KIDARA, BHAI

KIDARA, BHAI, an inhabitant of the village of Maddar, now in Sheikhupura district of Pakistan, was a devout Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. He was, according to the tradition preserved in his village, miraculously cured of a wasting disease. The story was, as says Bhai Santokh Singh, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, related by one Bhai Manik of Maddar to Guru Hargobind at the time of his visit to the village while returning from Kashmir around 1620. Guru Hargobind was told that Guru Arjan had once visited the village and Bhai Kidara was one of the local Siklis who came to offer obeisance.

Bhai Gurdas discovered that he had a swollen and festering neck. Bhai Kidara told him that he had long been suffering from scrofula which had not responded to any treatment, and that despaired of recovery, he had given up having any treatment. On Bhai Gurdas` suggestion, Bhai Kidara took hold of one of the shoes of the sleeping Guru and rubbed it around his neck. The discsase, continues Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, disappeared.

As Guru Arjan awoke he pushed his pair of shoes with his walking stick towards Bhai Kidara and bestowed both the shoes and the stick on him.The relics were preserved in the village. The story is also contained in an earlier source, Gurbilas Chhevm Palshaht.

References :

1. Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi, Patiala, 1970
2. Saniokh Singh, Bhai, Sn Cur Pratnp Suraj Granth. Amiilsar, 1927