" It's not a question of finding the right person, but becoming the right person " -Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
" We love ourselves even after doing many mistakes, Then how we can hate others for their small mistakes " -Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
GIVE THOUSANDS OF CHANCES TO YOUR ENEMY TO BECOME YOUR FRIEND, BUT GIVE NO CHANCE TO YOUR FRIEND TO BECOME YOUR ENEMY.-Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
No matter what anyone does to you, no one can take away from you your capacity to do good. You lose it only by willingly giving it up yourself. -Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
If one lives a humble life, he shouldn’t have any pride about being humble. -Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
Wo bhi samay tha, jab kache makaan they, lekin pakke ghar they.Lekin ab makaan pakke hain, par ghar kache hote ja rahe hain. -Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
"Agar insaniyat hi hathon se chali gayi, pyar aur namrata hi hathon se chala gaya, agar sehansheelta hi na rahi , to phir hum dharmi kahan ke"....... -Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
The same material is used for building walls as
well as bridges, while the walls divide, the bridges
unite the people.
~Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji
You can feel rich anytime just count the things you have which money can not buy.
~ Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
~ Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji
We can not shake hand with the closed fist, we will have to open it before we extend our hand to welcome a person.
~ Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji
Separate yourself from everything that separates you from others.
~ Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji
The highest destiny of individual is to serve rather than to rule.
~ Albert Einstein The need of the hour is to promote brotherhood among humans of different cultures.
~ Niranakri Baba Hardev Singh Ji
There are no barriers that can not be bridged except the ones men create in their own minds.
~ Nirankari Baba Gurubachan Singh Ji
The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.
~ R. W. Soekman
Attitude of gratitude always brings peace and prosperity in life.
-Baba Hardev Singh Ji
We commit misdeeds when God is missing from our mind.
~ Baba Hardev Singh Ji
The search of the truth is the noblest occupation of man, its publication is a duty.
-Stael
It is disgraceful to stumble twice against the same stone.
~ Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji
Let us not envy other’s knowledge, but strive to learn from them.
-The Upanishada
Sant Kabir's Dohe :
1 Maya Taje To Kya Hua Maan Taja Naa Jaaye Maan Bade Munivar Gaye Maan Saban Ko Khaye
It is very easy to give up efforts and lose weath. It is really very difficult to give up the ego. Very great and analytical people have fallen victim to ego. The ego is killing one and all. 2 Kade Abhimaan Na Kijiye Kaha Kabir Samajhaye Ja Seer Aha Jo Sanchare Pade Chouryasi Jaaye
Don't have ego. He who has ego is restless always. 3 Sukha Ke Sangi Swarthi Dukh Me Rahate Door Kahe Kabir Parmarathi Dukh Sukh Sada Hujoor
The fair weather friends stay away when we face the rough weather. Those who understand the truth are with us at all times.
4 Sabase Laghuta Hi Bhali Laghuta Se Sab Hoye Jasa Dwitiya Ka Chandrama Shashi Lahai Sab Koye
It is always better to be humble. Being humble is an effective way of getting results. The Moon of the second day ( after the no moon day) is loved by all.
5 Jaisa Bhojan Kijiye Vaisa Hi Mana Hoye Jaisa Paani Pijiye Taisi Vani Hoye Your mind is affected by the food that you consume. Your voice is the reflection of the drinks you have.
Discourses of His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
Saints in today’s discourse, babaji was emphasizing on one thing that in every era, every saint and mahapursha used to wish the welfare of all the human beings. And only those people took the advantage of this who understood the message of these saints. If a person keeps on saying water, water, does he able to quench his thirst? No! He needs to drink water for that. Thoughts of saints always encourage us to live with love, emotions not with hatred and jealousy.
As once said by a poet also:
“Jeeyen to jeeyen teri duniya mein,
Lekin ulfat aur mohbbat samjhe nahi.”
Further, he explained that this life is like a flower. If its blossoming like a flower, then it looks beautiful but if it is surrounded by thorns, then it hurts. Similarly hatred behaves. If hatred is all around, then it hurts and pinches us like a thorn and if there is love all around, then the life seems like a bed of flowers. As it is said:
“Pyaar sajata hai gulshan ko, aur nafrat viraan kare”
Love is the most important thing in this life and nowadays, there is scarcity of this only. We know when a drought occurs in an area, how we react. So, if there is a scarcity of love, what will happen to the world? This is the most dangerous drought in anybody’s life. If we follow even a single teaching of saints, then we’ll realize the importance of their thoughts which are always for our welfare and this narrow thinking from our minds will remove forever. We usually see in our day to day life that a man is finding reasons to create hatred whether its on the name of religion, cast, culture, dressing or language. But does he ever try to find the reason to love? But saints, this man never understands so easily. He doesn’t like that path which is suggested by saints. He always opt for the opposite direction. His nature is like that child who always gets attracted towards fire and wants to touch it in spite of his parents’ disagreement. And when he burns his hand, then he realizes that its harmful. Same is the case with today’s man.
Saints, today man certifies to be religious but humanity in him is nil. He just keeps on remembering the name of God without any understanding. We don’t have to be like this. We need to listen to the thoughts of saints and apply them into our life due to which we get the salvation.
Next,he explained that every human is an individual entity. Stomach is attached with every individual. Everybody have their own ears, eyes. Each one has their own requirements. If everybody requires food for their own hunger, water for their own thirst, then every individual has to listen and apply the true master’s message in their life because everybody needs to achieve salvation individually. Its not like that if somebody attends the congregation, then other people of the family, will get the benefit. And its also not like this if the somebody’s ancestors did some a lot of devotion, then by remembering their ancestors names’ only, the family would get the salvation. They also need to remember the God only, do the devotion.
Saints hatred, jealousy never let anybody to touch the heights. It always let the person fall. We have loads of examples in history. So saints its a prayer that every individual could get the consciousness so that he can be remembered by everybody as a good saint, good human and become a blessing on this earth not the burden. He should led his life like a person who when enters a room in which some gathering is there and people become happy after seeing him not like when he leaves the room, then people become happy.
There are some guidelines always which a person needs to follow to live happily. A needle is also accompanied by a thread when it is used to sew a cloth. If we use a needle alone,then it wont repair the joint but does more holes in the cloth and spoils it. And in same way, thread also cannot do the sewing alone. Both are necessary. A needle is our words and thread is our deeds. If we do what we say, then only we can touch the heights otherwise, we would not be able to do that.
Saints, in the end, babaji prayed that like in a thread, we put the flowers similarly in this world, everybody starts loving each other and universal brotherhood would be established.
Saints say with love, Dhan nirankar ji.
Sunday, January 3,2010
Discourses of His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
Delhi, Samagam Ground, Opp. Nirankari Sarovar, January 03, 2010
A huge congregation took place in the Samagam Ground in Delhi on Sunday, January 3, 2010. Being the first Sunday of the year, it attracted a large number of devotees from Delhi and its surrounding areas despite cold weather. Addressing the congregation, His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj said:
“We had a New Year Day Samagam two days ago. Today again we have assembled to praise the Almighty. When we praise Him, our minds concentrate on Him. This provides the coolness within. No doubt, the weather is quite cold and we experience the coolness outside, but with burning hearts, we need the coolness all the more within.
With coolness in mind, life becomes blissful. In fact, coolness serves as nutrition for the mind which strengthens it so that it has constructive and positive feelings only. We find such feelings productive and useful not only for ourselves but others also. Otherwise, we find people having unproductive feelings that cause harm only. With the Supreme Power Almighty God at heart one’s productive and positive feelings gain strength. This transforms our vision also. We look at what is good, we look at the good qualities of others.
The world is a mixture of good and bad. We have the day and we have the night also. We meet as well as depart. If there are flowers, there are thorns too. Similarly, we have positive as well as negative outlook. And our effort is to strengthen the positive outlook only. No doubt, there is night along with the day, but we can remove the darkness by lighting a lamp. In this way, if God has given the darkness, He has given us the power to light a lamp also. There was a time when human civilization had not progressed so well. Even then man discovered fire from the wood and we know the benefits derived from it. Hence, we pray to strengthen such positive outlook even today.
