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1984: Guru Ji Protects His Children…

1984: Guru Ji Protects His Children…

guru myrY sMig sdw hY nwly ] ismir ismir iqsu sdw sm@wly ]1] rhwau ]

g ur maer ai sa(n)g sadh aa hai n aal ae || si mar simar th is sadhaa samhaal ae ||1||

My Guru is always with me, near at hand. Meditating, meditating in remembrance on Him, I cherish Him forever. ||1||

After the assassination of Indra Gandhi on October 31, 1984, Sikhs were butchered across India.

This is a story about a Sikh couple living in an isolated village outside of Punjab. The couple was young and were amritdhari. The Singhni wore a dastaar and they had a young child.

The Sikh couple had an isolated farmhouse in a Hindu dominated area. When news of the assassination reached the area, and it was found out that Sikhs were being killed, some local thugs also decided it was the perfect chance to loot the farmhouse.

The Singh found out about these plans from some well wishers and told his wife that they had very little time and an attack was coming. The Singh said that they should leave their farm and escape to save their lives. The Singhnee however reminded him that they had done Parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib on the top floor of the house and how could they run away from Guru Sahib? The Singh again repeated that there was an attack coming and said that their young child would be killed. Singhnee jee insisted again that it would be wrong to run away from Guru Sahib and let the mob disrespect Guru Sahib's saroop.

The Singh in frustration then said, "Once they kill us, they will disrespect the saroop anyways so what is the point in staying? We can't save the saroop if we're dead. The best we can do is save ourselves now. There is no benefit in staying! You are being stubborn and stupid."

The Singhnee replied that while she had breath in her body, she would not abandon Guru Sahib, even to save her life and while she was alive, no one could dare do any disrespect.

With the mob now on its way, the Singh in frustration told his Singhnee that she could do what she wanted but he was leaving with their son. He then took the infant and escaped.
Singhnee jee went to Guru Sahib's room, and did ardaas. She asked Guru Sahib for protection and for the courage to, if need be, become Shahid in this seva. She then took a kirpan and waited.

When Singhnee jee saw the mob arrive, yelling and carrying weapons, ready to attack the house. She came down and stood at the door holding her unsheathed Sri Sahib. All of a sudden, the thugs in the mob began to turn around and run away, looking back in terror and then continuing to run. Singhnee jee was confused but amazed at Guru Sahib's kirpa as the mob retreated and did not return...

Some days later, the Singh came back to the village to check on the fate of his wife and their property. He fully expected that his wife would be assaulted and killed and their home looted. As he was nervously walking to his home, a Hindu acquaintence stopped him and asked, "Singh, where did you gather all those Nihangs from so quickly that day???!"

The Singh was confused and asked, "What do you mean?"

The Hindu replied, "That day, when the mob went to attack your house, your wife came and stood in the door and she was surrounded by so many massive Nihangs who were so tall and carrying all kinds of weapons. Where did you gather all of them from so quickly?"

The Singh realised that Shaheed Singhs had themselves come and protected Guru Sahib's saroop and his Singhnee's courage had been rewarded . He went home and begged for forgivness from his Singhnee and told her about how all the villagers were talking about the army of Nihangs that had protected their house.

so siqguru ipAwrw myrY nwil hY ijQY ikQY mYno ley CfweI ]
so sathigur piaaraa maerai naal hai jithhai kithhai maino le ae shhaddaaee ||
That Beloved True Guru is always with me; wherever I may be, He will save me.

Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh 'Goldy'

The number of accounts of bravery by those of young age found in the Sikh history cannot be found in the history of the rest of the world. The struggle started by Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale against the oppressive Hindu government contains the accounts of great martyrs of youthful age who accomplished many great tasks. Of these young martyrs, the name of Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh Goldy is one of the most outstanding and unforgettable.

Bhai Sahib was born on August 29, 1972 to Bibi Kashmir Kaur and eminent journalist from the city of Amritsar, Sardar Mohinder Singh. His family was doing very well financially during his childhood. During his early years, Goldy had been very fond of playing with toy weapons. At that time, Goldy perhaps had not known that he would have to play with these very same toy weapons but in their real form. Arvinderjeet Singh also had two younger brothers by the names of Kuljinder Singh and Arvinderjeet Singh. Goldy had obtained his primary education from Sultanvind Village School. Then until the l0th grade, he attended the eminent school in Amritsar named Sant Singh Sukha Singh Senior Secondary School, Mal Road. Goldy completed grade 11 and 12 at the Government Senior Secondary School in Town Hall, Amritsar and for his college education, he enrolled at Khalsa College Amritsar.

During that time, the state of Punjab was facing the wrath of the Indian Army in the form of Operation Blue Star. Even after Operation Blue Star, the state of Punjab still had to face the rage of the Indian Government's security forces. During Operation Blue Star, Goldy was about 11 or 12 years of age. At the age of 12, Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh was blessed with the gift of Amrit from the Panj Piyareh. Operation Blue Star had hurt the sentiments of all Sikhs worldwide. Goldy's psyche was also very deeply affected by the events that took place during Operation Blue Star, and he was disturbed to hear that many Hindus had celebrated the attack on Harmandir Sahib. The events after the assassination of Indira Gandhi had just added fuel to the fire that was burning inside of Arvinderjeet Singh. After hearing of Sikh women being raped and Gurdwaras being desecrated all across India by fundamentalist Hindus, Goldy's anger jumped to a completely new level.

Goldy posted some handmade posters on the doors of known Hindu fundamentalist, which read.

“The Sikhs are not dead, they are still alive

.and you will find out about this very soon.

..we will take account of every life taken.”

While attending school, Goldy began making contacts with the Sikh freedom fighters One eminent freedom fighter said to Goldy, “Mohinder Singh is already doing enough seva, what do you want from these things and how old are you anyway?” Goldy left that meeting place without saying a word, but later he wrote a letter to the above-mentioned Sikh freedom fighter that said “Who are you to put age limits on who can join the struggle? What age were Guru Gobind Singh Ji's sons when they became martyred?”

Arvinderjeet Singh’s entire family had the same viewpoints of Sant Jarnail Singh, yet they did not agree with him joining the Sikh freedom struggle. Once his mom said, “Goldy, you are so good looking and the army is now stationed in Punjab; let a few days pass by.” Goldy's swift response was, “Did you give me this handsome appearance? Why are you afraid to give it back to the one who gave it to me?”

He would always say, “I had offered my head to Guru Sahib at the age of 12 when I took Amrit, now it is Guru Sahib's wish when he will accept my head.” Now Goldy was secretly doing a lot in support for the Sikh freedom struggle, but he was still in contact with his family. Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh's nickname within the circle of freedom fighters was Bhai Mehtab Singh Dheera, Amritsari, Lt General ‘Khalistan Liberation Army’.

