Sakhi Series :- 268 ( Mere Show of Devotion is of No Use)

Mere Show of Devotion is of No Use

(Source : [Book]The Gospel of the Sikh Gurus ) 

Bhai kalu, Nanu and Haari Kohli came to Guru Arjun Dev ji, prostrated and prayed for clarification that some devotees hear and recite 'Gurbani' and indulge in noble deeds. Yet

others indulge in evil deeds even after reciting 'Gurbani'. If the Guru's word is nectar, why are only some benefited and not others?

Guru ji said that those disciples who listen to 'Gurbani' with the noble intention of terminating their birth and death cycle are liberated. Other who recite 'Gurbani' to enhance

their ego or achieving objects of enjoyment, how can they be liberated? They are like a snake that attracts other insects with the light of the proverbial jewel on his head (mani)

and then swallows them. Similarly, evil persons who recite 'Gurbani' make a show of it to others and cheat them. They  are not benefited.

Those who meditate on 'Narayan', the Unmanifested Lord with dedication and one-pointed mind are liberated.

A Real Warrior is One Who Battles His Own Mind

Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji

THE FALSE KING AND THE TRUE KING

We treasure a beautiful story of a Sikh of Agra who was a humble grass-cutter. The tents of the two kings being pitched side by side in the fields, the poor Sikh approached Jehangir's tent wifh an offering of two copper pice out of his wages, and desired to know where was "the True King" "Whom do you wish to see ?" said Jehangir. "I want to see the True King," said the grass-cutter. "I am the king," said Jehangir. The grass-cutter placed his offerings before him, bowed down to him, and rose and said, "0 True King! save me, thy slave, from this sea of darkness, and take me into thy refuge of light that is All Knowledge." On this the Emperor told him that he was not the king sought, and that the saviour's tent was pitched yonder. The grass-cutter hastily took back his offerings, and went running to the Guru.

The queen, NurJehan, took a deep interest in the Guru, and had many interviews with him. Also, with the poor frequenting the place, he was in much repute as a comforter.

During these days, Jehangir fell ill; and, following the barbarous advice of his Hindu ministers, he invited his astrologers to tell him of his evil stars that brought illness on him. These astrologers were heavily bribed by Chandu, who was always seeking to detach the Emperor from Guru Har Gobind. The astrologers accordingly, prophesied that a holy man of God should go to the Fort of Gwalior and pray for his recovery from there. Chandu then advised the Emperor that Har Gobind was the holiest of men and should be sent to Gwalior. Jehangir requested Guru Har Gobind to go; and though he saw through the plot of his enemies, he left for Gwalior immediately.

While Guru Har Gobind was at Gwalior, great was the distress of his Sikhs in Delhi and at Amritsar, who suspected foul play at the part of Chandu. In fact, Chandu did write to Hari Das, the Commander of Gwalior fort, urging him to poison the Guru or kill him in any way-and promising a large reward. Hari Das was by that time devoted to the Master; so he laid all these letters before him, who smiled and said nothing. The Guru met many other Rajahs who were prisoners in this fort, and made them happy. •

When Jehangir recovered, he thought of Guru Har Gobind again. Undoubtedly, Nur Jehan, who evinced a disciple-like devotion to the Master, had something to do with his recall from Gwalior. However, the Guru would not go unless the Emperor agreed to set all the prisoners in the fort at liberty. The Emperor at last gave way; and, on the personal security of the Guru, all the prisoners were released. The Guru was hailed at Gwalior as "Bandi Chhor" - the great deliverer who cuts fetters off the prisoners feet and sets them free. There remains, in the historic fort at Gwalior, a shrine of the Bandi Chhor Pir, worshipped by Hindus and Mussalmans alike, where they have lit a lamp in memory of the event, and where a Mohammedan Faqir sits in hallowed memory of some great one of whom he knows only the name-Bandi Chhor. 

Sakhi Series :- 267 ( Bhai Tara Singh ji Vaan)

Bhai Tara Singh ji

(Source : www.allaboutsikhs.com)

Bhai Tara Singh Wan was an eighteenth century Sikh. He was from the village of Wan, also known as Wan Tara Singh or Dall-Wan now in Amritsar district of the Eastern Punjab.

