He was a rare example of intense spiritual state at a very young age. It was a matter of destiny that Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh was so deeply engrossed in spirituality as a student of tenth grade in Malwa Khalsa School, Ludhiana. The pangs of Divine Love were unbearable for him. He had strong belief that the assembly of those well versed in matters of Divine gather together somewhere near Ludhiana. It so happened, that Akhand Patth Samagam had just commenced at village Narangwal in the house of Bhai Kishan Singh (Jung ke). The five persons selected for recitation of Patth were accomplished Gursikhs, abiding by the life of meditational devotion and had acquired the status of Divine Recognition. Meanwhile, Giani Nahar Singh of the Khalsa High School arrived with a batch of school students, who were keen to get baptised. This included Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh ‘Kamal Pura’. Those, who desired to be baptised, took full bath and came to listen to the Akhand Patth.
The tradition was that the hopefuls for Baptism were to listen to the entire recitation of Akhand Patth for the 48 hours. All such students joined in the prayer for starting the recitation. Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh also stood in the prayer with great feelings of joy and anticipation. After the prayer, all the listeners took up their seats. Of all these, only Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh listened to the entire recitation from the beginning to the end. He went without any food or drink except the holy Karah Prasad as the divine gift. He never had any urge to leave and was devoted to listening Gurbani in thought, word and deed, fully engrossed. As he went on listening, the splendour of his face shined more and more gracefully. It appeared that he had inherited the devotional love from his God-oriented father from early childhood. This was his first such experience. It was as if he was getting drunk with listening to Gurbani’s piercing words. His yearning to Love kept mounting. The readers of the Patth also directed sally of Gurbani to further accentuate this love of devotion and Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh's yearning kept mounting. This was the first example, noticed on close scrutiny, as if all his body hairs were responding to the stimuli, like it is said in Gurbani,
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰੋਮਿ ਰੋਮਿ ਹਰਿ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥
ਰਾਮਕਲੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਸਿਧ ਗੋਸਟਿ ।੯੪੧॥
Every pore of God-oriented recites the divine Naam.
Ramkali M:1 Sidh Gosht [941]
Either the efficacious recitation of Patth or some previous experience of Gurmat Naam was leading to the state of uncontrollable ecstasy. The day and night continuous pouring of this Elixir through listening to Gurbani was causing intoxicating exhilaration. His face glowed in splendour and mixed with his youthful and natural handsomeness, such a glory was unbearable for a beholder. The word came from the five chosen ones for the baptising ceremony after full bath once again. These Five were the same, who had been reciting the Patth. Every candidate for Baptism started presenting himself before the chosen five. Only four of the hopefuls were selected to receive Baptism.
Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh was found not to be lacking in any respect and was selected after full scrutiny. The next to be considered was Bhai Lal Singh, secretary Sikh Youth Society, Ludhiana. He could not listen to the entire recitation, yet he did listen most of it. There was not much problem in his selection. It pleased him immensely to have been selected. The third was Bhai Nahar Singh (now Giani Nahar Singh). Though his spiritual concentration was found wanting, yet he had an inspirational role for many others and this weighed with the five chosen ones. The fourth student was Bhai Khem Singh from village Rakba (he is no more).
As Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh received his first sip of Amrit, he lost all his bodily awareness and with the first sprinkling of Amrit in his eyes his eyes rolled up. His inner spiritual sense was awakened, though he lost all physical awareness. He was enjoying this inner bliss. His face shined with glory and his entire being was filled with Naam. The font of divine Elixir from within at the navel started functioning with full force. He joined his hands subconsciously, as though he was praying for the strength to bear this great unbearable spiritual experience. Thus he was able to enjoy his inner supreme bliss. Even the chosen five were amazed. This was the first such case, where quick spiritual change was observed during the baptising ceremony itself. What to talk of Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh’s inner experience even we the beholders felt the touch of divine awareness, of the spiritual world. All the bodily pain, hunger and sorrows were forgotten. There was no urge to eat or drink and this inner bliss was all that one wished to perpetuate.
