Stories/ experiences with Bhai Sahib Jeevan Singh Jee

Vaaheguroo jee kaa khaalsaa, Vaaheguroo jee kee fateh!

As of late, my mind has been thinking of Bhai Sahib Jeevan Singh jee more than the usual. We all know that Bhai Sahib has great bakshish on him and has had the most outstanding jeevan. The amount of pyaar and satkaar people of all jathebandhis have for Bhai Sahib is amazing too. I start this thread in hope that everyone can share their stories and personal experiances with Bhai Sahib so that everyone may benefit from them.

I ask Bhai Kulbir Singh to start by sharing since I know he has had the good fortune of doing sangat with Bhai Sahib many years ago and everyone else to too. Please do share.

Thanks in advance.


Jatinderpal Singh

I don’t remember when exactly I met Bhai Jeevan Singh jee for the first time but it must have been sometime in early nineties. Bhai Sahib at that time was in his prime and fully healthy. Around his white and rosy cheeks his snow white beard gave a very spiritual look. His Blue Dastaara was always adorned with Khanda and Chakra. It gave him the look of a Singh of Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee’s times. Bhai Sahib’s countenance always reflected humility and serenity. In my whole life, I have never witnessed a person more humble than Bhai Sahib. It is hard to imagine how he would look if he was upset.

When he did kirtan, it seemed as if he was deeply engrossed in it and drinking nectar from it. He always kept his eyes closed while doing kirtan and if he ever happened to forget a pankiti, his wife would say it in his ears. Now when I hear his kirtan through CDs, I so much regret why I did not take full advantage of listening to his kirtan live, when I had a full chance to do so.

Once I said fateh to Bhai Sahib after samagam. I noticed he was wearing a watch. It looked awkward on his wrist as he was wearing Karas. I commented something along the lines that the watch he was wearing was nice. He immediately removed the watch and gave it to me. I tried not accepting it but who could say no to Bhai Sahib. If you liked his Khanda, he would remove it and give it to you. He had absolutely no attachments.

In those days (early nineties) there used to be Naam abhyaas on certain days of the week. Whenever Bhai Sahib happened to be in Toronto, he always came. Those were memorable times because the abhyaas used to be so good. Bhai Sahib used to do abhyaas silently and towards the end, he used to stand up and do abhyaas. Sometimes along with doing abhyaas he did some exercise as well.

Once I gave Bhai Sahib a ride to Malton Gurdwara Sahib. On the way, I requested Bhai Sahib to tell me a spiritual experience from his life. He humbly replied that he was a great sinner. I persisted but he too persisted in not telling me any spiritual experience. After that I got sad and just went quiet. I did not say anything. He too kept quiet. When we reached our destination, he looked at my face which probably showed my disappointment or some other mercy-invoking expression. Bhai Sahib quietly laughed and then briefly narrated me one experience from his life. He said that once he was sitting in Kirtan behind Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee. Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee was in some great divine and spiritual colours. Bhai Sahib jee had Sarblohi mala in his hand. Bhai Jeevan Singh too was in very bairaagmai avastha. All of sudden Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee looked back at Bhai Jeevan Singh and with love touched his Sarblohi Mala on his forehead. As soon as Bhai Sahib’s mala touched Bhai Jeevan Singh jee’s forehead, he lost worldly consciousness and went to the spiritual realms. He experienced the Parkash of divine jyot.

I asked Bhai Sahib for more details but Bhai Sahib smiled and saying fateh left for Gurdwara Sahib. I just sat there dumbfounded wishing I too had such experience.

When I got married in 1996, I phoned Bhai Sahib to do kirpa of performing my Anand Karaj. Bhai Sahib at that time was in Boston. He expressed his inability to come. I kept asking and begging him to come but he kept saying he would not be able to make it. Then I said to Bhai Sahib that I would only get married if he came and himself performed my Anand Karaj. Bhai Sahib kept my maan and he performed my Anand Karaj. At the time of Anand Karaj, he asked my wife to do kirtan. She did not have Jatha background (although before marriage she did get pesh in Jatha), so she thought it was strange to do kirtan at one’s own Anand Karaj. Bhai Sahib asked her few times to do Kirtan but she was too shy to do kirtan at her own wedding.

