After the congregation concluded, Gurudev left for Patiala.  Next day i.e., on March 10, 1983, a congregation was held in a very peaceful environment.  It had been organized to take inspiration from the life of Late Bhai Sahib Amar Singh Ji.  Speaking on this occasion, Gurudev said:

Devotees are always equi-poised.  They do not get lost in pleasure nor do they get perturbed in pain.  Both poverty and affluence never become a hurdle in their devotion.  They do not care for fame or infame.  Sometimes it appears that a devotee is uttering some bitter words, but his heart is always full of compassion for others.  A devotee is much above the feelings of 'friend or foe'.  Bhai Sahib (Amar Singh Ji) had proved his mettle in this aspect.  He inspired innumerable others to lead such a selfless life.  Saints never die, they live forever.

The same day Gurudev left for Tapamandi.  An old friend of Gurudev, Makhan Bansal, who used to be with His Holiness at school, stays there.  The young man is so deeply impressed by Gurudev that despite being a childhood friend, he along with his whole community surpassed any Nirankari devotee in serving Gurudev till the time of his departure from Tapamandi for Barnala.  Those were the days when everybody was fear-stricken because of the acts of violence by extremists.

The congregation had also been organised in the spacious compound of the factory owned by Bansal family.  Gurudev was visiting the place for the first time.  Thousands of devotees from surrounding villages and towns reached the place in their trolleys, trucks and buses to have a holy glimpse of Baba Ji.  During his discourse, Gurudev stated:

Man today is alienating one brother from the other by creating disputes on the basis of caste, creed, language and provinces.  You saints have, however, to wish for the welfare of all.  Such a feeling takes root in the heart only when we see the image of the Formless One - God, in each and every human being.  If we do not show regards to the human beings, we remain deprived of the bounties of the Almighty.

After the conclusion of the programme, Gurudev reached Barnala, where arrangements had been made for the dinner and stay for the night.

Next day i.e., on March 11, 1983, His Holiness left for Sunam.  Here too, he had come for the first time.  A congregation was held in an open ground. Addressing the thousands of people assembled there, Gurudev said:

Saints always show love only.  The world may show any amount of hatred, but we must not leave our path of love.  The one who carries love in his heart will distribute love only and the one who has hatred within would give hatred only.

The Sandalwood tree gives fragrance even to the one who cuts it with an exe, because to give fragrance is its nature.  In the same manner, you saints have to live a life full of love so that the feelings of animosity and hatred are removed from the world.

The same evening Gurudev left for Delhi.  After halting in Patiala and Rajpura for sometime en-route, he reached Delhi at night.

While going to sleep at night, I kept pondering that this holy man would not rest till the world heaves a sigh of relief.  In my heart I offered a prayer to the Almighty to give wisdom to all so that everybody may understand the true spirit of religion and be a blessing for each other.

Next day i.e., on March 12, i.e., a poetic symposium was organised in the beautiful hall of Nirankari Colony, in which eminent poets of Delhi and surrounding areas participated.  Later, the symposium took the shape of a Farshi Mushaira where poets sit on the floor and feel free to comment on the poems presented by others.  About 35 poets recited the best of their poems.  Despite his busy schedule, Gurudev Hardev sat with the poets for two hours and kept spreading his beatific smile and showering blessings.  Most of the poets who took part spoke either in Hindi or Punjabi.  This was the first such attempt since the year 1979.  Gurudev praised the poets for the heights of their imagination but he also reminded them of their duty and said:

A poet is said to be the representative of God.   Poets have always made an excellent contribution in spreading the message of the Mission.  Poets fill the hearts of even those who are weak, with so much enthusiasm that they too start actively taking part in the welfare of the society and the country.  Let the poets, therefore, come forward and compose such new poems as may liberate the masses from the wrong customs and rituals.

Gurudev stayed in Delhi for some days while visiting the houses of devotees in different colonies and also attending congregations.  In the morning and evening he would meet the visitors, listen to them and solve their problems.  Nirankari Mission was passing through a terrific period of time.  The monster of terrorism was more than eager to devour the Mission.  Gurudev Hardev, however, succeeded to a great extent to save not only the Mission but the entire country from the tendencies of violence, by his constant efforts and teachings for calm and peace.

Whether in Delhi or outside, Gurudev was equally busy all the time.  Each and every moment of his was dedicated to the welfare of humanity.  On March 19, 1983, His Holiness once again proceeded for yet another salvation tour.

The luggage had been loaded on the vehicles. The party was about to leave for Yammunanagar, Khanna, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and various other places in a short time.  Suddenly, all the driver saints - Dilbag Ji, Nindi Ji, Dalbir Ji, Surinder Ji and others accompanying them came to the lobby, the waiting room.  I was also asked to stay with them.  The moment Gurudev along with Pujya Mata Ji came out of his room, all of them touched his holy feet and started appealing in a trembling voice, "Baba Ji, with your kind grace, we have been given this opportunity to render our service to you for the last about two and a half years.  You are extremely kind and you overlook everyone�s faults.  Please bless us so that we continue to get this opportunity to serve you in future also."

