Jagjit Plahe

Poems

POEM DEDICATED TO MAHARANI PALI DARSHAN DAS JEE

Dhan Darshan
Dhan Pali Darshan

ਮਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਹਾਰਾਣੀ ਪਾਲੀ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਦਾਸ
Ma meri Maharani Pali Darshan Das
My mother Maharani Pali Darshan Das

ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਦੀਆ ਹਮੇਂ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਪਿਆਰ ਔਰ ਜੀਨੇ ਕੀ ਆਸ।
Jis ne dia humay bharpur pyar, jeenay ki aas
Who gave me endless love and a reason to live,

ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਹਮੇਂ ਮਾਂ ਬਣਕਰ ਪਾਲਾ ਔਰ
Jis ne humay ma bankar pala
You, the one who raised me as a mother

ਆਪ ਕਾ ਬਚਪਨ ਕਾ ਪਿਆਰ।
Aap ka bachpan ka pyar
You who bestowed love upon me during my childhood

ਆਪਣੀ ਸੋਚ ਔਰ ਦਿਸ਼ਾ ਸੇ ਕਹਾ
Apni soch aur disha se kaha
Through your vision and direction, you explained

ਕਰਨਾ ਹੈ SND ਕਾ ਵਿਕਾਸ।
karna he SND ka vikas
How SND (Sachkhand Nanak Dham) should progress and prosper

ਹਰ ਏਕ ਜਨਮ ਮੇਂ ਔਰ ਆਨੇ ਵਾਲੇ ਜਨਮੋਂ ਮੇਂ ਆਪ
Har aek janam mey, aur aane valay janamon mey aap
In every lifetime, and lifetimes to come, may you

ਰਹੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਂ ਯੇਹੀ ਹੈ ਮੇਰੀ ਅਰਦਾਸ।
Raho meri ma, yehi he meri ardas
Be my mother, this is my prayer to you

ਆਪ ਕੇ ਬਤਾਏ ਹੋਏ ਰਸਤੇ ਪਰ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ
Aap ke bathae hoay raste par hamesha
The path that you showed me, forever

ਚੱਲਣਾ ਰਹੇਗਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰੇਹਾਸ।
Chalna rahega mera prayhas
I will endeavour to embrace

ਕਰਤਾਰ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਰਹੇਗਾ ਆਪ ਕਾ ਸ਼ੇਰ ਬੇਟਾ
Kartar hamesha rahega aap ka sher beta
Kartar will always remain your lion son

ਔਰ ਆਪ ਕਾ ਦਾਸ।
Aur aap ka Das
And forever your Das

By Das Rai Bahadur Kartar Singh (New Delhi, India)

ਸੰਤ ਸੱਭਾ ਪੱਰਖਨ
Sant Sabha Parkhan
The kind of people who visit a saint’s congregation

ਕੋਈ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰ ਤੇ ਲੈ ਭਰੇਆ ਬਰਤਨ
Koi anda tere dar te le bharea bartan
Some visit the congregation of a saint in ego thinking they know all

ਆਪਣੀ ਸੋਜੀ ਹੈ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪਰਖਨ।
Apni soji he nahi, lagda tenu parkhan
They know not anything about themselves, and yet try to test the saint

ਕੋਈ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰ ਤੇ ਲੈ ਪੁਠਾ ਭਾਂਡਾ,
Koi anda tere dar te le putha banda
Some visit the congregation of a saint without any intention of gaining anything

ਮੋਹ ਮਾਇਆ ਦਾ ਜਖੜੇਆ ਗੱਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੰਦਾ।
Moh maya da jakreya, gal vich phanda
They are entrapped by attachment and materialism, like a noose around the neck

ਕੋਈ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰ ਤੇ ਲੈ ਕੱਚਾ ਮਟਕ,
Koi anda tere dar te le kacha matak
Some visit the congregation of a saint without focus and are too weak to take on the saint’s teachings, and go back to their old ways

ਲੋਕ ਲਾਜ ਦਾ ਮਾਰੇਆ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੰਕਟ।
Lok laaj da mareya, man vich sankat
They are unable to adopt the saint’s message due to fear of societal pressure and judgement

ਕੋਈ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰ ਤੇ ਲੈ ਮੈਲ ਕੜਾਹੀ,
Koi anda tere dar te le mel karahi
Some visit the congregation of a saint full of ego and other vices

ਹੋਂਮੇ ਰੱਬ ਦੀ ਰੈਹਮਤ ਜਾਣੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਦੁਸਟ ਲੜਾਈ।
Haumay rab di rehemat janay, andar doost larai
They feel that their ego is a blessing from the Lord, but within themselves they are without peace

ਕੋਈ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰ ਤੇ ਹੋਕੇ ਖਾਲੀ,
Koi aunda tere dar hokay khali
Some visit the congregation of a saint full of humility and respect, with the aim of receiving blessings

ਲੈਜਾਂਦਾ ਭਰਕੇ ਹੀਰੇ ਲਾਲਾਂ ਦੀ ਖੈਲੀ।
Le janda bhar ke heray lalan di theli
They receive the jewels and gems of spiritual blessings

ਹੇ ਦਾਤਾ, ਆਏ ਹਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰ ਤੇ ਹੋਕੇ ਖਾਲੀ।
Hey data, aye hain tere dar te hokay khali
Dear Lord, we have come to your congregation in total humility

ਬੋਦੀ ਸਾਡੀ ਹੱਥ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੂੰ ਹੈ ਸਾਡਾ ਮਾਲੀ।
Bhodi sadi hath teray, tu he sada mali
We are at your mercy because you are our spiritual guide

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜਦੀ ਕਲਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਂਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭੱਲਾ।
Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala

Poem By Das Sukhdev Singh (Nairobi, Kenya)

Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala

Dhan Darshan
Dhan Pali Darshan

POEM DEDICATED TO MAHARAZ DARSHAN DAS JEE

You are the creator, the keeper and the destroyer

You are the one, the whole, the only

With you we are, without you we count for naught

You are our guardian, our light, our protector

Your will is that which prevails

Your blessings are multitude, continuous and infinite

You are our mother, our father, our only true friend

How can we ever put into words your love?

