Radha Soami

Radha Soami
Formation	1861
Headquarters	Agra (Uttar Pradesh), Amritsar (Punjab), Dinod (Haryana).
Location	Agra (Uttar Pradesh), Amritsar (Punjab), Dinod (Haryana).;
Official language	Hindi, Punjabi
Main organ	Radha Soami Satsang

Radhasoami is a religious sect originating in 19th century India, and considered by adherents as a true way to attain God realization. The Radhasoami faith is also referred to as Sant Mat, the "Path of the Saints." The word 'Radhasoami' itself is actually a combination of two words: 'Radha' (referring to the soul or spiritual essence, either of an individual or of the whole) and 'Soami' (referring to the spiritual master; cognate to the Sanskrit term swami or svami); the combined word thus refers to the "Master Soul" or "Spirit Master" who guides the disciple, it is believed, to higher states of consciousness. Like its sister Sant Mat sects, Radhasoami emphasizes the use of inner sound (mantra), combined with personal loyalty to a given living Master, for devotees to attain desired states of spiritual advancement.

Soamiji Maharaj

Swami Shiv Dayal Singh, popularly known as Soamiji Maharaj, is the originator of the present sect known as Roadha Soami. He was somewhat of a mystic, active in 19th-century Agra, India. He imagined the human soul to be Radha, whose goal is its merger with her Soami, the eternal reality, hence the name Radha Soami or Soul Master. This is somewhat in keeping with the tradition of Vaishnavism, which also places emphasis on personal devotion and moral purity (such as vegetarianism and refraining from alcohol.)

Soamiji Maharaj was not much in favor of spreading his thoughts or woo disciples to his fold. In fact, he ruled out systematic advertisements for his newly founded satsang (assembly) in Agra. He used to insist that anyone who chose to follow him must give up non-vegetarian food, abstain from alcohol, lead a high moral life and engage in over two hours of shabd yoga (sound-current yoga) meditation per day.

In the mid 1850s, Soamiji Maharaj had a handful of followers in Agra. However, his teachings eventually attracted disciples from across India and by the time of his death in 1878, Soamiji already had several thousands of followers. He died on 15 June 1878 in Agra, India.

Despite having a strong following, Soamiji Maharaj for some reason failed to appoint a successor, resulting in a succession crisis upon his death. Several disciples emerged as would-be successors, which led to a split in the group and six successors led the movement forward. Although this split remains till date, ironically, this is the very reason for the Radhasoami movement to move outside Agra and spread to the rest of the country.

Soamiji's wife Radhaji, Rai Salig Ram, Sanmukh Das, Gharib Das and Partap Singh, Soamiji's younger brother are some of his prominent followers who branched off, forming individual satsangs. This splintering off, led to the propagation of Radhasoami teachings to a wider audience although with slightly varied interpretations.

Jaimal Singh, another of Soamiji's disciples, established his satsang on the banks of the river Beas in undivided Punjab. And today this satsang is the most famous of the Radhasoami satsangs across the world. In fact, its followers number more than the followers of the rest of the satsangs put together.

The Central Satsang at Dayalbagh, Agra, is also the home of a private university, DEI, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, deemed a University (1981), which is known for teaching science, engineering, technology, liberal arts, theology, etc., with an influence of systems science.

His sacred writings

Soamiji Maharaj wrote, composed and dictated Saar Vachan book in two parts named: ^[1]^[2]

Saar Bachan Vartik or Nasr (Saar Bachan in prose)
Saar Bachan Chhand Band or Nazm (Saar Bachan in verse)

Saar Bachan Vartik/Nasr contain the discourses of Swami ji Maharaj, which he delivered in the satsang up to 1878. An introduction was added by Huzur Maharaj. They cover important teachings of the faith and guides the devotee on how he should conduct himself so that he may make progress in devotion and secure Lord's Grace and Mercy.

