Most Dear

morning came when we put you to school. Isn't it strange? Nobody sends girls to schools. Much before sunrise you used to say: O Daughter! Get up. Go to school. She got so much engrossed in learning that she did not wish to marry even though she had reached the age of twenty-one. Well: You thought you will marry her when all the young boys would die. Every day you told her to study. She learnt to have discussions and arguments with everyone. You prompted arid she got addicted to discussions and arguments. Now you are facing the consequences. You taught her and now she was one step further. She was more intelligent than you or other religious Pandits. Many times, I told you that our daughter has attained marriageable age. Do not keep her busy in discussions. Marry her off and send her to the bridegroom's house. She will have children, become a housewife and forget these discussions. But you said, she should become a Doctor of literature. Well? Now she has become a Doctor of literature and jumped into the worldly ocean. I do not know whether she excels others with her knowledge or becomes a food for the crocodiles in the river. (Heaving a sigh) Oh! My darling daughter! Where are you?

Pandit: O Savitrii Why do you blame me? I made her leam. I did not give poison to your daughter. Her leaving the house in detachment is not the influence of my teaching. This is the influence of what she listened from the saints and sadhus. One simpleton sadhu said something in her ears that made her mind detached. My lessons are true pearls.

Savitri: But Pandit dear! Who gave her that addiction to hold discussions with saints and sadhus? You only said that one gets more knowledge through discussions. So she got addicted to discussions. The fisherman catches fish in the net every day. But sometimes a crocodile also gets caught in the net. Then the fisherman has to face the consequences. Same happened here. A saint came and scintillated your and daughter's knowledge and went away. The daughter lost her knowledge and I lost my daughter. Both the harvests got burnt. You tell me. Where should I go? My heart sinks. It is going down and down. Today is the third day.

Pandit: You tell, what more should I do? I sent men to far off distances, sent detectives, sent boats to follow. Nets were laid, made enquires on the bank of river up to fifty kilometres or more but no clue was found. Unless we get a clue, how can we know the whereabouts? It is beyond our control. Destiny is mighty! It happened with Rama and Krishna. What are we in comparison to them?

SR! KALGIDHAR CHAMATKAR (VOL - i)

Wife: But Mother's heart cannot cool down by talking.

Pandit: Poor father? What should he do? Besides the love in the heart, all his hopes and wishes have gone down the drain. She was so intelligent and wise.

The Pandit and his wife were lamenting when Santo maid came running and said: On the bank of the river, I found one envelope that was tied to the branch of a Fig tree. When I opened it I found one paper. I do not know what is written on it but the handwriting seems to be that of respected sister.

Pandit hurriedly took the paper and read. The eyes of the hard-hearted Pandit thatliad never cried are shedding tears today.

One cannot imagine with how much detached mind the string of sentimental love broke, the hand wrote and went on the way to the forests. The Pandit became so emotional that he sang the lines.

Wife: Has our daughter written this letter and left it.

Pandit: Yes darling!

Wife: Then tell something to me expended. Where has she gone and what has she written?

Pandit: Alright, listen. The first stanza says: O friend! Fortunate are those who in the bloom of cold wintry night under the moonlight filled sky spend the beautiful and pleasant night sitting immersed in the love of the Supreme pious Lord after renouncing the worldly pleasures and rid their mind from the vices of the world.

Oh! Lord! Our daughter has renounced the family?

Wife: Alas! ITiis learning has led her astray. Has she written anything else or is this all?

Pandit: Whatever else she has written, you listen: I am going to the forest. O mind! Rid yourself from worldly desires. Eat the fruit that grows in the forest and wear the clothes of the leaves of trees and live a life where one does not hear words of those who are in forgetfulness of the Lord, are greedy for money and boast of being saints.

Wife: Oh! Daughter is lost! You tried to make her more and more learned. Oh! My Master! You crammed all Vedas and Upnashids. Many saints became your students and you earned more money and we got more comforts in the house. You never dreamt of living in forests and wearing leaves of trees as clothes. What did you teach her that the daughter's 'soft like cotton wooP mind caught fire?

Pandit: O Darling! My teaching did not have any spark. This spark was ignited by that young saint.

This conversation was going on when they heard the tune of a divine song [Kirtan) that would fill the mind with detachment. The effect of the tune was so deep that everybody became quiet like statues.

When this loving tune stopped, then Pandit, like a tiger thundered with rage: O good lady! He is the same mad person who has plundered our house. O Moti, Ganua, Jeevan! Go catch him and bring him here.

On listening to the order from the Pandit, all three ran and in a short while brought a tall, handsome and sharp featured young man inside.

This pious figure had a small beard that indicated his age around twentyfive. His forehead was broad and lustrous. His eyes showed magnificence but at this time they appeared heavy as if immersed in love of the Lord.

The moment he entered, Pandit's anger subdued. Instead of shouting in rage he was suppressed.

The handsome pious person's face emitted radiance though he was wearing a course cloth dress and a course cloth turban. He sang: The Lord has blessed The Lord has blessed

He was engrossed in the song when he came and stood there. He stood carefree engrossed in the song. He was hardly conscious of where he was and where he is. He stood in ecstasy of the song. Some time passed in silence.

The lady now cried, shed tears and said: O '3enevolent' Where is my dear one?

But the saint was still engrossed in the tune of the song. The lady touched his feet and repeated the same question.

Then he startled and said: O pious woman! I do not know about your dear one.- She might be in your house or in your heart.

On listening to this, Pandit picked up some courage and said: O saint, I am afraid of Pandits but others I consider them as animals. You tell straightforwardly otherwise take it that you are under my control and I can send your body to hell.

Saint: Pandit dear! I am not a Pandit but I have never threatened anyone and I am not afraid of any threat. I have told without any fear whatever is true that I do not know the whereabouts of your daughter.

Pandit: You know how to light a fire but you do not know how to extinguish it. Why did you suddenly burst a flame in her that turned her mind?

Benevolent Saint: I do not light a fire. It is the Lord who kindles a lovespark in those who are in the dark. It is the Lord who turns the love-spark into love-flame. He is the saviour Lord. You asked me and she asked me to tell the

truth. I told the truth. If truth is a flame then well and good, it will burn the mounds of sins on the mind, when the sins are burnt then the fire wP extinguish automatically.

Pandit: Not like this! These saints are evil spirited. They don't speak out by scolding. They speak out by using wands. O Motii Set him right with a wand.

On the order of Pandit, the servant came with a wand in his hand.

The benevolent saint looked towards them, then smiled and said. I am not a coward sadhu that you have brought a wand. I am brave as a lion. I am not an animal that will lie down and die. I am at the service of my Master and the time of my leaving this earthly body has not come as yet. Barbarity and tyranny has become the rule of the day. That has to be vanquished. I have to save the true saints on the basis of justice. O Pandit! What can your servant do to me with this wand? I am ready to sacrifice my body but that time has not come as yet. You think over. Do not keep yourself in any mistaken belief. I am a saint who may like to lose and be happy. But I stand for principles. I shall save this body that is at the service of my Master. When my Master orders me to lie down then only you will be able to beat me.

Saying this, his hand went inside his wimple and like a hissing snake came out a sword that dazzled like thunder in the hand of the valiant.

Was it a dazzle or a glimpse of death? At once everybody trembled and moved away ten steps backward. 'Benevolent' smiled and said: Bo not be afraid. This sword in my hand is not meant to kill. This is a shield to guard an attack so that nobody should create hindrance in Magnificent' s work.

Pandit was bewildered. He was wonderstruck whether this saint is mad or a highly intellectual saint? Whether he is a soldier or a saint?

'Benevolent': O.K. Enough is enough. I go now.

'Benevolent' went away like a lion. Nobody could dare touch him.

One day again in the afternoon 'Benevolent' sat on the bank of the river in meditation with eyes closed when under instructions from Pandit, Moti struck his wand like a thud on the back of the saint. The benevolent saint's eyes opened but today he did not pull his sword out. He just remained sitting. Four or five of Pandit's men beat him, tied him with a rope and carried him home.

Pandit now said to the tied captive: O soldier of 'Magnificent'! Where is your saviour now?

'Benevolent': 'Magnificent' has ordered, "Take a beating, a merciless beating. A rosary of love shall spring up from your blood." In the service of

my Master I have to undergo merciless beating. In my torture, the rosary of love and the greatness of 'Magnificent5 shall be revealed. The un-enlightened minds will become en-lightened.

The Pandit and his wife shivered with awe but the servants by hitting 'Benevolent' with wands had made him like reed fiber. Within moments 'Benevolent5 almost crushed became unconscious.

Pandit now suddenly became afraid that this person might be a detective of the government. The way he spoke with so much courage, it could not be from anybody else. If it is so, then we are nowhere. We will have to pay the penalty.

After serious consultations, it was decided that since he has died his body should be wrapped in sheets and placed in a small boat and the boat should be placed in the swift flow of the river. It shall move over fifty kilometres at night or it might sink. At least it goes away from here. The impatience that the dead body should move out of the house at the earliest so that no proof is left made them plan in this way. The moment it became dark, the dead body wrapped in sheets was put in a boat and the boat drifted fast in the current of water in the river.

Nature's wonders! In the mountains, it had rained incessantly for two days. Today the river was swollen and the breeze was also blowing swiftly southwards. The boat without a boatman drifted fast like the breeze and went on and on.

O Dear! Magnificent' s soldier! "In your beating, the greatness of Magnificent 'Guru with the Plume5 shall be revealed. In your torture, the greatness of Beloved 'Guru with the Plume' shall be revealed. Oh! How you listened to this order from so much distance? With what faith you believed it as true? With how much courage could you bear it? O Benevolent saint! Sacred is your sword and your hands. Sacred is your mind and sacred is your intellect who responded to beloved Guru's love for humanity. Oh Magnificent's soldier! Your sacred body wounded and blood oozing out lying on grass and straws in this extreme wintry cold is moving towards the sea where who knows it might swim on the bosom of the sea till the sea water decays the wood.

Ill

It is the same river Chenab that has fragrance of love in its waters. On the bosom of the same water the dead body is being carried away by the swift current.

The congregation was inspired by listening to the valour and courage shown by Bhai Harwant Singh and other Guru-disciples who remained in high spirits against odds and fought tyranny. Then everybody drank the sacred nectar and became Guru's sons and daughters.

o o o o

30o

Most B@air

[Promila & Magnificenfs soldier] I

IT ike the seasonal blossom of the forest goes un noticed without the iL->4appreciative eyes, similarly, the long wintry night wet with dew, brilliant with the twinkling stars and clear sky goes un-noticed without the appreciators of the cool moonlight

The night is so cold that one cannot put a bed and sleep outside. If we sleep inside, then the roof of the room becomes a veil and does not let you have a glimpse of the sky that is full of moon's lustre. But the fondness of seeing the lustre of the bright moonlight that pervades from the sky to the earth like the glitter of mercury often attracts the appreciators of natural beauty and brings them outside.

