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AGreatSaint
BABAJAIMALSINGH:HISLIFEANDTEACHINGS
[1838-1903]
by
SantKirpalSinghJi
FirstEdition,1960
SecondEdition,1968
ThirdEdition,1971
----NotCopyrighted----
Thismusicstreamsfromatranscendent
planewithin
AndiscaughtbyasoldierSaint.
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Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj
(1858-1948)
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Dedicated
totheAlmightyGod
workingthroughallMasterswhohavecome
andBabaSawanSinghJiMaharaj
atwhoselotusfeet
thewriterimbibedsweetelixirof
HolyNaam-theWord
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Sant Kirpal Singh Ji
(1894-1974)
---------------------------------------------------------------
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Gratefulthanksareduetoallthosewhohave,inoneway
oranother,assistedinthepublicationofthisbook;but
ShriBhadraSenaandVinodJimaybementionedinparticular
fortheirdevotedlaborwhichenabledthefinalizationof
themanuscript.
-KIRPALSINGH
***
FOREWORD
SantKirpalSingh,theauthorofthisbook,needsnointroduction.
ForthelastdecadeandoverhehasbeenatSawanAshram,Delhi,and
throughoutthelengthandbreadthofthecountryandabroad,carrying
aloftthetorchofpurespiritualityfortheupliftofhumanity.The
callcomestomany;butfewchoosetobechosen.Allofusareso
absorbedinmeetingthedemandsofmundaneexistenceonphysicaland
mentallevelsthatwehavelittletimeandthoughtleftforhigher
thingsofthespirit.Talkofself-realizationandGod-realization
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moreoftenthannotsoundsasmereemptyverbiagewithnorational
contentandsubstance.Theworldistoomuchwithus.
Abooklikethiscanbetrulyhelpfulinawakeninginusthedesire
fortreadingthepaththatleadstoenlightenmentandliberationfrom
thecycleofbirthanddeath.Itisnotmerelyabrieflifestoryof
agreatman,butofaGodmanwhoseimpeccablepurity,deephumility
andceaselessdevotiontotheGod-Pathatthebiddingofagreat
Master,whichliftedhimtopeerlessspiritualheights,canserveas
aninspiringexampleforinnumerablesoulspuffingandpantinginthe
struggleoflife,andwishingtobefreedfromthebondageofmindand
body.
Atrulygreatmanneedsnoothertributethananaccountofhislife
andwork.Anattempthasbeenmadetocollectinthisvolumethemain
eventsofBabaJi'slifehistoryandanoutlineofhisteachingsas
theyhavebeenrecordedinhislettersandinpublishedandunpublished
accountsleftbyhisdisciplesandadmirers,chiefamongthembeing
MaharajSawanSinghJi,hisspiritualheir,BabaSurainSingh,Gyani
PartapSingh,etc.Itisastorymarkedbyanamazingintensityof
spiritualyearninginitsfirstmovement,anequallyamazingapplication
andone-pointedconcentrationinthenext,andanolessremarkable
humilityandselflessnessalliedtosupremespiritualexaltationinits
lastandconcludingphase.
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TheauthorcharacterizestheSantMatpracticedandpreachedbyBaba
JaimalSinghJiasascience,andwellhemight,becausehehimselfis
adistinguishedexponentofit,whohasbeeninitiatedintoits
mystiqueatthefeetofagreatSaint;andwhosemasteryofitis
widelyacknowledgedandacclaimed,asdemonstratedbyhiselectionas
PresidentoftheWorldFellowshipofReligionsonthecrestofawave
ofuniversalovationandapplauseinwhichthesages,scholarsand
savantsfromseveralpartsoftheworldlustilyjoined.
Thebookisanendeavortopresent,forthefirsttimeinEnglish,the
biographyofoneofthemostoutstandingSaintsofourtimes,onewho
deservestobebetterknownthanheis.Thestoryisamemorableone,
andisofpermanentvalueintheannalsofman'sspiritualhistory.It
deservestobereadbyeveryseekerafterGod.Iamconfidentthatthose
whoreadthisbookwillnotfailtobeinspiredanduplifted,andwill
begintoseethatspiritualityisnotwhatitisgenerallysupposedto
be,butisasciencewhoseMastershaveappearedatalltimesandinall
places,andwhichmaybelearnedatthefeetofanadeptwhereverhe
maybefound,irrespectiveofsectsandgaddis;thefinaltouchstoneof
hiscompetencebeinghisabilitytogivedirectinnerexperiencetohis
discipleshereandnow,andnotinsomefuturelife.
NewDelhiRADHAKRISHNAKHANNA
August8,1960
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***
TABLEOFCONTENTS
PARTONE:THEGREATTRADITION
TheGod-way
Therichheritage
Rediscoveringloststrands
PARTTWO:BABAJI-ABRIEFBIOGRAPHY
Earlyyears
Thegreatsearch
Theconsummation
TheSoldierSaint
TheTorchBearer
PARTTHREE:BABAJI&THESCIENCESPIRITUAL
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Thecreation
ThePathofLiberation
ThePerfectMaster
Faith,loveandself-surrender
Thelifewithout
Thelifewithin
Anancientscience
SuratShabdYoga
TheSatguruortheTrueMaster
TheGurmukhorthegenuinedisciple
Theouterandtheinner
GLOSSARYOFORIENTALTERMS
____________________________________________________________________________
PARTONE:THEGREATTRADITION
THEGOD-WAY
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TheWaybacktoGodisnotofman'smakingbutof
God's,anditisfreefromartificeandartificiality.God
drawsmanbacktoHimselfthroughHischosenelect,the
Godman,towhomthesecretofthePath(theGod-way)
isrevealeddirectlyormademanifestbysomeSantSatguru,
forthebenefitofthepeople.
TheMasters,theMessiahs,theteachersandprophets
alltheworldoverfallintotwocategorieswithaseparate
missionassignedtoeach.Thereare,ontheonehand,
thosewhosesolepurposeistokeeptheworldgoing
harmoniously;andontheotherhandtherearethosewho
arecommissionedtoleadbacksoulswhoareripefor
home-going,andyearnforanearlyreturntotheSource
Spiritualfromwhichtheypartedlongagobeforedrifting
downwardtothematerialplane.Inthefirstcategoryfall
allthereformers,andinthesecondsuchSantsandSadhs
asarecompetenttorevealtheknowledgeofGodandto
makemanifestthepowerofGodinman.
TheprocessofascentbacktotheSourceisjustthe
reverseofthatofdescentdowntothephysicalplane,and
onehasthereforetoreintegratehimself,togatherall
hiswanderingwitsatthestillpointofthesoul-in
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betweenandbehindthetwoeyes-wheretimeandTimelessness
intersect,beforethespiritcomestoitsownandlaunches
upontheSeaofLifeforaninnerjourneyhomeward.This,
infact,hasbeenthesolethemeofallsagesandseers
everywhere.Noneofthem,however,wantedtosetupany
newcreedorinstitutionalizedreligion.Whilereferringto
theexistenceofsomanyreligionsandcreedsintheworld,
allbristlingwithbewilderingtheoriesandconflicting
dogmas,HazurBabaSawanSinghJiMaharajusedtoremark,
"Therearealreadysomanywellsallover,whyshould
onediganymorepitfallsandmakeconfusionworse
confounded?"
GodmademaninHisownimage;andmanmadereligions,
eachinhisownimage,andinhiszealmadefetishesof
themall.Truereligioninitsinceptionisfreshandsimple,
likeanewly-bornbabebubblingoverwithvitallife,but
incourseoftime,likeanyotherthing,itdevelopsinto
anInstitution;andwiththatitbeginstodeteriorate,tends
toloseitsnativevitalelasticitybornofthelivingtouchof
theMaster-spirit,andgraduallycomestoacquireasocio-
economicappearance.Insteadofservingasasilkenbond
oflovebetweenmanandman,itbecomesasourceofconstant
strife,rancourandillwill,tearingclassfromclassand
nationfromnation.Whenthecupofhumanmiseryisfilled
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tothebrim,thencomestheSaviourwiththemessageofhope,
redemptionandfulfillmentforstrife-tornhumanity.He
triestoredressthefesteringsocialwoundsandpreaches
onenessandequalitytomaninordertorestorethe
equilibriuminthescalesofhumanvalues.
Alongsidethis,hismainobjectiveistosavehumansouls
forahigherpurpose:atruelifeofthespiritas
distinguishedfromthatoftheflesh.Suchindeedhasbeen
thegoalofgreatMasterslikeZoroaster,Mahavira,Buddha,
Christ,Mohammed,KabirandNanak,eachinhisowntime,
accordingtothethenprevailingconditionsandpeople's
aspirations;fortheyalwaystrytoleadthemfromthe
lineofleastresistance,anddoleoutthebasicgoodnessin
termsthatmayreadilyappealto,andfitinwith,their
mentalmake-upforastephigherintheprocessofevolution
orunfoldingofthespirit.ThisiswhatSaintsdoforthe
generalrunofmankind,derivingtheirinspirationfromthe
greatreservoirofthespiritwithin,whichisthesamefor
all.
THERICHHERITAGE
InthereligiousthoughtofmodernIndiatheperiodfrom
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themiddleofthefourteenthtothemiddleofthefifteenth
centuryisoneofoutstandingimportance.Itisanerain
whichanattemptwasmadetoreorientreligionandpresent
itinitssimplestform:theformoftruefaith,universal
loveandsingle-mindeddevotionasagainsttherigorsof
priestlyritualismandfanaticismleadingtointolerance
andbigotry.Amongthegreatteachersoftheperiodwefind
figureslikeRamananda,withhisprincipaldisciplesdrawn
fromvariouswalksoflife(RajaPipa,Ravidasthecobbler,
Sainathebarber,Kabirtheweaver,Dhannathejat,Narhari,
SukhaPadmavati,Sursuraandhiswife,etc.);Vallabhacharya,
thefamousexponentoftheKrishnacult;ChaitanyaMahaprabhu
ofNadiainBengal,withhischaracteristicstresson
Hari-bholeorchantingoftheLord'sname;Namdev,the
calicoprinterinMaharashtra;andthegreatKabirandNanak
intheNorth.
Noneofthemlaidmuchstressonidolworshipandobservance
ofouterreligiousformsandsymbols.Self-purity,loveand
inneryearningweretheirconstantthemes.Namdevsaid:
Loveforhimwhofillethmyheartshall
neverbesundered;
NamaappliedhishearttotheTrueName.
Asthelovebetweenachildandhismother,
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SoismysoulimbuedinGod.
Kabirlikewisesaid:
ItisneedlesstoaskofaSaintthecaste
towhichhebelongs;
ThebarberhassoughtGod,thewasherman
andthecarpenter;
EvenRavidaswasaseekerafterGod.
TheRishiSwapachawasatannerbycaste.
HindusandMuslimsalikehaveachievedthat
End,whereremainsnomarkofdistinction.
Againheproclaimed:
Itisnotbyfastingandrepeatingthe
prayersandthecreed
Thatonegoethtoheaven;
TheinnerveilofthetempleofMecca
Isinman'sheart,iftheTruthbeknown.
SospokeNanak:
Abideinthepureamidst
theimpurityoftheworld;
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Thusshaltthoufindthewaytoreligion.
Thismovement,however,attaineditsgreatestheights
atthehandsofKabir(1398-1518)andhisyounger
contemporary,Nanak(1469-1539).Bothofthemroseabove
thefettersoftheworldandtranscendedreligiousbarriers
andsowereacclaimedalikebyHindusandMuslimsboth.
