Bhai Jagta Ji

January 15, 2012

A commemorative postage stamp on Bhai Jagta Ram Ji, a Sewapanthi, a traditional Sikh order and sect of philanthropism started by Bhai Kanhaiya :

Issued by India

Issued on Jan 15, 2012

Issued for : The Department of Posts is honoured to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Bhai Jagta Ji, a symbol of compassion and an epitome of the noblest virtues of the Sewa Panthi order.

Credits :
Stamp / FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million (0.1 million for proponent)

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Jagta Ram

About :

Bhai Jagta Ji was one of the most influential saints of the Sewa Panthi order, a unique humanitarian institution which was in many ways a forerunner of the Red Cross Society. The order was started by Bhai Kanhaiya, a devout Sikh in the service of Guru Gobind Singh. Bhai Jagta was the successor to Bhai Bhalla Ram and fifth in the line of Bhai Kanhaiya.
Bhai Jagta was a native of Maghiana in the district of Jhang, presently in Pakistan. Like many other noble souls of his time, he came from humble beginnings, having started life as a labourer at the local market. Though a man of simple nature and pure heart, he was once accused of a theft which he had not committed. He was subsequently acquitted honourably, but the episode made him conscious of man’s all-consuming greed for wealth, and the misery that it caused. He realised that the only way to rid oneself of such greed was to dedicate the self to God. He along with his elder brother Bhai Channa therefore approached Bhai Bhalla Ram, a revered saint of the time. They moved to Noorpur where a Dharamsala was being set up and sought spiritual asylum under him.
Bhai Jagta‘s untiring commitment and purity of heart won the noble saint’s confidence, and he was admitted into the Sewa Panthi fold. His life thereafter was one of meditation, social service and love for humanity. He was eventually anointed successor to Bhai Bhalla Ram.
There are numerous anecdotes of Bhai Jagta’s acts of generosity, compassion, philanthropy and complete effacement of ego. Everyone appeared to him in the image of God. He saw the Divine Master in all human beings. He served even those who disliked and maligned him.
After the Partition in 1947, the Tikana Noorpur Thal was re-established at Goniana Mandi in Bhatinda district of Punjab and is aptly known as Tikana Bhai Jagta Sahib. It is today the main centre of the Sewa Panthi Mission, and is often described as a light house of selfless service.
Text : P.N. Ranjit Kumar (Based on the material received from the proponent).