During the same tour, when Baba Ji reached Amritsar, a huge Satsang had been organised there too.  Amritsar is a religious and a historical place.  Ever since the April 13, 1978 violence there, a lot of local citizens had started taking special interest in the Mission; with the result, the Prabandhaks of Amritsar had established a strong rapport with them.  On the invitation of the Prabandhaks, a large number of people belonging to different streamlines of thought had come to attend the congregation.  Gurudev stated during his discourse that without the knowledge of God who is Truth-Consciousness-Bliss, it is not possible to attain eternal bliss and God can be realised only with the grace of a True Master.

After the programme, a few seekers approached Gurudev for a discussion on spiritual matters.  A gentleman appealed, "Baba Ji! After listening to your discourse, my heart has been longing to contemplate God.  But I feel so helpless as I am extremely wicked and sinful.  I am entangled in 'Maya' day and night.  The mirror of my heart has become so dirty that it is impossible to see the reflection of God in it.  Be kind, and show me the way to cleanse the same, so that I too can see the clear reflection of my beloved God and be happy herein and hereafter."

Even the rest of the people who were accompanying that gentleman, agreed with him and said, "Maharaj! What can the mind do?  It feels so helpless in the prevailing atmosphere of mental pollution.  One has to indulge in all kinds of treachery and double-dealing to make both ends meet.  Mahapurshas like you always say:

                        Kaami, Krodhi, Lalchi, In Se Bhakti Na Hoye,
                  Bhakti Kare Koi Soorma Jaati Varan Kul Khoye.

We are worldly beings.  We are all the time engrossed in the world.  Now you only tell as to how can we link our minds with God?"

As usual, consenting to the genuine feelings behind the gentleman's words, Gurudev said, "Whatsoever you have said is absolutely correct but there is no need to get worried about all this.  Neither the circumstances of the world nor time can impede the path of a seeker.  The only thing that the seeker must understand is that a pure heart is not a pre-requisite to attain God; rather the heart gets purified by God-realisation, by being in the company of God.  Evils like lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride of one’s caste, creed, etc. can only be eradicated when we surrender our mind to the Formless who is beyond duality."

Interrupting Gurudev Hardev, a gentleman said, "Wheresoever we have gone, we have been told that God cannot be remembered without purifying the heart; whereas you have put us in a dilemma with your words that the heart can not be purified without realizing God."

Smilingly, Gurudev stated, "You forget what the others say.  Give it a thought yourself; only by uniting with pure can one become pure, there is no other means of attaining purity.  If a drain of dirty water has to be purified, then we have only one means of doing so; and that is to connect it with pure Ganges.  If you have ever been to the banks of Ganges, you would have noticed that the moment dirty water of the whole city converges with Ganges, it becomes as pure as the water of Ganges.  Similarly, when this impure mind is linked with the all-purifying God then it does not take any time for it to become pure.  After uniting with the pure all pervasive God, the mind too becomes pure automatically."

That gentleman asked another question, "Baba Ji!  What you are saying is right.   Without attaining God, mind cannot become pure.  But whenever we approach a Mahatma for God-realisation, he asks us to purify our minds first and then come for God-realisation.  Now you only tell us as to what should we do?"

Smilingly, Gurudev said, "A God-realised saint would never talk like this.  The person who considers purity of mind to be a pre-requisite of God-knowledge cannot be called a saint.  Only that person is a real saint, who sublimates our mind by linking it with the sublime and the all-pure God.

The one who talks of purifying the mind first, is like a washerman who wants that the clothes should be clean before he washes them.  Such a person cannot be called a washerman.  Similarly, the one who insists on purity of mind for God-realization can never be called a true saint.  Mind can attain perfection only by uniting with Perfect God."

In utter devotion that person bowed humbly before Gurudev.

After the tour of Punjab, Gurudev proceeded on a spiritual tour of a few cities of Uttar Pradesh.  In Kanpur, a huge Satsang had been organized.  The Sangat of Kanpur has a special place in Uttar Pradesh.  Despite the sad incident on September 26, 1978 in Sant Nirankari Bhawan at Kanpur, there were no visible signs of any lack of enthusiasm on the part of devotees.  On the contrary, the curiosity of the local population about the Mission has increased manifold.  That is why, whenever any programme is held there, it always assumes the form of a huge Samagam.  It is the natural outcome of the spirit of service as well as devotion of the local Prabandhaks and the Pracharaks.