TheirteachingsmainlycenteredaroundGodandmanand
therelationshipbetweenthetwo.Bothofthemwere
exponentsoftheSuratShabdYoga(YogaoftheSound
CurrentorcommunionwiththeHolyWord),andtheir
writingsextolthisasthecrownoflife.Ifwestudy
theessentialcoreofanyofthereligiousteachingsin
itspristinepurityandtruthasitappearedintheoriginal
sayingsoftheMasters-whattheythemselvesactually
practicedandwhattheygavetotheirchosendisciples
(Gurmukhsorapostles)-wecannotfailtogetaninsight
intotherealitythattheywere,oneandall,inoneform
oranother,votariesofthetranscendentalseeingandhearing,
nomatteratwhatlevel;thoughtothelaymentheygave
theirsubtlethoughtsintheformofparablesonly,as
otherwisetheywouldnothearandmuchlessunderstand
theirteachings.
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Suchworldteachersserveasbeaconlightsinthestormy
seaandtrytosavehumanityfromflounderinginthe
quicksandsoftime.ChildrenofLightastheyare,they
cometodispelthedarknessofthesoulandarenaturally
calledGuru,thedispellerofdarkness:darknessbornof
ignoranceofthetruevaluesoflife.Theyhaveunbounded
loveforallreligionsandreligiousheadsandhaveequal
respectforallscriptures.Theirsisauniversalfoldthat
takesin,inonelongsweep,theentirehumanitywithall
itsvariegatedpatternsandcolors,andsteepsthemequally
intheloveofGod.Kabirtellsusinthiscontext:
Alloursagesareworthyofveneration,
ButmydevotionisforOnewhohasmastered
theWord.
Hefurthertellsusthathe,withhisdivinemessage,
incarnatedfromagetoageforthebenefitofthepeople.
HeappearedinallthefourYugasorcyclesoftime:first
asSatSukrat,thenasKarnaMai,againasManinder,and
finallyasKabirinKaliYuga,thepresentphaseoftime.
GuruNanakalsoceaselesslytellsusofthegreat
importanceandsupremeefficacyofthemethodofSurat
ShabdYogaasthemeansofsalvation:
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laydownorpredictanyrulesofsuccession,placeortime.
Thisrichheritagegoesfromeyetoeyeandrefusestobe
boundtotraditionalgaddis(so-calledsanctifiedseatsand
sacredplaces),nordoesitdependonhumansanctionsof
temporalorclericalcharacter.GuruNanak,withhisseatat
Kartarpur,passedonhisspiritualheritagetoBhaiLehna,
who,asGuruAngad,shiftedtoKhadurSahib;whilehis
successorGuruAmarDaswasobligedtotransferhisseat
toGoindwal.
WithGuruRamDas,Amritsarcameintobeing,andlater
onbecametheheadquartersofGuruArjan.Thuswesee
thatthereisnothingspecialaboutplacesassuch.They
owetheirsanctitytothesanctifyinginfluenceofthe
Saintswhopasstheirtimeatoneplaceoranother."All
isholywheredevotionkneels."Itisnottheplacesthat
gracemenbutmentheplaces.
REDISCOVERINGLOSTSTRANDS
Thestreamofliferollsonceaselesslyintheendless
courseoftime;thepoweroftheTimelessappearsand
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disappearsintherealmofrelativity.
BeforeproceedingwiththelifesketchofBabaJaimal
SinghJi,itwouldbeworthourwhiletohaveapeepinto
thebackgroundthatmadehimwhathewas.Itwasindeed
thepowerofSwamiJithatflowedthroughhiminwhatever
hedidandwhereverheworked,forhewaswhollylostto
himselfandgivenovertotheDivineinhim.
Inordertounderstandthingsintheirproperperspective
andlinkupthehistoryofourspiritualheritage,wewill
havetogobacktoGuruGobindSingh,thelastoftheten
GurusinthelineofsuccessiontoGuruNanak.
TheRani(Queen)ofoneRatanRaoPeshwa,accompanied
byBhaiNandLal,cametothefeetofGuruGobindSingh
forrefuge.(*2)
(*2Cf.ShriDesRaj,HinduSikhIthras.)
GuruGobindSinghtraveledwidely,penetratingthe
HimalayasintheNorthandgoingtoDeccanintheSouth.
Duringhisextensivetravels,hemetandlivedwiththe
rulingfamilyofthePeshwasandinitiatedsomeofits
membersintotheinnerscience.Itissaidthatone
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Again,SwamiJiveryoftengavetohisfollowers
instancesfromthelifeofhisgreatpredecessor,toteach
themtheimportanceofvirtueslikepatience,forbearance,
forgivenessandGodliness.(*6)
Beforehispassingawayin1843,TulsiSahibbequeathed
hisspiritualheritagetoSwamiJi.ForsixmonthsTulsi
Sahiblayinastateofsamadhi(spiritualtrance)lostin
Divineconsciousness.ItwasonlyafterSwamiJihadpaid
himavisitthatTulsiSahiblefthismortalframe.Baba
GaribDas,oneoftheearliestdisciplesofTulsiSahib,
confirmedthatthespiritualmantlehadbeenentrustedbyhis
MastertoMunshiJi(asSwamiJiwasthenknownonaccount
ofhisgreatlearninginPersian).(*7)SwamiJiwasto
spendfifteenyearsofhislifeinalmostincessantabhyasa
(spiritualpractice)inasmallcloset.
(*4ChachaPartapSingh,op.cit.,p.109.
*5Ibid.,pp.33-34
*6Ibid.,pp.93-96.
*7JivanCharitarBabujiMaharaj,Vol.III,p.29.)
AfterthepassingawayofTulsiSahib,SwamiJicontinued
tovisitHathrastohonorthememoryofhispreceptor.On
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onesuchoccasion,wearetold,whenSwamiJiwenttoHathras,
theheatwassogreatthathisdisciplesRaiSaligramand
BabaJiwanLalhadtocarryhimbetweenthemselvesoverthe
lastlapofthejourneywherenotransportwasavailableand
thegroundwasveryuneven.(*8)
ThegreatrespectthatSwamiJidisplayedforthe
GranthSahibembodyingtheteachingsofGuruNanak
andhissuccessorsseemsultimatelytohavebeenderived
fromfamilytradition.TherecitationoftheSikhscriptures
wasanarticleoffaithinthefamily.Hisfather,Lala
DilwaliSingh(aSahejdharikhatriSikh,belongingtothe
orderofNanakPanthis),wasdevotedlyattachedtoJap
Ji,RahoRasandSukhmani(Sikhscriptures),whichhe
readfromdaytodaywithgreatreligiousfervoranddeep
reverence.AcopyofSukhmaniinPersianscript,inthe
handofSwamiJi'sgrandfather,SethMalukChand,atone
timeDiwanofDholpurState,isstillpreservedinthe
archivesofSoamibagh.(*9)
(*8AjodhyaParshad,JivanCharitarHazurMaharaj,p.36.
*9ChachaPartapSingh,op.cit.,p.5.)
TheessenceofSantMatthuscametopermeatethevery
beingofSwamiJi.Inlateryears,atleastononeoccasion,
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Again,welearnthatwhentheendofLalaDilwaliSingh
drewnear,hissonShivDayalSingh(SwamiJi),sitting
nearhisbedstead,beganrecitingtheGurbani,soasto
keephisfather'sattentionsteadilyfixedthereinat
thatcrucialtime.
GianiPartapSingh,basinghimselfonBabaBholaSingh's
RadhasoamiMatDarpan,tellsusinhisstudyofworld
religions(*11)howSwamiJiincourseoftimebecamea
frequentvisitortotheholySikhshrineofMaiThanat
Agra,commemoratingthevisitoftheninthGuru,Tegh
Bahadur;whereSantMaujParkash,originallyknownas
DidarSinghoftheNirmalaorderandagreatSanskrit
scholar,usedtogivelucidexpositionsoftheGurbanior
Sikhscriptures.Itwasbecauseofhiscloseassociation
withSantMaujParkashthatSwamiJilearnedGurbani
anditssignificanceinSuratShabdYoga,andhebegan
usingthisveryshrineforhisdiscoursesonGurbani.
ChachaPartapSinghinhislifesketchhasgivenin
rapturoustermsagraphicdescriptionofonesuch
discourse:
(*10Lucknow:NawalkishorePrintingPress.
*11SansarDaDharmicIthas.)
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awayfromAgracity.
Anotherdisciple,BabaJaimalSinghJi,oneoftheearliest
andmostspirituallyadvanceddisciplesofSwamiJi,as
directedbythegreatMasterhimself,settleddownatBeas
inthePunjabtorevitalizetheworkofSpiritualityand
torepayinsomemeasurethedebtthattheworldowedto
GuruNanak.Wewillnowexamineinsomedetailthelife
andworkofthisdistinguishedspiritualsonofSwamiJi.
EARLYYEARS
Itwasin1838thatBabaJaimalSinghwasborninthe
villageofGhumanintheGurdaspurDistrictofthePunjab,
toafamilyofpiousSikhcultivators.Ghumanwasas
anyothervillageintheregion.Ifitwasdistinguishedin
anyway,itwasbyitshavingashrineknownasDeraBaba
Namdev,inmemoryofthegreatsageNamdevwho,many
centuriesearlier,hadspenthislastdaysthere.Legend
holdsthatwhentheSaintarrivedandwishedtopray
insidethelocaltemple,hewasrefusedadmissionbecause
hewasanoutcaste.Undeterredhewentandsatdown
behindthebackwallandwassoonlostinsamadhi.The
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Lord,unhappyattheinsultofferedtoHisdisciple,turned
thefaceofthetempletowardtheplacewhereNamdevsat,
andallthepriestsandbrahminsfellathisfeetasking
forforgiveness.Itisfromthatdaythatthelocalvillage
issaidtohavetakenthenameofGhuman,aPunjabiword
signifying"toturnaround."Thevillagefolkvisitedthe
shrinetoofferdevotion,andmanyawanderingsadhu
oftencametheretopayhishomagetothegreatsage.
BhaiJodhSinghandBibiDayaKaur,theparentsofJaimal,
werefrequentvisitors,andthelatter,whilethere,
wouldoftenprayforasaintlyson.Greatsoulsseldom
comeunannouncedandonenightBibiDayaKaurwasvisited
bythegreatNamdevinadreamwhotoldherthather
prayersweregranted;andtenmonthslaterJaimal
wasbornamidstdomesticfestivityandrejoicing.
ThehistoryofaSaintisthehistoryofasoul's
pilgrimage.Itisastorywhichtobespirituallycomplete
coversinnumerableyearsandcountlesslives.Thefinal
enlightenmentmayseemsudden,butitspreparatorystages
arelongandarduous.LikeBuddhaandJesus,Jaimalshowed
remarkablespiritualprecocityfromaveryearlyage.When
visitingtheshrineofBabaNamdevwithhisparents,unlike
otherchildrenofhisage,hewouldsitcalmandattentive;
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andevenasachildofthreehecouldrepeatmanyofthe
versesheheardatspiritualdiscourses.Thevillagers
wonderedathisprodigiousness.Hewassoonnicknamed
Bal-Sadhuor"child-saint,"andhisruraladmirerspressed
hisparentstogivehimanopportunityforeducation.
SowhenJaimalwasfive,hewasputinthechargeof
BhaiKhemDas,alearnedvedantistwholivedcloseby.
InthosetimeseducationinIndiadidnotconcernitself
withtrainingforavocation.Itwaspre-eminentlya
mentalandspiritualdisciplinebasedonthestudyofthe
scriptures.Theyoungchilddisplayedkeenaptitudeforit
andsoonmasteredtheGurmukhiscript.Withinayearhehad
alreadyreadcarefullythePunjGranthiorfivebasicSikh
scriptures,includingtheJapJi,theSukhmaniSahib,and
RahoRas.Inanothersixmonthshehadthekeypassages
ofthesespiritualtreasuresbyheart,andbytheageof
sevenhehadgrownintoanexcellentpathioronewho
couldrecitethescripturesinamelodiouswaywith
professionalmastery.Thenextyearwasspentinstudying
theDasamGranth-thescripturescompiledbythelast
oftheSikhGurus.
Jaimalshowedgreatrespectforhisteacherwhowas
delightedwiththeboy'sapplicationandrapidprogress.
