Eight years ago, on 10 May 2014, I went for
darshan of Bade Mandir along with my wife. A devotee couple, living just opposite my house, took us. As I entered Guru Maharaj's
samadhi, I heard an internal voice telling me to come for 13 days to the Mandir. Guruji Maharaj had blessed me with an instant connection.
I was 70 years old then and passing through intransigent health issues. A persistent urinary tract infection (UTI) had troubled me since the age of 42 and led to five prostate operations. I was living with a heart problem, a severe spinal disorder, a thyroid issue, and stomach ailments. I was depressed and suffered panic attacks.
During that very first darshan, the power of the Gurbani
shabads being played at the Mandir had an exceptional effect on me. As we sat down for
chai prasad, I literally felt the vibrations of the holy songs. My lower abdomen and head buzzed, as it were, with the sacred resonance of the Guru's word. I realized a little later that the vibrations were due to the shabads.
As my visits to the Mandir continued, I felt the vibrations wherever my body ailed. Slowly there was a manifold improvement in my health. My chronic UTI problem came under control and my depression and panic attacks vanished within a year. For me, the predominant source of healing was the shabads, which I listened to right through the eight years of my journey. Of course, the
langar and chai prasad had at Bade Mandir and during
satsangs also benefited me greatly.
Guruji's shabads first heal the
sangat and then polish their soul internally. Devotees are slowly able to control weaknesses like anger (krodh) and ego (ahamkara). I believe that four of Guruji's shabads are most potent and blessed by Him. These are the following:
- Thir ghar baiso harjan payare satguru tumre kaj savaare; my preferred rendition is by Bhai Joginder Singh (Riar wale)
- So satguru pyara mare nal hae, sung by Bhai Lakhvinder Singh
- Taati vao naa lagaee par brahm sarnai, by Bhai Harjinder Singh (Srinagar wale)
- Aukhi ghari naa dekhan dayin, by Bahi Ravinder Singh
For me it is an article of faith that these shabads be listened to at least twice a week and daily in times of crisis. It is also vital that the shabads played during Guruji's time be used during satsangs at homes and other venues since the sangat includes people of all climes and countries now. Such shabads have been blessed and chosen by Him. They are simple to understand. If possible, a shabad that includes a
vyakhya (explanation) should be included during a satsang. Folk songs and other lighter musical compositions, including hymns of devotional gratitude, should be played during or after langar. The holy shabads have no replacement. The
maryada decorum of deep listening in silence should be adhered to during the satsangs.
If we do not follow these simple do's and dont's, we deprive ourselves of Guruji's blessings. And, unintentionally, disrespect Guru Nanakji's sacred
baani.
Guruji Maharaj loves His sangat and is blessing us and protecting us in these difficult times. We need to reciprocate with love and respect by staying disciplined and maintaining maryada.
Harcharan Singh, a devotee
August 2022