Generally, it is seen that with the proclamation of non-violence, people tend to seal their lips and prefer staying huddled within their homes; or the feeling of non-violence starts speaking the language of cowardice.  The regular propagation of non-violence and tolerance by the Mission had started appearing to affect a few Mahapurushas in a similar manner.  To caution Nirankari devotees against such a pitfall, Gurudev Hardev stated once:

"Mahapurushas do not feel unnerved to spread the message of Truth to every nook and corner as only those get scared who are not true and want to deceive.  For example, a police constable who has been deputed by the government, and has also been given the uniform and the authority by the government, does not fear anyone.  Even if some body suspects him or wants to check his credentials, he does not get shaken because he is a government constable in reality.  If somebody is only pretending to be a constable, then he would always be worried because he is not a real constable and he might get caught.  In the same manner, those who are true and have the knowledge of Truth do not get perturbed.  You have realized the Truth, attained the knowledge of God, therefore, you should take this message of Truth to each and every home in a fearless manner."

Gurudev went on to the extent of saying:

"Saints, people of the world try to intimidate by imposing a fear of death.  But we have seen that Mahapurshas do not ever get terrified of death because they have already been emancipated by the True Master."

On another occasion, asking the Mahapurshas to talk about the Mission in a resolute and fearless manner, Gurudev said,

"We should not be apprehensive about any outside forces.  Wherever we happen to be - on the road side, in the market place or anywhere else, we should not hide but reveal the fact that we are Nirankaris."

Along with fearlessness, one needs to use all the means of publicity in the best possible manner to spread the message of Truth.  For this it was essential that not only should the congregations (Sangats) continue wherever they were being held, but the attendance in them should also increase.  This could only be made possible if all the Mahapurushas kept attending the Satsang enthusiastically as also spreading the awareness of the Mission’s Truth to their near and dear ones by meeting them regularly.  For this, along with fearlessness, courage and enthusiasm were needed.  Showing the saints the right approach in this direction, Gurudev stated,

"Wherever we go, we must have this passion in our hearts that we have to take Baba Ji’s message of Truth to each and every corner.  Wherever we go for our personal work, whether to a shop or to the office, we should start the topic of God-knowledge on our own."

It is an invincible truth that the impact of the practical life of a saint on general public is much deeper as compared to his words.  Shallow words can allure but cannot be a source of inspiration for the elevation of life.  To stress upon the need of practical life for the same, His Holiness stated once:

"We have to mould our lives according to our Mission - a life, in which nobody’s feelings are hurt.  No one should entertain the feeling of getting rid of us at the earliest.  On the contrary people should form a positive opinion about us and should want to continue sitting in our company.  Our life should inspire them to lead their lives in a manner similar to us.  People will, of course, form such feelings about us only when we are not egocentric and proud."

On one side Gurudev Hardev was busy giving practical shape to his plans for human welfare by touring from place to place, but on the other side, some Mahapurushas associated with the Management were busy discussing that Satguru Baba Ji should not go for many tours because of the tension all around.  They felt that the Mission should slow down the pace of missionary work for some time and avoid organizing congregations.  Let devotees sit at home and remember the Formless and thus enjoy the peace of mind.  If the world does not like the Truth, they said, why should we go out of our way to bear the brunt of their wrath and anger?  We have attained God for ourselves and should feel blissful herein and hereafter.

The devotees in general, however, did not have such a weakness of heart.  Only some organizers were heard giving expression to such a feeling once in a while.  To mention the same, one day, Rev. Gobind Singh, Chairman of the All India Working Committee, presented himself at the holy feet of Gurudev.  He took me also along with him.  Both of us conveyed the feelings of our colleagues to Gurudev Hardev.   We also requested Gurudev with folded hands that he may halt his tours for some time and allow us also to enjoy the bliss of devotion in solitude.

