| Ram Chandra (Lalaji) | |
| Birth Name: | Ram Chandra |
| Birth Date: | 2 February 1873 |
| Birth Place: | Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Philosophy: | Sahaj Marg, heartfulness |
| Disciples: | Chaturbhuj Sahay, Ram Chandra (Babuji), Bhavani Shankar of Orai, Harnarayan-saxena.com |
| Institute: | Ramashram Satsang, Mathura, Shri Ram Chandra Mission |
| Literary Works: | “Truth Eternal”, "The path of Sufis & Saints (Tatva-Prabodhni)" (ISBN 9789350502723) |
| Website: | https://heartfulness.org |
Ram Chandra (Lalaji) (2 February 1873 – 14 August 1931) was a spiritual guide from Fatehgarh Uttar Pradesh India. He was popularly known as "Lalaji" among his followers.[1] [2] He is said to have re-discovered the ancient Indian system of transmission called "Pranahuti" (offering of Prana) which is often referred to as “Pranasya Pranah” (Life of Life) in the practice of meditation.[3] [4] [5] [6] After his passing, his disciples started many spiritual organizations like Shri Ram Chandra Mission and Ramashram Satsang.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
He was born on February 2, 1873, at Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh in North India on the day of "Basant Panchmi" (as per Hindu calendar).[1] His father, Harbaksh Rai, was a tax superintendent at Farrukhabad. His mother, Mrs. Durga Devi, was a religious lady, who influenced Ram Chandra towards spirituality in his childhood.[3] [12] 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.[12] [13] He was married and led a normal family life.[12] 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 rediscovered the ancient technique of yogic transmission which is also called “Pranahuti” (Upanishadic “Pranasya Pranah”). Pranahuti involves transmitting divine energy from the original source into the heart of the practitioner to expedite his spiritual progress.[3] [13] [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 14 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:
Purpose of the human life is to realize god and one should attain this purpose in his or her life without fail.
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”,[16] and “Ram Samadhi Ashram” by “Thakur Ram Singh Bhati”.[9] [10] [11]
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 “Sahaj Marg” 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” in 1973. Some of his other writings are published by the “Heartfulness Institute” in the books: Complete Works of Ram Chandra, Vol. 2, Vol. 3 and Vol. 4.[13] [17] [18]
The Government of India released the commemorative coin of Rs 150 and postage stamp on 2 February 2023 at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad. Ministry of Finance issued a gazette notification for the release of coin on 25 October 2022.[19] Hon’ble Minister of State of Communications, Shri Devusingh Jesinghbhai Chuhan joined by Chief Post Master General, Telangana Circle, Shri K. Prakash released the commemorative postal stamp on 2 February 2023 in the presence of Daaji, the current global guide of Heartfulness.[20] [21]
The Government of India through a gazette notification by the Ministry of Finance on 25 October 2022, released the commemorative coin of Rs 150 along with the postage stamp on 2 February 2023 at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad.
A 10 days long Music & Meditation festival was celebrated from 25 January till 3 February 2023 at Kanha Shanti Vanam, the world headquarters of Heartfulness. It was marked by the presence of several internationally renowned artists and attended by hundreds of thousands of seekers and visitors.[20] [22] An Inner Peace Museum was also inaugurated, showcasing artworks, paintings, sculptures, and other installations that depict the life and teachings of Lalaji Maharaj in his own handwriting.[23]