• THE THIRD ILLUSTRIOUS MASTER OFTHE LINE SHRI SHRI 108 SHRI SWAMI VAIRAG ANAND JI MAHARAJ
• MEETING WITH SHRI SADGURU DEV JI MAHARAJ THE SECOND MASTER
• Sadhu's Garb
• Spiritual Succession
• At Shri Anandpur
  

Page 312

With the advance of objective, luxurious, and scientific way of life, people were drifting away from the path of Spirituality. Almost incapable to understand the real import and meaning of religion, they were in dire need of that which Spiritual Knowledge alone can bestow. Such were the conditions prevailing the world over, when feeling the pulse of the material-minded aching souls, Shri Paramhansa Dayal Ji Maharaj, The First Master came forward to revive the technique of 'SURAT-SHABAD-YOGA', which was further propagated by the Second Master in the N.W.F.P., the Punjab and U.P. It was the THIRD MASTER, Who carried the banner of 'SHRI PARAMHANSA ADVAIT MAT' throughout the country by His extensive tours, establishing `Satsanga Ashramas' in each and every big and small town of India. Inspiring a spiritual way of life in whosoever asked for a peaceful living, the THIRD MASTER, an embodiment of Divinity, lived to preach the gospel of Shri Paramhansa Dayal Ji Maharaj till His last moments. Due to His untiring efforts even the luxury-loving people are also now turning round to the practical way of the subjective search for peace.

Details regarding His unique way of infusing spiritual fervour in the restless souls will be found in the pages to follow.

SHRI SHRI 108 SHRI SWAMI
VAIRAG ANAND JI MAHARAJ

(Hindi quote)

By prostrating before Thee again and again, I bow to Thee crores of times. Thou hast become the steersman of our sinking boat in the worldly ocean. Oh, God of gods ! salutations to both Thine lotus feet. Even the Vedas fail to fathom Thy depth, how far can I sing Thy praises ? Thou art the incarnation of Shri Paramhansa Dayal Ji Maharaj, third in succession. Oh, All Powerful Sadguru Dev ! Thou hast transformed the 'Kaliyuga' into 'Sat-Yuga', and the service rendered to Thy lotus feet has cut asunder all the bondages of 'Kaal'.

By virtue of succession to Shri Shri 108 Shri Sadguru Dev Ji Maharaj, the Second Master, Shri Shri 108 Shri Swami Vairag Anand Ji Maharaj, Ominous to be remembered in the morning as God, worthy of our reverence, a Self-realised Soul, the shining sun of love, the .Emperor of our hearts, became the Third Successor to the spiritual throne of 'Advait Mat' Sampardaya (system) in order to uplift the masses spiritually. He showered love on the restless and distressed living beings in such a way that even the most common people felt relieved and gratified His loveful devotion appeared before all in an extremely attractive way. Whosoever dived in the depth of His love, felt gratified. It is beyond the scope of pen to describe fully His enchanting, bewitching and spiritually inspiring sports. The tongue is incapable of explaining them. Even Shesha, Sharda (names of gods), Granthas (scriptures) and Shrutis impressed by His grandeur and magnanimity, say Neti-Neti (not this much, not this much) and become mute. These very inspiring sports of spiritual life of Shri Paramhansa Avtar Ji have been described here only as a ray of the sun, a ray of hope, one bud of the fully blossomed garden, so that the readers may feel inspired to attain success in their mission of life.

Whenever, Great personalities appeared in the world, like an ember out of ashes, they came in usual human form to suit the conditions and the need of the times, and moving from place to place, they wonderfully accomplished their task. They benefited one and all like the raining cloud. Shri Shri 108 Shri Swami Vairag Anand Ji Maharaj, The Third Master, was also one of such personalities. According to the inspiring and ideal adage of India: (Hindi quote) (Lead us kindly from darkness to light), the Nature made the necessary arrangements. These arrangements were made by Nature in response to the call of Time, for keeping that eternal flame of 'Shri Paramhansa Advait Mat' burning for ages together. As per the needs of the country and time, there appeared the reincarnation of Shri Shri 108 Shri Sadguru Dev Ji Maharaj, the Third Master, the Paramhansa Avtar; and embodiment of all virtues, a selfless Karamvir Yogi; and the fountain of love, in the garb of a saint.

Page 317

BIRTH (Reincarnation)

Nature created colourful scenes in all directions. The green fields converted themselves into ripe harvests to make the whole atmosphere look golden. The bird cuckoo (or kokila) sang sweet tunes on the mango trees. The sun was also shining intermittently through the clouds and it seemed as if after knowing about the rising of the sun of spirituality from some Divine Country and finding its own rays less shining, it was feeling shy. The morning dew covered the green fields, which looked like velvety carpets studded with pearls of dew drops. On all sides there was gaiety, enthusiasm and fragrant atmosphere. None knew as to why that was so ? In all the directions it was raining saffron. God Indra was overwhelmed with happiness, and became eager to see the Divine personality, who was about to be born on this earthly planet. The fairies sang the welcome songs. There was brightness all around. Was the age (Yuga) to change ? Were the lovers to succeed in their mission ? Were the prayers of the devotees going to be granted ? What a splendour, the rising enthusiasm and the ocean of happiness surging in all hearts ! What a beautiful atmosphere was created all round !

(Hindi quote)

Nectar is drizzling all around. What a wave of happiness is appearing in the glorious spring season ! A strange beauty is visible in the natural scenes. The surging waves in the ocean of love have filled the hearts of devotees and the dear ones of God with limitless ecstasy.

What a melodious tune has been sung by the bird, cuckoo. On the other side, the buds have blossomed in the garden. The world was incapable of changing its condition due to the darkness of worldly illusion, but now there was to be no delay in the removal of this darkness, because the Lord of love was about to take birth.

To transform the uneven, full of sandy dunes and barren land into fertile; holy, venerable and more prominent one, by His plays in His childhood, Shri Shri I08 Shri Swami Vairag Anand Ji Maharaj, the embodiment of love, the source of light of Devotion and spiritualism, the builder of the destiny of human beings, appeared there in the form of a saint to ennoble the lives of the people in general. He was born on Tuesday, the 13th April, 1898 A.D or the Sankrant of the month of Vaishakh, Samwat 1955 Bikrami in an auspicious hour at Lakki Marwat, in District Bannu, in the N.W.F.P. in a high and noble Kathuria family. Revered Shri Bela Ram Ji was fortunate to be His father. The mother felt a strange happiness within herself on His birth. This glorious light had appeared to fill the world with the divine glory and not to limit His brightness to one particular house alone.

Even at the time of His birth, there were flowery smiles playing on His lips, redness in the cheeks and a line of Divine light on His forehead. On soles of His lotus feet, there were circular signs, indicative of His being a reincarnation. Some women, with spiritualistic trends of mind, who were standing nearby at the time of His birth, saw a circular light (halo) on His forehead extending from one ear to the other. They also smelt a pleasant fragrance of some scent. They started whispering to each other, "The child appears to be full of super-natural signs, like those in Great Souls. However, it is not proper that fragrant oils etc. should be nearby at this time. There is a fear of evil spirits being attracted." Having said so, they started searching for the fragrant materials in the room, so that they might remove them from there. But they failed to find them anywhere. Meanwhile the mother raised her head a little and saw a light like that of a gem on the forehead of the child. She covered the child with a cloth. After some time that fragrance and light disappeared.

The mother was arrested by a dubious idea, which according to the elders conveyed, that if a brilliant light is noticed on the forehead of a new born child, then either the life of the mother or that of the child itself was short. She started praying inwardly for the longevity of her child. She was a virtuous lady of saintly temperament. How nice it would have been, if she had a chance to see His spiritual sports, but it was not destined to be so. She departed from this world some time after giving birth to the Divine Child. On the Naming Ceremony day (Namkaran Samskara), He was given the name of Shri Duara Ram Ji. On that day Pandit Ji saw a Divine light on His forehead. Again, when he examined His hands and feet, he found them full of those specific marks, which indicate the greatness of Godmen. He respectfully bowed to Him inwardly. He only said that the child appeared to be a superhuman one and then kept quiet. He started musing himself by gazing at His face. There arose a strange desire in his heart, but he gave no expression to that. What was that desire ? He wished he could live to see the growing glory and the spiritual sports of the Child.

This Divine Child had not yet reached boyhood, that He was deprived of the motherly affection. The responsibility of bringing Him up now fell on His aunt (father's sister). She caressed Him very affectionately and did her best to give Him motherly affection. But He, who was an embodiment of Divine Bliss Himself, and had the power to bestow affection on the whole world, cared little about this self-created affection. When He was hardly four or five years old, He started to bless that fortunate town, Lakki Marwat, with His child-like sports. To show displeasure occasionally, to enjoy the bliss of self-realisation while sitting on a sandy dune, to play hide and seek, to amuse His aunt by His sweet words and sometimes to smile after besmearing His body with dust, were His favourite sports. His aunt would say to Him, "Oh son ! it is not proper to roll in dust after having been born in such a high and rich family." He used to reply with a sense of pride, "The real import of life is in Faqiri.'' On hearing this, the aunt used to feel somewhat sad and wondered whether the future of that child lay in faqiri. Pandit Ji had prophesied that He would be a god-man, but He appeared to be inclined to be a faqir (Saint).

One day He was playing near a sandy dune. His aunt reached there in search of Him. She saw Him atop the sandy dune and having gathered some children there, had assumed Himself the role of an emperor. He had formed a cabinet of the children, and after assigning them their duties, was asking them to discharge the same honestly. For some time the aunt kept watching all that quietly, hiding herself behind another dune, and then coming in front of Him, said to Him, "Go home. Why have you brought all these children here ? Sometime You enjoy Faqiri and sometimes You become an emperor. However, this emperor-ship rightly suits You." It appeared, as if He had foretold the future in a simple way, when He replied that neither being only a Faqir nor only an emperor was good, as He was concerned only with "Shahanshahi Faqiri" (or emperorship in the form of Faqiri), which He did not maintain only in words but implemented it in action also and thus inaugurated 'Raj Yoga', on the lines delineated by Lord Krishna in the Gita. The beauty that appears in tiny buds, later on manifests in flowers and fruits. In this way, the glimpses of His childhood indicated His extraordinary future life.

Sometimes He used to try to run away from the house to the sandy dunes at night. The aunt and the father would catch Him forcefully to say as to what play was still left to be completed at that late hour. He would keep quiet for a few moments and then reply, " had forgotten something near a particular sandy dune in the morning and am going there to search for the same." However, He was stopped several times from going out at night.

He was hardly six or seven years of age, when He persistently tried to run away from home at night, but He was always stopped. One day His father thought as to what was that thing after which the child was so mad and therefore decided not to stop Him if He tried again to run away from home at night, but to follow Him up, to see what He searched there. This hint was given to His aunt as well.

On one pitch dark night of Amavasya, when no star was visible in the sky, nothing could be seen even in the closest vicinity due to the sky being covered with clouds, and when one even feared to climb the roof of one's house; He, finding every body at home asleep, slipped out of the house, His father also quietly followed Him. The father saw that in that pitch darkness a line of light was moving ahead of Him on the path and that He was running on the track formed by that line of light. In the meantime the noise of the pathan dacoits was heard at a distance. His father shouted out of fear, but He was moving ahead unmindful of those shouts. Meanwhile the line of light began to spread its rays all around Him. His father tried to catch Him, but He eluded his reach while moving fast in that light.

Meanwhile the pathans also came nearer. Then the restlessness of His father knew no bounds. On the other hand, the rays of that mysterious light spreaded all the more and surrounded Him up to a radius of five feet on all sides. The pathan dacoits tried to approach near Him, but they could not penetrate into that circle of light. On seeing that light from a distance, they mistook that for some serpent-gem, (Hindi quote), but on coming nearer, they saw a strange scene. Their steps staggered and they were left behind somewhere in the darkness.

His father, attracted by that super-natural light, reached near a sandy dune. The Third Master sat on that dune with His eyes closed. That super-natural light was shining on His forehead. His father was full of fear. Out of helplessness, he made Him stand and said, "Oh son ! You may come to find out Your thing in a moonlit night, as it is difficult to find out anything in such darkness." He smilingly replied, "The moon is already shining. Have You reached here in darkness ? See whether there is moonlight or not ?" Catching His father's hand He returned home carrying that very light with Him. The father thought that the night was over. There was a mingling of some happiness, some restlessness and some enthusiasm in his mind and because of all that, his heart was beating faster. The moment he reached home, he took his son in his lap and closed the door from within. But what a strange thing that was, that only one hour of the night had passed. All others in the house were in deep and comfortable sleep. The father decided inwardly that in future he would say nothing to Him. Supernatural souls come to the world only to fulfil Divine mission and He was also some Great Soul. Then he went to sleep. By the time His father woke up in the morning, the Third Master veiled his memory in such a way that he forgot all what he had seen last night and accorded Him the usual fatherly affection.

Sometimes He encouraged the children of the neighbourers also to escape from their homes at night under the pretext of playing. Whenever the neighbouring women felt agitated and vexed, they came to His house to complain against Him. When His aunt wanted to say something to Him, He would just smile. His smile had a magical effect on the aunt, and she also smiled away in reply to the complaints of those women. Whenever the women brought too many complaints and the aunt scolded Him in their presence, He would say, "When do I ask anybody to accompany me ? I go in search of my own thing. It is they who follow me to see as to what thing do I go in search for." Unable to understand the real significance of this statement, the women would become quiet. To search one's thing means to search one's own Self or in other words Self-realisation. Whereas, the generality waste their childhood in play and sports, youth in sensual pleasures and old age on the waves of longings, this Divine personality was busy in the search of Self since His very childhood.

