Early Childhood: A Latent Spiritual Treasure

The real History of India is the lives of some of her spiritual personalities. As it is the lives of her great spiritual Avatars and her spiritual icons like Shri Rama, Shri Krishna, Budha, Sri Shankaracharya, Sri Chaitanya, Shri Ramakrishna, Mahatma Shri Ramchandra Ji Maharaj, and many more like them, some known and some unknown, have moulded her life and destiny. It is they who not only blessed the humanity but also guided them through their actions and words. And it is also an interesting fact that at every critical time in the cultural and spiritual history of India, there has been born a saint who has blessed and saved this land from the catastrophe of ignorance and guided humanity to the path of Highest Truth.

Just in the same circumstances, in the late 19th century, when India was passing through great crises because the onslaught of the cultural and spiritual sphere made the people of the country at their low ebb. And that was the time many great scholars, freedom fighters and saints were born to make the seemingly irreversible situation rectified and ordered. Right at the time of such a spiritual, cultural and political crises, our Pujya Gurumaharaj came as a beacon of light to the falling society. He was born to an educated and extremely pious family on November 3, 1883, in Etah and was named Chaturbhuj Sahay. He was born in Chamakri village, Etah, Uttar Pradesh. His father Pujya Shri Ram Prasad Kulshrestha Ji was a renowned personality and was deeply religious. Her mother was a spiritual soul and was always engaged in Sant-Sewa and various devotional services. Growing up in a religious family, Pujya Gurumaharaj exhibited a strong inclination towards spirituality from a very young age. The sanctified environment of his home instilled in him a deep love for God, and this environment stirred up his childhood samskara that subsequently drew him later to connect and realize the Truth. As he grew older, his spiritual inclination deepened, and at a mere age of 28-29 years, he had a profound vision of the Lord and had acquired all the mystic spiritual powers. His transcendental qualities could be read and noticed in great detail in his biography and the reader would know how he transformed hundreds of thousand seeker’s lives by his mere glimpse and antirik satsang.

By the time he crossed the age of 18, it was the year about 1901, he decided to pursue higher education in the field of medical science at his uncle's home in Fatehgarh. During his stay there, he also spent several years on the banks of the holy Ganges, seeking the company of saints and sages. This period of his life led him to gain knowledge of various secrets of Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga. However, he was unable to find the spiritual fulfillment he sought. He also joined the Arya Samaj and actively participated in their activities while studying and continuing his medical practice. However, for his deeper spiritual quest, he ultimately left the Arya Samaj and their practices which were hindering his regular spiritual practice.

Guru Darshan: First Seed of Spiritual Knowledge & Vision of Supreme- Being:

About the Guru Darshan, he writes in his memoir, ”I had the privilege of meeting His Holiness Samarth Guru Mahatma Ramchandra Ji Maharaj in Fatehgarh in 1910-11, and I was deeply influenced by his magnificent personality because I discovered that his heart was a unique blend of spiritual knowledge and pure love. But, Mahatma Ji Maharaj had concealed his true self behind the veil of household life and government service so effectively that even after two years of close contact, I could not recognize his real identity. However, it had become clear to me that Mahatma Ji Maharaj was no ordinary person.

It is often the case that when great saints of high spiritual caliber overflow with grace and love, reveal their hidden nature to others when the appropriate time arrives. One day, the same opportune moment arrived for me as well. He took me to a secluded spot near the Ganges and initiated me into the first lesson of spiritual knowledge. He instructed me to sit in meditation before him. Within a few moments, I realized a state called Samprajnata Samadhi, a profound meditative state experienced in Vijñānamaya Kosha. When He said to stop. I opened my eyes but it took me some time to regain my consciousness because of his strong spiritual pull. He said, " I have initiated you from Vijñānamaya Kosha (knowledge sheath). At the same time, he also taught me many techniques to awaken various supernatural powers. Along with this, I was also cautioned not to use them for worldly purposes. I accepted his words and since then I have never looked back on these powers for worldly gains."

He further writes, “after the first meeting with my Guru, I continued my spiritual practice under his guidance in Fatehgarh for two years. Subsequently, I came to Agra due to my medical occupation. During my stay in Agra, my mind became more unstable, but I did not leave my daily spiritual routine and continued my spiritual practice. To seek his help, I went to Fatehgarh for Guru Darshan, and I was filled with humility. That day, as soon as I sat down, he removed all the veils. The Supreme Being was right in front of me, and I witnessed all his divine play from the Annamaya Kosha to the Anandamaya Kosha. This was the first time I, an ordinary and spiritually unprepared person, had such an experience. It was my third year of spiritual practice. Some weeks later, I went for Darshan again and expressed my humility. He said, 'You have seen the object. Now, cross these states with your own efforts and practice, explore the Ultimate Truth. There are many more layers beyond the Vijñānamaya Kosha. The Anandamaya Kosha is the boundary of Maya. Experience everything up to there and even beyond that too.’ At that time, he also instructed me the techniques to transcend each Kosha, emphasizing that I must have knowledge of all these sheaths.”

