After the conclusion of the 35th Annual Sant Samagam, Gurudev blessed the devotees of Delhi and the surrounding areas including Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, etc. with his benign presence during Satsang Programmes. On November 23, 1982 Satgurudev proceeded on a spiritual tour of Rajasthan.

The first place of halt during this tour was Jaipur, where the Satsang Bhawan was under construction.  The local devotees were participating in the construction work with great enthusiasm.  The congregation was held in the compound of the Bhawan.  Addressing the gathering, Gurudev said:

Loving every human being after knowing the Almighty is true devotion.  Devotion is the subject of heart.  If the Formless Almighty dwells in the heart, one will not commit any wrong.  With this, the path of life becomes pleasant and the journey happy.  Devotion is neither related to rites and rituals nor to the dress one wears.  It is directly related to the realization of God and then leading a life in complete submission to the will of God, without any grudge or grievance whatsoever.

Devotion does not make man weak or helpless.  On the other hand, it bestows him with such a strength that enables him to face all kinds of worldly upheavals and to pass through the ups and downs and pains and pleasures of life with a smile.  By dint of their devotion, the devotees do not get caught into the clutches of the illusions of the material world.  They lead a detached and untainted life.

After the congregation, some devotees stood up with folded hands. One of them said, "Baba Ji, you stated just now that the devotees do not get entangled in materialistic attachments.  At the same time, Baba Ji, you want us to follow the path of devotion while staying within the materialistic world.  Naturally, when we stay in the materialistic world, we will start getting attached to it also.   Then, how should we save ourselves from the same?"

Gurudev who was about to leave, stopped for a while and said, "Saints suggest only one way to safeguard oneself against the lust and passion of the material world.   They say that just as a lotus stays aloft water even while standing in it and the water fails to touch it, similarly a devotee leads his life while living very much in this materialistic world.  If the Formless Almighty dwells in our heart, then this materialistic world cannot do any harm to us.  On the contrary, it is like a servant of   devotees.  They use it the way they wish, while it fails to make the devotees dance to its own tune."

Speaking thus, Gurudev proceeded towards the next destination.

After a few days i.e., on November 27, 1982 His Holiness proceeded for Karnal.  Along with his gracious spouse Sawinder Ji (who is known as Pujya Mata Ji in the Nirankari world), he arrived in the compound of the local Satsang Bhawan at 11.00 a.m. The devotees who had gathered there in a large number hailed them with slogans.  They had not come only from Karnal but surrounding areas also.  The local Parmukh Bhai Sahib Mohan Lal Ji, not only thanked Baba Ji but expressed his deep gratitude to the fellow devotees also for their co-operation.  Addressing the gathering, Baba Ji said:

Most of you who are present here are farmers.  You know it well that for a good crop, you need a fertile land which is well ploughed and leveled.  Moreover, you need healthy seeds and requisite quantity of fertilizers to be applied at suitable time.  Then a time comes when the crop needs some weeding so that the land is free from any unwanted growth.  Exactly like this we are blessed with this human life which provides a fertile land for the seed of God-knowledge.  Now we require the fertilizer in the form of Satsang (company of saints), Sewa (selfless service) and Simran (remembrance of God).  For irrigation, we have to use the water of love, compassion, mercy and kindness.  The unwanted growth of slander, hatred and animosity has also to be weeded out.    As a result, we would find a rich crop of divine virtues and become prosperous.  So saints, we should endeavour in such a way that our life becomes virtuous and the soul stands liberated in the end.

From here Satgurudev reached Rajpura, where a congregation had been scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Rajpura is an industrial town of Punjab.  Here, we have a beautiful spacious Satsang Bhawan.  The hall as well as the compound of the Satsang Bhawan was filled with devotees.  In his discourse, Satgurudev said:

Active domestic life (believed to last from the age of 25 to 50 years) is the best period of life.  If we give up our false sense of ego and lead a life with a spirit of humility, we can bring happiness not only to our domestic but social life also.

