This interview was conducted in the village of Lalauda on January 30, 2025, during the month long Simran camp being held there under the aegis of PMKCT.
- Q - Bhai Sahib Ji, can you share some brief information about yourself?
A - I was born in this very village of Lalauda, jurisdiction under the city of Tohana, Haryana in 1992. From childhood itself I found our house environment was strongly inclined towards Gurbani. My Grandfather (Dada Ji) and my mother were very religious, and we had Guru Granth Sahib’s Parkash room in our house since 1968, which fostered my religious grooming. My Grandfather was also Sarpanch (Chief) of the village Lalauda, while my father was a bank Manager.
My initial schooling was in DAV School, Tohana. Then I did my BA from Government College, Tohana. It was followed by MA (Punjabi) from Khalsa College, Patiala. Then, I also did B Ed. and was teaching grade 1 and 2 students in Tohana, when I decided to change course.
- Q - How did you embark on this mission of preaching Sikhism?
A - In 2011, I started the preaching of Sikhism full time. During that time, I met a Moni Sant who used to visit us in our house. He practicedTantar-Mantar on me as my body was in pain and he also put me on that path. Then in 2012, I contacted Bhai Sewa Singh Tarmala and started doing Simran (Meditation). In June 2012, I experienced “Anhad Naad” (Unstruck Sound) in my ears, and in October 2012, I experienced “Amrit Ras” (Nectar of life). Then in 2014, I experienced “Sach Pargat” (Witnessing Truth). It was like an out-of-body experience. Basically, these three can be viewed as hearing the divine sound, then experiencing sweet tasting nectar in the mouth, and experiencing the divine light within. I was in Patiala then doing my MA there. After that, I decided to hold a meditation camp for our friends and acquaintances. So, we had a rental place where we organized it, and 16 attendees participated in it.
In 2015, my father had Hepatitis, and he passed away. So, there were incidents of this nature which derailed me from my chosen path. But after about 6 – 8 months period gap, I was back on track. In 2016 again, a similar thing happened after my marriage, but then after some time I was back on schedule. So, life went on.
- Q - How do you balance your family responsibilities with your mission responsibilities?
A - Truly this is a gift of the Guru Ji. My house responsibilities are minimal, as those are all shouldered by my wife and my mother. Also, as mentioned earlier my father had a government bank job providing stable income. This has lifted the burden off my shoulders and made life less challenging.
Besides, we have 22 acres farm land. Through it the financial needs of the family are also secured. So, I am able to devote my time to my passion of sharing Guru Ji’s message.
- Q - What prompted you to set up Prabh Milne Ka Chao – Tohana (PMKCT)?
A - The objective was the propagation of the Sikhi path of meditation, which was not being carried out. We held the first full-fledged session in Ludhiana in 2017. Then the first overseas reach out outside of India was with a session in Malaysia in 2019. Buoyed by the response after Malaysia, I had Gurmat tours of Canada and Dubai in 2022. Next in 2024, I went on a long trip to Europe covering countries Austria, France, Germany etc.
- Q - What is the mission of PMKCT?
A - The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a depository of “Anahad”, “Jot” and “Sach”, but it is not being talked about and shared. Gurbani says:
ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਦੈ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
“Sabh meh jot jot hai soi. Tis dhai chaanan sabh meh chaanan hoi.”
Translation: Amongst all is the Light-You are that Light. By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all.
In addition to propagating Gurbani, our organization also helps citizens when natural disasters like floods strike. We even help and financially support helping young people get married.
At present, our organization has 38 Parcharaks (Preachers) in the dedicated service, who have different roles and geographical areas assigned to them based on their abilities, familiarity with areas under their jurisdiction, and personal experience.
We also have our own welfare society Brahm Sewa Society in Tohana, which is engaged in social activities besides spreading Gurmat. The social endeavors range from helping poor families in times of need, like Corona time and helping flood victims when there is flood in Punjab and Haryana. Besides those, our society also helps poor children financially and also by providing other resources, and even to the needy adults at the time of their marriage, and sometimes even with kids school fees.
- Q - You have laid a very strong emphasis on Meditation (Simran). Please share why it is so essential and its benefits.
A – Because Simran enables us to experience and merge in the Creator. Once thar takes place all worries, doubts, doublemindedness disappears. The person experiences total calmness which in Gurbani is termed as “Sahaj”.
- Q - What have been the response to your initiatives?
A - The first initiative was in 2018 when we organized a 10 day camp in Patiala. The camp was focused in three areas, namely – Healthy diet on Wheat Grass, Yoga for health (with trained Yoga teachers), and Meditation for soul. Unfortunately, just 3 days before the program start it had to be pulled as the place that was being rented out was withdrawn by landlord, because of pressure exerted on him. Then we made changes in location and held the program in Sector 22, Ludhiana for 5 days. Next Camp was organized in Jallandhar for 5 days. In January 2025 a camp in Lalauda village which is undergoing now has been attended by 300 to 500 people.
- Q - E What are your future plans?
A - The efforts are to spread the message of Simran worldwide. This can only be effective when the Parcharaks (Preachers) leading these efforts have personal experiences which they can share with the sangat/attendees. The future camps will be for Abhiassis (Practitioners), where they can hone their meditation skills under supervised conditions. As the message gets out and personal experiences are shared, the interest in it will blossom through word of mouth. Through these practices and camps the message of world peace will spread.
- Q - What is your impression on the challenges to Sikhism?
A - It is a challenging time for Sikhs. We lack the unity, and universal problems like drugs are a real menace. Other faiths such as Christianity are making inroads, while we are busy in fighting and not coming to the aid of the vulnerable-to -conversion in the community. The Christians and Muslims support their brethren, but we are at each other’s neck. We need to become more cooperative as a community and learn from the Jews to be more cohesive.