Once Goldy’s mother brought some parshad in the form of mango slices from Baba Takhur Singh and handed them to Goldy saying “Here take this, may God give you good sense.” Giving those mango slices back to his mother, Goldy said

“You take them! May God give you some confidence and may you happily send your son to join the struggle...” Later Goldy's mother began talking of having an Akhand Path at their home and he put forward some questions to her “What is the point of having an Akhand Paath..do you follow the message of any Shabads.. ? Tell me to this day which message of any Shabad have you followed?” His mother began thinking. Goldy then asked, “Have you listened to the tapes of Sant Jarnail Singh Ji...? “Yes” his mother answered. “So many Singhs are being martyred. Have you sent your son?” Goldy asked. His mother had no answer for these questions. Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh would often say that Sant Jamail Singh Ji’s soul is probably asking, what kind of people are these Sikhs, they still have not brought Bhajan LaI 'Bhajna' to justice.

Goldy had not yet even grown a full moustache but his bravery was very well known in the entire area and still is. At night in the Sultanvind area, the security forces would setup numerous checkpoints. One day Goldy was walking alone over Sultanvind Canal Bridge with an AK-47 rifle in his hand and entered the open area in a village. In the darkness, the police officers at one checkpoint challenged Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh. Goldy opened fire on the police officers operating the checkpoint with his AK-47 rifle. After firing for some time, Goldy tricked the police officers, returned home and went to sleep while the police officers kept firing on the empty ground. In the same manner one day before sunset, Goldy was riding his bicycle on the Jalandhar G. T Road while carrying an AK-47 rifle. One government leader was traveling on the road along with his bodyguards and upon seeing them, Goldy opened fire on their car. Security forces stormed the area taking up positions and began firing but by that time, Bhai Arvindeljeet Singh had already reached his home and was eating Mango 'murabaa'. It is said that at the time Goldy had reached home, the security forces were still blindly firing at some unknown target.

Twice the police arrested Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh but they were unable to get any information from him. Bhai Sahib was really surprised on how when the pictures of Sikh martyrs would be printed in the newspaper, the Singhs' hair would always be open. He thought that maybe the police were disrespecting the Singhs purposely removing their turbans and opening their hair. Goldy would tie his keski very tightly and say, “You will see that after I am martyred and my picture is printed in the paper, my hair will not be open and see at that time the bullets will even hit me in the chest.”

Bhai Goldy put his heart into the work he did for the Sikh freedom movement. When some innocents would be killed in villages and the Sikh freedom fighters were blamed by government sources, Goldy would go to the area and find out who was the actual culprit and let it be known to the villagers.

The Incident of the Milkman

In college, Goldy would get his attendance taken, then leave school, and head for the villages. If some freedom fighters would do something that would turn the people away from them, Goldy would become very worried about these incidents and do whatever he could to keep the people supporting the freedom movement. One day in the village of Sehinsra some freedom fighters called for a strike, they asked that all businesses shut down for the day. One milkman who disobeyed the call was beaten up, upon hearing of this, Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh went to meet him and said, “I cannot return your blood that was spilt but here keep this money.” Goldy said this while handing the milkman 500 rupees that he had received from his parents for buying his schoolbooks. When the milkman heard these words from Goldy all his complaints about the freedom fighters were dispelled and he said, “We don't read any newspapers. If we did we would personally be taking part in this strike. ..”

Another Incident

Once after a meeting, Goldy along with two of his armed friends stopped at someone's house to get something to drink. The owner of the home prepared some warm milk for Goldy and his friends to drink. While the three of them were drinking the warm milk, the owner of the home came and sat down next to them. He began indirectly saying that he would like to have the person who is having a land dispute with him to be eliminated. Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh stayed quiet the whole time while drinking his milk and listened to the homeowner. After finishing his milk Goldy washed his hands and pulled out a 20 rupees and while handing it to the homeowner he said, “Brother, here take this money if you want something in exchange for the milk you gave us but if you think that for this milk we will kill an innocent man then you are mistaken..” Feeling ashamed, the homeowner handed the money back to Goldy. On his way out, Goldy began explaining to the homeowner “If you consider the freedom movement to be legitimate then give up the idea of having the freedom fighters settle your personal scores because if we eliminate one guilty person then hundreds will become ready to join the movement but if we eliminate one innocent person then hundreds of people will distance themselves from it.” The homeowner nodded his head in agreement and Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh and his fellow freedom fighters walked out of the house.

Martyrdom

Then came the day of June 10, 1992, on this day many Sikhs active in the freedom movement had gathered in the village of Malowal (close to Ajnala) in the Majha area, and Goldy also attended this meeting. After the conclusion of the meeting, Goldy was getting a ride to the bus station from another Singh on a bicycle. While traveling they came to a checkpoint, which was manned by five soldiers of the Indian Army. Upon reaching the checkpoint, Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh and the Singh who was giving him a ride were stopped by the soldiers. The soldiers forwarded to begin searching both Singhs Goldy pulled out his 455 bore revolver from his pocket in a lightening fast movement and began firing on the soldiers. He shot 3 of the soldiers dead and left the other 2 wounded. Goldy knew that a patrol of soldiers would come running to investigate the sound of gunfire so he began pulling on one of the dead soldiers guns, but it would not budge as the soldier had used a chain to tie it to himself. While Goldy was struggling with the gun, an army jeep on patrol had approached his position but still Goldy kept trying to get the gun into his possession. Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh then dropped the soldier and took up a position behind a dirt mound in the field next to the road. Goldy only had one remaining bullet in his revolver and fired that at the soldiers in the jeep. In response to Bhai Goldy's firing of a bullet, the soldiers martyred this great warrior of such a young age by opening fire from their LMG machine gun and filled his chest with bullets.

Martyr Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh's hair did not open up nor did his turban come off. He also took the bullets straight in the chest. Goldy stayed true to his word in the end. The army soldiers caught Kirpal Singh, the one who was taking Goldy to the bus station alive. In the nearby fields, some female workers told of Goldy's fate and his martyrdom at the hands of the Indian soldiers. They said that the soldiers talked amongst them about what people would say when they see that a mere child is responsible for the killing of three soldiers from the Indian Army. To make this seem like an encounter, they also killed Kirpal Singh on the spot and falsely announced that two terrorists have been killed.

Bhai Arvinderjeet Singh's mother became an example for all Sikh mothers when not even one teardrop came from her eyes during her son's funeral. From the soil where Goldy's blood drenched, certainly one day from that soil the crop of freedom shall grow for the Sikh Nation as every drop of that sanctified blood went for the mission of liberating the Sikh Nation.