Gurudev cautioned the audience and added:

Our false sense of ego is the cause of all kinds of misery.  Saints, therefore, always lead their lives in humility.  In this way they make their lives happy and prosperous.  If we remain united at home and are contented with whatever God has given us, we find our life blissful all the time.  Those who find happiness at home, live together with a spirit of cooperation, their home itself is a paradise on earth.

As usual, here also a large number of people came here also at night to see Baba Ji and seek his blessings.  In the crowd were a few youths as well as elderly gentlemen belonging to some well to do families.  As soon as they got the opportunity, they submitted earnestly: "Baba Ji, with the grace of God, we have no dearth of worldly wealth.  Our houses have all the comforts in abundance.  We are satisfied in all respects.  We have unity among the members of the family.  There is no tension at all.  As you said in your discourse, our homes are certainly like a paradise on earth.  Do we still need Satsang (the company of saints), Simran (remembrance of God) or Sewa (service to others), or devotion to God all the time, or even the realization of God?"

Gurudev looked quite tired, rather sleepy.  Even then he replied to their question with deep sense of love, though very briefly.  He said, "It is true that you have everything you need and you are satisfied.  It is good, but you do not realize that just as you have found means to satisfy your physical, mental and material needs, you must also do something for the salvation of your soul.  You must find some means to unite your soul with the Almighty God.  And for this you essentially need the realization of God, and devotion to God.  Even otherwise, you must not forget that the paradise (on earth) you referred to just now is not going to stay forever because it derives its comforts or happiness from the body, mind and wealth which by themselves are not stable or permanent; they themselves are governed by the principle of change.  The body is healthy today but it may become sick tomorrow.  The mind which is at peace at the moment may start feeling restless sometime later.  Similarly, a person who has the worldly wealth in abundance today may become a pauper tomorrow and we have seen such examples.  That is why in order to find the everlasting or eternal paradise, you must get united with the everlasting and eternal God."

Even while leaving, Gurudev added, "You also need Sewa, Simran and Satsang to express your gratitude to the Almighty for the paradise he has bestowed upon you today."

While Gurudev turned towards his room, the visitors too returned to their homes - thinking as to how to act upon what Gurudev had taught them just now.  I could observe those young men as also the elderly gentlemen telling each other that whatever Baba Ji said was correct and sooner or later they must follow his advice, otherwise they would be wasting this precious human life in vain.

The next morning, Gurudev left for Patiala.  Here the congregation virtually took the shape of a big Samagam.  Thousands of devotees and other people including prominent citizens participated.  In his discourse His Holiness said:

Sadh Sangat (the congregation of devotees) is like a mother.  Just as the blessings of a mother are real and pure, the love of the devotees is also true and sincere - free from any artificiality and show off.  If we want to be happy here in this world and hereafter, we must act upon what we learn from Sadh Sangat, what the saints teach us in the congregation.

Explaining in detail as to how to take the maximum advantage of the company of saints, Gurudev said:

Sadh Sangat must be given the same regard and respect as we give to the Satguru.  It means we must serve the devotees physically, mentally and materially with the same feeling as we have when we serve the Satguru.  One should consider oneself as a humble servant of each and every member of the Sadh Sangat.  One should talk about only the good qualities of the fellow devotees.  One should pick up and follow only the virtues and avoid what is bad.  One should not point out or highlight the faults of others.  Those who follow this principle, automatically find the happiness - physical, mental and material.

Gurudev highlighted one thing in particular and said:

A devotee (Gursikh) should always avoid criticizing and hating others, otherwise such feelings tend to corrode his or her mind like a wood-worm.

An eminent gentleman from the city (Kad Sahib) who enjoys a prestigious status in the social circles of Patiala, asked Gurudev while paying his obeisance, "You have spent your student life in this place.  How do you feel when you come here for a visit?"

