On the request of the devotees’ residing in Western countries, Sant Baba Gian Singh ji
Maharaj toured these countries. Every year during the period 1980 to 1993, Sant Maharaj
ji with a few followers toured these countries for a few months. During these journeys,
there were many important and interesting episodes that happened with the devotees. A
few of these instances are mentioned here.
a) ESTABLISHING GURDWARAS IN ENGLAND
Three Gurdwaras were established by Sant Maharaj ji in England during his travels to that country. These are as follows:
iii) Gurdwara Amrit Parchar Dharmik Diwan, High Vekam (UK)
There was a time when one was unable to find five baptized Sikhs in England, who could be served langar by the Sikh families. People had to search for a Kirpan for dedicating Karah Parshad to Guru Sahib. With the blessings of Sant Maharaj ji one can now observe thousands of baptized Gursikhs in England.
b) STRUGGLE FOR WEARING OF TURBAN
Sikh students were banned from wearing turbans in schools by the government of England. Court cases were going on when help from Sant Maharaj ji was sought to find a peaceful solution. With the blessings of Sant Maharaj ji, the struggle ended in favor of the Sikhs and the children of Sikh families were permitted to wear the turbans during their education in schools.
c) SARDAR JOGINDER SINGH BLESSED BY SANT MAHARAJ JI
One day a caravan of cars under the aegis of Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj was going from Gurdwara Bradford to a house of a devotee in Wolver Hampton. On the way the silencer of the car of Sardar Joginder Singh, of Pragpur village in Punjab broke down. Many times the silencer was tied with wires, but the wires got burnt due to the heat present in the silencer.
The information about the broken silencer reached Sant Maharaj ji. Sant Maharaj ji gave his scarf and instructed, “Ask Joginder Singh to tie this scarf around the silencer after soaking it in water.”
The love and devotion of the followers was such that there was no question of any doubt being raised. The scarf was tied to the silencer as instructed by Sant Maharaj ji.
It might be debated by the readers that Sant Maharaj ji may not have known about the extent of heat in the silencer. Silencers of running transport are very hot and every type of cloth would immediately get burnt. But there is a lot of strength in obeying the orders of a Holy saint. This happens only when one has immense faith in Guru Sahib and his messenger on earth. Such individuals raise no doubt about the veracity of the words of their beloved Holy saint.
After the scarf was tied, the car traveled for 100 miles. Everyone reached Wolver Hampton and Sant Maharaj ji blessed the house of the devotee in that city. The devotee involved himself in serving the Holy saint and the sangat. During this time Sant Maharaj ji called the person who had been handed over the scarf and asked, “Bhai! Would you be kind enough to return my scarf?”
Sardar Joginder Singh was asked accordingly. He untied the scarf from the silencer. Nothing had happened to the scarf and it was the same as earlier. It was placed before Sant Maharaj ji. The scarf had not been burnt from the heat of the silencer. Sant Maharaj ji had taken the benefaction of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji Maharaj before handing the scarf for it being tied to the silencer and therefore there was no question of it catching fire.
In case complete espousal of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji is obtained then an individual does not get drowned in deep water, does not get burnt by raging fire nor any thief can steal anything from him.
Instead of keeping the scarf with him Sant Maharaj ji presented the scarf to Sardar Joginder Singh. Sardar ji has kept the Holy scarf with him and reveres’ it as a blessing of Sant Maharaj ji.
d) FOR THE SAKE OF THE SAINTS UNWORTHY PERSONS ARE SAVED BY THE LORD
Whenever a person has to be blessed by the Almighty, a situation for the same gets created. Sant Baba ji looked at everyone with the same kindness. His blessings were not limited for a few.
While in England, Sant Baba Gian Singh Maharaj ji went from place to place for spreading his mission. Everywhere, morning and evening, a congregation was held in which the Holy Hymns were sung. Busy people of that country were being introduced to follow the path of righteousness.
Bhai Balbir Singh of village CHABEWAAL also came to know about the altruism of Sant Maharaj ji. He gained the knowledge that people were being baptized with the ambrosial nectar of the two edged sword. He being an alcoholic did not have the strength to seek this blessing. The ladies of his house were however fully involved in the service of the sangat and reached the place wherever Sant Maharaj ji went.
One day the ladies were late in reaching home as the timings of the Diwan got stretched beyond the normal time. Bhai Balbir Singh was angry and spoke ill of them. He also said, “You are not going to benefit from following the sadhus.”
