HISTORY OF RAMASHRAM SATSANG, MATHURA

HISTORY OF RAMASHRAM SATSANG, MATHURA

(BLOGGERS NOTE: This divine flow of spiritual knowledge and spiritual upliftment was started towards the beginning of the 20^th century (1904-05) in Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India by Paramsant Mahatma Ramchandra ji Maharaj (popularly known in ‘RSM’ as Dada Guru Maharaj). It was continued by his principal disciple, Paramsant Dr Chaturbhuj Sahai ji Maharaj (our revered Guru Maharaj), in accordance with the wishes of and with the full blessings of his Guru. The flow was continued at Eta, Uttar Pradesh, where guru maharaj lived in the first half of the 20^th century. In October, 1951 Guru Maharaj shifted to Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Hence forth this satsang became known as Ramashram Satsang, Mathura. Guru Maharaj named it after the name of his Guru.Following is the detailed history of Ramashram Satsang, Mathura. It is based on the writings of Guru Maharaj, Panditji Maharaj, Sant Shri Omprakash Viral Ji, and Param Sant Shri Hemendra Kumar Ji.)

Following portion is a liberal translation of relevant excerpts from an article written by Guru Maharaj and published in Amulya Nidhi. It pertains to the period from 1904-5 till 1937

            ‘The world is ever changing. From time to time several enlightened souls graced this earth for showing the right path to mankind. They showed a new path keeping in view the time, place and circumstances. They uplifted hundreds. But with the passage of time the followers of these enlightened souls lost the real substance and got trapped in customs and traditions. Seeing this God sent a great enlightened soul on this earth again. This time this soul appeared on this earth in the form of a Sant, a Guru and after completing his work left the mortal body in August 1931, to go back to his own realm.

            This great soul spent the first part of his life in difficult tap. He aroused all his internal powers, experienced all the sublime elements of the Universe and gathered complete Atmagyan. Thereafter he decided to propagate his principles. The first follower was Shri Pujya Pandit Pyarelalji. He completed his work and left this world in a very short period. This lowly servant (our Pujya Gurudev) became his second follower…. Later some more persons joined us, most of whom were young people.

            Ah! How wonderful times they were!! How blissful those days were when we all brothers greatly loved each other and at night slept in the lap of our spiritual father. We used his clothes and slept on his bed. There was Guru-Shishya tradition everywhere but he never considered us shishyas but as sons. We also looked upon him as our father. How a shishya showed behave with his Guru? How much respect he should pay to his Guru? We never knew all this. He was ours and we were his.

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            The first specialty that he showed us was that he discarded the age-old tradition of Guru-shishya and started a new tradition of father-son. The effect of this was that an ocean of love began to flow in our Satsang. We hailed from different places and belonged to different castes but we were so attached to each other in bonds of love that we forgot our real relatives. Our hearts were full of love for our spiritual father and spiritual brothers. There was hardly any room left for others.

The effect of all this was that we began to be uplifted spiritually by ropes of loves. There is lot of attraction in love. It uplifts one spiritually. Our spiritual father gave us the required support in this process and we were raised to great heights and began to tour very high realms of the spirit world which were unachievable to great sages and seers. This mutual love and spiritual support of Guru Maharaj were our means of spiritual development. We did  nothing else. Till date we have practiced only these two things. And all that I have achieved till date is the result of these two things alone know nothing else.

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            He taught- “Do nothing, just keep meeting me. Just as one remembers one’s beloved even while being physically separated, you should also remember me, so that I may also remember you all. You need do nothing else. This much will be enough. There is no need for Jap, Tap, Yog, etc. I shall do all these for you. I will take over all  your ‘Mal’ and your negative ‘Sanskars’. You all enjoy the eternal bliss. That will make me happy. I am least bothered about my own happiness.

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This was the first phase (satyug) of our Satsang.

Second phase (Treta)

This tradition of teaching and learning continued quietly for some time. He had strictly warned us against making things public. He himself was very simple and reticent. Even those who remained in his close company would not know that he was such a great and powerful soul.

            But you can’t hide the truth for long. If the sun rises, daylight is bound to spread. This is the law of Nature. Slowly word spread. Seekers began to flock to him. Slowly the number of followers increased to around 150 persons. This was the second age of our Satsang.

            During those days, we used to go to him for darshan whenever we would get an opportunity. We would stay at his house, eat there and enjoy all hospitalities like a Guest. It would never occur to us even in our dreams that we were at someone else’s house. We would always feel that we are with our own father in our own home. If some new person would hesitate in staying at his home and enjoying his hospitality like a guest, he would say ‘Staying at some other place will create a difference between you and me. Then we won’t feel as one. This is your home as much as it is mine.’ In this way everyday 5-10 of us would be present at his home. And during vacations there would be a large gathering. He would himself bear all the expenses of the hospitality extended to all of us.

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The candle did not extend an invitation. But flies surrounded it. They began to fly/hover around it and sacrifice themselves upon the flame. Finding no way out, he was forced to declare openly that those who wanted ‘Atmagyan’ could come to him. Thus ended the second phase of our Satsang.

Third phase (Dwapar)

In the third phase he started going on tours for propagating the principles of Satsang. He would teach everyone who came to him. Satsang was established in all districts of UP. Lot of work was done in Rajputana and Bundelkhand. Some followers could be found even in CP, Punjab and Malwa. In this way in a very short span hundreds of people came to seek atmgyan from him.

