ROOTED IN SPIRITUALITY
guided by timeless values
Hazur Baba Sawan Singh ji Maharaj
Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj was born on July 27, 1858, in the village of Jatala, Punjab, into a devoted Sikh family. From an early age, he showed a deep spiritual inclination, studying Sikh scriptures and seeking a greater understanding of God.
He completed his engineering education at Thomason College, Roorkee, and served in the British Indian Military Engineering Service. Despite his professional success, Sawan Singh’s heart was drawn to spiritual truth.
In 1894, he met his Satguru, Baba Jaimal Singh Ji, in Murree and received initiation into Surat Shabd Yoga, the practice of meditation on the inner Light and Sound. After retiring in 1911, he devoted himself fully to spiritual work.
Following the passing of Baba Jaimal Singh Ji, Sawan Singh Ji became the second Satguru of the Radha Soami Satsang Beas in 1903. Known as “The Great Master,” he guided tens of thousands of disciples with teachings centered on ethical living, devotion, and meditation on the Sound Current as the path to God.
He established the Dera Baba Jaimal Singh at Beas as a spiritual center and was known for his humility and selfless service, including providing refuge during the partition of India in 1947.
Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji authored important works such as Spiritual Gems and Philosophy of the Masters, which continue to inspire seekers worldwide.
He passed away on April 2, 1948, attaining Jyoti Jot—merging into the Eternal Light—leaving a lasting spiritual legacy carried on by his successors.
Param Sant Shah Mastana Balochistani Ji
Param Sant Mastana Shah Balochistani Ji was born on August 12, 1897 in the village of Kotda, Balochistan (now in Pakistan). His birth name was Shri Khema Mal Ji. His father’s name was Shri PillaMal Ji and his mother’s name was Smt. Tulsa Bai Ji. His father passed away when he was still a child, due to which he was brought up in extremely humble and impoverished circumstances.
From the age of nine, he developed a deep inclination toward spirituality and later came into contact with Hazur Maharaj Sawan Singh Ji of Dera Beas. He received the sacred initiation (Naam Daan) from Hazur Maharaj Sawan Singh Ji, who also blessed him with the spiritual title of “Mastana”. Hence, he became widely known as Shah Mastana Ji.
Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj entrusted Shah Mastana Ji with the task of conducting spiritual discourses and teaching meditation in various areas of India. Later, under Hazur Ji’s instruction, Shah Mastana Ji established Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa, Haryana, in 1948, with the mission of selfless ervice, truth and spiritual awakening.
Though completely unlettered, Shah Mastana Ji was a divinely intoxicated and enlightened saint, known for his unique and vibrant style of spiritual discourse. He primarily spoke in the Balochistani dialect.
In the year 1948, he laid the foundation of Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa, Haryana, with the mission of selfless service, truth, and spiritual awakening.
On April 18, 1960, at the age of 63, he merged into the Divine word (Shabad Roop). Before his spiritual ascension (Joti Jot), he entrusted the entire management to Param Sant Gurbakhsh Singh Ji.
Param Sant Gurbakhsh Singh Ji (Manager Sahib Ji)
Param Sant Gurbakhsh Singh Ji, affectionately known as Manager Sahib Ji, was born on 21 November 1915 in the village of Salana in District Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. His father, Sardar Chanan Singh Ji, and his mother, Sardarni Harnam Kaur Ji, were both spiritually inclined, and their values left a quiet yet deep impression on him in his early years. After the loss of his mother in childhood, he was lovingly raised by his maternal aunt, Sardarni Ishwar Kaur Ji, in his maternal home.
His maternal grandfather, Munshi Narayan Singh Ji, was a close devotee and friend of Hazur Maharaj Sawan Singh Ji of Dera Beas. This early connection exposed the young Gurbakhsh Singh Ji to the teachings and presence of saints from a formative age. At just 13 years old, in 1928, he received Naam Daan (spiritual initiation) from Hazur Maharaj Sawan Singh Ji—a moment that would shape the course of his life.
After completing his studies, including an F.A. from D.M. College in Moga, he worked first as a Forest Officer in Nabha State and later as a manager at Delhi Cloth Mills. In 1947, his transfer from Bathinda to Sirsa marked a turning point. It was there that he came into the presence of Param Sant Shah Mastana Ji Balochistani, who was residing at the Radha Swami Satsang Bhawan in Sirsa at the time.
Drawn deeply to Shah Mastana Ji’s presence and teachings, Gurbakhsh Singh Ji became a devoted disciple, committing himself to the inner practice of Simran under his Master’s guidance. In the year 1948, Pujya Param Sant Mastana Ji laid the foundation of Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa, Haryana. In February 1949, Shah Mastana Ji honored him with the spiritual blessing of Ruhaniyat (spiritual consciousness) and gave him the title “Manager”—a name that would remain closely associated with him for the rest of his life.
In the years that followed, Manager Sahib Ji left his professional career behind and dedicated himself fully to spiritual service at Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa.. On April 18, 1960, Shah Mastana Ji merged into the Divine word, and before united with the Eternal Light, he entrusted Manager Sahib Ji with the management of Dera Sacha Sauda. When circumstances started to change at Dera Sacha Sauda, Manager Sahib Ji quietly stepped away and spent six years serving and meditating at various Deras.
