By : Mohinder Lal Verma

Five Pledges of the Nirankari Mission are the spiritual tenets lay down by the True Master as a prerequisite for the initiation of a seeker of God-knowledge. These pledges have a great significance, for they mould the attitude of the devotee towards life, and thus ensure his spiritual development.

However, some mistake the pledges as the God-knowledge itself. This is not proper. The precautions, which a physician prescribes, cannot be a substitute for the medicine. The real benefit can be derived on taking the medicine and simultaneously following the prescribed precautions. Where both are complementary, they are not a substitute for each other. When the pledges are made the governing principles of one's life, they relieve one of the ‘shackles’ of ego, hatred and jealousy, and help in realisation of one’s real self. They completely change the prejudiced and biased outlook of man, transform him and also help him to sublimate his practical life. Nirankari Baba has epitomized the entire spiritual therapy in these pledges for the purpose of simplification and easy adoption. The pledges may be described, one by one, as below.

Body, mind and material possessions are gifts of God

Due to ignorance man thinks himself to be the master of his body, mind and material possessions, which is a great illusion. Also, these are not permanent: these are not changing. Everybody knows that pleasure and pain, gain and loss, health and ailment exist from the very beginning of the creation. Man cannot escape from these in spite of the huge resources at his disposal. After making all efforts whatever is the result, man has to accept it, willingly or otherwise. Hence, it is not wisdom to be worried or distressed by the ups and downs of life.

This pledge makes the devotee understand that all physical, mental and material possessions belong to God and he is a mere trustee. It is entirely the will of God to enhance, curtail or withdraw these assets from anyone, at any moment. Attachment to that which does not belong to one, in reality, causes suffering. As such, one should make use of the material possessions as a trustee.

Having surrendered himself to God, a devotee rises above the feelings of loss or gain, success or failure, respect or disrespect. In consequence thereof, his mind remains equanimous under all circumstances. Thus, the pledge relieves the devotee of all worries.

Not to be proud of caste, colour or creed

Though a hard reality, it sounds paradoxical that the people of different religions, castes and races sit together in public places like hotels, cinemas, yet they do not worship or pray together in religious places. This reflects the height of ignorance; such distinctions are man-made: God has created all as equal.

The pledge relieves one of the prejudices of caste, colour and creed and commits the devotee not to hate or discriminate between man and man on such grounds. When the mind is enlightened, all such differences and distinctions automatically vanish and man comes closer to man. The pledge instills a sense of humanism, fraternity, universal brotherhood, love and goodwill amongst the fellow-beings.

Not to be critical of others' diet, dress and mode of living

People often hate others because of their diet, dress, etc. Diet, dress and mode of living in different parts of the world, nay even in the same country may vary due to climatic conditions. Naturally, one has to adopt oneself to the same. As such, one should, therefore, not be critical of other's diet, dress and mode of living, rather imbibe the spirit of tolerance, understanding and accommodation.

Not to renounce family life

The pledge implies that one should not renounce the family life, rather discharge one's social duties and responsibilities. True renunciation lies not in abandoning the normal life, but in living in the world and yet not being worldly. Why should one run away from the mainstream of life and wander about in the woods in search of God, who is all-pervading and can be realised by the grace of a True Master even while leading a household life? Every body must earn his livelihood by honest means and not become a parasite on the society.

For the purpose of God-realisation, one neither need wear saffron clothes nor go on pilgrimage. Further, if one withdraws from the society, one cannot mould or transform others. Perfection also implies inner sublimation. For the purpose of achieving God-realisation and the ideal of universal brotherhood, if one abandons the society, one can neither contribute to one's own development not to that of the society. As such, one should live in the family and honestly and earnestly endeavour both for material and spiritual advancement.

Not to divulge God-knowledge without permission

It is the privilege of the True Master to bestow God-knowledge. After God-realisation, one should mould one's life in accordance with the True Master's teachings. One must take utmost care of the sapling of God-knowledge, tend it and nurse it most conscientiously, so that it may grow day-by-day into a big blooming tree. In other words, one must firstly establish oneself firmly in God-knowledge before one becomes a preacher.

Needless to say that by living up to the above pledges, one can lead an ideal life, both materially and spiritually.