His father, Sardar Gurdas Singh, had received the rites of the Khalsa in the time of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, and had taken part in the Battle of Amritsar (April 1709), in which Bhai Mani Singh led the Sikhs and in which Har Sahai, a revenue official of Patti, was killed at his (Gurdas Singh's) hands. Baba Gurdas Singh took martyrdom in Bajwara (Hoshiarpur) when he went along with Baba Banda Singh to fight for Sirhind.

Bhai Tara Singh was the eldest of the five sons of Gurdas Singh and was born around 1687. He took Amrit from Bhai Mani Singh. Receiving the rites of initiation, he grew up to be a devout Sikh, skilled in the martial arts.

During Moghul rule, the village heads (Chaudhary) used to have considerable authority over local population. They often exercised these powers most mercilessly in order to awe the subjects into submission.

One such fellow Sahib Rai was head of village Naushahra. He was a hot headed and cruel person. He would often let loose his horses in the green fields of farmers of the village, causing extensive damage to their crops. If the aggrieved farmers complained to him about it, he used to abuse them, instead of sympathizing with them or redressing their grievances.

Once the sikh farmers of the village together requested him to keep his houses confined to the areas meant for grazing and not let them graze in their fields thereby destroying their crops.
Instead of giving them any assurance, Sahib Rai turned them saying, "I will definitely tie my horses but with the ropes made out of your beautiful Keshas (Hair)." Such insulting words were unbearable for the Sikhs who valued their Keshas more than their lives. Deeply hurt, they narrated the incident to S. Baghel Singh and S. Amar Singh of the nearby village, Bhusay.

A few days later, S. Amar Singh and S. Baghel Singh caught hold of Sahib Rai's horses, while those were destroying the crops of Sikh farmers of village Naushehra, and sold them to S. Aala Singh, the then ruler of State of Patiala. The proceeds were donated to S. Tara Singh, a saint of village Waan for free Kitchen (Langer).

Bhai Tara Singh was God fearing devoted Sikh saint. He owned considerable agricultural land and had established a Gurudwara on his land. Sikhs passing through his village were provided shelter and free meals at this Gurudwara apart from other facilities required by them. S. Tara Singh, apart from being a saint, mostly absorbed in meditation, was a brave Sikh conversant with use of arms. He had fought many a battles under the leadership of Banda Singh Bahadur.

Chaudhary Sahib Rai found out through his agents that S. Baghel Singh and S. Tara Singh had caught and sold his horses. Accompanied by some of his supporters, he entered Bhai Tara Singh's residence unannounced, and uttered insulting remarks towards Sikh community. Bhai Tara Singh tried to pacify the Chaudhary, but failed to do so. At this, the Sikhs at the Gurudwara thrashed Sahib Rai and his men, making them run for their lives.

Thus infuriated Sahib Rai went straight to the police chief of the area based in the town Patti in Amritsar District and narrated to him the exaggerated version of the humiliation suffered by him at the hand of Sikhs. Jaffar Beg, the police chief, assisted by a contingent of 200 policemen proceeded towards the residence of Bhai Tara Singh to teach Sikhs a lesson.

S. Baghel Singh who had gone out of Bahi Tara Singh's residence to answer call of nature very early in the morning, noticed the raiding party. He asked them to stop and shouted, "BOLE SO NEHAL SAT SRI AKAL" at the top of his voice to alert other Sikhs. At the same time, he started firing at the invaders from his gun.

Bhai Tara Singh, on hearing gun shots, along with other Sikhs rushed to the assistance of Baghel Singh. They engaged the invading soldiers in a fierce battle. Despite superiority in numbers and better equipped, two nephews and ten other soldiers of Jaffar Beg were killed at the hands of brave Sikhs. S. Baghel Singh also attained martyrdom in that battle. He had engaged the raiders single handedly and by sacrificing his own life, managed to alert other sikhs.

