Has Nirankari Mission's Ideology Changed?

Many people have wondered if Mission’s ideology on the subject of Mukti or Moksha has changed.

Those who studied the era of Baba Avtar Singh ji, and heard or read his Vichaars (discourses) have been comparing it with Baba Gurbachan Singh ji and Baba Hardev Singh ji’s discourses. They notice a change in their basic ideology.

Baba Avtar Singh ji used to say “Undoubtedly you will get Mukti or Moksha once you have the Brahm-Gyana”.

It was understood by many that Moksha is guaranteed after receiving the Gyana, and that nothing else is needed, and a Gyani is not bound by any of his or her actions.

Baba Gurbachan Singh ji and then Baba Hardev Singh ji later said “Moksha is not something that you will get automatically after receiving the Gyana. One must live according to the Gyana; follow it with right conduct and actions.”

Did the ideology of the later period of the mission and Gurus change?

Some believe that Moksha is an award - granted by the Guru. That the Guru can grant it to anyone he chooses to. They even quote a line form the Gurubani to support their view:

“Karmi Aave kapadaa – Nadarin Mokh duaar”

Meaning it is the grace through which one gets the Moksha not the Karma.

According to them, Baba Avtar Singh ji chose to grant Moksha to everyone who took Gyana during his period. However, Baba Gurubachan Singh ji changed his strategy and added that good Karma is also essential, and Baba Hardev ji continued the same.

This statement raises doubts and questions in the minds of many - especially those who try to understand everything thoroughly.

However, I strongly believe that the ideology of the Gurus has not changed at all.

A young boy was leaving for his school when his father said to him: “Most likely it’s going to rain in the afternoon. Take this umbrella with you. You won’t get wet when you come back.”

The boy took the umbrella. It did rain indeed, and the boy came back home without getting wet.

Many years passed. This young boy grew, got married and had a son of his own. One cloudy morning, his son was leaving for the school. The boy, who is a father now, said to his son: “Most likely it’s going to rain in the afternoon. Take this umbrella with you. You won’t get wet when you come back.”

The boy took the umbrella. It did rain indeed and the boy came back home soaking wet, water dripping from his face and clothes.

Father looked at him and wondered why he was soaking wet.

“Did you not have the umbrella with you?” He asked.

The boy answered “Yes I did. But it did not do anything”

“Did you open the umbrella?” Father asked.

“What?” the boy said. “You never told me that I had to open it.”

If you read again, the phrase said by the grandfather and the father was exactly the same. The young boy in the first scenario did not get wet. He understood, without being told, that the umbrella has to be opened. But the boy in the second scenario, the grandson, took it literally. He did not try to understand the real meaning of taking the umbrella, and so, was not able to save himself from the rain.

Similarly, the people who came to Baba Avtar Singh ji were real seekers; with a long history of Bhakti and Karam-kaand. They were thinkers who had studied Holy Scriptures and were focused on their path. They did not have to be told that ‘having Gyan’ means they have to follow it, and live accordingly. They understood it very well.

Later, the time changed and the crowd of devotees also changed.

Baba Gurbachan Singh ji saw that many devotees do not understand what ‘having Gyana’ means. They are taking it only as a ritual. So, he had to spell it out, that one has to follow the Gyana and live accordingly with appropriate Karmas to achieve Moksha.

Did the philosophy of the Mission change?

Did the ideology of the Gurus change?

No.

It’s the crowd of seekers and devotees that has changed.

All three Gurus, Baba Avtar ji, Baba Gurbachan ji and Baba Hardev ji said the same thing. Only the later had to spell it out – to explain it in detail so that their devotees can understand it properly.

It’s not different at all.  It’s like saying:

“Take the umbrella - but you must open it too”

                  ‘Rajan Sachdeva’