Guru Sakhis

[PiyaSoni]

"The Guru's Blessings"



Gangu Shah sought Guru Amar Das Sahib's help for his livelihood. With the Guru's blessings he flourished as a banker in Delhi. But he had a setback when he turned away a needy person sent by the Guru. Gangu begged for pardon and fell at the Guru's feet in Goindwal. Thereafter, he never sent back any person.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"A Gurmukh Is Always Humble"



Datu (b. 1537 AD), son of Guru Angad Dev, considered himself to be the claimant of 'Gurgaddi', which he however could not ascend to. Deeply frustrated, Datu struck Guru Amar Das with his foot when he was seated on 'Gurgaddi.' With a rare display of sweetness and humility, the Guru kept seated on the 'Gurgaddi' and did not utter a word of anguish. Rather, he observed, Your foot must have been hurt by my hard bones. Guru Sahib did not act by way of coercion but displayed his compassion.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Faith"



Bhai Paro Paramhans went daily from Dalla (Sultanpur, Doaba) to pay his respects to Guru Amar Das, come what may, storm or rain. The Nawab of Jalandhar, Abdullah, marveled at his determination and forbearance when he saw Bhai Paro crossing Beas even when it was in heavy floods. The Guru was so pleased that he was inclined to make him his successor. Bhai Paro said in all humility, 'For me it is a great honor to be the Guru's devotee.'

WaheGuru Ji ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

 

[PiyaSoni]

"The Guru Raised Me From the Lowliest Position"



Bhai Jetha Ji used to earn his livelihood by selling boiled grains. Very often he would freely give away the boiled grains to the needy and to the poor laborers. Guru Amar Das was highly impressed by his charitable nature and blessed the young boy. Ultimately the divine succession was bestowed on him, he was named Ram Das and was installed as the Fourth Guru.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Holy City of Amritsar"



Guru Ram Das (1534-1581 AD) laid the foundation stone of Amritsar on 13th June, 1577. The devotees have been visiting the Holy City since its existence, for having a dip in the sacred Sarovar and also for promoting their trade.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Bhai Manjh"



Bhai Manjh, an ardent disciple of the Guru, used to bring dry wood everyday for the langar to be cooked. One day while carrying wood he tumbled into a well following a storm. Guru Arjan Dev found that despite his predicament Bhai Ji had saved the wood from getting wet. The Guru honored his disciple by saying, Manjh is beloved of the Guru and the Guru of the Manjh.

The life of Bhai Manjh, a disciple of Guru Arjan, one among the 10 Sikh Gurus, is one of the best examples of the surrender one must have towards one's Guru.

Bhai Manjh was a very wealthy landlord, who used to worship the tomb of Sakhi Sarwar, a renowned saint. One day he happened to hear Guru Arjan's discourse and was so inspired by it, that he decided to accept Guru Arjan as his Guru.

Guru Arjan said, "If you wish to get initiated by me, you will have to raze your worship room."

Bhai Manjh ran back to his house, and started demolishing his worship room. All his well-wishers warned him, "Bhai Manjh, this act of yours will bring great misfortunes to your family."

Manjh said, "Whatever be the consequences of my act, I am ready to bear them all."

He returned to the Guru and was initiated into the holy name. Manjh's heart was filled with gratitude towards his Guru. But soon one misfortune followed another: His horses died, his house was ransacked by thieves, and soon he became a pauper who owed a lot of money to others. All the villagers started making fun of him and criticizing his devotion towards his Guru. But never did his faith swerve.

Soon, Manjh had to leave the village with his wife and children and find shelter in another village. There he made his livelihood by cutting and selling grass.

Several months passed. One day Guru Arjan sent a letter to Bhai Manjh through one of his disciples. But the Guru had instructed the carrier that the letter should only be delivered after Bhai Manjh gave 20 rupees as an offering. Bhai Manjh was delighted to know that his Guru had sent him a letter. But how could he manage to get 20 rupees? Seeing his ordeal, his wife said, "Don't worry. I shall take our daughter and my ornaments to the goldsmith. I am sure we can collect 20 rupees." Soon the wife came back with the money. Giving the money to the disciple, Bhai Manjh received the letter with tear-filled eyes, kisses it and pressed it against his heart.

After some years the Guru sent a second letter and demanded 25 rupees for it. Once again Bhai Manjh had nothing with him. Then he remembered that the head of the village had sought his eldest daughter's hand in marriage. He soon fixed the alliance for which he asked 25 rupees as payment. Offering the money Manjh received the second letter.

Soon after that, Guru Arjan sent a disciple to Manjh with a message that they could come and stay at the Guru's place, doing seva in the Gurudvara. Manjh's happiness knew no bounds. He, his wife and remaining daughter soon started on their way. They were asked to do seva in the kitchen. They would clean the utensils and cut firewood.

One day, Guru Arjan asked one of his close disciples, "Where does Bhai Manjh and his family take food from?"

"From the community kitchen," said the disciple.

The Guru retorted, "Bhai Manjh is not doing real service as he is charging us for his wages, which he takes in the form of food."

Bhai Manjh, who overheard this conversation, felt sad at heart. He went and told his wife, "From tomorrow, we will get our food by some other means. The Guru has given us the priceless treasure of Nam (the Divine Name), and I can never repay that debt. How can we expect anything else for our service to Him."

The next day, after working for the whole day in the kitchen, he went to the forest, cut firewood and sold it at the market, using the money to buy food for his family. This continued for many days.

