Thus clarifying the misgivings of seekers from place to place, Gurudev reached Saharanpur.  The Satsang programme had been arranged in an open ground there.

In Saharanpur one can see a live picture of the unity between Hindus and Muslims.  Both the communities have been living like one family since decades.  As a result, both Hindus as well as Muslims participate in all the programmes of the Mission that are held here.  Even this time, they were present in a large number.  The peculiarity of the Satsang in Saharanpur is that such a large number of Mahapurushas residing in the neighbouring villages also come to attend the Satsang that the programme always takes the shape of a Samagam and it also reflects a clear image of the culture of those villages.

During this Samagam, Satgurudev thoroughly expounded the eternity of the Formless God and the transient aspect of nature.  After the conclusion of the Satsang, a few local residents reached Nirankari Satsang Bhawan, where Gurudev was halting for rest, to meet him personally and receive his blessings.   After paying their obeisance they seated themselves in front of Gurudev and there upon one of the seekers said, "Maharaj!  We have heard and read it also that our ancestors worshipped the Sun, Moon, Stars, Earth, Fire etc. as gods.  Even today, millions of people not only in India but all over the world worship them.  You opposed their worship in your discourse today.  Your words appear to be anti-Shastras."

Gurudev heard that gentleman very attentively and then stated in a solemn manner, "If our Shastras have not prohibited their worship, then, when have I spoken about turning away from them?  I humbly made only one appeal that these are the forces of nature and that they have their own respective importance.  But to call them God and worship them as God can not to be called correct from any angle."

Clarifying his point even further, Gurudev stated, "Psychologists tell us that the observer becomes the observed.  According to this, we become whatever we contemplate.  As you all know that the force in all the objects of nature is limited and that they are all changeable.   If we link ourselves with them, then we too would be prone to change; we will not be able to stay equable and undisturbed.  As God is static, equable, beyond time and eternal, therefore, by linking ourselves with Him and by worshipping Him alone, we too would reach the state of equability, immortality and liberation from transmigration."

After pausing for a moment, Gurudev said, "I humbly hope that you will agree that whatever I have said is in accordance with the Shastras."

After listening to this explanation by Satgurudev, that person said in a devoted manner, "Maharaj, your words have cleared all my doubts.  I have understood that only by linking with God can we attain salvation.   But now the question arises as to how do we link ourselves with God?"

Gurudev answered simply, "Only with the grace of Satguru.  We will have to find a saint who knows God himself.  Only that person can unite us with God."

That gentleman asked smilingly, "Maharaj!  But how do we come to know if the person who is going to grant us God-knowledge is himself God-realised?  If there was only one saint in the world, we would have gone and bowed at his holy feet.   But there are innumerable people who profess to be Gurus; so much so that the number of seekers is less as compared to the Gurus.   Now you only tell us as to how do we solve this problem?  Do we keep wandering from door to door like this?"

Gurudev stated simply and spontaneously, "One has to seek as that is the pre-requisite:

Jin Khoja Tin Paya Gehre Pani Paith,
Main Bapuri Boodan Dari Rahi Kinare Baith.

Saint Farid has said to the extent:

Uth Farida Sutya Duniya Bhalan Ja,
Mat Koi Theeve Bakhshya Tu Bhi Bakhshya Ja.

Only he will find who seeks.  As far as the question of the mark of a God-realised saint is concerned, it is only one and that is, he would give the knowledge of God to the seeker in a moment."

After pausing for sometime, Gurudev clarified his words further and said, "There is only one condition and that is, the seeker should go to the saint only with the aim of seeking God.  He should express only the desire of knowing God to whomsoever and wheresoever he goes.  If that saint can satisfy his curiosity in that very moment and give him God-knowledge then he should bow at his feet.  But if the saint tries to entangle him in things other than God-knowledge, then he should proceed further on and keep searching till the time he finds the Satguru who can grant him God-knowledge.  You must have faith that God is kind.  Therefore, if you are true in your seeking, then Almighty Nirankar would definitely bestow His grace and give you a chance to meet such a God-realised person at the earliest and fulfil your wish."

"Maharaj!" the gentleman said a little hesitatingly, "This point is valid that to get linked with God, a God-realised person is needed.  But is it a must that only a human being would reveal God-knowledge.  We have Vedas and so many other scriptures which are the creation of God-realised sages.  Everything about God has been written in detail in them.  In my opinion, if we study them and adopt the methods explained therein, we would automatically realize God.  This way we can save ourselves the strain of going from place to place in search of someone who has God-knowledge."

While trying to make that gentleman understand, Gurudev stated, "You are absolutely correct when you say that these scripture are full of God-knowledge and that they are the creation of God-realised saints.  But you would also agree that these scriptures can be understood only by those who are God-realised themselves.  An ordinary human being can read them, memorise them but cannot understand them.  A medical textbook can be understood by a doctor only.  The words, diseases, medicines etc.  mentioned in a medical journal can be decoded only by a doctor."

