Akali Kaur Singh - Inspirational Stories
Akali Kaur Singh was a very important Sikh figure in the first half of the 20th century. He was present in every important Sikh affair and his opinion was very much valued in Panth. He was a very strict Bibeki Gurmukh. Presented below are some short Saakhis from the pious Bibeki life of Akali Bhai Kaur Singh jee. These Saakhis have been taken from his biography written by Attar Singh;
Dyeing Beard
Akali jee was close to famous Kathakaar Giani Udham Singh. Once a retired Fauji (military person) expressed his desire to meet Akali jee. Giani Uddam Singh persuaded Akali jee to meet this Fauji and took him to Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. Akali jee, Giani Uddam Singh and the Fauji sat in a corner to talk. Once they all sat down after saying Fateh, Akali jee took a glance at the Fauji and noticed that he was dyeing his beard. Akali jee said, "Singh Sahib, you have done Sewa of your beard by dyeing it?"
"Yes", replied the Fauji.
"Singh Sahib, what work (occupation) do you do?"
"I was serving in the military and now I am retired", replied the Fauji.
"In that case, now also retire dyeing your beard", Akali jee requested.
The Fauji was very upset and said, "I have dishonoured myself by coming here. You have shown no respect towards me."
Akali jee humbly said, "if you think I have done your Be-izzati (dishonour), then you can go ahead and do my Be-izzati and if you wish, you can hold me by my ears and kick me out of here but from today onwards don't dye your beard."
Hearing these humble words of Akali jee, the Fauji was embarrassed and felt remorse. He apologised and said, "I vow that from today, till I die, I will never colour my beard."
Non-Amritdhari can't do Sewa
Sant Bachitter Singh of Poonch narrated a Saakhi. Akali jee wanted everyone to be Tyaar-bar-Tyaar Amritdhari. Once Akali jee arrived at Singh Sabha of Poonch and Bachitter Singh went to see him. There were other Singhs sitting there with Akali jee. They requested for water. Bachitter Singh offered his services. At this Akali jee asked, "Singh Sahib, have you taken Amrit?".
Bachitter Singh got surprised at the question and said "No".
At this Akali jee said, "Take back the water you have brought since you have not taken Amrit yet."
Bachitter Singh was stunned and realized there and then that he had to take Amrit.
Not Eating Parshaada touched by non-Amritdhari
Once Akali jee and Gurbaksh Singh, a descendent of famous Sants, went to Darshan of Nanakana Sahib. Akali jee was a strict Bibeki and had not eaten for many days due to non-availability of Bibeki food. At Nanakana Sahib, Akali jee started making Parshade. The Parshaada was on the stove that he had to step outside for a moment. In the meantime, the Parshaada was going to get burned. Gurbaksh Singh used a chimta and turned the Parshaada on the oven.
Akali jee came and placed the Parshaada on the side. When Gurbaksh Singh noticed that the Parshaada had been placed on a side, he asked Akali jee why he had done so.
Akali jee replied, "since you have not taken Amrit yet, I can't eat this Parshaada."
Gurbaksh Singh was mad with rage. He said that he was a descendent of such great Sants and was sitting on their Gaddi. He did not require Amritpaan and that Akali jee had insulted him. He said many bad words to Akali jee and spoke very rudely to him.
Akali jee kept listening to him quietly and at times also smiled. Gurbaksh Singh was particularly upset that he had not even touched the Parshaada with his hand and had only turned it with a chimta, but still Akali jee was refusing to eat it.
After he stopped talking, Akali jee lovingly said, "Bachu (son), is there anything else you would like to say? It is true that you are descendent of famous Sants. So you have every right to say whatever you want to say to me."
Gurbaksh Singh had said enough and said no more. Akali jee made new Parshaada and offered it to Gurbaksh Singh, "Come Bachu, eat some Parshada."
"I will not eat it", said Gurbaksh Singh in anger.
"If you don't eat, then I too will not eat."
Saying so, Akali jee went and sat in one corner. Gurbaksh Singh too continued sitting quietly in another corner of the room. After some time, Gurbaksh Singh realized that Akali jee had not eaten for several days and now regretted speaking rudely to him. He moved up and apologised to Akali jee but Akali jee said that he would not get pardoned easily now. He asked him to become tyaar bar tyaar Amritdhari. Then he started explaining the importance of Amrit to Gurbaksh Singh. Only after Gurbaksh Singh pledged to become Amritdhari that he ate food.
The next day he took Gurbaksh Singh to Akal Takhat Sahib and himself organized an Amrit Sinchaar there and got Gurbaksh Singh to become Amritdhari.
Reforming a Robber
There was once a robber who had just been released from jail. He was sitting in one corner of the Gurdwara Sahib where Akali jee was doing Katha. After Katha, Akali jee came and sat near the robber and in low voice asked him, "Are you a Punjabi?"
The robber who was trembling with cold as he was without proper clothing in the cold weather of Kashmir replied in the affirmative.
Akali jee asked, "so who come you have come here (in Kashmir) in such cold?"
"I had been caught in the case of a robbery and just yesterday got released from the local jail."
Akali jee asked him, "Can you tell the difference between theft (Chori) and robbery (Daaka)?"
The robber whose name was Jeevan Singh replied, "Yes Maharaj"
"Then please go ahead and tell."
Jeevan Singh was an uneducated rural person from the Punjab countryside. He started explaining the difference between Chori and Daaka as follows, "Maharaj, this is Chori – say you are sleeping and in the house where you are sleeping, we dig a hole in your back wall, steal your valuables and escape without waking you.This is called Chori"
He continued, "now listen what Daaka means – you are sleeping with your wife and children and we come and knock on your door. You ask from inside who we are and we reply that we are your sons-in-law. We come inside and right in front of your eyes, take away your valuables. This is called Daaka"
Akali jee laughed hearing the candid and simple response of Jeevan Singh and asked him what he could do for him. Jeevan Singh demanded something and Akali jee fulfilled his demand.
Akali jee asked him as to why he was engaged in this profession of robbery. Jeevan Singh replied that he did so to fill the stomachs of his family i.e. to feed his family.
Akali jee asked him what if his need of feeding his family gets fulfilled, would he give up robbery. Jeevan Singh promised to give up this dirty profession. Akali jee brought him to Chakaar, where Siri Guru Nanak Ashram was and appointed him the security guard there. This way, he reformed a robber through love and providing employment.
A Nindak
In a Panthik gathering, where Akali jee was present, a person severely slandered Akali jee while giving lecture. He kept saying many words of Ninda but Akali jee kept listening with cool mind. Perhaps he was not aware that Akali jee was present in Sangat. After he was done, Akali jee called him and after saying Fateh said, "Singh Sahib, if there is any more showering (of Ninda) that you want to do, please do it now since I am present in front of you."
Akali jee said these words with such love and humility that the Nindak felt immediate remorse and fell at his feet and sought forgiveness.
Akali jee and Pathaans
Akali jee's was a great Gurmukh and on top of that, his natural beauty too was outstanding. Whoever would see him once, could not help stealing glances at him. Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee had seen him while his beard was black and writes that his face was such as shining moon is surrounded by darkness at night. He was naturally very fair and rosy. His beard in his later years was pure white. His Surmai Dumaala and Shaster Basters used to make his personality very attractive.
Two Bibiyaan (women) narrated an incident when Akali jee was walking in Delhi. Two Pathans started following him. Sometimes they would go behind him and sometimes they would overtake him. They kept looking at him. The Bibiyaan got suspicious at the strange behaviour of Pathaans and thought they were looking for an opportunity to attack him. They called a Singh and asked him to be alert in case they attack Akali jee.
Finally, the Pathaans moved forward and grabbed his feet and in Bairaag said, "ਬਾਬਾ ਹਮ ਸੁਣਤੇ ਥੇ ਕਿ ਵਲੀ ਅਉਲੀਆ ਐਸੀ ਸ਼ਕਲ ਕੇ ਹੋਤੇ ਹੈਂ ਜੈਸੀ ਆਪ ਕੀ ਹੈ; ਇਸ ਲੀਏ ਹਮਾਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਆਪ ਕੇ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਕੋ ਕੀਆ ਹੈ ਔਰ ਜੀ ਚਾਹਤਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਆਪ ਕੇ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਕਰਤੇ ਹੀ ਜਾਏਂ" (Baba we had heard that prophets and holy men have face as yours; for this reason our heart wanted to do your Darshan and our heart just wants to keep having your Darshan).
Akali jee pointing his finger upwards very lovingly and respectfully said, "ਵਲੀ ਅਉਲੀਆ ਤੋ ਵੋਹ ਹੀ ਹੈ; ਉਸ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਸਤਿਸ਼ ਵ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਕਰਨੇ ਚਾਹੀਏ" (Prophet, holy is only Him; only his praise and Darshan should be done)
Matha-Tek
Akali jee was strictly of the opinion that a Singh should not Matha-tek to anyone but Siri Guru Granth Sahib jee. If someone would try to touch his feet, he would stop and instruct him or her to say Fateh only and do Matha-tek to Guru Sahib only. Akali jee used to say that no Gursikh has the right to receive Matha-Tek from anyone.
If a Moman (Muslim) said to Akali jee, "Baba jee Salaam", Akali jee used to point his Safajung or Siri Sahib upwards and respond, "Sahib ko".
More Saakhis to come, Guru willing.
Bhul Chuk dee Maafi jee.
Kulbir Singh
Dyeing Beard
Akali jee was close to famous Kathakaar Giani Udham Singh. Once a retired Fauji (military person) expressed his desire to meet Akali jee. Giani Uddam Singh persuaded Akali jee to meet this Fauji and took him to Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. Akali jee, Giani Uddam Singh and the Fauji sat in a corner to talk. Once they all sat down after saying Fateh, Akali jee took a glance at the Fauji and noticed that he was dyeing his beard. Akali jee said, "Singh Sahib, you have done Sewa of your beard by dyeing it?"
"Yes", replied the Fauji.
"Singh Sahib, what work (occupation) do you do?"
"I was serving in the military and now I am retired", replied the Fauji.
"In that case, now also retire dyeing your beard", Akali jee requested.
The Fauji was very upset and said, "I have dishonoured myself by coming here. You have shown no respect towards me."
Akali jee humbly said, "if you think I have done your Be-izzati (dishonour), then you can go ahead and do my Be-izzati and if you wish, you can hold me by my ears and kick me out of here but from today onwards don't dye your beard."
Hearing these humble words of Akali jee, the Fauji was embarrassed and felt remorse. He apologised and said, "I vow that from today, till I die, I will never colour my beard."
Non-Amritdhari can't do Sewa
Sant Bachitter Singh of Poonch narrated a Saakhi. Akali jee wanted everyone to be Tyaar-bar-Tyaar Amritdhari. Once Akali jee arrived at Singh Sabha of Poonch and Bachitter Singh went to see him. There were other Singhs sitting there with Akali jee. They requested for water. Bachitter Singh offered his services. At this Akali jee asked, "Singh Sahib, have you taken Amrit?".
Bachitter Singh got surprised at the question and said "No".
At this Akali jee said, "Take back the water you have brought since you have not taken Amrit yet."
Bachitter Singh was stunned and realized there and then that he had to take Amrit.
Not Eating Parshaada touched by non-Amritdhari
Once Akali jee and Gurbaksh Singh, a descendent of famous Sants, went to Darshan of Nanakana Sahib. Akali jee was a strict Bibeki and had not eaten for many days due to non-availability of Bibeki food. At Nanakana Sahib, Akali jee started making Parshade. The Parshaada was on the stove that he had to step outside for a moment. In the meantime, the Parshaada was going to get burned. Gurbaksh Singh used a chimta and turned the Parshaada on the oven.
Akali jee came and placed the Parshaada on the side. When Gurbaksh Singh noticed that the Parshaada had been placed on a side, he asked Akali jee why he had done so.
Akali jee replied, "since you have not taken Amrit yet, I can't eat this Parshaada."
Gurbaksh Singh was mad with rage. He said that he was a descendent of such great Sants and was sitting on their Gaddi. He did not require Amritpaan and that Akali jee had insulted him. He said many bad words to Akali jee and spoke very rudely to him.
Akali jee kept listening to him quietly and at times also smiled. Gurbaksh Singh was particularly upset that he had not even touched the Parshaada with his hand and had only turned it with a chimta, but still Akali jee was refusing to eat it.
After he stopped talking, Akali jee lovingly said, "Bachu (son), is there anything else you would like to say? It is true that you are descendent of famous Sants. So you have every right to say whatever you want to say to me."
Gurbaksh Singh had said enough and said no more. Akali jee made new Parshaada and offered it to Gurbaksh Singh, "Come Bachu, eat some Parshada."
"I will not eat it", said Gurbaksh Singh in anger.
"If you don't eat, then I too will not eat."
Saying so, Akali jee went and sat in one corner. Gurbaksh Singh too continued sitting quietly in another corner of the room. After some time, Gurbaksh Singh realized that Akali jee had not eaten for several days and now regretted speaking rudely to him. He moved up and apologised to Akali jee but Akali jee said that he would not get pardoned easily now. He asked him to become tyaar bar tyaar Amritdhari. Then he started explaining the importance of Amrit to Gurbaksh Singh. Only after Gurbaksh Singh pledged to become Amritdhari that he ate food.
The next day he took Gurbaksh Singh to Akal Takhat Sahib and himself organized an Amrit Sinchaar there and got Gurbaksh Singh to become Amritdhari.
Reforming a Robber
There was once a robber who had just been released from jail. He was sitting in one corner of the Gurdwara Sahib where Akali jee was doing Katha. After Katha, Akali jee came and sat near the robber and in low voice asked him, "Are you a Punjabi?"
The robber who was trembling with cold as he was without proper clothing in the cold weather of Kashmir replied in the affirmative.
Akali jee asked, "so who come you have come here (in Kashmir) in such cold?"
"I had been caught in the case of a robbery and just yesterday got released from the local jail."
Akali jee asked him, "Can you tell the difference between theft (Chori) and robbery (Daaka)?"
The robber whose name was Jeevan Singh replied, "Yes Maharaj"
"Then please go ahead and tell."
Jeevan Singh was an uneducated rural person from the Punjab countryside. He started explaining the difference between Chori and Daaka as follows, "Maharaj, this is Chori – say you are sleeping and in the house where you are sleeping, we dig a hole in your back wall, steal your valuables and escape without waking you.This is called Chori"
He continued, "now listen what Daaka means – you are sleeping with your wife and children and we come and knock on your door. You ask from inside who we are and we reply that we are your sons-in-law. We come inside and right in front of your eyes, take away your valuables. This is called Daaka"
Akali jee laughed hearing the candid and simple response of Jeevan Singh and asked him what he could do for him. Jeevan Singh demanded something and Akali jee fulfilled his demand.
Akali jee asked him as to why he was engaged in this profession of robbery. Jeevan Singh replied that he did so to fill the stomachs of his family i.e. to feed his family.
Akali jee asked him what if his need of feeding his family gets fulfilled, would he give up robbery. Jeevan Singh promised to give up this dirty profession. Akali jee brought him to Chakaar, where Siri Guru Nanak Ashram was and appointed him the security guard there. This way, he reformed a robber through love and providing employment.
A Nindak
In a Panthik gathering, where Akali jee was present, a person severely slandered Akali jee while giving lecture. He kept saying many words of Ninda but Akali jee kept listening with cool mind. Perhaps he was not aware that Akali jee was present in Sangat. After he was done, Akali jee called him and after saying Fateh said, "Singh Sahib, if there is any more showering (of Ninda) that you want to do, please do it now since I am present in front of you."
Akali jee said these words with such love and humility that the Nindak felt immediate remorse and fell at his feet and sought forgiveness.
Akali jee and Pathaans
Akali jee's was a great Gurmukh and on top of that, his natural beauty too was outstanding. Whoever would see him once, could not help stealing glances at him. Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee had seen him while his beard was black and writes that his face was such as shining moon is surrounded by darkness at night. He was naturally very fair and rosy. His beard in his later years was pure white. His Surmai Dumaala and Shaster Basters used to make his personality very attractive.
Two Bibiyaan (women) narrated an incident when Akali jee was walking in Delhi. Two Pathans started following him. Sometimes they would go behind him and sometimes they would overtake him. They kept looking at him. The Bibiyaan got suspicious at the strange behaviour of Pathaans and thought they were looking for an opportunity to attack him. They called a Singh and asked him to be alert in case they attack Akali jee.
Finally, the Pathaans moved forward and grabbed his feet and in Bairaag said, "ਬਾਬਾ ਹਮ ਸੁਣਤੇ ਥੇ ਕਿ ਵਲੀ ਅਉਲੀਆ ਐਸੀ ਸ਼ਕਲ ਕੇ ਹੋਤੇ ਹੈਂ ਜੈਸੀ ਆਪ ਕੀ ਹੈ; ਇਸ ਲੀਏ ਹਮਾਰਾ ਦਿਲ ਆਪ ਕੇ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਕੋ ਕੀਆ ਹੈ ਔਰ ਜੀ ਚਾਹਤਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਆਪ ਕੇ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਕਰਤੇ ਹੀ ਜਾਏਂ" (Baba we had heard that prophets and holy men have face as yours; for this reason our heart wanted to do your Darshan and our heart just wants to keep having your Darshan).
Akali jee pointing his finger upwards very lovingly and respectfully said, "ਵਲੀ ਅਉਲੀਆ ਤੋ ਵੋਹ ਹੀ ਹੈ; ਉਸ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਸਤਿਸ਼ ਵ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਕਰਨੇ ਚਾਹੀਏ" (Prophet, holy is only Him; only his praise and Darshan should be done)
Matha-Tek
Akali jee was strictly of the opinion that a Singh should not Matha-tek to anyone but Siri Guru Granth Sahib jee. If someone would try to touch his feet, he would stop and instruct him or her to say Fateh only and do Matha-tek to Guru Sahib only. Akali jee used to say that no Gursikh has the right to receive Matha-Tek from anyone.
If a Moman (Muslim) said to Akali jee, "Baba jee Salaam", Akali jee used to point his Safajung or Siri Sahib upwards and respond, "Sahib ko".
More Saakhis to come, Guru willing.
Bhul Chuk dee Maafi jee.
Kulbir Singh