Bhandara

Now it was felt necessary to hold annual congregations so that we could exchange thoughts, views and ideas; strengthen the bonds of love between all of us; and take new lessons from the Guru. This is essential for progress. Proximity to Guru, meeting him as frequently as possible taking the current from him, storing the some in oneself and using it to plough forward is essential for progressing spiritually. In our satsang progress depends on meeting the Guru because the Sadhana is not done by sadhak but the Guru. Guru uses his own ‘atmabal’ to lift him up. Sadhak has to do nothing. He only needs to observe his Mun. Holding annual Bhandara would ensure that we all met Guru Maharaj atleast once a year.    

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Till now money was not an issue. Nothing whether in cash or in kind was accepted. Guru Maharaj was against accepting such things as these were responsible for the downfall of spiritual organizations. But in present times money is required even by spiritual organizations. Money is required at each step. The work of spreading the mission is just not possible without money. We all thought on these issues. Some of us gave some amounts as lump sum contributions, while some chose to donate on monthly basis. Some of us started a fund @ 2 paise per person per month. Guru Maharaj had directed that we should keep aside 1/32th part of our income and use it for spiritual/philanthropic purposes. In this way a good amount of money was collected and Bhandara began to be organized (at Fatehgarh, UP, India). Other expenses of Satsang were also met out of this fund. What remained unspent was used to help poor students, helpless widows, and poor satsangis.

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Fourth Stage (Kaliyug)

Within about 25 years our Satsang happily crossed three ages- Satyug, Treta and Dwapar. Now we entered the Kaliyug phase. With the arrival of this demon, our Krishna (Guru Maharaj) decided to quit this earthly plane. One year prior to departing he began to make arrangements for the future of this Satsang. He would give, from time to time, directions for the future to all of us. Three months before departing he took me aside and gave instructions to me.

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The Eta Satsang was born during this time. The first congregation was held under his orders/permission in December 1930. He was very happy and participated with all his family members and hordes of followers. Despite being unwell he showered eternal bliss and eternal peace on all of us for three days. His younger brother Shri Chachaji Sahab had graced the congregation. Both these divine souls gave us tremendous encouragement.

The main reason for holding the Bhandara in Eta was that he had divided his Satsang into two parts. One was eastern circle and the other was western circle. The eastern circle was placed under Shri Chachaji Sahab who lived in Kanpur and is still around. The responsibility of western circle especially Agra Division was entrusted to me. Kaunch (Bundelkhand) was declared as the headquarters of the eastern circle and Eta was made the headquarter for western circle. Fatehgarh was declared the supreme headquarter of Satsang where people of both circles could participate. The annual congregation in Fatehgarh was decided to be held during Easter. Having made all these arrangements in December 1930, this divine soul left the earthly plane in August 1931.

When an institution grows, good as well as bad people get into it. Some people who were not good in nature and character entered our Satsang. They were adept in the art of spreading disaffection, criticizing and back biting others.

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These people targeted me and invoked their negative skills, using falsehoods and half-truths to create divisions in our hearts that were hitherto united by strong bonds of love.

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The foundation on which they raised their evil structure was that Doctor Sahab (Blogger's Note: our Pujya Gurudev) desires that everyone should consider him as their head and obey his orders.

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However, by the grace of God, such a thought / desire never ever occurred to me before or now. I was very happy working under Shri Chachaji Sahab. But not only our brothers, even our elders believed such evil stories.

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And there was separation. Despite our intense efforts to reunite, till today we remain separated. It was as if a sort of catastrophe befell upon our Satsang. Lord Krishna had destroyed his descendants-yadavs at the time of his departure from this earthly plane. Our Krishna also did the same. This was the effect of the fourth age i.e. Kaliyug on our Satsang.

New creation

After destruction starts a new creation. Seeds are never destroyed. The few Yadavs who survived rebuilt their empire through their hard work. But now Yadavs did not live together at one place. They built separate kingdoms for themselves and began to rule independently of each other. They no longer had any relationship among themselves. The same thing happened in our Satsang. All are setting up their own separate institutions and scattering apart. No one has anything to do with any one else.

This Satsang (Satsang Eta) was established by Shri Pujya Mahatmaji Maharaj in 1930. The two years 1931 and 1932 were lost in internal dissensions. From 1933 Satsang Eta started working again. It is now 4 years since then. Whatever you see today is the result of work done during these 4 years. People from all four directions are coming here in hordes to such a place like Eta where there is no railway station or any other facilities. People from as far as Rajputana, Bihar, CP and Bengal can be seen here.’

                  (Following portion is based on Atit Aagat aur Anant)

Param Pujya Dada Guru Maharaj, before departing from this earthly plane, gave the following Order to our Guru Maharaj – “Continue the work that I have started. Strive your utmost. Become a good and pure human being and teach others to become good and pure human beings. See to it that my mission does not fail. Those who serve others without seeking anything in return, those who offer their bodies, mind and wealth for welfare of others are the real human beings. They are blessed. God showers his compassion upon such souls.”

