Varan Bhai Gurdas

Varan Bhai Gurdas (Gurmukhi: ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ vārāṁ bhā'ī guradāsa; meaning "ballads of Bhai Gurdas"), also known as Varan Gyan Ratnavali (ਵਾਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਰਤਨਾਵਲੀ), is the name given to the 40 vars (a form of Punjabi poetry) which is traditionally attributed to Bhai Gurdas.

Background
Bhai Gurdas was a first cousin of Mata Bhani, mother of Guru Arjan Dev. He was the first scribe of Guru Granth Sahib and a scholar of great repute. From his work it is clear that he had mastery of various Indian languages and had studied many ancient Indian religious scriptures. It is said that the motivation for Gurdas to write the first var was due to Guru Arjan requesting him to complete an authentic work of literature documenting and detailing the life of Guru Nanak. "Guru Arjan ordered me To compose 40 Vars So that peace may descend upon me."

Compilation
Bhai Gurdas authored the work in the late 16th century. He did not consult the knowledge of Baba Buddha (whom had been alive when Guru Nanak was around) when he compiled the work.

Title
The full title of the work given in one manuscript dated to 1782 is: Varan Gian Ratnavali Bhai Gurdas Bhalley ka Bolana, meaning "Vars [captioned] Gian Ratnavali. Thus spake Bhai Gurdas Bhalla." Another manuscript (dated to at-least 1732 or earlier) is titled simply as: ''Bani Bhai Gurdas Bhalley ji ki. Varan''. The words Gian Ratnavali as part of a title may have once only applied to the first of forty vars rather than being part of a title to describe the entirety of the work of literature. Originally, the entirety of the work was simply entitled as Varan. The SGPC officially named its publication of the work as Varan Gyan Ratnavali.

Structure
Each of the 40 chapters of Varan Bhai Gurdas consists of a differing number of Pauris (sections, paragraphs). The composition is a collection of detailed commentary and explanation of theology and the ethics of Sikh beliefs as outlined by the Gurus. It explains the Sikh terms like sangat, haumai, "Gun", Gurmukh and Manmukh, Sat, Naam, etc. Many of the principles of Sikhism are explained in simple terms by Bhai Gurdas and at times in many ways.

The 40 vars maintain a high-degree of similarity in nearly all manuscriptural versions of the work, barring a few variations and discrepancies. Some Sikhs have rejected the authenticity of the 10th or 40th vars of the work specifically, the former based on religious doctrine and the latter based upon linguistic style inconsistency. A notable and outspoken critic of the 10th var was Giani Lal Singh of Sangrur.

Appendments
Often times, another additional Vaar, with the title of Vaar Sri Bhagaut Ji Ki Patshahi Dasvin Ki, is included in the work at a 41st Vaar. This Vaar was authored by another, later Bhai Gurdas who was contemporary with Guru Gobind Singh. The 41st Vaar eulogizes Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa.

Legacy
According to Bhai Mani Singh, the first Var of the work is the only genuine and attestable janamsakhi tradition covering the life of Guru Nanak. Bhai Mani Singh would author a janamsakhi rendition, known as the Gyan-ratnavali or Bhai Mani Singh Janam Sakhi, based upon the first var of Varan Bhai Gurdas.