TheSikhs.org


GOPI MEHTA


Bhai Gopi Mehta was a dedicated Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan Sahib. Once he, along with Bhai Bhau Mokal, Bhai Dhilli Mandal, Bhai Nattha and Bhai Tirath, visited Guru Sahib. One of them told Guru Sahib that Pirthi Chand and Mahadev (the two elder brothers of Guru Arjan Sahib who had been rejected as successors-in-mission by Guru Ram Das Sahib) had been composing verses by using Nanak as nom de plume. It can lead to confusion as to which was Gurbani (genuine hymns) and which was Kachchi Bani (fake verses). Guru Sahib asked Bhai Gurdas (who was present among the audience) that many Sikhs knew the difference between Gurbani and Kachchi Bani but with the passage of time confusion may occur; hence the Gurbani of all the Guru Sahib should be collected and compiled into a single volume. Guru Sahib asked Bhai Gurdas to be ready to be scribe of the Granth.

(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)