It is one such fortunate moon-lit night. The water in the river is flowing softly.

On the top is the blue sky. White stars are twinkling and the moon is showing its lustre like silver. In the clear water below one can see the reflection of the entire sky, moon and the twinkling stars. The brilliant moonlight is spread from the water below to the sky. How to appreciate it? It appears as a sphere of white lustre. Sweet and loving breeze is producing waves in the calm water of the river.

A small boat is moving steadily on the waves of water. One girl is sitting in the boat with two oars in her hands. She is quite tall and beautiful. Sometimes she rows a little, otherwise the boat keeps moving with the slight push from the breeze that is blowing. A sad song is audible from the boat. Then it became quiet. She propelled the oars. The boat moved fast. The girl who had become one with the moonlight saw towards the high mansion that stood on the bank

From this spot further down is a long stretch of beautiful green farmland andjhang city. In these farmlands the flute of Ranjha whistled and enthralled the listeners.

If we go on the western side of the bank, then we come across a scenic spot and a village named Chund. In this village the day has ascended. At some places people are sitting in groups of two or four basking in the sun. In one of the groups they are talking: One goddess of traditional Hinduism is bom from the river Chenab who sings songs of pangs of separation with such devotion that the water of river Chenab stops to listen. In another group they are talking: Heer has come out of her grave and sings songs of separation in the farmlands. Who else can be so beautiful and in such pangs of separation.

One Mohammedan saint said: Hoor has come from the heaven. God has sent her beloved to the earth. She is in search of her beloved. Beware! Do not be disrespectful to her. Such humans have Supernatural powers.

Many such dialogues are often heard in the vicinity. However everybody is very much impressed has a respectful feeling and a strong wish to listen to her devotional songs. Many people wish to talk to her but she never talks to anyone. People go and keep different types of food and sweets wherever they see her but nobody has seen her eating. Despite of that people do go and place eatables there. The women are crazy to meet her. Whenever she sings songs they throng around her.

At this time the damsel is sitting on a mound. In her hand she has a violin and is engrossed in playing a nice tune. Now she has opened her throat. The opening of her throat has echoed in the entire forest. It appeared that the waves from her throat are influencing the waves of water in the river. She sang a song. Then it was quiet. The visitors sat for some time, then went away.

It was sunset when she opened her eyes. She had remained hungry in the day. Her eyes saw some sweets, cooked vegetables, bread and milk. She does .not wish to eat but hunger is demanding. Her hands moved forward, picked up some food and hurriedly gulped it down.

After thrusting the meager meals into her stomach she picked up her violin and stood up. The balance food remained where it was lying. She walked towards the river bank and said to her mind: O mind! I renounced the house to live in the forest. I have got the forest but I haven't got the peace of mind or ecstasy that I hoped for in the forest. Why did I get this mad idea after studying so much? I am myself pure God. Why did I renounce? But Oh ho! This is wishful thinking. This is like a mirage. If I am God, then why am I in forgetfulness of Him? I do understand that Lord is there but I do not feel

ecstasy of His presence. When one is busy in the household chores, then one can say that these are attachments that do not let you feel the ecstasy. But now there is no attachment but still there is no feeling of ecstasy. Alas! Where has that sweet-tongued gone? His words gave a feeling of ecstasy. Even staying near him one felt cool What did he say that day? Without love of the Lord all knowledge is dead knowledge. We had knowledge. But was it a dead knowledge? Yes, we were really lifeless. We never had that inner blossom of mind that he had. I prayed to him to give me that ecstasy. He tried to make me understand but said: Go to my £Magnificent\ Yes! C sweet-tongued friend! Where is your 'Magnificent'? I had no inkling that the moment he leaves, my mind will go for renouncement. He said: You are a dead person. Even prominent saints like Shah Sharaf said: You are a philosopher. This elegant soldier said: Shah Sharaf has cursed you. Philosophy has scope up to the five senses of the body. Without a sensation of the Lord in one's mind one only knows that Lord is there. Alas! Where is that sensation? O beloved! You have played hide and seek with me. Where are those live sensations? You gave hints of some sensation and hid yourself.

Then she sang one song. She heaved long sighs and again said to her mind: I am not stupid. I know well that with breath control I can go up to thoughtlessness. But next moment she felt a pang. She felt a pull. It was this pang and this pull that she could never find in books. This never happened when I had discussions with other saints. Is this the 'life' that the sweettongued saint said, 'life'?

Oh ho! O river! You tell where is 'Benevolent'. Even if he had told me who is 'Magnificent' whose soldier he was then I could search. How can I search now? The longing has surrounded my mind. The craving has pierced my heart. The intense desire to meet has killed me. Neither the scripture tells a way out or my wisdom. Oh! What has happened to me?

She sang:

"/ am alone in this world. Destiny has made me lost"

Thus lamenting she reached the bank of the river. There, another small boat was stuck where she had tied her boat to the tree. Neither was an oar in the boat nor any man. Astonished she picked up oars from her boat and stepped into the newly arrived boat. She picked oars in her hand so that in ^ase the boat moves, then she may be able to stop it. She saw grass and some blanket Iving there, in eagerness, she touched the blanket and felt something -'t\-v trapped in it. When she opened the wrapping; v/ha. did..

SRI KALGIDriAR CHAMATKAR (VOLI)

see? It was the dead body of the sweet-tongued 'Benevolent'. The entire body was almost crushed. Blood oozed out at many spots.

The eyes recognized and the moment she recognized, her heart almost sank: Oh destiny! I have found whom I was longing to meet but in what condition. It might have been better if I had not found. O my body! Now you also sleep the same way and in the same boat. Dyed in the love of 'Benevolent5 I shall ask: O 'Benevolent', Is this the life that you gave hints of? O destiny! Now, to live in this world is fruitless. O death! Take me in your lap. O Benevolent (shaking his hand), Why don't you speak now? Speak a word at least before you go away. If you were co go away like this, then first you should have sent me away like his. (After thinking) I have reached my aim of life. My desire to live has vanished. Death is dearer than life.

Yes! One wins over the fear of death in this way. O Magnificent1 s soldier! You did not take me while living. At least now take me along in this distant travel. I should have a glimpse of your "Magnificent'. I did not meet him while living maybe after death I will have his glimpse. Why I became so learned? Why I renounced the house? Why did I not die after renouncing? O beautiful death! Come and take me! I cannot see this glimpse of beloved 'Benevolent'. O my eves! Close and never open again.

The Doctor of Literature thus crying and wailing in sorrow has gone mad. Many times in frenzy she thinks of jumping into the river and die but the loving glimpse of the beloved 'Benevolent' is attracting her eyes and does not let her do so.

In this craziness she tied the boat of 'Benevolent' to her boat. She spread some grass in her own boat, made a platform and pillow, lifted the body of 'Benevolent' and laid it down on the grass bed. She covered it with whatever sheets were available and kept the face uncovered. She heated some water and washed his face, hands and feet. She brought flowers from the forest and decorated his face.

Night descended. She lit a fire in the boat to keep warm and picked up her violin and started singing divine songs [Kirtan) and songs of pangs of devotion.

The river was in flood today. A few boats came from the opposite side of the bank.

Due to the flood the boats reached late at night. The inhabitants of Chund went to their homes but those who had to go further camped here. Their most need was for fire. One person from the caravan saw fire burning and came to borrow a burning log. When he came near he was over-awed to see a decorated

SRi KALGiDHAR CHAMATKAR (VOL-i)

dead body lying in the boat and a beautiful and graceful damsel playing the violin.

In this cool and peaceful cold wintry night with the twinkling stars in the sky and Water below, what am I viewing? He became afraid and thought it was some water fairy and has come out at this time and is playing her violin. He went ahead two steps to ask for fire but out of fear stepped back. Again he picked up courage and went near and asked for a burning log. But who would listen? He thought she is not bothered. He picked up a burning log and went back.

He narrated the entire story to his Master. In astonishment the Master became eager to see for himself. When he reached there, then' he realized that it was a predestined state of sorrow. He was bewildered to see the dead body. When he saw the violin and the book of scripture, then he realized that she is an intellectual. Finally, he went ahead and entered the boat. Then he put the reverse side of his hand in front of the nose of the dead body and after that he put some cotton wool. Then he saw the color of the nails, the eyes and rubbed his hand on the body.

The damsel now became fully conscious and wondered.

The gentleman now talked to her: O Young girl! You seem to be intellectual. I am a doctor. I feel compassion on your suffering. If you wish I can make him alright.

Damsel: Can a dead person become alive?

Doctor: He is not dead. He is alive.

Damsel: Is he alive after dying?

Doctor: He is not dead. He is alive.

Damsel: Is it true?

Doctor: Yes! It is true.

Damsel: Can you make him talk to me?

Doctor: Yes.

Listening to yes, the damsel fell at the doctor's feet. O Saviour! Are you 'Magnificent'?

Doctor: I am neither Magnificent nor a saint. I am only a doctor who can cure him.

Damsel: I am in distress and without money. If you make him alright, then I shall do service in your house with a thankful heart. I do not have anything else.

Doctor: Your being an intellectual is good enough for me. When an intellectual is in distress, then it is the duty of another intellectual to help. If he does not then it is shameful.

Damsel: You are great! Great is your being born! Doctor: O daughter! What is your relation with him? Damsel: He is 'Magnificent's soldier. Doctor: Who is that Magnificent4? Damsel: I do not know.

Doctor: Then how did you say, 'Magnificent5? Damsel: That also, I do not know. Doctor: What is his name?

Damsel: 'Magnificent's soldier. This name, he himself told us and our city people called him sweet-tongued saint. My Mother used to call him 'Benevolent'.

Doctor: What is your connection with him?

Damsel: Mine?

Doctor: Yes daughter! Your!

Damsel: He is 'Life-giver' for me but he has not given me life. There is somebody who is 'Most Dear'. But for me he is unseen 'Most Dear'. He has the 'Life-giving grace' in him.

The doctor thought that due to extreme shock she is not in her senses. When he becomes alright, then we shall know everything. The forehead of this wounded person is broad like that of a saint. I am sure he will be a gem. Let me serve. Service gives fruits.

The doctor went and brought his medicine box. He took out one medicine and said:

0 daughter! Keep rubbing this cream on his temples. Then he gave another cream for rubbing on his armpits at short intervals. Then he gave four small envelopes containing a powder to be put on the tip of the tongue every one hour.