We lost sense of time and at the end of baptising ceremony, I left for the Ravine accompanied by two other chosen ones. We found that the two newly baptised, Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh and Bhai Lal Singh were following us. It was as if in a moment we all reached our destination, the lovely spot in the middle of two villages Narangwal and Gujjarwal. By the side of the lake with clear water Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh sat in meditation. The rest of us watched him, from our distant sitting or lying position, in our state of rapture. This way our minds also took to deep meditation. Bhai Lal Singh was rolling in divine restlessness. We had come off to this forlorn place without the food being served. We felt we had been away for a few hours and that people after waiting were now about to head towards us carrying our food. All of us had the common urge to leave that place and go to some unknown place, where we might not be found.
God knows what propelled us and where. We found ourselves within the bounds of village Phalewal at a distance of about 5 km, not knowing how and when we crossed Gujjarwal. Here we decided to head for the cottage of Bhai Sarwan Singh, outside Phalewal. This was another lonely place. Outside the cottage and near the well sat Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh and started the Kirtan with Piercing love cry. It reached far off in that wilderness as we all joined in this singing. Bhai Sarwan Singh brought out the musical instruments. We got lost in a long Kirtan session of bewitching music. When we opened our eyes we found many people of the village had joined us, including our dear Baba Ram Singh Jee and his wife Mata Prem Kaur with moist eyes. Telepathically it was decided to start another Akhand Patth in the cottage. Everything was ready. In the same mood of intoxicated singing, we assembled in the cottage. Again Kirtan started in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib with yet more newly arrived Kirtaniyas. The Kirtan lasted till 1:00 am. All this was happening under the loving inspiration of Baba Ram Singh. We started the morning prayers, Nitnem Patth and then Asa-Di-Var Kirtan at 4:00 am. This was the first Kirtan where invisible noble souls joined in. It became so attractive and intoxicating, that whosoever came became lost in divine love and had no will to leave. Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh was an immensely amazing sight.
At the end of Sri Asa-Di-Var Kirtan, Sri Akhand Patth started at 11:30 am. Once again the Akhand Patthis, the reciters, were incarnations of divine love, one better than the other. For hours at a stretch, the reciters would go on with a clear loud voice, piercing the hearts of the listeners, who were just spellbound. Every line of Patth was making immense impact on the souls. The first Patthi also sat near the next reciting one and got lost in meditation. Suddenly it occurred to me, that now Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh should start reciting. Neither, I knew nor had he actually been engaged in such Patth earlier. Instantly making Akhand Patthi of a 16-year-old youth was the miracle of the Satguru. This heart to heart message prompted Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh and he went and stood behind the two Patthis. He picked up the line of the fast flow behind the two pathhis of Patth recitation and recited in such a loud voice that the two pathhis lovingly gave way. Then the love- imbued Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh, filled emotionally with a clear and loud tone started the Patth. All were surprised beyond measure and got submerged in the pouring Gurbani Elixir. They all started swaying with the divine intoxication. The glory of Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh’s face was indescribable. It became an amazing sight. The men and women sitting far away got up and with folded hands started enjoying the bliss of Gurbani. This recitation continued for five hours. Everybody remained transfixed in whatever position they were. As the word spread in adjoining villages, people started pouring and the lonely spot became a place of rejoicing for a multitude of people. The entire Akhand Patth was conducted in the same vein.
After the distribution of Karah Prasad, the five of us soon left for yet another unknown destination. Once again the prepared food and those serving it waited for us in vain. We were walking as though spellbound. This was Baisakh (April), 1910 and fairly hot. We were all bare footed. We had tied blankets on our heads as turban, Kirpans slung across our bodies, the circular Chakkar around our necks, covered with a sheet and wearing Kachheras. Nobody knew where we were headed. Wherever Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh stopped, singing soulful Gurbani, all would stop. Seeing the high spiritual state of Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh, all were happy, yet Bhai Lal Singh was woe begone and rolled over the hot sands. He was sorry that he could not attain the same intense state as Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh on Baptism. We used to drag the prostrating Bhai Lal Singh to continue our journey that had no charted course or destination.
