THE PASSING OP

THE MASTER AT 3EAS _o-0-o-

An account by Dr. Pierre Schmidt, who had attended the Master in 1938
and flew to India in December 1947 to attend Him for the last three
months of His life.
Our Master, Sri Hazur Sardar Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj of Beas, passed away
on the 2nd April 1948. It was my privilege to close His eyes and to be
at His side at the supreme moment of His passing. I am still permeated
throughout my being by the searching way in which He looked at me when He
said "Au Revoir" and I ifill never forget the peace which He thereby
brought to my soul.
-o-o-o-oAs has been written elsewhere, a true Master is a human being of flesh
and blood who is born and who dies in the same manner as each one of us.
He seeks no privileges and never uses His powers to help Him submit to
the laws of nature.
It may seem curious to those who have not studied these matters that the
majority of Masters have died of some illness, often of a very serious
nature. Rama Krishna, though a Saint had cancer of the tongue. Our
Master had a malignant tumor of the bladder.
How easy it would be for them to cure themselves, but we must realize
that such illnesses are solely due to the karma of their disciples, whom
they have initiated, and which they have accepted as a burden to be borne
on our behalf. The Master at Beas initiated more than one hundred and
fifty thousand souls! That karma is the cause of the Masters' physical
suffering, which they have to undergo as necessary, and that .s why we
disciples are bound together as one in Him.
#
To reduce this grievous burden which bears on those whom they worship,
disciples should follow faithfully the instructions and counsels received
on initiation. We should realize too that it fills a Master with the
greatest joy to learn that a disciple is making spiritual progress.
For a whole year the Master at Beas had been suffering from serious
haemorrhages which were only checked with difficulty, and in November 1947
all hope of recovery vanished. The most competent doctor in the Punjab
gave it as his opinion that the Master would not live more than a few
weeks.
- IX - 4 The anaemia became so pronounced that He was taken to a clinic in
Amritsar, 40 kilometers from Beas, where He arrived almost moribund.
Here He was given two blood transfusions. The first was very
successful. For the second, the original donor was not available and
another, a satsangi, was proposed, but the Master asked the surgeon not
to proceed. The surgeon, however, insisted and replied that there was no
one else available, that the transfusion was indispensable, that the
blood group had been carefully tested and that there was nothing to fear
- on the contrary.
The result was catastrophic. Almost immediately after the transfusion was
started it had to be stopped, the Master being seized with a serious
chill, then a syncope and He was thought to have died. The doctors
decided that all was over and, on leaving the room, declared that the end

had come. Thousands of disciples started to pray for their Master's

recovery. However, some hours later, very very slowly, almost
imperceptibly, He began to breathe again and His heart began to beat
with its usual rhythm. He returned to life, but the haemorrhages soon
recurred. On this the chief surgeon decided that an urgent operation was
essential and, foreseeing opposition on the part of His family and the
principal disciples, he went to try and get the consent of the Master
Himself, who nodded His head in agreement,
Kirpal Singh, one of the principal disciples, who was at Dehli, was
informed and arrived two hours before the operation was due. He came amd
bowed before the Master, whom he found very prostrated and exhausted and
scarcely able to speak. He asked Him if He really wished an operation to
be performed. The Master nodded. Again he asked if this waS-His own wish
for, he said, " We know Master that you are able to undergo all possible
trials and that, whether you are in this world or the next, you will
always submit to what has to be, but we
are striving to keep you, we still
have need of you, of your advice, of 3rour influence. I have never yet
asked a favour of you, but today, I come to beseech you to grant me one
thing - delay the operation until Dr. Schmidt of Geneva can come and see
you - I implore yott." The Master did not reply but signed that He wished
to be left alone. But next morning at quarter to five He felt a little
better and sent for Kirpal Singh. He said to him: " Very well, you may
rest assured, I will wait. " And when the surgeon came He told him that
He was too weak for an immediate operation and would prefer to wait until
His powers of resistance were greater and they were better able to judge
the opportune moment.
(Continued in Bulletin No. X.)
7

