Singhs at Crossroads

From the below post you will get a more indepth study of why Bhai Sahib started Khalsa Farm and a glimpse of what sort of Sangat the Singh/Singhnees used to have. Please take some time to read the below.

One day there were about 12 Sikhs from our village who were sitting in conversation with Bhai Sahib.  Bibi Jee was there too.  He told her that they were so lucky to not have had children.  He said that Guru Sahib had blessed them with these children who were already grown up.  He recognised the youth as his children and showed them the utmost love and devotion. 

Once Bhai Sahib, Bibi Jee and I were coming to the farm.  The river was overflowing that day.   As we were crossing there were a number of soldiers there too.  One of them was ranked as Major and he lit up a cigarette.  It appeared that he did this intentionally because he saw Bhai Sahib wearing the full Bana (Khalsa uniform).  Bhai Sahib asked him very politely to put out the cigarette because it would be courteous since it was a public place.  He just ignored the request and began inhaling longer breaths while smoking.   He asked again humbly but again he took no notice.  This time Bhai Sahib placed his hand on his Khanda (double edged sword) and shouted at him.  Me and Bibi Jee both got worried, we feared what would take place now.   He told him that he was trying to make a mockery of his request.  He said that if you are the man that you believe you are, you will not put out that cigarette now because I am going to cut you into two pieces.  He quickly threw the cigarette into the water and asked for forgiveness. 

This was an act of righteousness that was driven by the Naam that resounded in Bhai Sahib’s very being.  But his personality was a fine balance between the great Khalsa Soldier and the humble Khalsa Saint.  Where he upheld righteousness he also helped the needy.  This he recognised as his duty and he also recognised the Sikhs in higher regards than his own life.  He was forever ready to give his life for them.  It was unfortunate that many at that time recognised him as a troublemaker who was always caught up in some sort of strife.  Why doesn’t he just carry on repeating God’s name without getting entangled in these issues.  But Bhai Sahib’s only concern was the level of deterioration occurring in the Panth and the disrespect given the the Guru. 

Je Jeevay Path Luthee Jaa-ay Sabh Huraam..

These great words of the Guru were enshrined in his heart.

While the world is attached to their wealth, homes, cars and possessions.  Looking for ways to amass more wealth.  Bhai Sahib had no regard for these things.  He was searching for ways to bring Chardhee Kalaa and progression to the Panth. 

In 1976 this mission took further steps forward.  10 day camps were organised around Amritsar, which were attended by many Singhs.  The days would begin with the service of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee.  Many areas were in a sorry state and were filthy.  First they were taught to serve Guru Maharaj with respect, then Asa Dee Vaar would be sung.  Then there would be a session on Gurmat Vichaar.  In the evenings there would be Rehraas followed by a Keertan Deevaan, after which Bhai Sahib would lecture on Gurmat.  After hearing these lectures, the lives of many took a turn and they prepared themselves to take Amrit.  The youth were especially influenced by his words.  It was a great phenomenon to witness.  Even while travelling the Singhs and Singhnees would perform Kirtan on trailers which had a wondrous effect on the surrounding villagers.  Many would just join in and create a large procession.  Singhs like Master Niranjan Singh Jee (Gurdaspur), Hazara Singh Jee Retd. DSP (Gurdaspur), Gurmukh Singh Jee (Patiala), Baldev Singh Jee (Amritsar) all took part in this.  They all helped in the Keertan and Vichaar seva.  All who attended this "Chaldhaa Vaheer Smaagam" lost any desire to return home. 

As the Singhs were travelling to the Gallee Village, they were obstructed by a CID team.  The police had been sent by Niranjan ‘Singh’ Nirankaree to intentionally cause a disturbance.  The police took Bhai Sahib in for questioning at a nearby Doctor’s building.  They asked who had given them permission to go from village to village doing missionary work.  Bhai Sahib responded by telling them that no permission needs to be sought for the work of the Sikh mission.  The police were dumbstruck by his quick and sharp responses and the vigour and love he showed for his faith.  The police asked for forgiveness for obstructing and went on their way. 

On one occasion at Khalsa Farm, some of the Singhs warned Bhai Sahib that the nearby river was overflowing and could cause problems.  They suggested that two or three huts be constructed with deep foundations.  Bhai Sahib responded saying that the construction of  deep and unshakable foundations of the Panth was of greater importance and that this was his sole concern.   When Singhs would come to stay, he would remind them to ignore the sleeping conditions and lack of delicacies.  This was a training centre that would prepare them both physically and mentally.  Even though the conditions and food were simple, I myself will never forgot the bliss of living such as simple, spiritual life.  Many came for a week at a time but ended up staying for months instead. 