Jaffar Beg could barely save his own life by beating a hasty retreat. Jaffar Beg went straight to Lahore and narrated the incident to Zakaria Khan, Governor of Lahore. He sought his support to avenge his humiliating defeat at the hands of Sikhs. Zakaria Khan was a sworn enemy of the Sikh community. He ordered his commander, Moman Khan, to immediately mount an attack on S. Tara Singh's abode and produce him dead or alive before him.

One of the Sikh residents of Lahore rushed to village Waan and informed Bhai Tara Singh of this impending attack by a huge Mughal force and advised him to go elsewhere. When Singh jee heard this, his face became red with Bir Rass. He said that he could not wait to combat the Mughals and declared that the bodies of Singhs and warriors get pure and sacred when they are cut by the weapons in the battlefield. In Panth Parkash, it is quoted as follows:

TAU SINGH JEE, UNN KAHEE SUNAAYE||

DEH PAVITTER HOYE, SHASTER LAGAAYE||

Bhai Tara Singh accompanied by about fifty sikhs present at that time in his dera (house), decided to stay and face the inevitable, bravely. The Sikhs planned their strategy and took up positions at vantage points to face the enemy and inflict maximum casualties on the raiders. Momin Khan, mobilising more forces enroute and accompanied by another commander Tara Beg, mounted attack on village Waan, much before Sunrise. The Sikhs were waiting and answered the attack by a deadly shower of bullets from their guns, felling the front row enemy soldiers dead.

Momin Khan ordered Takki Beg to engage Bhai Tara Singh. Bhai Ji, in a swift action, thrust his spear into Takki Beg's mouth. A shower of blood flowed from Takki Beg's mouth, who ran back to save his life. Momin Khan added insult to Takki Beg's misery by asking whether Takki Beg was chewing Paan in the battle field. Takki Beg, reacting sharply, told Momin Khan 'Yes I am eating Paan. Tara Singh is giving out free paans and if you want one, you too should move forward to get it. Why are you talking standing so far from the battlefield?'

Momin Khan, instead of himself moving forward, sent forward his nephew Mureed Khan, whose head was cut off with a sharp blow of sword, by S. Bhomi Singh, in a swift attack.
Losing so many men and patience, Momin Khan ordered his entire force to attack the Sikhs at the same time. Thus ensued hand to hand fight. The Sikhs put up a brave fight, killing hundreds of enemy soldiers before laying down their own lives as well.

When Bhai Tara Singh jee entered the imperial army, he created a storm. He killed countless before he was shot from a distance. Yet, he still would not fall and kept fighting and slicing the soldiers. It was felt as if he was accompanied by thousands more hands. He sent several to Dharam Rai before finally attaining shaheedi there. Not a single Sikh surrendered to the enemy.

This is how the Sikhs tried to uproot the cruel Mughal regime from Punjab, lock, stock and barrel. They fought to the finish, inflicting very heavy casualties on the enemy forces.  We should be thankful to the Sikhs because of whose bravery and sacrifices the mighty Mughal rule finally came to an end in Punjab towards the end of eighteenth Century

Sakhi Series :- 266 ( Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke)

Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke

(Source : http://gursikhijivan.blogspot.co.uk) 

In the Jagraon District of Punjab is a very blessed village called Kaunke. The Master of Miri Piri, Sahib Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji blessed this village stating the diamonds would be born from this village. Guru Ji stated this when he rested at the village on his journey to the Sind region. When he stayed at Kaunke village, one of its resident Gursikhs, Bhai Hira Ji did keertan seva. Guru Ji was very moved by the keertan and at this point stated in a 'Bachan' that many more diamonds would be born here.

So it happened, aswell as Bhai Hira Ji, Sardar Sham Singh Attari, the Great Mata Kishen Kaur Kaunke, Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke, and many countless young Gursikhs who have given all to the Sikh struggle, all were born in the village Kaunke.

The list of names that stood by the mission and ideologue of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bindranwale from this village is long, but one name stands out. That name is Jathedar Gurdev Singh Ji.

Bhai Gurdev Singh was born in 1949 in house of Bhai Gurdial Singh and Mata Chand Kaur Ji. Bhai sahib's grandfather was Jathedar Totha Singh, who was a companion of Baba Nand Singh Ji of Nanaksar. Hence Gursikhi was a part of the family tradition.