^- IX - 5 -

BULLETINS IN LOOSE LEAF BINDERS

We have re-mimeographed some R. 3. bulletins that were out of

print.
We are making up sets of Bulletins Numbered I to IX
inclusive. We are binding them in loose leaf binders with
hard covers. We will send one of these sets with cover to
any person who has received the R. S. initiation, without any
charge whatever, postage prepaid.
For years the stencil cutting and mimeograph duplicating for
bulletins was without cost by Satsangi Marion Shanafelt,
who was a public stenographer. She put her heart into that
effort. The product shows high skill, and she is entitled to
a great deal of gratitude from the members. Lately she sold
her business and retired.
This makes it necessary for us to do our o>m stencil cutting
and mimeograph duplicating. We need a mimeograph to replace

the old No. 7 Neostyle that served us so faithfully for many

years. Its operation is unnecessarily laborious.
It is now badly obsolete. The makers have brought out a
series of five new model mimeographs, end No. 420, the lowest
in price but one, appears to fill our wants, and we have
arranged a purchase for $283.04.
As ever heretofore, no one is asked to contribute. However,
some have requested the privilege of helping out, and this is
to explain the opportunity. Donations from members only,
in amounts of from one cent to ten dollars toward this purchase
will be gladly received.
- IX - 6 j? 1 E I A J? 1 M I _ A _T S A N G

Bulletin No.

TES PASSING

_o-o-0-o-oOF

Page 1. :

TEg MAST5R AT

CONTINUED PECM BULLETIN

No_.

BEAS

IX.

-o-o-O-o-oIt was then that I received a cable from the Master, not worded as
a command but addressed ns a Master speaks to His disciples,
tactful, thoughtfal and as only a Master can do these things.
It
was worded as follows: "Suffering vesical papilloma bordering
maliganey; come if convenient.
Sawsn Singh Maharaj".

The Master had already foreseen arid moae all arrangements for my
voyage to India, because, for the first time in 25 years of practice,
I had arranged to be free from Christmas until the end of January to
translate a homoeopathic work. As soon ss I received the cable, I
telephoned for a reservatior by air from Geneva to Bombay and vi'as told
that there was one berth available on Christmas Day.
Some
complications regarding my passport and currency arose because of the
short time before my departure, but everything adjusted itself
miraculously and I was able to leave Christmas Day, finding myself in
Bombay 36 hours later.
Here, thanks to the devotion of many Sotsangis, I was able to secure a
seat in tba plane from Bombay to Delhi. From this capital of India a
do-voted disciple drove me in his car the 250 miles to Boss,
arriving at the Dera in time' for the very important Satsang on the
anniversary of the departure of Baba Jaimal Singh--our Master's
Master -the last big Satsang to be held in the presence f the Master.
At the end of the
Satsang, which was attended by more than 50,000
devotees, it was drizzling slightly, when suddenly there appeared a
complete rainbow which seemed to envelope t h e gathering lika a special

blessing for the

Master

and His

children.

During the fir s t month of my stay the Mast3r rallied; His jaundice
lessened.
Ee was able to go for three drives in His car amd,
at the end of January, with Eis stick in His
right hand and
supporting Himself with His left hand on my shoulder, made o lost
t o u r of His garden.

1
- X - 1 -

But from February He could not climb the stairs and had
to be carried up in a chair and from March He did not leave
His room again.
Darshan (a view of Him) had to be given
by the Master appearing and standing in front of the
window.
But soon Ke could only sit up and then it
had to be granted whil

He was lying in bed.

The last Darshan took, place on the 28th March, although His
pulse was 110 and Ke was very weak.
The Master's bed was
inclined at an angle to the window so that the people in the
courtyard below could see Him.
This lasted 45 minutes, during
which time 40,000 Satssngis filed past their Master, their hands
together, their eyes wet with emotion and devotion, below the
window of His room and at the rate of 1000 disciples a minute!
This scene made one of the deepest impressions on me of my whole
stay at the Dera,
IFor
wasthree
to be at the bedside
several
months times daily, to be
His side His
and often with
describe end
my observations
such intimacy J
of my Master truly right by hand in mine.
received from

How can I the impressions I

But my position was not easy for I was unable so to speak., to

talk to Him alone but only through interpreters.
I heard
around me a language I did not understand and only by their
expressions could I gauge the reactions of His entourage.
At
first there were always eight, if not more,
at each visit and what I felt
to realise
patient, to surrender to His
wishes, who issued the orders.
people in the room, greatest
problem was the Master end the

