Mahant Bhai Asa Singh Ji
Mahant Bhai Asa Singh Ji 'Seva Panthi' (December 9, 1893 - January 1, 1974) was a great soul, a dynamic religious leader and a truly honorable saint. He was the 11th Spiritual descendant of Bhai Kanhaiya Ji and was anointed as a Mahant of Tikana Bhai Jagta Ji Sahib on the 17th day after the passing of Mahant Bhai Gulab Singh Ji as per tradition. That blessed day was May 8, 1950. He was known as a great propagator of Gurmat as preached by the Sikh Gurus. He was a great driving force behind the project to expand the Tikana Sahib at Goniana Mandi, Punjab.
Mahant Bhai Asa Singh Ji was an effulgent man, thoroughly virtuous, purely continent and a man of his word. He had an innate ability to live his daily life as per the teachings of the Gurus, as an embodiment of Gurmat and every act of his reflected exactly what he preached to the sangat. He was so unassuming that one could not tell that he was a proficient scholar. Singing praises of God, listening to Kirtan and the recitation of the Holy Word was his sustenance. His joyousness was visible when he sat in the Holy congregation everyday and immersed himself in the Gurbani Kirtan. Initially he started reciting the Kirtani 'Asa Di Var' in the ambrosial hours of dawn, but a few years later he started the practice of reciting the entire 'Sukhmani Sahib' to the music of the harmonium and the tabla, with perfect poise and unflinching focus. This routine he carried on till his final day.
His Mission
His Mission
Mahant Sahib's mission in life, as a true 'Seva Panthi', was to follow in the footsteps of the Sikh Gurus, to propagate the Sikh way of life. He was completely absorbed in the work of preaching Sikhism to the masses in Punjab. He frequently traveled all over India visiting the sangat and inspiring Sikhs to imbibe true Sikh qualities and to live a Holy life. Beyond his duties as a preacher, he was a great humanitarian and loved to serve the members of the Sangat or anybody else that came to him, seeking his assistance. Comforting the poor and helpless was his second nature. He had an inordinate amount of patience, when listening to the anguish and worries of the distressed. He always offered a kind ear, offering sympathy and suggesting ways to alleviate their pain and bring them peace. He was always ready to provide an appropriate Shabad from the Gurbani and even volunteered to mediate in familial disputes or other community matters to bring about peace. He was a pleasant, good natured and a generous man, who sincerely helped the needy, through either a physical endeavor, spiritual advice or with financial resources of the Tikana Sahib. People who approached him with expectations, were never denied. He always addressed the sangat's domestic, financial or health problems like a kind benefactor, earnestly.
