Chapter from book “Forever with Master, vol. 1” by Dr Harbhajan Singh
Work at Dehra Dun
While in Manav Kendra, Dehra Dun, the work was going on, Master stressed the very importance of selfless service with devotion and with all sweet remembrance of the Master to all brothers and sisters. The holy places thus made, serve as lighthouse for the coming generation to follow the footsteps of the Master.
Those working with good thoughts, good deeds and goo actions leave remarkable impressions in the Mission of the Master. With hundreds of brothers and sisters working there much work was finished in the shortest possible time.
His purpose there was to establish a common ground for all people to get together. And now there exist a Sarovar, a library for comparative study of all religions, a hospital for the needy and sick, a fathers’ home for the old and poor, a school, a common kitchen, a beautiful open stage for Satsang and a big tank for drinking-water; all these are interconnected by roads.
Master had pains all over the body
Since some years Master had pains in His whole body. He used homeopathic medicine off and on to cure the pains, but slowly the pains got stronger. Master also suffered from cough and bad cold together and from a mild enlargement of prostate gland, too.
Master told the reason of His pains
Doctors administered various medicines, but Master could never get right. Master asked me to search for a good medicine, but before choosing the medicine I asked Master, “Do You suffer from rheumatic pains?” He said, “No.” — “Do You suffer from any muscular or local pain?” . . . “No.” — “Do You feel comfortable after rest?” . . . “No,” He said, “after rest I am more restless, and it pains heavily.”
I asked, “Master, is it right that Master Power, when taking rest, materializes and manifests into thousand forms and performs His inner and outer work, a work which no one else can do?”
Master told me that He must go wherever a disciple does something wrong and that He has to bear the consequences thereof.
( Note: In 1963, Master was asked in USA, “Will there be a third world war?” Master told, “Father cannot see His children dying.” )
I further said, “Master, Your one disciple who meditates sees You working for all human beings. Throughout the world You go to clear the black clouds of hatred and wrath. That disciple saw You many times in a smoky and fire-like atmosphere within.”
Master replied, “This is right. Master has to bear all that on His shoulders.” Master told me further, “You know my disease and you can search a medicine.”
With Master in Dehra Dun in 1971
I consulted some doctors and treated Master by a ten-injection-course that I continued to inject on alternate days.
I performed my duties in my hospital up to 12.00 a.m., then got a train from Amritsar to Ambala and from Ambala to Saharanpur. Thereafter I took a taxi, and after 9 to 10 hours I came to Master to give Him an injection. This was my regular routine till nine injections were given.
That day there were many brothers and sisters from the West in Dehra Dun, and Master was having a heart-to-heart talk with them. Master called me there, and lovably told to all brothers and sisters, “Here, look at a foolish doctor who does not believe in other doctors, and travels nearly one thousand kilometers to give me an injection. Well, look here, now you don’t come again for injection!” I bowed down and said, “Well, Master, for that purpose I won’t come.”
But on the alternate day I arrived at 11.30 p.m., since the train got late. Master was still busy replying the letters. Master looked at me and said, “Again you came tonight?” I replied, “Master, not for injection.” Master said, “Then how?” I answered, “I have come to see, whether You already got the injection or not.” Master looking into my eyes with gracious attention said, “Due to much work I forgot.”
I gave the injection and begged leave, but Master told, “Tonight I won’t let you go.” I said, “Master, I must reach there tomorrow in the morning because of a severe case in my hospital.”
The way to Saharanpur is through the forests. Master told the taxi-driver, “This is my child, who I love very much, You take him up to the train compartment and come back and tell me about the departure of the train. I will pay you the money for coming and going.”
Baba Jaimal Singh told about the sickness of Master
While I was in Amritsar, Baba Jaimal Singh appeared to my wife Surinder Kaur within and told, “Your Master is very sick at Dehra Dun and you go to Delhi.”
Along with my wife and Ranbir Singh from Chandighar I rushed to Delhi and found the Master in a very critical condition. Master’s abdomen was full of water. I asked, “Master, how do You feel?” Master looking at my wife asked, “Who met you within and what He told you about?” She told that she met Baba Jaimal Singh Ji and Baba Sawan Singh Ji. Baba Jaimal Singh told, “Kirpal Singh is taking homeopathic medicine, with which He won’t get alright. He needs further treatment.” Master asked, “Did Hazur Baba Sawan Singh speak?” She told, “No, He did not speak anything.” Master said, “Yes, this is right.”
I came to know through Tai Ji, that in spite of many requests Master did not take any medicine. I asked the reason, and Tai Ji told that Master insisted to go. He preferred to go than to stay, as something had happened in Manav Kendra which was contrary to the teaching.
Master determined to go back
I requested Master to take the medicine, and rejecting my request, Master said, “I would not take it, even if God would tell me.”
Hearing these words, my condition became like that of an ailing patient suffering from a non-curable disease. Seeing my condition, Master said, “Only tomorrow after 8.00 a.m. I would take it and not before.”