How can we ever express your care, your blessings, your mercy?

No words can ever capture your essence

Give us the grace to pay forward

Give us the courage to wipe not ours

But the tears of others

Give us the hearts to forgive

Give us the love to think not of ourselves

But of you, who resides in all, in everything

You are the rainbow that puts a smile on our faces

You are the breeze that lightly does embrace

You are the sunshine that brings light to our existence

Your wonders never cease to amaze

It is in everything, in the smallest of gestures,

The biggest of adventures,

Beyond space and time,

In the tinniest of moments

That we can know you……

By Das Jagjit Kaur (Melbourne, Australia)

Pali’s Pantry

Pumpkin Curry

Maharani Jee’s favourite vegetable was pumpkin. This is in no way surprising. In Ayurveda, pumpkin is a vegetable full of prana (life force). It is orange in colour, the colour of sacrifice. The orange pumpkin is very rich in vitamins A, C, E and K. It is also rich in potassium and a myriad of other minerals. It is a healing food. Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc and pumpkin leaves and flowers are also full of nutrients including vitamins A, E, B, and K, folate, calcium and iron. No wonder it was our Holy Mother’s favourite vegetable. With Maharani Jee, there was always a lot of depth and meaning to what she loved. Here we share a recipe for pumpkin curry kindly provided by Das Davinder.

Ingredients

I tbs of ghee or oil of your choice (Maharani Jee used mustard oil)

I small tsp of black mustard seeds

A few fenugreek seeds

1 tsp of cumin seeds

1 tsp of turmeric

1 tsp of garam masala

1 medium sized onion chopped small

2-3 fresh tomatoes blended or finely chopped

1 green chilli

1 large bowl of chopped pumpkin (1 medium pumpkin)

Chopped corriander leaves

Method

Heat the oil in a heavy pan on a medium heat. Once hot add the mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds splutter, add the other spices. Then add the onions and cook until they are golden brown, followed by chopped tomatoes and green chillies. Let this cook for a while until the oil separates from the tomatoes. Now add in the pumpkin and lower the heat. Cook until the pumpkin softens. Add salt to taste. Garnish with chopped corriander leaves.This curry can be served with rice however, Maharani Jee preferred a wholemeal chapati.

A Divine Force

Hazoor Maharaz Darshan Das Jee was the founder and patron of the spiritual mission “Sachkhand Nanak Dham International” as well as the practical mission of “Das Dharam”. Serving humanity to the highest standards formed the basis of his philosophy of peace, love, unity and sacrifice. His spiritual mission spread worldwide in Asia, Europe, North America and Africa. For 17 years, Maharaz Jee devoted his life to the service of humanity travelling across the world and spreading the spiritual message of God.

Darshan Lal Vasdev was born in India in the town of Batala in Punjab, on 7 December 1953 to Mata Chanan Devi and Pandit Jagan Nath Jee.

Early Years

At birth, Darshan had round locks of hair on his head which looked like Shesh Naag (the seven-headed snake), under whose protection Vishnu is always seen. As a young child Darshan would sit on his front doorstep and watch pilgrims visiting the famous Kandh Sahib temple where Guru Nanak Dev Jee was married. Many holy men who passed by his house were drawn to the young Darshan Lal; they saw something in him which made them bow before him. Young Darshan attended a Government school in Batala. It was during his school days that he experienced his first spiritual revelation at the age of 13. He was working on the farm feeding cows, when he attempted to lift a very heavy sack of straw and place it on his head. A man suddenly appeared before him and asked if he could assist Darshan in placing the sack on his head. Cautiously, Darshan declined. However, when he tried to lift the sack again, it became even heavier and he had to take assistance from this man. It later came to be known that this was the divine who had manifested as that man whom Darshan saw. The divine had put the “burden of the world” on Darshan’s head that day. Darshan was however, too young to respond to the revelation at that tender age.

Spiritual Revelation

When Darshan was 17 years of age, he went to the city of Jalandhar in Punjab to live with his mother’s sister (Masi). It was during this time that he had a second spiritual revelation on 9 July 1971 at 10.45pm. Young Darshan was riding his bicycle back from work at the ice factory when he saw a female figure dressed in red seated behind him. Shocked, he began to peddle his bicycle faster. When he looked back to ascertain who this person was, the figure moved to the front. It seemed to be a supernatural being. He came home, rushed up the stairs to the roof terrace of his Masi’s house and lay down on an outdoor bed. He then stood up, put his right leg in front of his left one and gazed straight into the sky. His Masi and his sister Darshana rushed upstairs to ask him what had happened. He did not reply. It was on this day that he had a vision of such intensity that he was totally overwhelmed; he lay unconscious for a few days. Eye witnesses later recounted that they had seen an intense light circle around Darshan seven times and then enter his forehead. His family consulted local healers fearing that Darshan had fallen victim to some evil force. They finally relented that what had happened to Darshan was beyond their understanding.

