Ram Chandra (Lalaji)

He was born on 2nd February 1873 at Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh in north India on the day of "BasantPanchmi" (as per Hindu calendar).[1] His father Harbaksh Rai was a tax superintendent at Fatehgarh. His mother was a religious lady, who influenced Ram Chandra towards spirituality in his childhood.[3][11] His father belonged to a family of Jagirdars (landlords), but they lost most of their wealth in the post mutiny disturbances at that time, and in a legal battle. Later Ram Chandra worked with one of his father’s associates in the collector's office at Fatehgarh for his livelihood.[11][12] He was married and led a normal family life.[11] He knew Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Hindi, Sanskrit and English languages. He completed his education from a Mission School at Farrukhabad.[3][5]

His interest in spirituality grew during his school days. He is said to have: attained his spiritual goal in a short period of seven months, and rediscovered the ancient technique of yogic transmission which is also called “Pranahuti” (Upanishadic “Pranasya Pran”). Pranahuti involves transmitting divine energy from the original source into the heart of the practitioner to expedite his spiritual progress.[3][12][6] When he began imparting spiritual training some school teachers experienced positive changes in their personalities. The word spread and more people were attracted to Ram Chandra. He started formal group meditation (Satsang) in 1914. He continued the work until his death on 14th August 1931.[1] His spiritual teachings are said to have equally influenced people of all casts and religions in India.[3][2] It was believed by his followers that through his simplified and effective training he made it possible for humans to attain their spiritual perfection during their lifetime itself while they lead a normal householder’s life.[3]

Some of his teachings are:

• Have company of good people if you want to become good.

• Do not offer advice to anyone unless asked for.[13]

• Ritual ceremonies should be avoided.[3]

• Widow marriage and female education should be promoted.[13][3]

• Wants should be reduced. People should earn money honestly and spend it on others after meeting their basic needs.[13]

• Any type of intoxication is bad. [13]

• A person should be same inside and outside, that is, he should speak what he has in his heart.[13]

• Transforming a human being into a better human being is the best miracle. [13]

• Home, is the best training ground for spirituality and greatest form of penance for submission endurance and sacrifice. [3]

• Some amount of afflictions is divine blessing, holding many secrets. Some amount of worries and insults is useful for spiritual progress.[3][5]

• Good conversation skills are effective means for bringing harmony in human relationships.[14]

• Make friends of your enemies. [3][5]

His disciples started many spiritual organizations like: “SRCM (Shri Ram Chandra Mission)” started by his disciple with the same name as his - “Ram Chandra” of Shahjahanpur [7][3][6],“Ramashram Satsang” by “Chaturbhuj Sahay”,[8] “ABSS (Akhil Bhartiya Santmat Satsang)” by “Yashpal” and “Ram Samadhi Ashram” by “Thakur Ram Singh Bhati”.[9][10]

He is said to have produced a vast amount of manuscript literature but most of it was lost after his death in 1931.[3] From the remaining manuscript which was in Urdu language some was initially serially published in the “SahajMarg” Journal of Shri Ram Chandra mission from the year 1958 onwards in Hindi language. Its English translation by S. A.Sarnad was published in the form of a book “Truth Eternal” in1973.[13] Some other of his writings are published by the “Heartfulness Institute” in the books: Complete Works of Ram Chandra, Vol. 2, Vol. 3 and Vol. 4.[12][15]

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