Remembering Professor Puran Singh Ji

Professor Puran Singh Ji is one the most prominent Gursikhs of the early 20th century. He was poet, philosopher, mystic and writer, who made a huge contribution to Sikhi and Punjabi literature.

A SHORT GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OF
PROFESSOR PURAN SINGH JI (1881-1931)

BACKGROUND

Professor Puran Singh Ji was born into a Sikh family in the Pothohar area around Rawalpindi in north-western Punjab. He was born into a religious family who were all Amritdharis (committed initiated Sikhs) in quite modest circumstances. He himself took Amrit (Sikh initiation) at a young age. Puran Singh Ji was naturally very gifted in his studies and did well at a British run school and college in Punjab.

STUDYING ABROAD

In 1990, Puran Singh Ji had not yet graduated but was one of two students selected to go and study science in Tokyo through a scheme setup by the Sikh community. Being a teenager, travelling to Japan was an amazing experience but it was also challenging to having to learn not only Japanese but also German, which was the language that science was taught in Tokyo.

THE BUDDHIST MONK

Puran Singh Ji fell in love with the Japanese way of life, the Buddha, and Buddhism. He ended up cutting his God-given hair and became a Buddhist “Bhikshu” (monk). He adopted the brown robes of a Buddhist monk. However, he was not yet grounded in his view and would be open to more influences later on.

LOVE FOR POETRY AND FREEDOM MOVEMENT

After reading a book of the poetry of American poet Walt Whitman, he developed a love for poetry. He also made contacts with other Indians who were working to free the Indian region from British imperialist rule that led him to start an English journal called ‘The Thundering Dawn.’

THE HINDU SAGE

In 1902 a Hindu ‘Swami’ (spiritual-master) of the name of Swami Ram Tirath visited Japan after visiting America. When Puran Singh Ji met the Swami he was left mesmerised by him. Under his spell he left being a Buddhist monk and instead became a Sanyassi (renunciate) Sadhu (holy man) like the Swami and donned orange colour robes.

RETURN TO INDIA

In 1903, returning back to India, Puran Singh Ji’s family were saddened and shocked that he had shunned his Sikh identity. They were also upset that he refused to get married. Only when his dying sister appealed to him to grant her this last wish did he finally agree to get married, but he insisted on still wearing his Sanyassi (renunciate sage) robes.

 

CAREER

Puran Singh Ji used his education in chemistry to set up a partnership to manufacture essential oils for a short while. His longest period of employment was in government service, as a successful chemist working in the newly established Imperial Institute of Forestry in Dehra Doon. The title ‘Professor’, which distinguishes him from several other Puran Singhs, dates from his position on the faculty of the Institute of Forestry.

INVITATION TO SPEAK

In 1912, a Sikh educational conference was held in the city of Sialkot. Puran Singh Ji, who at the time was ‘Swami Puran Ji’ was invited as a guest to speak on the topic of agriculture. It was the rule of the organisers that whoever comes to speak at the event, Sikh or non-Sikh, must first listen to one hour of Keertan (singing of religious hymns), followed by the opening Ardaas (prayer) and Hukamnama (reading of the holy order).

 SINGING OF KEERTAN

Bhai Hira Singh Ji ‘Raagi’, a famous blessed soul was leading the singing of Keertan (singing of sacred hymns). His singing was such that when he sang his voice pierced the hearts and souls of those who listened. So much so, that people of other religious communities would tell their children to stay home if he was singing nearby, fearing that if they heard his beautiful soul stirring singing of sacred hymns they will take Amrit (initiation) and become Sikhs. At the event, Bhai Hira Singh Ji ‘Raagi’ sang the following holy hymn: “bhaav-nee saadh sangeyn, labhun-tun badd bhaagneh” (“With good fortune one is blessed with love for the Saadh Sangat, Company of the Holy.”)

TRANSFORMATION

When Swami Puran Ji heard the Keertan, he was so emotionally touched that the paper that he was holding in is hand to read from became drenched with his tears. The word he had written for his speech faded away with the dropping of his tears. Just as the writing on the paper faded away, the inner filth and stains washed away. nreadable with the tearsleft the Sikh religion. Finally, it was dediced to invited Puran Singh Ji as he was sensible and intellectual person and due to being highly impressionable to others he had been influenced by others to leave the path of Sikhi. During the conference, Prof Puran Singh Ji gave an impressive speech.

MEETING A SIKH SAINT

After giving the speech, Prof Puran Singh Ji sat next to a saintly Sikh philosopher and writer of the name ‘Bhai Veer Singh Ji’. Bhai Veer Singh Ji lovingly patted Professor Puran Singh Ji on the back and gently passed his hand over his head and said, “Puran Singh I had heard that whoever cuts God’s gifted hair, their hair becomes very rough. But your hair is still very soft even after you had it cut. What do you use on your hair?” Puran Singh Ji replied “I use scissors and a razor” Bhai Vir Singh Ji gently said, “You use metal scciors and razor on such soft hair?” Bhai Vir Singh Ji’s gentle words hit his heart and so he invited Bhai Vir Singh for dinner at his house where he discussed the Sikh faith for a long time.

REVERTING BACK TO SIKHI

Puran Singh Ji asked to stay with Bhai Vir Singh Ji. For several months Puran Singh Ji kept company with Bhai Vir Singh Ji and learnt about Sikh spirituality. Professor Puran Singh Ji asked Bhai Vir Singh Ji to get him re-baptised into Sikhi again. However, Bhai Vir Singh Ji refused. Bhai Vir Singh Ji said to Puran Singh Ji, "What hope is there that you will maintain your Sikhi? One moment you become a Buddist monk, and the next moment you become a Hindu sage. Your mind lacks stability at the moment. Become strong in yourself and then make your mind. Professor Puran Singh Ji went back to his home, from where he wrote letters to Bhai Vir Singh Ji. In these letters Puran Singh Ji explained how he is yearning for Amrit so much that he cannot go to sleep and keeps crying. In the letter he pleaded for Amrit. Reading this and realising Puran Singh Ji was now in the correct frame of mind for recieving Amrit, an Amrit Sanchaar was organised at Bhai Vir Singh Ji's house. Puran Singh Ji repented his mistake of shunning the Sikh faith and got re-baptised into a Sikh.

SAINT-SCHOLAR-WRITER

Before too long, Puran Singh Ji became frustrated with working at the Institute of Forestry, and took early retirement on grounds of ill health in 1918. His expertise in the chemical exploitation of plants and trees took him to various places. The years after his retirement from the Forestry Institute marked the period of his forties in which he undertook most of his literary activity, which was brought to an end only by his premature death from tuberculosis in 1931.