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Thetwowouldspendlonghourstogether,andthelad
wouldhearBhaiKhemDaswithgreatattention.His
hungerforknowledgewasinsatiableandthereadingof
scripturesonlyfiredhisimaginationstillfurther.One
day,pickinguptheJapJi,hebeganrecitingthetwentieth
stanza,andafterfinishingtherecitation,turnedtohis
teacherandasked:"Sir,whatisthemeaningofNaam,
ofwhichNanakhassaid,`Whenone'smindisdefiledby
sin,itcanbecleansedonlybycommunionwithNaam,'and
ofwhichalltheothergreatoneshavesungsuchpraises
intherestoftheGranthSahib?"KhemDaswastouched
byhispupil'squestioningspiritanddiscrimination,but
wasunabletoenlightenhimonthesubjectashehimself
wasnotconversantwiththemysteryofNaam.
Adaylater,BhaiJodhSingh,seeingthathisson,now
eight,wasoldenoughtohelphim,wenttohisguruwith
anofferingofasilverrupeeandjaggeryintraditional
style.Afterlayingitathisfeet,heexpressedhisdesire
tohaveJaimalreleasedfromhisstudiesinordertotend
hisflockofgoats.KhemDasraisednoobjection."Heis
yoursonandyoumaydisposeofhimasyouconsiderbest."
Buthisyoungwardcouldnotwishhimfarewellsoeasily.
"Sir,"heassuredhim,"Ishallworkformyfatherallday,
butintheeveningIshallcometoyouandcontinuethe
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boyoncetoldhisteacherthathecouldseestarsand
moonwithinandglimpseinnerLight-thefirstspiritual
experienceofthemysticsoul.
BhaiJodhSinghwasfarfromsatisfiedwithhiseldest
son'sunworldlyways.Howeverreligious-mindedamanmay
be,heisseldomhappytoseehissonturnedarenunciate.
Jaimalwasgrowingup,butinsteadofshowinganyinterest
infamilyaffairs,hewasmovingintheoppositedirection.
Henotonlyspentagreatdealofhistimereading
scriptures,practicingspiritualsadhnasandvisitinghis
teacher,BhaiKhemDas,butalsobeganpassinglonghours
inthecompanyofthesadhusandholymenwhocametothe
villagetopayhomagetotheshrineofNamdev.
Wishingtocurbhisson'sinordinatereligiousinclination,
hisfatherthoughtitbesttosendhimawayfromGhuman
anditsvisitingsadhus.Soattheageofelevenyears
andeightmonthsJaimalwassentoffwithhisfiockto
thehomeofoneofhistwosisters,BibiTabo,wholived
inthevillageofSathyala.
Athissister's,Jaimalcontinuedhisoldscheduleof
religiouspracticesandgoat-grazing.Manyamonthpassed
awayinthisuneventfulmanner.Thenonedaywhile
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followinghisherdhemetayogiwhohadjustarrivedatthe
village.Happytofindthecompanyoftheholy,hebowed
inreverence,milkedhisgoatsandofferedtheyogiadrink
ofmilk.Themaninsaffronwastouchedbythelad'spiety
andbegantoquestionhim.Jaimaltoldhimofthescriptures
hehadreadandtheintensedesireforenlightenmentthey
hadsparkedinhim.Thesadhuwasverypleasedbythe
accountandofferedtotrainhim.Hetoldhimfrankly
thatasregardsthemystiqueofNaamheknewlittle,but
whateverhehimselfpracticedhewouldfreelyimpart.So
nextmorningasinstructed,Jaimalproceeded,without
havingeatenanything,tohisnewly-discoveredguidefor
initiation.Theyogiwasanadeptinpranayamaand
instructedhisyoungdiscipleintoitssecrets.
Havingfoundaspiritualguide,Jaimalwasonce
againlosttotheworld.Hisoldholyindifferencetofamily
tiesandworldlyaffairsreturned,ifanythingwith
redoubledintensity.Hewouldoftensitforthreehoursat
astretchinmeditation.Theyogi,pleasedbyhisdevotion,
stayedoninthevillageandJaimalwasmoreoftenthan
nottobefoundinhiscompany.Thesedevelopments
causedhissistermuchconcern,andanxietyfinallydrove
hertosendwordtoherfathertotaketheboyaway.Bhai
JodhSinghsoonarrivedonthesceneandorderedhisson
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backhome.Thetwosetouthomewardearlynextmorning,
butwhiletheywereonthepointofleavingthevillage,
Jaimal,hiseyesmoistwithtears,beggedhisfatherto
permithimtoseetheyogiforthelasttimeandbidhim
farewell.Hisfatheragreedandtheboy,withanoffering
offreshmilk,hurriedtohispreceptor.Hesadlyrelated
howhisfatherhadarrivedandoftheirintendeddeparture
thatday.Theyogismiled,blessedhimandbadehimbeof
goodcheer."Continueyoursadhnasathomeasbefore,"
hesaid,"andallwillbewell.Imyselfshallseeyou
theresomeday."
AtGhumanJaimalrevivedhisassociationwithBhai
KhemDasandcontinuedtogreetvisitingsadhusasof
yore.Hewasnowinhisfourteenthyearandcontinued
withunmitigatedzealthepracticeofthesadhnashehad
learned.Buthesoonbegantohungerformore.Theyogic
practiceshehadmasteredfailedtosatisfyhim,andon
readingtheGranthSahibhebecameconvincedofahigher
reality,tobeattainedbydifferentmeans.Ashe
progressedonthepath,hebecameprogressivelymore
detachedfromtheworld.Henotedalltheesoterichints
andreferencestothefive-wordedWord,thePanchShabd,
tobefoundintheSikhscriptures,andkeptponderingover
them,askingeverynewyogiorsadhuhemetifhecould
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explainthemtohim;butallinvain.
Atthisstageofhissearch,heandhisfamilysuffereda
sadbereavement.Hewasnotyetfourteenwhenhisfather
fellillanddied.Thefamilywasgrief-strickenbutJaimal's
spiritualdisciplineworkedasaprotectiveshield.Quoting
fromthescriptures,hecomfortedhismotherandhistwo
youngerbrothersanddiscouragedanyweepingorwailing.
Ifthesoulwasdeathlessandifallwasaccordingtothe
Lord'sWill,thenwhyanymourning?
THEGREATSEARCH
HadJaimal'sinterestinSpiritualitybeenonlyaseed
castonrockorsandorasaplingyettenderinitsfiber,
haditbeennomorethanthemerecuriosityorthe
spontaneouspietyofasimplevillagelad,thepassingaway
ofhisfatherwouldhaverungthedeath-knellofhisquest.
Astheeldestmalememberofthefamily,theburdenof
domesticresponsibilitiesfellonhisshoulders;andperhaps
moresoulsarelosttoheavenbythesenseofdutytoearth
thanbydownrightsinandevil.ButJaimal'surgewasa
plantoftougherrootsandstrongerfiber.Undauntedand
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unmoved,hedividedtheoutdoordutiesamonghisbrothers,
keptuphisoldexactingroutine,andinsixmonths'time
masteredtheYogaVashishtaandVicharSangreh(two
standardworksofHindatheology).
Therearrivedinthevillageaboutthistimeasadhuof
theUdasisect.Aswashiswont,Jaimalwenttoseehim
andinquiredofhimthemeaningofthepassageshehad
noteddownfromtheGranthSahib.Thesadhuexplained
thathecouldinitiatehimintoatleastthemysteryof
theGhorAnhadordeepreverberatingsoundreferredtoin
theSikhscriptures,ifnotintothatofthePanchShabd.
Jaimal,keentolearnwhateverhecould,offeredhimselfas
adisciple.ButtheDiwalifestivalwasathandandhis
newteacherwantedtocelebrateitatAmritsar.Reluctant
tomissthisopportunity,Jaimalwenttohismotherand
beggedhertoallowhimtojointhesadhuandgoforth
onhisquestfortruth.ButBibiDayahadtoseetothe
welfareofthefamilyandwouldnothearofhereldestson
goingaway.Sheremindedhimofhisduties."Yourfather
isnomore,"shesaid,"andyoumustcarryoninhisplace.
Ifyouaregone,whatwillbecomeofus?"
"Iamnotinsensitivetowhatyousay,mydearmother,"
repliedherson,"buttheLordisaboveus,andhewho
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sustainshiscreaturesevenontherocksandinthesea
willnotforsakeusinourneed.Man'sprimarydutyisto
seekhisCreatorandallotherdutiesaresecondary.Be
notafraidbutbeofgoodcheer;andletmeproceedwith
yourblessings."
Deeplyreligiousherself,BibiDayawastouchedby
whatJaimalsaidwithsuchconviction.Seeinghis
determinationandbeingtoofondofhimtobreakhisheart,
sheatlastrelented."IknowIcannotstopyou.NordoI
wishtodoso.Butifyoumustgo,promisetoreturnhome
whenyourquestisover."
Givinghiswordofhonor,Jaimaldepartedandhis
motherandbrothersbadehimatearfulfarewell.Hehad
hardlyenteredhisfifteenthyearandhewasalready
embarkedonaquestthatwastocarryhimthroughmany
citiesandwastoinvolvehimingreattoilandtravail.
ItwasatimewhentherailroadwasstillunkowninIndia,
letalonemodernmotorwaysandairways.Therichcould,
ofcourse,rideonhorses,butthehumblerfolkhadto
dependonthesturdinessoftheirownfeet.Travelwas
difficultandarduous.TheBritishhadonlyrecently
conqueredthePunjabandstabilitywasstilltobe
established.
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TheGreatMutinywasonlyhalfadecadeaway,butthe
peopleweregrowingrestiveandthecountrywasbeginning
toseethewithdiscontent.
ItwasinsuchconditionsthatJaimalsetforthfor
Amritsar.Threedaysafterreachingtherehewasinitiated
bytheUdasisadhuinalocalgardenintothescienceof
theGhorAnhad.LikehiscontemporarySriRamakrishna
(1836-1886),JaimalSinghwasdestinedtositatthefeet
ofmanyintermediarymastersbeforemeetinghisTrue
One.Likehimhewasdestinedtolearnmanyasadhna
andmakerapidheadwayineach.Andlikehimhewas
destinednottobebound,likeotheryogis,toanyofthem,
buttopresseverforwardtowardahigherandstillhigher
goal.HisearlymasteryoftheGranthSahibstoodhimin
goodstead.Itworkedasaninfallibletouchstonewith
whichtotesteverynewattainmentandtoknowthathis
realgoallaystillfurtherahead.
Havingpracticedjapaandpranayama,andhaving
delvedintotheecstacyoftheGhorAnhad,thequestfor
thesecretofthefive-wordedWordbecameJaimal'sover-
masteringpassion.WhileatAmritsar,hedidnotfailto
contactotheryogisandsadhus,questioningthemforthe
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wereHindusadhusandMuslimfakirsofalldescriptions
there.TheyoungSikhladsoughttheircompanyatall
hoursandincessantlymingledwiththem.Buttryashe
might,hecoulddiscovernoclue.Findinghimselfina
greatcity,havingtrudgedmanyamile,withnomoneyin
hispocket,hardlyevercertainofhisnextmeal,hewas
notalittlediscomfitedwithhispredicament.Helivedin
thehopeofsolvingthesecretwhichnonecouldunravel
forhim.Wearyoffootandheavyofheart,hesetoutfor
NankanaSahib,thebirthplaceofGuruNanakandaplace
ofholypilgrimagefortheSikhs.
ButatNankanaSahib,Jaimalfailedonceagaintofind
whathewanted.ThewaysofProvidencearemysterious.
Aseeker'swaymaybeclutteredwithcountlessobstacles
whichmayalmostseemtobreakhisheart,yetatthevery
momentwhenthespiritisonthebrinkofcollapse,it
whispersawordofencouragementandflashesarayofhope,
savinghimfromthegiantdespairandputtinghimonthe
roadtoNewJerusalem.Andsotheboy,nowfifteen,met
atNankanaSahib,BhaiJodhaSinghoftheNamdhari
sectwhodirectedhimtoBabaBalakSinghofHazro,a
villagebeyondAttockinwhatlatercametobeknownas
theNorthwesternFrontierProvince.Withundeterred
resolution,Jaimalsetoutonthelongjourney.Hefirst
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haltedatAminabadwhenceheproceededtoShahDaulah.