>' be the

when to discriminate between In the

first instance I had ; ':.',8 second

case it was I

He was very brave and underwent without complaint all the treatments I
had to give Him, massage, Chinese acupuncture etc., but those around
Him, with all their fears, their conflicting advice on what should or
should not be done, made me feel that I was continually being tested.
I learned during those three months what the "path of the disciples"
signified, what was meant by the words "resignation, being
stripped of self,
in fact the true

meaning of
unconditional gift of
"surrender".

all one's being'

-X-2It was now understood, not in theory but actually, what was the
significance of the tale of King Janak from whom was demanded the
renunciation of all power and riches, his abdication as a king to
become instead a humble servant and the renunciation of not only his
body but even his mind to his Master.
Master asks us to consider that henceforth us, that all possessions
should be dedicated to the Master, though He takes nothing. He
wishes us to adopt the frame of mind of one who is approaching death
and realizes that no worldly possessions can accompany him.
The Master asks everything but Himself takes nothing.
I thought I would be in India for two or, at the most,three months. I
made all my arrangements to leave a lucrative and all-absorbing
practice, to ensure that the salaries of my staff and all the expenses
a big household would be met after the cost of the journey by air in
India andfurthermore, I was unable to be with my family for the
Christmas and the New Year festivities. But I mention this solely to
emphasise that at no moment did I have any hesitation or the least
inquietude.
At times there are problems which cannot be dealt with through the
mind; one follows a certain course because one realizes that a higher
and a protective poiver is directing and guiding one.
I was actually
away for 4 months and the future was to prove that my confidence in my
mission was not misplaced.
Curious circumstances, which I had never
dreamt of, showed me how I was constantly under the protection and
influence of the Master. As regards my finances, the timely and
unexpected maturing of an insurance policy taken out 10 years ago
enabled me to meet all of my obligations easily on my return.
When I look back I realize how completely the Master had foreseon the
whole situation. Here are some examples:
Four months before I left for India despite my very busy circumstances,
I had accepted a doctor as a pupil in Homoeopathy and he agreed to act
as "locum tenens" during my absence, a position he filled most
satisfactorily and helpfully.

X - 3-

Again, the aeroplane in which. I was to return came to grief

at Shannon, another was destroyed by fire at Karachi; a few

days before ray return from Bombay, a plane of the same

Company crashed in Ireland. I was constantly protected
and, despite a terrible storm one night over Babylon on my
return journey, I was able to reach my country by a route
over Mt. Blanc during perfect weather and to arrive at
Geneva under the most favorable conditions.
As regards the medical aspects of my visit:
As soon as I arrived at the Dera I insisted on having two days
in which to observe my patient without expressing myself
regarding my observations so that I could have time to decide
on the necessary treatment. Then and for the rest of the
three months,
I visited Him every day at 4:50 A.M., 8:00
A.M., 3:00 P.M., 9:00 P.M. I am happy to feel that
Homoeopathy and the "acupuncture" treatment were able to
alleviate very considerably the sufferings of the Master and
paved the way for a perfect passing. During these three months
we had numerous alarms, haemorrhages and other distressing
complications and on each occasion were able to overcome them.
But the ability to assimilate any food became almost impossible
and the Master entered a phase of serious inanition which
necessitated the consideration of other methods of feeding which
were repugnant to me. At this moment, thanks to Dr. Stone
of Chicago, we were able to discover a kind of concentrated
food which transformed His condition, stopped the grave
symptoms of inanition, cutaneous haemorrhages,, prostration
etc., and, thanks to some ozonated pills, we were again filled
with hope.
But unfortunately the weakness increased and the
sickness developed; happily however without accentuating the
sufferings of our beloved patient.
The Master welcomed every new form of treatment but always
wished to have the reason for its use explained.
His exact
questions showed how intelligently He followed the course of
our efforts to help Him.
It can be appreciated how difficult
was the doctor's task to know that every day and many times a
day devoted disciples, verbally and by letter, suggested new
treatments, or sending for their own or some prominent doctor
from the four corners of the earth, to save the Master; in fact
there was no lack of counsel or criticism.
- X - 4 but I was touched by the confidence of my Master who insisted that each
proposal was first submitted to me and He accepted my verdict, which,
however, I always had to justify. One "yes" or "no" was not enough, I
had to furnish precise arguments for or against the new remedies or
means proposed.
I have the great joy of realizing that the Master,
even after the most interesting discussions, always abided by my
decision.
From the point of view of His physiological reactions and pathological
manifestations the Master reacted like any other human being.
From this point of view nothing distinguished Him as a Master despite
the most fantastic interpretations of His servants or intimates.

