In the past, as consequence of Seva Panthi connections
with the Sufis this guaranteed them safety from Moghal atrocities
which were being perpetuated on the then Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa
Panth. Piara Singh Padam wrote:
‘That time was very frightening because the governments
design was the genocide of Sikhs. From 1730 to 1760 all the
governors that came be it Jakriya Khan or Shah Nivaj or Mir
Manu, all were fanatical enemies of the Sikhs. In these times
for Sant Addan Shah with his fellows to move about Lahore without
fear was nothing short of a miracle. Reason was that they always
kept links with Sufi Fakirs and intellectuals and they in turn
respected them. Once it happened he was sitting with a hospitable
Pir [Muslim holy man] and there some big officer (Sajed Subedar)
came. He, seeing a long haird Sadhu was astonished thinking
we have finished of such people. The officer asked, "Are
these Sikhs of the Marelh?"
Then Pir said, "No, he is a Sikh of Baba Nanak Fakir"
Then Bhai Ji roared out and said, "No I am Marelh Siri
Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Sikh."
(from, Sant Ratan Mal, Story 33)
In those days Guru Ji was called Morelha (Muderous or quarrelsome)
if some true Sikh linked himself to the Guru he had to suffer
death. But Bhai Addan Shah was not worried he fearlessly gave
the true answer.’
(‘Sikh Sanpardvali’, by Piara Singh Padam, Pa.78-79)
Bhai Kanhaiya Ji
The founder of the Seva Panthi order seen here in a contemporary
painting helping the wounded. The Seva Panthi order is geared towards
serving humanity
Like the Udasis, Nirmalas and Akali Nihangs the Seva
Panthis had a pluralistic outlook. They saw the underlying Dharm
meaning God in all creation.
In their Dhamsalas, sermons were given not only from
Sikh scriptures, but also Sufi Muslim holy texts.
