Story of Saint Baba Pragan Nath Ji

Brahmin boy of 14-15 years old became a disciple of Guru Gorakh Nath Ji. After basic education the boy
was offered to put on "Mudraine". He was then ordered by Gorakh Nath Ji to roam and spread the
message among masses to live in brotherhood and unity. This boy was later on christened as "Baba
Pragan Nath Ji". He then started to travel the country and once came in Sialkote (now in Pakistan). At
this juncture, the king known as Raja Salwan was ruling this place. Raja Salwan's son, Puran Bhagat was
also the disciple of Guru Gorakh Nath Ji. While roaming, Baba Pragan Nath Ji arrived Chaprar village
district Sialkote. To the Northern side of Chaprar, a "Nallah" known as "Dhann" used to flow which dried
during summer, remained moistened in winter and got filled with lot of water during rainy season.

To the southern side of Chaprar, there were two Joharars (Chhapars) which got filled with water
especially during rains. Being situated in the hilly slope, Charprar appears to be an island. Just opposite
to Dhann Nallah's northern side, there was a pond (Talab), where people used to bath. Quite adjoining
to the pond, there was a garden to its southern side. At the outside of the garden, there was a Pipal
(Ficus religiosa) tree whence a path used to go to Chaprar,but the Pipal tree was totally dry. When Baba
Pragan Nath Ji reached the above spot, he decided to stay there. Then he hanged his Karmanandal
(Brass pot) and Jholi (Cloth bag) on the branches of Pipal tree. As soon as Baba Ji reached and started to
dwell there, the Pipal tree turned green. After gathering dried dung, bushes and woods, he used to lit his
Dhuna. He always remained busy in self meditation and only for a moment he went to the town for
begging. After begging from two or three houses, he came back, prepared the meals and after taking it,
he again sat in meditation without caring for his body.

Once a happening took place. It was while Baba Ji was in deep meditation, a group of thieves passed by
this route. All these thieves voiced to the meditating Baba Ji, to grant them success while going to
Chaprar for robbing, and prayed to offer some amount to Baba Ji after doing the job. The thieves
reached Chaprar town and entered the house of Rohmetras rich (landlord) family and succeeded in their
aim. They stole cash, ornaments, clothes and other valuable things. Ornaments and clothes of a married
girl of the aforesaid family were also stolen by the thieves. The members of Rohmetra's family were
much disappointed after this incident.
After robbing, the thieves reached near the Pipal tree where Baba Ji was in meditation. They put on a
Doshala around his shoulders and also offered a coin of Rs 5. Since Baba Ji was busy in his meditation so
he did not know about this act.

Next day early in the morning, village people as well as Rohmetra family's married girl came to the fields
to attend nature's call. On returning, when the girl passed by the Pipal tree she was surprised to see her
Doshala on Baba Ji's shoulders. She raised a hue and cry and said, "What type of saints they are? They
use to rob at night and meditate during day time." In anger, she slapped Baba Ji's face. As Baba Ji was in
deep mediation and his soul was not present in his body, he fell and died.

Although Baba's dead body was consigned to flames after following all necessary rituals yet a number of
incidents started to happen in Rohmetra's family. For instance, in milk and curd worms appeared and
clothes hanging on pegs started to burn. Thus, Rohmetra family that had already become a prey when
their cash, ornaments and clothes were stolen got cursed. After this, the Rohmetras asked the Pundits
the cause of such incidents. The Pundits concluded that all this is due to the roaming soul of Baba Ji. Soul
of Baba Ji said, "Rohmetra family's married daughter has murdered him. The family will become free
from this sin, only if a Bhawan is built on Baba's name at the place where he expired. A statue of Baba
Pragan Nath Ji should also be built. Every year during Asharr month's Purnima (Bikrami Era), which
usually corresponds to first week of June (Christan Era) a Havan and Bhandara should be organised.
During Bhandara, the prepared meals should first be offered to Baba Ji and thereafter, to the members
of Rohmetra family and others."

Accordingly a Bhawan was constructed on the site of Baba Ji and his statue was installed. Havan, Yagaya
and Bhandara were started. Apart from members of Rohmetra clan, the people of adjoining towns were
also invited. This programme used to be celebrated every year. As many of the people of Rohmetra
family went to various places for doing jobs, business so it became difficult to assemble every year.
Hence this function was celebrated once in 12 years. It is said that prior to first hair cutting (Mundan
ceremony), there was a practice to sacrifice a goat. However, on the prayers of Beli Ram Rohmetra F/o
Daya Ram and his grand father and other respectable elders, this old practice was abolished. In lieu of
that, they practiced to mount Rs 1.25 on the statue of Baba Ji.