His poems in Saar Bachan Chhand Band/Nazm are replete with emotional appeal - a successful blending of popular poetic expressions from different languages of north India such as Hindi, Khari-Boli, Awadhi, Brijbhasha, Rajasthani, Gurumukhi, Urdu, Persian and Arabic. The poems (Sabdas) appeal to the mind, captivate attention and help the devotee in concentrating and elevating his spirit to higher regions. These are full of devotion, yearning, anguish, pathos and stir the hearts of the devotees for experiencing the Supreme Lord.

Philosophy and teachings

Part I

Radhasoami is a faith, considered by adherents as a true way to realize God. It is neither a religion, nor a caste or creed or sect or a division in society. The Radhasoami faith is also referred to as Sant Mat (Path of the Saints) or Religion of Saints. The word 'Radhasoami' is actually a combination of two words: 'Radha' the Prime Spirit Current, and 'Soami' the Prime Sound Current, which intermingled at the beginning of creation and this sound 'Radhsoami' has been resounding ever since, and the sound and spirit currents are indistinguishable in the Region of Pure Spirit or Truth also known as Dayal Desh (Region of the Merciful) or Nirmal Chetan Desh At the core of the RSSB philosophy is a belief that there is a spiritual purpose to human life – to experience the divinity of God who resides in all of us. It is through this experience that we will realize the truth of the concept that there is only one God and we are all expressions of his love.

Central to the RSSB philosophy is a spiritual teacher who explains the purpose of life and guides and instructs members in a method of spirituality based on a daily meditation practice. The present teacher is Baba Gurinder Singh, who lives with his family at the main centre in northern India.

By performing the meditation practice according to the teacher's instructions, individuals can realize the presence of God within themselves. It is a solitary practice that is done in the quiet of one's own home. Members commit themselves to a way of life that supports spiritual growth while carrying out their responsibilities to family, friends and society.

To build on the primary spiritual practice of meditation, members are vegetarian, abstain from alcohol and recreational drugs, and are expected to lead a life of high moral values. A vegetarian diet encourages respect and empathy for all life and acknowledges that there is a debt to be paid for taking any life unnecessarily. Abstaining from intoxicants improves ones ability to concentrate and calms the mind during meditation. Members are encouraged to be self-supporting and not be a burden on society. They are free to make their own choices in life and maintain any cultural or religious affiliations they choose. RSSB does not involve itself in the personal lives of its members.

This faith emphasizes the need of a living Spiritual Master or Satguru...and internal and external worship of the Supreme Lord. This done externally by attending the spiritual service or "satsang" of the Living Master or Satguru and internally by meditational practices to raise one's consciousness to higher spiritual planes. Hinduism has already given the mantra or sound "Om" and Sikhism has graciously gifted the "Waheguru" (Referred to as God, meaning the Guru which enlightens the spirit) sound/mantra to the world. These names are however, human names of the holy sound or mantra. The sound/mantra/shabda in its true sense is indestructible, permanent,omnipresent, omipotent and un-nameable. All these names given to it are just expressions of its qualities and powers. Meditating/repeating internally the holy name granted by the living master (also known as 'Naam') at the 3rd eye centre helps to move towards the goal of being one with the master/lord internally (and thus achieve the 'real naam' or the supreme). The 'Naam' or Name has been now gifted to the world and was given by Soamiji Maharaj when he threw open his Satsang in 1861. Repetition of 'Naam' at the 3rd eye center, or tisra til, or chasm e batin, is said to help raise the soul's consciousness to higher regions internally. "Radhasoami" is also known by the Agra sects of this faith, where it originated, as the primordial name or Nam, aka the WORD, etc." The Nam is " It has been stated recently by the current Spiritual Master in Dayalbagh that even if one says the name or word "Radhasoami" in calumny of the faith, one may be entitled to escape the cycle of birth and death...such is the mercy and grace of the Supreme Lord. Thus, practising meditation daily- as instructed by the living master, helps to escape from the cycles of birth and death - with the mercy of the Supreme Being...

