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THE
FIFTH MASTER (Emperor Of The Spiritual Domain Of The Age) In compliance to the wishes of Shri Shri 108 Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji-The Fourth Master, all the residents of Shri Anandpur, including Mahatmas, Bais (Lady Saints), Bhagats, as well as the devotees from other places assembled there for the occasion, applied Tilak of saffron to the forehead of Shri Shri 108 Shri Hazoor Swami Darshan Puran Anand Ji, in recognition of His having succeeded to the spiritual gaddi of Shri Anandpur Durban on the auspicious day of 10th June 1970 A. D. or 28th Jeshtha Samwat 2027 Bikrami. After the above ceremony was over, Aarti of the Fifth Master was performed and 'prasad' distributed. According to the tradition, Bhandara (community kitchen) in the sacred memory of Shri Shri 108 Shri Sadguru Dev Maharaj Ji-the Fourth Master, was also held on that very day. The Fifth Master--an embodiment of peace, happiness and comfort, began to bestow upon one and all the divine rays of spiritualism in the capacity of the Leader ( presiding saint ) of Shri Param Hansa Advait Mat, and is blessing all by making them bathe in the ocean of Guru-Bhakti. The embodiments of Bliss, the Most Peaceful and the Most Divine Great Param Hansas, having reincarnated on this earth, showed the sacred path of Bhakti and salvation to one and all. Keeping in view the time and the conditions prevalent, they made the rules and principles of Bhakti very simple, useful and adoptable to all. Their real apparition is reflected in the glimpses of Their lives. It is impossible to describe as to what They were and in what ways They put before the common people the noblest and easy path of Bhakti and salvation. In short, Those Great Souls, having appeared in extreme Kali Yuga, kindled the flame of 'Anami Loka' through Their spiritual discourses in the troubled hearts of the people, involved in 'Maya' or illusion. When the greatness of a person above the common level, can not be described through pen, how can it be possible to find words to explain fully the magnificent glory of the Great Personalities, the Param Hansas, the Lords of the treasures of wonderful powers ? Here we are only offering some flowers of simple words, reflecting our sentiments and faith, at the lotus feet of the Masters in our own humble way, as to what the Great Ones, the Param Hansa Saints, the Emperors of our hearts, were. SHRI
SHRI 108 SHRI (THE FIRST MASTER) The storm of selfishness had spread all around. Every human being found himself involved in the fulfilment of carnal desires. None could discriminate as to who was one's own and who was a stranger. Ingenuity and deception had blinded everybody. When He (The First Master) appeared, there was brightness all around. The dirt of enmity was washed off and everyone became enamoured of Him. His advent lighted the Lamp of Reality. He selflessly made every one drink the Nectar of Bhakti. The First Master, Shri Shri 108 Shri Param Hansa Dayal Ji, Shri Swami Advait Anand Ji Maharaj was the Great Master, the Great repository of Divine path, the founder of the Advait Mat, the real embodiment of renunciation, the Great Avdhoot (ascetic), the changer of the times and the promoter of traditions. He fulfilled the Mission, for which He was born. We, the followers of the Sampardaya (system) will remain grateful to Him for ages for His farsightedness and numerous inspiring and noble deeds done by Him. His life was full of 'Tapas' (severe austerities), renunciation, indifference to the world and endurance. He was independent by nature since boyhood. Nature also soon arranged His release from the worldly ties. For whatever great work the Nature had sent Him to the world, that was successfully fulfilled by Him. Because the Faqirs have said:- (Hindi quote) In other words, Nature bestows those virtues on a person from the very beginning, which are needed for accomplishing that work, for which He is born. So He had the virtues of Bhakti, spiritualism, renunciation and indifference to the world in full, since the very beginning. He was the founder of the edifice of Bhakti. He had listened to the piteous calls of humanity and inspired the forsaken souls to adopt the true path. He felt the pulse of the age being a spiritual physician. He underwent numerous types of hardships with a view to kindling the flame of Bhakti and spiritualism in the hearts of the common people. It is difficult to describe the situation as to how He put up with winter, summer and rainy seasons alike while fulfilling His task. His life was like a blossomed flower, which was giving out the fragrance of Bhakti and spiritualism and used to grant peace and happiness to the troubled minds. Excessive Yogic practices had brought about that extraordinary refulgence on His countenance, which none could see with raised eyes. The mind of the worldly persons were purified by His mere 'Darshan'. His graceful appearance, beautiful body, broad forehead and smiling face shone like the sun. Even the great personalities did not dare to say anything except bowing to Him. His eyes had the unparalleled lustre. None could refrain from being. spell-bound after seeing Him. His voice was so sweet and impressive that after listening to it, everyone felt ecstatic. He was the treasure of magnanimity and the founder of traditions. After being initiated, He made the foundations of initiation firm, because it is an age-old tradition of the 'Sant Mat' that spiritual knowledge cannot be gained without being initiated by a Sadguru. He underwent severe Yogic practices in the forests, because as a Faqir He had nothing to do with anyone. Renunciation and indifference were apparent from every act in His life. He used to move fearlessly in the forests full of tigers, panthers and other wild animals, so much so that the wild animals used to come and sit by His side. It is a matter of surprise that even deer used to sit along with the tigers, panthers and wolves, whose relished food they were, by His side, but they never harmed them, as they were under His protection. Such instances are rare in history that simultaneously deer and tigers sat together and the former were not touched by the latter. He was an embodiment of non-duality in human form. .While in the mood of renunciation, He used to give away the very clothes, which He was wearing. He was the Vaster of all supernatural powers. He secretly displayed some of them, when needed. Ordinarily showing of miracles was considered against the cult of Bhakti by Him. His mind was pure like the Ganges and the Yamuna, broad like the sky and deep like an ocean. There was no narrowness in it. He met everyone with affection. He used to hide His real self and outwardly appeared as a most simple and humble person. He was always calm and in unison with God. In what words His virtues can be described, which are undiscoverable and indescribable. He was the fountain of all virtues and the source of salvation, Bhakti and spiritual knowledge. He adopted all the relevant principles according to the need of the times. At first, He underwent Yogic practices to realise His Self and then went ahead on the path of salvation. Being firm on that path He purified the troubled minds through satsanga and dyed them in the hue of Bhakti. By establishing the nucleus of satsanga, He accomplished the task of fulfilling the need of spiritualism for the times to come. After finding out His dearest disciple, Shri Swami Swarup Anand Ji Maharaj (the Second Master), He transferred the spiritual knowledge from His heart to the latter and thus honoured a tradition of olden times, and also paved the path for the future. By following into His foot steps the Sampardaya is trying its level best to convey the eternal light to every one. The seed of Bhakti, renunciation, indifference towards worldly objects and true love, sown by Him, is developing into a plant and having born flowers and fruits, is spreading its fragrance in all the ten directions. On account of that fragrance, all the devotees today are feeling ecstatic. He made the people follow the path of Bhakti by those means, which could be easily adopted by them. Whatever wish was carried by any devotee, He fulfilled the same quietly. By following this easy path of Bhakti, even the ordinary persons can benefit themselves and they are doing so by adopting that path. His desire was that the echo of the 'Word' or 'Shabad' should be heard in everyone's heart. The Great Masters, who succeeded Him, are fulfilling that desire. He was the life of the Sampardaya ( system ) and has left behind an indelible imprint of Bhakti for ever. 'Shri Paramhansa Advait Mat' and all its devotees are indebted to Him for all His beneficial deeds. He was the source of all spiritual inspiration. Shri Paramhansas of Shri Anandpur are the visible forms of Shri Paramhansa Dayal Ji Maharaj. His virtues cannot be described. One, who has drunk the nectar of Bhakti, can alone experience His beneficence. Page 666 Today the Sampardaya is marching ahead on the path of progress due to His blessings. SHRI
SHRI 108 SHRI (THE SECOND MASTER) Shri Shri 108 Shri Param Hansa Sadguru Dev Ji Shri Swami Swarup Anand Ji, the knower of God, the embodiment of renunciation, possessor of all the spiritual virtues, the self-realised one and the owner of the wealth of 'NAM' was the Second Master. His life was like the redness of the dawn of Guru-Bhakti, and an image of spring season. He was the possessor of all the powers and an embodiment of Divine light. He reaffirmed the principle of Guru Bhakti. The indications of being a Divine reincarnation were present in Him since the very childhood. These were His continuous sitting in the mountain caves, His fearlessness and remaining absorbed in His own self. After being initiated by the Master, H° made His life lustrous through severe Yogic practices in accordance with the wishes of the Master. He proved that by casting the life in the Master's mould, one can fulfil the aim of life. The founder of Shri Param Hansa Advait Mat, Shri Param Hansa Dayal Ji Maharaj, the First Master, felt extremely happy on meeting Him. He clearly manifested the knowledge of the relations of the lover and the beloved by His life that when the lover shows extreme eagerness for the beloved, the latter also is equally desirous of meeting the former. The First Master often shed tears in love for Him. He set a brilliant example of real love before the world. Sant Dadu Dayal Ji has praised the characteristic of true love in following words:- (Hindi quote) Such was the love of the Second Master. His beautiful appearance, His tawny face and sweet and eloquent voice automatically attracted every one's heart. Whatever wish a devotee carried in his mind to Him, He used to satisfy the same during His satsanga, without the former having disclosed the same. Several times on listening to His spiritual discourse, the attention of devotees was withdrawn automatically and concentrating on His countenance, they would go into trance and enjoy the inner bliss. After His taking to the true path resolutely a sort of revolution was brought about in the world in respect of spiritualism. Whosoever came into His sacred company, severed his relations with the world. He forgot himself and became a moth. of the light of Bhakti. The Second Master carried the light of true NAM from village to village, town to town and from the cottage to the royal palace in accordance with the wishes of the First Master. He also got several Ashramas built in the N. W. F. P., the Punjab, U. P. and Madhya Pradesh, so that the common people could benefit themselves by spiritualism, while at home. He enlarged the scope of accepting the complete surrender of the devotees. Numerous families surrendered to Him completely and got full protection at His lotus feet. He bestowed the sadhu's robe on some deserving ones among them and thus prepared a sadhu mandli (group). When He-used to sit in the midst of this sadhu mandli, He used to appear like the full moon amidst the stars. Sometime He was the bestower of true love and sometimes He preached renunciation and detachment. He was an ocean of kindness, mercy, humility and serenity. He attached greater importance to sewa or selfless service and obedience to the Master's wishes for achieving success in Guru-Bhakti. He used to exhort the devotees to more and more meditation. There could hardly be any one, who was not attracted by His Divine appearance. Only he whom He blessed, could understand His depth and inner import fully. He was really limitless. He got Ashramas built at different places in the country through the Mahatmas and the Bais, who, under His orders, were doing the work of satsanga. Thus, the people got the facility of enjoying the nectar of NAM' while sitting at home. For this the devotees will remain always indebted to Him. He had proved the correctness of the following hemistich of the Aarti:- (Hindi quote) He used to observe that virtues and sins are mixed up like milk and water in this world. The wise adopt the virtues and throw away the sins in the same way as the bird Hansa ( white swan ) separates milk from water. The knowledge to discriminate good from evil or virtue from sin is always bestowed by the saints. The saints alone enable one to sift truth from falsehood. It is recorded in Shri Ramayana:- (Hindi quote) Page 669 The creator has created His creation with both, virtues and sins. The Saints, like the Hansas (swans), pick up virtues like milk and throw away sins like water. Similarly the gurumukhs should view 'Maya' as false and 'Bhakti' as true. Those who have acquired the protection of the saints, are swan ( Hansa ) like souls. They have been blessed with an inner sight to discriminate the truth from falsehood. Therefore, it is the duty of every devotee to pick up the pearls of Bhakti by practising ,NAM' according to the prescribed technique. It is evident from these words that he showed the way to realise the Self' to those, who were given to worldly vices and had been covered with the dirt of wrong actions during numerous births. After listening to the piteous calls of the souls, separated from the Lord, He travelled extensively throughout the country from North to South and from East to West and delivered spiritual message with a view to uniting the deserving souls with God again. By following His path, the Sampardaya is more and more marching ahead on the path of progress. SHRI
SHRI 108 SHRI (THE THIRD MASTER) Shri Shri 108 Shri Paramhansa Avtar Ji, Shri Swami Vairag Anand Ji Maharaj, the Third Master, was a personality of the highest order, the sun among the Saints, Perfect knower of His-Self, brave karma-yogi and a reincarnation of God. He set that ideal in the world, the parallel of which is rare to find. As the importance of Guru's 'Shabad' is indescribable, so is His greatness. The ideals, which He set, and the principles which He laid, are before every one like the shining sun. The peculiarity of His life was to encourage and inspire the devotees and the seekers to render selfless service ( sewa. ) along with meditation. He aimed at ameliorating the life of the common people both physically and spiritually. He took particular care to see that the physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual development of human beings should take place equally and simultaneously. History fails to depict instance where in any age, stress had been laid by a Saint to uplift and improve the moral and ethical status of devotees and common people by teaching renunciation and Bhakti to them. According to an established principle, the rules, which a person values in life and the principles in which lie has faith, can be effective only if he himself practises them, otherwise they are all hollow. Such principles are eternal. Param Sant Shri Kabir Sahib has said:- (Hindi quote) It is a fundamental principle of nature that every action is bound by some principle or the other. Example according to one's precept is far more effective than eloquent speeches. The Third Master brought about a revolution in the spiritual world by His practical life. He tilled every one's heart with that virtues of asceticism, renunciation, spiritualism and action in such a way that every seeker of Guru-Bhakti attained success in this very life. By setting an example of 'Videhi' Janaka, who was indifferent to his body, He tried to make every one 'Videhi'. Only those who came in contact with Him, saw His bewitching appearance and listened to His nectar-like words, could experience the inner pleasure. Ask the black bees as to what pleasure they draw from the flowers ? They remain absorbed in enjoying the very fragrance of the flowers, but hardly care to tell anything about it to any body. They get so much absorbed in ecstasy, that they lose the consciousness of being closed in the flower. Ask the moth as to what pleasure does it derive by burning itself on the flame ? One, who has enjoyed the bliss of unity, can hardly describe it. He has hardly any time to talk to anybody. Similarly by looking at the Third Master's beautiful, graceful and divine countenance, which resembled the redness of the dawn in the golden blue sky, and by listening to His nectar-like words, the waves of Bhakti automatically started surging in one's heart. The impact of the essence of that flower of loveful Devotion on the devotees' mind is indescribable. It is that sweet nectar, the taste of which can only be experienced and not described. He made such a stream of loveful devotion flow, by bathing in which the devotees attained eternal peace, comfort and happiness. In the fifth Sutra (Part) of Narada Bhakti Sutra it has been said:-- (Hindi quote) He (the Third Master) bestowed upon the devotees that priceless treasure of Devotion, after getting which the colourful illusion, of the worldly comforts, which is so much coveted by the worldly people, appeared worthless in, the eyes of the gurumukhs. The gurumukhs, after acquiring the precious gem of loveful devotion, kicked at all the worldly comforts. The Third Master made efforts to convey the following message to one and all:- Burn thyself in fire of Love, This was the message, which the Third Master gave to one and all, so that all may dive in that stream of nectar and become Immortal. One feels confused as to whether one should call Him the sportful Lord Krishna, of the Dwapara age or the protector of traditions, Lord Rama of the Treta-Yuga or Lord Buddha or the sun of spirituality. One fails to understand as to with whom He should be compared. He displayed those wonderful spiritual sports, whose import one fails to understand, even after pondering over them serenely. He founded those traditions, which clearly reflect His supernatural powers. He made the people drink the nectar of True 'NAM' in such a way that they forgot whether they were living in Kali-Yuga or the Sat-Yuga. He made it clear that by practising 'Hath-Yoga', 'Kriya Yoga', 'Sadhana Yoga' or by getting into the rut of rituals of 'Karma Kanda', life becomes aimless and is deprived of the required benefit. He declared the 'Surat-Shabad-Yoga' or the 'Raj-Yoga' as the best form of Yoga, which can fulfil the aim of human life fully. He advised everyone to act fully on the following saying of Gita:- (Hindi quote) Along with it, the instructions of selfless karma and 'Navdha Bhakti', which Lord Krishna gave to Arjuna, and Lord Rama gave to Shabri respectively, were also given by the Third Master in easy and understandable language to His devotees and satsangis. He was the embodiment of 'Tapas' (ascetic practices), endurance, love, Bhakti, purity and ideal conduct. Renunciation and detachment were the main characteristics of His life. To do selfless work was His main principle. To uplift the worldly people, both materially and spiritually was His aim. His most active daily routine, reserved nature, righteous conduct, sweet speech, simple temperament had deep impression on His disciples, ,devotees and seekers. All were automatically attracted by His most active life. His words had such a magic touch that even one sentence of His had a spell on the people; rendered ecstasy to prevail all around, made the Nature almost immovable, flooded the ocean of love and made the feelings in the heart to surge in the ocean of joy and happiness. Whosoever was once attracted by Him, used to feel being drawn like a puppet tied with a thread. He possessed the virtues of heart-conquering magnetic power, filling the hearts of all with love in the same way as the fragrance of sandal tree transforms all other trees in its vicinity to sandal wood, and of changing the very nature like the philosopher's stone. There are trees of ebony, sagon and cheerh on the Malyagiri mountain (Mountain of sandal wood trees). When the wind blows, then all the trees of neighbouring area are covered by sandal's fragrance and are sold like sandal wood. That one sandal tree filled all the trees with sandal fragrance so much so that the whole mountain came to be known as the mountain of sandal wood. The Great Saints say:- (Hindi quote) It was a unique characteristic of His immaculate personality that when persons harbouring evils, vices, sins and sensual desires in their mind used to come for His 'Darshan', they could not desist from being impressed by His pure, beneficent and attractive appearance. They used to feel the impact of His pure, righteous and great personality and within a short time imbibed the virtues of Bhakti, spirituality and selfless service in them. He filled every particle of Shri Anandpur with such a tinge of indifference that whosoever used to come there to have His 'Darshan', used to find the state of his mind changed even before having His 'Darshan'. His sense of attachment used to be replaced by a sense of true love. The devotee himself used to say that he did not remember even the date, the day and the month so long as lie stayed there. All of them were forgotten as if they were needless to remember. He was limitless, knower of everything, Emperor of the hearts of the devotees, the light of the eyes, the wealth or the essence of life and God knows, what else. Sometimes being fond of sports, He used to indulge in sports; sometimes as the Master, He made the devotees to meditate; sometimes He took care to arrange for the physical comforts with a parental attitude; and sometimes He would start giving instructions with regard to the inner spiritual path as a Yogishwara. To describe how He ruled the hearts of the devotees is as difficult as fathoming the depth of an ocean. When Lord Krishna explained various kinds of Yogas to Arjuna in Gita, the latter said, "Lord ! After listening to all this knowledge, I feel confused. I do not know, what to do and which form of Yoga I should adopt ?" Then the Lord showed the best path and asked him to follow that:-- (Hindi quote) The Lord said further:- "I have told you everything without any reservation.. One more point is now necessary for you to follow. Leave all the systems and take shelter only in Me. The fulfilment of the aim of your life is then My responsibility." The Third Master imparted these very instructions. He often used to say, "Centre all thoughts in your Master, and carry out His instructions. Then there would be no worry about this and the next world." He clearly said:- "As are the thoughts, so is the person. Whatever is determined that is accomplished; may those be the pernicious sentiments or religious and moral ideas-both receive equal strength, but the results will be different. Now what do you all wish to be ? "The status of a sewak (a man of selfless service) is very high. None is nobler than him in the whole world, even if he be a king or an emperor. Even as great a personality as Lord Rama has eulogised the status of sewak placing him higher than the most learned person and the scientist:- (Hindi quote) "Therefore, if you serve the Master alone, you would be free from the slavery of others, failing which you will have to be slave to 'Kaal' and 'Maya'. On the contrary, in abiding by the behests of the Master, you will be freed from the slavery of 'Kaal' and 'Maya', lust and anger etc." "In reality, a true 'Sewak' wants neither comfort, nor prestige, nor honour, nor rest, nor praise. But since he is a 'sewak' of the Master, all comforts automatically rush to him. He gets the inner peace and happiness more than anyone else. Therefore cement such thoughts within you. Do not give room to weak thoughts in your mind. A man of weaker and lower thoughts carries no value." "Do not talk ill of anyone, even if he be so. If he is non-ethical, why should you entertain such thoughts in your mind ? And if he is virtuous, why should you earn immorality by harbouring pernicious ideas in his respect in your mind ? I want you to withdraw all thoughts from all other sides and attach them with the wishes and the pleasure of the Master." "Always spend your time devotedly in the service of the Master. If you will serve the Master with devotion, faith and love, you will draw the maximum benefit of the time. This type of service is of the highest order. March ahead on the path of progress and you will reach the destination yourself." Shri Paramhansa Sadguru Dev Ji, the Third Master, attracted the seekers in an extraordinary way. He taught the devotees the easiest and the best ways of Bhakti and service to the Master. Being an embodiment of love, mercy and compassion, He made one and all bathe in the sacred Ganges of 'Satsanga' and taught them the unique way of becoming self-reliant and a Karma-yogi. Where is the room for surprise, if the devotees were ever prepared to sacrifice their all for such an embodiment of love, mercy, affection and kindness, the Third Master ? He Himself used to say, "Whatever I have acquired is all due to the service of the Master. Sewa is the panacea for the physical, material and spiritual ailments. If the behests of the Master be considered by the devotee as the most precious wealth and if he engages himself in acquiring the same with utmost devotion, then is there any power on earth which will not bow to him ? In other words, all the powers whether natural or super-natural, are standing with folded hands before the gurumukhs awaiting their commands." This has been further corroborated by the following saying:- (Hindi quote) In other words whosoever served Great Saints, became worthy of worship in the world. But whosoever was full of ego and bowed to none, was deprived of all those virtues and benefits, which one gets as a result of serving the Master. In this world, whosoever reached the pinnacle of praise, respect and fame, undoubtedly reached there by ascending the ladder of service to the Great Saints; must have crossed over every obstacle and passed through every narrow pass laughingly; and maintained equanimity in pleasure and sorrow to fulfil the mission of his life. All these virtues were quite immanent in the life of the Third Master, as is recorded in the glimpses on His life. He had Himself according to the wishes and instructions of the Second Master, performed each and every duty with utmost devotion and care. While discharging His duties, He paid no attention to His physical discomforts etc. He used to say that determination is the personal treasure of a human being. He explained it in His own words. "Whatever role is assumed, one should act accordingly as best as one can. For example a person, acting in the role of a sadhu did not accept the gold mohars worth thousands of rupees given by the king and afterwards accepted only ten rupees as reward. Similarly you have assumed the sadhu's role in reality. In other words, you have become a sadhu and have renounced everything. Therefore, you should play this role worthily." "Act upto the role or the duty that you are allotted and see that it is completed. In short, try to attain the highest stage in Bhakti. Only to adopt the sadhu's garb is not the true indication of one's being a sadhu. Sadhu is he, who has controlled the senses, conquered the mind, has firmly established the Master's image inwardly in his forehead and has moulded his life in accordance with the wishes of the Master. All the permanent residents of Shri Anandpur are given this training and they put it to practice in their day to day life. Every child, man and woman of Shri Anandpur is a sadhu, because renunciation and indifference to the senses are the main principles of this place." By acting on these behests of the Third Master, the sentiment of fulfilling one's duty, has been awakened in the devotees here and they have done solid work with hard labour after being inspired by that sentiment. The clear proof of which is the present structure of 'Shri Anandpur Satsang Ashrama' before every one. He was a Divine personality above the human virtues. Since the human intellect can only see or test in accordance with the merits of human intellect, so accordingly, the pen can describe those virtues to a certain extent. Thus, the two extraordinary qualities of greatness and purity, were present in Him. Although there is no basic difference between these two, yet the mingling of these two qualities is rare in a human being. To be more exact, it means that intelligent, wise and influential persons may be many in the world, but the Perfect Masters are rare to be found. Such a personality was our most memorable and beloved, Shri Param Hansa Avtar Ji Maharaj, the possessor of all Divine virtues. Such Great Saints appear in the world after a long time. They are the priceless treasure of the creation. They are the guides, the teachers and the bestowers of salvation for the humanity. Although they reincarnate themselves in the human form before us to uplift one and all, yet it is absolutely improper to categorize them in the common people. The Third Master was a reincarnation of the above said category of Great Saints. He possessed both the above virtues, greatness and purity. Supernaturalness and perfection are reflected in every glimpse of His life. One has to say again and again that it is beyond human intellect to give even a brief sketch of His great virtues. Wireless is a scientific instrument. If a message is to be conveyed through it, the same can be sent only to one particular person or place at one time. For this we need the electric flow and the air waves. But He possessed that spiritual wireless power ( Telepathy ) which, without the use of any instrument and without any one's conveying the message, used to forcefully attract the hearts of the devotees living hundreds and thousands of miles away. Whosoever, with an ardent desire of attaining Bhakti, approached the Third Master, the spiritual Emperor of Shri Anandpur, the Lord of the three worlds, became enamoured of Him there and then. No seeker could get the peace of mind so long as he did not accept the Emperor of Shri Anandpur, as the supreme ruler of his own heart. The fire of true love for the Master burnt the seekers' sensuous desires, attachment and other worldly ties and ultimately they became embodiment of renunciation, asceticism and selfless service. At the Master's feet, the devotees learnt the proper way of living, and became detached from the world while living in the world, and thus realised the real aim of life. While describing the nobilities of the Great Saints, a learned Sanskrit poet has said:- (Hindi quote) As the full moon neither needs any decoration nor ornaments, but on account of its natural beauty and attractive light, it rules over the hearts of the people; as a lighted lamp is not needed to discover the sunlight; similarly, the Great Saints are the self-realised souls. The Third Master used to rule and will continue to rule over thousands and lacs of people's hearts on account of His undescribable virtues of kindness, affection, compassion and greatness. Yugas (age) may change, but the indelible mark of His love on the hearts of the devotees can never be erased. The full memories of His sacred works will continue to shine without any change for limitless times. If several Granthas (volumes) are written to describe His greatness: even then they will be too insufficient. The Page 682 moment He stepped on this globe, He set right its disturbed conditions. Inorderliness was replaced by orderliness. With the touch of His holy feet the whole place became the source of happiness. Roses appeared in place of thorny bushes. Autumn was converted into spring season. True humanitarianism was bestowed upon humanity. He carried the light of the peerless gem of loveful devotion to one and all. It is difficult to describe the sentiments of true love, spiritualism and renunciation, which He aroused among those who were soaked in sensuousness and selfishness. The clear proof of His greatness and popularity is that His sacred NAM (Shabad) and teachings have reached every corner of India. While He taught Guru-Sewa to one and all, He also instructed them to go within to realise their real selves. He often used to observe, "The real home of the Great Saints is 'Anami Loka' and if you want to see the real form of the Master, look within and in between your eyes." He also used to make the devotees repeat the basic mantra (NAM or Shabad) in the evening. With a view to preaching the 'Advait Mat' among one and all and benefiting the world by spiritual knowledge, He got Ashramas built through His devotees in numerous towns and cities of the country. The administration and expenditure of these Ashramas are supervised by the Mahatmas and the Bais of those places. In these Ashramas the Mahatmas and the Bais are always ready to hold spiritual discourses in order to benefit the seekers and the devotees spiritually. Thus all possible efforts were made under the Third Master's guidance to carry the message of the eternal truth, spiritualism and Bhakti throughout India from North to South and East to West. How far can we describe His broad-mindedness, Page 683 compassion and mercifulness ? Sant Sahajo Bai has said the following verse in praise of the Guru:-- (Hindi quote) Whatever rays emanated from His great, pure, high and noble life, are enlightening one and all even today. His words are like the shining rays of the sun, which are competent to remove the darkness of ignorance and to show the true path for ages to come. To recall His sweet voice,. love and bewitching appearance is life-giving, and it will continue to uplift the devotees in times to come. With His blessings this Sampardaya will surely reach the highest pinnacle of progress in the times to come. SHRI
SHRI 108 SHRI (THE FOURTH MASTER) Shri Shri 108 Shri Param Hansa Sadguru Dev Ji, Shri Swami Beant Anand Ji Maharaj, the fully self-realised soul, the light of the eyes of the devotees, the Master of traditions, the embodiment of mercy, the limitless treasure of loveful devotion, appeared in Divine form as the Fourth Master. He disclosed many peerless import of Bhakti. He often said that so long as one did not see ... |
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