Bau Mal Singh Jee

Brief Jeevani of Bau Mal Singh Jee -

Bau Mal Singh Jee
The life of the highly respected Bau Mal Singh Jee of the Akhand Keertani Jatha is filled with miraculous and astonishing events. Through his influence, thousands of beings became attached to Gurmat, and countless beings, due to his prayers, were blessed by the Guru’s house. The spiritual paths of many were purified, and the worldly needs of many others were fulfilled.
The loving and warm embrace of Bau Jee would enchant everyone. Whenever a Gursikh would visit his home, he would shower them with boundless Prem and humility, even going to the extent of washing their feet and drinking that water.
Guru Sahib’s Naam resided in each and every hair of his body. Upon him was the complete grace of the Satguru.

He spent approximately 65 - 70 years in the Sangat of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee and even after engaged in the Seva of the Akhand Keertani Jatha. He inspired thousands to take Amrit and, according to the Hukam "ਜੀਅਦਾਨੁਦੇਭਗਤੀਲਾਇਨਿ" (giving the gift of life and attaching to devotion), helped countless souls receive the gift of spiritual life from the Satguru.

Bau Jee was born in the year 1879 in village Sarli, district Amritsar, in the house of father Sardar Kahan Singh and mother Gulab Kaur. He was about eight years old when his father passed away. Among his siblings, Bau Jee was the youngest. His four elder sisters were already married. He had three elder brothers, among whom the eldest, Sardar Varyam Singh, was sixteen years old. There was no other elder person at home to look after the household except his mother. Extreme poverty took over the house. His mother enrolled him into schooling. Bau Jee was a highly capable child.

While studying in the third grade, elders from the Guru’s lineage (descendants from Batala, referred to as "Guru Ke") came to their town to collect annual offerings (kaar-bhet). His mother, giving him a coin, said,

"Go child, bow to the Guru's descendants."

When Bau Jee went to bow, he saw the "Guru Ke" elders wrapped in sheets, sitting cross-legged and deep in meditation. When he returned home, he asked his mother,

"What are the Guru’s descendants doing while sitting like that?" 

Mother replied, "Child, they are engaged in Bhajan (devotional meditation)."

He further asked, "Mother, what is Bhajan?"

With loving simplicity, his mother explained, "Reciting Gurbani and experiencing bliss through it — this is how they worship God."

This thought took deep root in his mind and was etched on the tablet of his consciousness like an indelible line. Soon, Bau Jee ordered a Gutka of Japji Sahib translated into Urdu from Amritsar (since Urdu was the medium of education at that time) and began daily recitation sitting beside his mother, lovingly and attentively reading aloud to her. This marked the beginning of his spiritual life.

When the "Guru Ke" elders visited Sarli again, recognizing the potential of this gifted child and seeing the poverty at home, they recommended that Bau Jee be sent to Batala for further education. At that time, Bau Jee had graduated to fifth grade. His elder brother accompanied him to Batala and said,

"This is the Guru's house; by serving here, one receives the reward of paradise; by laboring here, one attains divine mansions. Serve diligently."

Living at the Guru’s house in Batala during his childhood, Bau Jee performed tireless Seva — washing Bhandey (utensils), carrying water — with such devotion that the family of the Guru Ke began to consider him one of their own. Along with the intense Seva, he excelled in school, consistently ranking first or second in his class.

While studying in ninth grade at Batala, in 1899, through a relative, Bau Jee traveled to Quetta and joined the 36th Cavalry Regiment. At that time, the soldiers of the cavalry were highly respected and held in great honor.

By then, Bau Jee had become strict in his Nitnem and performed his government job with utmost dedication and honesty, earning great respect within the regiment.

Back then, English-educated individuals were rare, and because Bau Jee was educated in English, he rose to the position of Head Clerk within the regiment. Due to this, he was addressed with the title "Bau Jee" till this day.

