Bhai Sahib, Bhai Randhir Singh He had most of his early schooling (1878 - 1961), whose original name in Nabha and his higher education Even a cursory look at his life, as before baptism and initiation into at the prestigious Government and revealed from his autobiographical the Khalsa fold was Basant Singh, Foreman Christian Colleges at letters and related by his close was born in the village of Lahore (in 1896-1900 A.D.), which prison and post-prison comrades, Narangwal in the Ludhiana District was, at that time, the capital of the clearly shows that he was one of of Punjab on July 7, 1878, to a undivided Punjab State. He was not the very few Gursikhs of the century family of a very noble and devout only an intelligent and diligent who had full and unfalterable heritage. His father, S. Natha student with respect to his conviction of his faith in the Singh, was a learned scholar of scholastic pursuits, but was also a teachings of the Satguru, so much Punjabi, Urdu, Persian and English, good sportsman, having once so that he staked his personal who initially worked as a District served as a Captain for the College career, the safety and welfare of his Inspector of Schools but later rose hockey team. He had a prodigious wife and young children, his to the rank of a Judge in the High memory, a fact clearly revealed ancestral property and even his life Court of the State of Nabha. As a from the way he has reproduced in following the true path of Gurmat. Judge, he became well known for details of the happenings during his He was one of the very few combining justice with mercy, prison life. In his autobiographical outstanding Sikhs of his time who, compassion and humanity. His letters from prison, he has narrated as one of the Panj Pyaras, blessed mother, Sardarni Punjab Kaur, was his long conversations with the jail the so-called lowest caste people a direct seventh-generation authorities minutely and distinctly with the holy Amrit (Baptism of the descendant of a very devout, narrated. In his various books on Double Edged Sword). It may be eminent, and saintly Gursikh, Bhai Sikh theology he quotes very recalled that those were the times Bhagtu, a very distinguished appropriate verses from the when the Gurmat way of life had disciple of Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Gurbani freely and with apparent been almost completely Ji and Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib. ease. He had a deep insight and overshadowed by Hindu orthodoxy Thus, Bhai Randhir Singh inherited scholarly expertise in Punjabi, Brij or Brahminism. The Brahminic scholarship and strength of mind Bhasha of Sri Dasam Granth, principle of untouchability regarding from his paternal side and qualities Persian, Urdu and English. He even the low caste Hindus and Muslims of piety and devotion from his distinguished himself as an Urdu had become ingrained in the minds maternal side. and Punjabi poet during his college of Sikhs to such an extent that the days. Sikhs would not even consider taking part in the Amrit ceremony in and his determination to live strictly of, and meditation on, this Mystic their company. in accordance with the Word could complete self Commandments of the Satguru, realization and oneness with God Joining the Khalsa have very few parallels in the be attained. contemporary Sikh society. Bhai Randhir Singh ji was one of Throughout his life, he stuck Gurmantar the first few Sikhs of the 2Oth steadfastly to the Code of Conduct century who had the courage to be enunciated by the Tenth Guru, even He, therefore, yearned ardently for baptized along with a muslim, a at the risk of losing his health and getting the Gurmantra directly from well-known family of Maulvi Karim life. Sri Guru Granth Sahib and was Baksh, whose Amrit Ceremony was also confident that he would be arranged on a large Panthic scale blessed with it. He believed Sri on June 14, 1903. As a result, he He had the firm belief that initiation Guru Granth Sahib to be the real was treated almost as an outcast by into the Khalsa fold was not merely embodiment of the Ten Gurus and, the Sikhs of his own village and a ritual but meant a new birth into therefore, prayed only to Guru even by some of his relatives; the the Spirit of the Guru, provided that Sahib for the Bliss of the Holy priest of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib did the ceremony is conducted strictly Naam. With this objective in view, not even let him offer Karah Prasad in accordance with the rules and he made a prayerful vow to accept and do Kirtan there. However, he procedures laid down by Guru that holy word as the True remained steadfast in practicing Sahib. At the time of his own Gurmantra that was indicated in the whatever was ordained at the baptismal ceremony, a disturbing first hymn he read or heard in the Baptismal ceremony, as well as intrusion by an outsider caused Gurudwara on one particular what he understood from the Holy confusion in his mind regarding the morning. If there was any indication Sikh Scriptures and authentic Sikh true Gurmantra. He felt that there of the popularly known Divine traditions. In fact, the practice and was a Mystic Word prescribed as Name of Waheguru through such preaching of the Sikh Code of Gurumantra for the Sikhs which words as Wah or Guru, he would Conduct strictly in accordance with also formed the central theme of accept Waheguru as the True the true Gurmat became his the Gurbani - a particular NAAM - Naam prescribed for the Sikhs as passion in life. Though he belonged and it was possible to repeat it with Gurmantra. How his prayer was to an aristocratic family, his simple every breath. He firmly believed accepted, in what a glorious way way of life, his devotion to Gurmat, that only through constant repetition Guru Sahib blessed him with the Gurmantra, and the technique of its inside of the temple without any me and outside me in shimmering constant repetition, is very visible support. resplendence... The more I was beautifully narrated in his absorbed in it, the more wonderful autobiographical letters: After attaining the true Gurmat and sublimely dazzling spiritual Naam from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, phenomenon were seen by my As soon as I entered the Gurdwara he became determined and anxious inner eyes which cannot be and bowed before Guru Granth to attain the Named One, the Lord expressed in the language of our Sahib, these words were being God Himself. His desire turned into physical and earthly world... I could recited: a poignant thirst, and he took to see right through the roof and walls repeating the Naam continuously of the room in which I was sitting. Ve-muhtaja Ve-parvah without any feeling of fatigue or Right through the sky I could see Nanak Daas Kaho Gurvah. (Asa wavering of mind. After attaining the space beyond space, all crystal M. 5:376) stage of self-realization during clear and bathed