The Title of “Panj Pyare”(Five Beloved one)

In this way, Guru Sahib Ji demanded four heads more and four other sikhs offered their heads to sacrifice. Guru Sahib Ji bestowed on them the title of ‘Panj Pyare’. First of all Guru Sahib Ji baptised all the Panj Pyaras by giving them Amrit and then took Amrit from Panj Pyaras and set a new tradition of ‘Aape Gur Chela’ and commanded the sikhs that any one could become Sikh of Guru Sahib by taking Amrit from Panj Pyaras. In this way Guru Sahib Ji created ‘Khalsa Panth’.

Chief of Panj Pyaras

Guru Sahib Ji nominated Bhai Daya Singh Ji as chief of Panj Pyaras. Bhai Daya Singh Ji who was Chief of Panj Pyaras and elder to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and being very close to Guru Sahib Ji was started being held in high regard in the court of Guru Sahib Ji. Satguru ji gave a shape of Panthak Panchayat (Khalsa Parliament) to Panj Pyaras and declared that all the important decisions would be taken by Khalsa Parliament and Panj Pyaras.Guru Sahib Ji handed over the responsibilities of langar (Kitchens) and other peculiar services to Bhai Daya Singh Ji. In every consultation relating to Gurmat, Guru Ji kept Bhai Sahib Ji close and his every opinion had always been full of deep wisdom and farsightedness.

Consecration (giving of amrit) only by Panj Pyaras

Once a great saint from the dynasty of Sodhis prayed to Kalgidhar ji for bestowing on him ‘Gur Mantar’ and consecrate (give amrit) him. Guru ji advised him, “I have bestowed the entire guru status on Panj Pyaras. Now onwards, Panj Pyaras are endowed with powers of complete Guru. You go to Bhai Daya Singh Ji, he only along with Panj Pyaras can consecrate you and give ‘Gur Mantar’ “. After that descendant of Baba Sobha Singh Ji, obeying the command of Guru Sahib went very humbly to Bhai Daya Singh Ji for taking Amrit and got it.

Encirclement of Anandpur Sahib by Mughal Army

During very long encirclement by mughal army Sikhs became restless by thirst and hunger. They intended to leave the fortress. At that time Bhai Daya Singh Ji being the chief of Khalsa Panchayat, inspired them to stay in the pious company of Guru Sahib and he himself also stayed there like a brave soldier.

War of Chamkaur Sahib and The Decision of Guru Panth

When Guru Sahib decided to leave the fort of Anandpur Sahib, at that time Bhai Daya Singh Ji also came out of the fort. After that, while crossing Sarsa river, Sikhs had a tough fight with Mughal army and occupied the battle front in the fragile fortress of Chamkaur. At this time Guru Ji had forty Singh’s and two elder sons Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji with him.When during the war with mughal army both the sahibzadas and so many other singh’s laid down their lives, Guru ji related his decision to lay down his life in this religious war. Satguru ji said “Now to fight and lay down the life in the battle field is my only objective.” This decision was so sudden and horrible that everybody was stunned. Everyone had a thought in the mind that if Guru Sahib Ji laid down his life in the battle field then what would become of the newly created Khalsa Panth. This feeling of anxiety was expressed by all to sagacious person Bhai Daya Singh Ji. Bhai Sahib’s farsightedness decided at once that Guru ji could not lay down his life and could be prevented from doing so. So Bhai Daya Singh Ji gathered five Singhs and very humbly and respectfully with folded hands prayed before Guru Sahib, “Satguru Ji ! individually we are your devotees, sons and Sikhs but according to your directives if we come collectively, we are Guru Panth. Now this Guru Panth of yours has thought that you would not lay down your life in this religious war and somehow go out of this fortress and make all attempts to gather Panthak Power in order to take the Panth to high spirits”. On hearing this command like prayer, Guru Gobind Singh Ji honoured Bhai Daya Singh ji and other beloved ones and spoke, “Thanks to Akalpurakh, now Panth has become competent enough to command me. We are to take Panth to great heights, for this we need the leadership of determined, enlightened , sacrificing and devoted sikhs.”