At a young age, Bhai Sahib was blessed with Amrit at the Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. Bhai Sahib's worldly education was only up to level 6. However he continued to study in his religious study at the Damdami Taksal. He was tutored by Baba Vir Singh Madoke and Giani Inder Singh Badni Wale, both of whom were companions of Baba Gurbachan Singh Khalsa. From here Bhai Sahib began to do seva of katha of Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth.

Due to the fact that Bhai Sahib inherited considerable land, his family needs were always satisfied, and therefore Bhai Sahib always did katha without selfish desire.

Bhai Sahib was very strict in his Amrit vela, rising everyday at 2am. From 2am to 8am, Bhai Sahib would do his nitnem, and would not speak to anyone during this period.

Operation Bluestar in 1984, had a deep impact on Bhai sahib. From this period, Bhai Sahib in his katha openly started condemning Brahmin Authorities, and their devious practices. Due to the sincere nature of Bhai Sahib's character, the parchar that Bhai Sahib did had a lot of influence on the sangat. Bhai Sahib was against all types of self-appointed Guru's & Sant's, and as a result of his parchar in the Jagraon area many deras, businesses of Brahminvaad, blind worship and ritualism were removed from every village and town.

Due to Bhai Sahib's parchar, the drug-ridden area of Jagraon, witnessed many Amrit Sanchaars, and kesri dastaars and black gatras could be seen everywhere. Once again the Malwa region strangled by drugs, witnessed a Khalsa revolution. At weddings, where previously dirty songs were heard, now Gurbani Keertan was heard. In buses, the Bollywood songs were replaced Dhadi Vaars and religious songs. Much of this social change was credited to Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji.

As a result of this, in January 1986, Bhai Sahib was chosen to the highest Seva in the Khalsa Panth, the Seva of Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.

hese times were difficult, but Bhai Sahib did this Seva as a fearless General. It was only the first two days of Operation Black Thunder. Jathedar Ji's first action was to remove all the Government agents dressed as Sikh youth jujharoos from Sri Darbar Sahib. Next he ensured that the corrupt kharkoos who were having langars in their rooms in the Darbar Sahib complex were stopped, and everyone was made to have langar only in the Guru Ram Dass langar hall. Throughout his period as Jathedar, Bhai Sahib ensured he had only from Guru Ram Dass langar hall to ensure the Maryada of Sangat and Pangat remained.

At this time, the Kar Seva (building) of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib was happening. Jathedar Ji took control of the Golak to ensure it was not being siphoned off by unscrupulous characters. Bhai Sahib was completely sympathetic to the Khalistan cause, and felt that the Khalsa needed to fight for its independence. In his lectures, Jathedar Ji would say, those who have internal differences, kill innocent hindus, give threats like gangsters, they are traitors to the Sikh struggle and cause. He would often speak about the need to Sikhs to develop a revolutionary Spirit.

In his Katha, Jathedar Ji would often speak against the ill's of Punjabi society, and encouraged social change. In his period, he helped thousand's of poor girl's who were abandoned by their husbands because of the greed of dowry. Bhai Sahib would himself become involved in individual cases and ensure the girl's were accepted back into their homes. As a result of this parchar, in the Jagraon area, social ill's such as dowry, alcoholism, domestic violence were reduced dramatically.

Such was the impact of Jathedar Ji's sincere nature, that the population stopped taking their disputes to court's and police stations. Instead they would come to the Kaunke village, to Jathedar Ji, where they felt they would get justice. The sweet words of Jathedar Ji would leave both parties walking away happy.

As a result of this social change, the Police and other Sarkari (government) agents saw their incomes significantly decrease, as they were unable to get money as bribes or extortion from the disputes. They became dangerous enemies of Jathedar Ji, and started to plot against him.

In 1989, some kharkoo Singhs fired on the Ludhiana headquarters of the RSS (a right-wing Hindu fascist group). Jathedar Ji's enemies saw their opportunity. At that time, Ludhiana was under the control of an extremely vicious and brutal SSP called Sumedh Saini. To get Bhai Sahib to admit responsibility for the attack, he was hung upside down, and tortured for many hours.

