Shree Ganeshya Namah:
"AN UDASEEN is likened to a LOTUS that lives in dirtymurky water and yet remains unaffected by the dirt andspreads its fragrance all around."It is a lineage that is very ancient and we find the
mention of this parampara in scriptures like the
Puranas,Ramayan, Tantra,Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, Bhagwad
Purana and Chandogya Upanishad and othersThe synonym for the word UDASEEN in Hindi would be
BRAHMNSANSTH ( the one who is centered in the divine )
REFERENCES OF THE WORD UDASEEN IN VARIOUS SCRIPTURES
PADMA PURANA (Shrishti Khand) Ref 3/169
In the begining of creation Pitamah Brahma gave birth
to 4 MANAS progenies namely Sanath.Sanandan and his
brothers.These 4 immersed in the creation of the
universe which was possible as they remained
unattached (UDASEEN)
GARUDA PURAN Ref (59/9-90)
This Puran says that there are 2 kinds of house
holders .One is a Sadhak (who looks after a family
and is yet a seeker on the path of Self Realization)
The other is UDASEEN ( the one who is free from 3 kinds
of duties namely
Woman Fame Money )
KURMA PURANA Ref(Uttara 27/2)
One who transfers all his responsibilities to his sons
and proceeds to the forest is called a
VANARPRASTH ASHRAMI UDASEEN (the word Vanarprasth
means to stay in the forest which in the Geeta is
mentioned as one of the stages in life)
Based on the above information there are 3 branches of
UDASEEN SAMPRADAYA
SEVAK RISHI MUNI
Sevaks-- are those who are Brahmacharis and
householders
Rishis --are those householders who have exemplary
qualities and are also true Brahmacharis and have
entered Vanarprasth.
Munis----CHATURTHASHRAMI sadhu is a Muni
Udaseen word is also synonmous with MUNI.
MAHA NIRAVANA TANTRA Ref(8/49)
It is the duty of the Householders to serve the
Udaseen saints who are engrossed in the duty of their
Dharma .
VARAHA PURANA Ref (207/24,26)
Saint NaradMuni asks Dharma Raj a question -"Who are
those whos are not sent to the terrible place called
HELL?"
The reply that He gets from DharmaRaj is the
following--
| 1 | A knowledgeable Brahmin |
| 2 | A completely Learned person |
| 3 | A disciple who is ready to give up his life for his
GURU |
| 4 | An UDASEEN Mahatma |
All the above 4 are thus not sent to hell as quoted
in the above purana
BHAGWAD GEETA Ref(ch.14/23; 9/9)
A person who lives his life like an Udaseen sadhu and
is not affected by the 3 attributes (GUNAS)of Prakirti
i.e.RAJAS TAMAS AND SATVA.
An Udaseen realizes the root of these attributes and
thus has no desires.
Karmas don”t bind me says Bhagwan To Arjuna as I am not
attached to them
.I am like an Udaseen Mahatma declares
Bhagwan in the GEETA
Further in Ch 12 of the Geeta Bhagwan says--
One who has no desires,is pure ,and has freed himself
from all obligations and has reached the 4th
ashram(stage of life)one who does not get affected by
sorrow and one who is always immersed in my thoughts
and is my Bhakt –THAT Udaseen Mahatma is very dear to
me..
BHAGWAT PURANA Ref( 10/60/20)
We are always Udaseen i.e. we are Rishis.We are not
desirous of Women progeny or wealth We are contented
in our Atma --Our true self-
BRAHNARADIYA PURANA Ref(9/830
Brahmarakshas tells Maharaj Sudas -O king I made
Udaseen Muni Gautam My guru .In my ignorance I
disobeyed my Guru and so I have been born as a
Rakshash.
VALMIKI RAMAYANA ref (Ayodhya Kand 17/2)
The one who obeyed the wishes of his father --that
Udaseen Ramchandra proceeded to the forest..
RAMCHARITRA MANAS Ref( Ayodhya Kand Doha 28 ch 2
" " 107 ch 3
" " 209 ch 2
It is believed that Lord Vishnu Himself in the
begining of creation introduced the 4 ashrams and gave
orders to the Manas Putrs of Brahma to go around and
spread Dharma and yet remain as realized souls being
unaffected by the world.
The right meaning thus of UDASEEN is--
UD---BRA'HMAAN (the supreme )
ASEEN--IMMERSED
The word so means the one who is always immersed in the thoughts of Bra'hmaan
(Note: Not BRAHMA)
The 4th ashram here is described as PARAMHANS ASHRAM
the best is the word for parama and Hans would describe
the removal of the Shikha (the tuft of hair) and other
outer features like the sacred thread .
Hans would mean HANAN(removal) in hindi
The word PARAMHANS is not to be mistaken as a swan
thinking that Lord was a swan in one of the
avtaars..The Paramhans means here the best of the
Sanyasis.((lIke we refer Ramakrishna as Paramhans Shri
Ramakrishna )
In the RIG VED the word SUDAS is synonymous for UDAAS
The S became silent later leaving the word as UDAAS
There were 165 ACHARYAS in this lineage and the
mention is there of these names in the Rig Veda in 18
Mantras namely
7,18,22,24,25; 7,32,10;5, 53,2;7,18, 5;7,28,9; 3,53,9,11; 7,83,8;1, 112,19;7, 83,4,6,7;1,47,6;1, 63,17;7,18, 23
Shri Sanat Kumar is considered as the first UDASEEN
ACHARYA
Shri Sanat Kumar was the 1st Udaseen Acharya .We have
165 names in this lineage in form of a shloka but the
history of only 20 is known.
SANAT KUMAR
The first acharya.His nature was that of a wanderer
and his Guru was Lord Narayan Himself.The dialogues
that He had with his Guru about knowledge and
renunciation became the material for the Supreme
Knowledge that needs to be known.
NARAD
Sanat Kumar gave Deeksha to Narad Muni and here
started the parampara of the 4 ashrams-Brahmacharya
,Grahastha,Vanarpra stha and sanyas .Who has not heard
of Narad Muni? He is known for applying clever schemes
to guide Jeevatma towards LOK KALYAN.(welfare of the world)
He composed the
Bhakti Sutras.
Valmiki heard the Ramayana from Narad Muni.
