Dr. Nitan Sharma, Dr. Kartika Bakshi
A plethora of research connects religious belief, membership, and practice with greater well-being and life satisfaction. Various metrics have been used to measure well-being, but all show a positive correlation with religious belief and practice. For instance, a 2019 study by the Pew Research Center, which examined twenty-five countries, found that actively religious individuals are more likely to describe themselves as very happy, even when controlling for age, gender, education, and marital status. This research is particularly relevant in settings marked by fear and unpredictability, such as those affected by the 1947 displacement from POJK areas and the ongoing struggles of those living near the Line of Control (LOC).
In this context, the transformative journey of Shri Guru Gosain Mela Ram Ji emerges as a beacon of hope and psychological support. A descendant of a holy seat located in Bangang of Munjwal village near Khujratta, Tehsil Kotli, Mirpur district (now in POJK), Guru Ji’s life story is one of devotion, discipline and dedication, facing numerous upheavals from 1919 to 2000. His life began in the Bangang area of Khujratta village, where he was inspired by the teachings of Shri 1008 Satguru Baba Kanshi Giri Ji, the founder of a holy seat maintained through disciplic succession since centuries.
Irresistibly drawn to his family’s spiritual tradition, Guru Ji was motivated by his predecessor cum elder brother of his father, Guru Gosain Hira Nand Ji, and began living with him at the age of nine. This early exposure sparked his desire for spiritual knowledge, leading him to travel extensively. However, due to his family’s economic conditions, he moved to Jammu on February 27, 1935, in search of employment. Eventually, he joined the Indian army and served in various capacities for over twenty-two years, retiring in 1957. Despite the demands of service and family life, he remained committed to sharing the wisdom he had gained under Guru Gosain Hira Nand Ji.
A significant turning point in Guru Ji’s life occurred when he received a profound message at Pattan, Kashmir in a dream, where two of his ancestors instructed him to engage in spiritual service and propagate the teachings of Satguru Baba Kanshi Giri Ji. Following this revelation, he resigned from his second job and returned to his home in Bhour camp, Jammu. Soon after, he had the opportunity to address a public meeting organized by the POJK displaced committee on the eve of Ramnavmi in 1957. It was here that he recognized the urgent need to reinstate the Guru-Shishya parampara, which would provide a robust network of social support, moral guidance, and improve psychological health among his community.
In the wake of this realization, Guru Ji established a permanent seat at Banpuri, Tehsil Sunderbani in Rajouri district, approximately 80 km from Jammu. During one of his stays at Sunderbani, he also had the chance to interact with Acharya Vinoba Bhave, who was touring in connection with his famous Bhoodan Movement. To give practical meaning to the Guru-Shishya tradition, Guru Ji embarked on extensive travels across J&K and beyond, identifying his disciples scattered across various camps and assuming comprehensive responsibility for their moral and spiritual guidance, as well as social and psychological support in every aspect of their lives.
One of Guru Ji’s notable practices, rarely seen in those times and largely absent today, was his commitment to visit each disciple’s household once a year, embarking on a journey that would last about ten months. Recognizing the potential of community gatherings and the importance of ritual behavior for his disciple, many of whom had faced the horrors of partition and separation, he initiated the first annual congregation at Banpuri ashram in 1967, on the day before Baisakhi, which corresponds to 30 Chaitra in the Samvat Year (as observed before partition in Bangang and happens to be the birth anniversary of Satguru Baba Kanshi Giri Ji). This event became a pivotal moment, drawing disciples from J&K, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Haryana, fostering a sense of community and support that had been desperately needed.
As the years went by, the number of devotees attending this religious congregation steadily increased, aided by improved accessibility and facilities at the ashram. Guru Ji’s efforts not only promoted congregational friendships and a network of social and psychological support among his disciples but also played a crucial role in preserving local customs, languages, dialects, and cultural identities of displaced communities. Notably, he was instrumental in reuniting many families with their separated loved ones, further solidifying the community bond.
Guru Ji’s strong belief in the all-pervasive consciousness in all living beings motivated him to advocate for non-violence, particularly in regard to animal sacrifice in religious rituals. He imposed strict sanctions on those who engaged in this practice, leading to the gradual decline of this centuries-old tradition among his followers. Additionally, his role in strengthening traditional dispute resolution mechanisms through mediation and conciliation provided effective remedies to the community, fostering trust and harmony.
His approach to viewing the religious seat as a place of healing and education facilitated the development of coping skills, role models, and community and leadership skills among his disciples. This led to the emergence of a new generation of advocates representing marginalized and vulnerable populations in various social, political, and academic forums. They are constantly nurtured by the eleventh successor of this holy seat, Guru Gosain Brij Bhushan Ji, who was initiated by Guru Ji in this service since 1989. Although he breathed his last on October 7, 2000, Guru Ji’s mentorship continues to guide his disciples, breaking down barriers to personal, ethical, and moral growth.
Guru Ji believed that the primary goal of a Guru is to help individuals connect with their true selves, enabling them to become the best versions of themselves and contribute positively to society. His central tenet of the Guru-Shishya parampara offers a unique model of mentorship that can be leveraged to create a better world, embodying the enduring impact of spiritual leadership on individual and community well-being.
(The authors are Lecturer, The Law School, University of Jammu, and an independent Researcher)
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