Gurudev could instinctively gauge the weakness of our minds.   Therefore, trying to make us understand, he stated, "Shastri Ji, I am surprised to hear such words from you.  You have been telling the devotees yourself that till the time your neighbour does not sleep in peace, you would also not be able to do the same.  Your own home might be the cleanest but till the time there is stench emanating from your neighbour’s house, you will not be able to rest in peace.  If the neighbour’s house is on fire, your own house cannot be saved from turning into ashes.  Our welfare lies in the welfare of all."

Elucidating his point, Gurudev further stated, "For example, you are driving your car yourself, but will you be able to avoid an accident if you come across a driver who is heavily drunk?  No.  Therefore, it is a fact that if we want to be happy in all respects, we will have to make sure that good feelings spread in all directions.  Till the time even one person has hatred and animosity in his mind, the world cannot have real peace.  At this hour, our responsibility has increased manifold.  We must take this message of Truth as early as possible from home to home so that we can extinguish the fire of hatred and hostility that is raging in our neighbourhood, at the earliest.  We are also well aware that fire brigade is needed only when there is a fire.  It is not needed once the fire is extinguished.  The message of love is needed all the more when hatred is spreading all around."

After pausing for a moment, Gurudev stated further, "Even otherwise, saints live for the welfare of others.  A Mahapurusha continues to spread the message of Truth without caring for his personal profit or gain."

Gurudev became quiet.  It seemed he had said what he wanted to say.  We looked at each other for a moment, bowed to Gurudev and came back.  My mind was in turmoil.  I felt as if I had deviated from the path of duty though for a short time.  The divine images of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Christ started coming to my mind one after the other.  I felt as if they were all endorsing this counsel by Gurudev that to run away from the path of action is no devotion.  For us, real devotion means that we should rise above fear and inaction and get busy day and night in this Mission for human welfare.

I remembered the words of a saint:

'Taruvar Sarvar Santjan Chautha Barse Meh;
Par-upkaar Ke Karane Charon Dhare Deh.'

 'The tree, the reservoir, the saint as well as the rain,
exist only for the service of others.’

To my own surprise, my inner strength as well as, my enthusiasm started renewing themselves.  The cowardice of my mind began to disappear.  I took a pledge that I shall devote the rest of my life for the welfare of humanity.  Another thought that struck my mind was that at this young age of 26-27, if this saint (Gurudev Hardev) wanted, he could have lived an extremely comfortable life in every manner; but if he has turned his back on all the comforts of the world, then it is the supreme duty of people like me, who have already enjoyed all the comforts of life, to engage themselves in spreading this message of Truth with all their physical strength intellectual ability and material resources.

The speed of the missionary activities started gaining momentum day by day.  Gurudev continued touring different places for the purpose of spiritual awakening.  In one day he would visit two or three places and meet and talk to as many devotees and other people as possible.

During one of such tours to Haryana and Punjab, when His Holiness reached Chandigarh, a reporter asked him in an outright manner: "These days, there is a lot of activity in Punjab because of elections.   During this visit of yours, what instructions have you given to your disciples in this regard?"

Gurudev replied smilingly, "I am a spiritual person.  I have no relation whatsoever with politics.  Kindly ask me only those questions which are related to spirituality"

During the same tour, in Jalandhar, answering a reporter’s query about the case of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji's assassination, His Holiness stated, "I am a messenger of spirituality.  It is the government’s job to sort out the case or deal with the assassinators.  I have no comments to make in this connection."

In the course of this spiritual tour, Gurudev Hardev was seen stressing chiefly upon the fact that the lives of Mahapurushas should be pure and chaste in every respect.  His Holiness also explained that besides the company of saints, there is no other means of bringing happiness and bliss in life.  Satsang only can make life tranquil.  To make the Mahapurushas further understand this, His Holiness stated,

"Saints, we have only this prayer that God may be kind and keep us linked with the Sadh-Sangat that He has gifted us.  We may keep on seeking its blessings so that our life may be happy, we do not have to face any difficulty, and no worldly greed bothers us.  Sadh-Sangat is the only means to protect ourselves from avarice.  In the company of saints, we enjoy only the bliss of the Formless God forgetting all our problems.  This sweet-heartedness that the True Master has bestowed upon us, the love and affection that he has taught us, and the way he has connected us with the Sadh-Sangat, can only be maintained if we stay linked with Sadh-Sangat.  Only in the company of saints is it taught that we should be humble and loving and wish for the welfare of every one."

