Sant Baba Thakur Singh Ji Bhindranwale

One of the most recent leaders of the Sikh nation was Baba Thakur Singh who led the Sikh nation into the new millenium. The Sikh nations respected religious personality,Baba Takhur Singh Jee was born in 1915,village Eechogill, Dist Lahore (Pakistan) to the respected Baba Bahadur Singh and Mata Prem Kaur Jee.

Both his parents were Amritdhari, who recited many prayers daily and had unshakeable faith in the guru .After the partition they came to India, where in village Sadaruala , near Makhu , Dist Ferozepur, they started to live. From birth Baba jee was forever meditating, merciful, peaceful hearted, imbued with spiritual energy and had unshakeable faith in the Guru. From a young age they would not waste their time playing or talking .When a little older, they started helping his mother and father in running the household, doing which he would forever attune his concentration to the one intoxicating Naam Simran. From childhood ,Baba Jee used to share his earnings/food/belongings with others as he saw Gods light in all ,and was always inspired to help others being engrossed in the seva and simran. Baba Jee’s mind forever longed to be in the precence and seva of a true Gursikh/Brahmgiani.

They learnt through others that Brahmgiani Sant Gurbachan Singh Jee Khalsa along with his Jatha were doing Sikhi Parcher- who are respected as great intellectuals and who have much blessings of Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee. Baba Jee left home and went to Bhindra in Dist Moga where Khalsa Jee resided, their Baba Jee took Amrit from Panj Pyare. Khalsa Jee recognised Baba Jee’s spiritual state and thus put him in charge of Langar, this seva was performed with much love and commitment, after 2 & half years seva Khalsa Jee accepted Baba Jee into the Jatha and taught him the knowledge of god.

Until Khalsa Jee went to sachkand, Baba Jee did seva of Garveye (close associate) for 22 years, Khalsa Jee being happy with this seva blessed Baba Jee with many gifts. They blessed him with a great spiritual state .They said ,’’A time will come , when you will perform the greatest seva of all . After Khalsa Jee went to sachkand, Baba Jee carried on seva of Langer and sangats, with Sant Giani Kartar Singh Jee Khalsa , and forever remained imbued in Naam Simran . Sant Giani Kartar Singh Jee had much respect for Baba Jee & would discuss decisions to be made with Baba Jee. This time was a critical period for Sikh’s as there were many efforts being made to silence the Sikh community, as a political and faith group. Sant Kartar Singh Jee Khalsa held 37 major processions which woke the sleeping Sikh masses to their identity. The government were trying to silence Sant Kartar Singh Jee Khalsa and were making plan’s to arrest him, Santh Jee said the follwing in response to this, ‘’If the government arrest me, then after me Baba Takhur Singh Jee will be responsible for Damdami Taksal. They can give the seva of leadership to whom they please.”

After Sant Kartar Singh Jee Khalsa Bhindra Vale ascended to Sachkand, Baba Jee appointed Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Jee Khalsa the leader of Damdami Taksal, Sant Jee would always heed Baba Jee’s advice. In July 1982 Sant Jarnail Singh Jee Khalsa began the Dharam Yudh Morcha to free the Sikh’s from oppression of the government and made Amritsar their permanent residence, and Baba Jee was given the seva to look after Gurdawara Gurdashan Parkash Mehta. In June 1984 the government attacked Sri Harmander Sahib and Sri Akhal Takhat Sahib martyred countless Singh’s and Singhnia. After the attack Sant Jee went underground, in the absence of Sant Jee the Damdami Taksal seva was given to Baba Jee by the Sangat, which they are performing to their best currently, he has guided the Damdami Taksal through testing and difficult times, and his wisdom has shined throughout.