We found ourselves at the Kila Raipur railway station. The stationmaster was a keen Sikh devotee. He put chairs for us at the platform. Trains going in opposite directions were going to cross at this station. When it was nearing time, he came to ask me about the ticket and our new destination. We expressed our ignorance. He was perplexed and wanted to know what he was supposed to do. We still could not decide, yet we knew we were heading to some destined place. Finally it was decided that the station Master should stand before the ticket Almirah with closed eyes and recite Mool Mantra and then wherever his hand would go, he should pull five tickets for us. We had explained that we had no money to buy the tickets. He went away saying that all money belonged to the Guru. He returned with tickets for Ambala Cantt. Bhai Sarwan Singh immediately concluded that this draw is made by the souls of Babu Mal Singh and Bhai Piara Singh. It so happened, that one of us, Bhai Waryam Singh had some money to pay for the tickets.
The train for Ludhiana arrived at the platform. Just before departure, two Sikhs from Kila Raipur came and offered us the syrup drink in iron bowls. They made an earnest request to accept the drink. We had been without food or drink for a long time. We gratefully accepted. The drink further rejuvenated our spirits and our meditated recitation of Naam became louder. In this imbued state, Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh started singing the hymn soulfully:
ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੁ ਲਗੋ ਹਰਿ ਤੀਰ ॥
ਗੋਂਡ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ।੮੬੧॥
My mind is pierced with the arrow of divine love.
Rag Gond [861]
As he sang, he became more and more intoxicated and the flow of his tears was uncontrollable. The yearning of love moved all the passengers and irrespective of their faith, all had tears in their eyes with emotion.
When the train reached the next station, a Muslim holy cried out, “O Lord! This young lad has slaughtered me. God knows what life giving substance he has obtained. I can be saved only if I too get this precious commodity or else this life is worthless.” Some ignorant people asked us whether Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh was crying due to loss of some dear one. The Muslim Fakir would say, “O poor fools! Look at the splendour of his face. These are the symptoms of great Renouncers of the world.” This situation continued till Ludhiana. Many passengers forgot to get down at the intermediate stations. We had to change the train at Ludhiana. Many passengers started pleading with us to let them accompany us. Unmindful of all such pleas, we boarded the Ambala train in our own intoxicated moods. The Kirtan continued in our new compartment all through the journey. Many were the souls moved and left behind. There was to be another change at Rajpura, but the train was delayed and we reached Ambala late at night. What was the source of guidance is source of mystery. At 11:00 pm we knocked at the door of Bhai Piara Singh, who is now Col. Piara Singh, ‘Jaipur wale’.
Bhai Piara Singh was ready with food for us, as if he had been expecting us. He called Babu Mal Singh Jee from his quarter No.18 to join us. Babuji wanted to know why we walked down from the Cantt. Rly station, whereas on just a word transport could be arranged and they would have been there to receive us. Bhai Piara Singh, who had some inkling clarified that they were not aware of their journey. Interrupting him, our companion Bhai Sarwan Singh ‘The Redeemed Living’ said, pointing towards Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh, that we had brought the `Divine Gift' and we had been guided by the Divine power all along. This triggered Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh’s limitless yearning of Divine Love and the Kirtan started. However on Bhai Piara Singh’s insistence, that we had already been without food for many days and nights, we agreed to have dinner. Soon we were all in meditation. The army personnel had to go for duty in the morning and we went to a nearby well and relaxed on the sandy bed. The sun came up and none of the army men came back. We felt the urge to start our return journey. We were about to start when Babu Mal Singh came along with a bucket and rope. He had lowered the bucket in the well and was holding the rope. This is still fresh in my memory. He had understood in his mind about our decision to return through his inner power. He sang aloud this hymn with great emotion,
ਮੇਰੀ ਖਲਹੁੰ ਮੌਜੜੇ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਹੰਢਾਂਦੇ ॥
ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਝee, ਵਾਰ ੯, ਪਉੜੀ ੧੮
The shoes of my skin wear the Sikhs of my Guru.
Bhai Gurdas Jee, Var 9, Pauri 18
These words were like a rasp to our souls. His feeling of intense love melted our hearts as he sang with his upturned face. He sang the hymn with great feelings and thus we gave up our plans to return. We became slaves to Babu Jee. The congregation assembled for Akhand Patth Samagam and we returned as the humble dust of their feet.