As the New Year dawns, we think of certain resolutions to experience the change. As mentioned two days ago, it should not be a new beginning of old habits. With the coming of the New Year, we must experience the newness in our feelings also. And this newness must be for the better, for truth.
There are two kinds of people. Some have a positive outlook while others think in negative terms. When we say all is well, an optimistic person takes it as a positive compliment. The pessimist, however, takes the meaning of ‘well’ differently. He thinks that this way or that way he is going to fall into the well. People with such attitude do not find happiness. Those who take the shelter of God and accept His will, remain happy. They escape the feelings that cause downfall. They think of welfare for themselves as well as others.
Let’s also pray that all are able to keep their minds cool by uniting with this Supreme Source of coolness i.e., God. May everybody live a saintly life and remain blissful.”
Friday, January 1,2010
Discourses of His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj- New Year 2010 Satsang Programme
Delhi, Samagam Ground, Opp. Nirankari Sarovar, January 01, 2010
Blessing a congregation on January 1, 2010 at Ground No. 2, Burari, His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj stated:
“This congregation on the very first day of this new year 2010 gives me an opportunity to meet you all. Throughout the world people celebrate the arrival of new year by congratulating and praying for each other; so that the coming year proves fruitful for all. Saints look upon the whole of humanity as their family and thus cherish the welfare of all the humans on such occasions; they also wish that peace should prevail in the world.
Generally on new year's day, some newspapers portray the bygone year as a bandaged old man with bruises and wounds which symbolise the exploitation, the violence, the killing of innocents during the year which has gone past; the departing old year tells the new year that it should always remain beautiful and not become as ugly and horrible as the old year! As the days change into weeks and months and years, it is wished and also needed that man's thinking and tendencies should also change; man's hatred should change into love and narrow-mindedness into large-heartedness. Only when there is a change in years and eras, will this earth become a paradise; saints are making an effort to achieve it.
My recent tour to the countries in Middle East gave me an opportunity to experience such feelings and objectives to devotees living there. Along with working and labouring hard in difficult conditions to bring up their families in those countries, they also make their maximum contributions for rendering Service and attending Congregation. Holding a congregation in such countries is not as convenient as it is here in Hinduism. Yet the number of devotees in Dubai, Muskat, Doha Qatar and U.A.E. is constantly increasing. Despite the absence of a spacious avenue to hold congregation and the presence of many other difficulties, congregation is organized every Friday and also on week days in Emirates. Most of the devotees in Dubai are living away from their families; only 4 families of devotees are settled there! The hard work, difficult conditions and living away from one's family can sometimes also cause a depression to some. Living under such conditions devotees feel very happy and thankful for being a part of the family of congregation as it gives them strength as well as ripens their faith; it inspires them towards service and teaches them the art of living. Those who truly realize the value of congregation and adopt it in their life gain from it and make their life blissful. Devotees living in all those countries attend regular congregation, render service and live their life while taking the support of this Formless Lord.
Regular congregations are also being organized at Doha Qatar and Muscat. During this tour a big congregation was organized in Muscat; during the 2-3 days we had at Doha, an effort was made to spend maximum time with devotees; besides the congregation on Friday, another congregation was organized in a hall. A huge Samagam which was even larger than the last year’s, was organized at Dubai during this tour. As during the last day of Delhi Samagam, there was a downpour of rain even during the Samagam of Dubai! It rained throughout the programme; rather it rained for 48 hours! So along with the two days of Samagam, devotees also enjoyed rain which is very scarce there! On another occasion in Dubai, devotees assembled for a ‘Preeti Bhoj’ in one of the parks and sang and danced and celebrated. Similar occasions were also created in Doha Qatar and Muscat. A local saint who takes care of a farm at Muscat, organized a gathering of saints at the farm where all the saints could celebrate. I also got a chance to visit a few devotees’ residences in Sharjah where all the devotees gathered and celebrated. Last night i.e., on 31st, devotees had arranged a gathering of saints at a camp in the desert. There are no roads, boards or other such land marks in those deserts; yet the drivers of the local vehicles drive through the sand and take you to the appropriate camp with their sheer strong sense of direction; their concentration and sense of direction is so strong that they do not lose their path even in the absence of a road or other milestones to guide them! Even though the sand dunes and car-tracks on sand move from their place every 2-3 days under the impact of strong winds, yet the local drivers do not lose their path and make you reach your destination! Such is their strong concentration and sense of direction!
Similarly those who keep their faith strong upon the Formless, do not loose their sense of direction because of the change in circumstances. They keep their face always turned towards the same and never waver; they maintain their concentration, awareness and alertness even during the changes in their life and circumstances; they remain ever-firm upon their devotion and faith. A large number of devotees from Emirates had gathered there; some devotees had also arrived from Bahrain and Kuwait and other places to attend the congregation for new year and celebrated by singing and dancing in that camp.
Generally I try to make an effort to reach New Delhi on 31st December and attend the New Year’s congregation and celebration of Rajmata Ji’s birthday; only a few times I could not do it. This year I have been able to celebrate the arrival of New Year at two places – Middle East as well as Hindustan; even Rajmata Ji’s birthday was celebrated at both the places! May God bless so that Rajmata Ji continues to work for others’ welfare, help others learn the lesson of the teachings of the ‘Guru’, give love and affection to devotees and live in full health.
Only one Supreme Lord Formless is Truth; rest everything changes. Even the time of arrival of the New Year was different in different countries! Only this constant Supreme Lord, this Formless is Unchangeable. We should keep our concentration firm upon it; we should live our life while taking its support and realizing its awareness in every pore of our body. Along with that we should also remember that it pervades not only every pore of our body but also every particle of the universe; we should see it wherever we turn our gaze; we should also see it pervade every form; in this manner we should do our every chore while remaining in its awareness; we should deal with others while remaining in its awareness. May God bless so that this New Year brings happiness for all.
The time past cannot be changed by us. It is the present which we can make beautiful. We should rise above the follies that we made in the past and step into present with the renewed feeling of illumining our future. When we shift into a new home, we leave behind the garbage and unless objects; similarly we should not take the garbage of evil feelings i.e., the feelings of anger, greed and ego and evil practices with us to the New Year. We should take only love, humility, large-heartedness, tolerance, kindness, compassion, contentment with us. ‘Gurmat’ should strengthen with every passing day in us. May Lord Formless also bestow every worldly happiness to all. All wish for peace and prosperity every moment. May there be divinity all around. May the divine qualities increase by the day in saints’ life so that at the end of the year none feels that they are saints only in name; that those whom they are calling as illumined are actually living their life imbibed with such qualities as will prove them to be a blessing for the world. On the occasion of a New Year all make resolutions or the other; we should also make a resolution that we will make it our duty to re-link those who have got separated from the congregation on account of some difference of opinion or some other difference. Jesus Christ also said that the sheep which wanders away should be brought back to the flock. A poet has said, ‘Milay Na Too Jissey Us Kau Tau Badnaseeb Kahen, Tujh Sey Mil Kar Bichhar Jaye Tau Us Kau Kya Kahiye’. May God bless so that those who are linked with congregation remain linked with it; may those who have earned the fortune of attaining the gift of God-knowledge continue earning the good fortune by remaining linked with it. May every ‘Gurmukh’ renounce negative feelings and worldly tendencies and transform his life. May all live life imbibed with the virtues of a ‘Gurmukh’. May God bless and give every happiness to devotees. May all of you have love for all the people of the world, walk upon the path of the teachings of Gurus, saints and prophets while imbibed with love and humility. Living in such a manner, may every ‘Gurmukh’ illumine the name of Mission; may all make their maximum contribution for others’ welfare. May Lord Formless give everyone every happiness. I congratulate once again all of you upon Rajmata Ji’s birthday and New Year.”
