PACHMI PARKASH - Global Sikh Studies

I have earned the profit with the Saints, and the treasure filled to over-flowing with
devotion to the Lord. ||2||
Baba Ji was an absolute follower of the above words as when he would return back
for his hut he would sit with the Saints exchanging sweet words, asking if they needed
anything and then again before leaving for his hut he would go and see them gracing
them with his presences. The Saints from the groups were greatly pleased with the
love and respect shown to them by all and were especially impressed with the
traditions of the Hoti camp. After staying at the camp, the Saints approached Baba Ji
asking for leave explaining their wishes of doing a pilgrimage (Yatra) at the Kumbh
in Haridwar. Baba Ji replied to the leader of the group saying “Great soul! You
yourselves are a traveling pilgrimage!”
Panna 331: Says Kabeer, I have become depressed,
Is the sacred shrine of pilgrimage greater, or the slave of the Lord? ||3||42||
Baba Ji asked them to stay a while longer explaining as wherever they would go they
would always be in that bliss.
Panna 679: The Saints are in ecstasy everywhere.
But again the leader of the Saints replied politely that this intention was something
that all of them wished to complete. Baba Ji asked again for them to stay for a few
more days saying that after which he would agree to anything that they wished to do.
After the passing of these few days, they again asked for leave as some of the Saints
were especially anxious to arrive at Haridwar early. When the leader of the group
asked the second time, Baba Ji said “Saint Ji, why do you rush, stay and give your
presence here as the Kumbh this year would not be in full blossom as there will be
chaos and sickness there and those who have gone will return early. With Guru
Nanak’s Dev Ji’s blessing we will give you a vision of the Kumbh and the chance to
bath in the Ganges here.” Listening to Baba Ji’s words, those with faith stayed but
many decided to continue with their journey making their way to the Kumbh.
It was the month of Chet (which falls in March) and the day of Maiya and Suraj
Grahan was going to occur and the start of the New Year, so already there was a huge
gathering at the Kumbh. Now with yet 8 days to go before the Kumbh bathing, a
sudden epidemic of illness broke out in Haridwar caused by the huge gathering and
lack of sanitation.
The government spread the news of the Kumbh being cancelled; those that were on
their way were stopped in their tracks and told to go back. All the train stations had
stopped all trains and ticket sales whilst those who were already there, ran away
saving themselves. News had traveled everywhere soon reaching Hoti of the Kumbh
being cancelled and no one was allowed into Haridwar. Many of the people went
straight home but many decided to make their way to Hoti Mardan instead to be
blessed with Baba Ji’s presence, as stated earlier that completing a pilgrimage is the
same as having the vision of a complete Saint. Soon the devotees began to arrive in
droves all for vision of Dhan Baba Karam Singh Ji Maharaj.
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