Mother of "Goldy"

Shaheedi Saroop of Bhai Sahib

The Lecagy Of Chamkaur Sahib & The Singhs Puts the 300 Spartans to Shame

The legacy of the Battle of Sri Chamkaur Sahib ji

A coalition force of the Hindu hill rajahs and the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had counted repeated attacks on the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib over a period of three years in an attempt to destroy Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and totally wipe out Sikhi from the face of the earth. Even against these odds the power of Amrit and supreme fighting skills (shaster videay) of the Khalsa panth made them victorious against the combined force.

The enemy forces always suffered great losses in the battles and were forced to retreat for their lives. The enemy after great frustration realised that it was too hard to beat the Sikhs at their full strength therefore they put siege around Anandpur Sahib and neighboring towns, to cut off all supplies (food & arms) of the Sikhs.

The idea was to starve the Sikhs until they submitted. During a 7 month period rations ran out, by this time some 40 Sikhs had deserted the Guru and Khalsa panth. The enemy forces also suffered a lot of death due to disease (due to bad weather conditions). Due to the enemy losses who were rapidly dying everyday, they sent a Maulvi and a Brahmin, who swore by the Koran and the gita that if the Guru agreed to leave the fort, he would be allowed to go unharmed. Guru Ji didn’t trust the enemy, however the innocent Khalsa said that “they have sent 2 religious people we should leave, there will be no problem.” Guru Ji decided to put their word on trail. He got a few carts loaded with rags, bones and skeleton and had the material covered with silk and velvet cloth. No sooner had these carts traveled a short distance from Anandpur Sahib Fort there was a sudden attack by the mughal soldiers who killed the Singh’s riding these carts. A few days after the Mughals apologized to Guru Ji and sent a Koran signed by Aurangzeb; along with a letter promising safe exist. The Sikhs pleaded with Guru Ji to accept Aurangzeb’s assurances. On the repeated request and persuasion from the Panth, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji agreed to leave the fort. Just after midnight on the 20^th December 1704, when the winter was as its peak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji departed from Anandpur Sahib with his wife, mum, four son’s, panj pairyea and 500 Singh’s. They all walked in small bands. When they reached the Sirsa River they all recited their Nitnem and performed Asa Di Var at dawn before deciding to cross the river. However the enemy breaking all promises attacked the Khalsa. Guru Ji was half way cross the river when the battle at the river bank broke out. The two younger Sahibzadas and Mata gujri were separated from the Khalsa. Mata Sahib Kaur Ji and Guru Ji’s wife were also separated from the Khalsa. Baba Ajit Singh and the Khalsa fought the enemy.

Bhai Uday Singh Ji a commander of the Sikhs put many enemies to death before being martyred at the river. Bhai jiwan Singh Ji and Baba Ajit Singh Ji fought the enemy trying to protect each other from enemy attacks. Bhai jiwan Singh Ji also became Shaheed. The Khalsa fought with so much joosh that the enemy was forced to retreat. Only 40 Singh’s and the two elder sons managed to cross the river alive. They were all traveling to the village called ropar on the way Guru Ji;s horse rode over a brick kiln to ever ones amazement the brick kiln was suddenly cooled when the horse rode over it. Gudwara Bhatha Sahib is now there as a memory of this happening. They arrived at ropar in the evening; they set up camp in an open and vast uncultivated piece of land. The residents of ropar sent Rations for the Singh’s, after an exhausting day the Khalsa went asleep after the evening prayers, while a Pathan of Kotla Nihang Singh took up guard duty. The next morning Chaurdri budhi chand came to know of Guru Ji’s arrival, he rushed to the camp and requested Guru Ji to shift his forces to his house which was built like a fortress (Chamkaur di Garhi). On hearing of the Gurus presence at Chamkaur. Wazir Khan led and army of ten lakh soldiers to chamkaur. He announced with drum beat that if the Guru surrendered along with his companions then their lives would be spared. Guru Ji and the Sikhs replied with a storm of arrows which put many enemies to death.

The battle of chamkaur began………..

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji appointed 8 men on each of the four walls of the fort. Two Sikhs held the door (Bhai Maddan Singh Ji and Bhai Ganda Singh Ji) and the other two were appointed as sentinels. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Baba Ajit Singh Ji, Baba Jujhar Singh Ji , Bhai Daya Singh Ji and Bhai Sant Singh Ji went on the top storey.

General Nahar Khan put up a ladder along one of the walls of the fortress and tried to step up. As he raised his head, Guru Ji destroyed him with an arrow straight at his head. General Ghani Khan came forward; Guru Ji flung his Gurj at him. His head was crushed with the fierce shot. Arrows and bullets were flying in both directions, as the enemy approached closer to the fort, small batches of 5 Singh’s were dispersed to stop the enemy. Swords and shield sounded the batches fought with great skill and achieved shaheedi. The first batch of Singh’s destroyed 1000,s of enemies.

By the time of the third batch the enemy army was able to surround their selves’ at all four directions around the fort. Observing the situation the remaining Singh’s pleaded with Guru Ji to leave the fort along with his sons. Guru Ji acted as if he had not heard their plea; he drew their attention to the arrows being shot from both sides.

When the Singh’s repeated their request to save the lives of the young sahibzadas. Guru Ji stated: which ones are you referring to? You all are my sons.

On seeing the sacrifices of his elder Khalsa brothers, Baba Ajit Singh asked his father to dispatch him in the next batch. On hearing this, a smile lit up the face of Guru Ji who was pleased with the Biras (warrior-sprit/might) of his son. Baba Ajit Singh Ji was dispatched and put many enemy soldiers to death before becoming Shaheed. Seeing his elder brothers sacrifice Baba Jujhar Singh Ji in Biras asked Guru Ji to dispatch him in the next batch of Singh’s. Baba Jujhar Singh Ji dashed out the gates and shouted “SAT SRI AKAL”. He also put many soldiers to death before becoming a martyr. It was now sunset, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji attached four letters and aimed them at the Maghal generals.

