Rai Saligram
Encyclopedia
Rai Bahadur Saligram ji, popularly known as Huzur Maharaj ji, was born in a Kayastha
family of Peepal Mandi, Agra
, on 14 March 1829. He served as chief inspector of post offices in India
, and in 1881, promoted as the Postmaster
General of the North-Western Provinces
with headquarters at Allahabad
. He was the first Indian to hold this coveted post.
He came in contact with his guru
, Swami ji Maharaj
in 1858 in Agra. He had a deep faith in his guru and became the follower of the Radha Soami
spiritual movement. For twenty years (1858-1878) he served his guru. When in 1878, Swami ji Maharaj departed for his heavenly abode, Rai Saligram Bahadur succeeded him as the guru.
The satsang
of Salig Ram Maharaj exploded with disciples from all over India, including a viceroy
. Salig Ram wrote several volumes of popular books on the Radha Soami faith. For twenty years (1878-1898) he served as guru and left this world on December 6, 1898.
Throughout his academic career, Rai Saligram was a brilliant student. After completing his primary education in a maktab [Urdu school], he went to Agra College
for higher studies. He passed the Senior Cambridge examination from this college in 1847 with distinction in Theology, English, Mathematics and Urdu. Subsequently he devoted himself to higher studies in Persian
and Arabic
. He also studied advanced books on religion, philosophy and astrology. He took great interest in learning Hindi
and Sanskrit
and within a short time acquired high proficiency in these languages. His ever-increasing thirst for knowledge knew no bounds.
He really desired to reveal unto himself the secrets of absolute Truth. Driven by an inner urge to seek a perfect guru, he visited many holy places in the country where he met many religious teachers and saints. He came to the conclusion that many reputed religious leaders were themselves labouring under delusion, and that they were deluding their disciples. Nevertheless, on the insistence of his mother, he agreed to receive initiation from the family priest on the clear understanding that he would discard the priest and his teachings as soon as he had found a true and perfect guru.
He was appointed as a second clerk in the office of Postmaster General, North-Western Provinces soon after he had finished his studies. Since he proved to be an honest and efficient worker in the department, he got rapid promotions. First he was promoted to the office of inspector of post offices, then head assistant and later personal assistant to the Postmaster General. In 1871, he was appointed chief inspector of post offices in India, and in 1881 as the Postmaster General of the North-Western Provinces with headquarters at Allahabad. He was the first Indian to hold this coveted post.
Being an administrator of outstanding ability, Rai Saligram Sahab introduced a number of new practices in the postal department, namely, land revenue money order scheme, insurance of parcels, value payable parcel [VPP], procedures regarding bearing letters, understamped articles and telegrams and the total amalgamation of the district postal arrangements for official letters with general postal department. He toned up the services in the department during the difficult period of its growth and development. By his extraordinary grasp of departmental working, he successfully dealt with complicated pending cases. He removed confusion and red-tapism prevalent in the department. These schemes proved very useful and convenient for departmental work and immensely benefited the people. He also recommended the issue of one-piece post-cards for the benefit of poor people. Further, he himself translated the rules and regulations of the postal department in the North-Western Provinces and Punjab into vernacular to acquaint the educated few with them. The government honoured him with the award of the title of Rai Bahadur in 1871, in appreciation of his meritorious services.
For enforcing honesty and efficiency in the rank and file of the department, he strictly dealt with persons found guilty of embezzlement
. He had become so indispensable to the postal department that no scheme would go on paper without his prior consultation. The British authorities felt so much beholden to him for his outstanding contributions that they did not want him to retire early when he expressed such a desire in 1884. The Director-General personally requested him in a letter not to press for his retirement. However, when he insisted, he was relieved of his duties in 1887. In a personal letter, the Director-General paid glowing tributes to him for his efficient work.
Radha Soami
He came in contact with his guru, Swami ji Maharaj
in 1858 of Agra. He had a deep faith in his guru and became the follower of Radha Soami spiritual movement. For twenty long years (1858-1878), he served the guru in manner unparalleled in the annals of bhakti. His undivided and extraordinary devotion towards Swami ji Maharaj
attracted wide attention. Once upon the time, when Swami ji
was asked about Salig Ram, He stated 'I do not know if I am his guru, or he is mine.' When in 1878, Soamiji departed for his heavenly abode, Rai Saligram Bahadur succeeded him as the guru and inaugurated an era of consolidation in the history of Radhasoami Satsang. After his retirement from official duties, he finally settled at Agra and devoted his entire time to religious duties. For twenty years (1878-1898) he served humanity at large and spread the divine light of love which he had received from his master.
