Serving the Guru, everlasting peace is obtained. Joining the True Congregation, the Sat Sangat, the Glorious Praises of the Lord are sung. One who contemplates the Naam, the Name of the Lord, saves himself, and his family as well. ||3|| (Page 362)
The word devotee is related to devotion. The word ‘Sewak’ (servant) is related to ‘Sewa’ (service). Sikhs are very fortunate that they were taught Sewa by Guru Sahib who performed it themselves for our benefit. Our Gurus performed Sewa with their own hands. They did not feel embarrassed in even serving the devotees as lowly servants. Such a Sewa undertaken by one who is not a servant is very difficult, as one has to kill his ego to perform such acts.
The work of a Sewak is to perform Sewa. A Sewak becomes restless when he is unable to perform Sewa. He therefore leans on the Prayer to the Almighty as support at this stage.
Sardar Harbhajan Singh, an electrician, belonged to village Johal. He was always waiting for Sant Baba ji to ask him to perform some sort of service for him. Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj had never instructed him to undertake any service, though he had been a regular visitor to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. He tried his luck by asking Dr. Atma Singh and Nambardar Didar Singh to recommend his name to Sant Baba ji, but they also did not succeed. He thought that the right opportunity had not come for him to serve. He therefore left the things on the Almighty and instead concentrated on the remembrance of God.
Nirmal Kutiya Johalan received electricity in the year 1968. The voltage of the electricity supply in the earlier days was undependable and the bulbs often did not produce the indicated light as per the wattage. This also led to quite a number of bulbs getting fused. A devotee suggested to Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj that in case a stabilizer was obtained, then the chances of obtaining full voltage were bright. This would also reduce the incidence of bulbs fusing.
Two persons Sardar Mohan Singh (who served in Railways at Kotkapura) of village Barrian, near Mahilpur and Sardar Harbhajan Singh electrician of village Johal were summoned to the Kutiya. Sardar Harbhajan Singh received the message to reach the Kutiya and he brought Sardar Mohan Singh along with him.
Sant Baba ji instructed the duo, “A stabilizer has to be purchased for the Kutiya. Both of you leave for Sri Amritsar tomorrow morning at 4 o’ clock and come back after the purchase by the evening.”
When Sardar Harbhajan Singh heard the instructions, he was very happy. He had been thinking of all sorts of Sewa for himself. But this was different. This was a Sewa that he could not have even imagined.
But there was just one hitch. He worked in the factory of Mr. Kalia. He was required to submit a leave application for one day’s leave.
Seeing Sardar Harbhajan Singh pensive, Sant Baba ji enquired of him, “Mistri ji! What are you thinking?”
Sardar Harbhajan Singh replied, “Maharaj ji! Your instructions will be obeyed but for nonattendance at work, I am required to submit a leave application at the factory where I work.”
Sant Baba ji advised him, “Don’t think about anything else. Plan to go to Sri Amritsar and focus your attention to the work at hand.”
These words coaxed Sardar ji and he did not think about the consequences of not submitting a leave application.
Next morning both Harbhajan Singh and Mohan Singh left for Sri Amritsar. The stabilizer was bought, brought to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan and installed to stabilize the incoming electricity.
Mistri ji was back on his job the next day. He went to the salary section and met the dealing hand. He said to him, “I could not come yesterday and I am sorry for not sending my leave application. Please sanction me leave for my absence.”
The clerk on hearing this was surprised and saw Harbhajan Singh suspiciously. He smiled and said, “Harbhajan Singh! Why are you joking with me? How have you forgotten about performing your duty yesterday? You worked for the whole day.”
Harbhajan Singh was astonished. He said, “I did not attend my work yesterday. There must be some mistake.”
The clerk got up from his seat and brought the attendance register. Harbhajan Singh was shown his signatures, which had been appended under the date of yesterday. The clerk asked him, “Aren’t these your signatures? Don’t try to befool me. Now go and perform your duty for today.”
Harbhajan Singh again said, “The signatures are no doubt mine but I assure you that I did not come for work yesterday.”
On this, the clerk sent for two of Harbhajan Singh’s colleagues and in his presence asked them, “What work did Mistri ji perform yesterday?”
The colleagues detailed out the work performed by Mistri ji.
Mistri ji left the office. He came to his work place. He was unable to comprehend but was sure that this was a miracle. He bowed his head at the feet of Sant Baba ji and prayed, “Maharaj ji! You have so many blessings for me. I am a small person not worthy of such a grace. You have kept my honor.”
A Sewak’s Sewa was accepted. Sardar Harbhajan Singh’s apprehension was taken care of and Sant Baba ji had presented himself for performing the duty of his devotee. Such a blessing is possible for a pure soul who alone can understand how close the Almighty is, in case the love for Him is unselfish.
Mistri ji however could not understand this blessing on him. He came to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan to pay his homage to Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. The state of Mistri ji was that of a beloved who was meeting her love after a long time. He fell on the feet of Sant Baba ji and tears flowed freely from his eyes. The tears washed the feet of the great Holy saint. He prayed that the blessed hand of Sant Baba ji remain forever on his head.
Mistri ji came to the Kutiya daily. He never stayed anywhere for the night lest he may miss the discipline of visiting the Kutiya. He could not miss out on the DARSHAN of Sant Baba ji. Such a true Sikh’s heart was always at the feet of Sant Baba ji and thus his thoughts could not stray.