It appeared that the Dwapara Yuga, full of the enthusiasm of loveful sports of Lord Krishna, had stepped in again. All the children were automatically attracted towards Him because of His heart-bewitching power. He was loved by one and all. He appeared to possess a unique splendour among the children. He blessed the Kali-Yuga by giving a new colour to the sports of Dwapar Yuga. Were these sports of childhood not indicating a great future ? Reflection of the full import of one's life becomes visible in the glimpses of one's childhood.

His father was a-noble man of simple temperament and religious trend of mind. He was a devotee of Lord Krishna from the very beginning, but along with this he had great faith in the Gurbani as well. He always carried a copy of the book, called 'Aasa Di Var' with him. Wherever he went, he carried that book in his pocket and punctually read it daily. He also narrated religious stories to his son at night. His simple and virtuous life also had its own influence on the Third Master. He listened to the religious thoughts and books intently.

His father sent Him, at the age of five or six, to the middle school of Lakki Marwat for education. From the beginning He had a tendency to be indifferent to the worldly affairs. Even then, He attached importance to physical and customary development alongwith spiritual progress. Therefore, without showing much hesitation, He acquired education in Urdu and Persian languages till 1911 A.D. Besides, He also acquired knowledge of Hindi and Punjabi languages from Pandit Dhani Ram Ji. He was mostly interested in serving the Saints and Great ones and in listening to their spiritual discourses. Such virtuous and religious tendencies in the very boyhood were the proofs of His being an incarnation. Seeing His faith and devotion to God at such an early age, Pandit Dhani Ram Ji a scholarly person, who lived in His neighbourhood, inspired Him to study the old religious books regularly and to memorise the Gayatri Mantra. Acting on Pandit Ji's advice, He took to that line with a still greater faith. But the study and daily religious practices, brought no mental satisfaction to Him. He always thought that the true paths of Devotion and meditation were something different, which could bring mental peace and spiritual bliss. Even then, He was highly interested in studying the Tulsi-Krit Ramayana. Wherever He learnt about the recitation of Tulsi-Krit Ramayana, He reached there ignoring His sleep, comfort and food. There He listened very intently to the recitation of the Ramayana and felt much comforted. Having seen such great faith in Him, Pandit Ji had started showing great respect towards Him. Pandit Ji was often heard remarking, "He has appeared in this world to fulfil some special mission. He is not an ordinary being but some supernatural personality." Later on, these words of Pandit Ji came out to be actually true, when He (the Third Master) established those ideals, by following which one and all could uplift themselves. Although an uncommon personality, He adopted those principles, which could be followed by the commoners.

Page 326

MEETING WITH SHRI
SADGURU DEV JI MAHARAJ
THE SECOND MASTER

(Hindi quote)

Whenever doubts and suspicions became the cause of attachment and greed, God reincarnated Himself to free the persons from those ties, so that the light of the sun of devotion to God might not disappear and the stream of eternal truth might continue to flow in the world for ages.

The relation between the Guru and the disciple has been there since ages. Sometimes the disciple is in search of the Guru and sometimes the Guru discovers the disciple. The Sadguru Himself is an embodiment of all knowledge and enables the disciple to realise the self. He moulds the disciple in His own image and bestows on him all the virtues and knowledge.

Those were the days when Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji, the Second Master, had come to Lakki Marwat in the Sadhu's garb for the propagation of satsanga, in accordance with the wishes of Shri Paramhansa Dayal Ji Maharaj, the First Master. Bhagat Sahib Ram Ji informed the Third Master that the Tulsi Krit Ramayana was to be recited that night at his house. The Third Master reached the house of Bhagat Ji with full enthusiasm.

The great souls have old relations. The Second Master was delivering His spiritual discourse, when the Third Master reached there. While the Second Master, with His discerning eyes, recognised the disciple, who was destined to do colossal work in the spiritual field, the Third Master also lost no time in discovering the Sadguru, the bestower of the inner bliss. The ways of Nature are mysterious. Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji expressed great love on getting the most precious gem (The Third Master), who was to carrying out extensive propagation of spiritualism. On the other hand the Third Master also, on discovering the True Master, developed extreme love for Him and quenched the age-old thirst of His soul. According to the old tradition, He became a true disciple and earned the spiritual wealth of 'Nam-Updesha'.

Shri Anath Dass Ji has beautifully described the relationship between the Guru and the disciple as under:-

(Hindi quote)

The light of the sun, though unable to burn even the softest thing, when its rays are made to pass through a focussing lens, develop the power to burn whatever is placed at the focal point of the lens. Similarly, the temperament of the disciple gets purified with the grace of the Guru. In other words, if the Guru is the sun, the disciple is the focussing lens, who draws the wealth of spiritual knowledge from the Guru and becomes powerful.

This is accomplished only by a true disciple, who can fully satisfy the Master and win His pleasure. In the same way, He entrusted His all at the feet of the Master and earned the spiritual wealth.

After that. He started devoting most of His time to the service and company of Shri Sadguru Dev Ji Maharaj. He was initiated by the Second Master in 1916 A. D. When the Master instructed Him regarding 'Surat-Shabad-Yoga', He experienced a new wave of inner happiness and peace of mind, which He had been long since seeking. Before being initiated, He often said that true happiness was something quite different, and could not be attained through the study of scriptures or performance of customary rituals. As the black bee, which is very fond of the essence in a flower. never feels satisfied by sucking in any quantity of it, similarly, His hunger for the sacred company of the Master and meditation was never appeased. In a strange state of blissful mood. He was ever eager to have the glimpse of the Master.

By that time He had stepped in the stage of youth. He had an immaculate and lucid mind. Even though He possessed a well built beautiful lustrous body, yet He was disinterested in the worldly wealth and bodily comforts. Household life had no attraction for Him. In the full bloom of youth, when everyone is mad after sensual enjoyments, He actually was averse to that life. Although He belonged to an opulent family, where all the worldly comforts could be had on mere asking, He had no inclination for them. The sacred company of the Sadguru worked wonders. As a result of it, He developed sentiments of true love, devotion to God and spiritualism in His mind. His condition was the same, as is that of flint when it is rubbed, or that of iron when it comes in contact with a philosopher's stone. The thought of the mission, for the fulfilment of which He had come to the world, began to grow stronger in Him.

Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji continued to deliver His spiritual discourses or satsanga at Lakki Marwat for some time and during that period the Third Master bathed Himself in the Treveni (confluence of three rivers) of action. devotion to God and true knowledge, at the feet of the Master and achieved the goal of His life. After that, when the Second Master was about to return to Teri, He, alongwith Mahatma Yogatma Anand Ji and Bhagat Sahib Ram Ji also accompanied Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji to Teri in March, 1918 A. D. for the Holy 'Darshan' of Shri Paramhansa Dayal Ji (The First Master). When the Third Master appeared before the First Master and bowed to Him, the latter, discerning His highest level of Bhakti observed, "You (The Third Master) have to carry out an extensive work in the spiritual field". The First Master further observed, "When You have turned Your attention to spiritualism, do not pay heed to the world. Make full note of it." Then, Himself, putting the Third Master's hand in that of the Second Master, said, "You will be spiritually benefited by Him alone." He then told the Third Master to repeat the following couplet:-

(Hindi quote)

When the protection of the perfect Master has been accepted with pure heart and full faith, then the God, the prophet and all the Great Souls are realised in the form of the Sadguru.

Param Sant, Shri Kabir Sahib, has also expressed similar views in another form.

(Hindi quote)

When one gets initiated by the Sadguru and is advised to practise 'NAM' or 'Shabad' revealed by the Master, then except the practice of that 'NAM', no other rituals and rites need be observed. Observing of fasts, bathing in the holy rivers or any other recitation and undergoing austerities need not be practised. The 'NAM' given by the Sadguru is like the root of the spiritual tree. When the root is taken care of and is watered regularly, then the leaves, buds, new shoots and the branches of the tree all get watered automatically.

The Third Master faithfully adopted the instructions of Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji in His life. His mind was already free from the enjoyments of worldly pleasures from the very boyhood, and the instructions of the Sadguru strengthened His sentiments. He gave Himself heart and soul to the achievement of His life's object. He was lost in the waves of Guru-Bhakti and love for His Master surging up in His mind on His return from Teri.

He was hardly twenty or twenty-one years old, when He threw Himself heart and soul in the practice of 'NAM' and meditation, to exercise full control over His mind and senses, in accordance with the instructions of the Master, so as to earn His pleasure. The Second Master was at that time, blessing the people of Tonk, Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan etc. by His spiritual discourses and on this side, the Third Master was fully engrossed in progressing towards the spiritual realms through meditation. The Great Saints are, no doubt, already Self-realised souls, but even then they adopt such procedures of meditation which they want the commoners to follow. The principles or the rules laid down by the Great Souls show the path to the seekers. He used to meditate for hours together, and His eagerness to meet the Master was ever fresh in His mind. Whenever the Second Master came to Lakki Marwat or any other place nearby, He never missed the opportunity to be with Him in His service for days together and to enjoy the bliss of His 'Darshan'.

His father was already a religious minded man, but now the Third Master started inspiring him on the path of Guru Bhakti. This inspiration influenced him quickly. The Third Master took his father also for the 'Darshan' of the Second Master and got him initiated by Him.

His intention was, that His father should soon surrender his all to the Master and thus come under His (Second Master's) protection. As for Himself, He had inwardly surrendered His all to the Master on the very day of His initiation, but the formal surrender was yet to take place. It was His great desire that if His father also surrendered to the Master, all the household could then be surrendered to the Durbar in its service. Therefore, He often used to incite His father saying, "Father ! You have entered into old age. It would be proper, if you renounce the worldly affairs, adopt Sannyasa at this last stage of life and devote yourself to meditation." Thus, He persuaded His father again and again. This shows that temperamentally He was eager to be free from the worldly ties. His noble persuasion had its desired effect on His father. who surrendered himself to the Second Master just after four or five months of the latter's becoming the spiritual successor to the First Master. Soon after, the former was also given the Sadhu's garb at his request. He served the Durbar faithfully in the Sadhu's garb by the name of Mahatma Purshottam Anand Ji.

The Third Master's innate desire was fulfilled as His father's seeking the protection of the Master had cleared His way. Even if there had been any obstacles, He was not to be afraid of them. He was always drunk with the nectar of 'NAM'. His faith in the Master was on the increase day by day.

Once, when He went to have the 'Darshan' of the Master at a nearby place, the Master casually made the following observations during the satsanga:-

(Hindi quote)

God has thrown the ball of Devotion or Bhakti in the field of world. Among the polo players, only an expert player can carry the ball and not an ordinary one. Similarly, the ball of devotion or Bhakti can also be carried only by an ardent devotee of the Guru. There is no question of caste, creed or sex in it. Whosoever tries for it, can get it. One has to stake one's all to carry this ball of devotion or Bhakti. The dictates of the mind must be resisted to successfully follow the Guru's instructions. To acquire Bhakti, renunciation, service of and love for the Master are essential.

These words created a storm in the mind of the Third Master. He wanted to carry the ball of devotion under all circumstances. He soon made a request to the Master to accept His formal surrender. He had already succeeded in instigating His father to become a Sadhu. His father, having entrusted all his movable and immovable property to the Master, was enjoying the depths of meditation. He had a great desire to surrender all what He had to the Master in the services of the Durbar. Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji, the Second Master, had observed several times that, He (Third Master) had encouraged His father to become Sadhu with a view to utilising the entire property in the service of the Durbar. The Third Master, thus fulfilled His heart's desire and having surrendered all the property to the Master made His decision of formal surrender a reality. The Master was also pleased to accept His devout devotee.

The Third Master remained with Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji for some time. Wherever the Master went, He took Him with Himself and granted Him the opportunity of His personal service. The Third Master also obeyed the Second Master fully and devoted Himself to His service so much so that He became entitled to the blessings of the Master. The Master was immensely pleased to see His sense of renunciation and love. During those days the Third Master was neither worried about rest during the day nor sleep at night. It has been recorded in Kathopanishad:-

(Hindi quote)

The Self cannot be realised through intellect or the knowledge of various scriptures etc. He alone can realise it, to whom the Self (or the Guru) is kind. To him alone the Self reveals its real form.

It means that it is with the Guru's grace alone that one can realise one's Self. But to win the Guru's grace it is necessary that one should be an ardent follower of the principles of Bhakti and earn His favour and pleasure by following His instructions faithfully. The author of the Upanishad is of the view, that only he can know God, who is most anxious to meet Him, who has no other desire except for Him, who does not involve his mind in any worldly affairs and leads his life as the Guru ordains. By serving the Master to the latter's entire satisfaction, he wins His grace and love. To abide by the Guru's instructions is the main principle of devotion. The Third Master acted on these lines and proved that the repudiation of the dictates of mind is a must in order to carry out the instructions of the Guru. This alone is the easiest and the best method to attain Guru-Bhakti.

