Prabhu Jee: Baba Bachittar Singh - Part 1

Mrs. Jasneet Kaur & Ms. Bhagwant Kaur

4/13/20235 min read

Janam Maranh Duhahoo Meh Naahee Jan Parupkaaree Aaye ||

Those generous, humble beings are above both birth and death.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Ang 422: Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

Bachittar Singh Jee (fondly known as Prabhu Jee) is one of those unique and special souls whose presence radiates positivity in the world. At the young age of 14, he is a tirelessly energetic sewadaar of Khalsa panth and charismatic young leader. In this article, we celebrate some of the wondrous moments from the early years of Prabhu Jee’s life.

Prabhu Jee’s parents, Dr Baba Karandeep Singh Jee and Beeba Jasneet Kaur Jee, moved from Delhi to the UK in 2007. As newly arrived migrants, they didn’t know anybody in the community. But they were quickly embraced by the loving Sangat in Leicester. On one of many occasions, they were invited to the home of the respected Rai family.

The great saintly soul (Mahapursh) Sant Baba Jagjit Singh Jee Harkhowal Wale had come to visit the Rai family. Quite suddenly, the Sangat collectively did benti to Mahapursh to bless them with a child. Prabhu Jee’s parents were very surprised, as they had not expected this. Upon hearing the Sangat’s benti, Baba Jee gave a Bachan to Beeba Jasneet Kaur Jee to recite 25 Japji Sahib daily. The Bachan was followed diligently.

With the grace of God, Prabhu Jee was conceived. During the pregnancy, Dr Baba Karandeep Singh Jee used to do Sehaj Paath of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee for the baby, along with katha about the jeevan of Baba Nand Singh Jee. Two Sehaj Paaths were completed before the baby’s birth. The child’s mother continued reciting 25 Japji Sahib daily. Collectively, Prabhu Jee’s parents did a daily Nitnem of 5-6 hours for the baby to listen to.

The day came when Prabhu Jee was born. His mother went for a general check up; to her surprise, the doctor informed her that an immediate cesarean section was required. During the birth, Sukhmani Sahib paath was played loudly.

Prabhu Jee was born prematurely in the 7th month. His father performed his first Sikh ceremony: Janam Sanskaar. Due to his early birth, some health complications followed. It was a difficult time. He was kept in an incubator and his mother stayed in hospital. After five weeks, his parents were allowed to take him home.

Behind the cot where Prabhu Jee used to rest, his parents had placed saroops of Mahapurakhs and Shaheed Singhs. They wanted him to have Darshan of Great Saintly Souls, to help him focus on the divine path from an early age. Many times, they noticed that he used to smile while looking up at the saroops.

At a very young age (7-8 months), Prabhu Jee’s parents took him to India for the first time, to have Darshan of a great saintly soul called Baba Ajit Singh Jee Hansali Wale. They did Benti to Baba Jee to do Kirpa on their child. Baba Jee gave a Gurbani Jaap, saying that Prabhu Jee should listen to this as much as possible. This was the first Bachan from a Mahapursh that he received.

The years passed. Prabhu Jee was raised in Sangat, with Sangat, by Sangat. He was constantly surrounded by the loving warmth of the community, who cared for him as if he was their own son. He was a happy child, whose magnetic energy pulled all towards him. His parents were active members of the community and regularly invited guests to their home. Well-known Katha Vachaks, Kirtanis and Mahapursh used to visit their home and give spiritual blessings to Prabhu Jee.

A highly respected Sikh dignitary, Giani Pritam Singh Jee (likhari of Damdami Taksal), visited their home and stayed with them for two weeks. Giani Jee was doing daily katha at a Gurdwara Sahib near their house. This was Prabhu Jee's first opportunity to do Sewa of a great Gurmukh. He used to help serve langar and wash their hands. Doing so, he would receive blessings from Giani Jee. They used to play and laugh together. Those two weeks were a golden time for the entire family. They had no senior family members in the UK, and Giani Jee filled that gap, giving them the love which only an elder can give

A beloved and respected Gurmukh, Bhai Nachattar Singh Jee, used to visit their home and do Sehaj Paath. Prabhu Jee would sit and listen to this full concentration. While growing up, he was surrounded by Gurbani and Kirtan. His parents didn’t own a TV, but they played Sikh animated movies on their laptop, which Prabhu Jee would watch and learn from. Whenever his father used to feed him, do his kanga or change his clothes, they used to recite Gurbani loudly. His parents tried to keep the environment around him spiritually charged. His days consisted solely of Gurbani, Kirtan and Gurdwara.

As a family, they visited the Gurdwara daily. Beeba Jasneet Kaur Jee would take him every day in the evening. If on a rare occasion she was not feeling well or wanted to stay at home, Prabhu Jee would start crying loudly. Doing so, he would convince his mother to take him. Even as a toddler, she would involve him in Sewa at the Gurdwara. He washed joothe bartan (used dishes) while standing on a chair. Sometimes, his mother would get berated by elderly people for making him do Sewa, but it was too late to stop him by then. Together, they also did Sewa of cleaning the Sangat’s shoes. They would find a quiet corner and sit facing the shoes, so that they would not be distracted by the Sangat who were coming and going. While sitting in Darbar, his mother was very careful to ensure that he would not get distracted by the Sangat. So, she would encourage him to sit at the front, to keep his focus on Guru Maharaj Jee.

Prabhu Jee’s interest naturally grew in Sewa and Kirtan. His parents had a harmonium, tabla and keyboard at home. He taught himself by listening to Kirtan and watching videos. At a young age, without a teacher or formal training, he started to play a variety of beats on the tabla. His parents discovered that he had a natural talent for music. (to be continued ...)