FromShahDaulahhisjourneytookhimacrosstheJhelum
rivertoTilaBalnath,andthencetoRawalpindi.Hespenta
fewdaysineachofthesetownsandneverfailedtogetin
touchwiththefakirsandsadhustobefoundthere.Being
notveryfarfromPanjaSahib,thefamousshrinemarking
oneofGuruNanak'smostmemorablemiracles,(*1)he
proceededthereevenifitlaysomewhatoffhisroute.
Therehesojournedforawhile,enjoyingthenatural
sceneryandtheclearwatergushingfromthesacredfount.
HejourneyedfromtheretowardAttockandatlastarrived
atHazro,hisdestination.
(*1ItisrelatedinGuruNanak'slifethatthegreatsage
wastouringtheregionwithhisdevoteddisciples,Balaand
Mardana.Thepartywasfeelingexceedinglythirstyandthere
seemedtobenotraceofwateraround.Thesagedirectedhis
followerstoWaliKandhari,aMuslimhermitwholivedonthe
hillsidebythesideofaspring.TheWali,lostinhisown
pride,sentawaythestrangersempty-handed.Whenthey
returnedagainattheirMaster'sbidding,hescoffed:"If
yourGuruisasgreatamanasyouaffirm,can'theeven
quenchyourthirst?"
WhenthesewordswererelatedtoNanak,whostoodatthe
footofthehillbelow,hesmiledandstrucktherockwith
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hisopenhand.Straightwayacrystaljetburstforthand
everyonedrankhisfill.TheWaliwasfullofremorse,but
itwastoolatenow;andtohisconsternationhediscovered
thatthespringthatranbyhishuthadsuddenlydriedup.
TherockwheretheSaintstruckhishandstillbearsthe
imprintofhispalmandfingersandaclearstreamofwater
sproutsfrombeneath.ItisagreatcenterforSikh
pilgrimage.)
HewasveryhappytomeetthevenerableBabaBalakSingh
whowasimpressedbytheyoungvisitor'skeennessofmindand
intensityofspiritualyearning.Theypassedsomedelightful
daystogetherreading,recitinganddiscussingtheGranth
Sahib.BalakSinghwasamanofgreatwisdomandpiety,but
asfarasSpiritualitywasconcernedhe,likeGulabDas,was
onlyconversantwithjapathroughprana,andknewlittleof
thePanchShabdiNaamspokenofbyKabirandthegreatSikh
Gurus.Howeverhegavehisyoungfriendhopeanddirectedhim
toChikkertoahouseholderSikhofgreatspiritualeminence.
JaimalarrivedfromHazrointhevillageofChikkerand
beganinquiringforthemanhesought.Heseemedtofind
nocluetillhemetanoldretiredSikhwhoaskedtheyoung
strangerifhecouldassisthiminanyway.Jaimalrelated
fromwherehehadcomeandtheobjectofhisquest,and
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Hehadthesatisfactionofbeingputontherightroad,but
hewasnotthemantoresttillhehadattainedhisgoal.At
thisancientfrontiercityheonceagain,likeakeen
huntsman,beganseekingthetrailofsomemanoffullGod-
realization.ButPeshawarwasnottheplacewherehisquest
wastobecrownedwithsuccessandhisthirstsatiated.
WhilewanderingamongPathansthroughitsmanystreets,
amastanaSikh,losttotheeverydayworldofrational
behaviorbydivineintoxication,stoppedhimandaccosted
himwiththewords:"Whydoyouexpendyourlaborsin
theNorthwhenyourdayistodawnfromtheEast?"Though
hecouldextractnothingmorefromthestrangecounsellor,
hisadvicedrovehomeandsoonafterJaimalbeganretracing
hisstepstothePunjab.OnreachingRawalpindihedecided
tovisitthefamousKashmirValleyandthepopularhill
resortofMurree.AloverofNature'sbeauties,hegreatly
enjoyedhishillytourandinKashmirmetmanyasadhu.
Hissightseeingover,hefinallyturnedhomeward.With
tattersonhisbackandbarelyanyshoesonhisfeetor
moneyinhispocket,heatlastreachedGhumantothe
greatjoyofhisfondmotherandhisaffectionatebrothers.
Thefamilycelebratedthehomecomingintraditionalstyle,
offeringthanksgivingtotheAlmighty,arrangingscriptural
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recitationsandthesingingofhymns,distributingsweets
amongtheneighborsandofferingfoodtothepoor.Jaimal
Singh,nowsixteen,tookupthefamilydutiesoncemoreand
gavehimselfuptotheconsolidationofwhathehadlearned
inhisrecentitinerary.
Soonafterhisreturn,theSathyalayogiwhohadinitiated
himintoPranayamthreeyearsearlierarrived,truetohis
partingpromise,atGhumantoseehisyoungdisciple.Jaimal
Singhreceivedhimwithreverenceandhumilityandhisformer
teacherofferedtoinstructhimintheotherpracticesof
traditionalyoga.Buttheyouthwasnolongerachild.His
widetravelsandthevariedaccompanyingexperiencehad
givenhimanewmaturity.Whathadseemeddesirableonce
nolongerseemedofmuchvalue,forhiscontactwithmany
ayogihadconvincedhimofonethingatleast:thekriyas
ofHathaYogamightgivestrangephysicalandoccult
powers,buttheycouldnotbestowfullinnerpeaceand
freedom.Everyfreshdayonlystrengthenedhisold
convictionthatthepathofcompletemuktioremancipation
laysomeotherway,andallthathenowsoughtwas
initiationintothemystiqueofthePanchShabd.
Timerolledonitsmercurywheels,butJaimalSingh
wasnotthemantositidleorbecontentwithonlythe
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weredrowsinganddozing,continuehisjourneyasquickly
aspossible.
AtVairach,avillageonthebanksoftheBeasnotfar
fromhome,hemetasadhunamedKahanwhowasengagedin
collectingbricks."Goodday,holyone,"saidtheyouth.
"Whatisitthatkeepsyousobusy?"
"Nothing,myson,nothing;Iamonlycollecting
materialforyourfuturedwelling,"smiledKahan,and
oncemoregotlostinhiswork.Whenothersofthevillage
wouldquestionhiminlikemanner,hewouldreplywith
characteristicbrevity,"Atemplewillrisehereoneday,"
andrelapseintohisusualsilence.
JaimalSingh,notknowingwheretogo,directedhis
stepstowardHardwaronthebanksofthesacredGanges,
afavoritehauntoftheholy.Travelingbynightandby
day,hefootedthedistancewithcommendablespeedand
intwelvedaysreachedtheGanges.Heexploredtheghats
ofHardwar,thenasmalltownalmostentirelypopulated
bypanditsandsadhus,hearinglearnedyogis,questioning
themanddiscussinghisproblemswiththem.Fromthemain
townhetraveledalongsidetheriver,visitingallthe
sacredspotsintheneighborhood.AtTappoBanheheard
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theyouthfromGhumansaton.Theyogiatlastrosefrom
hisseatandspentthesecondnightinthesamemanneras
thefirst.Whendaybroke,hewentforhisbath,andon
returningbeckonedJaimaltohisside."Myson,Icannot
tellyoumuch,"hesaid."ButinmymeditationIsawthat
theGuruyouseekdwellswithhiswifeinAgra.Heis
indeedagreatsoulanddiscoursesfromtheGranthSahib.
HeshallunlocktoyouthetreasuresofthePanchShabd.
ProceedthereandImyselfwillfollowassoonasIcanto
partakeofhisbounty."
WhataburdenfelloffJaimalSingh'sback!Howmany
nightshadhespenttossingandpraying,wonderingifGod
wouldevergranthiswishes!ThestrangeratPeshawar
hadgivenhimhope,buthiswordswerevague,andnothing
wascertain.Nowatlastadefinitecluehadbeengiven
tohimandsuccessappearedwithinsight.TheLordwas
indeedkindanddidnotignorehishumbleservant's
supplication.Refreshedinspiritandconfidentinmind,
theyouth,withaheartoverflowingwithinexpressible
gratitude,bowedbeforetheyoginowwrappedinsilence
andhumblytookhisleave.
THECONSUMMATION
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BarelytendayshadelapsedbeforeJaimalSingh,passing
throughHapurandtheholytownofMathura,arrivedatthe
gatesofAgra.Itisacityfamoussincethedaysofthegreat
Moghuls;andmanyatouristfromfarandnear,frombeyond
theAtlanticandthePacific,hashadglimpsesofits
magnificentTajandotherhistoricmonumentsaswellas
itssultryheatanddustystreets.Buttheyouthfromthe
Punjabhadnotcometoviewitshistoricsplendor;hehad
noflairforitsgorgeousandmassivemausoieums,fortsand
palacesbuiltbyAkbarandhisillustrioussuccessors.
Whathesoughtwasnotthereminiscencesoftimebutthe
enliveningbreathoftheEternal.Insteadofvisitingthe
Tajheexploredthelocalshrinesandtemplesinsearchof
theboonthathadbeenpromisedhim.
Buttryashemight,hisexplorationsseemedtolead
nowhere.Hecouldfindnocluetothemanhesought.
Werehishopesbaseless?Wasthepromisegivenhimat
Peshawarandconfirmedintheheartofaforestonthe
banksofthesacredGangesonlyahoaxandadelusion?
Perhapstherehadbeenerror?Perhapshewasnotyetripe
forthegift?ManythoughtscrowdedJaimalSingh'smind
ashesatcontemplatingonthebanksoftheJamunaone
morningafterhavingbathedinitswaters.Whilehesat
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thismorning,twomenapproachedhim,discussingpersonal
matters.Atfirsthetookscantnoticeofthemformany
camedailyforadipinthesacredriver.Butthenaword
shotthroughhisearsandhewasallattention.Yes,they
weretalkingofa"SwamiJi,"agreatsage,whooften
discoursedontheSikhscripturesathishometoasmall
audience.JaimalSinghwasonhisfeet.Heaccostedthe
strangers,inquiredofthemaboutthegreatmanofwhom
theyspokeandbeggedtobeconductedtohisdwelling.
Assoonasthetwodevoteeshadfinishedbathing,they
setoutwithJaimalSinghforPunniGaliwherelivedthe
greatSwamiJi.Whenthethreereachedtheirdestination,
theMasterwasspeakingontheJapJi,expoundingits
profoundmeaningandunearthingthespiritualtreasures
hiddeninitslyricalecstacy.Therewereonlyafew
listenersandJaimalSinghslippedquietlyintoacorner.
Heheardthediscoursewithraptattention,drinkingin
everywordthatfellfromthelipsoftheSaint.
Whenthemorningassemblywasover,SwamiJiwelcomed
hisnewvisitorandaskedhimwhathewanted.
"IaminsearchofthegiftofNaamandaSaintwho
canbestowitsblessinguponme,"repliedJaimalSingh.
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ahumbleservantoftheLord,andonemaysayanything
toaservant-anything-highorlow;don'tbeafraid,
butspeakfrankly.Iwouldbeonlytoohappytobeof
someassistancetoyouforIregardthisasmyservice
tomyGuru."
LaterthatafternoonSwamiJionceagainrequested
JaimaltoreciteahymnfromtheSikhscriptures,andthe
Sikhyouthbeganchanting:
Utpat,Parlae,Shabdehovae
Shabdehephiropathovae
CreationanddissolutioniscausedbyShabdand
thecreationagaincomesintobeingbyShabd.
