Sardar Aroor Singh Gyani had become a devotee of Shri Nathji and Shri Babaji Maharaj in Amritsar in the early 1920’s. His heart understood the divinity of Shri Nathji and accepted him. In later years, circumstances in life had made him join the army. Although he had become tired of army life, it was impossible to secure a release. He prayed before Shri Nathji–and the impossible happened. His unit was disbanded, and he was released.
There was a time when he was with Shri Nathji along with a group of devotees. They were sailing in a large boat on the Ravi River for relaxation.
I wonder what would happen if a hole were to appear in the boat? Shri Nathji said.
And minutes later, a hole developed in the boat. As the people made efforts to throw the water out, Aroor Singh said to Shri Nathji, Huzoor–may I request you to consider twice what you would say? Even the statements which you make off hand have a tendency to come true!
Shri Nathji was passing through a crowded bazaar in Lahore, when he suddenly found Aroor Singh come running after him.
Aroor Singhji! Where did you come from? Shri Nathji asked him.
Huzoor, all loyal dogs can smell their masters from a distance! he replied.
You are beauty personified, he would say to Shri Nathji, and I am nothing before you!
And Shri Nathji would define the state of devotion of his devotee with the following Persian Verse:
Yak saayate hazooriye oo een chuneen guzasht
Man ijz boodam oo hamaa naazo gharoor bood
A moment before His August Presence,
Passed in such a way,
That I was all humility,
And He was All Glory!
It was only the humble that acquired the Grace of God. Aroor Singh Gyani was such a soul.
Many years later, when he was unemployed, he offered a silent prayer to Shri Nathji. By a strange turn of events, his hitherto unrecognized talents as an actor led him to success in the cinema and theatre. He remained at first at Lahore and later shifted to Bombay. Shri Nathji met him briefly in Bombay in 1955 and was very happy to see that the light of faith which he had lighted in the man’s heart was still burning.
Another favourite quotation from the Sikh scriptures that Shri Nathji used in his sermons was:
Aakhaan jeevaan, visreyaan marjaavaan
For as long as I think of thee, I am alive,
And when I forget thee, I die.