Getting a little impatient I said to these young saints, "Pay your obeisance quickly and go and take your respective place in vehicles."  All of them, however, said, "We are yet to make our submission to Baba Ji.  You are all the time asking us to haste and move."

I said, "O.K., hurry up and make your request fast." Gurudev and Pujya Mata Ji were smiling and watching all this.  One of these young saints said, "Baba Ji, we are illiterate persons.  Often we do not even understand what you say.  We, therefore, wish that you may give us some instructions in your own words so that we can follow the same and earn the blessings from you, our colleagues and Sadh Sangat as a whole."

While smiling, Gurudev said, "As it is, all of you are already rendering your services diligently and thus earning everyone's blessings."

In the meanwhile another young saint said, "Baba Ji, even then kindly tell us something in your own words."  At this Pujya Mata Ji said, "You may do two things.  Thereafter you will not feel the dearth of anything.  Firstly, you must use sweet words while speaking to each other, you must respect each other and feel pleasure in offering food first to your companions.  Secondly, you must give full respect to the saints of the place you visit.  You should not show off as superiors simply because of your service."  With these words, Baba Ji  and Mata Ji proceeded towards Rev. Rajmata Ji�s room.

Shortly after this, the caravan marched on its salvation tour.  While traveling, we kept on discussing the brief instructions given by Pujya Mata Ji.  We came to the conclusion that the same applied not only to the few of us in the entourage but to all the office bearers and Sewadars (workers) of the Mission as well.  All must co-operate with each other, respect each other and feel happy by making the others happy.  We should not allow at any cost the very thought of unduly dominating others to enter our minds simply because we stay in physical proximity of Satguru.

Saints and seers may be addressing only one person but their message is always meant for the whole of humanity.  This was amply clear from the comprehensive meaning of what Pujya Mata Ji had said.

Gurudev, along with Pujya Mata Ji and Nirankari Rajmata Ji, reached Khanna via Yamunanagar.  The spacious compound of the Bhawan at Khanna was fully packed.  Many saints had to stand outside the Bhawan to enjoy the Gurudev's holy words.

It is simply impossible to put into words the fearlessness and forbearance of the saints of Punjab.  On the one side, the demon of terrorism was striking time and again in which many saints had to sacrifice their lives.  Even then the loving devotees of the Guru, eager for his holy glimpse, came thronging to the place by trolleys, trucks and buses.  People watching them were left wonder struck.  They too would consider themselves fortunate to have a holy glimpse of Gurudev.  By his repeated visits to various towns of Punjab, Gurudev was providing such a strength to the devotees as well as others who loved humanity that they were able to face the tendencies of violence with still greater courage and patience.

During his discourse on this occasion, Gurudev said:

Peace and unity are essential for any progress in the country.  Human unity alone can generate an atmosphere of peace which is so essential for any individual to fulfill his desire to progress.  Today, Nirankari Mission is giving this very message that if we want our own as well as the country�s progress, then we will have to establish peace and unity in our country.  For the attainment of unity and peace, we must know the One (God) as one, believe the One as one.

From here Gurudev and other saints in the entourage reached Ludhiana.  While this city is known as the centre of many industries, it is also an important centre of Nirankari devotees.  We had a very impressive congregation here.  It was becoming impossible to restrain the feelings of those desirous of paying obeisance to His Holiness.  However, a pin-drop silence cast the entire atmosphere as soon as Gurudev started his discourse.  Here Gurudev said:

Saints always submit to the will of the Almighty.  They do not get influenced by pleasure or pain, loss or gain and fame or infame.  They lead a happy life while expressing their gratitude to God under all circumstances.

Gurudev had to keep awake till late at night to solve the problems of the local saints.

Next day i.e., on March 22, 1983, Baba Ji proceeded for Jalandhar.  Here, His Holiness, Pujya Mata Ji and Nirankari Rajmata Ji joined the funeral procession of Rev. Bhai Sahib Jarnail Singh Ji, who had been assassinated on March 21, 1983 by some orthodox people.  A big Samagam had already been scheduled in Jalandhar on that day.  The queues of those who came to pay obeisance continued for two hours, yet all of them could not do so.  As a result, devotees came in large number to the Satsang Bhawan to pay their obeisance after the conclusion of the Satsang.  On this occasion Gurudev Hardev said:

The only reason for the chaos in the world today is that man has forgotten the true religion and got stuck in rites and rituals.  Till the time there exist the feelings of hatred and animosity in the minds, there is no possibility of the welfare of mankind.  Violence and the patience have been at war with each other since ages and patience or forbearance has always triumphed in the long run.   Those indulging in violence - the oppressors, have always found defeat.  So, this aggression cannot stay for long in the face of your patience.

