KALYANA
Bhai Kalyana was a dedicated Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan Sahib. He was a man of spiritual learning. He made active participation during the establishment of the city of Amritsar. He was sent to Mandi (Himanchal Pradesh) to buy timber for the construction of the buildings at Amritsar. He reached Mandi in the last days of July 1591. During his stay at Mandi, on the birthday of Hindu god Krishan (on August 2, 1591), when all the residents visited a Hindu temple and undertook religious fast, he refused to follow. He was arrested and presented before Raja Hari Sen, the ruler of Mandi. When Bhai Kalyana convinced the king about the meaningless-ness of fasting, the ruler apologized for arresting him. Later, Raja Hari Sen visited Amritsar, made obeisance to Guru Sahib and joined the Sikh faith. Bhai Kalyana was one of the leading Sikhs of the time. He was one of those Sikhs who joined Guru Hargobind Sahib’s marriage party to village Dalla (district Kapurthala) in 1604.
KALYANA BINDRAO
Bhai Kalyana Bindrao, a Khatri, was a devout Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan Sahib and Guru Hargobind Sahib. Once he, along with Bhai Aalam Chand Handa, Bhai Murari Aanad, Bhai Nanon, Bhai Lakkhan Bindraon, Bhai Saisaru Talwar, visited Guru Sahib and asked how could they achieve liberation. Guru Sahib told them to practise Shabad (the Word) and serve the humanity. At this Bhai Aalam Chand Handa said, “Guruji, when we listen to the hymns our mind is absorbed in them but as soon as we leave the Sangat we forget the substance.” Guru Sahib told them that after constant practice they could overcome that too. Bhai Kalyana was a brave soldier too. He participated in the battles of Guru Hargobind Sahib. He was a brave soldier. He killed, Balwand Khan, a general of the Mogul army, in the battle of Ruhila (September 27 and October 3, 1621).
KALYANA SUD
Bhai Kalyana Sud, a resident of Lahore, a soldier of the Mogul army, was a dedicated Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan Sahib. Once he visited Guru Sahib at Amritsar. During the course of the conversation, he narrated a few scenes of
some battles. Guru Sahib listened to him and told him that wielding a sword in a battlefield was easy but a true soldier is one who achieves victory over anger, avarice, ignorance, lust and attachment to worldliness. Guru Sahib told him that humility is the real armour and the Name of the Almighty is the most powerful weapon. Bhai Kalyan bowed before Guru Sahib and promised to spend his life as per the teachings of Guru Sahib.
KALYANA PASSI
Kalyana Passi was a prominent resident of Amritsar in 1709. When Mama Kirpal Singh visited Amritsar from Delhi, he discussed the affairs of the town with Kalyana Passi and the Panches (prominent residents) of the town.
(Dr Harjinder Sinh Dilgeer)