First Bhawan of Baba Pragan Nath Ji was situated at Chaprar town which is now in Pakistan. The second
one was built at Dorangla. To reach Chaprar, one had to pass through a number of small and big
Nallahas, and the path was also difficult one. Moreover, it became difficult for the children to walk on
foot. Therefore, the Rohmetra clan after seeking Baba Ji's permission, constructed another Bhawan at
Dorangla. This Bhawan was, infact, in a room (nearby Deodi) of a house. The established Bhawan
consisted of a statue of Baba Ji carved out on the stone. During the Kartik Purnima, after performing
Havan and arrangement for eating (Bhandara) was also held. At that juncture during Mundan ceremony
one tuft of hair was left for 12 years and after that it was taken to Chaprar for final Mundan ceremony.

During 1947 partition, the members of Rohmetra family went to various places of India. After some
time, Dorangla Rohmetra family members contacted one another and later on planned to collect some
fixed amount. They thought to build a raised floor for keeping Baba Ji's statue on it. Daya Ram however,
made them understand that to keep Baba Ji's statue on the raised floor (Chauntra) is not advisable as
cattle and birds may defile its purity. Therefore, a Bhawan if not large but a small one should be built.
Suggestion of Daya Ram Rohmetra was accepted. It is worthwhile to mention that Daya Ram was
present at both the occasions, when Bhawan was founded at Dorangla and while statue of Baba Pragan
Nath Ji was placed.

The establishment of Baba Pragan Nath's Bhawan vis-à-vis his statue in Jammu has its own story.
Rohmetra clan of Chaprar dwells in Jammu, Nai Basti. Late Sh. Bhag Mal had two sons namely Muni Lal
and Tilak Raj, who are married and very popular. They are Arya Samaji, and do not believe in goddesses
and gods. The women of this tribe were also of Arya Samaji and they even did not know about Baba
Pragan Nath Ji. Once a saint (Jogi) of Chaprar, who used to sing a story of Baba Ji and had settled in
Dhariwal used to visit Dorangla also and wherever devotees of Rohmetra families lived. He once in a
year visited their houses and after singing the story of Baba Ji got some alms on Baba's name.

Once this Jogi went to the house of Ram Dass S/o Kirpa Ram Rohmetra to take alms. The wife of Ram
Dass told Jogi that one more Rohmetra family lives here. She sent her daughter alongwith Jogi to the
house of Muni Lal and Tilak Raj. On reaching the house, the girl said to the mother of Muni Lal. "He is
the Jogi of Baba Pragan Nath Ji. He comes every year and takes alms from the Rohmetra families. He did
not know your house and only today, he has found your address and has come". The mother of Muni Lal
was Arya Samaji. Moreover, she did not know about Baba Pragan Nath Ji. She therefore, said, "we do
not know and even do not believe in Baba or Devi Devta". On this the Jogi, replied. "This time, I myself,
have come to your house, but now I will come only when you call me" and then Jogi went away.

After some time, it so happened that Muni Lal began to suffer from fever. He consulted a doctor and
took prescribed medicines but got no relief. Rather, he got afflicted with more diseases. He became very
weak. A number of "Jaare Fande" from Arya Samaj side were got done but he obtained no relief. When
he became very thin and lean, then Baba Pragan Nath Ji asked him to build a Bhawan and erect a statue
at home, and the disease will automatically go. Muni Lal Ji, then made a Bhawan in his house and a
statue was installed. Brother of Muni Lal, Uncle's son, Sat Pal S/o Des Raj Rohmetra told Daya Ram S/o
Beli Ram Rohmetra that Baba Ji has pervaded in Muni Lal's body. Once on a Purnima day Daya Ram had
gone to Dorangla along with his brother Charan Dass. A number of males and females were also present
there. Muni Lal too had gone there. When Jogi sang the story of Baba Ji in the Darbar, the Baba entered
Muni Lal's body. Then all the present people prayed with folded hands and said, "Maharaj! What is the
order for us"? Baba Ji then said, "All you have gone from Chaprar and have left me alone." The people
responded that they have already made a Bhawan at Dorangla . Baba Ji replied that this already stands
existed there, and a new place be constructed in Jammu. This new place in Jammu must be quite akin to
that of Chaprar and similar kind of statue be also erected. And every year during the Purnima of Asshar
month, a Bhandara of simple vegetarian meals be done. First of all the meals be offered to Baba Ji and
then all you people take the 'Navedeh'. After that, the members of Rohmetra families assembled in the
house of Muni Lal thrice, every year during Asshar month, to celebrate the tradition.