Darshan did not eat anything for 40 days; he subsisted solely on liquids and was restless and withdrawn. On 15 August 1971 a divine voice spoke to him and said “There is work that God has sent you to do here, get up and do it. You need to begin this work by delivering satsangs (spiritual sermons)”. Darshan responded by saying that he had no spiritual knowledge, but the voice assured him that once he took the first step, everything would manifest of its own accord. Darshan Lal Vasdev delivered his first Satsang on 15 August 1971 in the town of Batala. It was on that day, that he called himself Darshan Das (Das means servant of humanity). Darshan Das continued to deliver satsangs for the following two years. People were astonished that at the young age of 17, he had profound spiritual knowledge. He acquired healing powers and it soon came to be known that whatever he said would manifest. He also had knowledge of things before they happened.

Darshan Das slept very little and spent most of his time with close followers late into the night. His house in Batala was always filled with people sitting and waiting for him to awaken at midday, as it came to be known that whoever he gazed upon when he awakened was healed of their ailments. Soon the sangat (congregation) around him began referring to him as Maharaz Darshan Das. After traveling around Punjab for two years delivering satsangs and healing, in 1973 he received instructions from the divine to establish a Dera (spiritual centre).

Establishment of the Mission

In 1978, Maharaz Jee established the spiritual mission of Sachkhand Nanak Dham. The spiritual mission focussed primarily on the importance of a Puran Purkh (Perfect Master) who can give us Naam (The Word) – both of which are explained below. The spiritual mission was founded on the following universal principles: sach (truth); sidak (contentment); sarbat da bhala (welfare of all); sadh sangat (congregation of a Perfect Master); and shahadat (sacrifice; not of oneself but of lust, anger, avarice, attachment and pride).

Alongside the spiritual mission Maharaz Jee also established the practical worldwide Mission of Das Dharam. Das means “one who serves” and Dharam refers to the “our promise to God before our birth”. Maharaz Jee explained that Das Dharam therefore means “the promise we made to God (before we were born) to serve humanity”. Das Dharam Day is celebrated worldwide on 16 Februrary each year.

The Das Dharam mission sits alongside the spiritual mission of Sachkhand Nanak Dham. Humanitarian ideals are at the core of Maharaz Jee’s practical mission. His own service to humanity was exemplary in this regard.

Maharaz Jee left his body on 11 November 1987. He left behind a hukum nama (direct order) stating that his successor would be Her Holiness Maharani Pali Darshan Das Jee.

Sources: Personal communication with Maharani Pali Darshan Das, 14 August 2012; Apostle of Peace, New Delhi: Sachkhand Nanak Dham International; Invincible Live Force, New Delhi: Sachkhand Nanak Dham International; Ruh Magazine, Birmingham, UK: Sachkhand Nanak Dham International; Awaz Newsletter, 16 February 1987, Birmingham, UK: Sachkhand Nanak Dham International; Nanak Dham Newsletter, Vol 3(6), July 1989, Birmingham, UK: Sachkhand Nanak Dham International.

Successor to Maharaz Darshan Das: Maharani Pali Darshan Das

Maharaz Jee left his body on 11 November 1987. He left behind a hukum nama (direct order) stating that his successor would be Her Holiness Maharani Pali Darshan Das Jee, Mother of the Mission. In 1978, while praying at the Shishganj Sahib Gurudwara in New Delhi, Maharani Jee had a vision where a supernatural power said to her that she had suffered enough and from henceforth her problems were his. He told her that she did not need to keep travelling to the Gurudwara. “I will come to you”, said the power. Soon afterward, on 16 February 1978, she went to visit Loni Dera (spiritual centre) with her mother where she saw Maharaz Jee and immediately recognised him as the supernatural power she had seen in her vision at the Gurudwara.

Maharani Jee then began to perform service at the Loni Dera. Later on in 1978, in the presence of devotees and holding the Holy Ganga (Ganges) River as a witness, in the town of Haridwar, Maharaz Jee announced that Maharani Jee was his spiritual life partner and said “From now onwards, I share all your joys and sorrows. You will now be known as Pali Vasdev”.

Maharani continued to perform sewa in a selfless manner day and night at the Loni Dera. Acknowledging her true and steadfast devotion to him and dedication to the mission, Maharaz Jee said to her “You are part of my spiritual power”. You are the Mother of Das Dharam because without a mother Das Dharam is incomplete”. It was then that he changed her name from Pali Vasdev to Maharani Pali Darshan Das. She is the only person to whom Maharaz Jee gave his own name.

Maharani treated everyone equally and as her own. She did not differentiate between devotees; she loved everyone as her own and treated everyone with respect. Time and again we hear from those near to her that she had no worldly attachments. She did not seek anything for herself; everything she sought was always for the mission. In the end, Maharaz Jee bestowed honour, total love and affection to our beloved Maharani Jee, the Mother of our mission.

Maharani Jee was the head and patron of the mission Sachkhand Nanak Dham International for 27 years before she left her body on the 13 August 2015. In future newsletters we will continue the stories of both Maharaz Jee and Maharani Jee as Father and Mother of the mission.

Source: Apostle of Peace, New Delhi: Sachkhand Nanak Dham International

Maharani Jee’s Hukum Nama (Direct Order) to the Sangat and Her Last Wishes

This is our beloved Maharani’s Jee’s last Direct Order to the sangat (congregation).

My dear loving members of Maharaz Jee’s sangat (congregation), today I would like to address you on our mission, because life is uncertain, and no one knows when it may come or go. In my true self and under no duress or coercion, I declare that the next mission patronship goes to Rai Bahadur Kartar Singh, son of Das Inderjit Singh. This is my order and you have to obey it.

