Brief Jeevani of Bhai Sahib Atma Singh Jee Panjokhra Sahib -

Bhai Atma Singh Jee was a Gursikh who attained a deeply spiritual and high state, and was among the closest, most spiritually accomplished saathis of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee. He was born in the year 1910 at Sri Panjokhra Sahib, in the house of Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh Jee and Mata Narain Kaur Jee.

Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh Jee was a fully devoted and rehitvaan Gursikh, engaged in honest work. He used to offer Dasvandh in service to the Guru. He taught hundreds of young Sikhs how to read Gurbani.

Due to the virtuous company of his father, Bhai Atma Singh Jee, from childhood, became a lover of the Guru, and immersed himself in the study of Gurbani.

At a very young age, he became an Akhand Paathi. While partaking rauls with full devotion in hours-long Akhand Paaths, Gurbani became the foundation of his life.

During this period, while he was still in his youth, he had an encounter with Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee in 1936 at Patiala.

"Among these Akhand Paathis was the Gurmukh from Panjokhra Sahib,

Bhai Atma Singh Jee, who at that time was still a newly-young, radiant youth.
This was our first loving meeting with Bhai Atma Singh Jee Panjokhra Sahib,

and it became such a bond that it has remained ever since.
Even before this, within the heart of this gurmukh, an endless,

spiritual love related to our connection was already kindling."
- Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee in Rangley Sajjan

Bhai Atma Singh Jee was a skilled Akhand Paathi, Keertani, and a rehitvaan Gursikh. In addition to the Panj Baniyaan Nitnem, his daily discipline included Sukhmani Sahib, Sukhmana Sahib, Akal Ustat, and several other Banis.

Bhai Atma Singh Jee had all of Guru Granth Sahib Jee kanth (memorized), so he would sit behind Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Jee during keertan, and whenever Bhai Sahib needed the next line he would turn back to Bhai Atma Singh, and he would whisper the next pangti into Bhai Sahib's ear. Bhai Sahib nicknamed him Pothi Jee.

He served as the President of Gurdwara Sri Panjokhra Sahib Patshahi 8 for 26 years. In 1947, he helped refugees, and selflessly opened a school at the Gurdwara Sahib for their children.

Bhai Atma Singh Jee had gone to Mohali for an Akhand Paath Sahib, where, on September 25th 1992, at 7:30 PM, he departed to Gurpuri. His physical body was brought to the village Panjokhra Sahib, where the final ceremonies were performed. In his memory, an Antim Sanskaar was organized on October 4th 1992, in which many Gursikhs who loved him attended and offered their respects.

Priceless Diamond, Beloved and Unique!

"Priceless Diamond, Beloved and Unique!"
— Bhai Sher Singh Jee

“ਖਾਣਿਉਖਣਿਕਢਿਆਣਦੇਨਿਰਮੋਲਕਹੀਰਾ॥
ਜਉਹਰੀਆਹਥਿਆਵਦਾਉਇਗਹਿਰਗੰਭੀਰਾ॥
ਮਜਲਸਅੰਦਰਿਦੇਖਦੇਪਾਤਿਸਾਹਵਜੀਰਾ॥
ਮੁਲੁਕਰਨਿਅਜਮਾਇਕੈਸਾਹਾਮਨਧੀਰਾ॥
ਅਹਰਣਿਉਤੈਰਖਿਕੈਘਣਘਾਉਸਰੀਰਾ॥
ਵਿਰਲਾਹੀਠਹਿਰਾਵਦਾਦਰਗਹਗੁਰਪੀਰਾ॥੧੬॥”
— Bhai Gurdas Jee

Bhai Gurdas Jee writes that:

"By digging into the mine the diamond is brought out.
Then it goes into the hands of serene and great jewelers.

In the gatherings the kings and the ministers test and check it.

The bankers in full confidence evaluate it.

Putting it on the anvil by the strokes of hammers its body is tried for wounds.

Any rare one remains intact.

Likewise any rare one reaches the court of the Guru any rare one escapes the darkness of Maya and its infatuations."

Meaning – From the mine that is the world, the spiritual miner (like Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee) extracts diamonds (like Bhai Atma Singh Jee), and presents them to the Jeweler (Guru Sahib). The Jeweler (Guru Sahib) examines them and accepts them into His treasure.

Priceless diamond, Bhai Atma Singh Jee was found by Bhai Randhir Singh Jee in April 1936 at Patiala. From 1936 to 1961, Bhai Atma Singh Jee continued to do Sangat of Bhai Randhir Singh Jee, spending his entire life in seva and simran.