The doctor now went to his camp. The damsel who had lost all hopes regained hope and courage. Can he become alive? It was a small question that came to her mind again and again. Her own mind said, 'No' but the Doctor's figure appeared in front of her that said, 'Definitely'. The damsel kept awake the entire night. According to the instructions of the doctor she rubbed the medicines and kept the fire burning to keep the body warm.

In the morning the doctor came. He examined the body and said: O daughter! My medicines were effective and he is on the way to recovery. If you give him medicines with attention, then he will surely be alright. But there is one problem.

1 have to go today and you cannot take him along to my town.

Damsel: O doctor! You made me regain my lost hope and now you have dashed my regained hope. As such my distress has increased. It appears destiny is against me.

O loving river! I shall now jump in your waters. If I had not known the whereabouts of 'Benevolent5 then I would have lived in hope. Now that I know that he is no more in this world, I shall go to the heaven and search him there.

When the doctor heard her mournful words and realized that she was adamant then his mind said: If I do service then two lives will be saved. If I go then two lives will be lost

Then he said: O damsel! I shall go to Chund that is nearby and seek a place to stay. I shall stay here for two days. I am sure the critical period shall pass by that time.

Damsel: O Doctor! It is your greatness that you are helping o. nisei in distress. I shall ever pray for vour long life.

The docior now gave medicines and he himseli worn and stayed at a Gurdwara ai Chund. Ai this time Bhai JeeAoia, a piom &oul was Caretaker of the Gurdwara. When the doctor told him the reason for his stay then Bhai Jeevna had tears of compassion in his eves. He closed his eves in emotion. In his closed eyes he saw one saint saying: The sufferings of beloveds are felt in the hearts of those who love.

Bhai Jeevna realized: I am being prompted for my duty. These persons surely are beloveds of Guru Nanak. It is man's duty to allay the suffering of the world and here, I feel some fragrance of love. All told Bhai Jeevna accompanied by doctor reached there.

Bhai Jeevna (to damsel): I have to request you. In this outside cold the medicines shall not be as effective as inside. You come with me. There is good accommodation. Bed and bedding is also available. I shall also do service.

Damsel: Pious man! You are great! But I am a renounce. I have renounced my mansions. To go and stay in mansions again is blemish on me. Whatever the Lord wishes let it happen here.

Bhai Jeevna (looking at the wounded): O daughter! This person is not a renounce. How have you become a renounce?

Damsel: He is a saint. He is a Yogi. He is a renounce.

Bhai Jeevna: This cannot be. Yes! He is higher than yogis and renounces but he is not a renounce.

Damsel (In wondrousness): Is he a house-holder?

Bhaijeevna: You might say with certainty but he is a pious m; u> living in this world with mind detached like the lotus lives in mud but is not affected by it

Damsel: I do not understand.

Bhaijeevna: O daughter! He may be a house-holder or a renounce. He is unwell at this time. The urgency is to cure him quickly. He will get better treatment at the Gurdwara instead of this place. So you consider this also as a medicine.

Damsel: I left the house and became a renounce. How shall I go back to houses? But I shall have to do whatever is good for the sweet-tongued 'Benevolent'.

Bhaijeevna: I won't take you to a house. I shall take you to a Gurdwara where sadhus and saints stay. Gurdwara is not a house.

The damsel said, "Yes" and got up. They put 'Benevolent' on a cot and carried him. They took other belongings of the damsel and asked the boatmen to look after the boats.

At the Gurdwara, 'Benevolent' was given proper medical treatment.

Bhaijeevna was greatly impressed by the intellectualness of the damsel. When he heard more about her, then he got more regard and love for the damsel. The face of 'Benevolent' was enough attraction for them but now the story of the damsel gave more of compassion. So far, nobody knew how the handsome 'Benevolent' came in this sorrowful condition.

The doctor stayed there for three days. First the body temperature came to its normal level. Next the breath that was so slow that one could not even feel became normal. Then he became conscious. On the third day his eyes * iened and he saw a damsel sitting close to him. He was too weak and could not speak but he realized that somebody is at his service. As such he was not astonished. Fie was still quite wak. He closed his eyes. Again on the fourth day he opened his eyes. He savv the faces sitting and standing around and closed his eyes. Now he got some length in him. Today, twice he uttered 'Most Dear' and shed tears from his eyes.

At this time Bhaijeevna was sitting close by. Even Promila's eyes filled with tears and she closed her eves. Seeing this phenomenon the doctor felt wondrous.

After sometime when the damsel and both Bhaijeevna and doctor were having lunch together, ch-n the doctor could not scope Himself from asking: O daughter! What magic was m the words "Most Dear' that the oenevolent had tears in his eves, vu also 'iad tea> ui **our eves an I v. .< felt a sensation in our body-1*

Damsel: I had narrated to you my short story but this 'Most Dear5 (with tearful eyes) is the magical word that even I do not know. 'Benevolent' who is lying wounded knows the secret. After my Doctorate of literature, I was very fond of discussions. Very senior saints came and arguedwith me. But generally they lost in the discussions and praised me. One day my father brought 'Benevolent5 along with him. Since some days he used to sit and meditate on the bank of the river. My father said: The saint seems to be a renounce. He seems to be a learned intellectual. To have discussions with him might be useful. Father sometimes brought him home and we served him lunch. Many times I tried to argue with him but he remained indifferent. One day I said: Give me some wisdom. Then he said: You have enough wisdom. If the wisdom vanishes it might be better. I was bewildered. Due to his grandeur I had a great regard for him. I could not reply. But he laughed and said: Knowledge gives wisdom to the mind but it remains scattered in desires. It does not concentrate and elevate. Today was the first day that I got a prick in the intoxication of my knowledge.

Again when he came next, I said: I desire to argue with you.

He replied: A person who is above the desire of winning or losing can argue. One day I said something. Then he said: Who are you?

I: Who is sitting in front of you?

Benevolent: Sitting in front of me is a bag of earth.

I: I am not a bag of earth.

Benevolent: Then, who are you?

I: I am soul, God, Lord.

Benevolent: Do you recognize yourself when you say that? I: Yes.

Benevolent: Let us scrutinize. Do you desire to gain more knowledge? Do you desire to have more wealth? Do you desire fame? I: Yes, I do desire.

Benevolent: That means you are in desires. I: Yes, I do agree.

Benevolent: If somebody dubs your pride. Then you become angry. You are in anguish.

Hesitatingly, I said: Yes, it does happen like that.

Benevolent: Alright, now let us see the characteristics of God.

I: Without desires, without vices, pure, above anguish, above time, all bliss.

Benevolent: The characteristics of God and yours do not tally. (A bit perturbed) I said: It seems what you say is right.

Benevolent: Lord is inside you, here, there, everywhere but you do not have the sensation of the Lord in you. I: Yes! I do not have the sensation. Benevolent: That means you are blind. I: But I can see

Benevolent: But that blindness is different. I: What is that?

Benevolent: Blind are those who do not have the sensation of the presence of the Lord in their mind, heart and body.

I (Startled): When you talk of 'sensation of the Lord', then I agree I am blind.

I was in this thought that 'Benevolent5 closed his eyes and said: 'Most Dear'. His eyes filled with tears and there was wondrous lustre on his face. There was some wavy magic in his utterance that gave a sensation in my body, my eyes closed, filled with tears and I felt a pull.

After sometime 'Benevolent' got up to go. I said: O 'Benevolent' please stay on. We shall talk more.

He said: You are blind. How can one talk of 'beauty5? And he walked away.

That was the first day that I listened to the words "You are blind" in my honour. If I had told my father that this saint has rebuked me then he would have managed to pick him up and throw him in the river. But I had no courage to say anything against the pious 'Benevolent'.

After this, whatever I did the words echoed in my ears "You axe blind" and my body shivered. Is it true that I am blind? How 'Benevolent' has made me realize that I know Lord is there but I do not have a sensation of the presence of the Lord in my mind, heart and body?

Again one day when he came with a blossoming forehead and lustre on his face and said: life giving grace! Life-giving grace!

I: I am blind. I have decided to go in for Yoga of breath control.

Benevolent: Then where shall you reach?

I: In thoughtlessness. Desires and anxieties will vanish.

Benevolent: Being near does not mean meeting. Meeting the Lord is when the body soul immerses in the Supreme soul.

I: What is the need for the body soul to immerse in the Supreme soul?

Benevolent: (Eyes closed) 'Most Dear'.

His eyes filled with tears, his face emitted radiance. My eyes filled with tears. I got a sensation. My eyes closed. When I opened my eyes 'Benevolent'

had gone and on the wall was written: You are 'Non-believer in God'. Another day when we met, he said: Breath control will take you into thoughtlessness. In the Vedas is also written that at the end you should fall at the Lord's feet. I tell you that your learning is from blind persons. They taught you that thoughtlessness is the end. They did not tell you that you have to fall at the Lord's feet in the final step. Vedas are also a jungle. If you are learning from somebody who hasn't a sensation of the Lord in himself, then you may get lost in it.

Quietness prevailed for some time. To break the silence I said: How am I a non-believer? 'Benevolent' laughed and asked: If you are a believer, then where is the Lord in whom you believe. I: He is "All pervading." 'Benevolent': Is the Lord with you or not? I: When He is all pervading, then He is with me also. 'Benevolent': If He is with you, then where is He? I: The size of a thumb, He is sitting in my heart. 'Benevolent': In what way? I: I have not seen Him. What can I tell?

'Benevolent': Do you perceive Him. Do you feel His presence? I: Yes, I do.

'Benevolent': Are you speaking the truth? Do you feel His presence when you are discussing or discoursing or at other times also? I: What do you mean by other times?

'Benevolent': You remember f lim when you are discussing or discoursing and then like a bubble of air you forget Him.

I: Yes. You have said right. Only sometimes I remember him.

'Benevolent': When you do not have the sensation that He is there, then the perception that He is there is nonexistent. Then how do you say that He is inside you and you perceive Him? "Lord is there" If ilis sensation is not in you incessantly, then how do you say that you are a believer in God. One is believer when one has the incessant sensation of the presence of the Lord in his mind, heart and body.

I (bewildered): O Benevolent! Your dictionary is unique. Your elucidation is unique but very impressive.

'Benevolent': You never had the sensation of the presence of the Lord in your mind. It was not incessant sensation. He has not gone deep in your heart.

I: In this way, you have said correctly that I am a non-believer. I have gone by whatever I read. You are taking me on a different path. My mind is perplexed. My heart bleeds. I feel sad. But still I am impressed by your discourse. You tell what should I do?

