Sakhi of the month

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A Sakhi is a tale usually from the era during the times of the Gurus. However, many sakhis do exist from the period before and after the times of the Ten Gurus. Most Sakhis have a moral lesson and highlight important Sikh principles. Below is the list of important Sakhis with a message for Sikhs.

Sakhi of the month

Sakhi 1

Bhagat Trilochan

Bhagat Trilochan ji had heard about the fame of Bhagat Namdev Ji and reached Narsi Bamni for an audience with him. In his very first meeting he requested Bhagat Namdev Ji to give him a glimpse of the Almightly.

Bhagat Namdev Ji replied, "You shall also have the sight of Almighty if you contemplate on Him with devotion while working with your hands and legs at the same time." However Bhagat Trilochan Ji persuaded Bhagat Namdev Ji to bless him with His glimpse. Bhagat Namdev Ji humbly pleaded to Almighty to fulfill Bhagat Trilochan's request ....More

Sakhi 2

A mob ready to kill

After the assassination of Indra Gandhi on October 31, 1984, Sikhs were butchered across India. This is a story about a Sikh couple living in an isolated village outside of Punjab. The couple was young and were amritdhari. The Singhni (Khalsa woman) wore a dastaar and they had a young child.

The Sikh couple had an isolated farmhouse in a Hindu dominated area. When news of the assassination reached the area, and it was found out that Sikhs were being killed, some local thugs also decided this was the perfect chance to loot the farmhouse and line their pockets. ....More

Sakhi 3

Once there were 4 Sikh Guards outside Guru Gobind Singh Sahib jee Maharaaj's tent. They heard of a dancer who had come to a near-by town and they wanted to go and watch her dance. But, how to they ask the Guru's permission? As it was the last night of her performance, so the guards decided between themselves that at least two of them could go and watch the dancer while the other two can stand guard at Guru's tent.

So after sunset, in the darkness of the night, two guards left to see the dancer's performance. They reached there and all through the dance they were worried; what if the Guru comes to know of what they had done? ....More

Sakhi 4

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Once upon a time there was a King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confident and was always kind,considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times. ....More

Sakhi 5

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Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur was the leader of the hill Rajas, but he did not possess the foresight to realise the difference between friend and foe. He again made war preparations and advanced to fight against Guru Gobind Singh at Lohgarh fort. His plan was to break open the front gate with the help of an intoxicated elephant and let his forces in to the fort in large numbers.

Guru Sahib came to know of this plan and asked Duni Chand, a hefty well built man, to get ready to face the elephant. But this masand got cold feet and wanted to escape from the fort. In his place Bhai Bachittar Singh volunteered and was thus deputed to make a frontal attack on the elephant.

Instead of waiting for the elephant to attack, the gates were opened and Bhai Bachittar Singh rode out on horseback with a nagni Barchhi (a long spear). He was followed by Bhai Udai Singh and several Sikhs on horseback. Bhai Bachittar Singh riding his horse and standing in the stirrups confronted the elephant and in spite of a metal plate tied to its forehead was able to pierce it successfully with his nagni. ....More

Sakhi 6

Mai Bhag Kaur: As a young girl, she had heard sakhis of Sikh Gurus' and their disciples (other sikhs). A regular hearing of the sakhis made a deep effect on her tender heart and inspired her to live a life of a Khalsa Women. She went to Anandpur Sahib along with his father in 1699 A.D., when Guru Gobind Singh Sahib ji founded the Khalsa Panth. "She took Amrit and learned the art of fighting and self defence."

When Mughals and hilly chiefs had surrounded Anandpur sahib and were demanding it be evacuated. They called that any Sikh who says that "he/she is not anymore a Sikh of Guru Gobind" will be left untouched. A group of 40 Sikhs, led by Mahan Singh told Guru Gobind Singh that they are not his Sikhs anymore.....More

Sakhi 7

Guru Angad lived at Khadur Sahib in the Punjab, India. There lived a yogi named Shiv Nath in the same village. Yogis were saints who did not marry. They had a great hold on the people. Shiv Nath was very proud. He became jealous of the Guru's fame. So he started making plans to get rid of the Guru by fair means or foul. He was on the look out for a chance to make the Guru feel small.

Once, it did not rain for a long time. There was a danger of drought. So the people were worried. They went to the yogi and asked him to do something about it. The yogi replied in anger, "How can you expect rain, you fools, when you look upon a married man as your Guru? Turn him out of the village and you will surely get rain." ....More

Sakhi 8

This event happened a long time before the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) guaranteed every one the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. It was also long before the establishment of Western democracies.