Baba Jee has kept the Damdami Taksal Parcher countinuous, he attends many functions throughout the world. Thousands have been inspired through parcher organised by Baba Jee and have taken Amrit. He has fought cases for arrested Singh’s and has assisted those still in jail, in whatever manner possible, Shaheed’s families have been provided for and are still being supported. He restarted the great tradition of Sarbat Khalsa and they performed the reconstruction of Sri Akhal Takhat Sahib with much physical fervour, many other Gurdwaras have been built and are being built/renovated.

Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj B-block was built in Sri Amritsar in memory of the Shaheeds of the encounter with Nakali Nirankaris of 1978. At Sri Anandpur Sahib on Kiratpur Sahib Road a Gurdwara was built to benefit visiting sangats. In memory of Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee Khalsa a Khalsa academy & a hospital have been built at Mehta. Baba Jee is respected throughout the panth as a very spiritual/gifted leader and he is a shining example of a Khalsa. When they utter Vaheguru Jee Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Jee Kee Fateh peace is brought to the minds of thousands.

Baba Ji was a brahm giani of very few words, but did state several times that Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Ji was not shaheed and will return in due time to guide the Khalsa panth once more. Those fortunate to have met Baba Ji, will speak of the light of love shining from them and will know that they have had the darshan of one of the greatest Mahapurkhs of the Khalsa Panth.

Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Ji Bhindranwale

The 20th century’s great General, the heart of the Sikh youth, charismatic personality, Sant Jarnail Singh Jee Bhindran Wale were born on 1947AD at village Rode, Dist Faridkoth to Baba Joginder Singh and Mata Nihal Kaur Jee , Baba Joginder Singh Jee was a dedicated sevadar of the Sikh Nation.

Sant Jarnail Singh Jee took Amrit when he was about 5 years old and remaining committed to prayer, was made his life long aim. Daily they would recite 110 JapJee Sahibs and the Panj Granthi whilst doing his farming duties. They remained at their village and were engrossed in meditations for 11 years. He had little formal education but his memory was astonishing. Sant Jee memorised the following Bani’s, Dakhani Oankar in 1 day, Sukhmani Sahib in 13 days, and Sidh Gosht in 1 day and Asa Di Vaar in 8 hours.
When Sant Gurbachan Singh Jee Khalsa arrived at village Rode as he did every year, he took in one of the 7 sons of Baba Joginder Singh to live in Jathan Bhindra on a permanent basis, who was Sant Jarnail Singh Jee. Sant Jarnail Singh Jee was educated in the knowledge of god, by Sant Gurbachan Singh Jee Khalsa. In 1 year they learnt the correct pronunciations of Gurbani and Gurus history. His Anand Karaj was performed in 1966AD at Village Bilaspir with Sardar Sucha Singh’s daughter Bibi Pritam Kaur. He has two sons who are Ishar Singh born in 1971and InderJeet Singh born in 1975. After Sant Giani Kartar Singh Jee Khalsa ascended to Sachkand, Sant Jarnail Singh Jee was appointed the Jathedar of Damdami Taksal. The current acting Jathedar Baba Takhur Singh tied the Dastar of Jathedari on Sant Jarnail Singh Jee, after which Takhat Sri Patra Sahibs Jathedar Bhai Mohan Singh Jee presented Sant Jee a Siropa on behalf of the Takhat Sahib.

Under his Jathedari of Damdami Taksal, Sikhi Parchar with much fervour and passion was started, for 8 months they did parchar touring Punjabi villages/cities, Madh Pradesh U.P, Bombay and Calcutta and other areas, arriving at which they performed effective Parchar. They were about to embark on their second tour of parchar when on 1978 Vaisakhi, the Nirankaris had announced a large gathering/programme. Sant Jee accepted the challenge of the Nirankaris. The Government and Anti-Sikh sentiments started to say that Sant Jee was an extremist and terrorist, but still Sant Jee came out untarnished and the Damdami Taksal’s fame and respect kept rising.