He revelaed, “Pranamaya Kosha is vast, and the kosha subsequent to it gradually becomes subtler. “Therefore, I was quickly taken from the Pranamaya Kosha to the Manomaya Kosha, skipping the lower sheaths. It took me seven and a half years to cross over the sheaths entirely. It took three years to transcend the Vijñānamaya Kosha, and eighteen months to the Anandamaya Kosha. Just as a student, after finishing a book, reads it again and understands the subject fully, similarly, a spiritual practitioner, after crossing the first barrier, goes back and re-acends or crosses various stages many times. Only then does he gain complete knowledge. After seven years of spiritual Sadhana, I received initiation and the order to instruct others came in the ninth year. Since then, I have been engaged in this service. This was in the year 1921." This way Pujya Gurumaharj served nine more years and guided the spiritual seekers who came to him, but finally on the order and in the divine presence of Shri Mahatma Ji Maharaj, Pujya Gurumaharaj established the Ramashram Satsang in 1930 to disseminate the esoteric knowledge for the common spiritual seekers and householders. The inaugural spiritual congregation of Ramashram Satsang took place in Etah, where Shri Mahatma Ji Maharaj blessed and addressed all the present spiritual practitioners and devotees. Unfortunately, in August 1931, His Holiness Shri Mahatma Ji Maharaj left his physical body, leaving everyone shelter less and in deep sorrow. Following the instructions of Shri Mahatma Ji Maharaj, Pijya Gurumaharaj dedicated his entire life to the service of humanity. Despite all odds and financial crunch, he never accepted anything in return but served his best to the coming seekers and devotees to his house. In “Sadhana Ke Anubhav '', a treatise on spiritual experiences, he humbly writes, “From that infinite ocean of ambrosia, I have also obtained a few drops, and with that meager possession of mine, I am sharing something with others. Whether people’s thirst is quenched and whether they feel satisfied, is better known to them. However, it is not my concern; I am merely following the orders of my revered Guru - to continue serving to the best of abilities, without any selfish motives.”

He earned his livelihood through medical practice while selflessly serving in satsang. While doing all the household duties, he also raised his three sons and two daughters. As the time progressed, all of them developed unwavering dedication and service towards Pujya Gurumaharj and his Satsang work. From 1932 to 1952, for nearly 20 years, the town of Etah remained the center of spiritual activities. Pujya Gurumaharaj organized satsang in almost every village in his region and gradually expanded his Guru's mission to northern India, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Bengal.

In 1952, observing the difficulties faced by the spiritual practitioners, Pujya Gurumaharaj established the main center of Ramashram Satsang in Mathura, the city of Lord Shri Krishna, to manage satsang activities more efficiently and effectively. Thus, Mathura became the new headquarter of Ramashram Satsang, and it was then renamed as "Ramashram Satsang, Mathura ''. From 1952 to 1957, under Pujya Guru Maharaj's guidance and blessings, the work and reach of satsang expanded. However, on September 24, 1957, this great soul left us peacefully, contemplating on his own accord. His departure caused indescribable pain to all his loving disciples and followers.

Afterward, Param Pujya Guru Mata Ji (Param Pujya Jiya Maa Ji), Param Sant Pandit Mihi Lal Ji Maharaj, and Param Sant Dr. Brijendra Kumar Ji Maharaj continued the work of Ramashram Satsang, Mathura, in accordance with the instructions and orders of Pujya Gurumaharaj under the pious blessings of Guru Mata Jia Maa Ji. Later, in the illustrious lineage of Ramashram Satsang Mathura, Param Sant Shri Hemendra Kumar Ji Maharaj and Param Sant Dr. Narendra Kumar Ji Maharaj took the service forward, adhering to the teachings and directives of Pujya Gurumaharaj. In this way, the spiritual services of satsang continue to this day and the divine power of Pujya Gurumaharaj still continues to conduct, guide and oversee the satsang (of Ramashram Satsang, Mathura). The saints of present order of Ramashram Satsang Mathura are carrying out the Satsang work on the same lines and with unwavering devotion, love and spirit of service.

Corpus of Spiritual Literature written by Pujya Gurumaharaj

Pujya Gurumaharaj not only taught practical sadhana commensurate with the time and environment of the Kaliyuga, but being a prolific writer, he also wrote many valuable books and short titles for the benefit of educated devotees. The aim of these books was to gain insight into the ancient Indian knowledge system. Therefore, in this connection, in the year 1933, Pujya Gurumaharaj initiated the publication of a monthly magazine titled 'Sadhan.' The purpose of this magazine was to disseminate and promote the knowledge enshrined in our sacred scriptures such as the Veda-s, Purana-s, Upanishad-s, and Bhagavad Gita, etc; as well as the wisdom of experienced sages. Today, this magazine serves as a medium through which the ancient wisdom and the experiences and research conducted by great saints in the spiritual domain are communicated to seekers of all age groups in a simple language. Presently Sadhan is being ranked as a unique spiritual magazine in the spiritual world and runs in several thousand copies per month. The digital version of this magazine is also available and can be read using the 'Sadhan App,' available for free on the Google Play Store for Android mobile users. The online version of 'Sadhan' is also available on the official website of Satsang.

As said, Pujya Gurumaharaj authored several significant books for the benefit of spiritual seekers especially for those who are interested in the path of self-realization in Hindi. One of his prominent works is a seven-volume series titled 'Sadhana Ke Anubhav,' which is also available in a single hardbound edition. His other notable books include 'Alaukik Bhakti Yoga,' 'Yoga Philosophy and Naveen Sadhana,' 'Adhyatmik Aur Sharirik Brahmacharya,' and 'Adhyatmik Vishay Mimansa,'. In these books, he has extensibly described various spiritual practices, yogic powers and methods, and thrown extensive lights on ancient knowledge. Additionally, he had also written on several important topics on different yogic practices. His writing style is adept at explaining profound spiritual topics with great clarity in simple language even the complex subjects like Samadhi-s and different stages one come across in each of the five Kosha-s. In addition to it, there are other books written by saints of Ramashram Satsang, Mathura, which are currently available and being published by Shri Shri Alok Kumar Ji. English translations of these major books are also being published to cater to the needs of seekers from diverse backgrounds. These books are capable of fulfilling the spiritual aspirations of seekers in all categories.

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