Baba Buta Singh Baba Avtar Singh, Baba Gurbachan Singh Baba Hardev Singh

The inception of the Mission dates back to the early nineteenth century when Baba Buta Singh, at the age of 40, realized brahma gyan or knowledge of God. The Mission had its formal beginning in May 1929, when Baba Avtar Singh, the second satguru, received brahma-gyan from Baba Buta Singh and joined him in spreading the word among the people. The two formed a team until Baba Buta Singh breathed his last in 1943 and the satguru manifested in Baba Avtar Singh.

One of the unique attributes of Baba Avtar Singh is that during his lifetime itself he took a decision to revert from the satguru to an ordinary devotee. Because of his humble decision, he is still referred to as the dearest of all Nirankaris. Thereafter, the torch was handed over to Baba Gurbachan Singh.

Unfortunately, Baba Gurbachan Singh was assassinated on April 24, 1980, thanks to the resistance of the Sikh community to this breakaway sect that revolved around a live guru. Such a practice runs against their allegiance to the Guru Granth Sahib, and has therefore earned the Nirankaris their antagonism. It was the darkest moment of the Mission's history, but it also proved to be its greatest. Baba Gurbachan Singh's young son, Hardev, was made the new satguru. The Nirankaris were inflamed and agitated by the traumatic event and thirsting for revenge. Though taught to surrender to the will of God, they found it hard to practice this lofty ideal.

Despite his own grief, both as a son and disciple, young Hardev rose nobly to the occasion. In his very first discourse, he said, "If there is anyone who should be ready to take revenge for Baba Gurbachanji's assassination, it should be me. But if I do so I will not be emulating the ideals of humanity set by him, for which he laid down his life. If I tread the path of revenge, I would neither be his son nor his disciple."

What could have destroyed the Mission became instead a source of inspiration, that spurred the Nirankaris to spread the teaching with even greater zeal all over the world. The mission has sparked off a veritable spiritual revolution not just in India but in countries like USA, Canada, UK, Germany and Australia.

Even as I acquaint myself with their history, Baba Hardev Singh, the present satguru of the spiritual lineage of Nirankari mentors, makes his appearance, clad in a spotless white kurta-pajama. He takes a place beside us, though a high alter chair had been thoughtfully placed in an authoritative corner of the room for him. I am struck by his serene and unpretentious appearance. The smile on his face is effulgent; he affectionately looks around, and satisfied with the settings, centers his focus upon us. Excerpts from the interview:

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