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His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj was born on February 23, 1954 in Delhi. It was a divine gift to the divine family of the then Nirankari Baba Avtar Singh Ji and Jagat Mata Budhwanti Ji. As grand parents, they showered all the worldly as well as spiritual blessings on the child Hardev. His parents Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and Rajmata Kulwant Kaur Ji were equally affectionate.
With the growth of child Hardev, grew his thoughtfulness and sobriety. He saw every object and observed every event with due curiosity but used to keep silent. Respect, regard for elders and trait of humility could be noticed in him from the very childhood. Interest in congregations and listening to discourses also became conspicuous in him. The kind and pure hearted child Hardev was always open hearted and emotional. He was mostly seen tight-lipped, rarely using his tongue. He also started taking keen interest in photography.
Hardev Singh Ji received his elementary education at home. With his sharp intellect, he learnt alphabets of Hindi, English and counting very quickly. Thereafter, he was sent to Rosary Public School, Nirankari Colony, Delhi, where by sweet nature and intelligence he cast spell on teachers and fellow students. They say that boy Hardev was often found in the class sitting thoughtfully with eyes half-shut. But he was always discovered to be fully attentive and responsive to what the teacher taught.
In 1963, Hardev Singh Ji was sent to the residential Yadvendra Public School, Patiala, an institution of national fame, from where he passed the high school examination in 1969. His co-operative and compassionate nature made him popular with the teachers and the fellow-students alike. His school education was equally supplemented and cemented with spiritual touch received through the letters of his affectionate mother, Rajmata Ji.
During his stay in the school, Hardev Singh Ji also developed keen interest in mountaineering. With his class-fellows and even alone, he would cover difficult terrains to reach certain places. This hobby added the trait of patience and perseverance in his life. He was never found tired or worried. He was also very skill-ful in vehicle driving and horse riding.
On completion of school education at Patiala, Hardev Singh Ji returned to Delhi and started further education under Delhi University and also took keen interest in the socio-spiritual activities of the Mission. He became very regular in Sangat and Sewa. His humility earned him the name 'Bhola Ji'.
In 1971, Hardev Singh Ji joined the Nirankari Sewa Dal as its primary member and enjoyed himself serving in cotton Khaki uniform. He organised "Youth Forum" in 1975, which focused on promoting truthful and simple living, service with devotion and love, refraining from incurring undue expenses and practising prohibition.
During the Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam in Delhi in 1975 Hardev Singh Ji was married in a simple ceremony to Sawinder Ji, daughter of devoted saints Shri Gurumukh Singh Ji and Smt. Madan Ji of Farrukhabad (UP). Born on January 12, 1957, Mata Sawinder Ji is well educated and duty conscious.
Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj became the spiritual mentor of the Mission under tragic circumstances. On April 24, 1980 the orthodox fanatics had snatched from the Mission the Satguru and a crusader for peace and tranquility from the world, Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji. Young Hardev had lost not only the Satguru but his beloved father also. This was the moment when forbearance, patience and tolerance of every follower of the Mission was under severe stress and a grave test. The very future of the Mission had been challenged. Nirankaris who had been taught to surrender to the will of God were finding it difficult to accept the verdict of 'destiny' that sounded to them as a deliberate violation of 'divine law'.
At the same time, every Nirankari believed that the Satguru is an ever-living entity which must manifest itself in some other physical frame or human body. They had, however, not to wait for long. Immediately after the funeral of the mortal remains of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji at the electric crematorium in Delhi on 27th April, 1980, Hardev was greeted and hailed as the Head of the Mission and everybody present witnessed the Satguru manifesting in him. Hardev who was known for his quiet nature, addressed the devotees as a perfect spiritual master.
His Holiness declared, "Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji's martyrdom is the will of God. Perceptions differ from people to people . The ignorant say that it may lead to bloodshed but the devotees believe that being a supreme sacrifice, it shall usher in peace and harmony. Imbibing such lofty ideals, we should continue to spread the Mission with a greater zeal."
Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj ruled out even the remotest thought of vengeance saying that 'it would go contrary to what Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji lived and sacrificed his life for'. He exhorted devotees to carry on his message of compassion, goodwill, love and Truth and pray for the welfare of one and all. The result was quite instantaneous and healthy. Nirankaris remained non-violent even in the face of serious provocations from mis-guided fanatics and extremists.
The supreme sacrifice of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and the first holy discourse by Baba Hardev Singh Ji had far greater and much deeper significance. The former showed that the Mission had paid the heaviest price for peace. Earlier, more than 60 leading missionaries’ forbearance was put to the hardest test when they were compelled to undergo the agony of judicial custody for about two years for the fault that was found to be not theirs at all. Now the Mission lost its spiritual mentor whose only fault was that he preached Truth and peace. Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji showed utmost respect to the saints, Gurus and prophets of the past. He held the holy scriptures in highest esteem. The only thing that he pointed out and stressed was that one must know the God he or she worships. Mere reading the religious books was not sufficient, he said. He wanted that their believers must follow the teachings in practical life, whosoever be the great master they believe and whatsoever the holy scripture they worship. His critics, however, did not try to verify the Truth he proclaimed, nor did they see how he sought to preach it. And he became a victim of their fanaticism, their ignorance.
Coming to the first holy discourse by Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj and the message contained therein, one must appreciate that the words came from a youth of 26 years whose loving father had been assassinated brutally. Ordinarily, such a youngman must be burning with feeling of vengeance. In this case, he had all the resources at his disposal. He had only to give a hint that could cause riots and disturb peace for the entire country, may be many countries. But Baba Hardev Singh Ji chose to accept the price the Mission had been required or called upon to pay for peace. And with his call to Nirankaris to continue to spread the voice of truth while praying for goodwill of all, a disastrous mishap stood averted. No doubt the followers of the Mission continued to suffer both in terms of life and property here and there, the voice of Truth spread far and wide carrying with it the message of peace, love, humility and tolerance.
In order to translate his commitment to peace, love and universal brotherhood into action, Baba Hardev Singh Ji lost no time and undertook extensive tours within the country and abroad. He was also conscious of the fact that Nirankaris all over India and elsewhere in the world needed to be pacified and consoled over the sudden disappearance of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji from their midst in physical form. The situation being what it was, it was not an easy affair to travel far and wide and organise mass congregations on a large scale. Even then, Baba Ji went to the remotest areas and encouraged one and all to keep the flag of love, peace and human unity flying.
Though the spiritual tours of Baba Hardev Singh Ji sought to cover vast areas with long distances, his approach was at the same time intensive and intimate. He travelled mostly by road and met people as they were, where they were. He would mix up with them, sit with them, dine with them, so that he could know them as intimately as possible. Naturally, wherever he went, people found him sharing their pleasure and pain as a member of the family. In fact, Baba Ji showered his blessings just like any head of the family.
Baba Ji’s tours abroad also took him to almost every part of the world. He was welcomed and received by large number of people as ‘apostle of peace and Universal Brotherhood.’ People from different states and countries would assemble at one center and listen to His Holiness. Besides Indians, many others took interest in what the Mission sought to preach or Baba Ji wanted to convey.
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| At Seal Beach (USA) | At Titwa (Maharashtra - India ) |
The people including those connected with administration, particularly law and order, also did not take long to understand the reality. Baba Ji's discourses in different parts of the country and abroad and the over-whelming response from the masses they received convinced them that the Mission stands for peace and non-violence, progress and prosperity and lasting happiness based on spiritual enlightenment. After 27 years today, when one looks back and realises the new heights the Mission has touched, feels fully convinced that Baba Hardev Singh Ji has lived upto his commitment of carrying those lofty ideals to every nook and corner of the world for which Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji had laid down his life.
