Nirmal Kutiya Johalan

SANT JI MAHARAJ BLESSED TO RIDE HORSES AND ELEPHANTS

There are numerous ways to express one’s respect for the Gurudev. It can be in any of the following forms:

  • Not wearing shoes in front of the Guru;
  • Keeping the head covered at all times;
  • Pay homage to the Guru only after taking bath;
  • Keeping quiet in the presence of the Guru;
  • Saying ‘SATYA VACHAN’ (Yes!) to all the orders of the Guru.

Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj followed all the above-mentioned practices in the presence of his Gurudev, Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj of Jiyan. In addition, he did not ride a horse in front of his Guru.

Sant ji Maharaj was fond of riding horses. Giani Didar Singh, Nambardar of village Johal, bought a horse for Sant ji Maharaj. This horse was named ‘KISHNU’. ‘KISHNU’ was only ridden by Sant ji Maharaj. The horse was looked after by Nambardar ji and it remained in his farm. It was brought to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan, only when Sant ji Maharaj went out for riding.KISHNU’ could not be controlled by any one else except Sant ji Maharaj. Everyone in the village knew that ‘KISHNU’ followed and complied with the directions of only Sant ji Maharaj.

Sant Baba ji rode on ‘KISHNU’ on the ‘HOLA MOHALLA’ day. During the procession of the Mohalla, ‘KISHNU’ did not react to any one’s touch anywhere on his body. But after the procession came to an end, ‘KISHNU’ came to his old form and became bad tempered.

Sant ji Maharaj used to give a pat on the neck of ‘KISHNU’ after he had finished his riding. He said to him, “Kishnu! It is now time for you to go back to your habitat.” ‘KISHNU’ nodded his head in agreement and silently walked back with Nambardar ji to his farm.

Once three thieves decided to steal ‘KISHNU’ but all of them faced the difficult proposition of controlling him. No one dared come close to him to touch him and therefore the question of stealing was a very difficult one.

They made a long term plan to win over ‘KISHNU’. They started feeding ‘KISHNU’ during the night with CHURI (pure ghee sweet made from flour). This practice continued for a month. ‘KISHNU’ responded to the hospitality very well and the thieves got the impression that ‘KISHNU’ could now be easily handled. When they tried to catch hold of ‘KISHNU’ from his hind legs, they were treated with a kick on the face. When they tried to control it by catching his face, ‘KISHNU’ jerked his head with such violent force that they were thrown far away. All their efforts to capture ‘KISHNU’ went down the drain.

KISHNU’ was in the service of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj, who only had the power to control him. He obeyed all the commands of Sant Baba ji.

Once Sant Baba ji rode on ‘KISHNU’ and went to the abode of his Gurudev Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj at village Jiyan. When four furlongs still remained to be covered to reach the Dera, Sant Baba ji alighted from the horse. The horse was tied to a branch of a bush and he walked the distance on foot to reach the Dera.

He cleaned his hands and feet by washing them in the water. He then bowed at the feet of Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj. He was asked to sit near by. Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji asked him, “Sant ji! How have you come?”

Sant Baba Basant Singh ji replied, “Maharaj! I have come to pay my homage to you.”

Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji said, “Sant ji! How have you reached here?”

Sant Baba Basant Singh ji kept quiet. When he was asked the third time, Sant Pal Singh ji, who was also present there, informed, “Maharaj! Sant ji has come on a horse. He has left the horse, at a distance from here, tied to a bush.”

Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji Maharaj asked Sant Baba Basant Singh ji, “Go and come to the Dera riding your horse.”

Sant Baba ji got up and like a true disciple, went to the place where he had tied the horse. He came back riding the horse. Before entering the Dera premises, he got down from the horse. He walked the horse inside and paid his respects to his Gurudev.

Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji ordered him, “Sant ji! I will like to see you sitting on the horse.”

Sant Baba ji hesitatingly climbed on to the horseback but alighted from it immediately.

Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji said, “Sant ji! You are hesitating to sit on the horse, while you are destined to ride elephants. Great Kings and Maharajas will bow before you.”

Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj heard the forecast of his Gurudev. He fell on the feet of his Gurudev. He had today received another blessing from his noble and gracious Gurudev.

Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj came back to his abode thereafter.