What do you know about the Panj Pyaare of Vaisakhi 1699?

1) BHAI DAYA SINGH JI
Previous name: ‘Daya Raam’
Town/City: Lahore (Panjab)
Parents: Bhai Sudhae Ji and Mata Dayaalee Ji
Birth & Death: 1669 – 1708
Previous Caste/ Occupation: Khatri (ਖੱਤਰੀ), shopkeeper.

After taking Amrit, he became Bhai Daya Singh. He was appointed the leader of the Beloved Five. He accompanied the Guru to the end of his life. He took a heroic part in the Guru’s wars. In December 1704, the Guru was prevailed upon by the Beloved Five to leave Chamkaur Sahib. Bhai Daya Singh was assigned the duty of accompanying the Guru. It was Bhai Daya Singh who took the Guru’s letter called Zafarnama to Aurangzeb. The emperor was then in Deccan (South). The journey was difficult, risky and long. On going through the letter the emperor was visibly moved. He appeared to be nervous and agitated. He became irritated and angry. But the latter stood calm and unafraid. He then said. ‘O emperor, just think of the cruel, inhuman wrongs that you and your men have done to the Guru. In spite of all that, he was taken the courage to write to you and to give you sound advice. He has tried to reveal himself to you, to make you see what you are in your prophet’s eyes, to make you realize how your actions contradict your professions. He occupies the throne of Baba Nanak, before whom your ancestor, Emperor Babar, bowed and prayed for blessings. He has the power to make and unmake kings; for he is ever in tune with the Almighty father. You will be well advised to seek his friendship. You, too, should seek his blessings. He can give you what your great conquest and your wide empire have failed to give you. He will give you peace of mind. I feel that it is peace of mind that you now need more than anything else. If you go and see him, he will extend his love and kindness to you. He will forget and forgive all the wrongs done to him. He is as forgiving and kind as God; for God dwells in him and he ever lives in God.’

Bhai Daya Singh’s conduct was like bearding the lion in his own den. You know he was one of the Guru Gobind Singh’ lions. His words softened the emperor. He said, ‘The Guru’s letter and your words have opened my eyes. I now realize that I have done him much wrong. I now realize that he is a dear one of Almighty Allah. I am nearing the end of my life’s journey. I shall soon have to render an account of my doings. I shudder to think what the verdict of the great, All-knowing, All-loving Judge will be. The Guru can help me. He has invited me to see him. I long to see him. But I am sick, perhaps on my death-bed. I can’t go to him. Go back to him and request him to see me. He has promised to do so in this letter.’ The emperor then ordered his men to treat Daya Singh with kindness and honor. He himself conferred a robe of honor on the Guru’s bold and fearless messenger. For his return journey, he gave him a parwana (chit) of safe conduct. It was an order to his officials on the way back to see that the holder was well treated, and that no harm of any kind should be done to him. Because of that royal chit, Bhai Daya Singh could travel mor safely and more quickly. On reaching the Guru’s presence, he delivered to him the emperor’s message. To that he added his own recommendation. The Guru agreed to see the ailing monarch. Bhai Daya Singh accompanied the Guru to Nanded in the Deccan. He continued to serve him with utmost affection and devotion. He died there in 1708.

2) BHAI DHARAM SINGH JI
Previous name: ‘Dharam Daas’
Town/City: Hastinapur (Delhi)
Parents: Bhai Sant Ram Ji & Mata Mai Sabho Ji
Birth & Death: 1666 – 1708
Previous Caste/ Occupation: Jatt (ਜੱਟ), farmer.

Bhai Dharam Das was the second of the five Sikhs who offered their heads to Guru Gobind Singh on the Vaisakhi day of 1699. On taking Amrit, he became Bhai Dharam Singh. He accompanied the Guru to the end of his life He took a hero’s part in the Guru Gobind Singh’s wars. When the Guru was prevailed upon to leave Chamkaur Sahib in 1704, the Beloved Five there assigned Bhai Dharam Singh the duty of going with the Guru. He accompanied the Guru to Nanded, Deccan. He served him with utmost affection and devotion. He died there in 1708.

3) BHAI HIMMAT SINGH JI:<
> Previous name: ‘Himmat Rai’
Town/City: Jagannath Puri (Orrissa)
Parents: Bhai Gulzari Ji and Mata Dhanno Ji
Birth & Death: Jan. 18th 1661 – Dec. 22nd 1704
Previous Caste/ Occupation: Jheeaur (ਝੀਉਰ), water-carrier.

Bhai Himmat Rai was the third Sikh to offer his head to Guru Gobind Singh on the Vaisakhi day of 1699. On taking Amrit, he became Bhai Himmat Singh. He remained with the Guru to the end of his life. All along he served the Guru most faithfully and lovingly. He also played a heroic part in the Guru’s wars. He died fighting at Chamkaur Sahib on December 22, 1704.
4) BHAI MOHKAM SINGH JI:
Previous name: ‘Mohkam Chand’
Town/City: Dawaarka (Gujrat)
Parents: Bhai Teerath Chand Ji and Mata Devi Bai Ji
Birth & Death: June 6th 1663 – Dec. 22nd 1704
Previous Caste/ Occupation: Chheemba (ਛੀਂਬਾਂ), washer-man.

Bhai Mohkam Chand was the fourth Sikh who offered his head to the Guru Gobind Singh on the Vaisakhi day of 1699. On taking Amrit, he became Bhai Himmat Singh. Thereafter he remained with the Guru. He played a heroic part in Guru Gobind Singh’s wars. He died fighting at Chamkaur Sahib on December 22, 1704.

5) BHAI SAHIB SINGH JI:
Previous name: ‘Sahib Chand’
Town/City: Bidar (Karnatka)
Parents: Bhai Chaman Ji and Mata Sona Bai Ji
Birth & Death: June 17th 1675 – Dec. 22nd 1704
Previous Caste/ Occupation: Naaee (ਨਾਈ), barber.

Bhai Sahib Chand was the fifth to qualify himself for being one of the Guru Gobind Singh’s Beloved Five. He came to Guru at the age of 11. On taking Amrit, he became Bhai Sahib Singh Ji. He remained with the Guru at last. He fought heroically in the Guru’s wars. He died fighting at Chamkaur Sahib on December 22, 1704.