HOTI MARDAAN
Baba Karam Singh Ji was born in 1828 at village Kazipur, District Rawalpindi(now in Pakistan). Bhai Kirpa Singh, of a thorough spiritual nauture, was his father.Bibi Subi Kaur was his mother.
From early childhood, Baba Ji would sit aloof and did not talk much.He did not mix with other children.He was taught Gurmukhi and Gurbani by his father.He took very keen interest in Gurbani from his very childhood.
Baba Ji joins the Sikh Army.
When Baba Ji was 16 years old, he joined the Sikh Army maintained by the Government of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.When the Punjab was captured by the British rulers, they established a cantonment at Hoti Mardan. A regiment called the “Guide Regiment” was posted at Hoti Mardan. Baba Ji joined this regiment. The truthful life of Baba Ji influenced the officers of this regiment and soon he was promoted as Pay Havaldar. Baba Ji, with his saintly habits won the respect of all.He used to help the needy as much as he could and was fond of rendering honorary services to all.
Bhai Lal Singh.
When Bhai Lal Singh, a devoted follower of Baba Karam Singh Ji Hoti Mardan wale during the time Baba Karam Singh Ji Hoti Mardan wale left service, came to Hoti Mardan and wanted to join this regiment. It was necessary for him to get a “verification certificatewhich He could not procure.So he became very dejected and wanted to return back. Baba Ji met him when he was going back and encouraged him, assuring him that the needful identification would be given by him.Baba Ji brought Bhai Lal Singh back and got him enrolled in his Regeiment after the necessary identification etc, was provided.This Bhai Lal Singh served Baba Ji as his most sincere sevadar till his last breath.
Baba ji gave protection to a rich muslim family.
After the Mutiny of 1857 was over and the Britishers had again established their losing position, the “Guide Regiment was ordered to go to delhi.After Delhi was captured,according to the then prevailing custom, the soldiers were allowed to loot Delhi, which was captured with their help.The whole city was mercilessly looted. Baba ji did not take part in this.While he was standing outside the house of a rich muslim lady, she entreated Baba Ji to save her and her family.Baba Ji as usual was ever ready to help such persons.He assured the lady that no harm would come to her and that He would stand there and keep watch and see that none entered the house.Baba Ji remained there till the evening.When the looting of Delhi came to an end, the lady with her family members opened the door and brought Baba ji inside her house.She brought a big tray full of diamonds and gold mohars etc and respectfully offered these to Baba Ji by way of expressing thanks.Baba Ji smiled at this and observed, “It is my religious duty to save the helpless.I do not want anything.You may pray to God that I may obtain His and my Satguru's Grace”.So saying He left the house.
Baba Ji's restraint from maya
Many soilders of Baba Ji's village came with rich booty and their families were happy to receive the same.However, as Baba Ji had brought nothing, so his mother observed,”Why have you not brought riches from Delhi?”Baba Ji replied “ It is against my religion to rob others. I find that your love is for mammon or maya.I shall do what my Satguru directs me to do”.Baba Ji left the house and again came to his regiment. He never went his house and became a True Servant of the Satguru. His firm belief was that only God and Satguru were True relations and worldly relations are selfish and creations of Maya (mammon) became more firm.
The Daily Religious Routine at Hoti Mardan.
Now Baba Ji returned to his Regiment.He spent the entire time after his official duties in reciting Gurbani and remembrance of the Satguru. He continuously spent this time all alone in meditation.He used to get up very early morning.He would go to the nearby stream, take bath and sit on its bank.He would first recite Sukhmani Sahib and other divine hymns of daily routine. His spiritual status became higher day by day.Sometimes, He used to come late to his Regiment, as He used to forget everything except God and the Satguru while sitting in meditation. Slowly His fame asa a spiritual and saintly person spread and even his officers began to treat him with respect.
Some Miraculous Happenings.
Accoerding to Gurbani, supernatural powers do serve the saints.This happened in the case of Sant Baba Karam Singh Ji of Hoti Mardan without his wishes or his asking. These supernatarul powers automatically seved him and his humble servants. Many strange phenomena were seen by the officers and soldiers etc. One day a complaint was was made against him by a Sepoy to the Colonel of the Regiment that Baba ji was not present on his duty.The Colonel came and found Baba Ji attending his duty.In fact Baba Ji did not come to attend it and remained absorbed in meditation for a long time. In his absence God and Satguru had maintained the honour of Baba Ji. This happened due to Divine Grace.
