Baba Sham Singh jee was one of the greatest Gurmukhs of 19th and 20th centuries. He lived a long life of 125 years covering the whole of 1800s up until 1925. He served for more than 75 years as Hazoori Kirtaniya of Siri Harmandir Sahib – Amritsar Sahib. In this long Gurmukhi life of Baba jee, many miracles and Kautak occurred. Previously covered stories about Baba jee can be found at following links:




Presented below is a Kautak relating to Ardaas and Kirtan, from Baba jee’s life.

Rainfall as a result of Baba jee’s Kirtan and Ardaas

Around the end of 19th century (1800s), no rainfall occurred starting from Poh (around December) up until Saavan-Bhadon (July-August). When even the month of Saavan, that is famous for monsoon season in India, passed without rainfall, there was an outcry in public. Famine-like conditions were forming in Punjab at that time.

Sensing the dire situation that area of Punjab in general and Siri Amritsar Sahib in particular was facing, some Gursikhs with Shardha (faith) decided to approach Baba Sham Singh jee who was a humble servant of Siri Guru Raamdaas jee, for help. It was decided that 5 Gurmukhs would approach Baba jee to request him to perform an Ardaas for rainfall.

Baba jee received the Gurmukhs with respect and love. He heard their requests and said, “Kirtan Diwaans are done everyday in the Darbar of Sache Paatsha, Sodhi Sultan, Siri Guru Raamdaas Sahib jee. You all are also Gurmukhs. You all come to the Darbar of Srii Guru Raamdaas jee and this Ghulaam (Baba jee always used to call himself Ghulaam) too would accompany you. Let’s all humbly do Ardaas before Satguru jee.”

Everyday at set time, at Amritvela, Baba jee used to do a Kirtan Chaukee. The next day, the five Gurmukhs and a lot of Sangat arrived at the time of Baba jee’s Kirtan. Before beginning Kirtan, Baba jee placed his head on his Saranda (Tantee Saaj used for Kirtan) and did fully-concentrated Benti to Satguru jee, “O Sodhi Sultan, Sache Paatshah, Karo Kirpa.”

After completing a short Benti, Baba jee started doing Kirtan in Raag Malhaar. Within moments, clouds arrived on the skies of Siri Amritsar Sahib and rainfall started. For hour and a half, Baba jee did Kirtan and all this time heavy rainfall continued.

ਮੇਘੁ ਵਰਸੈ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਗੂੜੀ ਛਹਬਰ ਲਾਇ ॥

ਮੇਘੈ ਨੋ ਫੁਰਮਾਨੁ ਹੋਆ ਵਰਸਹੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ॥

It is said that when Baba jee stopped Kirtan, rainfall too stopped.

Such were Gurmukh Pyare Sant Baba Sham Singh jee.

Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Pyare!

Daas,
Kulbir Singh