One day there was a shortage of firewood in the Gurudvara kitchen, and Bhai Manjh had to go to the forest in the evening to fetch some. He had almost finished collecting firewood, when a severe windstorm began. Manjh tried to take shelter under the trees with the bundle of firewood on his head. But the wind started blowing so strongly that he was blown into a deep well.

Suddenly, Guru Arjan called some of his disciples to quickly collect a wooden board and a long rope and accompany him to the forest. The disciples were surprised. On reaching the well, the Guru said, "Manjh is at the bottom of the well. Shout and tell him that we will lower a board tied to a rope. Tell him to cling on to it so that we can pull him out." The Guru then muttered some words into the disciple's ear and asked for that to also be told.

The disciple said, "O Brother, see your pathetic condition. Why do you follow such a Guru who's so cruel? Why don't you leave him and forget him?"

Manjh shouted back, "How dare you say that my Guru is cruel. He has only compassion for me. Never utter such shameless words."

Bhai Manjh did not get on the board first. He put the bundle of firewood on the board and said, "Take the wood first. It is for the Guru's kitchen. If it gets wetter, it will not burn."

The wood was drawn up and the Bhai Manjh was himself pulled out. When he came out he saw Guru Arjan standing before him. He fell prostrate at the Guru's feet.

Lifting him up and patting his shoulders, Guru Arjan said, "I am proud of you. You have faced all the tests with unswerving faith, courage and devotion, and have come out successful in all of them. I would be glad to gift you even the three worlds."

With tears streaming down his cheeks, Bhai Manjh said, "O Lord, the only boon I wish for, is You alone! Nothing else is of interest to me."

The Guru warmly embraced Bhai Manjh and took him back to the Gurudvara.

May all of us have such trust and surrender towards our Beloved Amma, who is waiting eagerly to take us across the ocean of transmigration.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Baba Buddha Blessed Mata Ganga"



When Mata Ganga (d. 1628 AD), sought the blessings of Guru Arjan Dev to bear a child, Guru Sahib advised her to invoke the blessings of Baba Buddha (1506-1631 AD), the most revered Sikh. Going to Baba Buddha, to pay her respects, she carried with her 'missi roti', an onion and lassi. While breaking the onion the Baba pronounced, 'Soon you will be the mother of a child whose gallantry and valor will be unmatched.'

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Helping the Peasants"



The economic well being of the country is closely linked with the monsoon. With a view to alleviating the sufferings of the peasants, Guru Arjan Dev helped the villagers in digging six-channel Persian wheel (Chheharta) wells, which irrigated their fields. Chheharta is a living monument of his efforts in this direction.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Guru Arjan Serving the Lepers at Tarn Taran"



In the house of the Guru, protection is given to the sick, poor, needy and helpless. Guru Arjan Dev knew the plight of the lepers. Even their close relatives would not touch them. Guru Arjan Dev took special care of the leper Home near the sacred Sarovar of Taran Taran Sahib. Guru Sahib personally looked after the lepers by providing them medicines, dresses and even showering his blessings on them. All the Sikhs followed the example of the Guru.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Bhai Bahilo"



During the construction of Harimandir Sahib, Guru Arjan Dev spotted bright red bricks and inquired that how these had been produced. He was told that Bhai Bahilo had carried all the rubbish of the town on his head to the kiln to prepare the bricks in such a perfect manner. Guru Arjan Sahib sent for Bhai Bahilo and uttered, 'Bhai Bahilo, the first and the foremost.'

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Guru Sahib's Foresight" 



Guru Arjan Dev had the foresight to visualize that if the battle of freedom was to be fought effectively, his followers must learn horse riding. Besides, they should be able to assess the quality of good horses. He encouraged them to take up horse trading as a profession. Guru Sahib resisted the onslaught of Emperor Jahangir (r. 1605-1626 AD)

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Bhai Banno"



Bhai Banno's services in the construction of Harimandir Sahib are significant. On completion of Harimandir Sahib someone asked Guru Sahib as to who should be served the platter first according to the established practices. Guru Sahib said Whoever has done service everyday by remaining modest and keeping his low profile. Guru Arjan Dev honored Bhai Banno by placing the first platter of the feast before him.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Guru Amar Das Ji Fetching water"



(Guru) Amar Das Ji filling water in a gagar (brass pitcher) from the river Beas early in the morning for Guru Angad Dev Ji to bathe with.

(Guru) Amar Das ji took up residence at Gowindwal at the request of Guru Angad Dev Ji. Early each morning (Guru) Amar Das Ji would fill a gagar of water and walk all the way to Khadur for Guru Ji's bathing. Then would walk all the way back but never turning his back towards Guru Angad Dev Ji. Thus (Guru) Amar Das Ji served Guru Angad Dev Ji for twelve years.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Guru's Word is the Panacea for all Ill's" 



Guru Arjan Dev taught us through his Psalm of Peace (Sukhmani Sahib) that our life is worthless if our soul is not moved at the sight of pain and agony in fellow human beings and render them service in their hour of need. At the town of Tarn Taran, he himself alleviated the sufferings of lepers for whose treatment he also built a lepers-home there.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Buddhu Shah : A True Pir"



During the battle of Bhangani in the year 1689 when 400 Pathãn warriors had deserted Guru Gobind Singh, it was Pirr Buddhu Shah who stood by him steadfastly. Two of his sons, younger brother and nephew fell in the action. After his victory when Guru Gobind Singh wished to present a Siropa' to Pir Buddü Shah, the latter only expressed a desire to be blessed with the Guru's hair entangled in his comb. Guru Gobind Smgh honoured him and proclaimed Buddü Shah as a true 'Pir'.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh!!