In 1910, Bau Jee’s regiment moved from Quetta to Ambala Cantonment, where many army regiments were stationed. Here, within the 8th Regiment, was an Education Officer, Sardar Pyara Singh Jee, a deeply spiritual, Naam-absorbed Gursikh, who later became renowned within the Jatha as Colonel Pyara Singh Jee. He began associating and meeting with the Singhs of the 36th Regiment.

One rainy day, Sardar Pyara Singh Jee visited the Gurdwara of the 36th Regiment and sent a messenger to call Bau Jee from his house. When Bau Jee arrived at the Gurdwara, Pyara Singh Jee, filled with Bairaag (deep yearning to meet Guru Sahib), sang the following Shabad on the Vaajaa:

"ਨ੍ਰਿਪਕੰਨਿਆਕੇਕਾਰਨੈਇਕੁਭਇਆਭੇਖਧਾਰੀ॥"
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee - Ang 858)
"For a king's daughter, a man disguised himself as Vishnu."

This Shabad deeply pierced Bau Jee’s heart and soul, sinking into his being.

After completing the Shabad, Colonel Sahib asked Bau Jee, "Do you know why I keep following after you?"

Bau Jee replied, "I do not know much, but whatever you say, I accept."

Pyara Singh said, "I have received Satguru's command to make you meditate upon Naam."

The moment he initiated Bau Jee into the Naam, in the very first sitting itself, Bau Jee’s consciousness and concentration soared to the heavens. The eternal bonds described by "ਘੋਲਿਘੁਮਾਈਤਿਸੁਮਿਤ੍ਰਵਿਚੋਲੇ" (I am sacrificed to my beloved friend, the messenger) were formed.

Some days later, Sardar Pyara Singh requested, "Brother, now take Amrit from the Panj Pyare (Five Beloved Ones) so that you may firmly tread the Gurmat path of Naam meditation." Without hesitation, Bau Jee prepared himself.

Together with Sardar Pyara Singh, they went to his village Mahilowal, district Sialkot, and received Amrit from the Panj Pyare.

Bau Jee’s practice of Naam Simran (meditation on God's Name) intensified such that countless waves of Naam vibrations began continuously. The two devoted Gursikhs would sit together in solitude, meditating deeply upon the Naam. In a very short time, they were immersed in the colors of divine bliss.

Bau Jee used to narrate from his own mouth that while meditating one day, a condition arose where his spinal cord began to vibrate intensely and his intestines started squirming around.

When he described this wondrous event to Pyara Singh Jee, he exclaimed in astonishment, "From now on, you need not come to me — rather, I will come to you. You have surpassed me."

At that time, the Panch Khalsa Divaan Bhassaur had become a center of Gursikhi, and Panthic congregations were often held there. During one such gathering, Bau Jee arrived with his wife and children to take Amrit.

By coincidence, in the same room where Bau Jee was staying, Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee was staying as well. According to his daily routine, Bau Jee rose at Amritvela (the early dawn hours) and after bathing, sat in the corner of the room and engaged in Naam Abhiyaas.

By the divine destined meeting ("ਪੂਰਬਜਨਮਕੇਮਿਲੇਸੰਜੋਗੀ" — those destined by past actions are united), Bhai Sahib Jee embraced Bau Jee tightly and said,

"Where were you hiding all this time? We could not find anyone like you. From now on, you must walk with us."

This was the first meeting between Bhai Sahib Jee and Bau Jee — a meeting that continued unwaveringly until their last breaths and even beyond into the next world. 

Thanks to Bau Jee, the Prem-filled gatherings of Bhai Sahib Jee commenced at Ambala Cantonment. Great Akhand Paaths and amazing Keertan programs took place there, with countless divine and spiritual miracles occurring, each with incredible stories behind them. Here, Bau Jee’s consciousness became absorbed in wondrous, ecstatic states, and he settled in the highest spiritual realms, losing all external awareness.

