Many incredible events happen in the lives of great saints. Every event has a deep and sometimes a hidden significance. Some events act as a message to the ordinary individuals. People learn to move away from narrowness of thinking and self-centeredness towards having a broader vision of life.
The expectations of the devotees of Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj sometimes led him to undertake tasks, which few saints would even dare to think about. In order to set an example for others he often had to show the world the practical way of how to perform a particular task. Whenever it was clear that mere advice would not have achieved the task, he didn’t hesitate to involve himself in leading others.
The following event in the life of Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji was narrated by Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.
One day Sant Baba ji was in his abode at village Jiyan. Many devotees were sitting around him. Sant Baba ji was discussing about the path of truth to be followed by the seekers. The path being discussed would lead the devotees towards the divine.
At that time an old Nihang Sikh came to him. He pleaded before Sant Baba ji, “Maharaj! I have been to three villages to collect food as alms, but no one offered me anything. Times are really bad.”
Sant Maharaj ji replied, “You should have gone to another two villages. You will get food where destiny has to provide you with it.”
The Nihang Sikh had recognized the spiritual status of Sant Baba ji by staying close to him. He respected his reply. He respectfully requested Sant Baba ji, “Maharaj ji! It is the humble request of your servant to please save us from the selfish people. Times are really dreadful. The minds of the people require tranquility. You can bring calm and serenity to the minds of the people. You have the power to bring peace to this world. Please do so.”
Sant Baba ji listened to these words with full attention. He said in a stern voice, “What you are witnessing is nothing in comparison to the difficult times that lie ahead of us. A struggle for the Panth has to be carried out in the south of Punjab. Many groups of Sikhs will participate in this struggle and will face the wrath of the British regime. They will have to undergo hardships, atrocities and hunger. The sangat will be facing terrible times.”
The sangat sitting there dare not challenge the words of Sant Baba ji. They were however perplexed on hearing his prediction. The Nihang Singh though had the guts to raise a further query. He asked, “Will there be peace in the coming future?”
Sant Baba ji revealed, “The hills in the eastern side are the domain of five hundred beloved Sikhs. All of them are at present involved in deep penance. Peace is assured in case these Sikhs join the struggle.”
One, upon whom the Merciful Lord bestows His Grace, performs His service. That servant, whom the Lord causes to obey the Order of His Will, serves Him.
(Page 471)
The Nihang Sikh gave a sigh of relief. The devotees who were feeling distressed and had become worried also felt a sense of respite
Background of the struggle of Gangsar, Jaito
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib was at one time putting up at Dhilwan with the Sodhi’s. After taking leave of the Sodhi’s he started for the town of Jaito. He passed through Gurusar and Guru di Dhaab, before reaching Jaito.
A Gurdwara in the memory of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib now stands near the fort in the west of the town. A pool (sarovar) near the Gurdwara is known as Gangsar. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib is said to have explained to a worshipper of the Holy Ganges that bathing in the pool was as purifying as would be a dip in the Holy Ganges River. The pool thereafter came to be known as Gangsar.
This historic place came into prominence in the early twentieth century. The struggle of Akalis at Jaito and the sacrifices of the Sikh men and women created history. The British Government considered Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha as the stooge of the Akalis. He was therefore dethroned. The Sikhs were very upset on this and their wrath came to the fore, but they remained peaceful. They started continuous recitation of the Holy Granth (Akhand Path) at different places in Punjab and prayed for the restoration of peace and their honor.
An Akhand Path was also started at the historic Jaito Gurdwara. The Government officials could not bear this and they interfered leading to disruption of the recitation of the Holy Scriptures (Path). This outraged the Sikhs and the real struggle started from that day, the 14th September 1923. During this struggle one day on 21st February 1924, the Government forces opened fire on the demonstrators. Many Sikhs were martyred. This only exacerbated the feelings of the Sikhs further, and their confidence instead of being dampened infact got a boost.
The events that followed ultimately led the Government to bow down and agree to the demands of the Sikhs. The course it took was as follows.
During the struggle the Sikhs had suffered heavy casualties. The Government was however not relenting. The Sikhs were indeed passing through tough times. They were however confident of success in their mission. SGPC during this period made efforts to find a peaceful solution but the attempt failed. Many different groups of Sikhs tried their best to enter the town of Jaito but were forcibly stopped on the way. They were captured and tortured by the British Government officials.
The senior officials of SGPC were in the know of the missionary zeal of Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj. They also knew about the spiritual prominence of Sant Baba ji. They felt that a great soul like that of Sant ji Maharaj could lead the Panth during the difficult times when atrocities were continuing on the innocent Sikhs.
These officials held meetings where prominent Sikhs were also invited. It was discussed that Sant Baba ji had been the driving force in the struggle for the vacation of the Gurdwaras of Sri Anandpur Sahib. The task was difficult but had been accomplished easily by Sant Baba ji without bloodshed. It was generous of Sant Baba ji to have handed over the control of the Gurdwaras to the Panth.
