On May 24, Gurudev left Delhi and reached Mussoorie.  A special congregation had been organised in the Satsang Bhawan of Mussoorie from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  The devotees from Mussoorie and surrounding areas took part in it.  Many tourists passing from the Camel Back Road also joined the congregation and received Baba Ji's blessings.  On this occasion, Satgurudev said:

The pride of one's body, mind or material possessions, rather all kinds of pride, creates obstructions not only in the way of spiritual well being, but worldly progress also.  That is why, the devotees who adopt the path of devotion are always advised to work without any sense of ego.  Whatever we do with the feeling of doership, we have to harvest the outcome of the same but the act performed without the feeling of doership does not become a cause for bondage.

During his stay at Mussoorie, His Holiness blessed the devotees with his holy words in a congregation every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

I think I must point out here that while in Mussoorie, Gurudev remains busy even more than in Delhi.  Saints desirous of meeting Baba Ji reach here anytime, be it morning, noon, evening or night, with the result that sometimes Baba Ji has to forego his morning or evening walk.  Tourists coming from all over India would meet His Holiness and talk to him for hours together to remove their doubts.  As a result, sometimes there would be no time left for Baba Ji to have his lunch and take rest.  In Mussoorie, the construction work goes on almost all the time.  His Holiness takes active interest in that too.  So, even though it is said that His Holiness has gone to Mussoorie on a holiday, Baba Ji's rest as a matter of fact depends on the devotees coming to meet him.  They keep on pouring in and Baba Ji feels comfortable and happy in their company.   

From Mussoorie, His Holiness also visited Tehri Garhwal, Uttar Kashi, Hardwar and Rishikesh etc. from time to time even at the cost of his own rest and comfort.  During these very days Gurudev reached Dehra Dun on May 29 and Saharanpur on June 7 to bless the massive congregations organised there.  His Holiness met the eminent citizens of these towns and answered in detail all the questions asked by them.

In Saharanpur, two local leaders came to see Gurudev at the Satsang Bhawan.  One of them was a Hindu gentleman and the other a Muslim.  Indulging in self-praise both of them said, "We are already putting into practice your Mission's principles.  Putting aside all the discriminations, we have been trying our level best to unite Hindus and Muslims. But it is very surprising as well as distressing to see that both these communities are not even ready to sit together even for a while.  They are ever prepared to harm each other in terms of life and property on some pretext or the other.  Baba Ji, kindly tell us as to why our efforts are not becoming fruitful?"

As usual, Baba Ji replied in his simple manner, "All these efforts and your feelings which are pure will definitely bear the fruit one day."

Both of them were not satisfied by this reply.  Once again they appealed, "Baba Ji, you are a holy person.  Please tell us the reason for this."

Becoming a little serious, Gurudev said, "There is only one reason for this failure - that you are trying to impose unity upon people from above.  My dear brothers, the real unity would come only when people are made to realize that the creator of Hindus as well as Muslims is One whether you call Him Ishwar or Allah.  Till the time we consider Ishwar and Allhah to be different from each other, unity can neither be established nor maintained for long."

Feeling satisfied to a large extent by this kind of reply, both of them thanked Gurudev and left.

In Mussoorie also people belonging to various religious sects and castes as well as States used to visit the Nirankari Bhawan quite often.  Some ascetics also used to pass from in front of the Bhawan while taking a walk.

One day, two handsome youth, who were wearing saffron robes came with a desire to see Gurudev.  When Gurudev was informed, he acceded to the request readily.  Both the young men greeted Baba Ji with folded hands and said, "Baba Ji, we are very happy to see you.  We know nothing about you or your Mission, but still we do not know why we felt enchanted by you.  Gurudev, kindly explain this mystery to us."