With the concerted efforts of Bua Ditta Mal Mullochak Wale, Jamit Rai Dorangla Wale, Girdhari Lal
Rohmetra Dhalle Wale and all Rohmtera brethren of Jammu, this Bhawan was established, where every
year the people come to have "Baba's Darshan" and fulfill their desires.

"Persons, who sustain a cheerful outlook and always remain busy forgetting themselves in serving
others, rarely become ill and are remembered forever."

This is exactly what has been exhorted by the forefathers of S D Rohmetra, Editor in Chief, Daily
Excelsior who started this newspaper on January 1, 1965 with the blessings of great Saint Baba Pragan
Nath Ji and his forefathers. Mr Rohmetra was born at village Mullochak and used to dwell there prior to
partitioning between India & Pakistan in 1947. The village, Mullochak situated near Pakistan border, is
about 15 km from Ranbir Singh Pura town, quite adjacent to Beaspur village. Presently, there are nearly
375 houses in this village comprising a number of communities like Brahmins, Rajputs and others.

At the centre of the Mullochak village there is a small statue of Baba Pragan Nath Ji in a room (Bhawan),
who is considered to be the deity of Rohmetra tribe, known as "Kul Devta' of Rohmetra Parivar. As per
Bishan Dass Sharma (Pujari) of Baba Pragan Nath Ji, this Bhawan was built by Mool Raj Rohmetra
(popularly known as Mula Shah) father of S D Rohmetra. The land on which the Bhawan of Baba Pragan
Nath Ji stands created , was also provided by Mool Raj Shah free of cost. Bishan Dass Sharma further
added that Bhawan of Bawa Pragan Nath Ji at Mullochack possesses similar importance as that of
temple, which is located at Nanak Nagar Jammu near Power Grid Station. Some of the Rohmetra
families members do come here, especially during Purnimas(Full Moon Night) of Asshar and Kartik
months according to Bikrami era, which usually correspond to the months of June / July and
October/November, respectively according to Christan era when large gathering of Rohmetra brethren
visit the Bhawan of Nanak Nagar Jammu.

The place where at present two small temples exist called Deharies are situated between Beaspur and
Mullochak villages, were also constructed by Sukh Ram Shah father of Mool Raj Rohmetra for the said
purpose. Many members of Rohmetra families also pay a visit to these Deharies during the Purnimas of
Asshar and Kartik months.

There is a one more small temple, called Sajabti, which is located at the Mullochak village. The site of
this small temple also stands allotted in this regard free of cost. The newly wedded couples come to this
place and take rounds. This tradition is called ''Tarage Phirna''.

According to Jarnail Singh, one of the leading progressive farmers of the village Mullochak, an old
existing temple of Radha Krishan at the centre of the Mullochak village was constructed by late Lala
Labha Shah forefather of S D Rohmetra, after allotting a lot of land in this connection. Although this
temple is over 100 year old yet it looks very fresh and still it is in very good condition.

There was not even a single Madarsa or school at village Mullochak. Lala Sukh Ram - grand father of S D
Rohmetra was the first among the Rohmetra families, who for the first time allotted the land and then
with his concerted efforts got constructed a middle school by spending lot of amount from his own
pocket. But now on the same site, there stands a Government Primary School instead of a Middle
school.

Lot of cultivated land owned by late Sukh Ram Shah had already been allotted to a number of peasants
of Beaspur and Mullochak, who are now cultivating the same and very much enjoying.

It is worthwhile to mention that the inherited house of late Mool Raj Rohmetra at Mullochak where S D
Rohmetra was born, was transferred to the village Panchayat long back. Now this house has been
converted into a community hall in 2001. This community hall is near the ''Bhawan'' of Baba Pragan Nath
Ji and is utilized for holding various functions organized by the villagers.
Not only this, about 7 ha (140 kanals) land of late Sukh Ram Shah was at Chakroi. When this land came
under "Chakroi Farm'', and in lieu of that the same was allotted at Kotli Jindhra by the State Govt. which
was later on distributed to the farmers without taking any charges from them.