When Sai Sadhuram Sahib was eight years old, Daulatrai’s (Sikh’s of the Darbar) parents requested Baba Gobinddas Sahib if Sai Sadhuram could go along with them to Haridwar and Amritsar with their family, they would take him only if Baba willingly permitted them to do so. Baba happily agreed. Sai Sadhuram was very friendly and mingled with all of them. They reached Haridwar at about four o’clock in the morning and went to bathe in the holy Ganga. The current of the Ganga was very swift and strong. Daulatrai’s father picked up each child one by one and plunged them into the Holy water. Sai Sadhuram also enjoyed this dip. From Haridwar everyone proceeded to Amritsar where they stayed for four days. Every morning and evening Sai Sadhuram listened attentively to the bani. On the last day, after the Aasa-di-war was over, Sai Sadhuram went and sat in a corner and took up the Khanjari (musical instrument) and with his eyes closed recited ‘Thir Ghar Baiso Har Jan Pyare Satguru Tumhare Kaaj Saware’. After he finished this recitation a large group of people gathered and surrounded the mother and said, “Mataji, all the other children resemble you, but who is this child? She replied, “He is our Guruji’s child and he has accompanied us on this pilgrimage”. The crowd praised the child and commented that he was very promising and powerful and felt that he must be the incarnation of a great prophet.
From his early childhood, Sai Sadhuram Sahib was brought up under the divine guidance of Baba Gobinddas Sahib, with his divinity he not only gave Sai Sadhuram good education, but also taught him to conduct himself with dignity. He instilled principles of love, seva, equality, bhakti (prayer) knowledge and humility and made him the image of sacrifice.
Baba Gobinddas Sahib was so strict that Sadhuram was not allowed to move while reading the scriptures or reciting the bhajans. Even if he was very thirsty or needed to attend to any call of nature he had to remain very still. Sai Sadhuram Sahib tells us that because of such rigid training, today he can sit without moving for hours together at any Satsang..
Also, if he was late in getting up in the morning, or was delayed for his bath (even by five minutes) or could not reach for his daily duties on time. Baba Gobinddas Sahib would make him miss a meal. It is because of these strict rules and regulations, that Sai was able to fulfill all his duties on time. Sai recalls, whatever might be my daily routine, however tired I maybe, I am able to get up automatically without the help of the alarm in the morning. Sai informed that Baba never allowed us to lie down in the presence of chacha as he was much older than us, Baba made us realize that it is our duty to respect our elders. Sai says, “I was never allowed to go out after 9 o’clock at night, this habit has remained with me till today, and so I never go out at night.”
Even today Sai keeps reminding us, habits that are instilled in children when they are young stay with them for life. Invest in your children, the coming generation. The time spent with them teaching them what is right is like watering a sapling and nurturing it and then watching it grow. When that sapling becomes a tree you will see how it keeps giving fruits, shade and so much more.