Gurudev said - "You are noble persons. Noble people start liking everyone.  This is your greatness, not mine."  Both the young men spoke at the same time and said, "You are really a great man.  Without hiding anything from us, please tell as to what is that quality in you which has made us yours at the very first sight?"  With a smile, Gurudev said once again, "I do not know as to which is that quality in me.  Well, I can understand this much only that I sincerely love and respect everyone.   May be it is the result of that love and respect that you are expressing your love towards me.  I believe that love begets love."  Satisfied with the answer the two young men left for where they wanted to go and Gurudev too moved towards his room.  With this divine sight fresh in my mind I returned to my room and while lying on the bed, I started pondering that Gurudev welcomes everyone with his innocent smile and polite and pleasant demeanor.  There has never been a time when Gurudev might have given up this nature.  Even then not everyone has appeared to be impressed thoroughly by this attitude of Gurudev.  Well, those who are themselves simple and noble by nature like these young men, get fully fascinated by Gurudev's sweet nature too.  I could clearly understand that if the one who gives is competent, compassionate and gives whole-heartedly and the one who receives is also equally eager, only then is the process of give and take successful, otherwise not.

Many people visit Mussoorie especially during summer months.  One day, some gentlemen coming from Hardwar got a chance to talk with Gurudev.  During the conversation, they said, "We have heard that you condemn rites and rituals, is it true?"  Gurudev said only this much and became quiet:  "All that you say is based on hearsay.  It is not your own personal information.  You may first obtain all the information about our Mission and then I will definitely answer all your questions, according to my capability and knowledge, of course."  All the four of them were quite shrewd.  I came to know later that they were professional preachers in Hardwar.  They ignored what Gurudev had said and insisted, "We will obtain the remaining information later.  For today, you tell us something about rites and rituals only."  When Gurudev realised that they would not leave the subject, he began to state, "Innumerable kinds of rites and rituals are being followed in the world today.  Everyone believes that his own rites and rituals are superior to those followed by others and thus considers it his duty to condemn the rites and rituals followed by others."

After a pause, Gurudev stated:  "Rites and rituals have their own limitations.  No doubt they have their own advantages too, but they by themselves cannot provide salvation.  Only the realization of the Supreme Being who is beyond all the bondages, can bestow salvation.   Since the rites and rituals cannot take one to the realization of God, saints are compelled to speak the truth that they have tried various means to realize the Truth but all of them failed.   The realization of Truth has been attained by taking the shelter of a person who is himself God-realized.   Out of ignorance, people interpret this statement of truth as condemnation of rites and rituals.  God-realized persons never criticize or condemn others just to downgrade them."

After a pause, Gurudev sated again, "To call a spade a spade cannot be termed as condemnation.   So, my dear brothers, we do not condemn anybody.  We only stress upon the need for knowing the Truth.   We openly tell people that if they want salvation, they will have to rise above ritualism and take the shelter of a God-realized person."

I was wondering as to how did they keep listening to Baba Ji for so long quietly without interrupting him.  On talking with them later, it was revealed that they already believed that rites and rituals may lead to some worldly gains but they just cannot provide salvation.   Thanking Gurudev profusely, all the four of them moved happily towards bus stand. 

After some days there came an old gentleman who believed in repeating the Name or Word (given by Satguru) which he described as Naam Ki Kamai.  Quoting several saints and sages of the past, he said to Gurudev, "I have met a large number of your followers.  From my discussion with them I find that neither they are fully aware of the importance of Naam Ki Kamai nor do they seem to be making any effort towards this and even then they claim that they have been liberated from the bondage of birth and death.  They say that they do not require any Naam Ki Kamai.  Baba Ji, do you also believe like this?"

In very simple words Gurudev said, "With due respect to your age, I would first request you to understand the meaning of �Naam� (the divine name) in its real sense.  First of all, Satguru familiarizes his disciple with the One for whom the name is used.  He tells the disciple that this Supreme Being (for whom you use this name) is the supreme power behind the whole universe.  Every object is coming from it and going back into it.  When the seeker recognizes this True Power, then the True Master tells him that hereafter he should seek the shelter of this True Power only.  He inspires him to remember this Power all the time.  The disciple utters or repeats the Name or Word used for this Supreme Entity by the Master at that time, in order to remember it.  In my opinion Naam Ki Kamai means only to act or do everything while realising the presence of this One for whom we use the name.  Repeating the word given by the Master may be called reiteration but not Simran or Naam Ki Kamai i.e., constant remembrance of God.  These Nirankari devotees are, however, already possessing this wealth in abundance.  They do not require to repeat the Name like the world is doing."

