When the Brahmin astrologer checked the horoscope for naming the child, they discovered that this was not an ordinary child. An enlightened soul had come in the form of a human.

Saints named the boy Shewa Ram, and everyone present rejoiced. There was a light and smile on the infant Shewa Ram’s face. It was so evident to the astrologer that this child would grow up to become a saint, help mankind, and make the land holy. The astrologer conveyed this prophecy to Mata Jethi Bai, the mother of the child.

The Law of Family and Spiritual Values

This is the law of nature: whatever seed one sows, the fruit will be of the same kind. This truth also applies to family values, ethics, and morals. Parents play a crucial role in shaping children and instilling these family values. Like swans babies will grow up as swans, not crows.

Dewan Thakur Das, the father of Shewa Ram, was a man of principle with an inclination towards spirituality. He frequently visited the Samadha Ashram from a young age and loved Satsang, especially Sufiyana verses. His soulful singing would bring tears to his eyes, blessing the listeners with divine experiences. Mata Jethi Bai, his mother, was known for her love, devotion, and selflessness. She helped everyone and lived a life of piety and love.

Shewa Ram was the fifth and last son. Unlike his siblings, he remained calm and quiet as an infant, which Mata Jethi Bai saw as a divine sign. She felt a strong spiritual connection with her son as if he was always connected to God.

Mother’s Grace

While Baba Shiv Bhajan was growing up, his mother, Mata Jethi Bai, would tell him moral and ethical stories of Guru Baba Nanak and other saints and sages. She would make Baba learn the Jap Sahib. She shared with him the truth and true stories of Pehlaj Bhagwan. Although she knew that her son was already blessed and destined to be the next successor of the Samadha Ashram Gadi and was a holy soul, she left no stone unturned in teaching him honesty, integrity, and righteous values from the beginning. She fulfilled her duty towards her child with love and care. This demonstrates how wise, responsible, humble, and gentle Sain Baba’s mother truly was.

School Education

As the child started growing, his knowledge and wisdom also began to expand. At the age of five, he was admitted to a school. He was intelligent from the start. Whatever was taught, Sain Baba would understand and memorize it instantly, completing all assignments without fail. After completing his 5th standard, he was admitted to New Era High School for secondary education. His uniform consisted of a white shirt and white pants, which he admired greatly. Baba also used a golden nib for his pen and a golden strap for his watch, as he was fond of these items.

He actively participated in many extracurricular activities, such as debates, Olympiads, and other competitions. Sain Baba was also compassionate from his childhood. Whatever pocket money he received, he would use it to help the poor and always showed affection for the less fortunate. He would assist students who struggled with mathematics by sitting with them during recess and teaching them how to solve equations.

It was during the 10th standard that Sain Baba was entrusted with the 6th Gadi of Samadha Ashram, but he still appeared for his matric exams and completed his school education. Sain Baba had a strong command of the English language, thanks to his English teacher, the late Kisha Ram.

Spiritual and Social Activities

Sain Baba was holy and pious from his early days. He would wake up at sunrise, wash all the Thakurs, put new clothes or roomal on the Guru Granth Sahib, and then switch on the lights. After that, he would go to the Samadha Ashram along with his mother to pay homage and perform sewa there.

He also took care of his mother with dedication and love. Every day, after school, he would visit Saint Bhai Deyo Ram, who was not only a saint but also a homeopathic practitioner. Sain Baba would fill up the clay utensils with water and food for birds every day.

He also made visits to Airy Wari Darbar and Baba Santok Das Darbar, performing sewa there as well. In addition to all these activities, Sain Baba visited many temples and religious sites. He had a strong fondness for meditation and would often spend long hours in contemplation, immersing himself in inner stillness and quiet reflection.

The Significance of Satguru

“Guru bina gath nahin,
Shah bina path nahin.”

It is a common truth that without a Guru, life has no meaning, just as a married woman only thrives in the happiness of her husband.

Every human should have a Guru to guide them, sparing them the cycle of endless wandering across species. Through SatGuru’s blessings, life becomes meaningful, and salvation is attained. Examples of this include Guru Angad Dev, who followed Guru Nanak, and Guru Ram Das, who attained contentment under his Guru.

Sain Baba came under the guidance of SatGuru Baba Gobind Bhajan Sahib, showcasing his humility. Even though everyone knew he would succeed in Samadha Ashram’s leadership, he chose to surrender himself to his Guru’s feet. The Guru’s ability to see everything hidden in one’s heart proved that Guru Sahib was, indeed, a living embodiment of God.

