A historical perspective.
Does a true, fully realized spiritual Master in a reputable lineage have one or multiple direct genuine and complete successors? I’ve tried to answer that question impartially in the following essay, based on historical facts and the recorded teachings of great spiritual guides who have appeared over many centuries, offering humanity universal life-changing teachings, but even more than the teachings enabling humankind to evolve, was their living spiritual presence via the Master-Disciple relationship resulting in firsthand palpable spiritual experiences. Whether it was Jesus the Christ, Lord Buddha, Maulana Rumi, Hafiz, Chisti, Kabir, Nanak and many others of universal acclaim, we can see some patterns as well as exceptions in the continuation or succession from one Master to another. One lamp is lit, and is passed on to the next, most fit receptacle, down through the ages. There are many great lessons and details from the relatively recent history of the ten Sikh Gurus (1468-1708), and since I’ve been studying the lives and teachings of these great luminaries for the past sixty years, I’ve decided to focus on them, although not exclusively. The beauty of the Sikh scriptures, compiled in 1604 by the fifth Guru, Arjan Dev, including 2,218 of his own divine verses, is that they contain the writings and teachings of not one Saint or enlightened being, but thirty-six , including Kabir Sahib (raised in a Muslim family) with more than 500 verses in it and Baba Farid, also a Muslim, with 123 compositions. This was the first time in history where the spiritual realizations of Saints from two major religions were included in one book. Sant Kirpal Singh called this treasure of wisdom 'a banquet hall of spirituality.' Additionally, direct disciples recorded the Gurus lives, travels and miracles in several books (generally referred to as Janam Sakhi's). To better understand the Gurus teachings in their original language, I learned to read and write Gurmukhi (Punjabi) before going to India in 1967 to study with the truly wonderful Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj. I’m still learning! In fact, in the time of the Sikh Gurus, there was no formalized religion as such, where the term 'Sikh' is the Punjabi version of the Sanskrit 'Shishya', or disciple—'one who learns,' and the followers came from all strata of society and were not confined to only one religion.
Some believe that when a Master leaves the body, he may pass on the spiritual mantle to several evolved disciples, and each of them might come to believe and feel that they each may become the Successor/Master. On the surface, that seems like a wonderful outcome, but all too often such individuals are misguided by ego, begin to gather and recruit new disciples, including imparting initiation…but, without any authorization or spiritual protection. Some also believe that the successor could not be a member of the Master’s family, citing the succession of Guru Nanak and Master Sawan Singh bypassing their own sons, or that the succession is always passed on to the immediate successor, but that wasn’t always the case with the lineage of Guru Nanak, and, within that lineage, there were no multiple successors.
While it is true that every initiate of a True Master (Satguru) contains within him or her Self the soul, or essence of God, including the astral form of their Master, they still are not yet completely freed from lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego. Just imagine the suffering and shock when the followers of an imperfect Master discover at the time of death that he or she was a sham and that they have no protection against the angels of death. Such karmic accounts more often than not are settled in future lifetimes. In one of the Sakhi's on the life of Guru Nanak, he was walking along a path in the forest with his two faithful disciples, Bala, a Hindu and Mardana, a Muslim. Bala sees a poor snake writhing in pain on the path, being bitten by thousands of red ants. Moved to pity, Bala asks, Master, what did that poor snake do to suffer so terribly?” Nanak was all-knowing and replied, “In its past life, that snake was a false Master, and the ants were his disciples taking revenge."
Many devotees, even when observing multiple sins and in some cases blatant sexual and violent abuse by a false Master, lack the moral courage to leave, or may even become party to the abuse themselves.
As the wise Master Kirpal wrote in Man! Know Thyself in 1954: “To believe in a thing or fact without troubling to investigate it does not in any way do credit to an intelligent man. On the contrary, it reflects adversely on his ignorance or credulity. Any belief not based on personal experience and verification of the facts has little value.”
