Sri Chand


Sri Chand Ji, also referred to as Baba Sri Chand, was the founder of the ascetic sect of Udasi and was the elder son of Guru Nanak, first Guru and founder of Sikhism. He was born to Mata Sulakhani on Bhadra sudi 9, 1551 Bikrami.

Compositions

Sri Chand Ji is said to have composed an Aarta – a poem in name of his father, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Many of his compositions are known to be part of the Udasi scripture, Matra Sahib.
The 17th Ashtapadi of Sukhmani Sahib is said to have been composed by Sri Chand on the occasion of a visit by Guru Arjan.

Relationship with Sikh Gurus

Not much is known about the relationship of Guru Angad and Sri Chand.
Guru Amardas declared active and domestic Sikhs to be separate from passive and recluse Udasis.
However the Sikh Gurus, Guru Amardas, Guru Ramdas, Guru Arjan and Guru Hargobind who were also contemporaries of Sri Chand did revere him.
Guru Harigobind's eldest son, Baba Gurditta, was given to the Udasis at the behest of Baba Sri Chand's request and Baba Gurditta eventually replaced Baba Sri Chand as head of the Udasis after his death. Baba Gurditta was the father of Guru Hari Rai, the grandfather of Guru Hari Krishan and the elder half-brother of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Ram Rai, son of Guru Har Rai joined Udasi sect after a failed attempt of being an official eighth Guru of the Sikhs.
Sikh institutions such as the Nihang, Damdami Taksal and most Jathedar revere Sri Chand Ji.