When I said this, his face became lustrous, eyes closed and he uttered 'Most Dear'. His eyes filled with tears. Even I shivered, my eyes closed. I was in trance. After a long time my eyes opened but 'Benevolent' had gone up to the verandah saying: "You are lifeless", "You are lifeless". I was over-awed. I am lifeless. First he said blind, then atheist and then lifeless. My mind said: I should tell my father. But I was afraid and I kept quiet. When I slept at night, my ears listened to the words "You are lifeless" again and again and I went to sleep.

For a few days 'Benevolent' was not visible. A week later he met me on the bank of the river. I saw his blossoming face emitting radiance. He was singing a song.

I bowed to him and said: 'O Benevolent': Am I lifeless? Maybe my body is lifeless but my body soul is living.

Benevolent: The body soul has been enticed by the body senses and has also become lifeless.

I: I cannot understand how is that?

Benevolent: Let us scrutinize. Suppose there is a beautiful rose plant in your father's garden and you bum pearls and put the ash in the plant, then are you stupid or wise.

I: Stupid

Benevolent: Why?

I: Because I have put a precious item in the ordinary plant Benevolent: Well! Which has more value from the two? I: Pearl has more value.

Benevolent: Can the pearl eat, drink and flourish? I: No. It cannot.

'Benevolent': Then who has more value?

I: Pearl has more value because the pearl is more precious.

Benevolent: This is the puzzle. This is the secret. You have no awareness of how to value. The value has to be calculated from the point of view of life and lifelessness.

You cannot value it according to the market price. I ask you, see from the point of view of life and then tell who is of more value.

I: Rose. Because pearl is lifeless and rose has life. The rose is higher than pearl.

Benevolent: If a goat eats a rose. Then what shall you say? I: Now I understand that the goat is of higher state of life than rose. So it has more value.

Benevolent: Then, compared to the goat rose is lifeless. I: Yes.

Benevolent: Similarly in comparison with man what is the goat. I: Lifeless. But you tell, in whose comparison man is lifeless? Benevolent: In comparison to "One who is living". I: And who is that living?

Benevolent: One whose soul is immersed in the Supreme Soul, the Creator. He has life in him. He is living, sentient. He knows the value of life and lifelessness.

I: How?

Benevolent: Our body soul i.e. our inner self is love and bliss. But we live in anxiety and fear in worldly desires and ego. Do you understand the aspect of love where our mind or intellect can perceive love?

I: I do not know.

Benevolent: Remembrance.

I: How is it remembrance?

Benevolent: When our mind remembers something, then we feel that we love this thing.

I (after a thought): Yes. I agree.

Benevolent: One who has no remembrance has no love. He is sleeping or lifeless.

I: Yes. It is like that.

Benevolent: Our body soul or say inner self is love. When our love is dead, then how can we call ourselves living?

I: We say love and we are in remembrance for a few moments when we desire something out of greed, then we are again in the same worldly desires and ego.

Benevolent: When we remember something it is for the created or creation. Remembrance should be for the Creator. The Creator is the Lord. You may call him by any name, Braham or Ishwar. When we are not in remembrance, then we have no devotion towards the Creator. Then are we living or lifeless?

I (startled): Right! We are lifeless. No doubt.

Benevolent: Sheikh Farid has said: Pangs! Pangs! You are great! The body without pangs is lifeless.

I: Now I understand that I am lifeless. I do not have remembrance of the Lord. I do not have ecstasy of the remembrance.

Meanwhile father came. He was in a hurry and we went home. After lunch 1 took Benevolent to my study room and said: Please make me understand and put me on the correct path.

Benevolent: You must get a sensation of the Lord in your mind, heart and body.

I: What shall you call the intellectualness that I have? Benevolent: I shall say "Knowing." I: I have gone up to the study of soul.

Benevolent: It is all knowing. Prisoner knows that outside the prison is freedom. Let him know.

I: Then how do I reach the Lord?

Benevolent: 'Most dear5 can make you reach. Saying this, his eyes filled with tears. Simultaneously, I felt a sensation in my heart and eyes filled with tears.

I: Why did I not understand this after reading so much? 'Benevolent': You gained knowledge from lifeless Pandits who are worthless.

I (startled): How is that?

Benevolent: The Pandits who taught you were stupid. They did not know what is religiousness? In the house where you live, your father says that he is God but his mind is drenched in worldly desires. He preaches religiousness and thoughtlessness but he has no religiousness in himself.

I: How?

Benevolent: The nature of soul or God is 'Giving'. The nature of a worldly man is 'Taking5. Your father and mother with whom you live all day and night and in whose company you are living day and night, they are in the habit of 'taking5. They do not know 'giving5. They grab, deceive, bribe the officials, put their disciples in mistaken beliefs to extort money, they buy stolen goods at cheap prices. Their mind, heart and body remains busy in amassing wealth day in and day out. They tell lies. They grab from the rightful owners. They are in vices. They do not have good character despite being learned. They are not only lifeless but worthless. They say there are two boats, one of bad deeds and one of good deeds. But themselves they keep sitting on the boat of bad deeds. Then they boast that they are gods. It is the influence of the bad company that you have not understood religiousness properly.

I realized in my heart that my father gives discourses but when it comes to taking money he is not above vices. He is drenched in worldly desires. Whatever I have read has not gone deep into my heart. It has not given me insight.

Benevolent: You were taught. The purpose was not to argue and show that your knowledge is more than others and boast of that knowledge. The purpose was to meet the Lord. In reality your learning has become a curse for you.

On listening to this, I felt my eyes have opened today only. After learning I have become an instrument of argumentation only. The purpose of my learning was to meet the Lord. But I am really blind, lifeless and atheist.

One day again I told him: Tell me the true path.

Benevolent: The path is love. But it is with 'Most Dear'.

Then I asked: Where is 'Most Dear'?

Benevolent: Here!

I: How do I meet him?

Benevolent: You can meet him if you remember him.

Saying this, his eyes filled with tears and with tear filled eyes he went away and never came again. I could not find him again but I got detachment from worldly desires. Either I remembered 'Most Dear' or I tried to find 'Benevolent5. My reading of books stopped. I would cry, remain sad, roam like crazy persons, keep awake at night and heave long sighs. My parents could not bear my pangs.

They came to know that 'Benevolent5 has ignited some spark of love and some attachment. My father started talking ill of 'Benevolent5 and tried to make me understand saying, "He was a stupid Pandit. He was holding a Scripture book upside down in my presence. Whatever he talked was nonsense. You do not go after stupid persons.55

What could I say? Being a daughter, how could I tell my father "You are in the wrong"? If I had said, then I would have heard more words against 'Benevolent'. It might be better to die. The more my parents tried to turn my mind, the more love, respect and adoration came to my mind for 'Benevolent5. The longing to meet 'Most Dear5 made me restless. Up till now I do not know who is 'Most Dear5 and where does he stay? But I have remembrance of him all the time that is incessant in each breath and sometime I get a vision of a fearless fountain of love, godly soul and spring of graciousness in my mind. O respected Doctor! I know only this much of 'Most Dear5. Whatever I told you and I remembered, I told you in my own words. But the words of 'Benevolent5 were nectar filled and had a musical effect that I cannot repeat from my throat, if there is any fault that is mine. The words of 'Benevolent5 were without fault.

I have already narrated to you how my dad was bent upon marrying me to a stupid, sinful, wealthy man thinking it to be a remedy for my detached

feelings. I had no option left but to renounce the house and go to some forest to pursue my goal of meeting the Lord. Desirous that I should psue my religious goal and save myself from the sinful company there was no way out for me but to leave the house and I reached here.

On listening to the narrative of the damsel the doctor who was not a Brahmin but was taught by a learned Pandit and was intellectual was amazed.

Earlier, he felt he was doing service to an intellectual damsel but now he came to know that he was doing service to a real saint and a godly soul. He got more love now. He wished that 'Benevolent' recovers quickly and even he would benefit from his godly company. He should also know about cMost Dear' with whose blessings people have become so godly. He should also have a glimpse and get blessings.

The river Jehlum flows towards the west from Chund. Near the river is a vast stretch of sandy land. It is said that Sassi died here. Near this sandy land is a village named Maari. The Doctor lives in this village. Seeing the piousness of 'Benevolent' and the damsel the doctor brought 'Benevolent5 and the damsel to his house in Maari village and looked after 'Benevolent' with love and respect. His service bore fruit. Benevolent recovered from his illness. He opens his eyes, listens to others but he is not able to talk as yet. He realized that it is Magnificent's order that he has sent me here and I have to accomplish the service that he orders. His wish has sent me near this damsel and in my unconsciousness one pious soul has developed love for 'Most Dear'. When he got strength to speak, then he asked the damsel who was sitting close by: Where am I?

Damsel: We are in Maari Village. Million thanks to the Lord! I have seen you talking today.

Benevolent: How did I reach here and how have you reached here from your mansion that is on the bank of river Chenab?

The damsel narrated her sadness, her detached mind, the ill treatment from the parents, renouncing the house, the wailing on the bank of the river after reaching Chund, arrival of the almost dead body, again her despair, the arrival of doctor, love of Bhaijeevna and the doctor becoming a devotee of 'Most Dear'.

After listening to this he said 'Most Dear', shed tears from his eyes and dozed off to sleep. After another couple of days he became frilly alright and strong.

On the damseFs enquiry, when 'Benevolent' narrated his getting a beating, then the damsel became too sad: Oh! It was my stupid decision to renounce the house that you underwent so much agony and reached here in a terrible condition. If I had not left my house, then nobody would have doubted you nor would you have suffered. Oh! Destiny! Me! Blind could not see any way out. It is a slur on my being born.

Benevolent: Don't feel sad about it? I have not suffered the beating in bowing down. I do not accept any threat. My saintly life, humility, simple living, losing, fighting, bearing a threat, comfort or distress is not worldly. I am not a saint of the world or of the people or on my own. I am a servant of 'Most Dear'. The promptness of whatever I do, my strength and power are not from my mind or my own planning. It is the will of 'Most Dear'. He is the player. I am only an instrument. like, a pen is in the hand of the writer. It writes whatever the writer wishes. Do not care for that. I have neither lost to anyone nor won over anyone. Whatever has happened was his will. It was his pleasure. It was for some purpose that he knows.

Damsel: You are truly a god.

Benevolent (trembled): Most Dear! Saying this, his eyes closed, shed tears and he got engrossed in a prayer.

When his eyes opened the damsel said: Me! Lifeless and blind has again faulted. Forgive me.

Benevolent: I am not God nor am I benevolent.

My 'Most Dear' himself is benevolent and Lord is the 'Most Dear' of my 'Most Dear'.

Damsel: I am educated but stupid. My faults are endless. O beloved of 'Most Dear', you forgive me. I had resolved to renounce the house but again I am living in houses.

Benevolent: It is the will of 'Most Dear'. What is the difference whether it is a house or a forest? You have lived near the bank of the river and seen. The first forest you lived in, were the Upnashids and other books. You got lost in that forest. The second forest you got was the bank of the river. There also you did not get peace of mind. Time went by in wailing. The hatred of the house and the wish to stay in the forest both are mistaken beliefs. The entire night is a forest. Everybody in the house is asleep and one is in absolute solitude. There is no disturbance of any sort for which one wishes to stay in the forest. That forest type night is wasted in sleep tossing and turning. The day is for the house and family. It is meant for earning honestly and truthfully. We spoil the day in dishonesty, lies and deception. The night that was for our

meditation and the day that was for the house and family, we are wasting both. We do not understand the Lord's will. In the forest we try to find acquaintances, disciples, to construct a hut or to construct a temple. When we stay in mansions, then deeply in greed we make our house a hell. At none of the places do we accept the Lord's will.

At this time the Doctor and his pious wife were also sitting. They were pleased to listen to what Benevolent spoke. The doctor bowed his head and said: O Benevolent! You are great.

Benevolent: 'Most dear5 is benevolent. Greatness is to him. The violin is not great.

Great is the violin player. The violin gives the tune that the player wishes and plays.

Great is 'Most dear' who prompted you to treat a forest dweller and to help a damsel in distress. He is great and great are you who love.

Damsel: O Holy soul! The spoiled that I am by knowledge, I still have doubts. In your separation I remembered you only. After meeting you the only desire was that you get well. Now I should have been happy in your service but again doubts arise in the mind. I wish to ask: Does 'Most dear5 forbid renunciation that is the most superior division out of the four divisions of life according to the Hindu Religion.

[Renunciation]

Benevolent: He does preach renunciation but of another type. He says renounce the T. Renounce the cMe\ Renounce the attachment to the body. But not in the form that you renounce your wealth and stop talking and sit like a stone idol and then beg for food and become a burden on others or you sit in a forest and become famous and make a house in the forest and call yourself a renounce. He preaches that you renounce the 'I and me5 from your mind but do not throw it away. Put it on the feet of 'Most dear' and accept the will of the Lord. When you take refuge at the 'Most dear's feet, then he puts you in the service of humanity according to the Lord's will.

Doctor: Please elucidate it in a easier way to understand.

Benevolent: Renouncement means to leave back everything. Earlier, one renounced the family, house and wealth and went to the forests. Then as a renounce one moved in the world to preach others. But now without practicing the first three schools of Hindu philosophy, the sadhus become renounces. That is why the purpose of renouncement remains unfulfilled. The wealth, property, wife and sons were not glued to our mind. It was the sentimental

love or say sentimental attachment or attachment that had entered our mind. We should have detached our mind from these attachments. That was the real renouncement. The way to detach the mind is that one should put the attachments at the 'Most dear's feet. One's desires, one should put on the 'Most dear's feet. One should do what he commands and self should remain dyed in his love and remembrance. The T shows itself in the form of 'mine4. One should not think that the body and wealth is mine. It belongs to the Lord. One should make them fruitful as per the wishes of 'Most dear'. 'Most dear' is immersed in the love of the Lord who is the Supreme soul. We should love the Lord who is the Supreme soul and see Him here, there, everywhere, absolutely close to us. We should never forget Him. When there is separation from wife, son or friends, we should consider them as belonging to 'Most dear' and that they have gone and taken refuge at his feet. We should earn honestly and give charity and be pious. We should be contented in whatever Lord gives and happy in sharing. This is the real renouncement.

[Meditation]

The rest of time at night except whatever time is necessary for sleep should be spent in 'Relaxed yoga'. Relaxed yoga is recitation of the Lord's name, engrossment in the love of the Lord or say, body soul immersed in the Supreme Soul. The mind thinks outwardly all twenty-four hours. In the same way we have to give some attachment to the mind that should turn the mind inwardly all twenty-four hours. This attachment is by way of recitation of the Lord's name with love, incessant recitation and incessant remembrance. In the day some time is needed for earning. Rest of the time should be spent in recitation and remembrance of the Lord's name and good deeds.

Damsel: To remain engrossed in the Lord's name and away from desires as you said has to be by renunciation and insight or by Hath yoga?

Benevolent: Whatever way but detachment has to be of the mind and it is not necessary that the body also renounces the house or family life. One has to give some attachment to the mind. When the mind is attached to the Lord by way of recitation and remembrance, then automatically it is detached from worldly desires. Similarly, when we accept the Lord's will and are happy in it, then the Lord's strength comes to us and we get an insight of the Lord's will.

Instead of Hath yoga and deeds, 'Most dear' has said: At present you are in love with the visible world. The visible world is perishable. When something or somebody you love perishes, then there is separation that causes suffering and distress. So, keep your mind detached from the visible world. Attach your

mind to somebody who is non-perishable. That non-perishable is the Lord who is always living. Then there is never any separation and since there is no separation, loving Him is riddance from suffering. Thus when one is rid of suffering, then it is happiness always.

The unseen is the savior and all love. We are His children. Our inner self or soul is ail love. We have diverted our self towards the visible world and the desires of the visible world. This gives suffering. If we turn our self towards the Lord, then we shall meet Him. He is perceive-able living, sentient being. He is all love. He loves us. We have the same love-spark of His love in our self. When we adopt the way of love i.e. we turn our inborn natural love from the outwardly seen world towards the Lord by recitation and remembrance, then we meet Him. He reveals Himself in His Name by way of a wavy sensation. Thus we perceive Him and feel Him or say meet Him. Yoga is just another name of meeting. 'Most dear5 teaches us this meeting or we may call it 'Relaxed yoga'. In this way we remain connected to the Lord all day and night. When we are thus connected with Him and sitting in the family we do all what 'Most dear' wishes us to do. We do everything attuned to his wish and not as per our own ego. 'Most dear' tells us this way of love. He has thus removed the difference of living in the house or living in the forest. He has said: Those who consider house and forest as same are truly pious.

Doctor: It is very difficult to turn the mind from worldly attachments like wife, son and wealth towards the Lord. Breath control, meditation and penances, are these not required?

[Holy Congregation] Benevolent: 'Most dear' says: Sufferings are a medicine. Suffering from which everyone is afraid are a cure. They detach the mind from the visible world. Besides this he has created a Holy congregation that attracts the person and detaches him from the persons who are giving suffering.

Damsel: It is alright. But dear sir! We have not seen 'Most Dear'. How does his love take us into Holy congregation?

[Love-Remembrance Devotion]

Benevolent: First let us understand what is love? As it is, we do not perceive eternal love, love that is eternal love that is between body, soul and Supreme soul. We do understand the sentimental love that we have in the visible world. Let us try to understand further. Whomsoever we love we have a pull towards him. By virtue of this pull we wish that the person should not separate from us. He should not be out of sight. We should see him at all times. When one

is in love with somebody then the eyes do not let him go out of our sight and if at any time he goes out or separates then our heart does not forget him. Always one has a feeling of pull or pang and the remembrance always remains in the mind. Meaning one does not forget the beloved even for a moment. See, now we understand:

1 . When we meet our beloved we wish that he should not separate and in our heart is extreme happiness.

2. When there is separation then the remembrance of the beloved remains and there is a pull or pang in the mind. From this it becomes clear that 'remembrance' is the form of love.

Now coming to the point: The Holy company tells us that when the Lord who is unseen and our eyes cannot see Him, then take it that we are separated from Him. Again from the sentimental worldly love we have understood that in separation we get a pull or pang of the beloved. If we perceive Him as separated from us and remember Him and keep this remembrance in every moment, then we shall get his pull or pang. We have already understood that this pull is the form of love while in separation. Now it is clear that remembrance in every moment becomes love or so to say the remembrance turns into love.

Like, seeds from Banyan tree and Banyan tree from seeds. Similarly, remembrance turns to love and love turns to remembrance. As the love increases the beloved will get a pull from us. How is that? Understand that principle. When you remember somebody in every moment, he will also remember you in every moment. Thus remembering Him in every moment 'Most Dear' will remember you in every moment.

Let me repeat: We are in the remembrance of the Lord all twenty-four hours. This is the form of love. That means our mind has become full of love for Him. The mind becomes elevated with love. This is Super consciousness. When this remembrance becomes incessant, then our Super consciousness becomes strong. It will create in us a pull or pang for the beloved. Then 'Most Dear' will also remember us and get a pull from us. Then he is great, strong and saviour. He will pull us. We are small and light. We will get pulled towards Him and meet him. That means we have met him. Yoga is meeting the Lord. In this way, the Holy company elucidates the principles and helps you meet the Lord.

Damsel: To get the incessant remembrance of the Lord seems a difficult

task.

Benevolent: Like, hundred liters of milk turns into yoghurt with just a thick peace of yoghurt, similarly, the Holy company turns your mind with one

spark of love. That love-spark is very precious. Those whom the Lord has blessed His love-spark

(His Name), their praise is beyond words. With the love-spark (Lord's name) all sufferings go and one gets ecstasy. Let us pray to the Lord to give us Holy company of those who have this love-spark (Lord's Name) in them. Meaning: Lord's Name is the form of love.

[Scripture]

Showers of love from the Lord are blessed to the Holy people. As is the company, so is the fruit. When you meet Holy company. You also get a lovespark (Lord's Name) in their company. In addition the Holy congregation sings praises of the Lord. 'Most dear' has not left our un-enlightened mind without support. He has provided us with Holy Scripture that has come from the Lord. Reciting the scripture and singing the scripture is the Holy work for us to do. The scripture is full of praises of the Lord, love of the Lord, goodness of the Lord, pangs of love for the Lord and sacredness of the Lord. It is nectar from the Lord. When you recite the scripture or sing the scripture with music it gives ecstasy. You drink the Name nectar that is rapturous. It elevates the mind. Super consciousness arises. The body soul touches the Supreme soul and gets immersed in the Supreme soul. One gets inner blossom of mind. It keeps you connected to the Lord.

[Name]

In the Holy company we recite the scripture that elevates our mind and we get ecstasy. Then the Holy company tells us that remembrance is something subtle and our mind is unsteady and body impermanent. All the time we are looking for the comforts of the impermanent body and we have got habituated to the unsteadiness and impermanence. So we should start the remembrance from the unsteadiness and impermanence. So the Holy company tells us that put the name of God say 'O Lord' or 'Waheguru* on your tongue and recite the Name with attention towards the omnipresent great cO Lord' 'Waheguru' whose influence we have already got from reading, reciting and singing of scripture. This is the 6Message to the World9 that 'Most dear' has brought from the Lord's palace. He calls it 'The true greatness and grandeur of the Lord'. This is 'O Lord' 'Waheguru'. This is Name. 'Most dear' has said: the Name cO Lord' 'Waheguru' that the tongue recites is in the form of words on the tongue. But beyond the tongue it becomes a feeling of love and gets deep into the mind and becomes remembrance. This is 'Recitation and remembrance'

of Name. From recitation it becomes remembrance by itself. Further down it becomes a silent prayer of love (Recitation without the movement of tongue). This remembrance becomes incessant and goes deep into the body soul that is called Super consciousness.