The first arrow struck the belt of Khwaja Mahmud Ali. The Guru wrote to him: You have lost honour both in the world and in your religion by taking an oath and going back on it”

The second arrow hit Wazir Khans horse: “He who swears and than does not abide by it will be thrown in the burning fire of hell”

The third arrow pierced the turban of Zabardast Khan: “He who swears by the holy Koran and betrays will burn in the fire of hell it is not far when the brave Khalsa will cause havoc for you and your kingdom”

The fourth arrow hit Ajmer Chand on his leg: “You will never have peace in your life. Waheguru is our protector and saviour”

Due to the injuries and nightfall, the enemy retreated and set up camp all around Chamkaur di garhi.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji then addressed the Khalsa warriors on his desire to get Shaheed the next day. “There is no course left but to die fighting for truth and justice. Every drop of blood from us will lay a firm foundation for the panth. A shaheeds blood is always the growth of the next generation”

The 10 Singhs who were still in the fort requested Guru Ji that it was critical that he leaves the fort. However Guru Ji was still keen in becoming shaheed and dying with his beloved Singhs. The Singhs then formed the Panj Pairyea and requested Guru Ji to leave the fort the same night. He agreed, but he told the Khalsa I will not leave quietly. Bhai Daya Singh, Dharam Singh and Maan Singh decided to accompany Guru Ji. Guru Ji placed his Kalgi on Bhai Sangat Singh Ji. (Bhai Sangant Singh Ji resembled Guru Ji) he clothed him and seated him in position on the rooftop where Guru Ji was sitting. He told the Singh’s to get some rest; Guru Ji took up guard duty and massaged the Singh’s when they were asleep. At Amrit vela he and the three Singh’s left, he told them just in case they become separated they should all proceed in the direction of a certain star. Guru Ji got on the rooftop and blew his special trumpet. This wakened some of the enemy. As Guru Ji and the three Singh’s were leaving a couple of guards from the enemy came with torches to investigate the noise. Guru Ji attacked them with arrows and started clapping and shouting the Guru is leaving.

The next morning the 7 Singh’s fought like lions and inflicted great damage on the enemy. Bhai Sant Singh came out on his own to face an enemy of thousands. He lived up to the words of Guru Ji: I will make one Fight thousands. The Maghals were greatly disappointed when they realised that Bhai sangat Singh Ji wasn’t the Guru. Wazir Khan sent orders in all direction in his areas that anyone who offered aid to the Guru would be severely punished (they would be dug in the ground until their head which would be then attacked by dogs), and the person who captures or informed of Guru Ji’s whereabouts would be greatly rewarded.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji after leaving the fort proceeded on his journey alone because he was separated from the 3 Singh’s. he passed through Jandsar and Behlopur, he reached the jungle of Machhiwara, by this time Guru Ji tried and his feet were covered with blisters. Guru Ji reached a nice spot; he laid down before going to sleep Guru Ji recited a shabad:

Go tell the beloved lord,

The condition of his yearning disciples,

Without out thee, rich covering are an agony to us

It is said that Guru Ji was chatting to a shaheed Singh who came to do the Darshan of Guru Ji before going to Sach Khand.

While he was resting the 3 Singh’s relocated Guru Ji, The enemy was in hot pursuit of Guru Ji. Gulaba, an old masand of machhiwara, took Guru Ji and the Singh’s to his home, but soon as he got there he got frightened for his on safety and requested Guru Ji to leave. On hearing this two Pathan horse merchants, Nabi Khan and Ghani Khan, who were old acquaintances of Guru Ji came and choose to risk their lives for the services of Guru Ji.

There also lived an old Sikh woman who had made some cloth for Guru Ji. Guru Ji blessed the woman for her Gift, Guru Ji got the cloth died blue and made a robe out of it. (The robe was the same style and the colour as the ones Muslim pirs used to wear).

Guru Ji disguised him self as Uch da pir and left galabas village. Guru Ji was carried by the two pathans and two singhs (who were also in disguise). Bhai Daya Singh Ji waved a chaur Sahib over Guru Ji. At a village called lal a military officer at a checkpoint had some doubts and made some inquires. Pir Mohammad (a high priest) of Nurpur, who knew Guru Ji, was asked to identify the pir. He confirmed that he was really Uch da pir, upon hearing this, the officer let them go. From Lal Guru Ji visited Katana and the kanoch where masand Fateh put Guru Ji off with excuses and did not let him stay. From there Guru Ji reached Alam Gir. Here Bhai Nand Lal (a zamindar) presented Guru Ji with a horse. Guru Ji gave Nabi Khan and Ghani Khan a saropa and asked them to return home.

He also sent a letter of appreciation to Pir Mohammad by the hands of the pathans. From Alam Gir he advanced on horse back in the direction of rai kot, Rai Kalla. It is here where Guru Ji was informed by Nura mahi about the fate of the younger sahibzadas and Mata Gujri Ji. Guru Ji with an arrow uprooted a plant and said in the same way the Mughal Empire shall be up rooted.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki fateh

Our Youth Need to be taught about Sikhi - to stop this happening

All Parchaarics you need to step it up, and there should be wholesome parchaar leaflets at every Gurdwara which the youth can take home. Sikh societys in school and universities need to step up their game. The Gurdwara is more intrested in making money on weddings etc, what they fail to realise that the way things with conversion there isnt going to be any youth left to get married. All active youth need to step up sikhi parchaar in their towns and gurdwaras. Make sikhi look cool to the youth , because it is cool.

RIP LD aka Surinder Singh (Fallen Soulja)

Surinder Singh

1985 – 2009

Surinder Singh was born in the Nangal Khurd (Mahalpur), Hoshiarpur, Panjab, where he lived most of his life with his younger sister and mother and father. From a very young age he had deep routes in Sikhi and had a Gursikh upbringing.

Throughout his early life he was well known in his local area and would get along with everyone who he met. As a young lad he would sometimes get into trouble, but always knew the difference between right and wrong. Unlike some of the youth in Panjab, he was very much against the use of any Alcohol or Drugs and was a strict Vegetarian. He understood the keys principles of Sikhi and also Dharam (Justice). Surinder Singh would often go around and protect local sisters in the area from perverts and junkies. He was one of the toughest in his area and demanded respect from all those who lived in his phind, He never allowed anyone to take the honour of our sisters. He would often deal with anyone who disrespected Sikhi. He was seen as a man of principle and gained everyone’s love in the area.

Surinder would often listen to Sant Jarnail Singh Ji’s speeches and researched the Kharku movement. He was always interested in the life of the Shaheeds, and would read for hours about their lives and how they lived, and how they carried out their missions. He became a strong believer in the Sikh Freedom Struggle and wanted to fight for the rights of the Panth. He would tell his friends and those around about the greatness of Sikhi and the principles of the Sikh warriors of the 1980’ and 90’s.

After studying at college, Surinder Singh came to England. Unlike most people his motive was not to make money or to bring his family over. His sole motive was to spread awarness to the wider sangat about the corruption in india and the injustices that were carried out towards the Sikhs. In England, he quickly became known as L.D or Ladee.

LD was a very intelligent person and because of his nature he was very cautious about anti panthic elements who were trying to destroy the Sikh nation.