In the evening, Gurudev returned to Delhi.

After halting in Delhi for some days, His Holiness once again proceeded on a salvation tour.  On March 27, Gurudev along with his devotees reached Farrukhabad direct.  Pujya Mata Ji was also with him.  Pujya Mata Ji was brought up in this very city.  These were the days when people celebrate Holi.  There was lot of noise all around on account of the festival.  People were colouring each other�s face.  Some people were seen falling themselves or pushing others into the dirty drains in a heavily inebriated state.  How great are the disciples of Gurudev who had organised a massive congregation to hue the minds instead of bodies!  The Nirankari saints sitting there in the presence of their Satguru were considering themselves extremely lucky to be proving with his grace the maxim: 'Lali Mere Lal Ki Jit Dekhun Tit Lal.'  Wherever I see, I find the divine hue (Red) of my Lord, the Almighty.  The specialty of the saints of Farrukhabad is that the innocent rural people make the whole atmosphere resound with their songs permeated with the hue of divine love.  Even today, they were able to colour the minds of the audience thoroughly with the hue of devotion through their songs.  On this occasion Satgurudev observed:

To own everybody and to become everybody�s own is the message of Holi.  If we want to celebrate the festival of Holi, we will have to throw away the feelings of duality and hatred from our hearts.  By colouring every human being in the hue of love, we have to make this earth liveable.

Gurudev left Farrukhabad in the morning on April 1 and reached Nainital.  The programme for Nainital was made all of a sudden.  So, Gurudev reached Nainital without any prior information.  The moment the devotees in Nainital came to know of the arrival of His Holiness, they started assembling for Baba Ji's holy glimpse.  His Holiness stayed here for two days and took part in the congregation on both the days.  Addressing the local residents as well as the tourists from outside, Gurudev Hardev stated:

Nirankari Mission is not against worldly comforts and their use.  It only says that we should not get lost in the materialistic world.  The vast panorama of creation must remind us of its Creator.  We must be eager to know the One whose creation is so beautiful.  Just as we often forget about the screen and get lost in the fascination of the scenes we watch on it, in the same manner we get absorbed by various fascinations of materialistic world.  We simply forget that the screen was there before the pictures and it will be there after the pictures.  The screen is Truth and the images a falsehood.  In the same manner this Formless God was there before the world came into existence and He will be there even when the world is no longer there.   We should, therefore, attain the knowledge of the One who is eternal and align our minds with Him.  This is how we can be happy here and hereafter.

After staying in Nainital for two days, Gurudev reached Almora.  The devotees here were simply overwhelmed with joy to welcome His Holiness.  The young saints went from door to door and gave the information about Baba Ji's arrival.  As a result, the congregation had to be organised in a big hall.  Here also, stressing upon the need to adopt the spirit of devotion, Gurudev Hardev stated:

To know God and then lead a life as per Divine Will is called devotion.  The devotees always feel happy when they receive something but do not sulk even when they lose anything.  They remain ever grateful to God.

Gurudev cautioned the audience and said further:

This human birth is extremely precious.  There cannot be anything more foolish than wasting it over trifles.  Man is quite alert in worldly matters but he is offering devotion without even giving a thought and thus destroying his precious life with his own hands.  Saints have always endeavoured to awaken man in the past and you, the Nirankari saints, are also doing the same today.

On April 5, Gurudev returned to Delhi.

On April 24, 1983, �Manav Ekta Samagam� was held in the vast Gandhi Ground of Ambala Cantt. in an environment of faith and devotion.  It may be recalled that on this day three years ago Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji Maharaj, the apostle of humanism, had laid down his life while crusading for human unity.   Ever since, Manav Ekta Samagam had been organized every year on this day in one city or the other in Punjab or Haryarna.

Almost 50,000 saints reached Ambala from Punjab as well as Haryana by cars, buses, trucks and trolleys.  Several buses had arrived from Delhi too.  Even though there was a lot of tension in Punjab, there was no lack of enthusiasm or faith on the part of devotees.

The Samagam continued from 12.00 noon to 5.30 p.m.  The speakers provided inspiration to keep alive Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji's teachings and to have an abiding faith in the divine guidance of Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj.

Referring to the selfless life of Baba Gurbachan Ji Maharaj, Rev. Rajmata Ji in her discourse inspired the saints to consider Satguru as the ultimate doer and have full faith in him.  She called upon them to stay linked with Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj with complete sense of faith and devotion.  Rev. Rajmata Ji also stated that as per the teachings of the Mission our family life too should be ideal.

