Bhai Tirtha Manjh ji ( Bhai Manjh JI )

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ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ।।

Bhai Tirtha Manjh ji ( Bhai Manjh JI )

Bhai Tirtha Manjh ji was a rich Rajput Jagirdar of his Clan. A long time ago, all Manjhs believed in Hinduism. Phagwara, Phillaur and Nakodar in the Doaba region were ruled by the Manjh Rajputs. This area was called Manjhki area. Their headquarter was at Jandiala Manjhki. Manjh community was spread over many other areas of north India. After the Muslim invasions, few of them became Muslims. Hindus, as being Hindus were worshiping Muslim saints. Bhai Tirtha Manjh was one of them. Bhai Tirtha Manjh Ji was born in the village of Kang Mai, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Bhai Manjh Ji was a follower of Pir Sultan Sakhi Sarwar of Pir Nigaha (now Pakistan) near Multan. As being a land lord and local leader, he had hundreds of followers who all respected him. Bhai Tirtha Manjh Ji used to lead the pilgrim convoy of Sakhi Sarwar. Once, while going to Sakhi Sarver he came to know that Guru Arjan Dev Ji lives in Amritsar on the fifth throne of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Amrit Sarovar is being constructed. The desire to see awakens in the mind. He sent convoy ahead and himself went to see Guru Arjan Dev Ji. When he met Guru Arjan Dev Ji and saw the service going on there, he changed his mind. He requested Guru Sahib Ji to bless me with Sikhi. Guru Arjan Dev Ji told Bhai Manjh that Sikhi does not follow Sikhi. He folded his hands and bowed his head and said, "Let me take your fight."

Guru Arjan bestowed grace and bestowed the teachings of Guru Nanak. He also said that Guru Nanak's Sikhs do not believe in any supersticiousness. Go to your village and demolish the Sakhi server’s site. Sit at home and recite Japji Sahib Ji as much as possible. Helping everyone in need. Bhai Tirtha Manjh came home taking Guru Ji's blessings and demolished the place of Pir Nigaha made in the house. Bhai Sahib started reciting Japji Sahib. Serving the needy passers-by and giving Guru's teachings became a part of his daily life. He started giving everything to meet the needs of needy people. But the Guru's test was yet to come. The Guru's criterion began to apply. All the animals died of the disease. The land was sold. Then Guru Ji sent one of his Sikhs and asked him to pay twenty rupees to this Sikh and then read the letter sent to him. Twenty rupees were paid. It was written in the letter that this Sikh should be given another twenty rupees. Due to lack of money, Bhai Sahib made wife to do a job. Money waspaid and sent Sikh back to Guru ji. A few days later, Guru Ji sent another Sikh to Bhai Teertha Ji to ask money. But due to lack of money, he set his daughter to a job. Sikh's demand was met and the next day Bhai sahib went to see the Guru ji.

Guru Sahib did not show much attention and ordered him to serve the Gurudwara. He started with respossibility to bring firewood from forest for Langr. . As time passed, one day Guru Sahib Ji came to the langar and asked Bai Tirtha what does he do, he replied that he brings firewood for the langar from the forest. The Guru asked what about your food. He replied he serve and take food from langr. The Guru said, "Bhai Manjh, this is not a service. This is a wage. You are working and eating langr." The day passed and he thought what to do, the next day firewood was brought and the prasada was not eaten from the langar and started eating remenants of langr. A few days later the matter reached Guru Sahib Ji, Guru Ji came to the langar and asked Bhai Manjh how the service is going on? Then he replied, ‘’I gring firewood for langr’’. Then Guruji asked ‘’What about your food’’.Bhai relpied tht he ate remenants of langr. Guru Sahib Ji again imposed the criterion. It is for the animals. You are eating their rights.

Bhai Sahib thought that the service was still not successful. From the next day, instead of one, he started bringing two loads of firewood from the forest. He started making a living by selling in one langar and in another market. As time passed, the time came for the Guru's grace. One day he was returning from forest with firewood bundle on head, a heavy windstorm started and by mistake he fell into the well. But he did not let the firewood fall from his head, thinking that if the firewood got wet, how could Guru ka Langar be cooked. Knowing that, Satguru Ji called out to the pilgrims to bring the rope immidiately. Guru Sahib Ji walked barefoot towards the well and saw Bhai Manjh a is standing in the well with a load onhis head and was reciting Japji Sahib. Then Guru Ji threw the rope and asked Bhai Sahib to come up but Bhai Manjh Ji said that First the bundle of firewood for langar to be taken out.

The firewood was taken out and later Bhai Manjh Ji was taken out. Guru Sahib Ji huged Bhai Manjh Ji and asked Bhai Manjh Ji to tell him what he need for. Standing quite in front of Guru Ji, Bhai Manjh Ji did not said anything, Guru Ji uttered words for him "Manjh Pyara Guru Ko Guru Manjh Pyara, Manjh Guru Ka Bohtha Yag Laghan Hara". Then the Guru uttered the third word. Bhai Manjh Ji did not ask Guru Ji for anything for himself but requested for the whole Sangat that strict criterion must not be imposed on any Sikh. Guru ji sent him to his native place by gifting an iron Tawi to run langar. This iron Tavi is still found in Gurdwara Bhai Manjh ji, village Kang Mai, district Hoshiarpur. Tirtha Manjh Ji started preaching Sikhism at home. After meeting Guru Arjan, becama a true sikh. He started helping to needy people by leaving behind his worldly wealth. Became famous by the name of Bhai Manjh Ji. Today his descendants live in Punjab. Some Hindus Manjhs are also inregion. Muslims manjhs still live in Pakistan. Descendants of Bhai Manjh Ji celebrate a festival every year in the village of Thakkarwal in Hoshiarpur district in memory of their ancestors.

Rajput Soorme