Radhasoami Gurus (Agra)

Author: David Christopher Lane
Publisher: Garland Publishers
Publication date: 1992

E-mail David Christopher Lane directly at dlane@weber.ucsd.edu

I want to go back to the home base now.

Appendix One

RADHASOAMI AGRA GURUS AND BRANCHES

A Genealogical Glossary

There are many lesser known masters and sects with links to Shiv Dayal Singh which have yet to be discovered. And though future research will, undoubtedly, encompass a larger selection, a totally exhaustive genealogical glossary of gurus may be an impossibility, especially given the tremendous proliferation of subdivisions within Radhasoami.

Each section, carrying the name of a Radhasoami master, will have the following easy to access information: 1) ministerial dates: the tenure of the guru's reign. 2) name of the guru's guru; 3) name of the guru's known successors; 4) distinctive aspects of the guru's ministry; 5) name and location of center/ashram; and 6) key sources about the guru and his work. For sake of clarity, I have given the list of gurus by genealogical descent. By reading from the beginning to the end, one can see by biography the progressive history of Radhasoami.

SHIV DAYAL SINGH
"Soamiji Maharaj"
Ministry Dates: Mid-1850's to 1878.
Guru: Tulsi Sahib of Hathras (according to Beas); no guru (according to Soami Bagh and Dayal Bagh).
Successors: Rai Salig Ram; Jaimal Singh; Gharib Das; Sanmukh Das; Partap Singh; and Narayan Dei (Radhaji).
Center: Panni Gali and Soami Bagh, Agra.
Distinctions: Regarded as the founder of Radhasoami; popularized surat shabd yoga; expressed the teachings of Sant mat in a simplified and easy to understand manner.
Sources: Sar Bachan Radhasoami (both the prose and poetry volumes) by Soamiji Maharaj; Biography of Soamiji Maharaj by Chachaji Maharaj [Partap Singh]; and Last Discourse of Soamiji Maharaj and Letters of Soamiji Maharaj & Huzur Maharaj .

NARAYAN DEI
"Radhaji"
Ministry Dates: 1878 to 1894
Guru: Shiv Dayal Singh
Successors: none (or, at least, no one popularly known)
Center: Panni Gali, Agra
Distinctions: Wife and successor of Shiv Dayal Singh. One of only a few women in the Radhasoami tradition to be accorded an elevated status within the spiritual community. Served as a guru and a guide to women devotees in Agra. Instrumental in helping her husband's ministry.
Sources: Radhasoami Faith: History and Tenets ; Biography of Soamiji Maharaj by Chachaji Maharaj [Pratap Singh]; and Holy Epistles (Volumes One and Two).

SANMUKH DAS
Ministry Dates: 1878 to date unknown
Guru: Shiv Dayal Singh
Successors: none
Center: Soami Bagh, Agra
Distinctions: Sadhu successor of Shiv Dayal Singh; apparently initiated sadhus and other wandering religious mendicants into the path; unclear what relationship he had with his initiates (whether he acted as a representative for Soamiji's teachings or as a full fledged guru in his own right).
Sources: Bhaktamal of the Radhasoami Faith ; Biography of Soamiji Maharaj by Chachaji Maharaj [Pratap Singh]; and Radhasoami Faith: History and Tenets by S.D. Maheshwari.

RAI SALIG RAM
"Huzur Maharaj"
Ministry Dates: Early 1880's to 1898 [apparently started gathering his own initiates around 1884]
Guru: Shiv Dayal Singh
Successors: Brahm Shankar Misra; Ajudhia Prasad; and Shiv Brat Lal.
Center: Peepal Mandi, Agra.
Distinctions: Responsible for articulating Radhasoami mat as the Supreme Incarnational religion of all time; expanding membership in the Radhasoami movement; publishing the writings of Shiv Dayal Singh as well as his own.
Sources: Prem Patra (six volumes) by Huzur Maharaj [Rai Salig Ram]; Biography of Huzur Maharaj by S.D. Maheshwari; and Holy Epistles (Volumes One and Two).