It was therefore decided unanimously in the meeting of the prominent Sikhs that the tussle at Jaito could only be successful, if Sant Baba ji with his devotees, disciples and sadhus was persuaded to join in the struggle.
A group of prominent Sikhs was sent to Jiyan Sahib to request Sant Baba ji, in this regard. Sant Baba ji was informed in detail about the on going efforts and the decisions taken in the meeting. Sant Baba ji was requested to show light to the people by leading them in the mission.
Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj heard their request and replied, “I have different duties to perform. My work involves recitation of the Name of the God and initiating the public into the fold of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib’s baptism. The struggle stated by you has to be taken forward by you and my involvement is not required.”
One of the Sikhs who had come with the delegation became angry and lost his temper. He shouted, “You became a Sadhu to eat Parshad and do nothing beyond that. You are making a lame excuse not to join us in our struggle. If you don’t help us then how are we going to achieve our aim?”
This person did not know what he was saying in the presence of other Sikh personalities and to a Holy saint of a high stature. Others immediately stopped him from further utterance. One of the Sikhs said to him, “You should understand that Sant Baba ji has spoken out of humility. He had led us to victory in the liberation of the Gurdwaras at Sri Anandpur Sahib. I am sure he will help us in facing this bigger challenge.”
Sant Baba ji raised his voice and said, “I have already predicted about the difficult times for the Panth. Preparations have already been made to face the challenge. Five hundred Guru’s Sikhs are in the hills now involved in deep meditation. They have raised themselves high, in the spiritual status. They are mentally and physically strong and ready for any kind of sacrifice. They will help us in achieving the goal.”
Everyone became attentive and listened to what Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj was saying. No one interfered thereafter.
After a pause, he added, “Let us all pray at the feet of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib for our success. We should offer ourselves for being arrested by the British Police. We will achieve our goal with a peaceful struggle and with Naam Simran. We should swear right now that till victory is achieved in the struggle at Jaito we will not eat cooked bread (Baked roti). Only thanking the Lord at Sri Kesgarh Sahib after we have achieved victory will we eat cooked bread (Baked roti).”
The members of the SGPC on hearing such a difficult vow became evasive and said, “We will not be able to undertake such a promise as it is a very difficult one.”
Sant Maharaj ji admonished them and said, “If you are unable to give even such an undertaking then how can you aspire for success in the much more difficult task. It is easy to shout and expect others to agree, but it is not easy to proceed against tough odds with a strong will. All of you should therefore mind your language and your conduct. If you have faith in the Lord, then let us all go to Sri Anandpur Sahib and start our march for struggle from there with the blessings of Guru Sahib.”
The SGPC members requested Sant Baba ji for forgiveness. Sant Baba ji said, “You may now go wherever you feel like. I give you my word that I will eat cooked bread only after I succeed in my mission. May Guru Sahib bless me to achieve my goal?”
Messages were sent to saints, devotees and followers, on the advice of Sant Baba ji, to collect in full force at Sri Anandpur Sahib. People started reaching the town with full enthusiasm and in large numbers.
At Jiyan Sahib, Sant Baba ji instructed his trusted disciple Sant Baba Hari Singh of Kaharpur to look after the Jiyan Dera also in addition to his own Dera at Kaharpur, during his absence. He also instructed Sant Baba Basant Singh ji of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan to carry out the mission of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib and to continue to initiate people into baptism through the ambrosial nectar of the two edged sword; and that he should go from place to place for this purpose.
(These instructions were followed with full respect and devotion by Sant Baba Basant Singh ji and the present head of the Dera at Nirmal Kutiya Johalan is carrying out the same even today. The ambrosial nectar of the two edged sword is prepared for the seekers at the Kutiya on every Sangrand, Gurpurabs and number of people join in the initiation.)
After satisfying himself that his work would be taken care of by his beloved disciples, Sant Baba ji collected the choicest five hundred Sikhs and marched towards Sri Anandpur Sahib.
A prayer was offered at Sri Kesgarh Sahib Gurdwara. The sangat also joined in taking the vow of not eating cooked bread till the victory of the struggle. The Almighty Satguru was implored to grant strength for the fulfillment of the promise and success in the struggle.
The entire town reverberated with the Sikh slogans raised by the enthusiastic crowd gathered on the occasion.
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj, the beloved disciple of Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj, who had at that time shifted to Johalan, also influenced his devotees to be a part of the struggle and they had also reached Sri Anandpur Sahib to join Sant Baba ji.
Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj accepting the responsibility of the struggle took the command of his men. With a private musical band playing, he led the men and started for the town of Jaito. It was a slow and steady march. On the way the initiation of the people into Rehat Maryada continued. At dusk, the contingent stopped for the night and started again in the morning.
