BRIEF LIFE SKETCH OF BRAHAM GIANI SRIMAN SANT BABA HARBHAJAN SINGH JI ‘VIRAKAT’
Specific doctrines for following the path of spiritualism in Sikhism were laid down by the ten Gurus of the Sikhs from Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. The Gurus followed and practiced the doctrines during their times. Gursikhs, eminent Braham Gianis and great Holy saints who were born in this world for this specific purpose, took the mission of the Gurus further
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj was one such jewel of Nirmal Panth from the Hoti Mardaan sect started by Sant Baba Karam Singh ji Maharaj. Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj was totally dedicated and throughout his life preached the teachings of the Gurus’ and dispensed knowledge from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the living Guru.
After touring and performing ascetism at different places, Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj established his Kutiya at Nirmal Kutiya Johalan in the year 1920. Many disciples of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj were transformed into great ascetics.
Sant Baba Harbhajan Singh ji Virakat of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan attained a high spiritual level. He was a bachelor, renouncee of worldly things, an ascetic and Virakat. He practiced and followed the following words of Gurbani:
Those who do not forget the Lord, with each breath and morsel of food, whose minds are filled with the Mantra of the Lord’s Name - they alone are blessed; O Nanak, they are the perfect Saints. ||1|| (Page 319)
1. BIRTH: Sant Baba Harbhajan Singh ji Virakat was born in village Marula in the year 1929. His father Sardar Sunder Singh and mother Sardarni Jit Kaur were fortunate to be blessed with the birth of such a son. In his young days he remained a renouncee and his behavior was saintly. He belonged to the family of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj, who had established Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.
2. OFFERED TO THE GURU: He was only seven years old when he was given as an offering at the feet of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj, by his grandfather Sardar Jeen Singh and father Sardar Sunder Singh. Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj was requested to make him a sadhu.
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj was very happy and said, “One more member of your family will be made a sadhu.”
Sardar Sunder Singh replied, “Patshah! You are great! You may convert any number of members from the family into sadhus but I request that no one becomes a thief.”
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj was very happy to listen to the reply.
Virakat ji was imparted education at the local Government School. The spiritual knowledge was a blessing of Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj the beloved disciple of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj.
3. LIFE OF A RENOUNCEE AND EXTREME SELFLESS SERVICE: Virakat ji spent his entire life at Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. He renounced all the worldly wishes and involved in serving at the Kutiya. He worked in the corral of the Kutiya and looked after the cows and horses. Later he went to collect food as alms from nearby villages for the sangat and other sadhus of the Kutiya.
He had a very self-sacrificing nature. He had no greed for any thing or any clothes. He was named ‘VIRAKAT’ because of his attitude by Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. He is remembered by the name of ‘Virakat ji Maharaj’ by the devotees. In fact he was named ‘HARBHAJAN SINGH’ by Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj.
4. LOVE FOR BAANI: He was a student and a researcher of Sikh history. He regarded Gurbani in the highest esteem. The love for spiritual scriptures can be best analysed from the fact that he remembered by heart GUR BILAS of the Sixth Guru, GUR BILAS of the Tenth Guru, BIJEY MUKT, all SOORAJ PARKASH’S and DHARAM SHASTRA. His study of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was to such an extent that he used to inform about the Raga of any verse uttered by someone. Everyday he recited from his heart twenty-five Baani’s. Some of the Baani’s recited by him were Japji Sahib, Jap Sahib, Saveye, Chaupai, Anand Sahib, Asa di var, Sukhmani Sahib, Sidh Gosht, Dakhani Onkar, Baavan Akhri, Barah Maha (Tukhari as well as in the Majh Rag), Shlokas of Bhagat Kabir, Shlokas of Bhagat Farid, Sanskriti Shlokas, many portions of Dasam Granth, various Shabads and illustrations etc.
5. SOLDIER OF PARADISE: Sriman Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj observed the height of spiritual knowledge attained by Virakat ji and in 1955 blessed him with the GATI (A single robe covering the entire body), the uniform of a senior sadhu. Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj instructed his beloved disciple Sant Baba Gian Singh ji to look after Virakat ji, as he was a soldier from Paradise.
5. SOLDIER OF PARADISE: Sriman Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj observed the height of spiritual knowledge attained by Virakat ji and in 1955 blessed him with the GATI (A single robe covering the entire body), the uniform of a senior sadhu. Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj instructed his beloved disciple Sant Baba Gian Singh ji to look after Virakat ji, as he was a soldier from Paradise.
6. RULES FOR RUNNING THE KITCHEN AT THE KUTIYA: Virakat ji was given the responsibility of running the kitchen of the Kutiya by Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. He had observed that Virakat ji was capable of handling such a responsibility. Virakat ji handled this responsibility in a superb manner. The following rules were introduced for the kitchen.
a. Every product available in the kitchen (whether the quantity was less or more) will be served to the sangat. b. No one will pick any product from the kitchen without permission. c. No one will cook separate food for himself. d. Everyone will have to sit in the Pangat for being served langar.
a. Every product available in the kitchen (whether the quantity was less or more) will be served to the sangat. b. No one will pick any product from the kitchen without permission. c. No one will cook separate food for himself. d. Everyone will have to sit in the Pangat for being served langar.