This time also, the Satsang that was held in Kanpur was just like any big Samagam.  Satgurudev, while depicting the Formless-God as omniscient and all-powerful, said that "the Almighty Nirankar is the real doer behind everything, Mahapurushas always stay within God's will and that we must always maintain such lofty feelings in our hearts."

Gurudev halted at the Satsang Bhawan of Kanpur that night.  There is a beautiful park adjacent to the Bhawan and it is named Hardev Park.  After dinner, when Gurudev went there for a stroll, an active member of the Publications Department, Rev. Bhupender 'Bekal' also accompanied His Holiness.  Bekal Ji was not only the editor of ‘Hansti Duniya’ (Hindi) but also helped the Mandal in the publication of Hindi literature for Mandal.  He edited a few books also.

While accompanying Gurudev during the walk, 'Bekal' Ji started an interesting discussion with Satgurudev.  He said to Gurudev, "Baba Ji, I do not understand one point;  when God is the doer behind every action and everything is happening as per His will, then why is man held responsible for his actions?  Why is man punished for the same?"

Smilingly, Gurudev said, "You have asked quite a few questions in a single attempt.  God is the doer behind everything or everything happens with God's will; these two are quite different from each other.  Then man is not punished only but he is rewarded and honoured too.  You did not mention this."

After pausing for sometime, Gurudev explained, "There is a need to think and analyse deeply to understand these questions.  God Nirankar is Omniscient.  His will, His command is His law.  According to His will, man is free to do whatever he wants.  Man can perform all his actions because of this freedom that God has given to him.  That is why, whatever is happening, is within the will of God.

The fruit of every action has also been ordained by God.  So according to whatever a man does, he reaps the respective fruit of those actions under the same will of God.  Or you can say that a man has the freedom to act as per the will of God and he also gets rewarded or punished as per the will of God".

Trying to explain with the help of an example, Gurudev said, "We know that to understand a book, we need to know the language in which that book is written.  Or we can also say that we read the book only because of the knowledge of that language.  But we are free to choose what we want to read.  The knowledge of the language does not interfere with our choice of books."

When Gurudev paused after saying this much, ‘Bekal’ Ji said again, "Baba Ji!  It means that God does not do anything."

"Yes, God is non-doer, but also the doer," Gurudev said.  I had been thoroughly enjoying the intellectual discussion on such a deep subject.  Gurudev stated further, "In reality, God is a Supreme Energy, a super conscious force.  A force which is pervading each and every particle of the universe in such a manner that not even a single leaf can move without it.  The will of this Supreme Being is also as immovable and impartial as He Himself.   That is why the freedom bestowed upon an individual under God’s will is not obstructed in any way by God Himself.  Therefore, God is non-doer while being a doer."

After this explanation by Baba Ji, ‘Bekal’ Ji asked Gurudev another question, "Baba Ji!  When God is a Conscious Energy then why does He not stop us from doing evil?"

Gurudev continued to explain with a natural flow, "As you know, the scientists have proved today that energy never does anything on its own even though nothing is performed without it.  The instrument which is connected to the energy is the one which operates.  For example, electricity is an energy.  It does not function on its own; but when we connect it to a heater, it starts giving heat and by connecting a cooler with it, we start getting cool air.  The heat, light or the coolness does not depend upon the electricity but on the instrument connected to it.  Even though the instruments run with electricity, yet it does not interfere with the way the instruments are using it.  Electricity is the same in all the instruments.  What do you want?   Should electricity agree to give coolness but refuse to produce heat?  It cannot happen.   In the same manner this Conscious Energy also operates.  It does not act on its own; the living being (Jeeva) connected with it like an instrument, performs various acts under the influence of his own subtle agents like mind, intellect, consciousness and ego etc.

The living being gets its life force from the same Conscious Energy but at the same time this Super Energy does not interfere with the way the being uses it according to his own individual traits and free-will.  The being also gets the fruits of all his actions according to the will of the Almighty Nirankar.  Because of the freedom of action decreed by Divine Will, this Supreme Force does not stop us from performing any act."

All three of us continued with our walk after Gurudev became quiet.  I felt that ‘Bekal’ Ji was still doubtful about something.  Trying to probe what he was thinking, I said, "So, 'Bekal' Ji!  What are you thinking?"

