Shiromani Kathakar
Sant Giani Naranjan Singh Ji

A brief life story

1921
Janam Sant Giani Naranjan Singh Ji in Sulisar Sahib, Tehsil Mansa, District Bathinda on Poh Sudi Desvi (Sunday 25 Dec 1921).

1924
Age 3
Sant Ji memorised Sri Japji Sahib.

1925
Age 4
Sant Ji started Santhia of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji under tutelage of Baba Gopal Singh Ji ( Head Granthi Singh of Gurdwara Sri Sulisar Sahib).

1926
Age 4 and half
Sant Ji’s mother took him to meet Sant Attar Singh Ji of Mastuana Sahib. The meeting with Sant Attar Singh Ji left on him a permanent imprint.

1927
Age 6
• Sant Ji used to read the Hukamnama Sahib at Gurdwara Sri Sulisar Sahib.
• Sant Ji was blessed with Khande Batey Di Pahul (Amrit).
• Sant Ji started Nishkam Sewa of reciting Sehej Paaths at Gurdwara Sri Sulisar Sahib.

1928 to 1934
Age 7 to 13
• Sant Ji went to Damdama Sahib ( ਦਮਦਮਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ) and Dhamtan Sahib (ਧਮਧਾਨ ਸਾਹਿਬ) for education. He moved around between both these places during those years.
• Sant Ji would wake up at amritvela, take a bath and do kirtan sadhana from 1am until 4 am, in seclusion.
• During the day, Sant Ji studied and contemplated with great detail the Bani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the expositions of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji. Sant Ji also studied various other spiritual scriptures which resulted in him becoming well-versed with different schools of spiritual philosophy.
• Sant Ji had his education of Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji from Giani Sahib Singh Ji and Sanskrit education from Pandit Kartar Singh Ji.
• Sant Ji would spend the evenings listening to katha on the history of Guru Sahibaan or Sikh Panth.
• Sant Ji served a period of apprenticeship under Mahant Tapiya Singh Ji of Dhamtan Sahib (ਧਮਧਾਨ ਸਾਹਿਬ) before moving to Patiala at the age of 14.
• During his childhood, Sant Ji was also blessed by Sant Hazara Singh Ji (Moni Vairagi Ji), Sant Jawala Singh Ji Harkhowal, Sant Teja Singh Ji M.A.,L.L.B.,A.M.(Harvard), Sant Nand Singh Ji of Kaleran, Sant Nand Singh Ji of Patiala and Sant Gulab Singh Ji . They not only blessed him but also commented that "such a soul is very rarely born on this earth".
• Sant Hazara Singh Ji (Moni Vairagi Ji) used to call Sant Ji "ਸੂਖਮ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰੰਜਨ".

KATHA SEWA AT GURDWARA DUKH NIVARAN SAHIB, PATIALA

1935
Age 14

Sant Ji went for a visit to Gurdwara Mastuana Sahib. The Mahapursh there told Sant Ji to start doing katha.

Sant Ji moved to Patiala and took up residence near Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, a historical site of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji. Sant Ji started doing katha at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib.

The katha of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji , from start to end, was eventually completed in 18 years in 1953 when Sant Ji was of age 32.

Sant Ji had come to Patiala full of zeal for learning and teaching. Katha of the daily Hukamnama at the Gurdwara Sahib won him an ever expanding circle of admirers. He presented Dharmik lectures before university audiences at Punjabi University, Patiala.

Vast numbers of devotees came to listen to his katha. He gave beautiful explanations of Gurbani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji and of Gurpartap Suraj Prakash Granth.

Day after day, unending streams of Sangat filled the holy corridors of the Gurdwara Sahib. Sant Ji's katha became extremely popular. The extensive galleries of Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib were overflowing with devotees. The Sangat grew in numbers till they reached an almost uncontrollable figure. Even the Parkarma around the Sarovar was fully occupied by Sangat sitting there.

