We Remember Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj (12–20–1920 — 6–4–2007), the Great Scholar-Sant, on the Occasion of His Jayanti — Birthday Commemoration
One university student and initiate/satsangi in New Delhi wrote today: "To the most endearing Soul I know...a radiant personality...a sea of wisdom ....to the one who was not awed by the trivial material pleasures of this world and decided to look beyond.. To the one who is the personification of a great disciple....who at every dawn of his life followed the teachings of his Guru like no other did...who devoted himself physically and emotionally at the lotus feet of his Guru, like no other did..I bow to this magnificent drop of the Divine on this day and everyday.....The savior of humanity who directed us towards our supreme Goal...The Earth would have been a much beautiful place when Divine Souls like He would be born here everyday...I bow down to you Oh great drop of the Divine...Your birth is a blessing for us..Your birth is a blessing for humanity...Your birth is a celebration of the Divinity that is present in each one of us but which is in dormant state...We only need to awake to the Divinity ....We only need to awake to the celebration of pristine virtues...Happy Birthday Santsevi Ji."
A Biography of Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj
Maharishi Santsevi Ji Maharaj is a renowned saint, an exceptional Spiritual Guide, and a unique social reformer of the 21st Century. Shri Santsevi Ji is the fourth Guru in the Santmat lineage of great spiritual masters: Sant Tulsi Sahab, Baba Devi Sahab, and Maharishi Mehi Paramhans Ji Maharaj.
Shri Santsevi Ji was born on December 20, 1920 in a small village of Bihar state, the most impoverished state of India. His family name was Mahavira. From his early childhood Mahavira was greatly interested in religious and spiritual matters. He enjoyed reading the scriptures and the poetry of saints. He was particularly fond of the Ramayana, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Ramacharitmanas, and the Shri Guru Granth Sahib.
After attending middle school he began home schooling. His intellect was keen and his heart tender. He found joy in teaching and tutoring younger students and in nursing the sick. He always felt great compassion for the sick and oppressed. This led him to study homeopathic medicine in order to help the poor and to nurse the ailing. Through his experience with sickness and death, Mahavira witnessed the impermanence and suffering that pervades human life. As a result, the seeds of detachment became firmly rooted in his heart. He became detached from the worldly life. After considerable reflection, he chose a life of renunciation, even though his family members exerted great pressure to persuade him otherwise.
In 1939, Mahavira came in contact with the great sage of the Sant Mat tradition, Maharishi Mehi, who had a hermitage in Bhagalpur, Bihar. Upon seeing Maharishi Mehi, Mahavira felt drawn to him, as though he had known him for many lifetimes. Mahavira was also greatly intrigued by the principles and practices of Santmat. He approached Shri Maharishi Mehi for initiation in Santmat. Maharishi Mehi soon became very impressed by the sincerity and devotion of this young man and agreed to initiate him. Mahavira began his meditation and service of Guru, and also continued his work as a tutor.
In the heart of Mahavira a keen desire arose to remain permanently in the service of his Guru. His desire was fulfilled in 1949 when Maharishi Mehi gave him permission to stay in the Ashram in his service. Mahavira devoted his days and nights to taking care of the needs of his Guru, thereby following the ancient Vedic model of the Guru-disciple relationship. He never cared for his personal comfort when he was serving his Guru's needs: cooking food, doing laundry, keeping track of expenses, editing his writings, and traveling to villages with him to teach the principles of Santmat to the poor, oppressed, and marginalized. Maharishi Mehi, pleased with this selfless service, gave him the name Santsevi, meaning "he who serves saints." From that day Mahavira came to be known as Santsevi.
As Maharishi Mehi advanced in age, he began to transfer his responsibilities to Shri Santsevi Ji. He authorized Shri Santsevi Ji to give initiation to spiritual seekers, to respond to their inquiries, and to guide them through the inner experiences of their spiritual journeys. He came to be seen as the prominent disciple among Maharishi Mehi's chief devotees. Maharishi Mehi often said, "As the English letters Q and U cannot be separated, so too Santsevi and I are connected. Wherever I may live Santsevi will also reside." Shri Santsevi Ji remained in the service of his Guru until Maharishi Mehi's passing at the age of 101 in July of 1986. After the passing of Shri Maharishi Mehi, Shri Santsevi Ji was immediately recognized as the torchbearer of Santmat. (Maharshi Mehi Ashram, Kuppa Ghat (Hindi: कुप्पाघाट), a place located on the banks of the holy river Ganges at Bhagalpur, Bihar, India.)
-- from the book, Sarvadharma Samanvy
The Way of Sages -- Santmat -- encompasses a set of ageless moral values, a belief in a Higher Power, and most importantly a methodology for realization of the Highest and the state of absolute Peace within one’s own self. Incorporated in that methodology is an interior road map, as it were, of the various stages, spiritual landmarks, and relevant advice from a qualified adept for achieving the goal.
Santmat is not confined to the beliefs, rituals, and dogmas of any specific religions. Being universal in nature it embraces the Truths found in most of the world’s sacred texts and religious traditions, but does not advocate any specific religion. Santmat emphasizes the universal thread running through all the various traditions.
The attainment of ultimate spiritual Peace and supreme Joy within oneself is the ultimate goal of Santmat as described by Maharishi Mehi and other great sages. Although this path is not content with meager goals, it is extremely easy to understand and practice. Progress is certain, although, for most, eager and persistent effort is required.
-- TheWayOfSages.com
Web Page Dedicated to the Book, Harmony of All Religions (Sarvadharma Samanvy) -- about Inner Light and Sound Meditation in the Great World Religions and the Sant Mat tradition, by Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj, Translated Into English by Veena Howard, Published by the Santmat Society of North America:
