GREET THE LORD’S SAINTS HUMBLY AND WITH DEEP RESPECT
Sardar Partap Singh, resident of Village Bahadarpur, District Hoshiarpur, was employed in the Railways. He was posted at Butari Railway Station near the town of Beas.
He was a baptized Sikh following the tenets of Sikhism. He was also a Deputy Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. He was on a mission of converting people into baptized Sikhs. He however, did not have any belief in the possession of any kind of divinity with Sadhus and Saints.
Once Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj visited the town of Butari. This incident relates to before the partition in 1947. Sant Baba ji had many followers in Butari. One of them was quite close to Sardar Partap Singh. He told Sardar Partap Singh about Sant ji Maharaj’s presence in the town and conveyed about the greatness of this Holy saint. He said, “We are all very lucky that Sant ji Maharaj is in the town. You should have DARSHAN of such a great person. Let me take you to him.”
But Sardar Partap Singh refused.
The devotee asked Sardar ji to at least accompany him and just have darshan of the great Sadhu.”
Sardar ji replied, “OK! I will accompany you but do not ask me to bow before him.”
The devotee said, “You have changed your mind. This itself shows that you have received the blessing of the Almighty and you have become ready to accompany me for the DARSHAN of Sant Baba ji. You may act as per your wish.”
Sardar Partap Singh and his friend went to the place where Sant Baba ji was staying. On the way Sardar ji thought, “If he is really a true and great saint, then he should call me by my name. I will realise his divinity from this gesture and pay my homage accordingly.”
A congregation was being held and Sardar ji sat in the sangat lsitening to the Holy Hymns being sung by the RAGIS. The preachers then narrated excerpts from the history of Sikh Gurus and explained the importance of accepting the ambrosial nectar. The congregation ended after some time.
After the congregation some of the devotees came and sat close to Sant Baba ji. They wanted to enjoy the graceful glow on the face of Sant Baba ji. Sardar Partap Singh was also sitting nearby and watching the events full of curiousity.
The great saint said, “I want to see Sardar Partap Singh. He should come forward so that the sangat can see him.”
Sardar Partap Singh could not believe his ears. He was lost. He felt an intoxicating effect. He got up and came towards Sant Baba ji and fell on his feet. A true Sikh had today found his preceptor.
Have Mercy upon me, and place me upon the Right Path; let me be attached to the hem of the robe of the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. ||1|| (Page 801)
Sardar Partap Singh became a regular visitor to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. Sardar ji was the father of Giani Beant Singh ‘Bijli’, a renowned Sikh musician. ‘Bijli’ ji was only two and half years old when he was brought by his father to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. Some events from the life of ‘Bijli’ ji have been mentioned in this book. The family of Sardar ji continues to visit the Kutiya.