I am informing you of this because in my experience (and what has happened to me over the past 27 years) no one truly followed Maharaz Jee’s Hukum Namas (direct orders) anywhere. They were not followed by Maharaz Jee’s most trusted and faithful Das Jees in whom Maharaz Jee had deep trust in terms of spreading the mission. Instead they opened their own preaching shops under different names, and yet claimed that they were Maharaz Darshan Das Jee’s devotees. Today after much reflection, I have chosen a Patron who will tread in Maharaz Jee’s footsteps with honesty, bravery and humanity. He will give time and love to all sangat members and will forge ahead with further building the mission. This is my wish for him. I am not able to give this duty to a double-minded person or a person I do not trust. You are all well aware of my 27 years of progressive dedication and total sacrifice for this mission as a woman.

So today I declare to all Sadh Sangat (members of the congregation), whether in America or in London, Das Rai Bahadur Kartar Singh is my successor after my death. This is my order. Had Maharaz Jee’s Hukum Namas been understood and followed, where he had indicated that Maharani is Das Dharam’s “Mata” (Mother) and he is “Pita” (Father), today I would have had numerous loyal children surrounding me.

I have full faith in my trustees that during this trying period, they will not do anything against my order. I am proud of Darshan Das’s Dera (in Birmingham) and it is my last wish that it should not go into the hands of the opposition; I have put my blood and sweat into this Dera.

I have travelled from home to home relentlessly reciting Maharaz Jee’s name. Maharaz Jee said to me as he was leaving for London “Your duty is to preach my message and my Naam in every corner, alley and household”. So Sadh Sangat Jee, my India Sangat is witness to this as we did sewa together. I stood bravely and with courage as instructed by Maharaz Jee. For any of my shortcomings and mistakes, I ask for the Sangat’s forgiveness.

The above is my steadfast Hukum (order) without any change. Where ever the various committees are working, they should do so in unity and love, with complete trust and faith. It is my wish that you all be happy and that Maharaz Jee blesses you with his grace. This is from the heart of a Mother and a Mother’s voice.

I used to tell Maharaz Jee, that his fragrance should be emitted from every plant and leaf. Yet who recites his name today? Who says that they want to take the name of Darshan Das to greater heights? A sewak came to me once and appeared sad. I asked him whose name he was promoting. Are you promoting the name of the person where you do sewa, or that of Maharaz Jee who touched souls and blessed all with the spiritual path to the Lord’s house?

This Dera (Loni Dera) was constructed for the unity of mankind, and Maharaz Jee worked hard on its construction. Thereafter, I carried on with his instructions. He said Biba “You have to do our mission work because you know everything”. This was the Hukum Nama which I do not have with me now. The Hukum Nama was written as: “My dear Pali, come forward, this mission has to be taken ahead and “Biba” you come forward and help me. Nanak Patshaa will bless you and I am always with you”.

(If anyone would like a copy of the video recording which is in Punjabi, kindly contact the editor).

The Importance of Naam

What is Naam (The Word)? Naam is referred to as the audible life stream. Maharaz Jee explained that Naam is the key to life which unlocks our inner spiritual treasures. It is within this human body that we can experience true union with our creator. The path to that union is through Naam Simran (meditation of Naam). Maharaz Jee explained that for spiritual evolution, we need a Puran Purkh (Perfect Master) who can give us Naam.

According to Maharaz Jee’s Hukum Nama, Maharani Jee was the delegated successor to lead the mission of Sachkhand Nanak Dham International and was the only authorised person to give Naam.

Gadhi Shabads

The Yashwanti Niradhar is a compilation of sacred verses known as shabads written by Maharaz Darshan Das Jee. Maharaz Jee has given particular importance to the three Gadhi (spiritual altar) shabads that are to be recited in a particular order as part of Sachkhand Nanak Dham activities which include:

Gadhi sewa (preparation of the altar)
Kirtan (singing of shabads)
Satsang (a sermon from the Guru)
Jaap (group chanting)
Receiving parshad (offering of almonds and sugar crystals)
Arjoi
Nishaan Sahib sewa (service performed at the Sachkhand Nanak Dham Flag)

We will explain these practices and their significance in subsequent newsletters.

These shabads carry divine vibrations and very deep spiritual meanings. The ragas in which these shabads are to be sung have also been given to us by Maharaz Jee. Below is the first of two shabads translated from Punjabi to English.

Gadi Shabad 1: Tu Thakur Maat Pita Hamare (ਤੂਂ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਹਮਾਰੇ।)

ਤੂਂ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਮਾਤ ਪਿਤਾ ਹਮਾਰੇ।
Tu Thakur Maat Pita Hamare
Oh Lord, you are my mother and father

ਮਨ ਮੋ ਤੱਬ ਛੁੱਟ ਜਾਏ ਜਾਂ ਸਤਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰੇ।
Man Moh Tab Chut Jaey, Ja Satgur Kirpa Thare
The mind is freed of attachments, through the blessings of the Perfect Master

ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਨਾਮ ਕਮਾਵਾਂ ਸਤਗੁਰ ਆਪਣੇਂ ਬਲ ਬਲ ਜਾਵਾਂ।
Gur Ki Sewa Naam Kamaavan, Satgur Apne Bal Bal Javan
I serve my Guru, through the meditation of Naam, I Iive in the glory of my Guru

ਸਿਮਰ ਸਿਮਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਆਪਣਾਂ ਕੋਟ ਜਨਮ ਕੀ ਮੈਲ ਗਵਾਵਾਂ।
Simar Simar Phrab Apna, Kot Janam Ki Mel Gavavan
Through the meditation of my Lord, misdeeds of tens of millions of lifetimes are erased

ਗੁਰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਸੁੱਖੀ ਜੱਨ ਸੋਏ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਰਮ ਦੇਇਲ ਹੋਏ।
Gur Kirpa Sukhi Jan Soay, Par Bhram Dial Hoay
Those who have received blessings of the Guru, also receive the compassion of the Lord

ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨ ਪ੍ਰਗਟੇ ਤਾਂ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਮਿਲੇ ਤਾਂ ਥੀਂਵਾਂ।
Gur Gian Pargatay Than Jivan; Darshan Prem Mile Tha Thivan
I can only live when the Guru’s true knowledge manifests in me,
says Darshan, in his true love I dwell.

