Bhai Mani Singh - Joint by Joint

Dadi: "Guddu, come sit with me. Tonight's story requires a brave heart. It's about Bhai Mani Singh - one of the greatest Sikh martyrs."

Guddu: "What did he do, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Bhai Mani Singh served four Sikh Gurus in his lifetime! When he was just thirteen, his father took him to Guru Har Rai. The Guru looked at this young boy and said something special - "This child will become world famous.""

Guddu: "Four Gurus? That's amazing! Was he friends with Guru Gobind Singh?"

Dadi: "Yes! They grew up together. Bhai Mani Singh was much older, but they were like brothers. He fought alongside Guru Ji in battles, including the Battle of Bhangani that I told you about. He was so brave that Guru Ji gave him the title of "Diwan" - minister."

Guddu: "What else did he do?"

Dadi: "After all the original copies of our holy scripture were lost in a river, Bhai Mani Singh spent years rewriting them with his own hands. Can you imagine writing hundreds of pages of scripture, each word written with love and care? He also compiled writings of Guru Gobind Singh and created important books that Sikhs still read today."

Guddu: "He must have been very patient!"

Dadi: "Very patient and very devoted, beta. When Guru Gobind Singh left this world, Bhai Mani Singh became the Head Granthi of Harmandir Sahib - the Golden Temple in Amritsar."

Guddu: "That's a very important job!"

Dadi: "The most important. But these were dangerous times. The Mughal rulers didn't like Sikhs gathering together. In 1737, Bhai Mani Singh wanted to organize a Diwali celebration at the Golden Temple. He asked the Mughal Governor, Zakaria Khan, for permission."

Guddu: "Did the Governor say yes?"

Dadi: "He said yes, but demanded five thousand rupees as payment. And secretly, he planned something terrible. He sent soldiers to attack the Sikhs while they gathered for Diwali!"

Guddu: "That's cheating! That's so unfair!"

Dadi: "Bhai Mani Singh found out about this trap. He sent messages to all Sikhs telling them not to come. Most stayed away. Those who came left quickly when they saw soldiers everywhere."

Guddu: "So the Sikhs were safe?"

Dadi: "Yes, but Bhai Mani Singh couldn't pay the five thousand rupees because no one came. The Governor arrested him and brought him to Lahore in chains. They told him he could go free if he did one thing..."

Guddu: "What was that?"

Dadi: "They told him to give up his faith and become Muslim."

Guddu: "Did he?"

Dadi: "Guddu beta, this is where the story becomes difficult. Bhai Mani Singh refused. He said his faith was more precious than his life. So the cruel rulers ordered the worst punishment they could imagine. They said he would be cut "joint by joint.""

Guddu: "Joint by joint? What does that mean?"

Dadi: "They started by cutting his fingers - one joint at a time. Those same fingers that had lovingly written the holy scripture. But even through this unimaginable pain, Bhai Mani Singh remained calm. He even corrected the executioner! When the man tried to cut his wrist, Bhai Mani Singh said, "You were ordered to cut joint by joint. My joints start with my fingers.""

Guddu: "He... he stayed strong even then?"

Dadi: "Yes, beta. To the very end. He recited prayers and never cried out. In December 1738, at a place called Nakhaas Chowk in Lahore, Bhai Mani Singh attained martyrdom. That place is now called Shaheed Ganj - the place of martyrdom. A Gurdwara stands there today."

Guddu: "Dadi, I don't understand. Why would someone choose such pain instead of just pretending to change their religion?"

Dadi: "That's a very important question. For Bhai Mani Singh, his faith wasn't just something he did - it was who he was. To deny it would mean living as someone else, living a lie. He believed that truth and honor are worth more than life itself. And by staying true, he inspired millions of Sikhs for centuries to come."

Guddu: "Is that why we remember him in the Ardas?"

Dadi: "Yes! Every day, in every Gurdwara around the world, Sikhs remember "Bhai Mani Singh who was cut joint by joint." His sacrifice is never forgotten."

Guddu: "Dadi, I could never be that brave."

Dadi: "You don't have to face what he faced, beta. But his lesson applies to our lives too. Standing firm in what you believe, even when it's hard. Not cheating even when everyone else does. Being honest even when lying would be easier. Every small act of courage honors his memory. Now come, let's go say our evening prayers together."