What does “Rangley Sajjan” mean?
Rangley Sajjan literally means “coloured friends”; however, this is not the worldly colour we are talking about. These Sikhs of the Guru were divinely coloured in the Name of the Lord.
ਰੰਗੀ ਲੇ ਜਿਹਬਾ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਨਾਇ ॥
O my tongue, be imbued with the Lord’s Name.
ਸੁਰੰਗ ਰੰਗੀਲੇ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, and imbue yourself with this most excellent color. ||1||Pause||They had lived there lives according to Gurbani and meditated with great intensity and love; this love had a deep and long lasting effect, unlike worldly colours which fade in an instant.
ਹਥੁ ਨ ਲਾਇ ਕਸੁੰਭੜੈ ਜਲਿ ਜਾਸੀ ਢੋਲਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Do not touch the safflower with your hands; its color will fade away, my dear. ||1||Pause|||
Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh wrote this book between 1952 and 54 at Kumar Hatti in Himachal Pardesh. Each chapter is based upon the main events surrounding the lives of 23 individuals. These events took place between 1901 and 1915 (up until Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh was imprisoned). These were known as the golden days of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha. In order to receive Khandey-Battey-Ki-Pahul the abhilaakhee (candidate) had to sit and listen to a full Akhand Paath in one sitting. This would help to focus the mind and make the spiritual soil fertile for receiving Amrit-Naam from the Guru-roop (the Gurus own image) Panj piarey. The Amrit would then have full affect on the abhilaakhee. Of course, if one could not sit through the full Akhand Paath (and often a few hours Asa-Di-Vaar kirtan after) then they were told they were lacking in what a true seeker should have, they were sent back until their thirst had increased. Such was the case of Bhai Arjan Singh Panjokhra (Chapter 13) who had been told to come back many times, only to further heighten his desire for Amrit-Naam. Upon receiving Amrit from the Panj Piare he immediately reached the highest states of spirituality.
During the early 1900’s Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh and his Nirbaan Kirtani Jatha would often attend weekly programs at Malwa Khalsa High School and many of the students would be inclined to receive initiation. My Great-Grandfather, Bhai Mohinder Singh was also inspired by the weekly Kirtan programs and in 1907 took the step to be initiated. In Chapter 15 Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh gives the account of Bhai Gurbaksh Singh who was also a student of Malwa Khalsa High School. Many of the students had stood in the ardas for listening to the entire Akhand Paath, but only Bhai Gurbaksh Singh had managed to do it – that too without food or water. The 5 reciters of the Akhand Paath also became the 5 to administer Amrit. On Bhai Gurbaksh Singhs first sip of Amrit he became totally oblivious to his surroundings and got darshan of Akal Purakh.
The spiritual journey contains many hurdles and obstacles that must be overcome quickly to advance towards union with God. The main hurdle is overcoming our subtle ego. This is the worst form of ego as one thinks one has totally eliminated it, only to find it is in fact eating you inside out. Chapter 19 is about the life of Bhai Sarwan Singh Phalewal who fell from the highest spiritual state after having pride of his accomplishments in the spiritual sense. However, after receiving the blessings of the Gurus Sangat and Panj Piarey his spirituality was eventually restored. We must remember that as long as we have this human body there will always be a chance of us wavering off the path, but such is the nature of our Guru and his loving sangat that we can be bought back onto the path through his grace. Let us forever remain humble in spite of great spiritual accomplishment.
ਕਬੀਰ ਗਰਬੁ ਨ ਕੀਜੀਐ ਰੰਕੁ ਨ ਹਸੀਐ ਕੋਇ ॥
Kabeer, do not be so proud, and do not laugh at the poor
ਅਜਹੁ ਸੁ ਨਾਉ ਸਮੁੰਦ੍ਰ ਮਹਿ ਕਿਆ ਜਾਨਉ ਕਿਆ ਹੋਇ ॥੩੯॥
Your boat is still out at sea; who knows what will happen? ||39||
It should receive special mention that the lives of 3 spiritually adept women have also been included in this book. Thus, practically showing us how Sikhi advocates equality in every way. Just as male can strive for the spiritual wealth of Naam, so can a female.
The book contains many spiritual happenings and miraculous events which act as a source of inspiration for many generations to come. It is a must read to understand the depths of living a pious and divine life.