PACHMI PARKASH - Global Sikh Studies

them, that the time had come for them to leave. Many of the devotees emotionally
broke down and began to cry as many others were left trying to hold back their tears.
Baba Ji said, “Dear Beloveds! Don’t be sad the body is a thing that comes and goes,
who ever has come in a bodily vessel never remain here forever. We must stay in the
Eternal Lords will, as they have now given their instructions to me, so it is my time to
go.”
The devotees unable to do anything except to obey the wish of their beloved
protector, with love reluctantly went into the free kitchen. Meanwhile Baba Ji went
quietly into another room in which lay the bed and belongings of Baba Karam Singh
Ji Maharaj. (This was the bed on which Baba Karam Singh Ji Maharaj would sit when
in congregation with the devotees.) Paying their last respects to the memory of their
father and his belongings, they bowed down placing their head against the bed. Then
overcome with deep emotion their memory played backed their sweet time in Baba
Karam Singh Ji Maharaj’s presence. The tears ran down their beautiful radiant face
onto the bed as surrounded with the presence of Baba Karam Singh Ji Maharaj they
made a humble request saying "Maharaj! Please grant me leave, with your blessing
whatever service you have granted me I have completed at this site. Please forgive my
mistakes and protect my honour, bless me with a place at your lotus feet by cutting
my cycle of life and death.”
After these sweet loving words Baba Ji began to cry intensely, his emotions overtook
him as deep from within, from an everlasting fountain of love his innocence was
revealed. At this time Sant Ram Singh Ji and Sant Mahja Singh Ji and other close
disciples were standing in the doorway and on seeing Baba Ji’s emotion they also
found themselves unable to control their tears. Sant Ram Singh Ji with tears in his
eyes requested saying, “O King of the poor! The devotees are awaiting your presence,
please be seated in your throne so we may take you out to your hut as the food is
ready to be served.”
Baba Ji controlling his emotions picked himself up went and sat into the throne but
before leaving for their hut they gave word to Bhawan Das, Sant Ram Singh Ji, Sant
Mahja Singh Ji and the a few of the other disciples to go ahead and serve the food.
Many of the close devotees and disciples previously on a few occasions, seeing Baba
Ji’s deteriorating health, had asked them that if they were to leave, then who would
they leave in there place. But Baba Ji hadn’t given an answer until today. Baba Ji
informed the devotees and disciples saying, “Dear devotees, you are the image of
Guru Ji! And together you are capable enough to choose whomever you think
appropriate to be seated in my place. As this is a site belonging to unmarried Saints
and will always continue to be so.” With these words Baba Ji then went to rest, taking
some warm milk with medicine.
Finally the day came forth, it was now 11am, Sunday 28 Asu (month of September)
the year 1975 Bikhrami (1918 Christian calendar), and after giving their final vision
to sweet devotees of Hoti Mardan, Dhan Baba Aaya Singh Ji Maharaj went and lay
down on their bed and completely covered themselves with a blanket, also covering
their face. The last words spoken by Baba Ji were, “Vaheguru! Vaheguru! Vaheguru!”
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