BRAHM SHANKAR MISRA
"Maharaj Saheb"
Ministry Dates: Early 1900's to 1907 [did not succeed Rai Salig Ram immediately, since he was unsure for a year or two who was to be the rightful successor]
Guru: Rai Salig Ram
Successors: Maheshwari Devi; Kamta Prasad Sinha
Center: Benaras; Agra
Distinctions: Highly educated, receiving his Master of Arts in 1884; founded the Central Administrative Council in 1902 in Agra; and developed the idea of interregnum (period of time when no guru is publically manifested).
Sources: Discourses on the Radhasoami Faith by Maharaj Saheb [Brahm Shankar Misra]; Solace to Satsangis by Maharaj Saheb [Brahm Shankar Misra]; and Radhasoami Faith: History and Tenets by S.D. Maheshwari.

MAHESHWARI DEVI
"Buaji Saheb"
Ministry Dates: 1907 to 1913
Guru: Rai Salig Ram
Successors: Madhav Prasad Sinha; Yogendra Shankar Tewari
Center: Benaras
Distinctions: One of the only women in Radhasoami to be acknowledged as a Sat Guru. Brahm Shankar Misra's sister and a follower of the purdah system--the custom of not allowing women to go out in public. Close confidant and immediate predecessor to Madhav Prasad Sinha.
Sources: Biography of Buaji Saheba by S.D. Maheshwari; Radhasoami Faith: History and Tenets by S.D. Maheshwari; and Redemptive Encounters by Lawrence A. Babb.

MADHAV PRASAD SINHA
"Babuji Maharaj"
Ministry Dates: 1913 to 1949 [did not immediately succeed Maheshwari Devi, but waited for a couple of years to emerge fully as her successor]
Guru: Shiv Dayal Singh
Successors: Interregnum/Soami Bagh/Central Administrative Council; Dr. J.N. Hazra; S.D. Maheshwari?; J.B. Mathur? Dr. Padam Adhar Sinha?
Center: Allahabad; Soami Bagh, Agra
Distinctions: The last living human guru to be acknowledged by the Central Administrative Council at Soami Bagh [at least up until 1990]. Responsible for the continued construction of Soamiji's samadh; carried on legal dispute with Dayal Bagh over worship rights of satsangis; consolidated the Soami Bagh Satsang in Agra; and published several English books on Radhasoami doctrines.
Sources: Biography of Babuji Maharaj by S.D. Maheshwari; Discourses of Babuji Maharaj, Volume Five ; and Phelp's Notes by Myron Phelps.

[INTERREGNUM]
"Central Administrative Council"
Ministry Dates: 1949 to present [1990]
Guru: Madhav Prasad Sinha
Successors: Central Administrative Council; S.D. Maheshwari?; Dr. J. N. Hazra?; Dr. Padam Adhar Sinha?; J.B. Mathur?.
Center: Soami Bagh, Agra
Distinctions: One of only a handful of Radhasoami institutions without a bona fide living human guru. Generally recognized as the most "orthodox" (read literalistic) of Radhasoami groups. Retains controlling rights to most of Shiv Dayal Singh's possessions.
Sources: S.D. Maheshwari, Radhasoami Faith: History and Tenets; A Brief Description of Radhasoami Faith and a Short Note on the Holy Samadh ; and Henry Marvin Harper, Gurus, Swamis, and Avatars .

DR. J.N. HAZRA
Ministry Dates: 1949? to 1966 [started his ministry after there was confusion over Madhav Prasad Sinha's successor]
Guru: Madhav Prasad Sinha
Successors: Bibi Rani
Center: Agra
Distinctions: Led a division within the Soami Bagh ranks away from the idea of "no living guru." Solidified a small, but forceful, camp of followers in Soami Bagh and outlying areas.
Sources: Agam Prasad Mathur, The Radhasoami Faith ; S.D. Maheshwari, Correspondence With Certain Americans (Volumes One through Three); and Mark Juergensmeyer, Radhasoami Reality.

BIBI RANI
Ministry Dates: 1966 to date not known
Guru: Madhav Prasad Sinha
Successors: Santosh Kumar Sahgal
Center: Agra
Distinctions: One of a only a handful of women gurus. Before Dr. Hazra died he appointed Bibi Rani, Madhav Prasad Sinha's daughter, via a written will as his spiritual successor.
Sources: Agam Prasad Mathur, The Radhasoami Faith ; S.D. Maheshwari, Correspondence With Certain Americans (Volumes One through Three); and Mark Juergensmeyer, Radhasoami Reality.