2009 Notes:
Sunday, December 10,2009
Discourses of His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj- STREAM OF THOUGHTS –Part III
As we look at the life of the divine masters of the past, we do not find any ego in them. They possessed all noble qualities, yet they never claimed themselves to be superior to others. They always maintained their modesty and behaved like servants of the servants. We see that the water of the sprig flows. As it moves downward, it moves towards the vast ocean, it goes acquiring vastness. On the other hand, the water that stays on a height, does not comedown, produces bad smell and may spread diseases. Similarly, we can merge with this God (the divine vastness) if we give up all kinds of ego and adopt humility and modesty in all matters. The man who surrenders himself before divine masters is always held in high esteem and is blessed with all kinds of happiness. On the other hand a person with ego is always in a fume and makes others fume too. A person who is humble and modest bestows his fragrance on others and himself remains cool and calm. He is venerated in this world and hailed in heaven. That is why the noble and virtuous always opt for humility. They would never oppress others. They would never scare others and at the same time never feel scared from anyone. The virtues that are once imbibed by the noble, remain always there. No power whatsoever, no action whatsoever can dissolve their virtues. Saints are always free from fear. They have no worry. A pyre (Chita) burns the dead, while worry (Chinta) burns the alive. That is why saintly people avoid worry. They are, of course, alert. A saint is always conscious. He does not utilise his devotion to God for worldly gains. He (devotee) sold a commodity to saints at a little higher price. This came under discussion. he quoted : SANTAN SIYON HUM LAHA KHATYA
It means that we have to gain from saints only. Saints! We have not to earn this kind of profit from saints. We have to borrow from them their qualities, learn the skill of having faith in God. We have to learn from them as to how to serve others even when we have little capacity to do so. Saintly people always pay attention to the way they are leading their lives, and they continue to ponder until their last breath suppose we travel by train . Who does win our admiration? There is a passenger. He is assisting and helping others. He offers space to accommodate others. It is possible that he might get down at the very next station. He may get down after 50-100 miles. However, even during such a short a journey, he pleases every body around him. The fellow passengers continue to feel enchanted with the fragrance of his behaviour even after he gets down. He creates such an impression in their minds that they remember him with joy until they reach home. They indeed feel inspired by him. Now, there may be another person, another passenger travelling in the same compartment. His journey may be comparatively long. But in that long journey he quarrels with everybody, abuses them, harasses them, dumps their luggage on the ground and stretches himself over the entire berth. He too will be remembered by fellow passengers, but merely for his bitter words. Remembering him will make them feel pained only. A Gurmukh (saintly person) is just like the first passenger and Manmukh (unsaintly person) resembles the other. Source: Stream of thoughts- www.nirankari.org
Words of saints are like mirror where we can analysis our selves,
Words of saints tell us about Guru mat, how to maintain and retain
guru mat, and inspire us to walk on same path.
Mankind, humanity is the path to complete this journey of life.
this messege is being given at different places by saints, whether it
is India or any other country where its chance to visit or there are
many places which are even not visited, but the there is feeling of
thankfulness.
here in few countries it was thought that mission is only on local
level, but it is like ocean, very much elaborated and very very
strong.
what is being though about religion, religion is taken as rituals, if
any one keep on following only rituals, he will not become religious.
We have Enough religions to hate but not enough religions to love,
who keep hating, discriminations, and after doing few works and
obeying few rights and rituals said I have become religious, so that's
why those preachers said that in this nirankari mission we got to
know true definition of religion, that what religion is,
Religion is actually spirituality, in which there is love, harmony,
and no ill feelings for others. This was view point of one who does
not belong to mission but have attended only one congregation.
One who was not listening music, and if he is watching dance, so that
dance seems to be awkward,
Those who have not tasted sugar, will not know sweetness of sugar,
So in such a world who have not tasted sugar, not listened music,
Those who have not understood the importance of love,
One who do not have knowledge that 'humanity' which is true religion,
those people have negative ideology for and negative views for the
saints and followers.
So there are such challenges which saints have to bare from time to
time.
Such challenges where there is so much ignorance
Where there are so much narrow-mindedness, rudeness, and so many
superstitions,
Bringing such people out of those things is not that easy task.
Likewise from time to time saints have been contributing in such
activities.
Saints finished themselves for mankind; such contribution by saints to
enhance has not remained un-influenced.
Like wise we have to do same and put our contribution to enhance
world.
And these are being done continuously, where ever cadre move.
People are joining this cadre every day
This cadre is for welfare of people
Those who are contributing in this have great importance.
There are so much hatred, dwelling and developing, where level of
tolerance is decreasing, and ending of tolerance,
Where one can not tolerate even a single word from other,
Can not tolerate dresses of others, languages, belonging country, to
which prophet one prays, which religious book one reads, whether the
skin is black, i.e for any thing there is no tolerance left.
There is no tolerance even for small things.
For small things, those small things are blown into air, and to small
thing different shapes are given by man. So these things become cause
of destruction in life.
Small things are not tolerated, and what is the result, close feeing
is turned into faraway feeling. (nazdeekat doorie mei badal gayi)
Today Tolerance level is decreasing, so one who tolerate every thing
have importance. They are only heartily people, one who gets
frustrated with small thing and can not tolerate are not heartily
people and do not have that level of tolerance.
So messages of saints have been showing such way, to show such
tolerance and not to show aggressiveness for many small things.
So that's why saints are inspiring to follow tolerance, as they
themselves practice in their own life.
Once a man came at doorstep of saint Gautam Buddha, and what ever
abuse words can be, he was saying all those abuse words and kept using
abuse language for Saint Budha and the followers who were standing
aside got Red-Angry that they will shatter that man at the same time,
how he can use abuse words for their Preacher,
And saint Budha is giving them hint to not to do so, be peaceful,
maintain silence,
And that man said so many things, and when he went back after saying
too many things and after abusing, then followers asked to saint
Budha, that why did u stopped us, this thing is not tolerable at all.
So then Saint Budha replied and asked, that if some one gives you a
gift, and you do not accept that gift so what happens at that time?
So followers replied that, it will remain with one who brought that
gift.
At that time Saint Budha replied that, he too brought gift for me, and
I did not accepted that gift, so he took it along with him.
This shows that it was so serious matter and how it was diluted.
If man learn this art of living then 99% of matter will not be any
matter.
But man is into so much ego, have problems that there is no tolerance,
no broadness,
And for these reasons there is destruction all over.
Here saints are bringing into notification and consideration that we
have to see each and every side and phase. There are many phases in
life. We have to make each and every phase beautiful and make all
phases and sides stronger. Like in body each and every part is of
ours, and we want that each and every part of our body should remain
strong. We do not say that my arm can remain weaken but my foot or leg
should be stronger but we want our whole body stronger.
Like we want all parts of our body to be stronger and healthy, in same
way in life there are many sides, phases, if those phases come into
our life, at that moment too we have to keep all phases strong, as we
take in the form of tolerance, so tolerance should exist in that
phase.
Saints are repeatedly saying and need is to implement.
Q1: When God is the doer behind every action and everything is
happening as per His will, then why is man held responsible for his
actions? Why is man punished for the same?"
While accompanying Gurudev during the walk, 'Bekal' Ji started an
interesting discussion with Satgurudev.
He said to Gurudev, "Baba Ji, I do not understand one point; when God
is the doer behind every action and everything is happening as per His
will, then why is man held responsible for his actions? Why is man
punished for the same?"
Smilingly, Gurudev said, "You have asked quite a few questions in a
single attempt. God is the doer behind everything or everything
happens with God's will; these two are quite different from each
other. Then man is not punished only but he is rewarded and honoured
too. You did not mention this."
After pausing for sometime, Gurudev explained, "There is a need to
think and analyse deeply to understand these questions. God Nirankar
is Omniscient. His will, His command is His law. According to His
will, man is free to do whatever he wants. Man can perform all his
actions because of this freedom that God has given to him. That is
why, whatever is happening, is within the will of God.
The fruit of every action has also been ordained by God. So according
to whatever a man does, he reaps the respective fruit of those actions
under the same will of God. Or you can say that a man has the freedom
to act as per the will of God and he also gets rewarded or punished as
per the will of God".