Guru Gobind Singh Ji came out of Fortress of Chamkaur

So, Guru Ji asked Bhai Daya Singh Ji and Bhai Maan Singh Ji to meet later according to the direction of stars and came out together uttering in loud voice “Peer of Hind is going”. On reaching Machhiwara, Bhai Daya Singh Ji and Bhai Maan Singh Ji met Guru Ji. The plan of taking Guru ji as ‘Uch Da Peer’ was also made by Bhai Daya Singh Ji. Making the plan successful, Pathan Gani Khan and Nabhi Khan who were the devotees of Guru Sahib putting their lives to great risk made Guru ji reach from Machhiwara to Lakhi Jangal.

Guru Sahib sent Zafarnama to Aurangzeb through Bhai Daya Singh Ji

After reaching Deena Kangar, Guru ji wrote Zafarnama which meant ‘Letter of Victory’. Guru Ji wrote this in the shape of a long poem in persian and sent this letter of victory to Aurangzeb through Bhai Daya Singh Ji. Bhai Sahib travelled long distances and met Aurangzeb at Aurangabad. On meeting Aurangzeb, Bhai Sahib uttered Fateh(sikh salutation) very humbly and handed over Zafarnama to him.

When Bahadur shah was fighting to gain the throne of Delhi, Guru Gobind Singh Ji sent Bhai Daya Singh Ji for his help. By the grace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and help of Bhai Daya Singh Ji, in the battle fought at Jajua, Bahadur Shah emerged victorious and became the emperor of India. Bahadur Shah requested Bhai Daya Singh Ji and Bhai Dharam Singh Ji to inform about this victory. He also requested for a meeting with Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Agra. During meeting at Agra, Emperor Bahadur Shah presented gifts inset with precious jewels as honour to Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib did not wear these gifts instead asked Bhai Daya Singh Ji to take them to the camp. Guru Sahib stayed at Agra till 1707 and then set out towards deccan. Bhai Daya Singh Ji always remained with Guru Sahib. There had been many friendly agreements between Guru Sahib and Bahadur Shah. Bhai Daya Singh Ji were always present in the meetings held between Guru Sahib and Bahadur Shah.

Nanded and Banda Singh Bahadur

After that Bhai Sahib reached Nanded along with Guru Sahib. At Nanded Lachman Das Bairagi was freed of his arrogance and was named Banda Singh Bahadur. He was sent to Sirhind (Punjab) to fight against Suba Sirhind and to be victorious. At that time also Bhai Daya Singh Ji was in the service of Guru Sahib.

Enthronement of Guru Granth Sahib Ji as Guru

The most significant and extremely sacred work of preparations relating to the enthronemant of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Guru Sahib asked Bhai Daya Singh Ji to decorate Guru Granth Sahib Ji in a palanquin and prepared ‘Panch Amrit’. Bhai Daya Singh Ji obeying the orders of Guru Sahib, decorated Guru Granth Sahib Ji in palanquin by covering with beautiful scarfs. Guru Sahib took five paise and a coconut in his hands and after reciting prayer, handed over the throne and power of Guru to Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Devotion of Bhai Daya Singh Ji Towards Guru Sahib

Bhai Daya Singh Ji rendered significant services to Guru Ghar and he had very deep love, devotion and reverence for Guru Sahib. For example: Once Guru Sahib was walking leisurely at the bank of a river, Bhai Daya Singh Ji and some other Singhs were also there along with Guru Sahib. Guru Ji was carrying a stone in his hand . Guru Ji performed a wondrous act. Guru Sahib threw this stone in the river and asked one singh why that stone had drowned. He replied that it was water’s property to drown everything which fell in it. Then Guru ji asked another singh the same question and he replied that “Maharaj the stone drowned in water because it was heavy in weight.” Guru ji smiled and lastly asked Bhai Daya Singh Ji why that stone had drowned. Bhai Daya Singh Ji replied out of extreme devotion , “Guru Ji I don’t know whether stone has drowned in water or water has drowned the stone. I know only one thing that one who has gone out of your hands is destined to be drowned today or tomorrow.” On seeing this fathomless devotion in Bhai Daya Singh Ji, Guru Ji embraced him and showered innumerable blessings on him.

Passing away of Bhai Daya Singh Ji

Great personality of Sikh Panth, dearest of Kalgidhar Ji, first Singh of Khalsa Panth, Chief of Panj Pyaras, Bhai Sahib Bhai Daya Singh Ji after getting blessings of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji through out his whole life since the age of 16 years, left for his heavenly abode in year 1708.