Due to this condition, he missed attending the parade. When he regained consciousness at Amritvela the next day, he remembered his job duties. Meanwhile, his officers had placed Bau Jee under house arrest at his quarters. When Bhai Sahib learned of this, he gathered all the Singhs and together they offered humble Ardaas to Guru Sahib for Bau Jee. When Bau Jee appeared before the British Colonel for trial, everyone feared he would be harshly punished and stripped of his stripes.

During the trial, the adjutant complained, "He leaves every Saturday evening (to Narangwal) and only returns Monday morning."

The company Subedar also complained, "He never appears on time for parades." But who knows what divine miracle Satguru enacted?

The Colonel said to Bau Jee, "Mal Singh! Have you become a fakir (ascetic)?"

Bau Jee humbly replied, "No, sir, I was present in the line."

The Colonel said, "Fine, but don't repeat it again." All the soldiers, young and old, were stunned at witnessing this miracle.

The following is a poem written to / for Bau Mal Singh Jee.

"In 1922, there was a story about the coming of the pension. Along with the pension, you (respected one) received one "murabba" (about 25 acres) of land at Ukaṛe (Pakistan) as a reward for good service. There itself, another murabba was given to you by a gentleman in combination with seven thousand rupees. Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Jee was declared a rebel by the government and was serving a life imprisonment, and because Bau Jee had a deep friendship with Bhai Sahib, the C.I.D. (Criminal Investigation Department) kept surveillance on Bau Jee. However, you continued to walk safely like a lotus in water, untouched in countless entrapments and trials; not even an agent could harm even a hair on you. Around 1933, you were elected, without opposition, as a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Committee from your area of Ganji Bar. But the truly great thing is that during this membership, you never accepted any travel expenses or any other allowance etc. from the Shiromani Committee, but instead kept serving from your own Dasvandh. During Bhai Sahib’s imprisonment, where you fulfilled all the event programs with rising spirit, there you also served by fulfilling the expenses of Bhai Sahib’s family's maintenance and the children's education, etc. After the release from jail, when Bhai Sahib went to meet Bau Jee at Narangwal, then the scene of reunion after years of separation was so emotional and unique that describing it in this small article is difficult. Many such other incidents like Subedar Heera Harbachan Singh’s coincidental meeting, and the shaking of the skull by a horse's kick, etc., could not be included here. Due to your selfless Panthic service and your high and pure Gursikh life, through the inspiration of the Central Sri Guru Singh Sabha, you were honored on September 16, 1974 at the court of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib with a certificate of honor and a Siropa, and the heads of other Takht Sahibs also went to Sri Akal Takht Sahib and presented you with Siropas. As time kept passing, showing many colors, the time of July 1979 arrived. During these days, you became completely inward-looking, there was no outward speech or any looking here and there. Rather, with closed eyes, your consciousness and attention had ascended the skies, you were absorbed in your own colors, and the radiance of your face was worth seeing. There was no physical pain at all, but the strength of the body was declining, and declining so much that by the evening of July 22, the pulse slowed down and reached 52. On July 23, Monday, at 11:30 a.m., when the recitation of the 15th Pauri of Japji Sahib was completed near you, then your soul-bird flew away."

Bau Mal Singh Jee in France

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Bau Mal Singh Jee was one of Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Jee’s closest companions and friends. While Bhai Sahib was in jail, Bau Jee was serving abroad in the British army.

Taken from “Poorab Janam Ke Miley Sanjogi”

Bibek on Ship

When World War I began, Bau Mal Singh Jee’s regiment was sent to France. The regiment went by train to Bombay where they boarded a ship. In the ship, there was only one kitchen. Bau Jee’s friends suggested that he too eat from this Langar and because of the war, he should for some time give up the idea of keeping Bibek. Bau Jee replied with determination that if Kalgidhar Jee gave him this Bibek then he too would help him keep it.

Bau Jee met the Major and the Commanding officer and they recognized Bau Jee’s religious convictions. They ordered that after the common meal was prepared, Bau Jee could prepare his own separately. During the entire trip, Bau Jee prepared his own food. Finally, the ship docked at Marseilles, France.