in purity. The which he saw his own soul to be whole of the universe was filled with Carefree and unconcerned is the quite distinct from his body, his incomprehensible light which was Lord, Sayeth Nanak Speak GUR thirst for seeing the Light of God penetrating me and enfolding me. VAH. Himself increased manifold. On the The music of His Divine Presence auspicious day of Sahib Sri Guru filled my heart with Blissful joy. I The words Kaho Gurvah had such Nanak Dev ji's Prakash Utsav, in could see all this clearly and visibly a magnetic effect on my mind that the year 1905, God revealed in a wide awake condition...3 immediately my every nerve and himself in all His Perfect pore in the body became imbued Resplendence to him in the silence Becomes a Hermit with the thrilled music of the Mystic of the midnight meditation which he Word Waheguru... To my great describes in one of his After these highly spiritual, mystical, surprise I saw some unseen hand autobiographical letters as follows: and blissful experiences he wave the chowri over Guru Granth resigned his Government job but Sahib and in between the canopy did not become a hermit. He and the Guru Granth Sahib, there God was now resplendently continued to tread the path of true flashed forth a wave of light forming revealed within me... Ah! Blessed Gumat which enjoins upon the itself into the divine word Waheguru was my search today. I could see a Sikhs to continue to live in this and moving in space throughout the sea of Divine Light flooding within world without being engrossed in it. He continued to perform his duties Fight against repression & to his family and society. He took In 1914, when the British rulers slavery the initiative in clearing the razed the wall of the historical malpractices in the various Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Although his mind was never in historical Gurdwaras. As a New Delhi to beautify the politics, as a true Gursikh who reformer, he was not deterred by surroundings of the then newly built cannot accept slavery and the strength of the vested interests Parliament House, it was Bhai repression, he, along with the involved in their management. Sahib Randhir Singh ji who not only Ghadarite emigrants from USA and Once, at Gurdwara Fatehgarh was the first to protest publicly Canada, became an active Sahib on a holy occasion, he did against this desecration of the Holy participant in the armed revolt not allow the recitation of Gurbani Shrine, but also to announce his against the British Government for by an unholy and apostate Ragi specific plans to spearhead the the country's freedom. In fact, he Jatha, without caring for danger to agitation until the razed wall was was the only outstanding leader his life. Again at Anandpur Sahib restored. He was also instrumental from Punjab who, along with his Gurdwara, on the occasion of Hola in organizing two large Panthic companions, was a participant in Mohalla Celebration, he did not Conferences in this connection, at this revolt. It is worth noting here tolerate the malpractices and Patti in District Amritsar, and at that the top Hindu leader of the immoral activities of the powerful Lahore, to pass the Resolutions Indian National Congress, M. K. management. Risking his own life, condemning the British action, and Gandhi, opposed this revolt and he successfully fought against the demanding the restoration of the declared his support to the British administration. It was for such razed wall. These conferences Government in their First World deeds of Gurdwara reform that he were the first of their kind after the War efforts, saying, "Was it not the has been referred to as the pioneer British occupation of Punjab. It may duty of the slave, seeking to be of the Gurdwara Reform Movement. be mentioned here that the Chief free, to make the master's need his A reference to his services in this Khalsa Diwan, the only major opportunity?...it was our duty to win respect was also made in the Panthic Organization at that time, their help by standing them in their Hukam Namah bestowed upon him had expressed its willingness to need."5 Earlier the so-called Punjab from Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib in side with the British Government.4 Kesri, Lala Iajpat Rai, called these 1905 (Appendix A). Ghadarite emigrants fanatics and dangerous to the national cause.6 Khalsa Code of Conduct made sufferings, the whole Panth The revolt failed due to leakage of known to him at the time of initiation observed February 1, 1923 as a plans by traitors from within, and he into the Khalsa fold. In Multan jail, special day of prayer for him in and his companions were arrested one of the hottest places in India particular and for other suffering on May 9, 1915 and tried in what is (now in W. Pakistan) with Sikh prisoners in general. commonly known as the Second temperatures going up to 122°F in Lahore Conspiracy case. However, May and June, he remained without Prior to his release from prison in his love for the country's freedom food and water continuously for 40 Lahore, the well-known Shaheed arose solely from the ideals of the days. This was because he was not Bhagat Singh, who was waiting Sikh Dharma, and whatever he did allowed to prepare his food himself execution in the same prison, for the country he did primarily as a according to the Gurmat principles expressed a desire to have Bhai true Gursikh and not merely as a and he would not take food Sahib's darshan before his death. political freedom fighter. He was prepared by non-Amritdharis. He On being approached, Bhai Sahib sentenced to life imprisonment in was chained to iron gates in the refused to see him saying "...he has 1916 and his property confiscated. open for many days to face the violated the basic tenets of Sikhism He was only 38 years old with a scorching heat of the sun and bear by shaving off his hair and hence I wife and three young children. The the brunt of hot winds. do not want to see him." Bhagat eldest ten year old daughter could Singh was quick to express his not bear this separation from her At night he was put into a 6' x 4' cell repentance and also confessed that dear father and died within a month without ventilation. This is only one he, in fact, was an atheist at heart. of his imprisonment. His son Balbir instance of the many tortures He further told Bhai Sahib that even Singh was only six years old, and inflicted upon him. He had to bear then, perhaps, he would have kept his daughter Daler Kaur was just such terrible sufferings in prison the Sikh appearance, but if he had two.7 that twice he was given up for dead done that he would have lost the even by members of his own family. friendship and sympathy of his During his prison term of over 15 Even after suffering such inhuman Hindu comrades and would not years, he faced unprecedented tortures, he remained steadfast in have received so much publicity in sufferings. This