Then later on, Jathedar Ji was one again arrested and was falsely implicated in the Bidar attack. But after one year, Jathedar Ji was again released. Then on 19th May 1991, Bhai Sahib was again arrested and tortured. He was imprisoned for another 18 months.

Jathedar Ji would never allow the sangat to bail him out, and always fought his cases with truth and full faith in Guru Maharaj, which always resulted in his release. In fact, the Government were often forced to admit in court that the charges against him were false. This led to great embarrassment for them. For the mud they slung at Jathedar Ji, he always came out whiter than white. The population witnessed the difference between the character of the Khalsa Singh, and the devious nature of the Brahmin authorities. As a result, the aura of Jathedar Ji's revolutionary Khalsa character was a huge thorn for the Brahmin agencies.

On 20th December 1992, the cowardly Police forces at 4am came to arrest the Lionheart Jathedar Gurdev Singh. However due to body of Bhai Sahib young nephew being at his house for cremation, they had to release Bhai Sahib after a few hours.

Five days later, under the command of Inspector Gurdeep Singh, the Police arrested Jathedar Ji when he finished Katha at Gurdwara Sahib in the early hours. Bhai Sahib asked them if he could go home first, then he would accompany them. Bhai Sahib walked home, followed by the Police party, and many local villagers. Once he arrived home, Bhai Sahib did ishnaan (bathed) and changed his clothes, and then went and sat in the Jeep. The whole road was filled with villagers. Jathedar Ji rose to address them. In his sincere nature, he asked the sangat to accept his final Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!!. Jathedar Ji was aware his time had come, and sweetly accepted the will of Akaal. Fearing the wrath of the sangat, the police quickly sped off.

Jathedar Ji was tortured by the infamous and brutal Head of Jagraon Police, Swaran Gotna. Thus named for his use of the 'Gotna' in interrogation. This is a large log placed on the legs and rolled up and down them while two policemen stand on each side. He was assisted by Harbhagwan Sodhi and Inspector Gurdeep Singh, who today is a DSP in the Punjab Police. Then Jathedar Ji was further interrogated by CIA staff of Jagraon.

Shaheed Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke

In them days, a rumour spread through the villages of Jagraon. When Swaran Gotna swore at Jathedar Ji and told him to remove his Kirpan and gatra. Jathedar Ji in a state of Bir-Rass (warrior spirit) replied, 'Stop, who are you threatening. This is worn because of the many Great Sacrifices.. A dog of the Brahmin like you will never understand its value..' A scuffle broke between the two and it took 5-7 commandos to restrain Bhai Sahib. His Kakkaars were removed and he was mercilessly beaten and tortured.

Jathedar Ji due to keeping Gurmat Bibek would never eat at the Police station. Everyday his family would bring prepared meals for him, but the brutal Police always refused to let him eat, and sent the family away. As a result, Bhai Sahib health became weak, but he never compromised of his religious principles of Gurmat Bibek.

In a nearby village Chaharchuk, an old bibi stated she had gone to the Police Station in relation to a case. She saw Bhai Sahib and he was in a very fragile state. At this point local villagers and Akali Leaders began putting pressure for Jathedar Ji's release. When local villagers with Akali leader Captain Harcharan Singh Rode met with Police officials, they were told that Bhai Sahib would be charged and sent to prison.

However on 1st January 1993, Swaran Gotna got his revenge. As a result, on the 3rd January 1993, the newly appointed SSP Harinder Chahal stated to newspapers that Bhai Sahib was leading them to the cache of arms used by militants, when on there way they were attacked. He said Bhai Sahib had escaped. However everyone knew that these stories by Punjab Police were always made up. In reality, Bhai Sahib was Shaheed on 1st January and thrown into a river.

Anger grew throughout Punjab as the news of Jathedar Ji's Shaheedi spread. Panthic Leaders throughout the world gathered at the bhog. However the Police and Army sealed off Kaunke village. Even the photographic cameras of the press were broken and removed. Akali leaders in attendance were beaten with lathi's (wooden sticks). Even the highly dubious Akali leader Parkash Badal demanded an investigation into the murder of Jathedar Ji, but decades on, nothing has happened. Whenever the family raises the issue, many more innocents became victims of Police excesses. Through infiltration of dubious people, fear, threats, and bribery, the case is always held up or shelved.