He often approached Gurdwara Committee’s about how they treated our Guru, and insisted Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji should have a bed of their own, and not share with other Saroops of Maharaj. He was very much against how Gurdware were run and wanted to tackle the issue of corrupt Committees. LD would often hold his meetings in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj, as he believed we should always talk openly in front of our Father. He would always do an Ardas before he went out and did any Panthic Seva.

After only 4 and and a half years, LD gained a massive reputation for a chardi kala Gursikh of Guru Ji. He had invested thousands of pounds into buying equipment for the youth to spread Sikhi and always said it was never his, whoever wanted to do Panthic Seva, it was theirs.

After seeing the amount of cowards that had joined the panth in the UK. Ld became a vigilante and decided to clean up the streets and teach the Gangs that terrorised Sikhs a lesson. He hated Punjabi Drug dealers as he saw them as a menace to out community. Drug dealers and people who took the honour of our sisters were severely dealt with. Due to one particular incident LD decided to go undercover and do some Bhagtee, as he realised this was the true ingredient to his success. He could be seen every evening in the Gurdwara doing Seva (washing dishes) and no one would know who he was or what he was capable of.

LD would often speak of how we should unite with our Brothers and Sisters who were coming newly from Panjab. He said there was so much we could learn from each other. He was disappointed with Brothers/Sisters from England would treat him with disrespect because his English was not perfect and that he wore a Panjabi style turban. LD said he would hear people say, “Is that LD...Erhh but he’s a Freshie!” He would say we are all still brothers no matter how we looked or spoke; we still have the same goals.

When LD would meet a Sikh, he would touch their knees out of respect and embrace them with open arms. He would always go out of his way to treat someone with the upmost respect whether they had their Kesh or not. He would say anyone who bowed to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is my Brother or Sister regardless of how they looked.

In April this year, LD was involved in a fatal car accident. He died instantly. His body was flown back to Panjab, where he was cremated in the traditional Sikh way.

The loss of the life of Surinder Singh has been a massive loss to the Panth. He was not only a person who got things done but was also a leader. He was a great speaker and also a good listener. He would be there for anybody who needed him, regardless of their background. LD helped and supported many families in the UK and in India, and unfortunately all those families have now lost a son.

Surinder Singh’s life should be a lesson to us all. He came to this world empty handed, but due to the Seva he committed himself to, he will be remembered forever to us all. We should all unite together and fight for the same Cause. We should be masterminds in everything we do. And most importantly of all, we should treat people as equals to ourselves.

Without Amrit you are like a collarless dog

The Brahm-gianee:

Mata Gujree jee humbly pressed her palms together and asked Guru Gobind Singh jee, “Son is there anyway I could be blessed with the sight of a Brahm-gianee, a Knower-of God!”

Guru jee replied, “Mata jee get up at amrit-vela, get ready, meditate on Guru Nanak jee, prepare prashad and do Ardas. A Brahm-gianee will come to you; you will not have to go anywhere.”

At that time Brahm-gianee Baba Ramkaur jee was engrossed in God’s Name and instantly knew that he had to meet Mata Gujree jee. He got on his horse and came to Mata jee’s house.

With pressed palms she said, “I am greatly blessed, greatly blessed to have the holy sight of you Brahm-gianee jee.” She respected him greatly. Baba Ramkaur jee went to have the sacred vision of Guru Gobind Singh jee the next day.

Guru Gobind Singh jee greeted him and said, “Baba Ramkaur jee, receive Khanda-batta-da-amrit (amrit prepared in an iron bowl and stirred by the symbol of God’s power the mighty double edged sword) and belong to the Guru.”

Baba jee was taken aback, he said, “Guru jee, I’ve been blessed with the knowledge of God (Brahm Gian) yet am I still without a Guru? Surely, I don’t need to receive amrit?

Guru jee began to say, “Baba jee, you haven’t received amrit yet, you aren’t living according to the code of conduct of the Guru’s house. When you receive amrit and live by the code of conduct of the Guru’s house then you have become the Guru’s.”

Baba jee said, “Guru jee, I read God’s Word (Gurbanee) everyday, in Sukmanee Sahib it says that the Brahm-giani is God himself, so what’s the need for me to receive?”

Guru jee spent great efforts to make him understand. Some time passed, winter came a great festival was about to begin. The officials of Anandpur were clearing the place of stray and wild dogs. They were feeding the dogs poison.

Baba Ramkaur jee came out and was taken curious about what the officials were doing. He said to them, “Brother, you keep feeding the stray dogs poison, but you leave the ones with collars alone. Why make the distinction? They’re all wandering the streets.”

The officials said, “O Baba jee, the dogs with collars belong to someone. The ones without collars don’t belong to anyone. We can kill countless stray dogs and no one will object. But, if we kill even one dog with a collar, its master will go to the Government court and complain against us. We will be called up and punished. That is the difference, dogs without collars belong to no one, and dogs with collars belong to someone.”

Baba Ramkaur jee finally understood what Guru jee was saying about belonging to the Guru. He thought “Ramkaur, don’t get mislead that just because you have got Brahm-Gian, the knowledge-of-God, that you are safe. You still don’t belong to the Guru.”

There are two types of Sikhs: ones that belong to the Guru; and ones that don’t. The ones that receive amrit and live out the Rehat, or code of conduct, belong to the Guru, the ones that don’t will suffer the same fate as the collar-less dogs. At the last breath, Guru Gobind Singh jee will take his Sikhs by the arm, the ones without a Guru will be left to suffer like the collar-less dogs.

“Kabeer kutheh ram ko, motee mera nao…Kabeer says I am a dog of God, and Motee is my name.”

Baba Ramkaur jee couldn’t sleep that night, because he realised he didn’t belong to the Guru. In the morning he went to have the sacred sight, or darshan, of Guru Gobind Singh jee. Joining his hands together he greeted Guru jee and was asked, “Baba jee, I haven’t seen you for some time, what made you remember me today?”

Baba Jee -“Guru jee, bless me with the gift of amrit.”

Guru Jee -“Baba Ramkaur jee, you are a Brahm-gianee, the same as God, what need is there for you to receive amrit?”

Baba Jee -“Yesterday I saw the dog catchers poison the dogs without collars and spare the dogs with collars. I thought both are dogs, but some were spared some were killed. The dog catcher told me that if a dog with a collar is killed then the master will come and make a report against them. O Guru jee that greatly affected my mind; just because I’m a Brahm-gianee it doesn’t mean I don’t need a Guru. I realised the ones who’ve received amrit will be protected by you in the true court. Bless me with amrit Guru jee.”

Guru Gobind Singh jee told Bhai Daya Singh jee to prepare for the amrit ceremony.