This sends waves of pull towards the Lord. The grace of the Lord then pulls our body soul and the body soul immerses in the Supreme Soul This is meeting the Lord. This happens in this life only. Then one lives a life full of inner blossom of mind in ecstasy.

By recitation and remembrance of His name we turned our mind from the love of the seen world so to say we detached our mind from worldly desires. You see, when we detach our mind from the perishable worldly desires as per the will of 'Most dear' and divert our energies for the comfort of others whom earlier we thought were strangers, then do we not become real renounces?

Inwardly we live in tranquillity, in love-remembrance and in blossoming inner self and outwardly we give comfort to everybody, may be our neighbour or other mankind who are the creation of the Lord and as such are our brothers. But all this we do in a relaxed way.

We wish good for all. Our support is Name and mind devoted to 'Most dear5. Thus we remain immersed in the love of the always living Lord. To do goodness to others becomes our nature. Ourselves we are away from worldly desires. Thus we live in peace of mind and inner blossom of mind in this very life itself and for the rest of the world we are not a cause of suffering to anyone. Instead we give comfort to others. Our inner mind blossoms in this world and the next world too. We do not kill the sentiment that we have for the world. We turn it towards the Lord and make it sacred. Our mind becomes elevated when we accept the Lord's will as good and our ego vanishes. Our body soul immerses in the Supreme soul and we live in ecstasy and rapture in the world.

When the above discourse finished, everybody's eyes were closed and everybody was in ecstasy and rapture that none had felt earlier. 'Benevolent' got immersed in the love of the Lord. The effect of the discourse of 'Benevolent' was such that the learned damsel, the learned doctor and the learned doctor's wife all three started treading on the path of 'recitation of Name' that 'Benevolent' elucidated with love. Time passed by. Nobody knows how much time, maybe a year or more or less.

What all happened in this period? Is Magnificent' s soldier absorbed in the pleasure of sentiment and prominence? No. He has formed a holy

congregation in the village. About twenty-five persons assemble and sing the praises of the Lord regularly.

He moved to nearby villages and preached 'recitation of the Lord s name with love'. Nearly three hundred persons have become disciples of 'Most dear' in this period. They are now in practice of 'recitation of Name' and their minds are elevated. They have got a love-spark of the Lord in their hearts.

However, the service changes, in his dream he sees whom he calls 'Magnificent' or 'Most dear' who tells him: O Dear! The place from where you started is withering. Turn your boat and go where your sacred drops of blood fell. The sentimental love and sadness has already melted their hearts. Go and plant the seedlings of the Lord's name in their minds so that their souls flourish. Let us make the sinners as virtuous. The Lord shall be happy.

'Benevolent' was the name given to him by the people. But he did not feel glad when somebody called him by this name. He was happy when somebody called him Magnificent's soldier because his Super consciousness was attuned to 'Most dear' in obeying his orders.

Today he is standing in the boat at the bank of the river wearing the last year's blood stained but washed dress, the same turban with a wand in hand. The blanket and sheet in which he was wrapped is also lying in the boat. Two boatmen holding ropes are waiting to pull the boat upstream.

Three hundred pious souls, three hundred people whose mind '3enevolent3 had transformed from animal instincts to manly instincts and from manly to saintly instincts who are preparing themselves to have a glimpse of 'Most dear' by 'recitation of Name', they are looking at the loving figure who is leaving today after blessing them with the Lord's name.

Yes. 'Benevolent' who awakened the souls of people living in the forgetfulness of the Lord and turned their minds into remembrance of the Lord is departing today. Six hundred eyes are shedding tears of love. O river Chenab! You have become fortunate today. You have become great. In your lifeless water are falling six hundred tears full of life, more and more and telling your icy cold water, "We are coming from the fountain of life. You awaken yourself with our Spiritual warmth."

The boat moved. Three hundred heads bowed down. But the head that is already sold to 'Most dear' is standing serenely immersed in 'Most dear's love. It is not sad in separation from three hundred hearts. He also bowed his head in love and regards considering them as congregation of 'Most dear'. Three hundred and one heads who are swaying in love of 'Most dear' have bowed down.

The wife of Pandit has lost half her weight in crying and wailing for her beloved daughter. Her face has wrinkled. Ker eyes have shrunk. But her pangs of separation are not lessened. Today again she is heaving sighs: Carried away by mother's affection I have wailed and spoiled my health but you had a strong mind. You have also gone into gloominess in the past one year. Your body weight has become half. Happiness and exuberance has run away from the house. (Looking towards heaven)

O daughter! Why you left us wailing? O singing Nightingale and singing Cuckoo of the house, if you had to break the love-knots then why you tied them? O darling! My heart has burnt with pangs. Still you did not get a pull. It is certain that this man eater river Chenab has snatched you otherwise my tears would have fallen on your heart and you would have rushed to meet me. O darling Promila! I am sure you are dead.

Pandit dear! Daughter, learned daughter has gone forever. Can there be any hope that she might be living as yet? I have no doubt that she is dead. Have some mercy in your heart. Her soul will not rest in peace. Go to the temple and say prayers for her so that her soul rests in peace. How long shall we remain in hope that she is living?

Pandit: Darling! What should I tell? I have searched for her in the entire Punjab state. I have searched for her at the eastern pilgrim centres. I have searched forest caves but this sinful mind is still in hope. If you are sure that she is dead, then I shall go to the temple and pray that her soul may rest in peace. Mothers are more close to daughters. Did you see her in a dream?

Mother: No. I have not dreamt but my mind says like that.

Pandit: Well! Whatever is written in destiny has to happen. We cannot change that. I expected our daughter will become famous like Gargi. Alas! She died like a humble person. Our home has become desolate. If we had another child, then the mind would have got some support. Parents of one child are blind. The truth is that I am a hypocrite. I read so many scriptures and gave discourses that this world is perishable and an illusion like a mirage. But the separation from daughter seems real. She was a dream that is over but the sinful mind cries and heaves sighs. Outwardly even now I preach detachment to keep up my prominence but it is all stubbom-ness. How stupid are people! They believe when I say that my mind is above the feeling of suffering. They don't see to my face that my weight has gone down by half. They don't notice my nature that my happiness has all gone. I am always sad. They do not notice that our house is full of gloom as if seven hundred sons

have died. When I say, "This world is a dream," they say: "Oh! Pandit is Master of Spirituality." Oh ho! like the world is illusion, even my knowledge is illusion.

Pandit's Wife: Pandit dear! We have to die one day. Now death might come quicker. There is no blossom of mind. How long shall the body live? Then what will happen? Where shall we go after death? I feel afraid. As it is, we have servants, people come and meet us. I hope loneliness will not make us suffer after death.

The thought of death said in innocence made the Pandit nervous. His heart almost sank. His mind shrunk with fear. He went into deep thought. He visualized his vices and sufferings given to people. The amassed wealth and properties will remain here only when I die. His heart shrunk. O truth! You are without fear and naked. How long can you hide yourself from truth? It shall come out sometime. The world appeared fearsome to the eyes. He felt darkness in his mind. He felt loneliness. Loneliness! Yes, loneliness seemed worse than hell. The Pandit became nervous. He saw beastliness in himself. He remembered 'Benevolent'. A handsome, loving, young man is beaten up with sticks like reed fiber, dies, is wrapped in sheets, put in a boat and the boat pushed in the current of water. Murdered! O Godi I am the murderer. Maybe the murder has not come to light but it is hidden deep in the soul. It pricks. Today, it has become visible. I am a murderer. .

He trembled. His mind became darker. The loneliness became more painful. The thought of the murder of 'Benevolent' pierced and bore a hole in his heart like the piercing of arrows with sharp points flattened in triangular shape (that cannot be pulled out easily) in the form of reproof.

Hell is loneliness and repentance of sins. Pandit is suffering in the worst

hell.

He muttered loudly, "I am a murderer", swooned and fell down. His heart felt shocked. The shock "I am a murderer" recalled the memory. The memory opened the book of sins and vices. The most dreadful was the murder of 'Benevolent'. When one dies, then the friends, relatives, mansions & wealth do not go with you but the memory of sins by way of reproof is set deep in your mind. Like the wealth it should remain behind but it does not. The sins and vices originate in the mind, then one sins with the body. Indulging in them again and again, they become our habit. The memory of these goes deep into the mind and influences of the same settle in the subconscious mind or say remain hidden in the subconscious mind. This memory and habits settle in the subconscious mind. When one feels lonely, one is afraid and in distress, then the memory surges and starts eating up the self.

The world is perishable no doubt but the influences of sins and vices that have settled deep in the subconscious mind come out and do not leave you when you are alone or in fear. These are influences but more and more of these having gone deep into the mind, they have become habits. The body is perishable. Death takes it away but these influences settled on the mind become visible to the soul. One did not get rid of these by any, knife. These influences are the noose in the hands of messengers of death.

The way to cut this noose is as follows:

"My mind is the scale and my tongue the knife, I am cutting the noose of the messengers of death centimetre by centimetre, " Says. Nanah .

Meaning: My tongue is reciting the Lord's Name in every moment. The Lord's Name cuts the noose of the messengers of death in each moment.

The minds of the couple are full of repentance. There was uproar: Pandit has gone mad. The house echoed with the shrieks of the lady of the house. The maids sent servants to call the doctor. The servants brought the doctor. Pandit is getting treatment Friends, relatives, flatterers and some selfish people have dropped in to enquire about his health. Pandit regained consciousness. He had no illness as such. His mind was in grief. The grief of the sins and repentances is giving pain. It is extreme pain like the sting of wasps.

Pandit became alright but the minds of husband and wife have turned with this shock. The pangs for the daughter are much less because tear and anxiety for 'self has overpowered their mind. Now most of their time passes in repentance.

A fortnight has passed since they felt this shock. Pandit is sitting close to the window. His wife is sitting close by. She is reciting verses from the Gita which she remembers by heart although she does not understand the meanings of the same. Pandit is listening to her recitation.

Pandit: O Darling! Wait! See! What is the meaning of this stanza? listen! It means: Those who learn my teachings but do not act accordingly, they are in mistaken beliefs. Be sure those stupid people will be ruined. O Darling! See! This is for us only. What is the number of the stanza? See! It is the 3rd stanza. Now you recite the 9th stanza. In the 3rd stanza was ruination for us. Here is our cure. It says: If a sinful man worships me and does not worship anyone else, then he is always pious because he has a pious intention. He becomes a man of God quickly. He gets eternal peace of mind. Have faith that my devotee will not suffer ruination. O darling! If we go for devotional love, then we might save ourselves, but how to practice? Devotion ends in knowledge. That I have already got. There is no salvation without knowledge.