Trying to explain with the help of an example, Gurudev said, "We know
that to understand a book, we need to know the language in which that
book is written. Or we can also say that we read the book only because
of the knowledge of that language. But we are free to choose what we
want to read. The knowledge of the language does not interfere with
our choice of books."
Q2: It means that God does not do anything."
When Gurudev paused after saying this much, 'Bekal' Ji said again,
"Baba Ji! It means that God does not do anything."
"Yes, God is non-doer, but also the doer," Gurudev said. I had been
thoroughly enjoying the intellectual discussion on such a deep
subject. Gurudev stated further, "In reality, God is a Supreme Energy,
a super conscious force. A force which is pervading each and every
particle of the universe in such a manner that not even a single leaf
can move without it. The will of this Supreme Being is also as
immovable and impartial as He Himself. That is why the freedom
bestowed upon an individual under God's will is not obstructed in any
way by God Himself. Therefore, God is non-doer while being a doer."
Q3: When God is a Conscious Energy then why does He not stop us from
doing evil?"
After this explanation by Baba Ji, 'Bekal' Ji asked Gurudev another
question, "Baba Ji! When God is a Conscious Energy then why does He
not stop us from doing evil?"
Gurudev continued to explain with a natural flow, "As you know, the
scientists have proved today that energy never does anything on its
own even though nothing is performed without it. The instrument which
is connected to the energy is the one which operates. For example,
electricity is an energy. It does not function on its own; but when we
connect it to a heater, it starts giving heat and by connecting a
cooler with it, we start getting cool air. The heat, light or the
coolness does not depend upon the electricity but on the instrument
connected to it. Even though the instruments run with electricity, yet
it does not interfere with the way the instruments are using it.
Electricity is the same in all the instruments. What do you want?
Should electricity agree to give coolness but refuse to produce heat?
It cannot happen. In the same manner this Conscious Energy also
operates. It does not act on its own; the living being (Jeeva)
connected with it like an instrument, performs various acts under the
influence of his own subtle agents like mind, intellect, consciousness
and ego etc.
The living being gets its life force from the same Conscious Energy
but at the same time this Super Energy does not interfere with the way
the being uses it according to his own individual traits and free-
will. The being also gets the fruits of all his actions according to
the will of the Almighty Nirankar. Because of the freedom of action
decreed by Divine Will, this Supreme Force does not stop us from
performing any act."
All three of us continued with our walk after Gurudev became quiet. I
felt that 'Bekal' Ji was still doubtful about something. Trying to
probe what he was thinking, I said, "So, 'Bekal' Ji! What are you
thinking?"
Q4: I am still confused on one point. God-realised ones are considered
to be free from the fruit of their actions; does Divine Will not apply
on them?"
'Bekal' Ji addressed me and said, "Baba Ji has clarified everything,
but I am still confused on one point. God-realised ones are considered
to be free from the fruit of their actions; does Divine Will not apply
on them?"
I looked at Gurudev silently. Gurudev smiled and started saying, "It
is not like this. God's will is applicable to everyone. The one who is
a doer will definitely get the fruit of his action. But since a God-
realised person is devoid of the feeling of doership, he always stays
within the perimeter of divine will and since he has surrendered
everything to the Almighty Nirankar, he cannot be bound by the bondage
of the fruit of his actions. For example, if a person hits someone
with a baton, then it is not the baton which is going to be challaned
or punished. Similarly, the baton would also not be rewarded if
somebody saves a person with its help. The one who performs his
actions considering himself to be the doer, would definitely be bound
by his actions."
Thus speaking, Gurudev became quiet. After walking for sometime,
Gurudev resumed talking once again and stated, "A God-realised person
is linked with Nirankar, he has already surrendered his everything to
Nirankar; so he performs all his acts within the will of God. God's
will is always kind and benevolent for everyone. Therefore, the
actions of a God-realised person too are always virtuous and kind. As
long as he is linked with Nirankar, he cannot do any evil action and
the moment he commits anything evil, then one may know that he is not
linked with Nirankar; that action has sprouted from his own ego and
even a God-realised person will have to reap the fruit of such an
action." My heart was feeling extremely elated after listening to such
a lucid and wise explanation of such a subtle topic. 'Bekal' Ji also
appeared to be fully satisfied.
If it was the age of Guru Nanak, even during those times the (real) beneficiaries were only those who listened to what he preached, who submitted to him and sought his blessings. No wonder, even persons like Sajjan Thug were pardoned and began to be counted in the category of saints, But this divine light was of no use to the people who described Guru Nanak as a misguided man (Kurahiya). Satguru was very much there, but blessed were only those who sought his holy company, listened to what he taught and acted upon the same. A saintly person (Gurmukh) always acts on the advice or principles of his divine master. On the other hand, an ignorant person (Manmukh) goes the way where there are only evils, only thorns. He does feel the pain, which results in the loss of peace of mind. He treads on the thorns of five (notorious) instincts- lust, anger, greed, passion and ego and feels the pain but still continues to walk on the same. No doubt even saintly people have to walk on these thorns, but they cover their feet with the shoes of spiritual enlightenment. Thus these thorns do not prick them, do not become a reason for the pain. Divine masters have always advises man, given him the wisdom so that he understands that if he goes by thorny path, there is bound to be pain, there is bound to be suffering. On the other hand, if he adopts the path, which is full of flowers, he will get the fragrance only, the pleasure only. An ignorant person (Manmukh) does not only adopt the thorny path but also keeps on spreading the thorns so that the others who pass that way are also troubled. Saints, however, do not spread the thorns for others; they endeavour to remove the thorns. They know the method, they have the knowledge to make others feel happy. They tell them that they can be happy by aligning themselves with this Ultimate Truth, God-Nirankar, by making their mind the dwelling place for the Almighty al the time and submit to the divine will in all situations. These illusions, these false allurements of worldly materials are there at every step, but a saint associates himself with God and finds peace and happiness not only for himself but others also, notwithstanding opposition from the people of the ignorant world. For example, the scorpion does not give up stinging, while the saintly people do not give up their selfless effort to save it. Similarly, saints do not give up their path of spiritualism, even if the ignorant people continue to make efforts to harm them. Those who have faith in the divine masters, those who are saints and devotees, they do not spread the flames (of hatred); they only extinguish the same. They are men of peace. They do not possess any weapon to cause any harm to others. In fact, herein lies their distinction, their greatness. They do not follow the path of the downfall of others. They march on the path of the uplift of others. The person, who causes downfall of others thinks that he is brave, but the principle that has been proved since ages says that the person who rescuers others is in fact great. Anybody can be wounded anywhere with any weapon, but can we find the healers of those wounds too in every house, in every street? No. This does not happen. Suppose a person is injured in a village. He has to rush to the town in search of a doctor. There too, when he inquires whether there is a doctor he gets the reply that he should go further, he should go the next ward, where he may find a doctor or a hospital.
What we mean to say is that those who heal the wounds of others are not found in every street, in every ward. This is so because it is a noble task which very few can afford to perform. To tear a cloth into pieces does not require much effort. Give the scissors to a child, he will do it in no time. But these pieces can not be stitched together in one second or in one minute. it requires lot of labour, lot of skill to do so. This tough job of stitching together, uniting together, this noble task of the uplift of others, healing the wounds of others is the privilege of the saintly persons only.
Where do these noble people acquire these qualities from? They obtain them from the company of saints, by doing the service to them. The company of saints always glorifies us, fills our minds with nectar (righteousness) and helps virtues enter our lives. The only requirement, however, is that we should fully surrender to and align with godly persons.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Discourses of Satguru-Stream of thoughts- Gain from Spiritual enlightenment
The nature of a saintly person can be compared with that of a cow, while an unsaintly person is like a snake. We feed the cow with grass, sometimes not even green. Even then it gives us milk. On the other hand, we offer milk to the snake and we know that it gives only poison in return. In fact the snake stings even after drinking milk, because it can give to others only what it has. Saints are known to be helpful to others. They share the burden of others. In their company millions attain salvation. Take for instance a nail, which is quite sharp. If we drive it into a piece of wood, it makes a hole, it causes damage. if it is thrown into the water, it sinks and is lost for ever. But if there is a big log of wood floating on the water and we put the nail on it, it will also swim across.
