Babuji Maharaj

Birth and Divine Purpose

Sri Ramchandra was born on the auspicious day of Baisakh Badi Panchami in the Vikram Samvat 1856 (30th April 1899) at Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, India. When cosmic order of Nature is affected by the greedy and egotistic personalities, whose existence is the main cause of deterioration of Divine Law, Divinity sends out Personalities who are called Avatars with special powers. But in human history for the first time the number of highly selfish and treacherous persons increased to such an extent as a consequence of the industrial revolution and disproportionate consumerism that Nature had to provide for a Special Personality.

A highly evolved soul was deputed to prepare such a Special Personality by Nature in the form of Sri Ramchandraji Maharaj of Fatehgarh (also called Lalaji Maharaj) on 2nd February, 1873 and he was waiting for a proper person for the task allotted to him. On 30th April 1899 in Shahjahanpur Sri Badri Prasad was blessed with a boy who was also named as Ramchandra. With his Divine perception Lalaji Maharaj came to know that the boy for whom he was waiting was born in Shahjahanpur and the preparation started from that day.

Family Lineage

His forefathers served in the Court of King Akbar the great. One of them Sri Brij Lal was the Mir Munshi of the court and later earned the title of "Bagara" through his distinguished services. The family was granted a jagir at Talgram in Avadh. Sri Bakshi Kundan Lal was the Chief Army Officer under Nawab Shujauddaulah and fought in the III Battle of Panipat (1761). He was killed in battle at Fatehganj (1774). Sri Shadi Lal, the great-grandfather, was appointed Diwan by the Nawab of Shahjahanpur in 1824. Sri Janaki Prasad joined the Civil Court at Budaun. Father Sri Badri Prasad was born on 12th July 1867 at Budaun, started legal practice in 1892, became Special Magistrate I class, and was a scholar of history who wrote "Mushrif-ul-Tarikh Hind" in Urdu.

Childhood and Early Years

Born on Sunday, Baisakh Badi Panchami, Vikram Samvat 1856 (Saka 1821), 30 April 1899 at 07:26 AM IST at Shahjahanpur, Sri Ramchandra showed unique qualities from earliest childhood — a balanced nature, extraordinary sensitivity to impressions from as early as 2-3 months old, and strong will.

His mother taught him moral precepts: "Be honest," "Do not steal." As a child he tried puja, the Bhagavad Gita at age 9, Rama japa, and idol worship — but none satisfied his inner craving. He started school at age 6, contracted typhoid, and lost all prior learning. He was very poor in mathematics but developed extraordinary sensitivity — he could sense a person's character by the smell of their perspiration.

By age 14, he resolved to accept whoever he found as Guru. He developed deep interest in Philosophy and independent thinking. He deliberately avoided reading John Mill's "Utilitarianism" to preserve his original thought. He developed concentration abilities and once healed his Headmaster Sri Idris Ahmed's colic through sheer concentration and will. His English teacher praised his essays on "Dynamics of the Mind."

Meeting the Master

He was married at age 19 (1918) at Mathura. His wife Smt. Bhagwati was short-tempered, which taught him tolerance. In 1922, he learned of Samarth Guru Sri Ramchandraji of Fatehgarh. He went to the feet of his Master on 3rd June 1922. The first transmission convinced him he had found his Master.

He passed Matric/SSLC and joined the Judge's Court at Shahjahanpur on 12th January 1925. He was known for exemplary honesty and justice. Key quote from his retirement: "He earned an enviable reputation for honesty and disciplined life."

Spiritual Progress

Six months after introduction, he saw soothing light and a luminous plant. Another six months later he experienced Ajapa (Om reciting in heart), then Anahata throughout his being. By 1924, he experienced ubiquitous divine force in all objects — Divinity everywhere "like broad day light." He completed his journey in Pind Desh and entered Brahmand in April 1928.

On 15th August 1931, a great flow of power was bestowed by the Master. Lalaji Maharaj entered Maha Samadhi on 14th August 1931 — the transfer of power took place. On 12th October 1932, he felt the Master transmitting in a dream — three jerks of spiritual energy.

His father died on 7th January 1933. His uncle became an adversary, creating difficulties for years until the uncle's death in 1956.

Emergence as the Special Personality (1944)

In April 1944, he prayed to the Master and received a vision of the light that Moses saw on Mount Sinai. On 14th August 1944, he prayed to Lord Krishna and received the vision of Virat Rup. In 1944, he reached the perfect vacuum state; all powers of Nature filled him; saints and prophets merged in him. He emerged as the Special Personality — for the first time in human history.

Establishment of the Mission

He established Sri Ramchandra Mission on 31st March 1945 in memory of his Master. He developed the modified Raja Yoga system with these unique practices:

• Morning meditation on Divine light without luminosity (1 hour before sunrise)
• Evening cleaning process (30 minutes)
• Points A & B meditation
• Ten Commandments (divinely given)
• Bedtime Prayer (secular, with no religious overtones)
• Permission for preceptors to work through Pranahuti

Literary Works

His published works include:

• "Commentary on Ten Commandments" (1946, dictated in superconscious state)
• "Efficacy of Rajayoga" (1947)
• "Towards Infinity" (1957, in Urdu)
• "Reality at Dawn" (became very popular internationally)
• "Sahaj Marg Philosophy" (1962)
• "Voice Real" (collected messages)
• Autobiography (1974, Part II published posthumously)

Expansion of the Mission

In 1955, Dr. K.C. Varadachari, Professor of Philosophy at Tirupati, reviewed "Reality at Dawn" for The Hindu newspaper. The Master visited Tirupati in December 1955 and introduced Dr. KCV to the system. Dr. KCV made rapid spiritual progress and was granted a position on par with the Master. His son K.C. Narayana became active by 1956.

In 1965, the Sahaj Marg Research Institute was started at Tirupati under Dr. KCV. In 1968-69, Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan started the Mission in Europe (Copenhagen). In 1971, K.C. Narayana took the message to the USA.

Personal Life and Sacrifices

He had six sons and three daughters (two sons and one daughter died in infancy). His wife died in 1949. His second son Dinesh committed suicide in 1958. He bore all these sorrows with extraordinary balance and equanimity.

Last Journey

In 1982, he fell seriously ill in France and was brought back to India. He left his mortal coil on 19th April 1983. He had written to Dr. KCV: "I shall be more useful when I leave my physical form" (letter dated 30-1-1958). The spiritual regeneration he initiated continues, and a new World Order based on fraternity, service and sacrifice is emerging.

Certain Salient Clarifications on Raja Yoga

From his Autobiography Vol. 1 (Second Edition, October 1980), Babuji provided key clarifications on spiritual concepts:

• Anahat Ajapa: Sound ever present eternally, starts in heart meditation, travels throughout being.
• Brahman: "I am Brahman" state arises when surat contacts Divine glimpses. Silence beyond silence.
• Devotion: "Lashing in the wave of the Almighty with unawareness." Highest bhakti is unawareness of oneself.
• Ego: Should be modified, not annihilated; identify ego with soul not body.
• Jnana: Not "knowing" but "having." State of dissolution where Divine remains.
• Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha: Anger and passion are God's creation (modify); covetousness and attachment are man's creation (destroy).
• Living Dead: Absorbed in absorbency — Phanaye Phana.
• Love: "What is love, when I do not know why I love Him and what for?"
• Restlessness (Dard): "Restlessness gives you advancement to Divinity." Peace touches the silent aspect of God.
• Samadhi: "Sam+adhi" — state of balance + what was in the beginning. "Awakening in the benumbed state."
• Transmission: "Utilization of Divine Force for the transformation of man." Brings about Divinisation.