It is said that when he was about to be born, the gestation period of his mother extended eighteen instead of the normal nine month and his mother experienced no trouble on that account and the delivery was normal. When he was only a few month old, a cobra would come to his bed-room every night and to his mother's horror the child would catch hold of the cobra by the neck and with it. The poisonous creature did not harm to him.
Another story relate to an accident in which the boy Saligram fell down in the flooded Jamuna. Just when he was about to drown, some unseen hand caught hold of him and put him back into the boat.
Many of his followers experienced his miraculous power when he became the Santsatguru. Max Mueller, his contemporary, writes "the people are convinced that he can miracles, but he himself regards such thing as unbecoming and below his dignity." It is said that he granted vision and initiation in dreams to persons who were keen on initiation into the Radhasoami faith by Huzur himself but could not personally approach him. Many proof are available about his capacity to cure patients merely by his personal touch or a glance. Dr. Mukund Lall, the then assistant surgeon to the viceroy, often sent patients of chronic hysteria to Huzur Maharaj and all of them were fully cured.
It is said that many a foreigner came to his satsang after knowing his supernatural talents. A German theosophist and an American lady felt an inner call impelling them to seek spiritual guidance from Huzur Maharaj after having seen him in their dreams. The sanctity and spiritual impact of his residence are revealed by the belief that anyone who walked under the lamp-post in his lane, was sure to be attracted to the Radhasoami faith. People also thought that there was some magic in his eyes; even his casual glance would draw them towards him. Devotees who came to attend his satsang at Agra got so absorbed in the spiritual ecstasy of the saint's company that they would forget to attend to their official duties at the prescribed hour. To their surprise, they would find on reaching their office that the work allotted to them had been duly completed and they were marked present in the attendance register. Many of his followers recorded their experiences acknowledging Huzur Maharaj's grace and mercy in every walk of life. He granted them strength against evil forces. A compilation of these records would be sufficient material for an interesting book on mystic revelations.
ji as well as his own. We wrote following books:
Kayastha
Kayastha or Kayasth or Kayeth is a caste or community of Hindus originating in India. Kayastha means "scribe" in Sanskrit, and has traditionally denoted members of the writer caste....
family of Peepal Mandi, Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
, on 14 March 1829. He served as chief inspector of post offices in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and in 1881, promoted as the Postmaster
Postmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
General of the North-Western Provinces
North-Western Provinces
The North-Western Provinces was an administrative region in British India which succeeded the Ceded and Conquered Provinces and existed in one form or another from 1836 until 1902, when it became the Agra Province within the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh .-Area:The province included all...
with headquarters at Allahabad
Allahabad
Allahabad , or Settled by God in Persian, is a major city of India and is one of the main holy cities of Hinduism. It was renamed by the Mughals from the ancient name of Prayaga , and is by some accounts the second-oldest city in India. It is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh,...
. He was the first Indian to hold this coveted post.
He came in contact with his guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
, Swami ji Maharaj
Shiv Dayal Singh
Seth Shiv Dayal Singh was born on the 25th august. At the age of five, he was sent to school where he learnt Hindi, Urdu, Persian and Gurumukhi. He also acquired a working knowledge of Arabic and Sanskrit...
in 1858 in Agra. He had a deep faith in his guru and became the follower of the Radha Soami
Radha Soami
Radhasoami is a philosophical organization originating in 19th century India, and considered by adherents as a true way to attain God realization...
spiritual movement. For twenty years (1858-1878) he served his guru. When in 1878, Swami ji Maharaj departed for his heavenly abode, Rai Saligram Bahadur succeeded him as the guru.
The satsang
Satsang
Satsang in Indian philosophy means the company of the "highest truth," the company of a guru, or company with an assembly of persons who listen to, talk about, and assimilate the truth...
of Salig Ram Maharaj exploded with disciples from all over India, including a viceroy
Viceroy
A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
. Salig Ram wrote several volumes of popular books on the Radha Soami faith. For twenty years (1878-1898) he served as guru and left this world on December 6, 1898.
