Chandigarh, September 26 — Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that austerity, restraint and self-discipline are the greatest assets in human life. He said true victory does not lie in defeating someone else, but in conquering the anger, greed, ego and hatred within oneself.
The Chief Minister was the chief guest at the Sarv Dharam Sammelan organised in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, on the sacred occasion of the 532nd Prakash Parv of Baba Sri Chand Ji Maharaj, the elder son of First Patshah Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and Purnamashi.
Welcoming the saints and religious leaders attending the programme, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the forms of worship, ways of offering prayers, attire and languages of different religions may vary, but the ultimate goal is the same- to awaken love within human beings, overcome ego, serve those who are suffering and connect with the Almighty. He said the Sarv Dharam Sammelan conveys the living message of Punjab’s great culture, which brings hearts together and places humanity above all.
Shedding light on the life of Baba Sri Chand Ji Maharaj, the Chief Minister said that born in 1494, Baba Sri Chand Ji’s life was an extraordinary example of renunciation, austerity and spiritual practice. He said that during difficult times, the saints made an invaluable contribution by taking care of religious places and taking the messages of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to the people.
The Chief Minister thanked revered Baba Sukhdev Singh Bedi Ji, a 16th-generation descendant of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the organiser of the programme, for connecting the sacred Prakash Parv with the Sarv Dharam Sammelan and bringing people from all sections of society together on one platform.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said Haryana and Punjab were not only geographically close but also shared a common civilisation, culture and heritage of saints. He said the sacred memories of the Guru tradition and Udasi saints remained alive at several places in Haryana, including Kurukshetra, Pehowa, Kaithal, Jind, Sirsa and Ambala. He added that on the soil of Punjab, he had always experienced a sense of belonging and brotherhood.
The Chief Minister expressed concern that drugs, violence, stress and growing distraction were weakening the youth. He urged young people to imbibe self-discipline from Baba Sri Chand Ji Maharaj, the spirit of service from Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and courage from the Guru tradition, and channel their energy towards education, sports, employment, entrepreneurship and nation-building.
Referring to the Gurbani message, “Pavan Guru, Paani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat,” the Chief Minister emphasised the need to link religious programmes with cleanliness, water conservation and tree plantation. He said that planting a sapling, helping a person in need and helping a young person become free from drugs on the occasion of the Prakash Parv would be a true expression of devotion to Baba Sri Chand Ji Maharaj.
