September 1902

From Jaimal Singh: Warmest greetings to Babu Sawan Singh. 

Your letter arrived, and I was happy and gratified to read it. It was a good letter. You have written that you have caught the same infection as Chanan Singh because you allowed him to borrow your clothes. Well, do not worry, do your Bhajan and Simran, and you will get well. It had to be like this; it was not in your hands. Since you understand such things well, why do you not act more thoughtfully? You know about such matters and yet you become forgetful. In future, you should be careful. Grace and Mercy will be upon you. The forgiveness that you have requested for mistakenly loaning your clothes is hereby given to you. 

It has been mentioned to you many times that you should use only what is purchased from your own earnings. I find that besides what your own labour provides, you have started to go astray, and have begun to accept gifts of food and drink from others. It is not at all proper to do this. Anyway, it is up to you. Do you or do you not compensate them sufficiently for it? If a non-satsangi brings something to distribute at the Dera, doing so creates problems. Satsangis, whether here or there, are all one, so you also would suffer from similar problems. This has cast a suspicion in my mind which should not be there. In any case, if someone brings you a gift, give it to a third person and compensate him adequately for the gift; that is, fulfil the request of the person who brings the gift but do not use the gift for yourself. Do not worry about the ailment; it has come through His command – Grace and Mercy will follow.

Regarding Anurag Sagar, inquire well and leave it where you think best. Do as you think appropriate. A letter from your grandfather has arrived from his village, Mehmansinghwala, and is being enclosed in this letter. He asks you to fulfil his wish: to brick the nine-yard side of his tank. He says: ‘Are you going to spend money on me only at my funeral, after my life is over? My wish is that you get the nine-yard side of my water tank bricked during my lifetime.’ So it should be constructed – it is a small matter. 

Keep doing Bhajan and Simran every day; Grace and Mercy will always be upon you.

Warmest greetings on behalf of Bibi Ji. And warm regards to Babu Gulab Singh, Basant Singh, Narain Singh, and all the other Satsangis there. All are reminded to continue doing their Bhajan and Simran every day. Bibi Ji wishes to inform you that Chanan Singh has given her the 5 rupees for the rakhi, and that she has passed these on to me. May Grace and Mercy be upon you. You have aggravated your illness by not using ghee for the past two months. You were advised to use three ounces. You did not listen and now must pay the price. When you obey the command, Grace and Mercy will be upon you.

For the upper-storey rooms, forty beams will cost 120 rupees, and seven large twelve-foot beams, 42 rupees. The freight charges will be 5 rupees, so the total cost of the wood will come to 167 rupees. Moreover, a kiln has been installed for making quicklime, and work will start in two or three days. You should always keep doing Bhajan and Simran. An additional expense of 3 rupees has been incurred for the kiln, the grinding mill, and the limestone. So the total has come to 192 rupees.

Today, two proof-sheets of the prose Sar Bachan were received. The print is good. The ink, however, is somewhat faint – not enough ink was used. Write to the printer about these pages and tell him to start printing. If we can settle with him better than elsewhere, we can get the printing job done by him. So even if he demands an extra 10 rupees, give the money to him and settle the matter, although he did not consult with us at all.

Then even if only the two books of Hazur Swami Ji, the verse and the prose editions, are printed, at least they will be well printed. For the rest, do as you think proper. Always keep doing your Bhajan and Simran.

Also let me know about your health: you have not written again about your weakness. Are you feeling any better now? It is all right to take care of one’s body. Do not accept things from an outsider, but if you do, then duly compensate the giver. Do not make a false promise; rather, frankly refuse him. Suppose a suppliant came to your door and you made him a false promise. His hopes are going to depend on you. If he does not receive anything at your door, what will his heart say? I have said enough! Think about it – you are a man of integrity.

Warm regards from Bibi Ji to you, her true brother, and also from Chanan Singh. He is better now. I have heard from Chanan Singh that you will be going home, but you did not write about it. Write whether you are going, and if so, when. If you wish to change your residence, you may do so. Best wishes on behalf of Bibi Ji to you, her true brother. Warm regards from all the residents of the Dera. Reply by return post, and please send 50 rupees at the earliest – it is urgent. 

September 1902