Tuesday, July 24, 2007

SRCM-Part 1 THE SOURCE OF THE LEGEND

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 Sufi community. (See references below for more details on the bibliographical sources)

Taken from Elodie's Blog (in the comments section to article "Une Premiere Circulaire de Tiripur" dated Jan 27, 07) http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=20689467&postID=116998012087735021
Translated using "Google Translate".

Intro (Alexis said)

With much delay, here my small summary of the legend of the origins. It is yet but a base, it will obviously be evolutionary according to the information that will come to us.

I wanted to check various things before posting from whence this delay. Arvind Jolly does not answer my questions and Naqshmumra ceased any contact after the very first ones.

Fortunately RK Gupta is much more accessible. I count on 4d for a translation in English on his blog, in order to send it for information and comments to RK Gupta, but also to Thomas Dahnhardt, Oxford researcher (see references).

I count very much on Christian for the continuation of the history thanks to his reading of the autobiography of Babuji, the founder of the mythic Sahaj Marg…

THE ARTICLE

About the sources of Sahaj Marg

(Last version: September 22, 2007)

The current official legend within the SRCM® affirms that Sahaj Marg is a ex-nihilo creation of Lalaji who transmitted it to its only legitimate successor, Babuji. Historical research recently undertaken starts to tell a very different story.


1 Prehistoric origins of Sahaj Marg

Lalaji was first and foremostl the disciple of a Sufi Master, but perhaps he also drew a little of his inspiration from the Hindu Masters of Santmat. He probably did not follow the teachings of one single Master; also, he had many disciples and charged many with spreading his teachings.

a) The Naqshbandiyya Sufi Order

The Sufi order of Naqshbandiyya penetrated in India in the 16th century, after other brotherhoods like Chishtiyya, Suhrawardiyya and Qâdiriyya. In 1526, Baber, descendant of Gengis Khan, founds the dynasty of the Great Mongols. In his footsteps, Baqi Billah (deceased about 1598), 24th Master of the Sufi line is established in Delhi. His successor Shaykh Ahmad Farouqi Sirhindi is the creator of a new Sufi order, Naqshbandiyya Mujaddidiyya. The Mongols reign as absolute Masters in India, Sufi teaching is very strict.

1. Prophet Muhammad ibn Abd Allah
2. Abou Bakr as-Siddiq
3. Salman al-Farsi
4. Qassim ibn Muhammad ibn Abou Bakr
5. Jafar as-Sadiq
6. Tayfour Abou Yazid al-Bistami
7. Aboul Hassan Ali al-Kharqani
8. Abou Ali al-Farmadi
9. Abou Yaqoub Youssouf al-Hamadani
10. Aboul Abbas, al-Khidr
11. Abdoul Khaliq al-Ghoujdawani
12. Arif ar-Riwakri
13. Khwaja Mahmoud al-Anjir al-Faghnawi
14. Ali ar-Ramitani
15. Muhammad Baba as-Samassi
16. as-Sayyid Amir Koulal
17. Muhammad Baha'ouddin Shah Naqshband
18. Ala'ouddin al-Boukhari al-cAttar
19. Ya'Qoub al-Charkhi
20. Oubeydoullah al-Ahrar
21. Muhammad az-Zahid
22. Darwish Muhammad
23. Muhammad Khwaja al-Amkanaki
24. Muhammad al-Baqi bi-l-Lah
25. Ahmad al-Farouqi as-Sirhindi
26. Muhammad al-Masoum
27. Muhammad Sayfouddin
28. as-Sayyid Nour Muhammad al-Badawani

The 16th century marks the apogee then the decline of the Mongols.

The Marathes, Indians of the west towards Maharashtra, benefit from it to create a Hindu kingdom in 1674. They become the Masters of India at the beginning of the next century. In this context, Mirza Mazhar “Zanzana” (1701-1781), disciple of the 28th Master of the Sufi line, creates a new branch of the order, Mazahariyya, an attempt at syncretism between the 4 Indian Sufi brotherhoods and certain traditional Hindu teaching. The Sufi order resulting from Mirza Mazhar is firmly established in Uttar Pradesh, an area in northern India.

29. Hadhrat Mirza Mazhar Jaan-I-Jaanan
30. Hadhrat Abdullah Naimullah Shah
31. Hadhrat Mawla' Na Muradullah
32. Hadhrat Sayyed Abul Hasan Sa' eed r.a
33. Hadhrat Mawla' Na Khalifa Ahemad Ali Khan

b) The Hujur-Lalaji Couple

After the Mongols and Marathes, India comes under British domination. Resistance against the invader is organized from within the religious communities in spite of calls for the unity of the Indian people by Gandhi. The end of the 19th century is marked by the Community regrouping, in particular in Uttar Pradesh from where will emerge the Indian national Congress in 1885 and the seeds of the Moslem League (1906) until the partition of 1947.