Exactly like this, even the ignorant people get salvation when they find the support of saints. It must, however, be noted that the unenlightened persons can swim across only when they seek help from saints. In the darkness of materialism, it is difficult to know as to who is a devotee and who is devil; who is accomplished with spiritual knowledge and who is not; who is devoted to his divine master and who is not. To look at, they appear to have no difference. By deeds, of course, they may be distinguished from each other. Sometime back we were on a long journey. We carried some food with us. On the way, we sat under a tree to take our food. As you know, the taste of pickles is acidic or sour and often it is said that its use spoils the throat. As we were throwing a piece of pickles that was left, we saw some crows hovering over there. Suddenly, it came to our mind that a crow is already not having a sweet voice, it has a hoarse voice. We said, rather in a light vein, that a crow has nothing to lose if it takes pickles, because its throat is already like this. But if we give pickles to the cuckoo, it may harm its throat because it has a sweet and charming voice. Similarly, there are evil persons in this world, whose actions are bad, who harm one another. In case they do a bad deed, we do not bother. We simply remark that they are like this only. But if a good person whom we call a saint, adopts an evil, everybody takes notice. Saintly persons are always expected to be good and gentle in their behaviour. In case any shortcoming is noticed in their conduct, it gets highlighted. Therefore, saints are required to be more careful about their conduct. In fact they always remain alert.
The gain from spiritual enlightenment is more in the case of saints who make use of it. For example, when the sun rises, it rises for all, but only those will gain from its light who leave their dark, dingy rooms and come in the open. There are several other effects of the sun also. For instance, it provides strength to the human body. It makes the corn nutritious. But all this can be possible by becoming face to face with the sun. However, those who continue to stay in darkness, who on their own keep themselves imprisoned in their rooms or who cover themselves with sheets of cloth, can not derive any benefit from the sun. Whenever Gurus or Prophets appeared in this world in the olden ages, it was said:
MITI DHUND JAG CHANAN HOYA- It means the mist of darkness is gone and there is light. It is just like the sun, we were discussing above.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Discourses of His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj- STREAM OF THOUGHTS –Part III
If the world has found any salvation, it is only because of such saints. That is why it is said:
KABIR DHARTI SADH KI TASKAR BAITHA AYE;DHARTI BHAR NA DHAYAEHN, INKO LAHA LAYE.
It means this earth belongs to the saints, but the thieves have occupied it; and they are spoiling it. This earth cannot bear the burden of such people, such sinners. But this earth is still there. Why? Because the saints are also there. This earth is holding itself because of these saints only:
SANT NA HOTE JAGAT MEIN, JAL MARTA SANSAR.
Today, we see the flames of hatred all around. We see them in our own country, we see them elsewhere. There are bamboos in the forest. As the wind blows they come into friction with each other. Their friction produces a spark that causes fire all over and threatens to destroy the entire forest. The flames, however, fail to cross if there is some water in between. Now that water is there, where should the fire go? There is no way to proceed. Similar is the case with the feelings of hatred and jealousy. They spread like fire in the forest. But with the appearance of a saint, they give way to calm and peace. The evil fire just cannot spread. Perhaps that is the reason why those who spread hatred in the world consider saints as a hurdle in their way. Saints speak of love, humanity and universal brotherhood. But those who want to exploit caste and communal feelings for power, consider the spiritually enlightened saints as undesirable blockages or barriers of their path. Saints preach equality only, saying that all human beings are the creation of the same God. But the selfish people do not like this. That is why saints have always been the target of their enmity, hatred and jealousy. Even then the saints do not give up their nature. The sandal tree does not stop shedding fragrance even though the snakes cling it. Somebody stands on the bank of the Ganges. He starts throwing stones into the eater with all his might. Does the water of the Ganges cease to be meant for the person who is throwing stones? No. The Ganges still provides water (to him). It still quenches thirst of all, makes everyone clean.
It means that saints possess calm. They do not give up their saintly nature even if they come across millions of unsaintly persons. We get peace of mind from this kind of conduct of the saints only. it is such qualities that provide peace of mind. it is because of these qualities that even sinners get pardoned; they too get salvation. A saint does not vacillate. He remains firm, because he is aligned with this God. In fact that is the reason why such qualities enter his life. So long as we are not aligned with God, we remain narrow-minded. As soon as we are associated with God, our narrow-mindedness gives way and then we pray for the goodwill of all, we do good to all. This change in our life comes when we are associated with saints, when we realise this God Nirankar and when we become the humble servants of humanity.
Monday July 13, 2009
Discourses of His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj- STREAM OF THOUGHTS –Part III
An ignorant person (Manmukh) adopts several rituals to get this peace. But all his practices fail because he is not integrated with the real source of peace and happiness i.e. God. No other means that the man's merger with this source of eternal joy, the Almighty, can make him happy. Man cannot take rest or find eternal peace of mind so long as he remains attached to the worldly materials which by themselves are not permanent, stable and independent. Once a man gives place in his heart to the ever-living Almighty, he himself rises above decay and whosoever comes in his contact, he too finds peace, lasting and all the time. Thereafter, no worldly illusions can attract him, allure him, shake him. History tells us the tales of troubles created by people for saints and the way they were tortured. But these saints did not detach themselves from the true name, the ultimate truth i.e. God. They continued to rely on it; they always gave importance to this name (God).
Saints! Only a person who knows this Permanent Power (God) and aligns himself with it can remain fearless, unshaken and firm and love all while having faith in truth. In fact all saints are loving devotees of the True Master. The one who loves every saint, indeed loves the True Master. Therefore, we must show love and respect to all saints or fellow devotees. And we must have this feeling throughout our life.
An ignorant person is unable to have such a feeling. When mind prevails over us we are overwhelmed by the non-cooperation of the mind, we are overwhelmed by ego. In other words, when we start to believe: I know a lot, I understand a lot, I am perfect, I am a great intellectual, I am physically very strong and so on, the 'I' enters our mind and there is no room for the love for others to flourish. With the coming of ego, the stream of love ceases to flow. where 'I' dwells, God Formless does not; and where God dwells 'I' does not.
A saintly person removes 'I', gives the place to 'You', takes refuge in this Almighty and is all the time aligned with God-Nirankar.
Friday, May 15, 2009 2:05 AM
Discourses of His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj- STREAM OF THOUGHTS –Part II
Is God - realisation possible? What is the source? Why do we need blessings of the True Master
What we say is that God is present every where. We can remember it, realise it even while performing our normal duties. Just as Arjuna could remove his misapprehensions only when Lord Krishna removed his ignorance, blessed him with God-knowledge, revealed God to him, explained this all-embracing and all-pervading divine spirit, similarly Meera did have the devotion, she also worshipped Lord Krishna, but could realise God only when she approached Guru Ravidas. Meera says : PAYOJI MAINE RAM RATTAN DHAN PAYO, VASTU AMOLAK DI MERE SATGURU KRIPA KARI APNAYO.
Today, here also we say the same thing. You can know this Formless, Almighty God. You can align your soul with the Super-Soul, Nirankar. You can achieve the real purpose of human life. What you require is only to seek the benevolence of Satguru, the one who knows God. This is the only way, this is the only path and there is no other way, no other path.
How to recognise Satguru? He can be recognised only by the knowledge of truth, the knowledge of God he has. A doctor is not known by his physical appearance or his dress. He is known by the knowledge he has, by the skill he possesses. Similarly, only a person who has studied law, who possesses the knowledge of law, is called advocate. Mere physical appearance or black gown does not make one advocate. Similarly, we call a person saint only if he possesses God-knowledge or knows God. The one who unites us with Truth, with God, is Satguru. .
Once we know this God, all misgivings and misapprehensions are over. The sense of difference between our own and strangers is gone. The walls that tend to divide people as high and low on the basis of caste, are shattered. There is no hatred, there is no malice. This life is automatically filled with joy. And all this is possible only with the benevolence of the True Master.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Discourses of His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj- STREAM OF THOUGHTS –Part II
What is the purpose of human life?
