The Devotion of Life — Page 457
457 contentment which will remain a source of guidance for humanity forever. The era of ‘Darweshi’ started in Qadian on 16 November 1947. That was the day when the last caravan left Qadian for Pakistan. After that only those were left who were elected for this noble duty including 11 Companions of the Promised Messiah as. Later on, 13 more Companions arrived, raising the number of Companions to 24. Some young men were called back in exchange for the Companions so that the total remained 313. All these 313 ‘Darwesh’ had left their relatives, friends, families and dear ones, but they in the spirit of true sacrifice sat at the threshold of their beloved with such contentment as if they had acquired all the good things of the world. In order to understand and perceive the real state of their feelings and condition, I append below what one ‘Darwesh’ said on behalf of others in response to a question. He said, “Let no one think that we ‘Darwesh’ are living in separation from our emotions of love and sense of affection; not at all. We have learnt the art of establishing a separate world. In this new and strange world, our ‘Darwesh’ brotherhood is everything to us. In this small world, we have everything that we desire for. When we share each other’s pain and suffering and participate in each others joys, we feel so calm and peaceful, the like of which is difficult to find in the world. ” At the time, all sectors of Qadian had been inhabited by refugees coming from the other side of Punjab after being looted and plundered, their hearts full of grief, and they