Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee Khalsa Bhindranwale
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About three miles from Jagravan, there is a village near the Satluj River called Akhaara Nagar. In the year 1761(Bikrami) Guru Gobind Singh Jee after the war of Chamkaur Sahib, arrived at this village and stayed for two days. In this village a very old woman named Mata Sevee did seva of Guru Jee with the utmost respect and love. She gave Guru Jee sweet milk to drink. The son of this woman listened to the hukam/order of Guru Gobind Singh Jee and took Amrit from Panj Pyarai and was named Bhai Muhabat Singh. Guru Jee give the family a blessing saying that in this family a Pooran Brahmgiani Gursikh that is firm in his Rehat, and has a high Avastha(spiritual state), a Khalsa, will take birth and will do a lot of parchar of sikhi.
Bhai Muhabat Singh had a son named Bhai Aakal Singh, who had a son named Bhai Nathooa Singh. Bhai Nathooa Singh Jee did a lot of seva with the Sikh Misals, when the Sikhs were in the jungles. Bhai Nathooa Singh’s son Bhai Maana Singh married Bibi Raaj Kaur; this couple had a lot of love for Guru Jee and did a lot Bhagti. This Gurmukh couple had two children: The older Bhai Kahn Singh who was a very knowledge Sikh and had Raag Vidia. The younger one was Bhai Roorh Singh, who was a farmer. As a farmer he would always recite gurbani and keep his mind in remembrance of Akaal Purakh, through Naam Simran. He was an Amritdharee, and had the utmost respect and love for Sikhi, he was a firm Nitnemi, he spoke very sweetly and always shared whatever he had. He was a true example of a Gursikh.
Bhai Roorh Singh’s Anand Karaj (marriage ceremony) was done according to Gurmat Maryada to Bibi Anand Kaur. She was an Amritdharee and for 13 straight years she did her nitnem, naam simran,Sukhmani Sahib Paat, and 25 Paats of Sri Jap Jee Sahib every day. Bhai Roorh Singh Jee enrolled in the Army, and did the seva of a Granthi Singh at the Burma frontier. In his household there were two children born, the older was Bhai Hazaara Singh and the younger one was Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee Khalsa. Bhai Hazara Singh was born in 1946 Bikrami. Bhai Sahib became a shud paati of gurbani and a knowledgeable Sikh. He would do the seva of Head Granthi at Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib for 24 years. Bhai Sahibs voice was very sweet; sangat would become very pleased after listening to him reciting gurbani. Bhai Sahibs son, Giani Joginder Singh Jee, is doing uncountable seva right now. The rest of his brothers are Grihst (married). Bhai Roorh Singh and Mata Anand Kaur were always repeating Vaahiguroo. In their house many paats of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee were completed, and Mata Anand Kaur listened with complete faith, respect and love.
Birth
Sri Maan, 108 Panth Rathan, Vidia Martand, Brahm Vidia vich Nipun, Naam baani dai Raseeai, Amritdharee, Panja Kakaara dee rehat vich tiaar pur tiaar, Khalsai dai asoola vich pooran, Brahmgiani Sach Khand vasee Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee Khalsa Bhindranwale, were born on 1959 Bikrami, February 12th 1902 AD, on a Wednesday at 2:30 AM.
