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More Gursikhs

Bhai Ajitta

Bhai Ajitta, a Randhava Jatt, whose name occurs in Bhai Gurdas's roster of prominent Sikhs of Guru Nanak, Varan, XI. 14, was a resident of the village of Pakkhoke Randhave, close to the present town of Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district of the Punjab. It was at Pakkhoke Randhave that Guru Nanak's wife and children stayed with his parents-in-law after he had left home to go out to preach his word. Ajitta first met Guru Nanak as he arrived in his village at the conclusion of his long travels and sat near the well owned by him. Ajitta was instantly converted and sought instruction from the Guru.Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, records the discourse that took place between them.


Bhai Ananta

Bhai Ananta, son of Bhai Kuko,a Vadhavan Khatri, was a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Hargobind (1595 - 1644). According to Bhai Santokh Singh, Sri Gur Pratap suraj Granth, he once earned the Guru's displeasure for wantonly hitting a crow which became lame as a result of the injury. He was, however, repentant and was pardoned through Bhai Bidhi Chand's intercession. Bhai Ananta laid down his life fighting for the Guru in the battle of Amritsar (1629).


Bhai Bhanu

Bhai Bhanu, a Sikh of Guru Arjan's time, earned the sobriquet of Bhagat (devotee) for his piety and devotion. Guru Arjan appointed him to preach Guru Nanak's word at Muzang, in Lahore. By his kirtan and exposition of the holy texts, Bhai Bhanu, as says Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, converted many to the Sikh way of life.


Bhai Jaita Seth

Bhai Jaita Seth, a devout Sikh of Guru Hargobind's time, was a brave warrior. He stood guard at the Guru's door and humbly served the visiting Sikhs. According to Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhdn di Bhagat Maid, he once said to Guru Hargobind, "0 sovereign true! some say that he who possesses gidn (knowledge) has little use for bhakti (devotion). Is that true? "The Guru explained, "Gwmwithout bhakti is lame and ungainly. A mere gidni, who possesses knowledge alone, is susceptible, on the one hand, to pride and, on the other, to sin. Knowledge must be tempered with devotion. This is the way to be one with Vahiguroo."


Bhai Jiva

Bhai Jiva, a Sikh living near Khadur Sahib in Amritsar district of the Punjab, who used to bring daily khichan (a dish of rice mixed with lentils) and curds for Guru Angad's I an gar or community kitchen. One evening as a severe dust storm was raging, he, according to Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhdn di Bhagat Mala, said to the Guru, "May it please you, Lord, to stop this storm so that I may be able to bring the usual victuals tomorrow morning." The Guru remarked: "God's Will is supreme and no one may try to intervene in it. How does it matter if the meal gets delayed a little." BhaiJiva bowed before the Guru and learnt cheerfully to abide by the Divine Will.


Bhai Jivan

Bhai Jivan, the younger son of Bhai Bhagatu (d. 1652), a Sikh reputed for his piety, was a devotee of Guru Har Rai (163061). While his elder brother, Gaura, was a warrior and leader of the SiddhuBrars of the area around Bathinda (30"14'N, 74°59'E), Jivan remained in attendance upon Guru Har Rai. He died young. His descendants are settled at Bhuchcho, in Bathinda district, and at Kot Bhai, in Faridkot district of the Punjab.


Bhai Khanu

Bhai Khanu, one of the prominent Sikhs mentioned by Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 15. He received the rites of initiation at the hands of Guru Angad and lived up to the time of Guru Amar Das. As says Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Maid, he, accompanied by his son Maia and Bhai Govind, a Bhandari Khatri, once waited upon Guru Angad. "Enlighten us, 0 sustainer of the poor," he begged, "about the virtue most precious." "There is no virtue higher than love," said the Guru. "Love God, remember Him always and sing His praises. Serve holy men and help the needy with food and clothing." Bhai Khanu, Maia and Govind took the Guru's precept and were counted among the leading disciples in the time of Guru Amar Das.


Bhai Kidara

Bhai Kidara an inhabitant of the village of Maddar, now in Sheikhupura district of Pakistan, was a devout Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. He was, according to the tradition preserved in his village, miraculously cured of a wasting disease. The story was, as says Bhai Santokh Singh, Sri GurPratap Suraj Granth, related by one Bhai Manik of Maddar to Guru Hargobind at the time of his visit to the village while returning from Kashmir around 1620. Guru Hargobind was told that Guru Arjan had once visited the village and Bhai Kidara was one of the local Sikhs who came to offer obeisance.

