Guru Har Rai Sahib on seeing this young boy bowing before him, commented that he would acquire numerous qualities and earn name and fame as renowned Sikh.

At the age of 15, Bhai Mani Singh was married to Bibi Seeto, daughter of Bhai Lakhi Rai (Bhai Lakhi Shah Wanjara) who performed brave act of removing the headless body of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji from the site of his martyrdom in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, risking his life, and then cremating the body of the Ninth Guru by placing it in his house and setting the entire house on fire in order to keep his brave act a secret.

Bhai Ji remained in attendance of Seventh & Eighth Gurus before settling  down at Anandpur Sahib in attendance of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib.  At Anandpur Sahib, he performed service to Guru Ji by himself compiling copies of hymns of Guru’s and overseeing this type of work being done by others.  Bhai Ji was asked to stay back with Gobind Rai when Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib proceeded to Delhi to save the Hindus from being forcibly converted to Islam.  Bhai Ji became a great soldier while serving the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.  He accompanied Guru Ji when the Guru visited Nahan, at the invitation of Hill Chief Raja Medni Prakash.

Bhai Ji fought bravely in battle of Bhangani in the year 1688 A.D., when Hill Chiefs mounted a combined attack on Guru Gobind Singh.  Bhai Hari Chand, one of the brothers of Mani Singh attained martyrdom in this battle.  Bhai Mani Singh was named Dewan of Guru’s court after the battle of Nadaun in which he showed his quality of a fearless and brave warrior.

On the day of  Baisakhi in 1699 A.D., alongwith his brothers and sons, took Amrit and his name was changed from Manik to Mani Singh.

Bhai Ji used to deliver ‘Katha’ (interpretation of Gurbani) to Sikh sangat at Anandpur Sahib daily.  On request from Sikhs of Amritsar,  Bhai Ji was sent there for proper management of affairs of Harmandir Sahib.  He stopped the rituals started by Sodhi priests and introduced daily programmes as specified by Guru Ji.  He introduced conduction of Amrit Prachar ceremony on regular basis as a result of which thousands of persons were administered Amrit in a short span of time.

Pleased with the brave acts of valour displayed by Bhai Bachittar Singh and Bhai Uday Singh, two of the sons of Bhai Mani Singh, in the battle of Anandpur Sahib.  Guru Gobind Singh issued a special order in appreciation of their services.  When Guru Gobind Singh abandoned Anandpur Sahib in December, 1704, Bhai Mani Singh escorted Maata Sunder Kaur, Mata Sahib Kaur to Delhi and later to Sabo Ki Talwandi Safely where they joined Guru Ji once again.

At Damdama Sahib (Sabo Ki Talwandi), Bhai Mani Singh wrote Demdami copy of Adi Guru Granth Sahib (in its present form) under instructions from Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.  The same volume of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was later bestowed Guruship at Nanded by the Tenth master.  When Guru Gobind Singh proceeded to South India, Bhai Mani Singh came to Delhi alongwith Mata Sundar Kaur and Mata Sahib Kaur.

After Baba Banda Singh Bahadur attained martyrdom in Delhi, some among the Sikhs started worshipping him as a Guru which was against the orders of Guru Gobind Singh, who had bestowed Guruship on Sri Guru Granth Sahib.  They even changed the Sikh salutation to Fateh Darshan from “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.”  His followers, led by Bhai Mahant Singh Khemkaran, proceeded to wards Amritsar to forcibly take over the management of Harmandir Sahib.  On the other hand, staunch followers of Sikh tenets, as specified by Guru Gobind Singh led by Baba Kahan Singh, son of Baba Binod Singh (an advisor of Baba Banda Singh appointed by Guru Gobind Singh)  had in advance obtained permission from Mughal Rulers for holding a special congregation at Harmandir Sahib on the occassion of Diwali.  Sikhs of both sides came in large numbers to Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar to claim the right of its management and were prepared to fight it out, but somehow on the intervention of some wise counsels, the occasion passed off peacefully although the government of the time wanted blood shed between the two Sikh groups to take place.  However, these danger signals prompted some well meaning Sikhs to approach Mata Sunder Kaur Ji at Delhi to resolve the dispute between Tatt and Bandai Khalsas.  Mata Sunder Kaur despatched Bhai Mani Singh for the purpose of appointing him Granthi of Hanmandir Sahib for proper management of the Shrine.  After analysing reasons for the dispute, Bhai Mani Singh invited Sikhs of at shades of opinion of Khalsa, gathered on the occassion of birth of the Khalsa on Baisakhi Day.  While Baba Kahan Singh, Jathedar of Tat Khalsa captured, Akal Bunga, Bhai Mahant Singh of Bandai Khalsa captured.  Jhanda Bunga in the premises of Harmandir Sahib.  So much so that Bhai Mahant Singh went to the extent of coming right upto the entry point to Harmandir Sahib riding a chariot sitting on cushions.

