Bibi Bhani's Devotion — The Broken Leg

Bibi Bhani was the devoted daughter of the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das Ji. Though she was a princess of the Guru's court, her life was entirely dedicated to selfless service (Seva).

Guru Amar Das Ji was very old, and it was Bibi Bhani's daily routine to help him bathe in the early hours of the morning. One dark morning, as the Guru was seated on a wooden stool (chowki) in meditation, Bibi Bhani noticed that one of the wooden legs of the stool was about to break.

Realizing that the Guru would fall and his deep meditation would be broken, she acted without a second thought. She slid her hand under the broken leg of the stool to support it. A sharp wooden splinter and iron nail pierced her palm, causing excruciating pain and heavy bleeding.

Despite the agony, Bibi Bhani did not utter a sound. She remained perfectly still until the Guru finished his bath and prayers. When Guru Amar Das Ji finally opened his eyes, he saw a stream of blood flowing from her hand.

Deeply moved by her unimaginable sacrifice and love, the Guru asked what boon she desired. Bibi Bhani, in her immense humility, only asked that the Guruship remain in the family so that they could continue to serve the Panth directly.

Her devotion set the highest standard for Seva. She became the daughter of a Guru (Guru Amar Das), the wife of a Guru (Guru Ram Das), and the mother of a Guru (Guru Arjan Dev).