Later she has expressed her regrets many times for not obeying the bachan of Bhai Sahib. She was feeling very guilty for not obeying Bhai Sahib’s bachan. At a later date, we went to Dixie Gurdwara Sahib and found out that Bhai Sahib was in the city. My Shrimati jee (wife) badly wanted to meet Bhai Sahib and apologize for not obeying his bachan. She did a small ardaas in her mind saying that if Bhai Sahib is what he is believed to be i.e. a Gursikh of high avastha, may he come in front of her and himself talk to her. So that’s what happened. There was so much sangat at Gurdwara Sahib. Out of nowhere Bhai Sahib came in front of my Begum Sahiba. She was astonished. There she apologized to Bhai Sahib for not obeying his bachan. I too apologized on her behalf at a later date. Bhai Sahib said that if she had done kirtan, she would have received good wishes (aseesa) from so many Gursikhs in sangat. As usual he showered his love towards us.

Many years later, he came to Weston Gurdwara Sahib where Singhs used to gather and do abhyaas. After abhyaas, there were at least 5 or 6 Singhs who had a small talk with Bhai Sahib. During the talk we asked Bhai Sahib about dhuni in Kirtan. The first question we asked was if Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee used to do dhuni in Kirtan. He said no. Next question was if he used to do dhuni in Kirtan and he again said no. The last question was how he started doing dhuni in Kirtan. His answer was “Dekha dekhi.” Bhai Sahib said that the form of dhuni that is prevalent today was not in olden days. Dhuni only happened when it was divinely inspired or the kirtaniya could not help it. It was done in rare cases but when it did occur, it went on for hours.

May Guru Sahib do mehar and may we get darshan of Gursikhs who are beloved of our Guru Sahib.

Humbly,
Kulbir Singh

Thanks for sharing Veerji. I am not sure if it will be easy to find such Gursikhs in near future. All we see around is HATRED - Smiles are seen very seldom. I know lot of other Gursikhs having SUBHAAAG of doing Sangat with Bhai Sahib - wish all of them will reach this forum to add their experiences to benefit us.

WGJKK-WGJKF

Chota veer

That's a beautiful picture showing gurmukhi love.

I heard this story from a Gursikh.

When Bhai Jeevan Singh had a bird that died he did a Akhand Path for him - people asked why he did it for a bird and he said that the bird lived a better life than all of us because the only word he knew was Whaeguru and he said it all the time.

Vaheguroo!

ਗੁਰੂ ਪਿਆਰਿਓ
ਬੇਨਤੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ,ਸੰਸਾਰ ਤੌ ਵਿਦਾ ਹੌ ਚੁਕੇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਆਤਮਕ-ਜੀਵਨ ਲਿਖਣੇ ਹੀ ਯੋਗ ਸਮਝੇ ਜਾਣ,ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਜਗਤ-ਯਾਤਰਾ ਪੂਰੀ ਹੋ ਚੁਕੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਜੀਉਂਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਕਿ ਕਲ੍ਹ ਨੂੰ ਕੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇ।
ਕਬੀਰ ਗਰਬੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਰੰਕੁ ਨ ਹਸੀਐ ਕੋਇ ॥
ਅਜਹੁ ਸੁ ਨਾਉ ਸਮੁੰਦ੍ਰ ਮਹਿ ਕਿਆ ਜਾਨਉ ਕਿਆ ਹੋਇ ॥


ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਤਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਵੀ ਉਸ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਦੇ ਆਤਮਿਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਲਈ ਹਾਨੀਕਾਰਕ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ।
ਭੁਲਾਂ ਚੁਕਾਂ ਮਾਫ ਕਰਨਾ ਜੀ

Thoroughly enjoying reading this thread here and I am hoping more posters will share their accounts. Sadly I personaly do not have anything to share but i have this sikhiwiki link that blew me away [www.sikhiwiki.org]

HS.


Bhai Jeevan Singh
From SikhiWiki


Bhai Jeevan SinghBUMPING INTO A MONA

One evening, we had just finished doing kirtan at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Slough. A Singh phoned and said he had booked kirtan in Hounslow, and we should come straight away. Bhai sahib said, "Lets go quickly, we should always be on time".

As Bhai Jeevan Singh sahib, his singhni (wife), myself and another youth walked downstairs into the joorian (shoes) section. A mona (man with hair cut) was walking in to the Gurdwara. Accidentally, he bumped into Bhai sahib. He said "sorry," and looked in to Bhai sahib's face. Those who know Bhai sahib know how enigmatic his smile is, and how his face always shone.

Bhai sahib said to him, "I came here especially to see you, I have something for you." Bhai sahib then took off his dastaar (turban) and handed it to the youth. The mona youth could not believe his eyes; Bhai sahib said these words to him with so much honesty, pyaar (lovingness) and humility.

From that day on, that once "mona" Sikh kept his kesh and came into Sikhi.....


