# Sri Charitropakhyan

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. This composition ends at Chopai which is one of the Nitnem banis. 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).
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. 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." and that the romantic tales can also be understood allegorically.

## Plot

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.

## List of tales

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

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

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

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:
* 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

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. 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. Among critics Gyani Harnam Singh Balabh believes that only 303 Charitars were written by Guru Gobind Singh among 404 Charitars in Charitropakhyan. 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.

#### 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. He mentioned that Guru Gobind Singh had written tales in Persian in Zafarnama, called Hikaaitaan during his lifetime. Many of these tales are the Persian translations of the narratives in Charitropakhyan.

#### 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.