was not for any his beliefs and never once wavered the press. After a two hour meeting political or personal reasons, but from following strictly the Khalsa with Bhai Sahib, he became a true only for his determination to live Code of Conduct. When the Khalsa Sikh at heart and later went to the strictly in accordance with the Panth came to know of his tortuous gallows as a true believer in imagined that I would ever have to other popular creeds is concerned. Sikhism. confront such a question. But But that is not personal. It may be, it conversation with some friends has is only legitimate pride in our cult Meeting with Bhagat Singh given me a hint that certain of my and does not amount to vanity. friends - if I am do not claiming too Vanity, or to be more precise Here I would like to put forth the much in thinking them to be so - are "Ahankar", is the excess of undue Bhagat Singh's view. Based on the inclined to conclude from the brief pride in one's self. Whether it is Bhagat Singh's and Bhai Randhir contact they have had with me, that such an undue pride that has led Singh's view one should decide it was too much on my part to deny me to atheism or whether it is after who is right. the existence of God and that there very careful study of the subject was a certain amount of vanity that and after much consideration that I ('Bhagat Singhs point of view: Bhai actuated my disbelief. Well, the have come to disbelieve in God, is Randhir Singh somehow problem is a serious one. I do not a question that I intend to discuss managed to see Bhagat Singh in boast to be quite above these here. Let me first make it clear that the condemned cell and tried to human traits. I am a man and egotism and vanity are two different convince him about the nothing more. None can claim to be things. existence of God, but failed. more. I also have this weakness in Baba lost his temper and said me. Vanity does form a part of my In the first place, I have altogether tauntingly: "You are giddy with nature. Amongst my comrades I failed to comprehend as to how fame and have developed and was called an autocrat. Even my undue pride or vaingloriousness ago which is standing like a friend Mr. B.K. Dutt sometimes could ever stand in the way of a black curtain between you and called me so. On certain occasions man in believing in God. I can the God." It was in reply to that I was decried as a despot. Some refuse to recognise the greatness of remark that Bhagat Singh wrote friends do complain, and very a really great man, provided I have the article "'Why I am Atheist". seriously too, that involuntarily also achieved a certain amount of thrust my opinions upon others and popularity without deserving it or NEW QUESTION HAS CROPPED get my proposals accepted. That without having possessed the UP. IS IT DUE TO vanity that I do this is true up to a certain extent, I qualities really essential or not believe in the existence of an do not deny. This may amount to indispensable for the same omnipotent, omnipresent and egotism. There is vanity in me purpose. That much is conceivable. omniscient God? I had never inasmuch as our cult as opposed to But in what way can a man believing in God cease believing point is decided, that it is not vanity My grandfather under whose due to his personal vanity? There that has led me to this mode of influence I was brought up is an are only two ways. The man should thinking. Let me examine the facts orthodox Arya Samajist. An Arya either begin to think himself a rival to disprove this allegation. Samajist is anything but an atheist. of God or he may begin to believe After finishing my primary education himself to be God. In neither case According to these friends of mine I I joined the D.A.V. School of Lahore can he become a genuine atheist. have grown vainglorious perhaps and stayed in its Boarding House In the first case he does not even due to the undue popularity gained for full one year. There, apart from deny the existence of his rival. during the trials - both Delhi Bomb morning and evening prayers, I and Lahore Conspiracy Cases. used to recite "Gayatri Mantra" for In the second case as well, he Well, let us see if their premises are hours and hours. I was perfect admits the existence of a conscious correct. My atheism is not of so devotee in those days. Later on I being behind the screen guiding all recent origin. I had stopped began to live with my father. He is a the movements of nature. It is of no believing in God when I was an liberalinas much as the orthodoxy importance to us whether he thinks obscure young man, of whose of religions is concerned. It was himself to be that supreme being or existence my above-mentioned through his teachings that I aspired whether he thinks the supreme friends were not even aware. At to devote my life to the cause of being or whether he thinks the least a college student cannot freedom. But he is not an atheist. supreme conscious being to be cherish any short of undue pride He is a firm believer. He used to somebody apart from him means which may lead him to atheism. encourage me for offering prayers an atheist. Well, here I am. I neither Thought a favourite with some daily. So this how I was brought up. belong to the first category nor to professors and disliked by certain In the Non-Cooperation days I the second. I deny the very orhers. I was never an industrious joined the National College. It was existence of that Almighty Supreme or a studious boy. I could not get there that I began to think liberally Being. Why I deny it, shell be dealt any chance of indulging in such and discuss and criticise all the with later on. Here I want to clear feelings as vanity. I was rather a religious problem, even about God. one thing, that it is not vanity that boy with a very shy nature, who had But still I was a devout believer. By has actuated me to adopt the certain pessimistic dispositions that time I had begun to preserve doctrines of atheism. I am neither a about the future career. And in the unshorn and unclipped long hair rival a rival nor an incarnation, nor those days, I was not a perfect but I could never believe in the the Supreme Being Himself. One atheist. mythology and doctrines of Sikhism or any other religion. But I had a prosecution story the result of his But he also never dared to deny the firm faith in God's existence. intellectual labour. Now, as is existence of God. inevitable in the secret work the Later on I joined the revolutionary prominent leader expresses his party. The first leader with whom I own views which are very dear to Up to that period I was only a came in contact, though not his person, and the rest of the romantic idealist revolutionary. Up convinced, could not dare to deny workers have to acquiesce in them, till then we were to follow. Now the existence of God. On my in spite of differences which they come the time to shoulder the persistent inquiries about God, he