Bhai Hema

Bhai Hema, a devout Sikh of Khanpur, a village now known as Khan Chhapn, 8 km west of Goindval (30°22'N, 75"9'E) in Amritsar district of the Punjab, who would extend the hospitality of his humble thatched hut, chhapn'm Punjabi, to any Sikh or holy man. Once, during the winter season, Guru Arjan, while travelling through the countryside with a few attendants, was suddently caught in rain and storm near Khanpur. As records the author of the Gurbilds Pdtshdhi Chhevin, his attendants knocked at the doors of several wellbuilt mansions, but none opened to give them shelter. The Guru then took them to Bhai Hema's hut. It was an unexpected delight for Hema to receive and serve the Guru. He gave the Guru the only blanket he had, and himself, exposed under the leaking roof, prepared a frugal fare which he adoringly served to the holy guest and his Sikhs. Guru Arjan was very pleased and composed, extempore, the hymn beginning with the lines: "Handsome and prosperous is the thatched hut in which God's praises are recited; useless, utterly useless are the mansions where He is not remembered." (GG, 745).

Bhai Hema was taken ill owing to sudden exposure in the cold night. Guru Arjan stayed with him during his sickness. But Hema did not survive and died, as had been his wish, in the Guru's arms. The Guru himself performed the obsequies.

Bhai Hema, a devout Sikh of Guru Tegh Bahadur, along with his brother (Nagahia) and father (Lakkhi Shah) and another person by the name of Naik, son ofKahna, brought the headless body of Guru Tegh Bahadur, after he was executed at Delhi's Chandni Chowk under imperial orders, to his home at Raislna (Delhi). Since cremation in the open would not have been possible, they brought the body into the house, which they put aflame. This happened on Maghar sudi 6, 1732 Bk/AD 1675.

References

1. Padam, Piara Singh, and Giani Garja Singh, eds. Guru kian Sakhian. Patiala, 1986