Balu Hasna (1564-1660), Sikh preacher and the first head of a dhuan (lit. smoke [1]) or branch of the Udasi sect, was born the son of Pandit Hardatt and Mai Prabha of Srinagar (Kashmir) on 13 November 1564. His original name was Balu. Accompanying his elder brother, Alu, better known as Bhai Almast, he came to Amritsar in 1604, to receive instruction from Guru Arjan. He devoted himself to the service of the Guru. Of Guru Hargobind he was a constant companion. Even when the Guru went out for the chase, Balu would trot along on foot with him. Happy go lucky by temperament, he always bore a smile on his face so that the Guru gave him the appellation of Hasna, lit. the laughing one.