By:Kirpa Sagar, Indian Information Service (Retd)

Let it sound amazing, paradoxical or even contradictory, but here is an example of eternal bliss springing from what could turn out to be one of the most painful worldly tragedies. An incident that could make people sit for days in mourning and express grief, curse and bemoan, lay concrete foundations of a magnificent edifice to be used for rejoicing year after year.

The then Head of the Sant Nirankari Mission, Baba Avtar Singh Ji, who had succeeded the Mission’s founder Baba Avtar Singh Ji only five years back, lost his son Sajjan Singh in August, 1948. Young Sajjan Singh who was yet to be out of his teens, had already endeared himself to the devotees of the Mission for his spiritual leaning, polite behaviour and zeal to serve the Mission. So, as soon as they came to know about his sudden death, many Missionaries (Parcharaks) and other devotees reached Delhi to express their grief. His Holiness, however, reminded them that all that we possess-body, mind and the wealth, are the bounties of the Formless God, Nirankar, and in case something is taken away, we must submit to the divine will. We should not feel elated when fortune smiles and sulk if it frowns. Baba Ji called upon ‘the mourners’ to sing the praise of God and express their gratitude for what continued to be at their disposal as trustees of the divine gifts.

Those were the days when the wounds inflicted by the Partition of India and the migration of population that took place in its wake had not yet healed up fully. Right thinking people were still to reconcile themselves to the fact as to why the followers of one religious faith could not stay together with those subscribing to another, The Mission, with human unity, religious tolerance and social harmony as its bedrock, found direct relevance to the situation. The Nirankari Missionaries were helping people to overcome the trauma, in their own humble way. Baba Avtar Singh Ji invited them to share their experience and consider how the Mission could do better and reach out to more and more people.

Consequently, the assembly turned into a fine get together of the devotees with the True Master, a congregating to discuss the message of the Mission and a forum to seek Satguru’s blessings to spread it further with faster pace. They rose one after the other to address the congregation, expressed their views on the Mission’s philosophy, their experience of sharing it with others and the hazards they came across. The discussion turned out to be so exciting, so blissful that every participant felt that they must assemble in Delhi every year and have similar brainstorming sessions under the most benevolent guidance of the Master. This would give them an opportunity to review their activities of the previous year and seek the blessings of the Nirankari Baba on their plans for the coming 12 months.

Ever since, all Missionaries authorized to reveal the truth on behalf of His Holiness and those assigned with various duties under the aegis of the Sant Nirankari Mandal, the organizational outfit of the Mission which was registered in September, 1948, as also an ever increasing number of devotees have assembled at the Headquarters of the Mission sometime in October or November every year. The spiritual get-together has been described as Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam and organized regularly, without any gap or lapse, not withstanding the law and order situation which was always not the same, and the Mission’s own share of ups and downs.

The Samagams are in no way confined to the preachers and other Missionaries assigned with organizational and managerial responsibilities because other devotees and seekers of Truth would like to enjoy the bliss and be benefited by the views expressed by them and fellow devotees on the philosophy about God and its relevance to human behaviour in prevailing living conditions, and of course, seek the blessings of the True Master.

To-day, colouful processions, Sewa Dal rallies, Publication stalls, impressive exhibitions, poetic symposia, school children’s programmes, Qawalis and media publicity etc. have become an integral part of these Samagams, whereas canteens, public call offices and inquiry counters etc. lend them a colour of festivities. Mass marriages from this year may further add to this colour.

The in-house brainstorming session of the Missionaries is, of course, an important part of the Annual Samagam and is described as the General Body Meeting of the Sant Nirankari Mandal. It is presided over by His Holiness, currently Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj. The Secretary concerned presents a report on the previous year's activities by way of a review. Baba Ji blesses the participants by setting the agenda for future. Important appointments and changes, if any, are also announced in the General body Meeting. But the open sessions described as Satsang remain the main highlight of the Samagam. No doubt a review takes place here too, but with a change. The context here is the role of the Mission as such vis-a vis the situation prevailing in the word and the problems faced by mankind. It is a discussion on the Nirankari approach to spiritual aspect of human life and its significance to the present day world.

The 50^th Annual Samagam of the Mission, the Golden Jubilee Nirankari Sant Samagam is being held from November 6 to10, 1997. On this historic and most auspicious occasion, it would be appropriate only to perambulate the past fifty years of the Mission and know the landmarks of its contribution to the world not only by way of regenerating the faith in God and moral human values but through other activities also. One may come across many examples that would show the way to the world to make the human sojourn on earth a real boon, a real bliss.

