LALO, BHAI

Bhai Lalo of Ghataura sub caste, a carpenter, was a resident of Saidpur (now known as Eimanabad). He was a dedicated Sikh of the time of Guru Nanak. Bhai Lalo was known for his honest earning and benevolence. Guru Nanak visited him twice and stayed with him along with Bhai Mardana. When the Guru visited Bhai Lalo for the first time, Malik Bhago, a rich man of Saidpur, was holding a feast. He had invited every body to his feast. Guru Nanak refused to eat his food. When he came to know about this, he sent his men to bring Guru Nanak to his presence. When Guru Nanak went to his house, he asked the Guru as to why did he refuse to eat his food. The Guru told him, “Your food was not been bought with honestly earned money; hence it appears like blood. ” He again asked Guru Sahib, “Why do you eat food from a (so-called) low-caste person.” Guru Nanak told him, “Bhai Lalo earns his bread by honest means; hence his food appears like milk; and, moreover, a person who worships Godcan not be classed as low-caste.” Malik Bhago could not say any more. Finally, he too bowed before the Guru and joined the Sikh faith. When Guru Nanak visited Saidpur in 1521, Babar’s army had ruined the town. A hymn depicting the scene of ruined Saidpur, composed by Guru Nanak, had been addressed to Bhai Lalo. Bhai Lalo had one daughter. Not much is known about Bhai Lalo’s life.

His house in Eimanabad (Gujranwala, Pakistan) has been preserved as a Gurdwara.

(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)