Part II

Radhasoami faith is based on the fact that Aatma (soul) is part of Paramaatma (God). Human body is made of five elements Prithvi (Earth or Soil), Jal (Water), Vayu (Air), Agni (Fire) and Aakash (Ether). At the time of Pralaya (Dooms day), the earth will be absorbed by Water, Water by Fire, Fire by Air and Air by Aakash. Mind goes back to Niranjan (Kaal) as mind is the agent of Kaal. There is one more thing in our body, i.e., Aatma (Soul) which is a part of Paramaatma. Every element is happy to join its source. Earth's source is earth, Water's source is ocean , Fire's source is sun, Air's source is atmosphere , Aakaash's source is aakaash itself and Aatma's source is Paramaatma. Aatmaa will be happy when it goes back to Paramaatma. The spirit is an ansh or a droplet from the ocean of spirit or a ray from the sun of spirit...

The creation is in 3 parts: Spiritual-Sach Khand (6 regions of pure spirit), Brahmand (6 regions mental/spiritual) and Pind (6 regions of the physical creation). The Radhasoami faith builds further on the already well established Hindu philosophy that the seat of the spirit is at the third eye (between the two eyes at the pineal gland) and that there are 6 nerve ganglia or chakras in the body, and 12 above, starting from the third eye. There are 6 chakras in the physical body, 6 Kamals or Padams in the Grey matter of the brain corresponding to Brahmand or mental/spiritual creation, and 6 in the White matter of the brain corresponding to the spiritual creation or Sachkhand. Only the human body is equipped with these nerve centers or ganglia. These 18 gateways or spiritual centers can be activated through meditational practices. However, the 6 lower body chakras are materialistic in nature and meditation for these do not let the soul achieve 'Mukti' or Nirvana as they still bind the soul in this 'Maya' or material of the world. Hence meditation should begin from the third eye upwards. The human body is a duplicate of the entire creation and its purpose is to enable the spirit to internally raise consciousness and have visions of the higher planes of the creation while in the physical human body. The 18th portal or gateway/chakra/padam/kamal, being the highest of all, is the 'Akaal' or indestructible, 'Radhasoami' Anami, and is the ocean of spirit or the lord almighty himself. This is the ultimate goal to be achieved via meditational practices.

Our life on earth consists of paying the consequences of 'Karmas' or actions from the previous lives, and also committing new karmas, the consequences of which will be paid in the future lives. This is at the foundation of the modern credit system. The debt one incurs on one card is paid off using a new card. More debt is incurred on the new card in an endless self perpetuating cycle of debt. Credit moksha is possible when one starves and refuses to spend money. Good karmas yield good results, and hence are the better parts of our lives, and likewise bad karmas contribute to the suffering in our lives. The spirit or soul therefore keeps on coming back to the earth in various life forms (8400000 or 'chaurasi lakh' in total) to settle the consequences of karmas and so caught in this never ending cycle of suffering,death and birth, detached from its master or the lord almighty. After 8400000 lives all the karma credit cards are maxed out. Since humans are the top of the evolution scale, have the ability to think and decide what is good for themselves, and communicate, this life form or the human body is a rare treasure and gift of the Supreme Lord and should not be wasted. In order that we do not commit bad karmas or corrupt our thinking, a vegetarian and teetotaler diet should be maintained.

Radhasoami conveys the same philosophy as other saints from Sikhism, Hinduism, and Sufism. It is stated that the first Saint or Sant or Satguru to incarnate on earth from the region of pure truth (Sat) Spirit was Kabir Sahib, and others included Guru Nanak, Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, Paltu, Jagjivan, Dadu, and the first Saint from the Supreme Region was Soamiji Maharaj (Shiv Dayal Singh) of Agra. Soamiji's incarnation was Supreme Being Himself, i.e. a wave from the Supreme Ocean of Mercy descended on this earth and has stayed here ever since...and has merely changed human forms one after another and will continue to do so until the redemption of the entire creation.

