Capt Purushottam Sharma (Retd)
Shri Shri 1008 Parmhamsa Bawa Lal Dayal Ji Maharaj whose 660th Birthday falls on 22 January, 2015, was born on second day of bright fortnight of Magh, Vikrami Samvat 1412, that is, on the Seventh of February, 1356, to Lala Bhola Ram and Shrimati Krishna Devi in village Amli situated in the well known town of Kasur, Lahore. He made his sojourn on this planet for pretty long period of 300 years. The zodiacal signs of birth of the child revealed that He was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He was nursed and groomed by His parents with great adoration. Serene and sweet coupled with remarkable power of imbibing. Lal Ji mastered every thing that was taught in the school. Heads and shoulders above His classmates of His age. He learnt in one day what others could do in an year. His parents named Him Lal (Ruby) because of His exceptional ‘Vivek Shakti’ (power of wisdom). At the tender age of eight years. He turned introvert, lived in comparative obscurity in pursuit of Truth wandering here and there. One day, He happened to meet Swami Chaitanya Ji Maharaj. Swami Ji welcomed Him from a distance and found in Him the earnest yearning for the Truth. Before coming close, Lal Ji had witnessed how Swami Ji cooked the rice in unique way. Swami Ji made improvised ‘chullah’ by holding his both the feet together and placed an earthen pot on it filled with rice and water. The fire in the ‘chullah’ was produced by yoga shakti. After the cooked rice was consumed by Swami Ji and his disciples, the earthen pot was thrown away. Lal Ji picked up the thrown-away-earthen-pot and part took of three grains of left over rice as ‘prasad’. He instantneously slipped into trance. On their meeting, Lal Ji was initiated to ‘sanyas deeksha’ by Swami Chaitanya Ji Maharaj.
The revered Guru called upon his Disciple to keep chanting Hari Om Tat Sai and never be tempted by sensual pleasures but generate deep ecstasy from these sacred words.
Bawa Lal Ji was made to fetch’ gopi chandan’ from Dwarka by His Master which He brought and presented to him. Pleased Master put some ‘gopi chandan’ mixed with holy dust on the Lalaat (fore-head) of his disciple Lal Ji.
Finding in Lal Ji worthy disciple, on way back from Nagar Kot, Master commanded Lal Ji to opt either of the two paths from the spot they had made a stop over, and proceed to spread the message and mission of righteousness to the people. Lal Ji with due humility submitted to the wish of His Master and set forth on His mission instilling in the people the spark of spiritual awakening. He visited almost all places of pilgrimage. On arrival from Hardwar He made an abode in a jungle near Saharanpur and stayed there for one hundred years. People of all castes and faiths rushed for His “darshan’ and to listen to His discourses A ‘langar’ (mass feeding) was thrown open to the people. 900 bighas land was also gifted to Bawa Lal Ji by the then Emperor and this place is known as Bawa Lal Ji Ka Bara.
Holy Ganga was deeply pleased with Bawa Lal Ji’s devotion. He had been regularly visiting Har-ki-Pauri to have dip. One day He could not make it and the Ma Ganga Herself appeared right at the spot near Lal Ji’s feet. He had a dip in the gushing Holy Waters. However, after some period, She advised Bawa Lal Ji to leave Saharanpur and make Punjab His next abode and so He did.
He reached Kalanaur, a small town of Punjab, hundreds of thousands of people became His ardent devotees and attended His divine discourses, sankeertans and prayers, Shri Dhyan Dass was one of deeply devoted disciples of Bawa Lal Dayal Ji. One day the Master found Dhyan Dass gloomy and made out that he was thinking of making a hermitage for the Master. Bawa Lal Ji pointed out towards a spot at six miles distance from Kalanaur suitable for an Ashram. Dhyan Dass was delighted to hear this and soon an Ashram was constructed there. Bawa Lal Ji Himself named it Dhyanpur.
Among His 22 prominent disciples, were Sh Sewa Dass, Gurmukh Lal and Kanshi Ram whom He called His ownself in the following couplet :-
“Mukh Sewa Netar Gurmukh Stan Kanshi Ram
Kamdhenu Ko Hai Jahan Lal Kio Vishram”
‘Bawa Lal Ji described Sh Sewa Dass His mouth, Sh Gurmukh Lal His eyes and Sh Kanshi Ram His celestial cow,Kamdhenu (the cow of plenty).
Prince Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan, had long sessions of conversation with Bawa Lal Dayal Ji Maharaj at Lahore on Divine knoweldge and philosophy. The conversation in the question answer form between the Prince, a pious soul, and Bawa Lal Dayal Ji, was duly recorded by Shri Jadav Dass Ji and published in a book entitled behasya Pushpa- vali or Gulzar-e-Israr.
Bawa Lal Ji’s teachings are remarkable. To swim across the ocean of ‘samsara’, there are four disciplines. Through Yoga (oneness with the God), equilibrium of mind is attained to fall in communion with the Almighty, through Vairagya (Dispassion), worldy temptations vanquish and Truth is revealed, through Yajna (Knowledge), the veil of ignorance is removed and the Divine wisdom dawns and through Bhakti (Devotion), love of God is attained. Grace of a perfect Master is essential for the aspirant.
Source of Creation is ‘naad brahm’ (primordial vibration). Atma (Soul) is eternal and unaffected by attributes of nature. Body and its organs are gross objects. In self-realization state, soul dwelling in the body is like a king sitting on the throne. In state of ignorance, the same soul is unknown king guest in some strangers house. Water is Jal Brahm for it sustains, is colourless and is present every where in pearl or mud like all pervading loving God. Jeevan Mukta is like fried seed that never sprouts because through self control he is unaffected by joys and sorrows. Whatever exists in external world exists in our inner world also. Difference between the pure and the impure is like Rama’s soldiers and Bawana’s soldiers. The former were revived whereas the latter could not be although the nector was sprayed on all the bodies lying in the battle-field.
Bawa Lal Dayal Ji Maharaj bade adieu to this world in 1656 (Vikrami Samvat 1712, 27th Kartik).
Millions of people from all over the world visit the Holy Shrine of Bawa Lal Dayal Ji Maharaj’s so called Lal Dwara to see His blessings. Devotees never return empty handed. Their prayers are answered. Childless couples are blessed with children and they are granted ‘motherhood’ and ‘fatherhood’, the most cherished wish of a house holder, serious diseases are cured. Evil influences and impurities are removed. The Shrine showers on the pilgrims peace, elation and love of the Lord of Dhyanpur.
There are hundreds of Lal Dwaras all over the country and abroad engaged in spiritual and service to manking activities. Sanskrit Vidyapeeth at Dhyanpur, a Hospital at Batala, the Farm House of the Shrine and Gowshala are some of the Institutions worth mentioning. Several other philanthropic activities are being undertaken by the Lal Dwaras which mitigate sufferings of the poor and destitute. These dwaras are abreast in relief work whenever any natural calamities befall or necessity arises. Shri Shri 1008 Maha Mandaleshwar Mahant Ram Sunder Dass Ji Maharaj Ji is the 15th Mahant in succession of Dhyanpur Shrine. All arrangements for the comfortable stay of visitors exists in the Lal Dwara. There is sufficient accommodation including multi-purpose halls and parking places. All facilities for meditation, bhajans/sankeertans and prayers are available. Construction of another two halls and about 70-75 rooms at Dhyanpur is almost on verge of completion.
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