Daily Routine in France

After landing in France, Bau Jee’s company was sent to the base-line at Ruen, which was north of Paris. The living arrangement was good but because of winter, it was dreadfully cold. Bau Jee did not eat meat nor did he drink and he also refused to eat any food purchased from the markets. All Bau Jee had was flour and daal (lentils) which were just not enough.

At Amritvela, Bau Jee would rise and bathe in the cold water, no matter how hard it was. It was not an easy task to do daily Keshi-Ishnaan in such ice-cold water. He would do his Ishnaan, Simran and Nitnem with total dedication and enthusiasm. The Simran would last for hours until dawn.

After some time, Bau Jee and some senior Sikh officers asked the British army to bring a saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee which Bau Jee himself did seva of. Bau Jee would do his Nitnem and then go to the tent which served as a Gurdwara. After cleaning up and fixing the floorings, he would do Parkaash and take a Hukamnama. Bau Jee would then prepare his food and then go to work.

After work, he would do Rehraas Sahib and a short Divaan would be held. Every Sunday a Keertan Smaagam would take place and the sangat would gather for Aasaa Dee Vaar. Bau Jee lived like a yogi. Immediately after his office duties were completed that day, he would engage himself in Naam and Baani and detach himself from the outside world.

Meeting the Belgian Ladies

One day, Bau Jee was returning alone from a walk when two young Belgian women met him. They asked Bau Jee in English to join them on a walk. Bau Jee explained in English that he had just returned from a walk but they insisted he accompany them. After some time, they asked Bau Jee to sit down on a bench and they sat on either side of him.

They then said, “Hey, Indian gentleman, do you like Belgian ladies?”

Bau Jee replied calmly, “Yes, I love all ladies as my mother, sister and daughter.

Hearing Bau Jee’s serious reply, the two women, who both had impure intentions, ran away in shock.

Bau Jee used to say that in Kaljug, Kaam is supreme and only by non-stop Naam can one save oneself from it. Bau Jee used to recite:

“ਕਾਮੁਕ੍ਰੋਧੁਕਾਇਆਕਉਗਾਲੈ॥ ਜਿਉਕੰਚਨਸੋਹਾਗਾਢਾਲੈ॥”

Unfulfilled sexual desire and unresolved anger waste the body away, as gold is dissolved by borax.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee - Ang 932)

And also,

“ਹੇਕਾਮੰਨਰਕਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮੰਬਹੁਜੋਨੀਭ੍ਰਮਾਵਣਹ॥”

O sexual desire, you lead the mortals to hell; you make them wander in reincarnation through countless species.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee - Ang 1358)

Sri Maan Bau Jee stayed in France for three years. He prepared his own Bibeki food. Bau Jee organized many Keertan Smaagams and was respected by all the Sikh soldiers. When Bau Jee would come out of his office at the end of the day, many Sikh soldiers from far and away would be waiting to meet him.

Guru Sahib’s Seva as Supreme

Bau Jee considered the Seva of the Gurdwara and organizing Smaagams as even more important than his government job. Once, a Singh passed away and an Akhand Paath Smaagam was to be organized. Bau Jee had to go to another unit to inform a Paathi Singh. Bau Jee was assigned to monitor the phones but he considered it his religious duty to go inform the Paathi Singh about the Smaagam.

He asked another clerk to monitor the phones in his absence but that clerk forgot. The Checking Officer noticed that Bau Jee was absent and then informed the Commanding Officer. 

Bau Jee was summoned and although the penalty was normally very high, all the Command Officer said was, “as a senior clerk, you shouldn’t have done that. You may go, but don’t repeat this in the future.”

It was in respect of Bau Jee’s high Jeevan that the officer gave him so much honor and respect. Even officers of other faiths respected him.

Return to India

Because Bau Jee did not get proper rations to prepare his food, he began to fall ill. Tuberculosis was found in his lungs and it was ordered that he be sent back to India. An Amritdhari Singh was sent with Bau Jee to help him back on the journey.