BABHRAVYA
Disciple of Narad Muni and belonging to the family of
BABHRU.His name is mentioned in the Skanda
Puran(Maheshwar Kaumika Khand-chapter 54 shloka 27
-46)His other name was PANCHAL.He streamlined VED
MANTRAS
in categories and taught them to his disciples
.Mention was made by Ved Vyas in the Mahabharat
regarding this.The other texts where there is
indication of the above is in BHASYAKAR and UVVAT has
mentioned it in RIPRATISHAKHYA.
DALABHYA
He was the disciple of BABHRAVYA and his father's name
was CHAIKITYAN and his GOTRA was DALABHYA.He was also
known as CHAIKITYAN DALABHYA
He and his 2 friends SHILAK SHALAVATYA and PRAVAHAN
were scholars in UDGEETH ( the knowledge of PRANAVA or
OMKAR ).They invented ANNA Vidya(nutrition in todays
language).Ref of this is in Chandogya
Upanishad(1/ 12/5).
In some other texts threre is a mention that theygave
UPDESH to Arjun and frommm this we can conclude that
they lived 3100 years before VIKRAM SAMVAT
JAYMUNI
The disciple of DALABHYA established ashrams in
various places and propogated the great epic -- MAHABHARAT >
SANJEEVAN
Jaymuni's disciple had the SANJEEVANI VIDYA which was
given to him by the son of KASHYAP i.e. KASHYAP MUNI
History of 700 years after him is not known .He is
known to have lived 1 century after YUDHISHTRA.
PADMAMUNI
24th in the line of GURU PARAMPARA
and the disciple of NARADMUNI .He ruled out the
philosophy of the CHARAVAKAS ( their philosophy was
that enjoy the now ) The famous VYAAKARAN
(grammar)teacher Acharya PANNINI recieved his Mantra
Deeksha from PADMAMUNI.
VIDHIDEV
11 centuries after Yudhishtra and 300 years after
PadmaMuni VIDHIDEV lived in TRYAMBEKESHWAR on the
banks of the River Godavari.His guru was SATYAMUNI.He
asked his friend and fellow student VYANDI to write
the rules of VIKRATVALLI of VEDVYAS.He also asked him
to write a commentary on PANNINI's Vyakaran called
SANGRAHA which unfortunately is no longer available.
SHRUTI SIDDH
His Guru was SUJAN MUNI and he lived 12 centuries
after Yudhishtra.He wrote a text called NIGHATU .This
is a dictionary of all the difficult words in the
vedas giving several explanations for the same
word (like a thesauras) Later he handed this work to
YASAK and had a commentary written on it which was
called NIRUKTA (etymology) Both these texts were
extremely useful to Ved Vyas.
SUVESH
500 years before Vikram Samvat Suvesh Muni that is how
is mentioned the history of SUVESH MUNI who wasis
the disciple of HIRANYAKESH MUNI.He brought the famous
Buddhist--- Maharaj BIMBASAR's son SHRAVASTI back to
the Vedic Fold.
GAUTAM Buddha's cousin Devadutt was also brought back
to Vedic DHarma and it was Devadutt who spread the
teachings of the vedas once again after the wave of
Buddhism.
Suvesh Muni is also known to be clever
in his tactics to bring back people on the right path
just as Narad Muni usually did.
SUYATNA
At the time when ALexander the Great attacked
IndiaSuyatna Muni -the disciple of Lokapal Muni was
the foremost leader of the Udaseen Sampradya.SUYATNA
MUNI would send his few chosen disciples to foriegn
lands to spread the vedic message.Once every 3 years
they would collect during ChaturMaas and report and
talk about their journeys.This was a very special
preceedent set up by him .Since He was the organizer
of several Mandalis(groups) He came to be called a
MAHAMANDALESHWAR. He would emphasize the need fo JAP
TAP and the study of Higher Knowledge .He made sure
that Dharma be spread far and wide and this set the
way for to the Udaseen Lineage too gather momentum.His
Guru's friend was Pratapvan Muni and the disciple of
PratapVan was SUSHEN MUNI .Once during His absence
PratapVan authorized Sushen Muni to become the
Mandaleshwar .Sushen Muni is known to have given
Deeksha to Chandragupta Maurya.
In the book UDAAS SAMPRADAYA MAATRA written by
GURUDAAS there is the mention of the fact that
ChandraGupta Maurya was impressed with Sushen Muni's
teachings and thus gave up his royal status and became
a saint.
In many JAIN books there is a mention that Chandra
Gupta was a JAIN MUNI but this seems highly unlikely
as how could the disciple of CHANAKYA- A devout
follower of Sanatan Dharma be a JAIN muni?
At the time of crisis Suyatna Muni taught tolerance
to ChandraGupta who was deeply impressed by his
wisdom.He thus spent time in Sadhu Seva and of his
Guru SUYATNA MUNI in Patli Putra .
Suyatna Muni took his Maha Samadhi in 302 B C .
SUNAYA
He was the disciple of Suyatna Muni and He became a Mandaleshwar in
275 B C..He lived during the time of King Ashoka who had embraced
Buddhism.The people were impressed by the path followed by their
King and thus many Hindus and Udaseen saints also became
Buddhists.Seeing this wave of conversion SUNAYA MUNI took his
mandalis to Kashmir and ordained them to practice meditation and
Pranayama.This way they were away from being converted to Buddhism.
ABHAY
He was one of the disciples of Sunaya and He acquired SIDDHIS due to
intense practice of Yoga.A well known story in history is about
RajKumar Kunal who lost his eyesight due to the avaricious schemes
of his stepmother.Kunal' s son Jalah took his father to Abhay Muni
who through his siddhis brought back his vision by applying the
ashes of the sacrificial fire.Father and son both took deeksha in
the Udaseen Parampara .Jalah and his wife Ishaan Devi built many
temples in Kashmir .The most famous of these is the Martand Mandir
in Mattan where there is an idol of Surya Bhagwan ( our Guru dev had
done His Surya Upaasana here during 1893 and 1894 on instructiions
of His Guru Swami Ramanandji )
ROCHI SHANU
He was also a YOG SIDDH saint like his guru ABHAY MUNI.He lived
during the reign of Maharaj Brahmadrath of Patliputra.After the long
period of the Buddhist wave Rochi Shanu called for an assembly of
the different Mandalis in the Palace.PUSHYAMITRA of the royal Family
was very impressed by his teachings and lectures and thus became a
patron of VEDIC DHARMA
He held a ASHVAMEGH YAGNA where the famous commentator PATANJALI was
also present.
