Sri Charitropakhyan

Sri Charitropakhyan
Sri Charitropakhyan
Dasam Granth
← Shastar Nam Mala Zafarnama →
	Invocation of the Charitropakhyan, Stanza 1-2, in the penmenship of Guru Gobind Singh
Information
Religion	Sikhism
Author	Guru Gobind Singh
Chapters	404
Verses	7558 or 7569

Sri Charitropakhyan or Pakhyan Charitar and also Tria Charitra (Punjabi: ਪਖ੍ਯਾਨ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ, also known as ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰੋਪਾਖ੍ਯਾਨ and ਤ੍ਰਿਯਾ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ) is a huge composition of short stories, with the purpose of learning from others' mistakes to acquire more refined judgement in all fields, present in Dasam Granth, which is generally and traditionally ascribed to Guru Gobind Singh. The composition contains 405/404 tales or episodes of wiles of men and women, containing many historical, mythological and philosophical aspects, having 7558 verses.^[3]^[4] This composition ends at Chopai which is one of the Nitnem banis.^[5] The term Charitropakhyan is derived from two words, Charitar means characteristics/function of character and Pakhyan means already told. There are two types of Charitars, Purakh Charitar (male characters) and Tria Chariter (female characters).^[6]

There is dispute over the authorship of Charitropakhyan among scholars, with some claiming that it is out of tune with other Sikh scriptures, and thus must have been composed by other poets.^[7]^[8] Vir Singh (writer) believed these stories to be written by Guru Gobind Singh and that these stories "are meant for the sharpness of the intellect and to evoke the passion of the warrior spirit."^[9] and that the romantic tales can also be understood allegorically.^[10]

Plot

A photo of the Charitropakhyan Pothi (volume of pages) in the hand of Guru Gobind Singh

In a literal sense, Charitropakhyan is a plot created by the author in which there is a frame story which has the wise minister narrating stories to his King (ਮੰਤ੍ਰੀ ਭੂਪ ਸੰਬਾਦੇ). The plot is explained in the second tale, which is as follows:

King Chitra Singh of Chitravati married a damsel of Indra's kingdom. She gave birth to a son, Hanuvant Singh. The damsel deserted the king when he grew old. He ordered all of his employees to find her, but instead found another similar looking girl named Chitramati. Chitramati was the daughter of the ruler of Orissa. To marry her, he had a fight with her father, the ruler of Orissa. Chitramati was about the age of the son of Chitra Singh, Hanuvant Singh. She grew heavily attracted to him and tried to seduce him into a sexual relationship, but Hanuvant Singh was religious in thought and did not go for incest. She in turn created a drama and accused Hanuvant Singh of raping her. King Chitra Singh believed her blindly, without knowing the side of his son, and sentenced him to death.

Mantri, the wise adviser of the King, knew that the King's second wife, Chitramati, was not of a pious character and was falsely blaming Hanuvant Singh. In order to prevent the wrongful execution of Hanuvant Singh, the adviser shared various accounts of stories depicting different situations, with the intention of making the King realize his folly and improve his decision-making skill.^[11]

List of tales

Four illustrated leaves from a dispersed manuscript, ca.1850

Following is the list of tales present in Dasam Granth:

