GARHIA, BHAI

GARHIA, BHAI, a devout Sikh who received blessing from Guru Hargobind. The Guru sent him to preach in Kashmir on a special request from the sahgat of that area. Bhai Garhia met on the way a Muslim divine, Shah Daula, near Gujrat, now in Pakistan, and engaged in a discourse with him. Shah Daula, was so impressed by his recital of the Sukhmam, that he became a devotee of the Gurus. In Kashmir, Bhai Garhia won wide esteem for his gentle and pious manner. Daily he expounded the sacred texts in the sangat and performed kirtan.

Whatever offerings he received went into the Guru ka Larigar. On being recalled from Kashmir by Guru Hargobind, he settled down at Goindval. He accompanied Baba Dvarka Das, a descendant of Guru Amar Das, to Bakala to attend the accession ceremony for Guru Tegh Bahadur on 11 August 1664. Baba Dvarka Das returned to Goindval, but he continued to stay at Bakala to serve the Guru.

References :

1. Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi. Patiala, 1970
2. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Cur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-33
3. Gian Singh, Giani, Panth Prakash. Patiala, 1970