In every religion, prayers are an important part of an individual’s life. People pray in the morning for the day to pass off peacefully and successfully. Some people pray to the Almighty that they may reap good harvests. There are some who pray before undertaking any type of task. In Sikhism, before starting anything, the devotees pray for completion of the work without occurrence of any problems. This is done irrespective of whether the function is on account of good or sad occasion.
Sardar Narain Singh of village Haloowal was a devotee of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. He had been following a principle that before starting from his residence for Nirmal Kutiya Johalan, he prayed to Sant Baba ji to bless him with extreme happiness.
Once after his usual prayers, he started from his residence for Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. He had reached Mahilpur, when a young man, of his village came running to him and informed him of the expiry of his grandson.
He returned back to his village on hearing the sad news. The grandson was a favourite of Sardar ji. He therefore did not go to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.
On the third day he came to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. When he was paying his homage to Sant Baba ji, he was asked, “How is your family?”
Sardar Narain Singh informed Sant Baba ji, “Maharaj ji! Day before yesterday, my grandson expired. I had started for the Kutiya that day but had to return back for the village from Mahilpur. I had prayed for coming to the Kutiya, but something else was in store for me.”
Sant Baba ji said, “Narain Singh! Happiness and grief are part of a man’s life. But whenever you pray to perform something, then you should not retrace your steps. You should first complete the task you have prayed for.”
Sardar Narain Singh said, “Satya Vachan Maharaj!”
He had been given a teaching by Sant Baba ji and he followed it without raising any question. He also shared this teaching with others and asked them to follow it.