Even devotion will take us to knowledge that I already have. But the heartburning is that we have no peace of mind. We are in fear, anxiety and gloom. Meanwhile, Moti came and said something hastily! Pandit (starlted): O Moti! What did you say?

Moti: Your honour! A calamity has descended. The boat that we rolled down last year with the dead body of 'Benevolent' is parked at the bank of the river. It is tied to a tree with a rope. The same stained sheets and blanket are lying in it but the dead body is missing.

The Pandit's face turned pale. He became nervous. Is it really so? Oh no! You are mistaken.

Moti: Well! I have reassured myself fully.

Pandit: Oh God! We were talking of the future. The ruination has come in the present. That Majesty's soldier was surely a detective. We are mad. We should have thrown the dead body in the river. Then no sign would have remained. We placed it in the boat and rolled it down. Huny makes curry. Haste makes waste. Oh ho! That means some clues have been found. The Police may come at any time. O dear! Get ready this is the fruit of vicious deeds. What shall the knowledge do? This knowledge is sham. No hopes now. O Moti! You suggest some way out.

Saying this Pandit's heart sank and he become somewhat unconscious. His wife trembled. After a long time he regained consciousness and said: If he is in Government service then we are nowhere, we are unable to do anything, neither running away nor hiding nor entreating, if he is not a Government servant, then we have enough money. If knowledge is no rescue for us or no god or goddess comes to rescue us, then money will surely help us. The wealth that we have amassed by hypocrisy will surely help us out. The money collected through sinful deeds will surely save us from sinful men.

Pandit startled! See, who is knocking?

Moti: There is no knock.

Pandit: Go to the Police Station and try to find out if any complaint is registered against us. Oh! What is this sound? It is the sound of music. "Pandits put on white dress and a saffron dot on their foreheads

But their actions are like butchers with knife in hand. " Pandit's wife: This is the same voice. Pandit: Be quiet. Let us hear.

Pandit's wife: I say, this is the same voice. He has not died. He has come with his sword accompanied by Police-men. Now we are caught. We are nowhere. Let us runaway. Let us take our chest of gold coins along and run.

Pandit: If he has come and is accompanied by Police-men, then we have no time and no way to escape. O Jeevan! Go and see. Is he the same 'Benevolent4? The voice is same.

Jeevan came running: Madam! He is 'Benevolent'. He is hale and hearty, living, singing and swaying. He is walking this side.

Pandit (nervously): Is he alone or accompanied by Police-men?

Jeevan: Sir! He is alone. He has come.

Pandit became numb. Over-awed like a stone statue he stared vacantly.

At this time, 'Benevolent5 in most handsomeness, magnificence, immersed in Lord's love and high spirits came and stood in front of Pandit. Pandit who was already pale saw darkness in his eyes and stared towards the ground.

'Benevolent5: Dear Pandit! God bless you. Don't be afraid. I have brought a message from 'Magnificent'. But it is not punishment because my 'Magnificent' rules the kingdom of love. I am not accompanied by Police-men. I am accompanied by messengers of love. They will enter your body. They will kill but not you. They will kill the sins and vices in you and throw them out. O Dear Pandit! Strengthen your mind.

Saying this, he hugged Pandit and said: "Whom Lord savesy nobody can kill Dead is he who is in forgetfulness of Lord, "

Lord wished to save me. I was saved. You are in His forgetfulness. You are in lifelessness while living. Now I have orders that I should tell you: You can also live in inner blossom of mind. You can live a sublime life. Get ready! A live sensation from 'Magnificent' is coming to you.

Pandit stared vacantly. He had no hope. He was still suspicious.

'Benevolent' shook him a little and said: The knowledge that you read in books is outwardly knowledge. Everybody knows that food goes in the stomach, is digested and we live on that support. But who understands how it is being digested and how it is being converted into blood and how the body is getting the strength? We do not understand our hidden strength. (Quietness prevailedThe learning gave knowledge to the mind but this mind cannot see the Lord. These eyes cannot see the Lord. The Lord is beyond the five senses of the body. Dear Pandit! After reading the scriptures you are still in the forgetfulness of the Lord and in despair. Rise from this worldly sphere. Perceive the sphere that you have read. You are not even sure whether there is one God or two or three. Sometimes you say it is all dream or illusion and the end is thoughtlessness. What is your knowledge?

Hurly-burly of knowing a little Pandit's mind became steady. His mind said: He seems to be a saint. He is not a Government employee. He listened

and understood his words but shiil he has fear in mind. However hie morale boosted a little.

He said: Are you really a saint?

'Benevolent5: I do not know what you mean by saintliness. However, I have not come to take revenge. I have come out of love for you. I am a messenger of the kingdom of love. My 'Most dear' is the 'Majesty' of the government that saves people from burning hell.

Pandit: I had almost murdered you.

Benevolent: That was Lord's will. You are not to be blamed.

Pandit: Is it no blame on me? You do not consider blame on me.

Benevolent: I tell you truly. I do not consider even a little blame on you that was the order of my Master. I felt happy to obey. I got more happiness here because many people have got awaken-ness of soul. I consider you my dear friend.

The moment 'Benevolent' said these words, then the Pandit who never bowed to anyone and always made others bow to him, said: You are great! You are a real saint whose mind is detached from worldly desires.

'Benevolent' pulled him in his embrace. Ohi Was it an embrace or touch of electric current to a dead body? He felt a love-sensation and a sensation of thanks in his mind and body. His mind elevated. He got a sensation of the presence of the Lord in his mind, heart and body. He felt ecstasy. The Lord's name settled in his mind. Today, he realized that to gain knowledge is nothing. To see inwardly and elevation of mind is everything. This is mind detached from worldly desires. This is to see the Lord here, there, everywhere. The Lord reveals Himself in his Name by way of a wavy sensation to the mind, heart and body. This is meeting the Lord. When the mind is attached to the Lord, then it is automatically detached from the world.

When a girl gets married and attached to her husband, then it is automatic detachment from the parents' house.

The mind has to be reined and it has to rise. The way is 'recitation of the Lord's name with love'.

Now with great respect they asked 'Benevolent' to sit down. The Pandit's wife also felt relieved. The fear of Police or being killed vanished. Now she remembered her daughter. In pangs of love for the daughter she wished to ask if 'Benevolent' by any chance knew the whereabouts of her daughter. When Pandit became quiet, then she spoke: O Stream from the fountain of love! Is there any clue of my darling daughter?

Saying this she narrated the wailing for the last one year.

'Benevolent' listened to her patiently. Then he closed his eyes and was quiet for some time. Then slowly he opened his eyes and looked towards Pandit's wife with a wondrous love and said: Mother! My own Mother!

' Was it saying the word Mother7 or a magic? She felt a sensation in her mind, heart and body. This is sensation of the Lord's Name. Then one feels the whole world as a house and the Lord living in it. Ail are His children. She got a feeling of love for 'Benevolent5 as if he was her own son born from her womb.

'Benevolent': Mother* I am so hungry.

Mother, in her elevated mind ran to the kitchen and brought and served food. 'Benevolent' who was without enmity towards anyone, who even loved those who were inimical to him, who called himself a son even after getting beaten to almost death, who is a philosopher's stone that transforms enmity into love, is eating food with love. Pandit's wife is in emotional love on hearing the word 'Mother' uttered with so much love. Pandit's heart is feeling a sensation of the Lord's name and he is feeling cool. Those who were separated from the Lord like the broken branch of a tree have got connected to the fountain of love and are feeling the ecstasy of the Lord's name. Their inner mind is in blossom. Everybody in the house who was enveloped with fear and awe is feeling cool and comfortable. The day descended. In the evening Pandit went out for a walk. 'Benevolent' accompanied him. But there was no talk of daughter. However after dinner when the threesome sat around the fire, then 'Benevolent' narrated the entire story of his self and the daughter. How she stayed in the forest and how his boat got stuck to Promila's boat. Then he narrated how a holy congregation of people of that region was formed and the discourses that turned Promila's mind from outwardly knowledge to sensation of the Lord in the mind, heart and body. Pandit's mind had already turned towards love of the Lord. Now he became absolutely convinced and got full faith in the discourses that 'Benevolent' gave. He was already feeling ashamed of his poor knowledge of religion. Now he felt the sensation of the presence of the Lord in his mind, heart and body. His mind became pure and crystal.

'Benevolent' told him to return the money to those from whom he had grabbed by unfair means. Pandit returned the money and asked forgiveness from all whom he had given suffering.

Pandit felt ecstasy after returning the money and asking forgiveness. He became sure that this is religiousness in the true sense. There is no gain in just giving discourses unless one has the support of the Lord in the mind. Only

when one feels the sensation of the Lord's Name in the mind, then one feels ecstasy, when one is in ecstasy then in deeds one spreads love and mercy.

Pandit now understood fully the formation of holy congregation and he also got a longing to have a glimpse of 'Most dear'.

Benevolent: Time is near when you will have a glimpse of 'Most dear'. You have got love for him and you remember him. This love and remembrance takes you to him. You do more of service so that the dirt of the mind goes away quickly. Then your eyes will be able to bear the dazzle on the forehead of 'Most dear'.

Here, Mother and Father got spiritual awakening. Their wish to meet the daughter who had already got inner blossom of mind increased. Tandit and wife' couple whose gloom had turned into happiness, whose mind was elevated, who got sensation of the Lord's Name in their mind, heart and body, their happiness was boundless.

But 'Benevolent' did not wish that daughter should come here. She was preaching love of the Lord in that region. She was preaching recitation of the Lord's Name and singing the praises of the Lord. That was the message of 'Most dear' to the world. She was spreading this message in the region. '

Although Pandit and wife were impatient to meet daughter, however they had full faith in 'Benevolent'. 'Benevolent' wished that Pandit's soul should flourish more and more so that the sentimental worldly love should go away as the daughter's sentimental worldly love had already gone. When they meet they should meet each other as Lord's children immersed in the love of the Lord. They also thought that whatever the 'Benevolent' does is the best.

Some more time passed.

See! The panorama! A line of Bullock-carts departed from Phagwara. In one of the carts are sitting Pandit, his wife and his learned daughter. In the second are sitting Bhaijeevna, Doctor and family. In the next are sitting Moti, Jeevan, who had beaten up 'Benevolent' and other servants of the house. They are in love of 'Benevolent'. In the rear carts are those who suffered at the hands of Pandit and now are in love of the Lord and consider this as grace from 'Most dear'. In the first instance they were astonished, then they got faith and after listening to discourses of 'Benevolent' they became devotees. In the end were those who lived in nearby areas and attended the holy congregations of 'Benevolent' and their minds turned towards the Lord and wished to have a glimpse of 'Most dear'.

