A sketch of life of Bhai Sahib Bhai Sant Singh Ji

Bhai Sahib Bhai Sant Singh Ji was the Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Shaib, Amritsar during the times of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. He was also the fifth Jathedar of Damdami Taksal. He was a great Kathavachak, a renowned scholar, a famous teacher and one of the noted personalities of that time.

His father’s name was Bhai Sahib Bhai Surat Singh Ji and his elder brother was Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurdass Singh Ji. He was blessed with three sons- Bhai Deva Singh, Bhai Gurmukh Singh and Bhai Sadhu Singh. His father and his elder brother were also once the Jathedars of Damdami Taksal. His father Bhai Sahib Bhai Surat Singh Ji was the third Jathedar and his elder brother Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurdass Singh Ji was fourth Jathedar of Damdami Taksal. So, he was from a spiritually and a scholarly rich background.

Bhai Sahib studied Sri Guru Granth Sahib Paath, Santhia, Katha and meanings from his father and his elder brother. He studied numerous Sanskrit Granths from Pandit Nihal Singh Ji.

In 1790, the Khalsa Panth asked Bhai Sahib to do Katha of Hukamanama from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. Bhai Sahib obeyed this duty faithfully and honestly in his entire life. Throughout his life he never missed a day. Even once when one of his grandsons died, he did not miss to do daily Katha and Seva of Sri Darbar Sahib.

One day Maharaja Ranjeet Singh sent his two servants to Bhai Sahib to call him to do Katha at Rambagh. At that time, Bhai Sahib was doing Katha at Sri Darbar Sahib. He asked the two servants to sit in Sangat and kept on doing Katha. Later two more servants came for the same. Bhai Sahib made them too in the Sangat and kept on doing Katha. Then Maharaja Ranjeet Singh came. After getti ng about Bhai Sahib’s honesty and sincerity for Guru, he was highly pleased and impressed.

In the battle of Jhang, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh was seriously injured and fell into a deep dig. Bhai Sahib picked him up and carried him over his back and saved his life. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh remembered Bhai Sahib throughout his life for this. As the honour of Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib, he used to wipe the feet of Bhai Sahib with his beard.

The golden coating over Sri Darbar Sahib was done under his supervision. He also inspired Bhai Desa Singh Ji to coat golden over the Nishan Sahib of Gurudwara Baba Atal Rai Ji.

Bhai Sahib was a great scholar. He also did literary work. He wrote Teeka (meaning book of a Scripture) of Tulsi Ramayan (ਤੁਲਸੀ ਰਮਾਇਣ). He also did translation of Tulsi Dass Ram Charitra Maanas (ਤੁਲਸੀ ਦਾਸ ਰਾਮ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਮਾਨਸ). He also wrote a poem Sri Ram Aswamedh Sehaskrit Bhakha (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਾਮ ਅਸਵਮੇਧ ਸਹਸਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਭਾਖਾ).

He was great teacher as well and he taught a lot of students. Out of which the noted ones were:

• Bhai Santokh Singh Ji, writer of Suraj Prakash Granth. He was a renowned scholar of his time and did a great seva for Panth by writing Suraj Prakash Granth. He can be called as ‘Father of Sikh History’. He studied from Bhai Sahib for 15 years.
• Kavi Megh Singh Ji, writer of Bhai Sahib Chandraka in which history and important information about Damdami Taksal and Saints of those days has been accounted.
• Shaizada Nau Nihal Singh, grandson of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. He was a great personality but was betrayed and murdered by Dogras.
• Sant Daya Singh Ji, also perhaps studied from Bhai Sahib. He became Jathedar of Damdami Taksal after Bhai Sahib.

Bhai Sahib had also done a lot of Naam Kamai. One day a Singh named Gomerkhan Singh came with a dead body of his son and asked Bhai Sahib to make him alive. Bhai Sahib said,” If you want then, I can give my life to him and he will be alive. But who have been invincible in this world. Keep patience. After 10 months, you will be blessed by a new son”. The same thing happened.

Bhai Sahib used to pick up the bird droppings over the Prakarma of Sri Darbar Sahib with his own hands. This has been accounted by Sant Baba Sham Singh Ji Amritsar wale (1803-1926) in Har Bhagat Prem Prakash (ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼) who did Kirtan Seva at Sri Darbar Sahib for about 80 years and saw Bhai Sahib doing this great seva with his own eyes. Bhai Sahib also used to pick up the Kesh from Prakarma and Sanskar them.

Bhai Sahib left for abode of Lord in 1832. After him, his son Bhai Gurmukh Singh became Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib and Sant Daya Singh Ji became the Jathedar of Damdamit Taksal. Bhai Sahib Bhai Sant Singh Ji is truly a role model for today’s Granthis and Paatthis.

Manglacharan- Prayer before beginning

It is my first post in my blog, so I decided to begin up with a Manglacharan. Manglacharan is a starting prayer. It is basically read before starting any task. In olden days, before beginning up with any work like writing a book, studying, going for work, preparing for war, Katha etc, it was a tradition to read the starting prayer. Manglacharan may be any Shabad(s) or simply Mool Mantra or just Waheguru. This practice has been forgotten among us in our everyday life. This practice is not compulsory or some kind of restriction for us but it is a way of living under the Umbrella of Almighty.