To overcome the five thieves of human perfection, namely lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego, and to rise back to the original Home of the soul, known as Sach Khand—in this very lifetime through meditation practice, and to have completely surrendered to the will of their Guru/Predecessor, is a condition attained by an infinitesimal few. All who are initiated by a perfect living Master who himself has crossed all the stages, will be escorted back to the True Home (God, or the Creator) by their Master, “within four lifetimes,” and “they are not to descend lower than the human form,” as was emphasized many times by Sant Kirpal Singh and his Master Sawan Singh in the lineage that originated from Kabir and Nanak in the 15th century.
It was clearly stated by Christ when he said, ”No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.” Matthew 11:27, which means that the disciple is dependent on the grace of a competent living Master who has the power to open the inner vision to behold the Light of God within, and to hear the Word, or Unstruck Melody in meditation. It cannot be achieved without the guidance of a perfect living Master, or Guru. Initiation must be given by a perfect Living Master. Past Masters cannot do it. Spiritual experiences are not mere imagination, but something more real than anything of this temporal world.
In more than one place, the Bible speaks of those who rose into God, thereby becoming the sons (or daughters) of God. There is no exclusivity on ‘Son-ship’, that dogmatically asserts that only Jesus, or only one Master from antiquity could possibly have become the exclusive Son of God, for there is always a continuity of Masters.
Great Saints and Masters have been coming to this world from times immemorial. They left their treasured teachings in the form of writings, sayings, poetry, songs and miracles recorded by their disciples and observers. Some Masters had only a few hundred or a few thousand disciples (like Baba Jaimal Singh), while others have had enormous followings in their lifetimes (like Hazur Baba Sawan Singh, Param Sant Kirpal Singh, and Sant Rajinder Singh). Some were born high and some low; they came in all strata of society, in various religions, in all shapes, styles and sizes, but their message and essence was inviolate, universal, unchangable, morally pure and in full agreement. While everyone benefits from their holy association and those who get initiation from them into the mysteries of the Beyond, individual progress varies greatly. Amongst the followers, some make rapid spiritual progress, but aren’t by any stretch of the imagination Perfect Masters. They are merely individuals who received some grace, but that grace can be removed if the disciple makes blunders. History is replete with examples of those who fell from grace, and later forgiven. The Masters are all-forgiveness. Their nature is compassionate and loving, otherwise there would be no hope for anyone!
Then there is another subtle qualification between one who may have reached the goal, versus the one who has been commissioned as the successor to carry on the spiritual work of initiation by his predecessor. One of the pitfalls along the path is the ego-based desire to be considered as a Saint or Master by others, to be in a position of power over others, to receive devotion and material benefits, yet without the requisite realization and absolute purity, humility and selflessness of true sainthood. Here, many are self-deceived by the subtle but powerful ego and begin acting and posing, and although they may profess mastership, more often than not, are relatively blank within, masters of the art of deception. In the current age of instantaneous communication, the sins of the false gurus are often posted online by their deceived and embittered followers. Even though the followers may witness outrageous behaviour, falsehoods and abuse of power by their gurus, blinkered by blind faith or fear of retribution, many lack the courage to leave the imposters. Sometimes the followers even become co-conspirators. "When the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch.” Only one who has been implicitly and explicitly commissioned as the next Master is free from the misfortune of the false. A True Master is the image of God, in human form. God works through the Master in every age. Only a True Master can take on the tremendous burden of others' karmas or sins, which They gladly do. Try to imagine the disillusionment and pain of the followers when they find out their guru whom they revered as a god, is no better and sometimes worse than an ordinary person! Kal, the negative power, does not spare anyone who undertakes this perilous choice, or temptation, for Guruship is a great temptation. Master Kirpal said that those who accept donations and worship from others are consuming “sugar-coated poison.” Remember the story of the snake and the ants.
Describing the various stages of the spiritual Journey back to the Eternal Home—Sach Khand, the abode and origin of all souls, the Masters reveal secrets of the various stages, stages filled with Light and Music Divine, each stage more glorious, brighter and wonderful than those that preceded it. They also describe the trials and snares along the way.