Life and work
Huzur Maharaj ji's father, Bahadur Singh, a lawyer of repute, was a highly religious and generous man. Hazur's father died early. At that time, Rai Saligram was only four years old. His mother, a talented lady, had therefore to struggle hard against heavy odds to provide her sons with the best possible education.Throughout his academic career, Rai Saligram was a brilliant student. After completing his primary education in a maktab [Urdu school], he went to Agra College
Agra College
Agra College is one of the oldest institutions in India. Pandit Gangadhar Shastri, a noted Sanskrit Scholar founded the college in 1823. Till 1883 the institute was a government college and after that a Board of Trustees and a Committee of Management managed the college...
for higher studies. He passed the Senior Cambridge examination from this college in 1847 with distinction in Theology, English, Mathematics and Urdu. Subsequently he devoted himself to higher studies in Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
and Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
. He also studied advanced books on religion, philosophy and astrology. He took great interest in learning Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
and Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
and within a short time acquired high proficiency in these languages. His ever-increasing thirst for knowledge knew no bounds.
He really desired to reveal unto himself the secrets of absolute Truth. Driven by an inner urge to seek a perfect guru, he visited many holy places in the country where he met many religious teachers and saints. He came to the conclusion that many reputed religious leaders were themselves labouring under delusion, and that they were deluding their disciples. Nevertheless, on the insistence of his mother, he agreed to receive initiation from the family priest on the clear understanding that he would discard the priest and his teachings as soon as he had found a true and perfect guru.
He was appointed as a second clerk in the office of Postmaster General, North-Western Provinces soon after he had finished his studies. Since he proved to be an honest and efficient worker in the department, he got rapid promotions. First he was promoted to the office of inspector of post offices, then head assistant and later personal assistant to the Postmaster General. In 1871, he was appointed chief inspector of post offices in India, and in 1881 as the Postmaster General of the North-Western Provinces with headquarters at Allahabad. He was the first Indian to hold this coveted post.
Being an administrator of outstanding ability, Rai Saligram Sahab introduced a number of new practices in the postal department, namely, land revenue money order scheme, insurance of parcels, value payable parcel [VPP], procedures regarding bearing letters, understamped articles and telegrams and the total amalgamation of the district postal arrangements for official letters with general postal department. He toned up the services in the department during the difficult period of its growth and development. By his extraordinary grasp of departmental working, he successfully dealt with complicated pending cases. He removed confusion and red-tapism prevalent in the department. These schemes proved very useful and convenient for departmental work and immensely benefited the people. He also recommended the issue of one-piece post-cards for the benefit of poor people. Further, he himself translated the rules and regulations of the postal department in the North-Western Provinces and Punjab into vernacular to acquaint the educated few with them. The government honoured him with the award of the title of Rai Bahadur in 1871, in appreciation of his meritorious services.
For enforcing honesty and efficiency in the rank and file of the department, he strictly dealt with persons found guilty of embezzlement
Embezzlement
Embezzlement is the act of dishonestly appropriating or secreting assets by one or more individuals to whom such assets have been entrusted....
. He had become so indispensable to the postal department that no scheme would go on paper without his prior consultation. The British authorities felt so much beholden to him for his outstanding contributions that they did not want him to retire early when he expressed such a desire in 1884. The Director-General personally requested him in a letter not to press for his retirement. However, when he insisted, he was relieved of his duties in 1887. In a personal letter, the Director-General paid glowing tributes to him for his efficient work.
Radha SoamiRadha SoamiRadhasoami is a philosophical organization originating in 19th century India, and considered by adherents as a true way to attain God realization...
spiritual movement
He came in contact with his guru, Swami ji MaharajShiv Dayal Singh
Seth Shiv Dayal Singh was born on the 25th august. At the age of five, he was sent to school where he learnt Hindi, Urdu, Persian and Gurumukhi. He also acquired a working knowledge of Arabic and Sanskrit...
