SOMA, BHAI

SOMA, BHAI, a native of Jhang, now in Pakistan, was a devout Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. He laboured with devotion during the digging.of the sacred pool at Amritsar. One day, as Guru Arjan was supervising the work, a mendicant came to him for alms. The Guru did not have at that moment a coin to offer and asked if any of the Sikhs would give him one. Bhai Soma possessed only two piece which he offered to the Guru, who gave them to the mendicant.

“Bhai Soma is now my shah, or creditor,” remarked the Guru. From that day Bhai Soma came to be known as Soma Shah. Later, he became rich through business. His descendants were living until recent years in the district of Sahival, Dera Isma`il Khan and Bannu, in West Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. The epithet `Shah` is suffixed to their names up to this day.

References :

1. Kahn Singh, Bhai, Gurushabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh [Reprint]. Patiala, 1981