Important Teachings

There is a God; the universe is not without a creator, Sustainer and Protector. He is the Ocean of Bliss.
Our soul is, in essence, a drop from the Ocean of the Lord, whence it separated so long ago as to have totally forgotten its Divine origin. All its woes and miseries will end only when it returns to its original Home and merges with the Ocean.
God is within us and cannot be realised anywhere outside. He is close to us, but then physical eyes cannot see Him, nor can these physical ears hear His voice. Only when the seeker receives instruction from a real Adept and listens to the Divine Melody within, does he become capable not only of seeing and hearing Him but also of merging in Him, thereby fulfilling human destiny.

Bani Soami Ji Maharaj

RADHASOAMI NAAM , JO GAVE SOI TARE

KAL KALESH SAB NASH, SUKH PAVE SAB DUKH HARE

AISA NAAM APAAR , KOI BHED NA JANAI

JO JANE SO PAAR, BAHURI NA JAG ME JANMAI

A Prayer Written By Soami Ji Maharaj

Karoon benati do kar jori, Araz suno Radha Swami mori !!

Sattapurush tum Satguru Daata, Sab jeevan ke pitaah aur maata !!

Daya dhaar apna kar leeje, Kaal jaal se nyaara keeje !!

Satyug treta dyaapar beeta, Kaahu na jaani sabad ki reeta !!

Kaliyug me Swami daya vichari, Pargat karke sabd pukaari !!

Jeev kaaj Swami jag me aaye, Bhau-saagar se paar lagaae !!

Teen chhorr chautha pad deenha, Sattnaam satguru gat cheenha !!

Jagmag jot hot ujiyaara, Gagan sot par chandra nihaara !!

Set singhaasan chhatra biraaje, Anahad shabd gain dhun gaaje !!

Kshar akshar nihakshar paara, Binati kare jahaan daas tumhaara !!

Lok alok paa'oon sukh dhaama, Charan saran deeje bisaraama !!

Lok alak paa'oon sukh dhaama, Charan saran deeje bisaraama !!

Karoon benati do kar jori, Araz suno Radha Swami mori !!

Radhasoami Satsang, Dayalbagh, Agra

       Radhasoami Dayal Ki Daya! Radhasoami Sahai!  
       (Grant Merciful Radhasoami Thy Grace & Protection)

Soamiji Maharaj declared the Satsang open to the public on the Basant Panchami Day, 15th Feb.1861. Since then (now about 150 years) Satsang has grown manifold under His Successor(s) so that the emancipation and salvation of mankind may continue uninterrupted.

Soamiji Maharaj (Shiv Dayal Singh) and His Successors (Living Spiritual Master of time)...present to date, i.e. the concept of Nij Dhar prevails here, meaning that the "Primordial Spirit Current" incarnated as Soamiji Maharaj and then has taken one human form after another taking His seat in each Successor and thus continuing to inspire the Divinity of the Satsang.

Sant Satguru's presence (in human form) i.e. Living Spiritual Master to guide the followers is being religiously followed in true traditions of Sant Mat (Religion of Saints).

Radhasoami faith is a Natural, Contemporary/modern and a Scientific religion of Truth devoid of rites, rituals, ceremonies, dogmas, etc. based on self experience and self alleviation for Self Realization under the able guidance of a living spiritual master (Satguru). The teachings are similar to those of Sant Kabir, Guru Nanak and other saints including Sufism. "Bhakti Marg" (Path of Devotion) is scientifically the most effacious method for developing spiritual faculties of man and also for the achievement of the object of religion which is generally accepted to be 'Salvation', 'Mokhsa', 'Nirvana', etc.