Some Masters were born perfected, while others attained perfection here. Examples of fully realized Saints at birth were Kabir Sahib of Banares (1398-1518) and Guru Nanak of the Punjab (1469-1539), although they too, had to find initiation to set the example to all others. Kabir took initiation from Ramanand and in his youth, Guru Nanak’s father gave him some money and sent him away to make a profit. Along the way, Nanak met a Saint and his disciples in a forest, whom he served with his heart and soul, and spent all his money feeding and caring for them. In the process Nanak received the endless treasure of Naam—(the True Deal, or Sacha Sauda). Although there is no hard evidence, we assume that the Saint he met in the jungle was none other than the great Kabir Sahib. How and why? Because Kabir Ji’s teachings and Guru Nanak’s teachings were identical, they were contemporaries, although their language and locales were different. Kabir spoke a dialect of Hindi, and Guru Nanak, spoke and wrote Punjabi (Gurmukhi script). They both praised the Sat Naam (True Name), and described the same Five Spiritual Planes up to, and including Sach Khand, and gave initiation with the five charged Names of God, which, for future seekers, must be given by a true Living Master. Kabir had a number of highly developed disciples, but it was through Guru Nanak that the spiritual power found complete continuation. Each of Guru Nanak’s nine successors, carried the torch of spirituality. There was only one successor for each of the Ten Gurus. Many false gurus appeared also to claim the mantle from various saints, and sometimes they also persecuted the genuine Successors. Although Guru Nanak chose his disciple Angad as his sole successor, bypassing his two sons, eight of the succeeding successors of Nanak were related by bloodlines (son, father, nephew uncle, etc). After the Tenth Guru, Gobind Singh Ji disappeared in the Deccan in 1708, that was the end of the Punjab lineage of Sikh Gurus; the external Sikh religion began and the scripture was then considered the Guru. Rites and rituals ensued and the Sikh community grew and spread across the world.
Master Kirpal wrote that Guru Gobind Singh did not die in 1708 as was recorded in history books, and that he lived on for many more years in the south, training and passing on the living torch of spirituality to a prince in the Peshwa dynasty in Maharashtra. The eternal flame was believed to have passed to Ratnagar Rao (aka Rattan Rao)and then to Sham Rao Peshwa, the crown prince. However, on the eve of his coronation, Sham Rao rode off on his horse as he had zero interest in being a worldly king. He was solely devoted to spirituality and meditation. After some years, he settled at Hathras near Agra, and became known as Tulsi Sahib (1763-1843). Tulsi Sahib authored several important books on spirituality. Some believe that his book Rattan Sagar (Ocean of Jewels) reflects his spiritual revelations and his great devotion to his Guru. Historians may or may not agree. Although the great Tulsi Sahib had several advanced disciples, only Soami Shiv Dayal Singh, also known as Soamiji of Agra (1818-1878) was his commissioned spiritual successor. He foretold the parents of Soami Ji, that the Lord would be born in their house. Soami Ji was initiated by Tulsi Sahib at a very early age and made remarkable spiritual progress. He authored a Sant Mat classic, Sar Bachan and had many disciples. When it came time to leave the world, Soamiji assigned spiritual tasks to Radhaji, his spiritually advanced wife to look after the women followers, to his disciple Rai Saligram he conferred leadership of those in the Agra region and other tasks to his uncle Dilwali Singh Seth, or ‘Chacha Ji’ as he was known. Under the leadership of Rai Saligram, the sacred science gradually strayed away from the core teachings of Simran of Five Names which were given out by Kabir and Nanak, which Rai Saligram substituted with the name "Radha Soami", contrary to the teachings of the past Masters. However, Soami Ji conferred his complete commission only upon his fully perfected disciple, Baba Jaimal Singh of Punjab (1839-1903), who maintained the purity of Sant Mat, devoid of all rites and rituals. Other groups began to develop outer rituals and blind belief, and the spiritual 'science' took on the trappings of a religion called Radha Soami, with many variations. Baba Jaimal Singh, or Baba Ji as he was known, in turn had several advanced disciples, but he selected only Baba Sawan Singh (known as Hazur 1858-1948) to succeed him and carry on the work of Naam initiation. Others tried to claim the mantle, but they had extremely limited influence. The spiritual power lay with his beloved disciple, the learned, devoted and charismatic Hazur Baba Sawan Singh, who was a civil engineer. Under his divine leadership and magnetism, Sant Mat (the Path of the Masters) spread far and wide, even to Western countries for the first time in history, initiating approximately 120,000 souls into the path of inner Light and Sound meditation. Hazur came for all who hungered for the truth, including the downtrodden, regardless of their inner prowess.
