Bhai Almast (26 August 1553 – 1643) was a Sikh preacher, leader of a branch of the Udasi Sampradaya, and the elder brother of Bhai Balu Hasna, another prominent preacher of the Udasi sect.[1]
Bhai Almast | |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Born | 26 August 1553 |
| Died | 1643 |
| Religion | Sikhism |
| Parent(s) | Pt. Hardatt (father) Mai Prabha (mother) |
| Sect | Udasi |
| Religious career | |
| Based in | Nanakmatta |
Early life
editAlmast was born on August 26, 1553, in a Gaur Brahmin family of Srinagar (Kashmir) to Bhai Hardatt and Mai Prabha.[2] His birth name was Alu, but due to his inclination towards mysticism and disinterest in worldly affairs, he became known as Almast, which means "in a state of ecstasy." He was also referred to as Kambalia or Godaria because of his simple clothing made from a kambal or godari.
At a young age, Alu left home to seek spiritual knowledge and eventually ended up in Dera Baba Nanak in 1574, where he became a follower of Baba Shri Chand, the founder of the Udasi sect and the son of Guru Nanak. Almast served at the mausoleum of Guru Nanak and tended to goats for a living. Baba Gurditta, the eldest son of Guru Hargobind, later appointed Bhai Almast to spread the message of Guru Nanak in the eastern provinces.
Later life
editIn 1615, Bhai Almast established a shrine, known as Mangu Math, in Puri (Orissa), to commemorate Guru Nanak's visit to the Jagannath temple. He then moved to Nanak Mata in Gorakh Mata, where Guru Nanak had a discourse with Nath yogis under a pipal tree, and a shrine dedicated to Guru Nanak had been established. However, this site had been taken over by the yogis, who destroyed the Sikh shrine and burnt down the pipal tree. Bhai Almast sought help from Guru Hargobind, who restored the Sikh shrine and rejuvenated the pipal tree through miraculous means.
Missionary work
editEastern India
editAfter this incident, Bhai Almast spent the rest of his life in Nanak Mata and sent out eight principal disciples to preach in various districts of eastern India. These disciples established Sikh shrines in places visited by Guru Nanak during his first Udasi or preaching journey.[3][4]
Sindh
editAlmast also traveled to Sindh, where he conducted missionary activities and successfully converted many Sindhis to the Udasipanth.[5] His place of residence was at Rohri, at the dhuni established by Sri Chand.[5] Those newly converted appended Ram or Das to the end of their names.[5] He died in 1643.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Singh, Harbans (1992–1998). The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism. Vol. 4. Patiala: Punjabi University, Patiala. p. 377. ISBN 0-8364-2883-8. OCLC 29703420.
- ^ Singh, Harbans (1992). The Encyclopedia Of Sikhism Vol. I. Punjabi University, Patiala. p. 85-86. ISBN 81-7380-100-2.
- ^ Singh, Bhupender (2022-12-23). BABA NANAK SHAH FAKIR. Blue Rose Publishers. ISBN 978-93-5704-660-2.
- ^ "Gurudwara Almast Sahib - Nanakmata - World Gurudwaras". www.worldgurudwaras.com. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
- ^ a b c Kalhoro, Zulfiqar Ali (14 December 2018). "Udasi Sikh Saints of Sindh". Originally published on The Friday Times, republished on Academia.edu.