An Experience of Fraternity
- by: Surinder Kaur
Baba Ji has visited Bradford on many occasions throughout my lifetime of nineteen years, but I will always have special memories of one particular tour which has left a foot print in my heart.
It is said that,
My people walk in and our of your life,
But only true friends will leave a footprint in your heart
My perfect Master has proved this so. This experience was a unique one where there was connection with the truth. The unconditional love that a devotee has for his guru was seen in every individual’s eyes as it was announced that His Holiness, Pujya Mata Ji along with the tour party were to visit the Yorkshire region over a period of three days.
Every one was full of joy and there was instant zeal and charisma in every soul as the thirst of meeting the Satguru was soon to be quenched by his physical presence. Even though the master is all pervading we feel touched by guru darshan (witnessing the spiritual guide). It was a golden opportunity to spend time with saints from all around Yorkshire, from the UK and abroad. Every soul was dancing in the months leading up to the Samagam. As the months passed which for me seemed like years I felt euphoria in the Bradford Bhawan every day as every saint was exuberantly carrying our service, from the young to the most senior mahapursh each saint showed a sense of exhibition.
Finally it was Saturday 28th July the day that everyone had been waiting for with great delight, as the benevolent Master was to arrive within hours. The red carpet was laid out in front of the entrance to the Bhawan and saints waited with flowers in their hands rejoicing the name of the holy Master. Mobiles were ringing, as some saints just could not wait for the opportunity to see the holy couple. We waited and waited and at around 10.30 pm a brother informed that His Holiness was just around the corner.
The excitement was at its greatest, Baba Ji had arrived and seemed as though a father had come to bless his children after a long time. The holy couple walked down the red carpet it was dark and I only caught a small glimpse of Pujya Mata Ji as they were greeted by youngsters from Bradford sharing a holy hymn. I could feel the love that was being showered by the Satguru. A huge family had got together to seek blessings from the true Master – Vasudev Kutumbkum – the global family.
It was a though the whole world had come together as one big family to seek the love and blessings that the Master had to share.
The Satsang started promptly as everyone took their place in the Bhawan. Baba Ji looked around and gave his warm smile to each and every saint. His smile brought tears to my eyes, I felt as though I had been given a new life, one that was to change me through the experience that I was to have over the following days. Baba Ji’s presence had become the cause of the brotherly love that was being shared, never before had I seen a sight of such enthusiasm, charisma and love. This experience reminded me of the annual Samagam in Delhi.
This was the first time that I stayed up all night in excitement of the day that was to follow. After Baba Ji had taken a short rest he went for a walk around the Bhawan, saints followed Baba Ji’s footsteps. I watched carefully as he slowed his pace for the senior devotees that walked behind him. There in front of me was the true Master in his physically presence and I thought, ‘well what could I ask Baba Ji?’
Through the night, sisters began preparing lunch for the following day. Many other saints worked throughout the night in order to prepare for the Samagam which was only a few hours away. I made a prompt start to the day as we had Mahapurah staying at our house. Everyone gathered at the Bhawan in Bradford and breakfast was served. Baba Ji too was leaving for the Samagam venue.
I was just about to set off when I was stopped by a sister and told that I would have to remain at the Bhawan whilst the Samagam took place. I felt that I could not turn down a request. So I decided to stay and prepare the lunch for Baba Ji with other sisters. Baba Ji had arrived at the Bhawan and lunch was served to the party. I watched the master eat and stood around to cater for his every need.
I felt as though I had missed out on the blessings that Satguru had bestowed upon saints at the Samagam, nevertheless I still thought that I would get the opportunity to seek the blessings His Holiness with the time that he had left in Bradford.
It was Monday 30th July the sun shone majestically in the sky. Baba Ji was to leave for Glasgow at 11.00 am and that there would be a prompt departure to Scotland. My heart sank a sense of sadness was not around me. I was stood outside waiting for Baba Ji to come downstairs. I began thinking about what I had learned over the three days and began to analyses each day. I had seen love, dedication, service, prayer, and congregation, but had I really learnt anything? This was the one question on my mind.
We had all been waiting outside the Bhawan for a few minutes when I just glanced up at the front of the Bhawan and there stood the Master in true perfection waving down at us whilst we waited, that instance I felt as though Baba Ji had given his blessings. What I had forgotten was the fact that he blesses us all the time; just as a mother looks out for her child similarly Baba Ji looks after his devotees wherever they maybe and in whatever they may do.
Rev. Saint Jawahar Ji came downstairs and said that Baba Ji asked for a final congregation in the Bhawan before leaving Bradford. As His Holiness took his seat on the stage, youngsters from Bradford were asked to share a last hymn with the congregation. We all sang,
O Lord you are leaving us, but come soon
As our hearts are still asking for your love
Our voices were beginning to sink as our hearts began to cry. When Baba Ji spoke, everyone sat in the Bhawan with tearful eyes listening to the pious words that were being given to us.
It was time for His Holiness to leave he sat in the car waving at everyone and I still felt as though I had not had an opportunity to speak to the Master and seek his blessings. I stood watching as I felt tears running down my face, my dad was stood speaking to Baba Ji I stepped forward to join him when my dad looked back and said ‘oh yes Baba Ji, she has been very upset as she didn’t get the opportunity to go to the Samagam’. Before my dad had finished Baba Ji said ‘You were carrying out selfless service, there is no need to be upset’.
As these words came from the Master I could feel his hand on my head, I was being blessed. The Master’s words felt like a lullaby that penetrated deep within my heart. Baba Ji departed and I stood watching the car turn onto the road.
This experience has left my life touched. There is change all around us, we should strive to change ourselves and not think of changing someone else or ultimately changing society. If we change ourselves then society will change for itself.
Mahatma Gandhi Ji once said,
Life is an aspiration. It is a mission to strive after perfection which is self-realisation
Self realization can create a change between the way think and our actions as it is easier to say than to actually do the deed. Today hand on heart I can say,
Kehe Avtar Guru Da Karza Janam Janam Nahi La Sakda
(Sampuran Avtar Bani)
We are in debt to the Master and even in numerous lifetimes we cannot repay the debt owed to the Master. Man today is poised for greather heights but has not actually attempted to realise the real aim of life. May we all pray to Nirankar for the strength to realize the truth and let us not forget that Nirankar is forever within us all. Whatever we may think and whatever we may do Baba Ji is the knower and doer of everything. May we also remember that Baba Ji is always blessing us with his love, experiences are hard to describe in words as the love being shared is unexplainable. Life is an aspiration lets strive for change within ourselves let love and humbleness exist in our hearts always!