PACHMI PARKASH - Global Sikh Studies

Again with folded hands he asked, “Maharaj! I don’t know how to do any other job.
Only by singing do I earn my living as for the past day or two I have lost my voice
and I cannot earn my living, please bless me and make my voice better so I may earn
my living.”
Now coming into the house of truth and asking for such a frivolous wish was not
worth while. Baba Ji laughed and shed some wisdom on to this lost soul saying, “Son!
One who sells precious items does not sell red chilies and from a foul indecent shop
one cannot buy carrots or white radish; this is the home of true Saints, which is the
true shop of the Lords true gift. Only those who give everything shall in return
purchase the one true and most precious thing.”
With hands still folded the entertainer said, “I have come to you after hearing great
things, so please don’t let me leave empty handed, have pity! Where else can a sinner
like me go? I only have you to turn to.”
Now Baba Ji began to think of the story of Bhumiya a thief. When Guru Nanak Ji
Maharaj met him they didn’t shout or insult him they never even demanded that he
should stop stealing, but instead used a very clever method of giving him four
teachings to follow, which took him away from stealing saying:
: If you wish to steal, don’t steal from the poor.
: If you eat the salt of any household don’t wish them bad.
: Always speak the truth.
: And always look after the poor.
By living by these four teachings Dhan Guru Nanak Ji Maharaj put Bhumiya on the
path of a Saint. Now this was the very same door of Guru Nanak Ji Maharaj and
coming to this door no one ever returns empty handed. Baba Ji not wanting him to
suffer or go begging at another’s door, told him that if he wished his voice to get
better, then from now on he should stop singing vulgar songs. Instead he should give
people good teachings through his songs for which he would also receive way more
money from the audience.
Listening to these wise words the entertainer was very pleased; he paid his respects
and took leave. Now with Baba Ji’s blessings his voice he had lost was back to
normal by the evening and from that day on he never ever sang such foul songs again
instead sang songs of a positive nature and truly enough in return people gave him
more money then he had ever received. Eventually as people began to show him great
respect for his teachings he looked back and felt ashamed of how he made his living
but he knew this was all Baba Ji’s sweet blessings and eventually with deep love and
emotion he gave up everything and when and sat in peace in the True Lords love and
meditation.
Dhan Baba Karam Singh Ji Maharaj
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