'Bekal' Ji addressed me and said, "Baba Ji has clarified everything, but I am still confused on one point.  God-realised ones are considered to be free from the fruit of their actions; does Divine Will not apply on them?"

I looked at Gurudev silently.  Gurudev smiled and started saying, "It is not like this.  God’s will is applicable to everyone.  The one who is a doer will definitely get the fruit of his action.  But since a God-realised person is devoid of the feeling of doership, he always stays within the perimeter of divine will and since he has surrendered everything to the Almighty Nirankar, he cannot be bound by the bondage of the fruit of his actions.  For example, if a person hits someone with a baton, then it is not the baton which is going to be challaned or punished.  Similarly, the baton would also not be rewarded if somebody saves a person with its help.  The one who performs his actions considering himself to be the doer, would definitely be bound by his actions."

Thus speaking, Gurudev became quiet.  After walking for sometime, Gurudev resumed talking once again and stated, "A God-realised person is linked with Nirankar, he has already surrendered his everything to Nirankar; so he performs all his acts within the will of God.  God’s will is always kind and benevolent for everyone.  Therefore, the actions of a God-realised person too are always virtuous and kind.  As long as he is linked with Nirankar, he cannot do any evil action and the moment he commits anything evil, then one may know that he is not linked with Nirankar; that action has sprouted from his own ego and even a God-realised person will have to reap the fruit of such an action."  My heart was feeling extremely elated after listening to such a lucid and wise explanation of such a subtle topic.  ‘Bekal’ Ji also appeared to be fully satisfied.

The campaign for 'spiritual awakening' thus kept proceeding in a steadfast manner.   Gurudev Hardev kept on going from city to city and village to village to enlighten people with his teachings and to link man with God.  Along with that everyone was inspired to stay calm and embrace virtues like tolerance, brotherhood, humility, etc.  On one side Gurudev was crusading for bringing an atmosphere of peace and happiness in Punjab whereas on the other side the orthodox extremists were busy with their vicious conspiracy to poison the same.

Just when under the influence of the practical teachings of Gurudev on tolerance, compassion and goodwill, the Nirankari world had immersed itself in devotion to Nirankar-God, the assassination of Rev. Shadi Lal Ji, a member of the All India Working Committee, once again shook everybody.  Rev. Shadi Lal Ji was an efficient ‘Prabandhak’, fearless ‘Pracharak’ and a sincere devotee.  He was also a member of the Action Committee of Sant Nirankari Mandal. The local population of Anandpur was much impressed with his personality as well as his spirit of service. He was a popular leader of the place, who would never offend any person.

For years, Rev. Shadi Lal Ji had been elected the Chairman of the local Municipal Committee.  The news of his assassination shocked the whole of Anandpur. Within minutes all activities in the town came to a halt. The local citizens held out a massive demonstration to condemn this inhuman act.  Nirankari world too was numbed by this astounding news.

Nirankari world was still in the process of digesting this tragic news when another incident took place in Chandigarh Secretariat.  An attempt was made on the life of a senior officer of Punjab Government, Shri Naranjan Singh, IAS, just outside his Office in the Secretariat.  With the grace of Nirankar, he escaped but his younger brother Shri Surinder Singh Ji fell to the bullets of the assassinators.  The assassins managed to escape unhurt.  Thus bullets were showered on a senior officer of the Government responsible for the safety of the citizens, right under its nose in the very headquarters of the Government in broad daylight.

Shri Naranjan Singh Ji is a popular Nirankari saint.  Shri Surinder Singh Ji also used to actively take part in the activities of the Mission.  Nirankari world was much impressed by his spirit of service.  Quite recently, he had appeared in IAS examination.  This incident not only distressed Nirankari world but the general public was also disappointed as it started feeling insecure and nervous.  The funeral procession was attended by thousands of local citizens of Chandigarh.  The public not only felt hurt but resentful too.  It was only because of the teachings of Gurudev Hardev that the situation could be saved from taking an ugly turn.

After these incidents, Nirankari world felt shaken once again.   Nirankari youth was finding it hard to suppress its fury.  Their sentiments wanted to raise their heads but they were helpless in the wake of Gurudev's teachings on tolerance.   They did not have the nerve to go against his teachings but were at the same time finding it hard to comply with the same.