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SADHU'S GARB

Shri Sadguru Dev Ji Maharaj, the Second Master, desired that He should spread the light of the eternal flame of 'NAM' from place to place. This desire was given a practical shape at Lakki Marwat in 1920 A. D. Having bestowed the Sadhu's garb on some of the deserving devotees, the Master formed a group of Sadhus at Lakki Marwat. A few of them were sent to different places for the propagation of satsanga. He also permitted them to initiate the deserving souls into the secret of 'NAM' for their uplift.

In those very days, the Master bestowed on the Third Master the Sadhu's garb at Lakki Marwat in 1920 A. D. or Samwat 1977 B. K. and gave Him the name of Shri Swami Vairag Anand Ji. The Third Master's heart got filled with love. The Second Master bestowed on Him also the service of conducting 'Satsanga' and initiation. Along with this, He also observed, "Go to Fortsandeman, Baluchistan and Sind to awaken the people there. Do the work of satsanga and initiate the deserving souls in Your own name. Some people will raise an objection to it, but pay no heed to them." Separation from the Master was unbearable for the Third Master, yet to earn the former's pleasure as well as to live by His instructions, He acted as He was directed. He had been permitted to show the path of salvation to the people in His own name, but this made no difference for Him even on acquiring such a high status.

While sending Him to Sind, The Second Master had observed, "The persons, born in Kali-Yoga, are weak enough. They can reach the destination not by virtue of their own efforts but by the grace and kindness of the Sadguru. Therefore, whosoever, seeks initiation into the 'NAM' should be given liberally. Meditation on True 'NAM' never goes waste. It positively bears fruit, whether in a day or in a year or in a longer period. The seed of NAM positively takes root and would take root. Propagate the NAM to one and all. My blessings are with you."

The Third Master set out on the long pilgrimage of spiritual service with the permission of the Second Master. Its real deep import was known to Shri Sadguru Dev Ji alone and therefore, from the very beginning He permitted Him to act that way.

Peculiarity in action was in the foremost with Him. From the very childhood, He had a bewitching nature, coupled with a handsome and well-built body, a strange aura on His face, an attractive smile playing on His lips and a sweet melodious voice. Who could desist from being attracted by this Divine beauty and magnetic appearance ? It appeared as if the Second Master had cast Him (The Third Master) in His own mould. The creator was Himself surprised to see that Divine beauty and that too in a Sadhu's garb. In this dress His shining face looked all the more graceful. Divine splendour was visible on His forehead. Nature has grown a variety of flowers in the garden, but rose, the king of all the flowers, rules the garden, in its own majestic way by attracting one and all. Similarly, the Third Master ruled the garden of human hearts in His peculiar way.

As per instructions from the Second Master, He reached the Railway Station of Ruk via Fort Sandeman and Baluchistan. There He met Bhagat Seth Banna Mal Ji.

The Seth Ji took Him to Lakki where they both stayed at a dharamshala. Firstly, when they reached the dharamshala, the Pandit in charge of it, refused to accommodate them. The Master instructed Bhagat Ji to ask the Pandit to accommodate them only for one night. Bhagat Ji, as desired, managed to arrange for accommodation for that night. The Master immediately started to work for propagation of spiritualism there and Pandit Ji was the first to be initiated by Him. By the night, the deserving souls, were automatically attracted towards Him and feeling helpless, they came there. When that Divine personality advanced His steps in any direction, the magnetic rays emanating from His graceful body, forcefully attracted the people's heart. Then the loveful devotees began to hover round Him like the black bees on the lotus flower.

By the time the next day dawned, Pandit Ji's heart was full of faith and love for the Master as He felt as if he had discovered his lost thing. He requested, "Lord ! This is Your own place. Kindly stay on." At his request and also to quench the thirst of loveful devotees, the stream of satsanga was made to flow there day and night. The devotees started bringing variety of delicious preparations and other things and offered them at His feet. Such offering and the faith of the devotees, put Pandit Ji to a great surprise, because he had not seen till then a Mahatma with such a Divine beauty, who could influence the people so soon. Whatever offering was brought by a devotee, whether that was the bread of maize or barley or sweets. was accepted by Him gladly. He distributed the same among all and felt happy over that. That increased the faith, love and confidence of the people the more. He conquered the devotees' heart by His mere glance. Whosoever came to Him with full faith or got His company, forgot Himself. Pandit Ji's own heart was now full of happiness and as such, what otherwise could he think about others ? After eight days when the Third Master was about to move to some other place, Pandit Ji insistingly said, "Deen Dayal Ji (uplifter of the downtrodden) ! Consider this place as Your own and kindly continue your stay to oblige us." This indicates how much the Pandit had been influenced by His personality. While On the first day he was not prepared to accommodate Him even for the night, at that time he was not prepared to be separated from Him.

The Master had only stepped in Sind at Lakhi. He was yet to carry the light of spiritualism to the whole of Sind. The people of Sind by nature are inclined towards the Sadhu Mahatmas, therefore they adopted the path easily. They, who had been misled by ignorance, became very happy on meeting Him-an embodiment of love. Their age-long thirst had created that occasion. Within a short time the Master established a Satsanga Ashrama in Sind and learnt the Sindhi dialect also. The seed of devotion to the Guru, which had been sown by Him, began to blossom day by day. Hundreds of seekers and devotees began to bathe in the stream of 'NAM-Updesha'. Cosequently His fame spread throughout Sind and the neighbouring areas. Groups of devotees began to arrive from far and near for His 'Darshan' and Satsanga. He usually observed:-

(Hindi quote)

Living beings are born in human form according to the impressions of their actions in the previous births. There is great difference from person to person Some of them are like gems and others like pebbles.

In other words, whosoever in human form, did not make efforts to achieve the object of his life, and did not develop the urge for realising Self or God, was preparing to enter into eighty four lac forms again. The saints have classified such people as pebbles Those who secured the priceless gem of 'NAM' in the sacred company of the saints and practised that, were like gems. The price of a gem is known to the jeweller alone, which is a very precious stone, and as compared to that, what value does a pebble carry ? The real value of this human life is known to the saints alone. They alone enable a man to evaluate this gem. The worldlings waste it like pebbles, in the sensual pleasures and attainment of 'Maya'. The saints observe:-

(Hindi quote)

Two types of destinies can be achieved in this beautiful human body. Either the man gets ensnared in the worldly affairs or releases himself from that snare, and crosses the ocean of mundane existence.

The way to cross the worldly ocean is revealed by the Great Saints of the times. Persons, who have secured the company of the saints are the elevated and deserving souls. These deserving souls alone can evaluate the gem of human form. The Great Saints also observe that a living being should achieve the object of human life and cross this worldly ocean in this very birth.

Thus, the Master was making the Ganges of Satsanga flow and the deserving souls or the devotees were benefiting themselves by bathing in it. He was busy in the propagation of 'NAM' throughout Sind.

Once He went to village Bhain from Lakhi and stayed with Bhagat Kakkumal and Bhagat Phirand Mal Ji, After some time, He got an Ashrama also built there. At night He used to go for meditation daily at a lonely place on the bank of a stream and during the day conducted satsanga. Although a Self-realised Soul, He acted formally for the benefit of the human beings; which the intellect of a layman could hardly comprehend. A devotee, who was in His personal service thought that Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji took rest (slept) like other people at night, got up in the morning and conducted satsanga. While He always instructed the devotees to meditate regularly, none knew as to when He meditated Himself. He yielded such an influence over the hearts of the devotees that there was no room for any one else to enter. His -personality was so majestic and graceful that people were attracted towards Him automatically. None could understand as to what the reason was. Several times a devotee took the courage to ask Him something, but the moment he was in His presence, he forgot everything.

On the other side, the Master conducted the satsanga work during the day time and at night, when the whole world was asleep, even His own personal attendants also, He used to go out for meditation. Away from the Ashrama, He had prepared a seat for Himself near the dam, where He used to sit for meditation; and returned to the Ashrama before anybody got up, so that none could know about that. The conduct of the Great Saints from the times immemorial is:-

(Hindi quote)

That which is night to all beings, and when the entire world sleeps, the 'Yogi' or the self-controlled one fixing his attention on God, keeps awake. Where all beings are awake, that is the night for the Sage (Muni) who sees everything of the world in its real form.

It is night for those who enjoy the short-lived worldly comforts and pleasures, but it is day for the Yogis who seek God. Such Yogis get absorbed in meditation at a peaceful and lonely place at night. In other words, that which is night for the worldly people, is the day for the Yogis, because during the day, while doing spiritual work, they take rest only for a while. In Ayodhya Kanda of Shri Ramayana, Shri Luxmana, while edifying Gooh (The chieftain of boatmen), observed:-

(Hindi quote)

This world resembles a pitch dark night, due to the darkness of illusion being prevailed throughout. In this dark night (of the world) only the Yogis keep awake, who are free from illusion and are the seekers of Truth and Reality; while all other beings of the world remain absorbed in deep slumber.

Once it so happened that the same devotee got up at night and was surprised not to find the Third Master on the 'Palang' (cot). After looking for Him here and there, he thought to himself that the actions of Great ones were beyond one's intellect, and that the Master must have gone to the house of some devotee to bless Him. While awaiting His return, he again fell asleep. Thus for three or four nights he woke up at night, and did not find Him on the Palang, but on getting up in the morning, he found Him there. There arose a curiosity in his mind as to where does the Master go at night ?

The next day he kept on waking during the night. When the Third Master got up at night to go, he also followed Him quietly. When the Master reached His proper place, he (the devotee) saw that a wooden support (an Aadhari, on which the Yogi takes support while in meditation) was standing erect by the side of His seat. The Third Master sat down on His seat. He closed His eyes in meditation and got absorbed in His inner peace. The devotee also sat down nearby at a hidden place and kept on watching Him. When the Master returned, the devotee saw the 'Aadhari' (wooden support) standing as before. He thought of going near the 'Aadhari' to examine it. When the Master passed by Him, he secretly stepped aside, and after the Master had gone back without seeing him, he went there. The seat was of kusha grass and was covered with a white sheet. The 'Aadhari' was standing quite erect on it. He shook it out of curiosity, but that was immovable like the Sumeru mountain. He examined it from all sides, whether it had been nailed down any where, but it was not. Then he shook it with full force, but could not succeed. He could not lift the 'Aasana' (seat) of kusha grass even by an inch. He bowed to the 'Aasana' and returned. Again and again he looked back to see if the `Aadhari' was still standing. But the 'Aadhari' was busy acting on the Master's command and was awaiting the advent of the night, so that the Master could come and oblige it. The devotee went back to the 'Aasana' and bowed to it again and again and praised the 'Aadhari' in the following words:-

(Hindi quote)

Oh, Aadhari ! You are busy in meditating upon the Lord just like a Yogin. You are fixed up at a place like the immovable Himalayas (this implies the stead-fastness of the mind in its determination to serve the Lord). Although, a lifeless thing, you are teaching a novel lesson of love to all and are also teaching a novel way of being faithful in love.

When that devotee, feeling very much ashamed, returned to the Ashrama, he prostrated in front of the Master. The Master smilingly asked, "Oh, dear one ! Where had you been ?" He bowed again and again and asked forgiveness and said, "Lord ! My mind deceived me. You have always been kind to me and therefore, I ask your forgiveness." The Master observed, "It is not proper to test the Saints. The mind is one's enemy since numerous births. It deceives one at every step and leads him to degradation. It is the mind that does not permit one to follow the path of Devotion. A devotee of the Guru should not be taken in by it. To test the saints is to deceive oneself." The devotee begged pardon once again.

The Master blessed the whole of Sind and Baluchistan by His spiritual discourses while in sadhu's garb, by remaining firm on His path. Besides, He put thousands of persons from Dera Ghazi Khan on the path of devotion. Thousands of seekers became His disciples. He got Ashramas built for the propagation of satsanga, in Sind at the following places:-

(1) Lakhi, Distt. Sukkur, (2) Village Bhain, Distt. Sukkur, (3) Sukkur city, (4) Garela, Distt. Larkana, (5) Godhara, Distt. Larkana, (6) Nasirabad, Distt. Larkana, (7) Vehova, Distt. Dera Ghazi Khan, (8) Mari, Distt. Sukkur.

At these Ashramas, the devotees came daily in the morning and evening to attend satsanga and resorted to meditation also both the times. Some deputed persons looked after the need of the Ashramas with full devotion. At times, the devotees used to request Him to bless them in person there. At their request, He used to go and stay for a few days at each Ashrama to conduct satsanga. Wherever He went, huge crowd attended His discourses. He would continue delivering spiritual discourses in such an enchanting way that the devotees forgot to take their food

even. Devotees, who came from long distances, stayed there for days together. Arrangements for board and lodging at those places were made by the selected devotees. Whatever offerings in the shape of kind or coin, were made by the devotees, all was given for use in langar (Common Kitchen) at 'Chakauri Sant Ashrama', in accordance with the instructions of the Second Master. He laid down such ideals to strengthen the path of Guru Bhakti, as instructed by Lord Krishna to Shri Arjuna in the 3rd chapter of the Gita:-

(Hindi quote)

( 3/21 )

Oh, Arjuna ! Whatever the Great ones do, the common people also copy them. Whatever is established by the Great ones, is followed by the common people.