The Guru carried out this act of conviction more than three hundred years ago, when religious intolerance and persecution were common all over the world, to secure the right of each and every individual to freely worship the faith of his or her choice.

Guru Tegh Bahadur lived at a time when even personal laws were oppressive and the right to worship as one chose was under attack by a ruler (Aurangzeb) bent on imposing his religion on every citizen of India. This policy of forced conversion culminated in an atmosphere of fear and severe backlash ....More

Sakhi 9

Once, a Sikh made a request before the Guru Ji, "O true King! I am grieved by the world. Eliminate the pain of birth and death. Save me from sins. I am in your protection" I am illiterate so cannot even recite or understand Gurbani.

Guru Ji said, "Brother Sikh! You are blessed that you became detached (from the world). To gain wisdom, knowledge is very important. One should get education. An uneducated person cannot understand anything.

Guru Ji asked another learned Sikh to teach that Sikh with love.

The Learned Sikh started to teach him. While teaching, he taught him this line of Anand Sahib prayer by Guru Amar Das:

"Anand bhya meree maaye, Satguroo main paaya." (The heavenly pleasure occurred, O my mother, for I have found my True Guru). ....More

Sakhi 10

".....first be truthfulness, second live honestly, and third be charitable in the Name of God" (SGGS p 141)

Once Guru Nanak Dev stayed with Bhai Lalo ( a devotee) when he began his preaching missions, called the {{udasis]]. Bhai Lalo was a carpenter who earned his living honestly by working hard all day.

The local village official was a corrupt person. He was known as Malik Bhago. One day he invited every resident of the village to a feast, so he could enhance his image with the local people.

Guru Nanak Dev declined to go to the feast. Special messengers were sent to bring the Guru. Bhago offered delicious food to the Guru and in response to his offer, waited for good words from him but Guru Nanak Dev, rather than blessing Malik Bhago declined to accept any food from him. ....More

Sakhi 11

Guru Nanak Dev and Bhai Mardana were on their travels, when they came across a humble servant of the Lord who had nothing but a little mud hut to live in. Guru Sahib and Bhai Mardhana decided to grace the humble Gursikh with their presence, agreeing to reside at the hut for the night.

This Gursikh was most pleased; he had little to eat in the house, but prepared what he did have for the Guru and Bhai Mardana. Bhai Mardhana felt a little sad, knowing that this humble servant of the Lord had very little - and eating out from the little resources that he had.

Guru Sahib knew this and told Bhai Mardhana not to worry, we must live in the will of Waheguru. The Gursikh's humbleness and love was his everything. ....More

Sakhi 12

After Guru Ramdas had taken the gurgaddi he still continued doing lot of physical sewa. Once Baba Sri chand , son of Guru Nanak decided to meet Guru Ramdas. As soon as the word travelled to Ramdas ji, Guru Ramdas sent his followers to meet Sri Chand ji at the edge of the city and himself left his sewa to meet him.

When Baba Sri Chand saw Guru Ramdas he was shocked because with his yogic eyes he saw his father Guru Nanak in Guru Ramdas ji. He proclaimed you are the image of my father; you have the light of my father, but your beard is much longer than my father! why is your beard so long?

Guru Ramdas ji answered - my beard is so long so that I can wipe the feet of the saints like you and he actually bent over to rub over Sri Chand's feet with his beard. ....More

Sakhi 13

The temple of Jagan Nath, was one of the four most revered temples of the Hindus. It is said that Jagan Nath's idol was sculptured by the architect of the gods and it was installed at the temple by Lord Brahma himself. It was the anniversary of installation of the idol when Guru Nanak reached the temple. The Guru visited the temple not to adore their Lord but to educate the people that the worship of God was superior to the worship of the deity.

It was the evening time and the priests brought a salver full of many lighted lamps, flowers, incense and pearls and then all stood to offer the salver to their enshrined idol-god. The ceremony was called 'Aarti', a song of dedication. The high-priest invited the Guru to join in the god's worship. The Guru declined to join their service which enraged the priests.

On being asked the reason the Guru explained that a wonderful serenade was being sung by nature before the invisible altar of God. ....More

Sakhi 14

Bhagat Kabir

Bhagat Jee once went up to this child that was playing and said to him "Thoosee Naam Japia Kar'-"You should recite and remember God" and the child made excuses:

"Oh I am still quite young and want to enjoy my childhood by playing, when I get older I will (Naam Jap) remember God and recite his name."

