Table of Contents
Author
Publisher
The Essence of the Teachings of Sacha Sauda
Introduction
The Real Goal of Devotion and Going to the Saints
To be Absorbed in the Devotion of True Nam is the Grace of the Satguru
Delay in Reaching the Real Home of Initiated Souls
When Does the True Shabd or Nam Manifest ?
Satguru Always Waits for the Beings
Renouncing Moh - Maya
Mind does not favours; Show mercy
The Repetition is the Key to Treasure of Grace
Soul Is the part of Dayal And Mind that of Kal
Wickednesses of the Mind
To Get Pleasure in Shabd Dhun
Love and Faith
Body Becomes Senseless During Repetition
Pain and Shivering in the Body
The Need of the Satsang
What is Satsang ?
Highly Destined Beings Get Such a Satsang
The Influence of Satsang of True Saints
Vachan Pujya Param Sant Mastana Shah Balochistani
Ways to be Benefited from Satsang
Mesh of Deeds
Which Way the Saints Prescribe to Escape from the Mesh of Deeds ?
Pralabdh
Kiryaman Deeds
Sanchit deeds
Mercy of Saints
Displaying miracles
Concessions by the Saints in the Payment of Deeds of the Being
Prayer to Saints for waiving off the Deeds
Our Duty
Letter No. 1
Letter No.2
A True Seeker Never Gets Rebirth, Progress in Bhajan
Reasons of the Downfall of Satsangis
Lack of Satsang
Impatience
Modesty or Lok-Laj
By the Load of Deeds and demons
Relinquishment of the Earthly Coil by Satguru
What the Sangat should do after the Departure of Satguru
Advice for Sangat
Re-initiation
Living All the Patronages aside, Live on the patronage of the Lord within
Responsibility of Satguru
Death Time of Satsangi
Some Other important Instructions
Cheatings of Kal
Contemplation
Assembling of Satsangis and Development of Differences among them
Bad Company and Behaviour in the World
Refraining from the Company of Non-Vegetarians and drunkards
Spiritual Journey is Delicate
Keep the Conduct Clean
Worthless Satsangis should not be Condemned
Good and Bad Deeds
Slandering and Speaking Ill of Others
Loneliness
To Face Sleepiness
Good and Bad Dreams
Inner Sights
Loss in Praying for Others
Keep Truthfulness in the Heart
Meals or Diet
Earnings by Honest Means
Beddings
To Bow and Getting oneself Bowed
Listening to Others Talks
Respecting Elders
Other's Progress
Do not speak loudly
Attain humility
Cleanliness of the Dera
To Live Amicably
The Concluding Request
Letter of Pujya Param Sant Sawan Singh Ji
Letter of Pujya Param Sant Mastana Shah Balochistani Ji
Author
Pujya Param Sant Gurbax Singh Ji "Manager Sahib"
This Book is written by Pujya Param Sant Gurbax Singh Ji "Manager Sahib" Founder of Mastana Shah Balochistani Ashram, Jagmalwali in Distt Sirsa Haryana, India.-125201 Phones : 91-1696-286300, 230300, 286307 email addresses : mbajagmalwali@yahoo.com , mbajagmalwali@hotmail.com
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Publisher
Sacha Sauda Roohani Satsang Trust (Regd.)
Mastana Shah Balochistani Ashram
V. P. O. : Jagmalwali
Via Kalanwali - 125201
Distt. Sirsa (Haryana, India)
© All Rights Reserved
The Essence of the Teachings of Sacha Sauda
You have seen the external Gurus; now also behold the internal True Guru.
You have seen the external Thakurs; now also see the internal True Thakur.
You have seen the external temples; now also see the internal True Temple.
You have read the external Shastras (holy books); now also read the internal True Shastra.
You have listened to the external Shabds; now also listen to the internal True Shabd (Divine Melody).
You have read the external Bani; now also read the internal True Bani.
You have recited the external Names; now also meditate on the internal True Nam (Word) which is constantly resounding by itself.
You have listened to the external Kirtan (Hymns); now also listen to the internal True Kirtan.
You have gained the external bookish knowledge; now also acquire the internal True Knowledge.
You have tasted the external Amrit (Nectar); now also drink the internal True Nectar of Immortality.
You have bathed at the external places of pilgrimage; now also bathe at the internal True place of Pilgrimage.
You have practised the external sectarian worship; now also practise the internal True Worship.
Introduction
This small book named ‘A Guide to Satsangi’ has been written only for those beings who have been initiated by some Perfect Saint or Ascetic. Perfect Saints are those saints who visit Satguru's Court Satlok everyday and from there they take the permission of Satguru, Sat Purush and do the job of liberating the beings in this world.
It has been seen usually that Satsangis ask many types of questions from the saints and waste their time. Saint's time is very valuable and every breath of their life is utilized in the service of the Lord and His children. Whatsoever they do, they do it for the welfare of we people and not for themselves. Too much talking with the saints is wasting time their own as well as of the Sangat. There is no doubt that the saints do not hurt our feelings but we should also have the feeling of this thing that the valuable time of the saints must not be wasted in useless talks.
Satsangis will get answers to almost all the questions in this book. e.g. what is the real goal of devotion and talking refuge of the saints? Why is there delay on the part of the initiated souls in reaching their Real Home - Satlok ? When does the True Name manifest ? Why does not the mind indulge in devotion ? Should the form of the saint be contemplated during repetition of Nam ? Why does not one get full pleasure in repetition of Nam ? Why the sleep overpowers a man during repetition ? Why does one have bad dreams ? Why do Satan and demon disturb or tease the being ? What are the reasons of the downfall of Satsangis ? The correct or right way of listening to the spiritual discourse, advantages of spiritual discourses, disadvantages of not attending the spiritual discourses, mesh of deeds or actions and the ways to get rid of them, the responsibility of the saint and what should one ask from the saint ? Care of the being by the Perfect Master at the time of death, protection from the wickedness of Kal - the negative power, abstaining from the company of meat-eaters and drunkards, disadvantages of slandering others, what should be the diet, hard earned money collected by honest means are some other important things for Satsangis.
One special thing which is observed is that after the saints depart the devotee have to face many kinds of puzzles and problems and many of them are misled. After the saint relinquish the earthly coil, many spiritual heads come up and a game of pushing and pulling starts. Lack of proper leadership compels many devotees to indulge in traditional ways of external devotion. Many Satsangis (Spiritual devotees) start making trials at re-initiation. This book covers the solution of all such puzzles and problems. Wishing the Sangat to be benefitted fully by going through this book.
By :–
Gurbax Singh ‘Manager’
Mastana Shah Balochistani Ashram
V. P. O. : Jagmalwali
Via : Kalanwali - 125201
Distt. : Sirsa (Haryana, India)
The Real Goal of Devotion and Going to the Saints
The human form is the king of all species. Only some fortunate ones get it. It is the time to meet the Lord. In it, we should follow that path in it by which we may get the Lord. We have been separated from the Lord since ages. We have kept ourselves indulged in devotion since inception but the cycle of birth and death has not ceased yet. Sometimes we have gone to good species and sometimes bad ones. Sometimes we met with the suffering of the hells while other times we enjoyed the pleasures of heavens. Reason being that we have not got the right path. There is only one way to meet the Lord which is made by the Lord - Sat Purush Himself. Guru Nanak Sahib says that the whole of the World came into being with the Hukam of the Lord. Because of this Hukam only many powers e.g. Kal came into existence who have imprisoned all the beings and have made them ignorant of this Hukam or Shabd. The recognition of this Hukam or Shabd and to have connection with it is the true devotion that liberates all the beings from all the meshes and bindings. This Hukam or Shabd is beyond saying and hearing.