Sardar ji who earlier used to drop the ladies at the congregation stopped this service. The ladies however managed to reach the place on their own. They had to face the ire of Bhai Sahib but nothing could change their minds from attending the Diwan and involving themselves in the SEWA.
One day while climbing the stairs of his house, Bhai Sahib slipped and fell down the stairs. He was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. The doctors observed that his body had many broken bones and that it was difficult for him to survive.
Bhai Balbir Singh though in acute pain was conscious of the happenings around him. He realized his mistake of maligning Sant Maharaj ji. He prayed in his mind, “Maharaj ji! Please forgive me for vilifying you by using wicked words. I have departed from virtuous behavior. I am responsible for my mistakes. Please save me. I assure you that I will accept baptism.”
The moment he completed his prayer, Sant Maharaj ji appeared beside his bed in the hospital. Maharaj ji instructed him, “Since you have repented and agreed to accept baptism, then get up and go home.”
He became all right on hearing the blessed words of Sant Maharaj ji. Next day when the doctor came for his check up he was found to be quite all right.
The doctors were astonished to find the change in him and asked him, “What medicine have you taken that has helped you in your complete recovery overnight?”
Bhai ji replied, “You have seen that I am all right. Please permit me to leave the hospital. A Holy saint has come from Punjab in India to this country and he has helped me to recover so fast.”
Bhai ji got the permission to go back home. The coming Sunday he accepted the ambrosial nectar of the two edged sword.
e) ESTABLISHING A GURDWARA IN HOLLAND
A new Gurdwara established in Holland was inaugurated by Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj. During this ceremony a congregation was held and people from all walks of life gathered to participate. Kirtan Jathas sang the Holy Hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Bhai Balbir Singh was sitting near the stage. He was singing along with the Kirtan Jathas. Sant Maharaj ji observed Bhai Sahib and asked the Stage Secretary to give time to Bhai Balbir Singh for singing one SHABAD.
Bhai Balbir Singh was astounded on hearing these words of Sant Maharaj ji. He had never performed Kirtan nor did he know how to play the harmonium instrument. Respecting the words of Sant Maharaj ji he referred to the Book of Hymns and sang a SHABAD. He sang the following SHABAD.
I am unworthy, but He has saved me, for the sake of the Saints. The True Guru has covered by faults; I am such a sinner. God has covered for me; He is the Giver of the soul, life and peace. My Lord and Master is Eternal and Unchanging, Ever-present; He is the Perfect Creator, the Architect of Destiny.
Your Praise cannot be described; who can say where You are? Slave Nanak is a sacrifice to the one who blesses him with the Lord’s Name, even
for an instant. ||4||1||11|| (Page 1117)
Everyone felt that Bhai ji was an experienced singer. Bhai Sahib was blessed by Sant Maharaj ji. Bhai ji was in judiciary and performed the duties of a judge. The blessings of music and singing became a routine for him and he joined the congregations as much as he could.
Sant Maharaj ji was instrumental in changing the lives of many people. In the new Gurdwara of Holland, many people came forward and sought the ambrosial nectar of the two edged sword.
In the city of Amsterdam, in Holland, the Heads of various countries collect for a meeting. A chair of every country has been established, in a building. Each chair has the mark of the country it belongs to and a flag of the country furls near the chair.
The administrators of this center approached Sant Maharaj ji and requested him to visit the center. On reaching there Sant Maharaj ji was made to sit on the chair established by India. Photographs were taken on this occasion.
O my Lord, no one is as great as the Lord’s Saints. The devotees are in harmony with their God; He is in the water, the land, and the sky. ||1|| (Page 748)
f) PREACHING THE DRESS CODE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF RECITING GURBANI
During his travels to the Western countries, Sant Baba Gian Singh ji once visited Canada. During his stay in Canada, Sardar Gurajaypal Singh, son of Giani Beant Singh Bijlee, the great musician also came to pay his homage to Sant Maharaj ji. (He now lives in America) He sat close to Sant Maharaj ji. Sant Maharaj ji asked about his parental village in Punjab. He informed Sant Maharaj ji that he was from Phillaur and that he was the son of Giani Beant Singh ji Bijlee.
Sant Maharaj ji observed him and then said to him, “You are a baptized Gursikh. You come from a baptized family of Sikhs. You are a Sikh musician. Then why are you wearing a necktie? This tie is not a symbol of Sikh religion and belongs to the English.”
Sardar ji gave no reply to this comment. Sant Maharaj ji then asked him, “Take out the necktie and throw it away.”