Reading carefully “A Brief Life Sketch of Hazur Baba Sawan Singh” by Param Sant Kirpal Singh (1894-1974), we learn that while various administrative duties were assigned to others by Hazur during his last days in 1948, the sole responsibility and empowerment of Naam-initiation was given only to his most advanced Gurmukh disciple, Sant Kirpal Singh, although several others claimed otherwise. Sant Kirpal Singh was initiated by Baba Sawan Singh in 1924, but had been seeing his Master in meditation and traveling to higher regions for seven years before meeting him in the flesh. M. Kirpal wrote in his verses that he had reached the highest stage within six years of initiation and was known in the Sangat community of Hazur to possess immense power and love-wisdom. Ever the perfect and obedient disciple, Kirpal Singh was the group leader of the Lahore centre, the largest Sangat in India, and often Hazur would have Kirpal sit beside him and conduct the entire satsang before tens of thousands at his Dera or Ashram by the Beas River. This caused some jealousy amongst those craving the mantle for themselves and or their family. There is plenty of photographic evidence of the two Masters together as well as many firsthand witness accounts, although this evidence was long suppressed. Once, at the monthly initiation at Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, when Kirpal Singh was present, Hazur turned to Kirpal, and said, “Alright Kirpal Singh, you give the Naam initiation today. Let us see how your initiation works!” Kirpal Singh bowed to Hazur seeking His blessings, and proceeded to give initiation to about 300 souls. All had beautiful experiences within. This was around 1939. No other disciple was ever accorded such respect and love by the Great Master Sawan. I even met a couple of these old disciples at Sawan Ashram in the 1960’s. Several other followers of Hazur self-claimed to have also been given this duty of initiation. Some claimed it within a short time of Hazur’s death on April 2, 1948 (I could name several who came forward), and one claimed it within the past twenty years in America. In my spiritual experiences, Hazur and Master Kirpal were/are One and the same, and based on his many comments on the subject over many years of his life, I believe completely what my Master said. One perfect successor. He was, and now in his spiritual form, is one with the Supreme Being in all the spiritual planes.
In Baba Sawan Singh’s letter of December 17, 1925 to his first Western initiates, Dr. and Mrs. Brock, he wrote,
'Your question as to whom to look for guidance if the present Master goes out of life is very appropriate. The Master leaves the physical frame in its time like other people but remains with His devotees in the astral form as long as the devotee has not crossed the astral form. All internal guidance will be done by Him and it is He who will come to take charge of the soul at the time of death. And in case a devotee rises above the Eye Focus now and meets Him daily, he will meet Him inwardly there as usual. He will continue to discharge His inward duties of guidance as before, only He cannot give instructions out for the reason that He has left the physical vehicle. The functions which He performed through the physical frame only will now be done by the successor. All outward guidance will be done by the successor and the devotees of the Master that is gone will love the successor no less. They will get the benefit of the outward instructions from the successor. Correspondence will be done with the successor and you will know who the successor is.”
Hazur never said successors, plural. And Dr. Brock recognized Sant Kirpal Singh as the authentic successor in California in 1955, when Dr. Brock was granted a high spiritual experience of seeing Hazur within in Radiant Form along with the successor for the very first time. It was a confirmation for him about which he wrote in the book, “As They Saw The Master,”published by Ruhani Satsang in 1955.
One of several claimants to the spiritual Mantle of Sant Kirpal Singh, spread the myth that Hazur appointed Three spiritual successors: Mastana Ji of Balochistan for Western India, Baba Somanath for South India, and Sant Kirpal Singh for the rest of the world. This fiction continues which has caused some misunderstanding, and is the reason I am citing all these historical events.