Bhai Mani Singh intervened and suggested a novel method for settling the dispute to which both sides agreed.  On the Baisakhi day Bhai Mani Singh took two pieces of plain paper.  He wrote “Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh” on one and “Fateh Darshan” on the other.  Folding these papers separately, he dropped both these papers in the sacred sarovar (Water Pool) of Harmandir Sahib.  It was agreed by the two parties that the party whose folded paper floated back first would manage the shrine.  For a while the both papers remained under water.  Later one of these surfaced.  The same was taken out and read by Bhai Mani Singh.  It was revealed that the words “Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh” representing Tat Khalsa were written on this.  Thus, Tat Khalsa won the right to manage Harmandir Sahib and bloodshed was avoided among  Sikhs and dispute was thus peacefully settled.

Thereafter, Bhai Mani Singh decided and announced that Sikhs gather at Harmandir Sahib twice a year on the occassion of Baisakhi and Diwali.  Government granted permission to hold celebration at Harmandir Sahib on the day of Diwali of 1738 A.D. on the condition that a sum of Rs. 5000/- will be paid to the government after the celebrations are over.  Bhai Mani Singh accepted this condition since he wanted the Sikhs to gather in large numbers to plan their future strategy and to devise ways for infusing hish spirits and unity among Sikhs, Zakaria Khan, Governor of Lahore, had wicked intentions while granting permission for the celebration.  He had planned to encircle, attack and kill large number of unsuspecting Sikhs when they were absorbed in celebrations.  For this, he mobilized and deployed large contingents of army units around Amritsar under the command of Dewan Lakhpat Rai.

Sensing foul intentions of rulers, Bhai Mani Singh sent out messengers to all concerned informing Sikhs of the impending danger and requesting them not to come to Amritsar on the occasion of  Diwali.  Inspite of warnings sent out by Bhai Mani Singh, a fairly large number of Sikhs arrived at Hanmandir Sahib.  Lakhpat Rai mounted a surprise attack and killed a large number of Sikhs while they were bathing in the sacred sarover.  Bhai Mani Singh sent a note of protest against this unproved killing of Sikhs to Zakaria Khan.  Zakaria Khan, however, insisted that Bhai Mani Singh should deposit Rs. 5000/-, as agreed to by him forth with.  Bhai Mani Singh showed his inability to do so since heavy deployment of Government forces had deterred Sikhs to come for the celebrations in large numbers as expected and thereby the offerings by devotees fell well short of expectations.  Bhai Mani Singh was arrested, taken to Lahore and presented before Zakaria Khan in his court to face the consequences of not complying with Government orders.  He was offered three alternatives.  Either he should agree to be initiated into Islam or deposit Rs. 5000/- or to be tortured to death, cut limb by limb.  Bhai Mani Singh refused to comply with either of the first two unjust demands, and opted for the last alternative.  He was taken to an open ground close to the fort.  In full view of thousands of spectators and government of ficials, the Govt. executioners tortured him.  His two companion, Bhai Dewan Singh and Bhai Gulzar Singh were sawn into two.  However, these executions failed to shake the determination of Bhai Mani Singh in Sikhism.  He was ordered to be cut piece flay piece.  Bhai Mani Singh asked to spreda his left arm on a log of wood laid before him.  On his doing theis, the executioner got prepared to cut his hand as a first step.  Bhai Ji caught hold of the hand of executioner telling him to cut the finger joints one by one, as ordered by the government officials, and then proceed further.  Every body present was stunned to hear theis from Bhai Mani Singh.  The executioner did as guided by Bhai Mani Singh and tortured him to death cutting his body at every joint.  The execution of sainty Bhai Mani Singh sent a wave of anger among the Sikhs of all shades of opinion.

The entire life of Bhai Mani Singh Ji is a light house for the Sikhs.  Nine of his ten brothers, seven of his sons and many grandsons laid down their lives for the causes so dear to the Sikh Gurus.  His martyrdom will keep inspiring Sikh generations for all time to come emulate his personal life and unflinching faith in Sikh ideals.