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Bibi Bhagbhari ji was
a disciple of Guru Amar Das ji. She
was also one of the first Sikh preachers.
Little could be found on the early life
of Bhagbhari, sometimes also known as
Bibi Bhago. She was very young when
she became a disciple of Guru Amar Das.
After learning all that she could, the
Guru gave her the manji of Kashmir.
That meant that she was appointed by
Guru Amardas ji to preach Sikhism in
the area of Kashmir valley, around Srinagar.
She went out as a missionary, worked
hard with considerable success, but
never returned to Punjab. She made her
home in Srinagar. When she got older
and was unable to carry out her duties,
her son Sewa Das continued the work
of the Guru, preaching and teaching
Sikhism to all who would listen.
Bibi Bhagbhari dreamt of seeing her
Guru one last time. She made a beautiful
robe and prayed to be able to see him
wear it. By this time, Guru Hargobind
ji was on the Gaddi of Nanak as the
sixth Guru of the Sikhs. The Guru on
hearing of her devotion proceded to
Kashmir to meet her. He put on her robe
and she blessed her lucky stars that
she had been so honoured. The Guru stayed
for some time preaching to the Sikhs
in the area. While the Guru was in Srinagar,
Bhagbhari who was quite elderly at this
time, died a happy woman. An important
shrine dedicated to this visit of the
Guru still stands in Srinagar today.
Copyright © Alice Basarke "The
Champion of Women." |