in 1858 of Agra. He had a deep faith in his guru and became the follower of Radha Soami spiritual movement. For twenty long years (1858-1878), he served the guru in manner unparalleled in the annals of bhakti. His undivided and extraordinary devotion towards Swami ji Maharaj
Shiv Dayal Singh
Seth Shiv Dayal Singh was born on the 25th august. At the age of five, he was sent to school where he learnt Hindi, Urdu, Persian and Gurumukhi. He also acquired a working knowledge of Arabic and Sanskrit...
attracted wide attention. Once upon the time, when Swami ji
Shiv Dayal Singh
Seth Shiv Dayal Singh was born on the 25th august. At the age of five, he was sent to school where he learnt Hindi, Urdu, Persian and Gurumukhi. He also acquired a working knowledge of Arabic and Sanskrit...
was asked about Salig Ram, He stated 'I do not know if I am his guru, or he is mine.' When in 1878, Soamiji departed for his heavenly abode, Rai Saligram Bahadur succeeded him as the guru and inaugurated an era of consolidation in the history of Radhasoami Satsang. After his retirement from official duties, he finally settled at Agra and devoted his entire time to religious duties. For twenty years (1878-1898) he served humanity at large and spread the divine light of love which he had received from his master.
Miracles
Miracles beyond the reach of human reason have been generally associated with mystic saints of India and Saligram Sahab was no exception to it. Many stories about his occult are current at different centres of Radhasoami Satsang. A few miracles are mentioned below to illustrate the tremendous faith his followers had in him.It is said that when he was about to be born, the gestation period of his mother extended eighteen instead of the normal nine month and his mother experienced no trouble on that account and the delivery was normal. When he was only a few month old, a cobra would come to his bed-room every night and to his mother's horror the child would catch hold of the cobra by the neck and with it. The poisonous creature did not harm to him.
Another story relate to an accident in which the boy Saligram fell down in the flooded Jamuna. Just when he was about to drown, some unseen hand caught hold of him and put him back into the boat.
Many of his followers experienced his miraculous power when he became the Santsatguru. Max Mueller, his contemporary, writes "the people are convinced that he can miracles, but he himself regards such thing as unbecoming and below his dignity." It is said that he granted vision and initiation in dreams to persons who were keen on initiation into the Radhasoami faith by Huzur himself but could not personally approach him. Many proof are available about his capacity to cure patients merely by his personal touch or a glance. Dr. Mukund Lall, the then assistant surgeon to the viceroy, often sent patients of chronic hysteria to Huzur Maharaj and all of them were fully cured.
It is said that many a foreigner came to his satsang after knowing his supernatural talents. A German theosophist and an American lady felt an inner call impelling them to seek spiritual guidance from Huzur Maharaj after having seen him in their dreams. The sanctity and spiritual impact of his residence are revealed by the belief that anyone who walked under the lamp-post in his lane, was sure to be attracted to the Radhasoami faith. People also thought that there was some magic in his eyes; even his casual glance would draw them towards him. Devotees who came to attend his satsang at Agra got so absorbed in the spiritual ecstasy of the saint's company that they would forget to attend to their official duties at the prescribed hour. To their surprise, they would find on reaching their office that the work allotted to them had been duly completed and they were marked present in the attendance register. Many of his followers recorded their experiences acknowledging Huzur Maharaj's grace and mercy in every walk of life. He granted them strength against evil forces. A compilation of these records would be sufficient material for an interesting book on mystic revelations.
Huzur Maharaj ji Books
Huzur Maharaj ji published the writings of Shiv Dayal SinghShiv Dayal Singh
Seth Shiv Dayal Singh was born on the 25th august. At the age of five, he was sent to school where he learnt Hindi, Urdu, Persian and Gurumukhi. He also acquired a working knowledge of Arabic and Sanskrit...