might have. In that leaflet one full whole responsibility. Due to the used to say: "Pray whenever you paragraph was devoted to praise inevitable reaction for some time want to." Now this is atheism less the Almighty and His rejoicings and the very existence of the party courage required for the adoption of doing. That is all mysticlism. What I seemed impossible. Enthusiastic that creed. The second leader with wanted to point out was that the comrades - nay, leaders-began to whom I came in contact was a firm idea of disbelief had not even jeer at us. For some time I was believer. Let me mention his name- germinated in the revolutionary afraid that some day I also might respected Comrade Shachindra party. The famous Kakori martyrs- not be convinced of the futility of Nath Sanyal, now undergoing life all four of them-passed their last our own programme. That was a transportation in connection with days in prayers. Ram Prasad Bismil turning point in my revolutionary the Kakori Conspiracy Case. From was an orthodox Arya Samajist. career. "Study" was the cry that the very first page of his famous Despite his wide studies in the field reverberated in the corridors of my and only book, Bandi Jivan (or of socialism and communism, mind. Study to enable yourself with Incarcerated Life), the Glory of God Rajen Lahiri could not suppress his arguments in favour of your cult. I is sung vehemently. On the last desire of reciting hymns of the began to study. My previous faith page of the second part of that Upanishads and the Gita. I saw and convictions underwent methods beautiful book, his mystic-because only one man amongst them, who alone which was so prominent of vedantism-praises showered never prayed and used to say: amongst our predecessors, was upon God form a very conspicuous "Philosophy is the outcome of replaced by serious ideas. No more part of his thoughts. "The human weakness or limitation of mysticism, no more blind faith. Revolutionary" distributed knowledge." He is also undergoing Realism became our cult. Use of throughout India on January 28th, a sentence of transportation for life. force justifiable when resorted to as 1925, was according to the a matter of terrible necessity: nonviolence as policy indispensable friends. I had become a some bombs, that by way of test for all mass movements. So much pronounced atheist. But what it one of the bombs was thrown in the about methods. The most important meant will presently be discussed. crowd on the occasion of Dussehra thing was the clear conception of 1926. They further informed me, in the ideal for which we were to fight. my interest, that if I could give any As there were no important In May 1927 I was arrested at statement throwing some light on activities in the field of action I got Lahore. The arrest was a surprise. I the activities of the revolutionary ample opportunity to study various was quite unaware of the fact that party, I was not to be imprisoned ideals of the world revolution. I the police wanted me. All of a but on the contrary set free and studied Bakunin, the anarchist sudden, while passing through a rewarded, even without being leader, something of Marx, the garden, I found myself surrounded produced as an approver in the father of communism, and much of by police. To my own surprise, I court. I laughed at the proposal. It Lenin, Trotsky and others-the men was very clam at that time. I did not was all humbug. People holding who had successfully carried out a feel any sensation, nor did I ideas like ours do not throw bombs revolution in their country. They experience any excitement. I was on their on innocent people. One were all atheists. Bakunin's God taken into police custody. Next day fine morning Mr. Newman, the then and State, thought only I was taken to the Railway Police Senior Superintendent of C.I.D., fragmentary, is an interesting study lock-up where I was to pass full one came to me. And after much of the subject. Later still I came month. After many day's sympathetic talk with me, imparted - across a book entitled Common conversation with the police officials to him the extremely sad-news that Sense by Nirlamba Swami, It was I guessed that they had some if I did not give any statement as only a sort of mystic atheism. This information regarding my demanded by them, they would be subject became of utmost interest connection with the Kakori party forced to send me up for trial for to me. By the end of 1926 I had and my other activities in conspiracy to wage war in been convinced as to the connection with the revolutionary connection with Kakari Case and baselessness of the theory of movement. They told me that I had for brutal murders in connection existence of an almighty supreme been to Lucknow while the trial was with Dussehra bomb outrage. And being who created, guided and going on there, that I had he further informed me that they controlled the universe. I had given negotiated a certain scheme about had evidence enough to get me out this disbelief of mine. I began their rescue, that the after obtaining convicted and hanged. In those day discussion on the subjects with my their approval, we had procured I believed - through I was quite innocent - the police could do it if defy the general beliefs. If he does, because I could not do otherwise. they desired. That very day certain then we must conclude that he has The day we find a great number of police officials began to persuade got certain other strength than mere men and women with this me to offer my prayers to God vanity. This is exactly the situation psychology, who cannot devote regularly, both the times. Now I was now. Judgement is already too well themselves to anything else than an atheist. I wanted to settle for known. Within a week it is to be the service of mankind and myself whether it was in the days of pronounced. What is the emancipation of the suffering peace and enjoyment alone that I consolation with the exception of humanity, that day shall inaugurate could boast of being an atheistor the idea tat I am going to sacrifice the era of liberty. Not to become a whether during such hard times as my life for a cause? A God- king, nor to gain any other rewards well, I could stick to those principles believing Hindu might be expecting here, or in the next birth or after of mine. After great consideration I to be reborn as a king, a Muslim or death in paradise, shall they be decided that I could not lead myself a Christian might dream of the inspired to challenge the to believe in and pray to God. No, I luxuries to be enjoyed in paradise oppressors, exploiters, and tyrants, never did. That was the real test and the reward he is to get for his but to cast off the yoke of serfdom and I came out successful. Never suffering and sacrifices. But, what from the neck of humanity and to for a moment did I desire to save am I to expect? I know the moment establish liberty and peace shall my neck at the cost of certain other under my feet, that will be the final they tread this-to their individual things. So I was a staunch moment-that will be the last selves perilous and to their noble disbeliever; and have ever since moment. I, or to be more precise, selves the only glorious imaginable- been. It was not an easy job to my soul as interpreted in the path. Is the pride in their noble stand that test. 