Birth and Name Ceremony
After the birth on that same day, after bathing the child, Sant Jee’s respected Bhooa( Dad’s Sister) brought Sant Jee to the Gurdwara Sahib to the sanctuary of Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaj. The Janam Sanskar was completed, and Sant Jee was given Amrit Dee Gurrtee (5 Drops of Amrit prepared with a sarbloh bata, kirpan, water, patasai, all stirred together whilst reciting Sri Jap Jee Sahib). After this karah Parshaad was given out, after ardaas this Hukamnaama came:
ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਭੇਟਿਓ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਮਨਹਿ ਭਇਆ ਪਰਗਾਸਾ ॥ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਪਹੁਚਨਹਾਰਾ ਦੂਜਾ ਅਪੁਨੇਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਾ ਭਰਵਾਸਾ ॥੧॥
ਅਪੁਨੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ॥ ਆਗੈ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਛੈ ਸੁਖ ਸਹਜਾ ਘਰਿ ਆਨੰਦੁ ਹਮਾਰੈ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ਕਰਣੈਹਾਰਾ ਸੋਈ ਖਸਮੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਭਏ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣੀ ਲਾਗੇ ਇਕ ਰਾਮਨਾਮ ਆਧਾਰਾ ॥੨॥
ਸਫਲ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਹੈ ਭੀ ਹੋਵਨਹਾਰਾ ॥ ਕੰਠਿ ਲਗਾਇ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਜਨ ਰਾਖੇ ਅਪੁਨੀਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਪਿਆਰਾ ॥੩॥
ਵਡੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਅਚਰਜ ਸੋਭਾ ਕਾਰਜੁ ਆਇਆ ਰਾਸੇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਉ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਭੇਟਿਓ ਸਗਲੇਦੂਖ ਬਿਨਾਸੇ ॥੪॥੫॥
(Ang 609 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee)
According to Gurmat Maryada, the first letter (ਗ) was taken and Sant Jee’s name was chosen (Gurbachan Singh)
Listening to Sehaaj Paat
From that day a Sehaaj Paat from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee was started in happiness for the birth of the child, in the house of the family. This sehaaj paat was done in 40 days. As long as the mother had the child in her lap and both were listening to the paat, the paati would keep reciting gurbani. After when the mother and son got up and left, sukhasan would be done. This way both the mother and the child were always drenched in amrit rus of Gurbani.
Mothers passing away and being raised by Grandmother
Sant Jee were about 13 months old when ਘਲੇ ਆਵਹਿ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਸਦੇ ਉਠੀ ਜਾਹਿ॥1॥ (Ang 1239) According to the will of God, Sant Jee’s mother passed away and ascended to sach khand. At that time Sant Jee’s father was serving in Burma. Sant Jee was raised by his grandmother, Mata Raaj Kaur. After coming back from Burma, Sant Gurbachan Singh Jee’s father started farming. Sant Jee’s father Bhai Roorh Singh Jee had all of Panj Granthi, 110 Angs of Dasam Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, and over 200 angs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee memorized. They used to do this nitnem every day. Bhai Roorh Singh had a very big impact on Sant Gurbachan Singh Jee’s Jeevan.
High Avastha at Small Age
From a small age Sant Jee would do seva of and respect gutkai and pothia. They would buy sweets and share them with the other kids. They would play less, and talk less. They would always remain attached to Guru Jee.
Vidia (Education) Ceremony
When Sant Jee reached the age of four and a half years, Baba Kahn Singh completed their Education Ceremony, according to old Khalsa rehats. Karah Parshad was made, ardas was done and Sant Jee were taught the first five letters of the Gurmukhi script. From this time onwards they began to learn vidhia (gain knowledge). Sant Jee’s Uncle(Taia Jee) Bhai Kahn Singh Jee, taught them the correct pronunciations of Panj Granthi, Baee Varan, Bhagat Bani, Das Grathi and Nitnem, and Sant Jee memorized nitnem as well. Sant Jee’s uncle would do keertan that would connect Sant Jee to Guru Jee’s pavittar charan. Thanks to the efforts of Sant Jee’s uncle, they became a Shud Paati of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee at the age of 7 years. Their uncle Jee taugh them the meanings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee as well, and they learned other granths as well, such as Bhai Gurdaas Deean Vaaran, Kabit Savaiyai, Sri Nanak Parkash, Sri Gurpartap Suraj Granth, and Chandar Parbodh Natak.