One evening while doing katha, Sant Ji casually remarked, “ਇਹ ਬਹੌਤ ਤੰਗ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੈ ।” (they are a big disturbance). He was referring to the loud honking of the massive trucks plying on Sirhand Road, the main road outside Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib. Within few days, the Gurdwara Sahib Committee managed to arrange for that stretch of Sirhand Road to be shut down for the one hour that Sant Ji did Gurpartap Suraj Prakash Granth Katha in the evenings. The positive effect was, not only was it pin-drop silence during the evening katha time, the truck drivers were also blessed to take a break from driving and listen to katha for that one hour, from the Gurdwara Sahib loudspeakers.

1936
Age 15
Sant Ji learnt Raag Kirtan.

1946
Age 25
Sant Ji got married to Naam Abhiasi Mata Tarlochan Kaur Ji of Bhagtuana village. Mata Ji was from the descendant family of Bhai Mani Singh Ji Shaheed.

On 10th January 1950, they had a daughter by the name of Mata Harindar Kaur Ji.
Note : Mata Harindar Kaur Ji's only child is Sant Mohinder Partap Singh Ji (affectionately addressed as President Sahib Ji).

Sant Ji also had a god-daughter Mata Surjit Kaur Gandhi Ji who served him selflessly for almost 4 decades . The priceless recordings of Sant Ji's katha available today are all attributable to Mata Ji's selfless efforts in tape recording Sant Ji's katha, despite the challenges Mata Ji faced due to limited recording equipment available at the time.

Mata Ji had also made an effort to make notes whenever Sant Ji did Gurpartap Suraj Prakash Granth katha at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, Patiala as well as on various other occasions. These notes were instrumental and heavily relied upon when publishing books on katha done by Sant Ji.

1947
Age 26
Sant Ji bought some land to set up his earthly headquarters (home) at the then forested area near Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib.
Bhai Pala Singh Ji, who was a sewak of Sant Ji, almost single-handedly did the sewa of clearing up the dense forest which was full of snakes.
On one occasion, as he was doing so, Bhai Pala Singh Ji was bitten by a cobra. Bhai Sahib Ji was immediately taken to the hospital but having refused treatment, he returned to Sant Ji instead, with a swollen leg. For Bhai Sahib Ji, Sant Ji was his doctor. Miraculously, the day after, Bhai Sahib Ji's leg was back to normal without any treatment. Bhai Sahib Ji selflessly served Sant Ji his entire life, and would not even drink a glass of water until he had darshan of Sant Ji. Bhai Sahib Ji was Sant Ji's unofficial bodyguard and always remained in the presence of Sant Ji.

GURU NANAK ASHRAM, PATIALA

1956
Age 35
On a number of occasions over the years, Sant Ji had been encouraged by Mahapurkhs and Gurmukh Vidhvaans to establish a centre for the purpose of spreading gurmat philosophy and manifesting the vision of Gurmat in the world.
After much contemplation by Sant Ji on the matter, Vaheguru Ji created such circumstances that led to the foundation stone being laid at the present location of Guru Nanak Ashram in 1956.

Guru Nanak Ashram served as Sant Ji's institution for implementing the principles of Guru Sahib Ji which include Naam Jpo (meditation on Naam), Kirt Kro (performing righteous deeds) and Vand Shako (sharing with others).
Here, for around 35 years, Sant Ji engaged in spiritual contemplation and social work, including interfaith work.

Main activities at GNA included :
• Daily Amritvela Sadhana from 3am to 5am.
• Amrit Senchar Ceremony every 3rd month.
• An Akhand Paath Sahib followed by Kirtan/Katha Semagam in celebration of Gurgaddi Divas of Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, held on the 1st weekend of EVERY month; to nail the message that "Shabad is Guru". This continues till today.
• Between the late 70's to early 80's, Guru Nanak Ashram was also a centre where efforts were made by sewadars to publish Sant Ji's insights on Gurmat in written form through various books and magazines. This religious publication centre was known as "Holy Satsang". Its primary aim was to spread the teachings of Guru Sahib Ji.

During his lifetime, Sant Ji had completed 4 Sri Akhand Paath Sahibs in one sitting. During and after these Sri Akhand Paath Sahib's, Sant Ji's face would glow radiantly and was truly a sight to behold and cherish.