The Living Spiritual Masters (Sant Satguru) here, have all lived on their own earnings and do not take donations for personal expenses and in fact have donated for charitable purposes from their own pockets/savings. There is also no priest class or caste, creed or race system and neither are there temples.

Guiding ideals are Bhakti (love & devotion), faith, dedication, discipline, humility, modesty/simplicity, austerity and a firm belief in "Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of man" leading a life of better worldliness (not worldliness or un-worldliness).

Sole emphasis is on spiritual practice of Surat Shabd Yoga (Sahej Yog) (i.e. Easy Yoga/practice) through Abhyasa/Sumiran-Dhyan-Bhajan and daily Satsang & Seva (Community Service) in selfless manner. Service and meditation held twice daily in the presence of the Living Spiritual Master. Yoga means Union, and practices which can help the Spirit (Surat) of a human being to attain union with the Supreme Being with the help of Shabd (i.e. Spiritual Sound) is made easy of performance in the presence of Sant Satguru without causing any physical discomfort and can be performed easily by young and old and man or woman.

Headquarter at Dayalbagh, Agra (India) is both a spiritual center as well as a University campus with self sufficient civic facilities like residential colonies, schools, hospital, agriculture farms, dairy, etc. in eco-friendly environment. The foundation of Dayalbagh was laid on 20th. January, 1915 on the Basant Panchami Day by planting a mulberry tree near 'Mubarak Kuan' (Holy Well) by Param Guru Sahabji Maharaj.

Halls/colonies are constructed in various other places (branches) also throughout the country for spiritual gatherings and No Proselytizing is permitted.

Foreign centres/branches are active in U.S.A., Canada, U.K., Germany, Singapore, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Nepal, etc. and Groups of followers in other parts of the world are always at help.

Donations from non members are not accepted and from initiated members are extremely nominal and not mandatory.

Spiritual Sant Satgurus of Radhasoami Satsang at Dayalbagh:

Param Purush Purandhani Huzur Soamiji Maharaj alias Radhasoami Sahab Sri Shivdayal Singh (24 Aug.1818 to 15 June 1878 A.D.)

Param Guru Huzur Maharaj (Rai Bahadur Saligram) (14 March 1829 to 06 Dec.1898)

Param Guru Maharaj Sahab (Pandit Brahm Shankar Misra) (28 March 1861 to 12 Oct.1907)

Param Guru Sarkar Sahab (Sri Kamta Prasad Sinha) (12 Dec.1871 to 07 Dec.1913)

Param Guru Sahabji Maharaj (Sir Anand Sarup Kt.) (06 Aug.1881 to 24 June 1937)

Param Guru Mehtaji Maharaj (Rai Sahab Gurcharan Das Mehta) (20 Dec.1885 to 17 Feb.1975)

Param Guru Dr. Lal Sahab (Dr.(Prof.) Makund Behari Lal) (31 Jan.1907 to 05 Dec.2002)

PRESENT SPIRITUAL LEADER: Param Guru Dr. Satsangi Sahab (Dr.(Prof.) Prem Saran Satsangi) Acclaimed in May,2003

The present Guru is retired Academic Dean of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.

Radhasoami Satsang Dayalbagh website

Dayalbagh Educational Institute website

Spiritual Meditation

Radhasoami teaches that Spiritual growth can be achieved only through the practice of meditation. There are many ways to meditate, and each method varies in its results, purposes and objectives. The meditation described here is the technique of uniting the soul with the primordial power or Shabd. It is simply and solely concerned with uniting us with our source.

To be able to make contact with this power that manifests within us as inner light and sound, we need to follow the technique of meditations prescribed and by a spiritual teacher who is himself in contact with it.

If we have a radio that is disconnected from its source of energy, then obviously we would not be able to hear any music from it. To tune it to a broadcasting frequency, we would have to find a way to connect the radio to a source of power. In the same way, a true, living spiritual teacher, being tuned in to the source of energy that created the universe, is able to show us how to reconnect ourselves within each and every one of us.