That Power continues to work through a spiritual Successor, as he once wrote to me in 1966, when I asked about who would succeed him. Similar to what Baba Sawan Singh wrote to the Brocks, my Master Kirpal wrote back that I would get outer guidance from the successor, but I should always look within to my own Master, which I continue to do daily in my own imperfect way. He never told me that He would have successorS!
As to whether a blood relative of a Master could become a spiritual Successor, one needs to look at several hundred years of Sant Mat history, not just 75 years. In 1967 while with Him in Rajpur, I discussed Baba Sawan Singh’s succession and another prominent successor claimant who was a grandson of his. Master Kirpal told me then, “The son may be equal to the father, or may not be. The proof is in the spiritual experience he gives at initiation. Further, there must be protection.” He meant protection from negative entities as well as dangers of this world. One of the Sikh Gurus was actually initiated by their Master’s predecessor—his grandfather. So, it’s not always that the successor will be an initiate of the immediate predecessor, as he could be initiated by the predecessor’s predecessor. That implies that the Masters are truly One in spirit. Indeed, They are separate in features and language, but One in teaching and spirit.
I’m not saying this to argue, for which I have no interest, but just to present what Master Kirpal had said in person, in recordings and in his voluminous writings. In 1974 at Sawan Ashram, I tape recorded many question and answer sessions with the Master. In one interesting session, Suzanne Horatchek from Germany addressed the Master, saying that she was puzzled why she was seeing Master’s son, Darshan Singh within in meditation, along with Master Kirpal. He didn’t answer her directly, but he said the following, “No father wants his son to be a minister; he wants his son to be a king like himself,” and then he turned to the couple hundred foreigners sitting before him, and said, “Yes? Next?” Draw your own conclusions.
God works through many forms and ways. But so can Kal, the Negative Power, who works through the mind, the lord of the physical, astral and causal realms. For that, we have the test of Simran. If we stick to the words of Hazur and Master Kirpal with regard to the lineage from the 20th to the 21st century, I doubt we will go wrong.
Now, what about succession of the great Master Kirpal?
For reasons best known to Him, he never made it clear to the vast majority of his great following, who would be his spiritual successor, although he did confide it to several of trusted persons, such as his Sawan Singh initiate brother and prominent lawyer, who also served Sawan as his lawyer, Malik Radha Krishna Khanna in Delhi, to Gyani Bhagwan Singh, Secretary at Sawan Ashram, to the renowned Jain monk, Muni Shushil Kumar, to Tai Ji (Madame Hardevi) and to a principal of a major Indian university (I can’t remember his name now, although he did give a sworn affidavit that I’m no longer able to trace). Master also made it known to a large number of receptive initiates across the world in their meditations, but this latter phenomenon is important although subjective, and therefore, I will try to stick to objective facts, the words and sayings of the Masters. Authenticity is extremely important for any seeker of truth.
Another widespread myth was that Sant Kirpal Singh said that no one in his family would succeed him. This message was widely spread by professor George Arnsby-Jones in a recollection of a talk with the Master while he was on tour in America. No one has ever produced a shred of evidence to support this claim. It’s interesting to note that within two years of Master Kirpal's physical death, Arnesby-Jones began initiating his own followers, and passed away shortly thereafter. And thus, the blind lead the blind.
The hand-written will of Sant Kirpal Singh (yes, from he who criticized paper wills, with regard to succession), was prepared by him under specific instructions to Malik Radha Krishna Khanna, and to which He signed his signature in Urdu (his signature has been verified by several handwriting analysts).
That Will was suppressed by Tai Ji, a woman of considerable influence at Sawan Ashram and other conspirators. It was kept secret with her agent in Ajmeer for six years after the Master's passing on August 21, 1974. I was present at the cremation of His mortal remains and also happened to be present when that very Will surfaced in 1980, long after Sant Darshan Singh Ji had already proven his Mastership thousands of times over. Please refer to page 300, Chapter 65, Kirpal's Will A free download of the book is available here: www.arransart.org/writings
Also, in the Will of Sant Darshan Singh which was released according to his written instructions after he left the mortal coil in 1989, he said unequivocally,
I...hereby nominate Shri Rajinder Singh...as my sole spiritual successor, in view of his strong spiritual attainments and manifold qualities of head and heart, who will become the next Living Master and will take over the spiritual tasks of Naam-Initiation and of conducting satsang after I leave the physical body...