Bending his head a little and then laughing, Gurudev replied, "I feel very happy when I come here.  My childhood memories get refreshed once again when I meet my old friends who studied with me.  Truly speaking, the words as well as the guidance of my teachers as well as fellow students in Yadvindra School are still helping me in leading a practical life."

After a brief pause, Gurudev stated, "My childhood was spent here in the environment of Gurbani because of which I became capable to understand the fundamentals of Gurmat."

Pausing again for a moment, Gurudev stated once again, "It is only because of your good wishes as well as the guidance of Bhai Sahib Amar Singh Ji that I am able to fulfill this responsibility successfully today.  Only with your prayers will I be able to perform my duty efficiently in the future too and earn the good wishes of mankind."

After this Gurudev proceeded towards the room where lunch had been arranged.  For Gurudev�s meal, Harvant Ji, son of the great saint Bhai Sahib Amar Singh Ji, was laying plates as well as talking to Gurudev.  Without realizing what he was doing, he put several questions to Gurudev at the same time.  While interrupting the continuous flow of talking, Gurudev stated - "Let us all take our meal now.  We are all with you for the night.  After returning from Bakhshiwala at night, we will try to find solutions to your queries."

In the evening when Gurudev returned to the Bhawan at Patiala after blessing the devotees at Bakhshiwala, Mahapurushas in hundreds were eagerly awaiting him.  After blessing them all, Gurudev started taking a stroll in the lawns of the Bhawan.  The moment Harvant Ji got a chance, he reached there and appealed, "Baba Ji, please at least now provide a solution to the thoughts arising in my mind."  Gurudev said, "O.K. You may ask one or two things which you consider important."

"Baba Ji, as you know, we live in a city where most of the local people believe in Gurbani.  Whenever we happen to talk to them and quote examples from Gurbani to prove to them that we are the true believers of Gurbani, they get agitated and do not hesitate to ask as to why should we read their Gurbani.  They also accuse us that we read their Gurbani to prove our statements.  At that time, we cannot think of any answer."

Gurudev replied very simply, "Harvant Ji, you should tell very politely to such gentlemen that this Bani belongs to all equally.  This Bani is the holy words of Gurus, saints, prophets and divine personages who belonged to everyone without any discrimination.  Therefore, those who put into practice the teachings of this Bani, can derive full advantage from it and those who are confined only to its recitation, cannot obtain as much of its benefit as they should."

Harvant Ji said, "Alright, from next time onwards, we will give this answer.  But there is one more query, Baba Ji. If Gurbani is eternally true then why do the Nirankaris not recite Gurbani the way those people do?  Why can we not do what they do?  According to them, if the Nirankaris also start reciting Gurbani the way they do in the morning as well as evening, or start performing the pronounced rites and rituals then this conflict which is going on at present can come to an end once for all."

Gurudev became a bit solemn and started saying, "Harvant Ji, whether we do this or that, it will not make any difference.  You have been following the teachings of Nirankari Mission right from your childhood and are well aware that Nirankaris consider Gurbani as divine word and its teachings as eternally true.  Nirankaris were never distant from Gurbani in the past, nor are they now, but who can make them understand this?  Truly speaking, if our conduct does not match the teachings of Gurbani, then our recitation or performance of mere rites and rituals is not going to help us much in life.  The aim of our life is to get free from the bondage of life and death and attain salvation.  Not only we, but all the saints and sages believe that such a state of liberation is possible only by the attainment of Truth, the knowledge of which can be bestowed only by someone who knows the Truth.  There is no other solution for the same.  Nirankaris are following the same tradition only."

Harvant Ji was looking quite convinced by now.

Starting his journey at 9.00 a.m. from Patiala, Satgurudev reached the small town, Samana.  After blessing the saints there, His Holiness reached Patran where a huge Samagam had been organized.  Hundreds of the local citizens welcomed Satgurudev heartily. Satgurudev stated here:

Dharma is the name given to �Dharan� which means �to adopt�.  �Dharma� adopts the Formless One in life and then sees Him in each and every human body. �Dharma� is the only medium through which we start loving each and everyone.  The one who loves the Formless One does not treat anyone as alien or a stranger.

