Just at that time, another incident took place in Kapurthala which once again shook the confidence of Mahapurushas in the success of their efforts to maintain peace.  This time, the terrorists had made Rev. Prahalad Ji and his father Rev. Dewan Chand Ji a target of their bullets in broad daylight.  Rev. Prahlad Ji was an active member of All India Working Committee of the Mission as also a devoted Pracharak adored by one and all.  With the blessings of Satguru, he had played a key role in bringing the vicious atmosphere of Punjab back to normalcy.  His fearless spirit and firm faith in Satguru was a constant source of inspiration to the Sangats in Punjab.   Rev. Dewan Chand Ji had also contributed a lot in the propagation of the Mission.

The city of Kapurthala came to a stand still as soon as the news of Pralhad Chand Ji’s assassination broke out.   The whole city was present to pay homage to him, which in itself was a proof of his popularity with the local population.  The agitation of the public at a time like this could have taken the form of an untoward incident but Gurudev's advice to bow before the will of God as also a wise handling of the situation by the Prabandhak Mahapurushas helped in restraining it and maintaining calm.

The incident was, however, enough to shake the faith of people like me in non-violence and tolerance.  Nirankari saints appeared to be composed outwardly but this calm appeared more like the stillness which prevails just before the onset of a storm.  My heart was also feeling the turbulence of this tempest.   But my reasoning too was trying to prevail upon me time and again that a God-realised person should have an inexhaustible forbearance; since with the blessings of Satguru we are God-realised, we should not get affected by the ups and downs like others and we should accept everything as God’s will.

Despite all this, one thought that was bothering my mind again and again was that even though a God-realised person gets beyond the duality of ‘Mine’ and ‘Thine’ and also gets the required strength to tolerate all the atrocities, yet the failure to restrain an evil doer would definitely result in the further spread of unbridled evil.  This thinking of mine was not unfounded either.  All of us had been mere silent spectators while orthodox fanatics had been gunning down Mahapurushas one after the other.  The savagery of those barbarians appeared to be on a rise.

When my mind became so turbulent that I could have adopted any means of violence, I went up to Gurudev without any hesitation.  Feeling my restlessness, Gurudev said, "What is the matter today, you appear to be a little upset?"

Bowing my head, I appealed, "Maharaj! The matter is such only."

After hesitating a bit, I said, "Baba Ji!  I agree that a God-realised person gets the required strength to bear everything.  He wishes well of everyone even after bearing all the atrocities.  But this tolerance appears to be producing extremely alarming results.  Look at the prevailing situation, the anguish our Mahapurushas are going through.  Not even a month passes when those savages do not target one or two of our Mahapurushas and we watch it silently accepting it as the will of God.  Are we not committing a wrong by giving evil-doers the freedom to commit evil?"   

Gurudev listened intently to whatever I said and then explained in his usual manner, "Reacting in a sentimental or emotional manner is never the solution for any problem.  Everything has its own different perspectives, good as well as bad, and we must judge everything from every angle before we reach any conclusion.  After that our actions should be such which aim at the welfare of all the human beings.  Try and give it a thought with a cool mind and you will automatically get an answer that the path which you are thinking of adopting would never lead to the end of evil."

Gurudev became quiet for a few moments.  Then throwing light on his own words Gurudev said, "World history is full of such vengeful incidents.  Sometimes one group attacked another group whereas at other times the second group got even with the first one.  The ones who were fighting with each other perished but sowed the poisonous seeds of revenge in the minds of their next generation.  The result of such dreadful vendetta can be observed in different parts of the world even today.   Even in families, vengeful feuds are carried from generation to generation leading to law-suits, murders, etc. and there is no end to it ever.  Do you want that even the Mahapurushas should start ploying such a horrible game and lay the foundation for the destruction of coming generations?

Though it is a strange fact, that in such vengeful vendetta, the real culprits often go unscathed whereas the innocents get murdered, yet Saints do not believe in this kind of a revenge."

When Gurudev paused, I said once again giving expression to my doubt, "But Maharaj!  This will encourage the evil-doer even more.  Will it not lead to an increase in evil?"

"No, it is not like that," said Gurudev.  "On the contrary, the fact is that tolerance only stops evil.  Yes, temporarily we do feel that evil is on the rise but in time this truth manifests itself that evil has been subjugated.