According to His Law; He manifests.
The Law cannot be described.
According to Law, the living beings appear.
According to Law, they grow.
According to Law, they are high or low.
According to Law, they get pleasure or pain.
According to Law, one gets salvation.
According to Law another always wanders.
All are subject to Law.
None can transgress it.
He who understands the Law,
O Nanak, is no more guilty of egotism. (1/6 Japu Ji Sahib)
Hukam manifests itself through some sound or Shabd. The wave of that sound or Shabd is called Nam. Thus to have connection with this Hukam, Sound or Shabd is the true devotion, which helps to get rid of the meshes and bindings of births and deaths. This is the straight road that leads to the Lord's court. This Hukam ,Shabd or Nam does not belong to a particular caste, creed, religion or country. It also does not pertain to some outer language. It is rather the speech of the true Lord Himself. It is reverberating in all the beings. Hazrat Christ has called it “Word.” The Muslim ascetics have called it Kalma, Kalam-e-Ilahi, Baang or Bang-e-Asmani or Nida. The means to hear it is within the being itself.
That is why the Saints advise us to have connection with Shabd or Nam, rather teach us the way to contact it. They say practise, go within and reach Satlok. Mere talking will not help. It is a practical course. Do it today only. Do not wait till tomorrow. Those beings can never indulge in devotion who have the habit of putting of till tomorrow what they can do today. Value time. Time is fleeting. Death is chasing us like the torrent of water. If we fail this time too, we will have entangle ourselves in the maze of Chaurasi.
To be Absorbed in the Devotion of True Nam is the Grace of the Satguru
Indulging in the devotion of the True Shabd or Nam depends upon the grace of the Satguru, Sat Purush. It is only when the Hukam from the Lord's Court comes that one indulges oneself in this true devotion.
Those in the primal Time by Thee blessed,
To the Lord's Name are devoted,
Sayeth Nanak : Joy resides in the self,
Wherein resounds the mystic music. (917/13 M.3)
Satguru bestows this gift through His saints who are His agents or managers in this world. Such saints come to enrol those beings who are pining to return to their country-Satlok and they sow the seed of Nam in their land of heart at the time of initiation. This work is not possible without the Perfect Saints.
The wealth you were born for,
The Lord's Nam , is with the saints. (283/3 M.5)
Paltu Sahib too says the same thing :
The Name of the Lord is embedded in the Saints,
And the Saints are imbused with His Name.
The Saints are imbused with His Name,
And they alone can bestow the gift of Nam.
Adepts in the practice of Nam,
They impart the method of union with Him.
Austerities and penances, fasts and pilgrimages,
One may endlessly resort to
Without the means of the Saint,
One never can find access to His Name.
Try as one may, millions of devices,
And wander ceaselessly,
The chamber of Nam will not be accessible,
Till one comes to the door of the saint
Nam lies, O Paltu, beyond the reach of the Pranas (Breath).
It is at the beginning. It is at the end.
The Name of the Lord is embedded in the saints,
And the saints are imbued with His Name. (Paltu Sahib)
Such Saints can be met with the Lord's grace. No body has the power that he may judge or recognize such Saints with his own mind and intellect and could take their refuge. When the Perfect Saint sows the seed of Nam in the land of the heart of a being then there is no power which can destroy that seed. On one day or the other it will grow and flourish though it may take its own time.
Delay in Reaching the Real Home of Initiated Souls
When the disciple is reborn in the house of the Satguru i.e. when he gets initiation from a perfect Saint, he should give up the cleverness of his mind and intellect, performing old rites, rituals and religious ceremonies, and take shelter with a perfect saint as the religious ceremonies could not put an end to the cycle of births and deaths and could not help him to meet the Lord. He should act according to the instructions of the saint as it is true Dharma (Religion) and true worship, However, if the disciple still remains confined to the performance of outer rites, rituals and other ceremonies, he cannot attain success in spiritual practice. Such a disciple himself causes delay in reaching his real home.
Paltu Sahib says : A devotee should exclusively dedicate himself to the Satguru, giving up all the outward modes of worship. He should not indulge in the observance of rites, rituals, fasts and other penances invented by mind or intellect. He should not go on pilgrimage and indulge in idle Yogas and Superficial ways of worship and conduct. Paltu Sahib points out that he enjoyed dying while living by his trust in Nam which should be the only resort for devotees.
Guru Nanak Sahib says, “Kal (Negative Power) has created the dreadful ocean of Moh (attachment) and Maya (illusion). Everybody is drowned in this ocean of phenomena. The whole world is engrossed in the performance of outer rites and rituals prescribed by their respective sects to such an extent that it has become very difficult to part with them. Only a rare disciple can go across the deadly ocean of this material world after abandoning the outer rites, rituals and idolatry. If the disciple, after getting initiation from a true Saint, still continues to indulge in performing outward recitations, penances and worship, his attachment with the world and its objects does not cease and the cycle of transmigration is not ended. Such a disciple himself causes delay in reaching his Real Home. However, Satguru is always compassionate and beneficent. He always takes care of His disciple. He is ever keen that His disciple should reach his real home at the earliest.
In this worldly love, the World is drowned.
Some rare pious person swims across.
Through this love, the mortal is born again.
Attached to the temporal love,
the man goes to the city of Death.
Having obtained Guru's Instruction,
practise thou meditation and hard toil.
If the temporal love does not cease
Man stands stranded
greed vanishes with His blessings and
Man is merged in Lord. (356/7 M : 1)
When Does the True Shabd or Nam Manifest ?
When the seed of Nam is sown in the land of the heart of somebody, in order to bring it up one requires Satsang as water and repetition as manure. It is a very long and difficult path.
It has been called to lick the saltless stone. One comes to know of the sacrifices and hardwork done by saints from their life histories. Guru Amar Dass Ji had indulged in austerities, penances, fasts, pilgrimages, meditation and reading of holy scriptures till he reached the age of seventy two. He had been covering a distance of 400-500 miles every year to take a bath in the Ganges. He had a pious heart even then he in order to manifest Nam, took the refuse of Sri Guru Angad Sahib and indulged himself in hard physical service for twelve years and he used to practise tying his hair with peg at night. It is dying while living.
When a man listens to the spiritual discourses of the saints and keeps on accepting and adopting their sayings and withdraws attention of all the worldly thoughts from his heart and brain and his heart becomes totally or entirely empty and clear like the inside of a flute then the Unstruck Sound Current starts coming within him. As there is light and streams of True Nam within, so are also the light and sounds of Maya and Kal which are alike the light and sounds of Dayal and which can cause the seeker to descend. The beings who have taken the refuge of the Satguru and have been initiated, the Satguru at this juncture manifests Himself in the form of saints and helps the beings in catching the true Shabd or Nam. Thus it is necessary for the being ,Who is a seeker, to keep in mind that he should not pay any heed to any light or sound till the Satguru manifests Himself in the form of light. When Satguru manifests he will talk to him and help him catch the true Shabd and show the path ahead.
