He dwells in a broken-down shack, in tattered clothes, with no social status, no honor and no respect; he wanders in the wilderness, with no friend or lover, without wealth, beauty, relatives or relations. Even so, he is the king of the whole world, if his mind is imbued with the Lord’s Name. With the dust of his feet, men are redeemed, because God is very pleased with him. ||7|| (Page 707)
Sant Baba ji stayed at the outskirts of Village Marula for three years. During this time he was involved in deep meditation. The villagers were feeling blessed by his presence. But lately there was a feeling amongst them that Sant Baba ji would soon be shifting to a new abode. Though Sant Baba ji had not mentioned about this, yet the people of the village felt so from his many actions.
His visit to the village for collection of food as alms had reduced. He stopped seeing people at his abode. He was away from his abode for many days. He also started filling the empty space created in the field, by moving the hedges to cover it. He did not want anyone to point out the place as being his abode.
One devotee out of love and respect, brought a bed and bedding for his comfortable living. Another devotee said, “Sant Maharaj! I would like to construct a small hut for your dwelling.”
Sant Baba ji asked this man, “What for?”
The man replied, “For your comfort.”
Sant Baba ji asked him, “Have you ever seen me uncomfortable? The bed and hut would make me uncomfortable. These things are not meant for me.”
The man requested, “You are exposed to the open sky and rain. Heat and cold must be disturbing your SADHNA. Your meditation will not get disturbed if you live in a hut.”
Sant Baba ji said, “Why do you want me to be aloof from the divine grace of the Almighty, who showers the rain and who has made winter and summer seasons? The earth is exposed to all types of weather. I am also made up of mud. Since no harm is done to the earth, then why should I worry?”
The man thereafter kept quiet. But the elders of the village collected and went to the house of Sardar Sunder Singh ji (Bhai Sunder Singh ji was the father of Sant Baba Harbhajan Singh Virakat ji). Bhai Sunder Singh was a respected man and it was decided to approach Sant Baba ji through him. He might be able to convince Sant Baba ji not to change his abode.
Bhai Sunder Singh came to Sant Baba ji along with other elders. They paid their respects and Bhai ji requested Sant Baba ji, “It seems you have found a better place for your SADHNA. I on behalf of the villagers request you to continue staying here and continue to bless us. We will not disturb you. We will abide by your instructions.”
Sant Baba ji smiled but kept quiet.
Bhai Sunder Singh then said, “If you want to shift from this place, you can point out any other place nearby. You are welcome to stay near the well of any agriculturist. Everyone is willing to happily part with a piece of land for your dwelling. Please select any place and the same will be converted, in the manner you want. But please do not leave us.”
Sant Baba ji said, “The villagers are nice. They do not disturb me. But I do not want to be tied to this place. The time has come for me to move away. The village will remain prominent even if I am not here.”
Bhai Sunder Singh did not insist further. He had understood the words of Sant Baba ji. Sadhus could not be kept attached to a place just because of the wishes of devotees. They were free birds. Moreover, there are other places and other people who might require his blessings more than them.
The villagers of Marula were taught the teachings of Sikhism and many devotees on being encouraged by Sant Baba ji were baptized with the Amrit of the KHANDA-BATA (A broad sword and a shallow metallic vessel).