Chandi Charitar - The tale of Shakti (Hukam)
Raja Chitar Singh and Rani Chitar Vati (Frame story)
Tale of Girl of Kalpi Town
Tale of Ghurki
Tale of Sehaj Kala
Tale of Maal Mati
Tale of Zainabadi
Tale of Anuraag Mati
Tale of Jag Jot Mati
Tale of Chitarkala
Tale of Wife of a Shopkeeper
Tale of Radhika
Tale of Wife of Ramdas
Tale of Puhap Mati
Tale of Bhaanmati
Tale of Chhajia
Tale of Bitan Mati
Tale of Chhalchhider Kumari
Tale of Naadira Bano
Tale of Lal Mati
Tale of Anoop Kaur
Tale of Anoop Kaur
Tale of Anoop Kaur
Tale of Sumer Kaur
Tale of Prem Kumari
Tale of Nirat Mati
Tale of Biyom Kala
Tale of Soorchhat
Tale of Madan Mati
Tale of Chaachar Mati
Tale of Maan Manjri
Tale of Ras Manjri
Tale of Chhattar Manjri
Tale of Chhab Maan Mati
Tale of King of South
Tale of Fateh Mati
Tale of Gainde Khan
Tale of Raj Mati
Tale of Raj Mati
Tale of Diljan Mati
Tale of Preet Manjri
Tale of Rustam Kala
Tale of A Slave
Tale of Tilik Manjri
Tale of Raj Mati
Tale of Noor Bibi
Tale of Baadal Kumari
Tale of Noor Jehan
Tale of Nand Mati
Tale of Pohap Manjri
Tale of Sheel Manjari
Tale of Daughter of Raja Vijay Singh
Tale of Vijay Kunwar
Tale of Baal Mati
Tale of Roop Mati
Tale of Chandra Kala
Tale of Inder Mati
Tale of Chiter Devi
Tale of Laadam Kunwar and Suhaag Devi
Tale of Rang Raae
Tale of Shah
Tale of Mahaan Singh
Tale of Rani of Raja Parbal Singh
Tale of Dam Prabha
Tale of Wife of Mittar Singh
Tale of Roshan Raae
Tale of Roop Kala
Tale of Son of a Shah
Tale of Raj Kala
Tale of Chattar Prabha
Tale of King of Sirmaur
Tale of Shah of Gujarat
Tale of Pohap Wati
Tale of Bairam Thief
Tale of Indebted Thief
Tale of Son-in-Law Thief
Tale of Bhagwati
Tale of Gigo
Tale of Bisva Mati
Tale of Radha
Tale of Drig Daniya
Tale of Begum of Shah Jehan
Tale of Rajo
Tale of lndra Mati
Tale of Raja Uchsrav
Tale of lnder Singh
Tale of Chandra Prabha
Tale of Kanj Prabha
Tale of Ram Singh Jat
Tale of Deepkala
Tale of Kaamkandla
Tale of Saroop Kala
Tale of A Weaver 186
Tale of Din Diaal
Tale of Bindo
Tale of Gohraan Raae
Tale of Raja Rasaloo and Rani Kokila
Tale of Heer Ranjha
Tale of Ruder Kala
Tale of A Clever Woman
Tale of Sohni Mahiwal
Tale of Raja Dasrath and Kaikaee
Tale of Shah Jallaal
Tale of The Wife of a Jat
Tale of Taas Beg
Tale of Four Thieves
Tale of Maan Kunwar
Tale of Sassi Punnu
Tale of Urvassi
Tale of Raja Roopeshwar
Tale of Raj Prabha
Tale of Chatar Kala
Tale of ani Krishna Kunwar
Tale of Sringi Rishi and Prostitute
Tale of Rishi Gautam and Ahliya
Tale of Two Devils: Sandh and Apsandh
Tale of Sachee
Tale of Rani Mantar Kala
Tale of Rani Ruder Kala
Tale of Vishnu
Tale of A Thief Woman
Tale of Rani Kookum Devi and Ghansaar Devi
Tale of Lord Vishnu
Tale of Rani Phool Mati
Tale of Indra Mati
Tale of A Brave Woman
Tale of Rattan Singh
Tale of Rani Maan Mati
Tale of Mirza Sahiban
Tale of Sumat Kumari
Tale of Bhaag Mati
Tale of Sughar Kumari
Tale of Sujjan Kumari
Tale of Baaj Mati
Tale of Kala Kunwar
Tale of Rani Bharmar Mati
Tale of Daropdee Arjan
Tale of Rani Abhawatti
Tale of Maaneshawari
Tale of Megh Mati
Tale of Paarbati
Tale of Rajkumari Ukha
Tale of Rani Raj Mati
Tale of Shingarwati
Tale of Bhaagwati
Tale of Parmod Kumari
Tale of Rani Khairy and Samin
Tale of Rani of Raja Durga Dutt
Tale of Five Wives of a Drug-Addict
Tale of Rani Garbhwati
Tale of Gumaan Mati
Tale of Lachhmi
Tale of Naaz Mati
Tale of Darapkala
Tale of Praan Mati
Tale of Kandarapkala
Tale of Nal Damwanti
Tale of Rani Taanbar Kala
Tale of Rani Bir Kala
Tale of Maid Krishna Kala
Tale of Sanmas Dhola
Tale of Tund Kala
Tale of Vijay Kumari
Tale of Udhaypuri Begum
Tale of Bhistkala
Tale of Rani Joban Kala
Tale of Rani Shaahparee
Tale of Rani Jot Mati
Tale of Milkmaid Shaahparee
Tale of Rani Bir Kala
Tale of Sahib Devi
Tale of Geet Kala
Tale of Sangeeta Kala
Tale of Surta Devi
Tale of Chapal Kala
Tale of Bir Mati
Tale of Menlata
Tale of Sumer Devi
Tale of Kaamwati
Tale of ainotma
Tale of Rani Nisis Prabha
Tale of Bhaan Kala
Tale of Rit Raj Prabha
Tale of Daropdhi
Tale of Runrang Kumari
Tale of Achalkala
Tale of Kaamkala
Tale of Kanchan Prabha
Tale of Bhoop Kala
Tale of Chanchala
Tale of Parbeen Rai
Tale of Gaan Kala
Tale of Tirdas Kala
Tale of Wife of a Basket Weaver
Tale of Maanmati and Bipan Prabha
Tale of Apritam Kala
Tale of Ran Rang Mati
Tale of Sankh Kunwar
Tale of Rani Padmini
Tale of Rani Udginder Prabha
Tale of Yousaf Zulaikhan
Tale of Chapal Kala