As the camps of the Chaldhaa Vaheer came to a close the ultimate programme was a Rehnsbhai at about a kilometer on the other side from the river.   On one side of the river, the Singhs from the farm approached.  On the other side, the villagers stood in anticipation and greeted them.  The whole episode brought tears to the eyes.  The whole Jatha went to the village singing Keertan.  Many Singhs attended from Amritsar and Gurdaspur.  There was an Amrit Sanchar ceremony where many adopted the Khalsa lifestyle.  The villagers stood amazed and fascinated by what they regarded as a miracle.   This man was transforming even the lowest of the low; drunks and addicts.  Those villages which were once polluted by arguments and profanity were now decorated with women in Dastaars and orange Keskees.  The foul language was now replaced with resounding Naam Simran and the worldly hell had become heavenly.  The women expressed their regret to Bhai Fauja Singh . If he had come earlier they could have witnessed this peace and tranquillity and not wasted those years.   

We apologise to the Sangat for not uploading more parts of the Interview more quickly. We will post the parts much more frequently. In this part of the interview, Bhai Sahib Hazoraa Singh explains the way Bhai Sahib Bhai Fauja Singh Jee thought about money and the way the Singhs used to do Parchaar around the villages in Punjab. Please read on its Truly Amazing!!

The Singhs would wake up between 1:00am and 2:00am and begin the day with Simran. Then after Nitnem they would eat breakfast. Then they would begin the days work on the farm. If any Sikh needed any financial help, then Bhai Sahib would be prepared to give his last penny. He obtained great happiness by helping the needy. He would never count his earnings or even accumulate them himself. I would look after the finances and he would give me all his earnings. Before going to Amritsar he would ask for the fare to get there because he had no money himself. Whenever he would go anywhere, he would ensure that the Singhs wore his new Cholay and Dastaars, he would simply wear the old ones. Bibi jee would ask him why he wears old clothes. He would reply that these Singhs have come from far and left their worldly duties to do seva here. How can we walk around in new clothes? They should wear them and not us. Their service is much more than ours. That is the least we can do and the minimum they deserve.

Once they were visited by some villagers who told them that they were very poor. They could not live day to day. Bhai Sahib advised them to take Amrit and all their affairs would be dealt with by the great Guru. They took Amrit and Bhai Sahib gave them both some land. Their land has now grown to six times the amount. My parents once begged Bhai Sahib to persuade me to take on a proper career because they felt I was was wasting my life. He responded stating that anyone who has a job working for the Tenth Guru has no need for a worldly job. But I respected the wishes and took on a career in the army. Later on I took on a career in the Air Force. On both occasions, Bhai Sahib’s love led me right back to work on the Khalsa Farm.

One day we went to a small village to do Parchaar. On reaching the village all the youth had already left and only the elders remained. There was not Gurdwara so a marquee was set up for the programme. We had brought Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee with us. The programme started but nobody apart from some small children arrived. We all wondered why nobody had turned up to listen to Keertan. Bhai Sahib asked an elderly woman who arrived why nobody had come. She stated that a rumour had been spread that you have an iron bowl, whoever drinks the Amrit you prepare in that bowl never comes back home again! The Singhs laughed out loud and explained that this was not the case. The bowl contained water for washing hands! Others were persuaded to come but they all sat at a distance in a fearful manner. They had never seen Singhs before and there had never been a programme held there. Bhai Sahib explained why they had come and what the real objective of life was. The reason for writing this is to explain that Bhai Sahib did not visit those with great wealth, expensive cars and mansions. They only went to those who had a great need and were never given a chance to learn about the great faith. These same villages can be visited now and the results of those efforts are now evident. Those who had never even seen Singhs doing Seva before are now doing so themselves with great commitment. The doubts of those who listened to his discourse were removed forever. Many were saying that Fauja Singh was corrupting the youth and was guiding them incorrectly. He makes them take Amrit and totally changes their thinking.

There was seva, Keertan and Gatka displays at the farm. Once Bibi Amarjit Kaur asked Bhai Sahib to buy a small house so that she could bring her possessions and put them there. Bhai Sahib told her that Guru Jee had protecting them from these worldly attachments and that they should concentrate on spreading the message in the villages. He told her that they should make a small caravan and they could bring the possessions in that. He told her that she could recognise that as their home.