At another place, explaining the importance of the company of saints, Gurudev stated:

"Saints, God-knowledge is attained because of the benevolence of the True Master, but the faith on it is strengthened only in the company of Mahapurushas.  The more we attend Satsang, the more our mind becomes tranquil and peaceful; it becomes strong because it realizes that the omnipotent God, who is Formless, is ever-present with it.  It is only in Satsang, that the mind develops a firm faith that the bestower of all the happiness and bounties is God alone."

I pondered over these discourses of Gurudev repeatedly.  My mind went to such Mahapurushas who had been attending congregations regularly and listening attentively to every word spoken therein for the last fifteen or twenty years.  Whenever I got a chance to speak personally to them, I felt that, like me, they too were distressed because of one reason or the other.  This inner turmoil would always keep bothering me as to why was there not much change in our lives despite attending congregations regularly as ordained by our Master?  Why were we not prospering?

I discussed this matter with many Mahapurushas.  A few of them felt that it is essential to render service along with attending Satsang.  For sometime I felt that the problem had been solved.  But then once again I thought of many such Mahapurushas who appeared to be unhappy despite attending regular congregation and rendering services with their body, mind and wealth.  The problem got complicated once again.

At last I mustered up courage one day and asked Gurudev, "Maharaj!  What could be the reason if a person’s life is not endowed with happiness despite his attending Satsang regularly as well as rendering service according to his means?

Smiling tenderly, Gurudev explained, "Attending Satsang does not mean that one should come and sit like a statue in the Satsang.  On the contrary, one should listen to every word being spoken there and after going back home, one should ponder deeply over the same with full concentration.  If one feels that a particular speaker spoke some words which stemmed from his own selfish interest, then he should not remember them.  But one must follow all the words spoken selflessly with the aim of welfare of all and mould one’s life according to them.

Similarly, true service is that only which is rendered within the will of God.  To do something according to one’s own wishes cannot be termed as ‘Sewa’.  Those who attend congregation and render service in this manner, definitely find happiness."

On finding me quiet, Gurudev elaborated his words further and said, "If despite doing all this, there is no happiness in life, then one must know that there is still a subtle ego of doership functioning somewhere in some corner of the mind.  You are educated.  You know it very well that the feeling of doership produces ego, and pride always brings about the downfall and obstructs all the achievements.  Man gets badly entangled in the bondage of his actions; it becomes difficult for him to get out of the same.  Under the influence of pride, he treats other Mahapurushas as inferior and insults them.  Now you can think for yourself that if a person is insulting and hurting others, discriminating between Mahapurushas on the basis of high or low, then how can his own mind stay tranquil?  A mind stuck in the mire of duality can never be peaceful.  Therefore, only those who stay devoid of pride, render their services in utter humility, accept lovingly the sweet will of God and do not ever entertain the feeling of doership, are the ones whose lives are transformed.  Their life keeps becoming purer and happier in a very natural manner."

After saying all this, Gurudev paused for a few moments and added: "A Gurusikh (disciple) earns through Sewa, Simran and Satsang but loses his earnings by indulging himself in slandering and hatred.  He earns in hundreds but loses in thousands.  A Gurusikh who saves himself from slandering and hatred, will always be rewarded by the merciful God by filling his empty bowl with abundance and happiness."

With the passage of time, Gurudev started focusing his discourses more on spiritual topics as compared to contemporary issues.  Nirankari devotees appeared to be peacefully engaged in the Mission’s activities.  But the resentment within a few hearts had still not been mollified.  Every now and then, some rude comments were over-heard.  Despite all this, the dam of forbearance built by Gurudev stayed firm and unshattered by anybody.  By then, the time came for the Annual Sant Samagam of 1980.  The Samagam this year was named ‘Shraddhanjali Samaroh’ to pay homage to Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and take inspiration from his life and thoughts.  Mahapurushas arrived in tens of thousands from India as well as abroad to attend this Samagam.