Tale of Raja Narkasur
Tale of Rani Kailaas Mati
Tale of Vijay Kumari
Tale of Rani Ishaq Mati
Tale of Rani Mushak Mati
Tale of Atpal Devi
Tale of Bharthari
Tale of Rani Chanchala Kumari
Tale of Tarita Prabha
Tale of Sukmaar Mati
Tale of Mrig Nainee
Tale of Gulzaar Mati
Tale of Tarun Kumari
Tale of Rani Katach Kumari
Tale of Shah Sikander
Tale of Rani Dinket Mati
Tale of Chaplaang Mati
Tale of Roshan Jehan
Tale of Mrig Raj Mati
Tale of Rani Bhog Mati
Tale of Rani Chhattarmati
Tale of Rani Tripuraar Kala
Tale of Rani Chakhchar Mati
Tale of Rustam Devi
Tale of Rani Manmaal Mati
Tale of Rani Biraj Mati
Tale of Budh Mati
Tale of Madan Mati
Tale of Main Kala
Tale of Bad Diachhmati
Tale of Bichhan Mati
Tale of Nirpat Kala
Tale of Rani Achhal Mati
Tale of A Prostitute
Tale of Bhog Mati
Tale of Chhat Chhail Kumari
Tale of Beer Mati
Tale of Ruch Raaj Kumari
Tale of Rani Birha Manjri
Tale of Chhab Maan Manjri
Tale of Chitar Manjri
Tale of Naagar Mati
Tale of Ras Tilak Manjri
Tale of Swaran Manjri
Tale of Jas Tilak Manjri
Tale of Amit Prabha
Tale of Bichchhan Manjri
Tale of Bhujang Mati
Tale of Jal Jaachh
Tale of Sukh Mati
Tale of Jeeo Mati
Tale of Bishan Mati
Tale of Lahore Mati
Tale of Seven Maidens
Tale of Aligunj Mati
Tale of Hans Mati
Tale of Mrigraj Kala
Tale of Kajraachh Mati
Tale of Mashook Mati
Tale of Mashook Mati
Tale of Naagar Mati
Tale of Birah Kumari
Tale of Prakrit Mati
Tale of Rann Khamb Kala
Tale of A Muslim Woman
Tale of Champa Kala
Tale of Jhakhket Mati
Tale of Poorab Devi
Tale of Bilaas Devi
Tale of Sugandh Mati
Tale of Sukrit Manjri
Tale of A Maid
Tale of Habsh Mati
Tale of Ruder Mati
Tale of A Co-Wife
Tale of Roshan Aara
Tale of Prem Manjri
Tale of Jugraaj Manjri
Tale of Rani Vijay Mati
Tale of Amar Kala
Tale of Rani Kinnar Mati
Tale of Dakhshan Devi
Tale of Sumat Mati
Tale of Bikhiya
Tale of Mariam Begum
Tale of Chhail Devi
Tale of Dakhshan Devi
Tale of Poorab Devi
Tale of Paschim Devi
Tale of Utter Mati
Tale of Raj Devi
Tale of Anand Wati
Tale of Chanchala Devi
Tale of Mangla Devi
Tale of Sakuch Mati
Tale of Jhilmil Devi
Tale of Achhal Devi
Tale of A Wise Friend
Tale of Isht Mati
Tale of Chhattar Devi
Tale of Abharn Devi
Tale of Vidhiya Mati
Tale of Tripur Mati
Tale of Dudamb Devi
Tale of Sughna Wati
Tale of Phut Basir Devi
Tale of Apoorab Devi
Tale of Ras Tilak Devi
Tale of Daughter of Shah
Tale of A Jatti
Tale of A Beautician
Tale of Sukmaar Devi
Tale of Pachham Devi
Tale of Bang Devi
Tale of Puhap Prabha
Tale of Margaj Devi
Tale of Muni Raj Mati
Tale of Rukmani
Tale of Devjaani
Tale of Makrachh Mati
Tale of Parmud Sen
Tale of Apsra Mati
Tale of Sultan Kumari (debated, missing charitar)
Tale of Sukch Mati
Tale of Achla Mati
Tale of Pir Kutab Shah
Tale of a Female (Water-Carrier)
Tale of Birah Devi
Tale of Valan Devi
Tale of Preet Kala
Tale of Daughter of Shah
Tale of Pingal Devi
Tale of Roshan Dimaagh
Tale of Rangh Jhar Devi
Tale of Parj Mati
Tale of Bivaas Mati
Tale of Rattan Mati
Tale of Mathura
Tale of Apachhara Devi
Tale of Baranga Devi
Tale of Sorath Devi and Paraj Kumari
Tale of Ras Rang Mati
Tale of Angana Devi
Tale of Gajgaah Mati
Tale of Lakhshmani
Tale of Gora Devi
Tale of Ugar Devi
Tale of Navjoban Devi
Tale of Bastar Mati
Tale of Zebatul Nisa
Tale of Rann Jhoomak Devi
Tale of Sandhla Devi
Tale of Bilaas Devi
Tale of Dal Bhanbah Devi
Tale of Khanjan Devi
Tale of Sunder Devi
Tale of Manmohan Devi
Tale of Jhakhjhoomer Devi
Tale of Gaj Gaamni Devi
Tale of Guloo
Tale of Punjab Devi
Tale of Mehtab Prabha
Tale of Chit Chop Mati
Tale of Naabh Mati
Tale of Moorakh Mati
Tale of Chakh Chaar Mati
Tale of Chanchal Devi
Tale of Abdaal Mati
Tale of Kanchan Devi
Tale of Rani Suchhab Wati
Tale of Hingla Devi
Tale of Mehtaab Mati
Tale of Jag Joban Devi
Tale of Parbin Devi
Tale of Suhaas Devi
Tale of Miradhaas Mati
Tale of Suprabha Devi
Tale of Chriter Mati
Tale of Khaadma Baano
Tale of Mani Neel Mati
Tale of Kokila Mati
Tale of Wife of Shah
Tale of Raj Kumari
Tale of Din Dipak Devi
Tale of Jagmohan Devi
Tale of Madh Mokal Devi
Tale of Makardhuj Devi
Tale of Gohra Rai
Tale of Khatima Baano
Tale of Sandal Devi
Tale of Champa Devi
Tale of Alkesh Mati
Tale of Sajul Devi
Tale of Chapla Devi
Tale of Sagar Devi
Tale of Alkrit Devi
Tale of Bhookhan Devi
Tale of Maha Kunwar
Tale of Basant Kumari
Tale of Sadda Kumari
Tale of Shiv Devi
Tale of Shri Immortal Lord (Chaupai Sahib)

