The Tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib blessed the land of Faridkot with his presence. During those days there was acute shortage of water in the town. The residents of the town collected and requested Guru Sahib to address their problem of drinking water.
The benevolent Guru shot an arrow pointing it at a spot on the ground in front of him. The arrow was shot with such force, that a fountain erupted from the point where it entered the ground. The water was tasted and it was cold and sweet. People thanked Guru Sahib for his magnanimity and noble deed.
Later a water tank (Sarovar) was constructed at this place. A Gurdwara was also constructed and it is now famous by the name of TIRSAR Gurdwara.
With the passage of time and neglect by the public, the Sarovar got polluted and the water filled with worms. In addition, silt had accumulated in the bed of the Sarovar. The water was no longer utilizable.
The Raja of Faridkot wanted the Sarovar to be cleaned and desilted, so that potable water was once again available. He wanted that the task should start in the presence of a Holy person with whose prayers and blessings the whole work should be undertaken.
Bawa-Bhalla’s worked in the court of the Raja. Bhalla ji suggested the name of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan for the noble cause. He informed the Raja about the high spiritual attainment of Sant Baba ji.
The Raja accepted the suggestion. He sent five Sikhs from Faridkot to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan to request Sant Baba ji for his presence. Sant Baba ji was informed about the message of the Raja and requested to lead the public in the desilting of the Sarovar. Sant Baba ji honored the five Sikhs and considered the request of the Raja as an order for him.
Sant Baba ji proceeded to Faridkot with his followers. He was recieved at Faridkot by the Raja, his ministers and the sangat with full honors.
Sant Baba ji went straight to the site of the Sarovar. Sant Baba ji took off his shoes and requested the priest to offer prayers. Prayers were offered to the Lord for giving strength to undertake the work of desilting and for the successful completion of the task.
Sant Baba ji then went inside the Sarovar with his clothes on and started the work of desilting. Observing Sant Baba ji’s humility and readiness for the service, the sangat present there was influenced and joined in the SEWA. Teams were formed and the work proceeded under the guidance of Sant Baba ji.
The Raja and his Rani did not want to be left behind and joined the others in the Holy work.
The work continued for sometime. Sant Baba ji remained at that place supervising the work. After the work was completed, Sant Baba ji was asked by the Raja for gracing his palace with his Holy feet.
Sant Baba ji agreed and went to the palace with the Raja. Sant Baba ji was respectfully made to sit on a special chair. The family members of the Raja came to pay their respects to Sant Baba ji.
The Raja then offered silver coins worth a lakh of rupees to Sant Baba ji. He placed them covered with a silken cloth in front of Sant Baba ji.
Sant Baba ji asked the Raja, “Raja Sahib! What is this?”
The Raja replied, “Maharaj ji! This is a small offering to you.”
Sant Baba ji asked, “Raja Sahib! Are you trying to equate the sewa of the sangat with money?”
The Raja replied, “Maharaj ji! I am no one to judge the value of the Sewa. I am offering this to you for my own happiness.”
Sant Baba ji said, “This is not acceptable. Please understand, it is of no use to me.”
The Raja considered himself offended and proudly said, “Please accept this money. You may not find a great donor like me.”
Sant Baba ji smiled at the arrogance of the Raja. He said to the Raja in a very humble voice, “Raja Sahib! You will find a rare renouncee in this world. This Maya has been renounced by me. Please take away the tray.”
I have renounced my desires; I have renounced them. I have renounced them; meeting the Guru, I have renounced them. All peace, joy, happiness and pleasures have come since I surrendered to the Will of the Lord of the Universe. ||1|| Pause || (Page 214)
The Raja on hearing these words, became apologetic. He realised that he should not have spoken the words full of pride and started cursing himself. He immediately asked for the removal of the tray of silver coins and sought forgiveness from Sant Baba ji. Sant Baba ji kept quiet. The Raja thought this Holy person was a great ascetic. It was because of his benevolence that the Sarovar had been desilted and the water had been cleansed of the germs. The great saint should not have been offered money as compensation.
Thereafter langar was served to the sangat. Sant Baba ji was also served langar. The utensils in which Sant Baba ji was served the Holy food were made of gold. After the langar was over, the Raja requested Sant Baba ji, “Please at least accept these gold utensils.”
Sant Baba ji said, “Raja Sahib! These utensils are also of no use to me. Please take them away or we will throw them in the ditch.”
The Raja said, “Maharaj ji! Please do not get angry.” He ordered for the same to be taken away. He then said to Sant Baba ji, “Maharaj ji!. I am thankful to you for agreeing to my request. We have been blessed by your presence. This land was given pure water by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. We are indeed lucky that this land has now been purified with your Holy feet. I am sorry as I was unable to immediately recognise a great ascetic like you who has renounced the world of Maya.”
Sant Baba ji did not reply and kept quiet. His work being over he came back to his abode.