ji as well as his own. We wrote following books:
- 1) Prem Patra Radhasoami (Six volumes)
- 2) Prem Bani Radhasoami
- 3) Radhasoami Mat-Prakash (English)
- 4) Radhasoami Mat-Sandesh
- 5) Radhasoami Mat-Upadesh
- 6) Sar-Upadesh
- 7) Nij-Upadesh
- 8) Guru-Upadesh
- 9) Jugat Prakash
Departure from the world
During his last days, he took very little food and slept less than four hours a day. Excessive work weakened him physically. He left for his heavenly abode on 6 December 1898 after a brief illness. Paying a tribute to him, the Indian Mirror observed: "The death of Rai Saligram Saheb Bahadur of Agra will be sincerely regretted by the people of the North-west Provinces. The deceased gentleman occupied a high position in the Postal Department and enjoyed the confidence and respect of both the Government and the public. But we notice Rai Saligram death not so much because of his official position as because of the hold he had over the hearts of his countrymen. Indian official, who are in anyway in the service are apt to become some time denationalised. Rai Saligram, on the contrary, was a Hindu of Hindus, and the leader of a recognized Hindu association. He was a very charitable man, and his death is a distinct loss to the community."Hazur Rai Saligram's successors
His three chief successors which carried his work forward were- Pandit Brahma Sankar Mishra Sahab {Param Purush purandhani Maharaj sahab}
- Param Sant Shiv Brat Lal Verman jiShiv Brat LalMaharishi Shiv Brat Lal Verman ji was born in Bhadohi Distt of Uttar Pradesh state in India in 1860. He was a post graduate and a famous writer. It is believed that he wrote as much as 3000 books on various social, historical, religious and spiritual topics...
(Data Dayal Maharishi ji) - Ajudhia Prasad
See also
- Radha SwamiRadha SoamiRadhasoami is a philosophical organization originating in 19th century India, and considered by adherents as a true way to attain God realization...
- Radha Swami Satsang, DinodRadha Swami Satsang, DinodThe Radha Swami faith was started by Param Sant Shiv Dayal Singh ji on Basant-Panchami day in January 1861. He manifested himself in a respectable family of Khatris at Agra on August 24, 1818. Radha Swami faith is built on the preachings of perfect Saint or true Guide and Preceptor Param Sant Shiv...
- Param Sant Shiv Dayal Singh jiShiv Dayal SinghSeth Shiv Dayal Singh was born on the 25th august. At the age of five, he was sent to school where he learnt Hindi, Urdu, Persian and Gurumukhi. He also acquired a working knowledge of Arabic and Sanskrit...
(Swami ji Maharaj) - Param Sant Shiv Brat Lal Verman jiShiv Brat LalMaharishi Shiv Brat Lal Verman ji was born in Bhadohi Distt of Uttar Pradesh state in India in 1860. He was a post graduate and a famous writer. It is believed that he wrote as much as 3000 books on various social, historical, religious and spiritual topics...
(Data Dayal Maharishi ji) - Sant Satguru Waqt Param Dayal Faqir Chand Ji MaharajBaba Faqir ChandBaba Faqir Chand, was an Indian master of Surat Shabd Yoga, or consciously controlled near death experience. He was the first Sant Mat guru to speak of overwhelming experience of certainty and the subjective projection of sacred forms without the conscious knowledge of the person at the center of...
(Baba Faqir Chand) - Param Sant Master Ram Singh ji ArmanRam Singh ArmanParam Sant Arman Saheb ji, was born in a Yadav family of Jui Village in Haryana. He arrived on this planet on ninth of month Ausouj . He was a teacher by profession. -Radha Swami spiritual movement:...
(Arman Saheb ji) - Param Sant Tarachand jiSant TarachandParam Sant Tarachand ji Maharaj, popularly known as Bade Maharaj ji was born in a poor family in Dinod village of Haryana state. His spiritual cravings were very intense and started his search for the Supreme creator at early age of six. He liked the company of the mystics and saints very much. He...
(Bade Maharaj ji) - Param Sant Kanwar SinghSant Kanwar SinghParam Sant Huzur Kanwar Saheb ji Maharaj is the present master of Radha Swami Satsang, Dinod. He was born on March 2nd, 1948. His mother was a spiritual lady. He did post graduate in Political Science from Jaipur University. His spiritual fervent cravings brought him in Dinod Ashram in the young...
ji (Haal Hazur Maharaj ji)
External links
- Radha Swami Satsang, Dinod Official website
- Radha Swami Satsang, Dinod Yahoo Group
- Wikimapia.com: Location of Dinod Ashram
- Wikimapia.com: Location of Bhiwani Ashram
- YouTube: Lineage of gurus in Radha Swami Satsang, Dinod
- YouTube: Life and Teachings of Tarachand ji (Part 1 to Part 10)
- YouTube: Star Temple at Dinod Ashram
- Faqir Chand: The Unknowing Sage