Many can see the resplendence of the austerities of saints and great souls, but rare is the devotee granted the boon of personal proximity.
Army men often spend long periods away from their families. This gives them more opportunity to recite His Name. It is seen that many achieved souls were earlier in the army before they took to this unique path. Another factor is that discipline is inherent in army service. Unquestioning obedience, not fearing for one’s life and wholeheartedly carrying out their duties are qualities that are inculcated in army men.
There were many army officers devoted to Sant Baba ji. The Kutiya being close to Jalandhar Cantt gave easy opportunity to these officers for Darshan of Sant Baba ji.
Sardar Mohinder Singh belonged to Rajokri village. He started coming to Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj ever since he was a lieutenant in the army. He was quite close to Sant Maharaji ji among the devotees. He belonged to the 144 Artillery Regiment of the Indian Army.
War with Pakistan broke out in 1965 and the Artillery Regiment was asked to move to the border. The regiment, officers and men, moved by train from Delhi to the border and the train stopped at Jalandhar Cantt. Sardar Mohinder Singh found out that the stoppage time for the train at this station would be at least one hour. He decided to go and seek the blessings of Sant Maharaj ji. Though all were in high spirits yet their victory was assured if the great saint blessed them.
Sardar Mohinder Singh drove to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. In his heart was the thought, “Who knows if I will return alive from the battle and maybe this would be the last glimpse of Sant Baba ji.”
He paid his homage to Sant Baba ji. Sant Baba ji was in high spirits and asked, “Sahib! How long is your leave?”
Mohinder Singh informed, “We are bound for the border on duty and have come to seek your blessings.”
Sant Baba ji asked, “How much time do you have for us?”
“Maharaj ji! I have just one hour before the train moves,” he replied.
Sant Baba ji called Sant Baba Gian Singh ji and asked him, “Santa! Bring prasad of sugar puffs for Sahib.”
Sardar Mohinder Singh received the prasad of sugar puffs in his handkerchief and tied it. Sant Baba ji then said, “You may eat the prasad yourself and share it with your companions.”
Sardar Mohinder Singh said, “Satya Vachan.”
Not yet permitting him to leave Sant Baba ji kept quiet for some time and then asked Sant Baba Gian Singh ji, “Give some prasad from the deg to Sahib.”
Sant Baba Gian Singh ji brought Deg Parsad in a steel glass and gave it to Sardar ji. This was the first time Sardar ji had received Deg in a glass. He had been thinking that he would accept the Deg Parsad in the palm of his hand as usual. He didn’t understand the significance of the Deg Parsad in the glass.
In the mean time Sant Baba ji said to him, “Sarkar! We now take leave of you.”
Sardar Mohinder Singh got up and placed his forehead on the feet of Sant Baba ji. Sant ji Maharaj kept on looking at him with his graceful eyes. Sant Baba ji said to him, “Sarkar! When you come back, bring this glass along.”
Sardar ji immediately replied, “Satya Vachan Maharaj.”
He then came back to the Railway Station.
Once in the train, he went through the experience again and again and enjoyed it. He could see the glowing face of Sant Baba ji and his head bowed in respect. He understood the meaning of the instructions of Sant Baba ji for bringing back the glass. He would not get killed in the battle. Sant Baba ji had explained to his devotee that he would come back with flying colors.
The Regiment reached Fazilka border. The firing was going on non-stop and its roar shattered the peace all around. Sardar Mohinder Singh’s men placed the armour guns at strategic places. They were ready, the armour was ready but there was no ammunition. It had not reached the border as yet. It had been sent via trucks of army convoy, which were expected to reach the destination before the train reached the border.
Sardar Mohinder Singh prayed and saw Sant Baba ji standing beside him. When he opened his eyes, the convoy bringing the ammunition was visible. It was only a matter of few minutes. The Almighty waits to hear from his loved ones to convey positive answers in no time with His own presence.
The shelling and firing by the enemy was continuing frenziedly. The Commanding Officer ordered for controlling the situation. Sardar Mohinder Singh after discussion with his JCO, the Subedar Major, decided to return fire from two different guns. The response from our side was equally intense. With the blessings of Sant Baba ji, the shelling by Sardar Mohinder Singh’s unit proved highly effective. The enemy guns were soon silenced.
The Commanding Officer appreciated the efforts of Sardar Mohinder Singh and his men. (Afterwards Sardar Mohinder Singh brought two empty shells to the Kutiya, with the permission of his Commanding Officer)
After the victory in this battle, Sardar ji was ordered to retake a village that had been occupied by the enemy. He had only eleven men at his disposal. The village Kabul Shah was to be liberated as per the orders of the CO. It was indeed a difficult task, but an Army officer, in the midst of war did not think whether the task was easy or difficult and knew only to perform the same. There was only one mission before the Army officer and that was to save the honor of the country.
A recce of the territory of village Kabool Shah was undertaken and the plan of attack was worked out. The scheme envisaged minimum casualties. The group moved forward to attack but felt that enemy had surrounded them, as firing seemed to come from all sides. Return fire was going on and Sardar ji was encouraging his men. He thought of Sant Baba ji to help him in his mission. He bowed his head at the feet of Sant Baba ji in his mind. He heard the voice of Sant Baba ji clearing his throat. This boosted him. He knew Sant Baba ji was with him and he attacked reciting the Name of the Almighty Satguru.
The Almighty blessed him and village Kabool Shah was liberated. He sent a message to the CO informing him of the liberation of the village. The CO was surprised, as he had thought the battle would last for many days. He had been awaiting reinforcements, as sufficient force was not available on this front. The CO thought that a miracle had happened. There certainly was some force backing his troops and it could not be the doing of Sardar Mohinder Singh and his men alone.
The CO then assigned to Sardar Mohinder Singh’s unit the task of defending a post, named CHUHARKA. This post though was on the Pakistan side, yet was in the control of Indian Army. It was evident that the Pakistan Army would strongly fight to recapture their lost land.
At that time only three guns were available. The Pakistan Army attacked with full force but was beaten back again and again. They however continued with their efforts. Sardar Mohinder Singh again prayed to Sant Baba ji for victory in this battle also.
He heard the voice of the stick of Sant Baba ji striking the ground at a little distance. It was under a mango tree. Sardar ji understood the signal of Sant Baba ji and asked his men to fire from the treetop. The jawans climbed the tree and fired. The enemy was struck hard from an elevated position and their firing stopped. The Indian Army also won this battle. The CO congratulated Sardar Mohinder Singh on the victory and recommended his name to the seniors for a gallantry award.
Sardar Mohinder Singh was in the battlefield till the cease-fire. Whenever he prayed, at times of difficulty, Sant Baba ji appeared in one form or other, boosting the confidence of Sardar ji with his presence and also guiding him. Sardar Mohinder Singh was not fighting alone. He had the support of Sant Baba ji and he came out victorious.
After the war, he understood the real hidden meaning in the blessings of Sant Baba ji. The glass ordered to be returned meant that he would be victorious and that his life would not be sacrificed in the battle. Sant Baba ji did not require the glass back; instead it was just a signal for him to boost his morale.
Sardar Mohinder Singh retired from the post of a Major. He and his family are attached to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan and still undertake SEWA at the Kutiya.