The Consequences of Persecuting a Saint

Respected Garibdas Ji Maharaj was born in the holy village of Chhudani, District Jhajjar, into the family of Shri Balram Ji Dhankad (a Jaat). Purna Brahm, Supreme God Kabir (KavirDev), after living in Kashi for 120 years and returning to Satlok in 1518, met Garibdas Ji again in 1727 CE. in physical form, taking his soul to Satlok. Believing him to be dead, his family placed his body on a funeral pyre. At that moment, God KavirDev returned his soul to his body. After this divine encounter, Garibdas Ji began sharing the witnessed glory of Most Worshippable KavirDev (Kabir God). Anyone who took initiation from him experienced happiness. However, as Garibdas Ji revealed the limitations of other gurus' incomplete knowledge, neighboring gurus and acharyas grew envious of his growing fame and Tatvgyan. They misled local leaders, causing the surrounding villages to turn against Garibdas Ji, the beloved devotee of God Kabir.

You had a disciple in Vajidpur village, Delhi, who was also disliked by the entire village. On his request, you stayed in Vajidpur for a few days. During that time, a swarm of locusts destroyed the millet crops in neighboring areas, but your disciple's crops remained untouched. Impressed by your (Saint Garibdas Ji's) divine grace, the villagers embraced your knowledge and sought their spiritual welfare.

On your orders, your devotee distributed the millet crop to the entire village. Despite your (Garibdas Ji’s) refusal, he placed some millet in a bullock-cart, insisting that since you hold a feast (bhandara) on every Purnamasi (full moon day), his contribution would serve as charity. Recognizing the devotion of your followers, you approved. (Respected Garibdas Ji had four sons, two daughters, and owned approximately 1,300 acres of land.) You left for Village Chhudani in that same bullock-cart.

On the way, near Village Kanounda, a group of selfish gurus (acharyas), having conspired beforehand, surrounded Sant Garibdas Ji. They looted the millet and reported to Chaudhary Chhajuram Chhikkara of the village, claiming they had captured a "traitor to the Hindu religion." Acting on Chaudhary Chhajuram's orders, Garibdas Ji was tied up in the assembly room. Chaudhary Chhajuram had certain legal powers from the government, including authority to sentence someone for six months, impose a fine of Rs. 500, or have them bound in stocks (kaath).

Misguided by the ignorant religious figures (gurus-acharyas), Chaudhary Chhajuram Chhikkara imprisoned the highly revered Garibdas Ji Maharaj in "kaath"—a form of severe punishment. In this method, wooden rods were tied to the thighs, with both hands bound behind the back, preventing the person from sitting and causing immense pain and swelling in the feet. The bullock-cart driver returned to Village Vajidpur, 10 km from Village Kanounda, with an empty cart.

Upon hearing the news, some key villagers from Vajidpur immediately went to Kanounda and pleaded with Chaudhary Chhajuram, trying to convince him that Garibdas Ji was no ordinary man, but one blessed with supreme power. They urged him to seek forgiveness. Chaudhary Chhajuram, a noble, compassionate, and soft-hearted individual, had been influenced by the false narratives of the fame-seeking gurus, which had stirred hatred toward the beloved saint. Unaware of the true situation, he had initiated the punishment.

However, moved by the requests of the Vajidpur villagers, Chaudhary Chhajuram released Garibdas Ji. Without uttering a word, Respected Garibdas Ji calmly returned to Village Chhudani.

A few days later, Chaudhary Chhajuram went to the pond early in the morning to relieve himself. Suddenly, two horse riders appeared and cut off both of his hands before vanishing instantly. Many people present at the pond witnessed this shocking event. Despite receiving various treatments, the pain and bleeding did not stop, and Chaudhary Chhajuram suffered greatly for several days.

One person suggested, "Go to Saint Garibdas Ji and ask for forgiveness; he is merciful." Taking this advice, his family brought him to Village Chhudani on a horse. Upon arrival, Chaudhary Chhajuram fell at the feet of Respected Garibdas Ji and begged for forgiveness. Saint Garibdas Ji blessed him, gave him initiation (naam-updesh), and advised him to practice devotion for the rest of his life.

Chaudhary Chhajuram, filled with remorse, said, "Beneficent one, I was misled about you. I did not realize that you are Supreme God." Respected Garibdas Ji humbly responded, "I am merely a servant sent by Supreme God Kabir (KavirDev). You were healed by His power. I never cursed you. You have experienced the consequences of your fate. If you had not come here, your family would have remained under the burden of further sin, but now that burden is lifted because you have accepted the naam-updesh."

In the above speech, Satguru Garibdas Ji provides evidence, quoting Supreme God, that one must never cause harm to His saint. He states that whoever torments His saint is, in fact, tormenting God Himself. God recalls how, when Hirnakashyap tormented His devotee Prahlad, He split open Hirnakashyap's abdomen, and how He personally killed Kans. Similarly, anyone who causes harm to His saint will have their entire family line destroyed.

Torturing a saint incurs immense sin, equivalent to committing countless murders. These ignorant individuals, unaware of God's divine laws, make grievous mistakes and face severe consequences. The punishment for tormenting a saint is profound and unavoidable.

If a person kills someone, the balance is restored by taking the life of the killer in their next birth. However, the punishment for tormenting a saint is far greater and continues beyond countless lifetimes. Satguru explains in his speech that such a transgression carries an immense and unending penalty.

Anyone who commits such an offense is subjected to a cycle of rebirth, repeatedly entering the mother's womb in various forms of life. This person faces constant death shortly after birth and endures the torment of living as ghosts or spirits, suffering immense agony in the womb. This punishment continues until the end of creation, and the individual is not forgiven unless the tormented saint offers forgiveness.

Once, Rishi Durwasa, driven by arrogance, unleashed the Sudarshan Chakra to kill Rishi Ambreesh. However, after touching the feet of Ambreesh, the Sudarshan Chakra turned back to pursue Durwasa instead. Realizing the gravity of his mistake, Durwasa panicked and fled from the Chakra.

First, he sought help from Lord Brahma, pleading for protection. Brahma, unable to intervene, directed him to Lord Shankar (Shiva), claiming it was beyond his power. Durwasa then approached Lord Shankar, who also turned him away, advising him to seek Lord Vishnu. Desperate, Durwasa finally reached Lord Vishnu and begged for salvation. Vishnu inquired why the Sudarshan Chakra was chasing him, and Durwasa recounted the entire incident.

Vishnu ji told Durwasa Rishi, "The only way to save yourself is to seek forgiveness from Rishi Ambreesh by humbling yourself at his feet. No god, not even I, can protect you otherwise." Desperate, Durwasa Rishi returned to Ambreesh and, with heartfelt remorse, fell at his feet, pleading for forgiveness. Moved by his sincerity, Ambreesh Rishi took hold of the Sudarshan Chakra and forgave Durwasa, reminding him that misbehaving with saints or rishis brings severe consequences.

"Shri Krishna guru kasni huii aur bachega kaun"

If even revered rishis like Shri Durwasa, the guru of Shri Krishna, faced such dire consequences, how can an ordinary person expect to be spared?