(Following portions are based on writings in Jeevan Darshan and Param Bhagvat Pandit Mihilalji and pertain to the period 1930-1957)

            Param Pujya Dada Guru Maharaj gave written permission/order to Pujya Gurudev to teach others and spread the Satsang. Guru Maharaj, initially wrote some small booklets whose language was very simple and which were very low priced. These helped spread the message of Param Pujya Dada Guru Maharaj. The first was ‘Bhakt Tukaram’, second was ‘Sahjobai’ third was ‘Aman Devi (it was published in two volumes) He wrote one book especially for Satsangis- ‘Abhyasion ke Kartavya’. He wrote one more book but Param Pujya Dada Guru Maharaj stopped him from publishing it.

Bhandara of 1932

There were very few satsangis in the Bhandara of 1932. There was a raised platform at his home. We all sat there and did Satsang. Next year Bhandara was again held in Basant (spring season). People gathered in large numbers.

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            In those days there used to be three sittings during bhandaras. It used to starts at 7 in the morning and continue till around 10 am. In the afternoon it would be held from 4 pm to 6 pm. The last sitting of the day would start at 7 pm and continue till 9 pm. In those days there was no one to give spiritual discourses. Of course, Shri Thakur Megh Singh used to give some discourses while most of the time discourses were delivered by Pujya Gurudev.

The Style of Sadhana

            From 1932-33 the work of Satsang increased a lot. Large number of seekers started coming from far off places. During this period Pujya Gurudev was in Eta. The system of teaching at that time was different from what it is today. Till 1945-46 the seeker was made to sit alone in front of Guru Maharaj, and was taught the process of meditation. He was made to do meditation for half an hour. When he came out he would be in a new world. He would forget everything and experience a novel bliss. It was possible that the very first day he got a glimpse of the final destination.

Birth of monthly magazine called ‘Sadhan’

With a view to spread the message of Dada Guru Maharaj, Pujya Gurudev started publication of Sadhan, a monthly magazine in August 1933. It was Krishna Janmashtami day. There was a small ceremony and the birth of Sadhan were celebrated. Since we did not have our own printing press, the magazine was got printed at Bharat Bandhu Press, Aligarh. Later on it began to be printed in Eta itself. This magazine spread the message and views of Guru Maharaj at great speed within a very short time not only in this country but also abroad. The educated class also began to show interest in spiritualism.  Shri Babu Rajeshwari Prasad Singhji (Bihari Ji) was so deeply influenced by Sadhan that he lost no time, reached Eta and presented himself before Guru Maharaj. He was instrumental in spreading Satsang in Bihar. Similarly Shri Babu Sadhon Narayan ji, Advocate of Jaipur was very impressed by the views of Guru Maharaj and sent him a letter requesting him to come to Rajasthan. The seed of the Satsang was sown in Rajasthan and slowly it spread to all parts of Rajasthan. In this way this Satsang spread to every nook and corner of this country.

Guru Maharaj began to go outside Eta for Satsang programmes

There was no railway station at Eta. People from far off places found it difficult to reach there. They prayed to Guru Maharaj to come down to their places so that it would benefit those who could not go to Eta. The prayers were accepted. The work of Satsang now grew by leaps and bounds.

Teachers/Acharyas began to share the burden of Guru Maharaj

 

When the work of Satsang grew too much, Guru Maharaj prepared some persons who could share his burden of work. They were like teachers or acharyas. They were permitted to work for spreading the mission of Satsang. They began to go to different places and attend Satsang programmes. They were required to motivate people towards Satsang and at the earliest opportunity bring them to some place where Bhandara was being held and introduce them to Guru Maharaj.

Centres of Satsang

Guru Maharaj established centres of Satsang at many places where he would reach every year during Bhandara. In 1940 he established Chulhawali (Tundla) as the first centre outside Eta. Bhandara was held and people came there in good numbers. Thereafter for some time Bhandara was held at Dahini (Shikhohabad). On demands of people from Bihar to come to Mughalsarai, and in view of large number of people from Bihar in Satsang those days who were working in the railways, Mughalsarai was made another centre where Bhandara used to be held.

Guru Maharaj fixed the time of Bhandara’s at some places

Guru Maharaj fixed the time of Bhandaras at some places. It was decided that Bhandara will be held at Tundla during ‘Janmashtami; in Jaipur during Chaitra Sudi Ramnavami; in Gwalior during Guru Purnima; in Bihar during December and January. In this way a large part of the year of Guru Maharaj would be spent outside Eta. Now he remained at Eta for a very short period. Of all the tours, the tour of Bihar used to be the longest. Satsang began to be organized at several places in Bihar. Ahead of Mughalsarai Satsang programmes were organized now at Bhabhua Road , Dildar Nagar, Buxar, Ara, Danapur, Gaya, Sherghati, Jamalpur etc. Since the number of people attending Bhandara at Gaya was large, Bhandara at Gaya was fixed by Guru Maharaj.

      

Pujya Gurudev shifted from Eta to Mathura

Guru Maharaj saw that people were coming from very far off places. There was no railway line in Eta. Once there was a transport strike and people had to walk from Shikhohabad station and Jalesar Road station to reach Eta. People had come from as far as Kolkata and Bihar and not finding any means of transport they walked 33 miles and reach Eta the next day. They were carrying their belonging and beddings. Some of them were also carrying some material for Bhandara. When Guru Maharaj saw their difficulty and their devotion, he decided that he should move to a place where people had no difficulty in transportation, where there was big railway station and simultaneously which was a religious place. After giving the matter a lot of thought he selected Mathura and in October 1951 he shifted to Mathura and began to live on rent in a house in Dampier Nagar. Now the Satsang was called Ramashram Satsang, Mathura. He had named the Satsang after the name of his Guru Maharaj Mahtma Shri Ramchandraji Maharaj.