Summary of tales

The following are the summaries of several tales, translated from the work of Dr Rattan Singh Jaggi Steek of the Dasam Granth

98. Tale Of Heer Ranjha

Fresco artwork of Heer and Ranjha from Pothi-Mala, Guru Harsahai, Punjab

Ranjha was an avatar of Indra and Heer was avatar of Apsara Meneka who was given abhi-shaap (curse) by Rishi Kapil to get born on Matlok. Rishi kapil was visiting inderlok when he got opportunity to saw Menaka for first time in king Inder darbar and his "Biraj" fell on seeing her. This led to rishi kapil cursing Menaka in anger! " you will take birth in Matlok. Ranjha was born near river chenab at house of chitar devi. As years went by a great famine came and only those people survived who were rich. Ranjha mother during famine in order to survive, sold him to a Jat family and he became an attractive young man whosoever girl saw him, fell for him saying "Ranjha Ranjha" the famous couplet popular in today times. Similarly Heer ended up being born into Choochak Clan. As the epic moves forward they fell in love and heer was married to Khera family as her father doesn't agree with Ranjha. Now Ranjha becomes a beggar and joins the Doli (Marriage) party of heer during her marriage. When ranjha gets a chance with heer alone they both suicide together and leave for Swarga back into their positions of Indra and Meneka. The authors today sing this Plot(Charitar).

Bhai Gurdas also references this epic in Vaar 27 Pauri 1

ਰਾਂਝਾ ਹੀਰ ਵਖਾਣੀਐ ਓਹੁ ਪਿਰਮ ਪਰਾਤੀ॥

Ranjha and Heer are renowned for the love they bore each other.
ਪੀਰ ਮੁਰੀਦਾ ਪਿਰਹੜੀ ਗਾਵਨਿ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ॥੧॥
But superior to all is the love, the disciples bear for their Guru. They sing it at the ambrosial hour of morning

