Bhai Randhir Singh ji
Bhai Randhir Singh ji | |
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| Born | July 7th 1878 Narangwal, Ludhiana |
| Education | Government and Foreman Christian Colleges at Lahore (in 1896-1900 A.D.) |
| Known for | Freedom Fighter Reformer Theologian Hero of Lahore Conspiracy Case First Prisoner of Gurdwara Reform Movement |
| Spouse(s) | Bibi Kartar Kaur jee |
| Children | Bhai Balbir Singh Bibi Daler Kaur |
| Parents |
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Founded the Akand Kirtani Jatha. Promoted honesty, bhagti, and high moral behaviour. One of his most famous works is Jail Chitthiaan which is an autobiography of his life. Bhai Sahib highlighted the importance of bibek particularly with food and Bhai sahib fought for the right to wear kachera.
Lot's of his books have been released for free here http://www.bsrstrust.org/books/
Contents
- 1 Biography
- 1.1 Childhood
- 1.2 Meeting a saintly looking person
- 1.3 Overwelhmed by grace in the examination hall
- 1.4 Hunting incident
- 1.5 Working as an honest government employee
- 1.6 Bhai Sahib sits for two Akhand paths straight
- 1.7 Bhai Sahib's Agitations
- 1.8 Being arrested
- 1.9 Release
- 1.10 Does kirtan for days straight.
- 1.11 Passing away
- 2 Bibek
- 3 Publications
- 4 Legacy
- 5 Media
Biography
Childhood
When Bhai sahib was studying his father sent him a letter saying that if he wanted to pass he should do Japji sahib in the morning and Reharas at night he bagan to write so fast automatically seeming like he did not know what he was writing. Though he aknoldedged hat using Bani for self gains was foolish as Gurbani contains much more important path to pursue.
Meeting a saintly looking person
Early on in his youth when Bhai sahib felt the pull of Sikhi he say a saintly looking man. Very curious for some months or weeks he would skip school and follow him around until one day he say him smoking and then he lost faith in him and stopped following him. This put Bhai sahib in a hurt mood. Shortly after when Bhai Sahib visited gurdwara he met a mysterious sage person who said it is not good that you went to see that smoking yogi go and do darshan of SGGS ji all your spirtual thirst will be fulfilled and left. With renewed inspiration Bhai sahib went into the Gurdwara and from then on made it a practice to read and reflect a shabad of SSGG and everyday.
Overwelhmed by grace in the examination hall
When Bhai Sahib was at his height of love with Gurmat in his youth he was sitting in the examination hall writing a bit of his examination whe he stopped writing.
Hunting incident
One day an officer asked Bhai Sahib to accompany him hunting whilst Bhai Sahib was doing his prayers. He told them to not disturb him and continue with his prayers. Later on he told them that his duty was not to go hunting and he also had duty towards God and if they continued to ask him go hunting he will resign.
Later on one time he was with, a head officer and he was very hungry and could not endure hunger. Bhai sahib suggested that they eat some berries and they picked them together and split them. A farmer also came buy with Suger cane. Dr. Fisher cut them by knife while Bhai Sahib used his teeth. By the time the officer got through one Bhai Sahib had gotten throw five. When asked why he was able to have such strong teeth Bhai Sahib replied that since he did not eat meet nor his forefathers he had strong teeth and you by eating meet had got weak teeth.
Working as an honest government employee
Bhai Sahib sits for two Akhand paths straight
Bhai Sahib sitting in one assan listens to two Akhand paths straight.
Bhai Sahib's Agitations
In 1914 following the destruction of the wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in New Delhi to make room for improvements to the newly built government parliament building Bhai Sahib organized an agitation until the wall was restored. In this agitation he held two massive conferences in Amritsar and Lahore against the British which were a first of their kind in British occupation of Punjab. This stemmed to other activities and the movement failed as plans by traitor were leaked and he and his companions were arrested on May 9, 1915 and tried in the Second Lahore Conspiracy case.
Being arrested
At 38 years old, with a wife and three young children to provide for, he was sentenced to life imprisonment (in 1916) and his property was confiscated. His eldest daughter (ten at the time), who could not bear being separation from her dear father, died within a month of his imprisonment.
40 day fast
Bhai Sahib went without eating or drinking water to beable to prepare his own food and get proper water. His asara was Gurbani and simran. As a result seeing him go for such a small thing to them they gave him these rights. Some jailers even gave him his own cow to milk by himself.
Processioning the philosophers stone
Whilst at jail Bhai saib came across an accomplice whom Bhai sahib taught the gurmat way and was able to calm his mind he said he had nothing of value that would be an adequate gift to his help but had something he could offer he said he knew how to create gold and in his life never told anyone else this method.[1] He processed an item he got from China which made him a quire thousands he demonstrated the method in about 2 days showing gold being made and then he gave Bhai sahib the item and he took it and all night and all day his mind was engrossed in all the things he could buy and related thoughts he was unable to concentrate during Amrit vela, where Bhai sahib mind was imbued in Nam with every breath now every moment maya's poison was effecting his consciousnesses and thus the returned the stone to the man.