'Belief' softens the metaphysical terminology shall all cause to be misinterpreted as hardships, even can make them be finished there. Nothing further. A vanity? Who dares to utter such an pleasant. In God man can find very short life of struggle with no such abominable epithet? To him I say strong consolation and support. magnificent end, shall in itself be either he is a fool or a knave. Let us Without Him man has to depend the reward, if I have the courage to forgive him for he cannot realise the upon himself. To stand upon one's take it in that light. That is all. With depth, the emotion, the sentiment own legs amid storms and no selfish motive or desire to be and the noble feelings that surge in hurricanes is not a child's play. At awarded here or hereafter, quite that heart. His heart is dead as a such testing moments, vanit-if-any- disinterestedly, have I devoted my mere lump of flesh, his eyes are evaporates and man cannot dare to life to the cause of independence, weak, the evils of other interests having been cast over them. Self- who dares to challenge the validity all the circumstances too dry, and reliance is always liable to be of that faith, or the very existence of the situation may assume too harsh interpreted as vanity. It is sad and that supreme being, he shall have a shape. A little bit of mysticism can miserable but there is no help. to be called an apostate, a make it poetical. But I do not want renegade. If his argument are too the help of any intoxication to meet You go and oppose the prevailing sound to be refuted by counter- my fate. I am a realist. I have been faith, you go and criticise a hero, a arguments and spirit too strong to trying to overpower the instinct in great man who is generally believed be cowed down by the threat of me by the help of reason. I have not to be above criticism because he misfortunes that may befall him by always been successful in his thought to be infallible, the the wrath of the Almighty, he shall achieving this end. But man's duty strength of your argument shall be decried as vainglorious, his spirit is to try and endeavour, success force the multitude to decry you as to be denominated as vanity. Then, depends upon chance and vainglorious. This is due to the why do waste time in this vain environments. mental stagnation. Criticism and discussion? Why try to argue out independent thinking are the two the whole thing? This question is indispensable qualities of a coming before the public for the first As for the second question that if it revolutionary. Because Mahatamaji time, and is being handled in this was not vanity, then there ought to is great, therefore none should matter of fact way for the first time, be some reason to disbelieve the criticise him. Because he has risen hence this lengthy discussion. old and still prevailing faith of the above, therefore everything he existence of God. Yes, I come to says-may be in the field of Politics that now. Reason there is. or Religion, Economics or Ethics-is As for the first question, I think I According to me, any man who has right. Whether you are convinced or have cleared that it is not vanity that got some reasoning power at his not you must say: "Yes, that's true". has led me to atheism. My way of command always tries to reason This mentality does not lead argument has proved to be out his environments. Where direct towards progress. It is rather too convincing or not, that is to be proofs are lacking philosophy obviously reactionary. judged by my readers, not me. I occupies the important place. As I know in the present circumstances have already stated, a certain Because our forefathers had set up my faith in God would have made revolutionary friend used to say that a faith in some supreme being-the my life easier, my burden lighter, philosophy is the outcome of Almighty God-therefore, any man and my disbelief in Him has turned human weakness. When our ancestors had leisure enough to try on the right. There lies the challenge the whole of the ancient to solve out the mystery of this misfortune. Instead of using the faith. If it does not stand the world, its past, present and the experiments and expressions of the onslaught of reason it crumbles future, its whys and wherefores, ancient Savants and thinkers as a down. Then the first thing for him is they having been terribly short of basis for our future struggle against to shatter the whole down and clear direct proofs, everybody tried to ignorance and to try to find out a a space for the erection of a new solve the problem in his own way. solution to this mysterious problem, philosophy. This is the negative Hence we find the wide differences we lathargical as we have proved to side. After it begins the positive in the fundamentals of various be, raise the hue and cry of faith, work in which sometimes some religious creeds, which sometimes unflinching and unwavering faith to material of he old faith may be used assume very antagonistic and their versions and thus are guilty of for the purpose of reconstruction. conflicting shapes. Not only the stagnation in human progress. As far as I am concerned, let me Oriental and Occidental admit at the very outset that I have philosophies differ, there are not been able to study much on this differences even amongst various Any man who stands for progress pint. I had a great desire to study schools of thought in each has to criticise, disbelieve and the Oriental philosophy but I could hemisphere. Amongst Oriental challenge every item of the old not get any chance or opportunity to religions, the Moslem faith is not at faith. Item by item he has to reason do the same. But so far as the all compatible with Hindu faith. In out every nook and corner of the negative study is under discussion, India alone Buddhism and Jainism prevailing faith. If after considerable I think I am convinced to the extent are sometimes quite separate from reasoning one is led to believe in of questioning the soundness of the Brahmanism, in which there are any theory or philosophy, his faith is old faith. I have been convinced as again conflicting faiths as Arya welcomed. His reasoning can be to non-existence of a conscious Samaj and Sanatan Dharma. mistaken, wrong, misled, and supreme being who is guiding and Charwak is still another sometimes fallacious. But he is directing the movements of nature. independent thinker of the past liable to correction because reason We believe in nature and the whole ages. He challenged the authority is the guiding star