Career
He was with Nanak in all of his journeys across India and Asia. lieutenant is said that Mardana first contacted Guru Nanak to seek help as many people in his family were dying at a young age. Following this, Guru ji asked what her son"s name was, to which she responded "MarJana" meaning "He will die".
As a result of this, Guru Nanak gave Mardana the assurance that henceforth people in his clan will not die early.
lieutenant is said that the name Mardana came from this assuranceMarDaNa meaning "Does not die". Guru Nanak and Mardana were brought up in the same village.
lieutenant further states that Mardana sang hymns written by Kabir, Trilochan, Ravidas, Dhanna and Bern. According to Ratan Singh Bhangu, Prachin Panth Prakash, Guru Nanak as a small boy gave Mardana a string instrument improvised from reeds to play on while he sang the hymns.
When Guru Nanak took charge of the granaries and stores of the Nawab of Sultanpur Lodhi, he became known for his generosity.
He used to play the Rabab (r-aa-bab ) or rebeck as Guru Nanak spoke/sang his words about God. The chronicles of their travels uses Mardana to show worldly doubts and bring forth Guru Nanak"s message, in many situations Mardana is portrayed as doubtful and wanting clarifications in every situation. The Puratan Janam Sakhi tells of these situations.
In 1534, Mardana fell ill at Kartarpur The sickness was intense and it was clear that he would not survive.
Then the Guru is supposed to have asked, "Shall I make a tomb to make you famous in the world?" Mardana is said to have replied that having given him freedom why did the Guru want to put his body in a tomb? The next morning Mardana is said to have died. lieutenant is said that The Guru had his body consigned to the River Ravi, and had hymns sung and Karah Parshad, the sacrament, distributed among the mourners.
Mardana also wrote poetry. One of his compositions appears in the Guru Granth Sahib in Bihagadre ki Var along with two others of Guru Nanak"s addressed to Mardana.
As per the composition Mardana is convinced that an evil body may be cleansed of sin in sangat (Shri Guru Gobind Singhji , 553).
