Satguru Darshan Das

Satguru Darshan Das (Punjabi: ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਦਾਸ (Gurumukhi); सतगुरू दर्शन दास (Hindi); pronunciation Saat-Goo-roo Dahr-shuhn Daas; born as Darshan Lal Vasudev on 7th December, 1953 – 11 November 1987).https://rabbidarshan.com/mahraz-darshan-das-ji/biography/ also referred to as Maharaj Darshan Das or Baba Darshan Das was the founder of Sachkhand Nanak Dham, an organisation that emphasises on practising humanitarianism under the guidance of a living Guru as a path to reach Sachkhand (the abode of almighty)https://www.sachkhandnanakdham.com/about-us/.
Satguru Darshan Das is said to have gained spiritual calling at the age of 17 post which he started his global journey to teach people message of one God. Maharaj Darshan preaching’s were based on 5 principles – Sach (to always speak the truth), Sidak (to be content in every circumstance), Sadh Sangat (to seek truth from perfect spiritual master (Guru)), Sarbat da bhala (to be always ready to help others and serve the needy), and Shahadat (to sacrifice the five biggest evils of uncontrollable human nature – anger, lust, attachment, pride and greed).
Guru Darshan has written several songs, Ghazal and Qawwali on God, nationalism and divine love. His poetic Shabad are registered in self-published books, key one being Yashwanti Niradhar Dham – 1 which is composed of about 300 hymns and considered as holy book by Satguru Darshan Das followershttps://rabbidarshan.com/das-dharam/.
== Biography ==
=== Birth ===
Darshan Lal Vasudev was born on 7th December 1953 in Batala, Punjab, India to a Jaat Brahmin family. Satguru Darshan Das followers believe that he was destined for greatness and many birth stories are associated with Maharaj Darshan Das birth. In one instance, a stranger had called out to Darshan’s father, Sri Jagannath and predicted that he was about to be blessed with a divine son who has come to help the world. The stranger further informed that his son will bring him honour and that he will be known throughout the world. Darshan Das home was close to Kandh Sahib Gurudwara and people living close by claim that Monks visiting the Gurudwara would often come to pay obesience to young Darshan Das as well.
=== Family and early life ===
Maharaj Darshan’s father and mother were Sri Jagannath and Srimati Channan Dei. Sri Jagannath worked as a sweets confectioner while Srimati Channan Dei was a homemaker. Maharaj Darshan also has two sisters Darshana and Satya). Maharaj Darshan spend majority of his young age in Batala, Punjab.
At the age of 17, Darshan moved to his aunt’s place in Jalandhar, Punjab to work. It is said that one day while heading to work Darshan heard an oracle – “do the work for which you have been sent to earth". Two days post this incidence, Darshan developed unique powers - he was able to tell another person’s thought, inform on the whereabouts of anyone and give solution on any Sangat. Due to this within days number of followers paying visit to Darshan Das increased and people began to refer him as Baba Darshan.
One 4th March 1976, Baba Darshan married Bibi Usha Rani. They had two sons, Trilochan Darshan Das and Dhyano Darshan Das. Trilochan Darshan Das is the current spiritual successor to Sachkhand Nanak Dhamhttps://www.sachkhandnanakdham.com/spiritual-masters/sant-trilochan-darshan-das/.
== Sachkhand Nanak Dham centres ==
Sachkhand Nanak Dham stands for ‘the true home for Almighty’. The purpose of these centres is to provide a platform for all people to meet irrespective of their religion and help in realisation of God through service of humanity. Guru Darshan set up three centers during his lifetime. In 1973, the first centre was set up in Batala, Punjab. It was set up at the same place where it is said Maharaj Darshan Das had first meet a Godly power.
In 1977, second centre was established in Loni, Ghaziabad. It is said that the land of Loni was completely barren with saline underground water when the land was procured for centre establishment. However Satguru Darshan Das is believed to have transformed the place with his spiritual powers post which the underground water source turned into fresh water and the land become fertile. The number of followers also grew significantly post setting up of Loni centre and people from abroad also started to pay visit.
In 1979, Satguru Darshan Das did his first international travel to England. Post this, Maharaj Darshan Das travelled to England many times and each time the sangat kept growing. In 1982, third spiritual centre was established in Birmingham, England. It was the first centre ever established in England by a saint
== Das Dharam ==
Das Dharam was established in 1980 in Loni Centre as a practical arm of mission under which all members should strive to serve humanity. Maharaj Darshan Das also gave a slogan on this day – “Nanak Naam Chardi Klaa, Tere Bhanne Sarbat Da Bhalla” - which translates to “In the name of the Supreme Power, do something good for someone else in your life.”https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sachkhand_Nanak_Dhaam
Das means the servant of humanity and Dharma means the path of God. Das Dharam followers believe in one God who never takes birth nor dies. They meditate on the word of God as given to them by Guru and serve the needy as their karma. There are 5 principles of Das Dharam namely Sach (Truth), Sidak (Contentment), Sadh Sangat (congregation), Sarbat da bhala (Truth) and Shahadat (Sacrifice).
== Peace Convention ==
On 31st October, 1984 then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards post which erupted 1984 anti-Sikh riots riots nationwide. The violence reached Sachkhand Nanak Dham Loni centre also and 12 members of sangat were killed. Maharaj Darshan being a preacher of brotherhood and peace, opposed riots by organising an Ekta Sammelan (Peace convention) at the NEC in Birmingham, England on 11th November, 1984. Darshan Das covered number of points which mainly emphasised on the importance of peace and brotherhood in society. A number of other religious groups and Asian organisations along with High commissioners of India had also participated in the convention. As per Maharaj Darshan's followers, his message which was well-received by all attendees.
== Final years ==
Maharaj Darshan Das spend the last three years of his life in England. Post the riots, there was growing unrest in India with two main thought segments pervading - extremists versus moderate. Maharaj Darshan opposition on further division of India did not settle well with Sikh extremists and on 11th November, 1987 during a Satsang in Southhall, two terrorists Rajinder Singh and Manjit Singh, shot him in the back of his head in front of hundreds of followers. Two followers, Baba Satwant Singh and Chacha Joga Singh were also killed along with Maharaj Darshan Dashttps://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/international/story/19871215-religious-twist-to-sikh-violence-in-britain-799608-1987-12-15
== References ==
Category:Indian Sikhs
Category:Indian people
Category:1953 births