The peaceful atmosphere during the Samagam was presenting a live picture of Gurudev’s teachings.  The lesson of wishing for the ‘good for all and bad for none’ was getting clearly reflected from the words of devotee speakers even though a few of them could not contain their feeling of giving vent to their inner resentment.   Every Mahapurusha who had come from abroad appealed at the holy feet of Satguru to bless them all with his physical presence in their respective countries at the earliest, so that the devotees living in those far off countries could also find some solace after obtaining the sacred glimpse of Satguru.

On the concluding day of ‘Shraddhanjali Samaroh’, giving clear instructions to devotees, Satgurudev stated in his discourse:

"We are calling this occasion Shraddhanjali Samaroh.  I feel that the only way we can pay homage to Baba Ji (Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji) is to take his message of Truth everywhere.  All of you must understand that it is through his message of Truth that Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji will travel to all the places wheresoever it is taken.  The real homage would be to adopt these teachings in our life."

During the same discourse His Holiness stated further:

"Numerous reactions have been overheard since the happening of this incident including some sentiments expressed to take revenge.  I humbly believe that Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji avenged falsehood on the very day of 24^th of April.  All the saints till date took revenge in a similar manner.  To taint the face of falsehood forever, Jesus Christ accepted the cross.  To tarnish the face of even the coming generations of falsehood, Guru Arjun Dev Ji sat on scalding griddles.  Saints, it is not the time to take revenge but to repay the good-will and benevolence of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji today.  Therefore, we have to give honour and respect to every Mahapurusha so that we are happy herein and hereafter."

After the conclusion of the Samagam, devotees returned back to their homes.  But the Mahapurushas who had come from abroad, stayed back in Nirankari Bhawan for a few days.  It seemed as if they personally wanted to make an appeal at the holy feet of Satguru.  Out of those Mahapurushas, whosoever met Gurudev wherever, had only one request to make, that Baba Ji should now visit their respective countries at the earliest.  I often saw Gurudev smile in reply.

One day, the representatives of those countries including Rev. Upasak Ji and Amar Singh Ji from U.K., Rev. Amarjeet Ji from Austria, Rev. Parwana Ji from Denmark and Rev. Paramjeet Ji from Canada, along with their other companions entered the room of His Holiness.  Bhai Sahib Amar Singh Ji appealed to Baba Ji on everybody’s behalf, "Huzoor! We cannot impose our will upon you, but we have a few problems which can be solved only by your visit to our countries.  Therefore, we have come once again to implore you to bless the Sangats in our countries with your physical presence."

Carrying the conversation further, Rev. Upasak Ji said, "True Lord! As you are aware, the situation in our countries is different.  The way you uprooted the feelings of vengeance from the minds of the Mahapurushas in India within a short span of few months with your grace was simply incredible to all of us during the Samagam.  We could never have dreamt that the atmosphere would be so peaceful during the Samagam.  Be kind and bestow your grace upon our countries too, so that the same atmosphere may be established there too."

Gurudev replied simply, "The Formless One would set everything right."

Rev. Upasak Ji was quick to reply, "Yes, Baba Ji, only the Almighty would set everything right, that is why we pray to you that you may visit us soon."

Seeing His Holiness quiet still, another Mahapurusha said, "True Lord!  The Mahapurushas residing in those countries are in a very odd situation.  As it is, being far away, they are deprived of your physical presence.  On top of it, they are extremely bitter about the calm prevailing the Indian Sangats, despite a mishap of such a magnitude.  Their minds are in a strange turmoil.  They are looking upon this as our cowardice.  If you do not calm them down personally with your physical presence, then nobody knows when any one of these Mahapurushas may take an extreme step."

