Sikhism.

Sau Sakhi.
The Hundred Stories.


Although the Gurus themselves disclaimed miraculous powers, a vast body of sakhis ("stories") recounting such miracles grew up, and with them gurdwaras (temples) commemorating the sites where they were performed.

It also became an article of belief that the spirit of one Guru passed to his successor "as one lamp lights another." This notion gained confirmation through the fact that the Gurus used the same poetic pseudonym, "Nanak," in their compositions.

A composition about which little is known, but which has played an important role in Sikh affairs, is a collection of prophecies, Sau Sakhi ("Hundred Stories"), ascribed to Gobind Singh. Various versions are known to have been published prophesying changes of regimes and the advent of a redeemer who will spread Sikhism over the globe.


Sau Sakhi translates (Sau) hundred stories about the Guru (Sakhi). This book contains stories that are penned by or are about Guru Gobind Singh Jee. It contains many stories about incidents in Guru Sahib Jee’s life always with a moral.

There are also stories that predict future events especially about the end of the present age of Kalyuga (Darkness). It depicts a nightmare world of society that has broken down into chaos where dharam (religion) is outlawed and the mere mention of anything religious is punishable. In this state of total darkness when all hope is lost will emerge an avatar (incarnation), called Kalki.

Once, there a great sangat (congregation) came to to get darshan of Guru Gobind Singh Jee. Guru Jee appeared, dressed immaculately, looking radiant and handsome, as if the God of mammon himself was sitting there.
Guru Jee said, "Do not let anyone go."
It saddened the 'Sangat', when three days passed, the 'Sangat' became homesick. There were some Sikhs belonging to the 'Malwa' region. They had a lot of work to do at their homes.
Not one of them dared to ask Guru Jee to let them go. So, they planned to flee from the Guru's place.
They got a bamboo-stair and made a bier from it. They put a man, who was alive, on it and pretended as if it was a dead body. The devotional singing was going on in the holy court of Guru Jee. These Sikhs pretended as if they were going to burn the dead body and started to go singing the holy hymns. They were singing the holy line, "Sevak Kee Orhak Nibhahee Preet".
When they reached near Guru Jee, he asked, "Why is there such a noise? Why are these people crying?"
One of the courtiers went to those Sikhs and asked what was the problem. He came back to Guru Jee and said, "O true King! A Sikh has died".
Guru Jee ordered, "Bring him here".
That false bier was brought near Guru Jee. The false tears were running out of the eyes of those Sikhs. After a while the all knowing Guru said to the supplicant ('Ardaaseeya'), "The discipleship ('Sikkhee') is far away. Mostly, there is just the 'guise' (Bhekh). Has anyone the faith in Guru's house?"
The supplicant appealed, "O true King! The people are liberated by your holy view. They sing the holy hymns of the Guru. All the Sikhs will be liberated".
Guru Jee said, "If you want to see, put the bier on the fire secretly".
The supplicant went near the bier and put a log, which was ablaze, under it. The man, who was lying on the bier, felt the heat. He got up and made a ran for it tearing the shroud as he ran.
The other Sikhs were stunned to see how some people were trying to deceive Guru Jee. The Sikhs, who organised all this drama felt ashamed.
Guru Jee said, "Brothers! This Sikh will go to the heaven, because you were singing the holy hymns. Listen, had you succeeded to deceive, you would have gone to your homes and would say that Guru Jee makes no difference to the people as we tricked him. Your faith in the Guru would be lost".
Guru Jee gave them the permission to go.