When the child was a teenager and in higher education, Bhagat Jee went up to him again and said the same bachan "Thoosee Naam Japia Kar", but then the excuses were different:

"Oh I am too busy with my studies, I have a lot to do and have to get high marks. When I get older I will Naam Jap". So then Bhagat Jee left him.

Then the person became a grown man and was married with a family. Bhagat Jee went up to him again with the same bachan. Again, different excuses were given why he couldn't Naam Jap and do Bhagti (meditation on God). ....More

Sakhi 15

"Those who do not forget the Lord, with each breath and morsel of food, whose minds are filled with the Mantra of the Lord's Name they alone are blessed; O Nanak, they are the perfect Saints. (1)" (SGGS p 319)

Once Baba Bulleh Shah was sitting on the bank of a river when he saw this lady selling carrots. People were coming to buy her produce, but when they start picking and choosing the carrots, she would say, "I only sell carrots in volume; there is no pick and choose." So all these people had to buy carrots in volume/in bulk; not by selection.

Then there was this handsome man, who came to her to get carrots. However, this time she herself picked the best carrots for him! Bulleh Shah was quite surprised looking at the incident. So after this men had left, Bulleh Shah went to the lady and asked her. "How come you let him hand pick the carrots; in fact you picked and chose the carrots for him yourself." She replied, "Bulleh Shah ji, he is my husband, there is no counting or accounting between lovers." ....More

Sakhi 16

There's a story about a saint who lived in his own "anand" (grace); he cared about everyone and everyone loved him.

Another blessed man also lived in the same town. One day a childless woman went to see the blessed man. She said, 'Ask your God to grant me a son'.

The Blessed man went to the top of the mountain and spoke to God of the poor woman's request. He came back and told the lady, 'God said that there are no children in your destiny'.

A few days later, the woman came back full of joy and happiness, she was giving sweets to one and all, the blessed man asked what she was celebrating. She replied, 'The Saint has said I will be blessed with a beautiful baby boy, my dreams have come true!'.

The blessed man couldn't understand it, he climbed the mountain and asked God 'O Lord You said the lady had no children in her destiny, yet the saint has granted her a son. How can he overrule your decision?' God replied, 'O Blessed Man, before I answer that, go to the town and tell my children's (villagers) that God wants a pound of their flesh.' ....More

Sakhi 17

Once there was no rain in a particular area for an extended period resulting danger to the crops. In some areas, the crops had already been destroyed.

So the local people of that area decided to do Ardas - a prayer or supplication to God so that their crops may be saved. Many hundreds of people gathered together at the designated place for this Ardas.

While this gathering was in progress, a passing Sikh Saint stopped by. He asked one of the crowd why there was such a big crowd gathered and what was the purpose of the gathering. One of them told the Sikh Saint that that they had gathered here to do Ardas because the crops will be destroyed in the absence of rain; they were going to ask God for rain.

The Saint said that was a good thing that they were doing an ardas but he did not see anyone carrying an umbrellas or "barsatie" (rain coats)…. When Waheguru (God) accepted your Ardas then there will be lot of rain. One group leader laughingly said, "But we do not know whether it will rain or not."

The Saint said, "How will your Ardas be accepted when you do not have faith in Waheguru" . He told them all to go home .

....More

Sakhi 18

There is a Sakhi (historic event or tale) about a great Sant-Sipahee.(Saint-Soldier).. he truly had attained mental union with Waheguru (the Lord) and had mastered physical excellence and weapon control as well.

In the battlefield he fought for justice. His opponent had been overpowered and lay on his back on the floor. The Sant-sipahee was about to destroy the sinner by plunging the sword of Akal into his chest, when the opponent spat in the Sant-Sipahee's face.

The Sant-Sipahee's blood boiled, rage and fury burned him for a moment, he raised his sword with new fervour....but stopped the sword in mid-swing!. The enemy was shocked, expecting to be dead, he grunted 'Kill Me Sikh, you have beaten me - wanting a quick death rather than a slow torture'.

The Sant-Sipahee replied, 'Before I was fighting for justice, against the evil actions of your army, and destroying you was destroying injustice . When you spat in my face I wanted to kill you because you insulted ME. I was going to kill you out of ANGER AND HATE which would have been wrong and against the principle of Sikhi/Khalsa.....More

Sakhi 19

Once the elder son of Guru Nanak, Baba Sri Chand went to Amritsar to visit Guru Ram Das, the fourth heir to the throne of Guru Nanak (the fourth Sikh Guru).