Elucidating the point Gurudev explained, "All of us are house holders.  We send our children to school for their education.  You must have noticed that a textbook of Mathematics is written by a teacher of the same subject.  That textbook not only contains questions but also the methods to solve them; there are solved examples too.   Not only this, the textbook also contains answers to all the questions in the end.  Even when the text book is perfect and contains all the knowledge, we never ask our child to consult the book and learn Mathematics from the same.  To know and understand the knowledge contained in that book, we send our child to a teacher of Mathematics.  Similarly, to understand the scriptures and perceive religion, to grasp the Shastras which expound God, one needs to take the shelter of a God-realised True Master (Satguru)."

After saying all this, Gurudev paused for a while and trying to bring that gentleman's attention to his own words, His Holiness said, "Bhai Sahib!  You had mentioned that one should read the scriptures sincerely and try and adopt the methods recorded therein, in one's life.  The same counsel has been given even therein that God-knowledge can be attained only through the True Master.   Therefore, to act upon whatever is written in the scriptures also one has to seek the shelter of the True Master."

Gratified by the explanation, those gentlemen bowed at the holy feet of Gurudev. 

After Saharanpur, Gurudev reached Mussoorie attending a Satsang at Dehradun en route.  During those days, a part of Nirankari Bhawan at Mussourie was under construction.  Therefore, Gurudev had to halt there for a few days.

That is the time of the year when Mussoorie is crowded with tourists from all over India.  Congregations were held in Nirankari Satsang Bhawan every day.  A lot of devout seekers of Truth would attend the Satsang and listen to Gurudev’s discourses.  Many distinguished people would also reach the Satsang Bhawan to meet His Holiness.  Many seekers would sit for hours together with Baba Ji and discuss matters related to spirituality.

One day, Gurudev discussed 'salvation' during one of his discourses and stated that salvation can be attained only through God-knowledge.  After the conclusion of the Satsang, a gentleman approached His Holiness and said, "I was delighted to hear your discourse today.  I also liked your views on God-knowledge as well as salvation.  But if you will kindly excuse me, I did not understand one point made by you.  You said in your discourse that various religious practices i.e. sacrifices, rites and rituals, fasts, acts of charity, recitation of holy scriptures and other such modes of worship affirmed by religious books can not bestow salvation; whereas our ancient seers and sages advocated them strongly."

After listening to the gentleman's words, Gurudev said in a polite manner, "Of course, I did not ask anybody to give up these practices.  My humble request was only this much that the practice of such rituals cannot bestow salvation.  Salvation can be attained only through God-knowledge.  These practices have their own significance but they are not an alternative to God-knowledge."

Satguru stated further, "Truly speaking, today we have forgotten the real message behind these practices.  We have lost sight of their hidden significance.  These practices have taken the shape of mere rites and rituals.   We are following them either as habit or under social pressure.  We are not perceiving their true meaning.  You will agree to the fact that if we do anything without thinking or realising its meaning, it might harm us more than help us.  For example, all the drugs at a doctor's clinic are life-saving drugs, but the same can be life-threatening to someone who is ignorant and takes them without consulting the doctor.  In the same manner, these beneficial practices, if performed in an ignorant manner might not prove to be useful."

Duly impressed with Gurudev's words, that gentleman implored, "Baba Ji!  You only tell me the true significance of these practices."

Expounding the true significance or meaning of these practices, Gurudev said, "All these practices are mainly related either to our body or our social life.  Some of them are related to religion too.  But they have very little connection with our spiritual life. If some of them do have any relevance, then those practices ought to be practiced only after knowing God.

The Yoga postures, fasts etc. keep our body fit.  Charity and donations help in the social work of running schools, colleges, hospitals etc, which benefit general public.  Sacrifices help in keeping the environment clean and getting rid of pollution.  Recitation (Japa), contemplation (Dhyana) and evening prayer (Sandhya) can be called religious practices but they can not be performed without God-knowledge because till the time we do not know God, how can we contemplate Him?  Whatever practices are being performed by a common man today are not religious practices in reality but a mere show of them.  Because of his blind faith, man is performing them like a machine, without knowing their reality.   Now you only tell me as to how can such practices bring salvation?  I humbly believe that salvation is linked with soul and God.  When a soul merges in God after attaining God-realisation, it frees itself from transmigration and this only is called salvation."

Thus convinced, that gentleman bowed humbly and left the place.

After staying in Mussoorie for a few days, His Holiness returned back to Delhi and blessed devotee Mahapurushas with his discourses during various zonal programmes for sometime.  Thereafter Baba Ji proceeded on a tour to Punjab.  Mammoth congregations were held in the open public places of every city as well as village he visited.  The fervour of Mahapurushas everywhere was worth watching.  I was simply dumb founded to see the enthusiasm as well as the spirit of service of the devotees and marveled at their devotion for their Guru.  The faces of those Mahapurushas did not show even an iota of the tension prevailing in Punjab at that time.  The bliss, the equi-poise, the enthusiasm, the insuppressible longing for a glimpse of the Guru, the groups of smiling and singing devotees atop trucks and tractor-trolleys and the atmosphere resounding with the slogans of ‘Dhan Nirankar’ - everything was the same as it always used to be.  Their devotion and faith in the Guru had an extremely humbling effect upon me. 