100. Tale of Clever Woman

In Raghu-kul a king named Roopeswar was a famous and respected in Nagar of Ropar (now Punjab). He had a queen named "Chittar Kumari" and she was very beautiful and no other woman was equally beautiful to her. A Danav (demon) came over from Lanka to Ropar. He was enticed by the Rani and Danav mind got fixed on her. The king called his bishops for consulting to get rid of Danav. And they sent a powerful Muslim general (Mullah) to fight him off and Mullah challenged Danav with his power. Danav responded by lifting the castle around him in one hand and Mullah in other and he placed castle on his head as if he is the pillar supporting him and the castle fell on him and this is how he sent the mullah to Jampur (City of Death). Then, the king sent his second Muslim general, who Danav lifted from legs and banged him on earth and killed him. Then came another one who he picked and threw in the river.
Then came a woman in front of Danav, and she started praising the dana and this pacified the Danav. She enticed the Danav. She fed the Danav with various kind of food and wines, which made Danav happy. She started doing this every day for him and he started trusting her more and more.
One day she sat sad in front of her and Danav asked her, you take good care of me and you ask nothing for return. Tell me what you want, why are you sad and I will fulfill your wish. He asked 2 or 3 times and she responded by saying. I am bothered by an Asur (demon) and I don't think you can do anything about it.
Hearing this the Danav wrote a Jantar for her and told her take this and whosoever sees it once will be burned to ashes. She smartly took it from him and opened it and showed him immediately. Danav saw it himself and burned himself to ashes.

Lesson: Thus, the Danav who could not have been even won over by the powerful "kings of kings" Indra, ended up being deceived (Charitar) by a simple woman.

101. Tale Of Soni Mahiwal

Gurdwara Bhumman Shah fresco depicting the folktale of Sohni Mahiwal located in Depalpur, Okara, Punjab, Pakistan.

On the bank of the river Ravi, there use to live a Jat named Mahiwal. Seeing him Sohni fell in love with him. When sun use to go down, she used to come visit her by crossing the river Ravi. She used to swim across the river by holding “Baked Clay Pot” or Pakka Ghadda which does not dissolves in water. One day when she started her journey, her brother woke up and started following her. The secret of her journey to meet Mahiwal was now known to her brother, but Sohni did not know her secret is revealed to her brother. Next day in morning her brother went and replaced the Pakka ghadda with Kacha Ghadda or “unbaked clay pot” which dissolves in water. Thus that night Sohni picked her kachaa ghadda and began journey. She swam half way and the Unbaked clay pot melted in waters of Ravi and sohni sank and died in water. Mahiwal waiting and waiting started searching for Sohni in Ravi waters. A strong wave current came and he also sank in the river and died.

Learning: Thus, One Person (her own Brother) constructed a plot (Charitar) which ended up killing sohni and mahiwal.

Bhai Gurdas also references this epic in Vaar 27 Pauri 1

ਮੇਹੀਵਾਲ ਨੋ ਸੋਹਣੀ ਨੈ ਤਰਦੀ ਰਾਤੀ।
The fame of Sohni who used to swim the Chenab river in the night to meet Mahival is well known.
ਪੀਰ ਮੁਰੀਦਾ ਪਿਰਹੜੀ ਗਾਵਨਿ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ॥੧॥
But superior to all is the love, the disciples bear for their Guru. They sing it at the ambrosial hour of morning

108. Tale of Sassi Punnu

Fresco artwork of the folktale of Sassi Pannu from Pothi-Mala, Guru Harsahai, Punjab

The Rishi Kapil came over to some place and saw an Apsara named Rambha. Seeing Rambha his mind got affixed with her and his "Biraj" fell on earth. From his Biraj, Rambha got pregnant, which resulted in a girl child being born. Rambha threw that child in Sind River and went to swarga.

The girl kept floating in river Sind and Was rescued by Kind of Sind Brahamdatt. He started taking care of her as a daughter and named her Sassi or "Sassiya" as she was more beautiful than the Moon (Sass).

When she grew up, she was married to King Punnu. The King Punnu already had Rani before Sassi. As Punnu grew fond of Sassi, the other Elder Rani got jealous of Sassi. She plotted to kill Punnu with her servants, when King Punnu will go for hunting next time. The day of death came and King Punnu went for Hunting and the servant of Elder Rani fired his arrow and took the King down in middle of Dark jungle. The news of death came to Sassi and she went with her servants to middle of jungle to see dead body of Punnu, and seeing the body Sassi also died.

The story ends with Dharamraj Response

In Dharamraj Sabha news of death came of Sassi and Punnu, Dharamraj responded that with the jealous fervor sorrow, the Other Rani got angry and did Charitar(Plotted) to kill her Husband Punnu, with the same Sorrow she will taken, lets do this solution.

Learning: Jealousy always leads to wrong ending and is punishable in court of Dharamraj.

