Sangat ji
This is what was told about the Charitthars and I myself accepted this understanding until about a year and a half ago.
This is what was told about the Charitthars and I myself accepted this understanding until about a year and a half ago.
CHARITROPAKHIYAN
This composition highlights the various faces of woman. While the positive roles played by woman as a wife, as a mother, as a soldier are outlined, the negative aspect of some women who stoop to lowly activities has also been brought out.
It begins by elucidating the extreme bravery and courage of Devi Bhagwati and highlights her various deeds of glory. This is followed by the various positive ways in which women contribute to the welfare of their families in particular and society in general. The examples are drawn from the Mahabharata, Puranas, Brihat Katha, Katha Sahitya Saagar, Alif Laila, Ayaarey Dayish and other comtemporary literature. On reading about the various characters included in this composition one also gets an insight into the culture, tradition and values of the society and region of which they are a part.
Thus, through the given examples, Guru Ji has formulated a very strong value system for the reader, laying down rules to be upheld and followed by both men and women so that a society free from all mortal sins may be formed.
I am here to learn and the questions that persist present themselves over and over in connection to several of the chapters in Dasam Granth. Charittar 48 is followed by some of my questions.
Chritar Forty eight
Tale of No or Jehan
Dohira
Emperor Jehangir had Noor Jehan as his Begum, the Rani.
Whole world knew she was quite domineering over him.(1)
Chaupaee
Noor Jehan said to him like this, ‘Listen, Jehangir, my Raja,
‘Me and you go for hunting today and would take all the women
with us.’(2)
Dohira
Acquiescing to her request, Jehangir set out to go for hunting,
And reached the jungle with all the lady-friends.(3)
The ladies in their red clothes were looking so attractive,
That they were penetrating the hearts of both, the humans and the
gods
In new clothes, pristine youth, unique features,
And distinctive ear-wears, they were all looking exquisite.(5)
Some fair and some with dark complexion,
All were complimented by Jehangir.(6) .
Chaupaee
Some women were riding the elephants and all were holding rifles in the hands. They were gossiping, talking, and were bowing their heads to Jehangir.(7)
Some were sitting with their folded hands; they did not let any deer to pass through.
Some were sitting on the backs of the bullocks and some were on the backs of the horses.(8)
Dohira
Some drew out the guns and some swords,
Some were holding the spears and some bows and arrows.(9)
Chaupaee
First the dogs were let loose to chase the deer, then were sent the tiger after them.
Then hunted the wild horses and all that was done because he loved
Noor Jehan very much.(10)
Holding a gun, Noor Jehan, as well, killed deer, antelopes and bears.
Also a number of animals killed by the other begums reached the
heaven.(11)
Dohira
The deer were so affected by the looks of the Begums,
That they, without any hits, sacrificed their lives.(l2)
Those who were struck with sharp swords could be saved,
But the ones, who were pierced by the arrows through female eyes,
could not be.(13)
Chaupaee
A number of ladies rode the horses and injured the deer,
And a few poor fellows lost their souls and fell down just effected by
the arrows out of the female looks.(l4)
(105)
The hunting was proceeding thus, when a huge lion emerged.
The Emperor heard the roar, as well, and all the ladies gathered round him.(15)
Dohira
A shield (of protection), with the buffaloes, was created at the front,
And then followed the Emperor and the Begums,(l6)
Chaupaee
Jehangir aimed and shot but could not hit the lion,
The lion was infuriated and jumped towards the Emperor.(17)
Dohira
The she-elephant ran away. Noor Jehan was stunned.
When Jodha Bai noticed, she aimed and shot the gun.(18)
Dohira
When the bullet hit, the lion breathed its last,
She came forward and made obeisance to the Rani three times.(l9)
Chaupaee
The Emperor was delighted that she had saved his life.
He expressed his gratitude to her for rescuing him.(20)
Dohira
When Noor Johan’s friend talked to her about this episode,
Jehangir was eavesdropping too.(21)
Chaupaee
‘A person who can kill a lion, to that person what is a human being?
‘God be benevolent and one must be fearful of such a person.’(22)
Arril
When Jehangir heard this, he flew into rage and shook his head.
‘One should not go near such a woman, as one could lose one’s life.’(23)
Chaupaee
After hearing this, Jehangir was dreaded, and he became fearful of
women.
‘One who kills the lion instantly, how can a man encounter her,’ (he
thought).(24)
Dohira
‘Plenty of Chritars are there in females; no one can perceive them.
‘They do whatever they like; all transpires the way they wish.(25)
(106)
‘She saved her favourite by killing the lion with one stroke.
‘The ladies attain variable characteristic within a few moments.’(26)
Emperor Jehangir became gloomy in his mind,
And, then on, always remained cautious of women.(27)(1)
Forty-eighth Parable of Auspicious Chritars
Conversation of the Raja and the Minister,
Completed with Benediction. (48)(843)
To be continued.
Charittharpakayan literally means Tales of the Wiles of Women. Who can answer my questions?
What is the deeper spiritual understanding of this tale of the wiles of Noor Jehan?
Would Dasam Pita take advantage of a story-telling opportunity to use Noor Jehan and Jehangir as the subjects of an object lesson?
Is this an actual event? Or fiction? How did the life of Noor Jehan end?
How does such a story fit with the message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj who says, From her kings were born? A message that celebrates the virtues of women and would not have kings be gloomy because of women?
Very perplexing to say the least. Because here is a king who is saying, ‘One who kills the lion instantly, how can a man encounter her,’ (he
thought).(24) This pits man against woman and hints at a deep fear of the inner strength of women, typical of men who are unsure of their own masculinity. But Guru Nanak honored her strength as a gift to the men around her.
