ ॥੧॥
Sa[n]th Saev[i] Preeth[i] naathh Ra[n]g[u] Laalan Laa-ae
By serving the saints, I feel love and affection for my Beloved-Master
(Dhan Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib in Raag Aasaa, Ang 408)
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Then Guru Sahib planted the idea to translate this pothi. Daas thought that it would take a few months till daas will get around to it. This camp was supposed to be a break from translations but Maharaj had other plans.
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Giani Ji had explained that they met an elderly man at Damdama Sahib's 2016-2017 Vaisakhi celebrations. The senior was wearing very simple clothes and was holding copies of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's 52 Hukams. The copies were covered in dirt. The senior suggested that someone should write the 52 Hukams into a poetic form so that it would be easier to memorize. Giani Ji added on that the nature of this person seemed to be God-sent.
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Giani Ji had sat down to write the 52 Hukams into Dohara's and they completed them in 3 hours! After hearing this, daas reflected: Guru Sahib is working directly through their Gursikhs! Truly everything is happening within Guru Sahib's Hukam. That Hukam is beautiful. When one becomes a witness to it, all that can be said is: "Vaheguru!" Giani Ji had presented the 52 Dohara's to Singh Sahib Jathedar Sant Baba Kulwant Singh Ji (Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchal Nagar Sahib). Jathedar Ji had delightedly told them that this was such a great task & that Giani Ji had Dhan Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj's Special Kirpa upon Their Head. Jathedar Ji encouraged them to publish the Dohara's and so, 'Baavan Updesh' came into existence as it is available to us now today.
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Daas was able to witness Guru Sahib's Kirpa as well. It was more of Vaheguru showing pity upon their suffering Jeev. Guru Sahib had translated the 52 Dohara's in 3 days during the 2023 Experience Sikhi Camp. Maharaj's Kirpa is flowing through us right now and we don't realize it. Daas was able to have Sangat of Gursikhs, attend diwan, & attend workshops all while this translation came into existence. There's not enough time in a day for all of this to occur but Vaheguru made it happen.
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Daas had completed translating the Dohara pages then made Giani Ji aware of the seva. All I had asked was for their happiness and they said we want to get Guru Sahib's happiness. They had Bhai Gurmukh Singh run through it with daas. There was still the introductions and table of contents left. Giani Ji had requested that the sections be proofread by Gursikhs. Daas would like to take this time to show gratitude and thank Bhai Sahib Bhai Jivanpal Singh Ji UK & Bhai Sahib Bhai Harman Singh Ji for helping to proofread this English translation. Any mistakes that you find, they are of daas' lowly mistranslation. Please suggest any corrections.
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Note: Giani Ji had only freshly released this pothi in May 2023. They said there may be some revisions in the future. Please keep this in mind while reading this pothi as well.
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