Clarifying his words further, Gurudev Hardev said:

After knowing the One, believing the One, to love everyone is �Dharma�.  Dharma embraces all, it does not shun.  Dharma helps the fallen and does not make anyone fall.  It gives life, does not take it.  It lends smiles to the weeping, it does not give tears.  It unites, does not divide.  In other words Dharma makes our life happy here in this world and hereafter.

There is only one way of making this world happy and that is that we should understand the true meaning of religion and adopt it in life.  Today people are turning atheists after observing the wrong practices being followed in the name of religion.  Only the saints can adopt religion in their lives in the true sense and thus arouse the faith in �Dharma� in the minds of others too.

In the afternoon Satgurudev reached Dhuri after blessing the devotees at Sangrur on the way.  At Dhuri, thousands of devotees from that place as well as surrounding areas were present to have his holy glimpse.  Addressing the gathering His Holiness stated:

Today, Nirankari Mahapurushas are busy working for the welfare of the mankind.  They have to fulfill this duty by leading an ideal life.  They have to mould and lead their lives according to the teachings of love and humility that they have received from Sadh-Sangat.

Satgurudev took rest for the night in Barnala.  A large number of devotees were present here also for a holy glimpse of their Satguru.

The new Satsang Bhawan in Jalal was inaugurated by Satgurudev.  Thousands of devotees were present here on this occasion.  In a brief discourse, Gurudev stated:

Today chaos prevails everywhere in the world.  People have forgotten God and are searching for happiness in material objects only even though nobody has ever found happiness in worldly objects after forgetting God.  Today, there are conflicts in the family, in the society as well as among nations because man has started considering these material objects as the be-all and the end-all of life.  Saints, however, utilize these objects as a gift of God.  They do not treat them as everything and ignore God.  They lead a happy and prosperous life only because they remember God all the time.

From Jalal, Satgurudev reached Rampura Phul.  Here also the congregation took the form of a Samagam.  His Holiness stated in his discourse:

Man must fulfill all his duties very sincerely.  Devotion does not imply running away from one�s duties; rather fulfilling one�s responsibilities is true devotion.  The lives of saints, seers and prophets of the past clearly reveal that each one of them led his life while fulfilling all his duties. None of them renunciated the world himself nor did he encourage anyone else to adopt this tendency.  Whether we take the example of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna or from Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, all of them performed their (worldly) duties with full sense of dedication.  Lord Krishna even taught Arjuna in the form of Gita to stay put in the field of action as he had started talking of running away from his duty by turning his back on the war-field.  What we mean to say is that running away from the field of action is not devotion, rather leading one�s life while fulfilling one�s duties in a selfless manner is true devotion.  Therefore, all of you Mahapurushas must fulfill your respective duties while still hued in the colour of this Formless One all the time.

After the conclusion of the congregation, several members of Chhanga-Manga family at once came forward to pay their obeisance at the holy feet of Satguru.  On seeing them, Gurudev stopped where he was.  While they received the divine bliss by touching Gurudev�s holy feet, they also made an appeal in their usual smiling way and said, "Baba Ji, as you know, it is with the kind grace of Maghar Ali (Diwana Ji) that we are at your holy feet.  You have salvaged this family of poor singers and musicians.  Now we sing only your praise day and night.  We have disconnected ourselves from all other sides.  Now we seek (only) your blessings.  These boys and girls are your children.  We should not be required to beg money we need for bringing them up and for their marriages, etc.  We must be able to earn our own livelihood as taught by you and fulfill all these responsibilities happily."

Some of them - both men and women, turned towards Mata Ji.  Touching her holy feet they requested her, "You have to fill our empty bowls and recommend our appeal to Baba Ji.  Please bless us so much of physical, mental and material wealth that we are no longer required to beg anyone for any favour."