History is a proof to the fact that evil has always been defeated and brought to an end by the tolerance of saints.  Everyone knows that Jesus Christ left a deep impression upon everybody's heart in the world by accepting the cross.  On the other hand, nobody seems to remember his tormentors.  In our own country our great Gurus endured so much.  Those who put up with atrocities are remembered even today and the ones who committed them perished with the passage of time.  Now you only think, had the give and take of revenge only continued, could the evil ever be terminated?"

After pausing for sometime Gurudev said, "Even otherwise, the saints have already surrendered their body, mind and possessions to the Almighty Nirankar.  Because of this, they leave everything to Him; so much so that they do not consider themselves to be apart from God.  Therefore, whosoever commits any atrocity on any saint, God’s will automatically sets the score with such a person.  Therefore, those who have a firm faith in God do not worry about adopting any other means besides surrendering to the will of God.  They stay linked with God under all circumstances."

Another doubt arose in my mind after listening to this analysis by Satguru.  Hesitatingly, I asked, "Maharaj!  When we do not want to take revenge then why should we even file court cases?"

Gurudev clarified, "There is no revenge involved in this.  The law suits are settled by the government according to its law.  As responsible citizens of the country, it is our duty to co-operate fully with the government.  You know that all of us cast our votes too.  In Democracy everybody has got this right.  Every Mahapurusha of ours uses this right according to his wish during elections.  Now if somebody accuses us of taking part in politics just because we exercise our franchise, then it is going to be a mistake on his part; as casting a vote is a moral duty of every citizen.  Nobody becomes a politician by performing this duty.  Similarly, when the government wants our co-operation to protect the law and we give it, we too are fulfilling our duties as responsible citizens and not avenging ourselves."

Such plausible reasoning by Gurudev was enough to convince me thoroghly.  After paying my obeisance to Gurudev, I went towards the office of Publications Department.  There I met a Nirankari devotee from Punjab.  I had been so impressed by Baba Ji’s instructions that the moment I saw him, I could not contain myself and exclaimed, "Bhai Sahib!  It was so marvellous to hear Baba Ji explain so beautifully that oppression can be ended only by tolerating it."

That gentleman was quick to reply, "Such words sound pleasant theoretically only.  But when it comes to living such words personally, they always fall short."

The moment I heard his words, I could not control my temper and said in a harsh tone,  "Bhai Sahib!  This teaching is neither mine nor yours; rather these words belong to that saint whose father sacrificed himself for the Mission.  On Baba Hardev Singh Ji’s one signal, millions of Nirankari devotees could have done anything to avenge the death of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji; but Satguru did not do any such thing.   He taught us by the practical example of embracing tolerance in his own life and action first."

After pausing, I said again, "You know it very well that Baba Ji did not act in this manner under any pressure.   Even if we look at it from a worldly and not a spiritual point of view, millions of devotees are always eager to obey their Master.   I am sure you can imagine as to what could have happened at a single word from Gurudev; but Gurudev did not act in any such manner.   Had something untoward or negative happened, none of us could have been saved from its dreadful consequences.  Is it not an infinite grace of Satguru on all of us that he saved us all from such a horrible conflict?  Bhai Sahib!  This teaching of Baba Ji represents his depth of perception as also his practical approach.  Baba Ji has preached whatever he has practiced and spoken through his deeds."

That devotee left after bowing his head, but I kept sitting there.  Baba Ji’s words as well as his benevolent face started appearing before my eyes time and again.  The thought that the others too would be facing a similar dilemma of conflicting thoughts in this tense atmosphere, was prevailing upon my mind.  Another thing which I realised clearly was that such a predicament could be put to rest only by the teachings of Satguru.  Accomplishing such a task was beyond the capacity of Pracharaks like me.  We can only convey Satguru’s teachings to saints but their effect would be produced only when Satguru himself delivers his practical teachings by visiting each and every corner of the country personally.

Satguru is all-knowing.   While I was still contemplating these thoughts, I got a message that Gurudev is already in the process of planning a tour for spiritual awakening.  A series of tours thus started all over once again.  It is my extremely good fortune that Gurudev took me along with him during most of the tours.