In other words, the Third Master adopted the same principles, which were essential in the path of Guru Bhakti. When he had surrendered His body, mind and wealth to the Master, after being initiated. then everything belonged to the Second Master. To abide by the Second Master's instructions and to live to win His pleasure became the only aim of life for the Third Master. Whatever was offered to Him by His devotees, He offered the same at the feet of the Second Master. He used to say that after entrusting every thing to the Master, one should only devote oneself to Bhakti. Dhani Dharam Das Ji has also said in 'Guru-Mahima':-

(Hindi quote)

One should surrender one's all to the Guru and should devote oneself to Bhakti alone. In other words, one should seek the protection of the Master with full faith and affection. One should remain contented with what the Master gives for one's sustenance.

Sometimes the devotees offered costly dresses and valuable things to the Third Master and insisted on their use by Him, but He used to reply, "Whatever good thing I shall get, I shall offer the same to the Sadguru. You offer those things to Me and I offer them to My Master."

The devotees were highly impressed by these sentiments of faith and service. Whenever, He used to go for the 'Darshan' of the Second Master from Sind, a number of devotees accompanied Him. The Second Master was very much pleased to see their love and faith. The Third Master taught the path of renunciation to His devotees and filled them with the sentiments of indifference to the world and its vices.

From time to time, He came to have 'Darshan' of the Second Master. Once the Second Master, was at Chakbandi and Bhakhrewali. The Third Master went to have His 'Darshan' and requested Him to pay a visit to Sind. Granting the request, the Second Master visited Sind. At His request, the Second Master bestowed Sadhu's garb on a few faithful and deserving souls of Vehova and Sind. The Third Master's devotees were highly rich and opulent people. Even then, He exhorted them to follow the path of simplicity and renunciation. The devotees offered Him very rich and delicious food, but He always liked maize bread and simple vegetables, and ate the same fondly. The devotees, who saw His living at that time, say even today that the Third Master ate maize bread and 'Saag' in the morning and observed, "Eat and see, how delicious they are. Such a taste cannot be had even in most delicious sweets and other eatables. Simple food keeps the mind pure." Therefore, the devotees, by and large, brought simple food for Him to eat.

His faith in and love for the Second Master was of very high order. Once He was at Garela, Distt. Larkana. At Garela, most of His devotees were not only very faithful, but also very rich. One of them Shri Jammiyat Rai, had purchased a car. In the evening, when the latter went for an outing, he also took the Third Master for the same, Who went three or four times with him and then after thinking something He left going in the car. Bhagat Jammiyat Rai, who was very faithfully devoted to Him, asked Him the reason for not going in the car. At first, He did not specify any reason, but on seeing the devotee's deep faith, He replied, "Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji, the Second Master, goes out either on foot or on horse back and here, I go in car. This does not look proper to Me at all." His sense of truth and fidelity influenced the devotee so much that he requested, "If you kindly permit, l may present this car to Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji, the Second Master. This car was purchased only a short while ago. However, if you desire a new car can also be purchased."

The Third Master observed, that if something was to be presented to the Master, the same should be new and should not have been used even once. To present such a thing to the Master would be far better. In the end, after tendering the necessary advice, He accompanied the devotee from Larkana to Lahore at his request, where a brand new Dodge car was purchased and sent to the Ashrama at Pagala in Distt. Gujranwala, where the Second Master was at that time.

This took place in 1933 A. D. The Second Master had then gone to Sant Ashrama, Pagala, to bless the devotees there by His 'Darshan' as well as through His spiritual discourses. When the Third Master and Bhagat Jammiyat Rai reached there with the car, The Second Master observed, that He did not need the same and that He enjoyed walking on foot. However, the Second Master had to accept the car in view of the great faith and affection of the Third Master and Bhagat Ji. Bhagat Harnam Singh Ji (later, Mahatma Puran Shardha Anand Ji) knew driving. Therefore, he took the Second Master for the evening stroll in the car. The Third Master, Bhagat Ji and all other devotees, felt very happy on seeing the Second Master seated in the car.

From there, the Third Master was to return to Sind with the permission of the Second Master, for spiritual work. Therefore, Bhagat Ji also desired to go back with Him to Garela (Sind). There, the Third Master got busy in delivering spiritual discourses to the devotees. Sant Rajjab Das Ji says:-

(Hindi quote)

The saints, the stream and the clouds move like a bird. Wherever these three go, they make the atmosphere cool and calm.

The devotees of the Third Master had utmost faith in Him. To His such deserving souls, who were involved in the worldly affairs, but had keen desire for spiritual enlightenment as well, He went Himself to guide them on the right path. One of them w as Bhagat Hazari Mal (now Mahatma Param Vivek Anand Ji).

The Third Master was delivering spiritual discourses at Bichanji. There was a village, Bhirkan, at a distance of about five or six miles from there, where people used to go and return on foot. The means of communications were not so easy then. In fact there was no arrangement for any type of conveyance. One devotee used to walk to that village daily for some work. The Master informed that devotee about His desire to accompany him, who prayed, "Lord, it is summer season. The earth is very hot. You will be put to much inconvenience by walking on foot. It would be better if you kindly postpone this visit to some other time." The Third Master replied that the thought to visit that village had arisen because of some urgent work. Therefore, He was to reach there anyhow. The devotee did not understand the hidden significance of that and kept quiet. So, the Third Master reached village Bhirkan along with that devotee.

On reaching Bhirkan, He went straight to a school, where students were busy in their studies. He threw a glance on all the boys in the school and on seeing Bhagat Hazari Mal, who was a student of seventh class, observed, "This boy seems to be pure of heart and will be of much use to us." He called Bhagat Hazari Mal near Him and talked something to Him. All the students of the school were surprised to see as to what had happened to Bhagat Hazari Mal, because on meeting The Third Master, his eyes became full of a strange ecstasy. He instantaneously, became a black-bee of the lotus feet of the Third Master, Who initiated him and having told him the address of the Ashrama, returned. On returning from there, the devotee, who had accompanied the Third Master, said, "Lord ! If you had stayed on here and not gone to Bhirkan, thousands of people would have attended your satsanga and the day would have yielded fruit, but by going to village Bhirkan, the day has been wasted." The Third Master replied, "Dear one ! you are talking of one day, but the aim of My visit to Sind has been fulfilled today. In future when this boy will start working on the spiritual path, he will do good to many." On hearing this, the devotee fell at His feet and asked forgiveness saying, "You alone know as to what is going to happen in future. Kindly forgive my mistake." Afterwards when the interest and devotion of Bhagat Hazari Mal Ji increased, he talked about the Guru's teachings to an old man, who lived there and who was very much respected. The old man sarcastically remarked, "Have you been initiated by Him, who bestows the inner light within the time that one takes to ride a horse ?" That old man though ridiculed Bhagat Ji, yet how wonderful that was, that the Master bestowed knowledge to free a person from the snares of illusion within such a short time, that the example of the same was not easily available.

Bhagat Hazari Mal Ji, once, went to Lakhi for the 'Darshan' of the Third Master and narrated his talk with the old man to Him. He smilingly observed, "I have to look to the Divine order and not to Baba Ji. He has to do his work and I have to mind mine."

The Great ones can peep through the future. They make their souls march on the path of salvation.

How wonderful it is, that to realise that God, to reach Whom the Yogis, the Rishis and the Munis resort to severe spiritual practices and even then the realisation is not so easy, the same assuming the garb of a saint, Himself goes in search of the seekers !

Bhagat Hazari Mal Ji (Mahatma Param Vivek Anand Ji) tells that in 1936 A.D. he suffered from the disease of tuberculosis and that he was admitted in T.B. Hospital. He remained there under treatment for seven months but in vain.

(Hindi quote)

As the treatment progressed, so did the disease.

The doctors informed him that his disease had reached the third stage and that the same had become incurable. Bhagat Hazari Mal Ji thought that since there was no hope of survival, he should pass his last days in the service of the Master. From the T. B. Hospital he went straight to the Ashrama at Lakhi and started rendering service there. One day he thought that if he could have the sacred 'Darshan' of the Master, before death, that would be a great luck. At that time the Third Master was at Nasirabad and the satsanga work had much increased there. But when the Third Master received Bhagat Hazari Mal's letter, He sent Mahatma Anmol Dharam Anand Ji to Lakhi to bring him to Nasirabad.

When Mahatma Anmol Dharam Anand Ji reached Lakhi Ashrama, he saw that Bhagat Hazari Mal was having 103 temperature and there was no conveyance available to reach the railway station. When Mahatma Ji gave the Master's message to Bhagat Hazari Mal Ji' the latter's happiness knew no bounds. He forgot all about his fever and got ready to accompany Mahatma Ji. The railway station Ruk was at a distance of about five miles from there and the train was to arrive there short]y. They covered the distance of five miles almost running and caught the train. The devotees of Lakhi had forbidden Bhagat Ji to go in that condition, lest his condition might worsen on the way. But Bhagat Ji did not listen to any one. When he reached the station, the temperature went down automatically and all were surprised at it. That temperature, which could not go down despite long treatment by the doctors went down that day and after some days the disease also disappeared. Bhagat Ji was totally cured. Dr. Bodh Raj Ji, who had treated him, met him every now and then and while praising the Third Master, said that where the doctors failed, the blessings of the Master worked wonders.

Bhagat Hazari Mal Ji, then surrendered himself at the lotus feet of the Master and began to serve the Durbar whole-heartedly. Later on, The Third Master blessed him with the Sadhu's garb and named him, "Mahatma Param Vivek Anand Ji." Even now he is serving the Durbar day and night, with full faith and devotion.

Thus, the Third Master spread the light of 'NAM' throughout Sind from one corner to another. Since He was propagating the 'NAM' in His own name, in accordance with the instructions of the Master, His Photograph was installed in the house of every devotee throughout Sind. Other Mahatmas, who had been sent out to other places for satsanga and propagation of 'NAM' by the Second Master, were doing so in the name of the Second Master. During their visits to Sind some of the Mahatmas saw that the Third Master was propagating the 'NAM' and initiating devotees in His own name and was getting His own Photograph worshipped. There arose some doubt in their mind.

Once Mahatma Dharmatma Anand Ji who could not contain that doubt any longer, narrated all what he had seen at Sind, to the Second Master. Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji observed, "He is doing everything according to My instructions. None should have any doubt about it. Who has the power to do so without the necessary instructions ?" The Mahatma begged to be excused. Afterwards, when he also saw the growing grace of the Third Master, the said Mahatma started serving the former with full love and faith. Mahatma Dharmatma Anand Ji, thus served the Durbar till his last breath.

The Second Master paid a visit to Sind at the request of the Third Master. There the devotees of Sind made a request to the Second Master to bestow His own Photograph for worship there. The Third Master, at that time, was in His personal service. Replying the request of the devotees, the Second Master, pointing towards the Third Master, observed, "Whatever Photograph you have, is proper." In other words, He indicated that the Third Master was perfect and that there was no difference between Him and the latter.

The Third Master displayed His superhuman powers while in Sadhu's garb. Whosoever came in His inspiring company, forgot himself. None could comprehend at that time whether He had been formally declared the spiritual successor of the Second Master. Since His birth He was a reincarnation of Paramhansa. How strange, that while He Himself was always eager to have the 'Darshan' of His own Preceptor-The Second Master; the seekers and devotees of Sind craved for His 'Darshan' ! He made the devotees drink such an intoxicant of loveful devotion, that they became overwhelmed with the inner joy. Often, highly placed persons were seen running after Him. On seeing them so eager for His Darshan' the common people (who were not yet on the path), were surprised as to what super. human power He yielded which attracted them automatically and none remained in his own senses. Those who were mad after Him, did not care for the worldly respect or disrespect. People, out of love and respect, called Him a magician also. It was no exaggeration as He really wielded such a magic of loveful devotion on the people that they, having lost themselves in that peculiar intoxication, desired to continue to be in the same state of mind. That inner pleasure, which the recluses, persons with super-natural powers, Yogis and 'Tapasvis' seek through severe practices and which they do not get even then, was acquired by His devotees through His 'Darshan' alone. This characteristic of His had its impact on the devotees till the end. Whosoever, saw His graceful face and to whomsoever He talked once or twice, forgot Himself, and was dyed in the hue of loveful devotion.

His fame had widely spread in the areas around Sind, because He carried the message of devotion to every town and village through His extensive tours. Having heard about His fame, Seth Tara Chand, a resident of Shikarpur (Sind) came for His 'Darshan'. He became one of His most faithful devotees. He had a large business concern, which had its branch at Quetta (Baluchistan) also. Seth Ji had built a few residential 'kothis' at Quetta. Whenever, Seth Ji went to Quetta, he prayed to the Master to visit that place to bless the people there with His inspiring satsanga. On Seth Ji's request, the Master visited Quetta several times. There He benefited a number of people by His satsanga and initiated them into the path of Devotion. People became His devotees in large number.

Amongst those devotees, one Khan Sahib, Kaikabad Ji (Parsi) and his daughter, Parveen, had great faith in Him. Khan Sahib was the political agent of the British and thus enjoyed a high status. Whenever the Master visited Quetta, Khan Sahib along with his daughter accorded Him warm reception at the railway station and took Him to his house. So long as the Master stayed at Quetta, he took Him for an evening stroll daily in his car and thus benefited himself and his family by the Master's 'Darshan' . When the latter left Quetta, Khan Sahib came to see Him off at the railway station.