Naam Dan

Shewa Ram diligently served Satguru Baba Gobind Bhajan Sahib, and one day, the Satguru blessed him with the “Name of God.”

Upon receiving the Name of God, Shewa Ram’s devotion deepened. His desire to serve and please SatGuru Baba Gobind Bhajan Sahib grew stronger with each passing day. Recognizing his unwavering dedication, the Satguru declared Shewa Ram as his disciple 40 days before renouncing the world. He officially documented this on stamp paper, appointing Shewa Ram as the next  (Sixth) Gaddi Nasheen.

Once, when Shewa Ram visited the Samadha Ashram in his school uniform—a white shirt and trousers—Seth Kisha Ram Khatri questioned the Satguru, saying, “Sain Baba, you have chosen him as your disciple, yet he comes from a wealthy family and wears foreign-style clothes. How can he live the life of a yogi and wander in forests like an ascetic?”

Hearing this, SatGuru Baba Gobind Bhajan Sahib turned to Shewa Ram and asked,

“Are you prepared to change your outlook? You will no longer be allowed to wear such clothes or keep long hair.”

Without hesitation, Shewa Ram folded his hands and replied,

“As you command, I shall follow.”

Shewa Ram’s Transformation

Shewa Ram renounced his affluent lifestyle, choosing to live as a hermit. He embraced the simplicity of a yogi’s life, preferring the solitude of jungles over the comforts of home. Such a life is described in the Bhagavad Gita:

“Persons who do not desire fruitive rewards, but seek to be free from material entanglements, utter the word “Tat” along with acts of austerity, sacrifice, and charity” – (Gita, Adhyay 17, Shlok 25)

Prakshiya (Examinations)

Dear readers, life can test us at any moment. Those who pass these tests rise higher in their journey. Just as students in schools and colleges must pass exams to advance to the next level, saints also examine their devotees. Saints continually test their followers, and until a devotee successfully overcomes these trials, their spiritual desires remain unfulfilled.

The lives of the Ten Gurus provide numerous examples of such tests. Consider how Guru Nanak Sahib tested Bhai Lahna’s devotion by assigning him difficult tasks. Bhai Lahna accepted these challenges with unwavering commitment, completing them without complaint. His dedication pleased Guru Nanak, who honored him by naming him the first Gadi Nasheen as Guru Angad Dev Sahib. The name “Angad” signifies becoming a part of the Guru’s own body.

In the same way, devotees who wish to achieve their spiritual goals must first pass the tests set by their spiritual Guru, also known as their Satguru.

One day, when Baba Shiv Bhajan Sahib was visiting Darbar Sahib, SatGuru Baba Gobind Bhajan Sahib, feeling unwell, instructed Shewa Ram:

“Shewa, I am not feeling well. Please go and fetch medicine from Hakeem Panju Ram.”

Without delay, Shewa Ram set out on foot, as he did not know how to ride a bicycle. After obtaining the medicine, he returned to the Darbar. However, upon his arrival, Baba Gobind Bhajan Sahib sent him back with another task—to invite Panju Ram for a meal. Shewa Ram immediately complied and returned with the message.

Then, Satguru asked,

“Did you ask him to take a bath before coming?”

Shewa Ram, without hesitation, went back a third time to convey the Guru’s request.

In the meantime, SatGuru Baba Gobind Bhajan Sahib prepared a sacred thali for the ceremony, drawing Ganesh on it and placing supari, elaichi, misri, and a coconut inside. Mata Sahib and Shewa Ram’s brothers were invited to witness the significant event. None of them knew what was about to unfold.

When Shewa Ram returned from his final task, Baba Gobind Bhajan Sahib made a historic announcement:
“Mata, from today onwards, your son Shewa Ram has become Satguru Baba Shiv Bhajan.”

Saying this, he applied a tilak on Shewa Ram’s forehead and placed the coconut on the Gadi, officially appointing him as the Sixth Gadi Nasheen of Puj Udaseen Samadha Ashram.

Satguru Baba Gobind Bhajan Sahib transformed Shewa Ram, much like the mythical Paras stone that turns metal into gold upon touch. However, a true Satguru does more than that—they elevate their disciple to become a Paras stone themselves, making the new Guru equal to the former Guru.