CHANDRA MUNI
He is 4oth in line from SANAT KUMARHis Guru was SUTAP MUNI . His
disciples were many and the well known ones are Maharaj Vikram,
MahaKavi Kalidas and Raja BhartHari.
MAHESH MUNI
He was the disciple of JITANAND and was 106th in the lineage of the
Udaseen Parampara.
He was Guru of Maharaj Chandragupta of Patliputra belonging to the
family of LICHVI
.His main contribution was the emphasis
laid on the rituals of YAGNAS,restoring and building memorials
(SMARAKS) of ancestors.
HAREET MUNI
His guru was SOBHAN MUNI and he was 120th in the lineage. In Vikram
Samvat 742 he called for a gathering in KANNAUJ of Vedic scholars
and all those who were following the Vedic Dharma.He emphasized the
need of the hour saying that renunciation alone was the reason that
the KARMA MARG was suffering.Buddhists left home and did not follow
any karmas living a life of a monk whereas the GEETA says that one
has to do one's duty also.He was keen to write a commentary on PURVA
MIMAMSA and for that he was on a lookout for a worthy disciple.With
the grace of God he found KUMARILA BHATT to whom he taught the
SHABAR BHASYA and MIMAMSA DARSHAN(philosophy) .Kumarila is well known
in hisory for his scholarly works and intelligence. HAREET MUNI found
another disciple who was good in SHASTRA (weapons) and not SHAASTRA
(literature) and that was BAPPA RAVAL.
BAPPA was a devotee of EKLINGJI and was the chief of MEWAD.
LOKAPRIYA
He was born 600 years after HAREETMUNI in the state of RAJASTHAN.He
was 147th in the Lineage and his Guru was SAAMAPRIYA.He took his
deeksha in VIKRAM SAMVAT 1183 at the age of 16 years.The record of
this fact is in the books "UDASEEN MANJARI" and "UDAAS DHARM DIVAKAR"
RAJA AJAYPAL of Ajmer was a close friend of LOKAPRIYA -a GURU BANDHU.
and thus his son AANA was very impressed by his teachings.Motivated
by LOKAPRIYA he fought back the MUGHALS very bravely whenever they
attacked.AANA' s son BEESALDEV also took Deeksha from LOKAPRIYA and
tried to unify the Hindus to fight back the Mughals.
AVINASH MUNI
He was born in a learned Brahmin's house in the 16th century.He is
167th in line of the UDASEEN PARAMPARA that we are chronicling.
His name is well known as he was the guru to a very worthy disciple
ACHARYA SHRICHANDRACHARYA JI
AVINASHI MUNI took his deeksha from VEDMUNI at the age of 24 in the
year 1538 VIKRAM SAMVAT
Once on a journey near MOUNT ABU he saw YAGNA KUNDS that had a
fascinating history.It was believed that the power of the mantras and
the yagna had produced 4 KSHATRIYA CLANS(Kshatriyas are the warriors)
Inspired by this there arose a similar SANKALP in his mind that He too
should groom Kshatriyas who would protect the HINDU DHARMA .Sure
enough his good and pious Sankalp fructified when he met the KSHATRIYA
child SHRICHANDRA in Punjab.This young disciple brought a fresh new
lease to Dharma in INDIA.
There are enough written evidences of the fact that Avinashi Muni was
indeed SHRI CHANDRACHARYA' s Guru although the name AVINASHI also means
PARAMATMA but here surely the reference is to this AVINASHI MUNI .
The following are the names of texts where there is a mention
| 1. | MATRA SHASTRA- This is a work By SHRI CHANDRACHARYA only where he
has mentione sthe name of Avinashi Muni being his guru |
| 2. | BHAV PRASAADINI- A commentary on Matra Shastra by Swami
Ramswarupdasji |
| 3. | SHRICHANDRA DIG VIJAY--Another commentary on MATRA SHASTRA by Shri
AKHILANANDJI bearing the same affirmation. |
NOTE
Vikram Samvat is 57 years ahead of the calendar that we use nowadays .
To get correct reference whenever there is a mention of Vikram Samvat
we have to minus 57 years to get the date in reference to A D
SHRICHANDRA
It is indeed difficult to chronicle the life of this
great VIBHUTI----{ a very special word with a lot of
different interpretations} The most often associated
one is the ash we collect from the sacred fire.It also
means MANIFESTATION OF DIVINE POWERS or the OPULENCE
WITH WHICH GOD CONTROLS EVERYTHING.The 10th chapter in
the Bhagwat Geeta is called the VIBHUTI YOGA where
BHAGVAN has enumerated His DIVINE BEING in the various
Manifestations in the world for e.g he says that He is
the Om in all the vedas,sound in space and manhood in
men,fragrance in the earth etc .
Here we speak of Shrichandra also as a VIBHUTI for He
is indeed the incarnation of BHAGWAN SHANKAR
In the treatise JAGADGURU SHRICHANDRACHARYA the writer
Shri Sitaram Chaturvedi has writtenn about His
Godliness and the events of His Life.This book is the
source of information about His birth or the AVATARAN
day as BHADRAPAD SHUKLA NAVMI in Vikram SAmvat 1551
(Shukla is the period of the moon waxing and Navmi
will be 7 days before Poornima and Vikram Samvat is
the Hindu calendar which is 57 years ahead of the
calendar we use)
His Parents were Nanakdev and Devi Shri Sulakshana.His
father was the first Sikh Guru and we find a
language similar to the Sukhmani and Guru Granth Sahib
in the MAATRA SHASTRA (a very important text written
by Him for the Udaseen Saints.).The place of birth was
TAALVANDI in Punjab.
At the time of birth He had matted locks,ash on His
body and a mark of a Trishul on His forehead.
At the age of 14 He took Deeksha from Avinashi Muni in
the Udaseen Sampradaya.
For 150 years He performed various leelas and then
disappeared in Vikram Samvat 1700 in the village of
CHAMBA near the River Raavi.It is believed that His
mortal body did not die and that He still lives and is
thus a CHIRANJEEVI --one who always lives.{Hanuman is
also known as a Chiranjeevi}
People believe that sometimes He shows up and gives
special Darshan to worthy saints and mahatmas in the
caves and forests of the HIMALAYAS.