Restoration of mangals of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

On 11th September 1959 at Gurdwara Akhand Prakash village Bhindar Kalan (Damdami Taksal), Sant Mahapurkhs held an urgent meeting regarding the changing of the Mangals of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee). These Great Souls of the Panth would not tolerate the massive Beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and stopped it from happening. Sant Giani Naranjan Singh Ji was heavily involved in all discussions regarding this matter.
Note: These meetings went on for about 10 years before SGPC admitted that they were wrong and promised to correct their grave error. Some of the Mahapurkhs present in these discussions included:- Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale (Damdami Taksaal), Sant Giani Kartaar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale (Damdami Taksaal), Sant Inder Singh Ji (brother of Sant Giani Sundar Singh Ji Bhindranwale Damdami Taksaal), Perdaan Sahib Sant Hari Singh Ji (Kaharpur), Sant Isher Singh Ji Rara Sahib (Karamsar), Sant Isher Singh Ji Nanaksar Kaleran (Jagraon), Sant Ajaib Singh Ji Lamma Jatpura (Raikot), Bhai Sant Singh Ji Secretary Chief Khalsa Diwan (Amritsar), Sant Mahinder Singh Ji Harkhowal Wale, Sant Sarwan Singh Ji Gandharv (Dumeli), Sant Nand Singh Ji Raamghar, Sant Vasakha Singh Ji, Sant Mela Singh Ji and Sant Giani Naranjan Singh Ji (Patiala).

Title of SHIROMANI KATHAKAR

9th December 1983
Age 62
Sant Ji was honoured with the title of SHIROMANI KATHAKAR (Chief Exponent of Sikh Scriptures) by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar for more than 50 years of contribution to the Khalsa Panth.
Note : Sant Ji had started sewa in 1927 at the tender age of 6 - Nishkam Sewa of reciting Sehej Paaths at Gurdwara Sri Sulisar Sahib.

Parchar Travels

For more than 50 years, Sant Ji did katha in Patiala and other cities in India. He travelled extensively all over India as well as to foreign countries like Canada, USA, Germany, Singapore and Malaysia. He spoke to eager audiences wherever he went and spread the message of global harmony and love and rekindled the light of religion in many hearts.

During Sant Ji's trip to Malaysia in 1987, he was appointed as the second patron of Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM) - The first patron being Sant Sohan Singh Ji Melaka.

In September 1993, with Sant Ji's blessings, an educational institution named "Sant Attar Singh Ji Brahm Vidya Niketan" was set up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Dr Harcharanjit Singh, Vice President Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM) was the Chairman of Sant Attar Singh Ji Brahm Vidya Niketan Committee.

PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS CONFERENCES

Frankfurt, West Germany

In August 1986, Sant Ji participated in deliberations of the world's religions which was held in Frankfurt, West Germany. In his plenary address, he explained :
"In essence all religions of the world are the same, that is, to bring God's blessings to all and not to a chosen few. We are in God, and God is in us. We are His children; we are brethren. We must denounce violence both in thought and in action and live in perfect harmony. That is the way to ultimate salvation; the others lead to doom and destruction."

Along with his speech, Sant Ji gave the message of Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib Ji, which reads:

ਸਲੋਕ ਮ: ੩ ॥

ਜਗਤੁ ਜਲੰਦਾ ਰਖਿ ਲੈ ਆਪਣੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ॥

O Lord, please shower your Mercy on the world
which is burning in the fire of vices.

ਜਿਤੁ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਉਬਰੈ ਤਿਤੈ ਲੈਹੁ ਉਬਾਰਿ ॥

Save it by whatever means it takes.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਵੇਖਾਲਿਆ ਸਚਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥

The True Guru has shown that the way to peace
is by contemplating the True Shabad.

ਨਾਨਕ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਸੁਝਈ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਬਖਸਣਹਾਰੁ ॥੧॥

Nanak, there is no one else (who can save this world)
other than the Forgiving Lord.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

Dr. Rabbi Albert from Kent, England remarked in his speech :
"In the presence of such a person as Sant Naranjan Singh, I have never felt myself to be a Jew nor he a Sikh. Such is the love flowing from him."

This speech can be read on page 176 of the book DIVINE MYSTIC REFLECTIONS ON GURMAT BOOK 1.