RAGMAGHM.3
Theafternoontalkcenteredaroundthishymn,andthe
MastertookupatlengththethemeofShabdorNaam,
answeringoneafteranotherJaimalSingh'sasyetunvoiced
questionsonthesubject.HeshowedhowtheWordwasthe
primalcauseofcreationaswellasofitsdissolution;how
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daybroke,buthecontinuedmotionless,lostintheinner
blisshehaddiscovered.Anotherdaysawitselfswallowed
bythenight,andthenightsawitselfreplacedbyanother
day,andyettheyouthsatlosttotheworldaroundhim.
Whensomeforty-eighthourshadthusgoneby,SwamiJi
askedsomeofthedisciplesiftheyknewwherethevisitor
fromthePunjabhaddisappeared."Wesawhimtwodays
agoattheSatsang,"theysaid,"butwehavenotseenhim
since."SwamiJismiledandproceededstraighttothelittle
roomwherehehadlefthislatestdiscipleandwhichnone
hadenteredfortwodays.HeplacedhishandonJaimal
Singh'shead,andwhenthelater'ssoulreturnedtonormal
physicalconsciousnessandheopenedhiseyes,hesawhis
Gurubeamingathim."Doyou,myboy,stilldoubtifyour
MasterbeatrueSikhornot?"heaskedwithatwinklein
hiseye.Theladwishedtofallathisfeetbutthelongspell
ofsamadhihadlefthisjointsnumbandstill.SwamiJi
suggestedthatherubhislegs,andwhenJaimalcouldmove,
heconductedhimoutside.Therehegavehimadrinkofmilk
withhisownhands,andgazingathimfondly,hesaid:"You
tooshalldoonedaytheworkIcarryonnow.Ourpathis
notconcernedwithouterformsandritualsandeachofus
mustlivebythebesttraditionsofthecommunityinwhich
theLordhasbeenpleasedtoplaceus."
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HethenbegancommendingtheteachingsofNanakandtheSikh
Gurusandsaidthatthosewhoweretheirfollowersneeded
littleinstruction."Alwaysabidebytheinjunctionsofthe
GranthSahib,"hecontinued.
"Abstainfrommeatanddrink.Neverdependforyour
sustenanceonothersbutlivebythelaborofyourown
hands.Whateveryouearnsharefreelywiththeneedyand
remembertoservetheholyandthepoor.Andaboveall
neverbeproudofyourowngooddeedsorcriticalofthe
actionsofothers,butknowyourselftobeinerror,and
neverstepoutsidethevirtueofinnerhumility."
JaimalSinghheardwithreverentattentionhisMaster's
adviceandeverafterwardtriedtomodelhimselfonthe
same.HedevotedlyattendedthedailySatsangandassisted
inwhatevermannerlaywithinhisreach.Hispasttraining
haddisciplinedhimwellforhisspiritualsadhna,andhe
woulddevotehimselfuntiringlytoBhajan.UnderSwami
Ji'sguidanceandwithhisphenomenalinnerprogress,
newmysteriesweredailyrevealedtohim,themysteries
ofwhichNanak,KabirandTulsihadsoecstaticallysung.
Inthosedaysduringthemid-fifties,SwamiJididnot
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havealargefollowing.Hehadnotyetbegungivingpublic
discourses,andconfinedhismeetingstosmallprivate
audiencesathishomeinPunniGaliafterhaving
discontinuedhistalksattheMaiThanGurdwara.Sevenor
eightofhisdiscipleswereespeciallydevotedtohimand
constantlysoughthiscompanyandtherewasgreataffection
andharmony.EverymorningtheMastergaveaninspiring
talk,displayingbeforehislisteners'eyesthespiritual
treasureshiddenintheGranthSahiborthewritingsof
KabirandothergreatSaints.AfterthemorningSatsang
thosepresentsatdownfortheirmeals.Thefoodwas
cookedbySwamiJi'swife,SrimatiNarainDevi,who
camesubsequentlytobeaddressedasRadhaJiasamark
ofpublicrespectandadoration;whileSwamiJipersonally
servedthefoodtoallwithlovingattentiontoeach.Inthe
afternoonsandeveningstherewouldoftenbeinformal
conversationsanddiscussionsandattimesregular
discourses.
Amonthandahalfpassedbyinthisway.JaimalSingh
washappytoliveatthefeetofhisbenevolentMaster.It
wastheyear1856,andaregimentofIndiansepoys,including
severalSikhs,wasaboutthistimestationedaAgra.Atthe
instanceofSwamiJi,JaimalSinghjoinedupasarecruit.
Hewouldattendhismorningparadeanddutiesover,hasten
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tohisGuru'sdoor.TherehewouldattendtheSatsang,hear
SwamiJi,sitformeditationandreturntohisquartersin
thecantonmentatnight.Hisarmycolleagueswouldoftenask
himwherehespentmuchofhistime.Whenhetoldthemof
thegreatnessofSwamiJi,someofhisSikhfriendswished
tomeettheillustriousSaint,andonedayaccompaniedby
sixofthemJaimalSinghsetforthforPunniGali.
SwamiJiwasdiscoursingonsomehymnfromtheGranth
Sahibwhenthegroupfromthecantonmentarrived.Chacha
PartapSinghgood-humoredlyremarkedthatthePunjabseemed
todominatetheSatsangthatday.SwamiJiturnedtohimand
said:"Thepeopleofthatlandaboveallothershavearight
tothespiritualrichesofwhichIspeak.Whocaneverdo
justicetothegloryofPunjabthatboreasoullikeNanak?
Heabovealltaughtusthatfreedomdoesnotlieinidol-
worshiporinrituals,andwhileweinthesepartsarestill
lostinceremonyandidolatry,insensitivetothemessageof
KabirandNanak,thesoulsofPunjabarefreefromsuchevils
andneedonlyasparktosetthemablaze.Markmywordsfor
theyareworthremembering:thegiftbestoweduponmebythe
LordshallfloweronedayontheplainsofthePunjab."
Thenturningtohisvisitors,hewelcomedthem,entertained
themasbestashecould,badetheirleaderJaimalSinghto
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beregularinhisarmyduties,andwhenthetimecamefor
theirdeparture,wishedthernfarewell.
ThelightarmydutiesleftJaimalSinghampletimefor
meditation.Ifhehadnonightduty,hewouldgetupat
2A.M.,bathe,andsitdownformeditation.Duringthe
day,assoonastheparadeandothernormaldutieswere
over,hewouldengagehimselfinlikemannerorhasten
tothehomeofSwamiJi.Hewasknownfornotwasting
asinglemomentonpastimespopularamonghisfellow
soldiers.HevisitedPunniGaliwithgreatregularity,and
oftenactedthereasSwamiJi'spathiorreciter;andmany
ofhisfriends,becauseofhisimpact,becamehisMaster's
disciples.Lifewaspeacefulandhappyandwasbearing
steadyfruit.Butadayarrivedwhentheregimentwas
orderedtomovefromAgra.Heavyofheart,JaimalSingh
methisMasterandsadlyrelatedthenews."OhSir!"he
said,"howIyearntoenjoytheblessingsofSatsanga
littlelonger."SwamiJismiledandreplied,"Well,letus
waitandwatchfortheWilloftheSahib."Nextdayfresh
ordersarrivedcancelingthedepartureoftheregiment.
JaimalSinghwasmakingspeedyinnerheadway.He
oftentoldSwamiJiofhisvariousspiritualexperiences
andhisGuruwaspleasedwithhisprogress.Oncewhenhe
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toldhimofhisreadyaccesstoDasamDwar(theTenth
Gate-thethirdmajorstageofthemysticsoul)buthis
inabilitytopenetratebeyondit,SwamiJiexclaimed:"Ah!
Thatisquiteunderstandable.Wehaveworkedatthis
spiritualexplorationtogetherbefore,andinyourlast
lifeyoumastereduptothethirdstage.Henceyourease
inprogressingthusfarandyoursubsequentdifficulty."
Hehoweverreassuredhisyoungdiscipleandencouraged
himtokeepuphiseffort.
Whenthelatteronedayreportedstillhigherascent,
SwamiJiwasmightilypleasedanddeclared
enthusiastically:"Continueinthisfashionandyouwill
soonbereadytohelpothersoulstosalvation.Youhave
beenborntohelpmankind,andbetweenyouandmeisno
realdifference."
"Iamnotworthyofsuchhonor.Oh,letmebehumbly
atyourfeet,farfromthefangsofpride."
"Fearnot,atrueSaintcanneverbeproud."
"OhSir,keepmeatyourfeet,theservantofthe
servantsofSaints.ThatisallIask."
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"YoushallindeedhaveaSaint'sservice:saving
humanity,bringingittotruthandspiritualliberation.
Whatisthegivingawayofamillioncowstothesavingof
asinglesoul?"
"Youmaydoasyoujudgebest,butasformyselfI
knowonlytoowellmyworthlessnessandlimitations."
Thesixmonthsforwhichtheregiment'sdeparturewas
postponedwereoverandJaimalSinghhadtogo.Hetook
leaveforthelastthreedaysandspenttheminthe
companyofhisMaster.Whenatlastthetimeforbidding
farewelldrewnear,JaimalSinghcouldbearitnolonger.
"Myheartbreaksatthethoughtofparting.Ifyouso
will,Icanhavemynamestruckfromthearmyrolls."
ButSwamiJiwouldnothearofsuchathing:"Build
yourloveontheShabdwithin.ThatisyourrealGuruand
iseveratyourside.Allelseistransientandmustbe
leftbehind.Youmustearnyourlivingforifyoudepend
onthelaborofothers,youmustpayforitwithyour
mentalpeace,andyourunderstandingwillbeclouded.If
youhavetowork,thenwhyleavethearmy?"
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JaimalSinghhadnochoicebuttobowbeforethe
superiorwisdomofhisMaster.Atparting,SwamiJispoke
ofthenatureofSainthoodandtheconductofSaints.He
relatedanecdotesoftheirgreathumilityand,whenbidding
farewell,said:"Yourregimentisnowleaving.Ifyouever
meetatrueseeker,puthimontheinnerpath,butremember
alwaysthatyouareonlyahumbleinstrumentoftheSaints."
Tearsfilledtheyoungsoldier'seyesashefellatthe
feetofhisGuruandbadehimadieu.
THESOLDIERSAINT
FromAgratheregimentmovedtoDelhi.JaimalSingh,
deprivedofhisMaster'scompany,beganlookingforsome
spiritualseekerwithwhomhecouldassociate.Hesoon
discoveredoneBabaKaramSingh,alsointhearmy,who
wasagreatdevoteeoftheLord.Hebeganvisitinghim
frequentlyandwouldsitathisquartersenjoyingthe
elder'scompany.WhenonedayBabaKaramSinghasked
JaimalSinghwhatattractedhimtohisplace,hevery
simplyreplied,"IcomeherebecausesincemychildhoodI
havelovedsittingatthefeetoftheloversoftheLord."
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BabaKaramSinghwasdelightedtofindafellowspiritso
younginyears,andalivelydiscussiononSpirituality
ensued.ItturnedoutthatBabaKaramSingh,likeBaba
BalakSinghofHazro,mistookthepranicrhythmforthe
principleofNaamsungofintheGranthSahib.Theyoung
soldier,whohadnotyetattainedhismajority,beganwith
greathumilitytocorrecthiserror.Hequotedrelevant
passagesfromtheSikhscripturestoshowthattheDivine
Shabdawastheprimeenergyactivatingeverything,even
prana,butwasnottobeidentifiedwithprana.Hedwelt
onthefactthatallgreatexponentsofSantMatorthe
PathoftheMastershadclearlyandunequivocallydeclared
thatinourtimepranayamaandothersuchpracticescould
notbringinneremancipation.Hethenspokeofhisgreat
teacheratAgraandofhisinspiringteachings,andhelped
BabaKaramSinghtogetontotherightpathtoGod.
AfterthegreatRebellionof1857,theregimentinwhich
JaimalSinghwasemployedwasdisbanded.Hehadnotmet
hisfamilyforalongtimeandproceededstraighthome.
Hismother'sjoyatseeinghimagainknewnobounds.But
hewasnotdestinedtobewithherforlong.