It is said that one gets human body after passing through many other lives. It is said that there are 84 lakh lives in all. Those who argue get stuck up on the question of the number itself. They say, "How do you know they are 84 lakh?" Let us not enter into argument. You go by the number of animals, birds, insects and other creatures you have heard or known. Even then we find that human life has been determined and treated as superior to all others;
AVAR JON TERI PANIHARI, IS DHARTI PAR TERI SIKDARI (Man is the crown of all living creatures)
It means human life is the best. Then, its objective, its purpose should also be the noblest!
In case the human being even after coming to this life and judged to be superior to all others, continues to indulge in the same actions as can be performed by animals also, what is the usefulness of this life? For example, if man makes the construction of houses the aim of his life and spends all his time in its pursuit, what remains special about the human life? Even birds make their dwellings. Even a sparrow constructs a beautiful nest on the branch of a tree by collecting straws one by one. Even a tiny ant which is hardly visible digs a hole somewhere and makes it a dwelling place. If we get children, even they (animals etc.) procreate. Similarly, there are other activities that cover the entire course of human life; they are also being performed by the creatures in other lives. Animals are performing them, birds are also performing them. In fact, over and above man has adopted an action from the life of animals. Like animals men also pounce upon each other (over a piece of flesh) and cause bloodshed. Then, where is the difference? Where is the superiority of the human being? His importance is there only when he establishes his relationship with God. This is what has been accepted as the real aim of human life. This makes human body important. Take for example a vessel, which contains valuable articles. The vessel also becomes precious and it is kept with lot of care, it is kept under constant watch. But we know that nobody cares for a dustbin. Similarly, this human body has no value if man does not realise God. Man must, therefore, give top priority to the realisation of God, during this very life, for this is the opportunity, this is only spell to do so, and it not must be missed :
EHI TERI AVSAR, EHI TERI BAAR (This is a golden opportunity, this is the only chance)
You have got this opportunity, your turn to know yourself, to know the Creator. Bible says, 'Know thyself.' Man must know himself, understand what he is. Do you think that only this body which can be seen is everything? We know the body by the parts it has - the eyes, the tongue, the hands, the ears, the feet, the fingers, the hair and so on. All these parts of the body continue to exist even after death. Then, why don't they move or work? Why does the body have no value? Unfortunately, man is ignorant and he considers the body as his complete self. The body is, however, not ever lasting. It is a composition of five elements. Once they disintegrate, the body is no more. In fact, who is the man? Who does cause movement in this body? Which is that power due to which this body is working? When you say : this is my hand; my head is aching; there is pain in my foot; these are my eyes, my ears and so on - it means there is someone, who says: 'my ears' etc. For example, when we live in a house, we do not say, "I am the house, I am the almirah". We live within, we live inside the house. Unlike the house, we are living beings. That is why we say : this is my house, this is the almirah, garage or drawing room of my house. Similarly, we say: these are parts of my body. Just as 'I' is not the house, similarly, 'I' is not the body even. Then who is this describing himself as 'I'? We must know it, we must know the fountain-head, the source of energy that moves the body. We must know this life force, that makes this body active, causes its movement, makes it act? What is this life force that makes this body valuable? What is the use, if we did not recognise the soul, recognise this God? When we know the basic truth, i.e., God, we come to know the self also. We realise that 'I' is not this outwardly visible appearance, this body only, 'I' is infact a spirit originating and flowing from God, a ramification of divine entity. The value of human life or importance of the human body comes from the very realisation of this fact.
Is God - realisation possible? What is the source? Why do we need blessings of the True Master? ...... To be continued…..
Monday, February 2, 2009
Discourses of His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj- STREAM OF THOUGHTS - Part I
Every year I get an opportunity to go round the various parts of the country. We find people speaking different languages, wearing dresses of different styles and having different modes of living. These diversities have always remained there and will always remain here. Uniformity in regard to the same is just not possible. Man may make any amount of effort, he cannot compel everybody to wear the turban or the dhoti, to eat rice and so on. Uniformity based on these factors is not going to be possible. These diversities have existed for ages and may continue for ever. If we concentrate on or remain engrossed in these outward factors, differences will continue, conflicts will never end. Uniformity cannot be brought in these factors. Such diversities can be seen even in our body. The fingers of our hands are not similar. Their impression is different from each other. Even the two thumbs do not give the same impression. Infact uniformity is not something that we require. What we need is unity- unity in diversity. We do not want uniformity of material goods but unity of hearts. In case we are guided by the feelings of love and affinity, we are all equal, bound by the same thread. Since our garland has the same thread, we talk of this one: know One, adore One and be One. So long as we do not realise One, worship One, unity is impossible and we just cannot think of goodwill for all. Then these walls of language will remain there, the discrimination of high and low will continue. It is because of these divisions that innocent people are killed today. Let us consider for a while as to which language is the best? Let us suppose it is Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi or any other language. But call names in Marathi, you will be caught. Call names in Hindi, the listener will come to hit you. No doubt you have used the Hindi language, but why did it produce bad consequences? Because, you made a wrong use of the language, you called names, you hurt the feelings of the other person, you treated him as low. The dispute is not that of languages, neither states nor nations; the problem lies in not treating others as our own, in treating them as lower than ourselves, inferior to ourselves. The body has different parts. The feet have one function, the hands another. But we also know that inspite of being different, these parts belong to the same body. If one part of the body gets pain, the pain is not confined to that part; the entire body feels it. One part of the body cannot think of harming the other. The same becomes true of mankind, when they are unified through their relationship with God, when they become one by knowing One. For this, knowing God is essential. If God is associated with our life, everything else becomes in order automatically. What we require is only to incorporate God in our lives - not merely to make a mention of God. If religious people are found to have any dispute or clash, their reason too is the ignorance about God. Once they come to know God, these disputes will end automatically.
Once upon a time a man was passing through a street. He heard some people quarrelling inside a house. He stopped and then went inside with the intention to resolve the dispute. He found that the quarrel was between husband and wife, quite angry with each other. The man asked them, "Why are you quarrelling?" The husband told him that he wanted to make his son a doctor, while his wife was creating a fuss and insisting to make him a lawyer. The man said, "Why don't you call your son and ask him? May be he does not want to become either. He may like to become a businessman or an engineer. If he is reluctant to tell you, call him, I will speak to him." Hearing this, both husband and wife became silent. The man asked them again to call the boy. The husband said, "Sir, the son is not yet born." This is exactly what the (so called) men of religion are doing today. One is bent upon running down rather killing the other in the name of God. They are, however, yet to realise God, foster it in their hearts. When we associate God with our lives, nourish it, there is no reason why we should disown or try to run down one another.
All these disputes, bickerings and tension will exist only until God dwells in our hearts, until we realise God and have communion with the Almighty. As soon as this occurs, the entire world gets peace and there is joy everywhere.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Discourses of His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj- STREAM OF THOUGHTS - Part I
Divine masters never opposed material progress. However, they did say that increased possession of worldly material might bring suffering if it were not accompanied by spiritual enlightenment. If God enters one's life, the feelings of hatred, jealousy and pride disappear and then all the material progress of the world becomes a source of joy. Nobody appears to be an enemy, nobody remains a stranger. It has also been said:
VISR GAYEE SAB TAT PARAYEE, JAB TE SADH SANGAT HUM PAYEE; NA KO BAIRI NAHIN BEGANA, SAGAL SANG HUMKO BAN AYEE.
This state of mind arrives only when God starts dwelling in it or one realises God. Take for example a man carrying a lantern in his hand. The light has no use for him, if his eyes are not working. Only a man who has the eyes can enjoy the benefit of light. The light does have its own significance, but it is complete only if it is accompanied by eyes which are open and working. In the same manner the light of material progress is beneficial only if it is accompanied by the eyes spiritually open, capable of seeing God in every person, in every object.
A spiritually enlightened person or the one who has realised God, sees the Almighty in all and is guided by the spirit of service for all. In regard to such saints, it is said: SANTAN KE GHAT RAHT HAI, SAB KE HIT KI BAAT; GHAT GHAT DEKHE ALAKH KO, PUCHHE JAT NA PAAT.