Sardar ji did as was instructed. He wanted to comply with the instructions for all times to come but was worried about his fate. He was to appear for an interview the next day and if he did not wore a tie he may not be permitted to attend the interview.
He had been impressed with the simplicity of Sant Maharaj ji and he thought that whatever the result of the interview, the same would be for his good.
Next day he went to appear for his interview without wearing a tie. It so happened that the interviewer was casually dressed and was not wearing a tie. The shirt buttons of the interviewer were also open. Four persons appeared for the interview. He however topped the list when the result was announced.
Sardar Gurajaypal Singh had the blessing of Sant Maharaj ji as he had obeyed his instructions and thus became successful.
He came in the evening to Sant Maharaj ji to thank him and pay his homage. He narrated the experience at the interview. He thanked Sant Maharaj ji for his success.
Sant Maharaj ji instructed him, “It is necessary for a Gursikh to recite Gurbani daily and remain in the prescribed dress code of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. An individual who recites Gurbani with love and remains within the norms of Sikhism is always blessed with happiness by Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.”
With the blessings of Sant Maharaj ji the family of Sardar ji lives in America and follows the discipline of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.
g) BRAHAM GIANI SANT BABA GIAN SINGH JI ON A TOUR TO FRANCE
A chief priest of France happened to once see Sant Baba Gian Singh ji Maharaj when he was visiting England. He was so impressed with His Holiness that he invited Sant Maharaj ji to visit him in France.
Sant Maharaj ji decided to pay a visit to the priest at his Church in France. France being close to England, the journey to that country started in cars. The cars were taken by ship to cross the English Channel. They landed in France, a country where most of the people spoke and understood French language.
Colonel Malkiat Singh was traveling in the car of Sant Maharaj ji. After going for some time in the cars, Sant Maharaj ji instructed Colonel Sahib, “Colonel Sahib! You will have to enquire about the residence of the French priest.”
The priest lived in the city of Lily near Paris. Colonel Sahib stepped out of the car and enquired from the passersby about the directions of Lily city and also about the residence of the Pontiff. Colonel Sahib was conversing in English but he was unable to extract any information, as the people either did not know English language or did not like to communicate in English. Colonel Sahib enquired from many people but no one gave him the directions.
No one amongst the followers of Sant Maharaj ji who accompanied him could converse in French and it seemed a Herculean task to extract the desired information. Colonel Sahib came back to the car, a frustrated man and said to Sant Maharaj ji, “No one is ready to listen to our request. How will we come to know the address of the priest?”
Sant Maharaj ji was smiling and continued to do so even after getting the feedback from Colonel Sahib. Sant Maharaj ji said, “Colonel Sahib! Does a different sun rise in this country or the same sun gives its light to the whole world?”
Colonel Sahib replied, “Maharaj ji! The sun is the same everywhere.”
Maharaj ji said, “If the sun is the same then let us ask the sun for the directions.”
Colonel Sahib was standing bewildered when a young Frenchman came near the car of Sant Maharaj ji. On seeing Sant Maharaj ji he requested, “Could I take your photograph? Please do permit me.”
The youngman was instead asked, “You can take the photo but first tell us if you know the residence of the chief priest?”
The youngman replied, “What to talk of the priest, I know everything about this country.”
Maharaj ji said, “Then take us to the residence of the priest.”
The youngman guided the caravan of cars and brought them near the residence of the priest.
The French priest was very happy to see Sant Maharaj ji with his followers. He immediately gave instructions to his staff for arranging a comfortable stay for his guests.
Sant Maharaj ji was taken to a very big room in the mansion. The young Frenchman stayed close to Sant Maharaj ji. He took a number of snaps. After some time the young man left. Colonel Malkiat Singh was standing outside the door of this room. He had been thinking that he would enquire from the young man his whereabouts once he came out of the room. Colonel Sahib did see the youngman come out of the room but forgot to talk to him. When he remembered about his enquiry, he found that the young man was nowhere to be seen.
Sant Maharaj ji took the services of the sun in the time of dire need. Even the deities are ready to serve true Holy men.
Neither the Pontiff nor his staff knew how to cook Indian food. He though arranged for vegetarian food like bread, biscuits, milk and butter. Sant Maharaj ji instructed that all the products be mixed in a pan and heated. The mixture was then eaten by Sant Maharaj ji. The rest of the sangat relished the new dish. Next day Sant Maharaj ji returned with his followers to England after spreading his Holiness on the priest.