Sai Sadhuram Sahib’s early life was in Ajmer where he learnt to read and write in Gurmukhi. It is necessary to mention here that Sai Sadhuram never went to any school. What is remarkable is that he took his first Vachan from Guru Granth Sahib when he was only five years old.
Baba Gobinddas Sahib looked after the child with a lot of love and affection. In the Darbar, there was a lady named Kimat Bai, who was told to look after Sai. At the same time Baba Sahib himself disciplined and controlled him. What could Kimat Bai teach him? Sai Sadhuram tells us that his teachings was to the extent that he was even taught how to hold a glass of water and one should always answer any question with “Ji” and never with ‘Cha’ (what).
These are merely good manners. He himself tells us that Baba Sai instilled in him a very strict and strong foundation – but at the same time he gave him abundant love as well.
Baba Gobinddas Sahib always washed Baba Sadhuram’s plate (juthi thali) as perhaps, he was aware that this boy was not only going to achieve great heights and was also the heir to the Gaddi.
Baba Gobinddas Sahib tells us that after grueling penance he had acquired this esteemed status. but this child Sadhu was born gifted. From his early childhood, whatever he uttered and predicted always came true. Baba Sai cautioned him “Sadhu, be careful of what you say”.
Baba Gobinddas Sahib never gave young Sadhuram any money in his childhood. Nor did his shirts have any pockets till he was 15 years old.
Baba Gobinddas Sahib felt that money should be spent thriftly (frugally) and one should always be in the midst of good company. Sai Sadhuram Sahib tells us that he had never taken a gift of even a rupee from his mother or Dadi. Once on his birthday, his Dadi had got a ring and a watch for him. However she did not give him the gift directly but gave it to Sadhu through Baba Gobinddas Sahib. so that he should remain in discipline.
Sai are a living example of how discipline that is imparted to a child stays with them through their life. We get to take away a learning from this that can be implemented in our lives on imbibing balanced love and discipline in our children.