BrahmKetu was a very close and a dear disciple of
Shrichandra to whom He left behind certain
instructions, just before his DISAPPEARANCE.
The following are the guidelines to be a true UDASEEN
| 1. | Do not be immersed in the vaasanas or the
attractions of the world and bring a bad name to the
high ideals of sacrifice. |
| 2. | Continue making efforts for the progress and
salvation of the Aatma. |
| 3. | Enlighten yourself and also show the light to those
who are engrossed in the world. |
| 4. | The main DHARMA of an UDASEEN is to follow the
footsteps of Guru AVINASHI MUNI and to try and
fulfill HIs aims. |
|
| 5. | To protect Dharma and to give up Pride and indulge
in NISHKAAM SEVA[Service where there is no expectation
of merit}Full effort is to be made towards yoga or the
union with the LORD. |
Acharya Shri Chandra was DIVINE.
Chhatrapati Shivaji's Guru-------- Samarth Raamdas
---when he was 18 years old had the occasion to meet
Him and be blessed by Him in a village called Takli .
This important Historical fact is chronicled in the
books SHROUT MUNI CHARITRAAMRIT , SHRICHANDRA
DIGVIJAY and UDASEEN MUNI PARICHAY .
Guru SAmarth Ramdas was called Narayan in those days
and was highly inclined towards penance and
reunciation. Acharya Shri Chandra instructed him to
travel to all the pilgrimage centres and see the
plight of that places.He asked him to groom a
KSHATRYA disciple who could improve the condition of
these pilgramge centres and thus protect Sanatan
Dharma.
SHIVAJI was the the Kshatriya Disciple that he groomed.
In Vikram Samvat 1626 Veer Rana Pratap (of BAppa
Raval's Lineage)had the darshan of Shrichandra on the
insistence of his minister BhamaShah.In those days
Acharya resised in the ancient ashram of Hareet Muni
at Udaipur.Acharya had predicted the down fall of the
Mughals and praised the valour of Rana Pratap and also
his predecessors.
Acharya Shrichandra was a farsighted and industrious
saint whose life was indeed very remarkable.As there
was a threat to Dharma from the north west region
Acharya sent His disciples Punjab,Sindh and Arabian
Gulf.He also had a dharamshala built in Afghanistan
and at the time of writing this book in 1965 our
author Ratan Behen has mentioned the name of one Swami
Shankaranandji to be the Mahant there.
One story about Him is regarding the SHRICHANDRA
CHINAR.Once to impress King Yakub of Kashmir Acharya
picked up a burning log and buried it in the ground,.
Within no time teh same log turned into a tree with
greenery and fresh young leaves. This tree was later
famous as the SHRICHANDRA CHINAR and our Gurudev would
often visit that spot when in Kashmir.
There is another anecdote about Him---
In Kandhaar --Kamran killed a deer whose life was
restored by Shrichandra. Kamaran was highly impressed
with the divine powers Of Shrichandra and decided to
correct his ways but due to the impressions of his
past life he disobeyed his Guru and became blind.
Dhatta,Kashmir, Kabul,Kandhaar and Peshwar were the
places where the fameand glory of Shrichandra spread
.Such great people do not restrict their life to a few
people but spread their blessings to people at large
.Their descent on earth is of a specific reason and
once that is accomplished they disappear.
The single most important contribution that
Shrichandra made was "Maatra Shastra"a book for the
Udaseen Saints and for the benefit of sanatan dharma.
The stories about Shrichandra are many and all these
prove that when one loses faith in one’s own religion
people like Him descent on the earth and perform
miracles to restore faith and thus fear of the people
disappears.
Shrichandra was a Guru to the whole world and thus He
is called a JAGADGURU.
During the time of Shrichandra the peaceful Indians
were terrorized by the atrocities of the
Mughals.Acharya would often visit the strife torn
places to console the people. and raise their morale
Punjab Sindh and the Arabian Gulf were the places He
visited as these were the places where conflict would
start.
Once He called for a conference of learned Mahatmas to
know the problems they were facing regarding the
protection of Dharma..He advised them not to revert to
severe measures to oppose the anti-dharmic forces but
to educate and win the hearts of the people by the age
old teachings and traditions as prescribed in the
scriptures.
MAATRA SHASTRA
The single most important contribution that He made
was the Treatise called MAATRA SHASTRA a UPANISHAD
like text with a language akin to the Guru Granth
Sahib called BHASHA NIBADH ( a special Language of
the Saints.)
Unlike the Upanishads where the instructions are for
all Jeevas here Acharya has given special instructions
to the saints of the Udaseen Parampara.It is mandatory
for a true Udaseen to read and reflect the teachings
in the MAATRA SHAASTRA.Questions that were raised in
those days are answered Here by Acharya.Sanskrit was
the language that He used but He changed it to Hindi
on the insistence of the saints.
The first work that He wrote was called MAATRA
SHAASTRA and He wrote 12 others.
His disciples also wrote other MAATRAS ( we can take
this word to be in-lieu of the word Upanishad –just
for our understanding . UPANISHADS are texts that
are dialogues between the teacher and disciples. We
also call them VEDANTA as they occur at the end of the
Vedas after the Karm-Kand portion.Vedanta or the
HIGHER KNOWLEDGE or BRAHMAN VIDYA- the knowledge that
lets us know the SUPREME is commonly taught to a
JIGYASU or INQUIRER)
Many commentaries have been written on the MAATRA
SHAASTRA and one of the commentaries is by Phalhari
Baba in Hindi.
WHAT DOES THE WORD MAATRA MEAN??
We have to first understand this word before we go
into the details of the scripture.
| 1. | First if we break up the word we get the word MAA
which is taken here to denote MAYA or ILLUSION. That
which removes our illusion and protects us from being
entrapped in it is is MAATRA, therefore this Shaastra
is the Brahmn Vidya .
The word UPANISHAD means sitting near a learned
teacher and these are texts that are dialogues between
the teacher and the disciple.Clearly the word is not a
SYNONYM for Brahm-Vidya .
