Sikhism - Culture - Gurmat Veechar

forces ofShah Jahan at the time of6 tb Nanak Miri Piri Wale Guru
Hargobind Sahib. Then Bhai Dayala, who was boiled alive before
the very eyes ofGuru Teg Bahadur Sahib at Delhi, was his brother.
He had eleven brothers (besides him) and seven sons and all of
them laid down their lives for the Sikh values those were so dear to
all of them.
Again Bhai Mani Singh entered Guru's house and was in the
service of the Guru right from Guru Har Rai Sahib when he was
just 13 years ofage. He was born in 1644 and as such was 22 years
elder to Guru Dasmesh in age. He also worked as a Dewan (chief
minister) in the court 'Darbar' of Guru Dasmesh. Being a
contemporary and a senior in age to the 10 tb Nanak, he was a close
confidant of Guru Sahib. During the different periods of turmoil,
it was he who escorted Guru wives - Mata Sundar Kaur and Mata
Sahib Kaur to safer places - Delhi, Mathura or Talwandi Sabo.
He was born on 10th March 1644 A.D. in the village Alipur,
District Muzzafargarh (now in Pakistan). His original name was
Manik, which was changed to Mani Singh in 1699 A.D. when he took
'Khande Baate Di Pahul'. At the age of 15, he was married to Bibi
Seeto, daughter ofBhai Lakhi Rai.
Bhai Mani Singh as a great soldier and warrior fought bravely in
Bhangani war. Bhai Hari Chand, one of his brothers attained
martyrdom in this battle. Bhai Bachitter Singh and Bhai Udai Singh
whose sagas of bravery and sacrifice we· have discussed in the
preceding pages were his sons. Bhai Mani Singh was named Dewan of
Guru's court after the battle of Nadaun in which he showed his
qualities ofa fearless and a brave warrior.
We have hinted above that Bhai Sahib settled a matter very wisely
that had become a bone ofcontention between Bandai Khalsa and Tat
Khalsa. Let us mention the facts very briefly for the infonnation ofthe
readers. After the martyrdom of Banda Singh Bahadur, some of his
followers started his worship as a Guru and had even changed the
cherished Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, with Fateh
Darshan. The said faction lead by Bhai Mahant Singh even tried to
have the control ofHannandir Sahib. The Tat Khalsa or the real Khalsa
vehemently opposed it. The swords were drawn. Bhai Sahib under the
advise ofMata Sundar Kaur, settled the matter by putting two pieces of
paper in the 'Sarovar'. On one paper was written 'Fateh Darshan' and
Bhai Mani Singh / 189