of his life. But progressive movement aims at the of God in the old times. All these mere fait and blind faith is domination of man over nature for creeds differ from each other on the dangerous: it dulls the brain, and his service. There is no conscious fundamental question; and makers a man reactionary. A man power behind it to direct. This is everybody considers himself to be who claims to be a realist has to what our philosophy is. going to justify your almighty, seek pleasure? Where, then, is the As for the negative side, we ask a eternal Nero, who has been, and is difference between him and Nero? few question from the 'believers'. (1) still causing numberless tragedies If, as you believe, there is an every day, every hour and every You Mohammadans and Christians: almighty, omnipresent, omniscient minute? How do you think to Hindu philosophy shall still linger on and omnipotent God, who created support his misdoings which to offer another argument. I ask the earth or world, please let me surpass those of Changez every you, what is your answer to the know why did he create it? This single moment? I say why did he above-mentioned question? You world of woes and miseries, a create this world - a veritable hell, a don't believe in previous birth. Like veritable, eternal combination of place of constant and bitter unrest? Hindus, you cannot advance the number-less tragedies: Not a single Why did the Almighty create man argument of previous misdoings of soul being perfectly satisfied. Pray, when he had the power not to do it? the apparently quite innocent don't say that it is His Law. If he is What is the justification for all this? suffers. I ask you, why did the bound by any law, he is not Do you say, to award the innocent omnipotent labour for six days to omnipotent. He is another slave like sufferers hereafter and to punish create the world though word and ourselves. Please don't say that it is the wrongdoers as well? Well, well: each day to say that all was well? his enjoyment. Nero burnt one How far shall you justify a man who Call him today. Show him the past Rome. He killed a very limited may dare to inflict wounds upon history. Make him study the present number of people. He created very your body to apply a very soft and situation. Let us see if he dares to few tragedies, all to his perfect soothing ointment upon it say: "All is well." enjoyment. And, what is his place in afterwards? How far the supporters History? By what names do the and organisers of the Gladiator From the dungeons of prisons, from historians mention him? All the institution were justified in throwing the stores of starvation consuming venomous epithets are showered men before the half-starved furious millions upon millions of human upon him. Pages are blackened lions to be cared for and well locked beings in slums and huts, from the with invective diatribes condemning after if they could survive and could exploited labourers, patiently or say Nero, the tyrant, the heartless, the manage to escape death by the apathetically watching the wicked. One Changexkhan wild beasts? That is why I ask: Why procedure of their blood being sacrificed a few thousand lives to did the conscious supreme being sucked by the capitalist vampires, seek pleasure in it and we hate the create this world and man in it? To and the wastage of human energy very name. Then, how are you that will make a man with the least common sense shiver with horror, ends, to meet which it is inflicted who proposes such measures of and from the preference of throwing upon the wrongdoer. They are punishment which shall inevitably the surplus of production in oceans retributive, reformative and force men to commit more rather than to distribute amongst deterrent. The retributive theory is offences? Had not your God the needy producers - to the now being condemned by all the thought of this, or he also had to palaces of kings built upon the advanced thinkers. Deterrent theory learn these things by experience, foundation laid with human bones. . is also following the same fate. but at the cost of untold sufferings . . let him see all this and let him Reformative theory is the only one to be borne by humanity? What do say: "All is well." Why and which is essential and you think shall be the fate of a man wherefore? That is my question. indispensable for human progress. who has been born in a poor and You are silent. Alright then, I It aims at returning the offender as illiterate family of, say, a chamar or proceed. a most competent and a peace- a sweeper? He is poor hence he loving citizen to the society. But, cannot study. He is heated and Well, you Hindus, you say all the what is the nature of punishment shunned by his fellow human present sufferers belong to the inflicted by God upon men, even if beings who think themselves to be class of sinners of the previous we suppose them to be offenders? his superiors having been born in, births. Good. You say the present You say he sends them to be born say, a higher caste. His ignorance, oppressors were saintly people in as a punishments to be 84 lakhs. I his heart towards society. Suppose their previous births, hence they ask you: what is its reformative he commits a sin, who shall bear enjoy power. Let me admit that your effect upon man? How many men the consequences? God, he or the ancestors were very shrewd have met you who say that they learned ones of the society? What people, they tried to find out were born as a donkey in previons about the punishment of those theories strong enough to hammer birth for having committed any sin? people who were deliberately kept down all the efforts of reason and None. Don't quote your Puranas. I ignorant by the haughty and egotist disbelief. But let us analyse how for have noscope to touch your Brahmans, and who had to pay the this argument can really stand. mythologies. Moreover, do you penalty by bearing the stream of know that the greatest sin in this being let (not lead) in their ears for world is to be poor? Poverty is a having heard a few sentences of From the point of view of the most sin, it is a punishment. I ask you your Sacred Books of learning - the famous jurists, punishment can be how far would you appreciate a Vedas? If they committed any justified only from three or four criminologist, a jurist or a legislator offence, who was to be responsible for them and who was to inventions the whole human society, from the Do you ask me how I explain the of the privileged ones; they justify bondage of capitalism? You want to origin of this world and origin of their usurped power, riches and reason out the practicability of man? Alright, I tell you, Charles superiority by the help of these socialist theory, I leave it for your Darwin has tried to throw some light theories. Yes, it was perhaps Upton almighty to enforce it. People on the subject. Study him. Read Sinclair that wrote at some place recognise the