In contrast the word MAATRA does denote Brahm-Vidya
and thus the use of this Vedic word was used by
Shrichandra as the Udaseen saints were the followers
of Vedic teachings or Shrutis.The verb for the noun
SHRUTIS would be SHROUT or that which is heard.Rishis
that heard the mantras were called SHROUT MUNIS.
The word MAATRA appears in RIG VED
MANDAL-10
SUKTA-71
MANTRA-11
In the above Maatra is used to signify YAGNA or
different kinds of YAGNA.Hence the use of the word
Maatra as it links the Udaseen saints to their
Parampara. |
| 2. | Second meaning is the ORNAMENT of the EAR.It adorns
the ear of the seeker who is in search of his TRUE
NATURE..What use are the ears that have not heard
words that reveal his true identity.The words in this
SHAASTRA removes all ignorance and adorns the soul.
UDASEEN saints are seen wearing Kundal/earring to
signify their
lineage and if one is to see Acharya’s Murti
anywhere we see Him also wearing one Kundal. |
3. | There is one other interpretation of the word Maatra
here. When we learn Hindi we are taught certain signs
which can be written instead of the alphabet like a
Chandra Bindi to denote the M sound or even a comma
type maatra to be added to the consonant to denote the
UU sound .
Hence we can say that Maatras are subtle indications
of the gross.(alphabet in this case and Brahman in the
case of rhe Granth) |
There are 4 chapters in Maatra Shaastra
| 1. | PARICHAY ADHYAY-Introduction 2 parts
| a) | Prashna Khand --1 couplet /chaupai |
| b) | Uttar Khand------- 3 couplets/chaupais | |
| 2. | YOGASAMBHAR ADHYAY-
The Knowledge of union /yoga with Brahman 2 parts
| a) | Antarang—10 couplets |
| b) | Bahitarang— 5 couplets |
|
| 3. | YOGACHARYA ADHYAY-The 2 methods of Yoga 2 parts
| a) | Hatha Yoga—2 couplets(controllin g the body with
will power) |
| b) | Raja Yoga –6 couplets and 2 lines (control of
the mind and senses) |
|
| 4. | ACHARYA ADHYAY-signs of an Acharya 3 parts
| a) | Purvachar Khand—4 couplets |
| b) | Parachar Khand—2 couplets and 3 lines | |
| c) | Uttarachar Khand—4 couplets |
|
There are thus 39 Chaupais in this Granth.
This is also called a SUTRA granth as a SUTRA is that
which strings together or unites.
Now let us see what knowledge is revealed in the
MAATRA SHAASTRA.
Learned saints often met Shrichandra in the forest and
now when they met Him at the meeting He had called for
they were most surprised to see him in a town. They
then question Him about this which becomes the 1st
couplet /chaupai of this MAATRA SHAASTRA.
The lines say –
Tell us O child who inspired you to take deeksha?
And on whose inspiration have you come to the town?
2nd chaupai says
My deeksha Guru is my Sadguru and he is the one who
has merged in Brahman(is a BRAHM NISHT) and is called
Avinashi Muni.
Destiny inspired me to take deeksha as when
Vairagya(renunciati on) dawns that is the RIGHT time to
take up the Sanyas .There is no need to go stepwise
through the 4
ashrams(brahmachary a,grahasta, vanarprastha and sanyas)
My guru Avinashi Muni has sent me to the town and that
is his will.
3rd chaupai
| 1. | Wake up the people from attatchment (MOH NIDRA)or
the sleep of ignorance |
| 2. | Help them cross this river of Samsara. |
| 3. | The udaseen saint has to repeat the NAAM(mantra
given by the Guru) continuously.
These are the 3 rules Acharya has indicated for
Udassen saints..in the 3rs chaupai. |
Politically these lines also carry a message for the
people who were oppressed by anti-dharmic forces.
Acharya says-
Make the villagers alert about people who are out to
cheat and snatch away their lands.
| 1. | Wake up the people who are being cheated by
oppressors. |
| 2. | Help the innocent people whose hard work brings
glory to their land for they are being cheated by the
foreigners. |
These lines reflect Acharya’s love for the people of
the village and town which are indicative of His
Divineness. The Vedas say that the people of the
village should be healthy,and free from disease and
anxiety.( Rig Ved 1/44/10 )
4th Chaupai
Lest a disciple think that these instructions are
perhaps not applicable to the Guru ,Acharya proceeds
to clarify this doubt.
My Guru Avinashi Muni has created this world by His
powers (leela) and has instructed and shown me the
Vedic path.
Acharya is equalling His Guru with Lord for he says
here that His Guru has created this world.
The above chaupais form the introduction
chapter----.
PARICHAY ADHYAYA
The next chapter is on YOG SAMBHAR( Sambhar here
perhaps mean the ways to attain Yog or union or the
preparation steps for Yog)
A saint has outer adornments like the Mekhla,Kantha
,Topi, Langoti .ShriChandra ji has coloured the outer
paraphernalia in the colour of spirituality and the
knowledge of the self in the lines of this chaupai.
He says that clothes protect from the cold (JAADA) and
knowledge protects one from ignorance ( JADTA).
A saint has to be above all pluralities like heat and
cold ,grief and happiness,honour and insult. As saint
has to have a forgiving nature and should be be
unperturbed by the above dualities or else all
knowledge is a complete waste.
Restrictions and control over one self ( Yam and Niyam
As described in Patanjali Yoga) helps to keep in check
the senses which run like wild horses.
Killing of a Brahmin
To lie after sinning
To commit evil deeds repeatedly.
Consumption of alchohol and stealing
All these an Udaseen Saint has to avoid in life.
They are like a coffin for a seeker and the one who
commits any of these felonies is indeed a sinner.
Now the second chapter which is called ANTARANG YOG
SAMBHAR ( the union of the inner soul with the lord)
Shrichandra likens this body with the burning
Dhooni(fire ) having the three attributes(gunas)
Sattva , Rajas and Tamas.
He says rub your inner being( soul) with meditation
and light the fire of knowledge thereby burning all
the Sanchita Karmas( the Fixed Deposit Karmas).The
spiritual significance of the burning dhooni that
Udaseen saints burn is well described here.
ShriChandra says that a clean heart is like nectar.
Mahatmas drink the divine nectar with this clean
heart. The Guru mixes knowledge in this cup .The one
who drinks this divine nectar is indeed freed from
the 3 agonies Sattva ,Rajas and Tamas and becomes
liberated.
