Brief Jeevani of Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee Kala-Sanghaa -
Jathedar Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee Kala-Sanghaa
The Jeevan of Jathedar Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee Kala-Sanghaa stands as a shining example of staunch Rehat, discipline, and the unbroken spiritual lineage that flows from the times of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee. His life was filled with inner strength and deep humility, guided entirely by Gurmat principles.
Early Life and Coming into the Jatha
Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee was from the village of Kala Sangha in the Kapurthala district of Punjab. The name “Kala-Sanghaa” became lovingly attached to his name. Even in his youth, he was known for his quiet, thoughtful nature and soft speech.
In the late 1950s, when the fragrance of Naam and Rehat inspired by Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee still filled the air of Punjab, Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee was drawn to the Jatha. He received Amrit at a time when many of Bhai Sahib’s direct companions were still spreading the Khalsa Rehat of Sarbloh Bibek, Amritvela, and Naam. By the grace of Guru Sahib, Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee also had the blessed darshan of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee. That moment changed the direction of his life forever.
During his Amrit Sanchar, an extraordinary spiritual experience occurred which left a deep impression on those present. From that day onward, Bhai Sahib dedicated his life to living as a true Khalsa of the Guru, strong in discipline and humble in heart.
Discipline of Gurmat Rehat and Sarbloh Bibek
From the moment he took Amrit, Bhai Sahib lived according to the strict discipline of Rehat. His daily life revolved around Amritvela, Nitnem, Naam Abhiyaas, and the practice of Sarbloh Bibek. He never allowed worldly convenience to interfere with the purity of Rehat.
He often said that Bibek was not only about using Sarbloh utensils or eating from Bibekis, but also about ensuring that the food one eats is earned through honest means. He taught that the purity of food depends not only on how it is prepared but also on how it is obtained.
He once shared a personal Saakhi that carried a deep lesson. During a Smaagam, a Gursikh family lovingly urged him to accept Langar at their home. They assured him that the Langar was prepared with full Maryada, in Sarbloh utensils and by Tyaar-bar-Tyaar Amritdhari Gursikhs. Out of affection for their devotion, he agreed. That night, however, he dreamt vividly that he was eating meat. He woke disturbed and reflected deeply. Later he discovered that although the Langar was prepared properly, the family earned their living by transporting meat. This realization saddened him. He understood that while the food had been physically pure, the means used to earn it had carried spiritual impurity.
This was the depth of his Bibek. He rarely ate away from home, and only from trusted Sarblohi Gursikhs whose Rehat and livelihood were pure. He would often say that one must eat from those whose kitchen and heart are both clean.
Seva and Role of Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee Kala-Sanghaa
Because of his deep spiritual insight and complete honesty, Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee was often given Seva as Jathedar among the Panj Pyare during Amrit Sanchaars. His presence alone brought discipline and respect. No Dhill (weakness) was allowed in the Amrit Sanchaar where he did Seva.
He was firm yet compassionate. Those who had some weakness in Rehat would hesitate to go pesh when he was in the Panj because they knew he did not tolerate any carelessness in the Guru’s rehat. At the same time, sincere seekers traveled from far away to receive Amrit under his guidance, knowing it would be in its purest form.
His firmness came not from pride but from love for the Guru and the Panth. He used to say, “If the Khalsa weakens the Rehat, the Khalsa weakens the Guru.”
Chardikala Amidst Persecution
During the difficult years of the 1980s and 1990s, when Punjab was going through a very hard time, Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee was often targeted by the police. Many Gursikhs in his region were connected with Sikh freedom movements, and whenever incidents occurred, the authorities would arrest him first.
He endured countless interrogations and imprisonments but remained ever in Chardikala.
He would jokingly say that “Guru Sahib sends the police to test His Singhs.”
Even in jail, he never compromised his Rehat. He continued his Nitnem, Naam Abhiyaas, and refused food not prepared according to Gurmat. Even hostile officers came to respect his steadfastness.
Those who met him after such hardships remembered his radiant composure and peaceful gaze. He spoke little but with great depth, and his words carried the strength of experience.
Character and Nature
Bhai Sahib was like a coconut — hard from outside but very soft from inside. He was very strict in following Rehat, but he was very soft and sweet from within. He spoke gently and truthfully. His integrity was beyond question, and even those who disagreed with him admitted that he could never be swayed or influenced by worldly pressure.
He lived simply, detached from politics and personal ambition. Even those who held positions of power in the Jatha treated him with quiet reverence. His entire focus was on service, discipline, and obedience to Guru Sahib’s Hukam.
Guiding Light in Sarbloh Bibek
In the late 1990s, as more Gursikhs around the world began adopting Sarbloh Bibek Rehat, Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee became a trusted source of guidance. His deep understanding helped clarify many aspects of Maryada and ensured that the practice remained aligned with Gurmat.
He emphasized that Bibek is not a ritual but a spiritual state of consciousness. He said that a Bibeki Singh eats not just with his body, but with his soul.
Final Years
In his later years, Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee remained one of the last living links to the early era of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee’s Singhs. His life was a living testimony that Rehat can remain pure even in the most difficult times.
He inspired younger generations to keep Amritvela, do Naam Abhiyaas, and live by Sarbloh Bibek.
He often reminded Sangat, “If we lose Rehat, we lose the Guru’s sight.”
When he passed away, the Sangat felt a deep void. His life continues to inspire countless seekers who wish to walk the path of the true Khalsa. He lived and departed as a pure Sikh of the Guru—untainted by worldliness, unshaken by fear, and always in Chardikala.
Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee’s Strict Sarbloh Bibek Rehat
Jathedar Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee rarely used to eat from anywhere and used to only eat from home or very few trustworthy Gursikhs who he fully trusted. He once narrated his experience of eating from open Langars. Some Singhs requested him to attend a Smaagam at their home and they insisted that he eat some Langar prepared by other Sarblohis. Bhai Sahib at first politely denied their request but when they kept persuading him and telling him that the Langar was prepared with full Maryada, he ate some Langar.
That night when he was asleep, he had dreams in which he was eating a lot of meat. He could feel his Avastha was a bit down. He knew there was something wrong with the food he ate the day before. He went over to the family from where he had eaten and inquired about their Rehat. Their Rehat was fine but their source of income was not unstained. It involved some dealings with meat. This Saakhi proves that Bibek is not only about eating from Bibekis but the source of income used to purchase the food too should be in accordance with Gurmat.
Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee meeting Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee
Jathedar Jee once narrated his Saakhi of meeting Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Jee and coming to the Jatha. He came in the later years of Bhai Sahib Jee but before coming he had a dream in which he had Darshan of the Panj Pyare dressed in Yellow Baana.
When he did indeed get Pesh in Jatha, he noticed that these were the same Panj Pyare he had seen in dream. He mentioned that while he was waiting in line to get Amrit, he got Naam Dridh even before he got Amrit. Swaas Swaas Naam Abhiyaas started just by being there.
When he mentioned Basanti (Yellow) Baanaa for Panj Pyare, we had a bit of Dubidha because Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee in Jot Vigaas has written that the Panj Pyare at a particular Smaagam were wearing Surmai (Navy Blue) Baanaa. Later after doing more in-depth investigation, we found out that at that time the Panj Pyare used to wear both Basanti and Surmai Baana.
Mahaan Gurmukh! While we are all feeling Bairaag because of losing Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh Jee Kala Sanghaa, at the same time we are very proud of Bhai Sahib and very happy that he completed his worldly journey while keeping Guru Sahib's Rehat to the last breath. He did not compromise on Rehat of Guru Sahib all his life and in his last days, he refused to undergo surgery because it would have involved cutting his hair.
- Bhai Kulbir Singh Jee (Toronto)
Jathedar Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh Jee Challenges a Ghost
The account shared below was narrated to us by a Gursikh who was doing seva in the Panj Pyare at the time of this incident. It is shared here for the benefit of sangat.
A Bibi from Mohali once got Pesh at an Amrit Sanchaar where Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee was doing Seva. Bhai Sahib was the Jathedar of the Panj Pyare and was sitting on Tabiyaa. The Bibi came into the Darbar very reluctantly and was muttering to herself and seemed very distraught
Bhai Sahib on Tabiyaa asked her "Kida Aye?"
The Bibi then started to speak in the voice of a man and was speaking languages like Farsi and Urdu very fast.
It was very hard to understand what she was saying, so Bhai Sahib said very forcibly "Bol, tu koun ah?" (Speak, tell us who you are!).
The voice then said that it was a ghost and possessed this woman because he wanted to get Mukat but needed a body to do so. Bhai Sahib then told one of the other Panj to put their Kirpan on the Bibi's neck.
When they did this, the Ghost started to beg for forgiveness and said "Mujhe ab chadd do." (please let me go).
Then Bhai Sahib replied, "Eh tera tikana nehi, Singhan de ghar nehi ayeeda, tu eh bibi nu chadd ke chalja!" (This is not your place to stay, do not come to the house of Gursikhs, leave this Bibi now!)
The Ghost then said Okay and asked for some water. The Pehredaar brought the water and after drinking the water the Bibi started to roll around on the floor in pain and then finally stopped. She then got up and started to thank the Panj Pyare for saving her from this ghost.
Bhai Sahib as Panj Pyare then gave hukam to the Bibi to keep strict Sarbloh Bibek, otherwise the ghost would come back into her. The Bibi Jee kept full Rehat after that and never had another incident with a ghost.
Jathedar Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee Discloses the Place to Dig a Well
A Gursikh was having difficulty with finding the place to dig a well, and the space that he had dedicated to digging the well was only a very small area. He had asked the workers to dig a 200ft well so that they could find the water, but after 3 unsuccessful attempts the Gursikh was ready to give up.
He then called Bhai Mohinder Singh Jee and asked for five Singhs to come in the morning and do Ardaas for his Karaj. Bhai Sahib agreed and Bhai Sahib along with 4 other Singhs came to the Gursikh’s house for Amritvela.
After doing Ardaas all the other Singhs had a parshada and then left to go home. Bhai Sahib did not eat any food and took a chair and sat in the area where they were digging for the well. It was the month of June and a very hot day.
Bhai Sahib sat outside under the sun for the whole day and did not take any food and did not speak to anyone. At the end of the day he told the workers to dig the well at one corner of the space.
The workers said, "Baba jee, ethe pani ho nahi sakda, apan kite bahar bor kardene ah."
Bhai Sahib replied no, dig the well right here. The workers started to dig and since it was evening time, Bhai Sahib left to go home.
The morning after Amrivela, Bhai Sahib called the Gursikh and said, "Haan, phir gal bangee?"
The Gursikh then told Bhai Sahib that they had only dug 150ft and had already found water, whereas they had estimated that the well would have to be a minimum of 200ft to get any water. Bhai Sahib then said that it is all Guru Sahib's kirpa and they should never doubt the Ardaas of Rehatvaan Gursikhs.