history

A Brief History of Ramashram Satsang Mathura

Late 1800's

The thread of faith that holds Ramashram Satsang Mathura (RSM) today started rolling in 1873, the year when Paramsant Sri Ramchandra Ji was born in the north Indian province of Manipuri. He studied English, Urdu, and Farsi and worked in a Government office in Farukhabad, India.

Though as a young man, Lalaji, as he was lovingly called, imbibed all the religious virtues from his mother, his spiritual journey didn't truly begin until he received spiritual initiation from a spiritually enlightened man, a follower of Islam. Maulana Shah Fazal Ahmad Khan Sahib (Huzur Maharaj) would later on give Lalaji that moment in time in which he would touch the intangible and see the invisible. This great Sufi saint, Huzur Maharaj, took the revolutionary step of imparting the spiritual knowledge to a disciple who was not a follower of his own religion, thus exemplifying that Spirituality is above and beyond the barriers of religion, cast, and creed.

Huzur Maharaj inculcated the “Ruhani Ilm” or what Hindus call “Brahm Vidya” or spiritual knowledge, in Lalaji at the age of 18. There were no scriptures read nor verbal instructions delivered. It was just the intimacy and regular contact between the Sufi saint and his disciple that the latter absorbed all the knowledge from his Savior, his Guru. Lalaji’s spiritual experiences seemed to be that of cosmic consciousness, an altered perception of the world he lived in. One day while he was walking down a small residential street with his Guru alongside, he experienced the Divine Vision. In a split second, he visualized the whole universe dancing to a divine song, fully in rhythm. He also experienced a supernatural power in action in the entire universe. It was a blaze of illumination for a few moments. Following this experience, Lalaji made his primary mission to introduce the people with the true religion and connect them with God. He taught that Faith was the prerequisite of all devotion.

Early 1900's

As the decade of 1880-1890 arrived, a noble soul was born on November 3, 1883 in the north Indian province of Etah. He was none other than Paramsant Dr Chaturbhuj Sahay Ji, who would later become the founder of Ramashram Satsang Mathura. He studied Urdu, Farsi, English, Hindi, and Sanskrit. He had a degree in electro-homeopathy and also basic knowledge of Ayurveda that he genuinely used for selfless social service. He never spared himself in paying due attention to anyone who sought his help. He lived the life of a family man and believed that all prayers have one end service of mankind. His advent was the golden era in the history of Ramashram Satsang Mathura (RSM).

Dr Chaturbhuj Sahay Ji, our Guru Maharaj, had the opportunity to spend some inexplicably special moments with Lalaji Maharaj (Dada Guru) in Fatehgarh, India during an epidemic outbreak. During these moments, this noble soul experienced an unknown dissemination of intrinsic power towards him whenever he was in the company of Dada Guru. Again there were no verbal lessons nor scriptures read; the knowledge just flowed in the right direction towards a well-chosen end point. The Guru-disciple tradition was reliving, yet again.

One day Dada Guru passed on the unique tool of Sadhana to our Guru Maharaj. Our system of meditation is based on what Guru Maharaj learned from Dada Guru that day.

In 1919, Paramsant Dr Sahay Ji received a directive from his Guru to contribute in the propagation of this system of meditation to the spiritual seekers. Guru Maharaj followed his master’s instructions in letter and spirit. Guru Maharaj, upholding the ethics of Guru-Shishya Parampara, brought the venerable tradition of his master's lineage to the people, giving the previously little known process of Sadhana, or meditation, to thousands of spiritual seekers. The Satsang spread at a fast pace and Guru Maharaj imparted the Anant Gyan (spiritual knowledge) and taught the Sadhana to all without any discrimination between the deserving and undeserving ones.

1920-1945

Paramsant Dr. Chaturbhuj Sahay Ji established Ramashram Satsang in 1930 at Etah, his birthplace in northern India.

Soon after the establishment of the Satsang, the need for a monthly journal and literature was felt. Hence, the publication of Hindi monthly journal Sadhan started in August of 1933. Sri Guru Maharaj started to work on Satsang literature; his numerous books have helped spiritual aspirants for decades, including a seven-volume book on his own spiritual experiences.

As per his Guru's directive, Sri Guru Maharaj gradually started teaching Sadhana over the traditional methods of attaining realization. Eventually, a system of meditation evolved which is a great gift to today’s busy individual. Practicing this Sadhana every morning and evening for only 10-15 minutes can provide results that may take many more years by other methods.

Param Pujya Jiya Ma had worked closely with Guru Maharaj every step of the way and not only took care of the household duties, but also quietly joined his work of teaching meditation and the practice of Sadhana through her presence during meditation sessions. Her amiable disposition also attracted innumerable spiritual practitioners to RSM. Pundit Mihilal Ji, who later contributed immensely to RSM met Guru Maharaj in 1931. Guru Maharaj prepared Punditji to join his spiritual work and look after the propagation of the Satsang.

1945-1970

This Satsang was named Ramashram Satsang, Mathura (RSM) when in 1951 Sri Guru Maharaj relocated to Mathura from Etah. Guru Maharaj left for his heavenly abode in 1957.

In Jiya Ma’s guardianship, Pundit Mihilal Ji and Guru Maharaj’s eldest son, Dr. Brijendra Kumar Ji, conducted Satsang activities. Punidt Mihilal Ji played a very important role and made extensive contributions to the propagation and proliferation of the Satsang.

The current form of the Satsang in India is mainly due to Pundit ji Maharaj's ardent hard work. He held the important post of the editor of Sadhan magazine for several years and contributed to the Satsang literature immensely. Dr. Brijendra Kumar ji worked closely with Pundit ji in shpaing the Satsang. Along with them and after them, several prominent personalities served the Satsang and Sadhan, and are continuing to do so. For details, the reader is advised to refer to the Satsang literature or any of the current issues of Sadhan.

1970-1995

When Punditji’s health deteriorated, Guru Maharaj's eldest son, Dr. Brijendra Kumar Ji, was devoted to this work for his life span. Guru Maharaj’s youngest son, Dr. Narendra Kumar Ji, had also started to contribute in Satsang activities, while Pundit Mihilal Ji and Dr. Brijendra Kumar Ji were present.

Shortly after Guru Maharaj’s centenary, Pundit Mihilal Ji left for his heavenly abode on 13th December 1983, Jiya Ma on 28th January 1985, and Parampujya Bade Bhaiya on 14 February 1987.

Dr. Narendra Kumar Ji continued the RSM work and started focusing on Satsang activities fulltime after retirement from the University where he taught. He devoted his life to the propagation and proliferation of the Satsang and selflessly served Guru Maharaj’s mission. The Satsang literature includes several of his discourses and books, and he also held the distinguished position of the editor of Sadhan.

1995-Today

Dr. Narendra Kumar Ji left for his heavenly abode on 29th March 2002. Dr. Hemendra Kumar Ji Parampujya Hemendra Kumar Jiwas heading the Ramashram Satsang Mathura family while serving the mission and continuing the great heritage into the 21st century, before he left for his heavenly abode on 18th February 2010. Bhandaras (religious congregations) are held regularly at different places in India where thousands of seekers get together and practice Sadhana. With a strong foothold in India, the Satsang also has American and German chapters that are continuously involved in serving the mission of our Guru. Our mission is not submissive to any religious or social stigmas.

Ramashram Satsang Mathura is a nonprofit, educational, charitable, and humanitarian organization offering a simple and practical tool of meditation to eliminate stress, restore human values, and encourage people from all backgrounds, religions, and cultural traditions to come together and meet the best you within yourself.

Heritage