PACHMI PARKASH - Global Sikh Studies

Birth
With Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s blessings, the beautiful couple was gifted with a son born
in the early hours of the morning (Amrit vela) of the night of the full moon of
Monday in the month of Haadh (which falls in June) in the year 1883 Bikhrami
(which was 1826 according to the Christian calendar). Consequently a bright light
was seen around the house for a short time as though God had revealed his light to the
people of Kaajian. The godmother had seen this miracle but was not able to
understand its meaning.
Baba Kirpa Singh Ji at this time was engrossed in meditation during which time he
received the news of his son’s birth, overwhelmed with joy he rushed to the Gurdwara
(Sikh temple) and stood in front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji with hands folded thanking
Guru Nanak Ji Maharaj, he also asked the Sikh priest (Granthi), Bhai Kushal Singh Ji
to prepare the sweetmeal offering (deg) with which an prayer was done for the
wellbeing and long prosperous life of his son.
Returning back home, overwhelmed with happiness, whoever came to visit were
given gifts and no one left empty handed, little was his father to know that this child
was no ordinary child; he was to carry the light of the creator and be the giver of all
gifts.
Naming Ceremony (Naam Sanskar)
Baba Ji was dearly loved and cared for throughout his childhood by his parents. When
he was forty days old, his parents had kept a continuous recital of the Guru Granth
Sahib Ji (Akhand Paath Sahib) in accordance to elder’s tradition and for three days
there was a free kitchen for all with which meals were served continuously (langar). A
prayer was done to undertake the naming after which a robe was put onto the child.
The word of the Guru Ji (hukumnama) was as follows:
Panna 817: Bilaaval, Fifth Mohalla:
Placing His Hand upon my forehead, God has given me the gift of His Name.
One who performs fruitful service for the Supreme Lord God, never suffers any loss.
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God Himself saves the honor of His devotees.
Whatever God's Holy servants wish for, He grants to them. ||1||Pause||
God's humble servants seek the Sanctuary of His Lotus Feet; they are God's very
breath of life.
O Nanak, they automatically, intuitively meet God; their light merges into the Light.
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Bhai Kushal Singh Ji was a very deeply spiritual Sikh beloved and as the first letter of
Guru Granth Sahib Ji verse was Ka-ka, the child was named Karam Singh. Whilst
looking at the child’s face, Bhai Kushal Singh Ji commented, “He shall be a complete
Saint and for the land of Punjab, he will be very special.”
As people were leaving they blessed the child, congratulating the parents, many of
them talked of the child’s beautiful features and qualities. A local Pandit who was
also a Jyotshi told the family that the child was very special and would become a very
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