How Bau jee's brother became Amritdhari
Bau jee decides to get his brother to become Amritdhari
Soon after Bau Mal Singh jee met Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee and got his immediate family Amritdhari, he decided to get his brother Bhai Variyam Singh's family Amritdhari as well. Bau jee requested Bhai Sahib jee to organize a Siri Akhand Paath Sahib in his village Sarli, which is in district Amritsar.
One day before, Bhai Sahib along with the whole Jatha arrived at the Tangra station. Bau Mal Singh jee had reached that place ahead of time, bare feet. As soon as Bau jee saw the Jatha get off the train, he immediately fell on the ground in Dandaut position (prostrating) and he was in extreme Bairaag. When Singhs saw Bau jee in such Bairagmai state, they too became emotional. They moved forward and lifted Bau jee from dust. At that time, Bau jee sang this Shabad:
ਧਣੀ ਵਿਹੂਣਾ ਪਾਟ ਪਟੰਬਰ ਭਾਹੀ ਸੇਤੀ ਜਾਲੇ ॥
ਧੂੜੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਲੁਡੰਦੜੀ ਸੋਹਾਂ ਨਾਨਕ ਤੈ ਸਹ ਨਾਲੇ ॥2॥
Right at Tangra station, Kirtan went on for 4 hours, while Singhs were standing facing each other. The whole atmosphere was filled with divine Gurmat mysticism and spirituality. In this way, the Jatha walked to Bau jee's village Sarli, which was about 5 miles from there. The whole village had come outside to welcome the Jatha. Doing Kirtan they all reached Bau jee's house and Kirtan went on till 10 pm that night. Many prominent Singhs from the area had reached Sarli that day. Guru ka Langar was going on in full force and only Tyaar bar Tyaar, Bibeki Gurmukhs were doing Sewa in Langar. The people of the area were very surprised to see that only Bibeki Gurmukhs were doing Sewa in Langar because in that area, common people were not aware of the unique Bibek Rehni of Khalsa jee.
The Ardaas Sewa, as per Hukam of Bhai Sahib jee, was done by Bau Mal Singh jee and Ardaas was done in so much Love and concentration that Sangat was filled with Anand. At the conclusion of the Samagam, Bau jee advised and requested his elder brother Bhai Variyaam Singh to become Amritdhari.
Bhai Variyaam Singh jee very happily said that it would be his great fortune if he would get blessed with Amrit from the hands of such Chardi Kala waalay Gurmukhs but since it was a pre-condition of this Jatha to keep Sarbloh Bibek, he would have to consult his family who at that time was at their second farm in Lyalpur (now in Pakistan). He said that over there in Lyalpur, there was only one well in the village and it was quite far from their home. It would be a little difficult to bring Bibeki water from there but that he would try his best to find solution to this problem and get ready to become Amritdhari.
Bau jee accepted his brother's request but also stated his pledge that he would become one with them if they all became Tyaar-bar-Tyaar Amritdhari.
Baba Variyaam Singh decides to become Amritdhari and his letter to Bau jee...
As per Will of Guru Sahib, soon Baba Variyaam Singh jee consulted his family and they all decided to become Tyaar Bar Tyaar Amritdhari. Baba Variyaam Singh jee decided to take up the Sewa of bringing Bibeki water from the well. When it was all decided, he wrote a letter to his brother Bau Mal Singh as follows:
"Veer jee, we (all family) are fully ready to take Amrit. Our mind has become strong and all apprehensions of the mind have been shed. By Kirpa of Guru Sahib, all weakness has been removed from the mind. You please do Kirpa and give us Darshan along with Gurmukh Pyare. If you don't come, and as per Hukam of Guru Sahib, our body perishes (i.e. if we die), then the whole responsibility will be on your shoulders."
As soon as Bau jee got the letter, he reached Narangwal and did Benti to Bhai Sahib to bless his brother's family with Amrit. Who would refuse love-filled supplications. Bhai Sahib immediately gave his consent and dates for the Samagam.
Amrit Sinchaar Samagam at Sarli Nagoke
The Jatha reached Nagoki Sarli, while doing Kirtan. About half a mile outside, the village Sangat had reached to receive the Jatha. The village Sangat was doing Kirtan of the following Shabad:
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਆਇ ਮਿਲੁ ਮੈ ਚਿਰੀ ਵਿਛੁੰਨੇ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਜੇ ॥
ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਬੈਰਾਗਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨੈਣ ਰਸਿ ਭਿੰਨੇ ॥
Both Jathas (arriving Jatha and village Sangat) kept doing Kirtan, facing each other, for a long time. The whole area was filled with joy and enthusiasm at the news of arrival of Bhai Sahib and Jatha. Siri Akhand Paath Sahib started and Sarblohi Bibeki Langar was giving special mystical colour to the Samagam.