The Samagam commenced with the usual tradition. All the army personnel of cavalry, platoons and artillery poured in. This was a unique soulful Asa-Di-Var Kirtan at 4:00 am. The sound of Kirtan reached far off. There were no loud speakers those days and in any case this was not required. The Kirtan used to be natural, automatic and spontaneous, mainly for the enjoyment of the Kirtaniya himself/herself and not to please others or win recognition. There was no consideration to have a great assembly. The lovers of Kirtan were drawn like moths to a lamp on their own, through the divine communication. In this case the word had already spread about the Samagam. The devoted Sikhs, accustomed to get up in the ambrosial hours at 2:00AM, came down after reciting their Nitnem Bani and got tuned to the divine word. As they poured in, the Kirtan became more and more forceful. The passage of time was not noticed and it all appeared as extension of the ambrosial hours. Soon after the prayer at the end of Kirtan, Sri Akhand Patth started. The details of this Patth are described in Bhai Harbachan Singh's life events. Here it would suffice to say that soon after the Patth, another Akhand Patth was started. At the end of second Patth, Amrit Sanchar, Baptising ceremony, started. While all others left after distribution of Karah Prasad, those associated with baptising, the chosen five and the hopefuls remained. The Akhand Patthis, who had been reciting the Patth were the chosen five, including Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh. The miraculous events during the ceremony are part of the story of Bhai Harbachan Singh Jee.
At the end of Samagam all others took to their worldly duties and those devoted to divine love continued in their own pursuit. The foursome of Bhai Sarwan Singh, Bhai Waryam Singh, Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh and Bhai Lal Singh felt an urge to visit Hazoor Sahib. It was a divine occurrence, that at the same time Bhai Piara Singh amd Babu Mal Singh, comprehending this untold decision, came forward with the requisite cash. At that time, I received the telepathic message to proceed to Patiala with the entire Jatha for starting Sri Akhand Patth there. Bhai Atma Singh from Moga (who always remained Naam- intoxicated and was known as Avdhoot (ascetic) Atma Singh) had come from Patiala with this mission and was present throughout the Ambala Samagam. Though all had felt the pull for Patiala, yet the resolute, Bhai Sarwan Singh remained steadfast in his resolve to visit Hazoor Sahib. Bhai Waryam Singh also sided with him along with Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh and Bhai Lal Singh. I had felt strong urge for Patiala. While I started for Patiala and happily agreed for the visit to Hazoor Sahib by the other four to satisfy their urge. However I had felt that they would reach Patiala before the end of Akhand Patth there. Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh, though inclined to accompany me, went away with the rest.
I reached Patiala to join in the Akhand Patth. Sri Bhai Joginder Singh Jee and Bibi Harbans Kaur were delighted. The Patiala Sangat, that had caused the Divine pull, assembled. The life giving, blissful Kirtan started. The foursome that had proceeded to Hazoor Sahib returned soon after reaching there. They just did not feel like prolonging their stay. God alone knows how this transpired. I saw them to my surprise just before the Kirtan after Akhand Patth Bhog.
Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh met me most affectionately. He had not eaten after departing from Ambala. Such were the pangs of our love. His radiant glory was further enhanced, that had infatuated all the beholders. As soon as Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh joined in Kirtan, there was an environment of spiritual aroma and powerful emotional singing that engrossed all the listeners. At the end of Kirtan, a message from Ludhiana was received.
All were wondering at Malwa Khalsa High School, Ludhiana about the sudden-disappearance of Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh and Bhai Lal Singh. Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh’s father, who was a great Sikh and employed in a Frontier Sikh Army unit at Banu as a prominent Granthi, had come to Ludhiana to ask the school management for immediate meeting with his son. It is not known how he came to know about his disappearance. A rumour had gained currency that after Phalewal Samagam, the disappearance was a Divine Act to some unknown place. Nobody had yet known our whereabouts. However some Singhs of our Jatha had the hunch that truth would be known at Patiala. Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh had no more inclination to return to his School, yet he was ready to abide by the congregational decision. After some deliberation, it was decided to seek guidance from Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Accordingly the Divine Scriptural guidance was sought. It read, "Prehlad got imbued in Divine Naam and infatuated other students.” This led to the decision, that this young student has a duty to spiritualise many others at school through his own example. This decision immensely pleased the messengers from Ludhiana and they took this news to Ludhiana of the expected return soon.