Publication of literature in Mathura

The printing press was installed in Mathura, there was all facilities for publication and it was also a religious place. Upon arriving in Mathura Guru Maharaj starting publishing the books. He published ‘Alaukik Bhakti Yog’, ‘Mahatmaji ki Jivani’, ‘Yog ki naveen Sadhana’, ‘Sharirik aur Adhyatmik Brahmcharya’, ‘Mrityu aur Mrityu ke paschat’, ‘Sadhana ke anubhav’, - five parts (the last two parts sixth and seventh were published after Pujya Gurudev left the earthly plane) were published.

Satsang schedule was fixed

For a long time Pujya Gurudev had been thinking of laying down a fixed schedule for Satsang programme. In the August 1953 issue of Sadhan he published the schedule for Satsang programme. Guru Stuti was kept first, followed by Ish Stuti. For Guru Stuti he selected portions of a poem written by his Guru Bhai Mahatma Chiman Lalji Fakir. For Ish Stuti he asked Pujya Panditji Maharaj to send a poem which should be similar to what he had heard a bhaktmandali singing in 1950 on the banks of Ganga in Rishikesh. Pujya Panditji Maharaj wrote the Ish Stuti (Hey jagnayak vishwa vinayak) which was liked by Guru Maharaj. The prayer to be sung in the end had already been selected by him. Therefore a standard, fixed Satsang programme was announced in August 1953 issue of Sadhan.

It would be necessary to mentioned here that prior to this someone would sing a few verses from poems of Sant Shri Surdas, Sant Shri Tulsidas, Maa Meera, etc. where after Pujya Gurudev would give a short discourse and then meditation would take place. The tradition of mass singing of prayers was begun from 1952.

Since Pujya Gurudev left this earthly plane i.e. from 1957 till now

After Pujya Gurudev left the earthly plane, the work of Satsang was carried out by Pujya Panditji Maharaj and Pujya Bade Bhaiyaji, Doctor Brajendra Kumar Sahab under the guidance and supervision of Param Pujya Jia Maa. The Satsang spread even further and made further in roads deep into various part of the country. During this period JagatJanani Jia Maa silently showered her love and compassion on all of us. Thereafter Param Pujya Chhotey Bhaiyaji, Doctor Narendra Kumar Sahab and after his passing away Param Pujya Majhale Bhaiyaji, Shri Hemendra Kumar Sahab took the mission to new heights.

Even today the same flow can be felt. The same knowledge the same bliss and the same love is being showered on all of us. Panditji Maharaj used to say ‘cows do change but the milk remains the same.’

Satsang is now crossing the Indian Boundaries and spreading in countries outside India.

     

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OUR MAHAPURUSH

OUR MAHAPURUSH

Teachings of Mahatma Ji   Maharaj

(2.2.1873 to 14.8.1931)

During his time Satsang was held thrice in a day -- 7 to 10 in the morning, 4 to 6 in the afternoon and 7 to 9 at night. On or two bhajans of Sant Shri Surdas, Shri Tulsidas or Mother Meera used to be sung. Thereafter some spiritual discourse was delivered followed by meditation, which lasted for quite a long time.

His main teachings were:

(1)         One should keep oneself immersed in Guru/God while taking meals. This becomes excellent bhajan.

(2)        Only he who feels Guru’s/God’s presence in all situations can be considered to possess real knowledge of Guru/God.

(3)               We should be happy in all circumstances. This is our duty and responsibility.

(4)               We should never hurt any one by our words or actions.

(5)               We should keep our hearts clear of desires.

(6)               We should avoid company of those who do no believe in God.

(7)               Publicity is not a good thing. Our aim is to live according to the wishes of God and to keep him happy by our actions.

(8)               Never believe your Mun.

(9)               Serve one and all without seeking anything in return. Avoid taking service from anyone.

(10)          Prayer- ‘O God, fill me with your Love.’

The Will of Dada Guru Maharaj

“All this work that I am doing is not mine. I am doing the work of my Guru Maharaj. It is your duty and responsibility to complete the work that I could not do. This is my dakshina. I am for such work which never comes to completion. That work is to love all. It helps you reach your destination.”

Note: This Will was primarily meant for Param Sant Shri Dr. Chaturbhuj Sahaiji. He fulfilled it completely. We are his children. Therefore this is a “SACRED ORDER” for all of us as well as for all future generations.

Message of Samarth Guru Paramsant Dr. Chaturbhuj Sahai Ji

(3.11.1883 to 24.9.1957)

Satsangis of Ramashram Satsang Mathura and people in spiritual circles already know about him. For the benefit of others his biography has already been published under the title ‘Jeevan Darshan’ (written by Param Sant Pandit Mihilalji) by Sadhan Press, Dampier Nagar, Mathura. A glimpse of him can be had from the words of his principal disciple Param Sant Param Bhagvat Pandit Mihilalji- “This Mahatma who appeared to the world as a householder was bestowed with unlimited powers. He was a Yogiraj who had complete experience of the spiritual path. One found very difficult to believe that a person like Shukdev begged for atmagyan from King Janak, when one read of them in books. The question naturally arose in the readers mind whether such a brahmagyani really existed who at the same time successfully ruled a Kindgom?” But when one saw this Emperor of Emperors, one realized that what one read about king Janak was indeed true. This was possible not only in those ages but is also possible today. I have always seen him as Almighty God and a special personality endowed with unlimited divine powers. He took on a physical form and not only showed to people like us the path to salvation but also forcibly lifted us from depths of the ocean of pain, sorrow, and agony to the sublime heights of eternal peace and bliss. Those who have seen him and had the great fortune of experiencing his company even for a little while and drinking of the nectar of his love would vouch for the truth of my statements.