Gadi Shabad 2: Karam Kareem, Sev Kamavaan (ਕਰਮ ਕਰੀਮ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਵਾਂ)

ਕਰਮ ਕਰੀਮ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਵਾਂ ਜਾਂ ਤੁਮ ਹੋਵੋ ਸਹਾਈ।
Karam Kareem Sev Kamavaan, ja tum hovo sahaee
Oh Lord, I can only do your service, when I receive your blessings

ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰੋ ਮੇਰੇ ਸੱਤਗੁਰ ਸਾਇਂ ਦੇਓ ਨਾਮ ਨੀਦਾਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਰਾਮ ਗੋਸਾਂਏਂ।
Mehar karo mere Satguru sahin, deyo Naam nidhan mere Ram gosain
Bless me dear Satguru, with your Naam my Lord

ਮਨ ਚਿੱਤ ਆਵੇ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਰਮ ਹੱਰ ਦਮ ਤੁਜੇ ਧਿਆਇਂ।
Manchit avay paar bram, har dhum tujay thiyayee
My mind aligns with you oh Lord, through continually focussing on you

ਤੇਰੀ ਮੇਹਰਾਂ ਗੁਣੀ ਗੁਣ ਅੰਤ ਹਰ ਹਰ ਸਿਮਰ ਸੁਖ ਬੇਅੰਤ।
Teri mehema gunee gun ant, har har simar sukh beant
Your blessings and virtues are innumerable, in your meditation our joy is endless

ਤੂੰ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਪ੍ਰੱਬ ਬਕਸ਼ੰਦਾ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਨੀਚ ਜਨ ਤੇਰਾ ਬੰਦਾ।
Tu thakur prab bakshanda, Darshan neech tera banda
Oh Lord you are forgiving, Darshan the low one, is your being.

Gadhi Shabad 3: Nanak Bheyo Kirpal ਨਾਨਕ ਭਇਓ ਕਿਰਪਾਲ

ਨਾਨਕ ਭਇਓ। ਕਿਰਪਾਲ ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਭਏ ਨਰ ਨਰਾਇਣ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਦਾਤਾਰ।
Nanak bheyo kirpal, parghat bhay, nar naryaan thakur dataar
When the lord becomes merciful, He appears in human form

ਦਿਉ ਨਦਰ ਸਿਰਜਨਹਾਰ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸਿਰਧਰ ਦਸਤਾਰ।
Deyo nadar sarjan har swami, sir dhar dastaar
Oh beloved one, please appear before the world, with a turban upon your head

ਜੀਆ ਜੰਤ ਸਭ ਕੀਉ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਦਿਉ ਹਰ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਪਿਤ੍ਰਪਾਲਣ ਹਾਰ।
Jee Jant sabh kiyo pukar, deyo har Darshan prit paalan har
It is the plea of your creation, that you give us Darshan, our beloved nurturing Lord

ਹਮ ਨੀਚ ਕਿਛ ਜਾਨੌ ਨਾਂਹੀ ਤੁਮ ਭਿਓ ਖਸਮ ਹਮਾਰੇ।
Hum neech kich jano nahee, tum bheyo khasam hamare
We are downtrodden and ignorant, you are our all-knowing divine

ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਨੀਚ ਦਿਉ ਹਰ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰੇ।
Darshan neech deyo har Darshan, Satguru kaaj savaaray
Darshan is lowly; he humbly requests the Lord to give Darshan to his creation; the Satguru will take care of his sewak’s welfare

Blessings from our Guru – Recollections of Devotees

The Blessing of Maharani Pali Darshan Das Jee

By Das Sukhdev Singh (Nairobi, Kenya)

Dhan Darshan
Dhan Pali Darshan
Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala

I am a retired officer from the Kenya army. In 1970 after a nasty incident with a swarm of bees during a military exercise, I resolved to trim my beard to make my military life a bit easier. I was the only Sikh in the whole of the Kenya army. In 1985 my family and I became devotees of Maharaz Darshan Das Jee. In 1986 my daughter and I had the golden opportunity to meet Maharaz Jee in Birmingham, (UK) and we were blessed with Naam. As time passed, on a routine basis we listened to Maharaz Jee’s spiritual discourses at the Darshan Darbaar in Kenya. Maharaz Jee explained that if a Sikh man wears a turban, then he should not cut his beard.

As per the instructions of Maharaz Jee, I always wore a Tilak (red mark) on my forehead and this used to surprise some of my friends. Seeing me with a Tilak, I was once challenged by one of the Sikh elders who said “hasn’t your Guru told you that if you are wearing a Kurta (long Indian tunic), then you also need to wear an Indian pyjama and not normal trousers?”. I thought about it and I said “No, my Guru has not told me that. I have my own uniform given to me by my Guru”.

