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Bhai Daya Singh ji (previous name was Daya Ram) got the gift of Khande-Ki-Pahul from Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He was the first Sikh to sacrifice his head on Vaisakhi, 1699 at Anandpur Sahib. Whether it is in the prayers or the battlefield, Bhai sahib accompanied guru ji for a several years and stayed with them throughout their lives.
Bhai Daya Singh Ji was the first of ‘Panj Pyaare’. Bhai sahib ji was born in Lahore (Pakistan) on bhadro pravishta 11, sammat 1711. His father’s name was Bhai Sudha Ji and his mother’s name was Mata Diyaal Ji. Bhai Sahib Ji’s both parents were devotees of ninth Sikh Guru- Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. The family had a lot of devotion towards Waheguru and Sikh principles. The combination of these good deeds helped Bhai Sahib Ji in meditating towards Waheguru from a very young age.
From a very young age, Bhai Sahib Ji learned japuji sahib off by heart and served his parents with devotion. On some occasions, Mata Diyaal Ji would visit Sri Anandpur Sahib in order to take blessings from Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Then one day when Bhai Sahib was 16 years old, he visited Sri Anandpur Sahib on Holi with his mother. It was then when he decided to go with Guru Ji for his remaining life and didn’t come back home. From this point onwards, Bhai Sahib Ji decided to serve Sikh Sangat and Guru Sahib selflessly.
After the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Bhai Sahib Ji continued to live in Punjab. Serving Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Bhai Sahib Ji meditated on Waheguru Ji and did selfless services.
On the Vaisakhi, 1699 Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked for the heads from Sikh gathering. Bhai Daya Raam Ji was the first who stood happily to sacrifice his head. Four more Sikhs followed his footsteps and decided to sacrifice their heads. Guru Ji rewarded these Sikhs with Khande-Ki-Pahul. Khalsa was created in the image of these 5 Sikhs or ‘Panj Pyaare’. Afterwards, Guru Ji himself took Khande-Ki-Pahul from ‘Five Beloved Ones’ and said that ‘Panj Pyaare’ are to be considered equal to the Guru.
Bhai Daya Singh Ji being the first Sikh to stand up and sacrifice his head got the happiness and love of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Bhai Sahib remained in selfless service of Guru Ji and was considered a role model in Sikh Sangat.
Following the departure of Sri Anandpur Sahib and the Khalsa’s war against Mughal tyranny, Guru Ji set up a base known as ‘Chamkaur Sahib Di Garhi’. The Mughal tyrants were surrounded in thousands of numbers. And in this base, Guru Ji was with his 40 devotees and their 2 eldest sons. The battle began with a lot of bloodshed. Within this battle, Guru Ji’s two elder sons and devotees attained martyrdom. On the second day of war, Guru Ji decided to step down himself in the battlefield and attain martyrdom. The Sikhs were in extreme shock and were worried about the future of newly made community. At this point of time Bhai Daya Singh Ji, Bhai Dharam Singh Ji, Bhai Maan Singh Ji, Bhai Sangat Singh Ji and Bhai Sant Singh Ji requested to Guru Ji not to step down in battlefield himself.
Guru Ji not to step down in battlefield himself.
Guru Ji said that they are Guru Ji’s devotees and it is his own choice whether to attain martyrdom or not. Then Bhai Daya Singh Ji humbly requested to Guru Ji that, “We all are your followers and Sikh children. The community is requesting in front of you that you please do not attain martyrdom. Please let’s leave ‘Chamkaur Di Garhi’ and go to Malwa region. Let’s gather some local Sikhs and attack the tyranny again. So that Khalsa shall remain in high-spirits. We need a Guru like you as our commander and advisor. Without you we are incapable of doing anything.”
Bhai Daya Singh Ji had understood the physical and intellectual powers of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He knew that Guru ji was capable of gathering the Sikh soldiers again. Guru Sahib Ji was very impressed and pleased of Bhai Daya Singh Ji’s request. So Guru Sahib clapped to make oppressors aware of Guru Sahib’s departure and left ‘Chamkaur Di Garhi’ with Bhai Maan Singh Ji and Bhai Daya Singh ji. Bhai Sangat Singh Ji and Bhai Sant Singh Ji attained martyrdom
Guru Ji then left Machivara jungle. He wrote Zafarnama (letter of victory) and handed it over to Bhai Maan Singh Ji and Bhai Daya Singh Ji. The letter was addressed to corrupt Mughal tyranny leader- Aurangzeb.
Guru Ji reached Maharashtra travells across the lands of India. Here Lachman Daas Bairaagi was converted into Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Soorma. Then Baba Banda Singh Ji was sent to Punjab in order to avenge the atrocities committed against the Sikh community. At that time, Bhai Daya Singh Ji was present.
On passing down the Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Bhai Daya Singh Ji was asked to embellish Guru Granth Sahib Ji with beautiful Rumale and to Prakaash Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on the throne. Then Guru Gobind Singh Ji kept 5 paise and coconut in front of Guru Granth Sahib ji. He passed on the light of Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib Ji and bowed down in respect.
Final days of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s life on earth were approaching. He was sitting and reciting Waheguru Ji’s name, whom he has to join with soon. Guru Ji heard the loud recitations of ‘Raag Maaroo’ from Guru Granth Sahib Ji. On asking a Hazuriya Sikh about what happened he replied that Bhai Daya Singh Ji has left for heavenly abode. Guru Gobind Singh Ji told Sikh to call Bhai Daya Singh Ji. In utter confusion, he ran to the place where Bhai Daya Singh Ji was lying covered with white cloth.
The Sikh stood humbly at the feet of Bhai Daya Singh Ji and requested that Guru Gobind Singh Ji was calling Bhai Sahib. In spite of reaching the heaven, Bhai Daya Singh ji stood up reciting ‘Waheguru Mantar’ and went to meet Guru Sahib. Guru Ji asked that why did Bhai Daya Singh Ji left without meeting him. Bhai Sahib replied that it was Waheguru Ji’s order that was followed. As they were making conversation, Guru Sahib and Bhai Sahib were standing at the doors of heaven. Then Guru ji gave Bhai Sahib a message to be delivered to Waheguru Ji and Guru Sahib and Bhai Sahib engaged in their final conversation.
ਖਿਆਲ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੧੦॥
KHYAL OF THE TENTH KING
ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਹਾਲ ਮੁਰੀਦਾਂ ਦਾ ਕਹਿਣਾ ॥
Convey to the dear friend the condition of the disciples,
ਤੁਧੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਰੋਗੁ ਰਜਾਈਆਂ ਦਾ ਓਢਣ ਨਾਗ ਨਿਵਾਸਾਂ ਦੇ ਰਹਿਣਾ ॥
Without Thee, the taking over of quilt is like disease and living in the house is like living with serpents;
ਸੂਲ ਸੁਰਾਹੀ ਖੰਜਰੁ ਪਿਆਲਾ ਬਿੰਗ ਕਸਾਈਆਂ ਦਾ ਸਹਿਣਾ ॥
The flask is like the spike, the cup is like a dagger and (the separation) is like enduring the chopper of the butchers,
ਯਾਰੜੇ ਦਾ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸੱਥਰੁ ਚੰਗਾ ਭੱਠ ਖੇੜਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਰਹਿਣਾ ॥੧॥੧॥
The pallet of the beloved Friend is most pleasing and the worldly pleasures are like furnace.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.