The first thing that strikes about this Mission of practical life based on spiritual enlightenment is that the entire world is one single unit for it. That God is Formless, omnipresent, all-pervading, eternal, and infinite is acknowledged by one and all, but here God is revealed. And while revealing God, the Nirankari Baba makes no discrimination on account of one’s religious faith, caste creed or colour, language, region or nationality. The Truth, the message, the revelation of God is for one and all, whether it is communicated in a group discussion, a small congregation or a thickly attended Samagam.

The emphasis in the context of India has always been on religious tolerance and elimination of discord, hatred and violence taking place in the name of great spiritual masters whose teachings and Holy Scriptures did never seek to propagate such negative feelings. The Mission has endeavoured to remove the very roots that lay in ignorance and superstitions and their exploitation by the vested interests. It has proved that all religious practices have no meaning unless the worshipper knows the God being worshipped. Therefore, the Mission always proved to be the most convenient forum for equal respect and honour to one and all, including those bitten by the poison of caste and communalism.

As soon as the Mission crossed the Indian frontiers in 1967 the world welcomed it because it found relevance to the needs of overseas societies also. Only recently, Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj was heard pointing out on the soil of Germany that both the erection and dismantling of the Berlin Wall was the result of human thinking, first, motivated by hatred and then influenced by love. We must, therefore, keep the minds cool and in tranquility by making God dwell in the same, by making fundamental unity and fraternity of mankind a part of human thought and action, he said. The stress on universal brother-hood came, of course, automatically. Similarly, both Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and Baba Hardev Singh Ji have been telling the Americans and Canadians in their own countries that mere material progress or amassing of wealth is not going to produce the real, lasting joy, which will flow only from treating all worldly assets as ultimately belonging to their Supreme Giver, God and utilizing the same for common good, as trustees. All the development in science, technology and other fields, Baba Ji said, is welcome so long as it does not threaten the world of its destruction in part or complete. At the same time, the Mission has been telling the world that no weapon, even if produced, can by itself harm life and property, until and unless there is some human mind behind it – inflicted by hatred, jealousy and pride. We must, therefore, fight the wars within and defeat all tendencies of violence by linking human mind with God-the Supreme Source of love, peace and tolerance. The Mission, thus, has been endeavouring for world peace based on human co-existences with the spirit of unity and fraternity derived from one-ness of Fatherhood. And peace, as we all know, is essential for prosperity.

Peace Preserved

The voice of Truth raised by the Mission did have its share of opposition. The orthodox forces did resist. But this is how the Mission treated them. In Delhi, some critics of the Mission started shouting slogans against Baba Avtar Singh Ji outside a place where he was addressing a congregation. They had certainly come prepared for a clash. But Baba Ji did not allow any of his followers to get provoked. On the other hand, after some time he sent some devotees with water to be served to the demonstrators in that hot weather. The gesture proved its instant efficacy and several demonstrators begged forgiveness and decided to join the Mission.

As the Mission spread by leaps and bounds under the spiritual guidance of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, certain fanatic elements in Punjab started opposing it, and they used violence. They disturbed congregations and violent attacks were reported from several places in Punjab and elsewhere. Baba Ji's offer to talk to them was ignored. Following an attack on a Nirankari Samagam in Amritsar on April 13, 1978, when the police had to open fire, several lives were lost. More than 60 innocent Nirankaris had to undergo the agony of judicial custody for about two years. Even during those days, Baba Ji was telling his followers not to point out the shortcomings of others and advising them to maintain their cool and keep on marching on the path of truth notwithstanding the provocation. The truth triumphed and all the accused Nirankaris were acquitted and released honourably. But the vicious elements continued to oppose the voice of truth and Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji himself and his distinguished devotee Pratap Singh fell to their bullets on April 24, 1980.

Perhaps still greater a price for peace was paid by His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj, who succeeded Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji as Head of the Mission. He described Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji's martyrdom as the will of God and declared that there would be no feeling of vengeance at all. He called upon the followers of the Mission to spread the voice to truth while praying for goodwill of all. He said: "Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji's martyrdom is the will of God. Perceptions differ from people to people. The ignorant say it may lead to bloodshed, but the devotees believe that being supreme sacrifice, it shall usher in peace and harmony. Imbibing such lofty ideals, we should continue to spread the Mission with greater zeal."

