The aura of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan was spreading far and wide. The Kutiya was capturing in its fold many an individual who had never ever seen the great Holy saint before. Many people were perplexed and influenced by the first DARSHAN of Sant Baba ji. One such individual was ‘Banna’ of village Johal.
Banna was a simple man involved only his personal work. He was least concerned with what all happened around him.
Everyday after completing his work he went for a walk. One day he happened to walk past the entrance gate of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. He had never visited the Kutiya but was aware of the spiritual powers of the Holy saint. Once near the gate he stopped walking. He faced the gate. He felt a strange attraction. The attraction was similar to that of iron being pulled by a magnet. The power of attraction increased as he came closer to the gate.
Banna thought, “What is happening to me? There is really some spirit that is pulling me towards itself.”
He bowed his head at the entrance gate. The moment he touched his forehead on the ground, his body started shaking. His head became so heavy that he was unable to lift it. He was in no hurry. He enjoyed the rare enchanted moment.
Next day at the same time, without realising it he started walking towards the Kutiya. There was no mental effort involved in the moment and it was automatic. At the entrance, his body bent forward and he knelt down. His forehead touched the ground. He could sense receiving the blessing of the Holy saint in abundance. He did not want to lose it. He thought, “If the ground at the entrance gives me so much solace and my mind is at peace, then what will happen when I really face the great saint?”
He however decided, “This solace is enough for me. I do not want to lose it. It is not necessary to have DARSHAN of Sant Baba ji. I have received all that I was meant for.”
Banna never entered the Kutiya. Everyday he paid his homage at the entrance gate, received the blessings and went back home. This became a daily practice and continued for many years.
No one observed his love for the Holy saint. He alone knew that he was getting back the love many times more in return from the Holy saint. His conscience was clear and he had no demand of any sort.
Later, Banna became very ill. He could not continue with his discipline of his daily visit to the Kutiya’s gate. A time came when he was unable to get up from his bed. He was looked after by his family. His children were obedient and served him with all their love.
One day his ailment became worse. One of his son, sensing the worse said to him, “Father! Is there anything you would like me to do for you?”
Banna was enjoying the solace with his head on the feet of Sant Baba ji. Banna did not hear the words of his son. The son repeated his question a little louder this time. Banna responded by saying, “Please take me to the Kutiya of Sant Baba ji.”
The son asked, “Which Sant Baba ji are you talking about?”
Banna said, “Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.”The son asked, “At this time?”
Banna insisted, “Yes! I want to have DARSHAN of Sant Baba ji.”
The son said, “We have never been to the Kutiya. But we understand that the entrance gate of the Kutiya remains closed at this hour. Moreover, you are not in the state when you can be taken there or anywhere outside the house.”
Banna said, “I do not want to die without the blessings of Sant Baba ji.”
At that moment there was a knock at the door of the house. The door was opened and Nambardar Didar Singh of Johal was standing at the door. Nambardar ji knew about the health of Banna and asked the son who opened the door, “How is your father?”
The son replied, “He is not well. He is lying inside the room. He is insisting that he be taken to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan for DARSHAN of Sant Baba ji, at this hour.”
Nambardar ji was moved by these words. He said, “Your father is a mysterious soul. Sant Baba ji has himself asked for your father. He has brought me here from the Kutiya. I did not know where he was taking me when we started from the Kutiya. When we reached your house he asked, ‘Which is Banna Choudhry’s house?’ He is now standing outside.”
The family was astounded to hear these words. All the sons came out immediately and touched the Holy feet of Sant Baba ji. They requested Sant Baba ji to come inside the house. He was respectfully taken to the room where Banna was lying on the cot.
Banna was a true Sikh even though he had never entered the Kutiya. The purity of his heart and his love was recognised by Sant Baba ji. Banna felt the presence of Sant Baba ji with his closed eyes. When he was informed that Sant Baba ji was present there, he opened his eyes with much difficulty. Sant Baba ji looked at him with his Holy eyes. Although he was on the bed yet in his mind his forehead was on the feet of Sant Baba ji.
Sant Baba ji asked him, “Are you well now?”
Banna replied, “I am perfectly all right Maharaj but I cannot get up from my bed. Please bless me and keep one of your feet on the cot so that I may be able to improve my birth as well as death by touching it. I pray to you to grant me salvation.”
The kind Sant Baba ji took off the Jutti from his right foot and placed the foot on the edge of the bed. Banna received everything. Banna said, “You have mitigated all my sufferings and filled my life with everything. Please keep on blessing me in the next world also.”
O my mind, remember always the Dear Lord. At the very last moment, He alone shall be your best friend; He shall always stand by you. ||Pause|| (Page 601)
Sant Baba ji smiled and did not reply.
Banna adressed his sons, “Sant Baba ji is truly a great saint. You should all remain ever grateful to him. The prosperity in our house is because of his blessings. I am telling you this because I want you to love and respect him more than I have done. You should also receive his blessings. Please touch the Holy feet of Sant Baba ji and place his Jutti on my forehead.”
The sons did as were instructed. Sant Baba ji kept standing there quietly observing everything. The last moments of Banna’s life were blessed. His children received the rightful teaching. They became the devotees of Sant Baba ji. The family visits the Kutiya regularly.