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Bhai Paro Julka

This sakhis begins from Guru Angad's time. Bhai Paro was a Sikh who also regularly visited and met Guru Angad at Khadoor Sahib. Once while in the Guru's morning darbar, Bhai Paro was asked by Guru Angad whether he had a question. Bhai Paro asked what the difference between a 'hans' (swan) and a 'param hans' (supreme swan) was.

Guru Angad smiled and explained that a hans can sift and swim across water much like a normal person journeys through life. Whereas a param hans crosses the supreme ocean of life and instills the Guru shabads inside itself. A hans may have some good qualities but cannot turn a bugla (crane) into a hans. A param hans (like a Gursikh) is such that if a crow or a bugla are sitting nearby they can turn them into param hans as well.

Bhai Paro responded by saying 'Sat Bachan' and rose to leave. Guru Angad asked if Bhai Paro he was only curious or whether he planned to become a param hans. Bhai Paro endeavored to become a param hans if the time came. Guru Angad instructed Bhai Paro to continue visiting Goindwal, then one day he would indeed become a param hans.

Bhai Paro Julka, who lived in the village of Dalla in the Jalandhar Doab, that is, between the rivers Beas and Satlej, often travelled to Goindwal to join Guru Amar Das's darbar. Bhai Paro was a very faithful and reliable Sikh, he used to ride to visit Guru Amar Das at Goindwal every other day with langar (prashadey and yogurt).

One day when Bhai Paro arrived at the bank of the river Beas, he saw that the flood was in full swing. The water was flowing extremely fast. Bhai Paro saw that the the Nawab of Jalandhar (Abdullah) was camped nearby with his army and was waiting for the river to return to normal conditions so that it could be crossed.

Bhai Paro didn't care about the dangerous condition of the river. He uttered the Name of God and spurred his horse. The horse jumped into the river and within few minutes crossed the river. The Nawab was astonished to see such an act of bravery. Though he considered himself very active and brave, he would not dare to throw himself in the horrible waves of river Beas.

In the evening, Bhai Paro returned and arrived at the place where the Nawab's was camping. The Nawab congratulated him, and inquired in whose service he underwent such trial and danger. Bhai Paro informed him of his visits and devotion to Guru Amar Das. Bhai Paro said, "The name of my true emperor is Guru Amar Das. He has been providing spiritual guidance to his Sikhs as the third Guru Nanak. I am his Sikh and I visit to serve him. Guru Amar Das has invoked such a power in me that I feel fearless. When I remember him, all my fears vanish. While reciting his hymns in my mind, I arrive wherever I'm going without any problems."

The Nawab forgot about his position and became very polite. He asked, "Can I meet your Guru?" Bhai Paro told him that he could not meet him as a Nawab. First he had change himself into an ordinary man. The Nawab passed control of his army to his son, prepared his horse and asked Bhai Paro to accompany him. Bhai Paro agreed and together they entered the flooded river. The Nawab safely crossed the mighty river with Bhai Paro and had never felt more alive.

Once they arrived at Goindwal the Nawab met Guru Amar Das and was so impressed by the spiritual personality of the Guru that he was determined to stay at Goindwal for good.

Guru Amar Das reminded Bhai Paro that he asked Guru Angad what the difference between a 'hans' (swan) and a 'param hans' (supreme swan) was. Now, Bhai Paro had finally become a param hans and, because of Bhai Paro's sangat, Abdullah would also cross the supreme ocean of life.

The Nawab became a Sikh and renounced his ancestral position. He had such a great connection with God that he was named Shah Yaar (the friend of the almighty) by Guru Amar Das. Abdullah was sent to stay with Bhai Paro at Dalla.

Bhai Paro became a learned Sikh preacher and Guru Amar Das appointed him head of a Manji at Jalandhar, which was one of the twenty-two branches. Guru Amar Das considered Bhai Paro as one of his most beloved Sikhs. Bhai Daya Singh (one of the original Punj Pyare) and Mata Damodari (Guru Hargobind's wife) were descendants of Bhai Paro.

A hans can be described as a good honest person. However, a param hans is a like a Gursikh who instills the Guru shabads inside themselves and encourages others to become Gursikhs as well.

  • Gurdwara Sri Baoli Sahib Dalla

    Gurdwara Sri Baoli Sahib Dalla

    Dalla, Kapurthala, Punjab, India.

    Associated with Sri Guru Arjan Sahib Ji, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.

    Dalla is also known for the Khuhi of Bhai Paro, where he would feed and water those in need.


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