Joga Singh was a devoted disciple of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. When he was still a child, his parents brought him to Guru Ji at Anandpur Sahib. Showering mercy upon the child, Guru Ji asked the parents to leave Joga in his care, saying that the child would serve and stay there. From a very young age, Joga Singh lived away from his parents and dedicated himself to the seva of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. His parents would visit him from time to time and meet him at the ashram.
As Joga Singh grew into a young man, his parents expressed a heartfelt wish before Guru Gobind Singh Ji—to see their son settled in life with a family of his own. Respecting the parents’ desire, Guru Ji instructed Joga Singh to go and have his marriage performed according to their wishes.
The marriage rituals were completed, and after all the pheras were done, a sevak from Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s side handed Joga Singh a note, saying that Guru Ji had asked him to read it. When Joga Singh opened the note, it said that after completing all the marriage rituals, he should immediately return to Anandpur Sahib and ask his parents to take the bride home with them.Joga Singh’s parents were confused and shocked. Their son had just been married, and he was not even staying with his wife for a single day. Yet, understanding that this was Guru Ji’s hukam, they accepted it. Obeying the command without question, Joga Singh left the wedding place and started his journey back.
On the way, he reached Hoshiarpur, near Anandpur Sahib, where he stopped for the night to rest. There, in a dharamshala, he came into contact with a few businessmen who were also staying overnight. They asked Joga Singh where he was coming from. He replied honestly that he was a sevak of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, had been married that very day, and was returning immediately to Anandpur Sahib on Guru Ji’s command.
Hearing this, the men began to question him. They said it felt wrong that his Guru had sent him back immediately after marriage. At first, Joga Singh replied firmly that whatever the Guru does is always for the best.
But slowly, their words began to affect his mind. A few of them said, “At least you should have stayed with your wife for two or three days. No father would do this to his son. Guru Ji could have called you later.” These thoughts started troubling Joga Singh, and for a moment, doubt entered his heart.
The men continued, saying that now he was a married man and should experience the world he had missed. They tempted him further, saying that if his Guru did not care about his feelings, why should he worry so much? They even suggested that there was a place upstairs where he could fulfill his desires, referring to a prostitute’s room.
At first, Joga Singh refused and said it was wrong. But as confusion and weakness took over, he moved toward the stairs. Just as he was about to step forward, he saw an old baba standing there, holding a stick. In a stern and commanding voice, the baba scolded him and ordered him to go back downstairs.
Joga Singh stepped back. After some time, he again tried to go upstairs, and once more the same old baba appeared and stopped him. This happened two or three times during the night. Each time, the baba firmly sent him back. Finally, defeated and ashamed, Joga Singh slept downstairs in the dharamshala.
The next morning, Joga Singh continued his journey and reached Anandpur Sahib. He went to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who was resting and seated on the takhat. Joga Singh bowed down and tried to touch Guru Ji’s feet, but Guru Ji moved His feet away. When Joga Singh tried again, Guru Ji said, “Joga, why are you troubling me? I stayed awake the entire night, guarding the house of a prostitute, just to protect my sevak from becoming impure.”
Hearing these words, Joga Singh broke down in tears. He realized his mistake and understood how close he had come to falling from the path. With deep repentance, he sought forgiveness at Guru Ji’s feet.
This is the greatness of the Guru—one who protects His beloved sevaks even when they falter, and who saves them from impurity with divine grace and compassion.