Once when the Master was to leave Quetta for some other place, Khan Sahib was very busy in an important official work and hence he could not reach the railway station in time. But he was quite restless in his mind and therefore, he left that work incomplete and hastily came to the station. Khan Sahib had hardly reached the station that the train whistled to move onward. Khan Sahib enthusiastically ran towards the compartment, in which the Master was seated. As the guard saw him running, he stopped the train and Khan Sahib was able to reach Him. Khan Sahib bowed to Him, touched His feet and got himself blessed. The people, on seeing Khan Sahib running on the platform, got highly surprised as to why a person of such a high status was running like an ordinary man. At that time Khan Sahib took notice of none. How could he think of any one or anything else when he was parting with Him, Who had bestowed on him the inner peace and Who was his spiritual Master ? Khan Sahib's only desire at that time was to touch the feet of the Master and have His blessings.

The fact is, that a true devotee has no other attachment than that of his own Master. He feels so much overwhelmed with the love for the Master that he considers all worldly respect and disrespect, gain and loss, false as compared to the inner peace and true love. Khan Sahib was also dyed in the same hue of true love, which the people could easily see manifest in him. In order to cool down the mental restlessness of Khan Sahib, the Third Master made two or three observations in the compartment. Khan Sahib touched His feet, benefited himself by His 'Darshan' for a few moments and also heard a few soothing words from the Master's lips; and thus, managed to quench his spiritual thirst. After that the train departed and Khan Sahib returned to his work.

The Third Master returned to Sind. There He set His heart on carrying the spiritual light from village to village. He sent a request to the Second Master at 'Chakauri Sant Ashrama' to pay a visit once again to Sind. At His request, the Second Master paid His last visit to Lakhi (Sind) in 1934 A.D. For the propagation of spiritual work, the Second Master had already permitted the Third Master to initiate the people in the latter's own name. Now He started indicating the same to one and all. The Second Master was staying in a room on the first floor of the Ashrama at Lakhi and used to give His 'Darshan' to the devotees by coming down only once a week. After blessing the congregation with His 'Darshan' for a short while, He used to go out for a walk. Devotees would come for his 'Darshan' from far off places. One day the whole congregation of devotees requested the Second Master to deliver a spiritual discourse Himself. The Second Master smilingly observed, "In the worldly affairs, you must have noticed that one, whose son becomes grown up and capable of handling the father's work, entrusts his whole work to his son and becomes care-free himself. Now this dear disciple of Mine (pointing towards the Third Master) has become able in all respects. He will now deliver spiritual discourses to You and l will take rest. Whosoever will listen to Him and practically follow His instructions, will be entitled to My blessings."

None could understand the real import of the words of the Great Master, as to which kind of rest He was referring to. Only when the Second Master renounced His mortal frame in 1936 A.D, the devotees could understand the same. In Sind the Second Master celebrated the festival of Deepawali in the year 1934 A. D. Thereafter He returned to 'Chakauri Sant Ashrama', delivering spiritual discourses to the people on His way back and initiating them into the path of devotion. After the Deepawali festival of 1934 A.D., the Second Master called all the Sadhus of the Sampardaya (line) to 'Chakauri Sant Ashrama' and announced there the name of His spiritual successor. He referred to the Third Master as His spiritual successor in the presence of all of them. The same has been described in detail in the foregoing chapter.

ln January 1936 A.D., the Second Master was at Delhi. He called the Third Master there from Sind according to His own wishes. On the Third Master's arrival there, talks continued for two or three days in loneliness between the two. After two days the Second Master said to Mahatma Sat Vichar Anand Ji, who was present there. " He (pointing towards Shri Swami Vairag Anand Ji Maharaj) will be My spiritual successor. Reveal this decision to all the Mahatmas, Bais and the whole congregation of devotees of the Durbar at the proper time in consultation with Him (The Third Master). Obey Him in every way. Although I have given sufficient indications with regard to Him in the presence of all the Mahatmas, Bais and others at 'Chakauri Sant Ashrama', yet you have to declare it openly in the presence of all, while conveying My blessings to all."

Mahatma Sat Vichar Anand Ji prostrated at the feet of the Second Master and prayed, "Lord. forgive all the mistakes, committed by us-ignorant ones." The Second Master, while conferring His blessings, observed, "I am very much pleased with your faithfulness. You are serving the Durbar faithfully. Continue to do the same."

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SPIRITUAL SUCCESSION

Considering the Third Master a perfect embodiment of all virtues and the possessor of the highest spiritual stage, the Second Master conferred on Him all the spiritual powers and became carefree Himself. After that the Second Master, at Nangli Sahib, left for his heavenly abode on 9th April, 1936 A.D. or 28th Chet, Samwat 1993 B.K., as mentioned in the foregoing chapter.

Two months & 24 days after the sad event, Mahatma Sat Vichar Anand Ji was the first to read-out the 'Hukam Nama' at 'Chakauri Sant Ashrama' to the congregation of the devotees. Then, according to the old traditions, Shri Swami Vairag Anand Maharaj Ji was given the 'Raj Tilk' as the Third Master of the Sampardaya (system) on 3rd July, 1936 A. D. or 20th Asaarh, Samwat 1993 B. K. the auspicious Friday of Asaarh Shudi Chaudash. After that. Aarti Puja was performed, and that very day Bhandara (community free langar) was arranged in the sacred memory of the Second Master. The next day, on 21st Asaarh, 1993 B. K. or 4th July, 1936 A. D. (Saturday)-Asaarh Shudi pooranmashi, the festival of Vyas Pooja was celebrated.

The restlessness of the hearts of the devotees was beyond description until the Third Master ascended the throne of spirituality. On the one hand the devotees were weeping in the memory of the Second Master, and on the other hand, having no definite idea about their future support, they thought themselves in the midst of a storm. The Third Master also spent that interim time at Shri Nangli Sahib. Since He Himself remained very much grief-stricken out of His deep love for the Second Master, none could understand as to who was to be the successor. Therefore, the moment the Third Master ascended the throne, the restless minds of the devotees became cool and calm. Now that they had found a strong support, there appeared a new ray of hope in the minds of all the devotees.

After having ascended the spiritual throne, the Third Master widened the scope of satsanga and initiation. During the first two years He toured the Punjab and Sind. The festival of 'Vyas-Puja' was celebrated at 'Chakauri Sant Ashrams' and thereafter the Master again returned to the Punjab. During this period He visited every Ashrams in the Punjab. How fortunate were those places where the Almighty came from the 'Anami Lok' (unknown country) in the form of a Saint to sanctify them.

How curious are the ways of the Great Souls that Shri Paramhansa Dayal Ji Maharaj, the First Master, Who was born in Bihar, made Teri in N.W.F.P. the centre of His spiritual discourses. The same town of N.W.F.P. became the birth place of the Second Master. Again, the Second Master, having been born at Teri, made Lakki Marwat the centre of His spiritual preachings. At the same town Lakki Marwat were born the two Great Personalities, the Third and the Fourth Masters. The Second Master again, made the Punjab the centre of His spiritual activities and the Third Master also remained there for some time. In the same Punjab was born the Fifth Master, Shri Hazur Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji.

The Third Master worked day and night and fully implemented the orders of the Second Master. From 1936 A. D. to 1939 A. D., He toured the Punjab, Sind, N. W. F. P. and U.P., wherever the Ashramas of the Sampardaya were, at the request of the Mahatmas, who were conducting the satsanga work and the devotees of those places. These requests were from Teri, Dera Ismail Khan ( in N. W. F. P. ), Lakhi, Garela, Godhara and Nasirabad (in Sind); 'Chakauri Sant Ashrams', Bhabara, Peepal Bhutta, Pagala, Bhureaki, Gandhowal, Dela Chattha, Harnoli, Multan, Vehowa; Kotli, Mohammed Saddique, Gondal etc. (in west punjab). He fulfilled the desires of all by giving His valuable time there. Now all these places have remained in West Pakistan.

Once the Third Master was present at Nasirabad. After some time He ordered Mahatma Param Vivek Anand Ji to go to Jhampir Distt. Karachi (Sind) for the propagation of satsanga there. Mahatma Ji went as per instructions of the Master. Thereafter the Master, on His way back from Karachi, at the request of Mahatma Param Vivek Anand Ji, stayed for two days at Jhampir. Satsanga was held at night. A large number of devotees turned up. While addressing the congregation, the Master observed:-

"Oh Gurumukhs ! As water has no colour of its own; whatever colour you put into it, the same is assumed by it. If you put yellow colour into water, the colour of the water will become yellow and by putting red colour, it will become red. Similarly, mind has no shape or colour of its own. It also assumes the same shape or colour, which is given to it. The mind becomes polluted in bad company, and pure in good company. When the love of God resides in mind, the works of this and the other world are easily fulfilled. As every one desires that all his work should be well accomplished, he should try to purify his mind by regularly attending the satsanga. Mind is purified by the Name of God, which one comes to know in satsanga. The Saints have enjoined that ,NAM' abides in satsanga, in the following words:-

(Hindi quote)

(Gurbani)

In reality the satsanga is that where only the true 'NAM' is dealt with. Oh, Nanak ! The Divine orders are that only one 'NAM' should be recited and that 'NAM' is revealed by the Sadguru alone.

By listening to satsanga there arises an urge in one's mind to get initiated into NAM'. When the urge increases, Nature also helps and he comes in contact with the Sadguru. A fortunate devotee after getting the NAM' from the Sadguru, practises it and gets released from the cycle of births and deaths and thus acquires true happiness. This is the true aim of human life."

After the congregation of devotees had left, the Master asked Mahatma Param Vivek Anand Ji (then in Bhagat's robes), "Is satsanga held here every day ?" Mahatma Ji replied, "Lord ! No satsanga is held here daily." He observed, "Does it deserve to be called a city, where no satsanga is held ! You must start the satsanga work here." Mahatma Ji said that he did not know how to conduct satsanga: however, he had faith that the Master, who had asked him to do it, would also grant him the necessary power and knowledge to carry on the same.

Mahatma Ji accordingly talked to a few people of that town about starting the satsanga. They replied that earlier many literate Mahatmas had made efforts to start satsanga there, but had failed. That land was rocky and the hearts of the people were also made of stone. Mahatma Ji narrated all that to the Master. The Master observed, "Precious stones like rubies and diamonds remain buried under the rocks and their origin is also from the stones, but they are extracted and secured only through hard labour." The Master then left for some other place.

After the Master had left that place, the work of satsanga was started as per His instructions. On hearing the fame of the Durbar slowly and slowly the deserving souls started coming there, after pushing away the stones of attachment and illusion. The long and short of it is that the seekers by and by started coming to satsanga. Within a short time the number of devotees increased and satsanga work started on firm footings. An Ashrama was built for the devotees, where hundreds of devotees started benefiting themselves. The people of Jhampir remarked, 'that the work, which could not be done earlier by anybody, was accomplished by the mere hint of the Master. Doubtlessly Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji had matchless power. Many people of Jhampir city and the neighbouring area surrendered themselves to the Master and while serving Him, they were blessed with Sadhu's garb also. Mahatma Amar Satya Anand Ji and Mahatma Amar Sukh Anand Ji were notable among them. While serving the Durbar devotedly, they put a number of people on the spiritual path.

The Master was the knower of the Three Worlds. He had foretold that through hard work precious stones could be taken out of the mountains. He knew His deserving souls and that the occasion was created for uniting them with Himself. That alone was His aim in getting the satsanga work started at Jhampir. None can understand the working of the minds of the Great Ones.

The Master, then reached Hakkal, Distt. Jammu, on 14th May, 1939 A. D. After blessing the deserving souls there with His nectarean sermons for a couple of days, He left for Srinagar. He journeyed by car, which was followed by a bus carrying the Mahatmas. He had hardly covered a distance of about fifteen to twenty miles from Jammu, when the axle of His car suddenly broke. There was no other go but to send the car back to Jammu for repairs. The Master then travelled by the same bus which was carrying the Mahatmas, up to village Katra, where His halt was only for a short period of three days. During His stay, He benefited the people with His spiritual discourses. Village Katra is situated on the road that leads to Vaishno Devi and in those days quite a large number of pilgrims had halted there on their way to Vaishno Devi. They all attended the satsanga constantly and benefited themselves by His spiritual discourses. The charm and dignity of His majestic appearance fascinated the audience very much. They all thought themselves fortunate for having got an opportunity to listen to Him and admitted that the saints came to this mundane plane only to guide the people to the right path. Many of the pilgrims sought initiation into the technique of 'NAM'.

After three days the car, duly repaired, arrived from Jammu and the benevolent Master continued His journey by car. From Katra, He reached 'Lake Vairinag' breaking journey on the way at Bataut and Kud for one night at each place. Lake Vairinag is the source of river Jhelum. Showing all the worth-seeing places there to the Mahatmas, He reached 'Anant Naag'. In Kashmiri parlance 'Naag' means a spring or fountain, therefore most of the places there carry the suffix 'Naag'. At 'Anant Naag' the Master delivered spiritual discourses for two or three days. During this short period, He once went to Pahlgam in the day lime and returned to Anant Naag at night. A few lucky souls at this place became His disciples. They requested Him to prolong His stay there for a few days more. The Master obliged them with His stay for two days and then proceeded to Srinagar.