Grandmother passing away and being raised by Aunt (Bhooa)
After some time, Sant Jee’s grandmother too passed away. Then his Aunt, Bibi Sahib Kaur took him to the village Kishanpur. She did as much seva as she could and loved him as her own son. It was here that Sant Jee went to school for a short while.
Learning the Granths of Hindu Matt
Near Kishanpur, there was a dera of an Udasee Sadhoo named Mahant Lal. He was very knowledgeable in the Sanskrit language. When Sant Jee was around 13 years old they started going to this Sadhoo to learn Sanskrit. Sant Jee respected and served the Sadhoo with much love. Sant Jee learned the Ramain, Mahabharat and other Hindu Granths from Mahant Lal. They also learned Yog Vashisht and other Vedic granths. After gaining all this knowledge, Sant Jee returned to their birth village Akhaara Nagar.
Getting Married
When Sant Jee were 18 years old they were married to Sardar Basant Singh’s daughter, Bibi Kishan Kaur. The Anand Karaj happened according to Gurmat Maryada at the Village Raajoana, District Ludhiana. For two years following the marriage, Sant Jee would farm with his father. Sant Jee would live a married life and would always be doing Simran.
Sant Jee’s Family
With Guru Jee’s kirpa in the year 1923 AD Sant Jee’s older son Bhai Kartar Singh Jee took birth, and in 1932 AD the younger son Bhai Bhagwan Singh took birth. Bhai Bhagwan Singh does amazing keertan which brings tears to one’s eyes. These two brothers and their children are all akhaand paatis and chardi kala gursikhs. Sat Guru Jee’s blessing that:
ਵਧੀ ਵੇਲਿ ਬਹੁ ਪੀੜੀ ਚਾਲੀ ॥(396)
The vine has grown, and shall last for many generations.
With Guru Jee’s Kirpa this family is all Amritdharee, are firm in their rehat, their son Bhai Avtaar Singh “Baee” stayed in the Jatha and gained a lot of Knowledge. He does beautiful katha, vey tyaar pur taayr singh.
Longing to meet Sant Mahapurakhs
Whenever Sant Jee would hear about some sant mahapurakhs, they would go visit them with utmost love and respect. Sant Jee woud always want to find deeper meanings of gurbani. Sant Jee read the Faridkot Vala Teeka prepared by 52 Nirmalai Scholars. Sant Jee gained a lot of knowledge from this teeka.
The beginning of the Singh Sabha Movement
In the beginning the Singh Sabha movement was only in big cities, specifically in Lahore and Amritsar. But in 1903-1904 AD, it moved into the villages. In the beginning some Gurmukh Sants such as Brahmgiani Sant Attar Singh Jee Mastooanai, Bhai Sahib Bhai Randheer Singh Jee, Sant Maghar Singh Jee Ramgarh, and Brahmgiani Sant Sundar Singh Jee Bhindrawale etc. were part of the movement. All these mahapurakhs wanted the Khalsa Panth to be in Chardi Kala, and did a lot of seva.
The Singh Sabha Movement in Akhaara Nagar
In 1920 AD the Singh Sabha Movement had a pogram at Akhaara Nagar, Sant Jee’s birth village. For five days, Keertan, Katha and heavy parchar of Sikhi happened. A lot of Keertanis, Katha Vachikcs, Dhadhi Jathas, and Mahapurakhs came. The Jathedar of Buddha Dal, Baba Sahib Singh along with the Dal came, Baba Harnaam Singh Jee, Sardar Teja Singh, Baba Bhagwan Singh Jee, Giani Hari Singh Jee, Pandit Gurbaksh Singh Jee, Brahm Giani Baba Vaisakha Singh Jee Dadaihar Vale, Sakatar Santa Singh Jee, Pandit Waryam Singh Jee, and lots of other Mahan Gursikhs came. Also the great parcharik of the Panth, Brahmgiani Sant Sundar Singh Jee Bhindranwale came.