Even Jathedars Ji's young son, Hari Singh was not spared. A false case of a bomb explosion was placed on him, even though on that day he was at school, and the register confirms his attendance, which eventually led to his release. Bhai Sahib's elder son, Bhai Ram Singh was also picked up and tortured by Police on many occasions.

The Akali party fought the next election stating it would investigate the period of 1984 onwards and produce a white paper. It won the election by a huge landslide, but Badal soon forgot every promise and used his time to expand his own wealth.

When Bhai Sahib's family approached the Akali party for a full investigation, Police Officer Tiwari held an investigation. However just as the report on the investigation of the massacre of the 13 Singhs in 1978, the report of the murder of Bhai Sahib mysteriously disappeared somewhere in Badals administration, and was never seen again.

Sakhi Series :- 265 ( The Lord – The Super King)

The Lord – The Super King 

Ko-oo Har samaan nahee raja. Ei bhoopat sabh diwas chaar ke jhootthe karat diwaajaa (SGGS, Ang – 856)

(The Lord is the super king. No other King or lord is equal to Him. The worldly Kings are

for a short duration. Their display of power and pride is also temporary and hence false.)

 This was the Hukamnama read out from Guru Granth Sahib by Sant Attar Singh during the ceremonies at Delhi Darbar held in 1911 at the time of the visit of King George V (successor of Edward VII) to India. This was the third Darbar held by the British in Delhi.

Attar Singh Ji

 The first Darbar was held by Lord Lytton, the then Governor General, in 1877 in Delhi – not in Calcutta the capital of British India at that time. It was a grand show. Many rituals and religious systems of the Mughals were adopted in this Darbar as also in the two Delhi Darbars to be held later. Mughal systems were followed during these Darbars to assert that the British were the legitimate successors of the Mughals. Another important reason for holding the first Darbar was that Queen Victoria had proclaimed sovereignty over all the inhabitants of the parts of India occupied by the British or the states of the   Rajas/Maharajas under them in November 1858. In this Darbar, she was announced as Kaiser-e-Hind (Ruler of India – successor of the last Mughal King). This was felt necessary by the British after the farcical trial of the last Mughal King, Bahadur Shah Zafar and his exile to Burma (now Myanmar), where he died in prison.

 The second Delhi Darbar was held in 1903 by Lord Curzon (who later divided Bengal in two parts in 1905 but had to retreat after the unrest caused in Bengal by the division). In this Darbar, coronation of King Edward VII, successor of Queen Victoria, was celebrated with pomp and show.

In the third Darbar the British made a very important and historical announcement declaring Delhi as the Capital of British India and emphasized that they were the successors of the Mughals with George V, the successor of Edward VII, being the King of the British Indian Empire. The celebrations held in the presence of King George V, were extremely lavish. Apart from drinks, dances, matches and various other entertainments there were prayers held by various religious leaders, specially invited to participate by  eading out passages from their sacred scriptures in a huge gathering of all the high officials. Sant Attar

Singh also took part in the prayers because Khalsa College Committee of Amritsar as also the Sikh Maharajas of Jind, Nabha, Patiala and other states requested him to represent the Sikhs. Sant Ji reluctantly agreed ignoring his personal views regarding the celebrations of the foreign rulers.

Sant Ji reached Delhi with the Punjab Chiefs. A colorful procession of the Rajas and Maharajas from all over British India started under the patronage of Guru Granth Sahib from Patiala House towards the  Pandal, meant for religious ceremonies. Guru Granth Sahib was installed on an elephant elegantly decorated to suit the occasion and Sant Ji doing the Chavar (fly-whisk). This scene presented a picture of holiness and overshadowed the show of the princes and other public in the procession. It was a procession of its own kind in the history of Delhi.