Bhai Atma Singh Jee, in whose presence hundreds of Singhs memorized Gurbani with full dedication of body and mind — they engaged in this trade for Lahaa!

How could we ever forget such a noble soul as Bhai Atma Singh Jee?
Just by looking at him, one's heart would blossom with joy.
Such was the deep attachment people felt toward Bhai Atma Singh Jee.
He was filled with every virtue, with not even a trace of flaw,
and every single day he would promote memorizing Gurbani.

We are ever in gratitude to such a noble, unique, and beloved soul — Bhai Atma Singh Jee!

Beloved Memories with Bhai Sahib Atma Singh Jee Panjokhra Sahib -

Beloved Memories
- Bhai Amrik Singh Jee

By the grace of Guru Sahib, this servant met you during a Keertan event at Gurdwara Patshahi Athvee (Eighth Sovereign) in Panjokhra Sahib. On the very first day, you took me to your home. After mutual discussion based on Gurmat (Guru’s wisdom), an open conversation happened about Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee. My village, Barnala, is only about five kilometers from Panjokhra Sahib, so frequent interactions kept occurring.

As Gurbani commands:
"ਜਉਤਉਪ੍ਰੇਮਖੇਲਣਕਾਚਾਉ॥"
(If you desire to play this game of love with Me, then step onto My Path with your head in hand.)
– Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Ang 1412

Just upon hearing this, every Sikh’s attention naturally turns toward the fearless warrior and Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Jee. Similarly, during holy events like Akhand Paath Sahib, and Rainsabaee Keertan programs—if there's mention of the seamless, selfless devotion of great Gursikhs—then Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee and his dear close companion Bhai Sahib Atma Singh Jee are remembered. They used to drink deeply from the divine cup of Amrit-filled Gurbani but never felt full.

Would a chatrik (rain-thirsty bird) ever wish for the sweet raindrops of monsoon to stop? Such divine personalities perfectly reflect this Gurbani verse:

"ਰਮਣੰਕੇਵਲੰਕੀਰਤਨੰਸੁਧਰਮੰਦੇਹਧਾਰਣਹ॥
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਨਾਮੁਨਾਰਾਇਣਨਾਨਕਪੀਵਤੰਸੰਤਨਤ੍ਰਿਪ੍ਯ੍ਯਤੇ॥"
– Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Ang 1356

"I praise the Guru, if He unites me with the Lord God." (Ang 41)

During Sangat gatherings, sometimes in the afternoon or at night, or while eating langar, some moments arrive when beloved Gursikhs exchange thoughts and learn immensely from senior/puratan Gursikhs. Many such subtle points are passed down orally during informal conversations, and they help a lot in walking the Gurmat path.

"ਸਤੀਪਹਰੀਸਤੁਭਲਾਬਹੀਐਪੜਿਆਪਾਸਿ॥
ਓਥੈਪਾਪੁਪੁੰਨੁਬੀਚਾਰੀਐਕੂੜੈਘਟੈਰਾਸਿ॥"
– Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Ang 146

Once while walking, he told me that after meeting Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee, he developed such Bairaag (deep yearning) that—with his wife's consent—he sent her to her parent’s home for some days and stayed with Bhai Sahib to immerse himself day and night in Keertan, Paath, and Bhagti. This state of deep absorption lasted for five years. He wouldn't even realize when the sun rose or set. He forgot all about his family back home. During this five-year span, his wife never sent any message of complaint, annoyance, or objection. Such was the life of this Gurmukh Singhni, adorned with saintly qualities and many Guns (divine virtues), who lived as an obedient and graceful wife under Guru Sahib’s Hukam.

This Daas saw that Mata Jee was a truly peaceful, radiant soul. Despite living in a household, she practiced remarkable detachment while living her life according to Gurmat. Whenever I went to the Panjokhra Sahib Keertan programs, they would always bring me home. In the upper room of their house, Guru Sahib’s Bani was always displayed. They always said, “Sing at least five Shabads before leaving.”

Once Bhai Atma Singh Jee took me to the fields. There, he told me that at one time Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee had sat in those very fields. When asked, he advised, “If you want to dig a well, dig it in that corner.” Indeed, the well turned out successful and water emerged from below. Bhai Atma Singh Jee told me that earlier, the land had water scarcity. Many times they had tried digging wells but no water came out, and the shortage caused great difficulty.

One day, out of love and Prem, he shared that he recites Nitnem within a few minutes through focused Surti (awareness). Upon rising at Amritvela, he would sit on his bed and recite the full Panj Bani Nitnem through his Surti. Then, after Ishnaan, he would recite again. While walking from home to the Gurdwara, he would complete it a third time. He said that using Surti for recitation doesn’t take much time. Gurbani is formless and of unfathomable depth. Through our own strength or memory, we cannot memorize these words. Only when Gurbani shows mercy and compassion, it enters the seeker’s heart.