Ramlila Grounds, Delhi

AN APPRAISAL AND A REMEDY : This speech was delivered by Sant Ji on 6th February 1970 at the Inaugural Session of The Fourth World Religions conference, Ramlila Grounds, Delhi.

This speech can be read on page 29 of the book DIVINE MYSTIC REFLECTIONS ON GURMAT BOOK 1.

Teachings of Gurmat

Sant Ji was a strict follower of Gurmat Maryada. He was a learned scholar who was dyed in Naam. He led a life of sewa, simran, katha, kirtan and absolute faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

ਮੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਆਧਾਰੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਲਾਗਿ ਰਹਾਉ ॥੮॥

I have the Support of the Word of the Guru's Bani. Attached to Gurbani, I survive.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

Sant Ji used to stress on the need to rise at amritwela. For around 35 years, he led an amritwela sadhana from 3 am to 5 am every morning at Guru Nanak Ashram, Patiala.
During these amritvela sadhanas, the lights would be turned off at 3am sharp. Only a dim candle would be lit near the pothi sahib on Sant Ji's harmonium. Sant Ji led the sadhana with so much love and bairaag that his perna would be drenched after the session. Everything would come to a standstill as the atmosphere at the Ashram radiated peace and tranquility.

Sant Ji always guided people to Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and never to himself. He advised people to stay away from individuals who claim to be living gurus.

He always encouraged the sangat to (upon waking up every morning) recite 5 times the words Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This will ensure that one will always be in correct frequency with Guru Sahib Ji, similar to a bulb connected to the power-line. One's centre or powerhouse is Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Sant Ji invariably shunned controversies and advised those who came to him never to get involved in them. Nindia or slandering others and listening to gossip is one of the greatest sins which God does not easily forgive. Do not keep the mind free, as otherwise it will indulge in gossip and slander. Let prayer become a habit. The mind should only be enjoined to the remembrance of the Formless Divine, and support/faith placed in Gurshabad:

ਜਿਉ ਮੰਦਰ ਕਉ ਥਾਮੈ ਥੰਮਨੁ ॥

As a palace is supported by its pillars,

ਤਿਉ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਮਨਹਿ ਅਸਥੰਮਨੁ ॥

so does the Guru's Word support the mind.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

Sant Ji spread the concept of universal prayer. One should get attached to this prayer at all times and should disseminate this concept to others throughout the world for the salvation of mankind. Sant Ji used to say that the whole world is engulfed in the fire of sins; only the Grace or Mercy of the Lord can save it from destruction.

ਸਲੋਕ ਮ: ੩ ॥

ਜਗਤੁ ਜਲੰਦਾ ਰਖਿ ਲੈ ਆਪਣੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ॥

O Lord, please shower your Mercy on the world
which is burning in the fire of vices.

ਜਿਤੁ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਉਬਰੈ ਤਿਤੈ ਲੈਹੁ ਉਬਾਰਿ ॥

Save it by whatever means it takes.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਵੇਖਾਲਿਆ ਸਚਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥

The True Guru has shown that the way to peace
is by contemplating the True Shabad.

ਨਾਨਕ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਸੁਝਈ ਹਰਿ ਬਿਨੁ ਬਖਸਣਹਾਰੁ ॥੧॥

Nanak, there is no one else (who can save this world)
other than the Forgiving Lord.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

To propagate Gurmat, Sant Ji had a powerful calling and passionate zeal that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji should, with ਪਿਆਰ ਅਤੇ ਸਤਕਾਰ (love and respect), be enshrined in every home. Sant Ji was not in favour of copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji being sold at shops where there would be bargaining on price. Rather Sant Ji felt that Guru Sahib Ji's Saroops should be distributed for free, with honour and respect given to Gurbani as Guru Saroop. As such, Guru Sahib Ji's Saroops and gutkay were distributed without receipt of payment at Guru Nanak Ashram.