He died peacefully despite the serious conditions of His illness,

without injections or opiates used, the simple means being perfectly
effective. He went to His rest quietly, without pain or anguish, the
gradually the pulse and respiration subsiding gradually like a lamp
burns itself out. At the supreme moment, a few minutes after the heart
ceased to beat - a slight movement of the jaw and a turn of head to the
right, a final inspiration with His eyes directed upward, then a
dilation of the pupil formed the ultimate manifestations of life in
this Great Master.
-o-o-o-O-O-O-o-o-oI feel I must relate two instances that revealed Him as a Master even
during this period of grave distress:
1. Some weeks before His death the Master asked, to be brought some
water from Jullundur, about 40 kilometers from the Dera, and when it
was brought He asked why they had gone to collect it.
Another evening he said to us "Look at the light which shines in
Jullundur" although there was only a slight glow over the city. I
thought these were indications of delirium such as is met with in
uraemia.
Another day He said "Look at this house in which I now live, it is
disintegrating and falling in ruins.
We must leave the Dera and. go
to Jullundur.

"Quickly, buy a new house':

This seemed to be symptomatic of a
state of weakness and mental obnubilation which comes
paroxysmically in such conditions. But later we realized what
Ee meant, for it was His Way of indicating His successor, who
came from Jullundur: It x^as to tell us that henceforth the
light would come from there and that He had finished His task,
for Sardar Bahadur Jagat Singh was born at Jullundur.
2. Two weeks before His death, on the afternoon of the 20th
March, as He was more Himself and at ease mentally and
physically, He was able to sit up in bed and gave His Darshan
to more than 400 Satsangis from His window. Then at 1:30
P,M,in the presence of His eldest son, an elderly, white
bearded man of 68, His grandson, His private secretary, His
faithful servant Bibi Rail, and myself, the secretary handed
Him the paper on which he had written the last wishes of the
Master which He had issued the previous evening. The Master
asked for His spectacles; then, having quietly and carefully
adjusted them, He took the paper with a slightly trembling
hand, He read slowly and with the greatest care each line
from beginning to end, then, looking at the secretary, He
handed him back the paper without speaking. He rested then
for a good five minutes, blinking and looking before Him as
though He seemed to be reflecting while everywhere there was an
intense and unusual silence. Then He asked for the document
again, read it with the same care and handed it back to the
secretary, asking him to read it aloud, which he did. When he
had read out the document the secretary asked the Master:
"Is it all right?" and the Master replied: "Yes", making at

the same time a sign of acquiescence with His head. Then He

asked for His pen. I handed Him mine. Pen in hand, He looked
interrogatively at His grandson, in whom He had always had the
greatest confidence, and signed the precious document
signifying the choice of His successor and His last wishes.
I endorsed this signature with an important declaration that
the Master was in full possession of His faculties and had
signed of His own free will and under no constraint or
pressure.
What dignity in a serene and transcendent atmosphere; what a
noble expression in His look, in His gestures, although
tremulous, and in His whole attitude!
- X - 6 It filled us to overflowing and brought as to
His holy feet with hands joined and hear ts
full of emotion at the act which He had
completed. To think that He was there alive and
that what Ha had .just done announced that soon
He would no longer be with us in the flesh!
I will never forget this silence and, even
more so, the complete peace which seemed to
permeate us with an infinite blessing.
Seated across His bed, supported on a big
cushion of blue velvet, wrapped in a shawl of
white angora wool, bareheaded without a turban
and with on ineffable look in His eyes, from
which radiated His supreme authority and His
spiritual power, from Him emanated something I
cannot describe, it was so profound and
supernatural,
We felt very small and very
negligible before One who knew all.
Then we
became as it were permeated by a serenity, an
inner peace, which made us forget the world
wherein we live; we ceased to be conscious even
of ourselves; our eyes filled with tears of
joy, bathed as we were in the beatific
atmosphere of this Great Master.
Dr.

PIERRE

SCHMIDT.

B e a s
A p r i l ,

1948

-o-o-O-O-O-O-o-o-

- X - 7 -