He would often cite this Pangti:
"ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਬਾਣੀਸਤਿਗੁਰਪੂਰੇਕੀਜਿਸੁਕਿਰਪਾਲੁਹੋਵੈਤਿਸੁਰਿਦੈਵਸੇਹਾ॥"

 (The Word of the Perfect True Guru's Bani is Ambrosial Nectar; it dwells in the heart of one who is blessed by the Guru's Mercy)
– Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Ang 960

Regarding Kanth (memorized) Keertan, he used to say that through Guru Sahib's divine power, when a seeker is connected to the spiritual realm, Gurbani automatically flows. When reading from a Saroop (in those days, mobile phones weren’t in use, now phones have replaced physical Saroop / Saincheeyaan), as soon as the scripture is closed, the divine flow stops. Once, this poor Daas sang the Shabad during an annual Akhand Keertan gathering at Gurdwara Manji Sahib, Ambala City:

"ਇਹੁਮਨੁਨਿਹਚਲੁਹਿਰਦੈਵਸੀਅਲੇਗੁਰਮੁਖਿਮੂਲੁਪਛਾਣਿਰਹੈ॥
ਨਾਭਿਪਵਨੁਘਰਿਆਸਣਿਬੈਸੈਗੁਰਮੁਖਿਖੋਜਤਤਤੁਲਹੈ॥"
– Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Ang 945

Bapu Atma Singh Jee was sitting behind me. After the Keertan, he lovingly pulled me and whispered in my ear, “Today I almost left this world.” He said that when you sang the above lines from Siddh Gosht, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee Himself appeared directly before me. Radiant, Divine! The brilliance was too intense to bear. If you had sung the entire Siddh Gosht, then today my life would have ended right here.

By Guru Sahib’s grace, I included Siddh Gosht in my Nitnem ever since then. Within two months, I was blessed with getting Siddh Gosht Kanth (complete memorization). Afterward, whenever I quoted verses from Siddh Gosht, Bhai Sahib Jee seemed visibly affected as if struck by unseen arrows. When he sat behind a Keertani Singh, divine power would flow, and the Keertan would ascend into intense spiritual vibrance.

In his upper room, many Akhand Paaths, and Rainsabaee Keertans were held. My parents used to say that in the presence of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee and Bhai Atma Singh Jee, no one would yawn, feel sleepy, or tired. Often, souls would transcend into the Dasam Dwaar (tenth spiritual gate). No one would feel thirsty or need to use the bathroom all night.

He strongly believed that for a Gursikh, earning an honest living (among the ten accepted professions) was very important. He would say the Gurus have stamped approval:

"ਘਾਲਿਖਾਇਕਿਛੁਹਥਹੁਦੇਇ॥

 ਨਾਨਕਰਾਹੁਪਛਾਣਹਿਸੇਇ॥੧॥"

(One who works for what he eats, and gives some of what he has - O Nanak, he knows the Path.
– Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Ang 1245

By Guru Sahib’s Kirpa (grace), when I was a child, Bhai Santokh Singh Jee—who was Hazoori Ragi at Gurdwara Manji Sahib, Ambala (later at Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar) —taught me that any shabad learned through an instrument should be gotten Kanth right away. The Anand increases extremely. If one practices from childhood and youth as a regular seeker, then the True Master blesses them with this Gun (virtue).

Later, I met Bhai Atma Singh Jee, who inspired me further with determination to memorize Gurbani. He was a strong proponent of the Kanth Keertan tradition followed at Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. With great Nimarata, he would say, “One who doesn’t have the Nitnem Baniyaan memorized cannot truly be part of the Panj Pyare and initiate new Abhilaakhees through Amrit Sanchar.” He would hint:

"ਜਿਉਕਾਪੁਰਖੁਪੁਚਾਰੈਨਾਰੀ॥"
(Or a eunuch caressing a woman.)

 – Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Ang 198

On the other hand, if we look at Bhai Sahib Jee’s firm stance, colorful devotion, Gurmat-centered life, and unwavering love and Prem for Gurbani recitation, Naam bhagti, and Keertan throughout his life, then Guru Sahib’s words apply directly to him:

"ਸਫਲੁਜਨਮੁਹਰਿਜਨਕਾਉਪਜਿਆਜਿਨਿਕੀਨੋਸਉਤੁਬਿਧਾਤਾ॥
ਸਗਲਸਮੂਹਲੈਉਧਰੇਨਾਨਕਪੂਰਨਬ੍ਰਹਮੁਪਛਾਤਾ॥"

 – Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Ang 532

Throughout life, he served as part of the Panj Pyare and enabled countless souls to be spiritually reborn into the Khalsa Panth, and the house of Guru Sahib. Such Gurmukhs not only help beings, they even make Satguru Jee Himself proud to call them His own. Regarding such people, Bhai Gurdaas Jee proclaims:

"ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿਪੰਥਸੁਹਾਵੜਾਧੰਨਗੁਰੂਧੰਨਗੁਰੂਪਿਆਰੇ॥"

 (The way of Gurmukhs is delightful. Blessed is the Guru and blessed are his beloved ones.)
- Bhai Gurdaas Jee – Vaar 40

Invaluable Memories with Bhai Atma Singh Jee -

Invaluable Memories!
Bhai Satinder Singh Jee

I first had the Darshan of Bapu Atma Singh Jee in 1977. I can never forget that Darshan for the rest of my life. Bapu Jee was deeply devoted to Naam and Bani, and was a beloved companion of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee. Bhai Sahib would call him 'Pothi Jee,' because he had the entire Bani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee memorized.

Bapu Atma Singh Jee would often say that during Bhai Sahib's time, the Singhs would perform Keertan, with great skill. The Singhs' group would always be engaged in Keertan. Once, it was being said that Bapu Jee had mentioned that Guru Sahib had instructed for continuous 16-hour Keertan Seva from this Daas.

Bapu Jee always kept me with him at almost all events. I had the great joy of doing Keertan with Bapu Jee in various places like the villages of Madanpur, Chamaru, Mahtabgarh, Dalomajra, Ghanoor, Chandigarh, Patiala, Ambala, Paonta Sahib, and others.

Bapu Jee never hurried a Keertani to finish early. He would say that the longer the Keertan, the greater the Anand (spiritual bliss). There was a Singh from the village of Jodi and Chandumajra who used to accompany Bapu Jee. Both of them would get completely absorbed in Keertan with Prem and devotion.

Bapu Jee would often take me with him to his village, Panjokhra Sahib. The discipline of his Amrit Vela that I witnessed was as follows: After resting at night, he would wake up around 1 or 2 AM, go up to the roof of the house, and loudly strike the Khanda while chanting the Naam. Afterwards, he would perform Nitnem , recite Sri Sukhmani Sahib, and other Baniyaan.

Bapu Jee had adopted my mother as his own daughter. Our family shared an immense love for Bapu Jee. When Guru Sahib Jee blessed me with the gift of the Bhujangi form of Naam, Bapu Jee came to our house and said, “I have a divine call that my old companion has been born in your home.”

Bapu Jee had an immense spiritual power, which he developed through the repetition of Naam and Bani. He could perceive anything from miles away as if it were right in front of him.

At that time, Bapu Jee instructed me to perform Keertan and had me read the following words:

“ਜੰਮਿਆਪੂਤੁਭਗਤੁਗੋਵਿੰਦਕਾ॥ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਆਸਭਮਹਿਲਿਖਿਆਧੁਰਕਾ॥ਰਹਾਉ॥”
– Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Ang 396

At the end of the Keertan, Bapu Jee placed five rupees in this Daas’s pouch and gave blessings.

When Bapu Jee left for Gurpuri, a large number of Sangat gathered at his home in Panjokhra Sahib and decorated the home for Keertan. I remember that even at the time of his Antim Sanskaar, the spiritual radiance of his face could not be wiped away.

Bapu Jee's love was immense for Bhai Harbhajan Singh Jee, Bhai Surjeet Singh Jee, Bhai Amrik Singh Jee, Bibi Jagdish Kaur Jee, Bibi Mahinder Kaur Jee, Bhai Daljinder Singh Jee, and Bhai Gursharan Singh Jee as well.

Memories From Bapu Harbhajan Singh Jee (Anandpur Sahib) - 

From Bapu Harbhajan Singh Jee (Anandpur Sahib)
This bad tradition of not memorizing Keertan that has come about, this is a very bad deed, Jee. There is a saying: “Wealth should be in the pouch, Bani should be in the memory.” This is a sign of our ill fate that we no longer memorize Keertan.

Once, we bought some land in a hilly area thinking it was cheap, but when we started boring (for water) there, even after going 15–20 feet deep, it didn’t bore properly, not even with a machine. This deal was made by our soldier Singh.

He got very worried that so much money had been spent, but boring didn’t work. And he thought: now all the brothers will say that “You have ruined us.” In this worry, he couldn’t sleep, so he sat down leaning against the wall. Naturally, after a short while, he dozed off.