Dharamraj can be referenced in Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Ang 967 Line 6 Raag Raamkali: Bhatt Satta & Balwand
ਧਰਮ ਰਾਇ ਹੈ ਦੇਵਤਾ ਲੈ ਗਲਾ ਕਰੇ ਦਲਾਲੀ॥

The Righteous Judge of Dharma(DharamRaj) considered the arguments and makes the decision.

Bhai Gurdas Vaar also references this epic in Vaar 27 Pauri 1

ਸਸੀ ਪੁੰਨੂੰ ਦੋਸਤੀ ਹੁਇ ਜਾਤਿ ਅਜਾਤੀ।
The love of Sassi and Punnü, though of different castes, is everywhere spoken of.
ਪੀਰ ਮੁਰੀਦਾ ਪਿਰਹੜੀ ਗਾਵਨਿ ਪਰਭਾਤੀ॥੧॥
But superior to all is the love, the disciples bear for their Guru. They sing it at the ambrosial hour of morning

Missing tale

The 325th Charitar of the Charitropakhyan is missing in a plethora of Dasam Granth Manuscripts, and for this reason the Charitropakhyan is typically listed as having 404 charitars, even though the last charitar gives the notation of being the 405th (at the end of the Chaupai Sahib)

ਇਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਪਖ੍ਯਾਨੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਯਾ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰੇ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੀ ਭੂਪ ਸੰਬਾਦੇ ਚਾਰ ਸੌ ਪਾਂਚ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਮਾਪਤਮ ਸਤੁ ਸੁਭਮ ਸਤੁ ॥੪੦੫॥੭੫੫੮॥ ਅਫਜੰੂ ॥
eit sree charitr pakhayaane tirayaa charitre ma(n)tree bhoop sa(n)baadhe chaar sau paa(n)ch charitr samaapatam sat subham sat ||405||7558|| afaja(n)oo ||
Here ends the Chartar Pakhyan, which catalogues the stories of Women and Ministers. End of the 405th charitar.

Authorship

The different theories on the authorship of the Pakhyan Charitar:^[12]

The historical and traditional view is that the entire work was composed by Guru Gobind Singh himself.
The entire collection was composed by the poets of the Guru's entourage.
Only a part of the work was composed by the Guru, while the rest was composed by the other poets.
The work is not related to the Guru, but was instead written by an unknown poet.

Historical references

The following are historical references from the 18th Century, which claim that Guru Gobind Singh had written tales at Anandpur as well as at Dina Kangar:

Letter to Mata Sundri, Bhai Mani Singh

Bhai Mani Singh's letter addressed to Mata Sundari in April 1716 concerning the condition of the Sikhs and his mission of collecting Guru Gobind Singh's compositions. It mentions the Sri Charitropakhyan as being the composition of Guru Gobind Singh

The letter is claimed to have been written by Bhai Mani Singh to Mata Sundari in 1716, after 8 years of the demise of Guru Gobind Singh.^[13] This manuscript provides evidence of existence of 303 Charitars, Shastar Nam Mala and Krishna Avtar compositions. This manuscript was written before compilation of dasam granth during collections of various compositions.^[14] Among critics Gyani Harnam Singh Balabh believes that only 303 Charitars were written by Guru Gobind Singh among 404 Charitars in Charitropakhyan.^[15] According to Robin Rinehart in Debating the Dasam Granth (2011), the letter first appeared publicly in the late 1920s and its style of writing and handwriting was analyzed by Rattan Singh Jaggi in the 1960s who concluded that it does not match with Bhai Mani Singh's time period, casting doubts on its authenticity.^[16]

Parchi Gobind Singh - Bava Sevadas

This manuscript was finished sometime in the first quarter of the eighteenth century (around 1741) by Seva Das, an Udasi.^[17] He mentioned that Guru Gobind Singh had written tales in Persian in Zafarnama, called Hikaaitaan during his lifetime.^[18] Many of these tales are the Persian translations of the narratives in Charitropakhyan.^[19]

Mahima Parkash, Sarup Das Bhalla

This book was completed by Sarup Das, who belong to lineage of Guru Amar Dass, in 1776. He had access to whole Dasam Granth and mentioned that 404 Charitars and Chaubis Avtar was written by Guru Gobind Singh. He states:

ਦੋਹਰਾ॥
ਬੇਦ ਬਿਦਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਕੋ ਸੰਕਲਪ ਧਰਿਓ ਮਨ ਦਿਆਲ ॥
ਪੰਡਤ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਇੱਕਤ੍ਰ ਕਰ ਭਾਖਾ ਰਚੀ ਬਿਸਾਲ ॥