His tortures
In 1923 after Bhai Sahib was denied the ability to prepare his own food he went on a fast eventually when Bhai Sahib refused to eat he was force feed with his jaws broken they gave him milk, then the next day dal, the third day soup of kosher meat and beef and some tobacco. Bhai sahib was in pain afterwards and did Ardas after Rehras sahib for a sword to defend himself if they attacked him with weapons. Later he had a vision of meeting a unknown man who asked him for anything and he replied a sword he came back with a sword to give justice for the beating and hid it burying it just outside the cell and thus he slept peacefully but later when he went to find the sword it was gone. The jailers from before came back and started beating him and forcefeeding him and again more of his teeth were broken and he than had another vision of the unknown man saying he hid the sword, everyone outside was disturbed by your beatings but my wife who fainted on the news feared for a great blood bath and worried that I also would be killed and you Bhai Sahib hanged when he could have helped many souls so thus convinced me to take back the sword. The two men who beat him later went and begged Bhai Sahib for forgiveness shortly after.
Assistent Superintendent Fined
Later the superintendent who was acting unjust towards Bhai Sahib came in and kicked his water pitcher. Bhai Sahib threw it at him causing him to be wet and the pitcher broken saying he is in no need of it anymore. The Superintedend was fined five rupees which Bhai Sahib accounts as the first form of justice to appear in the jail. However the jailers still where angry at Bhai sahib so one on the pretext of removing the special clothes that Bhai Sahib was wearing wanted him to wear normal clothes and sent him message to remove them or he will be stripped of them. The prisoner assistants also did not like what the assistant jailer was doing so they said that if they hit him they would come to his aid. When the assistant superintendent was in front of Bhai sahib and persued to remove his clothes Bhai Sahib said he no one should dare insult or humiliate me as long as their is life in my body. The jailer tried to grab him by the neck and by the beard and by the beard but was unable to and bhai sahib gave him a good thrashing. While they were fighting the jailer said they should be friends but Bhai Sahib denied. The jailer resigned shortly after.
Doing Kirtan on trains
Staying alone in the strong heat
Said that God is always with me thus I can manage
Meeting Bhagat Singh
Bhai Randhir Singh Ji On October 4 1930 the last day of his release after many pleads with officials met with Bhagat Singh in which Bhair Randhir Singh Ji admonishes Bhagat Singh for desecrating his Sikh appearance here Bhai Randhir Singh Ji demonstrated how Sikhi is above the petty trivialities of personal ego and fame.
Release
He was chosen by the Ghadar Lehar to be a prospective leader.
Release
After his release from prison, he lived for over thirty years during which time he travelled throughout the country and propagated the Gursikh way of life through Gurbani Kirtan and Path.
Honored by Akal Takht
Soon after his release in 1930, Bhai Sahib was honoured by Siri Akal Takht Sahib with a Hukamnama and a robe of honour, recognizing his steadfastness in faith and selfless sacrifices. He is the second person to have been honoured by Siri Akal Takht Sahib during the 20th Century, the first person being Baba Kharak Singh, the renowned Panthic leader of the late twenties Afterwards, the other three Takhts also honoured him in the same way, thus making him the only single person to have been honoured from all the original four Takhts in the last hundred years of Sikh history.
Honored all around
Robes of honour and a gold medallion were also sent to him by the Sikhs of U.S.A. and Canada. He was selected as one of the Panj Pyaras to inaugurate the Kar Seva of the sarover of Gurdwara Tarn Taran Sahib, and to lay the foundation stones of the new buildings of the Gurdwaras at Panja Sahib and Shahidganj Nankana Sahib, besides those of the Bungas at Patna Sahib and Kavi Darbar Asthan at Paonta Sahib.
Does kirtan for days straight.
Sometimes for 80 hours straight. Ragis (Those adept in rāag kirtan) would say that he did so and so rāag in this specific way and Bhai sahib said he does not know he just does.
Passing away
On 16th April, 1961, Bhai Randhir Singh Ji breathed his last breath at about 7:00 am in his home village Narangwal near Ludhiana. His cremation took place at the lake between Gujjarwal and Narangwal. On his death around 200 Akhand paths were performed in and outside India.[2]
Bibek
Bhai Sahib would put Mustard oil in his hair after washing it. When he was unable to get it in jail he went on hunger strike. Bhai Sahib also would not eat until he put a kanga through his hair.
