Tuesday, July 24, 2007

SRCM Part 2- THE FOUNDING MYTH

Part 2- The FOUNDING MYTH of SRCM

This is the result of many years of research in many languages and will be the definitive historical perspective of the SRCMtm Sufi lineage from outside the Mission. (first draft for comment).

The research was compiled and written by Alexis who was also the main researcher along with Christian, Michael, Elodie and Madeleine and many more, with information coming from many other outside sources in the broader community. (See Bibliographical Sources)

Taken from Elodie's Blog date Feb 8, 2007 titled: Le Mythe Fondateur http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=20689467&postID=116998012087735021
Translated using "Google Translate".

The Founding Myth (by Elodie)

Alexis thinks that we can write the continuation of the history of Sahaj Marg. That seems me to be an ambitious but essential task. I remind you that you can read the beginning of it:
- in French on Alexis’s blog http://shriramchandramission.blogspot.com/
- in English on 4d-don’s blog http://4d-don.blogspot.com/

According to what I understabd, he will structure the text in several parts:

1st Part: The Source of the Legend (see above)
2nd Part:The Founding Myth (it is the outline which he sends, to supplement seriously)
3rd Part: The Seasons of Divisions
4th Part: National(ist) Re-focussing

His questions about the first appearance of the word “Sahaj Marg” deserves our attention.

Elodie

Alexis said…

I hold the pretention that one should be able to write the continuation of the history of Sahaj Marg. That will be done only gradually, I count very much on Christian’s reading of the (new) “Autobiography of Babuji” to supplement the history and on everyone making improvements. Here is a first draft that I submit to you…

2nd Part: of Research Paper: The Founding Myth

1- Babuji the Founder


a) The Premise (1922-31)

Babuji meets Lalaji on June 3, 1922 and does not see him more than (approximately) 3 other times. On the other hand, he dreams of Lalaji and Baqi Billah, but he is afraid of the reactions of his parents who fear a possible conversion to Islam.

According to the ISRC, fusion begins shortly after the death of Lalaji (“has great flow of power”) and it continues until the following October 12. There is a great vacuum until 1944, but he apparently attended very often the Ramashram Satsang of Dr. Chaturbhuj and that of Shri Krishna Lal in Sikandarabad. He also dreams that he goes to Kanpur, the home-base of Raghubal Dayal’s family.

He thus will hesitate for nearly 14 years before beginning his work.

b) The Foundation (1944-55)

i) Transfer of Power

The activities begin again in April 1944, according to the ISRC, where Babuji prays for several days that his Master (Lalaji) shows him the light (much like Moses on Mount Sinai). In the 2nd part of his autobiography, published posthumously by SP Srivastava and published by SRCM (Shahjahanpur), one can read on May 22, 1944 these remarks attributed to Lalaji: "Shahjahanpur will be the Centre. Light will be reaching everybody from here (…) You are still so young. You have achieved at such a young age what could not be the lot of so many great and high personalities (…) The powers of the enemies are weakened. Now they can do no harm to you (…) I am merged in you, and hence remain dependent on Him [Lalaji's Master] alone in every matter. He loves you."

Then next on May 30: “Start the organization. Begin attracting people to yourself.”
And on June 3: “Instructions concerning organization (…).”

Chari speaks evasively about 1944-45 without specifying.

But in Volume 2 of the autobiography of Babuji published by Chari's SRCM (California), one finds on August 6, 1944: Lalaji ordered. "There should be an announcement in the Bhandara that I (Lalaji) have appointed you, Ram Chandra of Shajahanpur, as my heir-apparent and representative (…) Those who oppose you shall not derive any benefit for me." (1st English edition, p. 20).

ii) Competitors and Enemies

During this period, in the editorial notes of S.P. Srivastava in the 2nd volume published by the SRCM of Shajahanpur, there is confirmation that Babuji would be surrounded by competitors and enemies, who go as far as trying to poison or assassinate him (at least in his intercommunication dreams with Lalaji-after his death):

"Some persons, physically and socially close to Revered Lalaji, had claimed to be His representative and successor, and they were trying somewhat deliberately to harm and even do away with the physical existence of Grand Master's real representative in every possible way, including the use of certain spiritual techniques. Some other quite well advanced disciples of the Grand Master, being averse to the false claims due to obvious lack of real effect, had started setting up organizations more or less in allegiance to the Grand Master, but centered mainly around these so-called advanced disciples as visible personalities to guide the multitudes attached to them on the age-old path of spirituality, as brought to them by the Grand Master, who had passed out of physical existence on August 14/15 (midnight), 1931."

iii) Creation of Sahaj Marg and the SRCM

According to Chari's SRCM(California), on August 14, 1944, he solicits also Swami Vivekananda, Lord Krishna and Bouddha himself. It is apparently Vivekananda who gave him his instructions for the creation of the emblem of the SRCM.