Another area which can help is getting involved in Simran (meditation) then with Braham Gyan (Knowledge of Divine) the chasm can be bridged.
- Q - How do you think the path of Sikhism will benefit mankind?
A - In Sikhism Guru Ji’s have prescribed the worship of light and sound of Formless One (Nirankar). Sikhism talks about entire humanity, and it shares those virtues which are gems of entire mankind. All the infrastructure for that human being who can perceive a worldwide vision is there in it. Sikhism talks about loving the entire mankind and espouses no hate for anyone. This is a worldwide vision, which anyone and everyone can embrace.
- Q - Drugs and its addition has been a serious menace, what can be done to combat it?
A - Consumption of drugs weakens the inside of the man and his spirit. In contrast, when the mind is engaged in listening to Gurbani and Katha, plus meditation (Simran/Shabad Da Abihas) the inside and the spirit are strengthened. It is because the way of life is changed through these practices.
We have been organizing de-addiction camps in the past, which last 1-1/2 to 2 months. After that period the addicts become free of addiction. When that happens, parents can take their addict child back, but they are required to keep monitoring, so that he stays drug free. Four kids who attended the de-addiction camps in the past have also decided to keep their hair back, and tie turban.
- Q - The English word for the Punjabi word “Phornae” is “Random Thoughts”. Can you share its cause and its cure?
A - The cause of these random/intrusive thoughts is the result of the imbalance in the air circulation between the nostrils. The right nostril is Sun (Pingla/ Pingula/Tamo characteristics) and left nostril is Moon (Ida/EiRaa/Rajo). When we harmonize our breathing, we experience more balanced physical and mental health. When left and Right are balanced you will discover the Random Thoughts will seize. This was the way even the Yogis have been creating balance to stop the wandering nature of mind.
ਇੜਾ ਪਿੰਗੁਲਾ ਅਉਰੁ ਸੁਖਮਨਾ ਪਉਨੈ ਬੰਧਿ ਰਹਾਉਗੋ ॥
ਚੰਦੁ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਦੁਇ ਸਮ ਕਰਿ ਰਾਖਉ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਜੋਤਿ ਮਿਲਿ ਜਾਉਗੋ ॥੨॥
“EiRaa pingulaa aaur sukhmanaa paunai ba(n)dh rahaaugo.
“Chand sooraj dhui sam kar raakhau braham jot mil jaaugo. 2.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 973)
Translation: Then, I shall no longer control the breath through the energy channels of the Ida, Pingala and Sushumana. I look upon both the moon and the sun as the same, and I shall merge in the Light of God. ||2||
So, when the breath is balanced the air flow is through the central channel called Sukhmanna, and not through either the left or right channels. This is way the person lives in the present instead of the past or future with hopes and desires, then the random thoughts will cease. Gurbani says:
ਆਸਾ ਮਨਸਾ ਜਲਾਇ ਤੂ ਹੋਇ ਰਹੁ ਮਿਹਮਾਣੁ ॥
“Aasaa manasaa jalai too hoi rahu mihamaan.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 646)
Translation: Burn away your hopes and desires and live like a guest in this world.
The cause of friction in society and the world is because of the differences of opinion, which is caused by the imbalance in the air flow in both the nostrils. But when the flow is balanced, and one engages in Simran (Remembrance) one can experience a merger in Truth. They will be hearing blissful sounds, and will be in total calm state:
ਅਨਹਦੁ ਵਾਜੈ ਸਹਜਿ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ॥ ਸਬਦਿ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਰੇ ਸਦ ਕੇਲਾ ॥ ਸਹਜ ਗੁਫਾ ਮਹਿ ਤਾੜੀ ਲਾਈ ਆਸਣੁ ਊਚ ਸਵਾਰਿਆ ਜੀਉ ॥੧॥
“Anahadh vaajai sahaj suhelaa. Sabadh anand kare sadh kelaa. Sahaj gufaa meh taaRee laiee aasan uooch savaariaa jeeau. 1.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 97)
Translation: (Through the blessings) The Unstruck Melody (of God Praises) resounds and resonates within in a blissful state. I rejoice in the eternal bliss of the Word of the Shabad. In the cave of intuitive wisdom I sit, absorbed in the silent trance of the Primal Void. I have obtained my seat in the heavens. ||1||
Here are a few more quotes expressing the experience of divine sounds:
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਅਨਹਦ ਝੁਨਕਾਰ ॥
“Prabh kai simaran anahadh jhunakaar.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 263)
Translation: By remembering God in meditation, the unstruck melody keeps resonating within.
ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਦਿਸੈ ਸਬਦੁ ਕਮਾਇ ॥
“Sahib meraa sadhaa hai dhisai sabadh kamai.” (SGGS, Pg. No. 509)
Translation: My Master is eternal. But He becomes visible only when we mold ourselves in accordance with the Word (Shabad).
- Q - In your talks you use a term “Akaht Katha”, can you elaborate on it?
A - “Katha” is a religious exposition. It is of three types:
Historical Narrative
Stories of Miracles
And the third is “Akaht Katha”.
In the “Akaht Katha” exposition of Truth (Such), Celestial Sound (Naad), and Naam is shared. All the above three aspects are covered on the basis of Gurbani. The Truth (Such) is very challenging to describe, and what is described is also incomplete as that can only be experienced, but words cannot fully describe it.
Thank you Bhai Sahib Ji for your valuable time to answer these questions. We wish your mission a great success in your mission to spread the Naam Simran. Thank you again and best wishes to you.
