RABAB/ NARAD VEENA

This 'Narad Veena' (or Ravan Veena) is in fact the earliest name of the modern 'Rabab', the musical instrument of Bhai Mardana.

It is a historical fact that the 'Rabab' is the invention of Guru Nanak, who instructed another of His devoted Sikhs, Bhai Firanda to manufacture a 'Rabab', which, was later on to be the musical accompaniment of Bhai Mardana throughout his Life.

Guru Nanak, the saviour of the 'Kalyuga' was the first Guru of the Sikhs and was an epitome of music and poetry, which can be seen from His 'Bani' in the Adi Granth Sahib. Guru Arjan compiled the Adi Granth and the 'Banis' of all Gurus were canonised in the musical stanzas of their original modes.

It was extremely essential that a godly person like Nanak, who was an accomplished musician, divine person and an excellent poet should be accompanied by a person with a similar knowledge of music and poetry. A person who would understand the intricate moods of poetry and divine music and be a constant companion. This person chosen by Guru Nanak was no other than Bhai Mardana.

In the Hindu mythology it is known that all the 'Avtaars' incarnated with their assistants, friends and relations who helped them during their stay on this earth. For example we know that Lakshman and his brothers plus the immeasurable assistance of Hanuman helped Lord Rama on his divine incarnation in the 'Treta Yuga'. It is also an historical reality that Balram and Arjuna etc.were Lord Krishna's best companions in His divine incarnation in the 'Dwapara yuga' Similarly we can assume the characters of Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala, who were constantly in the attendance of Guru Nanak, who according to the Bhatt's in the Adi Granth, was the incarnate of the Almighty himself in the 'Kali yuga'..

Although there is no documentary proof but I presume that Bhai Mardana was no other than the incarnation of Sage Narad. Both these personalities have exceptional similarities, which cannot be ignored. Their personal characteristics are that of a light-hearted and impish nature, which is an essence of many parables with Guru Nanak and Lord Vishnu. Furthermore let us inspect for example the initials of their names:-

M R D N (Mardana)
N R D Mn (Narad Muni)

As can be seen from above that the names of both these personalities have the same name letters (Co-incidence? May be, but can we shirk away from the fact that both are accomplished divine musicians and both have been given instruments of divine nature by two godly powers?)

Although the characters of Bhai Mardana is not revered similar to the character of Guru Nanak but never the less his importance in the life of Guru Nanak is extremely significant and Guru Nanak without Mardana is something that cannot be envisaged.