Satguru Always Waits for the Beings
When Satguru initiates any being through His Saint then He takes care of him every moment and waits to see as to when does he renounce Moh-Maya (Attachment and illusion) and renouncing the worldly thoughts concentrate Surat or attention at the Tisra Til behind the eyes so that He may take him ahead. Satguru does not come in the nine doors of the body and lives above them. It is the work of the disciple to reach that point. Bhai Gurdas Ji says that if the disciple takes one step towards the Satguru, the Satguru from Satlok takes multi million steps towards him. If the disciple recites His name for a moment then his loving remembrance rings in the Satguru's court like an electric bell, the Satguru remembers him again and takes care of him.
Bu Ali Kalander Sahib too says that you do not know the grace of the Lord. He beholds you all the time like a lover.
Renouncing Moh - Maya
Mind is our enemy. It is the agent of Kal. Its job is to puzzle and mislead the being. It entangles the being in the world and keeps it away from the wave of Shabd. We can't do any work good or bad without taking it along with in this land of Kal.
When the mind is made to follow the Bhajan (Shabd Dhun) it runs towards worldly attachment and perversions at once.
Thus it takes a lot of time to renounce Moh-Maya to withdraw worldly thoughts, to concentrate attention at Tisra Til and to manifest the radiant form of the Satguru. We have to fight severely with the mind in order to achieve this objective and we have to bear restlessness for a longer period. The progress in this practice is very slow. One needs to come with patience and firm determination daily in the ground/field of struggle.
Withdrawing attention from the body and concentrating at the Tisra Til is like an ascending with the speed of an ant. The ant ascends on the wall, falls down and tries again to ascend and falls again. Similarly, we try to take the attention within and the mind wanders outside. We succeed sometimes whereas mind succeeds sometimes. It is a lifelong struggle.
As the scattered attention starts concentrating then the wandering of the mind decreases and one starts feeling peace and Nectar within. The hands and feet start sleeping and slowly and steadily the legs and the top part start sleeping. These are the marks of progress in repetition. We should have a close watch at our condition within in this practice and we should try to step ahead. The path is lengthy and the traveller, whose journey is long ,always keeps his eyes on the way and keeps on stepping ahead continuously.
Mind does not favours; Show mercy
Satsangis generally complain of mind not favouring for repetition and approach saints time and again for their kind favour and mercy.
The Repetition is the Key to Treasure of Grace
The more the love in repetition, the more Grace is bestowed by the Satguru. When a gentleman does not withhold the payment of anybody's labour then how can it be expected from the Lord ?
The growth or progress of any devotee or seeker depends upon his practice. Teacher's job is to teach, the students job is to learn the lesson by heart which has been taught. The growth in his studies depends upon learning his lesson by heart. Similarly the duty of saints is to help Satsangis and to lead them ahead and the duty of the Satsangi is to have control over the mind and senses and to manifest Satguru within after entering in Tisra Til or Daswan Dwar. The most difficult task is to control the mind.
Soul Is the part of Dayal And Mind that of Kal
The aim of the spiritual discourse by the saints is to give strength to the soul and letting the mind to be controlled and getting it win but we see the mind obeys Kal nicely whereas we do not obey the true saints in the proper manner. We should keep in mind the saying of the saints. If we obey the saints and forbid the mind to indulge in perversions and engage in repetition then we become the servant of saints (Gurmukh). And if we follow the dictates of the mind then we become the servant of the mind (Manmukh). Mind is our enemy. One who obeys mind, plays in the hands of the mind. How can such a man expect growth and development in the Bhajan (Shabd Dhun) ? Thus a Satsangi should never obey the mind. It's tricks are very subtle. One should watch and take care of it by all means. Mind always tries to find excuses for not indulging in repetition and in case of affirmative it sees that the span of repetition is too less.
Wickednesses of the Mind
Mind forbids one to indulge in repetition by way of tiredness, laziness, sleep, idleness, wickednesses etc. Sometimes it says that it will devote time in the morning and fails to get up, if in case it gets up in time then it says to sleep a little more as enough time is there, to attend the work the next day may be a problem, goes to sleep and when gets up it is too late. Sometimes looks at the watch thinking that the time may have been over by now. Sometimes it says that it has been initiated, who can stop now, Satguru is Perfect. This argument is like that the medicine has been obtained but not swallowed then how can the disease be removed ? Meaning thereby that the mind forbids indulging in practice. It has overpowered us since ages and has been dictating us. If a man, nowadays takes land to cultivate from the landlord for a year or two then he does not vacate the land. So, likewise the mind who has overpowered us since ages, how can it vacate so easily ? Inspite of listening to the arguments of the mind one should indulge in Shabd-Dhun and repetition. When the mind poses hindrance then it should be punished by giving more time to repetition on that day.
One should try to indulge in repetition sitting on the same ‘Asan’ and as far as possible it should not be changed. Starting from half an hour repetition time should be increased to two and a half hours because for a time less than this the mind fails to still. One will rule the mind if one keeps on doing practice continuously. As the cream if milk is ready only when the milk is boiled at a low pace without stirring it. Stirring makes the cream of the milk so. Similarly sitting on the same Asan, increasing and attention goes within slowly and steadily and one starts getting pleasure. If the attention is concentrated at the Tisra Til, one gets unparalleled pleasure, whose sample in the outside world is not possible to have. Thereafter the mind itself starts compelling for Bhajan- the Shabd Dhun.
To Get Pleasure in Shabd Dhun
It is necessary for that Satsangi, who wants to get pleasure within that after finishing the job he may indulge himself in repetition. While sitting, standing, moving, eating, drinking, awaking and while sleeping and if possible while working also. Then only, while at practice during night, it is possible to have the concentration. If one keeps oneself busy in gossiping during the day then the concentration of the mind is never possible to have.
Love and Faith
The foundation of Parmarath is love and faith. It is not possible to construct a house without foundation. As long as one does not have any love and faith with the Saints, the concentration of the mind is not possible and one fails to succeed in Bhajan though one may indulge in repetition for twenty hours a day. Rather one may become egoistic. Like an oilman's oxen one sticks to the post despite hard strivings. Thus ways and means to increase the love with the Saints should be adopted.
Body Becomes Senseless During Repetition
It is necessary for the hands, feet, legs rather the whole body to become senseless during repetition. It is the mark of the internal ascending of the soul. Some of the devotees fear about their respective body becoming senseless thinking it to be turning weak. One must not lose heart. After the practice is over the consciousness in the body revives and one does not feel any sorrow.
Pain and Shivering in the Body
In the beginning when the soul leaves the body parts then one feels pain and shivering in some of the parts of the body sometimes. While sometimes one feels as if one were dying. After somebody's practice the pain etc. gets vanished automatically.
The Need of the Satsang
When the saint sow the seed of Nam in the land of the heart of some being then for the bringing up of that seed the water of Satsang is needed besides Simran (repetition) so that the plant of Nam may keep flourishing.
What is Satsang ?
The holding of shows is not Satsang. The Satsang means the company with truth as Sat means truth and Sang means Company. The Satsang is the name of the union of the soul with the Lord. Satsang usually means a gathering where either music and singing or the recitation of epics and stories or discussions on spiritual subjects take place. Guru Nanak Sahib says on the importance of Satsang that it is that where there is recitation of the only Lord and His Shabd or Nam and talk about the trial of manifesting Him within.
How can a Satsang be recognised ?
It is that place that or congregation,
Where the Name of One alone is uttered. (72/1 M: 1)
The real aim of going to Satsang is that by listening to Lord's Name and His attributes, one gains happiness and longs for union with Him and by thinking of the Lord and reciting His Name, one begins to lose worldly attachments, renounces desires and sensual pleasures.