( Note: Master determined to go back. The decision within was pending till 8.00 a.m. )
Medical tests were performed
All tests relating to the disease were performed, and doctors confirmed that it was a case of enlargement of prostate gland. One time, while giving the intravenous injection, the doctor could not find the proper vein. Then I requested the doctor, “The vein is visible to me, can I do so?” Master at once told the doctor, “Yes, he is also a doctor, let him inject.”
I injected and took out the needle, while Master asked, “For how long will it take you to inject?” I said, “Master, it is already injected.” Holding my hand Master lovably said, “We will start an eye-hospital in our home, where we will operate both, the outer and the inner eye.”
Decision for operation
The same very day Master asked all to have a meeting in the evening. Many relatives, Master’s own family-members, and some disciples gathered for the meeting at Sawan Ashram, Delhi. Master told, “This disease is a gift to me from your side. This is not from me. Now you decide what you want.”
( Note: The Master bears the reactions of the disciple’s bad deeds which he commits after initiation and Master takes them upon His own physical body. )
Doctors told that there were two methods to cure the disease: The first was to inject some medicines directly into the enlarged prostate gland, which helps the enlarged portion to collapse. Though this was the easiest and quickest method, the fear of infection existed also, since the rate of success was not more than 60 to 70 percent as told by the specialists. The second method was the standardized method, the operation. So all said, “Master, we favour the operation, not the other way of treatment.” Master replied, “My Master also suffered from this disease, but He did not survive. Yes, you can also try.”’
( Note: Master is sent in the world by God. He leaves the physical body of His own will. )
Master further told, “Those who favour the operation should raise their hand.” Except me, all raised their hand in favour of the operation.
Master asked me, “Why don’t you raise your hand?” Master further said, “Who asks him, if he does not favour the operation.” Tai Ji told, “He is also from the Sangat”, and Master sought my opinion.
We all are cobblers
I said, “Master, I have one question.” Master said, “Yes, tell!” I asked, “Master, when You do certain important work, do You do it Yourself or do You also get the suggestion or permission from Your Master?” Master very lovably replied, “For every matter my Master suggests Me.” Then I requested, “You are to suggest us, and not we You! Sitting here, we are not more than cobblers. We see You only from the physical level.” Further I requested, “Master, You give Your opinion, and we all must follow in accordance with Your opinion.”
Then I requested, “We want full assurance before You go for operation.” Master closed His eyes for a moment, then opened His eyes and said, “Don’t worry, I will be fully alright.”
Operation in Dr. Mahajan’s Hospital
Master was admitted in Dr. Mahajan’s Hospital in Delhi for the operation. It was very hot weather. The Doctor commenced the treatment through medicine to clear the filled bladder.
The Doctor’s meeting with his staff
After admission the chief doctor held a meeting with his staff-members to follow up the case. While talking, one of the staff-members not knowing the competency of the Master, said, “A Saint who lives on others has come to the hospital and his bladder is full.”
Immediately Master called me and said, “Can you do all that what they do before the operation?” I said, “Master, with Your Grace it is possible.” At once Master walked out of His room and we all came along with Him back to the Ashram.
I started with the treatment. Within three hours Master’s whole bladder was empty, and He told, that He felt alright now, and that about the operation He wanted to decide afterwards.
What happened in the Hospital
After Master had left the hospital many patients got annoyed with the treatment of the doctor, and some already left the hospital and went to another hospital.
Next day, the doctor came to the Ashram and begged pardon. “We are too ignorant to understand You”, he said, “after Your departure, a strange type of feeling prevailed, and we all are very uneasy. Take pity and come back for the treatment.” Master happily accepted, and He went back to the hospital. He even ordered to send a big cooler for the convenience of the patients there.
On June 29, 1971, the day of the operation, Tai Ji and many more members were there. Tai Ji insisted, “Master, now You are going for operation and You must get well, otherwise we would announce everywhere, that it is all falsehood.” Master replied, “Don’t be confused, it will be okay.”
Before and during the operation
The Doctor gave Master injections to make Him unconscious but it did not effect. Master asked, “Why don’t you perform the operation?” The Doctor replied, “It is only possible after the effect of the anesthesia.” Master said, “Who is conscious can never be made unconscious.”
Master closed His eyes and told him, “Well, do what you want to do.” The operation was performed successfully.
Master’s condition deteriorated after operation
Back in the room, Master’s blood-pressure went so down, that the Doctor started to give a lot of injections, but it was of no use. Sometimes they thought that Master soon would leave the body. Tai Ji, who was sitting beside said, “Master, why do You test all, when nobody can stand Your test?”
Tai Ji sent a message to me. I was in the next room, and at once I came. Master raising His both hands above said that Guru Gobind Singh told Him, “Be healthy soon! Your children working in Manav Kendra remember You and await Your arrival.”
( Note: Even during the operation Master’s attention was with His children who were doing selfless service in Manav Kendra. )
Master withdrew from the body-consciousness and the Doctor mistook it for a serious problem.
Master’s first talk after returning to the Ashram
Master said, “If you think, I am ill, you should correct that thought at once. I am not ill, only the body had to endure and that endurance is nearly finished.” Master spoke further, “Just as they had completed the operation I opened my eyes.”
