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BHAGAT MARDANA JIBhagat Mardanaji was born in the year 1459 in a humble familiy of Baba Mir Badre as father and Bibi Mai Lakho as mother, in Talwandi Rae Bhoj, District Sheikhupura, Punjab (Now in Pakistan). Bhagat Mardanaji was a muslim bard (Mirasi) by profession. Bhagat Mardanaji attracted to Baba Nanak from his childhood and when Baba Nanak was residing in Sultanpur ,Bhagat Mardanaji came from Talwandi and was chosen by Baba Nanak to be his travel associate. Bhagat Mardanaji accompained Baba Nanak for most of the time on his trips away from home in all directions to spread and teach his philosophy about the ways of God and man's duty to recite his (GOD) name forever. Bhagat Mardanaji was a good Rababi( player of rabab- a musical instrument, like guitar) and used to carry one at all times. When Baba Nanak aspired for divine guidance, he would ask Bhagat Mardanaji to play "RABAB" and either one or both of them would holy hymns. This was one of the methods used by Baba Nanak to preach the divine knowledge and his philosphy about God. Sometimes or the other during their travels, Bhagat Mardanaji used to get himself in trouble to be rescued by Baba Nanak in such a way that Bhagat Mardanaji would become an agent and instrument to teach a lesson to the evil person involved. Bhagat Mardanaji was noted for the lack of endurance against thirst, hunger and weariness each one of which entrapped him in some situation or the other. There is a famous and well known legend that while travelling towards north -west, on reaching a place known as Hasan Abdal, Bhagat Mardanaji felt very thirsty; only water available near about was on top of the hill where a Muslim Pir, Vali Kandhari, lived. Baba Nanak sent Bhagat Mardanaji to get water but Pir refused to gave any. Bhagat Mardanaji was sent second time but vali Kandhari still would not give any water. So the Baba Nanak with his mystical powres dug a hole and water came out but the spring at Pir's place dried. Seeing this Pir rolled down a big rock, Baba Nanak stopped it with the palm of his hand. This rock with the impression of Baba Nanak's palm is still there and a spring flows under this. This place is known as Panja Sahib and situated and is situated about 40 miles from Rawalpindi (Pakistan). While returning from the last trip, Bhagat Mardanaji had colic pain near Khunam city in Wazirastan (Pakistan). Bhagat Mardanaji died there on account of his ailment in year 1534. In his hymns Bhagat Mardanaji said that " One should never falter and shrink from one's duty towards GOD. God is omnipresent and always there to get one out of all the difficult situations." Bani of Bhagat Mardanaji in Shri Guru Granth Sahib |