Highly Destined Beings Get Such a Satsang
Guru Arjan Sahib says that the hundred thousand of the people want true Satsang and the love and affection of the true Lord. Only those beings get such a Satsang on whom the grace of the Lord is there. Only highly destined beings get it. (276/10 M: 5)
The Influence of Satsang of True Saints
By keeping the company of true saints only the being realises itself. Vices of attachment etc. start subduing. One comes to know of the true meaning of life. One, being there, gets the gift of initiation which enables one to renounce all the desires from one's heart.
In the region of Puran Purush the streams of peace, stillness and Lord's love blow which bring peace to all the burning, jealously, desires and carvings of the mind. The mind becomes free from ill feelings, fightings, enmities, jealousy etc. and becomes pious, still and motionless. The Saint's company cleans one's mind of malice, hatred, ill-will and animosity. One does not consider anyone enemy or outsider, rather starts considering all as one's own ones. One loves all. One understands the truth of the world being short lived. All the properties acquired will be left here only. Nothing of these will go along with the being at the time of departure. One does not think about the countries, communities and creeds. The love of wife, children and relatives escapes from the heart, rather one starts hating one's own body also as this body also does not help at the departure-time. While living in the world and amidst worldly objects one becomes a true recluse. One becomes confident in mind that there is no one to help without Shabd Guru and after renouncing these bindings, starts preparing to reach one's own Real Home. One's interest in the Shabd Dhun increases. As the soul goes within and drinks the Nectar of Nam, it gets so much pleasure that it can't be compared with any pleasure of the world. Only the being knows the pleasure itself and it is not describable. Some rare seeker takes advantage of Satsang. Such a Satsang is rare.
So says Guru Nanak that one out of millions finds the Ram Nam.
It has been usually seen that people take the gift of initiation and do not attend the Satsang (Spiritual Discourse). If at all they come, they roam outside the Dera and return. They do not sit and listen. If at all they sit their mind is equipped with the thoughts of family affairs. They do not listen to the discourses attentively. If they listen then the mind makes them forget everything as soon as they come out of the Dera. If some one tries to practise the sayings practically then the mind creates hundreds of hindrances and one fails to concentrate at the eye centre in order to catch Shabd Dhun.
Vachan Pujay Param Sant Mastana Shah Balochistani (Vachan No. 173)
“Let us go to hear the spiritual discourse and behold the Perfect Master say the pseudo Satsangs but fail to obey the sayings of the master. It means that they have played fraud, false and mockery with the Perfect Master. They are sinners for ever because they do not indulge in Shabd Dhun. These five vices make them unhappy. If some Hindu kills a cow then the Lord can forgive him. If someone plays fraud, false or cheat with Satguru or Sat Purush or Lord then how can be forgiven ? No one on the earth can forgive him.”
“One tells a lie when one says that one has attended the Satsang and beheld the Satguru. One has seen the raiment of earth. One speaks outwardly that one has beheld Satguru. One tells a lie very much. The pious Satguru was there within them. One does not devote time for Divine earning and out of this fear one speaks that one has beheld the Satguru. When one has not seen the Satguru with the (inner) eye then how can one have the refuge (of the Satguru).”
(Refer Doli Hui Sangat Ka Sahara or The Refuge of the Bewildered Sangat)
Ways to be Benefited from Satsang
Meals should be taken such that one can sit comfortably and need not leave time and again.
Do not try to sit in the front rows.
Sit politely with humility. Consider all the Satsangis better than yourself though they may be the descendent ones and always consider yourself as to be the servant and orderly of all of them.
Do not hate the poor.
Sit at such a place that no one needs to shift you later on. There should not be any noise around that place and you may easily have the sight of the Saints during the Satsang or Divine discourse.
Until the Saint himself calls, you should not speak.
Never laugh during the Satsang; though Saints may laugh.
Do not look at anyone else except Saints. Never pay attention to the sages and Satsangi fellows and weaken your faith on seeing them.
Listen to the Contents of the Satsang with attention. Ever if a single Vachan or saying is retained in the heart, it is of great benefit.
Do not pay attention towards Parsad, keep on listening to the Vachans and looking upon the Saints.
Get up from the Satsang only when the Saints have got up and left the place.
After the Satsang neither talk to any one nor look at anyone. Impress upon the repetition and remember the Vachans. Look after or care for the gift of Vachans and remember these repeatedly.
Pay attention to your weaknesses and try to get rid of those. If unable to do so then pray to Satguru within for the same.
Practise after listening to the Satsang. Give up lust, anger, greed, attachment, egotism, slandering, speaking ill of others, bad company etc.
The woman with the small children should sit at the rear with their children. Often it is noticed that weeping of the little children disturbs the process of Satsang. Attention of the Satsangis is drawn towards the same and they are deprived of listening to the Vachans of Satsang. Generally the discourses or satsangs are recorded. When the Sangat or followers listen to the recorded Satsangs, They fail them enjoyfully. The loss is caused to the Sangat in this way and responsible for this loss are those women who do not care for the noise etc. during the Satsang and earn sins. They come to have the benefit but contrarily harm themselves and return with the bad wishes of the people.
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Mesh of Deeds
Our True Master is Sat Purush or Sat Guru. He has allotted the work of creation to Kal who has given importance to the ‘Laws of deeds or Karmas’ and has attached mind and intellect with the being. Mind is his agent whose duty is to detach the being from Sat Purush and the wave or current of His Shabd. The being performs every work or deed after giving thoughts with his intellect. Similarly every being is compelled to perform deeds under the control of mind and intellect and the law of deeds is ‘As you sow, so shall you reap.’ More the deeds the being performs, the thicker is the mesh. The present condition of the being or soul has become like that of a sparrow entrapped in a mesh and trying to get out of the same failingly. Kal governs up to the limits of Triloki in which all the beings keep on wandering as per their deeds. Sometimes it enjoys the pleasures of Heaven and sometimes the woes of the Hell and sometimes transmigrates into different species on this mortal world. No one can escape from the mesh of the Kal. Kabir Sahib says that :-
Three world form a cage,
Actions, good or bad, lead to from a net.
All the living beings are victims,
To the one hunter Kal.
When balance of deeds is calculated at the end of each life then it is placed before the being. Some of these deeds are kept or transferred to the reserve stock which are called Sanchit deeds, whose store is at the headquarters of the Kal called Trikuti, so that no being may escape from the mesh of deeds. Kal can't withhold any being entangled in any tie if the being has cleared all the deeds. The Sanchit deed stock of every being has accumulated to great levels after transmigrating from one species to another. Incident goes like this that Dhritrashtra had to be blind consequent upon the deeds performed in the 106th birth back. After every death when the accounts are settled then a definite number of deeds and Sanskars is attached alongwith the soul which are called Pralabdh deeds to face in the coming birth. Out of these some deeds are taken from the previous birth while others are taken from the reserve stock.
In the present birth every being fulfils the desires which remained unfulfilled during the previous birth and in this new birth gives rise to fresh desires and expectations according to which the being keeps on getting the further births. In this ways the cycle of birth-death and rebirth goes on. For examples if one has a strong desire for wealth at the time of one's last breath he is allotted the species of a snake in the next birth.
Whoever at the last moment brings to mind wealth,
And in such contemplation dies,
Again and again as a snake shall incarnate. (526/ Trilochan)
If the being desires children then it gets the species of a pig.
Whoever at the last moment brings to mind progeny,
And in such contemplation dies,
Again and again as a pig shall incarnate. (526/10 Trilochan)
If one dies thinking of houses at the death time it gets the species of the demon.
Whoever at the last moment brings to mind his house,
And in such contemplation dies,
Again and again as a goblin shall incarnate. (526/11 Trilochan)
If any being breathes his last while remembering Satguru, the Lord, then he goes to the Satguru and gets salvation.
Whoever at the last moment brings to mind the Satguru,
And in such contemplation dies,
Says Trilochan with Lord in his heart salvation he gets. (Trilochan)
The fruit of the Pralabdh deeds has to be faced. We are bound to it and it cannot be waived off. Kabir Sahib says that :-
Course of the deeds can not be eliminated.
We are free to perform the new deeds which are also called the Kriyaman deeds. Every being has been equipped with intellect. That performs every deed with intellect. So it is the responsibility of the being itself to get rid of the mesh of Kriyaman deeds. We seek an able master utilizing our intellect to learn any job. One gets freedom from the deeds in the refuge of the True Saint is also up to the efforts of the being itself. It is alright that it is not only difficult to identify the True Saint rather impossible. But where there is a will there is a way. If there is a true craving then Lord too bestows His mercy definitely.
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Which Way the Saints Prescribe to Escape from the Mesh of Deeds ?
Pralabdh
Kiryaman Deeds
Sanchit deeds
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Pralabdh
The deeds which we bring with us to face during the present birth are called Pralabdh deeds. This is the result of the deeds performed in the previous birth and the births prior to that which has to be faced positively. There is no way to escape from this. Time rolls on and these are continuously paid off and by the end of life the payment of these deeds is completed. These deeds cannot be altered and Saints do not interfere in the same. Bhajan and Repetition make these feel lighter. As with the regular exercise the hidden power with in the body arises and the body gets stout and healthy. Similarly, Bhajan and repetition the spiritual power develops within us which does not let the being feel the physical pains. This store of Pralabdh deeds lies above the eyes. When the seeker crosses this place then its effect reduces to negligible because pains and pleasures are experienced due to the affection and attachment with the body. When spirit and mind get detached from the body then one does not feel the pain.
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Kiryaman Deeds
These are those deeds which we perform every day. Regarding these, saints advise us not to bear in mind the desire for the fruit of the deeds we perform. This desire itself is the binding. Perform every deed on the partonage of the Satguru and considering yourself as an agent of Satguru. There should not be any feeling of pride in that. Consider everything to be that of Satguru and do not use unfair means and never mis-utilize the same. A Muslim Sufi Saint Abbu Hasan Kharkani Sahib advises, “I don't forbid to work. Work definitely but not on the basis of your own wealth and power, work on the basis of wealth and power of the Lord.” As an accountant of a trader leaves all the profit or loss of the work to his master, similarly the result of all the worldly deeds should be left to the Master or Lord. The deeds performed in this way do not tie the being.
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Sanchit Deeds
The store of these deeds is situated at Trikuti i.e. at the peak of Brahm Desh. When the being crosses this place, he becomes deedless. The Saints help us by all means to take us to Par Barhm and help us to practise the Shabd Dhun and get out of the mesh of deeds. Because there is no other way to get rid of the deeds but the practise of the Shabd Dhun.
He becomes the deedless who practises Shabd. (128/21 M: 3)
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Mercy of Saints
The Saints do not want their Satsangis to be born again. They wish that disciple should be free from the payment of all the deeds in this life itself and they may take him to Satlok, he does not want to go. And time and again asks for the things which increase the load of deeds. For example woman, sons, daughters, wealth and property, respect and also desire to get rid of the diseases. Expect for the objects of preversions. If the Saints bestow these things then these things give rise to new deeds and will increase the load of his deeds and probably become the reason of entangling of the being into new lives. The poor being does not know that he is already loaded with deeds too much the payment of which is necessary. So the Saint does not accept such prayers of the disciples though they may cry to any extent. As a mother never gives poison to her child, though he may be obstinate to any extent.
When the Saint give disease or woes, they want to purify us. The disease or woes are the result of the deeds performed by us. We should feel happy that through disease our deeds lighter and pays off their debt. The same has been expressed by God Sri Krishna that I give to my loving devotees the three fortunes namely disease, poverty and disrespect. As a mother takes her child to a doctor for a cut in his wound. In doing so she does not intend to trouble his child rather intends to see that he is back to normal. Because without bearing this pain, the child cannot get healthy. When the wound of the child is cut, the child definitely feels the pains. He feels angry with his mother. But when he is back to normal, then he realizes that the pain given to him by his mother was only for his betterment. Like this, when the deeds have been paid off we experience and realize that whatsoever the Saints are doing, they are doing for our betterment only.
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Displaying miracles
When the power of mind wakes up, it develops to such an extent that it can perform all the jobs i.e. stopping a vehicle in motion, causing rainfall, obliging someone with a son, curing some patient and flying in the sky etc. All these miracles are the games of mind. It is like that if a fellow getting wealth and status and then in order to increase his name and fame and glory and to influence the other people, he becomes cruel to someone and gives unfair concessions to someone and faces the loss by taking the law into his own hands. Such unfair use of the powers of the nature is miracle which is cruelty and injustice. This is breaking the laws of nature and not abiding by its rules due to which this power of mind vanishes and one has to face punishment for the same. Often the lower level ascetics display such miracles in order to increase their glory and name and fame. But the true saints live as per the will of the Lord and work as per the command of the Lord. They never cross the limits of the laws of nature.
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Concessions by the Saints in the Payment of Deeds of the Being
Saints when initiate the being on the command of the Satguru, then Satguru entrusts His Saints with the responsibility of getting the beings escaped from the mesh of deeds. They get the payment of our deeds made as they deem fit. Sometimes they themselves make the payment for the few deeds of their true disciples. Saints are the agents of the Lord in this world and they come with full authority from the Lord. They can behold the debt of deeds of being in all respects and are capable of getting their payments made. Saints do not interfere in the course of payment of the deeds generally, but even then as far as it is possible, try to make the payments feel easier. They help to get sufficient concessions and sometimes reduce the deed of Suli (hanging till death) to the deed of Sul (pains of a prick), but they never cross the limits of law. Here, an incident is described.
There was a rich satsangi. There was a marriage ceremony in his relation. When all his family members left for attending the marriage ceremony, he was left alone in the house. He had been initiated by Pujya Param Sant Sawan Shah Ji. Four dacoits came to his house in the night. They packed all his valuables like jewellery etc. When they were about to leave the house, they thought that if this person is let alive then he will get them caught in morning, it is better to kill him just now. When they were to kill him, he prayed time and again to them not to kill him for God sake and assured that he will not report. But the decoits insisted upon killing him. When he noticed that dacoits were bent upon killing him then he begged fifteen minutes time. He closed his eyes and sat contemplating Satguru. Now, as death-sword was hanging on his head so with this fear his attention was concentrated within and Satguru appeared in the radiant form of Saint and ordered him to get himself murdered. You had murdered all these four separately in the previous birth. I have gathered all the four and brought here. I have created friendship amongst them. So that you need not have to be murdered four times and this deed is paid off in a single stroke only. When he descended, said laughingly - Hurry up ! Murder me. The dacoits were astonished seeing the face of that satsangi because till now he had been begging and crying for life and now asks them to murder soon and is very happy. What is the matter ? Those dacoits asked him, O brother ! Please tell truely, what is the matter ? On their insisting he disclosed all the matter. On which the dacoits said, “Three fourth of the deeds have been waived off by Satguru and we waive off the rest one fourth and leave the valuables back to you, please take us to your Satguru.”
A similar incident took place during the tenure of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the brief description of which is given here. Guru Sahib got the payment, of a very serious and hard deed of the king of Riyasat Mandi, made in the dream of a night only. That king was to be born in a Chandal's family in the coming birth and had to spend fifty years there and got the king believe that this deed of his was reduced from that of a Suli to that of a Sul. Such incidents occur very often during the life time of Saints. We are outwardly. We do not know to what an extent the saints go for our betterment.
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Prayer to Saints for waiving off the Deeds
A true satsangi should not pray to the Saints for the waiving off the woes of his deeds. In fact by doing so we want to put our sorrows or woes on their pious body. Their body is an invaluable thing for the Sangat. To respect and look after the holy body in all aspects is the duty of the each and every satsangi. Once a very close satsangi prayed to Pujya Param Sant Mastana Shah Balochistani Ji regarding the payment of deeds of his sister. On which Pujya Mastana Shah Balochistani Ji said that her deeds were very severe and can be waived off but in its exchange, he himself will have to leave His earthly coil. What does the poor being know that how many severe deeds are left in store for it to face. If in the exchange to the deeds of single being the saints have to leave their body then in this manner, what a great loss it would be ! The true saints are not ignorant or unaware of miseries. The saints who are unaware, they cannot do any thing for us too, to pray before them is of no use. As parents are worried about their children in all aspects, similarly saints too worry for their disciples. They themselves try to reduce the load of our deeds as far as possible without making us know regarding this. Even if one wants to pray, then pray to Satguru within. The attention, they pay to the requests made from within is much more than that of made outwardly because they do not want to disclose their indentity. In this world, they remain hidden. Neither they want to have the exchange for the obligations made nor express after obliging. If His Will pours then express themselves to a specific devotee lover. Otherwise also their company decreases the load of deeds to a greater extent because the Kal who accounts for the deeds fears them in all aspects, even fears from their disciples, so favours them.
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Our Duty
As the True Master takes care for us by all means and wants our betterment in everything, in the same way we too have some duties towards Him. We must obey Him. We should not see to any action or any saying of the saints with distrust, disrespect and feelings of negation. The saints advise us to cross the ocean of worldly sufferings while living in the will of the Lord. The being has to pass through the whirlpools of happinesses and sorrows, respect and disrespect, pleasures and displeasures too due to the Pralabdh deeds. In such circumstances, we should not lose heart rather should face all the difficulties with patience and tolerance and should develop love and devotion towards our Satguru. We should reach Satlok while practising Bhajan and repetition with courage. The thinking of a satsangi should be elevated to such a level that he should not feel happy even if he is bestowed with the throne of Triloki and should not feel distressed even if it is taken back. But commonly it is seen that if some one is entrapped in a certain court case, he loses heart and if loses the case says to leave the saints. If someone's wife or child gets sick then starts crying and if dies then he says to give up the devotion of the True Master.
The author is in possession of two letters from Pujya Param Sant Sawan Shah Ji in which we have been told in few words regarding our duties and the way of living in this world. The contents of the two letters are as below :–
Letter No. 1
“When you have borne the responsibility of the family life then the children shall get sick, Shall die too; all this is a cycle of deeds which every one has to face according to Pralabdh. You should not worry. Keep on practising Bhajan and repetition. Trust Lord's mercy. Lord's name is the panacea.”
Dated : 08-06-1944
Letter No. 2
“Worldly worries and concerns also go on. We have to resolve those too in order to pull on with this world but spare the time for Bhajan and repetiion by considering it to be the prime duty. We have come with our Pralabdh, things go according to that. Satguru is always with you within yourself and looks after you every moment. You must perform all the worldly duties but leave aside their worries and keep on investing time in Bhajan and repetition regularly with love. Rest all the worldly affairs shall go on. These have been neither completed ever nor shall be.”
Dated : 03-04-1946
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A True Seeker Never Gets Rebirth, Progress in Bhajan
It has already been requested that every person gets the next birth according to the unfulfilled desires after the death. If the disciple has true love and faith for his true saints and all the time the will for Bhajan and repetition prevails in his mind and has no other desire for the worldly objects, else Satguru, though he may not be able to spare enough time for Bhajan due to his Pralabdh deeds, even then such a disciple keeps on ascending, however, he may not be realizing the same. Such a disciple never gets rebirth. As and when the Pralabdh deeds are paid off, his soul ascends to the higher regions. Satguru gets the deficiency in his Bhajan made up by seating him on the higher regions and slowly and slowly takes him to the Real Home.
Vachan of Pujya Param Sant Sawan Shah :–
“I say this that if you are unable to put hard toil then develop love for your saint or Gurumukh. If you love your Saint or Gurumukh in reality, you shall memorise them while asleep or awake. Where can you go after the death, “As you desire, so you get.” The same is the saying of our holy scriptures.
So the simplest way to escape from the mesh of deeds is to generate love and affection for the saints to the maximum possible and practise Bhajan and Repetition to the extent you can and face on the happiness and sorrows taking them as the Will of the Lord.”
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Reasons of the Downfall of Satsangis
Lack of Satsang
Impatience
Modesty or Lok-Laj
By the Load of Deeds and demons
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Lack of Satsang
The devotees attending the satsang usually tell that the state of their mind changes drastically even if they miss a single monthly satsang. The persons who neither get the true satsang nor get the company of any satsangi, they entangle themselves in the world by keeping the company of worldly people. They are loaded with the deeds to such an extent that they fail to abide by the rules to the extent that they even forget the Nam.
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Impatience
Such impatient people fail to achieve anything, who sow the seed today and want to harvest the next day itself. It takes many days to germinate a seed. Small creeping plants of vegetables do not bring fruits before two months. To get the fruit of the mango, it has to be waited for many years. The same is applicable to Parmarath also. It takes long to stabilize mind. This is a whole life's battle. It requires patience, tolerance and determination. Educated people especially the learneds lose patience sooner. Their minds are more wavering than that those of the uneducated and low-intellect persons, so they take longer to still their mind. When they find themselves unable to control their minds, they start doubting the means and methods as told by the saints for the same. They desire the result of their practice of Bhajan very soon. They are ignorant of the fact that mind is such a power which has made the great sages and seers dance to its tune. Saints have fought with it strongly and controlled it.
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Modesty or Lok-Laj
Saints and their devotees have never been respected by the worldly people during their life time. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib had to grind wheels in the jail. Villagers did not allow Him to stay in the village. Shamas-I-Tabrez's skin was peeled off. Paltu sahib was burnt alive by the believers of rites and rituals. Meera Bai was tortured by her family members through out her life. In the same manner their devotees have been treated. In fact, worldly people, persons indulged in perversions, Karmi-Dharmi, the believers of rites and rituals, the leaders of countries, communities and creeds have never been able to go hand in hand with the true devotees.
The devotees and the worldly people can never go hand in hand. (145/13 M : 1)
Even the devotees who understand these mystries have never stood for the true devotees. A Muslim ascetic Hazrat Yousef Sahib writes :–
“The persons who love the Lord get disrespect and affliction from the people of world but these men of Lord are such that they show kindness in lieu of that.”
When the devotee satsangis hear their and Saint's slandering from the worldly people then leave the path adopted. To bear the slandering and modesty is a kind of test, which determines whether a being is a true Parmarathi or not. A true seeker does not care for the worldly respect or disrespect and their taunts. Swami Shiv Dayal Ji Maharaj says :–
“Keep in mind that the taunts and slandering makes, the devotees of the saints too firm and healthy and if there is no slandering and defamation they will remain unripe. Slandering and defamation is the mark of true love and no one has the capacity to be fearless of the worldly people's defamation lent the true lovers i.e. true devotees. Slandering clears off the dirt and moss.”
All the saints and true devotees have liked their slandering, which decreases their sinful deeds and the load of which is transferred to the slanderers. Paltu Sahib says :–
May the slanderer live for ages,
Through him my task is accomplished.
My task is accomplished by a servant,
Charging not a penny.
Girding up his loins,
He enlightens the whole world about me.
Ever concerned,
He leaves not my thought even for a moment.
Fondly does he hurl abuses at me day and night.
He has given strength to me
And disillusioned the world.
The slanderer is indeed my benefactor,
He serves as a means for leading me to Him.
On hearing that the slanderer had died,
Paltu burst into tears.
May the slanderer live for ages,
For through him my task is accomplished.
Kabir Sahib says :–
Slander me, slander me, O men,
Slander me to your heart's content.
My mind, body and soul are engrossed
In the love of my beloved Lord.
As the washerman rids cloth
Of all its dirt and stains,
The slanderer removes layers of dirt
Gathered through the ages;
Like a mother and a father
The slander is my well-wisher;
He rids me of the sins
Acquired from birth to birth.
The slander truly is a blessing.
May he live for many ages happily.
For the grace of the slanderer, O Kabir,
I reach the feet of the powerful master.
The slanderer is dear to me,
Dear as my own life;
Without any wages, he carries my load.
Says Kabir : All praise
To the slanderer,
For he sinks himself
But helps devotees
To be ferried across.
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By the Load of Deeds and demons
Many persons get intiations so that they get rid of diseases and woes. When their such desires are not fulfilled then they leave to practise repetition. Sometimes they fall into the company of hypocrities and indulge in exorcism.
Such people harm themselves. Sometimes perform such deeds which increase the sinful deeds further. They have to repent later on.
This may be kept in mind that happiness and sorrows are the results of our own deeds and there is no way out exept their payment . to decrease the effect of deeds there is no other alternative or cure except the paractice of shabd-dhun.
These days we encounter many a such people who claim that some demons and many types of other bad souls are after them and hovering around. Many incidents are often untrue while a few are true also. Those people become demons after death who have remained involved in worldly and sensual pleasures excessively. When their such desires are not pacified during their life time then after death, they acquire the species of demon. They are in the astral form and they enter into the body of the other people to fulfil the desires of their minds. They usually trouble the weak hearted persons and do not come close to the strong hearted persons. They trouble them and get the things done according to their desires. They do not leave the persons whom they occupy once. Such beings should avoid indulging in worldly and sensual pleasures, should take simple meals, should not give the things which the demons may ask for and keep on practising Nam. After a few days only they all leave. such evil souls do not enter the house in which the practice of Bhajan and repetition is carried out.
Dadu sahib says that what to say of demons and goblins, even the emissaries of Yama and Kal cannot withstand the effect of the repetition as told by saints. One who practises repetition with full faith; he is free from every kind of fear.
Similarly, Guru Arjun Sahib also praises for the repetition as told by the saints in this way :–
By Lord's meditation, man enters not the womb.
By Lord's meditation, flees away the fortune of Yama.
By Lord's meditation, the fear of death departs.
By Lord's meditation, the enemy keeps away.
By Lord's meditation, no obstacle is met.
By Lord's meditation, one is awake night and day.
By Lord's meditation, one sheds one's fear.
By Lord's meditation, sorrow troubles not.
Lord's meditation is attained in the Saint's Society.
All treasures, O Nanak, are in the Lord's love. (M: 5 Ashtapadi 262 - 14)
It is worth remembering that when the saints sow the seed of Nam within the land of heart with the command of Satguru, that seed of Nam can never get unviable. This is the true seed dropped out of the Truth which is beyond the limits of mortality. When so ever it gets watered by Satsang, it will certainly develop into a plant and prosper. Though it may be within this life or the next one, but it shall be.
Sri Guru Nanak Sahib's one disciple descended and went to the hells because of the company of the evil deeds. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib took him out of that hell. Such incidents take place in the life time of all the true saints.
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Relinquishment of the Earthly Coil by Satguru
The bestower of salvation, Satguru is one only which is Sat Purush. His another form is True Shabd. That has created all. He himself has handed over the beings to Kal and Himself is bestowing life and strength to all the beings, while pervading within all the beings. He Himself comes in the guise of Gurumukhs to take them back.
Satguru is ineffable and unique. He has to take the human form to make the beings understand. Without the bodily form, how can He make us understand ?
Brahm (God) speaks through the body.
How can Brahm speak without the body ?
The purpose of Satguru taking the bodily form of Gurumukhs is to manifest the true master in the form of Shabd within the stray beings. On leaving this physical cover, they merge within the Shabd itself and return to their True Land Satlok.
On the departure of the Satguru, satsangis have to face different types of difficulties. Many thrones come into existence (as at the time of departure of Sri Guru Hari Krishan Sahib, twenty two thrones came into existence) and true and righteous saints have to face calamities. The true saints are filled with humility and meekness. They do not want to involve themselves in any dispute and keep themselves hidden due to the virtue of humility. The hypocrites, with false propaganda, keep on instigating the people against them. Usually, the saints have faced calamities due to the leaders living with them and the members of their own families and their true or right teachings have been distorted. Sri Guru Nanak Sahib's sons themselves kept on opposing Sri Guru Angad Sahib and they started their own panths or sects.
Sri Guru Angad Sahib's son Dasu himself kicked Sri Guru Amar Das while he was seated on the Takht as to why he is setting on the seat of his father ? Guru Amar Das Sahib got up and kissed his feet due to the humility and started pressing and massaging his legs stating that he was an old man and his bones had come out. Possibly he might have been hurt. And after that Guru Sahib left that place and told to the sangat to remain there, as it was. After going from there he established a new Dera with the command of Lord. In this way Guru Ji presented the example of saint's humility.
Similarly Guru Arjan Sahib's brother Prithvi Chand had been his staunch opponent. Maulana Rum's son Alauddin Mehmood beat his own father's Master Shamas-I-Tabrez with great cruelty.
These leaders who had been causing troubles and calamity for the saints, are there only to lead the sangat. In this way, sangat faces a lot of difficulties.
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What the Sangat should do after the Departure of Satguru
Generally, it is seen that when the saints deliver the spiritual discourses then some rare devotee only listens to their sayings attentively. And out of these a few are there who practise the sayings of the saints. The devotees who listen to and practise the sayings have to face very less difficulties. They get satisfaction from within.
Sangat needs that they should keep listening the sayings of the saints carefully, especially when the saints are in their old age. The saints clarify all the things before their departure and hint out the person whom they have to appoint in their place rather tell in clear words. Secondly, when the saints leave the earthly coil, all are pure at heart at that time. At that time all the sadhus and leaders oftenly tell the truth. After some days the people with vested interests start concocting new tales or sayings. New schemes are framed. There is a rare one with true faith and with inner ascent. Then all get worried about their livelihood and pleasures and make parties or groups for their for their vested interests. Someone takes the sangat to one place while someone to another. Someone wants to forcibly dethrone the true saints and wants himself to hold the throne.
