One day in the evening Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj instructed an attendant to pick up his water pitcher. He then got up, wore his sandals and asked Master Mohinder Singh and Master Gurdev Singh of Bhai ke Samraavan present there to accompany him for a walk.
Walking on the uneven unmetalled path, passing through various villages, Sant Baba ji reached the village of Kaki Pind. Sardar Sohan Singh, a Police Inspector, lived there at that time. An AKHAND PATH was going on at his residence and the bhog on its completion was scheduled for the next day. Sardar ji had requested Sant Baba ji to bless his house with his presence on the day of the Bhog. Sant Baba ji had not responded to his requests.
Sardar ji today was therefore astonished to see Sant Maharaj ji at his residence. It was around 7.00 p.m and he welcomed Sant Baba ji inside his house. Sant Baba ji went straight to the room where the Path was being recited. Sant Baba ji paid his due respects to Sri Guru Granth Sahib and sat close to listen to the Holy Hymns recited by the priest on duty.
After some time Sardar Sohan Singh came to Sant Baba ji and requested, “Patshah! The Holy food is ready. Please bless us by accepting it.”
Sant Baba ji replied, “We do not eat at this hour.” Pointing his finger at the two teachers and the attendant, he added, “They may be served with the Holy food.”
Sardar Sohan Singh took the two teachers and the other sangat to another room where the Holy food was served with all humility and love.
After some time a devotee from the same village approached Sant Baba ji to bless his house also with the Holy feet.
Sant Baba ji was in an unusual delightful mood that day and said, “Let’s go.”
Sant Baba ji reached the house of the devotee with the sangat. The devotee served milk to everyone. Another devotee took Sant Baba ji to his residence and he also served milk to the sangat. Both the teachers accompanying Sant Baba ji had their stomachs filled and could not eat or drink any more. They were already feeling uneasy.
When they came to another house, here also milk was served. Sant Baba ji stopped and said, “No one will drink milk now.”
The devotee became sad on hearing this and said, “Patshah! At least take a little milk for my happiness. Your accepting it will be BHOG for us.”
Sant Baba ji touched his fingertip to the milk and then touched the finger to his tongue. He said, “Bhai! Your love has been accepted.”
When Sant Baba ji took leave of the devotees who had now collected in a large number, Sardar Sohan Singh came to Sant Baba ji and said, “Maharaj ji! A TONGA (A horse driven carriage for transportation) is ready to take you back to the Kutiya.” He had arranged for the carriage so that Sant Baba ji could reach his abode quickly and with ease in the dark.
Sant Baba ji refused to sit in the tonga.
Sardar ji insisted, “The carriage will take you to the Kutiya.”
Sant Baba ji said, “We are not going to sit in the carriage. But if you insist, let the carriage driver drive the carriage in front of us.”
The carriage was going in front with its driver guiding it, while the attendant and the two teachers walked behind it with Sant Baba ji.
Sant Baba ji asked Master Gurdev Singh to recite the PATH of ANAND SAHIB.
Master Gurdev Singh knew the entire ANAND SAHIB by heart and he started reciting it. Sant Baba ji was walking slowly and listened to the Gurbani recitation.
After some time Master Mohinder Singh was asked, “Master ji! Now you recite the Shlokas of Bhagat Farid ji.”
Master ji obeyed the orders of Sant Baba ji. The group reached Nirmal Kutiya Johalan’s entrance door. Sant Baba ji asked Sant Baba Gian Singh ji, who received him, “Santa! The horse be given something to eat and take leave from the cart driver.” Sant Baba Gian Singh ji did as was instructed.
During the walk back to the Kutiya, no one could understand the peculiar way adopted by Sant Baba ji. One thing though was quite clear to the two teachers that the Gurbani being recited was heard not only by Sant Baba ji but was also recited for the benefit of the horse and its master, in the carriage.
Whenever Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj visited the house
of a devotee, the devotee’s love had to be seen to be believed.
The devotee lost all his senses, because of the happiness he received
from the presence of Sant Baba ji. He did remember his
love but sometimes in the process forgot the respect he was
required to pay.
If someone with Sant Baba ji tried to advise the devotee, Sant
Baba ji intervened and immediately stopped the person from
interfering. It was Sant Baba ji alone who could understand the
inner love of his devotee. The sangat could only point out the
mistakes of individuals and could not understand the true love.
Sant Baba ji’s visiting the residence of a devotee had plenty of
reasons. Sant Baba ji ate very little from the langar but the other
sangat with him were served with an open heart. The devotee
served langar to the sangat. With the grace of Sant Baba ji the
devotee learnt to serve others.
The devotee and his family collected the used utensils. The devotee
helped in washing the hands of the sangat. Only Sant Baba
ji knew what sort of troubles of his had been removed from his
life by undertaking the service to the sangat.
Sant Baba ji never accepted any money from any devotee. Probably
this was the main reason that the devotee concentrated on
his SEWA and did not think about making donations.
A presence of just ten minutes of Sant Baba ji in his house was
enough for the devotee. He received lot of love and happiness
and afterwards praised Sant Baba ji for his kindness.