“He was blessed with complete knowledge and powers by his Guru as early as in 1919, with orders to help him in his work. From then till the next 38 years of his life - till the last breath of his physical, body - he worked day and night and sacrificed his wealth and body to remove pain and agony from the lives of peoples. He kept on showering spiritual wealth. Even today with his immaterial sukshma body he is doing the same and helping seekers of God in various ways.”

Before leaving his mortal body he gave the following messages to the sadhaks of present and future times.

(1)     If you want to achieve salvation easily, then you will have to follow the footsteps of your spiritual master (Guru).

(2)     The only worthwhile achievement of life is to completely follow the orders of your Guru.

(3)     To consider that one’s Guru is dead or has gone to some distant unknown realm of existence is a mistake. One should believe and feel that my Guru is always with me. One should firmly believe that even while in a most sublime (Mahakarana) body he is with me and helping me in the very same way as he did while in physical body.

God keeps watching the thoughts and feelings arising in your heart, your actions and your behaviour. Be cautious take care.   

One who has the protective hands of his Guru over his head, need fear nothing in all the three worlds. Even if all the powers of Maya in the entire creation get together and attack him, they cannot harm him. But one should be dependant on one’s Guru fully and from the core of one’s heart.

Ten Principles

Our Pujya Shri Gurudev has given to us for our welfare ten wonderful principles. These will continue to serve as torch bearers for entire humanity in future. We should read them, seriously ponder over them, practise them and make them part of our every breath. That will provide us with eternal bliss and peace even while we live a normal life amidst our families.

1.          God is a power. HE has no name or form. One can call HIM by whatever name one feels like. All such names are correct.

2.                  One need not renounce family life and go to the mountains in search of God. One can realize God even at home.

3.                  You have not seen God, so first seek a person who has seen God. This person can help you see and realize God.

4.                  Try to achieve inner happiness in your life. This is a Divine virtue.

5.                  Knowledge brings Peace. You will not find knowledge in the outside world. It lies inside you. For achieving peace  you will have to engage in internal spiritual practices.

6.                  Devote most of your time in worldly affairs. Spare a little time for the internal spiritual practices. But forget the world during this period.

7.                  Two things are of utmost importance for followers of the spiritual path. First is to earn one’s bread through hard work and fair means. Second is to keep one’s mind always busy in work.

8.          Knowledge is endless. If one spiritual Master is unable to impart to you complete knowledge, then you should try to get it from another spiritual Master. But once you find a spiritual Master who can impart to you complete knowledge, you should not enter into any relationship with any other spiritual Master.

9.                  Do all the worldly work but like a servant and not like a Master.

10.             Live in this world like a Guest. Never forget that all worldly things belong to someone else (GOD) and not to you. Instead of using the words ‘I’ and ‘My’, practice using the words ‘You’ and ‘Yours’.

Silent teaching of Param Sant Guru Mata

(1901-28.2.1985)

Out of deep love and reverence satsangis called her ‘Maa Jiya’ or ‘Jiya Maa’ Dada Guru Maharaj had filled her with complete spiritual knowledge and powers and bestowed the Guru Pad on her. She was an ocean of spiritual powers. She had achieved this state by serving all those who came to Guru Maharaj and by the blessings of Dada Guru Maharaj.  

She was the Guru of such a huge Satsang but she never ever gave any spiritual discourse. She did not give any spiritual teachings either. She used the highest technique of Sant Mat - ‘Teaching the Atma of the disciple by the Atma of the Guru silently.’ All those who had her darshan found that their spiritual levels had gone up. Those who went with questions found the answers within themselves. Everyone came back fully satisfied.

In Bhandaras she would speak through the words of Gurumukh Acharyas and convey the highest principles of spiritualism in just a few words.

In the warm shadow of Maa’s love and affection the Satsang family grew a lot. She knew everyone by name. She would enquire even about small family matters of satsangis. Even while talking of mundane family issues she would keep filling the hearts of satsangis with divine knowledge, bliss and peace. In the word of Pujya Panditji - The fast and silent growth of our Satsang family, filling of hearts of satsangis with divine knowledge, bliss and peace without anyone even being able to notice when their hearts were filled, the pure behaviour of satsangis -- of love and forgiveness -- which are nowhere to be seen in the world these days are all due to the infinite blessings of Maa.

If you observe with patience and in peace you will realize how astonishingly this extremely difficult atmagyan is flowing in the hearts of satsangis without anyone making any effort whatsoever.

With her pure love-filled behaviour, simplicity, tolererance, and service she was a mother to all. She always desired that all the men and women in this world should live like brothers and sisters of one great family and progress together.