ਚੋਪਈ॥
ਆਗਿਆ ਕੀਨੀ ਸਤਗੁਰ ਦਿਆਲਾ ॥
ਬਿਦਿਆਵਾਨ ਪੰਡਤ ਲੇਹੁ ਭਾਲ ॥
ਜੋ ਜਿਸ ਬਿਦਾਆ ਗਿਆਤਾ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਵਹੀ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਸੰਗ ਲਿਆਵੇ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਦੇਸ ਦੇਸ ਕੋ ਸਿਖ ਚਲਾਏ ॥
ਪੰਡਤ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਲਿਆਏ ॥
ਬਾਨਾਰਸ ਆਦ ਜੋ ਬਿਦਿਆ ਠੌਰਾ ॥

ਪੰਡਤ ਸਭ ਬਿਦਿਆ ਸਿਰਮੌਰਾ ॥
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੇ ਆਇ ਇਕਤ੍ਰ ਸਭ ਭਏ ॥
ਬਹੁ ਆਦਰ ਸਤਗੁਰ ਜੀ ਦਏ ॥
ਮਿਰਜਾਦਾਬਾਧ ਖਰਚ ਕੋ ਦਇਆ ॥
ਖੇਦ ਬਿਭੇਦ ਕਾਹੂ ਨਹੀਂ ਭਇਆ ॥
ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ ਲਿਖਾਰੀ ਨਿਕਟ ਬੁਲਾਏ ॥
ਤਾ ਕੋ ਸਭ ਬਿਧ ਦਈ ਬਣਾਏ ॥
ਕਰ ਭਾਖਾ ਲਿਖੋ ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ ਭਾਇ ॥
ਮੁਨਿਮੋ ਕੋ ਦੇਹੁ ਕਥਾ ਸੁਨਾਇ ॥

ਦੋਹਰਾ ॥
ਨਨੂਆ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ਸ਼ਿਆਮ ਕਬ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਭਾਟ ਜੋ ਆਹਾ ॥
ਭਈ ਨਿਹਚਲ ਫਕੀਰ ਗੁਰ ਬਡੇ ਗੁਨਗ ਗੁਨ ਤਾਹਾ॥
ਅਵਰ ਕੇਤਕ ਤਿਨ ਨਾਮ ਨ ਜਾਨੋ ॥
ਲਿਖੇ ਸਗਲ ਪੁਨਿ ਕਰੇ ਬਿਖਾਨੋ ॥
ਚਾਰ ਬੇਦ ਦਸ ਅਸ਼ਟ ਪੁਰਾਨਾ ॥
ਛੈ ਸਾਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਿਮ੍ਰਤ ਆਨਾ ॥

ਚੋਪਈ॥
ਚੋਬਿਸ ਅਵਤਾਰ ਕੀ ਭਾਖਾ ਕੀਨਾ॥
ਚਾਰ ਸੋ ਚਾਰ ਚਲਿਤ੍ਰ ਨਵੀਨਾ॥
ਭਾਖਾ ਬਣਾਈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸ੍ਰਵਣ ਕਰਾਈ॥
ਭਏ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ ਸਤਗੁਰ ਮਨ ਭਾਈ॥
ਸਭ ਸਹੰਸਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਭਾਖਾ ਕਰੀ ॥
ਬਿਦਿਆ ਸਾਗਰ ਗ੍ਰਿੰਥ ਪਰ ਚੜੀ ॥

Relationship with Hikaaitaan

The following is a list of Hikayats, which are similar to narratives in Charitropakhyan, rewritten in the Persian Language. In fact, many of these are the Persian translations of the narratives in Charitropakhyan.

Hikayat 4 is Persian adaptation of Charitra 52
Hikayat 5 is Persian adaptation of Charitra 267
Hikayat 8 is Persian adaptation of Charitra 118
Hikayat 9 is Persian adaptation of Charitra 290
Hikayat 11 is Persian adaptation of Charitra 246

The similarity of narratives in Hikayats and Charitropakhyan serves directs the single Authorship of both compositions.^[19]