Third Chapter
YOGAACHARYA ADHYAYA
This chapter has elaborated on the techniques of
Pranayama whereby also one can attain union (yog) with
the Lord.
He says inhale the fresh air from the sky in a
systematic manner.
Breathe in through the ida naadi and then slowly
release it through the pingaala naadi.
Now it has to be alternated ,breathe in through the
pingala naadi and breathe out through the ida naadi.
Ida and Pingala are psychic nerves according to Hatha
Yoga. By regular practice of the above method the
doors of the Sushmana Naadi open in the centre of the
backbone and when that happens retain the breath in
“Kumbhak”(consciously holding your breath and ceasing
all activities.)A state of nothingness or stillness
is experienced .
This is a good way to keep the mind still (as it
always strays away )and the yogi can continue to dwell
in the Aatma.
Rajyog Khand is part of this chapter where
Shrichandra tells the Mumukshus( those desirous of
liberation ) to fight with the mind and try and bring
it under control and reach the path.
Shrichandra says that He has done the same and was
applauded for His achievement.
He says that wear the shield Of Naam (the Guru
Mantra)and control the wild mind that runs like horses
with Karmas that are done without a selfish motive i.e
engage in activities that have no motives and thus
time spent on such karmas will not be binding.
The fourth chapter is called ACHAARYA ADHYAYA
Here Acharya describes Himself,
He says that at the time of Udaseen deeksha one has to
let go of the clothes worn before and change to the
prescribed attire of an Udaseen saint.
The outer adornments like the Shikha( the tuft of hair
on the top of the head)Yagnopaveet (the ceremonial
thread)dhoti,maala are all to be given up.
The saint has to wear a toda( a thread to tie up the
hair) which is tied to a ring like chooda .He has also
to wear an iron chain.
The other option is to be like a Paramhans and go
about clean shaven without any of the above.
Those days a new saint was commonly asked 3 questions.
Who is your Guru?
What is your Ved?
What is your Knowledge?
Shrichandra’s reply to the above three questions is
that My Guru is Avinashi Muni and my Ved is Saam Ved
and my knowledge is NIRVAAN VIDYA also known as BHOOM
VIDYA. This is the knowledge that Narad gave to
SanatKumar.This Vidya appears in the Chandogya
Upanishad which is there in Saam Ved .
The aim of this knowledge is Moksh(liberation)
The above few lines is a gist of MAATRA SHAASTRA .He
has described His own experiences here and so it was
necessary to delve into the teachings of the text
while describing the life and times of Shrichandra.
Acharya says that those who read and reflect on the
Maatra Shaastra’s teachings are sure to attain
liberation.
15 ACHARYAS ---------- HISTORY OF 300 YEARS
JagadGuru ShriChandra Acharya had 8 main disciples and
their names are---
ALIMAST MUNI
GOVIND DEV
PUSHP DEV
BAALHAS MUNI
SOM DEV
BHAKT BHAGWAN
KARTA HARRAI
GURUDUTTJI
The first 4 were the ones who served Shrichandra the
most and were very close to Him and thus they are well
respected in the history of Udaseen Parampara.
This Lineage has 10 branches
4 branches are called AGNI KUND (DHOONE)
(UTTAR ,DAKSHIN,PURAB ,PASCHIM) Saints of the
respective dhoonas were ordained to go in their
directions to spread the vedic teachings.Our Guruji
are from the Dakshin Dhoona.
6 branches are called PURASKAR (BAKSEESE)
The names of the 4 Dhoone are---
ALMAST DHOONA
GOVIND DEV DHOONA
PUSHP DEV DHOONABALHAS DHOONA
The 6 BAKSEESE are ---
BHAKT BHAGWAN
MEEHA SAHAB(GURU RAMDEV or MEGH MUNI.)
GURU SANGAT DEV(SACCHI DAADHI or SATYASHMRU)
BAKSEES SUSTHIRANAND (SUTRANAND or SUTRE SHAAHI)
DEEWANA BAKSEES
AJEETMAL BAKSEES
7 Branches are most important.Udaseens have 2
AKHADAS(congregations or place of assembly)
| 1. | Panchyati Akhada Bada Udaseen. |
| 2. | Panchayti Naya Akhada Udaseen. |
In the Bada Akhada 4 saints are Udaseen ---2 from the
Dhoona (Almast Dhoona and Baalhas Dhoona)and 2 from
Baksees (Bhakt Bhagwan and Meeha Saheb). The mahant
could also be from Govind Saheb Dhoona.
In the Panchayti Naya Akhada Udaseen are 4 Mahants.
This branch has saints only from Guru Sangat Dev's
branch.
The 4 Akhadas perhaps signify the four sons of Brahma
--Sanat kumar and his brothers.
Since Udaseen Parampara is from the SHROUT lineage (
Munis who follow the vedic teachings that were heard
(shrout) by the ancient Rishis) the 4 saints signify
the 4 vedas.These Akhadas were set up by ShriChandra
Acharyaji .
This information can be of great interest to us when
we attend a Kumbh mela as that is when the different
Akhadas come in a procession.
Before we go into the details of the 15 Acharyas and
the history of the lineage of our dear Guru dev it is
essential to explain the meaning of the terms Baksees
and Dhoona here.
I had to talk to a few of our ashram saints who very
kindly and lovingly explained the terms and here are
the meanings and their significance.
Dhoona
It means a fire that is usually lit with logs of wood
especially to conduct a yagna .
The saints in those days stayed in remote areas and
would necessarily have a burning pyre all the time for
various reasons.
The animals would stay away and if it was winter the
fire would keep them warm.
They could recite the mantras and offer oblations as
prescribed in the Vedas karma kand portion.
Another importance was that these burning Dhoonas
would be a good indicator to travellers to come and
partake food and shelter if the need be.The smoke
could be seen from a distance and the hungry traveller
came towards it.
The saints would welcome them and share what they had.
Once in Dehradun a King of that region approached
such a dhoona when he was thirsty
.He was overwhelmed by the hospitality extended to him
and he told the saints that as a Baksees (gift)I will
give you land .
Puraskar is also another word for gift .
All those places that saints got as gifts were then
the abodes of the Udaseen saints and the name of the
saint got the name of that Baksees.This how we can see
there are huge areas of land which belong to the
various akhadas.
