A Collection of 405 Tales
Created and designed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Praised by scholars as the effigy of Political wisdom
Containing Stories of the lowest depths and the highest heights that mankind can reach
About Charitropakhyan
The Charitropakhyan is the most voluminous section of the Dasam Guru Granth Shaib Ji
Filled with decorative literary devices this type of composition is called Kissa literature. A type of literature that invokes valor, courage, and religion. Charitropakhyan is collection of hundreds of tales that describe the lowest depths and the highest moral character human kind can reach.
Each story is designed to be contemplated
Each Story contains the divine creativity of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Mahraaj leaves behind a collection of stories for us, the readers, to pickup and analyze.
Some of these tales were taken classical indian texts such as the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Puranas, the Hitopadesa, the Panchatantra, from Mughal family stories, from folk tales of Rajputana and the Punjab, and even from ancient Hebrew lore. Some stories are believed to be the personal experiences of the Tenth Guru and others miscellaneous sources.
Imbedded in teachings by design
Charitar #21 - A conversation believed to be between Guru Gobind Singh Ji and their father (Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji) recorded within the Charitropakhyan
“ਸੁਧਿ ਜਬ ਤੇ ਹਮ ਧਰੀ ਬਚਨ ਗੁਰ ਦਏ ਹਮਾਰੇ”
“When I came of sensible age, my guru gave me this teaching”
“ਪੂਤ ਇਹੈ ਪ੍ਰਨ ਤੋਹਿ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਜਬ ਲਗ ਘਟ ਥਾਰੇ”
“Oh my son, as long their the breath of life in your body , make this commitment”
“ਨਿਜ ਨਾਰੀ ਕੇ ਸਾਥ ਨੇਹੁ ਤੁਮ ਨਿਤ ਬਢੈਯਹੁ”
With your own wife, commit to ever increasing your loving relationship every moment
“ਪਰ ਨਾਰੀ ਕੀ ਸੇਜ ਭੂਲਿ ਸੁਪਨੇ ਹੂੰ ਨ ਜੈਯਹੁ” ॥੫੧॥
“[However] never step into the bed of a woman who does not belong to you”
“By reciting the Charitropakhyan I go into a state of samadhi (union with the divine)”
Giani Bishan Singh (Khalsa College Amritsir) - Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Steek