The Mission has found tremendous expansion in all directions during the past 27 years. The ever-increasing number of participants in the Samagams in Delhi and other places bears testimony to the fact that the message of the Mission is going home and attracting the seekers of truth. The attendance at the regular congregations is also growing thicker and thicker.
A number of new branches of the Mission have been set up and so is the case with Satsang Bhawans. Many new Missionaries have been appointed in order to reach out places far and wide. The North Eastern and Southern States of India are also now fully familiar with the Mission and its philosophy and branches are functioning regularly in the various parts of these areas.
Baba Hardev Singh Ji is quite meticulous in his approach to the organisational requirements of the fast expanding Mission. He convened a conference in Delhi in 1987, on the lines of the two Mussoorie Conferences convened by Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji in 1965 and in 1973. It reviewed the decisions taken at Mussoorie and re-emphasised the areas that were considered relevant in the contemporary perspective. In addition it was decided to organise blood donation camps at different places on the occasion of Manav Ekta Diwas as a gesture of selfless service to humanity and a humble acknowledgement of the supreme sacrifice of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji for the noble cause of human welfare. Another important decision of this Conference was to set up a full-fledged Department of Social Welfare and place it under the charge of a Member of the Executive Committee of the Sant Nirankari Mandal.
In order to encourage the participation of devotees in the expansion of the Mission, the organisation was decentralised. Today Delhi has 30 Sectors, while the country is divided into 50 Zones. There is a provision of constant co-ordination at every level as also between the Headquarters and the smallest branch of the Mission. The tours of the missionaries are planned and organised in such a way that the benefit of their talent gets distributed over the widest possible area. The list of Pracharaks (preachers) was also reviewed in 1994.
The Santokh Sarovar Complex in Delhi has been developed into a center of attraction not only for Nirankari devotees but others also. With its 5-acre reservoir of neat and clean water and another 20 acres of lush green lawns with rows of beautiful flower plants, the Complex is a valuable anti-pollution gift to Delhi's ecology. A new museum by the name of Journey Divine has also been setup for the spiritual benefit of the Mankind. Quite close to the Complex, the Mission proposes to have a general hospital, for which 10 acres of land have already been acquired.
The Mission has found considerable expansion in other countries also. The followers of the Mission have spread out to almost every part of the world. In almost every salvation tour of His Holiness some new areas or countries are included. Consequently, in addition to the better known areas of U.K., U.S.A. and Canada, the countries like Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Philippines, Spain, Sweden and several others have also received Baba Ji’s blessings. The number of Sant Nirankari Satsang Bhawans abroad has multiplied manifold during the past 27 years.
Baba Hardev Singh Ji has paid special attention to the youth abroad. Born in the countries of their residence, they stood cut off not only from their parental language, but the noble values for which the Indian culture has been known in the world, also. Baba Ji attracted them to the forum of the Mission and reminded them that they could adopt these values without coming into conflict with their environment. Today the Nirankari youth is an example for others.
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| At Paravoor (Kerala - India ) | At Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu - India) |
As a matter of fact, the Mission has never been orthodox and against scientific and technological advancement provided it is meant for human welfare. It believes that man must endeavour to make life more and more comfortable. Today Baba Hardev Singh Ji is utilising the latest technology even for the spread of the Mission’s message.
Thus we find that the Mission which began as a small effort towards spiritual enlightenment has become today a mass movement of God-Knowledge and Universal Brotherhood. Every Nirankari considers himself or herself fortunate to have Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj as the divine motivator for taking the message of the Mission to every doorstep. According to Baba Ji the Mission must work as a deep reservoir of peace, love and understanding to stem the wild fire of hatred, jealousy and ill-will. Hence the stress on our own behaviour based on spiritual enlightenment. The Mission is certainly poised for greater and greater heights since the peace and tranquility, love and faith it preaches and practices is exactly what the trouble-torn world needs today.