At Srinagar, the ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Harisingh had a number of bungalows built in Badami Bagh. Mahatma Sat Vichar Anand Ji and Mahatma Yog Parkash Anand Ji went to the palace of the Maharaja, but since he was out of station, they met his secretary, who was well known for his credulity and reverence for the saints. He came with the Mahatmas for the Master's 'Darshan' and felt blessed on getting such a privilege. The secretary allotted one bungalow for His stay there and provided all necessary facilities. Arrangements for the Master's stay were made at the upper storey of the bungalow, and all the rest were accommodated in the ground floor. The secretary also made full arrangements for their boarding on behalf of the state Govt., and engaged four Brahmins to cook the meals.

Daily at night satsanga was held. The secretary would bring with him other dignitaries also to listen to the Master and enjoy His Holy 'Darshan'. They all benefited themselves by His spiritual discourses. Without any reservation, they eulogised the Master and some of them even got themselves initiated into the technique of 'NAM'. Many Brahmins extended invitation to Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji to sanctify their houses with His presence, but He would smilingly tell them to enjoy His company there alone.

Once a group of Brahmins pressed Him hard to accept their invitation and sanctify their home. Keeping in view their utmost credulity and affection, Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji accepted the invitation and went to their place alongwith His devotees. The eatables were all cooked in sweet oil. When they served the meals, they felt so ecstatic that they poured hot sweet oil over the vegetables. Everybody enjoyed the meals. The Master stayed there for two or three hours and then returned to the bungalow.

At night when the Brahmins came to attend the satsanga, one of the devotees casually asked them the rate of ghee there, saying that they (the Brahmins) had over saturated the vegetables in ghee that morning. They replied that it was customary with them to make all preparations in sweet oil, and as such, they had used oil only in their preparation and also poured oil on the vegetables that morning. This gave a surprise to them all, as none of them (the guests) could make out whether it was ghee or oil used in the preparations. This fact was made known to the Master also, who said, "This goes to prove the peculiar characteristic and speciality of utmost faithfulness, reverence and love. Had they used water even in place of oil today, even then that would have gone undetected. Only utmost faith and reverence are agreeable to and liked by the saints." Thus, the Master Himself praised their faith and reverence.

The Master stayed at Srinagar for about three weeks. The secretary took the Master alongwith the Mahatmas for a round to show them the most important places, such as Chashma Shahi, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar garden, Harven Lake, Dull Lake etc., and benefited himself with the casual remarks and enchanting countenance of the Master.

Once the Master went to Pir Panchal mountain for a stroll. He was accompanied by the Mahatmas. It was summer season. Even then, several cliffs of the mountains were covered with snow. Melted snow was flowing down in the shape of small rivulets from the mountains to the valleys. The Master encamped near the Pir Panchal mountain and addressed the Mahatmas and the Bhagats, "Do you see the form of water on the mountain cliffs ? How it has changed into rivulets ? Wherefrom this water comes and where does it go ? Snow is a condensed form of water. When this snow melts to form small rivulets, its water is very pure. These rivulets, while coming down the mountains get together and go by the name of a stream. When the stream flows into the plains, sand and dust get mixed with it and make it dirty. Thus, the stream passing through the rocks, stones, and sandy dunes for hundreds of miles, falls into the ocean. It takes rest by merging itself (when it loses its separate entity) with the water of the fathomless ocean and once again it appears quite pure. But a stream, which does not run towards the oceans, is controlled through a dam and is converted into rivulets and canals. That water cannot merge with the ocean. Similarly the soul is a part of God. But when the soul takes birth in a human form, illusion casts its veils on it. That man, who with the grace of the Master, crosses the illusory obstacles to be one with God, gets peace after realising God, But a human being, who is inclined towards illusion, and gets attached to it, remains restless and miserable for innumerable. births. Therefore, it behoves every human being that while keeping his target in view, he should make all efforts in accordance with the instructions of Sadguru to reach his destination." Having made these observations and after moving in those areas for some time, the Master returned from there.

The sewadars, (attendants), who had come with Him, went to roam in the mountains once or twice and saw the beautiful scenes. A few Mahatmas caught sufficient cold there and they became somewhat ill. Two or three Mahatmas recovered soon, but Mahatma Santosh Anand Ji grew very ill. On the 15th June 1939 A. D. the Master left Srinagar for ,Chakauri Sant Ashrama.' He visited Gulmarg and Khilmarg on His way to Baramula, where He reached at night and stayed there for three days. He then proceeded to Kohmari via Dumel, and reached there on 19th June 1939 A. D. There at Kohmari, Mahatma Dharmatma Anand Ji used to conduct the satsanga work, and he learnt about the arrival of Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji only two days earlier. Mahatma Ji, alongwith a large number of devotees from Rawalpindi, was waiting on the road side for the arrival of the Master, and the devotees had also made adequate arrangements for the meals and short repose for the Master and the party. Though the devotees from Rawalpindi requested a lot to the Master to break journey there for a ;couple of days, but since the festival of Vyas Puja was at hand, their request was not granted. The Master however, told them that He would fulfil their desire at some other occasion. He animated them to accompany Him to 'Chakauri Sant Ashrama'. Some of the devotees, as they were, got into the bus accompanying Him to 'Chakauri Sant Ashrama.' Thus, the Master returned to the Ashrama, after a month, on 24th June 1939 A. D., blessing the people on His way.

The festival of Vyas Puja was to be celebrated there. Mahatma Santosh Anand Ji's condition was very critical. One or two days before the Vyas Puja, when there was no hope of his survival, Mahatma Satgur Sewa Anand Ji requested the Master at night to give 'Darshan' to Mahatma Ji. The Master was at that time in the room on the first floor of 'Chakauri Sant Ashrama'. He came down and gave 'Darshan' to Mahatma Ji. Mahatma Ji, shiveringly, said these words, "I have still a desire to serve." The Master observed, - You are recovering. You have surely to serve after recovery." All were surprised to see that when his survival was difficult, how would he serve ? The Master went upstairs. Mahatma Ji's condition remained critical during the whole night. As the day dawned, he felt a little better and gradually recovered. Even today he is serving the Durbar most devotedly.

After celebrating the festival of Vyas Puja at 'Chakauri Sant Ashrams', the Third Master went to Garela ( Sind ) where the Deepawali festival was to be celebrated. From there He went to Dela Chattha in Distt. Gujranwala in the last week of October 1939 A. D. Many devotees of the Punjab came there for His `Darshan.' After staying there for a few days, the Master left for Shri Anandpur. At Dela Chattha, He had sent for some commodities and utensils etc. for use in the kitchen, and tents and some beddings for the devotees, from 'Chakauri Sant Ashrams'. Instead of sending all these goods back to 'Chakauri Sant Ashrams', the Master desired to carry them with him to Shri Anandpur. Mahatma Akhand Parkash Anand Ji, prayed to the Master, "Lord ! What is the need of carrying this luggage to Shri Anandpur ? Much labour would be involved in carrying that to Shri Anandpur and then in bringing back the same. The needs of Shri Anandpur would be fulfilled by getting things from that side." The Master replied, "Who has to return here ? Carry all this with you. Besides this, if some more goods are lying with them (at Chakauri Sant Ashrama), the same should also be sent to Shri Anandpur."

As per His wishes, the entire luggage was carried to Shri Anandpur. On the way to Shri Anandpur, at Gwalior in Park Hotel, in the evening, the Master revealed to Mahatma Roshan Anand Ji, in seclusion, 'Whole of the world and especially our country is passing through a great turmoil, therefore I would not go back to the Punjab, and would like to keep you also at Shri Anandpur. Now onwards, you need not go out for satsanga." Mahatma Ji most humbly replied, "Bhagwan ! Whatever work (Sewa) is entrusted to me, I shall gladly undertake that."

On reaching Shri Anandpur, the entire luggage was put to use. Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji, disclosed His wish to the residents of Shri Anandpur that a lot of work had to be done there. Therefore so long as they all would not stay there permanently, the work would not be completed. But the Master, although knowing it, did not indicate anything to anyone about the partition of the country, which was to take place later on. In 1947 A. D., when the country was partitioned, all realised as to why the Master had asked them to carry everything to Shri Anandpur. The secrets of Nature are known only to the Masters of the Nature-Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji.

AT SHRI ANANDPUR

The land of Shri Anandpur had made piteous appeals to the Master to come there. In response to that call, the Master came there to sanctify the land with His grace and love. Two or three years after the accession to the spiritual

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Gaddi at 'Chakauri Sant Ashrams', the Master, all at once, thought of making His stay permanent at Shri Anandpur. On one side Shri Anandpur was restless because of its thirst for the Master's love and on the other side, the ties of love of Sind were binding the Master. He celebrated the festival of Deepawali of 1939 A. D. in Sind. This was His last Deepawali there. He had a letter written to Shri Anandpur that immediately after the Deepawali He would reach there. The residents of Shri Anandpur and every particle of the land there were overwhelmed with joy. Whenever and wherever the Great ones set their feet, that time is of greater importance than that of the festival itself. Because:-

(Hindi quote)

The saints celebrate the festival of Deepawali daily in the 'Sat Loka' (a higher spiritual plane). All other proposals are of 'Kaal' and mean nothing except raising dust unnecessarily.

In that very land of Shri Anandpur, the golden words of the Second Master were imprinted everywhere. To make those words a reality and to teach the lesson of love, renunciation and service, The Third Master came there in November, 1939 A. D. The devotees were immensely pleased on His arrival there. The rocks, trees and leaves also sang the song of welcome. The destiny of the land, which had remained deserted for ages, was full of thick jungles, and was thirsty for the love of the Master, was to be awakened now.

The first festival of Shri Guru Puja was celebrated there in 1940 A. D. Groups of devotees came there from N. W. F. P., the Punjab, Sind, U. P. etc. The Master addressed them on the auspicious occasion of the festival:-

(Hindi quote)

Being involved in the worldly affairs, many lives of ours have been wasted in separation from Thee, Oh Lord ! May this life be dedicated to Thee alone.

The Master said, "You have devoted innumerable births in the service of 'Kaal and Maya', but all these lives have gone a waste. Now try to devote at least one birth-the present life, in the service and company of the Saints and see the result for yourself."

(Hindi quote)

(Shri Kabir)

This body is a poisonous creeper and the Guru is the store-house of nectar. Even if one has to give away one's head to get the Guru, one should consider it the most profitable bargain.

Continuing His discourse further, He said, "If 'Maya' could afford peace of mind to anybody, the saints would not have bothered so much. And had the loss incurred by an individual through his indulgence in -Maya' also been negligible, even then they would not have minded the same. But the fact is that this deception caused by 'Maya' has occupied the minds of the worldlings since lives together, which urges the saints to warn them.

It is only due to the good deeds of one performed in crores of lives, that the union with the Guru has been possible. And if such a rare chance of accumulating the wealth of Bhakti, is also wasted in vain pursuits, it is more than regrettable. Dhani Dharam Das ji has also said:-

(Hindi quote)

Due to the influence of Bhakti the restlessness and the other vexations of Dharam Das have disappeared; but this happened after the union with Sadguru Shri Kabir Sahib. Such a union is possible after the accumulation of virtuous deeds in crores of lives.

He continued further:-

"I do not advocate for the renouncement of your wealth, property and family, but I wish to free you from their attachment, because this attachment alone is the source of misery. In return for them, I wish to bestow upon you the treasure of devotion, peace and happiness. Whosoever, relegated his burden to the Master, the Master takes up full responsibility for him. Ask an opulent man whether he is happy ? Riches have neither provided happiness to anyone so far nor will they do so in future. Now what do you want, Bhakti, or wealth ?"

All present there expressed their desire for Bhakti. The Master observed that whosoever wanted Bhakti, should have to abide by His instructions. If all were keen to attain Bhakti, then His efforts were rewarded:-

Again He observed:-

"Gurumukhs should not be taken in by the mind and illusion. From illusion and attachment to one's family, one will get only what they possess. They have nothing to give except misery and anxiety. The duty of the saints is to free the devotees from the clutches of illusion and to bestow Bhakti upon them in return. The fact that the Sadguru frees His disciples from the ties of illusion and bestows upon them Bhakti is not a hidden secret. It is open to all. The Great ones would always advise that you should not adopt the company of those who induce you towards the snare of the mind and illusion. The saints always advocate for the renunciation of attachment and illusion and to adopt the path of love and devotion."

Continuing He exhorted, "You should therefore, act on the instructions of the Sadguru. The saints advise you to resist the temptations of illusion. One who resists them is truly brave. You are brave. Do not be coward. Do not even think of illusion. If the instructions of the saints are ignored, you would be the loser, as you would become slaves of illusion. The saints advise that instead of becoming slaves of illusion, you should become its masters. The worldlings feel pleasure in the slavery of illusion. But mark how much difference there is between a Master and a slave ? The saints therefore, make you the Masters. You are all Gurumukhs, and should not be taken in by the illusion. You should do Bhakti, and earn the pleasures of the Master and become His image. This is the essence of knowledge and the real wealth of a human being is Bhakti alone."

After hearing the Master's soothing sermon, all felt very peaceful. All the devotees were filled with a new enthusiasm for Bhakti. All drank the nectar of the Master's words to their hearts' content and in the end filled the atmosphere with the 'Jaikaras' or slogans of victory unto the Master. The Master opened the treasure of service. He blessed all the permanent residents and those who had come for 'Darshan', with the fortunate chance of service. At the site of the work, the Master used to sit Himself either on the Palang (cot) or on some seat to supervise. His presence inspired the devotees all the more and they engaged themselves in that service with new zeal and full devotion.