The old gentleman remained quiet for some time and then said, "You have been very kind to me.  You have satisfied me to a great extent.  Now I request you to bestow the knowledge of this One whose name we utter and bless me so that like your disciples, I too can become rich with this wealth of divine name you have explained just now."  Gurudev replied, "You may keep attending the congregation whenever you find time.   The Almighty Nirankar will definitely fulfill this desire you have."

After this, Gurudev as well as that old gentleman proceeded towards their respective places.  Till late at night I kept marveling what a wonderful saint the Gurudev is!  He replied such an intricate question in so simple words and returned so quickly such a ritualistic person fully satisfied.  Thinking thus, I went to sleep, I don�t know when.   

After staying in Mussoorie for some days, Gurudev came back to Delhi.   Addressing a huge gathering on the occasion of �Mukti Parv� on August 15, 1983 His Holiness gave special stress on two points and said:

It is the duty of the saints to safeguard Independence that we have achieved.   Saints have always remained loyal to the country. They sacrificed their lives to attain Independence of the country and are still persevering selflessly to safeguard it. It is a great responsibility of ours today to maintain peace and unity in the country.   Moreover, we have to adopt the teachings of Baba Avtar Singh Ji and other saints in practice, otherwise all their efforts for which they sacrificed their comforts would go waste.

Once again Gurudev Hardev planned a salvation tour, which continued form September 3 to 7, 1983.  During these five days, Gurudev addressed congregations in seven towns.

 The first congregation was organized in Ambala City on September 3.  The programme was held in the spacious compound of the Satsang Bhawan.  Along with Nirankari devotees, there were many other people present in the congregation.  The second congregation was organized at Patiala, but on the insistence of the saints of Rajpura, a congregation was held there too.   The hall of the Bhawan was packed to its full capacity and all the faces were radiant with divine joy on Gurudev�s arrival.   Here too, Baba Ji advised everybody to remain steadfast on God- knowledge and make their life an example for others. 

The Bhawan at Patiala has its own unique charm.   The roof has been constructed in such a manner and such a quality of wood has been used that the sound does not echo at all inside the hall and the audience can clearly listen to every speaker. 

Cautioning the saints, Gurudev said here:

We do not have to follow the path of clash at any cost and after having attained God-knowledge, we have to imbibe this feeling thoroughly and make our life ideal for others.   Love, humility and brotherhood are our principles.  We have to follow the same in our thought, word and deed.  Many Mahapurushas have shed their blood in order to give life to the Mission.  We must be grateful to those immortal saints.

On September 5, a congregation was held in Barnala.  Here, Satgurudev counseled the devotees:

You may be small in numbers but your relevance is far greater.  God-realized saints always work for the welfare of mankind.  Therefore, they have a great responsibility.  One can find plenty of people at every place, in every house, ready to cause injury or kill others.  Even a child or an old person can inflict a wound.  But the doctor who can heal it is not found in every house.   He has to be searched for.   Saints are the people who save the mankind from being wounded by hatred and ignorance.

Here devotees had come form neighbouring villages in large numbers.  Despite heavy rain, they kept sitting and feeling blessed by Gurudev�s holy glimpse.

The last major congregation of this spiritual tour was held in the spacious ground adjacent to the Satsang Bhawan in Chandigarh.  Thousands of devotees were present to attend this congregation which was held on September 7.

In his discourse here, Gurudev asked the devotees to adopt the path of action to make life ideal.  He said:

The world is looking forward to you (for inspiration).  Everybody is feeling impressed by the feelings of tolerance you have.  Since thousands of years, saints have been endeavouring to instill such feelings of love for mankind in every human being.  So, we are not doing something new. In its real form religion is humanism only.  There is always one religion, not many.  Saints endeavour to spread this very religion - the religion of humanity, even if they have to make the highest sacrifice for the same.  Those who sacrifice themselves for the sake of selfishness or ego cannot be the saints.  No doubt God-knowledge gives birth to devotion towards God, one�s faith towards God, but actions based upon God-knowledge bring emancipation.  We must always wish for the welfare of all, even if the others do not do the same for us.  Sandalwood gives sweet fragrance even to the one who chops it with an axe.