The Damdami Taksal were the first to take note of the anti-Sikh practises of the Nakali Nirankaris, Damdami Taksal’s Jatherdar and Singh’s in 1953 had discovered that the Nakli Nirankaris were distorting the message of the Sikh Guru’s, Sikh history, Sikh religion and discipline. The discoveries of Damdami Taksal were never acknowledged or attempted to be understood by many. About 18-19 years from today, in Tamil Nadhu, some low-cast Hindus became Muslims, and the whole of the Hindu society was angered and worried by this act. Even in Indian parliament the question was raised as why the low castes Hindus are converting to Islam. As a direct result of which organisations such as Vishav Hindu Pareeshaad and Verat Hindu Samelan were born. In Hindustan there is about 87% Hindus of the population (approximatley 60 million). If out of the Hindu nation some convert to Islam then this is seen as a threat, if the Sikhs who are 2% of the population are attacked ideologically, this is not seen as a threat. To get to this conclusion does not need much assessment. This threat was first pointed out by the Damdami Taksal; the Damdami Taksals aim from its onset has been to tackle those opposed to Sikhi. To make opposition to those opposing Sikhi, is not to oppose other faiths. It is similar to the Hindu faith followers of low castes converting to Islam opposing this, it is not necessarily opposing Islam. Damdami Taksals primal duty has been to tackle attacks on Sikhi- regardless if they are sects of Sikhi or exterior threats, but it is not to oppose other faiths.

Sant Jee found out that the Nakali Nirankaris were going to do a procession in Amritsar, in which their leader and his wife will be seated in a canopy and that much anti-Sikh propaganda will be done. Singh’s sent by Sant Jee and the Akhand Kirtani Jatha went peacefully to protest against the Nirankaris, but the Nirankaris met their peaceful nature with gun fire and 13 Singh’s were martyred and many were injured. After this bloody encounter their event still carried on for more than 3 hours. The government openly supported the Nakali Nirankaris. On 24 April 1980 the Nakali Nirankaris leader was assassinated, for this assassination both the government and the Nakali Nirankaris made Sant Jarnail Singh Jee a prime suspect. On 9 Sept 1981 Lala Jagat Narain was assassinated and a warrant for arrest was issued for Sant Jarnail Singh Jee. Sant Jee voluntarily courted arrest on 20th September 1981. He was taken too many places and questioned on many issues whilst in custody. But no evidence was produced against Sant Jee and he was released without charge.

On 26 April 1982 a Morcha (campaign) was started to get Amritsar holy city status. Some Singhs of the Jatha and Bhai Amrik Singh Jee (AISSF) were arrested. Sant Jee began the Dharam Yudh Morcha on 19 July 1982 to get the innocent Singhs freed. The Dharam Yudh Morcha was also adopted by the Shiromani Akali Dal on 4 August 1982 and they declared that the Morcha would continue until all demands of the Anandpur Sahib resolution were met. In the first three months of the Dharam Yudh Morcha 40,000 Singhs courted arrest. The Delhi government weren’t giving an inch and not even one of the demands were met. Due to the press coverage and mass participation in the Dharam Yudh Morcha, the government began to criminalise and persecute the Sikh community, through its propaganda and tools of state machinery. The government propagated the view that Sikhs wanted the whole of the India to be divided into many nations and that Sikhs were enemies of Hindus. They propagated the view that the lives of Hindus in Punjab were under threat and that an exodus of Hindus from Punjab had begun.

The Asian Games of November 1982 were being held in New Delhi. The Sikh leaders had expressed their desire to inform the world media at the Games that Sikhs had been discriminated against since independence in 1947. Prior to independence Gandhi, Nehru and the like who had given promises to the Sikhs, had not fulfilled these promises. Indira Gandhi hinted to Bhajan Lal that Sikhs should be discriminated against during the games, due to Bhajan Lal’s orders every Sikh was interrogated prior to entering Delhi, to ascertain if they were terrorists or not. They were treated very badly, they were rigorously searched and questioned, to the extent that Ex-Cabinet Minister Swaran Singh, Retd. Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh, Retd. General Arora were even interrogated. Sikhs were given a strong message that they are 3rd class citizens and that they are unwanted residents of India. This disrespectful, unwarranted treatment was not criticised by state or central government, the press or intellectuals did not question this disgraceful treatment. No Sikh Congress Minister resigned in protest. Only one conclusion could be drawn from these events, Sikhs are an oppressed minority in India.