merits of socialism Soham Swami's Common Sense. It that just make a man a believer in inasmuch as the general welfare is shall answer your question to some immortality and then rob him of all concerned. They oppose it under extent. This is a phenomenon of his riches and possessions. He the pretext of its being nature. The accidental mixture of shall help you even in that impracticable. Let the Almighty step different substances in the shape of ungrudgingly. The coalition among in and arrange everything in an nebulace produced this earth. the religious preachers and orderly fashion. Now don't try to When? Consult history. The same possessors of power brought forth advance round about arguments, process produced animals and, in jails, gallown, knouts and these they are out of order. Let me tell the long run, man. Read Darwin's theories. I ask why your omnipotent you, British rule is here not because Origin of Species. And all telater God does not stop every man when God wills it, but because they progress is due to man's constant he is committing any sin or offence? possess power and we do not dare conflict with nature and his efforts to He can do it quite easily. Why did to oppose them. Not that it is with override it. This is the briefest he not kill warlords or kill the fury of the help of God that they are possible explanation of the war in them and thus avoid the keeping us under their subjection, phenomenon. You other argument catastrophe hurled down on the but it is with the help of guns and may be just to ask why a child is head of humanity by the Great rifles, bomb and bullets, police and born blind or lame if not due to his War? Why does he not just produce militia, and our apathy, that they are deeds committed in the previous a certain sentiment in the mind of successfully committing the most birth? This problem has been the British people to liberate India? deplorable sin against society - the explained away by biologists as a Why does he not infuse the ourtrageous exploitation of one mere biological phenomenon. altruistic enthusiasm in the hearts of nation by another. Where is God? According to them the whole all capitalists to forego their rights of What is he doing? Is he enjoying all burden rests upon the shoulders of personal possessions of means of these woes of human race? A Nero, the parents who may be conscious production and thus redeem the a Changez: Down with him. or ignorant of their own deeds whole labouring community, nay, which led to mutilation of the child in the primitive age. The idea of previous to its birth. As regards the origin of God, my God is helpful to main in distress. own idea is that having realised the Society has to fight out this belief as limitation of man, his weaknesses well as was fought the idol worship Naturally, you may ask another and shortcoming having been taken and the narrow conception of question, though it is quite childish into consideration, God was religion. Similarly, when man tries in essence. If no god existed, how brought into imaginary existence to to stand on his own legs and did the people come to believe in encourage man to face boldly all become a realist, he shall have to him? My answer is clear and brief. the trying circumstances, to meet all throw the faith aside, and to face As they came to believe in ghosts dangers manfully and to check and manfully all the distress, trouble, in and evil spirits; the only difference restrain his outbursts in prosperity which the circumstances may throw is that belief in God is almost and affluence. God, both will his him. That is exactly my state of universal and the philosophy well private laws and parental affairs. It is not my vanity, my developed. Unlike certain of the generosity, was imagined and friends. It is my mode of thinking radicals I would not attribute its painted in greater details. He was to that has made me an atheist. I don't origin to the ingenuity of the serve as a deterrent factor when his know whether in my case belief in exploiters who wanted to keep the fury and private laws were God and offering of daily prayers people under their subjection by discussed, so that man may not which I consider to be most selfish preaching the existence of a become a danger to society. He and degraded act on the part of supreme being and then claiming was to serve as a father, mother, man, whether these prayers can an authority and sanction from him sister and brother, friend and prove to be helpful or they shall for their privileged positions, though helper, when his parental make my case worse still. I have I do not differ with them on the qualifications were to be explained. read of atheists facing all troubles essential point that all faiths, So that when man be in great quite boldly; so am I trying to stand religions, creeds and such other distress, having been betrayed and like a man with an erect head to the institutions became in turu the mere deserted by all friends, he may find last, even on the gallows. supporters of the tyrannical and consolation in the idea that an ever- exploiting institutions, men and true friend, was still there to help classes. Rebellion against king is him, to support him and that he was Let us see how I carry on. One always a sin, according to every almighty and could do anything. friend asked me to pray. When religion. Really that was useful to the society informed of my atheism, he said: "During your last days you will medallion were also sent to him by downright practical. He himself begin to believe." I said: "No, dear the Sikhs of U.S.A. and Canada. He conformed to and lived in Sir, it shall not be. I will think that to was selected as one of the Panj accordance with these principles in be an act of degradation and Pyaras to inaugurate the Kar Seva letter and spirit, even in the midst of demoralisation on my part. For of the sarover of Gurdwara Tarn the most unfavorable and tortuous selfish motives I am not going to Taran Sahib, and to lay the circumstances of jail life. It is now a pray." Readers and friends: Is this foundation stones of the new fact of history that his bold stand "vanity"? If it is, I stand for it.) buildings of the Gurdwaras at Panja and endurance of untold sufferings Sahib and Shahidganj Nankana for retaining the Sikh symbols in jail Released from Jail Sahib, besides those of the Bungas resulted in the amendment of the at Patna Sahib and Kavi Darbar Jail Manual, which permits all the Soon after his release in 1930, Bhai Asthan at Paonta Sahib. Sikh prisoners to wear Turban, Sahib was honored by Sri Akal Kachhehra and Karra in jail. Prior to Taldit Sahib with a Hukumnamah that time, they were forced to wear and a robe of honor, recognizing his After his release from prison, he caps and Longoties and were steadfastness in faith and selfless lived for over thirty years during deprived of the Karra. sacrifices (Appendix A). He is the which time he travelled