Satguru Gobind Singh Ji attended
the parade in place of Baba Ji.
Once a very Senior Military Officer had to come to make special inspection of this Regiment. A big Parade of the entire Regiment was arranged in his honour.Baba Ji took such unusual time in devotion and meditation, while He was at the stream, He entirely forgot about this parade and remained silent.
Now the parade took place.Every soldier and officer took part in it.But what about Baba Ji?In his place, a heavely brilliant figuru just like Baba Karam Singh Ji stood on duty at the parade. The Uniform of Sant Karam Singh Ji was more beauitiful than the others. His parade was excellent. The officer, who came from Lahaoore was amazed and was so much aatracted that He at once ordered immediate promotion of Baba Ji.
Baba Ji leaves the Regiment.
When Baba Ji came back, He was thinking that some punishment would be awarded to him for remaining absent from duty on such an important parade day. He met other sepoys of the Regiment. They congratulated him on his special promotion. He heard the whole story and was so much affected that he became totally silent.At once He saw Satguru Gobind Singh Ji and was convinced that the Satguru came and joined the parade in his place.He was now determined to leave service and to continuously serve the true master throughout his life. He met the Colonel and told him that he would not serve him and would leave the regiment. He gave his resignation.Despite a good lot of of persuation by the Colonel and assurances that more privileges would be given to him, he wanted to leave the job.
Under Divine inspiration, Baba Ji observed, “ See your register, my name is not there”.The roll was sent for and the Colonel was amazed that Baba Ji's name was not there.He was also afraid that some unnatural phenomena had happened.He was forced to accept the resignation. He and the other soilders requested Baba to take hie residence near the cantonment so that they might get his grace by often meeting him.
LONG AND UNUSUAL MEDIATATION
AND
DEVOTION TO THE SATGURU AND GOD
Now Baba Ji began residing in an underground room(Gufa) made by him specially for remaining attached in deep spiritual meditation. This Gufa was situated near Kalpani Stream running through small hillocks, not very far off from the cantonment.Baba JI's daily programme was to remain in deep meditation, reciting the mool mantar, the fundamental spell given at the beginning of Sri Jap JI Sahib.During night, He would remain standing in the water of the strwam, fully engaged in recitation of Divine Hymns. Bhai Lal Singh, Sepoy, who has been referred to above used to bring food for Baba Ji ansd serve him as his humble servant.
In a short time, the divine powers appeared to serve Baba Ji but He did not want these. His sole aim was to merge with the Satguru and the Supreme Being during his lifetime. It was natural that Baba Ji's fame as a True saint spread all over.People used to come over to meet him to enjoy his sight.On the request of the Sangat Baba Ji with reluctance agreed that four or five kacha rooms be built for giving shelter to them.Baba Ji ordered that burnt bricks mus not be used.One room was built for Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In this way the Dera of baba Ji at Hoti Mardan came into existence..He continuously resided here, except on one occasion when He visited Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar and remained there for some months.
He would, at the request of sincere devotees, visit their places on the occasion of the Akhand Paaths.
The Free Kitchen
Now a Langar or free kitchen was established.Food used to be served twenty four hoours a day.The food was of the best quality.
Baba Ji was so kind that many personssuffering from incurable diseases were cured with his divine glance.Food for Baba Ji was taken to the Gufa at noon.Baba Ji used to take on his palm one ot two loaves of bread and would return the remaining for mixing it with the Langar.He delared that half eaten food be should not mixed with the Langar but only pure food should be mixed.
ENMITY OF THE PATHANS
The Pathans of the area became jealous and wanted to cause harm to Baba J and the Dera. Once a Pathan held a sword at night time in an attempt to injure Baba Ji.The arm of the Pathan stiffened and He could not move.He made several attempts but He found that Baba Ji was protected by supernatural powers.This was followed by several attempts by other Pathans, Hoever, they were unsuccessful as each time they found that Baba Ji was surrounded by figures in white robes.Baba Ji was always protected by the Almighty and satguru.
The Pathans made a plan to abduct Baba Ji and carru him in a palanquin to the territory beyond the rule of Britishers.This group started to carry out the nefarious job.However, they began quarrelling with each other as to how the ransom money was to be distributed amongst them.They fought and caused injuries to one another on this question.
Such attempts always faled.Once the Pathans wanted to cross the stream to reach the Gufa of Baba Ji.The water level was very low, but in no time it rose very high and it became impossible for them
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