Words of Param Bhagvat

(1.1.1901 to 13.12.1983)

In the eternal words of Sant Shri Omprakash ‘Viral ji’, our Param Bhagvat, Param Sant Pujya Pandit Mihilalji came across as follows:

“Drops of love for Guru Maharaj floating in his eyes, deep lines of remembrance of Guru Maharaj visible on his forehead, a heart in which leapt high waves of love for Guru Maharaj, and words that reflected the love and affection so characteristic of Guru Maharaj, eternal slavery of Guru Maharaj reflected in every action and behaviour, a lovely fair complexioned personality personifying simplicity, and dignity - this was Pujya Pandit Mihilalji, disciple of the Samarth Guru Dr. Chaturbhuj Sahai ji.’

‘On coming in contact with such a powerful spiritual Master, Pujya Panditji shone like the effulgent Sun on the spiritual horizon. He blossomed like a flower whose fragrance travelled far and wide in all directions. He was the Pied Piper for seekers of spiritual knowledge who followed him in hordes wherever he went. Like Mahatma Gandhi millions walked behind him.’

He gave a very important message to all of us - Forge ahead with the flag of Guru Maharaj. Serve the garden laid by him. Do no build a new garden.” He would tell us -- “Ramashram Satsang is a divine flow that purifies anyone who bathes in it. It is not enough to register your name in this Satsang. You have to obey the teachings of Guru Maharaj. You have to regularly practice the Sadhana that he has given. You have to follow the rules and principles laid down by him in your life.’

The path shown by Pujya Bade Bhaiya

(4.9.19 – 14.2.87)

Param Sant Pujya Dr. Brajendra Kumar Ji, popularly called ‘Bade Bhaiya’ was the eldest son of Guru Maharaj. He possessed fair-complexion, broad forehead, eyes like the lotus, long arms and great attraction, which are the signs of a Great Soul. At the time of his birth Dada Guru Maharaj told Guru Maharaj ‘Doctor Saheb, normally Satan takes birth in homes of Fakirs but in your house an ‘Auliya’ has taken birth. He had descended on this earth from the realm of love. His heart was full of pure love. That is why he was quiet, pure, extremely loving, and often lost in thoughts. It appeared as if his big eyes were lost somewhere in the infinite and immersed in eternal bliss. They kept showering the waters of love (tears). He carried in his heart the pain of having been separated from his beloved (God) and through this pain, which was visible, he constantly gave to us the message that we must all strive to meet the most beloved i.e. God.

He was soft spoken and reticent. Without uttering a word, without asking anything he would make us experience Divine love and bliss. A strange attraction over took everyone and thousands of sadhaks would slip into an egoless state. He was compassion personified.

Given below are a few of his words which not only show us the way but also enhance our spiritual levels.

“Guru Maharaj laid out a Garden. Panditji watered it with his blood, expanded it and made it flower. Today it is our duty to leave aside mutual differences and ego and work together to serve this garden to make it flourish and ensure that no harm comes to it. Only then will his Atma be happy. He will rain his blessings on all of you and you all shall be blessed.”

“Some people consider Tundla and Mathura as different. They see difference between Guru Maharaj and Panditji Maharaj. They say that ‘we saw Panditji Maharaj, so we know and follow him only’. Such people want to divide the River of Knowledge of Guru Maharaj into two. When a sadhak cannot see unity in satsang, how can he see unity in the vast universe? How can he achieve liberation?. ‘

The Ideals of ‘Chhote Bhaiya’

(3.12.1930 – 29.3.2002

Param Sant Dr. Narendra Kumar Ji was the younger son of Guru Maharaj. Family members affectionately called him ‘Lallu’ or ‘Chhote Bhaiya’. Eternal bliss, complete knowledge and pure love- the characteristics of God-were clearly visible in his personality and behaviour.

He wanted to see all of us grow into ideal human beings. A strange love filled his eyes and heart which would take away all worldly pain and agony from us and ignite in our hearts deep love for the Guru.

He was love personified.

He used to say that ego was the greatest enemy of Sadhaks. Despite being good in Sadhana, Jap and Seva, ego came in the way of liberation. It is the cause of downfall of sadhaks.

Given below are some of his words:-

“Tolerance is the sign of progress. The more tolerance you have the higher is your level of spiritual attainment. If you don’t have tolerance, you are not a good satsangi.

We should not see the negative things of each other, because that will take away our mutual love. For developing mutual love, it is necessary that we all see only the positive things in each others. Only then can we love each other. Guru Maharaj never criticized anyone.

One gets Darshan when one’s mind is focused inward, Mun is silent and heart is pure.

Message of Pujya Majhle Bhaiya

(7.9.1922  -- 18.2.2010)

Param Sant Shri Hemendra Kumar Ji was the second son of Guru Maharaj. Popularly called ‘Majhle Bhaiya’ or ‘Hem Bhaisahab’, he was there from the time of Guru Maharaj till 2010. He was loved as well as feared. He was a strict disciplinarian and did not tolerate indiscipline. Even teachers and Acharyas were afraid of him and were very cautious about their own actions/behavior, knowing fully well that he was omnipresent and knew every thing. He was Incharge of administration of Satsang from the time of Guru Maharaj and stood like a rock till February 2010.

He laid great stress on the following.

(1)               The Supreme Authority of this Satsang is Guru Maharaj. We all are only his servants. Any one who does not follow his teachings is not a member of RSM.

(2)               No one should teach the process of meditation to anyone without being expressly permitted by the Guru of the time. Permissions to teach is given by the Guru of the time on the orders of Guru Maharaj. Those who violate the orders of Guru Maharaj and start teaching work on their own will come to harm. And those who are following such teachers will gain nothing. It is the duty of each Satsangi not to co-operate with such Teachers. We should all be afraid of Guru Maharaj and not disobey his orders. We should not be in the race to become Guru but strive to become an ideal disciple.