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BHAI SAHIB AT THE WORLD SIKH SAMELLEN

When Professor Manjit Singh was the Jathedar {leader) of the Akal Takhat Sahib. He called a World Sikh Smellan (gathering, conference), which is basically a union of "Sarbat khalsa". Every Gurdwara, Sikh group and jatha from around the world was invited and many days were spent discussing Panthik (concerning the Sikh path or Panth) issues at the Siri Akal thakht sahib. All Panthik matters were discussed. Thousands of Sikhs gathered, including all the luminaries of the Panth.

Many people such as political leaders were centred on themselves and wanted special treatment, but everyone was treated equally. No dignitary received special attention. However for some reason the Panj Jathedars of the five Takhats sat on a sofa in the complex where this was happening. (I saw a picture of it in The Spokesman).

As days of the veechars happened everyone gave their views on many subjects, from rehit to khalistan. Professor Manjit Singh wanted to get this vision of the World Sikh Council passed.

As the A-Z of Sikh leadership and intelligentsia sat in the sangat on the floor. A simple Gursikh walked into the complex building. He walked in humbly and did mattha tekked, and went to sit in the sangat. However straight away, the Jathedars got up and ran over to him, and said to him, he must sit on the sofa. Totally embarrassed he refused. But they brought him over and sat him on the sofa. He sat uncomfortably because he was not one for that kind of attention.

That Gursikh was Bhai Jeevan Singh. That picture, too, came in the Spokesman. It goes to show how highly Bhai sahib, his jeevan, his seva, and his nimarta is respected in the Panth, that only he was singled out for such attention.

It is the virtues of Guru, such a pure humility, that pulls at peoples hearts.


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BHAI SAHIB MAKES PEOPLE FEEL SO SPECIAL

I attended Toronto Smagam (Sikh gathering) some years back. A few other young Gursikhs from UK also attended.

Bhai sahib was at the Smagam, with many other 'special' Gursikhs, all singing Guru ji's bani, in Guru ji's supreme presence. It was such a wonderful experience.

The day that we arrived, in the evening, we attended the kirtan. After the kirtan, the members of the sangat were just mingling with each other, but Bhai sahib, as always, was the centre of attention. People wanted to talk to him and take pictures with him.

Suddenly Bhai sahib came up to me and said fateh, and hugged me with his enigmatic smile. Another Singh had a camera, and said to Bhai sahib, "I want to take your picture". Bhai sahib said to him, "take my picture with these Gursikhs".

On the opposite side of the room was a young Gursikh that I know who is always quite humble. He rarely comes to the foreground. In his mind, he told me later, he thought, I wish I could have my picture taken with Bhai sahib. I wish he would notice me as well.

Bhai sahib straight away left us and walked swiftly over to him, and said to the photographer, "Singh take one more with this Gursikh as well". The youth could not believe it, Bhai Sahib smiled at him.

The youth said afterwards, as soon as I thought that, he came. Bhai Sahib knew exactly what I was thinking. He just smiled at me, and I know he knew what I was thinking then as well.

The Gursikh was overwhelmed after wards when speaking to us, and almost came to tears as he explained his emotions.

This is the thing about a jeevanwale Gursikh. It is the small things that they use to bring so much joy to people in their lives.


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BHAI SAHIB AND AMRIT VELA

After I had taken Amrit for about a year, my Amritvela (habit to getting up early) started getting slack. I used to do Amritvela with Bhai Saun Singh and Bhai Malkit Singh regularly at Bhai Saun Singh ji's house. However, I had stopped being as regular as before.

One day, early in the morning at amritvela, I was asleep. My father was at work on the night shift and my mother was up doing her paath when suddenly the phone rang. It was Bhai Sahib phoning from Canada. My mother picked it up.

Bhai sahib said, "Is bhaji there?" Mother replied, "No, Bhai sahib, he is at night shift." Bhai sahib replied, "No, I am not talking about Pita ji. Is Bhaji there." (bhai sahib always makes himself out to be the youngest, such is his humility)

My mother came upstairs and woke me up, saying it is Bhai sahib phoning. I got up and quickly ran downstairs.

I said fateh on the phone.

Bhai sahib replied with Fateh, then said, "Bhai ji, you have not mercy on me today, it is Amritvela, and you forgot to wake me."

There was a silence…

Honestly, never have I ever ever felt so embarrassed for missing Amritvela.

Bhai sahib said fateh, and I replied.

Me and my mother looked at each other wondering how Bhai sahib in Canada knew that I had, that day, forgotten to get up at Amritvela, here in UK.


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Bhai Jeevan SinghBhai Saheb Jee, the Sooraa:

When Operation Blue Star happened in India, a year later a big march was organized (an annual event) in Washington, DC. All the "leaders" made big speeches. Bhai Saheb Jee was invited to the podium. At the US Capitol steps he said calculated words, "Khalistaan Mangan Vaaleyo, Khalsey Bano!" 'nuff said!


