INTRODUCTION OF SANT BABA GIAN SINGH JI WITH SANT BABA JI
Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj of Jiyan did not live long. His soul merged with the divine on 20th December 1928 (6 Poh Samvat 1985), at his Dera at village Jiyan. Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj went to Jiyan to attend the Bhog and the turban tying ceremony of his Gurudev.
There was a huge collection of disciples and devotees. Saints from various sects were also present. All of them had gathered to pay their last respect to a great ascetic who had made earth a little Holy with his presence and had now vanished and merged with the Lord Himself.On this occasion Sant Baba Majha Singh ji, head of the Hoti Mardaan Dera of Sriman 108 Sant Baba Karam Singh ji, was also present. Many other saints and sadhus belonging to the Nirmala sect representing their respective Dera’s came to pay their last homage. Two great disciples of Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji viz. Sant Baba Hari Singh ji and Sant Baba Basant Singh ji were also present. The former had established a Dera at Kaharpur and the later had established Nirmal Kutiya at Johal.In the memory of the departed soul, five ‘AKHAND PATHS’ were organized and whose Bhog ceremony was held on that day. Many Kirtan Jathas sang Holy Hymns from Gurbani. Many saints praised the deeds of Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji.
At the end of the congregation, a big bundle of sweets was given by the Dera for Sant Baba Basant Singh ji to carry it back to Johalan. Sant Baba ji wanted to respectfully take this bundle back to Johalan. He looked towards his left and right to find someone who could carry the bundle. He loudly said, “Is there anyone who can pick this bundle? It has to be taken to Johalan.”
There was a mystery involved in the situation created by Sant Baba ji. This was not a bundle of sweets but of a great blessing. On hearing the words of Sant Baba ji, a gentle, muscular youngman came forward. He requested Sant Baba ji, “Maharaj! Please give strength to this humble servant to perform this noble deed.”
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj saw the youngman from head to toe with his Holy eyes. It was, in fact, a blessed look. Sant Baba ji said to the youngman, “Gurmukha! The bundle is heavy and full of responsibility. Will you be able to pick it and take it to its destination?”
The youngman replied, “Maharaj! I am no one to perform this task. Your blessings will lighten the load and your Holy eyes on me will lead me to the destination.”
Sant Baba ji then asked the youngman to tell his name.
The youngman replied, “Gian Singh!”
Sant Baba ji said, “Gian Singh! You will have to stay with me and can’t come back. If you want to change your clothes, you may do so now.”
The young man replied, “No, Maharaj! Everything is all right. I am ready to accompany you.”
Without stopping on the way Sant Baba ji traveled on foot from Jiyan Dera and came to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan with (Sant) Gian Singh carrying the load on his head. Sant Baba ji gave his blessings to the young man. The attraction of the feet of Sant Baba ji did not permit him to go back, to his village.
(Sant) Gian Singh ji served Sant Baba ji as per his instructions. But after a few days, he remembered his home. He requested Sant Baba ji for leave and was granted the same.
Once back at home, (Sant) Gian Singh felt restless. During the night he went off to sleep on his comfortable bed. Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj appeared in his dream. A dagger was pierced in the leg of the bed with force. Sant Baba ji said, “The bundle was not got picked from you so that you could sleep comfortably on a cot. According to the Holy Order, you have to involve yourself in SEWA and SIMRAN at Johalan. Get up and take over the responsibility of the divine service.”
(Sant) Gian Singh ji immediately sat up on his bed. He considered the dream a divine order. Taking leave of his parents, he left his home at 12’o clock at night and started back from where he had come. After reaching Nirmal Kutiya Johalan, he never looked back and stayed at the Kutiya through out his life.
Sant Baba Gian Singh picked the actual burden of the initial bundle after the soul of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj merged with the eternity in 1971. He managed the activities of the Kutiya with full responsibility and took it to newer heights.