Chandigarh, 26 September:- Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini said that austerity, restraint and self-discipline are the greatest assets of human life. True victory does not lie in defeating someone else, but in conquering anger, greed, ego and hatred within oneself.
The Chief Minister was addressing the ‘Sarv-Dharam Sammelan’ as the chief guest on Saturday in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, organised on the sacred occasion of the 532nd Prakash Purab of Baba Sri Chand Ji Maharaj, the elder son of First Patshahi Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and Purnima.
Welcoming the saints and religious leaders who attended the programme, the Chief Minister said that although the methods of worship, ways of prayer, attire and languages of different religions may vary, their destination is the same. It is to awaken love within human beings, eliminate ego, serve those in distress and connect with the Almighty. This Sarv-Dharam Sammelan is a living message of the great culture of Punjab that connects hearts and places humanity above all.
Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini, while shedding light on the life of Baba Sri Chand Ji Maharaj, said that born in 1494, Baba Sri Chand Ji’s life is a unique example of renunciation, austerity and spiritual practice. The saints made an invaluable contribution during difficult times by taking care of religious places and taking the messages of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to every household.
The Chief Minister thanked revered Baba Sukhdev Singh Bedi Ji, a 16th-generation descendant of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and organiser of the programme, for connecting the sacred Prakash Purab with the Sarv-Dharam Sammelan and bringing the entire society together on one platform.
Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana and Punjab are not only geographically close, but the civilisation, culture and heritage of saints of both states are also shared. On the sacred land of Haryana, the sacred memories of the Guru tradition and Udasi saints are still alive at several places including Kurukshetra, Pehowa, Kaithal, Jind, Sirsa and Ambala. He said that on the land of Punjab, he always experiences a sense of belonging and brotherhood.
The Chief Minister expressed concern that drugs, violence, stress and distraction are weakening the younger generation today. He urged the youth to learn self-discipline from Baba Sri Chand Ji Maharaj, 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 Pani Pita Mata Dharat’, the Chief Minister stressed linking religious programmes with cleanliness, water conservation and plantation. He said that planting a sapling on the occasion of the Prakash Purab, helping someone in need and making the youth drug-free would be the true devotion to Baba Sri Chand Ji.