Bhai Gurdas discovered that he had a swollen and festering neck. Bhai Kidara told him that he had long been suffering from scrofula which had not responded to any treatment, and that despaired of recovery, he had given up having any treatment. On Bhai Gurdas' suggestion, Bhai Kidara took hold of one of the shoes of the sleeping Guru and rubbed it around his neck. The disease, continues Sri GurPratap Suraj Granth, disappeared. As Guru Arjan awoke he pushed his pair of shoes with his walking stick towards Bhai Kidara and bestowed both the shoes and the stick on him. The relics were preserved in the village. The story is also contained in an earlier source, Gurbilas Chhevm Palshaht.


Bhai Kisana

Bhai Kisana, of Muzarig near Lahore, became a disciple in the time of Guru Arjan, when the Guru appointed Bhai Bhanu to preach among the inhabitants of Muzarig, notorious for their lack of morals. Bhai Kisana and Seth Marigina were the first who, along with their families, accepted the Sikh teaching. They formed the nucleus of the local sangat, and assembled early in the morning to listen to Bhai Bhanu's discourses and to sing the sacred hymns. Gradually, following their example, others were also converted, and a new pious way of life opened for them. Bhai Kisana joined the voluntary digging of the sacred pool at Amritsar.


Bhai Kishna

Bhai Kishna (d. 1621), a Jharijhi Khatn, accompanied by Bhai Pammu, a Khatri of Puri clan, once waited on Guru Hargobind to seek instruction. The Guru, says Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhdn di Bhagat Maid, advised them to practise nam. "Nam, i.e. the Word", said the Guru, "eradicates sin." Bhai Kishna attached himself to the feet of Guru Hargobind and trained in the manly arts. He died fighting in the battle of Ruhela.


Bhai Laddha

Bhai Laddha, a Sikh widely respected for his piety, compassion and selfless service,lived in Lahore during the time of Guru Arjan. When Bhai Buddhu, as says Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, solicited Guru Arjan's blessing to cancel Bhai Lakkhu's curse upon his brickkiln, the Guru deputed Bhai Laddha to intercede on his behalf. Bhai Laddha succeeded in softening Bhai Lakkhu. Once, records Bhai Santokh Singh, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, the musicians, Satta and Rai Balvand, by their greed and vanity and by their disparagement of the earlier Gurus, had so annoyed Guru Arjan that he not only banished them from his presence but also declared that anyone pleading pardon for them would face punishment which would amount to blackening the intercessor's face and a ride through town astride a donkey, with a garland of old shoes hung around his neck.

Satta and Balvand were penitent, but found no one who would be willing to escort them back to the Guru. They, continues Bhai Santokh Singh, at last approached Bhai Laddha, who forthwith agreed to help even at the risk of earning the Guru's displeasure. He blackened his face, put a string of old shoes around his neck, and riding a donkey, went to the Guru's presence, leaving Satta and Balvand at the entrance. Guru Arjan, seeing that Bhai Laddha had voluntarily undergone the proclaimed punishment for having Satta and Balvand pardoned, agreed to readmit the bards to the sangat, provided they indemnified the sacrilege committed by composing verses in honour of the Gurus they had spoken ill of earlier. Bhai Gurdas, in one of his stanzas, praises Bhai Laddha calling him parupkdn one ready to do a good turn to others even at personal risk.


Bhai Lalu

Bhai Lalu, also known as Bhai Lalo, was a well to do Sabharval Khatri of the village of Dalla, now in Kapurthala district of the Punjab, who received spiritual instruction at the hands of Guru Angad. He was a close associate of Bhai Paro in whose company he once visited Goindval in the time of Guru Amar Das.

Joy radiated from his face as he saw the Guru. The Guru blessed him saying, in the words of Sarup Das Bhalla, Mahima Prakash, "Lalu, my beloved Sikh, hath become lal (lit. crimson) ie. a ruby)" Lalu was appointed head of a Manji, or preaching district. Tradition attributes supernatural powers to him, especially as a healer. A Gurdwara at Dalla honours his memory.


