The Source Book On Sikhism

Bhai Nand Lal and Gyassuddin at Anandpur

Bhai Nand Lal had migrated from Kabul to India with his wife and children. Providing them with a house at Multan, Bhai Nand Lal entered the Imperial service at Agra, becoming secretary to Bahadur Shah, the son of Aurangzeb. He was a poet, and an Arabic and Persian scholar and he solved many a knotty theological problem in the theology of Al Quran, which were referred to him by the Prince. Once, when every other scholar failed to satisfy Aurangzeb as to a particular verse in private, when repeated to the Emperor, gave him great pleasure. Thus was the scholarship of Bhai Nandlal brought to the notice of the Emperor, who ordered that so able a person should no longer be allowed to remain a Hindu. The news leaked out; and Bhai Nand Lal saw that, to avoid death or apostasy, he must flee. He thought of escaping with his devoted Faqir - follower Gyassudin to Anandpur, and taking shelter with the Tenth Master. So with a few valuables they escaped by night from Agra, on two mules. When they reached Anandpur, they saw Gobind Singh sitting in the midst of a happy congregation. Bhai Nand Lal and Gyassudin offered their homage and took their seats, as the Guru blessed them and welcomed them. Addressing Gyassuddin, the Gobind said: “Brother Gyassuddin, to whom dost thou belong?” At this, one of the disciples wished to correct him, but the Master promptly stopped him, saying, “There is no dispute at all. Brother Nandlal belongs to me, and brother Gyassudin belongs to Nandlal; so, O good man! both belong to me”. These words were enough for Bhai Nandlal: he was thenceforward eternally his. By these words, and in these words, the Master gave the gift of Nam to both, and they entered the path of discipleship.

Bhai Nandlal, once he had laid his head at his Master’s feet, never left his presence. The Master was overwhelmingly kind to him, and always addressed him affectionately as "Nand Lala" - Master of Joy. He would compose Persian verses in praise of the Guru, and recite them every day. We have two volumes of these Persian poems.