Baba Ramkaur jee was from the same lineage as Baba Budda jee, he received amrit and became Baba Ramkaur Singh jee.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Pareh Hatt:

At the time of Guru Gobind Singh jee, there was a Sikh in a distant village whose name was Pareh-hut, or Get-Away. How did he get this strange name? Once he came to see Guru Gobind Singh jee in Anandpur. He wanted the great gift of Naam, or God’s sacred Name. He pushed through the crowd and bowed, but Guru Gobind Singh jee was more concerned with getting through the crowd and shouted “Pareh-hut…Get-Away!” He was so simple that he became happy with Guru jee’s words and took it be the great gift of Naam that he was searching for. He knew Guru jees instructions were to meditate on Naam day and night, so that’s what he did. He would get up at amrit vela in the early morning and chant ‘Pareh-hut, Pareh-hut’ for a few hours. People began calling him ‘Pareh-hut.’

Sikhs asked Guru Gobind Singh jee to show them a Sikh who obeyed the Guru. Guru Gobind Singh jee said go and find Pareh-hut. The Sikhs went to his village and asked at his door, “Bibi jee, is this Pareh-hut’s house?” She said it was and called Pareh-hut to return from farming the fields. They requested him to go with them to Punjab into Guru Gobind Singh jee’s prescence. He agreed, after travelling all day, they rested together that night and at amrit vela he got ready and started chanting ‘Pareh-hut, pareh-hut.’ The Sikhs thought what kind of meditation is this? They chanted ‘Waheguru, Waheguru’ as normal. Reaching AnandPur, the Sikhs complained to Guru Gobind Singh jee, “He doesn’t read his daily Nitnaym prayers, he doesn’t chant the Gur Mantr of ‘Waheguru Waheguru’, he doesn’t repeat the Mool mantr, in fact Guru jee, he doesn’t obey you at all yet you say he does obey you. How can this be?”

Guru Gobind Singh jee asked Pareh-hut whether the complaints were true. Hehumbly replied, “O Satguru Patshah, True Guru King, once I came to you to get the greatest gift of Naam, but there was a great crowd and as I bowed you told me to ‘Get-Away - Pareh-hut,’ I was so happy that you had blessed me with the sacred Naam and by your grace I have meditated upon it and become a knower-of-God, a brahm-gianee.” Guru Gobind Singh jee asked him how he’d reached this highest spiritual state? Pareh-hut answered, “When a woman came into my mind, I would say to my mind you belong to Guru Gobind Singh jee and I would shout ‘Get-Away - Pareh-hut!’ at the lustful thought. Whenever the thought of anger came I would shout ‘Get-Away - Pareh-hut!’ at the angry thought and tell my mind that it belongs to Guru Gobind Singh jee. So Guru jee, by your grace I’ve been blessed.” Guru Gobind Singh jee said, “O Great Sikh you understand this path, you obeyed the Guru while these other Sikhs just read the prayers again and again but don’t apply it to their lives.”

No life without Amrit

A Sikh said to Guru Gobind Singh jee, “What’s the point of rehat, or code of conduct, forget about receiving amrit all I need to do is the Guru’s service, or seva, don’t I?”

Guru Gobind Singh jee told him the time would come and he would understand why amrit was important. Soon afterwards, the man’s young son died. Guru Gobind Singh jee came. The Sikh stood up and said, “Guru jee, my son has left.”

Guru Gobind Singh jee asked him to take the sheet off the body and said to the father, “I thought you said he was dead, but look at him his hands, feet, eyes and teeth are still intact. Yet you say he is dead.”

The Sikh said, “What’s the point of the body when there is no breath?”

Guru Gobind Singh jee said, “Now you have your answer. You asked me what’s the point of the body without any breath. In the same way without rehat, or the code of conduct that you follow after receiving amrit, my Sikh has no life at all, infact he’s as good as dead.”

The Sikh said, “Guru jee, now I understand that Amrit is as important to the Guru as breaths are to the body.”

Guru Gobind Singh Ji and why take Amrit:

Sikhs said to Guru Gobind Singh jee, “What’s the need to receive amrit? We are always performing your service and everyone can see we that we are Sikhs.”

Guru jee said “Wait for your answer.”

A Sikh came and donated a gold jewel for Guru jee’s waist band. Guru jee said, “Call the jeweller, I want to know if it is real gold."

All the Sikhs said, “Guru jee no-one would dare donate fools gold to the Guru, its plain to see that it is gold.”

Guru jee said, “I need to know for sure that it is pure gold.”

The Jeweller came and looked at it and said it looks like gold.

Guru jee repeated, “I need to know for sure that it is 100% gold.”

The jeweller went to get his touchstone, by touching the gold on it there was a positive reaction. The jeweller certified the jewel as being 100% gold.

Guru jee said, “O Sikhs, you asked me what’s the point of receiving amrit when its already obvious that you are all Sikhs. Receive amrit and prove that you are 100% Sikhs. Amrit is my touchstone.”

Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Bhai Dalla:

When Guru Gobind Singh jee had reached Bitinda he was met by Dalla. Dalla always had 500 men armed with weapons; he was always ready for war. He bowed to Guru jee and offered him a rifle. He said, “Kalgee-a-vala, guru jee adorned with the royal plume, I have heard that your whole family has been martyred by Aurangzeb. If you had called me to those battles, things would have been different.” Guru jee said, “Your 500 men that you are so proud of are just goats. Your words are empty. In my life I’ve had many hard times.”

The 40 martyrs of Chamkaur had meditated on God’s Name so much that each one of them had become the form of Guru Gobind Singh jee himself. Guru Gobind Singh jee said, “Dalla, I’ve had many hard times, my 40 Martyrs were starved for 6 months, now you are proud of your 500 goats!! Let me test your gun, send one of your men so I can test my aim on him!”

None of Dalla’s men came forward, but a Sikh father and son came rushing out, racing each other to become the target. The father said, “My body is old let me be the target son.” The son answered, “Father, all your life you’ve performed the service for the Guru, now let me perform this service.” Guru jee said, “I have Sikhs that fought against hundreds of thousands of Moguls!” Guru jee took the gun and aimed it high above the father and son. Dalla was amazed by the Guru’s Sikhs bravery. He fell at Guru jee’s feet and said give me a seat in Sach Khand. Guru jee said, “O Dalla, if you’d asked for a kingdom I could give it to you, if you asked for India I could give it to you, if you performed seva then I could give you Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu’s heavens, but Dalla I can’t give you even a space as small as the eye of a needle in Sach Khand, God’s Realm of Truth. “Dalla jee asked, “But why?” Guru jee said, “Because you haven’t received Khanda-batta-da-amrit, you don’t belong to the Guru.” Dalla fell at Guru jee’s feet and said “Bless me with amrit, Guru jee.”