In 1997 I retired from the military. One morning in 2002, as I sat in meditation, it dawned upon me that if somebody challenged me again, this time on my trimmed beard, I would have no answer. This would be an insult to my Guru. Maharaz Jee had clearly stated in his spiritual discourses, that if a Sikh man wears a turban, then he should also keep a long beard in its natural form. That morning I made a solemn promise to Maharaz Darshan Das Jee: I said “When I directly hear from you, I will keep a long beard”. A year went by and I was in India in February with Maharani Jee to attend Das Dharam Foundation Day. After the Foundation Day celebrations were over, we went to a devotee’s house for kirtan and satsang followed by a communal meal. During the meal, the hosts brought out a second round of gulab jamun’s (Indian sweets) in a large serving bowl. Devotees declined to have anymore. Then Maharani Jee said: “give the gulab jamuns to Brigadier Sukhdev because he is visiting from overseas”. She looked at me for confirmation.

After having finished eating the gulab jamuns I told Maharani Jee that I had eaten all of them. She said in surprise, “really?”. She gazed straight into my eyes and said “Putar (son) from today onwards do not touch (cut) your beard and go home”. That was her direct order. Everyone chanted Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat the Bhala.

I was totally stunned. The prayer that I said in my heart was heard by Maharaz Jee and the order came through Maharani Jee. They are truly one. I bowed my head to Maharani Jee and understood, that now was the time to keep a long beard. I felt honoured and humbled that my revered Guru had answered my prayer in such a profound and loving manner.

Gulab jamun’s are served to celebrate a joyous occasion. For me, this was indeed a joyous occasion, when again I realised that Maharaz Jee listens to all our prayers and answers them in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.

The Power of a Prayer at the Nishan Sahib

By Das Tejpal Singh (Melbourne, Australia)

When I was living in Kenya, there was a period when we were going through financial hardship and we were not able to pay the land rates and rents for our properties which had accrued penalties over a number of years. With every month that passed by the compound interest charged increased the penalty amounts exponentially.

Distressed about the situation, knowing it would be almost impossible to clear the penalties, I remembered something that Maharani Ji used to say. She had said that doing a prayer “Arjoi” at the Sachkhand Nanak Dham flag “Nishan Sahib” with a clean heart, would always be answered.

I did my prayer at the Nishan Sahib at Darshan Darbar, Nairobi. I surrendered this huge burden to my guru and asked for a resolution to what, at the time, seemed like an impossible problem.

Some weeks later as I was driving to work on Limuru Road in Nairobi, Kenya and saw a government banner stating that all penalties for rent and rate would be waived if the principal amount was paid up by the due date stated. I realised in that moment that my prayer had been answered.

Blessings from my Guru

By Das Neelkamal, (Melbourne Australia)

I was born and brought up in Kenya, lived, studied and worked there my whole life. I was 35 weeks pregnant with our daughter Das Gauri, when my partner Das Tejpal Singh, our 6-year old son Das Rai Bahadur Navjyot Singh and I took Maharani Jee’s blessing and migrated to Australia permanently. Before migrating, I had a job with a well-recognised multinational in Nairobi. We had to pack up our lives in two weeks and move across continents because our visa was close to expiring.

After three and a half years when I had almost given up hope of ever finding a job in Melbourne I surrendered to Maharaz Darshan Das Jee. Miraculously I got an email invitation from SAP to attend a half day “show and tell session” at their St Kilda office in Melbourne. Coincidentally, I happened to have an interview in the morning of the same day at another organization literally a few blocks away. Living in the Eastern suburbs, going to the city was a little daunting. Nevertheless, I got there and as I walked onto the 15^th floor of the SAP office I took a second to take in the incredible view and in that moment, I made a silent wish… “Wow, it would be nice to work here”. Little did I know that my Guru had heard my wish. On that day I met a senior leader at SAP, she was also one of the presenters. After the presentation, I walked up to her and boldly asked her what it would take to get hired at SAP. She pulled me aside and before saying anything reached for her bag and got out her business card and handed it to me. Then she took a few moments, gave me her undivided attention and asked me what my background was, where I had worked and what experience I had and said “send me your CV”. Coincidentally I had a printed copy of my CV with me on the day and gave it her. I later found out that she went down to the 13^th floor and personally placed my CV on the Human Resources desk.

I got called in for an interview; coincidentally the same senior leader happened to be the hiring manager. She interviewed me, embraced my culture and recognized my potential where no one in Melbourne had done so for three and a half years, and in two weeks I was hired! My silent wish had been fulfilled just like that.

How many times do we make silent wishes and lose track of what we have asked? Maharaz Jee says in one of his satsangs, “God has a database and He keeps track of all the asks and fulfilments”. Maybe we should do the same so that we may also count the many blessings He gives us and learn to be grateful for all that we have. Were these all really coincidences?

Blessings of my Guru

By Das Jagjit Kaur (Melbourne, Australia)

Dhan Darshan
Dhan Pali Darshan
Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala

I travelled to the United Kingdom with my father in 1986 to meet with Maharaz Jee. For me this indeed was a once in a lifetime opportunity. We both attained Naam from Maharaz Jee and spent a couple of weeks in the United Kingdom with Maharaz Jee. During our time with him, we attended a satsang that Maharaz delivered in in London. After the satsang, Maharaz Jee asked sangat members if they wanted to ask him anything. Instead of sangat members going right up to the front to talk to him, Maharaz Jee walked towards the sangat and asked members who wanted to ask him anything to stand up and do so. Maharaz Jee strongly encouraged debate and questions and asked the sangat to bring all their problems to him.

