A TRUE HOLY MAN ACCEPTS WITH HUMILITY WHATEVER HE RECEIVES
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj had one meal in twenty-four hours. He wore a simple Gati when he went to the village to collect food as alms. He carried a stick in one hand and a CHIPI in the other. Sandals made from PACHIAN (Bagasse - the left over stems of sugarcane from which juice has been extracted) were worn in the feet. The simplicity apart, he never forgot his Lord. Gurbani says that any individual whose mind is imbued with the Lord’s Name is the king of the whole world even though, he lives in a broken down shack, wears tattered clothes, has no social status, no honor, no respect, has no friend or lover, and he maybe without any wealth.
He is the king of the whole world, who has his mind imbued
with the Lord’s Name. (Page 707)
Sant Baba ji lived like a Fakir through out his life. One day, he went to seek food as alms from the villagers living in village Bhatolian. In front of a house he spoke the praise of the Lord in a little loud voice. The lady of the house thinking that a Fakir had come to her door brought a handful of Atta (ground wheat). When she opened the door she saw the respected saint, Sant Baba ji standing in front of her house. She said, “Maharaj ji! I was mistaken. Wait! I will get a baked roti and vegetables for you.”
Sant Baba ji said, “Please lady! Whatever you have brought in your hands, please give the same to me. The Lord Almighty wants me to accept this for today.”
Sant Baba ji took the Atta from the lady, mixed it in the water from his CHIPI and ate the raw atta standing there. After drinking some water, he returned back to his abode. The piety in Sant Baba ji came to the fore, when he did not ask for good food, but was contented to eat whatever was offered to him. In this regard Gurbani says
He alone is a Sannyaasi, who serves the True Guru, and removes his self-conceit
from within. He does not ask for clothes or food; without asking, he accepts whatever
he receives. He does not speak empty words; he gathers in the wealth of
tolerance, and burns away his anger with the Naam. Blessed is such a householder,
Sannyaasi and Yogi, who focuses his consciousness on the Lord’s feet. ||7||
(Page 1013)