Onreceivingthenewsthata24thSikhRegimenthad
beenformedatPeshawar,hebadehisfamilyfarewelland
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proceededtojoinit.AftersometimeintheNorthwest
FrontierProvincetheregimentwastransferredinJanuary
1858toAmbala.InSeptemberofthefollowingyearitwas
transferredtoSagar,acityonthebanksofalargelake
incentralIndia.BynowJaimalSingh'sfellowsoldiers
hadgotusedtohisrigorousspiritualdiscipline;but
duringthedaystheregimentwouldbemarching,they
weresurprisedtofindhimexcavateasmalldugoutin
whichhewouldthensitinarecliningposture,hisback
restingagainsttheearthyembankment,andpassthe
entirenightinmeditation.
WhilestationedatSagar,JaimalSinghonenight
requestedSwamiJiinmeditationthattheregimentbe
transferrednexttoAgrasothathecouldhavethebenefit
ofsittingathisholyfeet.AmanofGod-realizationcan
workstrangemiracles,beingatonewiththeWillofGod;
andaGuru'sloveforatruediscipleissogreatthathe
denieshimnothing.(*3)JaimalSingh'sprayerwasgranted;
andnextmorninghecasuallyobservedtoBhagwanSingh,
hismateandadevotedadmirer,thatasandwhenthe
regimentwouldbetransferreditwouldbemovedtoAgra.
(*3Whatwecannotexplainintermsofwhatweknow,we
normallytermasa"miracle."Thusthefirstwitnessesof
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locomotionlookeduponwhattheysawasawonder;yettoday
hardlyanyonewouldtakeitassuch.Inlikemanner,hewho
hasmasteredtheinnerScienceknowsthatwhatpeopletakeas
miraclesarenotmiraclesassuch,butarebasedonthehigher
lawsofcreation,accessibleonlytothescientistsofthe
SpiritwhohaveexploredthemysteriesoftheinnerPath.See
inthisconnectionthechapter,"TheLawofMiracles,"in
TheAutobiographyofaYogibyParamhansaYogananda.)
OnthatoccasionBhagwanSinghtooklittlenoticeofwhat
wassaid,butwhenthenewsofitsnextstationingwas
received,thestoryofthepropheticsoldierspreadthrough
theregimentlikewildfire.
TheordersformovingtoAgrahadnotyetbeenreceived
whenJaimalSinghappliedforannualleave.Theleavewas
grantedbutwhenhereportedbeforedeparture,hissuperior
informedhimthathehadtorejoin,notatSagar,butat
Agra.Thesepoywassoovercomewiththenewsthatinstead
ofgoinghomehewentstraighttoAgra.
SwamiJireceivedhimwithgreataffectionandRadhaJi
especiallypreparedhalwatomarktheoccasion.Thegreat
GururegardedhimasapuranGurmukh,atruedisciple,
andrecitedtohimsomeofthemysticalpoemshehad
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composedduringJaimalSingh'sabsencefromAgraand
whichwerelatercollectedbyRaiSaligramJi,another
notedanddistingusheddisciple,alongwithmanyofhis
owncompositions,inthevolumeentitledSarBachan.
Oneoftheverseshereadreferreddirectlytohis
disciple:
Yehdlaunhaidhurlokadhurki
KoyipukreSantsipahi
Thismusicstreamsfromatranscendentplane
withinandiscaughtbyasoldierSaint.
SARBACHAN,SHABD9(p94)
JaimalSinghmadethemostofhistimewiththeMaster.
HeattendedtheSatsangregularlyandoftenchantedthe
versesonwhichSwamiJilaterdiscoursed.Meanwhilethe
24thSikhRegimentmovedintotown,buthecontinued
tostayatPunniGaliforhestillhadsomeleavetohis
credit.OnenightSwamiJiaskedhimtocarryanumberof
sheetsandclothesandaccompanyhimtoapoorlocality.
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Therehepersonallydistributedtotheneedyaccordingto
theirwantsthegiftshehadbroughtforthem.The
recipientswerefullofgratitudeandenthusiastically
thankedandblessedthemagnanimousstranger.ButSwamiJi
wasnotthemantodrawpraiseforhimselfevenwhenitwas
hisrightfuldue."Oh,"heexclaimedtothosewhoflocked
aroundhim,"donotthusburdenmewiththanks.Iamonly
anagentofmygenerousMaster.Itistohimthatall
creditisdue."
Whenthenocturnalmissionwasover,thegreatteacher
turnedtohisdiscipleandsaid,"Jaimal,myson,always
servethepoorinthisway,neverclaiminganythingas
yourdue."
JaimalSinghwentbacktodutywhenhisannualholiday
wasover.Buthemadeitapointnottomissanyopportunity
ofvisitinghisMaster.HewouldoftenarriveatPunniGali
atnoonandstayontilllateintheevening.Oneday,lost
inSatsangandBhajan,heforgotcompletelythathewason
dutyatnight.Itwasearlyinthemorningthathereached
thearmyquartersandwentstraighttohismate.
"Haveyoucompletedyourduty?"askedBhagwanSingh.
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"Why,wasIondutylastnight?"venturedJaimalSingh.
"Areyoubeingfunny?AsifIdidn'tseeyougoingout
dressedfordutylastnight!"
JaimalSinghmadenofurtherreply.Hewasmusingon
theunfailingcareofhisMasterandwonderingwhatexactly
hadhappened.Ifhestillhadanydoubtsaboutthemiracle,
theyweresoondispelled.TheHavildarabovehim,onmeeting
himshortlyafter,alsoreferredtohisnightdutyandthat
hisattendancehadbeendulymarkedinthenightregister.
Assoonashecouldgetaway,hehastenedtoPunniGaliand
fellathisMaster'sfeet."Howlittleweerringmortals
deservethegraceyoushoweronus!"heexclaimed,and
relatedthestrangehappeningsoftheprecedingnight.
"Ihopeyouhavenotspokenofthemtoanyofyour
armyfriends."
"Sir,Iwastoodumbfoundedtoutteraword."
"Excellent!Excellent!Nowkeepittoyourself.And
markifanysuchthingeverhappensinthefuture,remember
torestrainyourselfandnotmakeapublicfussaboutit."
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Thismiraclewastoberepeatedwhenasimilarsituation
arosenotlongafter.
Theyearandahalfthatthe24thSikhRegimentspent
atAgrapassedonlikeahappydream.Beforetheregiment
departed,JaimalSinghspentthreedayswithSwamiJi.On
thelastdaywhenhehadtobidfarewell,hehumblyfell
athisMaster'sfeet.SwamiJiraisedhimfromhisfeet,
pressedhimfondlytohimself,andobserved,"Thereisno
differencebetweenuswhatsoeverforwearealikepermeated
withthepowerofNaam."
FromAgratheregimentproceededtoPeshawarasisthe
wontinarmylife.The24thSikhRegimentkeptmovingfrom
onecantonmenttoanothereverytwoorthreeyears.Among
variousplacesatwhichitwasstationed,themostimportant
wereRawalpindi,Abbotabad,MianmirnearLahore,andJhansi.
Whileatthelastmentionedstation,JaimalSinghwas
promotedtotherankofaNaik.
InOctober,twoyearslater,hewasonceagainonhis
waytoAgratospendtheannualleavewithhisGuru.
Whocandescribethebeatitudetobeexperiencedatthe
feetofaDivineTeacher!Thetimeslippedbyandbefore
hecouldevenrealizeit,JaimalSingh'sdayofparting
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arrived.HewenttoSwamiJiforblessingsandtobidhim
farewell."Thisisgoingtobeourlastmeeting,"observed
theMaster."Mymissiononearthisahnostover.Ineed
hardlyrepeatthatIhavecastyouinmyownmoldand
youareofmyveryessence."
WhenChandaSingh,whowasalsoatPunniGaliatthat
time,heardthatSwamiJiintendedtoleavetheworldin
ashortwhile,heexclaimed,"Whatwillbecomeofus?"and
beggedhimtoleavesomeonebehindtocarryonhisworkin
thePunjab.SwamiJismiledandreplied,"Yourprayers
havealreadybeengrantedbytheAlmighty,andJaimal,
whomIhavealreadygivenauthorityforInitiation,hasbeen
deputedforthetask."
ThenturningbacktoJaimal,hesaid,"Putallseekersthat
cometoyouonthepathofNaam;butseethatyousteer
clearofsectsandcreeds.OursisthepathofNanakandKabir.
Whosoeverisfiredbyspiritualzeal,whetherofthisfaith
orofthat,hasarighttoit.Carryoninallhumility,and
whateveryoudo,doitasaservantoftheSaints."
HethenturnedtoRadhaJiandplacinghishandonJaimal's
backdeclared,"HeisindeedourGurmukhson,"andtakinga
saropaorheaddresshelovinglybestoweditasaparting
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gifttohisaptandfaithfuldisciple.Thisgreatloveand
honorwastoomuchforthehumbleGurmukhand,overwhelmed,
hiseyeswerefilledwithtears.Hisheartwasheavyashe
left,thinkingoftheapproachingendofhisMaster's
earthlysojournandthedifficultburdenthatwasbeing
placedonhisshoulders.
FromAgra,JaimalSinghreturnedtohisregimentat
Jhansi.Therestofhisstoryasasoldierissimplytold.
Itisunnecessarytoenumeratethemanyplacesatwhichthe
24thSikhRegimentwasstationedfromtimetotime.
Whateverhappened,whereverhewent,JaimalSinghlet
nothinginterrupttheroutineofhisspiritualsadhnas.Like
aloverinthefrenzyoflove,hewasforevercenteredin
thejoyoftheinnerlife.Evenwhenhisregimentwasin
actionintheNorthwesternFrontierduringtheAnglo-Afghan
Warin1879,hewouldleavehisquartersatnight,gointo
thewilderness,digapitand,withhisrifletuckedunder
hisknees,getlostinmeditation.Enemysniperswouldoften
spothim,butseeinghisRadiantfiguremakeoutthathe
wasnoordinarysoldierbutsomegreatfakir,andleave
himuntouched.Attimeswhenhearosefromhissadhna,they
wouldevenbowbeforehiminreverence.
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AsJaimalSingh,whohadbeen18whenhehadfirst
enteredthearmyatAgra,grewintoamaturemanand
passedfromyouthtomiddleage,heslowlybutsteadily
wontheheartsofallaroundhim.Atfirstsomeofhis
companionsmighthavesportivelydismissedhimasan
orthodoxnonentitywhodidnotknowtheartofenjoying
life,butwaslostinthereadingofscripturesandtedious
spiritualsadhnas.Butastheyearspassedby,theyrealized
thattheyhadamongthemnoordinarymortal.Hisprediction
toBhagwanSinghatSagaroftheirregiment'snextposting
gotwidecurrencyandwonhimmanyadmirers.Whilestationed
atJamrudduringtheAfghanWar,hismateBhagwanSingh,who
hadgonewithaconvoy,suddenlyfellillanddied.Atthe
verymomenthisspiritwasleavingitsphysicalframe,
JaimalSingh,manymilesaway,abruptlyexclaimed,
"Wahwahnipatgaye,"i.e."Well,well,itisatlast
over."
InderSingh,whohadjoinedtheregimentatJhansi,
andhaddevelopedanintimateattachmentforhisrevered
senior,becominghisfirstinitiate,wassittingwithhim.
Hewasnotalittlesurprisedbythisdramaticoutburst,
andaskedhisteacherwhatitmeant.JaimalSinghwas
reluctanttodeclarehimself."Whybotheraboutthat
whichdoesnotconcernyou?"hesaid,butwhenInder
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thatthemembersofthe24thSikhsshowedanextraordinary
interestinspiritualmatters?Itisnotanunusual
phenomenonthatthetrueholymenspreadanauraofpeace
wherevertheyare,drawingthedevoteesoftheLordtoward
themselvesandinfluencingthosearoundthem.Thisregiment
becameknownforitsreligiousinclinationsandmanyasadhu
wouldpayitavisitwhereveritwasstationed.