The elephant halted after entering the gate of the Pandal. King George V stood up followed by Governor General Hardinge (of Penshurt-not Henry Hardinge, who fought with leaderless Sikh army at Mudki in December, 1846 in Anglo- Sikh War I and had decided unconditional surrender and run back to Calcutta till the traitors reassured him their help). Thereafter all the British officials and the audience got up to pay respect to Guru Granth Sahib. Maharaja of Jind carried on his head the holy Granth Sahib up to the stage where it was gorgeously installed on a Palki (palanquin).

Various religious personalities read out paragraphs, Slokas and other relevant stanzas from their  books/note books carried with them. Then came the turn of Sant Ji, who respectfully opened Guru Granth Sahib and read out the following sacred hymn on this occasion of extraordinary display of imperial power. The hymn rejected the false show of power of temporary worldly rulers – God Almighty being all powerful forever:

 

Ko-oo Har samaan nahee raja. Ei bhoopat sabh diwas chaar ke jhootthe karat diwaajaa. (Rahaa-o)

Tero jan ho-e so-e kat dolai teen bhavan per chhaajaa.

Haath pasaar sakai ko jan kau bol sakai na andaajaa.

Chet achet moorh mann mer-ei baaj-ei anhad baajaa.

Keh Kabir sansaa bharam chooko Dharoo Prehlad nivaajaa. (SGGS, Ang -856)

 {The Lord is the super king. No other King or lord is equal to Him. The worldly Kings are for a short   duration. Their display of power and pride is also temporary and hence false (Pause). How can your servant (devotee) waver, your shadow (protection) is there for him in the three worlds. Who can raise his hand against your humble servant or can speak against him the least. Remember him, O my foolish mind so that melody (of musical sound) may resonate and resound. Says Kabir, do not have fears and doubts (The Lord is there to look after you and thus protect you). He did so for Dhruv and Prehlad.}

 Sant Ji explained the meanings of the hymn in details to the audience after reading it out (though it was not difficult to understand even by the British because all the British officials used to learn Punjabi language and Gurmukhi script on being posted in India since they had to deal with Punjabi soldiers).

As luck would have it, it took over 17 years to build the office blocks, other buildings and shift the capital in full form. By that time, in the year 1930 Indian National Congress held a conference at Lahore (in which Baba Kharak Singh's role was prominent) and passed historical resolution for full freedom.

As soon as this function ended King George V and Governor General Hardinge stood with folded hands in front of Sant Ji and thanked him.

The truth is that the Lord is the king of kings forever and all worldly kings with their pomp and show are temporary.

Sakhhi Series : 264 ( Uchch Da Pir)

Gani Khan Nabi Khan

When Emperor Aurangzeb's army attacked the fortress of Chamkaur Sahib, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji successfully resisted their onslaught and slipped away into the forests of Machhiwara where his three companions, Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh and Bhai Man Singh rejoined him. The mughal forces were chasing.

There, Gulaba, an old masand of Machhiwara and a staunch disciple of Guruji, gave them shelter. But as the days drew into weeks Gulaba began to feel that his faith in the security of his house might be misplaced. There were reports of groups of Mughal soldiers going from door to door in search of Guru Gobind Singh ji. He realised that Guru ji was not safe anymore in his house.

At the same time GHANI KHAN and his brother NABI KHAN, Pathan horse dealers of Machhivara in present day Ludhiana district of the Punjab, were admirers of Guru Gobind Singh whom they had visited at Anandpur and to whom they had sold many good animals. When they learnt that, travelling in a lonely state after the battle of Chamkaur, the Guru had come to Machhivara, they at once turned out to meet him and offered their services. Gulaba and the two Pathan brothers decided that efforts should be made to whisk the guru out of the area before he could be found by the Mughals.

They provided Guruji with a blue coloured dress made by a Mata (old lady) who had been weaving it in the hope of presenting the same to Guru Gobind Singh ji when the time came.

So it was that the Guru was dressed in the robes of a saint (blue being honoured color of Muslim saints) and carried him out of Machhivara in a palanquin disguised as a Muslim divine. Ghani Khan and Nabhi Khan carried the front and Bhai Dharam singh carried the rear while Bhai Dya Singh waved a chaur sahib over Guruji. The doors of palanquin had been veiled by thich curtains to guard them agaonst curious eyes. Whenever they were stopped and asked as to who was in , the barers would reply "Uch da Pir" - the holy man of Uchch. Uchch was a very famous center of Muslim saints or pirs. THe moment the guards heard the name of they fell on their knees and asked for pir's blessing.

