TAKHTU. BHAI, a Dhir Khatri, embraced Sikh faith during the time of Guru Arjan. He lived up to the time of Guru Hargobind when he earned a name for himself as a soldier participating in the encounters with the Mughal troops. “Once”, as says Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, “Bhai Takhtu, accompanied by Bhai Dargah Tuli, Bhai Mansadhar, and Bhai Tirath Uppal, waited on Guru Hargobind and said, “Venerable True King ! We listen to discourses given by enlightened Sikhs and they do afford us mental peace, but when Bhai Nivala or Bhai Nihala expound the sacred word, it is a different experience altogether.
We feel spiritually elated. Whence comes the difference. Master?” Guru Hargobind said, “The Sacred Word is the fount of eternal bliss. But preachers vary as do the listeners.” According to the Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, the Guru then enumerated fourteen qualities each of a good preacher and of a good listener. A model preacher practised what he said and a model listener acted on what he heard.
References :
1. Mani Singh, Bhai, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala. Amritsar, 1955
2. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-35
Bhai Takhtu is remembered as a stalwart example of unwavering devotion and martial valor—a spirit that encapsulates the soul of early Sikh history. A member of the Dhir Khatri community, he embraced the Sikh faith during the time of Guru Arjan and remained steadfast through the subsequent era of Guru Hargobind. His life serves as a bridge between spiritual inquiry and the call-to-arms needed to protect and propagate the sacred word.
As detailed in hagiographical records such as the Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, Bhai Takhtu’s journey is illuminated by a famous episode during Guru Hargobind’s time. Accompanied by fellow devotees—including Bhai Dargah Tuli, Bhai Mansadhar, and Bhai Tirath Uppal—Bhai Takhtu once approached the Guru with a poignant observation. They told Guru Hargobind, “Venerable True King! We listen to discourses given by enlightened Sikhs and they do afford us mental peace, but when Bhai Nivala or Bhai Nihala expound the sacred word, it is a different experience altogether. We feel spiritually elated. Whence comes the difference, Master?” In response, the Guru explained that while the sacred word is indeed the fount of eternal bliss, the transformative power of that message varies according to the qualities of both the preacher and the listener. This dialogue not only underscores the intrinsic importance of aligning one’s inner life with one’s divine vocation but also highlights the sophisticated understanding of spiritual engagement that was cultivated in the early Sikh community .
Beyond the realm of discourse, Bhai Takhtu’s valor on the battlefield is equally significant. His participation in the encounters with the Mughal troops reflects a dual commitment: the pursuit of spiritual truth and the readiness to protect that truth through martial means. This blend of faith and courage, so emblematic of the Sikh ethos, continues to resonate with devotees today, inspiring a path where inner enlightenment and selfless defense of one’s beliefs are seen as complementary rather than contradictory .
Bhai Takhtu’s life, therefore, offers a profound lesson in the dynamic interplay between devotion and duty—a legacy that invites us to consider how the articulation of sacred teachings can be as potent in words as it is in actions.
