A Sikh, who regards the teachings of the Guru, as supreme and follows them, is known as a Gursikh. He treads the path recommended by the Guru. He learns to perform selfless SEWA. His hands and heart are eager to serve the Guru.
Baba Ganda Singh was the son of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. He served in the Army. He visited Nirmal Kutiya Johalan as an ordinary devotee during his Army service and also after his retirement, and paid his homage to Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj as others did. He never considered Sant Baba ji as his biological father even when he sat alone facing Sant Baba ji. He considered Sant Baba ji as his preceptor. He received a new teaching every time he was in the Kutiya and he welcomed all such teachings and followed them the best he could.
Once, Bhai Ganda Singh after paying obeisance to Sant Baba ji, was taking langar with other devotees at the Kutiya. After finishing his food, he got up and started picking the used utensils of the sangat sitting there.
Sant Baba ji saw him perform this work and called him over. He washed his hands and came to Sant Baba ji and touched his feet. Sant Baba ji asked him, “With whose permission did you start collecting the used utensils?”
Bhai Ganda Singh replied, “Patshah! I had not sought any one’s permission.”
Sant Baba ji told him, “Don’t do anything at this place without seeking permission. Your own sweet will has no place here.”
Baba Ganda Singh very humbly replied, “Satya Vachan, Maharaj!”
Sant Baba ji then advised him, “Go and seek the permission for undertaking the service from Subedar Zorawar Singh. Touch his feet before seeking his consent.”
Baba Ganda Singh obeyed the instructions and went to Subedar Zorawar Singh ji. He touched his feet.
Being the son of Sant Baba ji, Baba Ganda Singh was respected by all. He was full of humility and spoke less. He never raised his voice while speaking. Sangat, who knew about his background used to touch his feet although he would try to avoid by immediately moving his feet back.
Today, however, he had touched the feet of Subedar Zorawar Singh ji, obeying the orders of Sant Baba ji. Subedar ji was working at that time. When he saw Baba ji, he was a little surprised.
Baba ji sought his permission to perform service and told Subedar ji about the instructions of Sant Baba ji. Subedar ji bowed his head on being given this honor and smiled. He permitted Baba ji to undertake the SEWA.
How rare are those who receive the Guru’s Teachings. O Nanak, he alone receives it, whom the Lord Himself blesses with glorious greatness. ||2|| (Page 509)
It can be seen from this instance that Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj hammered modesty to the core of his loving devotee.
Subedar Zorawar Singh lived in Jalandhar Cantonment. He was a very gentle person. His conduct was self-effacing and he performed SEWA at the Kutiya with complete humility and without talking to anyone. His attitude and selfless service was kept in mind by Sant Baba ji, when Baba Ganda Singh ji was asked to seek permission for SEWA from Subedar ji.
During the Akhand Path at the Kutiya, Subedar ji was in attendance for serving DEG. He was a tall handsome man. He covered his mouth with a handkerchief while serving Parshad. Everytime he served Parshad, he uttered, ‘SATNAM’. Anyone sitting close to Subedar ji could easily hear the continuous recitation of ‘Waheguru, Waheguru’.
Whenever he served langar he uttered ‘Satnam’ while serving to everyone. After the sangat had finished eating and had washed their hands, Subedar ji collected the used utensils. Any food particle that had spilled on the ground was picked up with the used utensil and the ground kept clean. During this time also his recitation of the Name of the God continued.
He always stood before Sant Baba ji and kept on seeking forgiveness for anything wrong done by him. Sant Baba ji kept on smiling.
Subedar ji lived in a big bungalow in Jalandhar Cantonment. He often visited the house of Giani Lakshmi Narain Singh (Retired SSP), who also lived in the Cantonment area. When Giani ji was not keeping good health, Subedar ji came to Giani ji’s house to enquire about his health before leaving for Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. He knew that Sant Baba ji would question him about the health of Giani ji. On returning from the Kutiya, Subedar ji again came to Giani ji’s place and narrated the happening at the Kutiya.
Giani ji had requested him to meet him before he went to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. There was another reason behind this request. In case, Giani ji’s two sons were available and not doing anything important, they were asked to accompany Subedar ji to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.
Subedar ji and the sons of Giani ji – Ravinder Pal Singh and Mohinder Pal Singh used to go to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan together though on separate bicycles.
At the time of starting, it was routine for Subedar ji to give his instructions to the young boys accompanying him. He said, “You will not talk or discuss anything on the way. Recite the Bani of Japji Sahib.”
All of them reached the Kutiya without exchanging a word and reciting the Bani. On return, if it was evening, Subedar ji asked the youngsters to recite Rehras Sahib and strictly advised not to talk to each other. In case it was afternoon, both the brothers were instructed to recite ‘SATNAM WAHEGURU! SATNAM WAHEGURU!’
Subedar Sahib was a noble soul, who remained a disciplined Sikh till the end of his life. He was instrumental in guiding others by example and through persuasion.
It was with the blessing of Sant Baba ji that the bungalow at Jalandhar Cantt was envied by other senior Army officers of the rank of Colonels and Generals, since they were living in such bungalows. With the grace of Sant Baba ji, Subedar Sahib’s family members are very well settled.