The latter will was so clear that it suppressed the normal rush by would-be false successors to claim the mantle, which allowed Sant Rajinder Singh’s succession to proceed without any major opposition, which, in part, led to unprecedented growth of his Science of Spirituality mission globally to over 3,000 Centers, and nearly one million initiates from 1989 to the present. And, regardless of the large numbers which seek the solace and guidance of this Master, they are being blessed inwardly with many divine experiences at initiation and in regular meditation, as well as manifestations of protection and grace (which worldly people might consider miraculous).
The information presented here might give rise to mild discomfort if it runs counter to anyone’s cherished beliefs, but what if those beliefs run counter to what the Masters themselves have said and written? Then that uncomfortable feeling may actually begin the process of questioning leading to awakening. That awakening, of course, is in the Master’s gracious hands.
In 1963, on his second world tour in America, Master Kirpal once related a story from the life of Socrates, the great mentor of Plato, "'Whom do you love more? Plato? Or Truth?' "Socrates replied, 'I love Plato, but I love Truth more than Plato.'" Master concluded this poignant lesson with, "We are after Truth, you see!"
Arran
🙏🏼 ~*~ ❤️
Since I’ve got some time on my hands while healing and resting, I’ve taken the liberty of subjecting you all to further thoughts on the subject. Of course, you don’t have to read it!
I was present when the “liberation within four lifetimes,” theory was brought up in the presence of Master Kirpal. He was adamant in response, “four lifetimes are not necessary to be liberated. Why wait four lifetimes? If you have an overwhelming desire to reach God in this lifetime and have no more desires for the world, you will not come back! Master can place you in a higher plane and you can continue your practice there, or He may take you straight back to the Lap of the Father.” And, “Make hay while the sun shines!”
Having multiple successors around at the same time would be nice, but isn’t that wishful thinking? It might make things easier and more democratic, but it seems that Masters have their own way about it, which is not necessarily democratic, nor is it a public voting system the way Masters are made and chosen. It’s said in Gurbani, “Only with the writ of God on one’s forehead, is a yearning soul brought to the feet of a True Master (Sat Guru).” When talking about Masters, I’m only referring to Masters who have gone beyond the physical, astral, causal, super causal and become established in Sach Khand, who have been commissioned to act as living Masters, saviours to souls wandering in the endless cycle of transmigration, and not to yogis or yogishwars, however evolved they may be, but still operating within the lower three realms.
Kabir and Guru Nanak were contemporaries, but very probably were Master (Kabir) and Disciple (Nanak). I’ve met a couple of initiates who indicated that they had been taken up by their Master and reached Sach Khand, but they’re not Masters and even they admit to that. Master Kirpal confirmed that Hakim Chuttanlal Jain had reached Sach Khand and was enjoying that plane with Him. But Hakim wasn’t a Master. Wasn’t perfect. But highly blessed.
“There will be more fragrant Saints, I tell you!” as M. Kirpal predicted in August, 1974, was a clear assurance that there would be more great Masters after Him. But it’s easy to interpret that in different ways. His passing wasn’t the end of Masters coming to this woe-begotten world. I like the image of Saints coming like grape clusters, but this can be interpreted variously, and leaves things open to wishful thinking. I knew this “narrowness” interpretation would be a sore point for some on the list, with all due consideration respect. Anyway I don’t see any disagreement with whatever Baba Sawan Singh or Sant Kirpal Singh said with regard to One versus multiple successors.
Regarding Master Darshan’s wonderful comment, being a strap on the sandal of Maharaj Charan Singh Ji, do you think for a moment that He was confirming that Charan Singh Ji was a Master of the highest order, that he was perfect and had no trace of the deadly five? That he was commissioned by Baba Sawan Singh? We have no idea of the depth of Master Darshan, or Master Kirpal’s humility and self-abnegation. In private, you might hear a very different conversation.
