BABA GURBACHAN SINGH
MY ROLE MODEL

By Lt. Col. (Retd) B.L. Sachdeva

THE Sant Nirankari Mission commemorates in April every year the martyrdom of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji. Special issues of the monthly magazine Sant Nirankari are brought out in various languages. A special Samagam is also held for the same reason. Baba Ji's personality was such a towering one that whenever I think of him, fresh thoughts come to my mind. Since I had the rare opportunity of having seen him from very close quarters, it is natural for me to try and pen my thoughts on this occasion. Though it is impossible to pen all the virtues of the True Master (Satguru) in this article, I will try to highlight those points, which inspired me to regard him as my role model.

Leadership is a subject of great importance since leaders determine the course of history. This subject was taught to us in the Defense Academy as also during our career as Army Officers. The battles are won or lost depending on the quality of leadership. As opposed to management, leadership is an art and not an exact science. Setting an example is one of the basic traits of leadership. Unlike the present-day political leaders, who only like to preach rather than practice, a spiritual or a military leader cannot achieve much unless he sets an example and himself practices what he preaches. The 1962 debacle (attach by China) was the result of poor leadership.

The success of the Nirankari Mission, its popularity and recognition throughout the world is the result of untiring efforts of the successive True Masters viz. Baba Buta Singh Ji, Baba Avtar Singh Ji, Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and now Baba Hardev Singh Ji. They led a life full of dedication to the cause and were one in thought, word and deed. Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji's life is a shining example of a perfect True Master. It appears impossible to attain the great heights of his character, but this should in no way restrain us to make him as our ideal.

Now let us examine the life of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji vis-a-vis Mission's tenets.

Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji was known to be a true devotee of Baba Avtar Singh Ji. He treated the latter as his True Master first, and his father later. He was deeply involved in selfless service of the devotees. He had inherited this trait from his mother, who did various chores for the devotees. His selfless service to the fellow devotees at the Wah Camp (Pakistan) at the time of the Partition is already a legend. He arranged to send all the devotees to India and himself stayed back in the Camp to bring their belongings later on.

The first tenet of the Mission is that we are only trustees of our body, mind and wealth, which really belong to God. The young Gurbachan lived up to this tenet right from his childhood. He freely parted with his possessions in the service of the devotees and frequently gave cash out of his earnings to the needy. He spent most of his time in the service of the devotees and the True Master and therefore could not go for education beyond Matriculation. He embarked on business to support his parents and family and serve the devotees.

The second tenet of the Mission is that all humanity is one, irrespective of caste, religion, nationality and financial status. Most of the devotees of the Mission were from the poor and backward strata of society in the initial stages. Baba Ji mixed freely with and was friendly and loving to all.

The third tenet of the Mission is not to hate anyone on account of his life-style and Baba Ji lived up to it by owning and loving all, irrespective of one's diet, dress, culture, etc.

The fourth tenet of the Mission is that one should earn one's livelihood and discharge one's domestic and social responsibilities, instead of renouncing the world. Performance of worldly duties in no way interferes with one's devotion to God. Baba Ji was a happily married man and had a number of children. He worked hard to run the business of auto spare parts to support his family and serve the devotees, the Mission and the True Master.

The above qualities endeared Baba Ji to all. Above all, he was also able to please his True Master with these traits, which ultimately led to his being 'anointed' as his successor by Baba Avtar Singh Ji, who himself turned his devotee.

The difference between a disciple and a True Master is indiscernible. Even though bodily they may look alike, but what distinguishes the True Master from the disciple is the former's spiritual state. This I observed when Baba Hardev Singh Ji assumed the mentorship of the Mission. He was no longer the same Bhola (innocent one) as we knew him. Everyone was dumbfounded when he addressed the congregation for the first time on April 27, 1980, as the True Master.

Some other notable traits of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji are given below:

l His simplicity and humility had to be seen to be believed.

l He continued to repair vehicles in the Mission's workshop and farming at the Santokh Sarovar farm, as before.

l He was fearless. Despite several attempts on his life by the misguided elements, he continued with his missionary tours in India and abroad.

l His life-style was simple and unassuming. Often he sat down amongst the devotees taking meal in the community kitchen. During his missionary tours, he did not mind staying even in a hut.

l He gave a patient hearing to and was easily accessible to all.

l He never arrogated to himself any spiritual power. Whenever approached by his devotees for a boon, he prayed to Nirankar (God Formless) to grant their wishes.