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Bhai Soma Shah

The appreciation of the new city of Amritsar propagated all over India. Whoever visited Amritsar, usually stayed permanently in the city. People felt they were living in paradise. The residents of the Amritsar were exempt from all types of taxes and Jizya (non-muslim tax). The special characteristic of Amritsar city was that it had no police or police station.

The prophet of peace, Guru Ram Das was the administrator of the city. Guru Ram Das showered good fortunes on the people, he did not need to punish anyone. A poet, Hari Das, wrote, "Amritsar Vaikunth Ko Tolio Hari Hari Das. Goro Huto Dllar Raheo Horo Chario Akaash." which means "When city of Amritsar and paradise were placed in scale pans of balance then pan carrying Amritsar being heavy, fell down on the earth and pan carrying paradise being light rose to the sky."

A businessman of Jehlam named Bhai Soma Shah was visiting Amritsar. At Jehlam Bhai Soma Shah was considered to be an established businessman but when he saw Guru Ram Das and the residents of the city he decided to settle in Amritsar. Bhai Soma Shah sent for his family. For his livelihood, he opened a small shop near Amritsar, the holy sarovar. Within a brief period Bhai Soma Shah's business progressed well but he was not greedy. When satisfied that he had earned enough Bhai Soma Shah used to close his shop and placed himself at the service of Guru Ram Das.

What Have You Earned Today?

One day Guru Ram Das went to Bhai Soma Shah's shop and said, "Bhai Soma Shah what have you earned today?" Bhai Soma Shah got up and paid homage to the Guru. Then he collected the money which he had earned that day and handed it over to the Guru. Guru Ram Das took the donation and freely distributed it to the labourers nearby. Bhai Soma Shah was very happy with Guru Ram Das's visit to his shop. He considered that his earnings had served the Guru.

Guru Ram Das visited Bhai Soma Shah's each day in the evening. On the sixth day when the Guru went to his shop, he at once handed over his earnings for the day to the Guru. Guru Ram Das was very pleased to see Bhai Soma Shah's contentment and satisfaction. The Guru blessed him and used these words, "Soma Silall, Beparwah, Guru Ka Shah." which means "Soma Shah, unmindful, Guru's Banker".

Due to blessings of the Guru Bhai Soma Shah became one of the richest businessman of Amritsar. Whenever Guru Ram Das needed money, grains or pulses for the common kitchen, Guru's Banker Bhai Soma Shah used to make all arrangements himself. Though he had become a very busy merchant, he still he served the Guru with great devotion. Bhai Soma Shah would attend the Darbar in the morning and evening without fail.

Loyal Service

Bhai Soma Shah and his family all served in the langar (common kitchen) with great pleasure. They would bring water, distribute meals to the Sikhs and clean the utensils. Bhai Soma Shah's son Ram Shah was also a beloved Sikh of the Guru. He was appointed as a preacher of Multan by Guru Arjan. After that the grandson of Ram Shah named Mehar Shah became a reliable and prominent Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Though Guru Gobind Singh had stopped the tradition of Masands, Mehar Shah took amrit as Mehar Singh and used to collect offerings of the Sikhs of Multan and regularly sent to the Guru. Guru Gobind Singh was so pleased at his loyal service designated him as 'Bakhshand Farzand'.


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