On May 30, 1945, the SRCM is finally officially created in Shajahanpur and is registered in Lucknow, capital of the state (Uttar Pradesh).

Also, according to the SRCM(California), Babuji largely conceived his method of transmission on January 3, 1946, and Lalaji dictated the words of the prayer to him on January 12. Lastly, he wrote his first book “Commentary on the Ten Commandments of Sahaj Marg”, which apparently was also dictated to him by Lalaji according to the ISRC. In 1947, his second book arrives: “Efficacy of Raja Yoga in the Light of Sahaj Marg”, proof that he had already begun the bringing together of Raja Yoga and Sahaj Marg, a fact that Dr. K.C. Varadachari would later confirm.

During the period 1948-49, various well known people such as S.P. Srivastava, professor of philosophy and M.L. Chaturvedi, judge at the High the Court of Justice d' Allahabad, then his daughter Kum Kasturi Chaturvedi, are introduced and become close to Babuji.

c) The Recognition (1955-65)

In 1955, the release of his book “Reality At Dawn” which became very popular (according to ISRC) brought about his meeting in Tirupati with Dr. K.C. Varadachari, professor of philosophy, that later developed into a deep friendship.

In 1963, K.C. Varadachari obtains the prestigious Vivekananda Chair at the University of Madras. In 1965, he created the Sahaj Marg Research Institute (SMRT which has now been re-named SMRTI), which disseminates information that Sahaj Marg is no more-no less, Raja Yoga.

2- Specifics of Sahaj Marg

Vis-a-vis the other successors of Lalaji, Babuji is characterized by:

- Sahaj Marg is a creation of Babuji, or at best, possibly inspired by Lalaji if his inter-communications (beyond the grave) are accepted:

- Lalaji has one official heir, Babuji
- The link with the Sufism is hardly evoked
- The link with the Raja Yoga is reinforced
- The disciple must stick to a single Master

3. Bibliographical Sources:

a) Autobiographies of Babuji

Part I: Early life, adult life, At the feet of the Master, Newsp
per (1928 - 1932), Vol 1 1899-1932 (2nd ED 1980 1500 copies), SRCM

Part 2: Instructions and Received Spiritual Lessons of Masters (Posthumous, SRCM Shajahanpur):

* vol 1 1944 May/Sep (1st Ed 1987 3000 copies) - Preparation
* vol 2 1944 Oct - 1945 Mar (1st Ed 1988 3000 copies) - Declaration
* vol 3 1945 Apr - 1955 Jun (1st Ed 1989 2000 copies) - Contribution

- Volume 2 (1st English edition), SRCM®

b) K.C. Varadachari

- Works of Dr. K.C.Varadachari (vol. 1 to 9) Supplements - Ramachandra Publishers
- Correspondence between Babuji and Dr. K.C. Varadachari: Letters of the Master (vol. I & II), 1992 - SRCM®

c) Other Sources

- ISRC: http://www.sriramchandra.org/Master/BabujiMaharajStory.htm
- SRCM®: www.srcm.org and www.sahajmarg.org
- Family of Babuji (Umeshchandra Saxena (son of Babuji) and Navneet (Grandson of Babuji)
- http://www.srcmshahjahanpur.org.in/default.html
- Various anonymous testimonys

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

YOUR reference to http://www.srcmshahjahanpur.org.in/default.html

takes now where!!!!!!!!!?

http://www.srcmshahjahanpur.org.in/.... takes to SRCM chariji's website ....!!!!?

Anonymous said...

Hi anonymous...

Yes, chari's Group won that case and The SRCM Shahjahanpur site was disallowed by an "arbitration" panel, that included Chari's ex-lawyer, according the Navneet) ...
This action by Chari's group, SRCM (California) was taken as the "Supreme Court of India" case regarding the ownership of the Mission, was pending, so Navneet could not establish OWNERSHIP of the Mission until that case is settled, on way or the other...

It seems that the UNITING spirituality that is Sahaj Marg, does not spread very far as this is the second SCHISM under Chari's tenure...(ISRC of Dr. Varadachari's son, Narayana, and Navneet, the grandson of Babuji.

4d-don...