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Bhai Saheb Jee, the respect of Baani:

Bhai Saheb had a hernia problem and had it operated on. It turned out to be a major procedure. He came from the hospital to stay at my parents place. He was in pretty bad shape, medically speaking. We assisted him upstairs to a comfortable room. In the evening, we had scheduled a kirtan program. Everyone asked him not to come downstairs. He did not listen. He walked down on his own, bowed to saadh sangat and sat upright to listen to GurBaani Keertan. During that stay, his routine did not change from that used whenever he had stayed with us when in good health. Amrit Veylaa Naam Daan Ishnaan continued.


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Bhai Saheb Jee, the giver:

I once noticed a lovely kirpan on his person. I have always known not to compliment anything on Bhai Saheb Jee's person because he will give it to you. I don't know how it slipped off, but it was a very lovely little kirpan. Immediately, he gave it to me. Later he did say that it was a special gift to him from "santaa to(n)." I can only imagine who the original donor was. He asked me to not keep it as a keepsake, but to wear it. I am not worthy. Over the many years, I have received many things external and internal from Bhai Saheb Jee that will stay with me as long as this body survives.


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Bhai Saheb Jee, the silent one:

I went to pick him up at the airport and on the way home I asked him the meanings of a line from GurBaani. He said, do you have a tape player in this car? I said no (it was long time ago, okay!). He said he will buy me one (he still owes me that one LOL!!!). But nothing else was said. I looked at him. He closed his eyes and just bowed his head. I had hung around him enough to know not say a peep.

Evening came and kirtan was started. I always had the honour of tabley di sevaa. All the questions were answered that evening. That day I learned, that it is GurBaani that has all the answers.


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Bhai Saheb Jee, the little things:

Once a phone call arrived, Bhai Saheb Jee knew who it was. He picked up the phone and let out a high-pitched gurrrrrrrrr. If there was any reminence of five dushts in that room, they were now gone! It was Bhai Saheb Jee's Naam Khandaa he had stirred in the virtual company of another Naamee! Another phone call - Bhai Saheb Jee answered himself. He opened by saying, "mai tuhaadey pair chatdaa(n)." And he proceeded to pass kisses across the phone line...




Some text and photos with thanks to www.sikhlionz.com and Bhai Jagjit Singh

i don't have any stories, but i do have a couple of photos to share...

from Delhi 2009 Dushera Samagam Raensabaee:




from Pooran Darjee's Antim Sanskar:



for some reason, whenever bhai sahib is near, my camera stops working, i mean it just shuts down as though the battery is dead. new batteries don't help at all. but somehow, i'm always able to take a photo of bhai sahib at that time. i have no explanation for this.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ!

ਭਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਤਵਿੰਦਰ ਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀਓ,

ਤੁਸੀਂ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਸਹੀ ਫੁਰਮਾਇਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਜਦ ਤੱਕ ਕੋਈ ਇਸ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਵਿਚ ਵਿਚਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਕੁਝ ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇ। ਦਾਸ ਅੱਗੇ ਤੋਂ ਸਾਵਧਾਨ ਰਹੇਗਾ ਤੇ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਦੇ ਜੀਵਦਿਆਂ ਇਸ ਤਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ਕਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਸੰਕੋਚ ਕਰੇਗਾ। ਹੁਣ ਤਾਂ ਤੀਰ ਕਮਾਨ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਨਿਕਲ ਚੁੱਕਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਵਾਰੀ ਮਾਫ ਕਰ ਦੇਣਾ ਜੀ।

ਦਾਸ,
ਕੁਲਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ

ਵਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾਵਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ

pyaare gurmukho , can someone please provide me an ebook for jivan of bhai sahib jeevan singh ji?

Daas was blessed and met Bhai Sahib one week ago in Amritsar at his place on Dec. 24th. He was laying on his bed, and I am told he has not been able to speak clearly for about 2 years as he is 93 years old, very birdh.

All I can say is that even at this age, his stare is exactly like that of a ferocious lion. He looks right into your eyes, and firmly. At the same time, his silent giggle is priceless, as if its a baby giggling.

Once Bhai sahib went with me for seeing a singh admitted to hospital at DELHI.
when we entered the ward all nurses and doctors standup with folded hands while seeing Bhai sahib.
They asked me whether this person is your guru Ji.
Such a great personality

Bumping this thread.. and hoping gursikhs can share some more stories of bhai sahib ji...