This salvation tour concluded as His Holiness arrived in Delhi on September 7.

The Mission�s 36th Annual Sant Samagam was held from October 22 to 24, 1983.  During these 36 years the number of Nirankari followers multiplied into lakhs.  The Mission spread to almost all the prominent countries of the world.  Besides God-knowledge, the divine principles of universal brotherhood, humility and love for the mankind attract everybody towards this Mission. Even eminent people leading in the religious, economic and social fields are feeling impressed by the Mission�s message based on harmony between God-knowledge and devotion to God through which it inspires its followers to improve the quality of their life.  It is a different matter that some fundamentalists are opposing the Mission because of their own selfish interests.  They do not hesitate even from violence to finish the ideal teachings of the Mission.  But with the grace of Gurudev Hardev, despite all this, the Nirankari devotees have not only remained firm on the principle of tolerance but even strengthened it further.  A direct evidence of this was the gathering of Nirankari devotees who came for the 36th Annual Samagam. 

During these three days of the Samagam, Gurudev delivered five discourses.  Of these, three discourses were delivered while addressing the gathering at the conclusion of Satsand Programme everyday.  One discourse was addressed to the Jawans of Sewa Dal and the other was delivered while addressing a meeting of the Mukhis and Pramukhs gathered from all over the world.   I am not giving even a brief account of these discourses because you can go through the same in detail in �Sant Nirankari� magazine of December, 1983.  I simply cannot add to the details Rev. �Nirmal� Joshi Ji has reported there.

A significant feature of this Samagam was that the participation of the devotees this time was far greater than before.  The saints had arrived even from a distance of two to three thousand kilometers both from India and abroad.  It goes without saying that the visiting saints had to spend a substantial amount of money and even the Mandal had to spend a lot to provide for the boarding and lodging facilities for them and making other arrangements like electricity, water, tents, loud speakers, etc.  Some of our saints became worried on account of such a huge expenditure.  They were of the view that the Samagams should now be held in different States instead of Delhi.  In this manner, the expenditure that the saints incur to reach Delhi can be avoided.  Moreover, they can be saved from the inconvenience they had to face in Delhi.  Some of them were heard commenting to the extent that such massive Samagams do not make any sense as we have no intention whatsoever to display our strength.  The saints among them who had come from distant States appealed at Baba Ji�s holy feet, "Baba Ji, an exorbitant amount of money is spent on the Annual Sant Samagam in Delhi, which is a total burden on the devotees only.  It would, therefore, be better if the holding of this Samagam is discontinued from next year."

Gurudev kept listening to them carefully. (Even otherwise, such reports had already reached him.)   His Holiness said, "Money is not meant to be kept in a safe but to be spent only.  It will not be correct to say that the money is being spent without any purpose.  This expenditure is essential for the welfare of the mankind, for bringing them close to each other.  We do not display our strength at these Samagams.  We simply sit together and plan for the welfare of the whole world.  So far as the State - level Samagams are concerned, we have already been holding the same.  In future we will increase their number."

Touching Baba Ji�s holy feet, those saints said, "What you say is true, but the saints who come from non-Hindi speaking States keep roaming around like strangers because they do not understand the language.  We think that instead of calling them here, they should be allowed to hold the Samagams in their own respective States so that they are able to understand the feelings of the speaker saints and further explain them to others also."

Gurudev Hardev stated very simply, "They are well equipped and well versed with the language of love, through which they understand one another thoroughly.    As you have seen them during the Samagam, how happy they are all the time!  Don�t you think as if they understand everything?"

Understanding the purpose explained by Gurudev, the gentlemen realized that the feelings which had arisen in their minds were not proper.

As usual His Holiness had to stay in Delhi for about one month.  It is, however, impossible to say that for Gurudev there was ever a time during this one month when he was not busy.  Delhi is the center of Nirankari saints coming from all over the world.  The saints from abroad who come to attend the Samagam stay back in the Headquarters of Sant Nirankari Mandal for quite some days. More than half of the time of His Holiness would usually be spent in solving their innumerable problems. And these are the days when Gurudev finalizes the plans for the coming year. It is during these days that many seekers keep pouring in to satisfy their curiosity, to seek answers to their questions.  So like every year the time went flying as if it had got wings and then Gurudev Hardev  proceeded once again towards Haryana for yet another tour to spread the message of the Mission further.