The groups of devotees, who had come from N. W. F. P., Punjab and Sind, once again requested Him to pay visits to their provinces. The Master replied, "The times are about to change now. It will be profitable for you to shift your business to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. I have to do a lot of work at Shri Anandpur, hence I have no intention to go that side." Some of the devotees, who had come from outside, felt disheartened and hence they returned. Others started doing business in Madhya Pradesh in pursuance of the Master's instructions. When no changes took place in the country during the next four or five years, they also got ready to go back to N. W. F. P. and the Punjab. The physical comforts, which they had in the Punjab and N. W. F. P., they could not get in Madhya Pradesh. Their business also did not flourish too much in Madhya Pradesh. To some, the climate of Madhya Pradesh did not suit. Therefore, except a few families all others started going back. Shri Mohan Lal Makhija, a resident of Multan, was also among then. He, at first, lived in Madhya Pradesh but in 1945 A. D., he returned to Multan.

A famous astrologer, who was a very close friend of Shri Mohan Lal Makhija, asked him as to why he had returned to that side ? His astrologer friend also told him that that was the time for him to go to Madhya Pradesh. Then he openly said, "Having faith in your Master, you should not have come back." Shri Makhija could not read in between the lines, nor anybody else realised the significance of the Master's words at that time. The devotees recalled the words of the Master only after the partition of the country.

Afterwards what happened in 1947 A. D., is known to all. What difficulties and calamities the people of that side had to face is a secret to none.

They lost their all including wealth. houses, property etc. and returned to India empty-handed, saving their lives alone. When those very people came to Shri Anandpur for 'Darshan' after 1947 A. D., they prostrated at the feet of the Master and asked His forgiveness. They said, "Lord ! We did not realise what You had said earlier and for that we have been punished." The Master replied:-

(Hindi quote)

(Shri Kabir)

Those who have faith in the Master, the Master is always with them. 'Kaal' may raise crores of storms for them, but their minds never stagger.

"To have faith in the Master's words is the wealth of the Gurumukh. I had observed all that for your benefit. Those, who believed My words, were benefited. Thank God that your lives have been saved."

It is beyond the intellect of human beings to understand the import of the Master's words till He Himself reveals the same to the devotees. A human being cannot grasp it with the help of his own intellect or wisdom. In every caprice of His some important import is hidden. The Master had given three or four indications in connection with the partition of the country, but none could comprehend them.

He had built an Ashrama at Lakhi, in District Sukkur much earlier. Some additions were made to it in 1937 A. D. When the Master came to Shri Anandpur in 1939 A. D., He desired that all the articles of the newly constructed portion of the Ashrama at Lakhi, such as doors, windows, girders etc. should be brought to Shri Anandpur. The Master was sending Mahatma Yog Roshan Anand Ji to Sind for some work in 1940 A. D. He asked him to bring those goods to Shri Anandpur. Mahatma Yog Roshan Anand Ji went to Lakhi, conveyed the orders of Shri Guru Maharaj Ji to Mahatma Bhagti Dhyan Anand Ji, and returned to Shri Anandpur. When Mahatma Bhagti Dhyan Anand Ji, Mahatma Amar Prem Anand Ji, and the devotees of Lakhi heard the Master's orders, they were much surprised that the new construction had taken place only three years ago and why did the Master think of the demolition of the same ? But they obeyed the orders, demolished the newly constructed portion and sent all the wooden and iron goods to Shri Anandpur by train. The Master knew the secret as to what work was meant for what times. One or two devotees asked something with regard to that house from the Master, but He gave no reply. After the partition of the country, everyone realised as to why the Master decided to send for all those goods to Shri Anandpur. What the Master meant was that whatever could be used for the spiritual uplift of the people was profitable. But in 1940 A. D. everybody had been surprised at the Master's instructions. It is true that human intellect cannot comprehend the actions of the Master.

From 1930 A. D. to 1939 A. D., the protected families cleared only a small portion of land at Shri Anandpur to build cottages for their living. On all sides there were thick forests of Aak, Tendu, Dhak, Plash and Keekar trees. Along with that the land was rocky and there were huge mounds. After coming to Shri Anandpur in 1939 A. D., the Master arranged for the cutting of the thorny bushes and the plants of Aak, Tendu etc. So that the area for inhabitation could be enlarged. All were surprised to see as to how that forest would be inhabitated. Gradually the interest of all of them increased and all of them participated in that work. The protected families were very happy to find the Master among them. While living in that thick forest, they would sometimes think whether there would be any habitation in that place or only those few families would continue to live there.

The Third Master had called the Bais (female sadhus), living at Shri Anandpur to 'Chakauri Sant Ashrama' in 1938 A.D., and had sent them for satsanga and propagation of the Master's Word to different places. In 1940 A. D. when the Master was at Shri Anandpur, a devotee enquired, "Lord ! Shall we be able to see the groups of sadhus again in this part of the land ?" The Master replied, "Why worry about it ? A time will come when the word Anand' will be added here with every living person and gross thing. (In other words all the living beings here will be sadhus and even the inanimate things such as school, press etc. will have 'Anand' added to their names.) There will be a lot of people and gaiety here, as is at Lahore now." The devotee was surprised to hear all that and thought as to who would accept the wilderness of that place by renouncing the colourful atmosphere of the world ? He little knew that wherever the Lord of 'Maya' would indicate, the creation of 'Maya' would follow Him there. That was an ordinary thing for Him.

Today all that is a reality before us all. Whosoever is graced with the sadhu's garb, the word 'Anand' is added to his/her name. The names of gross things at Shri Anandpur, such as Anand Middle School, Shri Anand Dham, Shri Anandsar, Anand Printing Press etc. have 'Anand' with their names. The fact is that at a place where the atmosphere is always full of bliss, how can any other name suit there ?

The Third Master then opened the way for the people to seek protection. He influenced everyone with His nectarean words and reiterated the same theories and principles as were laid down by Lord Krishna and Lord Rama in their own times. Maharishi Patanjali had also suggested that after controlling the mind from sensual pleasures, one should seek the protection of the perfect Master to develop Vairagya (detachment) and to practise Abhyasa (meditation). The Third Master Himself observed, "One who once seeks the protection of the perfect Master, cannot be deceived by 'Kaal' and Maya'. He is not the least afraid of 'Dharamraja' or Yamdoot (messenger of the god of death). Rather 'Dharamraja' is afraid of him." Lord Krishna has also said:-

(Hindi quote)

Whosoever firmly decides for once to seek My protection, I free him from all the fears.

He has further advised his dear friend, Arjuna:-

(Hindi quote)

(Gita 3/30-31)

Renouncing all your actions in Me, with the mind centred on the Self, free from hope and egoism, free from mental fever, engage yourself in fight.

Those men who constantly practise this teaching of Mine, full of faith and without cavilling, they too are freed from the bondages of actions.

The Third Master also tendered similar advice to His devotees to wage war against illusion and for gaining Bhakti. He also said that if any one sought the protection of the Master, leaving aside all desires, the Master freed him from all the worries. In other words, controlling of mind and detachment were the inseparable parts of a protected person. To train the mind in obedience to the Master's instructions and His service were essential. This was what they called Guru-Bhakti' or Devotion to the Guru. For acquiring spiritual knowledge, He laid stress on the sincere repetition of NAM within or Bhajan-Abhyasa (meditation). It has been, said:-

(Hindi quote)

Sap the gross ties of the world through Guru-Bhakti or devotion to the Guru, and the subtle ties of the mind will be cut asunder through the repetition of 'NAM'.

Thus a number of people, who were eager to attain Bhakti, became devotees on listening to the above placid words and also by the bewitching and graceful countenance of the Master. They offered to surrender themselves with all their belongings at. the feet of the Lord. The Master acceded to their requests and granted them protection. In this way, many families sought His protection and began to serve the Durbar with heart and soul.

The Third Master prepared the development plan of Shri Anandpur, keeping in view the instructions of the Second Master. The whole jungle was to be cleared and the area was to be covered with fruit-bearing trees, green flowery gardens and beautiful buildings. The devotees and the newly protected persons had already set their heart on the work. They were ever ready to carry out the Master's instructions. The Master therefore. concentrated all His attention on this development work. Work to replace the cottages by pucca buildings was started. Along with that, land was cleared and wheat and other grains were sown in the fields to meet the requirements of the protected devotees. At first, the cultivation was unmechanised. Gradually the means were improved and all types of facilities became available there. Now the entire cultivation is mechanised.

First of all, scarcity of water was experienced. There was a Government built well there, but it got dried during the summer. To make up this deficiency, water was brought in metallic tankers from Chak Kulwar and Chak Shantpur, situated at a distance of one and a quarter miles. Trees and plants were watered with the help of buckets and pitchers. The devotees were unable to understand as to how the ordinary necessities of life would be easily available there. The articles of food and cloth in those days were purchased from Isagarh, situated at a distance of 3 miles from Shri Anandpur. However steps were taken to grow the articles of daily needs at the Ashrama. This meant a lot of hard work for the devotees. Sometimes when they were tired of digging the rocky land, the Master said to them:-

(Hindi quote)

The eternal Raj (rule) is of the Maharaj, which carries away all obstacles. Whosoever has a doubt in his mind, is obstructed from progressing.

Thus the devotees and the protected persons felt inspired all the more to devote themselves in the work of service whole-heartedly. The result was, that within a few years land was cleared for building the living quarter, sowing the crops and laying out the gardens. Boundary walls were constructed all around the Ashrama of Shri Anandpur. The cottages were replaced by houses built of bricks and . stones. Some signs of greenery also began to be noticed. At that time the number of protected persons could be counted on finger tips. Travelling to Shri Anandpur from Sind, N. W. F. P. and the Punjab appeared to the people of those provinces, as if they were going to a foreign country. Even then a large number of faithful devotees used to come for the Master's 'Darshan'. In the beginning only the festival of Vyas Puja was celebrated at the Ashrams. Although the life of the protected persons at the Ashrams was simple and hard, but that life could be had only by the fortunate ones. How fortunate were those, who came under the protection of the Master at that time ? The Master of the three worlds, the Emperor of the hearts of the devotees, Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji was with them in the form of a Perfect Saint, indulging in inimitable spiritual sports. He distributed the 'Prasad' on every occasion with His own hands. He made them sit near Him and entertained them. His 'Darshan' (presence) was always available. He Himself walked to the places, where the devotees worked. The Lord, whom the Yogis and Tapasvis searched in forests, by standing in water or remaining in a topsy-turvy position, the same Lord, bound by the love of the devotees, was always by their side.

There was a devotee, who once heard the Master saying that whosoever wished to please the Master, should engage himself in service with heart and soul, and the supernatural powers would run to him automatically. Why should he worry about food and clothing ? The responsibility for these things had been taken by the Guru-Durbar upon itself from the very beginning. Hearing this, that devotee engaged himself in the service of the Durbar so deeply that if any one called him, he used to say that he had no time to spare. One day all of a sudden the Master went there in car at noon. All the devotees were in a short recess to take food and rest. That devotee also took some food and immediately got engaged in work again.

The Master gave Bhog-Prasad (Hindi quote) to all. He called that devotee also. Being busy in 'Sewa', he did not know as to who was calling him. He replied as usual, "I have no time to spare." The Master was very happy to see him fully absorbed in service and sent the 'Prasad' to him where he was. On seeing his faith, determination and sense of duty, the Master observed, "One who serves the Guru-Durbar with heart and soul, attains his destination soon." Then he specially called him near and gave him a lot of `Prasad' and remarked, "It is incumbent upon one to draw the maximum advantage out of the human life, which is not easily available. 'Sewa' is the only real wealth of a devotee, which he may collect as much as he likes. Not a single minute should be wasted. By uniting the attention with 'Shabad' and engaging the body in Guru's service, one becomes firm in concentration and thereby attain one's goal. This is the real duty of the gurumukhs." That devotee took the 'Prasad', listened to the Master's words, bowed and once again got absorbed in 'Sewa'.

The Bhagats from those families, which had sought the Master's protection in 1931 A.D., requested the Master to grant them Sadhu's Garb. The Master bestowed the garb on the deserving ones. When a Bhagat was given the Sadhu's garb, other members of his family felt extremely happy. The Third Master Himself also felt very happy because the Second Master's instructions were being materialised. All the protected ones who had been made sadhus were kept together for sometime, and were given instructions on team work, and the goal of their life i-e., selfless service and Bhakti. When the Master saw them practising the same in daily life, He sent two or three of them each to a 'chak' and asked them to improve the conditions there.

Some of them went to the chaks in accordance with the Master's instructions with full faith in His protection Others expressed that they were afraid of wild animals in .the thick forest. Whenever they heard the tigers roaring they got terribly frightened. The Master, the destroyer of fear, remarked, "Whosoever has the Master's 'NAM' with him, has nothing to fear. Whenever and wherever you feel fear, think of the Sadguru. He is always with you. The power of Shri Paramhansa Dayal Ji is with you. Therefore, work fearlessly. The Sadguru is always by your side." At this all the devotees went to their assigned duties.

