Sardar Bahadur Jagat Singh

Maharaj Jagat Singh Ji, Sant Sat Guru, Radha Soami Satsang Beas (1948 - 1951) was born on the 20th July, 1884 at Nussi, a small village not very far from Beas. He received His education in the Mission School at Jalandhar and later took his M.Sc. degree in Chemistry. He joined the Punjab Agricultural College, Lyallpur, in 1911 as Assistant Professor of Chemistry and retired as Vice Principal of the institution in 1943.

On December 28, 1910 he was initiated into the Mystic Practice of Surat Shabd Yoga or Nam Bhakti by Huzur Maharaj Baba Sawan Singh Ji. He practised it very assiduously and conscientiously and, even as a professor, He was popularly known among the staff as well as the students as 'Guru Ji'. He had only two interests - His official duties and His spiritual practices, both of which were performed with unusual fervour. His faith in the Satguru was unshakeable.

Once, while in Lyallpur, he called upon Sain Lasuri Shar, a highly evolved ascetic, with a message from his Huzur Maharaj Baba Sawan Singh Ji. He used to carry such messages frequently between the two mystics. The ascetic was so pleased with this particular message that he embraced Sardar Bahadur Ji and offered to open up the Inner Vision immediately. The offer, to which anyone would have succumbed, was politely but firmly declined with the words that His own Master would do this as and when He thought proper.

Unremitting in the discharge of his duties, He left the imprint of a masterly mind on whatever he undertook to do; and it would be no exaggeration to say that much of the reputation of the Lyallpur College was due to his painstaking efforts. His help and guidance was sought by all, irrespective of their position, and He was a tower of strength to the administration. Although extremely tender at heart, He was a strict disciplinarian whose sound judgement, humane methods and efficient handling of situations won Him high esteem and honour.

Always ready to pass on to others the credit due to Him, never standing for any show, He was unostentatious to an amazing degree. Many are the instances where He anonymously paid fees for students, even educated some abroad, without their having ever known who the donor was and without Himself knowing the donees.

Throughout his long service He made it a point to spend most of his weekends with his Satguru (Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj) at the Dera, and many a person in Lyallpur owes initiation from Huzur Maharaj Sawan Singh Ji to His solicitude for them.

After his retirement in 1943, He spent practically all his time in meditation and Shabd Abhyas (Practice) till He assumed charge of His Master's work at Beas in April 1948 and engrossed Himself fully in carrying out the functions and duties entrusted to Him, despite His indifferent health.

He talked little, used words sparingly, went straight to the point - often quite bluntly. At such moments, His quiet brown eyes would light up with a flash.

He passed away quietly early on the morning of the 23rd October, 1951. The day before, He had dictated His will and given instructions about His funeral.

Notes and references

Kapur, D.L. (1986). "Heaven On Earth". Dera Baba Jaimal Singh: Radha Soami Satsang Beas.

External links

* [http://www.rssb.org/ Radha Soami Satsang Beas]