Although Guru Nanak had two sons, he had chosen his disciple Bhai Lehna as the person worthy of Guruship and so Bhai Lehna was named Guru Angad, the second Sikh Guru.

When Baba Sri Chand met Guru Ram Das, he tried to belittle and laugh at the Guru. He said, "O Raam Daas! Why is your beard so long?" The Guru replied "I have a long beard to wipe the feet of holy men like you." The Guru Sahib's humility hit Baba Sri Chand Jee who fell at the feet of Guru Sahib and he said; "Now I know why I didn't become chosen to be Guru and instead you are sitting on my father's throne." ....More

Sakhi 20

In 1705, Guru Gobind Singh ji went to Machiwala after leaving Anandpur Sahib. During those severe hardship days some Rajas refused even to offer help to Guru Sahib due to the fear of death as Aurangzeb was after the life of Guru Sahib and his family.

When Guru Sahib reached Raikot state, the Muslim Chief Rai Kalha welcomed him and felt honored in offering his services to Guru Sahib as his guest for as long as he wanted to stay. Guru Ji spent a few days with Rai Kahla.

It was in Raikot that Guru Sahib got the most tragic news of the death of his two minor sons and his mother. The news was brought from Sirhind by Noora Mahi who was appointed by Rai Kalha to perform seva (service) for the Guru. Guru Sahib during his stay asked Noora Mahi to serve him milk in Ganga Sagar (a vessel) having 288 holes which was part and parcel of his person belongings.

Noora Mahi said that his buffalo did not give milk and even if it did, the milk will not stay in Ganga Sagar as it had holes in it. ....More

Sakhi 21

The Guru and Sangat crossing the Sarsa River

"When the Mughal forces laid siege around Anandpur Sahib, many Singhs deserted the Guru, including the 40 Singhs who later became the 40 Muktas. Guru Gobind Singh asked Bibi Basant Kaur if she wanted to leave the fort, as there would be terrible hardships in the coming months. However Bibi Jee politely declined, saying that she would not leave her Guru whatever the circumstances.

After some months of real difficulties and hunger, Guru Gobind Singh Jee decided to leave Anandpur Sahib at the request of his Sikhs. Evading the Mughal forces, the Guru and his Sikhs reached the River Sirsa. It was the winter months, and due to the cold weather and fast flowing river current, the Sikhs got scattered. Guru Gobind Singh Jee, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh got separated from Mata Gujjer Kaur (Mata Gujri), Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh.

Bibi Basant Kaur was with Mata Gujjer Kaur at this critical time, leading Mata Jee's horse through the River Sarsa. Mata Jee's horse led her to the other side of the river, but Bibi Basant Kaur got swept away by the cold but rapidly flowing river water. As the river carried her for some distance, she fell unconscious due to the horrendously cold water. Finally her body was washed up on the side of the riverbank. ....More

Sakhi 22

Sewadar doing Seva of sangat's shoes

This sakhi (orally narrated true historical account) is told in Sikh families from the time of Guru Arjan Dev (1563 - 1606), the fifth Sikh Guru.

Once a large dedicated sangat (a group of devotees) was coming from Kabul (capital of Afghanistan) to Amritsar for the darshan (audience, blessings) of the Guru.

They had heard many great things about the Guru and were very eager to see him, check out this wonderful personality and to be blessed by such a holy person of God.

It was a long journey of over 600 kms (375 miles) and they had been on their journey by road for many days. As they were near Lahore on their way to Amritsar, they were met by a Sikh and his wife. The kind Sikh and his wife were very helpful and did a lot of sewa (service) for the sangat; the members of the sangat were very pleased for the assistance given by these two volunteers.

The volunteers had massaged the tried legs of some of the elderly members of the party; waved fans over them as they rested; brought water and food for them; and helped them with whatever they requested. .....More

Sakhi 23

On one of his travels Guru Ji came to a town and stopped at the house of an old Sikh called Chundhwadi. He was very poor and was in a fluster as to what food to place in front of Guru Ji.

He went to the local town not knowing what to do. While he was there he saw a gathering of people and went to see what was happening.

It was a wrestling match and the local Nawab was parading his champion. Now, the champion was called Maskeen and was tall and muscular and was undefeated. He stood while the proud Nawab challenged all the town if there was any person who would take on his champion.

Maskeen strode into the middle of the large circle flexing his muscles. No one dared step forward for fear of serious injury. When Chundhwadi heard that the prize was 50rps he thought that if he could get the money he could use it to buy provisions to place in front of Guru Ji. ....More

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Featured Sakhis

Prahlada has been given special status in Sikhi as he is mentioned in Gurbani several times.

