Saakhis of Sri Guru Amar Daas ji

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Siree Guru Amar Das Jee And The Gursikh, Prema

There lived a devout Sikh named Prema in the village of Talwandi. He was lame, but yet able to walk with the aid of a crutch. He used every day to take a pitcher of milk to Sri Guru Amar Das Ji Maharaj, who drank some himself, and distributed the remainder among his guests. One day in the height of the rainy season, as the roads were full of mud, he set out with his usual offering.

The village chaudhri frequently observed him going and coming. On this particular day the chaudhri remained at home, and, having nothing better to do, watched the Sikh, and furtively took away his crutch, saying to him, 'Go not to-day ; there is too much mud on the ground. If you persist in going, you will fall down and die.'
Another man said to him, ' Your Guru is such a wonder-worker, why does he not cure your leg ? If he cannot do so, how shall he save you hereafter ? '

Prema prayed to be allowed to pay his usual visit to Sri Guru Amar Das Ji Maharaj. In reply to the impertinent inquiries he said he had not become a Sikh to have his leg made whole, and he had never asked the Guru for a new one. His tormentors continued to tease him for some time, and at last re­turned him his support. He quickly made his way to see his king, his beloved Guru Ji.

Prema told the whole story how he had been delayed by the mischievous pranks of the chaudhri. Upon this Sri Guru Amar Das Ji Maharaj said that his leg must be mended. Sri Guru Amar Das Ji Maharaj continued:

On the bank of the river there dwells a Muslim faqir called Husaini Shah. Go and tell him that the Guru has sent you to be thoroughly cured.'

Husaini Shah lived alone and allowed no one to approach him, but by the Guru's favour he made Prema an exception, and allowed him to sit down beside him.

When Prema had finished his narrative, the faqir took up a stick to hit him, as he had done other visitors for intruding on his privacy. Prema watching his movements ran away, forgetting in his haste to take his crutch with him. To his delight and surprise his leg became whole.

Prema then returned to the faqir, fell to the ground before him, and thanked him profusely for the cure he had given him in such an unceremonious and extraordinary manner.

Husaini modestly disclaimed all credit, and said, ' Your leg was cured the moment the Guru told you to come to me ; but he has given me the evil reputation of exercising supernatural power. Go now, fall at his feet, and offer him my homage also. There are many servants of God like me, but I am confident there is none like the Guru who is perfect and omnipotent.'

Early life and Family

Sri Amar Das was born on in May 1479 at village Basarke in Amritsar district. His father was Baba Tej Bhan Bhalla, his mother was Mata Lakhmi. Baba Tej Bhan (died 1533) is affectionately referred to as Tejo in early chronicles, was the son of Baba Hari ji (A Khatri of the Bhalla clan) and Mata Milavi of Basarke ,12 km southwest of Amritsar. Baba Tej Bhan was married at the age of 12 to Bakht Kaur (also known as Lachhmi, Lakhmi or simply Lakkho) from a Duggal Khatri family.

He was the eldest son with three brothers named Baba Ishar Dass, Baba Khemi Rai and Baba Manak Chand. Bhai Gurdas Ji was the son of Baba Ishar Dass. Bhai Sawan Mal who made the arrangements for wooden material for the construction at Goindwal was the son of Baba Khemi Rai. Bhai Jassu the son of Baba Manak Chand and Bibi Bhago was married to Bibi Amaro the daughter of Guru Angad Dev Ji. So all four brother had a relation with Sikhi.

Baba Tej Bhan did some farming and trade work, he was very honest in his dealings so he had great respect in the area. Sri Amar Das helped his father in farming and trade; he also used to sit in the shop. Though he was short stature, but he had a well built body, he was very fond of doing physical exercises since his childhood, working in the fields he was very healthy.

Hindu Faith

Sri Amar Das used to believe in the Hindu faith with great devotion; he considered it his holy duty to recite Vedic Mantras. He worshiped a number of gods and goddesses with great devotion. He had great love for yogis and sadhus; he would serve them food and provide them with clothes. In the company of yogis and sadhus he became a great devotee of the gods. He always remained engrossed in the recitation of the name of the gods.

Brothers, Marriage and Children.

Sri Amar Das became a ascetic and declined to get married. His parents advised hi again and again for marriage but he paid no heed to their advise. He asked his father to marry his younger brothers. His father agreed and he helped in arranging the marriages of his younger three brothers.

After the marriage of his younger three brothers he accepted his father’s advice and was married to Mata Mansa Devi daughter of Dev Chand of Sankhaira, a small town in Sialkot district (now in Pakistan). Their marriage took place on 11 Magh 1559 Bk/ 8 January 1503. Sri Amar Das was married at the age of 28 years. Mata Mansa remained childless until a girl, Bibi Dani was born, Sri Amar Das was 40 years old when she was born. Three more children were born to Mata Ji: Bibi Bhani (1535), Baba Mohan (1536), Baba Mohari (1539) all were born in Basarke. Bibi Dani was married to Bhai Rama, Bibi Bhani was married on 18 February 1554 to Bhai Jetha who later became Guru Ram Das. Mata Mansa Ji left this world at Goindwal in 1569.

Baba Mohan send most of this time in this room in Goindwal in study of Gurbani and meditation on Naam. He had in his possession manuscript collections of the Gurus' hymns inherited from his father. When Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563 - 1606) undertook the compilation of the Granth Sahib, he sent Bhai Gurdas and then Baba Buddha to borrow these from him, but Baba Mohan refused each time to part with them. Finally, Guru Arjan himself went to Goindwal. He sat in the street below Baba Mohan's room singing to him. Mohan was won over to hear the hymn and came downstairs with the Pothis which he made over Guru Ji.

Baba Mohri, the younger son unlike his elder brother, Mohan, who lived a retired life, was of a more active nature and spent most of his time looking after the Guru's household. He accepted without protest the nomination of his brother in law, Bhai Jetha such Guru. Baba Mohri also rejoiced at the nomination of Sri Arjan Dev as the next Guru in preference of his older brothers, Baba Prithi Chand and Baba Mahadev.

Beautiful Saakhis "Vista jee" and ''A Singh'' jee.

Dhan Siri Guru Amardaas Sahib jee.

Kulbir Singh

The stories have been added to Gurmat Literature Section - Ten Guru Sahibaan - Siri Guru Amardaas jee.

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