Listening to the Katha of Sant Sundar Singh Jee
Sant Sundar Singh Jee did such beautiful katha, that Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee felt such peace that he never felt before. His soul was drenched in love for God. That day Sant Sundar Singh Jee had done Katha of the first Salok of Jaitsree Dee Vaar:
ਆਦਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਮਧਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਅੰਤਿ ਪੂਰਨ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰਹ ॥ (705)
And afterwords did keertan of this shabad:
ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਬਚਨੁ ਬਸੈ ਜੀਅ ਨਾਲੇ ॥ (679)
They did such beautiful katha that:
ਬਾਣੀ ਉਚਰਹਿ ਸਾਧ ਜਨ ਅਮਿਉ ਚਲਹਿ ਝਰਣੇ ॥ (320)
The Holy beings chant the Bani of the Word, like nectar flowing from a spring.
At this time Guru Jee did so much kirpa on Giani Gurbachan Singh that automatically vaahiguroo vaahiguroo jaap would start with each and every breath.
ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੁ ਲਗੋ ਹਰਿ ਤੀਰ ॥ (861)
My mind is pierced through by the arrow of the Lord's Love.
Meeting Sant Sundar Singh Jee
When the Deevan finished, Giani Gurbachan Singh said Fateh outloud to Sant Sundar Singh Jee, and after this remained quiet. Sant Sundar Singh Jee, sensing the state of Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee said: “ Oh Gurmukh what desires do you have?” Giani Gurbachan Singh replied:
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਆਇ ਮਿਲੁ ਮੈ ਚਿਰੀ ਵਿਛੁੰਨੇ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਜੇ ॥
O my Love, come and meet me as Gurmukh; I have been separated from You for so long, Lord King.
ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਬੈਰਾਗਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨੈਣ ਰਸਿ ਭਿੰਨੇ ॥
My mind and body are sad; my eyes are wet with the Lord's sublime essence.
Giani Gurbachan Singh said please bless me with naam. What Sant Sundar Singh Jee said next is written by Giani Gurbachan Singh in Sri Gurmukh Prakash on page 914:
Taking Amrit and becoming a Complete Khalsa
The next day Sant Sundar Singh Jee was in the Panj Pyarai that prepared amirt in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaj. 500 Singhs took amrit including Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee. Giani Gurbachan Singh made their last name into Khalsa. From that day on obeying the hukam of the Panj Pyarai, he adopted the Khalsa Rehat. Guru Gobind Singh as his father, Mata Sahib Dev Kaur as his mother, his birth was at Sri Kesgarh Sahib and he was a resident of Sri Anandpur Sahib. He got vaahiguroo mantar and mool mantar from the Panj Pyarai:
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ
ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਜਪੁ ॥ ਆਦਿ ਸਚੁ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਸਚੁ ॥ ਹੈ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੋਸੀ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ॥੧॥
From that day forward, vaahiguroo jaap started and would keep on going until they would breathe their last. Sant Jee felt peace they placed everything, their mind body and wealth in the feet of Guru Jee.
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰਮੋਲਕੁ ਹੀਰਾ ਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਨੋ ਮੰਤਾਨੀ ॥ਡਿਗੈ ਨ ਡੋਲੈ ਦ੍ਰਿੜੁ ਕਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਇ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਨੀ ॥੨॥
ਓਇ ਜੁ ਬੀਚ ਹਮ ਤੁਮ ਕਛੁ ਹੋਤੇ ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਬਾਤ ਬਿਲਾਨੀ ॥ਅਲੰਕਾਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਥੈਲੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਕਨਿਕ ਵਖਾਨੀ ॥੩॥
ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਓ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਹਜ ਸੁਖ ਸੋਭਾ ਬਾਜੇ ਅਨਹਤ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਹਚਲ ਘਰੁ ਬਾਧਿਓ ਗੁਰਿ ਕੀਓ ਬੰਧਾਨੀ ॥੪॥੫॥
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਬਚਨਕਮਾਵਣੇਸਚਾਏਹੁਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥
