"Dhann Shri Guru Granth Sahib" (Guru Granth Sahib is Glorious), five times every morning when they first open their eyes. He said that if you did this every day for forty days, you could see that Guru's Light (Jote) lives in Guru Granth Sahib.
Sant Naranjan Singh Ji, Shromani KathakarBackground:
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Bhai Sahib Bhai Naranjan Singh Ji of Guru Nanak Ashram, Patiala was born in Sulisar, Tehsil Mansa, District Bathinda. (Sulisar is a historical site of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji).
His parents were Sardar Ishar Singh Ji and Mata Harnam Kaur Ji. Mataji prayed day and night for 3 years to the Almighty to bless her with a son pure at heart and holy in spirit. She would rise daily in the morning in praise of God and one night she had a vision that she was blessed with a Divine son. From his childhood, he daily heard the holy shabad (kirtan) and his mother's recitation of Gurbani affected him strongly.
When he was 4 years old, Bhai Sahib Ji was blessed by His Holiness Sant Attar Ji of Mastuana Sahib --the great Saint of Kalyug. Sant Attar Singh Ji foretold Babaji's mother that her son will one day become a Bhramgiani. During his childhood, Babaji was also blessed by Sant Jawala Singh Ji Harkhowal, Sant Teja Singh Ji, Sant Gulab Singh Ji, Sant Nand Singh Ji of Patiala, Sant Nand Singh Ji of Kalera and Sant Hazara Singh Ji (Moni Sant) who used to call him 'Sukham Murat Naam Naranjan'.
Bhai Gopal Singh Ji, the head priest of Sulisar Gurdwara, started teaching Santji at the age of 3 years. But after a few days, Bhai Gopal Singh Ji said to Mata Ji "Your child utters the words of Saints and he is indeed a blessed child. Who can teach him?"
In less than 1 year, the divine verses of Gurbani fell from his lips melodiously and the sangat was astonished. He continued his education at Guru Ki Kashi, Damdama Sahib. Here, at the age of 7, Babaji used to do kirtan - in ekaanth - from 1am to 4am daily for 6 years continuously. At the tender age of 7, he became the Principal of Divinity. He had his education of Dasam Granth Ji from Giani Sahib Singh Ji and Sanskrit education from Pandit Kartar Singh Ji.
At the age of 14, Babaji came to Patiala at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, a historical site of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji. Here, at this young age, he started katha of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and completed from "Ek Ong Kar" to "Atharey das bees" in 18 years. For nearly 50 years, Babaji did katha in Patiala and other cities in India. He traveled extensively all over India and also to foreign countries like Canada, USA, Malaysia and Singapore. He spoke to eager audiences wherever he went and rekindled the light of religion in many hearts.
On 9th December 1983, Babaji was bestowed the title of Shromani Kathakar (Chief Exponent of Sikh Scriptures) by SGPC (Shromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee), Amritsar for his 50 years of contribution to the Khalsa Panth.
In 1956, Babaji started an institution "Guru Nanak Ashram" at Alipur Road, Patiala where he taught Gurmat. The activities at the Ashram included 1. An akhand Path which is held on the 1st Sunday of every month - the theme being "Shabad is Guru". This is still being practiced till today. 2. An amrit vela sadhana from 3am to 5am. This continued for about 35 years. 3. Amrit sanchaar ceremony was held from time to time.
Sant Ji stressed on "Apni Mat Tiago, Guru Ki Maat Tharan Karo". He emphasized that Shabad is Guru and encouraged the sangat to recite the words "Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji" 5 times upon waking up every morning.
Santji participated in deliberations of the world's religions which was held in Frankfurt, West Germany in August 1986. In his plenary address, he explained " In essence all religions of the world are the same i.e. to bring God's blessings to all and not to a chosen few. We are in God, and God is in us. We are his children; we are brethren. We must denounce voilence both in thought and in action and live in perfect harmony. That is the way to ultimate salvation; the others lead to doom and destruction".
Along with his speech, the saint scholar gave the message of the 3rd Sikh Guru : Guru Amar Das Ji which reads "Save, by thy Grace, the world which is in flames. Save it at whatever portal it may be saved The Holy perceptor, by inspiring contemplation, has conferred bliss Sayest Nanak : None other than the Lord liberation may confer".
Dr. Rabbi Albert from Kent, England remarked in his speech :"In the presence of such a person as Sant Naranjan Singh, I have never felt myself to be a Jew nor he a Sikh. Such is the love flowing from him".
My impressions of Babaji
By Surjit Kaur Ghandhi
I first came into contact with Babaji on 10th May 1958 when he came to my house to perform the marriage ceremony of my younger sister. I then started going to the Ashram (for amrit vela sadhana) and Gurdwara Sri Dukh Nivaran Sahib (for katha).
He came to our house on 17th May 1990 at 1A Ranbir Marg, Model Town, Patiala, Punjab, India. Babaji stayed here until 25th May 1994 when he left for Sachkhand.
I've seen Babaji's life being spent in the service of mankind. He was a devotee of the universal spirit, a friend of all and was full of appreciation, like a loving father. He had a keen sight and his eyes flashed, sometimes half closed, as if intoxicated with divine nectar. "Bhram Giani Kee Drist Amrit Berseh"
Sometimes his eyes were serious and sad and at times full of pity, at times laughing like a child but mostly lighted with love and faith. He had an urge to communicate that love and faith to all around him.
His voice was deep. His speech was full of gentleness and grace. He used to say that courtesy does not cost anything and only the meek and humble inherit the kingdom of God. Whenever he spoke, the air seemed to stand still and mute wonder lurked in the hearts of man & woman to imbibe the sweetness of his words.
Babaji was a Divine dictionary in himself. He read with devotion the Upanishads, the Bhagvat Gita, the Koran and the Bible. Great men do not preach - they only open their heart. His study was very deep and thorough. Though he was a versatile genius, he was a great humanist. He used to weigh every word he spoke.
Babaji regarded Sant Teja Singh Ji (Double MA) as his spiritual guide. For 45 years, he basked in the sunshine of Sant Teja Singh Ji. Babaji's life had become more and more dedicated to imparting Guruji's divine message. Whoever went to him, he used to face as if that person is the focus of attention and love. After visiting him, his image lingered on in one's mind.
If ever any one of his loved ones were in distress, pain or ill, he always attended to them. He used to give material help and spiritual comfort. He was a tower of strength.
One day, I repeatedly asked Babaji what was his innermost heart's desire. After much pestering, he answered 1. Service of Mankind 2. Getting the parthak darshan of Akal Purukh in this lifetime 3. Doing the parchar of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's outlook.
Babaji used to say that doing a lot of Path (Recitation of gurbani) and listening to a lot of kirtan was a good karam. But most important is to read with vichaar (contemplation & understanding) and to keep control on our Surng-klurp and Vee-klurp (positive & negative thoughts).
He taught us that the kingdom of God is within ourselves. He seemed to have risen out of his centered consciousness to the divine plane of the self within, focussing all his energies & emotions on God.
He used to say, "Satsang is a door thru which one may enter the Heavenly Home". Giving love was the very part of his life. He never saw faults in others. He used to say that the happiness you give to others will rebound to you - such is the great law. He gave his love to all, seeing no faults in others.
He used to explain the philosophy of Amrit from a spiritual point of view and I have many times witnessed such exchanges of views between him and the sangat.
Babaji has done 4 akhand paths at one sitting during his lifetime. His face would be glowing radiantly and it was indeed a sight to cherish. During the amrit vela sadhanas at the ashram, the lights would be turned off at 3am sharp. Only a dim candle would be lighted near the pothi sahib on Babaji's waja. He did the sadhana with great love and bairaag. His perna would be drenched after the session. All would be still and the atmosphere would be like sachkhand.
Babaji's sorat di kamai was so much that whoever did his darshan was filled with peace. Throughout his life, he stressed on one thing: "Apni mat tiago, Guru di mat tharan karo. Guru da saroop shabad hai"
The plant of Sikhi planted by Guru Gobind Singh Ji has been kept green by, amongst other things, by saints, bhagats who have done their sewa to water this plant. Sant Giani Niranjan Singh Ji is one of them.
Sant Niranjan Singh (1922-1994). Faircomplexioned, and blueeyed, Giani Sant Niranjan Singh was nurtured on several branches of learning, old and new. He was especially interested in veddnta and nydya. He was also wellread in Panini. All his life he remained immersed in Sikh letters. He began with lessons in the holy Guru Granth Sahib which he read with extraordinary diligence with his teacher Baba Gopal Singh who was the Head Granlhi at Gurdwara at Sulisar. Niranjan Singh was born the son oflshar Singh at Sulisar in Mansa district of the Punjab on 25 December 1922.
The family traced their origin to the Mann Jatts of Kahlori Kotli. Niranjan Singh was married to Tarlochan Kaur ofBhagtuana village. She was related to the ruling house ofNabha. Sporting a small white muslin turban upon a large head he proved an assiduous learner. He spent most of his manhours daily studying the intricacies of the Punjabi lexicon and Hindu sdstras. He gained a fair mastery of several of the esoteric texts. He proved a quick learner. He was lucky in his choice of teachers. He was barely four when he was escorted by his mother to the presence of Sant Atar Singh of Mastuana. The meeting with Sant Atar Singh left on him a permanent imprint. By the time he was seven years of age he was reciting the Guru Granth Sahib fluently. He studied the text with minute care for seven years at the Mastuana Bunga. After serving a period of apprenticeship under Mahant Tapia Singh ofDhamtan Sahib he moved to Patiala where he finally made his home. In Patiala, he took up residence at GurdwarS Sahib, now known as Samadhan Sardar Sir Deva Singh. The shrine honours the memory of a former prime minister of Patiala state.
He came to Patiala full of zeal for learning and teaching. Gurdwara Sahib Dukhnivaran, in Patiala, became his point of permanent halt. He stayed put in Patiala for the rest of his life and had ample opportunities of realizing his life's dreams. Here he received an openhearted welcome from all quarters. His reputation for piety had already preceded him. Expositions of the holy writ he presented at the morning assembly at the Gurdwara won him an everexpanding circle of admirers and devotees. In acknowledgement of his lasting contribution to Sikh learning through the medium of kathd, exposition of the holy writ, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee conferred on him the honorific 'Shiromani Kathakar'. This title he carried with him to many a Sikh conference and gathering. With the opening of the Punjabi University at Patiala, his lectures acquired a decisive scholarly edge. He presented learned lectures before University audiences.
At Gurdwara Dukhnivaran Sahib his series had gained further popularity. These evening engagements brought him much fame. Vast numbers of devotees came to listen to his discourses. He gave successively expositions of texts of the Holy Guru Granth Sahib and the Dasam Granth and of the inimitable Sri Suraj Prakdsh. This was his most solid contribution to Sikh learning. Unending streams of visitors, men and women, filled the holy corridors day after day. Sant Niranjan Singh's kathd, i.e. his expositions of the holy writ, became extremely popular. The extensive galleries of Gurdwara Dukhnivaran Sahib were overflowing with devotees. The audiences daily grew in numbers till they reached an almost uncontrollable figure.
Guru Nanak Ashram, in Patiala, spread over a vast acreage, where he eventually set tied down, was his permanent gift to the city. He passed on his mantle to his grandson, Mohinder Partap Sihgh. His daughter, Harindar Kaur, preserves the family's musical talent. Sant Niranjan Singh proved a tireless traveller. He undertook several trips around the globe spreading his message of global harmony and love. More memorable among them were his trips to Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Germany, Canada and America. Sant Naranjan Singh had a prolonged bout of illness following a traffic accident. He died at Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, on the Buddha Purnima, 25 May 1994.