The sadhus of Nirmal Panchayti Akhara, Kankhal, Hardwar, collected in a group, known as ‘AKHARA RAMAT’ and visited different places in the Doaba area, where the Deras of Sadhus belonging to the Nirmal sect existed. Doaba is the region between the river Sutlej and river Beas.
Mahant Gurmukh Singh was once the head of the sadhus of the ‘AKHARA RAMAT’. He traveled with the other sadhus on an elephant. Passing through many towns, they reached the village of Johal. They camped in an open area. This place was before Bolina village and a little ahead of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. The Tahli (Dalbergia sissoo) trees surrounded the place.The villagers informed Mahant ji that they had reached a very sacred place. Mahant ji was informed about Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. Mahant ji sent a few sadhus to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.
Mahant Gurmukh Singh accepted the invitation of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. The acceptance of the invitation by the sadhus of the ‘AKHARA RAMAT’ was done through a unique procedure.
According to this ritual, before accepting the invitation, a few sadhus approached the Dera. The sadhus of the Dera offered Parshad of condiments. If the sadhus of the Akhara accepted the Parshad, the invitation for the stay by the sadhus of the ‘AKHARA RAMAT’ in the said Dera was considered accepted.
The Sadhu sent by Mahant Gurmukh Singh had accepted the Parshad of condiments from Nirmal Kutiya Johalan and thus had accepted to stay at the Kutiya.Preparations started at Nirmal Kutiya Johalan for the welcome of the Sadhus of the Akhara and langar was also prepared.Mahant Gurmukh Singh reached the Kutiya with his sadhus, but neither he nor his sadhus accepted the langar. Instead the sadhus asked for raw flour, lentils etc. They said they would cook their own food. Sant Baba ji refused to give them the material.
Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj said, “Mahant ji! Please accept whatever has been prepared in the langar.”
Mahant Gurmukh Singh replied, “We prepare our own food.”Sant Baba ji said, “Cooked food is available here and there is no need for you to prepare your own food.”
Mahant ji said, “Please give us the ration for preparing food , We will cook our own. Our elephant would have collected the wood for the fire. This is the way our class (the group) operates.”Sant Maharaj ji again said, “You should have your food here along with the other sangat by sitting in the pangat.” He also added, “Dry ration will not be given.”
Mahant ji did not accept and returned to his camp with the sadhus. The elephant had collected the wood, but without the ration for the meals, food could not be prepared. Mahant ji decided to leave the campsite and move to some place where dry ration could be obtained.
When the group reached Jandu Singha, they saw that some celebrations were going on in the town. The occasion was the birth anniversary of Bhagat Ravidass. Food was being served there to everyone. The sadhus were hungry and could not resist taking langar from the Bhandara of Bhagat Ravidass ji. They accepted the langar food though it was against their discipline.
A secret agent accompanied the ‘AKHARA RAMAT’ to oversee and report about the tour to the Nirmal Akhara head at Haridwar. One such secret agent was also present with the group of Mahant Gurmukh Singh. He made notes of all the events. The incident at Nirmal Kutiya Johalan was also written and a report was sent to Nirmal Panchayati Akhara at Kankhal, Hardwar. Mahant Gurmukh Singh was asked to abandon his travels and called back. On enquiry, it became clear that Mahant ji had offended the great Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj both through his actions and as well through his words.As a consequence, he was stripped off the title of Mahant.
After a long time, the news of the action taken against Mahant Gurmukh Singh traveled back to Sant Baba ji through a devotee. Sant Baba ji kept quiet for some time. He then addressed the devotees sitting there. He narrated an incident from the life of Sri Guru Amardas Sahib ji, the Third Sikh Guru.
Mai Dass Bairagi was a follower of Lord Krishna. He prepared his own food. A Gursikh friend of his informed of the Holiness and popularity of the third Guru, Sri Guru Amardas Sahib ji. Mai Dass was very impressed and became restless and anxious, to have DARSHAN of Guru Sahib.
The attraction of Guru Sahib’s Darshan brought him to Goindwal Sahib, the town where the third master lived. On being asked by a sewadar, he said that he had come for the DARSHAN of Guru Sahib. The sewadar said, “Guru Sahib has instructed us that anyone coming to see him will first partake food in the langar and then allowed to visit him. You should therefore first eat food from the langar.”
Mai Dass was surprised to hear this unusual convention. He however, respectfully said, “I am a self-disciplined person. I prepare my own food. If Guru Sahib has made it compulsory for everyone to eat before his DARSHAN, then please give me dry ration from your store, so that I prepare my own food in a pure place.”
The sewadar collected some dry ration from the kitchen and gave it to Mai Dass. Mai Dass came out of the town and found a secluded place. He collected dried branches of trees and bushes and dug a pit to make a fireplace. Mai Dass found bones in the pit he had dug. Considering himself impure, he took bath and dug another pit. Bones were found there also. This happened five times.
Mai Dass decided not to have DARSHAN of Guru Sahib and left the place. Before reaching his destination town of Dwarka, he went off track in the jungle. Meanwhile a thunderstorm started and it rained heavily. Being an Ekadasi (Ekadasi is the eleventh lunar day of the bright or dark night of every lunar month in the Hindu calendar) day he had kept a fast. Next day he was supposed to open his fast, but there was no ration available in the jungle. He sat in his SAMADHI and started praying to his Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna answered his prayers and kept a plate full of rice. Mai Dass was happy to see that his Lord had listened to his prayer and given him uncooked rice. He though did not have any material to cook the rice. Bairagi was still contemplating about what to do when Lord Krishna placed a plate full of KARAH-PURIAN in front of him.
Mai Dass prayed to thank his Lord and requested, “O Lord! You have blessed me with this wonderful food. Please appear before me so that I can have your DARSHAN.”Mai Dass heard the voice of his Lord, “Eat your food Bairagi. You can see me only at Goindwal Sahib. Please see me in Guru Amardas Sahib ji. Do remember that where there is pure love there is no harm even if there is a breach of discipline.”
The Lord’s words struck the Bairagi at the right place. He cursed himself for his foolish action. He could understand now as to why he was unable to prepare his own fire to prepare the meals. He repented and was full of remorse. His desire for DARSHAN of Guru Sahib became more intense. His heart filled with love and he started for Goindwal Sahib.
He thought and prayed, “Lord Krishna! I am coming for your DARSHAN. Please bless me with your DARSHAN.” Reciting Lord Krishna’s name, he reached Goindwal Sahib. He complied with the instructions of Guru Sahib and ate first from the langar. There was no remorse in doing it. His target was to have DARSHAN of his Lord.
He was allowed to see Guru Sahib. He found Lord Krishna sitting in front of him. His heart filled with joy. He bowed and said, “O Lord! You have blessed me. You are ever forgiving. Please forgive my stupidity. Do not ever think about it. This is my humble prayer.”
After his prayers, he sat back and opened his eyes. He had the DARSHAN of Guru Sahib. Mai Das was euphoric. He was imbued in love and intoxicated with delight. He could not control himself and started singing and praising Guru Sahib.
Do not call the wandering beggars holy men, if their minds are filled with doubt. Whoever gives to them, O Nanak, earns the same sort of merit. ||1| (Page 1413)
After narrating this story of Mai Dass Bairagi, Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj concluded by saying, “If someone offers food with humility and love, then never think about its being cooked or not. Please accept whatever is offered. Thank the Lord and remain ever indebted to Him.”