History of the Loponian Fellowship of Saints
During the Odyssey of Sri Guru Hargobind Maharaj, the Sixth Temporal Ruler,throughout the Punjab, the Sikh Sovereign inquired from the pilgrims as to the genial nature of the inhabitants of the dust-swept plains of the township of Lopon,the pilgrims advised the King to avoid it as the people only worshiped long dead Pirs, to which the Guru replied “in whichever favorable direction fate leadeth my steed, in that prosperous way alone will I be lead”. In accordance with this decree it so happened that the Guru’s caravan mysteriously arrived at the opportune gates of Lopon.
Indeed it seems that the Majestic One intended all the time to visit this sacral landscape himself. Immediately upon his arrival the Guru was overwhelmed by the loving reception he received from the jubilant townspeople who showered him with flowers and rejoiced at his glorious entrance into their fair city. Many divine offerings were made, praiseful tunes and hymns were uttered, a royal feast was served and many benedictions were sought by the pious Loponian residents. Upon departing, the Guru was deeply touched by the affection showered upon him, in his closing remarks he thanked the villagers for their pious hospitality and he offered unto them an ornamental turban and a hilted sword, the people humbly accepted the turban, though they meekly denied the sword, the all-knowing Messiah laughed and proclaimed “As ye wish, but from now onwards thy tongue's wits shall cut as swords and whatever thou sayest shall come to pass”.
Furthermore the Sixth Guru granted boons unto the Loponian township when he foretold that a great Lineage of Illuminated Seers would walk it’s earth in the near future and that the Saints who adorned it’s succession would shine in the worldly and spiritual spheres and would reign with equal power and glory as he himself possessed. For he himself proudly proclaimed “I myself shall reside upon the throne of this lineage, know that whosoever taketh this seat of authority is my very form and semblance”. With that he departed, leaving an everlasting stamp of his divine presence in this land of visionary saints.
Baba Bhagat Singh Ji
This highly esteemed holy man has a special place in the hearts of his followers as he was the first Perfect Master to hail from the Lopon lineage itself, thus fulfilling the Sixth Guru’s prophesy. In fact the Guru had foretold that four saints in the guise of men, unknown to the common people would guide the people with their divine prowess, and the fifth would be the visible hermit who spoke unto the world. This was Baba Bhag Singh Ji, the stoic ascetic who meditated for 40 years at this sacred place, in fact from his very infancy he revealed divine inklings and spiritual tendencies, seeking out the holy and the pious and performing miracles even as a child. As a youth he prophesied that the day was coming when the Sixth Sovereign’s holy advice would come to full fruition and that the village of Lopon would be as a beacon of spirituality, a reservoir of knowledge an oasis of holiness, a seat of higher learning fostering pundits, sages and intellectuals alike all striving in the halls of wisdom for final liberation. Many towering white temples would dot the rugged terrain beautifying it, they would be built by the future masters and would hold religious prayers day and night. In particular one young master would brighten the horizons of enlightenment as a world teacher of sorts preaching from the Holy Guru Granth Sahib, scriptural writings and erecting prayer halls, temples and establishing pools of pilgrimage all over the Punjab whilst attaining much renowned fame. The great master Baba Bhag Singh Ji lived to the ripe old age of 85 before passing on the sacred duties of the hermitage to his dearest disciple Baba Mitt Singh Ji.
Baba Mitt Singh Ji
During the long spells of meditation performed by Baba Bhag Singh Ji the sterling ascetic came across a young sage Baba Mitt Singh from Lopon, with his celestial eye the aged Baba foresaw in this youthful hermit his own successor and in due time after years of guidance he passed the mantle of succession unto Baba Mitt Singh Ji who took over the sacred mission at the age of 21. Blessed with the spiritual powers of his predecessor Baba Mitt Singh further spread the divine message of Guru Nanak and solidified the holy name of the Loponian Lineage throughout India. Everyday the holy man would collect milk and food supplies from the local villagers for the communitarian smorgasbord of dainty dishes to be served unto the poor.
Swami Darbara Singh Ji
Upon the birth of this fakir-heralded sage a parade of holy men colnglomerated and declared that the sacred words of the Sixth King have been fulfilled. Flrom witnessing these spectacles Baba Mitt Singh Ji accepted the young Swami Darbara Singh Ji as his disciple who he affectionately called ‘Pundit’.