(3)               He laid great stress on discipline. He wanted that we should keep a strict watch and control over our actions and behaviour so that they are in accordance with the teachings of Guru Maharaj. They should be based on purity, humanity and service to others. Men whose behaviour is not pure can never get Darshan.

(4)               In the beginning of Satsang we pray to Guru Maharaj to come and bless us but the next moment we forget him. We should always believe that Guru Maharaj is present. This will help us remain disciplined, save us from wrong actions and lead us to spiritual progress.

(5)               It is seen that we are not paying attention to what Guru Maharaj said about food. Food should be bought with money earned through hard honest work, prepared with pure thoughts and eaten as Prasad. This helps sadhaks a lot in spiritual progress.

Message to all of us from Param Sant Shri Hemendra Kumar Ji (Majhle Bhaiya)

‘Brothers and sisters of present generation and of all the future generations. Place the idol of Guru Maharaj in the temple of your heart with faith and devotion and offer the flowers of your feelings charged with love at his lotus feet. At that very moment you will see that not only your heart but every pore of your body will radiate with the light of eternal truth. His meditation will bring back to you the lost peace, forgotten knowledge, and pure intellect. It will endow you with the ‘internal eyes’ which will show you the ‘true path’ each moment of your life. Your life will be filled with peace and bliss. You will achieve the goal of human life.'

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Philosophy of Ramashram Satsang, Mathura

Philosophy of Ramashram Satsang, Mathura

(A liberal translation of the words of Pujya Gurudev)

            The technique of meditation taught and practiced in Ramashram Satsang, Mathura is simple and natural. There is no need to leave one’s home and profession and lead a secluded life. Everyone can practice this technique – whether young or old, weak or strong, man or woman, literate or illiterate, ignorant or wise, one who is a householder or one who has renounced the world, those belonging to the higher castes or lower castes – all can practice this system very easily. Religion or religious denominations also do not come in the way because this system begins from the point where religion ends. Those who believe that God is formless (Nirakarwadi), those who believe that God has form (Sakarwadi) those who believe in dwaitvad (existence of two – God and Me), those who believe in adwaitvad (existence of one), those who believe in Atma (Jains and Buddhists), those who believe in existence of God, Vaishnav, Arya Samaji, those who worship Shiva, Krishna, Ram, Allah, Jesus – everyone occupies the same place in this system. Everyone needs to continue to follow the path laid down in his/her religion and at the same time practice this technique of meditation for 15-20 minutes in the morning and evening. After a few days of practising this technique of meditation one will find that one has started enjoying one’s own worship more than before. This is all due to concentration of Mun (mind). It comes from the very first day. One is not able to concentrate one’s mind on one point despite working hard for several years. But in our technique one finds that one is able to concentrate from the very first day. With practice the concentration gets deeper and stronger. Finally it transforms into Samadhi and Darshan.

            One needs to devote only 15-20 minutes in the morning and evening. This enables one to reach those stages of sadhana within a short time which is difficult to achieve even by doing difficult penance for several years. Even while enjoying family life one makes oneself eligible for darshan by following this technique. One reaches the Atmadesh and gets darshan. In this path one achieves ‘internal detachment’ while leading a normal life. One appears to the world as a normal human being very much attached to the family, profession and other worldly matters. In other words, ‘externally’ one appears attached. But deep inside one achieves a very high state of ‘detachment’.

            One can follow any path of worship and still practice the meditation taught in Ramashram Satsang, Mathura. It does not hurt the religious sentiments or beliefs of any one. It helps one progress in one’s own belief system. It was developed by Param Pujya Dada Guru Maharaj. Keeping in view the circumstances, people’s abilities and social situation he made appropriate changes in the old system of Yoga. Then he experimented this technique on hundreds of people. After finding that this simple technique was extremely beneficial, he started propagating it to people. It is a unique mix of Karm, Bhakti and Gyan.

            It is commonly said that God resides in our hearts. He is also present outside. But this larger form of God is too big for us. That is why the religious texts (Shastras) have taught us to seek Him inside us and search for that form of God which is extremely near us and is present in a very small form. This is correct. When we try to do this, our first obstacle is our Mun. This Mun is like a Beetle which has got into the habit of roaming outside instead of sitting at home. It always wants to drink the nectar of flowers (worldly pleasures). The Mun has become fickle and is unable to concentrate. It cannot sit even for a moment at one place. Now you find it on one flower, the next moment you find it is on another flower. This process continues. The first task of Yoga is to change this fickle and outwardly nature of Mun and make it look inwards.

            To achieve this task, people leave their families and go to do penance in caves. They do difficult penances. They fast and convert their bodies into skeletons. They spend hours doing asan and pranayam, etc. But they do not succeed in changing the nature of Mun. They do not succeed in making it give up its fickle and outwardly character. They fail to make it concentrate on one thing for long or to make it look inwards.

            But this is achieved through our technique of meditation so easily that people are astonished. From the very first sitting one experiences that an unseen power has confined the Mun and restricted its speed and fickleness. As such Mun is unable to create any obstacle for us. Continuous practice leads to deepening of the level of concentration. Very soon one finds oneself in Samadhi state enjoying its indescribable bliss.

