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Nov 5, 2025

In the Midst of the Modern Era: The Divine Incarnation of Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj

In a world running faster each day—where restlessness replaces reflection and possessions outweigh peace—humanity often forgets the quiet truth within. Yet, whenever the world strays too far from its centre, the Almighty sends divine souls to remind us of our purpose. One such radiant soul was Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj, the founder of Dera Sacha Sauda, whose life and teachings continue to guide countless seekers toward light and love.

Born in Kotra village, Kalat region of Balochistan, in 1891, to Shri Pillamal Ji and Mata Tulsa Bai Ji, Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj showed from childhood a rare detachment from the world and a deep longing for the Divine. Under the guidance of His revered Guru, Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj of Beas, He received the sacred command to spread the truth and uplift humanity through remembrance of God, compassion, and selfless service.

In April 1948, He founded Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa, Haryana—where seekers of every background could come together to learn the art of living a truthful life. He introduced the practice of receiving a holy mantra, a spiritual method of meditation through which one can rise above the cycle of birth and death and attain salvation.

Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj’s teachings were simple yet powerful—spoken not in lofty words but in truths drawn from His own experience. He taught that the real struggle of life lies within, saying:

        “सुमिरन में सारी रात गुजारना, मन के साथ लड़ना और जीते-जी मरना ही सच्ची शहादत पाना है।”

       (To spend the night in Lord’s remembrance, to fight the negative power ‘Mana’ or mind, and to die while living (the transcendental state achieved via meditation)—this            is  true martyrdom.)

He urged His followers to surrender their ego at the feet of the Guru:

      “जब तक अपना सर्वस्व सतगुरू के हवाले नहीं कर देते तब तक मन से अहंकार नहीं निकलेगा।”

     (Until you hand over your entire being to the True Guru, the ego will not depart from the mind.)

For Him, love was the purest form of devotion:

     “प्रेम में सतगुरू के सिवाए और किसी के लिए जगह नहीं रहती … सुमिरन ऐसा करें कि ये पता न रहे कि सुमिरन है कि मैं हूं।”

     (In true love there is no place for anyone other than the Guru…Remember Him so deeply that you can no longer discern between His Remembrance and yourself.)

And to those wandering in worldly desires, He offered this gentle reminder:

     “तूने अपने अनगिनत श्वास विषय-विकारों में ऐसे ही गुजार दिए। यदि तू अपने प्यारे सतगुरू से लिव लगाए तो उस सच्चे मुर्शिद के दर्श-दीदार करने के काबिल बन सकता है।”

     (You have spent countless breaths lost in distractions. If you link your heart with your beloved True Guru, you become worthy of beholding the Divine.)

Through such words, Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj showed that spirituality is not an escape from life, but a way to live it with awareness, humility, and love. He never asked for wealth or recognition—only for truthfulness in action, purity in thought, and devotion in remembrance.

Even today, His message continues to echo through the hearts of His followers: that the greatest victory is mastery over oneself, the greatest service is to uplift another soul, and the greatest prayer is a heart full of love for the Divine.

In this sacred lineage there is no fracture: the one light that shone through Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj continues seamlessly through Shah Satnam Ji Maharaj and now in Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Maharaj. Their names may differ, yet the mission remains unchanged — to awaken the inner soul through meditation, love, truth and service. Under this unified consciousness, Dera Sacha Sauda has grown into a vast movement of service-work: millions of blood donors, tree plantings, disaster relief efforts, and social upliftment campaigns reflect the same purpose that began over seven decades ago. In this “third body,” the work of compassion, remembrance and human transformation stands as proof that the Light does not fade — it merely takes new form.