Indira was convinced that the Congress Party Sikhs were that low that even if she ordered an army assault on Sri Harmander Sahib, they would remain silent and would tow the party line. She was confident that the Shromani Akali Dal would be taught a lesson and they would not dare step out of line again. Leading Akali leaders gave assurances to Indira Gandhi that Sant Jee would run scared when faced against the might of the Indian Army and that they will not support him, in the event of the attack. Many leading personalities of India and abroad, discussed the Dharam Yudh Morcha with Sant Jee. Sant Jee would make all those who visited him content, with his responses. Dr Subarmanim Swami who was a member of the Indian Parliament had to say after discussions with Sant Jee, “If Sant Jarnail Singh is a terrorist then so am I.”

The government were failing in their propaganda attempts as they were losing to intellectual and well grounded arguments. They were getting frustrated and thus they sent the army into Punjab and put in place a state of emergency.

For the nation that the 9th Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Jee was sacrificed (as a matter of human rights) and in the independence of India, 92% of those who were killed by the British were Sikhs, instead of being grateful they attacked Sri Harmander Sahib and Sri Akhal Takhat Sahib on 1st June 1984. Thousands of army personnel and tanks were used in the army assault and a fierce battle raged until 6th June 1984.

Some leading Akalis had informed the government that when they (the army) win the battle, upon gaining control of Sri Harmander Sahib, then Sant Jee and his associates will join their hands and surrender and the heroics of the Taksal will end. In 1983 one journalist even had the audacity to write that the heroic stories that the Sikhs narrate at Gurpurbs and never tire in retelling, they are myths like the Puranic myths. The Delhi government were convinced that Sant Jarnail Singh would surrender and that Sikhs would be totally disheartened after the attack and will become apathetic and controllable. The outcome of the attack they thought would be an end to the rebellious nature of Sikhs and an assimilation of Sikhs into the Hindu fold, Sikhs simply becoming long-haired Hindus.

In March 1983 Sant Jee learnt of all these evil plans and the prevalent threats to Sikhs and devised strategies to lead the Sikhs through this critical and historically definitive period. He attempted to ensure that the dreams of the enemies of the Panth were not prosperous, and that the cause of the Sikhs received global media attention. In the eyes of the world the Sikhs made a unique victory with Operation Blue Star, as the government had to stoop so low in attempting to silence the Sikhs, making history. In the battle that ensued Baba Thara Singh (Damdami Taksal), Bhai Amrik Singh (President AISSF), General Subegh Singh and many others were martyred, Sant Jee heeding the advice of the Singhs went to an undisclosed location.

Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji Bhindranwale

Respected Panthic diamond, treasure-trove of knowledge, Brahm Giani, complete in the practices of the Khalsa, Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee Khalsa Bhindra(n) Vale was born on Wednesday 12 February 1902 at Amrit Vela (Ambrosial Hours). After his birth he was bathed and taken to the Gurdwara into the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, the Birth Ceremony was performed and Amrit was given to Sant Jee. Karah Parshad was prepared, Ardas performed and a Hukamnama taken. Sant Jee was named from the first letter of the Hukamnama, per Sikh tradition.

His parents were devout Sikhs and due to the religious outlook of the household, from a young age Sant Jee started placing a Rumala over a stool and doing Chaur over it with peacock feathers as a child. In childhood he learnt the correct pronunciations of the following – Panj Granthi, 21 Vars, Bhagat Bani & Das Granthi, and memorised the 5 morning Nitnem Prayers. Upon listening to Kirtan, Sant jee’s spirit would get uplifted to some inexplicable inner spiritual state of enjoining at the feet of Satguru jee. Due to the guidance of his paternal uncle at the age of 7 years, Sant Jee was an Akhand Pathee of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee.