The discipline prescribed is being followed even today at Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.
Virakat ji was such a satisfied saint that he used to eat only after everyone else had been served langar. He accepted whatever little was left at the end. Sometimes he boiled leaves of trees and drank the concoction. Reading the Holy Scriptures at night was his habit.
7. FULL COOPERATION TO THE CHIEF OF THE KUTIYA: Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj’s soul merged with the Eternal on 9th November 1971. The Nirmal sect and the entire sadhu Samaj appointed Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj, the closest associate of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj as the head of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. Sant Baba Harbhajan Singh ji Virakat served as second in command. Virakat ji considered Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj as his preceptor and served him with all his love and faith. No one could compare the service of Virakat ji with the service of anyone else at the Kutiya. Virakat ji followed every order of his Gurudev as if it was a spiritual order. There could be no discussion on this Spiritual Order. Sant Baba Gian Singh ji also looked after him as the Soldier of Paradise.
Sant Baba Gian Singh ji took him along to all congregations. Whenever someone made some kind of a request, Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj said to the person to ask Virakat ji for the same. Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj kept Virakat ji with him when the foundation stones of various Gurdwaras were laid. Virakat ji performed all kinds of services at the Kutiya under the instructions of Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj.
8. CONTROL OF THE KUTIYA: Sant Baba Gian Singh ji was often away from Nirmal Kutiya Johalan for preaching and baptizing at different places. He also went abroad and remained away from the Kutiya for months together. During this period, Virakat ji controlled the entire administration of the Kutiya and did not step out of the Kutiya. Cars were available in the Kutiya and even the devotees offered their cars, yet Virakat ji politely refused any such offer. He said, “Such requests be made only in presence of Sant Maharaj ji.”
His remembrance of the Almighty at all times, his humility and his habit of following every instruction of his Gurudev to the hilt were the factors contributing to the fact that whatever he spoke came out to be true.
9. A YOUNGMAN BLESSED WITH THE HOLY NECTAR: Once Sant Baba Gian Singh ji was away touring foreign countries. Virakat ji was managing the affairs of the Kutiya ably assisted by the other sadhus. A group of devotees came to the Kutiya to pay their homage. A Hindu youngster was also in the group. As soon as he came in front of Virakat ji Maharaj he stretched himself on the floor and started crying loudly. The youngman had come to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan for the first time. The attention of the entire sangat got diverted to this youngman.
Sant Baba Harbhajan Singh ji Virakat said in a stern voice, “You have distanced yourself from the Guru. If you want your good then go and bow before Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Holy Book is the embodiment of the ten Gurus. Go and take an oath in front of the Holy Book that in future you will neither eat meat nor drink alcohol and pray that you be blessed with the ambrosial nectar of the two edged sword and turn into a Gursikh.”
Everyone was surprised to hear these Holy words of Virakat ji. The youngman had not conveyed anything nor requested for anything. The words though had taken the desired affect on the youngman. He got up and did as had been advised. When he came back from the Darbar Hall after his prayers, Virakat ji Maharaj blessed him with a turban and instructed him, “Recite Gurbani with love and pray at the feet of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. Guru Sahib will remove all your evils.”
Next week the youngman came to the Kutiya again. He had been diagnosed to be suffering from cancer. He was the only son of his parents. After his visit here and the blessings of Virakat ji he had got himself checked up again at a Hospital in Ludhiana.
The reports came and the doctor studied the reports and looked at the youngman in astonishment. The doctor asked him, “Youngman! The reports suggest that you are completely normal. Who has treated you and what medicine have you taken?”
The youngman told about the blessings of Virakat ji Maharaj of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.
The fresh reports had not shown any traces of cancerous cells when only a few days back the earlier reports had shown positive signs of cancer. Virakat ji Maharaj had admonished him and also his cancerous cells. How could they remain in the body?
The devotees knew that the strange behavior of Virakat ji the other day was to cure the youngman from all his diseases.
With the blessings of Sant Maharaj ji, the youngman is an Amritdhari Sikh today.
10. BLESSING THE DEVOTEES: Once Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj was away from Nirmal Kutiya Johalan for quite a long time. His Holiness Virakat ji Maharaj was present in the Kutiya.
The Lord’s servant becomes like the Lord. Do not think that, because of his human body, he is different. (Page 1076)
An old devotee, a doctor by profession came to pay his homage. He requested Virakat ji Maharaj with all the humbleness he could assimilate, “Maharaj ji! We are childless. Please bless us with a son.”