So, Dhoonas are the original ones that were inhabited
by the saints and the Baksees were the gifted lands.
Some of the Baksees saints are also from other paths
who became Udaseen saints impressed with the teachings
of ShriChandra.
Our Gurudev is from the BALHAAS MUNI branch and here
we shall know about the 15 Acharyas in the 300 year
history of this lineage.
The first 5 are from the 18th century of Vikram
Samvat.
The next 6 are from the 19th century Vikram Samvat.
The last 4 are from the 20th century Vikram Samvat.
BALHAAS MUNI
The fountain head of this branch ---Balhas Muni was
junior to Alimatt Muni (Kamlasan) a worthy and
enlightened disciple of Shrichandra Acharya.
He was like the Ali( a big black bee) who was
constantly partaking of the nectar (honey) of the
Lord’s name by being constantly merged in
Dhyana(meditation).
His name therefore came to be ALIMAST MUNI or ALMAST
MUNI.Balhas Muni was younger than him and was born in
Vikram Samvat 1621 Magh Shukla Dashmi Tithi in
Srinagar –Kashmir.,
His father was a Brahmin named Shri Hardutt Kaul and
mother was called Shri Prabhavati. From 1650 Vikram
Samvat He began staying in the service of JagadGuru
ShriChandraAcharya and during the same year took
deeksha on Kartik Poornima day in the Udaseen
Parampara.
He was actually named BALKRISHNA and was then called
BAALHAS due to the following anecdote—
Balkrishna was an intense child , always merged in his
studies. He attended the same school as Shri Chandra
and was well known for his intelligence.
He had an answer for every query and had great
debating skills.All philosophical questions were
explained by him in a simple manner.
One day Balkrishna was sitting on the roof of a house
and he happened to fall down because as usual he was
merged in meditation.
All the children went running to Shri Chandra and
proclaimed that Balkrishna had stopped breathing and
was perhaps dead.
Acharya asked the boys to get him and on seeing him
proclaimed that the child was only playing a prank on
the friends and was still very much alive.
The mother heard all the confusion and went running to
see her son and on the way promising to hand over her
son to Acharya if indeed he was alive.
Balkrishna’s mother on seeing her child burst into a
laughter(Haas) like a child(Baal).
After this incident he came to be called BAALHAAS.
With his mother’s blessings and approval Baalhas was
now allowed to live with and serve his Guru.
On Chaitra Shukla Ramnavmi day in Vikram Samvat 1694
he became the president of KARTARPUR Math with the
blessings and order of his guru Shri Chandra.
4 years later he went to Dehradun via Haridwar after
appointing Shri Laaldas as the president of the math
in Kartarpur.
He was Brahmaleen in Vikram Samvat 1717.There is a
samadhi till date in Dehradun where people offer
their prayers to our Lineage Guru.
(End of part 12)
BABA PURANDAS
He was the first disciple of Baalhas Muni and he
stayed in Dehradun serving his master .He also took
His Maha Samadhi in Dehradun.
GURU RAMRAI
Baalhas Muni had several disciples in Dehradun .
The 7th Sikh Guru HAR RAIJI’s eldest son Guru Ramrai
heard about Balhas Muni’s greatness and so wanted to
take deeksha from Him. Knowing that He would be a
worthy disciple Baalhas Muni gave Him deeksha.
Guru Ramrai wielded a lot of power and even Aurangzeb
had a lot of respect for Him.Once Aurangzeb had called
the Sikh Guru Har Rai ji but the father sent his son
Guru Ramrai to meet the mughal king.
It is mentioned in history that Guru Rai had performed
72 miracles in Aurangzeb’s court.Jealous people framed
wrong charges and created a dispute between father and
son.Guru Ramrai decided to not go back to Kiratpur
and hence proceeded to Dehradun.
In the company of Balhas Muni Guru Har Rai learnt Yog
Sadhana thus impressing a lot of people with his
prowess.The devotees of Guru Ram Rai established
“DARBAR GURU RAMRAI”
After the Samadhi of Guru Ram Rai his wife –Mata
Kunwari-adopted a son from the Balhas Lineage and made
him Mahant of the Darbar.One of the well known Mahant
of this darbar was Lachhmandasji Maharaj.A
philanthrophist,A brahmachari,disciplinarian and a
benevolent person.The Maharajas of Punjab were His
disciples.
GURUDASJI
The history of 6 Acharyas after Purandasji is not
known.There is a lot of information available for the
9th disciple after Balhas Muni.He is Gurudasji He was
a SIDDH PURUSH.
He made Sindh Shikarpur as His centre.
For this 19th century Mahatma there is a “KHATWALI
DHARMASHALA” constructed.
He often sat on a KHAT {cot} and that is why people
called him Baba Khatwala.
Baba never walked on foot because His disciples would
lovingly take Him everywhere on the KHAT{cot}
There is well known miracle that people remember about
Him.One of his close disciples wanted to travel to the
Haridwar Kumbh Mela and knowing the mind of his dear
disciple Baba by his Grace made the Ganga flow in the
cottage itself ..The people who had returned from
Haridwar were surprised to see him there as to them it
had appeared that the disciple was at the Har Ki
Pori enjoying the Kumbh bath in their company.
An idol of Ganga Mata was installed at the cottage
where Ganga had appeared.Those who are not able to
attend the Kumbh Mela visit this holy place instead
.The name of this great saint was on the lips of
everyone in Sindh.
BHAGWANDASJI
He was the 10th in line from Baalhas Muni.He stayed in
Dehradun only. He lived during the 19th century
BHAKT RAMJI
11th in line and the disciple of Bhagwandasji He was
the last disciple of the 19th century.He traveled all
the 4 Dhams( pilgrimage centers in the 4 corners of
India) with 50-60 saints.He also stayed at Matan in
Kashmir like His Guru and Dada Guru. Bhakt Ramji went
to Punjab from Dehradun and established an Udaseen
ashram in RAJGARH {Ludhiana}.This was a home for many
saints.
SHYAM DASJI
In the 20th century of Vikram Samvat ShyamDasji was
the disciple of Shyam Dasji and 12th in line. He was
well known for His strong body and would often make
His disciples exercise .His Samadhi is in Raj garh
{Ludhiana}He was a yogi and an enlightened ascetic .