I am not sure where I got the courage from; it was really a “now or never” moment. I stood up and Maharaz Jee approached me. Yes he said, what did you want to say? I said Maharaz Jee I want to study. I was approaching my year 10 exams and wanted to do well in them. So be it, Maharaz Jee said and gave me a blessing. It is this amazing blessing that has carried me forward in life. As a young teenager, I was not even sure what to ask for. In fact Maharaz Jee says, that if you get such a chance, ask for your Guru him/herself. Then you will want for nothing.

I passed my year 10 and year 12 exams and secured a full scholarship to study at the LSE in London. I would never have dreamt of going to such a college in the United Kingdom. But that one blessing from Maharaz Jee carried me through. I then secured a second scholarship for my Masters also at the LSE. The way I gained this scholarship was nothing short of a miracle. For some reason my admission got cancelled; due to the Balkans war my Bulgarian airlines ticket to the UK was cancelled and I had no scholarship whatsoever. And then out of the blue, I received a phone call saying that although the airline had collapsed, I would be put on another airline at no cost.

My family and I had decided that since I now had a ticket, I could try and speak to the college and see if anything could be done about my admission. I went to the UK with no admission or scholarship and with 200 pounds in my pocket. It just so happened that my father was in the UK at the same time for work, and one early morning, he brought up a letter to me. We could not believe what we read. I received a full scholarship from the LSE for my degree program. We really have no words to thank Maharaz Jee. How do you tell the untellable?

Years later, this time with the blessings of Maharani Jee, I secured a third scholarship from Monash University to continue with my studies. When I think about Maharaz Jee’s blessings, I am lost for words. I just wanted to excel in my year 10 exams. And look where he took me? I feel he has charted my future, not just in this lifetime, but for all time to come.

My dearest Maharaz Jee and Maharani I ask for you always. Keep me humble and keep me always under your guidance. Maharani once told me that it is very important to be under your Guru.

Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala
Darshan Dhan
Dhan Pali Darshan

Blessings of Maharani Pali Darshan Das Jee

By Das Rinki (Noida, India)

Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere BhaneSarbat Da Bhala

I first met Maharani Jee in 2002 in New Delhi at the Khayala Darbaar (place of congregation) during a program for Amaavas (new moon). Someone fromMeerut was travelling to Delhi and invited me along. The following year Ireceived the gift of Naam fromMaharani Jee.

I would like to share how Maharani Jeeblessed my father Das Gurdeep Singh. While my father had deep respect for Maharani Jee, he did not go to the Darbaar or Dera (places of congregation) and he still had not committed to becoming a vegetarian.

Occasionally, he would eat nonvegetarian food and have some alcohol outside our home which would upset me. In 2009 my father had a stroke, and the entire left side of his body was paralysed. He could not move the limbs of the left side of his body. He was rushed to hospital and admitted into the ICU. The MRI scan revealed that the right artery of his heart was 99.9% blocked. The doctors at the hospital warned us that my father could go into a coma. The situation was very serious. I spoke to Maharani Jee over the phone and told her what had happened. I cried a lot, and she consoled me and said, don’t worry, and have courage.

Maharani Jee then came to the hospital and although no visitors were allowed into the ICU, she was permitted to see my father.

Maharani Jee held the thumb of my father’s left foot and meditated. She then blessed him. The following day, he gained some movement in his left leg. The doctors were quite surprised by the fact that even though my father’s artery was almost completely blocked, the clot that caused the blockage was not very large.

Once he began to gain movement in the left side of his body, my father thought he would recover very soon, and perhaps even go back to his old ways.

But Maharani Jee had other plans. It took 6 months for my father to fully recover from the paralysis caused by the stroke. It was during those 6 months that he became spiritually attached to Maharaz Jee and Maharani Jee. With a new lease on life, he took Naam from Maharani Jee and today remains a strong and committed devotee. I understood that his illness was a calling from Maharaz Jee and Maharani Jee for him to take Naam and to meditate.

After my father’s illness he lost his business and I had to support the family. This would not have been possible had it not been for the immense blessings of Maharani Jee.

When I first met Maharani Jee, I was in my 20’s and was very confused about what direction to take in life. I was of marriageable age, but I also wanted to study further. I went and filled the forms required to enrol in an MBA and sat the entrance exam, for which I had had very little time to prepare.

Nevertheless, I got admission into the program but was still unsure of whether I should pursue it or not. I wrote to Maharani Jee explaining thewhole situation to her. I received aphone call from the SND secretary Das Inderjit Singh who told me that Maharani Jee had received my letter and that she wanted me to continue with my studies. I completed my degree in 2005.

When I started working, I was on a very modest salary, this soon changed, and I received a lucrative package after six months. With Maharani Jee’s grace I travelled to Singapore, China and the United States. It was because of Maharani Jee’s direction and blessings that I was able to support my family financially when my father fell sick. Her blessings are the reason for the progress I have made in my life.

Today I am a director in a multinational company. Maharani Jee is always with me during every step in my life. It is through her blessings that I have been able to achieve all that I have in my life.

Dhan Darshan
Dhan Pali Darshan

Blessings of Maharani Pali Darshan Das Jee

By Das Goldy (New Delhi, India)

Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala

Maharani Jee has hugely blessed my life. I was in the 10^th grade when I first met Maharani Jee. Before meeting her, I used to go to the Darbaar where Babaji Sani gave spiritual sermons. Later I found out about Maharani Jee. Once I met her it felt like I had come home, and later I took Naam from her. I would like to share a recent miracle that happened in my life regarding my son Das Ashish. When he was born in 2014, Ashish was named by Maharani Jee. She said that Ashish was a blessing from the Gurus. The word Ashish means blessing. When he was two months old, Ashish held both of Maharani Jee’s hands in his tiny fingers. She gathered him in her arms and put him to sleep beside her. He was showered with her love. Ashish was just a year old when Maharani Jee left her body. However, she continues to bless him and our family each day.

