Guru Gobind Singh Ji collected together the works of the Dasam Granth in Anandpur Sahib.
On the 5th December 1705 AD – Guru Ji left Anandpur Sahib the Dasam Granth was lost to the
Bhai Mani Singh – Head Granthi Sri Darbar Sahib – made great endeavours to collect together the Banis of Sri Dasam Granth.
Bhai Mani Singh prepared the Dasam Bir – historic birs from this period still survive – in Moti Bagh and Sangrur
Importance of Sri Dasam Granth Sahib
• There is NO ‘Ardas’ without Sri Dasam Granth Sahib
• There is NO ‘Nitnem’ without Sri Dasam Granth Sahib
• There is NO ‘Khande Da Amrit’ without Sri Dasam Granth.
• Conclusion – There is NO ‘Khalsa Panth’ without Sri Dasam Granth.
Bhai Desa Singh, known as "Rahitnamiya" (writer of a famous Rahitnama, or ethical code, of Sikhs), son of Bhai Mani Singh Shaheed, has written in his Rahitnama, in a vision of Guru Gobind Singh Jee said from his mouth:
"Oh Sikh, listen to what I say:
In the beginning I wrote Jaap,
Then I uttered Akal Ustat–
This is like the recital of Vedas.
Then I wrote Bachittar Natak–
In that the story of the Sodhi lineage is told.
Then two Chandi Charitras were compiled
And poets appreciated the poetry in them.
Then I recited Giyan Prabodh ["Source of Knowledge"]
I described that, and all the wise people understood.
Then came the stories of the 24 Incarnations,
Then the Masters of Datta Taraye [a saint who had 24 masters] were told,
Then Bachittar Bakhiyan ["wonderful descriptions"] were made;
Those were also called one scripture.
If a fool reads them, he becomes wise.
Then in Shabad Hazare the stories of all kings were told.
Then 404 Stories were made;
They described the guiles of women [and men]."
The banis included in Dasam Granth are as follows:
1. Jaap
2. Akal Ustat
3. Bachittar Natak
4. Chandi Charitra
5. Chandi Charitra II
6. War Bhagauti Ji Ki
7. Giyan Prabodh
8. Chaubis Avtar [incarnations of Lord Vishnu]
9. Up Avtar [Brahma and Rudr]
10. Shabd Hazare
11. Swaiye
12. Khalsa Mehma
13. Shashtar
14. Charitropakhiyan
15. Zafarnama, Hikayat
Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh,
“ਦੁਹੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਮੈਂ ਬਾਣੀ ਜੋਈ॥ ਚੁੰਨ ਚੁੰਨ ਕੰਠ ਕਰੇ ਨਿਤ ਸੋਈ॥
Recite and learn off by heart Banis from both Granths [Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Sri Dasam Granth Sahib].”