GOPIRAMJI
13th in line Shri Shyam Dasji was no ordinary
saint.About 250 saints stayed with Him during the time
the British were attacking Indians and on the other
hand the Christian missionaries were converting
hordes of Hindus by winning their sympathy by way of
free medicines and care and education.In the year 1947
at the time of partition Udaseen saints helped the
refugees in all ways and did a lot of Dharmic
work.There was freee education in the
"Maths"(temples) and the educated saints taught the
regional languages ,Hindi and Urdu.Some of the saints
used ayurvedic medicines to heal the people and the
other saints enlightened the people with
Ramayan,Geeta,Bhagwat,Puranas.
Mahatma was instrumental in cautioning people about
the dubious ways of the missionaries.
Sunderdasji was of impeccable character,a healer,a
literary person and a linguist.
He established a centre in RAJVANA 4 kilometres away
from Rajgarh and carried out all His activities from
there.
For 60 long years He protected the Hindus. Children
from the nearby villages came to study hindi ,sanskrit
,urdu and gurmukhi.He taught the ayurvedic knowledge
to several of His disciples so that they could heal
people.The missionary schools in Punjab were not so
popular due to the free and good education at the
“Math”.Similarly the missionary clinics were not so
well attended as the free ayurvedic treatment was well
appreciated.One of the Vaidya saints was Swami
Ghananadji who stayed at the Akhandanand Ashram in
Ahemdabad and served the people.This ashram is now the
VED MANDIR ashram at Kankariya Road in Ahemdabad.He
was 7 feet tall and had a pleasing personality. He
would remain silent even if angry.He never spoke any
rude or harsh words.The sick would be cured merely by
His kind words.He thus was our Gurudev SWAMI
GANGESHWARANDJI’s “ DADA GURU”
SWAMI RAMANANDJI
15th in line from Baalhas Muni and the Guru of our
Maharaj Shri Swami Gangeshwaranandji was born in a
village called NATHUMAJRA on the banks of Satlej
river near Ludhiana in the year Vikram Samvat 1913
i.e.1866 AD. On Phagun Shukla Trayodashi.His father
was a well known Saraswat Brahmin and an ascetic
named Shri Gopal dev and mother was Sadhvi Shri Daya
Devi ji
He lost His parents while still a child.Under the care
of his family memebers Ramanandji was able to master
Hindi and Sanskrit languages.At the age of 5 He could
recite the Sanskrit shlokas in a melodius voice.The
previous lifetimes SAMSKARAS fructified and therefore
He had no interest in the life of a householder.
Whenever alone He would go and listen to the satsang
of Mahatma Gopiramji in Rajgarh.The mahatma was
immensely impressed with the young child and knew He
would one day be a reknowned saint and so began to
groom Him.He made Him develop his oratory skills and
Ramanadji was able to recite the Geeta in 45 minutes
and the Ramayan in 24 hours.
While staying at the ashram of Mahatma Gopiramji
Ramanandji was impressed by the work of Mahatma
Sundardasji who relentlessly worked for the cause of
humanity.Mahatma Gopiramji advised Him to therefore
take deeksha from Mahatma Sunderdas Ji at the young
age of 11.After the Deeksha Vasudev Sharma was called
Swami Ramanandji
He served His guru whole heartedly thereby earning His
Grace.He went to Kashi to for further vedic studies.In
a short time he was known as a PAndit of hindi and
Sanskrit languages.
He led a simple life and did not allow any
distractions to come near Him.
Seeing the Hindu tradition being sidelined by western
influences Swamiji traveled to Multan,Punjab,Sindh and
Karachi to spread vedic- dharma.He established many
libraries ,schools and religious centres.
Those days He was on a lookout for a worthy disciple
who would carry forward His mission and he happened to
meet young CHANDRESHWAR {Swami Gangeshwaranandji}
He was both a father and mother to Him and made all
possible efforts to make Him a worthy disciple and a
Saint with immense capabilities.
Vikram Samvat 2000 i.e.1943 AD He took Maha Samadhi on
Magh Shirsh Krishna Ekadashi day at 6 am.He chanted
OM and merged with the Divine.
If we count From Shri ChandraAcharya Swami Ramanandji
was 16th in line
Our Gurudev Swami Gangeshwaranandji was THUS
17th in line from JAGADGURU SHRI SHRICHANDRA ACHARYA
181st in line From Mool Purush.
KNOW THE GLORY OF YOUR ANCESTORS
The race that does not remember or revere their
ancestors is not able to protect its own glory.
If we want our culture to be deep rooted and make its
foundation strong ,it is imperative to be inspired by
the many great people and their exemplary lives.Their
attempts to make inquiries into the ultimate goal of
man.-the highest truth.
This is the land that gave birth to the concept of
“Vasudeva Kutumbukam”-the world is one family and
“Vishwa Needham”-the world is one nest.The work that
they did for the welfare of mankind should inspire
us to carry forward their mission.
(The Smarak Bhawan recently opened in Vrindavan shall
surely inspire us all to carry forward Our Gurudev’s
Message.)
There is a failing interest nowadays to be motivated
by the lifetime achievements of such people because
they are presumed to be myths and legends.
Historians have not chronicled their lives or given
them the due recognition as history books cater mainly
to political issues.
India has a glories history of saints and yogis who
are the very foundation of our culture.Their
contributions are not mere legends but realities!
One such great personality was our Sadgurudev and
we are lucky that we have 3 volumes of His jeevani
written by Smt Ratanben in hindi entitled YOGESHWAR
GURU GANGESHWAR.
For the convenience and comprehension of those who are
not able to read these 3 books an effort is made here
to give the essence in the notes that are being
mailed..Our 3rd and 4th generation disciples of
Gurudev need to know His glory and since English is
well understood by most of us the English notes may
serve the purpose.
The 3 volumes have a lot of information .
Early childhood and penanace
Life as a Mandaleshwar.
Loka Sangraha(Welfare and bringing together of people).
There are events and places that Gurudev attended and ofcourse His conversations with disciples are also there
Ved Stahpanas in India and Abroad.
Attempt shall be made to sift and categorize the vast matter for easy readabability
From the book Yogeshwar Guru Gangeshwar Part 1] by Smt Ratanben Fozedar
This translation was possible with the help of Swami Santosh Muniji—Mahant of RajvanaAshram-Punjab.