The message to the world was, of course, unique. It could never expect such an attitude from a youth of 26 whose great loving father had been assassinated brutally and who had all the resources at his disposal to wage a war of vengeance, whose one hint could cause riots and disturb peace for the entire country. No doubt the followers of the Mission continued to suffer both in terms of life and property here and there, the Mission's message of love, peace and tolerance had continued to spread far and wide. No provocation has been able to deter Baba Ji and his followers including the families who lost their bread earners, from this noble mission.

Further, Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj declared on the very first martyrdom anniversary of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji in 1981, that the day would be described as Manav Ekta Diwas and dedicated to the cause of Human Unity for which Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji had endeavoured as Head of the Mission. He went another step forward, when he declared in 1987, that the day would also be market by organizing a number of blood donation camps every year at different centres in the country. He pointed out that 'blood should flow in veins and not in drains'. The number of such camps organized in 1997 was 53. The Mission has already emerged as one of the leading blood donating voluntary organizations in India. Some camps have been organized in other countries also.

We have already come to know about Baba Avtar Singh Ji’s attitude towards the death of his young son, Sajjan Singh. When Baba Ji himself fell sick towards the end of his sojourn in this world, he used to say, "I am alright, only may body has some problem." This showed his detachment from body and attachment to the eternal abode of the soul i.e. God. And when he breathed his last, Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji decided to perform a simple funeral at the electric crematorium in Delhi saying, "Dead body is just a dead body whether it belonged to an ordinary person, an intellectual or even a holy man". He set aside all worldly considerations that would have found Baba Avtar Singh Ji’s body deserving a grand funeral with sandalwood and costly perfumes, for which there was no dearth of resources. No wonder, the same treatment was given to the body of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji on his martyrdom.

The message or the world is clear. One must give priority to the soul and not to the body. The soul must realize its own dwelling place (Nij Ghar), the Formless God, during the human life itself and thus cease to worry about the cycle of birth and death. And this can be achieved by bowing one’s head at the holy feet of the True Master and seeking his blessings.

Status of women

The Mission makes no discrimination on the basic of sex. A human being is just a human being. Similarly, a devotee is just a devotee. Women are not only encouraged to seek God-knowledge but participate and preside over congregations also. Many women devotees have been authorized by His Holiness to reveal God-knowledge on his behalf. They command equal reverence with the other Missionaries. Besides their participation in regular, general congregations, they have their own congregations also, suited to their convenience.

Ever since Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji became the Head of the Mission 1962, his esteemed spouse Nirankari Rajmata Kulwant Kaur Ji had been participating in the missionary activities shoulder to shoulder with Baba Ji. The divine couple undertook long and hectic tours in India and abroad. Even today, Rajmata Ji continues to be a source of spiritual inspiration and motherly affection to the devotees.

Pujya Mata Swinder Ji has received similar reverence from the devotees even since His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj became the Head of the Mission. The divine couple adorns the dais, where gracious Rajmata Ji is also seated. Pujya Mata Sawinder Ji too is a great source of inspiration for the devotees. She accompanies Baba Ji during spiritual tours both inside the country and overseas.

Indian youth Abroad

The Mission has been helping the Indian residents' abroad to solve a ticklish problem faced by almost every family. There was a time when their children appeared to have lost interest not only in Indian culture and tradition but Indian languages also. They were so deeply rooted in the culture of the land of their birth that they had virtually declared themselves opposed to the values their elders had preserved so meticulously. It was Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji who took notice of this cultural crisis. He encouraged the youth to attend congregations. He, however, gave them the freedom to express their views in any language. Baba Ji also called upon the elders not to condemn the youngsters altogether. He advised them to listen to the views of the youth and react objectively, giving full consideration to the latter’s aspirations in the given environment. Gradually, this worked and the Mission’s congregations started experiencing a fine harmony between the two generations and their cultural outlooks.

His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj has also paid considerable attention to this problem. Thanks to his frequent visit abroad and the inspiration provided to youth, one find today more and more youth boys and girls making speeches, presenting songs and reciting poems on the Mission’s ideology, in congregations where the attendance is growing thicker and thicker every day. Pujya Mata Sawinder Ji also remains a great source of inspiration for the younger generation. She has her own pleasant way to attract them towards the Mission and persuade them to take part in the various activities, rising above all worldly considerations normally baffling our youth. No wonder, the young boys and girls are seen today making all kinds of arrangements for the congregations. Wearing the Nirankari Sewa Dal uniform, they are practically vying with one another to snatch an opportunity to work for the Mission. They are fully convinced of the bliss that lies in using material wealth with spiritual consciousness.