The tours would span over a period of days, covering different towns, cities as well as villages to enable devotees to be blessed personally by Gurudev.  Baba Ji would clarify every doubt of every devotee; he would try and suggest a way to solve even the personal or family problems of anyone under the light of his spiritual message.  Thus in a short span of time, Gurudev reached almost every place in the country to deliver his message.

Once during the tour of Uttar Pradesh, Gurudev reached Lakhimpur Khiri, which is a small town and clearly reflects the vibrant culture of the state in its mode of living as well as dialect of speech.  The local people are very simple and dress up traditionally in their dhotis and caps; the effects of urbanization as well as mechanization are still not visible there.  Though economically backward, yet the residents cherish a deep religious inquisitiveness.

On Gurudev's arrival, the Satsang was held in an open ground.  As usual, the general public thronged the place in thousands to listen to Gurudev’s discourse and quench their religious thirst.  A major part of the programme was held in Hindustani language.  Gurudev stated during his discourse that God-knowledge can be acquired within a moment on meeting a God-realised saint.  There is no need for any other means for the same.  The only requirement is that we should be able to find a Satguru who has realised God.

After the programme, Gurudev halted for a short while in Lakhimpur Khiri.  During this time, a few seekers approached His Holiness and after paying their obeisance asked very humbly, "Guru Ji!  You stated in your discourse today that God can be realised in a moment only.  But in olden times, the saints and sages used to perform austerity for thousands of years and then only one of them could find God."

Gurudev looked at them and stated in a simple manner, "As far as acquiring of God-knowledge is concerned, it takes one moment only.  I will not say anything on why did the saints and sages perform austerity for thousands of years, but you can not deny the fact that Vashisht Ji gave God-knowledge to Rama in a moment in Treta Yug; he said to the extent that it takes more time to crush a flower than to behold God.  Similarly in Dwapar Yug Sri Krishna showed his All-pervasive form to Arjuna while standing in the battlefield.  You can well imagine the extent of austerity that Arjuna could have performed at a time when he was surrounded by armies on both sides, ready to start the war anytime; how much time was there for him to even discuss God-knowledge?"

After listening to these words, that person started looking at Gurudev in an extremely thoughtful manner.  Just then, Gurudev clarified his words further and said, "A similar reference is there in Gita too; when Arjuna surrendered himself completely, Lord Krishna gave him the God knowledge and said - 'behold, my all-pervasive form' and Arjuna was enlightened within a moment; it has been explained in full detail in Gita.  Similarly, you must have read about God-realisation by Raja Janak.  He too, was given God-knowledge by Ashtavakra Ji in a moment.  History is full of such innumerable instances."

That gentleman got lost in deep thought after listening to such a convincing explanation by Gurudev.  Perhaps it was difficult for him to accept the fact that God can be realised in a single moment.  He said a little hesitatingly, "Guru Ji!  Those people were extremely devout as well as wise scholars.  They must have realised God in a moment.  But we are the people of this Kali Yug.  Can we too realise God in a moment?"

"Yes’, of course.  This knowledge has simply no connection whatsoever with any specific Yug or time.   God-realisation in a moment is an eternal truth which applies to all the ages.  The same truth is explained in different religious scriptures.  If God was realised in a moment in earlier ages then the same can happen even today.  Let us leave aside history for sometime.  Everybody believes that God is Omnipresent; He pervades each and every particle of the universe.    It means that God is present even here with us.    Now think for a moment; what should we do to know something which is present here with us?  We have to only ask a person who knows about it and he will point it out to us in a moment.  For example, an outsider comes here and asks you about the whereabouts of Satyarthiji; you will not be able to tell him anything even though Satyarthiji is present here and sitting next to you.  But if a person who knows Satyarthiji and points him out to you, you would come to know him instantly and then you too can point him further to that outsider by a mere gesture.  There is no need for any learning or austerity for the same.   The only thing you need is to know a person who has the knowledge."

When Gurudev became quiet, that gentleman said, "That means, we need to find a person who knows."

"You are absolutely correct," said Gurudev smilingly, "the need is always to find a God-realised saint.  That can definitely take some time.  Even earlier it must have taken them time to find a true saint.  They might have undergone even difficulties and hardships for the same.  But this is a truth that God-knowledge took one moment only after finding a God-realised saint."