On November 22, 1983 Satgurudev started from Delhi at noon and arrived in Rohtak where the congregation was organized in the big hall of the local Satsang Bhawan. Hundreds of Haryanavi saints from Rohtak and adjoining areas felt blessed by Baba Ji�s holy glimpse.  Several local citizens also listened to His Holiness and felt blessed.

Gurudev stated in his discourse:

God in His extreme kindness has provided man with the most precious human life. By wasting like cowdies this birth which is as valuable as diamonds, he is committing a great sin. He has to undergo the punishment for such a sin by taking birth again and again in different physical forms. It is, therefore, man�s duty that he should seek the company of a saint and know his Creator, so that he is happy here and hereafter.

On November 23, 1983, Gurudev left Rohtak and reached Hansi. Here, only a brief halt had been included in the programme.  Gurudev said here:

Saints should always aspire to be one in their thought, words and deeds. Until this happens, he does not deserve the lofty position of a Mahapurusha.

The night stay was at Hissar.  A congregation was organized here in an open park the next day.  Since this park was situated near the main market, hundreds of local residents availed the bliss of Baba Ji�s glimpse as well as the discourse.  His Holiness said here:

Mere knowledge of a thing is not a sign of perfection.  We must associate our actions, our behaviour with it.   There is no dearth of knowledge in the world today.  It is not, however, accompanied by action.  That is why the world is suffering.

The same evening, His Holiness arrived Narvana. Here also the congregation was organized in an open space near the main market. This was the first time His Holiness was visiting this place. Hundreds of people came to have Baba Ji�s holy glimpse.  Nirankari devotees from surrounding areas were also present in large number.  Addressing the gathering, His Holiness said:

Today, man is being estranged from man in the name of religion, caste, language or State. Those who understand the true meaning of religion know that religion teaches to own everyone.  Religion that erects walls of discrimination between one human being and the other can not be called a religion at all.

After the conclusion of the congregation, Gurudev was just getting ready to depart for Jind, when an extremely old gentleman approached him and said very humbly, "Baba Ji, you have given a beautiful definition of religion. After listening to this definition, I think we do not find true religion anywhere on this earth.  When I think, I do come across the Hindu religion here and the Muslim religion there and Buddhism or Christianity etc. at other places. I do not, however, understand as to how any of them can be called religion! Instead of uniting people, all of them are racing against each other to include more and more people in their separate groups. Baba Ji, you are a holy person.  Please solve this problem of mine."

Gurudev said, "Whatever you have stated just now is not a problem but a fact, a truth.  Religion teaches man the lesson of love and liberates him from the feelings of hatred.  If all these people are doing this, then they can definitely be called religious and if they are knowingly or unknowingly dividing people from each other, then it may be difficult to describe them as religious."

With these words, His Holiness moved towards his car.

Baba Ji stayed for the night at Jind.  On November 25, he addressed the devotees here and said:

Fulfilling one�s responsibilities is not an obstacle but extremely important to attain perfection in devotion.  The world today is under the impression that devotion to God implies running away from the family or society, even though all our saints and prophets have taught us clearly through their own lives that a devotee does not run away from his responsibilities, rather he performs his duties even more diligently than ordinary people.

Immediately after the congregation in Jind, Gurudev reached Kaithal.  The congregation here was organized from 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.  One could see here a loving harmony between Punjabi and Haryanavi people.  Gurudev said:

It is the duty of saints today to uphold the voice of Truth everywhere and try to make people rise above superstitions and ignorance.

His Holiness stayed for the night at Ambala Cantt.  The congregation was organized here the next day from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.  A large number of Nirankari devotees had assembled here from surrounding areas.  Gurudev said:

The world is observing the Nirankari devotees very closely today.  In fact, the world has already seen that Nirankaris are leading life like real devotees and saints.  Their spirit of tolerance and their desire for the welfare of the whole world are being appreciated by one and all from the core of their hearts.  Therefore, it is an added responsibility of the Nirankari devotees that they should keep marching on the path of love and humility more sincerely than ever before.

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