throughout second person to have been the country and propagated the true Writing Books honored by Sri Akal Takht Sahib Gursikh way of life through Gurbani during this century, the other Kirtan and Paath. A large number of He wrote about two dozen books on person being Baba Kharak Singh, ardent seekers of the true path of Sikh theology, philosophy and the the renowned Panthic leader of the Sikhism were drawn to him true Sikh way of life (Appendix B). late twenties. Afterwards, the other magnetically, and he directed them Of these, the most well-known is his three Takhts also honored him in to and brought them in direct touch AUTOBIOGRAPHY, a collection of the same way, thus making him the with the infinite wealth of Gurbani. his letters written from prison during only single person to have been In this way, the Akhand Kirtani his sixteen years of imprisonment. honored from all the original four Jatha came to be formed. This book reveals his personal Takhts in the last hundred years of According to him, the principles of spiritual experiences of the highest Sikh history. (Damdama Sahib was life pointed out in Gurbani and state of divine illumination. declared the fifth Takhat later). prescribed in the Khalsa Code of According to Bhai Sahib Vir Singh, Robes of honor and a gold Conduct are not merely ideals but these experiences "...will give convincing testimony of the fact that writings we find the glow of his Sahib's internment, Babu Teja our faith, the contemplation and mystic experiences, his intellectual Singh had been excommunicated remembrance of the divine Name certainty and the metaphysical from the Panth. has now been tested by an clarity of his theology." experiment in the crucible of his Meeting with Babu Teja Singh own self by a scholar educated and trained in Western lore."8 It also The steadfastness of his character, After Bhai Sahib's release, Babu reveals that his whole life has been conviction of his faith, and firmness Teja Singh tried to meet his old a saga of suffering in which he in his allegiance to the high Sikh friend after twenty years and came never for a moment left his deep traditions are revealed from another to his house to resurrect their old faith and devotion to God and His remarkable incident in his life. friendship. Bhai Sahib was not Word. Before his imprisonment, he was an there at that moment. When he intimate friend of Babu Teja Singh came to know later of Babu Ji's of Bhasaur and was also visit, Bhai Sahib wrote him a letter With regard to his other books, it instrumental in establishing Panch politely declining to meet him. The may safely be said that during the Khalsa Diwan at Bhasaur in contents of the letter are very current century, he is perhaps the association with him. Babu Teja moving and reveal the true only writer on Sikh theology who Singh was then quite a dynamic personality of Bhai Sahib and his has written comprehensively, and personality amongst the Sikhs and unshakable and abiding faith in the with the confidence arising out of was a leading figure in the Singh Sikh tenets, values and traditions. It first-hand personal experiences of Sabha resurgence. The Panthic is therefore considered worthwhile the highest state of Divine Conference, where Bhai Sahib had to reproduce the English translation illumination, on such subjects as taken Amrit along with Maulvi Karim of the same below: Anhad Shabad (Unstruck Limitless Baksh and his family, was also Music), Gurmat Karam Philosophy organized by Babu Teja Singh. "Babu Teja Singh ji, Waheguru ji ki (Law of Karma), Sach Khand Hence both of them had become Fateh. You, dear Sir, have come to Darshan (Vision of the Realm of the close friends. However, as Babu see this humble servant of the Truth), Jyot-Vigas (The Revelation Teja Singh became a British Panth after one fifth of a century, of Light), Andithi Dunya (The Government loyalist, Bhai Sahib i.e., 20 years. I was no less eager Unseen World), etc. Dr. Tarlochan stopped working in association with to have the chance of meeting with Singh rightly says that "...In his him. During the period of Bhai you and talking together. But I was deeply pained when I learnt that concept of man evolved in about Government at the time of his you have been excommunicated two and a half centuries by Sahib arrest, and held in possesion by the from the Panth by a congregation at Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in his ten Indian Government until 1950. No Sri Akal Takht. manifestations. In spite of all these pension or benefit as a freedom high spiritual achievements, he fighter was given to him or his What is even more distressing, you always remained humble and full of family. This was because he would continue to disregard the authority humility. He made stupendous not personally seek any favour from of the Panth. It is now my request sacrifices but never publicized anyone, not even the Government that you should be obedient to the them. He never felt hatred against of free India, as a reward for his Command of the Guru Panth and even his adversaries who inflicted sacrifices in the freedom struggle. return to its shelter. Then we shall on him all types of tortures as he meet like brothers. It is my hope took all this as the Will of the Guru. Right from 1900 A.D., Bhai Sahib that you will accede to my request He had a sizable group of Randhir Singh ji had been a very and thereby please the hearts of all associates attending and well-known personality among the of us. I am confident that you will performing Kirtan at the Akhand luminaries of the Sikh Panth. During not defy the Guru Panth and will Kirtan Samagams, but he did not the days of Baba Kharak Singh's abide by the tradition coming down organize them into a separate sect leadership, he was always at the through generations. Your sincere nor establish a separate Dera or center of all religious and political well wisher (s) Randhir Singh"9 Ashram as done by many other activities of the Sikhs. However, saints. He even refused to after 1947, Akali Dal leaders started Thus, no personal relationship nominate anyone to head the Jatha sidetracking him as well as Baba would deflect Bhai Sahib from as his successor and instructed that Kharak Singh, treating both as un- obeying in letter and spirit the edicts all the matters of importance and persons. This was mainly because, of the Guru Panth issued from Sri urgency be decided by the Panj in their company, the Akali and Akal Takht Sahib. Pyaras selected by the Sangat for other leaders could not afford to that purpose. fulfill their own selfish ends. Bhal Conclusion Sahib, noting decadence in the He never even requested the Panthic leadership, had himself This very brief sketch of his life Government of the Independent remarked a few years before his given above brings out clearly that India to release his land, which had death: he lived the life of the highest been confiscated by the British