Siri Akhand Paath Sahib started after the conclusion of Siri Asa kee Vaar Kirtan and at the Bhog of the Paath, again Siri Asa kee Vaar Kirtan was done. The Punj Pyare included great Gurmukhs – Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee, Bau Mal Singh jee, Giani Dalip Singh jee, Bhai Attar Singh jee (Bhai Sahib gadbai), Bhai Surjan Singh jee and one more Gurmukh. Many families became Amritdhari that day.
At the conclusion of the Samagam, the Jatha left the village but the village Sangat kept walking with the departing Jatha, while doing Kirtan. Kirtan was being done in extreme Bairaag and one Shabad that stood out at that time was:
ਬੀਰਾ ਬੀਰਾ ਕਰਿ ਰਹੀ ਬੀਰ ਭਏ ਬੈਰਾਇ ॥
This Samgam occurred in 1914, in the same year Bhai Sahib got imprisoned under the Lahore Conspiracy case.
After receiving Amrit, Baba Variyaam Singh became a very strict Tyaar bar Tyaar Khalsa jee. He did Sewa of bringing water from the well, for the whole family, for 14 years. After 14 years, they got a well dug in their own home.
Bau jee and the whole family's Nitnem was amazing at that time. Everyone in the family used to get up at Amritvele and do Naam Abhyaas with full vigour. Later on they used to do Nitnem together and reach the village Gurdwara Sahib. There they used to do Kirtan and listen to Hukamnama Sahib. After breakfast, Sodh-Sudhaaee of Sarbloh utensils. For Sudhaaee of Sarbloh utensils, special sand used to be brought from the river. This way, whole family of Bau Mal Singh jee became Amritdhari.
Daas,
Kulbir Singh
Based on, Poorab Janam ke Mile Sanjogi, written by Bau Mal Singh jee's nephew Professor Thakur Singh.
Soon after Bau Mal Singh jee met Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee and got his immediate family Amritdhari, he decided to get his brother Bhai Variyam Singh's family Amritdhari as well. Bau jee requested Bhai Sahib jee to organize a Siri Akhand Paath Sahib in his village Sarli, which is in district Amritsar.
One day before, Bhai Sahib along with the whole Jatha arrived at the Tangra station. Bau Mal Singh jee had reached that place ahead of time, bare feet. As soon as Bau jee saw the Jatha get off the train, he immediately fell on the ground in Dandaut position (prostrating) and he was in extreme Bairaag. When Singhs saw Bau jee in such Bairagmai state, they too became emotional. They moved forward and lifted Bau jee from dust. At that time, Bau jee sang this Shabad:
ਧਣੀ ਵਿਹੂਣਾ ਪਾਟ ਪਟੰਬਰ ਭਾਹੀ ਸੇਤੀ ਜਾਲੇ ॥
ਧੂੜੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਲੁਡੰਦੜੀ ਸੋਹਾਂ ਨਾਨਕ ਤੈ ਸਹ ਨਾਲੇ ॥2॥
Right at Tangra station, Kirtan went on for 4 hours, while Singhs were standing facing each other. The whole atmosphere was filled with divine Gurmat mysticism and spirituality. In this way, the Jatha walked to Bau jee's village Sarli, which was about 5 miles from there. The whole village had come outside to welcome the Jatha. Doing Kirtan they all reached Bau jee's house and Kirtan went on till 10 pm that night. Many prominent Singhs from the area had reached Sarli that day. Guru ka Langar was going on in full force and only Tyaar bar Tyaar, Bibeki Gurmukhs were doing Sewa in Langar. The people of the area were very surprised to see that only Bibeki Gurmukhs were doing Sewa in Langar because in that area, common people were not aware of the unique Bibek Rehni of Khalsa jee.
The Ardaas Sewa, as per Hukam of Bhai Sahib jee, was done by Bau Mal Singh jee and Ardaas was done in so much Love and concentration that Sangat was filled with Anand. At the conclusion of the Samagam, Bau jee advised and requested his elder brother Bhai Variyaam Singh to become Amritdhari.
