The story goes that when Lalaji was contemplating on his successor to take forward his spiritual work, the form of Shri Ram Chandraji of Shahjahanpur, U.P., appeared to him while in a super-conscious state. Lalaji started transmitting to his would-be successor, thus attracting Shri Ram Chandraji towards him. This special personality was later known affectionately as Babuji Maharaj by thousands of his devotees.
Tracing the Roots
Born on April 30, 1899 in Shahjahanpur, U. P., Babuji showed keen interest in spirituality right from his childhood. He loved philosophy, literature and geography and was good at outdoor sports. But he gave up all in the pursuit of spirituality. All through these years he yearned for self-realization.
Having studied only up to high school, Babuji took up employment in the district court of Shahjahanpur and remained there till his retirement. Babuji craved for a capable master to lead him on to the spiritual path. He first met his master, Lalaji, when he was just 22. Lalaji instantly recognized him as the man, who had appeared to him in a dream, years ago; his successor and a torchbearer of a great spiritual renaissance. Their very first meeting got etched in the memory of both ─ the disciple and his guru ─ quite vividly. Two pairs of eyes met, striking a deep chord in two hearts, and creating an eternal bond.
The Eternal Bond
Theirs was a story of perfect love; a case of mutual dependence. No disciple has ever loved his guru like Babuji and no guru has ever showered his grace on his disciple like Lalaji. Babuji writes in his autobiography: "I went on with it regardless of all other things till I reached the level expressed by my Master in the following words in a dream when he left the mortal frame: I became ‘Thee' and Thou ‘I'. Now none can say that I am other than thee or that thou art other than me."
Surprisingly, Babuji met his guru in person only about a dozen times. But their inner connection was very strong. Babuji could not live even for a second without his guru's remembrance. From then on, carrying forward his master's spiritual legacy became his life's singular mission.
Of his spiritual condition he wrote, "There seems to be uniformity in love. Ties of relationship seem to have been severed. I have as much respect for my servant as for my respected father. I have as much love for the sons of other people as I feel for my own son. I also consider gold and earth to be the same. I see the pious and the wicked with one eye."
Teachings
"An individual's material and spiritual life should go side by side equally glittering, like the two wings of the bird," Babuji emphasized. "God is simple and subtle and hence, to realize him, one should adopt simple and subtle method". On another occasion he said, "Spirituality is a fruit that can be had or rather should be had by one and all and it is not only for a privileged few." According to him, there were three obstacles in the path to self-realization. He summed it up as follows:
• We try but there is no attempt;
• We try too many things at the same time;
• We do not have confidence in ourselves.
Contribution to Spirituality
He simplified and perfected the spiritual system of Raja Yoga, for the benefit of common man and named it Sahaj Marg – natural path. His method was very subtle and simple and even a layman could understand and practice it effortlessly. His writings too are simple to read and practice. He called himself a servant of humanity and served all irrespective of caste, creed, religion, sex and nationality. Even though physically weak, Babuji devoted his whole life for the upliftment of humanity.
Babuji trained seekers of spirituality through a simple and unostentatious way of transmitting the Divine energy. In the early days, he would travel to places where he had no friends or acquaintances, tour the city or town transmitting divine energy. The fruits of his labor are now visible in the widespread network of Sahaj Marg centers throughout India. In 1972, he began traveling globally to spread Sahaj Marg beyond Indian borders. The present Master of Sahaj Marg, Revered Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, who was then the Mission's general secretary, accompanied him on his spiritual tours.
Moments of Fame
Babuji traveled far and wide, even beyond borders of India, laying a strong spiritual foundation for humanity. Commencing his spiritual tour from South India in 1944, Babuji visited many cities and transmitted everywhere he went. His unfailing faith in his Master and love for humanity slowly started attracting the people from all parts of India and abroad. To commemorate his late Master, Babuji founded Shri Ram Chandra Mission at Shahjahanpur in 1945, and was its president till his mahasamadhi.
Babuji built an ashram in Shahjahanpur in 1976 and also in other places in India to perpetuate his guide's spiritual teachings. He was simple and true love personified. He performed any task unselfishly and without any complexity. Like his Master, he too led a simple life and showed to the world that one need not renounce material life for the sake of spirituality.
The Last Journey
Babuji left for his heavenly abode on April 19, 1983, leaving behind his successor Revered Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari to carry forward his spiritual work.