Guru Gobind Singh jee continued, “Receive amrit!” Dalla replied, “Bless me

Maharaj.” After receiving amrit and the 5Ks, he was renamed Bhai Dalla Singh jee. He went home, ate but he just couldn’t sleep because of the heat. He moved his Kirpan left and right. He thought, “Why did I go to the Guru? I wasted a gun and these 5Ks are annoying me too much.” On the following day, Dalla said to Guru jee, “The Kirpan and Kachera (short sword and shorts) were annoying me so I took them off, but now give me a place in Sach Khand.” Guru jee said, “Dalla Singh jee, don’t give up so easily, slowly these 5Ks will start looking good to you. Remain disciplined as instructed in the Code of Conduct, the Rehat Maryada, and even previous generations will be saved.”

That night he couldn’t sleep. He thought, I could take the Kirpan and Kachera off again, so he did. On the next day, Guru jee asked him, “How was your night?” Dalla replied, “It was very hot and uncomfortable, so I took off the Kirpan and Kachera.” Guru jee said, “Don’t get disheartened, and carry on making the effort.” That night he was incredibly hot. He had a dream, in it he saw Guru Gobind Singh jee taking him to Sach Khand. Along the way he saw the heavens belonging to Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu, he also saw the countless heavens of Ram Chandr, Mohammed and Jesus, he thought, “WOW! Look how much peace and happiness there is here, leave me here.” But, Guru jee said, “Bhai Dalla Singh jee the place you are going is where none of these prophets reached. Dalla thought, “What have I done to become worthy of going beyond these heavens?” Guru jee said, “You’ve received Khanda-batta-daamrit, you’ve become immortal.” When he saw Sach Khand’s door opening, he saw light brighter than thousands of Suns. He never took his 5Ks off again.

In Bitinda state there happened to be a severe drought, all of the crops had died. A few days later Guru jee said to Dalla Singh jee, “Close your eyes,” when he re-opened them he saw mango’s and orange’s growing in the trees. Again Guru jee said, “Close your eyes,” when he re-opened them he saw crops of wheat and maize. The third time he opened his eyes, he Saw Rivers where there had been deserts. Guru jee said, “Dalla Singh you didn’t obey my instructions, 3 times I told you to keep your 5Ks on but you took them off. Dalla Singh, if you had obeyed me the first time, then today you would had your dream fulfilled. But now future generations will learn from your mistakes and realise the importance of obeying the True Guru’s instructions.”

Amazing Sakhi Of Bhai Manjh

Introduction
In the time of Guru Arjan Dev jee, there was a powerful and rich Jat by the name of Teeratha. Teeratha was a follower of the Muslim sect of Sakhee Sarvar. He was the local leader of this sect and had hundreds of followers who all respected him. Teeratha would regularly lead the members of this sect on a pilgrimage to the main Sakhee Sarvar shrine now in Pakistan.

Meeting the Guru
Once when passing through Amritsar, Teeratha decided to visit Guru Arjan Dev Ji. He had heard that there was a great Guru who had a large following and this Guru was spiritually enlightened. He was curious to know who this Guru was and what he would say. He decided to stop off and see the Darbar of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. When he saw the Darbar, he saw that people of many different backgrounds, and castes were all sitting together and living in harmony. He also heard the keertan in the darbaar and the keertan left a permanent mark on him. He heard of the great gift of naam and the thirst to have this gift rose within him. He was the leader of hundreds of Sakhee Sarvar followers but he could no longer follow that path. He realised that Sikhee was the path he must follow.

He came to Guru Arjan Dev jee and introduced himself. Guru jee saw how rich and powerful Teeratha was and when Teeratha begged for naam and to be initiated into the Sikh faith, Guru jee replied, "Being a Sikh is no easy thing. The path is finer than a hair and sharper than the khanda. The primary principle of Sikhee is humility." Teeratha again repeated his request. Guru Arjan Dev jee then said, "Why do you want to be a Sikh? You are a rich and powerful man with hundreds of followers. You can continue on the easy path of Sakhee Sarvar, because the Sikh path is very hard. If you become a Sikh, you will lose your followers and all their respect and you will lose your wealth as well. You may even have to pay for this decision with your life. What use is there in becoming a Sikh for you?" But Teeratha was insistent he begged that nothing mattered. If he lost everything it would not matter, he needed naam. With tears in his eyes he begged for naam. Guru Arjan Dev jee accepted his request and initiated him into Sikhee and gave him Amrit.

Teeratha decided to not return home and took leave of his followers. He decided to stay with the Guru for some time. The Sikhs knew that Teeratha was from the Manjh clan and began to call him Bhai Manjh. Bhai Manjh did seva in the darbaar and one day Guru Arjan Dev jee called him and asked him to return to his village and preach Sikhee to his old followers.

Return to the Village and Disaster

Bhai Manjh returned to his village and began the work of preaching Sikhee to the followers of Sakhee Sarvar. In his home, there was a shrine to Sakhee Sarvar which was revered by all the local followers. Bhai Manjh reached home and immediately had it demolished. Many of his old followers who had considered him a Guru heard Bhai Manjh's message that Guru Arjan was the true Satguru and the source of all happiness. They too decided to become Sikhs and began to recite baaNee. Bhai Manjh and the new devotees of the Guru decided to build a Dharamshaala (Sikh place of gathering) in the village where they could daily meet and do sangat.

While the construction of the Dharamshala was still going on, some Sakhee Sarvar leaders came to the village and saw that so many followers had become Sikhs. They spoke to Bhai Manjh and asked him to renounce Sikhee or face a terrible price. They said that he was powerful and a high official in the Sakhee Sarvar sect and he would lose all this if he did not come to his senses. Bhai Manjh sent them away and was insistent that he would remain a Sikh. The Sakhee Sarvar leaders left the village but heaped countless curses on Bhai Manjh and vowed that he would regret his decision.

Within a few days of this event, one night, all of Bhai Manjh's cattle died. It was unexplainable how all cattle could die in one night. In the following nights, cattle began to die in neighbouring houses as well. The villagers began to believe that perhaps the curse of Sakhee Sarvar was responsible and by becoming Sikhs and destroying the shrine, they had made a serious mistake. More and more cattle began to die each night and the villagers decided to break off from Bhai Manjh. They declared that they had nothing to do with Bhai Manjh and his new religion. They removed him from his position as village head. Bhai Manjh now began to lose his wealth as well and soon poverty entered his home.

Poverty
Before, poor and needy people used to come to Bhai Manjh to request for help and money. People would still come now but he himself was living in abject poverty. Bhai Manjh had absolutely no extra wealth to give to anybody. Bhai Manjh was in a desperate situation and he decided to visit the new village head. Bhai Manjh offered his home to be rented out for some money so he could feed his family. The village head agreed to the proposal but added the condition that Bhai Manjh's wife would become his housemaid. His wife would be paid for her labour as well.