Four years ago, my husband and I had decided to put Ashish in a good school in New Delhi. However not only is the admission in good schools very competitive, the school fees is also very high. We thought of applying for a fully funded seat offered by the Government. I spoke to Das Jee Kartar who asked me to put my full faith in Maharaz Jee and Maharani Jee. He said, it would all be fine, and that Ashish would secure a fully funded place in the school. With the blessings of Maharaz Jee and Maharani Jee, we applied for the seat. The outcome of the application was communicated through an online process. When we looked through the online list, Ashish’s name was not on the list. My sister and my husband also checked the list and they too confirmed that Ashish’s name was not on it.

I was in dismay and helpless wondering what I could do for my son. I immediately stood up and went and said a prayer to Maharaz Jee and Maharani Jee. I said, dear Guru, it is your wish, whatever you decide is fine. I fully surrender to you. But he is your son, please look after him. After saying this prayer, a certain sense of calmness came upon me. I strongly felt that they had heard me. For some reason, I decided to look at the online list again. Lo and behold, when I checked the second time around, his name was on the list! For me, this was nothing short of a miracle! I felt that Maharaz Jee and Maharani Jee wanted me to completely surrender to them with full faith. Once I had done that, they opened the path for Ashish. My son is truly a blessing from the Gurus. A deep thankyou to Das Jee Kartar who has given us so much support and is the true successor of Maharani Pali Darshan Das Jee.

Dhan Darshan
Dhan Pali Darhan

Blessings of my Guru

By Das Jagjit Kaur (Melbourne, Australia)

Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala

In 1994, I had completed my Masters and was back in Kenya looking for work in the development/aid sector. However it was difficult for me to get employment in this sector. I applied for numerous jobs but my applications but to no avial. I became quite despondent and felt dejected. I missed my friends from university and the academic atmosphere I had been surrounded by for over 4 years. Then one day I saw an advertisement in a Newspaper about a job which was related to what I had studied. The job which was advertised by a pan-African non-governmental organisation in Kenya. To apply for the job I was required to write a 2000-word essay. My father at the time was working for the Defence Staff College in Nairobi as the Deputy Commandant, and he had access to a well-equipped library. I was therefore able to access a wide range for reading materials which I used to write the essay. On 7 December 1996 I was invited for a job interview and a day later I was offered the job. It was no coincidence that I was interviewed on Maharaz Jee and Maharani Jee’s Birthday. It was the job of my dreams and opened many opportunities for me.

In 1996, I applied for an Australian permanent residency visa. I received the visa and had to migrate permanently to Australia before the end of 1999. At the time I was travelling the world and was deeply engrossed in the work I was doing. I had a very strong group of friends and was making great strides both professionally and personally. Importantly, I had the strong support and backing of my family. My parents came to the many events I organised including a book launch and an event for a campaign I was coordinating on the cancellation of Kenya’s debt. So giving everything up, just as I had started to feel comfortable in my career and my personal life was very difficult to do, and yet it had to be done.

I purchased a way one ticket and arrived in Australia on 11 November 1999. I remember that though I was quite spiritual, I was still quite absorbed in the material world. Yet, when I arrived after midnight in Melbourne, the first thing I did was to take out Maharaz Darshan Das’s photograph from my suitcase and put it on the bedside table and say a prayer. I have never forgotten that next to his photo there was a small card calendar with the photograph of Durga Ma sitting on a tiger. I suddenly felt the palpable energy of Maharani Pali Darshan Das Jee.

While I was glad to be in Melbourne, I missed my family terribly. I had no job, few savings and was living with a family we had known back in Kenya. They were very kind to host me.

I knew that in order to move on, I needed a job. However I arrived at a time when things begin to shut down in Australia for the end of year Christmas break. Every week I would buy all the Newspapers and go through the job advertisements for hours. I would cut them out and write job applications. I applied for numerous jobs and I received interviews for a few jobs, my efforts were not successful. Each week I was more and more upset. Communication with my family was difficult because there were no smart phones, WhatsApp or Facebook at that time. I did email them though, and this is how we kept in touch. I also relied on the snail mail. I felt alone and miserable and felt I had left everyone and everything that was dear to me in Nairobi, for a largely unknown future. And so I turned inward.

Years ago, Maharani Pali Darshan Das Jee had given me a brown coloured Indian suit. She asked me to get it stitched and to wear it and never to give it away. I had this in my suitcase. I began to wear the suit each day and meditate on my Naam for half an hour. I was in the city one day and just opposite Flinders Street Station there is a church known as the St Paul’s cathedral. I went into the Church so that I could sit in silence. There I spoke to my Guru and said “Maharaz Jee, please, please give me a sign about whether I will get a job”. It was a plea and I felt it came from my soul. I was in tears and for a moment I did not know where I was and my eyes were closed. When I opened my eyes, I was looking at a board which said “World Vision, Working for Children”. A few days later I was invited for an interview to World Vision Australia and got a job which was very similar to the one that I had in Nairobi. This was indeed a miracle because my work is very specialised and it is difficult to find a job in my field. And yet, a permanent job came up in Melbourne in exactly the area that I had expertise in. When I saw the paperwork, I saw again, that the job had been advertised on 7 December 1999. So I knew that this employment had come from my Guru, again.

Such are the blessings of my Guru Maharaz Darshan Das Jee and my Guru Mata (mother) Maharani Pali Darshan Das Jee. I have no words to thank them. But I now deeply understand that I am in their hands and I have to learn to be with them in each moment.

Dhan Darshan
Dhan Pali Darhan