This entire congregation is of holy people. They are in recitation of the Lord's Name with love and incessant remembrance of the Lord. In that remembrance they are in love, emotion, devotion, longing, hope and thankfulness.

Those who relish the five senses of the body, day and night are spending their time in searching, relishing and keeping up the relish, how are they higher than animals and other creatures. The animals remain in search in the five senses and remain absorbed in the relish of the five senses.

If man's extent of desires, effort and acquisition is this much only, then man is an animal who is just cleverer and more deceitful than others. If a man says that he lives a higher life and in comparison the animals are living lifelessly, then his saying this is an utterance that is meaning-less.

Because if man's desire, eagerness, effort and domain of acquisition is up to the five senses as in animals, then is he not like animals in comparison to a higher life that is achievable only in human life and not in any other life. By saying only, nobody can achieve a higher life. The Lord's nectar, Name nectar, Spiritual nectar, nectar of the soul or immersion of body soul in the Supreme soul, ecstasy of the Lord's Name and rapture of the Lord's Name, the relish or nectar or ecstasy or rapture can be gained only in human life.

But if man after being blessed with this precious human life is devoid of this sacred and unique Supreme nectar, then he is an animal, lifeless (living like a dead person) although he might be a pious intellectual or a wealthy pious person.

Disciples who are eager for this unique rapturous life are going in a caravan to have a glimpse of 'Most dear'. Yes! See! How glad is everyone, how much delightful are they? Their faces are emitting lustre and they have so much love for each other. The entire congregation is moving in happiness but Magnificent's soldier is not in sight.

One farmer was crushing sugar cane to make brown sugar. He was also a devotee of 'Most dear'. When he came to know that a congregation is going in a caravan, then he felt bad that a group of devotees of 'Most dear' has passed from here on their way to Anandpur and he did not know about it. Then riding a horse he went and met 'Benevolent' and told about his inability to accompany. Then benevolent said to the congregation: You keep travelling. I will try to help him finish his work and bring him and join you. Saying this he came back with the farmer and now he is helping him in making brown sugar from the sugar cane juice.

See! 'Benevolent' who could turn the minds of learned intellectuals towards the love of the Lord and was much respected by everybody and had become

so eminent is not in ego of eminence. As Magnificent' s soldier he is helping the farmer in making brown sugar from sugar cane. When he realized that just his help was not sufficient to complete the work, then he called some more friends who all helped and the work got completed on the third day. Then he along with the farmer and farmer's family carried a box full of brown sugar for 'Most dear' and his congregation and rode on horses to reach Anandpur.

The congregation that was already on the move has reached and assembled outside Anandpur. They are hesitant to go to the city and are waiting for 'Benevolent'. It became noon but 'Benevolent' did not reach. They have reached 'Most dear's city but how could they go without 'Benevolent'? Pandit is standing in the gathering of holy people. He said: 'Benevolent' is not somebody who would forget. There is some wondrousness that we do not know. There is some goodness.

Meanwhile they saw dust rising from the city side. First they saw a few valiant. They came and stood on both sides of the congregation. Later a magnificent figure, God of love came riding a horse. Impatiently, he said: My soldier! My soldier! Eveiybody understood that he is 'Most dear' and he has come.

With great love and regards everybody bowed down. The 'Master of love' got down from his horse. See! He lifted Promila's head from the ground and said: My daughter! You are great! It was'nt service to my soldier, you did service to me. You have loved me. (Patting her head) You are blessed. God will bless you.

Where is the limit of Promila's happiness and delight? She is unable to open her eyes. 'Most dear' loved her with his one sacred hand on her shoulder and one sacred hand on her head. A wavy sensation like an electric current passed through her body. Her elevated mind went into trance, her body soul immersed in the Supreme soul. She felt rapture. She trembled. She felt thankful. Her eyes filled with tears. Me, an atheist, blind and lifeless, am I fit for the touch of sacred hands of the Life-giver 'Most dear'? I, who was searching death in the water of river Chenab am being given a new higher life by the hand of the 'Master of Higher life.'

She tries to open her eyes but the eyelids do not move. She tries to lift her head but the head does not move. Love is raining on her in torrents. Even her body cells are reciting the Lord's Name. She forgot who am I and where am I?

It is a meeting of three, 'Most dear'-devotion-devotee. The meeting is giving ecstasy. The Lord is raining ecstasy. It is going deep into the body cells

of the entire congregation. One who thought she was a goddess because she could lecture about God, at this time is immersed in the love of the Lord. Somebody should now ask her: Are you a goddess? Then who would listen and who would speak? The intellectual has turned from knowledge and is immersed in the love of the all knowing Lord and is in rapture. Who can tell the ecstasy of meeting 'Most dear'?

Saint Kabir is standing in the heaven showering flowers. He says: One cannot describe the ecstasy of meeting the Lord.

Nobody knows how long she remained in this trance.

'Most dear5 opened his eyes. Promila's eyes also opened. She looked at 'Most dear5 in thankfulness.

Then 'Most dear5 said: Your body soul is immersed in the Supreme soul.

She got sensation of the presence of the Lord in her mind, heart and body cells. Pandit and his wife fell at the feet of 'Most dear'. He lifted their heads with his sacred hands and laughingly said: The culprit is in the front, the soldier behind. Saying this he embraced both of them and said: This is real life. This is spiritual life. The moment he spoke both went into trance. They felt as if their sins are falling out and they are becoming clean like the cotton seeds from the ginning machine. They felt light as a flower as if then body had no weight. Then the Guru said: You are blessed.

The Doctor and family fell at the true Guru's feet. The true Guru lifted their heads and said: Come! O Doctor, who dressed the wounds and cured the unconscious. Come! I welcome you from the core of my heart. Saying this he hugged the Doctor and said: You are blessed. Your Doctor-ship will go on and on. Then he loved him and blessed him with the Lord's Name. Within a moment Doctor got the sensation of the presence of the Lord in his mind, heart and body and felt ecstasy. He had come with this desire. His desire was fuMled.

Then he blessed Bhai Jeevna and everybody else in the congregation. It is a wondrous glimpse. It is like a lake full of lotus flowers and one sun has made all of them blossom. It is giving sunshine to every lotus flower. It is giving warmth to every lotus flower. It is attracting every lotus flower. The sun is giving lustre to every lotus flower. It is making every lotus flower flourish more and more.

He is the 'Most dear5 for whom 'Benevolent5 who lived with mind detached, more detached than ascetics and sadhus and shed tears of love. He is the 'Most dear5 who for the sake of his dear ones has left an audience hall full of devotees, no, who has left the rapture of the Lord's palace and come to this earthly sphere to join the separated souls with the Supreme souL

How glad would have Magnificent's soldier felt if he were present to see love being showered on the congregation. Is it that the soldier has no such longing? He would consicfer it a prize to see this wondrous glimpse. But what should he do? He considers himself as an obedient servant of 'Most dear'. For whatever work he stayed back, he thought it was 'Most dear's order. Now he is coming fast but has not been able to reach on time. He could not see this glimpse. He is coming in intense desire. He wished and hoped to reach.

'Most dear5 now walked back accompanied by everyone.

The intuitive Guru understands that they all are waiting for 'Benevolent5. He said: Let us go. Our dear soldier is accomplishing another arduous task. He shall come. Like beads in the string of love, everyone followed 'Most dear' as iron is pulled by magnet. Where did they reach? They reached where a huge congregation had assembled, where a sea of blossom is swelling, where the sea of ecstasy is surging with ecstatic waves.

The huge congregation had already heard about the sacrifice and endeavour of 'Benevolent5. like the partridge has longing to see the moon, all eyes were longing to have a glimpse of the soldier and the pious souls who imbibed love of 'Most dear' in their mind through the discourses of 'Benevolent'.

When 'Most dear' entered the audience hall accompanied by a family of love, then the ecstasy that the love-filled eyes felt in meeting the devotionfilled eyes can be gauged only when one feels the ecstasy.

The time also came when Magnificent's soldier 'Benevolent' arrived from river Chenab. When did he arrive? When 'Most dear' stood in blissful peace, love and ecstasy and the devotees stood in front unmoved immersed in Lord's love. 'Most dear' gave them nectar of the Lord's Name to drink.

Magnificent's soldier saw from a distance the devotee-river merging in the Guru-sea. On seeing this wondrousness, the ecstasy filled Magnificent's soldier got more ecstasy. He did not move forward so that everybody's attention should remain where it was and none should be disturbed. Unmoved he stood quietly at a distance.

When blessings were over, then 'Most dear' impatiently looked up and said: 'My soldier'. The next moment the soldier's head and 'Most dear's feet were clamped together. 'Most dear' lifted the handsome head, embraced and grasped soldier so tightly as if soldier's soul immersed in 'Most dear's soul.

See! Mother Gujri ji with graceful eyes is waiting to give love to soldier. When the true Guru said, Blessed, Blessed, Blesssed thrice and looked towards Mother Gujri ji, then she loved dear son (Soldier) who got himself beaten to

almost death and established the love-kingdom of 'Most dear' in the entire region. She said: O Son! I adore you! I adore you! I adore you! She blessed him immense love and grace.

After getting blessings from Mother Gujri Ji 'Benevolent' again fell at the true Guru's feet, yes, whom he called 'Most dear' and shed tears of love for him is now shedding tears of love on the 'Most dear's sacred lotus feet.

Who is this loving handsome image of the Lord, who can shower a love sensation from his love, who can shower the Lord's sensation, who can shower waves of ecstasy and once showered never takes back, who is being loved as 'Most dear'?

This is Magnificent "Guru with the Plume" Beloved Guru Gobind Singh, Saviour of the world, Master of the 'Flower Garden' of 'Ideal men', 'Fountain of love', 'Ocean of mercy', 'Shower of grace'.

This is the handsome figure whose soul is to the Supreme soul as the sunrays are to sun, like in humans it is love of Father to Son, embodiment of love and whose soul immersed in the Supreme soul has become 'One'. This is the figure who gave the life-spark of the Lord to 'Benevolent' and sensation of the Lord's Name that gave a higher life to 'Benevolent'. By way of thanks, Magnificent's soldier spread the Lord's name to the world. He understood that to spread the Lord's name was the utmost goodness to the world.

Great Guru Gobind Singh ! Magnificent Guru with the plume ! Great Guru Gobind Singh ! Magnificent Guru with the plume !

o o o o