Bhai Manik

Bhai Manik of village Maddar in presentday Sheikh upura district of Pakistan, received initiation as a Sikh at the hands of Guru Amar Das. When Guru Hargobind visited this village on his way back from Kashmir in 1620, Manik served him with devotion and narrated to him the story of Bhai Kidara, whom Guru Arjan had favoured with the gift of a walking stick.


Bhai Mukanda

Bhai Mukanda a talented musician, was initiated into Sikhism by Guru Arjan. He daily recited kirtan at the morning and evening divans attended by the Guru himself. His name has been included by [[Bhai Gurdas]] in his Varan, XI. 18

Bhai Ji was a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan Sahib Ji. Once he, accompanied by Bhai Mula Beri and Bhai Tirath and Bhai Nihalu, a goldsmith, waited upon Guru Arjan. They asked a question : "0 True King, how is it that while exposition of the Sabda, or sacred hymns, by some Sikhs mellows the heart and is readily absorbed by the mind, sermons delivered by others have no effect at all?" The Guru, according to Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhdn di Bhagat Maid, said: "Only he who has himself assimilated the sabda can quench the seekers' thirst. Keep, therefore, company only with those who are not only wise but also act upon the Guru's word. Good company puts right what is bad. Remember the chandan tree (Santalum album), which not only imparts fragrance to nearby trees but even cools down the poison of serpents that coil around it." Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 25.


Bhai Narain Das

Bhai Narain Das, a prominent Sikh at the time of Guru Angad, listed in Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala. (Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 15)

Bhai Narain Das, a Julka Khatri of the village of Dalla in present day Kapurthala district of the Punjab, was the grandson of Bhai Paro, much reputed in Sikh piety. Narain Das was present when Guru Arjan declined, on the advice of the sangat, Chandu Shah's offer of his daughter's hand for his son Hargobind. He immediately stood up and entreated that his daughter Damodari be accepted as a match for the Guru's son. Guru Arjan received the proposal with favour. The marriage according to Gurbilas Chhevm Patshahi took place on 9 Magh 1661 Bk/7 January 1605.


Bhai Paro

Bhai Paro, a Julka Khatri of the village of Dalla, in presentday Kapurthala district of the Punjab, received initiation at the hands of Guru Angad and became known for his piety and dedication. An epithet commonly used for him was paramhans, swan perfect, i.e. one who has achieved the highest spiritual state. When Guru Amar Das succeeded Guru Angad and made Goindval his permanent seat, Bhai Paro made a custom of crossing the River Beas on horseback daily to see the Guru.

Many, including some Muslims of rank, were inspired by him to embrace the Sikh faith. Bhai Paro died at his village, Dalla. As the end approached, he gave away in charily all his belongings except his favourite horse which, he said, must be presented to the Guru after his death. Guru Amar Das sent his son, Mohri, to Dalla to condole with the family upon the passing away of Bhai Paro. Bhai Paro's family became related to the Guru when one of his descendants, Narain Das, gave his daughter in marriage to Guru Hargobind.


Bhai Tiloka

Bhai Tiloka, a Suhar Khatri officer in the Mughal army at Ghazni, once waited on Guru Arjan and said, "Soldiering being my profession, violence is my duty. How shall I be saved ?" The Guru spoke, "Remain firm in your duty as a soldier, but let not your mind be touched by violence." Tiloka received initiation as a Sikh and went back to Ghazni.

One day, as says Bhai Santokh Singh, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, Tiloka slayed during the chase a pregnant doe. As he slashed his prey, , twin embroys, almost fully developed, were discovered, both dying after a few convulsive movements. Bhai Tiloka was filled with remorse and took a vow never to kill again. He started wearing a sword with a wooden blade, but a proper hilt for show. A complaint reached the ears of the governor, who ordered a parade. As he started inspecting the soldiers' weapons, Bhai Tiloka prayed the Guru for succour. Amazingly, tells the chronicler, Tiloka's wooden sword, when unsheathed, turned out to be gleaming steel. When Bhai Tiloka next visited the Guru, he narrated the story to the sangat.


Bhai Tiloka Pathak

Bhai Tiloka Pathak, a devoted Sikh contemporary of Guru Arjan and of Guru Hargobind. He became known as a soldier and fell fighting in the battle of Amritsar in 1629. Bhai Gurdas describes him in his stanza as "the principal reciter of Scripture, active in the service of holy congregation."