Continuing from the previous post, Bhai Sahib Hazoora Singh Jee talks about the beginning of the famous Khalsa Farm. From all the stories and descriptions the sevadaars have heard it must have been blissful to stay there. In the days Gursikhs used to work hard and in the evening and night time they would go out and do Parchar and Keertan. To have sangat of those Gursikhs is impossible these days, but it should give the Youth the urge to create something similar. No matter to which group you have your allegiance to, we are all part of the Khalsa Panth. Try and do seva as a group - more gets done and then others watch and join, never exclude those who want to do seva, as if they are not Gursikh they surely will be with the sangat of Gursikhs and Guru Jee’s Kirpa. Please continue reading…

He gathered the youth together and told them of their plans.  Many gathered together to hear his discourse after which they decided to help clear a section of the land to initiate the work.  My whole life took a turn at that point.  I felt that there was little to gain from worldly duties and decided to live with the Singhs.  Khalsa Farm began in 1974 and in those days there were no Amritdharee Sikhs in the surrounded villages.  The first Keertan programmes began in our village.  Bibi Amarjeet Kaur would perform Keertan and Bhai Sahib would prepare the food for the Langar.   After the Keertan, Bhai Sahib would address the Sangat with a discourse on Gurmat.  A revolutionary change took place in the villages.  Those who spent their whole lives drinking and smoking now began to adopt a life of righteousness.   Bibi Amarjeet Kaur was the first women that the villagers had seen that was crowned with a Dastar/Keskee.  The women began to tie Dastars before they were even baptised. 

At the first harvest of the land, Bhai Sahib and I were working on the farm.  Bibi Joginder Kaur came to the farm from Amritsar.  She always regarded Bhai Sahib as her eldest son and he respected her as his mother.  While she was cooking some food, the wind began blowing hard and the fire spread out of control.  The kitchen area and surrounding hut was set on fire.  A lot of materials for the farm were ignited. Bibi jee called out to Fauja Singh telling him it was on fire.  He just laughed and consoled her telling her not to worry.  This was a sign of his character; he just regarded it as the Guru’s will and a minor setback. 

Bhai Sahib was very physically fit.  He would spend many hours per day uprooting plants and doing other tasks around the farm.  Because of the heat, he would be dressed in just a Kachera and his Dastaar.  The heat would severely tan his body but he would never step back from his service.   This was his daily routine and in the evening he, along with the Singhs, would go out and spread the Sikh message in the villages.  

Bhai Sahib and his wife were both well educated.  Initially Bhai Sahib was an inspector of Agriculture.  He and his wife took holidays and spent time on the farm.  They purchased the necessities required for the day to day running.  After some time even non-Amritdhaaree villagers began to do selfless service on the farm. 

Once while in Amritsar, while the Bibiaan were doing seva, some drunks came past and threw bottles into the kitchen area.  Bhai Sahib and the Singhs set out to reprimand them for their actions.  They did not fear the consequences.  Some of  the drunks ran away others were not so lucky.  The Singhs were sent to prison for their actions which upset Bhai Sahib a great deal.  I visited them in prison, but Bhai Sahib asked me not to waste time doing so.  He instructed me to take care of the day to day running of the farm.  He told me that that would be more beneficial, since it may attract more youth who could protect the honour of their sisters and mothers and also fortify the Khalsa Panth. 

Many Singhs were suspended from their work, but the general feeling was the same.  If while we lived, our sisters and mothers rights and the general rights of the Panth were being violated, then death would be a better option.  The effectiveness of the Parchar programmes increased.  There would always be at least five Singhs together with Bhai Sahib.  The walk to Amritsar was 5 km and had to be done by foot.  In those days, Bhai Tejinderpal Singh Doola and other youth would come to the farm and perform Keertan.  Many Singhs would go from village to village to teach Keertan.  Many men and women learned Keertan in this way.  Areas where the Sikh message was rarely even heard began to blossom forth.  Those who were addicted to narcotics were now encouraged to take Amrit.

Part three will be posted soon….. 

WaheguruJeeKaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!!

Near the end of the 20th century two Sikh Leaders came to the fore, they inspired the Army of the Khlasa to rise and defend the honour of the Path laid down by Siri Guru Gobind Singh Jee. They were Shaheed Baba Jarnail Singh Jee Khalsa Bhindrwala and Shaheed Bhai Sahib Bhai Fauja Singh Jee (Picture above shows Baba Jarnail Singh Jee paying respects to the body of Shaheed Bhai Sahib Bhai Fauja Singh jee after the Shahidi Sakhaa of Amritsar 1978).

