Service towards the Guru has been performed throughout the four ages (Satyug, Dwapar, Treta and Kalyug). The gift of SEWA is the best thing that happened in Sikhism. Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj advised his followers to undertake selfless service. Any type of service was welcome. The devotees volunteered for service on their own. In SEWA, everyone is equal and no one is senior or junior. Be it a high official of Police or Army, the SEWA was performed by them as ordinary individuals, though the presence of such individuals was always a source of motivation for others to join.
People serve the True Guru only when the fever of egotism has been eradicated. One thing is therefore clear that only a fortunate person could undertake selfless service. Such a one was a blessed soul and the Almighty’s benevolence would reach him in one manner or the other.
Sardar Hari Singh Chandan came from Karachi (Pakistan) to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. He participated and enjoyed all kinds of SEWA at the Kutiya. He belonged to village Hansron. He constructed a house at Jalandhar City and his family lives there now.
During the times of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj, he used to be so much involved in SEWA that he did not kept count of the number of days he was away from his house. He forgot about everything and the thought of returning back to his home did not arise. By serving Sant Baba ji, his mind was purified, and he obtained peace.
Once he was in a similar state of happiness, when suddenly he felt like going home. He came to Sant Baba ji, paid his respects and sat close to him.
Sant Baba ji asked him, “What is your order, Sahib?”
Chandan ji replied, “Patshah! I always try to obey your instructions.”
Sant Baba ji knew that Chandan ji was involved in selfless service at the Kutiya. He said, “By doing SEWA, the troubles are taken care of and all problems are solved by the Almighty.”
Chandan ji said, “You are right Patshah!”
After waiting for some time, Chandan ji said to Sant Baba ji, “Maharaj ji! I want to go to my home.”
Sant Baba ji without a flicker replied, “This is not the right time. Instead, continue with your SEWA.”
Chandan ji considered these words as the divine order and replied, “Satya Vachan Patshah!”
Individuals, who understood Sant Baba ji completely, knew that there was always some hidden secret in the words of Sant Baba ji.
Chandan ji continued to perform his service. The service made him humble and the modesty led him to obey the instructions of Sant Baba ji without any question. Many days passed, when one night he dreamt of Sant Baba ji.
‘In his dreams, Chandan ji was happy to see Sant Baba ji. He bowed at his feet and sought his blessings. Sant Baba ji had a paper in his hand. He looked very tense. He shook the paper with a jerk. He then held the paper in his left hand and after some time shifted it to his right hand. He kept on shifting the paper from one hand to the other. Then Sant Baba ji tore the paper into tiny pieces and let them fall on the ground. After tearing the paper, it appeared as if a huge burden had been taken off his shoulders. The seriousness on the face of Sant Baba ji had turned into calmness.’
Chandan ji opened his eyes. He could observe the whole incident before his eyes once again. Though he could not understand the reason behind the dream, yet he felt that Sant Baba ji had given him some kind of relief from his troubles.
After he was ready, he came to Sant Baba ji to pay his homage. He said to Sant Baba ji, “Patshah! I want to make a request?”
Sant Baba ji instead said, “Chandan ji! Please give your order to me.”
Chandan ji narrated his dream and asked, “Patshah! I have been unable to understand which trouble of mine has been taken care of by you.”
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj smiled but kept quiet. Chandan ji kept on beholding Sant Baba ji’s Holy face and made his request again.
A little while later Sant Baba ji said, “Your handcuffs have been smashed.”
Chandan ji understood the deep meaning of the words of Sant Baba ji immediately. His body shivered on hearing Sant Baba ji. He remembered his crime. He fell at the feet of Sant Baba ji and thanked him. He now understood the reason for Sant Baba ji not permitting him to go back home. His troubles ended with the blessings of Sant Baba ji.
That service is pleasing to Him, which makes one humble, like the dust of the feet of the Saints. He is the Patron of the poor, the Merciful, Luminous Lord, the Redeemer of sinners. (Page 137)
Chandan ji remained at the Kutiya serving Sant Baba ji for forty days. His troubles were taken care of without his asking for the same. He was involved in selfless service and this happiness had to be bestowed on him.
Once Sant Baba ji asked him, “How big is your family?”
Chandan ji replied, “Maharaj ji! I am still a bachelor.”
Sant Baba ji advised him, “Chandan ji! Married life should also be espoused.”
Sant Baba ji added further, “Chandan ji! It is a privilege to serve ones own children.”
Sant Baba ji had given his signal to him. The signal was a directive for him and he accepted to follow it respectfully.
Chandan ji got married and came to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan to thank Sant Baba ji and seek his blessings. Sant Baba ji graced him further and he got a job as a store officer in the Military Engineering Service. He was later transferred to Jalandhar Cantt. There was no end to his happiness as he was now posted very near to the Kutiya. He was later made the employment officer in Jalandhar.
Chandan ji had full faith in Sant Baba ji. He followed the principle of saying ‘Satya Vachan’ to all the instructions of Sant Baba ji and followed them without any question. He did not seek anything in return for the SEWA. He felt that he might be silly and demand a small material thing whereas he was sure that Sant Baba ji would bless him with something more significant.
This was the reason that when in 1971, he became ill (Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj’s soul had merged with the eternity at that time), Sant Baba Gian Singh ji personally visited his house to enquire about his health. The family of Chandan ji was really grateful for this gesture on the part of a Holy saint and Chandan ji became all right.
The family of Chandan ji lives in Jalandhar and continues to enjoy the grace of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.