Smilingly, Gurudev replied, "As you have observed with your own eyes, the Sangats over here are not terrified on any account.  All the Mahapurushas are busy taking the Mission's message forward in a fearless manner and the atmosphere is also completely peaceful.  You should go and inform your respective Sangats about all this."

Rev. Upasak Ji appealed all of a sudden, "True Lord!  We have all seen with our own eyes that this transformation has been the outcome of only your divine presence, your life-giving discourses, and your grace.  I have not even an iota of doubt that had you not gone personally and provided solace to Mahapurushas, peace could never have prevailed in such a short time.   We are confident that this transformation is the result of your grace and benevolence only; the Prabandhaks (organisers) or the Pracharaks (preachers) like us did not play any role in it.   Therefore, the problems in those countries will also be solved only with the grace of your holy presence physically."

Everyone was looking anxiously towards Satgurudev.  At the same time Rev. Parwana Ji pleaded, "Your Holiness, even otherwise, all the Mahapurushas are pining for your divine glimpse.  The Sangats here have already been blessed by your presence.  Be kind and bestow upon the Sangats abroad also the grace of your holy glimpse.  If, because of the prevailing circumstances, you can not come for a long period, then oblige us at least with a short visit."

After staying silent for a few moments, Gurudev said, "I can understand your feelings.  I deeply value your love.  You should all return to your respective countries.  I will also reach there in a few days time and have the opportunity of seeing all of you there."

The faces of all the Mahapurushas became ecstatic on hearing these words.  All of them bowed to Gurudev in gratitude and came out happily.  The live demonstration of  ‘Bhakta Ke Bas Mein Bhagwan’ - God acts as the devotee wants, made my heart euphoric too.

In December 1980 Gurudev went abroad on a tour for a few days.  In this spiritual tour His Holiness was accompanied by his gracious spouse Rev. Sawinder Kaur Ji as well as Rev. Nirankari Rajmata Ji as also Rev. Khem Raj Chadha (Vice-Chairman, All India Working Committee), Rev. Kaka Balbir Ji, renowned lyricist, Rev. Anthak Ji (Patiala) and this humble self (J.R.D. Satyarthi).

This was the first overseas tour by His Holiness after his personification as ‘Satguru’.  The devotion, the reverence and the spirit of service of devotees living abroad which they showered upon His Holiness was worth watching.

When the plane landed at Heathrow Airport in London, I was surprised to see hundreds of devotees present there to accord a welcome to Satguru despite severe cold.  The moment His Holiness put his foot on the land of U.K., the atmosphere started resounding with the slogans of 'Hail!  Nirankari Baba’.  Prof. Joginder Singh Puri from America, Bhai Sahib Kulwant Singh Ji and sister Nand Ji from Canada were also there to welcome His Holiness and receive his blessings.  Besides all the devotees, the High Commissioner of India to U.K. as well as senior officers of Pan America were also there to welcome His Holiness.

From the airport Gurudev was taken to Slough in a convoy of cars with utmost reverence and spirit of devotion.  Rev. Bhagmal Ji, Chairman of the Working Committee of Sant Nirankari Mandal, England lives in Slough.  A large number of devotees were present at his residence and felt extremely elated after attaining Gurudev’s holy glimpse.  The eyes that had been yearning to see Gurudev had started reflecting contentment.  All the Mahapurushas wanted to pay obeisance at Baba Ji's holy feet and receive his blessings and the same continued till late at night.  When it became very late, the organisers requested everybody to take blessings during the Satsang (congregation) next day.  Only after that could His Holiness be given some time to rest.

The programme of Gurudev during this foreign tour was very hectic because of its short duration.  Actually, Nirankari Mission is like a family in which all the Mahapurushas live as siblings and Satguru is the protector or the father of this family.   That is why, whenever Gurudev or any other Mahapurusha visits any place abroad, all the resident Mahapurushas of that area wish to invite him over to their homes personally.  This time also when Gurudev went abroad, the Mahapurushas made the same request.  But it was simply not possible for Gurudev to visit everybody's house during such a short period of twenty days.  Therefore, an arrangement was made that after the conclusion of the Sangat, the Mahapurushas may sit with Gurudev for sometime and talk to him there only.   After every congregation, Mahapurushas would sit with Gurudev for hours together and discuss a lot of topics and Gurudev would satisfy their queries in a lucid manner.