Bhai Tota

Bhai Tota, received initiation at the hands of Guru Arjan. He was trained in the martial art in the time of Guru Hargobind and became a skilled swordsman. He laid down his life in the battle of Amritsar in 1629. His name is included in Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 18.


Bhai Tota Mahita

Bhai Tota Mahita, a devoted Sikh contemporary of Guru Arjan and of Guru Hargobind. During latter's time, he, along with Bhai Tiloka, came to be known as a soldier, adept in handling musket, sword and javelin. Bhai Tota Mahita and Bhai Tiloka fell fighting in the battle of Amritsar in May 1629. Bhai Gurdas, in one of his stanzas, describes Bhai Tota Mahita as "a man of noble genius, devoted to the Guru as well as to the holy Word."


Bhat Jaita

Bhat Jaita, was a devout Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. He had received initiation at the hands of the Guru at Amritsar. Returning home, he, along with his companions, Bhai Nanda and Bhai Piraga, had ceased observing the caste rites and rituals. Their family priests chided them for their departing from the customs of their forefathers. They, in the words of Bhai Mani Singh, quipped: "You yourselves have been telling us that religious rites arc not to be performed in a house freshly defiled by a birth or a death. Since we have met our Guru, death has taken place in our household of ignorance and new knowledge has taken birth. Customary rituals have therefore become irrelevant."


Gulab Chand

Gulab Chand, son of Bhat Sadhu of village Malla, in Faridkot district of the Punjab, and Bibi Viro, daughter of Guru Hargobind (1595 - 1644), fought along with his four brothers in the Battle of Bhangani (18 September 1688), near Paonta in presentday Himachal Pradesh, in which two of his brothers, Sarigram Shah and Jit Mall, were killed. Guru Gobind Singh describes Gulab Chand, in his account of the battle in his poetical work, Bachitar Natak, as a mighty hero "whose face lightened up at the prospect of joining action on the field of battle."


Jati Mal

Jati Mal (d. 1642), also referred to as Jati Malik or Malak JatI, was the son of Bhai Singha who laid down his life for Guru Hargobind in the battle of Amritsar (1629). Brahman by birth, Singha was the family priest of the Sodhis. He converted to Sikhism and became a skilled warrior. Likewise, his son, Jati Mall, practised the manly arts and took part in all the battles fought by Guru Hargobind. Among his troop commanders, he ranked next only to Bhat Bidhi Chand and Rai Jodh. He is said to have trained Guru Tegh Bahadur in his boyhood in the use of arms. In the battles of Mahraj in December 1634, Jati Mall was wounded by an arrowshot, but made a quick recovery. He died at Kartarpur in 1642. His son, Daya Ram, remained in the service of the Gurus and fought valiantly in the battle of Bharigani in 1688.


Sahib Chand

Sahib Chand(d.1700), a Sikh warrior in attendance upon Guru Gobind Singh (1666 - 1708). He took part in the battle of Bhangani. The Guru in his autobiographical composition. Bachitra Natak, makes a special mention of his valour during this battle. Sahib Chand took part in the various encounters with the imperial forces as well as with the hill chiefs until he fell in the battle of Nirmohgarh in 1700. A contemporary poet, Sainapati, makes a mention of his having been killed in this battle in his famous work, Sri Gur Sobha.


Seth Tiloka

Seth Tiloka, a rich merchant of Fatehpur, was a pious Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. He, accompanied by some other Sikhs, once visited the Guru at Amritsar. Guru Arjan was then engaged in compiling the hymns of the Gurus and bhagats into a single volume. Seth Tiloka and his companions suggested the names of some contemporary holy men, whose compositions might be considered for inclusion in the holy book under preparation. Seth Tiloka's name is included among the Guru's devotees in Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala.


Shiam Singh

Shiam Singh (d. 1705), keeper of Guru Gobind Singh's treasure as well as his armoury, fought in the battle against Said Khan in 1703. Upon the evacuation of Anandpur, he accompanied the Guru up to Chamkaur where a Mughal force caught up with them. Shiam Singh fell in the battle which ensued ( 7 December 1705).


Toda Bhatt

Toda Bhatt, a Brahman bard of Sultanpur Lodhi, was a pious Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. His name is included among the Guru's devotees in Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala.


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