Sant Karam Singh Sahib ji followed his daily routine without exception, and as he prayed, he paid a lot of attention to serving and remembering God. One evening, while he was about to begin reading the Shri Rahiras Sahib ji, the thought that he should find solitude to enjoy the reading of the scriptures and baani occurred to him. So he clad himself in simple attire, and sat in solitude to enjoy Rahiras Sahib ji. As he read with total devotion, he got stuck at one line, and he kept on reading it repeatedly. This line was the fourth Patshahi Dhann Guru Ram Dass’s line: Tere bhagat tere bhagat salaahni tudhu ji hari anik anek ananta.” He went into a trance as he perused the line over and over again.

And soon it was time for him to report on duty. Subedar Ahmed Rehman, a Muslim, was very jealous of the veneration that the Sant was held in. He would lie in wait for an opportunity to lodge complaints with higher officers against the Sant. But the officers did not pay much heed to his complaints. Suddenly, when he took a round that day, he found that Havildar Sant Karam Singh was not in his place on duty. His duty was that of the Quarter Guard. The Subedar thought to himself that since an English Commanding Officer was on duty that day, he would fetch him, and then even his previous complaints would be justified. The Sant’s reputation would be torn to shreds. As he went towards the Duty Commander, it occurred to him to make sure of his facts. He looked on all sides, and saw a Singh sitting alone on one side; and when he went closer, he realized that it was the Sant who was lost in a trance. So the Subedar confidently brought the English officer to the place of duty, and, lo and behold, the Havildar saluted them smartly! The Havildar was very much present on duty. The officer was very happy. The Havildar even answered all his questions to his satisfaction. The officer felt really happy. The Subedar became nervous but he could not believe his eyes. To make sure he went to where he had seen the Sant sitting in a trance. The Sant was very much in a trance. He hurried back to the officer and saluted and said, “Sahib ji! The Sant is in samaadhi.” The officer said, “Subedar ji! Are you afraid that you’ll be punished and so you are seeing double?” The Subedar replied, “Come and see for yourself!” The Duty Commander agreed and went to the place where the Sant sat in a trance – and sure enough, he was there, completely immersed in his devotion. The Duty Commander was amazed. He returned to the place where the Sant was supposed to be on duty. In this way, they checked both places three times and were astounded to see the Sant present in both places. There was not the minutest difference between the two figures. The Duty Commander took off his hat and bowed down before the Sant and said, “Subedar ji! The person who has God beside him can never lose his respect.” The officer returned to his office and was lost in great amazement at the All-Merciful God.

When the Sant broke out of his trance, he realized that he had been absent from duty. Even then he immediately donned his uniform and appeared for duty. After completing his time at the guard, he returned and decided on the way that he would go the next day to the office and apologize for his lapse, and accept whatever punishment they meted out; and be grateful if they forgave him. Immersed in his thoughts, the Sant fell asleep. He woke up the next morning at dawn and completed his daily ablutions.