SANT GIANI NARANJAN SINGH JI

Sant Ji was born around the year 1921 in Sulisar, Bathinda, Punjab. From his early childhood, he showed signs of being a highly spiritual soul. Sant Ji was blessed by Sant Attar Singh Ji(Mastuana Sahib).

At the young age of 7, he would wake up at 1 am and do kirtan until 4 am, in seclusion. He would then take some curd in an iron(ਸਰਬਲੋਹ) bowl as his breakfast. He stayed in Damdama Sahib from the age of 7 to 13.

Sant Ji then moved to Patiala, where he stayed at Gurdwara Dukh Neevaran Sahib, a historical site of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. Here, at this young age, he started katha of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This katha, from start to end, was completed in 18 years.

For 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 Singapore, Malaysia, USA and Canada. He spoke to eager audiences wherever he went and rekindled the light of religion in many hearts.

In 1983, Sant Ji was bestowed the title of SHIROMANI KATHAKAR (Chief Exponent of Sikh Scriptures) by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee for 50 years of contribution to the Khalsa Panth. He was conferred this award by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

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

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 759)

Sant Ji also used to stress on the need to rise at amritwela.For 35 years, he led an amritwela sadhana from 3 am to 5 am every morning at Guru Nanak Ashram, Patiala. During these amritwela sadhanas, the lights would be turned off at 3am sharp. Only a dim candle would be lighted near the Pothi Sahib on Sant Ji's harmonium. He did the sadhana with intense love(ਬੈਰਾਗ). Everything would come to a still and the atmosphere felt peaceful and tranquil.

Sant Ji always guided people to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and not 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.

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

• 1. Katha can be said to be knowledge(ਗਿਆਨ), vision(ਦਰਸ਼ਨ), faith(ਸ਼ਰਦਾ) or tenets of Gurmat. The purpose of katha is to unite the thought-waves(ਸੁਰਤ) to the Shabad. We need to bathe our thought-waves(ਸੁਰਤ) in the lake of katha. The aim of katha is to obtain the Grace of Guru Ji.


• 2. Do not keep the mind(ਮਨ) free. Always praise the Lord; otherwise, it will indulge in gossip and slander.


• 3. A Sikh has one door(ਦਰ), one house, one support. If we are able to hold on to only ONE support, then everything can change. Two will not work. This Perfect Law of Akaal Purukh is irrevocable. Join yourself, not to two, but to only ONE. We cannot have more than one spiritual head or centre.


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


• 5. What is the duty(ਕਰਤੱਵ) of Guru Ji? He comes to the aid of the suffering person who remembers him. His nature is:
  
  
  ਜੋ ਸਰਣਿ ਆਵੈ ਤਿਸੁ ਕੰਠਿ ਲਾਵੈ ਇਹੁ ਬਿਰਦੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸੰਦਾ ॥
  The Lord lovingly embraces whoever comes to His Sanctuary
  - this is the way of the Lord and Master.
  (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji 544)


• 6. Guru Ji changes our bad karams to good ones. A Sikh obtains Grace and Blessings from Guru Ji. Guru Ji tells us the way of life(ਜੀਵਨ ਜੁਗਤ) and helps in achieving one-pointedness of the Surti. He sorts out our life; now and hereafter(ਲੋਕ-ਪਰਲੋਕ). Guru Ji lights up true love, intense longing and affection. As such, desire(ਭਾਵਨੀ) awakens and with this desire, mental strength increases.


• 7. As our faith(ਸ਼ਰਦਾ) keeps increasing, the Grace of God (ਨਦਰ) will unfold unto us. Our success will increase as faith, steadfastness and belief increase.


• 8. A Sikh may desert his Guru but Guru Ji will never desert His Sikh. A Sikh may write a ਬੇਦਾਵਾ(letter of breaking his relationship with Guru Ji) but Guru Ji mends this broken relationship (ਟੁੱਟੀ ਗੰਡ).


• 9. The words of Guru Ji are God's words. Guru Ji is the intimate knower of the secrets of our hearts.