Baba Ji as well as Mata Ji blessed them profusely and said, "You may keep yourself busy with Satsang (company of saints), Sewa (service to others) and Simran (God-remembrance).  The Formless One will fulfill all your wishes."

In the evening, a Samagam was organized in Bhatinda.   Addressing the same, Gurudev said:

We have found this human life after a long journey.  It would be most sinful to waste it in vain.  It would be extremely difficult to get this human body again.  Therefore, this human life is the only time for the realization and devotion of God and thus making it meaningful and successful.

At night, two gentlemen in their Sikh attire came and met Gurudev quite respectfully and submitted, "Baba Ji, we have read your �Avtar Bani� very carefully and we enjoy reading Gurbani too.  Both of us are Lecturers of Punjabi language.  After going through �Avtar Bani�, we have come to the conclusion that it contains nothing new.  So, we wonder as to what was the need to produce �Avtar Bani� if it was to say only what is already recorded in Gurbani?"

I could see a divine radiance on Gurudev�s face.  Spreading the same, Gurudev spoke in very simple and clear words and said, "The Eternal Truth has to remain the same whether expressed in Vedas, Gita, Ramayana or mentioned in the Bani contained in Guru Granth Sahib.  There is no variation whatsoever.  The only difference is that of language.  The Vedas were composed when Prakrit or Sanskrit was the principal spoken language of the day.  Similarly, we found Gita in Sanskrit because the people were familiar with the language; they could read and write it quite easily.  The people of Uttar Pradesh mostly sing the praise of Lord Rama day and night and worship him with love and faith.  So, Sant Tulsidas wrote Ram Charit Manas in their language - Avadhi.  As regards Guru Granth Sahib, it contains the holy words of not only Guru Saheban themselves but numerous other saints also. After reading it, one realises that nothing different has been said about Truth in Guru Granth Sahib as compared to the Vedas, Shastras, Upnishads or Gita, etc.   They adopted only the contemporary language to convey the same Truth unto masses.  As we all know, all wise men have the same opinion. Accordingly, Avtar Bani too is written in the language of today so that the readers can read and understand it easily.  You are educated people.  So, you are well aware that two plus two is equal to four.  This truth was explained in the past and has continued to be explained.  We have never raised an objection as to why the same formula that two and two makes four which has already been written in the past, should be reproduced once again."

After pausing for a moment, Gurudev said, "Like other holy personages, the author of Avtar Bani, Baba Avtar Singh Ji also realized the Truth and he too penned down his experiences in the form of �Avtar Bani� in a simple and intelligible language.  Since Baba Avtar Singh Ji�s experiences were similar to those of the earlier saints and seers, �Avtar Bani� too, expounds the same truth that the holy books of earlier times contain."

Both the Lecturers felt delighted to hear the answer and appealed humbly, "Baba Ji, there is nothing in �Avtar Bani� which may smack of criticism of any particular religion, but the �Sant Bani� part of it is quite distressing.  It condemns quite openly the conventions, traditions and beliefs of all the religious faiths.  What is the opinion of your Mission in this regard?  We want to hear it in your own words."

Smiling as usual, Gurudev stated, "Those are the personal experiences of the saints concerned.  Whatever a devotee experienced, he put it in writing.  Even the earlier saints wrote down their individual experiences in full detail.  If you go through any of the holy scriptures, you will come across similar feelings, as expressed in �Sant Bani�.  It is not something new to have put down such experiences in black and white.  Therefore, it is basically wrong to say that any specific religion has been mocked at in Sant Bani."

Gurudev might have wanted to say more, but the two gentlemen thanked him in an extremely grateful manner and said, "Baba Ji, it is already very late.  Your devotees are also waiting eagerly for you. You may like to oblige them with your Darshan (holy glimpse).  Kindly give us the permission to return back to our place.  We feel extremely obliged after your holy glimpse and listening to your sweet words.  The doubts in our minds have been by and large removed."