At the age of 13 years he also mastered the Sanskrit language, he read Ramayan, Mahabharat, Yoga Vishest and other Vedic Granths, after understanding and pondering on the teachings of these, Sant Jee read the Faridkoth Teeka of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, authored by 52 Nirmala intellectuals, he gained much knowledge from this. But the spiritual taste/elixir he was searching for was not discovered.

In 1920 Sant Sundar Singh Jee arrived at Village Akhare on their preaching tour, it was here upon meeting Sant Sundar Singh Jee that the young Sant Gurbachan Singh gained the inner peace that he was searching for. The Jaap/mediation of Vaheguru Gurmantar began intrinsically. By listening to the Katha and Kirtan of Sant Sundar Singh Jee, Sant Gurbachan Singh’s heart was finally filled with peace and bliss. It was at this point that he felt he should become a part of the Khalsa Panth and he took Amrit. He became such a true Khalsa that he made his life a continuous penance, such a blissful repetition of Simran began which he enjoyed to his last moments, a non-stop invigorating meditation. Mind, body and wealth were all sacrificed at the feet of the Guru. After seeing the Nanakana Sahib Shaheedi Episode:

I would cut my mind and body into pieces, and offer them to You;I would burn myself in fire. ||4||(Ang 757)

They imbued the spirit of this quote into their lifestyle. On the top floor of Sri Harimander Sahib (Amritsar) they meditated on Gurmantar and Moolmantar for 3 months.

Let self-control be the furnace, and patience the goldsmith. (Ang

They attained the great living of the above quote and gained much spirituality through their meditations and prayers.
In 1921 they went to Bindra Kala(n) Gurdwara and met the respected Sant Sundar Singh Jee and humbly asked for the blessing of Brahm Vidiya – Knowledge of God. As a jeweller can recognise the value of a gem, in the same manner Sant Sundar Singh Jee recognised the greatness of Sant Gurbachan Singh Jee at this young age (19), he embraced him with affection and kept a watchful eye upon him. He started to live in the Jatha on a permanent basis. Sant Gurbachan Singh jee started doping seva of Sangat and Sant Sundar Singh Jee, and were always praying to be accepted in the house of Guru Nanak.

Daily he would rise at 1am, after doing ishnaan – they would do simran for 45 minutes. His daily duty was to do the ishnaan of the Gurdwara Sahib, to perform Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee’s Parkash and to recite Sri Japji Sahib and Sri Sukhmani Sahib and to start the Kirtan. He performed his duty with much affection, purity, dedication, commitment and discipline. He listened to Sant Sundar Singh Jee narrate the Katha of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee a total of 4 times and was educated in the following by Sant Jee – Bhai Gurdas Jee’s Vaars & Kabit Svayas, Bhai Nand Lal Jee’s writings, Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, Sri Guru Panth Parkash, Sri Gur Bilaas – 6th & 10th Guru and many other accepted writings. By reading, meditating, listening, accepting and practising Gurbani, the true mystical meanings of Gurbani were realised by him. He got educated in other faiths to further his knowledge, he studied Yoga Vedant, Panj Dasee, Moksh Panth & other Granths along with which he studied Sikh History. He read 125,000 Japji Sahib’s and performed 3,060,000 meditations of Mool Mantar and countless meditations of Vaheguru simran were performed during this period.

In this manner, his mind was always attuned to Gurbani. At night whilst asleep he would even start uttering Gurbani in his sleep. His voice was very sweet, his pronunciation of Gurbani was always correct (Shudh), due to his immense love with Gurbani Sant Sundar Singh Jee appointed him his Paathi (reciter of Gurbani) for Katha. Khalsa Jee’s waking of Amrit Vela (1am in this case), daily recitals, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee’s seva and his joy and respect in performing this seva, sweet and gentle character, understanding of mystical meanings of Gurbani, his achievements and love of Sikh discipline, all these qualities are of the few Gurmukhs that have existed. When reciting Paath for Katha, Khalsa Jee would raise his living/spiritual experience to the stages being narrated.

