On the west side of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan, there was a Dera of Baba Jawala Singh. Once in an annual gathering a lot many people had collected at that Dera. Many Sadhus visited the Dera on this occasion. Some of the saints addressed the gathering. One of the Sadhus, during his speech, appreciated the work being undertaken by a great saint of the time Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. He said, “Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj is a divine soul who has reached great heights on the path of spirituality. His life has been spent in worshipping the One Lord and he continues to influence the devotees to adopt the ways of Sikhism. Any person who has had DARSHAN of Sant Baba ji is a really privileged soul.”
Sadhu Baba Jawala Singh became jealous on hearing the appreciation of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. Ignoring the ascetism and worship of Sant Baba ji, he said, “If he is such a great saint then let him compete with me in horse racing. Let us see who wins.”
Some of the devotees of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj were also attending the congregation. Sardar Ajmer Singh of village Johal was also present. He was astonished to hear these words reflecting an inflated ego. The sadhu on the dais had not spoken against Baba Jawala Singh and his attitude surprised everyone. Ajmer Singh became angry on hearing the words of Baba Jawala Singh.
Sardar Ajmer Singh was a devotee of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj and visited Nirmal Kutiya Johalan daily to pay his homage. In an irritated voice he challenged Baba Jawala Singh and said, “Be ready for a horse riding race tomorrow morning. Everything will become clear to you.”
Ajmer Singh came back to his village and shared the incident with Nambardar Didar Singh. Both came to the Kutiya and explained the situation to Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj.
Sant Baba ji explained to them by saying, “There is nothing of importance in such statements. You should also not give any significance to such utterances. Remember, it is only through the rich knowledge of Gurbani that the mind gets purified. Try to move only in that direction.”
Nambardar ji said, “Maharaj ji! You are right. But it is necessary to clear the confusion in the mind of the Sadhu.”
Sant Baba ji remained silent. Now Sardar Ajmer Singh was getting restless and requested, “Maharaj ji! I could not bear the way he talked. I committed for the race to take place tomorrow. Baba Jawala Singh must have already started giving his horse a good massage and must be preparing for the race. Please grace your beloved devotees and shatter his pride. Please do fulfill our wish.”
Sant Baba ji became kind and in a matter of fact way said, “OK! I will do as you say.”
The ‘Yes’ of Sant Baba ji was greeted with loud cheers. Both Nambardar ji and Sardar Ajmer Singh were very happy and thanked Sant Baba ji for his agreement. They then left for their homes.
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj was a very good horse rider. He could cover long distances riding a horse. He was experienced in handling the horses. He never got tired and instead gave rest to the tired horse after long journeys. There was a good breed of horses in the stable of Sant Baba ji. Sometimes Sant Baba Gian Singh ji also accompanied Sant Baba ji on a separate horse during his travels.
When he went for a short trip on the horse, Sant Baba Gian Singh ji or ‘Virakat’ ji Maharaj caught hold of the reins of the horse and walked the distance alongside.
Next day a race was fixed from the small bridge known as DHADIAN DI PULLI till village Suchi Pind. The race started and both riders kicked their horses. Within moments the horse of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj gathered speed and soon left the other rider behind. While Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj had touched the point prescribed at Suchi Pind and returned, the horse of Baba Jawala Singh was still proceeding towards the designated spot.
Baba Jawala Singh felt ashamed both for his words and also on losing the race. He did not return to his abode that day.
Sant Baba ji established that the glory of the Holy people is eternal and greatest of the great.
Sant Baba ji conveyed through his action that a Holy person should be without any pride and should not be jealous of others. Instead in the company of the Holy, egotism should be eliminated and spiritual wisdom should take its place.
The Fifth Master Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji explains about the pride, emotional attachment and the sense of ‘mine and yours’ in the following verse from RAAG DEVGANDHARI:
To forsake pride, emotional attachment, and the sense of ‘mine and yours’, is the path of the double-edged sword. ||3|| Says Nanak, they alone swim across the terrifying world-ocean, who, by God’s Grace, join the Society of the Saints. ||4||1||31|| (Page 534)
Let us come back to the horses of Sant Baba ji. The horses in the stable were looked after well and given proper diet. Whenever the horse became tired, Sant Baba ji’s one pat was enough for it to be fresh once again. The animals also long for love. A little love can change them and give them happiness. The result is bound to be different in case a divine saint like Sant Baba ji expressed the love through a pat on the back
It was a ritual at the Kutiya to keep an AKHAND PATH in the memory of the animal that died in the corral.