Radha Soami Satsang Beas Lineage of Successors

Radha Soami@ Beas movement begun by:-

Sant Seth Shiv Dayal Singh also known as (Swami Ji Maharaj). It was succeeded by
Baba Jaimal Singh Ji The founder of Radha Soami Satsang Beas. Ministry lasted from 1884 to 1903.
Baba Sawan Singh Ji, also known as The Great Master, Ministry from 1903 to 1948.
Sardar Bahadur Jagat Singh Ji. Ministry lasted from 1948 to 1951.
Huzur Maharaj Charan Singh (guru) Ji, full name Charan Singh Grewal. Ministry lasted from 1951 to 1990.
Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon- Radha Soami Satsang Beas. Ministry began 1990 to present day.

Spiritual Gurus of Radha Swami Satsang, Dinod

Spiritual gurus in Radha Swami Satsang, Dinod lineage:

Param Sant Shiv Dayal Singh ji (Swami ji Maharaj)
Param Sant Rai Bahadur Saligram Sahib ji (Hazur Maharaj ji)
Param Sant Shiv Brat Lal Verman ji (Data Dayal Maharishi ji)
Param Sant Master Ram Singh ji Arman (Arman Sahab ji)
Param Sant Tarachand ji (Bade Maharaj ji)
Param Sant Kanwar Singh ji (Haal Hazur Maharaj ji)

Spiritual Gurus of Radha Swami Satsang, Saidpur

Spiritual gurus in Radha Swami Satsang, Saidpur lineage:

Sant Seth Shiv Dayal Singh also known as (Swami Ji Maharaj). It was succeeded by
Baba Jaimal Singh Ji The founder of Radha Soami Satsang Beas. Ministry lasted from 1884 to 1903.
Baba Sawan Singh Ji, also known as The Great Master, Ministry from 1903 to 1948.
Maharaj Channan Singh Ji
Maharaj Amir Singh Ji

Science Of The Soul Research Center

Science of the Soul Research Centre is a registered charitable Society based in New Delhi, India. Its main objective is to promote a sense of brotherhood and communal harmony for the betterment of humanity. One of the ways the Society tries to meet this objective is to conduct research into the spiritual literature of various systems of belief and schools of thought. The Society's aim is to help eradicate bias, prejudice, ill-will, and acrimony between people by revealing their common spiritual heritage and thus forging bonds of empathy and fellowship, the building blocks of love and understanding.

Science of the Soul Research Centre also acts as the international mail order book seller for Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB). A non-profit charitable Society, RSSB publishes books about a path of inner development under the guidance of a spiritual teacher. The path is non-sectarian and incorporates a meditation practice, adherence to a vegetarian diet, abstinence from intoxicants, and a moral and ethical lifestyle.

Books From SSRC

Adventure of Faith
A Treasury of Mystic Terms (6 Volumes)
A Soul's Safari
The Divine Romance
The Gospel of Jesus
The Odes of Solomon
The Prodigal Soul
The Song of Songs
Vaishnav Bhojan I (Hindi)
Vaishnav Bhojan I (Punjabi)

References

^ Larson, Gerald J. India's Agony Over Religion (1995). p.136. SUNY Press (State University of New York) ISBN 0-7914-2411-1
Juergensmeyer, Mark. Radhasoami Reality (1995). Princeton University Press ISBN 0-6910-1092-7. Excerpts
Philosophy of the Panth
http://www.radhaswamidinod.org/faith.htm
http://www.dayalbagh.org.in
http://www.aors-dbbs.org/index.html
Discourses from present Spiritual Master, Dayalbagh, Agra
Sahab, Maharaj. "Discourses on the Radhasoami Faith" Recent edition 2004.

External links

[1] Radhasoamisatsang.org: Books by Swami ji Maharaj

[2] Radhaswamidinod.org: Books by Swami ji Maharaj

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