On 18 February 1966, guided by inner instruction and spiritual vision, he laid the foundation of Shah Mastana Balochistani Ashram, now known as Dera Jagmalwali, in Sirsa. From humble beginnings Dera Jagmalwali grew into a sanctuary for seekers—built not just of brick and earth, but of devotion, discipline, and inner light.
Manager Sahib Ji’s teachings centered on the realization of the divine presence within. He emphasized a life of simplicity, compassion, and self-discipline, guiding disciples through the transformative practices of Simran (meditation), Satsang (spiritual gatherings), and Seva (selfless service). His calm presence and unwavering dedication offered clarity and direction to countless seekers on the spiritual path.
On 18 February 1996—thirty years to the day after establishing Dera Jagmalwali—he officially appointed Param Sant Bahadur Chand Ji as his spiritual successor through a registered Will, entrusting him with the continuation of the Dera’s mission. He left this world on 30 July 1998, but his spiritual presence continues to guide and inspire.
To this day, Param Sant Gurbakhsh Singh Ji’s life and legacy form the living foundation of Dera Jagmalwali. His example remains a source of strength and inspiration for all who seek the truth within.
Param Sant Bahadur Chand Ji (Vakil Sahib Ji)
Param Sant Bahadur Chand Ji, lovingly known as Vakil Sahib Ji, was born on 31 December 1943 in the village of Chautala, located in Tehsil Dabwali of District Sirsa, Haryana. Born into a humble farming family, he was the son of Shri Mani Ram Ji and Smt. Manohari Devi. Even as a child, Bahadur Chand Ji felt a deep and unshakable longing—to see Ram, the True Guru (Satguru)—a yearning that would quietly shape the course of his life.
He pursued higher education with focus and sincerity, completing a Bachelor of Arts from Dayanand College in Hisar, followed by an L.L.B. from Punjab University, Chandigarh. After his studies, he began practicing law at the court in Dabwali. Yet, despite his professional accomplishments, an inner call continued to grow within him—a pull toward something deeper, beyond the duties of daily life.
In 1972, at the age of 29, Bahadur Chand Ji came into the spiritual company of Param Sant Gurbakhsh Singh Ji (Manager Sahib Ji), the founder and guiding Master of Dera Jagmalwali. That same year, he received Naam Daan—spiritual initiation—from Manager Sahib Ji. The experience marked a turning point. Over the next few years, his commitment to Simran (meditation) and Seva (selfless service) deepened under the Master’s guidance.
By 1977, he had left behind his legal practice and made Dera Jagmalwali his permanent home. Living a life of sincere discipline and humility, he fully immersed himself in daily meditation and service, illuminating the inner spirit of the teachings he had received.
After the passing of Manager Sahib Ji in 1998, Bahadur Chand Ji assumed the role of spiritual Master at the age of 55. With unwavering dedication and focus, he continued the teachings of the Dera—offering Naam Daan to sincere seekers and guiding disciples with simplicity and depth. His presence radiated spiritual stillness and strength, and under his leadership, the Dera remained a place of inner growth and sincere spiritual practice.
In 2015, following the tradition of the lineage, Bahadur Chand Ji formally appointed Maharaj Birender Singh Ji as his spiritual successor through a written Will. This Will was officially registered in 2023, ensuring the continued spiritual guidance of the Dera in accordance with his wishes.
Param Sant Bahadur Chand Ji passed away on 1 August 2024. His life portrays unwavering devotion and discipline. His legacy lives on—not only in the teachings he upheld, but in the lives of those he inspired along the path.
Maharaj Birender Singh Ji
Maharaj Birender Singh Ji was born on November 21, 1979, to Shri Miyan Singh Dhillon and Smt. Santosh Devi. In 1993, at the mere age of 14, he came to Dera Jagmalwali and received Naam Daan (spiritual initiation) from Param Sant Gurbakhsh Singh Ji (Manager Sahib Ji). This sacred initiation marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to the spiritual path and dedicated service at the Dera. Since then, he has lived permanently at the Dera, focusing on meditation, learning, and seva (selfless service).
While residing at the Dera, Maharaj Ji completed his Bachelor of Arts degree and later earned an L.L.B. from Chaudhary Devi Lal University. Alongside his studies, he regularly participated in devotional singing (shabad) with Param Sant Gurbakhsh Singh Ji and Param Sant Bahadur Chand Ji.
After the passing of Manager Sahib Ji, Maharaj Birender Singh Ji served as the personal attendant to Param Sant Bahadur Chand Ji, supporting him with utmost devotion for 26 years. In 2002, he was appointed a trustee of the Dera, responsible for managing organizational affairs and logistics during Param Sant Bahadur Chand Ji’s spiritual tours.
In 2015, Param Sant Bahadur Chand Ji appointed Maharaj Birender Singh Ji as his spiritual successor through a written Will, which was officially registered in 2023. Following Vakil Sahib Ji’s passing on August 1, 2024, Maharaj Birender Singh Ji assumed full spiritual leadership of Dera Jagmalwali at age 45.
Today, Maharaj Birender Singh Ji continues to uphold and spread the teachings of the Dera, giving Naam Daan and guiding sincere seekers on the spiritual path with humility, devotion, and dedication.
