SVAMI DAS, BHAI, a Vadhavan Khatri of Burhanpur, who, according to Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 30, once accompanied the sangat of his town to Amritsar to receive instruction from Guru Hargobind.
References :
1. Mani Singh, Bhai, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala. Amritsar, 1955
2. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-35
Bhai Svami Das’s journey to Amritsar is a stirring tale of devotion, music, and spiritual awakening that occupies a cherished place in Sikh hagiography. According to traditional accounts, he first set foot in Amritsar in 1606 during the installation ceremony of Guru Hargobind at the Akal Takht—a seminal moment in Sikh history when the community was called upon to embrace both spiritual and martial responsibilities. Accompanied by his loyal companion, Bhai Nattha, Bhai Svami Das’s arrival coincided with the Guru’s grand celebration of his new temporal-spiritual seat. In that holy atmosphere, the duo sang a heartfelt stanza which extolled the majesty and eternal glory of the Guru’s presence, capturing in verse the sublime transformation the Akal Takht represented for the Sikh panth .
This journey was far more than a mere physical trek; it symbolized a deep internal awakening. For Bhai Svami Das, Amritsar—the city founded by Guru Ram Das and made sacred through successive Guru interventions—became the epicenter of divine inspiration and communal harmony. His recitations and musical contributions during the installation ceremony not only celebrated the physical manifestation of the Guru’s authority but also echoed the timeless message of unity, justice, and spiritual emancipation that continues to infuse Sikh thought. In his lyrical expressions, one can sense the earnest desire to merge internal transformation with external acts of service, a quality that resonates deeply with the spiritual ethos of Sikhism .