Bhai Manjh returned home absolutely shattered. He was once the most powerful man in the village and today he was being forced to make his wife a maid. When Bhai Manjh's wife asked him what the village head had said. Bhai Manjh haltingly explained the offer he was given. Bhai Manjh's wife listened and then said that in such hard times she too was willing to make sacrifices and if they had to lower their dignity by doing a job such as that of maid, then so be it. They had to marry off their young daughter and needed money to raise their family. Bhai Manjh's wife agreed to go work for the village head.

Bhai Manjh fell asleep that night in deep sadness. The next morning his wife would leave to begin her new job. He thought of Guru Arjan dev Ji and wondered why the Guru would put his Sikh through such pain. How could the Guru allow him to see such days? Then understanding dawned: this must be the Guru's test. The Guru had said that he would have to sacrifice his all for Naam. Bhai Manjh was determined not to fail this test. He felt shame that he had ever questioned the will of the Guru.

Serving the Guru
The next morning Bhai Manjh's wife gathered her clothes and left for the village head's home. Bhai Manjh decided to also leave the village. He left for Amritsar with his daughter and decided to spend his time doing seva. Bhai Manjh began to take the seva of bringing wood for the langar, cleaning the dishes, serving the visiting sangat and any other seva he could find. The Guru too heard of Bhai Manjh's sevaa. He called Bhai Manjh to come see him.

Bhai Manjh and his daughter appeared before the Guru and bowed. They stood before Satguru Arjan Dev Ji and waited for him to speak. Guru Arjan Dev Ji asked, "Bhai Manjh, where do you eat?" Bhai Manjh replied, "Satguru, I eat from your langar…"

Guru Arjan jee then said, "Well then, what you do is nothing but wage-labour isn't it?"

The sangat was stunned. They knew Bhai Manjh had sacrificed his entire wealth and prestige to become a Sikh and now did more seva than anyone else in the Darbaar. How could Guru jee have humiliated him like this in front of everyone? After all, the Langar was open to everyone, why would Guru jee say such a thing?

Bhai Manjh was once a powerful and proud aristocrat with hundreds of followers. He now hung his head and then said, "Satguru, you are wise. Please give me the wisdom to understand and accept your Hukam." Guru jee did not reply. Bhai Manjh then bowed and took his leave with his daughter.

Bhai Manjh now decided to no longer eat in the langar. He decided to collect two bundles of wood from now on and he would give one to the langar and sell the other to earn his living and use it to purchase his food. Bhai Manjh's daughter asked her father why the Guru was so merciless to him. Bhai Manjh immediately replied, "No no! The Guru is merciful. He is testing our faith. We can not fail."

The Final Test
Bhai Manjh would rise early and begin to collect wood for seva and also to sell. After giving the first bundle and selling the second, the two would return to the Darbaar and do seva all day. He would put all his extra money into the Golak. Guru jee once came to Bhai Manjh and asked why he still stayed despite being so poor and having lost everything. Guru jee said he should go home. Bhai Manjh replied, "Mahaaraaj, please never speak of having to leave your feet. Sachay Patshah, worldly wealth is a dream and so it comes and goes. Nothing is lost. I have lost my worldly wealth and found your true treasure of Naam. No thief will take this treasure from me and no King will seize it. “Guru jee gave his blessings to Bhai Manjh and moved on.

One day early in the morning when Bhai Manjh was going to the langar to give wood, such a dust storm arose that he could see nothing. Bhai Manjh stumbled and fell into a well. Day broke and Bhai Manjh still had not returned and everyone understood he must be in trouble. The Sikhs began to search for him and heard him call out from the well. One Sikh ran to Guru Arjan dev Ji to tell him what had happened and Guru jee immediately dashed bare foot to the well. They threw a rope into the well and asked Bhai Manjh to pull himself out.

Bhia Manjh jee called from the depth of the well, "Please, first pull the wood out for the langar! If they become wet, they will be of no use and not burn. If I am wet, nothing will happen." Bhai jee tied the wood bundle to the rope and had it pulled out. Only then did Bhai Manjh pull himself out. When Bhai Manjh climbed out of the well, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was standing before him. Bhai Manjh fell at Guru jee's feet. Guru Arjan Dev Ji asked, "Bhai Manjh! What have you gained by following me? You have lost your wealth, your status, and even your wife. You have lost everything!"

Bhai Manjh held Guru jee's feet even tighter and with tears in his eyes replied, "No Satguru! I have not lost anything. I have only gained. Please don't push me away; this is my only request of you…"

Guru Arjan Dev jee then said, "Bhai Manjh, your sevaa has borne fruit. Ask for anything you want."

Bhai Manjh replied, "Guru jee, bless me that I may never want anything. May I always be content?"

Guru jee replied, "It will happen as you request. But still, request something Bhai Manjh…"Bhai Manjh then said, "If you are happy with me, then have this mercy. It is Kaljug. Please do not scold and test so harshly. May your Sikhs not have to bear such hardships?"

Guru Maharaj again said, "This too will happen, but still request something Bhai Manjh." Bhai Manjh finally replied, "May my consciousness remain at your feet and may I never forget the meditation of your Naam. If you wish to bless me, then bless me with gift of limitless faith."

Guru Arjan heard these words and then said, "Manjh is the beloved of the Guru and the Guru is beloved of Manjh. Manjh is the ferry of the Guru who will ferry across the world ocean. "Guru Arjan Dev Ji sent Bhai Manjh home and told him all had been returned. Bhai Manjh did not understand how this would be possible, but had complete faith in the Guru.

Everything Restored
Bhai Manjh's wife had been working in the house of the village head and she made such an impression on him that he decided to make her his sister. He requested that she take the responsibility of raising his only son. He also gave back Bhai Manjh's home where she could raise the boy. Bhai Manjh returned home and was informed of all that had happened and was stunned.

Bhai Manjh never left the support of the Guru. Even at the darkest time he had faith it was all a test and if he stayed firm in his faith, nothing would happen to him. Bhai Manjh was appointed to the entire Doaba area to preach Sikhee and he opened a Dharamshaalaa in his home. The langar that Bhai jee opened was famous all around. Many people became Sikhs because of his parchaar.

When Guru Arjan Dev jee came to visit the Doaba area in 1596, he made a point of specially visiting Bhai Manjh and praised him for his parchaar. Bhai Manjh jee is the embodiment of faith and perseverance. Nothing in life could turn him away from the Guru and in the end, the Guru kept and protected his Sikh.