ਨਾਨਕ ਭੰਡੈ ਬਾਹਰਾ ਏਕੋ ਸਚਾ ਸੋਇ ॥
naanak bhanddai baaharaa eaeko sachaa soe ||
O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman.
It begins by elucidating the extreme bravery and courage of Devi Bhagwati and highlights her various deeds of glory. This is followed by the various positive ways in which women contribute to the welfare of their families in particular and society in general. The examples are drawn from the Mahabharata, Puranas, Brihat Katha, Katha Sahitya Saagar, Alif Laila, Ayaarey Dayish and other comtemporary literature. On reading about the various characters included in this composition one also gets an insight into the culture, tradition and values of the society and region of which they are a part.
Thus, through the given examples, Guru Ji has formulated a very strong value system for the reader, laying down rules to be upheld and followed by both men and women so that a society free from all mortal sins may be formed.
I am here to learn and the questions that persist present themselves over and over in connection to several of the chapters in Dasam Granth. Charittar 48 is followed by some of my questions.
Chritar Forty eight
Tale of No or Jehan
Dohira
Emperor Jehangir had Noor Jehan as his Begum, the Rani.
Whole world knew she was quite domineering over him.(1)
Chaupaee
Noor Jehan said to him like this, ‘Listen, Jehangir, my Raja,
‘Me and you go for hunting today and would take all the women
with us.’(2)
Dohira
Acquiescing to her request, Jehangir set out to go for hunting,
And reached the jungle with all the lady-friends.(3)
The ladies in their red clothes were looking so attractive,
That they were penetrating the hearts of both, the humans and the
gods
In new clothes, pristine youth, unique features,
And distinctive ear-wears, they were all looking exquisite.(5)
Some fair and some with dark complexion,
All were complimented by Jehangir.(6) .
Chaupaee
Some women were riding the elephants and all were holding rifles in the hands. They were gossiping, talking, and were bowing their heads to Jehangir.(7)
Some were sitting with their folded hands; they did not let any deer to pass through.
Some were sitting on the backs of the bullocks and some were on the backs of the horses.(8)
Dohira
Some drew out the guns and some swords,
Some were holding the spears and some bows and arrows.(9)
Chaupaee
First the dogs were let loose to chase the deer, then were sent the tiger after them.
Then hunted the wild horses and all that was done because he loved
Noor Jehan very much.(10)
Holding a gun, Noor Jehan, as well, killed deer, antelopes and bears.
Also a number of animals killed by the other begums reached the
heaven.(11)
Dohira
The deer were so affected by the looks of the Begums,
That they, without any hits, sacrificed their lives.(l2)
Those who were struck with sharp swords could be saved,
But the ones, who were pierced by the arrows through female eyes,
could not be.(13)
Chaupaee
A number of ladies rode the horses and injured the deer,
And a few poor fellows lost their souls and fell down just effected by
the arrows out of the female looks.(l4)
(105)
The hunting was proceeding thus, when a huge lion emerged.
The Emperor heard the roar, as well, and all the ladies gathered round him.(15)
Dohira
A shield (of protection), with the buffaloes, was created at the front,
And then followed the Emperor and the Begums,(l6)
Chaupaee
Jehangir aimed and shot but could not hit the lion,
The lion was infuriated and jumped towards the Emperor.(17)
Dohira
The she-elephant ran away. Noor Jehan was stunned.
When Jodha Bai noticed, she aimed and shot the gun.(18)
Dohira
When the bullet hit, the lion breathed its last,
She came forward and made obeisance to the Rani three times.(l9)
Chaupaee
The Emperor was delighted that she had saved his life.
He expressed his gratitude to her for rescuing him.(20)
Dohira
When Noor Johan’s friend talked to her about this episode,
Jehangir was eavesdropping too.(21)
Chaupaee
‘A person who can kill a lion, to that person what is a human being?
‘God be benevolent and one must be fearful of such a person.’(22)
Arril
When Jehangir heard this, he flew into rage and shook his head.
‘One should not go near such a woman, as one could lose one’s life.’(23)
Chaupaee
After hearing this, Jehangir was dreaded, and he became fearful of
women.
‘One who kills the lion instantly, how can a man encounter her,’ (he
thought).(24)
Dohira
‘Plenty of Chritars are there in females; no one can perceive them.
‘They do whatever they like; all transpires the way they wish.(25)
(106)
‘She saved her favourite by killing the lion with one stroke.
‘The ladies attain variable characteristic within a few moments.’(26)
Emperor Jehangir became gloomy in his mind,
And, then on, always remained cautious of women.(27)(1)
Forty-eighth Parable of Auspicious Chritars
Conversation of the Raja and the Minister,
Completed with Benediction. (48)(843)
To be continued.
Charittharpakayan literally means Tales of the Wiles of Women. Who can answer my questions?
What is the deeper spiritual understanding of this tale of the wiles of Noor Jehan?
Would Dasam Pita take advantage of a story-telling opportunity to use Noor Jehan and Jehangir as the subjects of an object lesson?
Is this an actual event? Or fiction? How did the life of Noor Jehan end?
How does such a story fit with the message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj who says, From her kings were born? A message that celebrates the virtues of women and would not have kings be gloomy because of women?
Very perplexing to say the least. Because here is a king who is saying, ‘One who kills the lion instantly, how can a man encounter her,’ (he
thought).(24) This pits man against woman and hints at a deep fear of the inner strength of women, typical of men who are unsure of their own masculinity. But Guru Nanak honored her strength as a gift to the men around her.
ਨਾਨਕ ਭੰਡੈ ਬਾਹਰਾ ਏਕੋ ਸਚਾ ਸੋਇ ॥
naanak bhanddai baaharaa eaeko sachaa soe ||
O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman.