Celebrating the Sweet Memory of the Eternally Celebrated
Bhai Sahib Bhai Kanhaiya Ji Maharaj
Epitome of Naam, Compassion and Obedience
Gurdhyan Singh and Amolak Singh
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| 'Bhai Kanhaiya Singh Ji' by Pen-Tacular-Artist ' |
PART I of II
Sept. 19, 2015: The spiritual world, especially the Sikh world, is familiar with Bhai Sahib Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, who is widely known for his water seva during Sri Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj Ji's time in the battlefield. Due to the Blessing of Naam and the Grace of the Guru, when serving water to the fallen soldiers, Bhai Ji could only see his beloved everywhere, and not friends or foes. He was the pinnacle of Guru Shabad's translation in his existence. Bhai Ji's life journey shows that he was much more than someone who was merely serving water, he was a Brahamgyani, Gnostic. Before that, on is his path of Sikhi, Bhai Ji had to conquer his mind and eliminate duality.
A heavenly soul named Kanhaiya descended onto earth on an auspicious night in 1648 in Sohdara, a town near Wazirabad now in Pakistan. His father, Bhai Nathu Ram Khatri, was a well to do trader from an aristocratic family. After Kanhaiya's birth, Bhai Nathu consulted the family astrologer who foretold that the child would have strong mystical tendencies.
Bhai Kanhaiya Ji was educated and brought up in an aristocratic manner but he remained more interested in his quest for the common good and spiritual knowledge. As a young teenager, he would fill his pockets with coins and discreetly share them with the needy. On many occasions, he would leave home during the night without informing his family and spend time with ascetics and holy men.
As Bhai Kanhaiya Ji grew, his compassion for those in servitude was outpouring. During his time, the rich and powerful would force the poor into servitude, coercing them to carry heavy home and business items on their heads and backs for many miles. Young Kanhaiya would anonymously wait on the paths of the village for them and discreetly carry the weight of those workers for some distance, his humble attempt to share their burden.
The people were astonished at his compassion and the thoughtful nature of someone so young and rich. His altruistic activities were not enough for youthful Kanhaiya, as he had the inexplicable desire to search for something unknown, so he always attended holy congregations in the area.
After the death of his father, Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, as the oldest son, inherited the family business and reluctantly accepted his father's responsibilities. However, his heart was not in right place as he was more altruistic.
As his past life's karam sprouted, the 9th Nanak, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Maharaj's divine game afforded him the opportunity to unfold the first chapter of his divine life.
During one of his business trips, as he was sleeping in a tent, during Amrti Vela, Bhai Kanhaiya Ji was woken by chants of the Sloks of Mahalla 9th by Bhai Nanua Ji. Bhai Nanua Ji was a devout Sikh blessed by the Satguru Maharaj Ji. Bhai Ji walked in and found Bhai Nanua Ji chanting Sloks in a melodious and magnetic fervor. Each Slok, full of vairag, pierced his heart and shattered his world view, making him question the purpose of his life. He immediately understood that the message in the Sloks was for him.
Once Bhai Nanua ji completed his Nitnem and Naam Abhyaas, Bhai Kanhaiya Ji requested Bhai Nanua Ji to explain the process of adopting a Guru and getting Gurmantar. Bhai Nanua Ji said that the Sloks are revealed by his beloved Guru, the 9th Nanak. He told him to go to the 9th Nanak to end his wandering. Bhai Sahib found himself unable to continue his worldly routine, and slipped away from his entourage into the deep jungle, discarding his worldly duties for good.
Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, writhing in the pangs of separation, wandered into the forest. In the forest, he came across another devout Sikh, Bhai Bans Ji, who was also immersed in Naam Simaran. Bhai Banj Ji advised him to get the guidance of the Supreme Source of light, and hinted him to go to populated places, rather than the forest for that Light.
As his desperation grew, Bhai Ji visited different towns. His search for Guru Maharaj Ji ended when he arrived in Sri Anandpur Sahib. People were going to meet Him to earn His eternal blessings. He also went to attend the sangat of Sri Guru Maharaj Ji. This meeting further exacerbated his love for Him and his separation became more unbearable. He started to attend Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's congregations regularly. He resolved to stay in His congregation and service forever.
Bhai Ji went forward and placed his head at His lotus feet, paying his obeisance. Maharaj Ji's divine vision instantly electrified him, and he felt he had found his beloved. Maharaj Ji initiated Bhai Ji and gave him Gurmantar, and explained him the methods of Naam Simaran and explained Rehat.
Then Maharaj Ji told him to express his desire, Bhai Ji pleaded for blessings of simaran and seva. Maharaj Ji blessed him with simaran through surti, and asked him to bring water.
Bhai Sahib instantly picked up a pitcher and filled it from a nearby river. He then placed it by Guru Maharaji Ji's side. His Holiness indifferently drank some water, washed his face, hands and feet, and then spilled the remaining water. Bhai Kanhaiya Ji immediately refilled the empty pitcher and placed it by His side. Guru Ji repeated the same process again. In full public view, he earnestly continued this difficult seva for several months.
Bhai Ji never questioned Guru Ji's action of spilling water. He never complained and but was more enthusiastic every time he went to get water. He surrendered himself to Guru Ji's sweet will. Bhai Ji cleared the first hurdle and pleased, Guru Ji, allowing him to join his team of sevadaars. He was given Hazuri Seva. First, he was the official water carrier for Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He brought water for His baths, for washing his clothes, and for preparing his meals. He later became in charge of the langar, and arranging Maharaj Ji's bed. He also looked after Maharaj Ji's horses. Maharaj Ji started to visit the stable frequently, unlike in the past.
One day during His visit, Bhai Ji fell on His lotus feet with tears rolling. Bhai Ji uttered remarkable praises of Him out of love. Maharaj Ji said that He was happy with his seva, and uttered prophetic words that Bhai Ji's future was going to be filled with serving humanity. Bhai Ji carried on his Naam Simaran and Maharaj Ji's seva for about 17 years, without any iota of complaint or desire. Bhai Ji, with his devotion, was able to obtain Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's happiness and grace. One day, Maharaj Ji came to the stable when Bhai Sahib was alone and ordered the gate sevadar to not let anyone enter.
Sache Patshah expressed his happiness and told Bhai Sahib Bhai Kanhaiya Ji that his seva and simaran was complete and approved. His Holiness Blessed Bhai Ji with His Grace, put His hand over Bhai Ji's head, uttering Nihaal three times, and granted him the boon of Brahmgyan. He received the blessings of Naam in the form of the experiential light which eliminated the darkness of his subtle ego and other maladies of the mind. Bhai Sahib lost all duality of mind, and Maharaj Ji declared him to be His own approved Sikh. Now Bhai Ji was not just merely a Sikh, but the Sikh who joined the company of those approved in Guru's Sachkhand.
Maharaj Ji also revealed him His eternal and majestic form, viraat form. During this process, Bhai Ji saw the all spiritual powers of the cosmos standing with folded hands in front of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Maharaj.
Maharaj Ji asked if has any desire. Bhai Ji humbly said he only wanted His Blessings and sangat forever. Maharaj Ji commanded that he must share his blessings with others. He told him to go to a place of his choice and establish a dharamshala to serve people and impart them divine knowledge (naam), work for their spiritual and worldly development, and continue his tradition of seva. Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji Maharaj gave his personal handkerchief as a gift to Bhai Kanhaiya Ji.
Bhai Ji arrived at Kawa village in the Northwest Punjab. During his stay at an inn, he asked for water. He did not get it as the innkeeper told him that there was a shortage of water in the vicinity. The people had limited water at homes, as village inhabitants had to travel about two to three miles across high mountains to get water.
He understood that this village is on a main, busy highway, with travelers who faced problems due to the lack of water and other facilities. So, for Bhai Ji, this was an opportunity to follow his Guru Hukam and start his seva here.
The way Guru-blessed Sikhs live their lives is fundamentally different than from ordinary mortals. Bhai Ji did not preach, lecture, or request material or human help. He himself got a pitcher filled with water and sat on the side of road serving travelers. As soon as the water finished, Bhai Ji would refill the pitcher and serve again.
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| Bhai Kanhaiya, on reaching Kavha, (district Attock, now in Pakistan), established a dharamsal providing much sought-after water, peace and resting place to ... |
News of this action quickly spread among local inhabitants. Slowly, more people joined Bhai Ji with their buckets. Bhai Ji's endeavor inspired many more to join seva. People also started to bring along black chole to serve with water. Bhai Ji immediately commenced daily congregational activities with his new sangat. With Naam radiating from his glowing face, the people realized that he was not ordinary, but actually a supreme holy one.
Bhai Ji laid down the foundation of dharamshala, where, in addition to water and chole seva, a regular satsang would be held. Within no time, fragrance of His Naam spread far and wide, and Guru sangat grew larger as devotees from far away started to come. The place was a focal point of seva and simaran.
Very soon, a full-fledged dharamshala was built that remained open round the clock, had a rest house of 200 rooms with 200 beds and pillows. Also, 200 pitchers of waters were ready at all times for the travelers.
In the meantime, Maharaj Ji arranged His Delhi saka, and went to Sachkhand, and his son, Sri Gobind Rai Ji, succeeded him. Bhai Ji could not bear the departure of his beloved Guru, and he immediately left Kawa, and arrived at Anandpur sahib. He paid his respect to the 10th Nanak, Sri Guru Gobind Rai Ji Maharaj, and started to attend His sangat daily.