The two leaders as Sikh Brothers went on to try to advance the conscience of their brotherhood to try and raise it to the esteemed level of its glorious past. After Independence from their colonial masters the British the Sikhs carved out their vision of India unabated by any restrictions. However the Brahmin state negated on their promises and try to cage these Lions. The canniness of their strategy was to use these Lions on their own terms and then keep them in check. Many wars were fought by India, in which a huge factor of their victories was owed to the Sikhs more or as much, as them gaining Independence from the British.  

However as we approached the 70’s keeping the Sikhs in check by the brahmins took another turn in which suppression and humiliation were now the key factors. The GOI (Government of India) knew the Sikh leadership was weak and easily controllable, that lead to them believing the Sikh population was also the same. How do you control a religion? by causing in fighting and destroying the foundations of any religion which is belief and faith.

Leaders of men can see straightaway where problems are arising and how to resolve them. Their vision sets them apart form other men. However their belief in Guru Jee and Waheguru, then combines Gurmat Gian into the equation brings thier vision onto a different level. One such man was Bhai Fauja Singh Jee of Akhand Keertani Jatha (India). Sevadaars have decided to post a selection of Articles based on Bhai Sahibs life. The articles are from a Interview between Sevadaars and the Head Granthi of Sri Guru singh Sabha Gurdwraa Bhai Hazoora Singh Jee who was treated like a son by Bhai Fauja Singh Jee. Hope you enjoy them and more importantly learn from this Great Gursikh’s life.

The following is an attempt to narrate the life of Bhai Fauja Singh - a great leader in the Sikh Panth. I was fortunate enough to spend a short time in the company of Bhai Sahib. But from what I witnessed in that short time, it was clear that only a rare individual was capable of such heights and achievements. His sole desire was to serve the Panth with his heart and soul. He was most approachable and his speech was of such a sweet nature. But when he witnessed any violations in terms of Gurmat, he would tackle the situation head on. He had no desire to own lots of land or be wealthy; rather he remained steadfast in channelling his thoughts towards serving the Panth. He welcomed all with love and his humility was quite evident. Those who listened to his speeches and questioned him on Gurmat issues remained influenced by him for the rest of their lives.

Bhai Sahib longed for young Sikhs to come forward and take on a life in the Khalsa army. He would feel great pain whenever he heard of any act of contempt against Gurmat principles. His lifestyle was a throwback to our great forefathers and Sikh ancestors and his speech and conversation levelled on the theme of a warrior lifestyle. He had no regard for his own prosperity and wealth and recognised everything as the property of the Khalsa.

Bhai Sahib’s father once visited him at the Khalsa Farm. He wanted to send a parcel to the village. Fauja Singh told his father to give up the attachments to his sons and daughters and to come and serve the Panth at Khalsa farm. To Fauja Singh, the Khalsa Panth were his brothers, sisters and family.

Fauja Singh was born on 17th May 1936 in Gurdaspur. He gained a great deal of Gurmat knowledge in his childhood while in the village. Later he went on to study at Khalsa college in Amritsar. Fauja Singh was baptised with Amrit in 1944. In 1960 he got married to Bibi Amarjeet Kaur. He began his missionary work in the villages in 1970. From a very young age he was fearless and very brave. When he came to the Jatha he forgot all his worldly duties and remained committed to the interests of the Khalsa Panth. First he and some Sikhs from Amritsar began giving discourses and spreading the Sikh message in towns and villages across Punjab. In the evenings, the Singhs would do Kirtan in the congregation until midnight and in the daytime they would do work and earn a living. They recognised that Gurdaspur and surrounding areas were in great need of attention.

Bhai Sahib’s land was a few kilometres from the Pakistan border and was about 50-60 acres in size. The land was a thick jungle and was not in any condition to be used for agriculture. He decided that this land would be attended to and would become the base from where they would do parchaar. He took some Singhs with him an within a few days there was major progress. One afternoon in May 1973 he came to my village (which was only 2-3km from his land). It was the afternoon. I had just returned from work that day. They told me of their plans to start a great mission of Parchar. I was taken back by his shining character; I had never met such a man before in my life. Even though he wore a shirt and trousers, he wore his Kirpan on the outside. The Kirpan was very beautiful. It was evident that he had the full blessing of Guru Sahib.

To be continued………

WaheguruJeekaaKhalsa WaheguruJeeKeeFateh!!