In this context of inter-religious tension, and contrary to their famous predecessors, Maulana Shah Fazl Ahmad Khan (Hujur or Huzur Maharaj) and his disciple Ramchandra Lalaji try a new synthesis of the Hindu teaching and the Sufi teaching, completely against the current of the recent history dominated by the religious community regrouping.

34. Maulana Shah Fazl Ahmad Khan (1838 or 57-1907)
35. Maulana Abdul Ghani Khan (1867-1952)
36. Mahatma Ramchandra Laalaaji (1873-1931)

Lalaji becomes the first Hindu Master of this Sufi Order, without having to convert to Islam.

The image is very strong, but it masks a work of much more importance by the Hujur-Lalaji couple on their spiritual teaching. They did not only overflow the religious barriers as had done Mirza Mazhar, but according to Thomas Dähnhardt, Oxford researcher, they intentionally highlighted equivalences between the Sufi and Hindu spirituality to abolish the inter-religious boundaries and conflicts.

c) A Multitude of Legitimate Successors

As previously seen, Sufism consists of a multitude of orders, branches and streams. The same applies in the Indian traditions where the guru, Sant Pîr and other great spiritual personalities have many legitimate successors who have themselves several Masters.

It is also what Lalaji would have done, as a disciple, starting with Sufism and continuing with the practice of Sant Mat and of Radhasoami. And according to NaqshMuMRa Nexus, he would have had 212 disciples whom he charged with spreading his teaching called “Naveen Sadhana” in their respective areas, while inviting them to also follow other Masters.

The list of the movements which result is rather long (NaqshMuMra Nexus lists 8 of them), here are some of the better known:

- NaqshMuMRa, contraction of Naqshbandiyya Mujaddidiyya Mazhariyya Ramchandriyya, new branch of the Sufi order, resulting from Lalaji and controlled by his direct descendants.

- Ramashram Satsang, a nebula of geographical groups, with local Hindu Masters.

- Akhil Bhartiya Santmat Satsang (ABSS), founded in 1969 in Anangpur (District of Faridabad in Haryana) by the disciple of a nephew of Lalaji.

- The Golden Sufi Center (California), alternative of the Sufi Order passing through another nephew of Lalaji

Other famous personalities also claim lineage from Lalaji, such as Thakur RAM Singhji or Doctor Chandra Gupta (see Sufi Saints and Sufism, Dr. Gupta's site). It is also necessary to mention the movement "Saral Hari Marg" of Dr. Harnarayan Saxena (1908-2003), also asserting lineage from Lalaji, which made a short appearance on the Web before disappearing from it.

There remains finally the direct current apparently resulting from Lalaji (in a dream) which was created most tardily (13 years after Lalji's death), namely the "Sahaj Marg" of RAM Chandra of Shahjahanpur (Babuji), in 1945. But that is another story!

So that his teachings spread, Lalaji entrusted several of his disciples the care of disseminating it in their respective areas.

i) The family of Lalaji and NaqshMuMRa

Lalaji did not follow alone the teachings of Hujur, his Master, but did so with his brother Raghubal Dayal (1875-1947), also called Chachchaji. Also, both had children who spread their teachings. Lalaji had 2 sons and 8 girls, but only one of them (sons) came to my knowledge (showed up in my research). It is Jagmohan Narain (1901-44).

He (Jagmohan Narain) had 2 sons: Akilesh KUMAR (1941-74) and Dinesh KUMAR Saxena (born in 1944). This latter one had a son Himanshu Vikram, who is the administrator of his website “NaqshMuMRa Nexus”. All are from Fatehgarh (District of Farrukhabad - Uttar Pradesh).

Raghubal Dayal (aka Chachaji Maharaj) had 3 sons: Brij Mohan Lal (aka Hudurwala) (1898-1955), Radha Mohan Lal (1900? - 1966) and Jyotendra Mohan Lal. All this family is established in Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh). Radha Mohan Lal and his wife Sushila Devi had 3 sons: Virendra Nath, Satendra Nath and “Baboo” Narendra Nath Saxena. (Note: Apparently, there is another son of Rhada Moan Lal Sri Ravindra Nath Saxsena. He is the only living son of Bhai Sahib. He is 75 now and lives in Kanpur. He is the only child from Bhai Sahib’s first marriage. Bhai Sahib also had 2 daughters. The oldest, Durga, is gone. Sushila Devi apparently named her 2nd son, Satendra to succeed his father.