If man thinks in terms of goodwill for all, there can be no conflicts, no problems at all. The cause of these problems and conflicts is the narrow-mindedness, the tendency to think about oneself only. Today we are all self-centered, narrow-minded and selfish. We have closed our windows. That is why we feel the suffocation. Suppose a person has confined himself in a room which has not even a single window, it will always be suffocating and may have deadly gases. Man's condition today is also like this. Today, we have the walls of language, religion and region etc. Surrounded by these walls, indulged in selfishness, we are moving towards downfall.
If walls are erected around a man, he cannot see the world outside. He is shut out from the reality of the world. He is cut off from the entire world and finds himself in utter be wilderness. As you know, criminals are kept in cells. Behind the bars, they are cut off from the world. They sit in closed rooms where each and every moment of life passes like hell. Man created this hell for him, when he erected the walls around himself, the walls based on caste, creed, colour, language and religion. Surrounded by these walls, he can see only himself. He thinks everything for himself, for the fulfillment of his own interests. The result is conflict between man and man, separation from each other, pain and suffering. So long as these walls are not broken, man cannot be free, cannot find peace. There are so many diversities in our social life - the diversities of language, dress, diet and mode of living. Once we are in alliance with God, all these diversities stand converted into unity. No doubt, we may never be able to achieve uniformity i.e. similarity of dress, diet and mode of living, which is impossible. In this way, we cannot bring minds closer. Here we require sense of unity, unity which is possible only through the realisation of God. Suppose we want to make a garland. This is not possible without a thread. Once we have the thread, we can put together flowers of different colours - red, yellow, white and so on. But if we do not have the thread at all, we cannot make a garland. Similarly, it cannot be possible to make a garland of mankind without the thread of God.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Dhan Nirankar
Message to mankind by Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj on the eve of New Year 2009
New Year Message of 2009
By Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
Saints, say with love Dhan Nirankar Ji
Saints, New Year has arrived; 2008 has gone and we are stepping in to 2009 with great hopes that we will all make this New Year a better one by living life full of love and compassion, showing more tolerance for each other. So many cultures are there, so many languages do exist; various modes of dress and diet do exist. But in spite of all the diversity, we may be tolerant and always work for creating such an atmosphere which is comfortable for everybody. Good senses may prevail.
So much insanity we have seen already, so much immaturity we have seen already, so much ignorance we have seen already, so much selfishness we have seen already and it has taken its toll which is very painful. So in this New Year, it is hoped, wished and prayed that good senses will prevail. Those who are at the helm of affairs, running the countries or running institutions, may understand what is important not just for individuals or sections but for whole of mankind, and work for it.
We are a global family, we have to care and share. We have to always have feeling of oneness. That was the teaching of saints and prophets. That’s what realization and enlightenment is all about. If there is no feeling of oneness then we are far far away from the Truth.
So, in this New Year - 2009, it is prayed that we all have that realization, enlightenment and wisdom so that everybody lives in harmony, peaceful co-existence which is always required, and everybody lives a life full of divinity. Those divine qualities may be reflected so that everybody benefits and enjoys the true happiness, experiences the true happiness, the tranquility and the atmosphere which is very much required.
May everybody help and play their part in creating that and establishing that. So, I wish you all the best. I wish you very happy New Year and pray that we do see a better scenario which we could not see last year or the years gone by.
Dhan Nirankar
Message to mankind by Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj on the eve of New Year 2009
New Year Message of 2009
By Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
Saints, say with love Dhan Nirankar Ji
Saints, New Year has arrived; 2008 has gone and we are stepping in to 2009 with great hopes that we will all make this New Year a better one by living life full of love and compassion, showing more tolerance for each other. So many cultures are there, so many languages do exist; various modes of dress and diet do exist. But in spite of all the diversity, we may be tolerant and always work for creating such an atmosphere which is comfortable for everybody. Good senses may prevail.
So much insanity we have seen already, so much immaturity we have seen already, so much ignorance we have seen already, so much selfishness we have seen already and it has taken its toll which is very painful. So in this New Year, it is hoped, wished and prayed that good senses will prevail. Those who are at the helm of affairs, running the countries or running institutions, may understand what is important not just for individuals or sections but for whole of mankind, and work for it.
We are a global family, we have to care and share. We have to always have feeling of oneness. That was the teaching of saints and prophets. That’s what realization and enlightenment is all about. If there is no feeling of oneness then we are far far away from the Truth.
So, in this New Year - 2009, it is prayed that we all have that realization, enlightenment and wisdom so that everybody lives in harmony, peaceful co-existence which is always required, and everybody lives a life full of divinity. Those divine qualities may be reflected so that everybody benefits and enjoys the true happiness, experiences the true happiness, the tranquility and the atmosphere which is very much required.
May everybody help and play their part in creating that and establishing that. So, I wish you all the best. I wish you very happy New Year and pray that we do see a better scenario which we could not see last year or the years gone by.
Topic: We all know that we should do sewa. Question is how much sewa should one do? How much amount of sewa is optimal? Is it different for everyone?
Pointer: Think about the following: When you go to the gym to do exercise, how do you decide how much exercise one should do?
There is another thing to keep in mind. Sewa is done in two cases:
* When we do it by our own wish.
* When we are told by our master.
The answer to the question that we are trying to answer is different for both cases
Notes from Jan 18. 2009
Dear Saints Dhan Nirankar ji. Here are the minutes from our sangat today.
Guru's Maya
The money of the Guru (Guru's maya) is very sacred money. The money of the Guru is the money denoted by mahapurshs which they had earned through hard labor. We should take utmost care that this money is not wasted. More importantly we should be very careful that we do not, even by mistake, use Guru's maya for any personal use. No body can ever digest Guru's maya. Shehenshah ji once said in his vichaar "Guru's maya is like a pus inside the body. As the pus inside the body never lets a person have comfort, similarly if somebody uses Guru's maya, it never lets the person have peace".
We always have to make sure that the sewa we do exceeds the resources that we use of the bhawan. For example, if we are using Mission's transportation and think it will save our gas money then we should at least do sewa to cover our cost of the expense done by the mission.
There is one more aspect of this. When we go to some mahapursh house and they give us some gift like a shirt or money, that is also Guru's maya. Mahapursh is doing that as a sewa to their Satguru. So what do we do with those gifts/money? We should always bring that gift/money and present it to our parmukh and tell him which mahapursh has done the sewa. It is totally up to the Parmukh as to what should be done with the gift/money - allow you to keep it or take it from you and use if for some wiser cause (may be he thinks some body else needs it more that we do). Remember, it is Guru's maya and we should not question the Parmukh's decision.
Same is also true of the money we get in sangat as a ashirwad. The money should be presented to the mahapursh on the stage.
Let's clarify this some more. When does this apply and when it doesn't?:
If you are calling mahapursh home for party and give them gift then it is different, then this doesn't apply.
But if you are calling mahapurshs over for sangat or when you invite any visiting saints from outside for lunch or dinner at your house, this Guru maryada has to be absolutely followed. In that case you are doing with the intention of doing sewa, isn't it?
2008 Notes:
Notes from 28th Dec, 2008"
Discussion Topic: In the scriptures it is written that Devotion/Bhakti is "Ballo nikki, khandheyo tikhi", which means that devotion is a fine art and it is very-very difficult (finer than a hair and sharper than a sword). Now the question arises what aspect about bhakti is so hard to be compared like this. We all know that when we come to sangat and sit for two hours or we do sewa like (serve a langar for an hour or so or donate a few dollars) or do simaran in sangat is really not hard to qualify. So what is so hard in devotion?
To this one young saint said: Before we can answer this question, we need to understand what is devotion?