Bhai Variyaam Singh jee very happily said that it would be his great fortune if he would get blessed with Amrit from the hands of such Chardi Kala waalay Gurmukhs but since it was a pre-condition of this Jatha to keep Sarbloh Bibek, he would have to consult his family who at that time was at their second farm in Lyalpur (now in Pakistan). He said that over there in Lyalpur, there was only one well in the village and it was quite far from their home. It would be a little difficult to bring Bibeki water from there but that he would try his best to find solution to this problem and get ready to become Amritdhari.
Bau jee accepted his brother's request but also stated his pledge that he would become one with them if they all became Tyaar-bar-Tyaar Amritdhari.
Baba Variyaam Singh decides to become Amritdhari and his letter to Bau jee...
As per Will of Guru Sahib, soon Baba Variyaam Singh jee consulted his family and they all decided to become Tyaar Bar Tyaar Amritdhari. Baba Variyaam Singh jee decided to take up the Sewa of bringing Bibeki water from the well. When it was all decided, he wrote a letter to his brother Bau Mal Singh as follows:
"Veer jee, we (all family) are fully ready to take Amrit. Our mind has become strong and all apprehensions of the mind have been shed. By Kirpa of Guru Sahib, all weakness has been removed from the mind. You please do Kirpa and give us Darshan along with Gurmukh Pyare. If you don't come, and as per Hukam of Guru Sahib, our body perishes (i.e. if we die), then the whole responsibility will be on your shoulders."
As soon as Bau jee got the letter, he reached Narangwal and did Benti to Bhai Sahib to bless his brother's family with Amrit. Who would refuse love-filled supplications. Bhai Sahib immediately gave his consent and dates for the Samagam.
Amrit Sinchaar Samagam at Sarli Nagoke
The Jatha reached Nagoki Sarli, while doing Kirtan. About half a mile outside, the village Sangat had reached to receive the Jatha. The village Sangat was doing Kirtan of the following Shabad:
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਆਇ ਮਿਲੁ ਮੈ ਚਿਰੀ ਵਿਛੁੰਨੇ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਜੇ ॥
ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਬੈਰਾਗਿਆ ਹਰਿ ਨੈਣ ਰਸਿ ਭਿੰਨੇ ॥
Both Jathas (arriving Jatha and village Sangat) kept doing Kirtan, facing each other, for a long time. The whole area was filled with joy and enthusiasm at the news of arrival of Bhai Sahib and Jatha. Siri Akhand Paath Sahib started and Sarblohi Bibeki Langar was giving special mystical colour to the Samagam.
Siri Akhand Paath Sahib started after the conclusion of Siri Asa kee Vaar Kirtan and at the Bhog of the Paath, again Siri Asa kee Vaar Kirtan was done. The Punj Pyare included great Gurmukhs – Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee, Bau Mal Singh jee, Giani Dalip Singh jee, Bhai Attar Singh jee (Bhai Sahib gadbai), Bhai Surjan Singh jee and one more Gurmukh. Many families became Amritdhari that day.
At the conclusion of the Samagam, the Jatha left the village but the village Sangat kept walking with the departing Jatha, while doing Kirtan. Kirtan was being done in extreme Bairaag and one Shabad that stood out at that time was:
ਬੀਰਾ ਬੀਰਾ ਕਰਿ ਰਹੀ ਬੀਰ ਭਏ ਬੈਰਾਇ ॥
This Samgam occurred in 1914, in the same year Bhai Sahib got imprisoned under the Lahore Conspiracy case.
After receiving Amrit, Baba Variyaam Singh became a very strict Tyaar bar Tyaar Khalsa jee. He did Sewa of bringing water from the well, for the whole family, for 14 years. After 14 years, they got a well dug in their own home.
Bau jee and the whole family's Nitnem was amazing at that time. Everyone in the family used to get up at Amritvele and do Naam Abhyaas with full vigour. Later on they used to do Nitnem together and reach the village Gurdwara Sahib. There they used to do Kirtan and listen to Hukamnama Sahib. After breakfast, Sodh-Sudhaaee of Sarbloh utensils. For Sudhaaee of Sarbloh utensils, special sand used to be brought from the river. This way, whole family of Bau Mal Singh jee became Amritdhari.
Daas,
Kulbir Singh
Based on, Poorab Janam ke Mile Sanjogi, written by Bau Mal Singh jee's nephew Professor Thakur Singh.