References

^ Makin, Gursharan Singh (2005). Zafarnama: The Epistle of Victory (1st ed.). Lahore Book Shop. p. 13. ISBN 8176471798.
^ Singha, H.S. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism (Over 1000 Entries). Hemkunt Press. p. 54. ISBN 9788170103011.
^ Page 6, Hymns From The Dasam Granth, By Gobind Singh Mansukhani
^ Rinehart, Robin (2011). Debating the Dasam Granth. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-19-975506-6. OCLC 606234922.
^ Kabyo Bach Benti, Charitar 404, Dasam Granth
^ ਇਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਪਖ੍ਯਾਨੇ ਪੁਰਖ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰੇ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੀ ਭੂਪ ਸੰਬਾਦੇ ਇਕਸਠਵੋ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਮਾਪਤਮ ਸਤੁ ਸੁਭਮ ਸਤੁ ॥੬੧॥੧੧੦੬॥ਅਫਜੂੰ॥ / ਇਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਪਖ੍ਯਾਨੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਯਾ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰੇ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੀ ਭੂਪ ਸੰਬਾਦੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਠਵੋ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਮਾਪਤਮ ਸਤੁ ਸੁਭਮ ਸਤੁ ॥੬੩॥੧੧੨੯॥ਅਫਜੂੰ॥ - Dasam Granth Sahib
^ McLeod, W. H. (2005-07-28). Historical dictionary of Sikhism. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 44–. ISBN 978-0-8108-5088-0. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
^ Amaresh Datta, ed. (2006). The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature: Volume 1 (A To Devo). Sahitya Akademi. p. 888. ISBN 978-81-260-1803-1.
^ Vir Singh, Srī Gur Pratāp Sūraj Granth Jilad Bahravi 12: page 4994. (Chandigarh: Bhasha Vibhaag, 1989),
^ Vir Singh, Srī Gur Pratāp Sūraj Granth Jilad Bahravi 12: page 4992. (Chandigarh: Bhasha Vibhaag, 1989)
^ Charitar 2, Charitropakhyan, Dasam Granth
^ McLeod, W. H. (2005-07-28). Historical dictionary of Sikhism. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 52. ISBN 978-0-8108-5088-0. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
^ ....ਭਾਈ ਮਨੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਸੰਪਰਕ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੀ ਰਾਜਧਾਨੀ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਰੰਤਰ ਬਣਿਆ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਪੱਤਰ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਜੋਤੀ-ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਉਣ ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਕੋਈ 4-5 ਸਾਲ ਬਾਅਦ ਦਾ ਹੈ।.....Sri Dasam Granth Krtitv, Dr. Harbhajan Singh
^ ...ਭਾਈ ਮਨੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਮਾਤਾ ਸੁੰਦਰੀ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਇਕ ਪੱਤਰ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਵਿਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ 303 'ਚਰਿਤਰ ਉਪਾਖਿਆਨ' ਅਤੇ 'ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਅਵਤਾਰ' ਦਾ ਪੂਰਬਾਰਧ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਣ ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਦਾ ਉਤਰਾਰਧ ਅਥਵਾ 'ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਮ ਮਾਲਾ' ਨਾ ਮਿਲਣ ਦਾ ਜ਼ਿਕਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ...Sri Dasam Granth Krtitv, Dr. Harbhajan Singh
^ ...ਇਹ ਵੀ ਸੋਚਣ ਦੀ ਗਲ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਜੇ ਇਸ ਚਿੱਠੀ ਦੇ ਅਸਤਿਤ੍ਵ ਦੀ ਖ਼ਬਰ 'ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ' ਦੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਉਤੇ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਤੋਂ ਮਿਲਦੀ, ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਪੂਰੇ 'ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ' ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ-ਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਦਸਣ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਫ਼ਰਜ਼ੀ ਚਿੱਠੀ ਬਣਾਈ ਹੈ। ਪਰ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਇਸ ਦੇ ਉਲਟ ਹੈ। ਜਿਸ ਗਿ. ਹਰਨਾਮ ਸਿੰਘ 'ਬਲਭ' ਨੇ ਸ. ਕਰਮ ਸਿੰਘ 'ਹਿਸਟੋਰੀਅਨ' ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰੁੇੁਰਨਾ ਨਾਲ ਇਸ ਪੱਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਖੋਜ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰਿਆ ਸੀ, ਵਾਸਤਵ ਵਿਚ ਉਹ 'ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ' ਦਾ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਸੀ। 'ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾਵਤਾਰ ਬਾਣੀ', ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਜ਼ਿਕਰ ਇਸ ਪੱਤਰ ਵਿਚ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਹਰਨਾਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਕਿਸੇ ਕਵੀ ਦੀ ਰਚਨਾ ਮੰਨਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਦੇ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ 'ਚਰਿਤਰੋਪਾਖਿਆਨ' ਦੇ ਕੇਵਲ 303 ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਗੁਰੂ-ਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਹਨ। ...Sri Dasam Granth Krtitv, Dr. Harbhajan Singh
^ Rinehart, Robin (2011). Debating the Dasam Granth. Oxford University Press. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-19-984247-6. OCLC 710992237.
^ Parchi and History
^ Sakhi 13, Parchi Guru Gobind Singh Ki, Bava Sewadas
^ ^a ^b sikhisearch.com