The next day not only the students and the staff of the Khalsa High School but also those of the adjoining schools had assembled in the school Gurdwara. The members of Management Committee of the Malwa Khalsa High School were filled with eager anticipation of our arrival from Patiala. We, along with Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh landed at Ludhiana Railway Station. We were informed of the gathering at the school Gurdwara, waiting for us. We all started marching towards school in great devotional mood. To our surprise, we found halfway that Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh was missing. We were flabbergasted as to what would we present to the assembly. Meanwhile Avdhoot (Ascetic) Bhai Atama Singh Jee consoled us not to worry, that Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh would land back soon from nowhere. We knew that he enjoyed some special spiritual powers, so we requested him to envision where Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh was. He envisioned him to be meditating by the riverside near a bush and offered to go and fetch him. He soon disappeared and we stood there praying. As we opened our eyes, we found both Bhai Atma Singh and Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh coming. We met embracing each other as though we were meeting after long. Happily then we again resumed our journey.
We found the assembled Sangat in Gurdwara enjoying Gurbani Kirtan. As we reached we were also singing Kirtan, led by Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh. He was pouring out his heart in the Divine melody. With his dress of black turban, kachhera, wrapping a cloth around him and wearing the Khalsa weapons like chakar, Kirpan, etc., he looked simple and yet held a Royal personality as a ‘Ruler’ of the entire world. The radiance of his youthful face was amazing, with a touch of Divine intoxication. He prostrated before Sri Guru Granth Sahib and when he got up, he sang a hymn loudly in a piercing pitch. The entire assembly was thrilled. Our singing first along with Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh was followed by repetition singing by the entire congregation. At the end of this hymn singing, many students stood up to request for Baptism. The Second-Master of the school, Bhai Harbhagat Singh Jee, announced that the following day there would be Akhand Patth at his house and the Baptizing Ceremony would follow for all the aspirants.
The scheduled Akhand Patth Samagam started, but the aspirants for receiving Baptism desired that their beloved Babu Mal Singh, Bhai Piara Singh and Sri Bhai Harbachan Singh ‘Duleshar’ be present. As the Asa-Di-Var Kirtan started, the call of Divine Love brought all these three persons from Ambala Cantt. Somehow Sant Hira Singh Jee ‘Daudpur Wale’ also came along as also Sri Bhai Joginder Singh from Patiala. Such are the amazing coincidences in work of the Divine. The titillating Kirtan ended and Sri Akhand Patth recitation started. The tradition was followed and there was continuous listening by full gathering of the entire Patth. The emotions were particularly high when it was the turn of Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh to recite and all were just swaying. All the aspirants for Baptism were particularly present throughout. Once again there was Akhand Kirtan after the Patth. When Kirtan ended and the Karah Prasad was distributed, only the Patthis, reciters of Patth, as the Chosen Five and the aspirants for Amrit remained there.
The most beloved, Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh, sat in attendance of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. All was ready for Baptising Ceremony. About 150 aspirants waited in the adjoining room and were called in one by one to establish their suitability. Finally only 38 were selected, while it was felt that the rest need to be enamoured further more with Divine Love to qualify for being baptised. Out of this selected group a few names that I remember are mentioned below:
1. Sri Bhai Iqbal Singh of Village Boparai (Ludhiana),
2. Sri Bhai Pradhan Singh of Village Jandi (Ludhiana),
3. Sri Bhai Kehar Singh,
4. Sri Bhai Sunder Singh Ghuman (Ludhiana),
5. Sri Bhai Santa Singh, a Budding Vir ‘Musapuria’ (district Jalandhar)
6. Sri Bhai Nirbhai Singh Jee of Village Lalton and others.
In turn they lit many more souls with Naam-enlightenment.