These incidents had created a dilemma for the Prabandhak as well as Pracharak Mahapurushas.  On one side was the responsibility to make arrangements for the Annual Sant Samagam of 1981 and on the other; this sudden twist in the perspective of the situation was making them baffled.   They were finding it difficult to create an amicable balance in a situation like this.  Nobody had any doubt about the fact that the Samagam would be attended by even a larger number of devotees than ever before.  But Prabandhaks were worried as to how would the deeply stung emotions of Nirankari Mahapurushas be contained when they collect in such a large number to attend the Samagam after only ten or fifteen days of these incidents.  Everybody was worried about the possibility of this tidal wave of highly volatile sentiments in the wake of these incidents, cracking the dam of tolerance built so painstakingly by Gurudev.  The only ray of hope in this difficult situation was, however, the equipoise of Gurudev himself.  The beatific face of Gurudev somehow reassured everybody that this tempest too would pass without causing any harm.

The annual Sant Samagam of 1981 was celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm in Delhi.  Lakhs of devotees from India as well as abroad expressed their devotion towards Satguru by attending this Samagam.  The attendance of devotees surpassed even the wildest estimate of all the Prabandhaks.  The elaborate arrangements made for accommodating the devotees proved inadequate even though the expected number was already kept on a higher side than ever before.

The programme of Samagam proceeded in an atmosphere full of devotion.  A number of lyricists, poets and speakers expressed their feelings.  The fast changing and tense atmosphere of Punjab was also discussed.  But the devotees present there were also keen to listen to Gurudev himself and receive appropriate guidance.  Baba Ji delivered four discourses during the three-day Samagam (three during the Satsang and one during General Body Meeting).  Giving clear guidelines to the devotees, Baba Ji stated:

"The test of a sweet does not lie in its appearance but in its sweetness.  In the same manner, saints and Mahapurushas are assessed by the way of their life and their actions.  I feel that all of us should lead our lives like true saints; we should keep moulding our lives according to the sublime and eternal words of holy personages and keep following them in the same manner as earlier; as devotees only can perceive the words of holy personalities.   I pray humbly to the Almighty to give sense to those, who are causing anguish to saints for some political gains, so that they understand that the saints are not only true but also firm and tenacious in their principles."

 Trying to inspire the Mahapurushas to rise above worldly way of thinking and adopt saintly attributes, Gurudev stated:

"The world is over-flowing with the feelings of self-centeredness and alienation.  The hands gifted by God are being used to kill rather than to help somebody.  Instead of using kind words, abuses are being hurled.  In times like this, people of the world have their hopes pinned on all of you as only the devotees of God can save them.  Saints do not entertain any animosity in their hearts; therefore, they do not consider anybody to be their enemy; all of you should hold such lofty feelings in your hearts.  Whether someone is a fellow saint or not, you must always help him; you must share the weal and woe of your neighbours.  We must be vigilant not to do any such action which might blot the name of our Guru as every act of ours would be put under his name."

A saint is always centred on spirituality; wherever he goes and whosoever he meets, he is ever discussing Nirankar and the teachings of his Guru.  Alerting the Nirankari saints about their duties, Gurudev stated:

"During an army meeting, the defence strategy for the country is discussed and not some other problems related to agriculture or social welfare.  Failing to do so, the purpose for which the meeting was called, would not be achieved.  Similarly, the saints should act like saints only; the saints always remember God (Simran), and respect and serve all other saints and Mahapurushas (Sewa).  We should not start paying attention to the shortcomings of others.  We must always look at others’ virtues.  If we concentrate on the evil in others then our actions too would manifest as evil and project us as evil doers in the eyes of the world.  Therefore, we must always look for virtues and take this message of Truth to the world with love and humility."

The Samagam concluded successfully.  The turmoil caused by tension is Punjab settled with clear guidelines provided by the discourses of His Holiness.  Fellow saints had got the message that Satgurudev expects to see every Mahapurusha in a detached and unfaltering state of mind. 

Along with this, Gurudev’s instructions to adopt noble virtues and to lead a chaste life were also more than clear.  Thus, after being guided by Gurudev as such and with the motivation of giving a practical shape to his words, Mahapurushas returned back to their respective places in India as well as abroad.

The congregations started all over once again as usual.  The Pracharaks started visiting different places to inspire people for God-knowledge.  Once again the situation started appearing to be normal.

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