JaimalSinghwasalwaysinvitedwheneveranysadhupaid
avisittotheregimentalcenterorwhenanyofitsmembers
wentforthtomeetthem.WhenoncesomeoftheyoungSikh
soldiershadtobebaptizedasadultsintotheirfaith,
hewasunhesitatinglychosentoconducttheceremonyand
gaveanilluminatingdiscourseontheinnerspiritual
significanceoftheritual.Hisrecitationsfromscriptures
begangraduallytobeattendedbymoreandmorepeople,and
inlateryearsJaimalSingh,whobythenhadcometobe
popularlyaddressedas"BabaJi,""BhaiJi,"or"SantSepahi,"
oftendiscoursedbrieflyontheirtrueimport.Hismagnetic
personality,hisimpeccablecharacter,hisspiritual
masteryandhisgrowingfamegraduallydrewaroundhima
smallcircleofverydevotedfollowersfromtheregiment,
menlikeInderSingh,BaggaSingh,BhagwanSingh,etc.,
whobecamehisearliestinitiates.
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LikehisgreatGuru,JaimalSinghwasunassailable
bothinswarthaandparmartha-worldlinessandgodliness.
Hisexemplaryregularity,sobrietyandcourage,his
readinesstoshoulderresponsibilities,andhishonest
dischargeofallhisduties,forallhisquietnessand
unobtrusiveness,didnotgounnoticed.InJanuary1869he
wasawardedamedalfortherankofaNaikwhileatJhansi.
InMianmironthesameday,threeyearslater,hebecame
aHavildar;andwhenthe24thSikhswereatMultanfrom
1880onwardforthreeyears,hereceivedasecondmedal
forloyalandmeritoriousservice.Heretiredonl5th
August,1889,afterfull34yearsoffaithfuland
creditableservice;andwhenhebadehisregimentfarewell,
theheartsofallwereheavy-juniors,colleaguesand
seniors-fortheylostinhimnotjustasteady,hard-
workingcomrade,butafriend,ateacher(hetaughtGurmukhi
totheofficers)andwhatisfarrarer,anunfailingand
inspiringmoralandspiritualguide.
TheaccountsofBabaJileftbyhisarmycolleaguesand
othersareofapiecewiththerestofhislifeandcharacter.
Readingthroughthemwelearnofamanwho,whilelostin
theDivinemysteries,wasyetnotlosttotheworld.
Afellowsoldierwhohappenedtobeplacedunderhim
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whilehewasaHavildarwassurprisedthatinallthe
threeyearstheyweretogether,hedidnotoncenoticeor
hearofhisbeingoutoftemper.Hewasalwayssweet-spoken
andrefrainedfromharshnessandvulgarity.Allhis
lifeheremainedastrictvegetarianandanequallystrict
teetotaler.Andtothesewemayaddhisrigidbrahmcharya,
forheremainedacelibateallhisyears.Weddedto
devotiontoGod,heneverexperiencedtheurgetomarry,
andstoutlyresistedanyattempttocajolehiminto
matrimony.WhenhisyoungestbrotherJiwanSinghalso
enteredthearmyandexpressedhisdesiretomarry,Jaimal
Singhdidnotobject,butonlysaid,"Whyenterintothis
webwhenourfamilyisnotdestinedtocontinue?"Jiwan
Singhwasmarriedandayearlaterasonwasbornwho
diedshortly,followedbyhismother.DanSingh,the
secondbrother,whomanagedthefarm,alsohadnoissue,
andJaimal'spredictionwasthusfulfilled.
OtherqualitiesthatmarkedJaimalSinghoutofthe
generalrunofmenincludedaninexhaustiblecapacityfor
service,charityandgenerosity.LikeSwamiJi,heoften
distributedclothesandothernecessitiestotheneedyand
thewretched.Hehadnoenemiesandlookeduponallas
hisfriends.Hislovehoweverwasespeciallydirectedto
thepoor,andevenmoresotosadhusanddevoteesofthe
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Lord.Whileotherswereidlingorbusywithsport,he
soughtoutthecompanyofsuchdevotees,ministeringto
theirneedsordiscussingspiritualproblems.Neitherinhis
armylifenorevenafterwarddidhedistinguishbetween
creedandcreed,buttreatedall-Muslims,Christians,
SikhsorHindus-onanequalfooting.Whileeverready
tohelpmateriallyorspiritually,healwaysavoidedthe
limelight.Evenasachildhehadbeenknownforhis
modesty;hisshynessbeingsometimesmadeasubjectof
ridicule.Ifhemetsadhus,hecontentedhimselfwith
listeningtowhattheysaid;herarelycontradictedor
criticized.Ifhemetagenuineseeker,hewasreadyenough
todiscussandexplain,butheattributedwhateverheknew
nottoanyvirtueinhimself,buttothegraceofhis
peerlessMaster.
Hisdressandappearancewereassimpleyetelegantas
themanhimself.Ofmediumheight,somefivefeetand
sixinches,hewassturdilybuilt.Hehadaknotty
protrusiononhisforeheadabovetherighteyeandalotus
mark,symbolicoftruespirituality,onthesoleofhisright
foot.Hehadfinefeatures,wheatishcomplexionandaglowing
facewhoseruddycolorwassetoffbyarichfreelyflowing
beardwhichretaineditslustrousblacknesstothevery
end,exceptforafewstragglingstreaksofwhite.When
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notinarmyuniform,heworeawhiteturbaninJatstyle,
awhitemuslinkurta(looseshirt),andtight-fitting
pyjamasofthesamecolor.Whileinhisquarterinformally
amonghisfellows,hewouldusuallywrapakhadisheet
abouthimselftuckingitontheleftside,coverhishair
(whichwhenunloosedfelltohiswaist)withatowel,and
moveaboutinkharaon(woodensandals)orjooti(Indian
shoes).Hewassimpleinhishabitsandfrugalinhisneeds.
Milkwashisfavoriteitemoffoodandhewasparticularly
fondofgoat'smilk.Hespentlittleuponhimselfandhis
earningsweremostlyspentincharityorinsending
allowancestohisbrother.
THETORCHBEARER
BabaJaimalSingh,onretiringasaGovernment
pensionerfromthearmy,decidedtovisitthehomeofhis
incomparableMaster.SwamiJihadpassedawayin1878
ashehadhimselfforetold,butBabaJiwasgreatly
attachedtohisfamilyandhisdisciples.So,in1890,he
tooktrainfortheoldMughalcapital,andonreaching
thereproceededstraighttoPunniGali.RadhaJiwas
overjoyedtoseeSwamiJi'sbeloveddiscipleoncemore
whileChachaPartapSingh,hisyoungestbrother,was
delightedandgavehimacordialwelcome.Wordwassent
toBabaGharibDas,thenapparentlyatAgra,andhe
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hastenedtomeetthegreatsoulfromthePunjab.Whocan
describethedeepjoythatwastheirsastheygreetedand
embracedeachotherandrememberedthegreatMaster,who,
nolongerinthisphysicalplane,wasyetspirituallyever
withthem?WhocanfathomthefeelingsofsuchMasterspirits?
Theoldspiritualcomradesradiatedloveastheygreeted
eachotherandtoseethemmeetwasitselfalessoninthe
truththatGodislove.RadhaJibroughtfortharedturban
andanaasanorprayercarpetwhichSwamiJihadleftwith
herbeforehispassingawayasalastgifttohisgurmukh
disciple.ChachaPartapSinghthenbroughtagaddiand
beggedBabaJitobeseated.Buthewouldnothearofit
andcommenting,"Iamonlyadogofthishouseblessedto
beadmittedwithinitswalls,"keptstanding.
ChachaPartapSinghprotestedandpersisted,buttono
avail.AtlastRadhaJiintervenedandendedthe
controversybysaying,"JaimalSinghisindeedakhatau
(worthy)sonofSwamiJi,whohasmadethemostofthe
capitalentrustedtohim.Hehasbestowedhimwiththe
LordshipofSatLok.Sowhyshouldhecareforearthly
gaddis?"Whenmealswereover,BabaJiinsistedonwashing
theutensils."Thishomeformeisatemple,foritwashere
thatIgotenlightenment.Myonlyambitionistoserve
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thishouse."ButRadhaJiwouldnothearofit."Youmay
doasyoupleasesomeotherday,"shedeclared,"but
todayyoumustabidebywhatIsay."
Nextday,accompaniedbyChachaPartapSinghand
BabaGharibDas,BabaJaimalSinghJiproceededtoRai
Saligram-abeloveddiscipleofSwamiJi-whohadbeen
entrustedafterhimwiththeworkatAgraandcarriedon
hisdiscoursesatPipalMandi,wherehewaspopularly
knownasHazurMaharaj.Herejoicedatthevisitand
receivedthehonoredguestfromGhumanwithrespect
andaffection.ThetwoembracedafterwhichHazurMaharaj
drewBabaJitowardthegacdionwhichhehadbeen
sittinginordertoseathimnexttohimself.Butwith
characteristichumility,hedeclinedthehonorandseated
himselfonthefloor.
ThethirddayHazurMaharajpresentedBabaJiwith
arichsilkenrobeembroideredwithgold.He,however,
wouldnothearofit."Whathasasimplefarmerlikeme
todowithsuchpreciousfabrics?Khadisuitsmebetter."
"Howcanyousaysuchthings,"protestedthehost,"when
SwamiJihasmadeyouakingofSpiritualityandentrusted
youwithhismissioninthePunjab?"SeeingthatBabaJi
wouldnotgiveway,hefinallysuggested:"Verywell,if
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youwillnotacceptthisrobe,atleastdomethehonorof
puttingitononce,afterwhichIwouldkeepitasaprized
souvenir."Onhearingthis,ChachaPartapSinghdeclared
thathehadapriorrightandshouldbeallowedtohave
thedressafterBabaJaimalSinghhaddonnedit.Atlast
RadhaJisteppedinandinterceded.HowcouldJaimal
Singhresistanylonger?Suchlove!Suchhonor!What
mortalcoulddeserveit?ItwasallthegraceofhisMaster.
Withtearsinhiseyes,hetooktherobefromRadhaJi's
handsandplaceditreverentlyonhishead,recitingthe
versesfromtheGranthSahib,beginning:
Maenav-ghun,gunnahinkoi...
Iamunworthy;andnovirtueisinme...
Aweekpassedbyinthisfashionand,havingpaidhis
homagetotheplacewherehehadreceivedspiritual
illumination,BabaJaimalSinghpreparedtodepart.He
invitedBabaGharibDastojoinhim,andthelatter
graciouslyacceptedtheinvitation.Thepartysetforth
forthePunjabandwhentheyarrivedatGhuman,
scripturalrecitationsanddiscourseswerearrangedin
theirhonor.JiwanSingh'smarriagewasathand,andthere
wasfeastingandrejoicing.Thevillagerskeenlyenjoyedthe
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talksgivenbythetwospiritualfriendsandthedaysrolled
bytillBabaGharibDashadtoleave.JaimalSingh
accompaniedhimtotheBeasRailwayStationandbadehima
touchingfarewellasheleftbytrain.
BabaJicontinuedtobeonveryfriendlytermswith
SwamiJi'sdisciplesandwiththemembersofhisfamily.
TherewasgreatmutualrespectandesteemandBabaJi's
visittoMurreein1894wasmadeattheinvitationofsome
Agrasatsangis.ButafterthepassingawayofHazurMaharaj
RaiSaligramJi,thingsbegantoundergoachange.Amove
wasmadetobringallactivitiesunderthecontrolof
PanditBrahmShankarMisra(aliasMaharajSahib)through
thecreationofaCentralAdministrativeCouncil
atSoamibagh.BabaJiwasnominatedalongwithnine
othersforthefirstpaneloftheCouncil.Theletter
senttoBabaJaimalSinghbyChachaPartapSinghfrom
Allahabadontheoccasion,dated4thAugust,1902,
nominatinghimassuch,isonrecord.(*4)
(*4ChachaPatapSinghJi'sletterdatedAugust4,1902:
"BelovedoftheSatguru,purifiedbyShabd,pureoffaceand
intellect,BabaJaimalSinghJi.