After Bhatinda, Satgurudev halted at Giddar Baha for a short while.  Thereafter, he blessed the devotees at Abohar.  In the evening, addressing thousands of devotees gathered at a huge Samagam in Muktsar, Gurudev stated:

This human life is the loftiest among living creatures.  Those who lead their lives with a feeling of surrender (to God), and serve all, become immortal.

The untiring Pracharak (Preacher) of Muktsar, Rev. Nagpal Ji had lost his wife and his right hand, Bhai Sahib Sohan Lal Ji.  Describing their lives as ideal, Satgurudev stated:

The Mahapurushas who lead such lives are the guiding stars for the world.  The real tribute to such saints can best be paid by following their way and leading our own lives like them.

From here Gurudev reached Mandi Dabwali where a large number of devotees from Haryana felt blessed by Satgurudev�s holy glimpse.  A marriage was also solemnized in a simple Nirankari way, which was appreciated by the whole city.  People felt that we can get rid of exploitation and many other related problems to a large extent if we begin to perform the marriage ceremony in such a simple manner.

In the afternoon, Satgurudev proceeded for Hissar.  Here the congregation had been organized in a big hall of the town.  Gurudev stated in his discourse here:

God has created us as human beings only, but our leaders have divided us into different castes and communities.  We must rise above such feelings and love every human being.  We must understand that we are children of one Supreme Father.  All are our own. None is a stranger to us.  In Avtar Bani it is said:

Panj Tattan De Putle Vekho Vakho Vakh Insan Bane;
Koi Hindu Koi Sikh Isai Koi Ne Muslman Bane.

(Behold, the human beings composed of the same five elements claim to be different from one another; Some call themselves as Hindus, Sikhs or Christians whereas others call themselves as Muslims.)

The division of the society which is taking place in the name of caste and religion is becoming the cause of the turmoil and chaos prevailing today.  We must remain cautious against it.  Let us give up this wrong path that we are treading and follow the true path as shown by saints and prophets so that the world can heave a sigh of relief.

A congregation had been organized in the main bazar of Hansi from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.  Satgurudev stated in his discourse here:

We can attain the state of liberation only after knowing God.  God is not far from us; rather He is ever present with us.  To know Him we have to take the shelter of a God-realized saint. Apart from this there is no other means to know God.  There is a subtle veil of illusion (Maya) between the soul and the Super-Soul. Until we remove it, we can never perceive this all-pervading God.

Expounding the Truth, Gurudev stated:

To pine greedily for what is already gone, is also a form of illusion (Maya).  While lamenting over the past is illusion, sitting idle and dreaming for the future is also known as illusion only.  And, forgetting the Formless One and depending upon the material objects will also be described as a form of illusion only.  Similarly, fake love and devotion will also have to be called illusion.  We have to rise above every form of illusion and remember the Creator of this Maya all the time and keep concentrated on Him. Only then can we find happiness here and hereafter.

Before Baba Ji�s departure for Delhi, Rev. Amir Chand Ji Sethi and some of his companions were present to convey their hearty thanks to His Holiness.  Speaking in a repenting tone, they admitted that �deluded by ignorance the residents of Hansi had vehemently opposed Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji during his time, so much so that they had disturbed the congregation organized at that time. This was because some selfish people had created some doubts in our minds.  As we met your devotees over a period of time, those misgivings had mostly been clarified, but today after seeing you and listening to your holy discourse our eyes are completely opened.   Kindly bless us before you leave so that we can understand the meaning of true religion and devotion and thus make our lives meaningful.�

Giving his beatific smile, Gurudev stated, "The residents of Hansi are extremely fortunate as they have known the Truth and started co-operating in spreading it further.  May God bless you all so that you continue to make this devotion based on love an integral part of your life."

Satgurudev Hardev Ji Maharaj along with his devotees returned to Delhi at 11.30 p.m., where also the devotees were waiting eagerly to receive �the one who ruled their hearts.�

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