Sikh History Sakhi
Sikh History Sakhi
The Pure Swan
A blessed soul doesn’t rise alone—it lifts every heart that walks beside it.
Bhai Paro’s devotion reminds us that when love for the Guru becomes your anchor, miracles become your path. Tune in to know what a supreme swan is in the journey of this devotee.
Music- Puratan shabad kirtan
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa
Waheguru ji ki fateh
Hello friends, welcome to season 3 of sikh history sakhi podcast, I am harpreet kaur your host
In today’s episode, we will learn how blessed souls, bless others, we unfold this journey of love, discipline, humility, and transformation.
Stay with me…as we unfold the journey of Bhai Paro Julka
INTRODUCTION TO BHAI PARO JULKA.
Now, Guru Amar Das ji’s name began spreading quietly, beautifully, irresistibly—like a divine fragrance drifting through the air. People from villages far and wide felt drawn… like tiny water droplets running to meet the vast ocean, eager to merge, to lose themselves, to become one with the source.
Among those droplets was a very special soul — Bhai Paro Julka, one of the most beloved devotees of Guru ji.
Bhai Paro belonged to the humble village of Dalla, in the Jalandhar Doab — the land embraced between the rivers Beas and Sutlej. Yet, no distance could keep him away. Every few days, without fail, he would ride on his horse to Goindwal Sahib to meet his Guru… carrying prashadey, dahi, and most importantly, his unwavering love and loyalty.
But, my friends, Bhai Paro’s journey did not begin with Guru Amar Das ji. His story starts earlier… in the darbar of Guru Angad Dev ji.
GURU ANGAD DEV JI AND BHAI PARO
One day, bhai paro asked Guru Angad dev ji: “Guru ji, what is a Paramhans individual?”
Guru Angad ji gently smiled and explained to him: A paramhans is one who, like the sacred swan of Mansarovar that separates milk from water, can separate truth from illusion. By immersing in Gurbani, a Sikh develops bibek (discernment), buddhi (divine intellect), and bichaar (deep contemplation),
just like a pure swan can separate milk from water, a param individual
that Param means supreme or pure, Hans means swan. Just as a special breed of swans at Mansarovar can separate milk from water, drinking only the pure essence — a paramhans individual is one who can separate truth from falsehood, wisdom from illusion, and Gurbani’s jewels from the noise of the world.
Guru ji further taught that a Sikh who immerses in Gurbani develops the three divine qualities:
- Bibek — pure wisdom to distinguish truth from illusion.
- Buddhi — sharp intellect that guides one toward Dharam and Bhagti.
- Bichaar — the deep contemplation of Gurbani that transforms a life.
Guru Angad Dev ji explained that to become a paramhans, one must understand the difference between the body and the atma.
These qualities help them realise the difference between the temporary body and the eternal soul. When this understanding awakens, the soul becomes one with the Supreme — like a lotus untouched by muddy water. A hans may pass through life, but a paramhans rises above it, transforming not only themselves but uplifting everyone who comes near them as mentioned Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji on ang 1046:
naam ratay param hans bairaagee nij ghar t aarh ee laa-ee hay. ||3||
Bhai Paro ji listened. He absorbed. And he lived exactly as Guru ji taught.And this divine living liberated him — not only him, but his entire lineage.
Later, when Guru Angad Dev ji was preparing to leave this physical realm, Bhai Paro in pain asked where he would go without his Guru. Guru ji then pointed him toward Guru Amar Das ji. From that day onwards, Bhai Paro travelled to Goindwal with complete faith!
BHAI PARO AND NAWAB
Now One such day, dear friends, Bhai Paro arrived at the banks of the river Beas — and the scene before him was terrifying. The river was in full flood. Waves roared.The current was fierce.
Even standing near the edge felt dangerous.
Nearby, a Nawab had set up camp with his entire army, waiting patiently for the flood to settle so they could cross.
However, Bhai Paro… did not wait. He recited Gurbani, touched his heels to his horse, and leapt straight into the raging river. Within minutes, he was across. The Nawab who was watching all this was shocked.
Though some writers claim that Bhai paro ji’s horse seemed to be in air. But the truth is it was all his purity and divine intervention, his faith greater than anything.
For a soul filled with love of the Guru, fear does not exist.
Upon his return, the nawab asked Bhai Paro as mentioned in sri suraj parkash:
Meaning: Who are you great soul? Where are you going? Who is your Great Lord?
Bhai Paro replied, “My true emperor is Guru Amar Das ji. Remembering him removes all fear. His shabad carries me across any path.”
The Nawab — a ruler, a warrior — suddenly felt small. He asked, almost pleading,
“Can I meet your Guru?”
Bhai Paro said gently, “Not as a Nawab. If you wish to meet Guru ji, you must come as an ordinary seeker. Leave behind your titles, your ego, your army.”
Without a second thought, The Nawab handed command to his son, and resigned in writing saying “Take me with you.”
Soon they reached Goindwal Sahib, where Guru Amar Das ji welcomed them.
Seeing Bhai Paro, Guru ji said as mentioned in sri sooraj parkash:
Meaning: “Paro, blessed are you. Through your company, even others discover the divine. You lift them, you guide them, you bring them into the light.”
But Bhai Paro bowed deeply and replied,
“No Guru ji… everything is your blessing. I am nothing without your grace.”
Guru ji further said: “You once asked Guru Angad Dev ji the difference between a hans and a param hans. Today, you have become a param hans.
And because of your sangat, even he will cross the supreme ocean of life.”
The Nawab met Guru Amar Das ji and was completely moved by his spiritual presence. Guru Ji blessed them both. The Nawab became a Sikh and stayed with Bhai Paro at Dalla, learning and bathing daily in Gurbani.
Bhai Paro himself became a great scholar, a preacher, and one of Guru Amar Das ji’s most trusted Sikhs. Guru ji appointed him as the head of a Manji in Jalandhar — one of the twenty-two seats of Sikh spiritual leadership.
My dear friends, the lesson for us is to learn to anchor yourself, your heart and soul in Gurbani and inner wisdom, you rise above life’s noise and naturally uplift everyone around you.
Gurdwara sri boali sahib stands there today.
I hope this brings some peace to your hearts
Thank you!
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