Ratwara Sahib 4.61

Founder
Sant Baba Waryam Singh Ji (1918-2001)
www.ratwarasahib.in

His Holiness Sant Baba Waryam Singh Ji (1918-2001) the megapersonality round whom VISHAV GURMAT ROHANI MISSION revolves, was born in village Dhamot – a large multifaith village in the district of Ludhiana (Punjab). He was the true inheritor of the spiritual wealth of the Great Sikh Gurus through the blessings and spiritual training of His Holiness Sant Baba Isher Singh Ji Maharaj of Rara Sahib - his mentor with whom he came in intimate contact early in life in a dramatic way and in whom he had implicit unswerving faith. Baba Waryam Singh ji used to make frequent trips to Gurudwara Karamsar Rara Sahib, Distt. Ludhiana, punctuated by long stays there as an inmate. By a queer turn of events, he became an itinerant preacher of Sikhism in Sind in the early years of youth (in the thirties of the 20th century). Later, as per the instructions of Baba Isher Singh Ji he went to Delhi to work with a firm and later enlisted in the army, being stationed at Patiala. After the dissolution of Pepsu in the mid-fifties of the 20th century, he entered civil life, worked some time at Jalandhar and was finally transferred to Chandigarh Civil Secretariat, where he worked in Home Department till 1966 where he got the chance to work with such well-known administrators as Mr. Fletcher. He exhibited his profound understanding of the topology of the undivided Punjab, preventing floods by suggesting proactive measures in advance thus protecting life and property of the people of the state. His philosophy here is summed up in the dictum, "The whole world is my House of God-my Gurudwara". Herein during the lunch time, he delivered short talks to an odd assortment of people on Naam Simran – the chanting of the Name of God. The wheel of fortune was again to turn for him when once again in 1966 obeying the orders of Baba Isher Singh Ji, he wended his way to U.P. where his family had purchased land. He worked indefatigably hard on it and made it fit for perfect cultivation. Along with this, he also preached in the Terai area of U.P. without any ulterior motive of any kind in a totally selfless way. For about 12 years he remained in U.P., cultivating his land and propagating the true message of Sikhism in this area simultaneously. Back in Chandigarh in 1978 for sometime he looked for allies and likeminded people who could lend him helping hand in his task of dissemination of true teachings of Sikhism at a new place. Being somewhat disappointed with their armchair approach, he jumped into this arena singlehandedly trusting to God, beginning his discourses cum devotional singing from the village Sarangpur which fell in U.T., Chandigarh. There was no looking back. Minor or major ailments even such serious conditions as heart by-pass could hardly stand in the way of his preaching activity. While delivering discourses some kind of divine intoxication seemed to overwhelm him and also his audience which took everyone beyond time and space.

To be present in his discourse was to be present in Guru's abode. As long as he preached anywhere, anytime & at any place, he never accepted any money from anyone but when people made some offerings, he always spent those offerings for the welfare of the public & in Guru Ka Langar (the community Kitchen)

After the establishment of Head quarters of VISHAV GURMAT ROHANI MISSION – Gurudwara Isher Parkash, Ratwara Sahib and preaching in this area for 23-24 years approximately at the age of 84, he bid farewell to his mortal world and merged in Divine light in 2001 plunging all his disciples in inexpressible grief and sadness. But even today the moments spent with him at his feet are as fresh and alive in the minds of the congregation as if it were yesterday only. Nobody can ever forget his kindness, philanthropy, affection and love & a passion for spreading the true teachings of SHRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI.

At the time of his departure from this world Baba Ji had himself appointed Baba Lakhbir Singh Ji as his worthy successor to head the Mission and hold discourses-cum-singing sessions to preach the message of SHRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI after him which he has been duly and devotedly been doing ever since then. The mission started by Sant Maharaj is continuing all the programmes and projects vigorously and devotedly.
Present Chairman
Baba Lakhbir Singh Ji

Although originally belonging to Punjab, the present chairman of the Trust (VGRMCT) Ratwara Sahib, Baba Lakhbir Singh Ji comes of a family settled in U.P. which had fallen en bloc under the charismatic spiritual charm of His Holiness Sant Baba Waryam Singh Ji when he preached there till 1978. It is a kind of paradox that whereas Baba Waryam Singh had gone to U.P. (Uttar Pradesh) from Punjab under the instructions of Sant Baba Isher Singh Ji Maharaj of Rara Sahib, he was called from U.P. to Punjab by Baba Waryam Singh Ji to accelerate the pace of spreading the teachings of Sikhism. Baba Lakhbir Singh Ji had come under his magic spell in the late sixties as an youth and was asked to prefix his devotional singing of a beginner before the commencement of the proper discourse of Sant Baba Waryam Singh Ji or to suffix it at the conclusion. Two of his younger brothers are pious disciples of the Gurus who undoubtedly have attained to sainthood as is clear from the discourses delivered by them at great religious diwans.
As spelled out and desired by Sant Baba Waryam Singh Ji, the mantle of spiritual leadership was assumed by Baba Lakhbir Singh Ji in 2001 at the conclusion of the Bhog ceremony of His Holiness Baba Waryam Singh ji Maharaj.
Tall, well-built & reminiscent of the older generation of Sikh warriors, he is an image of piety, saintliness and brotherliness. He has never been in anger, never used harsh word, always seen in cool temper with an imperceptible smile and a glow on his face. He is benevolent kind and loving with the booming reverberating voice of a heavenly gifted singer which pierces through the hearts of the listeners and resounds in them for days together.
He never seems to boss on others. He assigns duties not like a hard taskmaster but like an elder brother who guides and exhorts you all the time with don’t-worry-I’m-always-with-you assurance in his words.
His discourses in the true tradition of the past are scholarly, learned and informed by his own personal experience, understanding and knowledge. His discourses give a delight, rasa, and are full of bliss and joy which can be obtained only by attending them. In his discourses he truly propagates the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. May the notes of his harmonium continue to mingle melodies in the atmosphere to purify it and make it holy forever and for all! He has truly filled the gap of spirituality, created by passing away of Sant Maharaj Baba Waryam Singh Ji. His spiritual discourses in diwans at Ratwara Sahib and other cities of Punjab, beyond and abroad are so inspiring that these seem to be true replica of his mentor. Sant Maharaj Ji has chiselled him so well in all the fields - spiritual, social, developmental etc. so that the responsibility of running the Trust could be safely transferred in the experienced hands of Baba Lakhbir Singh Ji. And he has proved it by his intelligence, cooperative nature and spiritual blessings of Satguru and Sant Waryam Singh Ji. As a result of which all the institutions of the Trust (VGRMCT) are not only running up smoothly but making tremendous progress. He is getting full cooperation and dedicated services of all viz. Shriman Karnail Singh Ji, Baba Harpal Singh Ji, Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji (USA) and all other dignitaries and Sangat of India and abroad.