THAKUR ANUKUL CHANDRA
Ministry Dates: 1920's to 1969
Guru: Kamta Prasad Sinha [although he is reported by Agam Prasad Mathur and others to have had a spiritual relationship with Madhav Prasad Sinha]
Successors: Amarendranath (Baro Khoka)
Center: Pabna; Deoghar
Distinctions: According to Religious Movements in Modern Bengal , Thakur was initiated by Kamta Prasad Sinha (Sarkar Saheb) of the Ghazipur satsang after his mother had written about his yogi tendencies to the Radhasoami guru. Agam Prasd Mathur, who cites S.D. Maheshwari Jeevan Charitra Babuji Maharaj as his source, states that Thakur, along with his mother, attended the satsangs of Madhav Prasad Sinha for many years. The Pabna satsang of Thakur Anukul Chandra has
anches throughout India and
oad.
Sources: Ray A. Hauserman, Ocean in a Teacup ; Ray Benoy Gopal, Religious Movements in Modern Bengal ; and Agam Prasad Mathur's Radhasoami Faith .

YOGENDRA SHANKAR TEWARI
Ministry Dates: Unknown
Guru: Maheshwari Devi (?)
Successors: Sri Charan Sharma
Center: Premashram Satsang, Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Distinctions: Eldest son of Maheshwari Devi; wrote Sar Bhed and Shabd Bani .
Sources: Very little information at present is available; see Agam Prasad Mathur, Radhasoami Faith .

SRI CHARAN SHARMA Ministry Dates: Unknown
Guru: Yogendra Shankar Tewari
Successors: Unknown
Center: Kantabanji, Orissa
Distinctions: According to Mathur, Charan Sharma established his own satsang after the death of his guru.
Sources: See Agam Prasad Mathur, The Radhasoami Faith .

KAMTA P. SINHA
"Sarkar Saheb"
Ministry Dates: 1907 to 1913 [Did not emerge as a full fledged successor to Brahm Shankar Misra, however, until a couple years after his death]
Guru: Rai Salig Ram
Successors: Anand Sarup; Hari Ram; Indar Singh; and Shri Parmanand
Center: Ghazipur
Distinctions: Key rival to Maheshwari Devi; responsible for the eventual split between the Central Administrative Council and the outlying
anch satsangs.
Sources: Kamta Prasad Sinha wrote several books, including Shabd Sangrah and Prem Samachar . Marvin Henry Harper, Gurus, Swamis, and Avatars ; and Souvenir In Commemoration of the First Centenary of the Radhasoami Satsang (1861-1961) .

ANAND SARUP
"Sahabji Maharaj"
Ministry Dates: 1913 to 1937
Guru: Brahm Shankar Misra
Successors: Gur Charan Das Mehta; Gur Das Ram
Center: Dayal Bagh, Agra
Distinctions: Established Dayal Bagh in 1915; responsible for expanding the Agra
anch of Radhasoami into a political and economic force.
Sources: Anand Sarup, Diary of Sahabji Maharaj [three volumes]; Yathartha Prakasa [three parts]; and Souvenier.

GUR CHARAN DAS MEHTA
"Mehtaji"
Ministry Dates: 1937 to 1975
Guru: Anand Sarup
Successors: Dr. M.B. Lal Sahab
Center: Dayal Bagh, Agra
Distinctions: Solidified Dayal Bagh's economic and educational system.
Sources: Souvenir .

DR. M.B. LAL
Ministry Dates: 1976 to ?
Guru: Gur Charan Das Mehta
Successors: ?
Center: Dayal Bagh, Agra
Distinctions: Elected by a large gathering of satsangis at Dayal Bagh; highly educated; former head of Lucknow University.
Sources: Radhasoami Reality by Mark Juergensmeyer.

SRI GURDAS RAM
"Rajji Maharaj" Ministry Dates: Not known
Guru: Anand Sarup (?)
Successors: Not known
Center: Dasna
Distinctions: Chief rival successor to Gur Charan Das Mehta; author of several English Radhasoami books, including One Truth, One People .
Sources: Souvenir (1975); Searchlight ; and One Truth, One People (1940's publication date).

AJUDHIA PRASAD
"Lalaji Maharaj"
Ministry Dates: 1898 to 1926
Guru: Shiv Dayal Singh
Successors: Gur Prasad
Center: Peepal Mandi, Agra
Distinctions: Blood son of Rai Salig Ram; instrumental in the development of the Central Administrative Council.
Sources: Biography of Huzur Maharaj ; Radhasoami Faith ; and Correspondence with Certain Americans (all six volumes).

