To the thousands of followers of his followers, Baba Virsa Singh Ji (Babaji) is considered a holy person of biblical proportions. Since the time of his youth, Babaji has been recognized for his powerful spirituality.

Babaji was born and raised in Sarawan Bodla, Punjab, India in a mud brick village. As a youth he helped on the family’s farm clearing brush and weeds until one day he was overcome by the guilt of having caused harm to the plants he was cutting. Babaji felt he had committed a great sin and prayed to be released from that particular duty. As he prayed, painful sores began appearing on his feet rendering him unable to stand and work. From that day on, Baba Virsa Singh Ji spent his days meditating under the tree known as the Ber Sahib.

The followers of Babaji believe he was struck with a vision of Baba Siri Chand (also spelled Baba Sri Chand), the eldest son of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak. Baba Virsa Singh Ji was also given instructions through vision by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The boy became recognized for his spiritual and healing capabilities by villagers in the area. Many people are said to have been miraculously healed at the hands of Babaji.

Throughout his life, Babaji moved from place to place preaching peace and understanding and reminding people of the eternal truths of religion, beyond any sectarian divisions. Baba Virsa Singh Ji also began developing flourishing farms and spiritual communities in previously harsh and barren environments. Though the largest of such farms is known as Shiv Sadan, on the shores of Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, the most well-known community is Gobind Sadan in Delhi, India.

Though Babaji never received any formal education, scholars have sought his guidance and knowledge on many worldly topics. Government officials have also traveled from great distances to seek Babaji’s guidance and blessings. Though he makes no claims of being a Guru, Baba Virsa Sing Ji models all of his practical teachings after those of the Sikh Gurus, as well as those of prophets of all religions. He stresses that religious divisions are the creations of man and not of God or God’s prophets.

Recent International Recognition

In May, 2004 Baba Virsa Singh Ji was invited by the International Association for Peace Through Culture to stay in Moscow, Russia. After being greeted at the airport by large crowds presenting flowers, salt and bread (a traditional Russian greeting), Babaji met with many influential scientists, political leaders, media personalities, and top business people. At a press conference at the prestigious Dom Journalista (Russia’s national press club), Babaji addressed over 30 journalists, with coverage on 4 television stations, 2 radio stations, and several newspapers. On three separate occasions Baba Virsa Singh spoke to gatherings of over 250 people at the country retreat where he stayed. The Academy of Russian Letters, originally established by Catherine the Great, presented Babji with their Pushkin Award for furthering cultural understanding. Such an honor has been bestowed on the likes of President Putin and the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Yuriy Luzhkov, the Mayor of Moscow, extended a special invitation to Babaji to visit him at his residence. Babaji was also hosted in the Duma (Russian parliament) where he addressed groups of representatives.

Babaji has said that with the fall of the USSR, Russians have celebrated their ability to speak publicly of God and God's teachings. It is for this reason that Baba Virsa Singh Ji expects Russia to become a great spiritual power in the future.

Speaking out against war and terrorism, Babaji explained to the vast Russian audiences how violence between men, nations, and religions will only lead to further struggles, and that the only way to prevent future suffering is to resist violence in all forms.