SANT BABA AJIT SINGH JI – JATHA BHINDRAN PATNA SAHIB (1921-2012)
Baba Ji was born in Jasee Pind In Batinda Panjab 1921. They were like any normal healthy child until they reached the age of 5 when Baba ji fell ill with a rare skin condition. His condition worsened and his eyesight was heavily affected. By the age of 5, Baba ji had lost their sight completely.
With time, Baba ji’s relationship with their parents began to weaken as they felt the love and affection normally received was fading. In turn, Baba ji sensed they were burdening their parents. Their condition meant that finding work or getting married was near impossible, and so everything pointed to an unhopeful future. Ruefully, Baba ji decided to leave home and embark on a journey to begin a solitarily life.
At the tender age of 5, it is inconceivable to imagine how anyone could have wondered the streets alone, or the circumstances one could have found themselves in within such a volatile society. But with Waheguru Ji’s Beant Kirpa, a path had been determined for Baba ji to become a greatly renowned Scholar.
Their first destination would be within Babaji’s own pind, at the Nirmal Kutteea (monastery) of Nirmala Mahapurash Sant Bishan Singh. Baba ji would now rely on Brail and his heightened sense of hearing in order to learn Gurmat Vidhiaa. First, Baba ji would learn their 35 Akhar and Moharni, continuously training their tongue and ears to become efficient in recognising the acute sounds of Gurmukhi. They would take Santhia of Nitnem and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj up to Maajh Raag.
They would then go on to receive Santhia from Sant Narain Daas, another Nirmala Sadhu, taking Vidhia of Granth that belonged to the Sanatan tradition i.e. Bhagavad Gita, Ramayan. Baba ji’s stay here was very temporary, and so they set out again to find Mahant Bhagat Singh ji, a great scholar of Gurmat Vidhia. Baba ji received Vidhia from Mahant Bhagat Singh ji, staying with them for approximately 3 years as they accumulated further knowledge of Guru ji’s teachings. It was here that Baba ji was blessed with Amrit during Vaisakhi at Anandpur Sahib.
By the age of 20, they had immersed themselves into the deeds of Katha and Kirtan in Dharna. About 5 years later, after completing Katha Hazree, Baba ji was one day approached by Sangath in Nandpur Kalor. They questioned Baba ji on Gurmat. Having only taken Santhia up to Maajh Raag, Baba ji did not possess the knowledge to answer the Sangath’s demands. This caused uncertainty in their mind, and so in response, Baba ji embarked on a quest to go and find a great Mahapursh who could help Baba ji gain a deeper breadth of knowledge.
This would lead them to the great scholars of Taksal, firstly approaching Sant Gurdial Singh Ji – Mahant of Gurdwara Sachkhand Boparai, and Vidhiaarthee of Sant Giani Sundar Singh Ji. Remarkably, Baba ji would go on to complete Santhia of Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj with Arth (meanings), under the instrumental guidance of Sant Gurdial Singh as he remained with them for approximately 2 years.
Baba ji would continue their journey on to Bhindran Kala, where they stayed with Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale (Vadhai Mahapursh) for roughly 12 years. Here, Baba ji again took Santhia of Guru Granth Shaib ji, in addition to Dasam Granth and Sooraj Prakash, Bhai Gurdas ji’s Kabit Swaiyeeai and Vaara, and Bhai Nand Lal Ji’s Bani. They completed all Gurmat Vidhiya under the support and guidance of Vadhai Mahapursh.
1966 marked the 300th year Gurpurab celebrations at Patna Sahib. After learning all Vidhiya from Vadhai Mahapursh, Baba ji attended the celebrations with the Jatha and Sant Ji. Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji stayed for a month delivering Katha to the Sangath, but after the Gurpurab celebrations were complete, Vadhai Mahapursh, along with the Jatha, were ready to leave and deliver Parchar elsewhere. Saddened by their plans to depart, the Sangath pleaded with Sant Ji to stay, but they could not. Instead, Sant Ji resolved to leaving Baba Ajit Singh at Patna Sahib in his stead. They requested Baba ji to continue providing Katha to the Sangath. Baba ji was astounded. How could they be asked to fulfil such an imperative duty to this vast Sangath? They would question their confidence and abilities, professing that their skills were only tailored for a smaller stage. But Vadhai Mahapurash’s faith and conviction in Baba ji required Baba ji to stay.
Whenever Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji would leave the Jatha to deliver Parchar elsewhere, they would authorise Baba Ajit Singh Ji to provide Katha, as this was their discipline, Sant Ji took great joy in listening to Baba Ajit Singh’s Katha. Staying true to Vadhai Mahapursh’s Bachan, Baba ji would continue their Sewa at Patna Sahib for over 46 years, right up until their last breath.
Gurmukh Prakash Granth – ‘Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale’
‘ਗਿਆਨੀ ਅਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਵਰਿਆਮਾ। ਦਸੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਤਾਂ ਲਖੀਐ ਧਾਮਾ। ਕਥਾ ਵਖਿਆਨ ਕਰਤ ਬਿਧ ਨੀਕੀ। ਬੁਧ ਬਿਮਲਰਸ ਰਸਨਾ ਮੀਕੀ।’
Giani Ajit Singh is a Soorma Singh (Blind). If they told me of their pind (village), then I would know where they are from (Baba ji never told anyone where they were from). They explain Katha in a beautiful way. Their Budhee/ Mind is Pure, and their words are sweet.