            For learning our technique of meditation one has to sit before Guru or Acharya and practice it ones or twice. The Guru uses his Atma Shakti to confine the fickle Mun to the desired point of focus. Thereafter one has to practice meditation and go forward in this path. Whenever the Mun again starts troubling and wandering, and things begin to get out of control of the Sadhak, Guru again provides his shakti. This time it is not necessary that the Sadhak has to physically sits before the Guru. However far the Sadhak may be, Guru Shakti reaches there and provides necessary assistance. The Sadhak realizes this as he is again peaceful now. This is the uniqueness of our Satsang. We have got this from Shri Gurudev. One does not get even a glimpse of such help and ease any where else.   

            In India the educated class had developed a strong dislike for the words Guru and Shishya. The reason for this was the greed of Gurus and their tendency to take all sorts of services from their Shishya. The Gurus considered the Shishyas as their servants and never hesitated in making them serve in all possible ways. At the time of diksha (spiritual initiation) itself the Gurus would take (as fees) some wealth/property of the Shishyas.

            Shri Dada Guru Maharaj broke this tradition. His teachings were- ‘There is no Guru or Shishya. All are equal. All are friends and brothers/sisters.’ He was strictly against taking any sort of service from anyone. He used to say ‘Serve others without seeking anything in return. Show the right path to those who don’t know. Teach those who want to learn. But do not desire for anything in return.’ He told ‘The Guru-Shishya relationship is a dual one. There is ‘Me’ and ‘You’. You should consider all as yours. Let all become yours and you should become theirs. Erase out the feelings of differences i.e. ‘Me’ and ‘You’. Let all become one through bonds of love, for God is nothing but love.’ He gave birth to this new concept otherwise the Guru-Shishya tradition was continuing from the age of Rishis. It must have been good in those days. But these days it has been converted into a profession by Sadhus and Sants.

            The second work that one has to do as part of Sadhana is to cleanse one’s hearts of ‘Mal’ and ‘Avaran’. By establishing control over one’s mind one is able to get rid of ‘Vikshep’. Despite the removal of ‘Vikshep’, ‘Mal and Avaran’ continue to cloud the heart. As a result the light of the ‘Atma’ remains hidden inside and there is darkness in the heart. We are unable to live in peace and bliss because of this darkness. To get rid of this ‘darkness’ we need to remove the ‘Mal’ and Avaran. The more these are cleared / removed, the closer we get to God, and start getting glimpses of that eternal bliss and light of God.

Jap, Tap, Pranayam, Dhyan and all other practices of Yoga seek to achieve this very goal. The good and bad actions done by us in this life and past lives are known as ‘Sanksaras’. Unless we are able to annihilate heaps of all such Sanskaras we can never get darshan. This is law.

            In RSM this is achieved very easily. The teacher (Guru) throws the light of his ATMA on the heart of the sadhak. In this way he removes the darkness. There is bliss and knowledge in light. As soon as the Guru throws the light of his ATMA on the sadhak’s heart the sadhak is immersed in a deep state of bliss and peace. People practicing various forms of Yoga for fifty or more years are unable to achieve this state which the sadhak gets as a gift from the Guru in RSM on the very first day. This is the second speciality of RSM.    

            Slowly the Guru annihilates completely all the mal and avaran of the sadhak. This of course takes time and is done gradually. Trying to hasten the process can harm the sadhak. Of course, in case of those who already have a clean heart, Guru makes no delay. Such people are presented before God at the earliest.

            These are the special and unique features of RSM where there is no need to work very hard but where darshan is achieved quickly. The duty of the shishya is to sit before the Guru with full faith and let the Guru do everything. He needs to only observe and not do anything. The Guru does everything. This technique of meditation changes the character of the sadhak and fills his life with pure love for one and all.    

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TEN PRINCIPLES PROPOUNDED BY THE GREAT SPIRITUAL MASTER --PARAM SANT SHRI CHATURBHUJ SAHAY JI

TEN PRINCIPLES PROPOUNDED BY THE GREAT SPIRITUAL MASTER --PARAM SANT SHRI CHATURBHUJ SAHAY JI

(These must be understood and practiced in daily life by those in search of God.)

1.                  God is a power. HE has no name or form. One can call HIM by whatever name one feels like. All such names are correct.

2.                  One need not renounce family life and go to the mountains in search of God. One can realize God even at home.

3.                  You have not seen God, so first seek a person who has seen God. This person can help you see and realize God.

4.                  Try to achieve inner happiness in your life. This is a Divine virtue.

5.                  Knowledge brings Peace. You will not find knowledge in the outside world. It lies inside you. For achieving peace  you will have to engage in internal spiritual practices.

6.                  Devote most of your time in worldly affairs. Spare a little time for the internal spiritual practices. But forget the world during this period.

7.                  Two things are of utmost importance for followers of the spiritual path. First is to earn one’s bread through hard work and fair means. Second is to keep one’s mind always busy in work.

8.                  Knowledge is endless. If one spiritual Master is unable to impart to you complete knowledge, then you should try to get it from another spiritual Master. But once you find a spiritual Master who can impart to you complete knowledge, you should not enter into any relationship with any other spiritual Master.

9.                  Do all the worldly work but like a servant and not like a Master.

10.             Live in this world like a Guest. Never forget that all worldly things belong to someone else (GOD) and not to you. Instead of using the words ‘I’ and ‘My’, practice using the words ‘You’ and ‘Yours’.

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