He is considered a Gurmukh and given a separate identity in Gurmat as he was a true devotee to God (Hari); it's better to call him Bhagat Prahlad.

His story is told in the Adi Granth and again in the Dasam Granth. He was a God loving person. His father Harnaakash was an egoistic and a Manmukh; he did not believe in the supremacy of God; he only believed in himself.

Through performing severe penances and meditation, King Harnaakash had been granted a boon that he would neither be killed by man or beast, with a weapon or without a weapon, during day or night, indoors or outdoors, on earth or in the sky. It is through the protection of this boon that he sought undisputed lordship over the material world. He declared "There is non stronger than I. I am the lord of the three worlds. I should be worshipped as such".

Due to his overwhelming ego, he considered himself to be a god and he declared that there was no other God present on earth. However, to remove his confusion God himself came in the form of Narsingh to settle this mistake. .....More


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Raja Hari Chand was one of the twenty two hill chiefs who once boasted that if he ever came face-to-face with Guru Gobind Singh Ji on the battle field his one arrow would be enough to kill him. It so happened that when some of the hill chieftains turned against Guru Sahib Ji and sided with the Mughal forces that Raja Hari Chand found himself face-to-face with Guru Sahib Ji on the battlefield.

In the raging battle Guru Sahib Ji shouted out to him "Hari Chand, here I am. Strike me if you can, you may feel sorry afterwards that Gobind Singh did not give me a chance to test my prowess in archery." Upon this, Hari Chand drew his arrow hard and shot it at Guru Sahib Ji with all his might. .....More


Shabad Hararay
by Guru Arjan

A cousin of Guru Ram Das came to Amritsar from Lahore especially to ask Guru Sahib to attend his son's wedding. Guru ji said, "I will not be able to go because I can't leave my duties here as Guru. Perhaps I can send one of my sons instead."

Guru Ram Das ji had three sons: Baba Prithi Chand or Prithia, Baba Mahadev and Arjan Mal. Prithia was in charge of collecting donations, of which he secretly took a portion for himself. When the Guru asked him to attend the wedding, Prithia said, "I have to take care of the collections. And I hate going to weddings."

Actually, he was afraid if he were away from the Guru for too long, he might not be appointed the Guru's successor. Having no luck with Prithia, Guru Ji then turned to Mahadev. Mahadev lived his life in meditation and said, "I have no desire to involve myself in worldly affairs."

Finally, Guru Sahib asked Arjan if he would go. Arjan said, "I only desire to do what you wish." Guru ji was very pleased. He asked Arjan to spend some time in Lahore to share the Guru's teachings with the Sikhs there. Any donations he received were to be given to the free kitchen to feed the poor. The last words he said to Arjan were, "You should stay in Lahore until I send for you by letter." .....More


Sakhi about the "Two Hungry Mice"
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One day, a man was walking along the dusty footpath deep in thought. Suddenly, he fell into a well!! It was quite a deep well but it had no water inside it. However, there was no way out of the well! The man thought to himself "How am I going to get myself out of here?"..... → read more
Bhai Makhan Shah Guru Nanak in Mecca
Village of Children Establishment of Kartarpur Darshan
3 Days in the River Bhai Lalo's Honesty Bhai Manjh Singh
Bhai Taloka's ardas Dukh Sukh Durga Worshipper from Amritsar
Guru Ji's Sickness Guru Nanak and Duni Chand Guru Nanak and Moola
Guru Nanak and the Sacred Thread Guru Nanak at School Platforms of Jetha
Respect through Service Sakhi Kaligidhar Chamatkar Sakhi of Bhagat Dhanna
Sakhis of Guru Nanak Stories of Guru Nanak Sundri
The Birth of the Guru There is no Hindu and no Musalman Watering the Crops



Other Sakhis

2 Pots Attaining Guruship Beheaded
Bring me Arms and Horses Charity to Sadhus Chhajju
Creation of Anand Sahib Creation of Shabad Hazarai Guru Gobind Singh and Ghanaya
Guru Gobind Singh and The Donkey Guru Nanak and two students Holy Cakes
Iron Clad Soldiers Are there TWO Gods Mardana Gives Clothes and Food
Mardana and the ants Mardana and the stone Sajan the Robber
The Desecration of Harimandir Sahib Guru Nanak and Hot Spring


External Links

Image thanks to: www.sikhpoint.com

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