GUR PRASAD
"Kunwarji Maharaj"
Ministry Dates: 1926 to 1959
Guru: Rai Salig Ram
Successors: Agam Prasad Mathur
Center: Peepal Mandi, Agra
Distinctions: Grandson of Rai Salig Ram.
Sources: Radhasoami Faith .

AGAM PRASAD MATHUR
"Dadaji"
Ministry Dates: 1959 to present
Guru: Gur Prasad
Successors: ? [Sidebar: it has been suggested by close followers that Agam Prasad Mathur's eldest son would succeed him after his death]
Center: Peepal Mandi, Agra
Distinctions: Professor of History at Agra College; author of the book, The Radhasoami Faith ; great grandson of Rai Salig Ram; and Vice Chancellor of Agra College.
Sources: A Thesis on a Thesis ; Turning East by Malcolm Tillis; and Radhasoami Reality.

SHIV BRAT LAL
"Maharishi Data Dayal"
Ministry Dates: 1898 to 1939 [Most likely did not begin his guru ministry, however, until the beginning of the 20th century]
Guru: Rai Salig Ram
Successors: Faqir Chand; Nandhu Singh; and Sheri-Boa Dutt (Pir Munga)
Center: Lahore; Gopiganj
Distinctions: Perhaps the most prolific author in the history of Radhasoami; estimated to have authored over 3,000 books and pamphlets.
Sources: Light on Ananda Yoga ; Dayal Yoga ; and Shabd Yoga .

FAQIR CHAND
"Param Dayal"
Ministry Dates: 1939 to 1981 [Appointed to serve as a guru, in 1919, though Faqir did not fully assume his role until after his master died]
Guru: Shiv Brat Lal
Successors: Dr. I.C. Sharma; and others in lesser capacities (including Yogini Mataji and M.R. Bhagat)
Center: Manavta Mandir, Hoshiarpur
Distinctions: Radical guru in the Radhasoami tradition who developed an unorthodox interpretation of religious visions and miracles, claiming that no guru really knew about appearing to their respective disciples.
Sources: The Unknowing Sage ; The Secrets of a Faqir ; and The Lord as Guru .

ISHWAR C. SHARMA
Ministry Dates: 1981 to ?
Guru: Faqir Chand
Successors: ?
Center: Manavta Mandir, Hoshiarpur
Distinctions: Professor of Philosophy in the United States for a number of years; travels world-wide frequently; fuses New Age teaching with Sant mat.
Sources: Manav Mandir , monthly magazine published in Hoshiarpur.

NANDHU SINGH
Ministry Dates: 1939 to date not known
Guru: Shiv Brat Lal
Successors: Sri P. Anand Rao
Center: Secunderabad; Hyderabad
Distinctions: Chief successor of Shiv Brat Lal in South India.
Sources: The Master Speaks to the Foreigners ; Dayal Yoga .

SRI P. ANAND RAO
Ministry Dates: Not known
Guru: Nandhu Singh
Successors: Unknown
Center: Be Man Society, Secunderabad/Hyderabad
Distinctions: Chief successor of Nandhu Singh.
Sources: Manav Mandir (monthly magazine published by the Faqir Charitable Trust L
ary in Hoshiarpur).

PARTAP SINGH
"Chachaji"
Ministry Dates: 1878 to 1911 [Unclear when he started acting as a guru]
Guru: Shiv Dayal Singh
Successors: Shyam Lal; Sudarshan Singh; and K.A. Bavnani
Center: Soami Bagh, Agra
Distinctions: Youngest
other of Shiv Dayal Singh, the founder of Radhasoami. First President of the Central Administrative Council.
Sources: Bhaktamal of the Radhasoami Faith ; History of the Radhasoami Faith & Tenets ; and Biography of Soamiji Maharaj.

SHYAM LAL
Ministry Dates: 1915 to 1940
Guru: Partap Singh
Successors: Managing Committee; K.S. Man Singh
Center: Gwalior
Distinctions: Main successor of Seth Pratap Singh
Sources: Transformation of Self .

K.S. MAN SINGH
"Malik Sahib"
Ministry Dates: 1941 to 1983
Guru: Shyam Lal
Successors: Kripal Singh
Center: Gwalior
Distinctions: Unique guru in the Radhasoami tradition, having initiated disciples into shabd yoga and kundalini yoga.
Sources: A Brief History of K.S. Man Singh ; The Lord as Guru .

E-mail The Neural Surfer directly at dlane@weber.ucsd.edu

I want to go back to the home base now.