In Jalandhar, Bhai Sahib Gobind Singh Ji brought an extremely affluent gentleman to meet Gurudev.  He greeted Baba Ji in a formal manner and along with Rev. Gobind Singh Ji, seated himself in front of Gurudev.  After some formal conversation, the gentleman said to His Holiness, " Baba Ji, we have been living in this city for the last three generations.  Our family is one of the well-to-do families of the city.  With the grace of God we do not lack anything; we are happy as we have all the comforts available and there is no problem whatsoever.  Rev. Gobind Singh Ji is always inspiring me to attain God-knowledge.  I do not understand as to why do I need God?  What more will I get from God?"

Looking at the gentleman, Gurudev said, " You are right.  You do not need God to receive anything but you do need Him definitely to give something."

The gentleman was taken aback by these words.  At this, Gurudev smiled and said, "You said it rightly that with the grace of God you have got everything.   But just give it a thought; if a person has taken the agency of a prestigious company, his shop is filled with the goods of that company and he is also provided with all the facilities by the same company.   Or you can also say that the shop, the goods therein as well as all the luxuries like furniture, air-conditioners etc.  have been provided by the company and the shop is also doing a business of millions of rupees.  Now you only tell, if that person comes to know that the owner of the company is on a visit to his city, then will that person not be eager to meet the owner?  Is there no need for him to meet the owner of the company?"

"Why not!  Of course, that person would try and meet the owner as also look after him in every possible manner," that person replied promptly,

In a very simple manner then Gurudev started speaking, "All that you have, has also been gifted to you by someone.   Do you have no need to meet the Master of all these gifts?"

On finding that gentleman quiet, Gurudev stated further, "Whatever we have, be it our body, mind or material possessions, is not our own because we have no control over them.  Neither can we acquire nor can we leave them on our own.  The bestower of all these gifts is someone else and can take them away whenever He wants.   This makes it clear that we have no right whatsoever on any of these belongings.  They do not belong to us, they are the gifts of somebody.  But after using them over a long period of time, we often make a mistake of considering them as our own.  We get so attached to them that we cannot even think of leaving them.  If the Lord of all these objects wants to take his gifts back, we become agitated because of our identification with them.

Actually, we are only the trustees of the body, mind and other possessions that we have.  If somebody wants to snatch the same from us, we would definitely resist and protect them with all our might.  But there should be no anxiety if their Master only wants them back.  That is why it is essential that we should know their real Master.

God is the Master of this universe.  All our possessions are His gifts, be it our body, mind or wealth.  We feel happy when we receive them but we should not regret losing them either.  This can only be possible if we come to know their ultimate Master.  Somebody needs God to receive all these gifts whereas someone else might need God to retain them and still someone else may need God not to feel distressed at their loss."

The gentleman was simply dumb struck by Gurudev's explanation.   Clarifying his point even further, Gurudev said, "All the possessions that we have cannot be termed as everlasting.  Still if we want to believe that they last forever and that they will not be taken back by their owner, yet we can not deny the fact that our body would definitely be taken back.  Then what will happen?  How will we give back this body willingly which feels happy to enjoy all the things?"

The moment Gurudev paused, that gentleman spoke in an anxious manner, "Baba Ji!  I agree with you.   But would our possessions become everlasting after God-knowledge?  Will God not take them back then?"

Seeing him disheartened, Gurudev turned his attention towards the real issue, "Of course, everything can happen.  Lord Master can do whatever he wants.  But we should at least understand as to what exactly is happiness?  What we call happiness is nothing but a few short-lived pleasant halts in the journey of our desires.  The happiness attained after the fulfilment of a specific desire is not any better than a single night's sleep.  The next day's work always starts after one night's good sleep; similarly the journey for the consummation of a new desire starts after the completion of the earlier one.  If somebody has a desire that he should have a house, then he will definitely feel happy after building his house; but that happiness may be short lived because it would now further lead to a new desire of owning a bigger bungalow.   We can also say, that what we call happiness, comes to an end after it instigates us for the fulfilment of another desire; not only this, it becomes the root cause of our anxiety.  That is why saints have equated our happiness with dreams only."

After pausing for a moment, Gurudev said further, "Now you only judge as to what is the significance of such a short lived happiness which depends upon such objects as can be taken back anytime; it is certainly not permanent."

Gurudev’s words were hanging heavy in the air.  Everybody was feeling empty from within.  Trying to change the mood, Gurudev said, "There is no need to feel worried on this account.  If we want permanent happiness, eternal bliss, then we have to take the shelter of God because He alone is static, permanent.  We attain eternal bliss only after realizing God.  A claim for eternal bliss cannot be made without God-realisation.  You can ask your own self and introspect; do you not ever feel worried?  Can you ever stay equi-poised in the ups and downs of life?  You will agree that it is not so.  You do feel worried at times on some account or the other.  The reason for the same is clear.  The worldly happiness is not permanent.  To abide in permanent happiness we need to unite ourselves with God who is the source of eternal bliss." Gurudev became quiet after speaking thus.  The gentleman bowed his head in utter humility. 

<<Page 3