The dwelling place or Dera of the saints is a holy place. All the devotees consider it to be their duty to salute the Dera. In fact, it is worth saluting for the sangat. So one who has grabbed His throne, devotees start glorifying him for no reason. If they do not do like this, they are feared of their entry into the Dera. If they go to Dera then persons residing in Dera prevent them from going to some another place even and instigate the sangat by alleging the true saints with different kinds of demerits and concocted faults which are generally not found in the saints.
It is worth remembering that undoubtedly the Dera of true saints is pious place for the sangat, even after their departure; but the command of true saints by which they appoint their heir in their life time itself are more pious and important than that place or Dera. All forget this fact. For example Sri Guru Angad Sahib kept on delivering spiritual discourses at Khanddur Sahib. That place was pious and worth worshipping for His sangat but the personaliry of Sri Guru Amar Das whom he had authorised as spiritual leader of the sangat was more worth worshipping than that place. The benefit, the sangat could get from His person; could not be got from that place.
It is essential to clear one more things here that while leaving this physical world saints strongly desire that such a person should succeed him who has become like the saint himself. Such a person is a rare one. Hazur Maharaj Param Sant Sawan Shah Ji wrote to a satsangi in a letter that :–
“A saint considers himself lucky if he happens to get one or two true disciples during his life time.”
If no true disciple is there, then what do the saints do ? In such circumstances, saint has to appoint a person with good spiritual earnings in his place so that he can lead the sangat in Bhajan and repetition and sangat does not face loss.
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Advice for Sangat
It has been requested earlier that Guru is one only and which is Sat Purush or His Shabd. He takes the bodily form, initiates the beings and since the same day looks after them after residing within them. As long as he remains in the bodily form, He helps outwardly as well as inwardly. When He departs then the heir appointed by Him fulfils all their worldly responsibilities. We should love Him as we do with our own Guru and keep obeying Him. Guru never dies, He is always with his disciples. He does not lead outwardly only because he has left the physical body and remains with his disciples in the astral and causal form and leads them in every spiritual region.
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Re-initiation
After the departure of Satguru, his devotees need neither get re-initiation from the heir and nor contemplate the heir's form. A true heir never re-initiates the beings already initiated by his Satguru and does not get himself comtemplated too. If he does so, he is not the true disciple.
Pujya Param Sant Sawan Shah Ji writes in his holy book ‘Gurumat Sidhant’ Part Ist that :–
“It is necessary to have only one Guru to be a Gurmukh. As for a woman who is bound to one husband becomes Suhagwanti or fortuned and she contemplates and remembers the same. The woman with more than one husbands is called an aldulteress. Suppose after initiating, the Guru departs then contemplating the same guru, the disciple's work shall get on completing. When Guru bestows Naam, he remains with the disciple and is all pervading. He is an ideal and disciple's work shall get on. One will experience the realization, there shall not be dearth of any thing. Guru never dies, He is immortal, is an ideal who never perishes. He only leaves the raiment of the physical cover. The disciple may serve and listen to the other saint or mahatma, but should keep attached inwardly with and contemplate his own Guru from whom he has been initiated. All pervading Guru shall himself look after him. If he keeps on changing Guru time and again, he can never become to be a Gurmukh.”
Kabir sahib says that a virtuous and an adulteress both live in the similar house. The former is devoteed to her husband and is the queen of house. The later wanders from door to door in dejection and has no patronage. The faithful and virtuous has one husband or master and is very happy but she who has many husbands is an adulteress and impure by heart.
It means that remember one, practise the repetition of the one while sitting, walking etc. May one dwell in your heart or mind and sing his praise. Practise the only Lord by body and mind.
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Living All the Patronages aside, Live on the patronage of the Lord within
Zaffir Sadiq had been a Muslim ascetic. He was the grandson of Hazrat Mohmmed Sahib. Once a man came to him and said, “I want to see the Lord.” Sadiq Sahib said, “The Lord has said that he will not be visible.” But that person insisted upon. When he did not agree in any condition then Sadiq Sahib got his hands and feet tied and got him thrown in the river and after some time got him out. that fellow thought what kind of saint this is ? Who gives such a punishment for mere talking and with this fear started praying. But Sadiq Sahib again got him thrown in the river. When he was got out second time, the fellow prayed bitterly. But Sadiq Sahib got him thrown into the deep water again. Now the fellow got disappointed very much. In the state of deep disgust, he thought of the God to be his only saviour and started praying to God. Sadiq Sahib got him out and asked, “Have you seen God ?” The fellow replied that by the time I had the support of others, till then there was a veil in between and when I took the refuge of the Lord and became restless for Him then the door of my heart got opened, beheld the Lord and the restless of the mind fled away.
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Responsibility of Satguru
Once the Satguru accepts a being then ultimately makes that being reach the apex court– Satlok. He considers it his responsibility till the being reaches the Real Home. It has been depicted that Kabir Sahib kept on looking after Dhani Dharam Das for eight births and lastly made him reach Satlok.
At the time of death, Satguru looks after the soul in the same form in which He had initiated the being and He Himself decides either the soul be given another birth or be taken to higher regions for getting it prepared to go to the ultimate. If a satsangi retains any desire of worldly pleasures or attachment in his mind, he is sent to this world. It is not necessary that he may remember about the previous birth in the new one. Oftenly the incidents of the previous births are forgotten completely. As the being has forgotten all the previous incidents, Satguru again associates him with the saints from which He is getting the work done at that time to re-initiate the being. It is certain that He gets him initiated definitely and the being starts progressing from the place where he had left in the previous birth.
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Death Time of Satsangi
Satsangi's attention generally goes within when he nears his death and he does not speak for hours. He does not want to talk to anyone, does not want to see the non-satsangis at all though they may be his nears and dears. In such a situation only satsangi should be there in his service who may practise repetition while sitting by his side and also avoid making him speak too much. If satsangi practitioners are there by him then he will disclose every thing regarding his departure, otherwise not. But it is certain that when he will leave the body, shall leave happily. His face will have a shine of happiness and there will not be any kind of attachment, anxiety or worry in his mind. Contrary to it, the condition of the common people is that at the time of death, they weep and cry. Their faces turn black, body gets writhed. If the payment of some deeds of satsangi is left then he gets pain in lieu of the same before death. But at the time of death leaves happily. If in the payment of deeds satsangi feels pains and due to lesser practice of Bhajan and repetition may forget the Naam even, then he should be reminded of the Naam and repetition and Photo of the saint may be shown to him. In doing so, he will get peace.
One more thing to remember is that when at the time of death satsangi is sick, doctor is called oftenly. If satsangi refuse to take medicine then he should not be given the same forcibly. At that time satsangi known all his betterments and detriments. Many times doctors give such medicines which become hurdle in his path and pains increase instead of relief.
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Some Other important Instructions
Cheatings of Kal
Contemplation
Assembling of Satsangis and Development of Differences among them
Bad Company and Behaviour in the World
Refraining from the Company of Non-Vegetarians and drunkards
Spiritual Journey is Delicate
Keep the Conduct Clean
Worthless Satsangis should not be Condemned
Good and Deeds
Slandering and Speaking Ill of Others
Loneliness
To Face Sleepiness
Good and Bad Dreams