The surgeon in charge was amazed, how a man could return to his senses while under so much anesthesia. He said, “I saw Your greatness on the operation table. From now onward I come to You as a devotee.”
Invitation to Dr. Mahajan into the Ashram
Dr. Mahajan and two nurses who served the Master during His illness were invited into the Ashram. Thousand disciples gathered to witness their welcome. Master sitting in the open in front of the veranda along with Dr. Mahajan gave a brief and lovable talk and thanked the Doctor for his help. Master gave some gifts to Dr. Mahajan and the two nurses.
Raising the hand of Dr. Mahajan with his hand and facing towards the Sangat, Darshan Singh, the eldest son of the Master, thanked the Doctor for giving the life to our Master.
I was standing near to the Master and I wanted to know, what Master would tell now. At once Master said, “The Doctor has not saved my life, but My Hazur has given me the life.”
Master got an infection in the Hospital
After operation, some serious problem occurred with the urine. Master was affected by hospital organism and became resistant to all medicines.
The Doctor advised some medicines which were not available in India but they could be arranged overnight from USA. After few days, He became resistant to that medicine, too. The Doctor advised another medicine which was arranged at the earliest from London. After few days He again became resistant. The examination of urine was made regularly but the infection remained constant.
Suggestion sought from Master
This problem worried all disciples very much and everyone felt unhappy. Master, since back in the Ashram, started to attend some people and used to be very tired. All this had a bad effect on His health.
Master said, “Medicine is for worldly people and there is no medicine for Me. That no one can understand.” At last, I requested the Master, “There is one of my good friends and I wanted some suggestion from Your Good Self”, which Master happily accepted to reply. I said, “He is also suffering from the same disease which You are suffering from, but he cannot afford medicine. It will be too good, if You advise some medicines for him.” Master replied, “Better he should take tea with lemon on empty stomach nearly for a week’s time and My Master will bless him.”
Soon I went to the kitchen and prepared tea with lemon. It was early in the morning and Master was with empty stomach. When I brought it to Master, I told Him, “It was for You. Who can be more dear than You?” Master’s eyes burst with tears and He took the tea which He continued to take for a fortnight, and Master got fully alright.
Master asked us from within to go back
Since it was too long for us to stay with Master, Master wanted to send us back to work. We had left our two children being 11 and 13 years old. My father and other family members being beside our house asked the children also to quit the house and follow us, and they made ugly remarks against us. My son asked his sister, “You sit in meditation and ask Master to send our parents.” Master appeared and said, “Tomorrow at 8.00 a.m., your father and mother will take tea with you.”
As per His order from within we got ready and went to Master to beg leave. Happily we agreed to go, since Master’s health was normal. Seeing us Master asked, “Why you want to go? I won’t let you go.” I answered, “No, we must go!” Master again said two, three times, “I will not allow you to go.” Then Master agreed and said, “Since you are a God’s doctor, you might be knowing my heart. Better you check the heart before going.” I went near, and Master raised His right arm and told me, “You can check my heart.” I said, “Master, Your heart is on the other side.” — “O, you know, where my heart is?”
There was no problem with His heart, it was a matter of attraction and love.
While checking, He very softly whispered in my ear, “The children remember you. You must go back.” As we had to go back to Amritsar soon, Master sent His car and His driver and asked Darshan Singh to go along with us to the railway station. On the way we (I and my wife) told him, “Today you said something contrary to the teaching. Since the coming and going is in His hand, Master Power having sympathy with His children takes lots of their karmas on His own shoulders.” He felt his ignorance and said, that in future he would be careful and conscious about such matters.
Master suffered from the reaction of one medicine
Even after recovery from the illness Master had some chest problem which remained for long time. A doctor suggested a medicine to cure the chest problem. This medicine brought a severe reaction and Master was unable even to move from the bed. The Doctor told that this reaction might cease very slowly and it might take some weeks to finish.
Tai Ji sent message
Tai Ji sent a message to me, “Master suffers from a severe reaction of a medicine, so come soon!”
Along with Inderpal Singh I reached Delhi early in the morning. Seeing the condition of the Master I returned in my room and felt very uneasy. Master sent for me. He asked me, “Why you are upset and so worried?” I replied, “Master, never we demand anything from You. Whatever You give, You give it with Your wish. At least, we wish to see You all the time in hale and healthy condition.”
Master asked, “What more you want?” I answered, “Master, I want You should at least sit and talk with all of us.” — “O, this is very easy, no problem.” Master told me, “Put your hand on the back of my head and raise my head very slowly.” I did so, and Master soon could sit in the bed. “Yes, is this what you want?” — “No, Master, I want that You should stand at least.” Master said, “Put your hand on my back and help me to stand up slowly.” I did so. Master asked, “Is this what you want?” — “No, Master, I want You to walk.”
Master caught hold of my back and slowly, slowly started to walk and then came back to His bed. Master said, “Is this enough of what you want?” I answered, “No, now You make a little heart-to-heart talk.” And He did so.
Ah, how beautiful it was with Him that time!