Those who have visited the Nirankari Museum – 'Journey pine', in the Nirankari Sarovar Complex in Delhi, must have come across a statement by Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji that shows how he viewed this spiritual movement – the Sant Nirankari Mission. It says. The Mission is like a giant Banyan Tree (in Kolkata) and enlightened souls are its branches. Wherever these branches touch the ground, they grow into trunks. Now each trunk is as big as the main trunk and is giving birth to countless fresh shoots'.Obviously Baba Ji wanted to convey that each one of those who came to the Mission as disciples joined the Master of the day and preached its message of Truth, love and peace in the same way as the Master himself did. They owned it and dedicated the entire time and energy at their disposal to spread this pine light among as many people as possible. Like a candle that is lighted, each one of them went on lighting every 'extinguished candle' – the unenlightened soul that came into contact with them. Naturally, the darkness of ignorance has continued reducing from the world correspondingly.
The credit, however, did not go to the disciples alone. They could kindle the 'extinguished candles' because their own light was all the time maintained, sheltered and protected by the True Master – Satguru. Satguru worked as the main source of power and energy and saw to it that his disciples enjoyed all his pine blessings which they could pass on to others with full confidence (in him).it is perhaps in this unique Mission alone that Satguru authorizes a disciple to award God-knowledge or Brahma Gyan to any seeker on his behalf. Even though the tradition was coming right from day one i.e. when the founder of the Mission Baba Buta Singh Ji revealed God to Baba Avtar Singh Ji on May 25, 1929, Baba Gurbachan Singh ji began to issue a written permission certificate called Gyan Pradan Patra to such disciples. Today the Mission has more than 1500 preachers (Gyan Pracharaks) who hold this certificate. This has helped the new seekers of Truth in a big way. No one is required to come all the way to the Mission's headquarters in Delhi or wait for Satguru's visit to the place where he or she lives. The most remarkabe feature, however, is that such a new comer feels as if he or she enjoys Satguru's blessings direct just as every TV or radio set receives the signal direct from the satellite.
As everybody familiar with this Mission knows, the number of Branches of the Mission in various parts of the country and abroad increased in a big way during the days of Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji. He also promoted the construction of Satsang Bhawans as a formal programme of expansion of the Mission. This helped in holding regular Satsang programmes (Sangats) wherever the branches were established. Satguru blessed the disciples presiding over these Sangats with his own pine energy. The result is that today when we bow at the feet of the presiding saint in a Satsang Programme, we derive the same satisfaction as we do when we touch the holy feet of Satguru himself. We pray to Satguru through him or her which is answered the same way. For this task the disciple need not be a holder of permission to award God-knowledge.
Once upon a time Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji visited a place. After the Satsang programme a devotee approached Baba Ji and expressed his desire to take the measurement of his holy feet. He said he is a shoe maker and wanted to present a pair of shoes to Baba Ji. Baba Ji obliged him. When he left the place, however, Baba Ji asked one of his close disciples accompanying him during the tour as to why should such devotees wait for him for such a Sewa. Why can't they make such a present to some Gursikh and feel blessed, he asked. What he meant to say is that any devotee can serve another devotee and derive the same satisfaction that he desires from Satguru.
The same is true of social functions like birthday celebration, marriage anniversary, inauguration of a house or a shop, etc. If you invite a Gursikh or disciple (not necessarily a Gyan Pracharak who has the permission to reveal (God), he or she will fully represent Satguru and bless the family or the gathering on his behalf.Holy wash from holy feet better known as Charanamrit can also be prepared by washing the feet of any disciple. Here also the disciple represents Satguru and the devotees preparing Charanamrit have the same satisfaction that they receive from Satguru himself.In all these instances, however, the disciple representing Satguru will consider himself or herself as a means only to enable the devotees to reach or serve Satguru. He or she will never give an impression that the blessings he or she is showering are his or her own. The disciple remains a disciple even while performing the role that is Satguru's alone.
Thus every branch of this great Banyan Tree of the Mission is competent to go back to the soil, develop roots and give birth to numerous branches, but let it not forget the principal trunk – the Satguru, with whose grace alone it is enjoying the same status, repute and respect. What Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji stated was his own grace, his own generosity. Even Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj has the same feelings, the same regard for his disciples today. During the special General Body Meeting held in Delhi in1997, he declared that when a devotee invites a fellow devotee or a disciple to perform some ceremoney, 'my own good wishes are also always there.' So, Satguru has no reservation in his mind when he lends his pine grace to a disciple. It is for the latter, however, to realize his or her limitations and unite ultimately with Satguru.This is what our Mission is and this is what Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji sought to convey through the example of the giant Banyan Tree in Kolkata. Let evey disciple live up to it.