Concluding the programme, His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj said in his discourse:

You saints have adopted the path of Truth.  Certainly many had to sacrifice their lives also.   Even then you are wishing for the welfare of all.  This is the path the saints have always followed and this is the path which is great indeed.  You have not to deviate from this path under any circumstances. You must keep distributing love to every young and the old.  You must keep on marching on this path fearlessly.  Saints never get perturbed on account of their circumstances.  They do not get carried away by the same.  Since they are linked with the One - God, they stay equi-poised in all circumstances.  So, we have to keep on marching on the path of Truth and love humanity as a part of our duty.

The arrangements during the Manav Ekta Samagam were certainly very good.  The work done by the Sewa Dal units from Chandigharh, Ambala, Patiala, Rajpura and other places was really commendable.

From April 25 to May 24, Gurudev stayed in Delhi.  As usual he kept all the time busy improving the management and other activities of the Mission.  During mornings and evenings, His Holiness would meet and bless the devotees coming from Delhi and other places.  As you have already read, on such occasions devotees generally seek Baba Ji's blessings to be relieved of their physical, mental or financial woes. 

Even though reluctantly, I would like to repeat once again that Gurudev kept solving all the problems of the visiting devotees with full sense of affection, without caring for his own comforts.  One could see the most dejected and despondent people returning rejuvenated with courage and strength they found in Baba Ji's loving and intimate response full of compassion.  While His Holiness would give time to the saints desirous of meeting him, he would also give active co-operation to the organisers for organisational matters.  Besides Nirankari devotees who kept pouring in from all over India to meet His Holiness, others too kept visiting and getting their doubts removed.  During those days, Gurudev Hardev would often visit different places in and around Delhi, attend Satsang programmes and bless the devotees with his holy words. Simultaneously, he would personally listen to the people of those areas and sit with them till late to provide them the right direction.  During these days, he also granted some interviews and spent hours in answering questions and removing doubts.  Here I am trying to present, though very briefly, an account of only one such interview that Man Singh Ji 'Maan" and Joginder Singh Ji, M.A. had with Baba Ji.

Shri Man Singh Ji 'Maan' is not only a poet but a great scholar also.  As per his nature, he asked Gurudev in very simple and straight words, "Baba Ji, this dispute that is going on and in which many of our devotees have had to lay down their lives, is it the outcome of some of our deeds in the past lives or we have made some mistakes during present life which are causing us this misery and pain?"  Before Gurudev Hardev could say anything, Man Singh Ji added: "Or, is it that these persecutors are sowing fresh seeds which they will have to reap later?"

Answering the query in an extremely simple manner, Gurudev Hardev said, "What I can understand is only this much that people with evil tendencies have always persecuted saints, whatever the age we refer to.  History bears testimony that great masters like Lord Rama known as Maryadapurushottam - the best among men of principles,  Lord Krishna, the God-incarnate known for his perfection in all arts, Lord Jesus Christ the apostle of peace, Hazrat Mohammad Sahib who proclaimed that the Truth is one, and many other saints, Gurus and prophets were tormented during their respective times.  Well, it cannot be said about these great masters that they were assassinated because they had committed some misdeeds either in their past or present lives."

Man Singh Ji wanted to say something but continuing with his words Gurudev said in a concluding manner, "People with evil tendencies feel extremely happy to do such brutal acts.  Even today we will have to say that people with such evil tendencies are enjoying torturing the saints of present times."

At this Bhai Sahib Joginder Singh Ji bowed his head and said, "Baba Ji, will such evil tendencies ever end or not?"

In a grim voice, Gurudev observed, "We have been hearing and reading about the conflict between demons and gods going on since olden times and that only the latter were always victorious.  Therefore, we have to face such savage violence not with violence but with the imbibing of divine virtues like love, humility, etc."

Next day, these Punjabi and English Editors came along with Rev. Joshi Ji and Rev. Bhupender 'Bekal' Ji and appeared before Gurudev.  All the four of them submitted that it was absolutely correct that it is in the nature of evil doers to take to violence and devotees are in no way responsible, but Baba Ji, be kind to tell us as to when would such evil doers be finished?  Lord Krishna has stated in Gita that God incarnates to protect the saints and destroy the sinners.  We sincerely believe that you are an incarnation of God in present times.  While the four of them were still in the process of taking support of each other and explaining what they had to say, Gurudev interrupted them smilingly and began to say, "Saints, I am an ordinary person like all of you. I am not any kind of God incarnation.  What I say is only this much that all the holy beings who appeared from time to time destroyed not the evil-doers but the evil, not the wicked but the wicked tendencies and this is what all of you saints are doing day and night at present.  You must keep on doing this noble work so that the evil tendencies are crushed and tendencies of Truth are protected."

All of them paid their obeisance to Gurudev and, extolling his glory, they left.

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