Dedication to people

Although all the Heads of the Mission had a lot to their personal credit, yet they all saw to it that the Mission was not identified with their names. One of the steps taken was that the various Samagams were dedicated to the people instead of the Masters themselves. No wonder the Mission remembers Baba Avtar Singh Ji and Jagat Mata Budhwanti Ji on August 15 along with many other who also devoted their lives for the spiritual awakening of fellow-beings, particularly from the forum of the Sant Nirankari Mission. The day is described as ‘Mukti Diwas’, the Spiritual Liberation Day. The martyrdom of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and hundreds of those who laid down their lives for the sake of human unity, equality and Fraternity is recalled on April 24, and the day is observed as Manav Ekta Diwas or Human Unity Day. Bhakti Parv in January recalls the devotion and the services of all those devotees and Missionaries who spread its voice of Truth till their last breath.

No dates are fixed for the Annual Nirankari Sant Samagams just to safeguard them from becoming a ritual. The dates are fixed keeping in view the convenience of the participants. Moreover, with the kind blessings of His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj, more and more Annual Samagams are now being held at the state or regional level. This enables people to receive the Mission’s message in their own language and feel blessed without getting detached from their social and cultural environment. In a way the Mission is enriching their culture by adding its own colour to the same.

Down to earth

The Mission’s principal commitment is to make people God-conscious. It seeks to remove their ignorance, detach them from superstition and link them with the Eternal Reality. All its effort, however, is not confined to the spiritual aspect of their life. Being a down to earth practical human experience, the Mission doe not seek to detach itself from human fraternity. It has rather endeavoured to present an example of a way of life based on material progress with a fine blending with spiritual awakening. The Mission is convinced that one cannot visualize one’s own prosperity without the progress of the society as a whole.

During the Silver Jubilee Nirankari Sant Samagam in 1972, the devotees decided to mark the historic occasion by weighing the then Head of the Mission Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and his holy spouse Rajmata Kulwant Kaur Ji, against currency notes. Baba Ji acceded to the wishes of the devotees but declared that the money would be spent exclusively on the welfare of the people. Ever since, the spirit has not only been maintained but strengthened day by day. To-day, the Mission has hospitals, dispensaries, a college, schools, tailoring and embroidery training centres for women, and so on. Varied amounts of money have been donated by the Mission towards the rehabilitation of those affected by natural calamities.

As a well-wisher of the society, the Mission advises its followers to observe maximum austerity in marriage ceremonies and other social functions. It counsels them to avoid unnecessary show of dowry etc. Inter-caste marriages are also encouraged. In fact, Nirankaris do not go by the caste or community in their social relations. What they value is the spiritual enlightenment and devotion to God. The approach found all the needed stress first in the Mussoorie Conference of the Mission’s functionaries convened by Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji in 1973 and then reiteration at the two similar conferences held in Delhi under the benign guidance of His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj, one in 1987 and the other in 1997. The Mission is providing another dimension by organizing Mass Marriages during the Golden Jubilee Samagam.

As for the use of intoxicants, the Mission considers it as a root cause of many social evils and advises the devotees to refrain from it. However, Nirankaris do not hate the addicts as such. The Mission’s approach is not to hate any one on account of what one eats, drinks or wears. This was also re-emphasized during the conferences mentioned above.

Santokh Sarovar is another example of the Mission’s token participation in common good. The entire complex has been set up by voluntary labour. No doubt the devotees take a dip or use the reservoir’s neat water with a sense of faith, it is proving a valuable anti-pollution gift to Delhi ecology.

Thus on this most auspicious and historic occasion of the Golden Jubilee Nirankari Sant Samagam, we can say with full sense of satisfaction that the Mission has not only helped the seekers of Truth to know the Ultimate Reality i.e. God, but also shown the way to peace and tranquility so essential for human prosperity. It has also expressed itself in most convincing and conclusive manner on several issues and aspects of human behaviour that keep on agitating the minds of people not only in the Indian but societies overseas also. It has certainly made the life of its followers blissful and also shown the way the world may take to find the joy that is real and lasting.