Sant Sundar Singh Jee narrated the complete Katha of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee at Boporai, Khalsa Jee was the Paathee throughout the Katha and on the day of the Bhog (close) of the Katha, he honoured Khalsa Jee (Sant Gurbachan Singh Jee) with a Siropa (robe of honour) and he said to the sangat, “With us (in the Jatha) we have countless Gurmukhs who have got educated, some have gone on to full-time employment, many have gone on to get entangled in the demands of a householders life (Grahist), but the teachings that were taught to me by Sant Bishan Singh Jee Murale Vale, it is only Khalsa Jee who has met all the teachings of Sant Bishan Singh Jee. Sant Bishan Singh Jee honoured me with many gifts and today I place all these gifts in the keep of Khalsa Jee. The Jathedari of Damdami Taksal started by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee is being given to Khalsa Jee – with this Siropa.

On 15 February 1930 Sant Baba Sundar Singh Jee ascended to Sach Kand and Khalsa Jee stayed at Boporai and completed the Katha of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee 3 times and after about 3 and half years along with 16 lucky Gurmukhs they started doing Parchaar on a touring basis. Gurbani Kirtan, Katha, preaching, educating Singhs – making them astute in all aspects of Gurmat and initiating others into the Khalsa Panth were the foremost aims of Khalsa Jee.

On many occasions they would walk many miles along with the Jatha Singhs. Punjab, Kashmir, Peshawar, Benares, Patna Sahib, Jagannath Puri, Rameshwaran, Sri Hazur Sahib, Calcutta, Bombay were all visited and Parchar done. In India there are only a few areas/cities where Khalsa Jee did not visit in their life, to grow the tree of the Sikh Nation and bless people with Amrit/initiation into the Khalsa Panth. Khalsa Jee’s dedication to Khalsa discipline and promotion of solely Gurmat was truly a heart-felt passion.

Just as a lotus flower stays detached/floating along water, in the same manner Khalsa Jee was forever detached from Maya (worldly illusion). Thousands were initiated into the Sikh-fold being enlightened by Khalsa Jee, thousands were taught the correct pronunciations of Gurbani and countless Gianis were moulded. In literature Khalsa Jee has immensely contributed by writing various tracts/pothis about Gurbani and Sikh History and Sikh discipline. He did the construction seva of many Gurdwaras. His katha was so inspirational that if one heard it the once, they never forgot it and they would listen to it repeatedly to further their lifestyle to higher morality and spirituality.

Whilst doing Katha/Kirtan Parchar – the Sangat invited him to Village Mehta, Khalsa Jee accepted the invite and went to Mehta. On 28 June 1961 at Mehta on Thursday at 2.10am their breathing started slowing down and whilst doing Vaheguru Simran, Khalsa Jee merged back into the light that he had come from (back to God). Taking Khalsa Jee to Amritsar Sahib water was taken from the Amrit Sarovar and Khalsa Jee’s ishnaan was performed outside the Gurdwara complex. According to Khalsa Jee’s wishes he’s body was cremated at Patalpuri – Sri Kiratpur Sahib.

On three occasions prior to ascending to Sachkand, Khalsa Jee had commented on Sant Kartar Singh Jee becoming the next Jathedar of Damdami Taksal, Sant Kartar Singh Jee was a great scholar, a Gursikh, complete in Khalsa discipline, forever reciting Gurbani and of high morals and spirituality. All the Sikh world will forever be indebted to Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee Khalsa, who for the benefit of humanity, for approximately 40 years dedicated their life to Gurmat Parchar and gave thousands direction in improving their characters/lifestyle. However much we talk about their sacrifice, it is still little and we cannot express true gratitude or complete praise of their inexplicable seva.