Ihavereceivedyourletterandwasverygladtoreadits
contents.Andthestonewhichyousuggestedwillbeputinthe
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building.Youmaybeassuredaboutthat.Myson,SuchetSingh,has
comebackonpension.Iam,however,sorrytonotethatthereis
atendencyofformingdifferentsectsandcliquesinourSatsang,
andthatallsatsangisarenotinharmonywitheachother.For
thispurposeIhavecomehere(toAllahabad).
WehavedecidedthataRadhaSwamiSatsangCentralAssociation
shouldbestarted.PanditJi(BrahmShankarMisra)hasinsisted
thatIshouldbeitsPresidentandhewillbetheVice-President;
thatLalaAjodhiaPrashad,sonofHazurSahibMaharajm(Rai
BahadurSaligram)andeightothers,aswellasyourself,should
bemembers.Or,inwhatevermanneranytenmemberscanbe
selectedbytheSatsangisbyavoteofmajority.Iam,therefore,
sendingyouapamphletcontainingacompletedescriptionabout
thisCentralAssociation,andcansendyouanynumberofcopies
asmayberequired.Pleasesendinstructionstoallyoursatsangis
thattheyshouldsanctionthefollowingtennamesandendorse
thesepamphletsintokenoftheirnomination.IfyouhaveSatsangis
infar-offplaces,theyshouldalsobeaskedtoactaccordingly.
Iamgivingbelowthenamesofthetenmembersreferredtoabove:
1.LalaAjodhiaPrashad(sonofRaiSaligram).
2.PanditBrahmShankarMisraSahib.
3.LalaBaleshwarParshad.
4.LalaMadhoParshad.
5.RaiIshwarSahai,aliasRajaSahib.
6.LalaSuchetSingh(sonofChachaPartapSingh).
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7.BabaJaimalSinghJiSahib.
8.LalaSudershanSingh(anothersonofPratapSingh).
9.MunshiHargobindDayaSahib.
10.Mr.BoolChandSahib.
ItisexpectedthatbytheconstitutionofthisSociety,different
groupsandcliqueswilldisappearandsatsangiswillloveeachather
asbrothers.
KindlysendthislettertoBabuSawanSinghalsoforhis
information.")
BabaJi,however,wasreluctanttojointheCouncilas
hefeltthechangesthatweretakingplaceaboutthistime
amongtheAgrasatsangiswerenotinconsonancewithSwami
Ji'steachings.HealsoobjectedtoandopposedMaharaj
Sahib'splanforbuildingamagnificentsamadhinmemory
ofSwamiJi,becausehefeltthatsohumbleaspiritas
hisMasterwouldneverhavecountenancedsuchaproject.
WhenhewenttoAgraaboutthistime,heopenlyexplained
hispointofviewbutMaharajSahibwasnottobedissuaded.
Findinghimselfnolongerwellreceivedandhiswordsofno
avail,hereturnedtoBeasanddecidedtoremainalooffrom
theactivitiesoftheCouncilatSoamibagh.
DuringhismilitarycareerBabaJaimalSingh,whenever
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hehadanyleave,spentpartofitatGhuman.Thoughdetached
fromworldlyties,hewasyetveryfondofhismother.Onone
occasionhewastotelladevoteddisciplethatintheirpast
threelives,heandhismotherhadenjoyedthesamerelationship.
Onsuchoccasionswhenhecametohisancestralhome,itwas
hiswontnottowastetimeinneedlessgossipandidling,but
toproceedtothebanksoftheBeasandsithiddeninthe
gulliesthatthewaywardriverhadcreatedbyitsfreakish
changesofcourse,andcontinuelostinspiritualdevotion
fordays,subsistingonlyonafewdrychapatisthathe
broughtfromhomeandhungonakikartree.
Atothertimeswhenhewasathomehewouldwalkdownto
DeraBabaNamdevandcarryonhismeditationsthereorin
adugoutinthecourtyardofthefamilyhouse.Thishouse
anddugoutwerepreservedlongafterBabaJi'sdeath,and
hissuccessor,HazurBabaSawanSinghJiMaharaj,would
sometimestakehisclosestdisciplestoGhumanandshow
themthespotwherehisgreatGuruusedtositfor
meditation.Inparticularhewouldpointoutthepegon
thewallbehindthedugoutwhereBabaJiwouldtieuphis
hairinordertowardoffsleepduringabhyasa.
Justashisfellowsoldierslearnedintimetorespect
andrevereBabaJaimalSingh,inlikemannertheinhabitants
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ofGhumancamegraduallytorecognizehisgreatspiritual
stature.Hisearlychildhooddevotionhadalreadybecome
alocallegend;andwhenevertheSantSipahicame,the
localfolkflockedtoseehimandhiscompanywassought
byyoungandold,whosoeverwasspirituallyinclined.Mistri
ElahiBakshandBhaiLehna,whohadbeenhisboyhoodfriends,
werethefirsttoseekhisspiritualguidance.Hecommended
theirzeal,butsaidthatthetimewasnotyetripefor
theirinstruction.Manyyearslaterwhenhefeltthatthe
hourhadcome,heputthemontheinnerpathandtheywere
amonghisearliestGhumandisciples.
AfterhisretirementBabaJi,oncomingtohisnative
village,continuedhisoldhabitofgoingtoBeasriver-
sideforhissadhnas.Theyearsimmediatelyfollowingthe
closeofhisarmylifewerelargelyspentinthismanner.
OncewhileatAmritsarwithHakimNandLal,hementioned
thathewasinsearchofaquietplaceinthewilderness
wherehecouldsettledownandcarryonhismeditation.
LalaKhazanaMal,amoney-lenderwhowasalsopresent,
suggestedthatsuchaplacecouldbefoundbetweenthe
villagesofVairachandBalsaraionthebanksofBeas
wherehecarriedonhisbusiness.BabaJi,whohadalready
beenattachedtothearea,acceptedthesuggestion.This
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wastheplacewhereKahan,aGod-intoxicatedman,met
BabaJiinhisearlylifesayinghewaspreparingaplace
forhiminthedaystocome.
MeanwhileBabaChandaSingh,whotoohadreceived
instructionsatthefeetofSwamiJi,passedaway.Inhis
lastmomentsBibiRukko,averydevoteddisciple,asked
himwhatwastobecomeofher."Fearnot,mychild,"replied
thesage,"anothergreaterthanmyselfshalltakecare
ofyou.""WhereshallIfindhim,Sir?"askedRukko.
"Findhim?No,youshallhavenoneed,forhehimselfwill
seekyouout."
ShortlybeforeBabaJicametosettledownonthe
banksoftheBeas,BibiRukko,whowasthenlivingat
Vairachandwasfairlywelladvancedspiritually,toldthe
villagersthatherprotectorwascomingtolivethere.When
BabaJaimalSingharrived,hefoundasmallhutbuiltout
ofstrawandbranchesforhim,abareeightfeetbyeight
feet,andhebeganlivingthere.SoonafterKhazanaMal
arrived,andhearingthatBabaJihadcome,cametosee
him.Hehadthehutplasteredwithmudandacavedug
out.Itwastheyear1891andBabaJigavehimselfup
withredoubledzealtohisspiritualsadhnas.Hewould
enterthecaveandstayinitfordaysonend,sometimesas
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longasafortnightwithoutanythoughtforfood,raptin
innersamadhi.
ThoughBabaJishunnedthepublicgaze,yetmusk
cannotbehiddeninthedark.Hemighthavenocarefor
earthlynameandfamebutnameandfamefelltohisshare
inspiteofthis.Fameofhisspiritualgreatnesshad
alreadyspreadfromGhumantotheneighboringvillages;
andgoingfordarshantoaholymanisanancient
institutioninthislandofthesages.Wheretherehadbeen
wilderness,peoplebeganappearinginevergrowingnumbers
andregularSatsangsbegantotakeplace.HowcouldBaba
Jiturnawaythosewhohadcometohisdoor?Inall
simplicityandhumilityhetaughtthemthespiritual
messagethathehadreceivedatthefeetofSwamiJi.Many
amoneyedmanbeggedhimtobepermittedtobuildpucca
quartersforhim,buthe,richinhisownhumility,
continuedinhissimpleaustereways.
ToundertaketowritethebiographyofaSaintisto
attempttheimpossible.Ifitistodorealjusticetoits
subject,itmustfollowtheinnermovementsthatdefy
observation,analysisandformulation.Youmaytakeupthe
lifeofagreatartist,writer,soldierorstatesman,andif
youareamanofdeepunderstandingandimagination,you
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mayreincarnateitinwordsgivingavividpictureofthe
psychologicalconflictsandresolutionsinvolved.Butthe
Saintsatoneleaphavepassedfromthisworldtoanother
andhavecasttheirtentsininaccessiblerealms.Fewmen
havereachedthere;andthosethathaveenteredhavebeen
wrappedinsilence.
Whenthepensettopicturingthisstation
Itbrokeinpiecesandthepagewastorn.
Thestudyoftheprogressofthemysticsoulisbeyondthe
reachofordinarymortals,andthosethathavebeenon
theinnerjourneycanonlyspeakinmetaphorandparable,
forhowelsecanthelanguageofcommonhumanitybe
compelledtoexpressexperiencesforwhichitwasnever
fashioned?ThehistorythenofaMasterSoul,asfiredby
arestlesszeal,whichmovesfromplanetoplane,must
remainanunwrittenone;atbestitcanonlygivethehusk
ofoutereventsandhappeningstosuggesttheunusual
natureofthespiritualexperiencestheyunfold.Andonce
suchasoulhasattainedfullenlightenmentandbecome
onewiththeInfinite,itshistoryisnolongeritsown,but
isthehistoryofthosethatcameunderitsspellandwere
liberatedfromworldlybondage.
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ThestoryofBabaJi'slifeafterhisgreatsearchhad
beencrownedwithsuccessisthestorynotsomuchofhis
owndevelopmentasofthemanysoulsthatbenefitedfrom
him.ThusMianChiragDinrelatesthestoryofhismaternal
grandfather,MistriElahiBaksh,ofwhomwehave
alreadyspoken.
Elahi,achildhoodfriendofBabaJi,showedgreat
interestinspiritualmattersandwoulddiscussthemwith
himwhenhe(BabaJi)wouldcomehomeonleavefromhis
regiment.OncewhenBabaJi,knowninhisvillageas
"Bhai,"wasinGhuman,Elahisawhimapproachingin
thecompanyofasadhu.Alivelydiscussionwasin
progressandwhenElahiwishedtoknowitstheme,hewas
toldthatthesadhuinsistedthatBrahmandwasthehighest
ofallheavensinspiteofthefactthatBabaJiassured
himthattherewerehigherrealms.Onhearingthis,Elahi
turnedtothesadhuandwithsolemnconvictionsaid:
"Reveredsir,BhaiJiisabsolutelyright.Thereareindeed
regionshigherthanthoseofwhichyouknow."
Thissilencedthesadhuandhewentaway.Whenthe
friendswereleftalone,BabaJithankedElahiforhis
friendlyinterventionandadded,"Butitisstrangethatyou
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nevertoldmeofyouraccesstotheinnerspiritualrealms."
"WhoeversaidIhadaccesstothem?"
"Butthenhowcouldyouspeakwithsuchconviction?"
"Oh,Bhai,Ionlyknowthatamanofrealizationcan
neverutterafalsehood.SohowcouldIdoubtwhatyou
said?"
BabaJiwassomovedbyhisfriend'sspontaneousand
deep-rootedfaiththathetoldhim,"Ishallunlocktoyou
treasuresofwhichfeweverdreamandwhichfewerattain."
Hetookhimstraighttoanearbypondandinitiatedhim
intotheSuratShabdYogaonitsbank.However,Elahihad