The chain reaction of this dedicated Love resulted in many more such groups of the Baptised Khalsa. All were keen Kirtaniyas and followed the code of inner and outer discipline strictly, in their daily living. They observed the meditational Ambrosial hours by rising at 2:00 A.M., full bath and recitation of Nit Nem Banis. Asa-Di-Var Kirtan was also a daily routine. Rest of the time was devoted to studies. Their continuous breath-by-breath Simran and strict discipline got the school authorities worried about the studies, yet all such students passed with high credits. In spite of their good showing in studies, some kind of criticism was always there. Wearing of the Kirpan was normally not allowed in schools, but nobody dared to object in their case. All the members of the management felt that Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh had converted the school from an institution of studies to the institution for spirituality, affecting all the students.
Bhai Puran Singh Jee ‘Janetpur’ started a separate kitchen for Sarbloh Bibek, for those eating food in iron utensils, prepared by Baptised Sikhs. He was so much devoted to this service, that he hardly had time to attend school. He had a very strong Faith. He was rarely seen sleeping and mostly remained in meditation. He always sat across Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh to listen attentively to the Kirtan. He was an accomplished Akhand Patthi, who would go on reciting Patth for hours in loud and clear voice at a fast speed and yet each word could be understood by the listeners. During recitation, his face would glow. Thus there were two Akhand Patthis and they hardly needed a third one for complete recitation of Akhand Patth. There were series of Akhand Patths. Many such Akhand Patthis had appeared. In the school boarding house these divinely intoxicated ones remained ever imbued in Naam.
There was a Youth Organization, Bhujhangi Sabha, those days. All the Sikh Students were its members. They used to celebrate the two Gurpurabs of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee every year with great fan-fare. There was no other Sikh Organization in Ludhiana, which could manage such celebrations. This was achieved with dedication of these young Baptised Sikhs, with Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh as their role model and leader.
Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh completed his matriculation from the school and took up service at Patiala. There he enjoyed the company of Bhai Joginder Singh Jee, Bhai Atma Singh Jee and Bhai Jaswant Singh Jee. In 1914-15 the entire Jatha got entangled in the Mutiny Cases. I was sent for 16 years imprisonment to far off places. During this period in pursuit of the household duties and in accordance with Divine Will, Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh went to Arabian countries to earn his living. By the time I returned after my jail term, Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh also returned from overseas. With his stay abroad and undesirable company, there was a slide down in his spiritual state from the apex, where he had reached.
However he still had the old influence of holy congregations in him and he once again regained his original state after presenting himself before the Chosen Five and the corrective measures. His wife, Bibi Kartar Kaur, also went through this ordeal. She was a straightforward spiritual being. She let out loud cries in the presence of the Chosen Five and had to be pacified by Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh. After this there were many Samagams held at Kamal Pura. As in Gurbani, ‘The divinely devoted are the redeemers of their entire family’, Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh got his whole family Baptised. All the villagers held him in great esteem and with his initiative the village got a Khalsa High School. He served as the Divinity teacher. He was seen at all the Jatha Samagams whether in Delhi, Abetabad, Kashmir, etc. He was verily a pillar of the Faith.
He was still young, when his earthly sojourn neared its end. He used to indicate to me that not many days were left for him, though he was seemingly whole and hearty. But when the final death call comes, nothing is of any avail. I was enjoying my meditational mood at my house in Narangwal, when his son, Kaka Harcharan Singh, came with a worried look. He informed, that Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh was very restless and that there was request for me to pray for his relief. The boy left immediately after this message. I prayed to the Satguru for his peace and that was about the time that he breathed his last, with these blessings for Eternal Peace! The next message of his death reached Narangwal in quick succession. Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh had desired that his last rites be performed only in my presence. I rushed, to Kamal Pura. The entire family was reciting Naam, sitting around the bier. Many people had gathered from far and near. The entire school students and staff were ready with school band. The environment was very peaceful. The sense of grief prevailing then defies description. Thus departed my dear Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh, leaving behind the mourning multitudes. Among the prominent, Late Divine Imbued Singhs of the Jatha, Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh stands out as the foremost personality. I always treasure his memory deep in my heart.