They escorted him thus up to Nehar in Ludhiana district, where a group of Sikhs relieved them. The Guru dismissed Ghani Khan and Nabi Khan with his blessings and a hukamnama meant to be a letter of commendation which has reverently been preserved by their descendants as one of their most prized possesion.

The family migrated to Pakistan in 1947. Their house in Machhivara is now a gurudwara known as Gurdwara Uchch da Pir (also known and Gurudwara Ghani Khan Nabi Khan)

Six generations of Ghani Khan, even after going to Pakistan after Partition, have kept this historic document safe.

A translated version of the 10- line Hukamnama reads: "The Sikhs may know that Ghani Khan and Nabi Khan are as sons to me. They have saved me. He who serves them would be blessed. Service rendered to them would be service done unto me".

Video : Zahur Khan from Gani Khan Nabi Khan Generation

Sakhi Series :- 263 ( Baba Agarh Singh ji )

Baba Agar Singh ji

(Source : www.jathashaheedan.com ) 

Baba Agarh Singh ji was nephew of Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh ji and son of Bhai Nigahiys Singh ji, who presented a horse to Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj when he came to Alamgir.

Baba Agarh Singh ji took his vidya from Baba Mani Singh and stayed with him at Sri Amritsar Sahib. After Shaheedi of Bhai Mani Singh ji, Darbar Sahib was overtaken by Lahore Government who imposed restrictions on Sikhs visiting there.

Baba Agarh Singh ji along with handful of Singhs from Bhai Mani Singh ji's family moved to Damdama Sahib. It was here when both Jathas of Damdami Taksal merged. While Singhs started their routine sewa of Vidya and Santhya at Damdama Sahib, Baba Agarh Singh ji started going out on campaigns with Baba Deep Singh ji. He always had one wish, to somehow take revenge of Shaheedi of Bhai Mani Singh ji.

In August 1745, after Zakriya Khan, Governor of Lahore died, his son Yahya Khan took on administration of Punjab. He sent out Mughal army to capture and kill Sikhs from villages, cities, hills and forests. This campaign was led by notorious General Moman Khan, responsible for Shaheedi of Gusikhs like Baba Taara Singh, Bhai Mani Singh, Bhai Taru Singh and Bhai Mehtab Singh ji.

During one of the raids near Kahnuwaan in Gurdaspur, on banks of River Ravi, a small group of Singhs of Misal Shaheedan led by Baba Agarh Singh ji were surrounded by Moman Khan. Baba Agarh Singh saw it as a golden chance to finish Dusht Moman Khan. Singhs worked on strategy and lured Mughal forces deep in Jungle. As the Mughal Army entered the dense forest, Singhs, who were known as Kings of Forest pounced upon Mughal army and started Chatka of mughal army. Here Baba Agarh Singh ji, in a hand to hand fight, chopped off head of Dusht Moman Khan, thus avenging the death of thousands of innocent Sikhs and presented his head before Khalsa Panth at Damdama Sahib, where he was given a Siropa, Siri Sahib and a Horse by Panth's Jathedar Baba Kapoor Singh ji.

Babaji took part in Battle of Sirhind in May 1763, when eight Misals of Khalsa Panth united and destroyed city of Sirhind. Governor of Sirhind Jain Khan and his nephew Said Khan led Mughal Army, and in the ensuing battle, Baba Agarh Singh ji and Said Khan shared a 'Saanjha Vaar'(simultaneous stroke) due to which heads of both warriors were cut at same time. Babaji attained Shaheedi in Sirhind in 1763.

( On Chandigarh- Hoshiarpur road is village Tutomajra, where Babaji stayed for many years and did intense Bhagti and Jap-Tap. At Babaji's Tap-Asthaan , a Gurudwara sahib has been built by Jathedar Baba Nihal Singh ji, Misal Shaheedan Harianbela Dal, and Misal looks after sewa of this holy Asthaan)