Lalaji, 36th Master of the Sufi lineage is also the first Hindu Master of a new branch of the Ramchandriyya Order. In summary, NaqshMuMRa stands for Naqshbandiyya Mujaddidiyya Mazhariyya Ramchandriyya. It is the family lineage where his (Lalaji's) brother succeeds him for a time before relinquishing the place to his (Lalaji’s) son, Jagmohan Narain then successively to his (Lalaji’s) 2 grandsons.

37. Raghubar Dayal (Chachchaji) Ji Maharaj (1875-1947)
38. Jagmohan Narain Ji Saaheb (1901-1944)
39. Akhilesh KUMAR Ji (1941-1974)
40. Dinesh KUMAR Saxena, (born on October 28, 1944)

ii) Ramashram Satsang

Lalaji did not only have disciples in his family. He apparently had 212 (disciples) according to NaqshMuMRa Nexus, including 9 “functionaries” and 8 organizations would have been given the responsibility to spread his teachings.

The main one is the stream of the “Ramashram’s”. This movement would be managed from Fatehgarh by Ramashram Sansthan of which I did not find a trace, but from I gathered, we could be refering to NaqshMuMRa. It has at least 5 other local variations: prefixes “Ramashram Satsang” + suffix “place name”.

One thus finds in Uttar Pradesh:

-Ramashram Satsang Etah founded in 1923 by Dr. Chaturbhuj Sahai (1883-1957), then moved to Mathura in 1951, the movement is still very active today
- Ramashram Satsang Sikandarabad founded by Dr. Shri Krishna Lal in 1921
- Ramashram Satsang Shyam Nagar founded by Shri Ranaji Saheb a few kilometres from Gursahaiganj, in the district of Kannauj
- Ramashram Satsang Ghaziabad
- Ramashram Satsang in Jaipur in the neighbouring Rajasthan, founded by Thakur RAM Singhji (1898-1971), another movement that is still active today.

iii) Other Current Streams and Known Personalities

Brij Mohan Lal (called Dadda Ji), son of Raghubal Dayal and nephew of Lalaji, had a disciple named Yashpal Ji or Pujya Bhai Sahab ji (1918 -?). This one founded “Akhil Bhartiya Santmat Satsang” (ABSS) in 1969 in Anangpur (District of Faridabad in Haryana).

Radha Mohan Lal (sometimes called Guruji), also son of Raghubal Dayal and nephew of Lalaji, had several known disciples who attained a certain amount of fame

Dr. Chandra Gupta, who also often frequented Thakur RAM Singhji
(see RK Gupta website: http://www.geocities.com/sufisaints/)

Irina Tweedie (1907-1999), founder of the “Golden Sufi Center” in California, which draws up very a totally different lineage than that of the NaqshMuMRa, by erasing Hujur and Lalaji to insert only Radha Mohan Lal, and herself (and her successor) obviously). Irina Tweedie's book Daughter of Fire, published by the Golden Sufi Center describes her Sufi training by Radha Mohan Lal, whom she calls Bhai Sahib. The Golden Sufi Center in California is the vehicle for the work of the Naqshbandiyya-Mujaddidiyya Order of Sufism in the West.

29. Mîrzâ Mazhar Jânjânân
30. Na'îmullâh Bahrâichî
31. Muradulla
32. Abul Hasan
33. Ahmad Ali Khan
34. Abdul Gani Khan
35. Radha Mohan Lal (Bhai Sahib)
36. Irina Tweedie
37. Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee


Still remaining is the current directly resulting from Lalaji which was created much later (13 years after Lalaji's death (1931), namely the Sahaj Marg of Ram Chandra (Saksena or Saxena) of Shahjahanpur, Babuji, in 1945. But that is another story!

There is also the smaller group of Saral Hari Marg of Dr. Harnarayan Saxena.

2 Syncretism of the Teachings

According to Thomas Dähnhardt, Hujur, the Sufi and Lalaji, the Hindu, voluntarily set up a syncretic spiritual teaching to abolish the barriers between religions. The 11 principles of Naqshbandiyya preached already the silent meditation on the heart and the constant remembrance of the Divine presence. The Master pours divine energy into the heart of his disciple by liberating him from his impure thoughts. The principal responsibility for the spiritual evolution of the candidate rests in the hands of his Master, provided that he comes into daily contact with his guru by the means of the meditation (morning, evening and before sleeping).

