Sant Baba ji spoke less but whenever he spoke there was surely some hidden teaching in his words. On rare occasions, when someone disobeyed his instructions, Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj became a little angry.
A blind sadhu once came to pay his homage to Sant Baba ji during the winter days. Sant Baba ji respected him as he did all the sadhus visiting the Kutiya. The sadhu was presented with a foreign blanket before being sent off.
Sant Baba ji instructed Bhai Jarnail Singh, “Jarnail Singh! Please accompany the sadhu to the Railway Station and help him board the train.” Sant Baba ji then firmly said, “Recite Gurbani on the way while going and coming back. Please ensure that you do not discuss anything on the way.”
Bhai ji understood the instructions and agreed to follow the same. He caught hold of the hand of the sadhu and guided him slowly towards the way to the Bolina Doaba, Railway Station. No one talked on the way.
While at the Railway Station, waiting for the train to arrive, the Sadhu said, “If Sant Baba ji had given me a bed sheet, I could have used it to lie on the ground and this blanket would not have become dirty.”
Without any thought, Bhai Jarnail Singh responded, “If you had asked for the bed sheet, Sant Baba ji would have surely given it to you.”
Both kept quiet after this and after the sadhu had boarded the train, Bhai ji came back. He did not realize that he had not followed the instructions of Sant Baba ji.
He came to the Kutiya and bowed his head in respect to Sant Baba ji.
Sant Baba ji asked him, “Jarnail Singh! Did the sadhu board the train with your help?”
Bhai ji replied, “Yes Maharaj!”
Sant Baba ji asked, “I am sure you recited Gurbani on the way and did not talk to the sadhu.”
Bhai ji said, “Maharaj ji! There was no discussion on the way, but when we were waiting at the platform for the train to arrive, the sadhu said that he would have been happy if Sant Baba ji had given him a bed sheet. This would have saved his blanket from getting dirty.”
Sant Baba ji asked, “Did you give any reply to his comments?”
Bhai ji said, “Yes, Maharaj! I told him that if he had asked for it Sant Baba ji would have happily given it to him.”
Sant Baba ji then asked him, “Was there any other talk beside this conversation?”
Bhai ji said, “No Maharaj! This was the only discussion we had.”
Sant Baba ji said to him, “When you were given the directions to recite the Name of the God, then why did you start a discussion with the sadhu? You have disobeyed my instructions.”
Bhai ji was taken aback but he replied, “Maharaj ji! I was supposed to give some reply to his statement.”
Sant Baba ji said, “Do you realize that your reply made me a DAATA (Giver). Worldly benefits are required to be prayed from the Almighty, whereas your reply directed him to ask for it from me. I am a beggar myself. How can I give something to anyone.” Sant Baba ji then added, “Sadhus look good when they are involved in NAAM SIMRAN. You taught him to beg and converted him into a beggar.”
Bhai ji asked, “How is that Maharaj ji?”
Sant Baba ji explained to him, “Once a person knows how to beg, he does not hesitate to go and beg from anywhere. He thus gets converted into a beggar. You have done something unethical today. You are therefore not worthy of living in the Kutiya anymore. Pick up your things and leave the Kutiya immediately.”
Bhai Jarnail Singh was shocked to hear these orders. He requested, “Maharaj ji! I am really sorry for the mistake committed by me. Please forgive me. I did not know how my reply could have such severe repercussions. You have explained to me and now I have understood. Please do not give me such a harsh punishment for my mistake. Please do not send me away. I want to remain close to the dust of your feet.”
Sant Baba ji angrily said, “First you make mistakes and then ask for forgiveness. You will again commit such mistakes and not obey the instructions. You leave this place immediately.”
During those days Sardar Harnam Singh from Karachi (Pakistan) was present there. He had observed everything and interfered, “Maharaj ji! Please excuse him. He is good at heart.”
Sant Baba ji said, “Babu ji! You are also taking the side of a person who does not keep his promise. You too should leave this place.”
Both of them became afraid and fell on the feet of Sant Baba ji. Their tears washed the feet of Sant Baba ji. They did not get up. After some time Sant Baba ji said, “OK! You will have to conform to my instructions.” Sant Baba ji’s voice was back in its graceful form.
Both of them got up and with folded hands said, “We are ready to obey all your instructions. Please do excuse us.”
Sant Baba ji announced his instructions, “Both of you will recite the entire SUKHMANI SAHIB for forty days and nights. One of you will recite and the other will listen.”
When both agreed to perform this difficult task, as ordered, they were sent to the barn to live there.
For forty days Bhai Jarnail Singh and Babu Harnam Singh spent their nights and days in reciting Sukhmani Sahib. Both obeyed the orders and were excused for their mistake.
Their confusions were cleared and their minds changed. They knew now that there was only one Giver and that He was The Almighty.
You are the richest of the rich, generous and unattached. With my ears, I listen to Your Praises. From whom should I beg? I see that all are beggars. My salvation comes only from You. ||1|| (Page 856)