Virakat ji Maharaj kept quiet for some time and then narrated the historical event of Mata Ganga Ji being instructed by Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji to go and get the blessings of Baba Budha ji for the boon of a child. Doctor Sahib and his wife heard this story silently.
At the end Virakat ji said, “Go and bow your head on the ground in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji will fulfill your wish.”
The couple obeyed the instructions of Virakat ji. With the passage of time, Doctor Sahib was blessed with two sons.
11. SERVANT OF THE GURU: Virakat ji Maharaj served Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj for 31 years. He was a very knowledgeable sadhu. He taught the other sadhus and guided them in their spiritual pursuit.
The soul of Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj merged with the eternal Supreme on 6th November 2001. Under the aegis of Virakat ji eleven AKHAND PATHS were started on 16.11.2001. The BHOG of the AKHAND PATHS was held on 18.11.2001. The devotees gathered in large numbers on 18.11.2001. Kirtan of the Gurbani and religious discourses were performed in the congregation. On this occasion many sadhus of the Nirmal sect and Sadhus from the Sant Samaj had also come to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. In the presence of saints of the Nirmal sect and other sadhus, Sant Baba Roshan Singh ji, head of Hoti Mardaan sect of Maqsoodpur established Virakat ji Maharaj as the chief of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan by tying a customary turban and adorning it with silk scarves.
12. ENJOYER OF KIRTAN: The vacuum created by the absence of Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj was too much. Virakat ji remained in a sorrowful state. Tears kept on flowing from his eyes and he frequently wiped them off with his silk scarf. He often quoted the following verse from Sri Guru Granth Sahib:
Die before the one whom you love; to live after he dies is to live a worthless life in this world. ||2|| (Page 83)
In order to soften his suffering he asked the Ragi’s to sing the Holy Hymns. He enjoyed the Kirtan for hours at a stretch.
Whenever the Ragis sang Hymns that contained verses indicating aloofness from the Almighty and isolation from the Guru, he became deeply emotional but continued listening to the verses.
Once a Kirtani Jatha was singing the following verse:
'ਤੇਰੇ ਚਰਨਾਂ ਵਾਲੀ ਮੌਜ ਕਿਤੇ ਲੱਭਣੀ ਨਹੀਂ |'
The enjoyment of your feet cannot be attained from anywhere else.
Virakat ji Maharaj was so engrossed with this verse that he asked for its recitation again and again.
13. ONE WITH THE ETERNAL: The sangat of Delhi celebrated the anniversary of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj every year. With the permission of Virakat ji Maharaj the anniversary celebration of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj and Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj was fixed in March 2002 at Delhi.
On the request of the devotees of Delhi, Virakat ji Maharaj reached Delhi on 8th March 2002. In the evening around 6.30 pm the soul left the body of Virakat ji and became one with the Eternal. This sad event happened just four months and two days after the soul of Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj merged with the Eternal.
Virakat ji Maharaj could not bear the loss of his beloved Gurudev for long. At that particular time in Delhi Kirtan was going on and the sangat was enjoying the recitation.
The Holy body of Virakat ji Maharaj was brought to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan in an AC ambulance on 9th March 2002. The sad news spread like a jungle fire in India and abroad. Devotees started reaching the Kutiya. The devotees had yet to come out of mourning from the loss of Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj and the loss of Virakat ji Maharaj was like a bolt out of the blue for them.
His Holy body was kept in front of SACH KHAND for the devotees to pay their homage. Next day on 10th March 2002, a Sunday, preparations were made to take the Holy body to Gurdwara Babhor Sahib, Nangal. It was placed in a wooden box in the open PANDAL. More than thirty thousand people paid their homage to Virakat ji Maharaj from 8 to 11 am.
The Box was kept in a Mini Bus decorated with garlands. Four Government Bands and many private Bands sang the last post in salute to Virakat ji. The last journey started from Nirmal Kutiya Johalan under the instructions and aegis of Sant Baba Jit Singh ji around 11 am. Police as Pilot in Gypsy vans led the procession. The Mini Bus carrying the Holy body was behind the Gypsy and a six-mile long caravan of cars and other transport vehicles carrying thousands of devotees followed the Bus. The devotees were chanting ‘SATNAM WAHEGURU’. Flower petals were showered on the procession from a private aircraft. On the way many devotees had lined up for paying their last homage. The procession passed through Phagwara, Banga, Garh Shankar, Anandpur Sahib and Nangal before reaching the Gurdwara Bhabhor Sahib.
The last prayer was recited and the body kept in the wooden box was taken in boats to be immersed in the deep waters of river Sutlej. The musical bands of Army and Police sang mourning tunes that brought tears in the eyes of the devotees.
The ceremony of immersing the box in the deep waters of the river was undertaken by Sant Baba Jit Singh ji. Many saints of different sects and many wellknown personalities of the Punjab State were present on this occasion.