Their successors proceeded in this way by dissociating the practice and the spiritual theory. The practice remained nearly identical, while the theory remained Islamic with the adherents of the Sufi Order whereas it was re-hindu-ised in the “Ramashram” stream. The terms in Arabic or Persian were replaced by their Sanskrit or Hindi equivalents. The references to the Q’uran and Muhammed were replaced by the Upanishads and Lord Krishna.

This work had previously been completed already by Kabir providing the foundations of Santmat in 15th century, but also before him by the other famous unknown, Sufism, spreading its roots into Hinduism, and conversely. It still remains, no less, that no other group denies the respective historical contributions of the two religions and all speak about the various Masters who are at their origins. No group except Babuji’s Sahaj Marg…

3) Bibliographical Sources

a) Sufism in India

- R.K. Gupta: Sufi saints and Sufism:
- www.geocities.com/sufisaints/

- Also from the same author:
- “Yogis in silence - the Great Sufi Masters”

- Line Droel: “Sufism in India: Chishtiyya and Naqshbandiyya”
- www.unifr.ch/imr/droel,soufisme.doc

- Thomas Dähnhardt: “Change and Continuity in Indian Sufism”
- (A Naqshbandi-Myjaddidi Branch in the Hindu Environment) - 447 p.
- Islamic Heritage in Cross-Cultural Perspectives No 3 - 2002 - ISBN: 8124601704
- see also:
- http://jis.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/15/3/359

- Golden Delicious Chain Naqshbandi: (French)
- www.naqshbandi.ca/fr/chain/index.shtml

- B.B. Basuk: “Lakshvedhi Genealogy”, 1985 (3rd English edition under reserve) Genealogical Chronology of the Saints in the Naqshbandia Mujaddidia Order


b) Successors of Lalaji

- NaqshMuMRa:
- http://laalaajinilayam.googlepages.com/home

- Ramashram Satsang Mathura:
- www.ramashramsatsang.org
- www.angelfire.com/journal/yoga1/ramashramintro.htm
- www.ramashramsatsang-mathura.com
- www.ramashram.com

- Ramashram Sansthan and Jaipur, by Arvind Jolly:
- http://members.tripod.com/arvind_jolly/
- and
- http://arvindjolly.googlepages.com

- Akhil Bhartiya Santmat Satsang (ABSS):
- www.abssatsang.org

- Golden Sufi Center - California:
- www.goldensufi.org

Lalaji's History:

For Lalaji's comparative history, compare these sites:

Lalaji's History according to Chari's SRCM
From: Sahaj Marg Research and Teaching Institute (SMRTI), controlled by Chari

Lalaji's History according to SRCM (Shahjahanpur) of Babuji's Family
From SRCM (Shahjahanpur)

Lalaji's History according to Institute of Ram Chandra Consciousness (ISRC) Presided by K.C. Narayana, son of Dr. Varadachari's, who was touted as Babuji's suceessor before Chari came along.
From: Institute of Ram Chandra Consciousness (ISRC)

Lalaji's History according to Naqshmumra
From: NaqshMuMRa Nexus

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

SRCM Part 3- THE TIME OF DIVISIONS

The HISTORY OF SAHAJ MARG

Elodie's blog: http://pourquevivelesahajmarg.blogspot.com/
Alexis's Blog: http://shriramchandramission.blogspot.com/

This is a translation (Google Translate) of the comments on Elodie's blog by Alexis. (see part 1 and part 2 in Archives)

(See also Michael's blog at: Inner Circle of SRCM

Michael, an ex-preceptor from USA, was a member of the "publishing Committee" and a member of Chari's "inner circle". He figures he was appointed and used to oust preceptors not supportive of Chari...Then he was un-ceremoniously let go.) Michael was in Paris, at the hotel where Babuji, Chari, and André Poray stayed during Baubji's last tour. His viewpoint is very interesting and relative to the history of SRCM in North America.

Michael's marriage to an Indian woman was one of the first in SRCM arranged by Chari. Michael's personal blog is at "Journey in the Skai"

Part 3- The Time of Divisions (1974-2007)

Babuji and Chari multiply their travels to the West. Sahaj Marg is spreading throughout the world. He had forty followers in 1965, but reached over 3,000 in 1983. While K.C. Varadachari alerts Babuji about the risks of the drifting of the teachings as early as 1970. But Babuji is older, he is now 75 years old in 1974 ...

1. The battle of Chiefs (1974-84)

The last ten years of the life of Babuji are particularly troublesome. Has he started by appointing Chari so as to better disavow him for the benefit of one of his sons? It will probably never be known and it is the Babuji of earlier times, mysterious and paranoid, seeing conspiracies everywhere against him. All the conditions are now in place to create confusion and many people will take advantage of it.

