Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh Ji - An Excellent Master Of Pen

Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh Ji was one of the great Diamond Figures in the 20th century. He was among the greatest spiritual personalities of his time. He was a poet, a scholar, a historian and a great activist. His excellent writings, filled with spiritual love and finely polished with an exceptional writing style, formed an integral part of not only Sikh Literature or Punjabi Literature but also of Spiritual Literature. His writings not only enlighten the reader about Truth but also give him some taste like some ‘Divine Nectar’.

An interesting event from his life depicting his exceptional brilliancy is as follows:

Once upon a time, Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh Ji went to Lahore. In Lahore, there were many poets, writers and scholars of Urdu and Hindi languages, at that time. Since, Bhai Sahib was very famous, they were very eager to meet him. So, finally they came up with a meeting with him.

In the meeting, after a warm welcome, a discussion began over literary work in various languages. After sometime, someone put forward an English quotation “Where there is a will, there is a way” and asked everyone to translate it in their respective languages. And thus, we will find out who could do the best and most accurate translation and in which language.  

After everyone has finished, they began showing up their translations.

An Urdu Scholar had translated, “Jahaan musammam iraada ho, wahaan kaamyaabi hoti hai.”

                                                  ਜਹਾਂ ਮੁਸੰਮਮ ਇਰਾਦਾ ਹੋ, ਵਹਾਂ ਕਾਮਯਾਬੀ ਹੋਤੀ ਹੈ|    
      جہاں مسمم ارادہ ہو،, وہاں کامیابی ہوتی ہے                                                                                          

Another Urdu scholar translated, “Musammam iraada kaamyaabi ka raasta dikhaata hai.”

                                                  ਮੁਸੰਮਮ ਇਰਾਦਾ ਕਾਮਯਾਬੀ ਕਾ ਰਾਸਤਾ ਦਿਖਾਤਾ ਹੈ|

                                                                                       مسمم ارادہ کامیابی کا راستہ دکھاتا ہے                             

A Hindi scholar translated, “Drirh vishwaas safalta ka maarg hai.”

                                         ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਸਫਲਤਾ ਕਾ ਮਾਰਗ ਹੈ| 
                          दृढ़ विश्वास सफलता का मार्ग है| 
              

Finally, when Bhai Sahib Ji’s turn came, he said, “Jithe Chaah, Othe Raah.”

                    ਜਿੱਥੇ ਚਾਹ, ਓਥੇ ਰਾਹ|

After listening this, you can fairly guess what happened. Everyone started praising and complimenting Bhai Sahib Ji and agreed that he has done the best translation.