There is always some reason for a sadhu to undertake a particular work. There is a hidden secret in the utterances of Holy men. He alone can understand to whom the words are directed. Sometimes it also happens that the words spoken by Holy saints are predictions. The person does not have any knowledge about the occurrence of an event and the real reason is understood only when the event happens.
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj traveled to villages and towns and took along with him some of his devotees. He stayed at various places for a few days and made a temporary abode. During the stay, Kirtan of Gurbani and religious discourses were held both in the morning as well as in the evening. People were persuaded to accept the ambrosial nectar.
Once, Sant Baba ji reached the village of Sikri with his followers. Here he stayed in a dense plantation of mango trees. Sant Baba ji was on his horse. Religious congregations were held in the morning and evening. The Holy Food was prepared by the villagers and distributed on the instructions of Sant Baba ji. When the wishes of the local people started fulfilling, the news about the spiritual powers of Sant Baba ji spread to nearby villages also.
With the blessings of Sant Baba ji many persons accepted the ambrosial nectar of the two edged sword and joined the fold of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.
Sardar Hari Singh was a landlord of Sikri. At one time he was the owner of 100 acres of agricultural land. The crop had failed in the previous years continuously and he had to pledge a large portion of his land. He had only a few acres of land left with him. Sardar ji had a feeling that the remaining land would also have to be mortgaged to look after the needs of his family.
Someone informed him about Sant Baba ji’s presence in the area. A well wisher advised him that he should attend the daily congregations and also try to involve himself in some kind of Holy service.
Sardar Hari Singh could not understand how he could be of service to Sant Baba ji. There was a time when everything was in abundance and now he was passing through difficult financial constraint. He thought of leaving everything on Sant Baba ji’s grace.
He went to pay homage to Sant Baba ji at his temporary abode. He was so impressed with the divine face that he wanted to continuously remain in the presence of Sant Baba ji. He attended both the morning and evening congregations.
One day he came close to Sant Baba ji and bowed in front of him. He requested Sant Baba ji, “Maharaj ji! If you permit me I will take your horse for grazing.”
Sant Baba ji was kind and replied, “OK! As you wish.”
Sardar Hari Singh was happy that Sant Baba ji had accepted his request. He had been afraid that he might not be permitted to do what he wanted to do. He was contented with the grace of Sant Baba ji.
Sardar Hari Singh left the horse in his fields for grazing. He had a feeling that this horse would prove to be lucky for his future. During the time the horse grazed, Sardar ji recited the Name of the Lord.
When the horse had eaten to its fill, it came out of the fields on its own. Sardar ji brought it back to Sant Baba ji’s abode. The horse was still at a distance when it shook its head, moved its tail and neighed on seeing its master. The master understood the action of his horse that it was happy with the grazing. Sardar ji tied the reins of the horse to a peg.
Sardar ji plucked up all his courage and requested Sant Baba ji, “Maharaj ji! I am lucky that you considered me capable of serving you. Please bless my residence also with your Holy feet. Please grace my house along with the sangat.”
When a person follows the right path, his actions also get moulded. Sant Baba ji was there to bless him. He said, “Prepare for tomorrow. The sangat will be there.”
Sardar Hari Singh became thrilled with excitement. He came back to his home. He collected his family and planned for the works to be undertaken for the next day. He said to everyone, “During the preparations, no one will talk. Recite the Name of the Lord – ‘Waheguru’ during the Holy service. I am confident that there will not be any shortage of anything for the sangat and everything will be taken care of by the grace of Sant Baba ji.”
The gracious day arrived. Sardar ji and his entire family served the sangat with all the love and humility. They served the things that they could easily procure and were within their means. Sant Baba ji felt happy with the service.
It may be mentioned here that it is not necessary that the sangat is served with many types of food preparations rather it is important that how much humility and love is present in those who are serving.
Later Sant Baba ji asked Sardar ji, “Bhai Hari Singh! What are your further instructions?”
Bhai Hari Singh had tears in his eyes and did not pick up his head as he genuflected on the feet of Sant ji Maharaj. He was unable to say anything. He felt Sant Baba ji knew everything that was going through his mind. Sant Baba ji should bless him on his own.
Sant Baba ji again asked, “Yes, Bhai ji! What is it that has to be done now?”
Bhai ji replied, “Maharaj ji! It is your order that prevails. We can only make our requests to you. You have blessed me and graced my house. Please keep on blessing the family. Keep us away from problems and increase our prosperity.”
Sant Baba ji enquired, “Are you facing some difficulty? Please speak out clearly.”
Sardar Hari Singh said, “Maharaj ji! You know everything. You know that most of my land is under mortgage. Please grace us so that we become prosperous as we were in our earlier days.”
Sant Baba ji said, “Hari Singh! Recite Gurbani. The service of the sangat brings happiness. There is no shortage in the house of Guru Sahib.”
Saying this Sant Baba ji got up and went back to his abode in the mango plantation.
Sardar ji remembered the invaluable words of Sant Baba ji and followed his teachings.
He performed his ‘NITNEM’ the daily recitation of Gurbani. He recited ‘Waheguru’ all the daylong. He served the sangat with the best possible means he could muster.
The bad times, which had beset Sardar Hari Singh, started changing. Within a short period of time he was able to get his mortgaged land released slowly and steadily. The happiness in the family returned.
The thought of serving Sant Baba ji through his horse; Sant Baba ji’s presence in his house and his following the teachings of Sant Baba ji had changed his life.
Today the family of Sardar Hari Singh is considered the wealthiest in the village.
The following verse of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji describes this episode:
Fruitful and rewarding is that service, which is pleasing to the Guru’s Mind. When the Mind of the True Guru is pleased, then sins and misdeeds run away. (Page 314)
The place of temporary abode of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji
Maharaj in the mango plantation was a Holy one. Sant Baba
Gian Singh ji Maharaj laid a foundation stone for a Gurdwara on
10.4.1983 at this place, in memory of the austerities performed
by his Gurudev. A beautiful Gurdwara now stands at the Holy
place. Everyday Kirtan is recited and the villagers join to listen
it.
The villagers seek blessings from this place. Many a times, at
night, when the doors of the Gurdwara have been closed, one
can hear the recitation of Gurbani and the sound of musical instruments.
The devotees say that Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj is
present here and graces the place.