When Gurudev was leaving Lakhimpur Khiri after sometime, I saw that person bow devotedly to Gurudev again and again.

During the same tour Gurudev went to Farrukhabad, which is again a small town.  The Satsang over there is attended by a large number of devotees from neighbouring villages too.  Gurudev is related personally to that place as Gurudev’s in-laws belong to Farrukhabad; Gurudev rested at their place for the night.  A Parcharak Mahapurusha, who was in Baba Ji's service there, made an appeal at Baba Ji’s holy feet, "Baba Ji!  You always teach that we should neither blame nor ridicule anyone.  But in order to proclaim Truth as Truth, we have to expose falsehood also."

"You are right to the extent that Truth has to be proclaimed as truth only," Gurudev stated simply, "our Mission is to spread the message of Truth.  There should be no doubt about the same."

Hesitating a little bit, that Parcharak Mahapurusha said, "Baba Ji! For this we have to condemn the falsehood which tremendously upsets the orthodox people.  Our own Mahapurushas stop us from criticizing them."

Smilingly, Gurudev said, "Nobody stops you from proclaiming the Truth, but there is no need for criticism in spreading the message of Truth."

Clarifying his words further, Gurudev said, "Bhai Sahib, Mahapurushas are linked with Truth and they have to proclaim the Truth.  Therefore, they always expound and reveal the Truth only.  The more they reveal the Truth, the more they themselves are upheld by Truth.  There is no need for any criticism anywhere in this.  For example, to bring light somewhere, all that we need is only a lamp; there is no need to criticize or slander darkness.  Therefore, one needs only to reveal the Truth to spread the message of Truth."

On finding that Mahapurusha quiet, Gurudev tried to explain further by stating, "Mahapurushas adopt such means only.  They always glorify Truth and inspire others to adopt the same.   There is no need for criticism in it.  Yes, sometimes Mahapurushas do point towards falsehood to warn people - but not with an aim to criticize but to correct.  For example, a teacher points out the mistakes of a student with the sole aim of improving and not condemning him.  In the same manner, whenever Mahapurushas make any such comments, they do so with the intention of helping and not criticizing; because their goal is not to exploit falsehood but to warn against it."

The moment Gurudev stopped explaining, that Mahapurusha expressed another doubt: "Baba Ji!  I have understood that there is no need to even touch falsehood to spread the Truth but falsehood cannot be ended in this manner.  Along with Truth, falsehood too would keep flourishing."

"No, it does not happen like that," said Gurudev, "With the spread of Truth, falsehood starts declining automatically.  Like I said earlier too, there is no need to malign darkness to remove it.  The arrival of light is enough to expel the darkness. Similarly, with the unfolding of the light of God-knowledge, darkness of ignorance would simply disappear.  For this purpose we have to keep distributing God-knowledge. There is no need to pay attention to anything else besides that."

After concluding the tour of Uttar Pradesh, Satgurudev proceeded towards Rajasthan on another tour for spiritual awakening.  On Gurudev's arrival at Bhilwara via Jaipur and Ajmer, the Mahapurushas there were simply overwhelmed with joy.

The spectacle of Bhilwara Sangat has to be seen to be believed.   Local Mahapurushas bedecked in their traditional costumer dance and sing joyfully to express their heartfelt devotion towards Satguru. This time too, an impressive congregation was organised at Bhilwara. A large number of devotees from neighbouring villages had also come to attend the same. One could see a sprinkling of yellow and red turbans all around. One also got an opportunity to enjoy the local dialect of Rajasthan in full measure during the programme. Gurudev stated in his discourse that we can attain true happiness only through the knowledge of God and that God-knowledge can be attained only with the grace of Satguru. Anybody can know God with the blessings of Satguru.

After the Satsang, when Gurudev was resting, an army officer along with his wife came to pay his obeisance to Gurudev. After bowing at Gurudev's holy feet he said, "Baba Ji! I have been posted at Assam since quite some time.  I attained God-knowledge from a Pracharak there and came to know God. A lot of time has passed ever since; neither do I find any change in myself, nor do I experience any bliss. We have come to this place for a few days. All the Mahapurushas that I have met here appear to be very happy. They also say that there has been a tremendous change in their lives after attaining God-knowledge.  I do not understand the reason for this discrepancy of God-knowledge in their lives and my life." 