The attraction of power seduces the ambitious. Everyone is trying to pull the blanket to their side of the bed. Some clans emerge, alliances are formed and un-formed. From here on end, the conditional is the tense to use. As early as 1973, Kum. Kasturi Chaturvedi, Raghavendra Rao and Chari reportedly all asked Babuji to divide the power among them: Kasturi Chaturvedi the north, the south to Raghavendra Rao and Chari outside of India. And Babuji refused.

Some later argue that Chari could have been appointed chairman of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission in 1974. Others say the contrary and that he could have been stripped of his position around 1980 and that Babuji had appointed his own son, Umesh Chandra Saxena, to succeed him. While in Europe, André Poray and Chari play cat and mouse.

It is very different from any spirituality. This dark period lasts a decade and is going on in a climate of suspicion, hostility and slander of all kinds. Both sides trying to better position itself so as to blame the other of attempted poisoning and murder, no less!

2. The triumph of Chari (1984-97)

Babuji eventually died in April 1983, and according to some, it was a suspicious death. Umesh Chandra Saxena asserted his rights despite opposition from Kasturi, Narayana and Chari obviously. He became president of the SRCM of Shahjahanpur, but leaves the power temporarily to Dr S.P. Srivastava, in an effort to calm the spirits. He chairs a working committee which will publish the second part of the newspaper Babuji.

Meanwhile, Chari seceded, settled in Chennai (Madras) and traveled abroad enormously. This smoker of American cigarettes is very westernized and seems to leave a wide autonomy to Kasturi and Rao who accomodate, as if they were taking their original position: the westerners to Chari, to Kasturi, the north and to Rao, the south. If you believe the figures put forward by one and the other, the expansion is dizzying: 20,000 followers in 1991, 50,000 in 1995 ...

KC Narayana, son of Dr. KC Varadachari starts by working closely with Chari. He takes at the same time the head of the SMRI created by his father. But in 1991, because Chari widely exploits the cult of his personality, he (K.C. Narayana) breaks all relations and creates the Institute of Sri Ramchandra Consciousness (ISRC). André Poray, on the other hand, seems to have thrown in the towel.

Therefore, there is not one, nor two, but three missions which lay claim to the spiritual heritage of Babuji: Umesh Chandra's Mission in Shahjahanpur, SRCM (California) of Chari and ISRC of KC Narayana. Not to mention the disciples of Babuji who have remained relatively autonomous in their respective regions, such Kasturi in Lucknow or Raghavendra Rao in Raichur.


3. The Return of the Scavengers (1997-2007)

Thanks to western funds Chari inaugurates the expensive and noisy Babuji Memorial Ashram in 1997, but his strategy of western conquest falters and he returns to India and is haloed for his success. Frictions resurface as he attempts to retake the Indian ashrams that have remained independent.

At that time, Umesh Chandra Saxena, son of Babuji, states that the assets of the Mission are one billion Indian rupees (about 200 million euros), with 700 centers and 70 ashrams while Chari announced 55,000 followers. In 2003, he said he had multiplied by 3 the number of Indian abhyasis in 3 years. Today, it fluctuates between 200 and 300,000 followers, as it is no more at approximately 100,000. That is something to attract the lustful!

Chari is aging and is well aware of it. On April 29, 2005, he appointed Ajay Kumar Bhatter to succeed him. But history is an eternal repetition. Chari has just celebrated his 80 years, he is sick and tired. The Mission has grown considerably, it has been enriched. How to resist the lust that inevitably created this little empire? The appetites are insatiable, there is a potential for power (and money) almost within reach.

The story is repeated. The grandson of Lalaji comes out of the shadows, supporters of Kasturi push her forward and the grandson of Babuji counter- attacks. Not to mention a supporter of the deceased Raghavendra Rao ... Meanwhile, Chari's opportunistic lieutenants are waiting for their time: Ajay Bhatter is designated successor, the wealthy heir Krishna, Khanjee the grey eminence and even Durai, the henchman. They are all there, which one will therefore win?

The battle is already under way. Old accusations of poisoning re-emerge. New ones are emerging. Attempts to intimidate, murder and poisoning, and even of pedophilia and incest.

Reasonable end of the reign… or beginning of a new era?

4 Bibliography –

SRCM® Chari's faction, registered in California in 1997:
www.srcm.org

To view Documents and Allegations, see this
SRCM Shahjahanpur : www.srcmshahjahanpur.org

ISRC: www.sriramchandra.org
Blog on Kasturi: http://kasturibhenji.blogspot.com
Blog on Raghavendra Rao: http://makamsureshkumar.blogspot.com