The Jeevani Of Bhai Gurdev Singh Koanke

[jagjit_waheguru]

Author: Zorawar Singh

Date: 09-21-05 04:07

THE JEEVANI OF BHAI GURDEV SINGH KOANKE

JATHEDAR SIRI AKAL THAKHT SAHIB

(Translated from Jujarhoo Yoodhea

By Maninder Singh Baja)

In the Jagroun District of Punjab is a very blessed village called Koanke. The Master of Miri Piri, Sahib Siri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji blessed this village stating the diamonds would be born from this village. Guru Ji stated this when he rested at the village on his journey to the Sind region. When he stayed at Koanke village, one of its resident Gursikhs, Bhai Hira ji did keertan seva. Guru ji was very moved by the keertan and at this point stated in a “Bachan” that many more diamonds would be born here.

So it happened, aswell as Bhai Hira Ji, Sardar Sham Singh Attari, the Great Mata Kishen kaur Koanke, Bhai Gurdev Singh Koanke, and many countless young Gursikhs who have given all to the Sikh struggle, all were born in the village Koanke.

The list of names that stood by the mission and ideologue of Baba Jarnail Singh Bindranwale from this village is long, but one name stands out. That name is Jathedar Gurdev Singh ji.

Bhai Gurdev Singh was born in 1949 in house of Bhai Gurdial Singh and Mata Chand Kaur ji. Bhai sahib`s grandfather was Jathedar Totha Singh, who was a companion of Baba Nand Singh ji of Nanaksar. Hence Gursikhi was a part of the family tradition.

At a young age, Bhai Sahib was blessed with Amrit at the Siri Akal Thakht sahib. Bhai Sahib`s worldly education was only up to level 6. However he continued to study in his religious study at the Damdami Taksal. He was tutored by Baba Vir Singh Madoke and Giani Inder Singh Badni wale, both of whom were companions of Baba Gurbachan Singh Khalsa. From here Bhai Sahib began to do seva of katha of Sahib Siri Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth.

Due to the fact that Bhai Sahib inherited considerable land, his family needs were always satisfied, and therefore Bhai sahib always did katha in a Niskam nature.

In 1970, Bhai Sahib`s Anand Karaj to Bibi Gurmel kaur happened. Before the Anand Karaj, Bibi ji took Amrit and adorned a Keski.

Bhai Sahib was a very strict Gursikh and followed the practice of Gurmat Bibek. This meant that would only eat food prepared by Amritdhari hands. Bhai Sahib was also strict in his Amrit vela, rising everyday at 2am. From 2am to 8am, Bhai Sahib would do his nitnem, and would never speak to anyone during this period. Bhai Sahib was very influenced by Baba Jarnial Singh Bindranwale. Throughout the Dharam Yudh Movement, Bhai Sahib with his whole family would accept imprisonment.

Operation Bluestar in 1984, had a deep impact on Bhai sahib. From this period, Bhai Sahib in his katha openly started condemning Brahmin Authorities, and their devious practices. Due to the sincere nature of Bhai Sahibs character, the “parchaar” that Bhai Sahib did had a lot of influence on the sangat. Bhai Sahib was against all types of Gurudooms, sant-dooms, and as a result of his parchaar in the Jagroun area, many deras, businesses of Brahmin-vaad, blind worship and ritualism were removed from every village and town.

Due to Bhai sahib parchaar, the drug-ridden area of Jagroun, witnessed many Amrit Sanchaars, and kesri dastaars and black gatras could be seen everywhere. Once again the Malwa region strangled by drugs, witnessed a Khalsa revolution. At weddings, where previously dirty songs were heard, now Gurbani keertan was heard. In buses, the Bollywood songs were replaced Dhadi Vaars and religious songs. Much of this social change was credited to Bhai Gurdev Singh ji.

As a result of this, in January 1986, Bhai sahib was chosen to the highest Seva in the Khalsa Panth, the Seva of Jathedar of Siri Akal Thakht Sahib ji.

To be continued...........

[Dhan Teri Sikhi]

Waheguru

:doh:

Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Pyaare

[lowest of the low singhni]

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[Azaad]

I had the good fortune to visit Village Koanke this year whilst on my India trip...Very close to Nanaksar Headquarters in Jagraon