PACHMI PARKASH - Global Sikh Studies

CHAPTER TWO
The Beginning of Hoti camp
During this time Sant Lal Singh Ji also retired from the Army and accepted his
pension of 7 rupees a month, continued to spend all his time in Baba Ji’s service,
Baba Ji did not like the attention that the beloved congregation gave, instead
preferring being alone in peace enjoying his own bliss so no one would disturb his
meditations.
On one occasion accompanied by Sant Lal Ji the elders of the village came to see
Baba Ji, consisting of beloved Saen Dita Ji, Sardar Sant Singh Ji from Gujar Garri and
Bhai Ishar Das, paying their humble requests saying, "Maharaj Ji because of our
deeds you have had to come on to this area, in which the Pataans are very oppressive
and to Hindu’s are especially very aggressive. They think that beating and robbing
these Hindu’s is a great deed, but with your presence and blessings these devilish
souls have become angelic souls and have learned to love all of us. It seems that The
Lord on hearing our voices for help sent you. If it pleases you, give us your blessing
so we may build a rest house for the sangat that comes to see you.”
Listening to them, Baba Ji closed his eyes and went into what seemed to be a deep
spiritual state, contemplating over this idea. After a while Baba Ji gave the decision
that it was acceptable, as it was the wish of the congregation, continuing to explain
that this was not their wish but that they could not refuse the congregation’s wish but
stated that within worldly situations; the bliss of being one with God is felt less.
All these premi’s again did benti saying, “You are the one who rescued us, as The
Creator has sent you to save us. We beloved come to you to fulfill our wishes and we
come to you with this wish, so with your kirpa please fulfill it for us, as you are like
Raja Janak, a complete Raja Yogi and Parvitee can’t even touch you for you are in
equilibrium.
Listening to their request Baba Ji said, “As you wish.” granting their wish, the
congregation overwhelmed in joy cried shouts of victory in Baba Ji’s name. In a short
time the elders dug a well out and Sant Lal Ji began to take responsibility for the food
and made this a free kitchen and so the continuous flow of congregation began. The
personnel from the Army would also come to prepare and serve the food from the free
kitchen. On holidays very large numbers began gathering in Baba ji’s presence and
the temple grounds would bustle like a town bazaar, it increased to such an extent that
more rooms for the congregation had to be constructed and cows were purchased to
accommodate the needs of the congregation as many traveled great distances to Hoti.
Baba Ji’s pilgrimage
As the hustle and bustle increased at the temple ground, Baba Ji began to feel a sense
of melancholy as all he wished for was to do his meditation in his own bliss with no
attention as that was why he had left the Army. Baba Ji saw all of this as a distraction
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