Let me give you an example. One of Baba Sawan Singh’s young grandsons (I won’t give his name, and he’s now an old man), was a hippie- like character roaming abound North America in the seventies, experimenting and very liberal. He came to visit Master Kirpal at Sawan Ashram. And you know how our Master was very strict. Hearing that this grandson had come, Master, out of total devotion to His Master Sawan, reverencing every thing and everyone associated with Hazur, what did He do? He rushed out, literally took off His turban and laid it at the grandson’s feet. He never saw the faults, He saw only His Master in all. Similarly, when Master Kirpal visited Vancouver in January, 1964 on the second world tour, Surinder H—-, who was the daughter of one of Baba Sawan Singh’s sons (and still a good friend of my wife and I), came to visit Master at Piara Nagra’s home on W. 2nd Ave. She brought a bouquet of flowers to welcome Master. Surinder and family had always held M. Kirpal in high regard as a great disciple of Hazur. Master recognized her and took the flowers and placed them on top of his turban. Surinder is a meat-eater and doesn’t meditate. But Master saw only the trace of Hazur in her. Nothing else.
When Baba Siri Chand, the eldest son of Guru Nanak, and a renowned renunciate yogi came to visit Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru, he rather disrespectfully asked the famed Guru Arjan, “Why have you grown such a long beard?” (He indeed had a very long beard). Guru Arjan bowed to Baba Siri Chand and said, “My beard has grown long that it might serve to clean the dust from the feet of the lovers of God, such as you.”
A little history lesson from the Sikh Gurus:
Guru Amar Das (the Third Sikh Guru in the spiritual lineage of Nanak), had a daughter named Bibi Bhani, who was a great devotee of Gurus Nanak and Angad, and would sing the verses of Guru Nanak in the morning, which her father overheard and was highly moved by. Through her, Amar Das came to Guru Angad as a humble disciple in 1539 at the age of sixty. In 1552, Guru Angad announced that he would give his spiritual mantle to the one who could pass a certain test of building and tearing down mud platforms. Amar Das cheerfully built and tore down 70 platforms without complaint, the only one who could pass this test of faith (too long to relate details here).
Dattu, the son of Guru Angad had a rather evil disposition and craved the succession for himself. He was very angry about it and jealous of Guru Amar Das. When thousands had gathered to greet the new Master who was sitting on the dais, Dattu had a magnificent throne built for himself where he sat with a handful of followers not far off. The big gathering was totally focused on Guru Amar Das, sitting serenely and radiant, eager to hear his divine message. Dattu became furious, stormed over to the real Guru and kicked him as hard as he could in the ribs. How did the True Guru respond? He went to Dattu and touched his feet out of respect, saying “I hope you haven’t hurt your feet on my dry old ribs.” That, my friend is an example of the humility and greatness of authentic Saints!
In 1574, Guru Amar Das passed the spiritual mantle to Guru Ram Das (his son-in-law), who in turn passed the torch to the Fifth Guru, Arjan Dev, his youngest son, compiler of the Adi Granth (aka Guru Granth Sahib). [If interested, read Max Arthur Macauliffe, “History of the Sikh Religion,” for history and anecdotes on the lives of the Gurus, although the book is by no means 100% accurate or unbiased.]
Master Darshan often told us, “brother, I am only a collared dog of the two Great Masters, and I go wherever they take me.” Master Kirpal once jokingly referred to himself as “Mister Zero.”
Twice I saw Master Kirpal bow down to religious leaders. Were they perfect? Hell no. But He respected the position God had put them in, positions that influenced many. He was spreading His “star dust”, as all Masters do, whether they are appreciated or not. Like
mango trees, giving fragrance and fruit and shade to all, even to those who throw rocks or who come with an axe.
The beauty of the great Masters is that they don’t force anyone to believe them. They spread their love and grace to all. They have no fight with anyone. Anyone is free to be with them, stay with them or leave them. Fortunate are all who come into their orbit. It’s only our mind that entangles us in falsehoods, doubts, glitter, delicious controversy, theories and endless delays. We sometimes act like a grasshopper, jumping from teacher to teacher, but as ‘they’ say, if you want to cross the ocean of Maya, row well in one sound boat.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
(Written while recovering from my ladder-fall, Nov 6)