Before starting from Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Sant Baba ji was following a strict daily diet. Only once in 24 hours he drank some milk and ate some fruits. He remained on empty stomach for the rest of the day.
It took many days to reach the destination. Once on the outskirts of the town of Jaito, Sant Baba ji was welcomed by the sangat of nearby villages. Arrangements had been made by the sangat for the distribution of langar. But while they were moving towards the place where the distribution of langar was to be made, the police on horseback joined them on 46 both sides of the path. The police instigated and taunted the Sikh volunteers of Sant Baba ji’s contingent, but no one responded in any manner. Sant Baba ji on observing this immediately ordered the volunteers to sit in rows and asked the sewadars for the distribution of langar. The langar was distributed with all respect and the volunteers started eating it.
The police could not do anything for the time being. However, on observing a beehive on a nearby tree, they hurled stones on the beehive. The police personnel themselves moved their horses away very quickly. The bees started flying in horde. Sant Baba ji had observed this game plan and addressed the bees, “O Bees! Those who have irritated you have gone the other way. You may follow them. Here the sangat of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is involved in eating the Holy food.”
As if understanding the language of Sant Maharaj ji, the bees changed their direction immediately. They followed the police on the horseback. The police was not expecting that, and all of them were badly stung by the bees.
Miraculously, the bees stung none of the volunteers taking the holy food. (A Sikh volunteer from Chandpur was also present there. He was a follower of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. He used to narrate this incident to the sangat of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. He informed that all the police personnel were stung badly by the bees. No one from amongst the men with Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj was even touched.)
After the langar the contingent camped nearby. A British Police officer on horseback started taking rounds of the camp. At that time the sangat was listening to Kirtan, which had begun on the orders of Sant Baba ji. The Kirtan was being recited in presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Sant Baba ji was in attendance of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. When the police officer did not stop, Sant Baba ji looked at him and his horse. The horse immediately shook his body violently and went out of control. The rider was thrown on the ground. The officer, his hat and the horse were all lying on the ground spread far from each other. The officer was picked by his security men and brought to his residence to be attended on the wounds he had received from the fall.
The news of this event as well as that of the beehive spread in the town like wild fire. The officials of the Government were convinced that a real Holy Saint was leading this time the procession of the Sikhs. Those among them who had the opportunity of looking at Sant Baba ji said that he was Godly and there was no doubt about his towering divine level.
The British Government now started all kinds of methods to dissuade Sant Baba ji and his men from entering the town and moving towards Gangsar, Jaito. There was no effect. Sant Baba ji kept on moving with his men. The result was that all the five hundred volunteers along with Sant Baba ji were arrested. They were taken to the jail at Nabha.
It was here that the Sikh volunteers had to face the Police atrocities. As if these were not enough, the police humiliated them in every manner.
Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj kept silent and did not eat anything. He kept on reciting Gurbani all the time. He recited the Gurbani loudly and sometimes heard it from his followers.
The British Jailor came to know about the vow of Sant Baba ji, taken by him at Sri Kesgarh Sahib. He could gather that an individual with such a vow, aught to be a divine soul close to the Almighty. He started respecting Sant Baba ji and asked his juniors to look after him well. The Jailor ordered for supply of two seers of milk and fruit to be served daily.
The recitation of Gurbani was kept up in the jail. Some of the officers were irritated on listening to the recitation and asked the Sikhs to keep quiet. The Sikhs however, did not relent and continued with the recitation. Some of the Sikhs were separated and tortured.
The officials tried different tricks to get a regret letter for going against the administration. They tortured the innocent men as well as vitiated their minds to get some result. They also promised to set them free without any punishment. None of their wicked ideas were successful.
The Sikhs instead raised slogans in the loudest of voices. The Sikhs retorted back by dividing themselves into two halves and sat in two rows facing each other. One row raised the first line of the slogan ‘Bole so Nihal’ and the other row responded with the second line ‘Sat Sri Akal’.
This agitated the officials further and they found a novel way to take revenge. They made the Sikhs to lie on an open ground, facing downwards. Horse riders rode their horses on the backs of these Sikhs. This was repeatedly done. The hoofs of the horses badly bruised the backs and the skin came out.
The meditation of Sant Baba ji however, continued. His presence was a source of inspiration for his followers. The recitation of Gurbani, with the controlled mind at the feet of the Lord, had to be rewarded. The officials had observed that in spite of their using various methods; the simple life of the Sikhs had not changed. They were impressed with their leader who had never asked anyone to retaliate with force and to bear the torture smilingly.
The Government had to bow down to the wishes of Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj and his followers. The Government conceded all the demands. These included – (1) Punishment to the officials responsible for desecrating the recitation of Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib; (2) No interference in the internal religious matters of the Sikhs.
