Today we celebrate Das Dharam Foundation Day. In the first Nanak Dham Newsletter we explained that on 16 February 1980, Maharaz Jee “established the practical worldwide Mission of Das Dharam. Das means “one who serves” and Dharam refers to “our promise to God before our birth”. Maharaz Jee explains that Das Dharam therefore means the promise we made to God (before we were born) to serve humanity”.
This promise or vow that we made to God is the key to our life. The promise to serve others. Because it is in serving others that we ourselves are spiritually fulfilled.
When the Das Dharam mission was established on 16 Feb 1980, there was a solar eclipse. People were too afraid to leave their homes. Superstitions were running high and people were very fearful of what the eclipse would do to them. Some feared blindness while others bad luck. It was on this day that Maharaz Jee’s mission to serve humanity was established.
Maharaz Jee explains that for spiritual progress we need to help others without expecting anything in return. This is true service. Service done in expectation of a reward or out of pride or ego is not true service in God’s house. In fact, our selfishness is the key cause of our problems. He explains the importance of letting go of our selfishness and arrogance by reciting the story of the Baadshaa (King) of Boolk Bukhara who sought the shelter of Baghat (saint) Kabir Jee and attained Naam from him. After the King had been in the shelter of Baghat Kabir for four years Mata Loi, (Baghat Kabir’s wife) asked Baghat Kabir Jee “Swami, the King has given up his worldly possessions as well as his family and has been here with us for four years now. Give him that which he seeks so he can return home”. To this Baghat Kabir Jee replied “the King is not ready as yet”. Loi asked “How is that possible Swami? Someone who has left his kingdom and relinquished his throne and has been sitting here for four years, how is he still not ready?”. Baghat Kabir Jee said, “well let us see if he is ready or not. When you see the King arriving, pour some dirty water from the rooftop on him and let him get drenched. Then wait and see what happens”. This is what Mata Loi did. The King retorted angrily ‘Loi, do you think I am your servant? I am a King. If I was at home I would have you severely punished for what you have done”. Baghat Kabir Jee said “see Loi he is still quite egotistical about being a King. Even though he is here, he has not let go of his arrogance. So, he is not ready as yet”.
Another four years passed, and the King was tested again. Once again Loi poured a bucket of dirty water on him from the rooftop. This time the King said “Bless you Mata Loi, I wish the best for you”. He had let go of his pride. “Now that he has asked for the best for you, he is at last worthy of God’s love” said Baghat Kabir Jee. So Maharaz Jee explains that until we serve humanity without ego and attachment, we are not worthy of God’s love. Maharaz Jee further explains that this is why the Nanak Naam Jaap (chant) is so important, because we are chanting for the welfare of others.
Maharaz Jee taught us the true meaning of love. He always said that those who truly love will be at peace. We need to serve humanity with utmost devotion and love. We need to see the divine in all.2 Such are the teachings of our beloved Maharaz Darshan Das Jee.
We wish the entire Sachkhand Nanak Dham sangat a very happy Das Dharam Foundation Day, 2021.
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1 Nanak Dham Newsletter, (2020), Vol. 1, Issue 1.
2 Main points from Satsang delivered on 16th February 1985.