ਮੰਗਲਾਚਰਨ

ੴਸਤਿਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ||

(ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ, ਅੰਗ ੧)

There is One Universal Creator God. His Name Is Truth. He is the Creator. He is without Fear. He has No Hatred with anyone. He can Never Die. He is Beyond Births and Deaths, He is Self-Existent or Self-Illuminated . He can be realized only By a True Guru's Grace and Kindness.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 1)

ਚਕ੍ਰ ਚਿਹਨ ਅਰੁ ਬਰਨ ਜਾਤਿ ਅਰੁ ਪਾਤਿ ਨਹਿਨ ਜਿਹ||

ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗ ਅਰੁ ਰੇਖ ਭੇਖ ਕੋਊ ਕਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਤ ਕਿਹ||

ਅਚਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਨਭਉ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ ਅਮਿਤੋਜਿ ਕਹਿਜੈ ||

ਕੋਟਿ ਇੰਦ੍ਰ ਇੰਦ੍ਰਾਣ ਸਾਹਿ ਸਾਹਾਣਿ ਗਣਿਜੈ||

ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਮਹੀਪ ਸੁਰ ਨਰ ਅਸੁਰ ਨੇਤ ਨੇਤ ਬਨ ਤ੍ਰਿਣ ਕਹਤ ||

ਤਵ ਸਰਬ ਨਾਮ ਕਥੈ ਕਵਨ ਕਰਮ ਨਾਮ ਬਰਨਤ ਸੁਮਤਿ ||੧||

(ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ, ਅੰਗ ੧)

God has no quoit, mark, caste or lineage. None can describe His physical form, complexion, colour, outline and costume. He is perpetual, self-illuminated and measureless in power. He is the God of millions of Indras [God of angles or gods] and the King of the Kings. He is the Emperor of three worlds, demigods, men , demons; and woods and dales proclaim him as indescribable. No one can tell his all names[He is Infinite] ; so according to His excellences and doings some wise people tell some of His Names.(1).

(Sri Dassam Granth Sahib Ji,Page 1)

ਗੁਬਿੰਦੇ || ਮੁਕੰਦੇ || ਉਦਾਰੇ || ਅਪਾਰੇ ||੯੪||

ਹਰੀਅੰ || ਕਰੀਅੰ || ਨ੍ਰਿਨਾਮੇ || ਅਕਾਮੇ ||੯੫||

(ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ, ਸ੍ਰੀ ਜਾਪੁ ਸਾਹਿਬ)

God is Nourishour and Saviour of the World. He is the Giver of the Salvation. He is the biggest Donor. He is Limitless and Boundless.(94). He Destroys all. He Creates all. He has no particular Name. He is Desireless.(95)

(Sri Dassam Granth Sahib Ji,Sri Jaap Sahib)

ਸਲੋਕੁ ||

ਡੰਡਉਤਿ ਬੰਦਨ ਅਨਿਕ ਬਾਰ ਸਰਬ ਕਲਾ ਸਮਰਥ ||

ਡੋਲਨ ਤੇ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇ ਕਰਿ ਹਥ ||੧||

(ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ, ਅੰਗ ੨੫੬)

I bow down, and fall to the ground in humble adoration, countless times, to the All-powerful Lord, who possesses all powers and arts. Please protect me, and save me from wandering, God. Reach out and give Nanak Your Hand. (1)

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 256)

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਦ ਪੰਕਜ ਬੰਦਨ || ਸਿਮਰੌਂ ਅੰਗਦ ਦੇਖ ਨਿਕੰਦਨ ||

ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਗੁਰ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਧਯਾਵੌਂ || ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਰਾਮਦਾਸੁ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵੌਂ ||੯੮||

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਰਜਨ ਬਿਘਨਨਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਸਕ || ਹਰਿਗੁਬਿੰਦ ਸ਼ੁਭ ਸੁਮਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਕ ||

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਰਾਏ ਨਮੋ ਕਰ ਜੋਰੀ || ਗੁਰ ਹਰਿਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਮਨਾਇ ਬਹੋਰੀ ||੯੯||

ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਪਰਮ ਕਿਰਪਾਲਾ || ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੁ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਿਸਾਲਾ ||

ਧਰੌਂ ਧਰਾ ਪਰ ਪੁਨ ਪੁਨ ਸੀਸਾ || ਬਦੌਂ ਬਾਰ ਬਾਰ ਜਗਦੀਸਾ ||੧੦੦||

(ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼, ਪੂਰਬਾਰਧ ਅਧਯਾਯ ੫੭)

I salute to the holy feet of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. I remember Guru Angad Dev Ji who is the Destroyer of pain. I focus upon Guru Amar Dass Ji in my heart. I sing the praises of Guru Ram Dass Ji.(98). Guru Arjan Dev Ji is the Destroyer of the obstacles and hinderances. Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji enlightens the mind with true and right thinking. I salute to Guru Har Rai Ji by folding my hands. I focus upon Guru Har Krishan Ji in my mind. (99). Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is very merciful. Guru Gobind Singh Ji is very great. I bow my head over and over again on the ground. I give salutations again and again to Lord of the World.(100).

