1. Mata Ji's Ancestor
Mata Ji came from a blessed lineage of Basee (ਬੱਸੀ) where their ancestor, Bhai Bhagtu ji did selfless sewa of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Mahraj. Guru Ji blessed their Darshan to Mata ji's ancestral village, Rahotas on their way back from Kabul to Pashaur. Bhai Bhagtu Ji also requested a small water reservoir as the village had water shortage which Guru Ji granted. A Gurdwara called Choha Sahib is built at the spot where Guru Ji lifted a stone under which a stream water started flowing. Guru Ji also transformed the bitter water to sweet (drinkable) water. Guru Ji also greatly blessed Bhai Bhagtu Ji for all their sewa. Because of this blessings, this whole family has been attached to the selfless service of Guruji with all of their mind and soul.
2. Mata Ji's Name
Mata Ji's parents, Bhai Ramu Ji and Mata Jasdevi ji did not have a child for a long time. Being a regular devotee and sewadar of Gurdwara Choha Sahib, they did regular Ardass to Guru Sahib asking not just for a child, but specifically for an Avtar (great incarnation). When they finally was blessed with a child, they named her Sahib Devi because she is given by Parmatma (ਸਾਹਬ ਦੀ ਦੇਨ) through their benti ardass at the historical Gurdwara of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji.
3. Mata Ji's Childhood
Since childhood, Mataji was loved by the whole family, relatives as well as the villagers of Rahotas. Mataji was also attached to the Choha Sahib Dharamsala since childhood, which is a quality obtained through their family. To go to the Dharmsala and perform selfless service was a regular practice of Mataji. Since young, Mataji memorized Sri Japji Sahib, Sri Sukhmani Sahib, Sri Asa Ji Ki Vaar, Rehras Sahib, Kirtan Sohila, and various other banis since young. Because of their love for Guru Maharaj, their bani recitation from their sweet voice was so beautiful that the villagers would come to listen and attain bliss. The fragrance of good virtues of little Sahib Devi spread all over the village and they were well respected by all villagers.
4. Mata Ji's Predestined Marriage
When Mata Ji was sixteen and was perfect with all kinds of qualities, their parents decided to search for a suitable husband for them. They were also careful of the very high spiritual level of Sahib Devi Ji so that her devotion for Sikhi does not break after marriage. In search of a suitable partner for Sahib Devi Ji, her parents were often worried as they were looking for a man that has pure thoughts and Godly virtues. Because of the fact that Mata Ji was not an ordinary person, she had knowledge of her previous incarnation (janam) and knew that they are meant to marry only Kalgidhar Patshah Ji. So, when their parents was discussing about their marriage, they told them that they are only meant to marry Guru Ji. Accepting the past incarnation knowledge of Sahib Devi Ji as true, their family gathered the village sanggat and offered Mata Ji via ardass to Guru Ji. From that moment, the village sanggat respected Sahib Devi Ji as the wife (Mehal) of Kalgidhar Patshah Ji. Eventually, they took her to Kalgidhar Patshah ji at Anandpur Sahib where they eventually agree to marry Mata Ji if she stays as a Kuara Dola (virgin bride).
5. Motherly Duties
Mata Ji took care of her beloved child, the Khalsa Panth with utmost care. When Kalgidhar Patshah Ji was preparing to ascend to Sachkand, Mata Ji expressed her desire to leave to Sachkhand before them. Guru Ji did not allow this by reminding Mata Ji that the Khalsa is still a balak (child - as the Khalsa sajna happened just few years before) and therefore Mata Ji has the duty to guide and raise her child, the Khalsa properly. Not only did she raise the Khalsa, the sewa of all the four Sahibzaday of Kalgidhar Patshah Ji was also done personally by Mata Ji with utmost love. Mata Ji was very fond of all the four Sahibzaday especially the youngest Sahibzada, Baba Fateh Singh ji whom Mata Ji used to bathe, put on nice clothes and adorn.
6. Unique Routine
Mata Ji also established a routine to not have any meal until they have darshan (holy glimpse) of their husband, Sri Dasmesh Ji. When Mata Ji was instructed to return to Delhi by Kalgidhar Patshah Ji, they were given Shastars by Guru Mahraj. Kalgidhar Patshah Ji told them to see the Shastars as His own form that Mata Ji can do Darshan of daily in the morning. Two of this Shastars are currently displayed at Gurdwara Mata Sundri Ji in Delhi.
7. Katha
While living in Delhi, Mata Ji did regular Katha in the Diwans explaining the teachings of Gurmat. Sanggat used to enjoy the Mata Ji's katha so much that it felt like they are in Sachkhand itself.
8. Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia
Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, a prominent Sikh leader grew up in the presence of Mata Sahib Devan Ji. Not only he and his mother used to perform Kirtan in Mata Ji's presence, they also accompanied Mata Ji from Delhi to Nanded and later on back to Delhi. He was very much loved by Mata Ji and was given the honour to light up the funeral pyre of Mata Ji during her holy cremation. The holy spot where their cremation happened is currently marked by a shrine (Angitha Sahib) at Gurdwara Bala Sahib in Delhi. This Gurdwara also houses Angitha Sahib of Guru Harkrishan Ji Mahran and Mata Sundri Ji which we should definitely visit and gain Mata Ji's blessings every time we visit Delhi!
9. Teachings
Mata Ji in all their Hukamnamay emphasised on some common teachings to the Khalsa and always addressed the Khalsa lovingly stating that she is happy with them. They always reminded her Khalsa children "Guru Guru Jaapna, Janam Savarna" which means to keep meditating on the Parmatma and make this human life worthwhile. Mata Ji always started and ended her Hukamnamay with blessings; that the Guru shall protect you always (Guru Rakhega) and Guru Mahraj shall bless those that will do the Sewa that is as required by the Guru Ghar.
10. Mata Ji's Asthan
Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji is in Nanded, about 15 minutes from Takhat Sri Hajor Sahib. Just like how the site where Takht Sahib is situated was Kalgidhar Patshah Ji's Tap Asthan (meditation spot) since the Satyug, Mata Ji's Tap Asthan where they meditated in their previous incarnation is situated where Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji is now. This is also the spot where Kalgidhar Patshah Ji used to visit every afternoon to have Langgar prepared by Mata Ji. It is a powerful place where sanggat goes to meditate and gain blessings of Mata Ji from. Mata Ji also once said to Kalgidhar Pathshah Ji "who would visit my asthan as it is in a secluded area?". Guru Ji replied "everyone would visit your asthan because without visiting your asthan, their yatra would not be fruitful/complete (safli)". This makes sense because a visit to our home without meeting our mother would never be considered complete.
All these interesting facts of Mata Ji can be read in more details in their biography "Pavitar Jeevan" by Sant Gyani Surjit Singh Mehron. Recently, an English discourse took place for 28 days going through the whole biography in English explanations. This recording can be accessed at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL82dOjb-tFHbxJnSEXtQsS6JLxPsx1Rux
