The water flowing in streams and drains gets mixed with the river Ganges and become one. Ganges is considered Holy and its water is considered sacred. The drain water also becomes sacred on mixing with Ganges.
Those who recite the Name of the Almighty are solemn and saintly. One is fortunate to have DARSHAN of such pure souls and get calmness of heart. They have no enmity with anyone and have risen above the petty feelings of deceit and suspicion. They are not affected by omens and portents. The glow on their face attracts not only a common person but also other saintly souls.
Sadhu Ram Singh belonged to Udasin sect but came to pay homage to Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. Sant Baba ji respected him like any other saint. The Guru of Sadhu Ram Singh had other disciples also. Once Sant Baba ji asked him, “How many disciples does your Guru have?”
Sadhu Ram Singh replied, “There are nine disciples.”
Sant Baba ji asked him, “Where do you stand amongst the disciples?”
Sadhu Ram Singh informed that he was the youngest and was last in seniority.
Sant Baba ji said, “In case every disciple becomes a Mahant for one year, your turn will come after eight years.”
Sadhu Ram Singh kept quiet. He had not been aspiring for a Mahant ship. He had still to climb a lot of stairs to reach that level. An upright person is always docile.
Sant Baba ji however, knew about the internal virtuosity of Sadhu Ram Singh. Sant Baba ji had observed that he was not clever and only sparkled of veneration to the Lord.
Sant Baba ji waited for some time before he said to him, “Do you have any objection in case you are made a Mahant today?”
Sadhu Ram Singh was surprised to hear these words and said, “Maharaj! I have not understood what you are saying.”
Sant Baba ji advised him to go and change his dress into that of a baptized Sikh.
At this Sadhu Ram Singh said, “Satya Vachan!”
Sadhu Ram Singh’s words were abrupt and the love for Sant Baba ji was completely reflected in his acceptance.
Sant Baba ji asked him to go to the well, take his bath and change his clothes. Sant Baba Gian Singh ji was asked to provide him with a new Kachhaira (Underwear), new clothes to cover him and a small Kirpan.
Sadhu Ram Singh bathed in the Holy water of the well and dressed up in the clothes provided to him by Sant Baba Gian Singh ji. Sant Baba ji asked an attendant to dig a pit outside and place the old clothes of the Sadhu in the pit and cover it.
Sant Baba Gian Singh ji was asked to get a white sheet and to lay it on the floor in front of the Darbar Hall.
Sant Baba Gian Singh ji did as was asked and Sadhu Ram Singh sat on it.
Nambardar Didar Singh of village Johal was sent for and asked to bring along the elders of village Johal.
When all of them had collected around Sant Baba ji, Maharaj ji asked the village elders, “If we provide a Mahant for the Gurdwara of Sant Pal Singh in the village, then the upkeep of the Gurdwara will be his problem.”
The villagers knew that the Gurdwara was not being looked after well as there was no permanent priest. They were happy to know that Sant Baba ji had raised this issue. All of them decided amongst themselves that the control of the Gurdwara administration would be the responsibility of the Mahant. They said, “Maharaj ji! We will all be very fortunate.”
Sant Baba ji said, “Then all of you go and touch the feet of the new Mahant. He is sitting on the white sheet in front of the Darbar Hall.”
When the sangat came back after paying respects to Sadhu Ram Singh, Sant Baba ji said to them, “He is your Mahant and also our Mahant.”
The life of Sadhu Ram Singh changed within moments. He was made in charge of the Gurdwara. He had always considered himself as one amongst the sangat. It was his upright nature that Sant Baba ji had blessed him.
Everyday Sadhu Ram Singh got up at 4 o’ clock in the morning. He recited the Nitnem Banis and Sukhmani Sahib. Everyone liked his loving nature. He managed the administration of the Gurdwara as a responsible individual. He did not shirk from his duty even when he was not feeling well. This SEWA continued for nine years.
After completing nine years of selfless service, Sadhu Ram Singh fell ill. Best of medical treatment could not bring him back to health. The illness became worse. He thought that his end had come. He on his own shifted his refuge to the cremation ground of the village.
Sant Baba ji was informed about his illness and his shifting to the cremation ground. Sant Baba ji came to the Gurdwara of Sant Pal Singh. It was quite late in the evening. The villagers brought Sadhu Ram Singh to the Gurdwara. He was made to lie down in the adjoining room to the main Gurdwara hall.
Sant Baba ji ordered for the recitation of Kirtan at the Gurdwara. Sant Baba ji sat in attendance to Sri Guru Granth Sahib and performed the service of CHAUR SAHIB.
The whole night the Holy hymns were sung. Four 0’ clock in the morning Sant Baba ji came to the room of Sadhu Ram Singh. He was lying on the bed with his eyes closed. Sant Baba ji called him, “Mahant ji!”
Sadhu Ram Singh heard the words of Sant Baba ji and opened the eyes. He saw Sant Baba ji but was very weak to get up or even shake his head. Sant Baba ji said to him, “Mahant ji! This is the time when you have to concentrate your mind on the feet of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji Maharaj. Do not think of anything else.”
Mahant ji closed his eyes and after a few moments his soul left his body and merged with the Lord.
A beautiful decorated casket was prepared under the instructions of Sant Baba ji. Sadhu Ram Singh’s body was kept in the casket and taken around the village and then cremated with full honors.
An Akhand Path was undertaken for the peace of the soul of Sadhu Ram Singh.
Sant ji Maharaj had observed with his divine eyes the age of Sadhu Ram Singh and that he was to live for just nine more years. He was given the responsibility of a Mahant, which he could never have attained in his Udasin sect. For nine years, Sadhu Ram Singh remained as a Mahant and passed his days reciting Baani and involving himself in the service of the people of the village.