(Sri Gur Nanak Prakash, Purbardh Chapter 57)

ਜਿਸ ਮਹਿਂ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਗਯਾਨ ਹੈ ਮਾਣਿਕ ਭਗਤਿ ਵਿਰਾਗ ||

ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਉਦਧਿ ਬੰਦੌਂ ਕਰਿ ਅਨੁਰਾਗ||੧||

(ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼, ਪੂਰਬਾਰਧ ਅਧਯਾਯ ੫੯)

Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the ocean of, Nector in form of wisdom and knowledge and Jewels in form of spiritual devotion. I salute to Guru Granth Sahib with love in my heart.(1).

(Sri Gur Nanak Prakash, Purbardh Chapter 59)

ਕਹਾ ਬੁੱਧਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੁੱਛ ਹਮਾਰੀ || ਬਰਨ ਸਕੈ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਜੁ ਤਿਹਾਰੀ ||

ਹਮ ਨ ਸਕਤ ਕਰ ਸਿਫਤ ਤੁਮਾਰੀ || ਆਪ ਲੇਹੁ ਤੁਮ ਕਥਾ ਸੁਧਾਰੀ ||੩||

(ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ, ਅੰਗ ੧੧੧)

My Lord, how can my worthless and dull mind or intellect can narrate your splendor and praise. I am unable to do so. You may edit the story (which I am going to narrate).3.

(Sri Dassam Granth Sahib Ji, Page 111)

ਹਮਰੀ ਕਰੋ ਹਾਥ ਦੈ ਰ੍ਨਛਾ || ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਇ ਚ੍ਨਿਤ ਕੀ ਇ੍ਨਛਾ ||

ਤਵ ਚਰਨਨ ਮਨ ਰਹੈ ਹਮਾਰਾ || ਅਪਨਾ ਜਾਨ ਕਰੋ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਰਾ ||੧||੩੭੭||

(ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ, ਅੰਗ ੧੩੮੬)

O God! give me your hand and protect me. Kindly fulfil all my mind’s desires.

May my mind remain ever attached to Your feet. Treat me as Your very own and cherish me.(1)(377)

(Sri Dassam Granth Sahib Ji, Page1386)

ਸਲੋਕੁ ||

ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਮਾਤਾ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਪਿਤਾ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਪਰਮੇਸੁਰਾ ||

ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਸਖਾ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਭੰਜਨੁ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਬੰਧਿਪ ਸਹੋਦਰਾ ||

ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਦਾਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਉਪਦੇਸੈ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਮੰਤੁ ਨਿਰੋਧਰਾ ||

ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਸਤਿ ਬੁਧਿ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਪਾਰਸ ਪਰਸ ਪਰਾ ||

ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਤੀਰਥੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰੋਵਰੁ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਮਜਨੁ ਅਪਰੰਪਰਾ ||

ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਭਿ ਪਾਪ ਹਰਤਾ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਪਤਿਤ ਪਵਿਤ ਕਰਾ ||

ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਆਦਿ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਜੁਗੁ ਜੁਗੁ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਮੰਤੁ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਿ ਉਧਰਾ ||

ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮੇਲਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਹਮ ਮੂੜ ਪਾਪੀ ਜਿਤੁ ਲਗਿ ਤਰਾ ||

ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਨਮਸਕਰਾ ||੧||

(ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ, ਅੰਗ ੨੫੦)

Salok:

The Divine Guru or Waheguru is my True mother, the Divine Guru is my True father [He gives Spiritual birth]; the Divine Guru is my Transcendent Lord and Master. The Divine Guru is my True friend as He is the Destroyer of ignorance; the Divine Guru is my True relative and brother. The Divine Guru is the Giver, He is the Teacher of the Lord's Name. The Divine Guru is the Mantra which never fails. The Divine Guru is the Image of peace, truth and wisdom. The Divine Guru is the Philosopher's Stone - touching it, one is transformed and it is best than any other such stone. The Divine Guru is the True sacred shrine of pilgrimage, and the pool of divine ambrosia or Divine nectar; bathing in the Guru's wisdom, one experiences the Infinite Power and no any other pilgrimage can be compared to it. The Divine Guru is the Creator, and the Destroyer of all sins; the Divine Guru is the Purifier of sinners. The Divine Guru existed at the primal beginning, throughout the ages, in each and every age. The Divine Guru is the Mantra of the Lord's Name; chanting it, one is saved. O God, please be merciful to me, that I may be with the Divine Guru; I am a foolish sinner, but holding onto Him, I am carried across. The Divine Guru is the True Guru, the Supreme Lord God, the Transcendent Lord; Nanak salutes to the Lord, the Divine Guru. (1)

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Page 250)

I appologise for any mistake in typing Gurbani and its meanings.