Bhai Mardana (Punjabi: ਭਾਈ ਮਰਦਾਨਾ; 1459 — 1534[1]) was one of the first Sikhs and longtime companion of Guru Nanak Dev, first in the line of gurus noted in Sikhism.

Bhai Mardana was a Muslim by-birth who would accompany Guru Nanak Dev on his journeys and became one of his first disciples and followers, and converted to the newly established religion.

[2][3] Bhai Mardana was born to a Mirasi Muslim[4] family, a couple, Badra and Lakkho, of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib of Pakistan.

It is said that Bhai Mardana first contacted Guru Nanak to seek help as many people in his family were dying at a young age.

[5] As a result of this, Guru Nanak Ji gave Mardana the assurance that henceforth people in his clan will not die early.

The Miharban Janam Sakhi says that Mardana was ten years elder to Guru Nanak and was his companion since his childhood days.

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.

At Kartarpur, Mardana, the Guru's faithful minstrel, advanced in years and wearied with his long wanderings and physical privations, fell ill.

The Guru answered, 'Since thou knowest God and art therefore a Brahman, we shall dispose of thy body by throwing It into the river Ravi and letting it go with the stream.

The Guru then, by the aid of his Sikhs, consigned Mardana's body to the river Ravi, caused the Sohila to be read for his eternal repose, and concluded the obsequies by distributing karah parshad (sacred food).