Once Mahatma Gopal Shardha Anand Ji, Mahatma Gian Amar Anand Ji and a few more devotees were working at 'Tasbawali chak'. They used to work there during the day and returned to Shantpur at night, which practice they followed for some days. But after seven or eight days, they decided by mutual consultation, to stay for the night also at the 'Tasbawali chak' itself and so they did. Having built a circular wall of empty barrels around them, they kindled fire and slept by its side. One night, when all had gone to sleep and the fire was no longer burning, a tiger intruded into that circle quietly without being noticed by anyone of them. The tiger all of a sudden stood on the chest of Mahatma, Gian Amar Anand Ji, who at once cried. On hearing the cry, Mahatma Gopal Shardha Anand Ji, who was sleeping nearby, got up and gave a fist blow to the tiger. The tiger ran away out of fear. No life was lost, but the impression of the tiger's claw was imprinted on the chest of that Mahatma.

It was all due to the blessings of the Master that they had been saved. Can they pay back His debt of kindness ? It is a matter for consideration, whether a tiger has ever been afraid of a fist blow. It was all due to the unlimited kindness of the Master. They were saved because they were the devotees of the Perfect Master. The pleasure, one gets in obeying the Master's orders, cannot be had elsewhere. Param Sant Shri Kabir Sahib has said:-

(Hindi quote)

He who regards the 'Sadguru' as his saviour and protector, and acts according to His behests, such a devotee need have no fear in all the Three Worlds, says Kabir.

When they came to Shri Anandpur, they narrated the event to the Master. The Master observed, "Whatever one has done in the previous birth, its reaction has to be undergone by him. When one seeks the protection of the Great Saints, the magnitude of the reaction is minimised (Death by hanging is converted into thorn-pricking). The protected ones do selfless service in the company of the saints, so that the reactions of the previous lives may not be troublesome to them in the next birth."

The wounds of Mahatma Gian Amar Anand Ji were dressed at Shri Anandpur. Some people advised him and his other colleagues not to go to 'Tasbawali' again. Mahatma Ji was in a fix as to what to do. While he was face to face with the problem mentally, the Master Himself made the following observations at night in the presence of all the devotees:-

"Every work should be done with good intentions and sincerity. The devotee should go on doing his work unmindful of the result. He should not be afraid if he gets harmed and suffers any loss. He should maintain equanimity. In other words one has to face both, trouble and comfort. When he meets comfort, he should march ahead instead of getting involved in it, and remain free from fear, while in trouble."

"He should continue to serve with full faith. Trouble and comfort, both are tests. The higher the devotion, the harder will be the test, or in other words, he will have to face more trouble. It means that the devotee should not lose his mental equilibrium both in pleasure and grief, criticism and praise, and trouble and comfort."

"The Sadguru ever blesses all. It depends on the devotee as to how much he is capable to derive it. He would have it as much as he deserves. As one drop of oil, when dropped in water goes on spreading and showing various kinds of colours, so, to the extent, the intellect will act on the words of the Master, it will acquire that much power to benefit itself. Therefore, one should act sincerely with good intentions without losing one's mental equilibrium in trouble and comfort and criticism and praise."

The Master had said all this of His own accord. The minds of the devotees became calm after listening to Him. Mahatma Gian Amar Anand Ji sought permission to go to Tasbawali to work and he did go there. He set his heart in that service with fresh zeal.

It does not mean that the Master suggested the developments of Shri Anandpur (i-e., the clearance of the land, its cultivation, preparation of beautiful parks, and construction of buildings etc. there), as being the aim of Guru-Bhakti. Rather He gave a new shape to selfless service for the attainment of Guru-Bhakti. He taught the lesson of selfless Karma-Yoga'. As water to thirsty, food to hungry and the sleep (even on stones) to a tired person gives pleasure, so He bestowed limitless joy on those, whose minds were caught in the clutches of illusion since numerous births, by purifying them through selfless service and by giving them His Shabad or 'NAM'. Having purified the mind with selfless service, when the devotees sat in meditation, they felt the beatitude automatically. This can be experienced only by those devotees, who have practically treaded this path.

As reaching one's destination by treading the high and low mountain passes and uneven ground, full of thorny bushes, is much more difficult as compared to the passage through an even ground; so it is difficult to purify the mind without selfless service or 'Sewa'. Service to the Master is an even foot-path, by walking on which one can reach one's destination easily.

The Master's instructions were, that along with service or sewa, one should sit in meditation daily in the morning as well as in the evening. How compassionate are the Great Saints towards the devotees ? The Great ones are born only with the mission to uplift others. It is beyond the scope of one's intellect to estimate their greatness. The Master named the path as Guru-Sewa, but hidden in it is our salvation. Did the Master develop Shri Anandpur for Himself ? No. He developed the great Ashrama to put us, who are sinners, and of low morals, on the right path, so that we, who are caught in the snares of illusion, may get light from there and be able to reach our destination. He underwent numerous inconveniences only for the benefit of us all. He descended from the 'Anami Lok' only because he could not afford to see His dear souls treading the wrong path. He arranged for all that development in response to the piteous calls of such souls. See, what a change He has brought about in the land, where even drinking water was not easily available. In this very land, whenever it rained, it carried away the cottages, and in the summer season, the scarcity of drinking water was acute.

In May 1941 A. D., once Mahatma Satgur Sewa Anand Ji, Mahatma Yog Atma Anand Ji, Mahatma Akhand Parkash Anand Ji, Mahatma Yog Parkash Anand Ji, Mahatma Roshan Anand Ji, and a few Bhagats went to the well, sunk by the Gwalior State in that land, to bathe. They put off their clothes and rubbed their bodies with oil. When they started drawing out water from the well, they found it completely dried up. They put their clothes on their shoulders and started back homewards. The Master came in car from behind. He got the car stopped and asked, "What is the matter ? Wherefrom are all of you coming ?" The Mahatmas humbly replied. "Oh, Kind Lord ! We had gone to take bath. Since there is no water in the well, we have returned." The Master observed, "There is no need to worry. A day will dawn here, when there will be taps in every house. The Government taps give water at the fixed timings, but the taps here will provide water for all the twenty four hours. There will be so much water here that during summer even the tanks would be full." At that time all this looked like a dream. The devotees lost in such golden dreams, awaited the time, when the Master's words would become a reality. Today those dreams have taken concrete shape before all. If all that has not been for uplifting us, then for whose betterment is it ?

The Master had firmly filled the hearts of the protected devotees of Shri Anandpur with the sentiments of service. Many seekers, who came there for Master's 'Darshan', were surprised to see the practical life of the devotees. All the devotees of Shri Anandpur worked selflessly according to the instructions of the Waster to earn His pleasure. This was also witnessed by the then Revenue Minister of the Gwalior State. The full details are as follows:-

The Revenue Minister of the Gwalior State came to inspect the chaks of Shri Anandpur, Shantpur and Dayalpur in 1941 A. D. The Third Master arranged a car for him to go so far as the road permitted. Where the path was uneven, a bullock cart was provided for him. When the Revenue Minister came, Mahatma Puran Shardha Anand Ji took him in car as long as the car could reach. After reaching the uneven road, the car was stopped. The bullock cart was waiting there. The Minister got down from the car and sat in the cart. The Minister was immensely surprised to see that the same car driver who had hitherto driven him in the car, was now driving the bullock cart. He inspected the 'chaks' quietly.

After inspecting the chaks the Minister desired to have the 'Darshan' of the Master. The devotees conveyed the request to the Master, which was granted. When the Minister came in the presence of the Master, he expressed his surprise saying that he happened to see new thing that day, which he had not seen earlier in life. He said that the drivers of the cars of the officers did not even clean the cars themselves. A servant had to be provided to them for that purpose. But the driver provided by the Master here first drove the car and later on the same person started driving the bullock cart. Training of such a high standard was neither seen nor heard of elsewhere in the world. It was a matter of great surprise to him, that the driver of the car had no sense of vanity at all.

After leaving Shri Anandpur, when that Minister reached Gwalior, he informed all the Ministers of the State in a meeting, about that incident and said that the residents of Shri Anandpur did all types of work without discrimination or hesitation even. If the people of our country imbibed the same spirit, the condition of the country would change for the better. As his own servants never did anything without being asked, how could the driver of the car be ready to do any other thing ? To clean the car was regarded as an insult by him, while at Shri Anandpur to drive a car or a bullock cart was the same for the car driver. That continued to be the topic of talk for many days in the Gwalior State.

After the Minister had gone, the Master told the devotees, "A devotee should serve the Guru Durbar without making any distinction between one type of sewa or another. Whether the work was of a higher status or of cleaning the utensils of the langar or sweeping the floors, he should have no hesitation to do it. It is only then that one benefits oneself by service. It creates good effect on one's own mind as well as on those of others." Quoting the example of the Minister of Gwalior State, the Master observed, "What a good impression the Minister had carried about the devotees of Shri Anandpur. All should act in the same manner. A devotee should consider all works alike. Thus, no work will be a cause of vanity. All types of service of the Durbar are alike. To consider one type of service superior and another one as inferior is a deception of the mind. You have to save yourself from being taken in by such deception. This will benefit you as well as those who will see and hear of you. You should be ready to do gladly and without any hesitation any work that is assigned to you by the Master."

Two years had gone by since Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji came to Shri Anandpur. The devotees of N. W. F. P., Sind and Punjab made requests to Him to visit their provinces, bat the Master did not accede to their requests. A large number of devotees from these provinces came to Shri Anandpur for His 'Darshan' on the auspicious day of Vyas Puja in 1942 A. D. These devotees requested the Master, "Lord ! The remaining devotees of our places, who could not come here for some reason, are yearning for Your 'Darshan' as drying and withering fields yearn for water." The Master smilingly said, "The devotees, who have come here, are returning with full happiness from here. Those, who have not come, have linked their attention with the Sadguru, thus they are deriving their spiritual food from here. They won't wither away. They are prospering by deriving much benefit, because their attention is fixed on the Sadguru."

"Wherever one's attention is fixed more firmly, one surely gets that thing. By linking one's attention with the Master, one derives one's spiritual food. Thus, both the categories are being benefited equally."

By saying so, the Master was revealing the hidden import that the Master had two appearances, one gross and the other subtle. In gross appearance He came to us in human form and in subtle, He always went, wherever He was remembered. He abided with them, who remembered Him. He could not be away from them even for a moment. Thus, He quenched the thirst of His devotees both, apparently and secretly. Having heard all this the devotees felt very happy. After a few days they returned to their places with the permission of the Master.

Once in 1944 A. D., some devotees came to Shri Anandpur for 'Darshan'. One of those devotees was a Govt. Officer. He came for 'Darshan' from the Punjab. He informed Mahatma Satgur Sewa Anand Ji, in charge of Management at Shri Anandpur, that he could not bring a servant with him and therefore, desired for being provided one. Mahatma Ji replied that there was no arrangement of servants there. However, he would depute one of the boys of protected families in his service, to render him all types of service and he would not be inconvenienced in any way. Mahatma Ji, thus, deputed one boy (Prem) in the service of that officer. That devotee remained at Shri Anandpur for eight days and the boy did every work for him.

On the eve of his departure, the officer came to the Master and in the presence of many people said, "Lord ! we engage servants at home and pay them, but rather than working they cause inconvenience to us. However, the boy here, who has served me constantly for eight days, ryas informed only on the first day as to what was to be done for me and at what time. After that I found everything done at the proper time. Cleaning the room, fetching tea etc. for me, cleaning the utensils, fetching food for me from the kitchen and whatever other work was assigned to him, I had not to remind him for that. The significant thing is that these children have no greed whatsoever in their mind. It is for the first time in my life that I have seen a person working with no selfish motive. Being an officer, I have to get work from the servants done at home as well as in office, but even after getting full salary they do not work properly. However, here where there is such a spirit of selfless service in a child, what high principles of selfless service will be found in elders, can well be imagined. I have several times read in the Gita that Lord Krishna had instructed Arjuna to act selflessly. I often thought as to how that could be possible. Now I have seen with my own eyes that a concrete example of selfless service is available here at Shri Anandpur Durbar. Here everybody is discharging his duty without any sense of selfish gain. Such a high standard of training, which has been imparted to all, has made their lives very fortunate. Besides, all what I have seen here in eight days is praiseworthy. All discharge their duties very properly. Another significant thing is that from a child to an old man, none is without work here. All reach their duties

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without being checked by anyone. Everyone is calm and quiet even while doing routine work."

This is an example of how the Master infused a new spirit of enthusiasm among all the devotees of Shri Anandpur. From 1939 to 1946 A. D., the Master got a portion of Shri Anandpur cleared of the thorny bushes, secured houses built for living and arranged to increase the production of food grains there. The deficiency of water was made up to some extent with the help of baolies. The Master had influenced the devotees by His Darshan', love and compassion to such an extent that they were not prepared to be away from their inspiring Lord even for a moment.

For the devotees of Shri Anandpur, the Master had become their very life, breath, supreme ruler of the hearts and all in all. Since He had come to the world to give the message of spiritualism and Bhakti to the entire world, He, one day, wished to sanctify some other land and informed the devotees of Shri Anandpur accordingly that He was to go somewhere in search of a piece of land, and would return soon. The devotees became somewhat sad on hearing that. The Master consoled them all and proceeded on His mission, which was calling Him for being blessed in the interest of spiritualism and Bhakti and the uplift of one and all.

SHRI SANTNAGAR

When the Master wished to put the souls who had gone off the path since numerous lives, on the path of Bhakti, and to make the rays of eternal light shine in everybody's heart, He' moved Himself to inhabitate a new world of spiritualism by setting right the disturbed ...