Early Life
Both parents were learned and pious souls and belonged to a Sidhu family. His Holiness was the sole child of his parents.
His Holiness grew up to be an eminent landlord of the village. He used to love God as a child and wanted to become one with Him from a very tender age. This ambition led him to start the journey of finding his perfect spiritual master who would fulfill his desire of achieving God. During this quest for Nirvana, His Holiness met several people who were great devotees of God. He also listened to their teachings and practiced what they taught. Unfortunately, he wasn’t successful in his quest so quickly.
Finally, His Holiness got the chance to attend a spiritual discourse of Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj, followed by his pious Darshan. His Holiness was impressed by Shah Mastana Ji and felt that he could perhaps be his perfect spiritual Master, the One he was searching for. And he tried to follow this revered saint with utmost sincerity and devotion. He also started attending Satsangs (spiritual congregations) of Shah Mastana Ji. This process took place for three consecutive years. During the same time, he selflessly served his fellow disciples.
What was surprising was that whenever His Holiness expressed the desire to learn meditation from his Master, he would be refused with the reply, “When the timing is right, I will call you on my own and will bless you with the Naam. Kaal (Time or Negative energy) will not harm you in any manner till that time. You can keep attending the Satsangs.”
And the day came: 14th March 1954. Shah Mastana Ji conducted a Satsang (spiritual discourse) in the village of Ghukeyanwali near Sirsa. And at the completion of the Satsang, Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj called Shah Satnam Singh Ji Maharaj and said, “Come inside and sit near the chair. Tonight the order from Almighty has come to teach you Meditation (Naam).” Making Shah Satnam Ji sit by his side, Shah Mastana Ji said, “I have called you for Meditation (Naam) and have made you sit by my side as I have to entrust you with a very special responsibility. You will be that leader of ‘Zindaram’ (Spirituality) who will shower the blessings of the Naam (Meditation) on the world.”
“Sant bachan palte nahin, palat jaye brahamand”
Words uttered by a Perfect Saint are reflected in reality, in the Universe. There is no way to change the words once they are uttered. Even if that requires the law of the Universe to change, so be it, but His words never fail.
28th February 1960: Finally, Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj revealed this secret to the world, and why he came to be called ‘Shah Satnam Singh Ji’. Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj, who made His Holiness the successor to the Dera Sacha Sauda Sirsa, blessed him with the Spiritual Wealth and honored him by the name of ‘Shah Satnam Singh Ji’.
Shah Mastana Ji said, “I tested Satnam Singh Ji in every manner without him being aware of it. Shah Satnam Singh Ji had to demolish his house and bear humiliation to learn the Method of Meditation (the Holy Naam).” He added, “Today, I have transformed Sardar Satnam Singh Ji from an ordinary person to the Supreme Being.” He further explained why Shah Mastana Ji chose the name ‘Satnam’ for his successor. He said, “Satnam is the power which controls the Universe. It is the supporting power due to which the world exists.”
Shah Mastana Ji expressed a doubt, asking, “Only a part of the world’s population believes in Saints and others pay no attention to them. How will they get salvation if their souls are gripped in the cycle of birth and death (Cycle of Transmigration)?” Later, Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj added, “The soul of any person who utters ‘Satnam’ or who has His (Shah Satnam Singh Ji’s) pious Darshan will never go to Hell.”
His Holiness, in front of a massive public gathering in the Dera Sacha Sauda, openly declared Shah Satnam Singh Ji as his Spiritual Successor. Shah Mastana Ji also carried out a mass procession in the streets of Sirsa to make the people of Sirsa aware that Sardar Sahib Ji of Jalalana was the new spiritual head of the Dera Sacha Sauda.
Shah Mastana Ji left for his heavenly abode on 18th April 1960.
Social Service
Taking charge of the Dera, Shah Satnam Singh Ji built the building of the Dera Sacha Sauda Sirsa on the foundation laid by Shah Mastana Ji. His Holiness expanded the ashrams built by Shah Mastana Ji and built a new ashram in Barnava near Meerut (Uttar Pradesh). He also wrote more than 20 books and 1500 hymns in different languages, which have been very impressive and yet simple to understand.
As per the sweet will of Shah Mastana Ji, Shah Satnam Ji started an exemplary system of marriages in the Ashram. In this system, marriages are held in a very simple manner without any superstition, custom, extravagance nor dowry. This system is still practiced.
3 years after Mastana Ji Maharaj’s departure… 1963
Param Pita Shah Satnam Singh Ji started to give Naam to people. His Holiness carried out this assigned task with utmost dedication for over 27 years, from 1963 to 1990. He also showered unforgettable blessings and love upon his followers. His Holiness held Spiritual discourses (Satsangs) across 2250 villages and many cities of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. His Holiness initiated 11,08,429 souls on the path of God-realization in a period of 27 years and 4 months. He made lakhs of people realize the presence of God by teaching them the Method of Meditation, inspiring lakhs of people to give up non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and illicit sex.
The Desire to Retire… 1989
Param Pita Shah Satnam Singh Ji expressed his desire to hand over the reign to a deserving successor. For this, he regularly met and consulted his disciples for about a year and two months. This was done so that the authenticity of the successor isn’t doubted later. His Holiness declared, “I don’t want any confusion or infringement to arise regarding the successor as has happened earlier. Thus, I will appoint my successor in a grand and magnificent manner like it hasn’t been seen before, nor will it be seen ever again!”
The Successor… 23rd September 1990
A formal ceremony was held in Dera Sacha Sauda. A huge following of devotees were present. His Holiness appointed and declared Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan as his successor. He also declared, “Divine blessings have been showered on Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan as per the order of Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj. It was the will of the Lord and so it has happened. I have appointed Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan as my successor.”