A divine person may be from any faith or belong to any sect, but his greatness attracts persons from all faiths. Muslims considered Guru Nanak Dev ji, the First Master of the Sikhs as their PIR, while the Hindus claimed him as their preceptor. One could not find any difference in the reverence of the two from different religions.
The Nambardar of village Bhunge was a Muslim. He was a devotee of Sant Baba ji. He often visited the abode of Sant Baba ji and received his blessings. He and his family became prosperous and affluent after coming in contact with Sant Baba ji. He did not have words to thank the kindness of Sant Baba ji.
One day there was a theft in the house of a rich farmer of the village. A complaint was lodged in the Police Station. The police officials were deputed to visit the spot and gather information. The police was unable to get any clue about the thieves. Teams of police constables was formed, who spread out to catch the thief/thieves. One such team searched the outskirts of the village and went deep into the woods.
This team saw Sant Baba ji, hiding in the hedges. These hedges were, in fact, the abode of Sant Baba ji, outside the village of Phabra. On seeing Sant Baba ji, one of the policemen grinned and said, “We have found the thief.”
Sant Baba ji was asked, “What are you doing here in the jungle?”
Sant Baba ji kept quiet and did not reply.
Another team member commented, “Why would he speak now? He has been caught. He is the thief. There is no doubt. Look at his clothes. He wants to deceive us with his simple beggar like clothes.”
The first constable asked Sant Baba ji to come out of his hiding place. Sant Baba ji complied. He came out and stood before the policemen.
The moment the policemen saw the personality of Sant Baba ji, they decided to leave the place. But when the question of catching a thief came before them, they decided to take Sant Baba ji with them to the Police Station. The silence of Sant Baba ji was considered a proof against his innocence.
Sant Baba ji was asked to walk along with them to the Police Station. When the group passed through the village, people looked strangely at the policemen. They came and touched the feet of Sant Baba ji. Some bowed in respect from a distance.
On being asked by the villagers, why Sant Baba ji was walking with them, one of them replied, “He is a thief and we are taking him to the Police Station for investigation.”
Whichever street the party went through, people kept on paying their respects to the great saint.
The policemen became apprehensive on observing the villagers. They talked to each other on the way.
One of them said, “It seems we have caught the wrong person.”
The other replied, “I also feel that he is some kind of a sadhu.”
The first one said, “I don’t think it is correct to take him to the Police Station. Let him go his way.”
The second person said, “I am also feeling scared. Let the Inspector now take a decision.”
On reaching the Police Station Sant Baba ji was made to sit on the floor in a corner of the main room. Sant Baba ji sat in a crossed leg position. Anyone looking at him could gather that he was some holy man busy in his prayers.
The Inspector came to the room and sitting on his chair was engrossed in his paper work. He did not look at Sant Baba ji. Sant Baba ji had however, surveyed the whole place and gathered enough information about what was going on in the Police Station.
After some time the Muslim Nambardar happened to visit the Police Station to meet the Inspector for some work. He came towards the Inspector and wished him. The Inspector wished him back and asked him to take a seat. The Nambardar before sitting on the chair saw Sant Baba ji sitting in the corner.
The presence of Sant Baba ji in the Police Station astonished him. He took off his shoes and came towards Sant Baba ji. He paid his homage by touching the feet of Sant Baba ji. He asked in a matter of fact tone, “Pir ji! Whom are you blessing in the Police Station?”
Sant Baba ji replied, “I have been brought here by police officials. I was destined to be here today. I have been labeled a thief.”
The Nambardar on hearing these words of Sant Baba ji lost his temper. Standing there he shouted at the Inspector and asked him to immediately come to where he was standing. He asked the Inspector, “What kind of officials you have in the force, who are unable to distinguish between a PIR and a thief?”
The Inspector was perplexed and replied, “It must be a mistake.”
The Nambardar explained to the Inspector, “He is a divine person involved in meditation and worship of the God. People from all faiths pay their respects to him. You have committed a grave sin by bringing him here.” He then added, “But I am sure that whatever has happened must be good for your office.”
The Inspector said, “It is the privilege of this Police Station that the feet of such a blessed soul have graced it.” He then addressed Sant Baba ji, “Baba ji you can go, but if there is something I can do for you, please do let me know. I am really sorry and apologise on behalf of my staff who have behaved with you in an uncivilized manner.”
Sant Baba ji said to the Inspector, “I am here for a reason. I thank your staff that has brought me here. During my stay here I have observed the working of this office.”
The Inspector said, “Please let me know if I can be of any service.”
Sant Baba ji said to him, “People of the village are exploited because of the oppression of your staff. Your staff is involved in forcefully bringing the cows of the villagers to the Police Station. The staff, without any evidence, labels these cows as stolen property in some reported case of a theft. In spite of the pleadings of the owners, no heed is given. These cows are kept in the Police Station and not released to the real owners. I will not leave the office unless all the cows are released by your staff.”
The Inspector felt ashamed, as he knew that Sant Baba ji was speaking the truth. He cut a sorry figure in front of the Nambardar. He immediately ordered for the release of the cows. He asked for forgiveness from the holy saint.
Sant Baba ji advised him, “As a Police officer, please ensure that neither you nor your staff does anything, whereby the common folk feels oppressed.”
The Nambardar understood the real purpose behind the visit of Sant Baba ji to the Police Station. Sant Baba ji addressed the Inspector and said, “It is good that you have apologized. You have to learn from this experience. I would suggest that before sending out the policemen on some operation or when ever you go out for work, you should all first pray to the Lord for a successful mission. When you take the support of the Almighty, He then helps you in all your works.”
The Inspector bowed before Sant Baba ji and told the Nambardar, “I have understood the suggestion of your Holy saint. I will guide my staff accordingly.”
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj then came back to his abode.
1. During the stay of Sant Baba ji on the outskirts of village Bhatolian, the number of followers increased manifold. These devotees followed the instructions of Sant Baba ji with all respect and love. The twin villages of Bhatolian and Naushehra were called the right and left eye respectively by Sant Baba ji. The devotees were inspired by Sant Baba ji to accept the ambrosial nectar of the two edged sword and many villagers were baptized.
2. During the British rule and the two world wars, many army personnel who had their roots in the villages of Bhatolian and Naushehra, fought the wars on different fronts as armymen of the British Army.
It is notable that with the Grace of Sant Baba ji there wasn’t a single casualty from these villages. The families of these armymen were regular visitors to the abode of Sant Baba ji when their men were away fighting for the country. Sant Baba ji asked them to pray to the Almighty and recite Gurbani. This blessing was granted by Sant Baba ji on the request of the villagers for the safety of their folks in the Army.
Everyone knew that the effect of his or her recitation of Gurbani was far less than the tapasya of Sant Baba ji. His mercy had been instumental in the wellbeing of their relatives.