The agreement was reduced to writing and read out to all the Sikhs. All of them were released. The Morcha was won on 6th August 1925.
Twenty-four hours a day, he sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord, absorbed in loving devotional worship. He remains unaffected by both fortune and
misfortune, and he recognizes the Creator Lord. ||2||
The Lord saves those who belong to Him, and all pathways are opened to them. Says Nanak, the value of the Merciful Lord God cannot be described.
||3||1||9||(Page 497-498)
Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji took his followers and the contingent of five hundred Sikhs to Gangsar Sahib. This was the place from where the agitation had started because of the desecration of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
An Akhand Path was arranged. Sant Baba ji sat through the entire recitation. The bhog of Sri Akhand Path was celebrated in the prescribed manner and everyone was happy that the Maryada at the Gurdwara had been restored and the daily rituals started as usual.
Sant Baba ji left the town of Jaito, with the followers and marched through Tarn Taran and, resting on the way at different places, reached Sri Darbar Sahib at Sri Amritsar.
The officials of SGPC welcomed the contingent. They requested for serving langar but Sant Baba ji said, “I can only eat cooked bread after I have offered my prayers to thank The Almighty for the strength He had granted all of us and for the victory we have secured from the agitation. This has to be done by me at Sri Kesgarh Sahib from where we started after prayers and where I had vowed before the Almighty that I will not eat cooked bread during the process of the agitation and till the task was complete.”
The entire contingent came to Sri Kesgarh Sahib, where prayers were offered to thank the Lord for a successful mission. Sant Baba ji partook cooked bread after a period of two and a half years in the langar, that day.
1. Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj had a unique way of preaching the Sikh way of life. It was indeed impressive and gave instant results. A musical band was asked to play and walk in front. The band sometimes comprised of men trained by the British. This was followed by private bands of villagers. Sant Baba ji fully dressed in his Gati, but with all the weapons, rode on horseback behind the bands. The sadhus and followers in simple dress wearing short swords followed Sant Baba ji.
When this contingent passed through the villages, people came out on the streets and stood on the rooftops to have a glimpse of Sant Baba ji. All villagers were present to welcome the procession. Sant Baba ji used to say, “Who49 soever will have a glimpse of the baptized Sikhs might well be blessed with Gursikhi in this present birth but surely in the next birth.”
The system of the band playing was a message conveyed to the villagers. They heard the sound and knew that Sant Baba ji was approaching the village. The villagers then collected to welcome the procession of Sant Baba ji. People from all religions paid their respects. The procession of the baptized Sikhs had only to be seen for the onlooker to be convinced that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib was indeed present in his Khalsa Army.
(The saints of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan carried out this discipline in the identical form. Even the present chief of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan follows the same tradition.)
The simple remarks of Sant Baba ji acted like an arrow and pierced the hearts of many, who were then initiated by Sant Baba ji into Khalsa of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.
2. Whenever langar was distributed, Sant Baba ji moved in the rows of the sitting Sikhs. He started with the recitation of ‘SATNAM WAHEGURU’ First he spoke and the sangat in the rows followed with the recitation. The sangat recited in one voice. After the distribution of langar to everyone, Sant Baba ji recited the following Sloka from Sukhmani Sahib:
Sexual desire, anger, greed and emotional attachment - may these be gone, and egotism as well. Nanak seeks the Sanctuary of God; please bless me with Your Grace, O Divine Guru. ||1|| (Page 269 of SGGS)
The sangat started eating in one go after the Fateh was raised by Sant Baba ji.
3. During the agitation at Jaito, Sant Hari Singh Sukhoi of Sri Anandpur was also in jail at Nabha, with Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj. He served Sant ji Maharaj during his stay in the jail as a personal attendant. He gave a daily bath to Sant Baba ji, washed his clothes and served fruit and milk to him. After the agitation had borne fruit, he was blessed by Sant ji Maharaj and made in charge of Shahidi Bagh, Sri Anandpur Sahib. He was responsible for looking after the affairs of the Bagh.
In 1980, when he was quite old, some curious individuals collected around him one day and asked him to narrate the events during the agitation. These persons were mainly interested to know about the kinds of torture given by the British Police.
Sant Baba Hari Singh Sukhoi said, “If I describe to you everything about the Morcha, you people will become afraid and decide never to join such a struggle.”
On constant insistence, Sant Hari Singh ji picked up his chola and showed his back. The gruesome sight took the onlookers aback. The back was full of hoof marks, which had turned black. The hoof marks had left a completely dead skin. Sant ji then narrated the entire event and concluded by saying, “We were made to lie on the ground, on our stomachs. We were lying in a row. Horses were then run on our backs. All of us recited loudly the words ‘SATNAM – WAHEGURU’. Even though it was an extreme torture yet none of us lost his grit. All our pains vanished on having a glimpse of Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj and we were again ready and confident to receive further torture.”