Publications
- Gurmat Lekh (1937)
- Gurmat Nam Abhiyas Kamai (1938)
- ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਚਿੱਠੀਆਂ (Jail Chithian) (1938)
- Charan Kamal Ki Mauj (1939)
- Kee Sri Guru Granth Sahib Di Puja But Prasti Hai? (1940)
- Anhad Shabad Dasam Duaar (1942)
- Amrit Kallaa
- Gurmat Bibek (1949)
- An-dithi Duniya (1949)
- Karam Philosophy (1951)
- Baba Vayd Rogiaa Da (1952)
- Gurmat Rammjaa (1952)
- Haumai Naavay Naal Virodh Hai
- Temar Aageya Thu Oajara Aerthat Gyan Chanha
- Darshan Jhalkaan
- Granth Prem Sumarg (1953)
- Gurbani diyan Lagaan Matraan dee Vilakhantaa (1954)
- Sant Padh Nirnay (1954)
- Ik Umar Kaidi Da Supna
- Katha Keertan (1957)
- Sikh Itihaas De Partakh Darshan (1958)
- Jhatka Maas Prathai Tat Gurmat Nirnay (1958)
- Sachkhand Darshan (1959)
- Zaharaa zahoor Guru Gobind Singh
- Amrit Ki Hai? (1960)
- Aastak Tei Naastak
- Gagan Oudaree
- Rangle Sajjan
- Jyot Vigaas
- Sikh Kaun Hai?
Jiwan Chritar Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh (1977)
By 'Sura' family. Sura Maskh Patar, Amritsar.
[ਜਨਮ ਸਮੇਂ ਦੀ ਪੰਥਕ ਦਸ਼ਾ, ਮਾਤਾ ਪਿਤਾ ਤੇ ਜਨਮ, ਬਚਪਨ ਤੇ ਵਿਦਿਆ, ਸਿੱਖੀ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਲਗਾ, ਇਕ ਕਰਾਮਾਤੀ ਸਾਧੂ, ਬੀ ਏ ਪਾਸ ਕਰਨਾ, ਸਰਬ ਰੋਗ ਕਾ ਅਉਖਧ ਨਾਮ, ਨਾਇਬ ਤਸੀਲਦਾਰੀ, ਮਾਸ ਖਾਣਾ ਦੰਦਾਂ ਲਈ ਹਾਨੀਕਾਰਕ, ਤਸੀਲਦਾਰੀ ਛਡਣੀ, ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਦੀ ਦਾਤ, ਸਰਬ ਲੋਹ ਘਾਰਨ ਕਰਨਾ, ਐਬਟਾਬਾਦ ਵਿਖੇ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ, ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਕਾਲਜ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਵਿਚ, ਪੰਚ ਖਾਛ ਦੀਵਾਨ ਤੇ ਭੁੰਜਗੀ ਸਭਾ, ਗੁਜਰਵਾਲ ਦੀ ਢਾਬ, 1908 ਤੋਂ 14 ਤਕ, ਗੁ ਸੁਧਾਰ ਅਰੰਬ, ਚਮਕੌਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ਰਕਾਬਗੰਜ ਦਾ ਮੋਰਚਾ, ਗ਼ਦਰ ਲਹਿਰ ਵਿਚ, ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਤਾਰੀ ਤੇ ਉਮਰ ਕੈਦ, ਮੁਲਤਾਨ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਵਿਚ, ਮੁਲਤਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਚਾਲੇ, ਹਜ਼ਾਰੀ ਬਾਗ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਵਿਚ, ਰਾਜ ਮੰਦਰੀ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਵਿਚ, ਨਾਗਪੁਰ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਵਿਚ, ਸੈਂਟਰਲ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਲਾਹੌਰ ਵਿਚ, ਭਗਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੀ ਮੁਲਾਕਾਤ, ਰਿਹਾਈ, ਚਿਰੀ ਵਿਛੁੰਨਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਮੇਲੇ, ਹੁਕਨਾਮਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਬਖਸ਼ਸ਼, ਜੇਲ੍ਹ-ਯਾਤਰਾ ਪਿਛੋ, ਨਾਰੰਗਵਾਲ ਦੇ ਸਮਾਗਮ, ਘਲੂਘਾਰੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਪੰਥ ਨੂੰ ਹਲਾਸ਼ੇਰੀ, ਅਕਾਲ ਚਲਾਣਾ, ਸਿਖ ਜਗਤ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਣ ] http://www.panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/displayPage.jsp?ID=37683&page=1&CategoryID=1&Searched=W3GX&sbtsro=1&viewall=1
Legacy
Woman began wearing keshkis popularly after his kirpa.
Media
- http://dailysikhupdates.com/breaking-first-discovery-of-bhai-randhir-singhs-kirtan-audio/
- Lots of Mp3 kirtan of his close associate Bhai Jeevan Singh ji could also be found online.