The simple and straight definition of devotion is to follow the command of the Holy Master (do what your master says) without questioning it. The second part of the definition "without questioning" is as important as the first part "follow the command of the Holy Master". Because if we question what the master is saying then it means we don't have a complete faith. In fact the word "faith" itself is an incomplete word. The faith is only a faith when it is blind. For example if a master says "it is day" and then if a disciple needs to have sun in the sky to believe it, then it is no faith because then it is the presence of sun and not the word of the master that he is believing in. If we have to pass everything that the master is saying through the filter of our mind and logic then that is no Faith. Faith has to be complete, unquestioned and blind.
So coming back to the topic: what is the hardest part of the devotion:
It is already covered in big part in the definition of devotion as we have already discussed. "Mann beche Satguru ke pass" is the hardest thing. Giving your thinking to the Satguru and accepting what ever the Satguru commands unquestionably and trying to live the life accordingly is the hard part.
There is one small and funny story that explains this nicely:
Once, a king said to his courtier "I don't like eggplant". The courtier immediately said "Sir I don't like it either. Eggplant tastes bad. It even looks so ugly...." and he went on and on in bad mouthing eggplant.
Next day the king said to his courtier "Actually eggplant is no so bad. In fact is a good vegetable". The courtier immediately started praising the eggplant saying "Oh it is a great vegetable. It has beautiful purple color, it also has a crown on it's head..."and on and on.
King said "Yesterday you were bad mouthing eggplant so much and today you can't stop praising it. What is happening?"
The courtier said "Sir, I am your servant, not eggplants."
Doing what Satguru wants from us in day to day life is hard. As Dr. Rai ji once said "we are not a nirankari for hour or two per week; we are nirankari for life". Baba ji said in the vichaar once "we are nirankari so long as we remember nirankar". We all know what Baba ji wants from us, keep ego low, no bad mouthing, love everyone, surrendering to the supreme will of God (bhana manana).
This is "Ballo nikki, khandheyo tikhi".
To this one young saint asked an excellent question: Can I do a step by step progress on the path of devotion or it has to be straight to the final state?
This is a very important question and it is very important to be absolutely clear on this.
Let's try to understand this by the following: Once a poet wrote a definition of devotion in a couplet (a poem of two lines), which by the way was a wrong definition, as:
"Fakira fakiri door hai, uchi lambi khazoor hai
Charh jawe te piye prem ras, gir jawe te chakna choor hai"
Which means that devotion is a long shot (fakiri door hai). It is a difficult task (like climbing up a tall palm tree). If you climb successfully all the way up you get your fruit but if you fall then you loose every thing.
When Rev. Dharam Singh Shauq (one of the pillars of our mission) read this couplet, he corrected it as follows:
"Fakira fakiri nazdeek hai, jinni k teri tofeek hai
Charh jawe te piye prem ras, gir jawe ta wi theek hai
Which means that devotion is not a long shot but a close shot (fakiri nazdeek hai), it is as per your ability and capacity (jinni k teri tofeek ha). If you climb successfully all the way up you get your fruit but if you fall in that attempt then also it is OK. The shot is different for each person.
Important thing that needs to be understood is that it is as per one's ability and capacity. As long as you are putting your best effort, putting your best foot forward then success or failure doesn't matter, the devotion has been done to the fullest. Devotion is a very personal thing. It is not one size fit all.
ps: I have intentionally noted the questions that youths are asking in the youth sangat, so that we all can see how thoughtful they are, how sincerely they are trying to understand the basics and principles of devotion, how interested they are to learn. I am really very proud of them :)
Notes from 21st Sep, 2008, recorded by sister Sumeet Sandhu ji.
In this youth sangat we reviewed what we learnt from Rev. Dev Raj Bajaj ji and Rev. Kesho Ram ji during their recent visit to Tracy.
1. From Rev. Bajaj ji's experience we learned
- That he frequently uses the quotes "Jaese dass to sikliya giya hai" ("As I have been taught")
- We discussed that you can only learn when you are ready to learn and not when you think you know it all.
- To be humble and not have pride of what you know. Because having pride will ruin everything an [ex was given on this topic of the making delicious kheer (rice pudding) and then in the end ruining it by putting waste on the top like taking pride for the knowledge given by the Lord master].
- Another example was that mahapursh frequently said was "jo guru kehta hai bus karte challo (Just do as the satguru says and don't overanalyze it..) That is all what is devotion is about. As it is said in the Avtaar bani "Jo Gur ankhe oh kuch karne sev kamana sikhi he".
1. Mahapursh from Chandigarh, Rev. Kesho Ram ji said:
- Don't try to over-smart your self because you are only fooling yourself.
- ex: Doctor told a man that long trip journeys were not good for him and he wanted to travel from Delhi to Amritsar, so instead of taking one long trip from Delhi to Amritsar he took few short one which all added up to that one long one.
1. Other few pointers was to stay within in the limits that Baba ji has drawn for us and not over-smart ourselves.
- There should be no bending the rules.
- Either you are inside the limit range or you are out of the range, and if you are out then there is no little bit out of range its all or none.
- The example was given of someone who would only drink once in a while and thought that he was still following the rules because he was just going a little out of range.
1. "socho sanjho te gal manno, mann ke phir dhollo naah.."
- The discussion on was based on how we should ask, think about everything and ask question if we do not understand something but once we understand it we should not let our faith shake and that's when we should have blind faith.
- An example that we discussed was when a student in class is dissecting the flower or the animal. When we dissect the flower and pull apart the petal, sepals, leaves etc.. That is the time for us to learn and ask questions but after we have learned then it is best for us to enjoy the overall form of flower. The point was to ask question while you dissect so you understand everything but then once you do then just enjoy the bliss. There is no beauty in the dissected flower but it is an important step towards understanding and once done with that part then just tends to enjoy flower as a whole.
Notes from 5th October, 2008, recorded by sister Sumeet Sandhu ji.
1. Is blind faith always good?"
The respond was not always, it really depends. An example was that "when you are sick, you go to the doctor and the medication that the doctor prescribes, you will eat it because you know that the doctor is well qualified for that job." But if you go to a person who is not a qualified doctor, in that case putting blind faith will not be a right thing.
2. "Faith is only faith when it is blind."
The example used was a when a saint held up a white pen. Saint said if "I say this is white pen and you believe me because it is obvious, than that is not faith. Faith is when I hold up the white pen and say it is red, and you believe me."
Faith is not seeing the obvious but believing in what the Guru tells especially when your logics and what the world tell you is the opposite. "Guru bolay raat to raat hogi even if the sun is out".
3. "Keep on Loosing strength and regain it at sangat."
It is very natural for us humans to loose balance with spirituality when we are away from sangat because we are affected by the worldly things. By coming to sangat we retain our balance.
There are times when we don't want to go sangat for various reasons but Baba Gurbachan singh ji said "the day your mind refuses to attend sangat we should force ourselves that very day to attend sangat because not having a desire to do sangat is a sign of weakness creeping in."
An example was given by Baba Roop Lal ji "When a plant is small, it is extremely fragile and we have to very careful but when that same plant becomes a large tree than even tying an elephant around it will not affect it." Our faith works the same way. Once we reach the peak than we should not be affected by worldly things."
4. Don't mix spiritualism and Materialism
We often hear "sangat meh ajo aapka yeh kaam ho gaya ga". (come to sangat and this your work will be done). We should not mix our spiritual life with materialistic life. We come to sangat to feed our soul. If we make those connections than when things go bad we are distanced from god.
"Tulsi is sansaar meh
Sukh dukh sub ko hoya
Gyaani kaate gyaan se
Agyaani kaate roya"
5. Ego and Temper
Rev. Joginder Puri ji once said "You can not fight animals by being an animal." And "A man who can control his speech, thought, and anger can not control anything in life."
When ever you think something bad about someone else you should stop yourself right away instead of keep on thinking further and further because by doing that you are feeding your ego. By feeding it you are only letting it grow. Also it is easily to loose temper when other people provoke you but don't say anything that you know you regret later. It's better to be quiet than to regret.
Baba ji vichaar on Ego
In the vichaar Babaji stated that you should separate yourself from your ego. An example was given: "When you are wearing the shirt and it is burning then you body will also burn, but when you take the shirt off and it is burning than you will not feel the burn because it is separated from you."