Thus, the Satsangs were arranged in such a way that within a span of few days all the Sangats of U.K. could benefit from the presence of His Holiness.  The physical presence of Gurudev, his discourses on tolerance, brotherhood and love calmed the turmoil within the minds of all resident Nirankari Mahapurushas.  The feelings of resentment ended and animosity was replaced with love.

During this missionary tour, Satsang programmes were held in Bedford, Leicester, Hitchin, Luton, Illford, Bradford, London, Birmingham and some other places.  The Satsang in Bedford was arranged in the hall of Foreign Exchange building whereas in Leicester the same was held in Nirankari Satsang Bhawan.  During this Satsang, the Mayor of Leicester not only welcomed Gurudev on behalf of all the citizens of the town but also thanked this apostle of non-violence, unity and peace for his efforts for stringing human hearts in the thread of unity.  The Deputy High Commissioner of India along with other prominent officials also welcomed Gurudev during the programme.

Gurudev halted in Birmingham for three days.  Regular Satsang programmes were held there.  Mahapurushas got an ample opportunity to sit with Gurudev and express their feelings. Whenever they got the chance, they would seat themselves near Gurudev and seek a lot of information regarding the situation in India.  Gurudev kept on satisfying everyone by answering in a clear and simple manner.  Some Mahapurushas went to the extent of appealing at Gurudev’s holy feet that the challenge thrown by the fanatics with the assassination of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji must be accepted and avenged too.  Trying to make everybody understand, Gurudev said, "The challenge of darkness can not be met with darkness, but by spreading the light.  Similarly, the fire of hatred ignited by the fanatics has to be encountered with the showers of love and co-operation."

Gurudev stated very clearly that, "the only way to avenge the assassination of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji is to take his message of Truth to every nook and corner of the world."

The presence as well as the words of Gurudev had the anticipated effect on the Sangats there.  On the last day of the tour of U.K., a meeting was held in which Prabandhaks, Pramukhs and Sewa Dal Adhikaries of U.K. participated.  The organizer of Sewa Dal as well as the head of U.K. Mandal, Upasak Ji thanked Satguru from the core of his heart for acceding to the request made by the Sewadars of U.K. Rev. Sukhjinder Singh Ji, General Secretary while conveying the love and reverence of all the Sangats of UK to Gurudev said that it was indeed the result of the grace of His Holiness that the atmosphere had become peaceful; their shaken hearts had found their anchor once again, their agitated minds had been calmed and strengthened and that their despondency had changed into happiness.  Trying to make everyone comprehend, Satgurudev stated: 

"Saints rely only upon Nirankar.  They lead their lives with a firm faith on Nirankar alone.  They do not look towards anyone else for support.  We too, must have faith in Nirankar alone.  We must have an unyielding faith that whatever is ordained by the Almighty is always right.  We have to accept the will of Nirankar cheerfully, love everyone and wish for the welfare of all.  We must never let the feelings of revenge arise in our minds.   May God help us all in maintaining such feelings."

After U.K., Gurudev went to Austria and Germany and gave solace as well as blessings to the devotees there.  Special Satsang programmes were held in Innsbrook in Austria and Frankfurt in Germany.  The Sangats at both these places felt overwhelmed after receiving the grace of Satguru’s holy glimpse as well as his words of wisdom.

During the foreign tour, I felt that it was indeed imperative for Satgurudev to have personally visited these countries.  The discourses of Gurudev had not only provided the required right direction to Sangats but also pacified their embittered and agitated minds.  I felt as if the whole Nirankari world had now truly become peaceful.  All the Mahapurushas, whether in India or abroad, got busy with the work of propagation of the Mission's message in an undaunted manner.

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