"There is no discrepancy in God-knowledge," said Gurudev trying to explain the essence of God-knowledge, "The difference lies in perceiving and realizing the Formless."

After pausing for a moment, Gurudev clarified, "We are all house-holders. All of us know that mere introduction of a husband and a wife can not give them any bliss of family life; marital bliss can be experienced only after the two of them start living together."

In a quiet manner, that gentleman kept on looking at Gurudev. Gurudev then stated further, "All of us are aware of the fact that a wife has to live in her husband’s home after marriage.   Leaving behind her parents’ house, when the wife forms a loving kinship with the husband's family, then only can she enjoy complete happiness of family life.  This is the only means to increase love and faith between the husband and the wife which then further leads to happiness in their marital life."

The husband as well as the wife nodded their heads in agreement. Continuing with his words, Gurudev said, "Similarly when the individual soul (Jeevatma) gets the knowledge of its husband - God through God-knowledge, then she too has to leave falsehood (Maya) which is like her parents’ home and live in the family of God-realised saints and form a kinship with them.   In spiritual language, we call it Satsang and it brings about an increase in love and faith. Satsang is essential after God-knowledge."

Both of them looked at each other and said hesitatingly, "We have never attended Satsang."

Smiling simply, Gurudev stated further, "We also know that the wife not only lives with her husband's family but also gives full co-operation and respect to all the family members.  This way she earns the happiness as well as the love of her husband which makes her life prosperous.  Same is the case in spiritual life.  After God-knowledge, it is essential for a person to offer service (Sewa) which makes his life prosperous. You must be offering Sewa?"

That gentleman shook his head thoughtfully and said, "Baba Ji! We have never carried out any Sewa."

Pointing out the third pre-requisite to bring about a transformation in one's life and to attain bliss of God-knowledge, Gurudev said, "This is also a well known fact that even while living at home, serving all family members, and looking after the house, a wife never forgets her husband. Her attention is always centred in her husband.  In spiritual terms, we call it 'Simran', which implies remembrance and not mere word repetition. Only when we remember Nirankar can we utter the words 'Tu Hi Nirankar'; Simran brings serenity in our lives. The Mahapurusha who gave you God-knowledge must have mentioned Simran too?"

Both of them looked at each other once again.  Thereafter, looking down the gentleman said, "That Mahapurusha did mention about Simran but we did not pay any attention in this direction."

Gurudev clarified, "There can be no real bliss without Satsang, Sewa and Simran.  It is not enough just to receive God-knowledge; it is equally important to mould one’s life according to it.  Like I explained the conditions which need to be fulfilled to acquire marital bliss, similarly Sewa, Satsang and Simran are essential to seek bliss in God-knowledge.  Without them there can neither be any bliss nor any transformation in one's life."

Both of them were listening very intently to every word being spoken by Gurudev.  Other people sitting around too were keen to absorb this fundamental rudiment to fill one's life with bliss.  After a brief pause, Gurudev explained, "Even from worldly point of view, we do not get any happiness by merely seeing a thing.  When we go to the market, we come across different kinds of clothes displayed in show-windows.  But our purpose is not achieved by only looking at them.   We feel happy only when we acquire them and wear them.  In the same manner, mere God-knowledge is not enough, we can attain bliss only after embracing and accepting God-knowledge in our everyday life and by making it a personal living experience; and the only means for doing so is Satsang, Sewa and Simran.  Without moulding one's life according to God-knowledge, one can not attain any bliss"

On finding that couple silent, Gurudev said smiling in a simple manner, "There is not much to think in this.  You might not have been able to attend Satsang because of its non-availability at your place of residence.   Since both of you have God-knowledge, you can sit with your family members at home and have a Satsang.  In the same manner you can do Simran.  On meeting some Mahapurusha you can render some Sewa also.  Nirankar would bestow his benevolence and you will start experiencing bliss yourself.  Your life will be full of happiness."

Seeking Baba Ji’s blessings, the gentleman appealed, "Baba Ji!  The fault was entirely ours.  We do have the company of God-realised families and Satsang around the place where we live.  Please bless us so that we can attend Satsang with them."

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