Baba Sham Singh jee lived till the first quarter of 20th century and went to Sachkhand at the age of 125 years. He has the distinction of doing Kirtan Sewa at Siri Harmandir Sahib for more than 80 years. He saw the rise and fall of Khalsa Raj, rise of Singh Sabha and formation of the Shiromini Committee in the 1920s. Baba jee was accepted as Brahmgyani Gurmukh by whole Panth. Sant Attar Singh Mastuanewale, Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee and Bhai Vir Singh jee recognized him as great Gurmukh.

Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee in one of his books has written a Saakhi about Baba Sham Singh jee. Once Baba jee had a vision of the next world. He saw that a number of individuals were tied on camels and were being beaten mercilessly by Jammdoots. Baba jee asked someone as to why these individuals were being beaten up. He got the reply that these people allowed gullible devotees to Matha-Tek to them in the Maat-Lok (this world) and now they were being punished for this crime.

Even before having this vision, Baba Sham Singh jee did not allow anyone to Matha-Tek to him but now with this supernatural experience, he became very strict in not allowing anyone to Matha-tek or touch his Charan. If anyone did touch his feet, he would never rest till he too touched that person’s feet.

Baba jee was an ocean of divine knowledge and was a master of mystical powers (Ridhi Sidhi) but he kept himself hidden in his humility so well, that very few realized the extent of his great spiritual state.

Once he along with other Gursikhs was going for Darshan of Siri Harmandir Sahib. At this time his age was about 120 years. As he approached Darshani Deodhi, he went on his knees and did Matha-Tek to Siri Darbar Sahib. A 16 years old sewadaar of his Jatha got his chance and touched Baba jee’s feet from the back. Baba jee realized it and before he could say anything, that boy ran away towards Dukhbhanjani Beri. Sant jee ordered his Sewadaars to catch the boy and bring him over to him.

The boy was pretty fast and it took half an hour for them to catch him and bring him to Baba jee. Baba jee caught hold of both his feet, placed them on his forehead and humbly said, “ਕੀ ਫਿਰ ਤੂੰ ਗੁਲਾਮ ਦੇ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹੱਥ ਲਾਏਂਗਾ?" (Will you ever touch this slave's feet again?).

Noteworthy thing is that Baba jee always addressed himself as Ghulaam and never used the pronoun "Mai" (I or we) for himself.

You can imagine what would have been the condition of the poor boy when he saw such great Mahapurakh placing his head on his feet. He was greatly vexed and holding his ears by his hands apologized and promised never to do so again.

Bhai Vir Singh has written that he was blessed with Sikhi through Baba Sham Singh jee. When Bhai Vir Singh took Amrit from Siri Akal Takhat Sahib, Baba Sham Singh was the Jathedar of Punj Pyare. He writes that Sant jee used to love him greatly but never allowed him to touch his Charan.

Baba Sham Singh jee was such great Gurmukh!

Daas,
Kulbir Singh