By Amarjit S. Buttar

Below is reproduced a news story about several missions having been set up in various parts of Punjab and elsewhere to propagate the “Lords” name as the panaca of all ills. “

However, it is for the Sikh theologians and religious bodies like the S.G.P.C, to pronounce its Verdict whether such miracles as described below are in tune with Guru Hargobind’s address to his ‘son Baba Atal who brought back to life his playmate Mohan “Thou must be working miracles while I teach men to obey God’s will”. The Guru on this occasion said “This world is perishable. Everything is the sport of death.

When emperor Aurangzeb asked the ninth Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur to perform a miracle or embrace Islam, the Guru replied that a miracle was the wrath of God and to undo what God had done would be a crime against heaven. When Mati Dass talked of destroying the Mughal rule, the Guru remonstrated that man must accept and) obey the will of God, Even after repeated solicitations of the Emperor to accept Islam or work a miracle, the Guru replied in the same purport as before and ‘was executed. I do not know of the setting up ‘of such “Nam therapy” missions by Hardial Singh conforms to above mentioned glorious events ‘of Sikh history or not and I would leave the matter to the readers to Judge or the August Sikh religious body to pronounce a verdict.

The late S. Lal Singh Kang IAS, (Retired) of Samrala had evolved a Danda Therapy for the cure of ‘Arthritis based on his understanding and recitation as he claimed of Sukhmani the psalm of peace. ‘Gurbani for about seven hours daily for a period of two months.

In April 1981, an Xray picture of his heart was seen by the Professor of Radiology at Medical College, Patiala. To the amazement of everyone, his heart size had become normal.

1n 1983 Mr. Hardial Singh, who was then Health Secretary to the Punjab Government, wrote a treatise on the cure of ailments by reciting God’s name. The general reaction of the medical profession was that the conclusions drawn in the treatise could not be accepted unless practical results were shown.

It was in this context that in April, 1983, a five-day camp was held at Goindwal Sahib in collaboration with Dr. Harcharan Singh, a retired Professor of Medicine, The ailing participants reported total or considerable relief through the recitation of Gurbani.

Two months later a camp was organized at SAS. Nagar. This was followed by camps at Chandigarh and at Kota in Rajasthan.

The Sarb Rog Ka Aukhad ‘Naam Mission was set up in 1983 to propagate Naam therapy. Mr. Hardial Singh, who is the Chai man of the Mission, says eight camps have so far been organized.

Followers of all religions can participate in such camps, where they recite Gurbani lonely for about five hours daily. They are ‘examined by doctors and drugs are also given to those whose ailments are curable.

Mr. Hardial Singh asserts that the Mission is not connected with any religion. “Our aim is to provide the healing touch to the sick”, The Mission has branches at Ludhiana and Patiala, Kapurthala is likely to have a branch soon.

The Mission has submitted a project report to the Indian Council of Medical Research for setting up a hospital of Naam therapy. ‘The Council has accepted the proposal in principle. The Punjab Government has also been approached in this connection.

NAAM THERAPY

“Sarab Rog Ka Aukhad ‘Naam God’sname is a cure for all diseases, A unique mission to propagate this concept has been launched by Mr. Hardial Singh, a senior IAS officer of Punjab.

He strongly feels that the recitation of God’s name can cure serious diseases; He calls it “Naam therapy”.

Mr. Hardial Singh suffered from heart enlargement for several years and he underwent all available treatment, but to no avail. It was in 1980 that he went to Gurdwara Paonta Sahib and offered prayers loudly. He felt a marked relief ‘Thereafter, he continued to recite Gurbani for about seven hours daily for a period of two months, In April 1981, an Xray picture of his heart was seen by the Professor of Radiology at Medical College, Patiala. To the amazement of everyone, his heart size had become normal.

1n 1983 Mr. Hardial Singh, who was then Health Secretary to the Punjab Government, wrote a treatise on the cure of ailments by reciting God’s name. The general reaction of the medical profession was that the conclusions drawn in the treatise could not be accepted unless practical results were shown.

It was in this context that in April, 1983, a five-day camp was held at Goindwal Sahib in collaboration with Dr. Harcharan Singh, a retired Professor of Medicine, The ailing participants reported total or considerable relief through the recitation of Gurbani.

Two months later a camp was organized at SAS. Nagar. This was followed by camps at Chandigarh and at Kota in Rajasthan.

The Sarb Rog Ka Aukhad Naam Mission was set up in 1983 to propagate Naam therapy. Mr. Hardial Singh, who is the Chai man of the Mission, says eight camps have so far been organized.

Followers of all religions can participate in such camps, where they recite Gurbani londly for about five hours daily. They are ‘examined by doctors and drugs are also given to those whose ailments are curable.

Mr. Hardial Singh asserts that the Mission is not connected with any religion. “Our aim is to provide the healing touch to the sick”, The Mission has branches at Ludhiana and Patiala, Kapurthala is likely to have a branch soon.

The Mission has submitted a project report to the Indian Council of Medical Research for setting up a hospital of Naam therapy. ‘The Council has accepted the proposal in principle. The Punjab Government has also been approached in this connection.

Article extracted from this publication >>  October 2, 1987