Bhai Mardana (1459–1534), Guru Nanak Dev Ji's trusted Muslim travel companion, was the son of Badra and Lakkho, a Mirasi couple from Talvandi Rai Bhoe, now Nankana Sahib, in the Pakistani Sheikhupura region. He accompanied Guru Nanak Dev Ji on several of his lengthy excursions across the nation and beyond. A caste of hereditary minstrels and genealogists was known as the Mirasan. Guru Ji's childhood buddy and companion, Bhai Sahib, was ten years his senior.
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Both Bhai Mardana and Guru Nanak Dev Ji were born and nurtured in the same village. According to the Miharban Janam Sakhi, the latter, who was ten years older than the Guru, had been his friend since boyhood and had sung to him Bhagat songs (by Kabir Ji, Trilochan Ji, Ravidas Ji, Dhanna Ji, and Bern Ji). As a young child, Guru Nanak Dev Ji gave Bhai Mardana a string instrument made of reeds to play on when he sang the hymns, according to Ratan Singh Bhangu, Prachin Panth Prakash.
The legends of Guru Nanak's generosity and hospitality grew wide when he was hired to manage the granaries and stocks of the Nawab of Sultanpur Lodhi. Mardana, who was already married and the father of three children—two sons and a daughter—wanted to travel to Sultanpur to seek for his riches. He was tasked by Guru Nanak's father, Mehta Kalu, to travel to Sultanpur and inform the city of his son's well-being. Mardana left for Sultanpur and never again parted ways with Guru Nanak. As Guru Nanak chanted the grandeur of God, he played the rabab or rebeck.
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Guru Nanak invited Mardana to go with him as he prepared to spread his message throughout the world. Mardana hesitated since he did not want to leave his family until his daughter was married off, and he lacked the money to do so. Bhai Bhagirath, a follower of Guru Nanak, purchased the necessary supplies, enabling Mardana to marry off his daughter. Then, he was prepared to journey with Guru Nanak.
The biographers have documented several amusing instances involving Mardana's touchy behaviour and links to desire for food in an effort to lighten the burden of the journeys. It is claimed that he acted panicked when his chances of acquiring the next meal appeared to be less than assured. When Guru Nanak advised him to be patient and have faith in something turning up, he was not readily persuaded. Instead, he wished constantly to have a reserve of food ready in advance so that he could be sure he would not go without food.
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Bhai Mardana experienced a serious issue due to his fear of being without rations—hunger phobia! According to the Puratan Janam Sakhi, Guru Nanak and Mardana had not yet left Sultanpur when the latter stated that he was starving and urgently wanted something to eat.
The Guru indicated the village they had passed, saying that the Khatris of the Uppal caste who resided there would provide him with amusement if he went there. Mardana changed his course and entered the settlement, where he discovered everyone to be extremely kind. He was lavishly fed and given a lot of alms. According to the Janam Sakhi, Guru Nanak rolled on the ground in laughter as soon as he saw him return carrying a bundle. Mardana was aware of the peculiarity of his actions but had no idea how to get rid of the things he had gathered. When the Guru pointed out to him that those articles would be more of a burden for him, he threw the bundle away.
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The Janam Sakhi also has other narratives that depict Mardana in despair due to excruciating hunger or terrifying dread, with Guru Nanak or Nature miraculously intervening to bring him relief. Once, when the two travelled through a wilderness area alone, a sudden strong storm descended upon them. The storm was so bad that the jungle trees started to fly around. Speaking to the Guru while shivering in fear, Mardana said, "True ruler, thou hast brought me to my death in this wilderness. I won't receive a shroud or a grave here. Mardana groaned, "I have never faced a calamity like this in my life," as the Guru urged him to maintain his composure. What fate awaits my wretched soul today? Then flames appeared. There was fire on all four sides and smoke everywhere. Mardana hid his face and knelt down on the ground, muttering, "Farewell, life." Water then arrived. Massive clouds formed and began to downpour water in torrents. The Guru commanded Mardana, "Raise thy head, and take thy rebeck." Guru Nanak sang: "If the fear of God is in the heart, all other fear is dispelled" as Mardana adjusted the strings.
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Puratan Janam Sakhi claims that the Mughals captured Mardana and the Master at Saidpur. Mardana was assigned to lead a horse while holding its rein, and the Guru was given a weight to bear on his head. The Guru's bundle was floating a cubit above Mardana's head, and Mir Khan, the Mughal commander, noticed that Mardana's horse was trailing him without the reins. When Sultan Babar heard about the miracle, he said, "Had there been such faqirs here, the town should not have been struck." He was instructed to go and see Mir Khan.
While historians disagree on the exact location of Bhai ji's death, it is generally accepted that he fell ill and passed away in Baghdad in 1534 while travelling back from the east (via udasis). The obsequies of Mardana were carried out by Guru Ji with his own hands and a broken heart. A modest monument was built in Mardana's honour.
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A combined Turkish and Arabic inscription on a wall inside an enclosure identifies the location. Baghdad locals referred to Mardana as Murad, and since he was ten years older than Nanak, they regarded him as Guru. Therefore, Guru Murad passed away, according to the inscription that was placed following Guru Nanak's departure. This edifice was built with assistance by Baba Nanak Faqir in 927 A.H. as a gracious gesture from a devout disciple. Mardana, who was 75 years old, is believed to have passed away in December 1534. The memorial is located 2.5 kilometres from the train station, close to a cemetery.
Shahzada, Mardana's son, and other family members were informed and comforted by Guru ji upon the Guru's return to Punjab. Guru Ji also urged them not to grieve for Bhai Ji as he had gone to his heavenly home.
Mardana was a respectable poet. Along with two other salok from Guru Nanak addressed to Mardana, one of his salok is included in the Bihdgare ki Var section of the Guru Granth Sahib. He is sure that sangat can purge sin from an evil body.
