Divine Life of Sant Attar Singh Ji Part – 3

In 1911 A.D., King George V visited Delhi and a grand Delhi Darbar was held at Delhi. Maharajas (rulers) of Sikh states requested Sant ji to lead the procession of Sikhs on this occasion. Seated on an elephant in the holy presence of Guru Granth Sahib, he sang the Gurbani Shabad when his elephant passed by the British King. The theme of the shabad was “No other King or Raja can be equal to Almighty God because all these worldly rulers exist only for a very short span of time and indulge in falsehood” On an enquiry by the King, meaning of the Shabad was explained to him. On hearing about him, the King was very much impressed by the noble and radiant personality of Sant ji.

During a religious discourse (Katha) at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi, he was bitten by a poisonous snake. Despite best possible medical treatment, then available, Sant ji left his mortal frame and merged with All prevading God on 1st Feb. 1927 A.D. at Sangrur. He was cremated at Mastuana Sahib, 5 kilometres away, in the presence of mamoth gathering of his followers and devotees. Thus an era of religious revivalism in Sikh history came to an end. But his memory and achievement s will ever remain alive in the hearts of millions of his fellow religionists.

Sant Attar Singh laid great emphasis on the spread of education and founded large number of Sikh Schools and Colleges. He always insisted on education blended with lofty principles of love, compassion, humility. and higher values in life. He took active interest in the affairs of Sikh Educational Conference. On the request of renowned National leader, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Sant ji laid the foundation stone of Banaras Hindu University at Varanasi in 1914 A.D. Pandit ji was so much impressed by the towering personality of Sant Ji that he wanted that every Hindu family should have least one member as a Sikh.

Sant ji helped in the construction of many Gurdwaras and Holy tanks. He was responsible for constructing a magnificient building and holy tank at Gurdwara Dam Dama Sahib, Sabo ki Talwandi, in Bathinda District. He also got constructed huge buildings for Gurdwara and educational centre, known as Gur Sagar institution, at Mastuana in Sangrur District of Punjab.

He always preached meditation and noble human qualities of love, compassion, humility and selfless service. He used to say that all the problems faced by Sikh Panth will be resolved if all Sikhs get up early in the morning (Amrit Vela) and meditate on Wahe Guru NAM after taking bath. He spread message of love emphasising oneness of God and Universal brotherhood of all human beings.

At a time when Sikh Panth seemed to be on the verge of extinction as stated in the beginning of this article, he unleashed a massive movement of Amrit/Dharam Parchar to such an extent that he was responsible for baptising Amrit to about 14 lakh Sikhs in his life time. Many prominent Sikh personalities including Master Tara Singh, Sant Teja Singh ji, Principal Bhai Jodh Singh, Principal Bawa Harkrishan Singh, Principal Teja Singh, Malik Hardit Singh (former ambassador) etc. partook Amrit from Sant Attar Singh as one of Five Beloved ones (Panj Pyaras). He was embodiment of love and humility and practised what he preached in his life. He laid emphasis on meditation of Wahe Guru NAM and recitation of Nit Nem Banis early in the morning coupled with leading a true religious and pious life as per Sikh Faith.

Sant Attar Singh ji was such a great soul that he was, perhaps, the first Sikh personality to be affectionately awarded with holy title of a SANT by Sikh Panth/Sangat in the Twentieth Century.

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