PACHMI PARKASH - Global Sikh Studies

But the knower of all hearts, Baba Ji was fully aware of what was going to happen
days in advance and had already had the disciples of Hoti prepare all the rooms at the
Hoti camp. Tents were erected which had be provided by the regiment that Baba Ji
had once served in. The near by villages had provided all the food necessary and those
who had already been allocated duties for the annual celebration, arrived and took
control of their duties.
Baba Ji had given instructions to the cook that the kitchen cooking fires should be
kept burning around the clock so food could be served continuously. Now for three
days this meeting of Saints and devotees continued attended by many renowned
Saints, spiritual intellects and scholars as well as many Ragi singers, so in a non stop
spiritual bliss this program continued. Those Saints, who had stubbornly left the Hoti
camp and insistent on making their way to Haridwar also returned and took full
advantage of this great meeting, showering themselves in the Lords grace. Now as the
days passed the month of Chet was coming to an end and with the coming of Vaisaak
came its celebrations, which was when the Haridwar Kumbh bathing was done in the
river Ganges.
A chance to bathe in the Ganges
Now had come the celebrations of Vaisaak and the devotees were still at the camp in
large numbers and many decided to stay for these celebrations. Dhan Guru Granth
Sahib Ji Maharaj the Lords word was presence on a beautiful stage with a natural soft
breeze doing chaur over them; Baba Ji also sat near by giving their presence to the
devotees. The whole sangat sat captured in the sweet flow of Amrit nectar that flowed
in the atmosphere, whilst the Lords free kitchen continued endlessly.
The program had began at 4am in the morning and was to continue till five in the
evening after which Baba Ji was taken in their throne back to his hut on the banks of
the river where he bathed and recited his evening prays. Langar for Baba Ji and the
rest of the sangat was served outside. After which Baba Ji sat by the river bank along
with all the traveling Saints and their leader, and in a soft and respectful tone Baba Ji
asked, “So Saint Ji! Did the Kumbh Mela happen or not?” Listening to Baba Ji’s
words all the Saints said,” O Lord! We’ve had the opportunity to listen to spiritually
knowledgeable souls and have been blessed with your pure vision but our one wish of
bathing in the Ganges has not been completed.” Baba Ji looking deep into their hearts
realized that they were still stuck in Karam Khand, thinking that bathing at religious
sites are some how different to the vision of a complete Saint.
At that moment Baba Ji got up and taking the leader of the group with him he walked
a little further towards the edge of the river bank and said to him that if that was their
wish, then he should call all the Saints of his group over so they may bath in the water
of the Ganges and so their wish may be fulfilled.
Panna 890: That is the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage, where the Holy place
their feet, and that is heaven, where the Naam is chanted.
Standing at the river bank, Baba Ji instructed some disciples to dig a hole a couple of
feet deep at which point all of a sudden the pure waters of the Ganges sprang up out
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