In his dream, he saw Baba Atma Singh Jee of Panjokhra Sahib at a Keertan Smaagam. When the Keertan concluded, the soldier saw him and greeted him with Fateh. He said, “Bapu Jee, you have already passed on, how did you come here now?” Bhai Atma Singh Jee replied, “A Gurmukh comes and goes without attachment, we are free to come and go. We can come in just one round.”

Then he started saying, “We used to tell you all to memorize the Keertan of Gurbani. Now we have seen everything ourselves—that only memorized Keertan is accepted in the true court of the Guru.”

Then he asked the soldier, “Why do you look so sad?” The soldier replied, “Bapu Jee, we bought land, spent a lot of money, but boring isn’t working there.”

Bapu Jee then explained, “On that land, in our previous lives, we had done a lot of spiritual practices (tapasya).” He also told him the exact place: “This is where our house used to be.”

Then he said, “Now, in the morning, go to a specific place, there is a reserved machine there. Bring it— boring will be successful with that. There will also be plenty of water.”

He brought that machine, and it successfully did the boring, and a lot of water came out. After that, where Bhai Atma Singh Jee had said “Our house used to be here,” when we dug that spot, old-fashioned hand-operated grain grinders (from ancient times) came out.

We have still kept those safe with us to this day.

The Contribution of Bhai Atma Singh Jee to the Panth -

The Contribution of Bhai Atma Singh Jee to the Panth!
Bhai Jasjit Singh Jee

Bhai Atma Singh Jee was a companion of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee. He was deeply absorbed in Naam Simran, and had been blessed with the gift of having all of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Kanth. He was thoroughly familiar with the glory of the site at Panjokhra Sahib.

Those saintly Sikhs who are spiritually radiant, have absolute faith in the miracles performed by Guru Jee. They know that these spiritual sites are destined to offer assistance in times to come. That is why they remain steadfast in preserving and maintaining these Guru-established sites with extremely subtle, sincere feelings.

Bhai Sahib Jee had the Seva of this site carried out. The present-day building — its service was undertaken by Guru Sahib Jee through him. Bhai Sahib Jee played a significant role in keeping the historical memory of Guru Sahib Jee alive and everlasting.

For nearly 25 years, he served and maintained the Gurdwara Sahib in the role of chief sevadar (main volunteer).

At one point, a jealous person began to pressure for Bhai Sahib Jee to be relieved of his Seva. Bhai Sahib Jee didn’t want any dispute; like other Gurmukhs, he thought it better to serve from behind the scenes.

But the Sangat wanted the management of the Gurdwara Sahib to remain in Bhai Sahib Jee’s hands.

The jealous person decided to hold elections. Bhai Sahib Jee stayed away from this Manmat decision of voting. But the Sangat themselves cast votes in his name and gave him the seva again.

Bhai Sahib Jee even humbly requested the sangats to allow others a chance, but the Sangat would not agree.

The jealous group held elections again the following year. Bhai Sahib Jee was once again appointed as the manager.

Bhai Sahib Jee did not want this Manmat system of elections to cast its shadow over this sacred site. Looking far ahead, he explained to the Sangat and made the decision to place the seva and management of this Guru-established site into the hands of the Panth, and handed over the responsibility to the Shiromani Committee.

Although Bhai Atma Singh Jee departed for Gurpuri on September 25th, 1992, over three decades ago, he continues to share the fragrance of his spiritually enlightened life — not only within the Akhand Keertani Jatha, but also in the service of the entire Panth.

The Khalsa Panth will always remain indebted for the services rendered by Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee and his companions, such as Bhai Sahib Atma Singh Jee.

May Guru Sahib bless us too with even a grain from the lives of these great souls.

Silencing the Wrestling Arenas! 

Silencing the Wrestling Arenas!
Our uncle, Bhai Atma Singh Jee, was very brave. In our village, Panjokhra Sahib, there used to be many Akharas (wrestling arenas or gatherings). In these gatherings, dancers would perform, and vulgar and inappropriate songs would be sung. Our uncle had explained several times that speaking such indecent words in the village was not appropriate. However, those people didn’t understand.

Then one day, they deliberately set up an Akhara near the boundary of Panjokhra Sahib Gurdwara Sahib. At that time, our uncle was reciting Rehraas Sahib. After finishing Rehraas Sahib, when the sound from the Akhara reached his ears, he took out his Sri Sahib and walked outside. He went to the entrance of the Akhara and loudly shouted a thunderous Jakara, causing everyone to scatter in all directions, running away wherever they could.

After that incident, no Akhara was ever set up in the village again.