The following are some of the words (ਬਚਨ) of Sant Ji:

• The biggest battlefield is inside us; only fools fight enemies outside. ਬੈਰੀ ਤਾਂ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੈ । Man’s actual foes are lust, anger, greed, attachment to worldly things and ego. The greatest conquest is the conquest of the mind. The real battle is with one’s own mind:

... ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤੈ ਜਗੁ ਜੀਤੁ ॥

... conquer your own mind, and conquer the world.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

• There should not be even an iota of haumai (ego) left. It is like rust on the mind, just as rust weakens metal, haumai (ego) blocks spiritual growth.

• The recitation of Gurbani and listening to a lot of Kirtan is a good karam. However, it is most important to VICHAR (contemplate and understand) Gurbani. Sant Ji said, “Even just a single line of Bani can end lifetimes of mental commotion. Try to understand it, and contemplate on it again and again.” Mechanically hurrying through recitation of Gurbani is mere self-delusion; it does not make one’s heart and soul move in unison towards the Lord.

• Break away from this material world not by action but by thought; to live within this world like a lotus in a pond and yet stay uncontaminated by it, thus maintaining simple living and high mental awareness. Just like how the shadow chases after an individual walking in the direction of the sun, the world chases after one who has trained his focus towards Almighty and turned his back on worldly desires.

• Every human being is gifted by God with a hidden super eye called the ‘third eye’. If this hidden divine eye opens, the wall of duality is shattered, the world of matter loses its entity and will appear to be engulfed in spirit.

• With intense meditative practise one is able to attain a lot of power but this only manifests if the practitioner has humility.

• Keeping a low profile is the key to spiritual progress. Attracting too much attention to oneself is a huge hindrance towards spiritual advancement.

• Other paths can bring us close to truth, but Kirpa is the only source of true freedom or Nirvana. Gurbani dwells on this one item that is necessary at all stages and in all paths. Sant Ji said that an ant can attempt to climb to the top of a tree or someone can pick it up and put it at the top. The latter is the role of Kirpa. God is pleased when we seek Him. The act of seeking Him changes us and it makes us suitable to receive His Grace. The entire world is revolving in the circle of Karam, or action and reaction. The other is the path of Mercy or Gurparsad. When we take sanctuary in the circle of God's Mercy, then:

ਧਰਮ ਰਾਇ ਦਰਿ ਕਾਗਦ ਫਾਰੇ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਲੇਖਾ ਸਮਝਾ ॥੪॥੫॥

The Righteous Judge of Dharma, in the Court of the Lord, has torn up my papers;
servant Nanak's account has been settled.

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

• Often times we blame our circumstances and external pattern of life. The truth is, it is not really the things that are the trouble at all, it is our attitude to the things. It is something we are experiencing inside ourselves. If there is need for a change in our experiences, something needs to change inside ourselves.

• When one reads Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj with pure love, the subtlety or intricacy of the path of Gurbani and Gurmat unfolds itself. However, just as a student needs a teacher to understand key concepts and insights, one needs the company of Gurmukhs who have moulded their lives according to Gurbani and Gurmat.

• The most excellent way of life is to accept the Divine Will of the Lord in whatsoever situation He wishes to place us in.

• Ardaas requires one-pointedness of the mind. When the mind starts getting one-pointed, then the secret unveils.

• What is the duty (ਕਰਤੱਵ) of Guru Ji? He comes to the aid of the suffering person who remembers Him.
His nature is:

Antim Yatra

25th May 1994
Age 72 years 5 months
Sant Ji left his physical form for Sachkhand on the sacred day of Buddha Purnima, Wednesday, 25th May 1994.

As Gurbani says, such highly spiritual souls are not destined to revolve in the cycle of births and deaths. They are sent here by the Lord specifically to help the suffering mankind.

The lives of Gurmukhs, Gursikhs, Sants, Bhagats and Mahapurshs are the foundation of future civilisation and ethos. They are beacons of light who provide guidance to the shores of salvation. Sant Ji was amongst these blessed souls.

Sant Giani Naranjan Singh Ji passed on the mantle of the sewa at Guru Nanak Ashram to Sant Mohinder Partap Singh Ji (affectionately addressed as President Sahib Ji).

President Sahib Ji, the respected head of Guru Nanak Ashram, has been performing intense meditation for the well-being of the world since his early teenage years.