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Maharaj Shri:
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EARLY DAYS OF DIVINE PLAY
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Thakurprasadji (Maharaj shri’s grandfather) prayed to his guru saint Lalji Sarkar for
a grandchild, he blessed him that one day a great saint will be born to his daughter and the
entire world will bow to his feet. When this divine infant was born what amazed people was that
this was a painless birth and its body was as clean as if someone has already bathed the child.
However no one gave a second thought to this fact. When Thakurprasadji’s wife later mentioned that
she didn’t find a single spot of blood on the newborn, Kriparamji (Maharaj Shri’s father) overlooked
this as a loving praise of a grandmother instead of an extraordinary incident.
When Maharaj shri turned one, he
developed a special fondness for bathing and by the time he turned two, this
fondness turned into discipline of not taking food unless he has taken a bath.
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As a child when Maharaj shri used
to play with other kids, he used to make earthen Shivling and ask them to offer
flowers to it. Whenever he used to go with his parents to attend a discourse or
in company of sages then unlike other kids he never used to disturb his parents
instead used to be very quiet and peaceful as if he understands each and every
word of the discourse.
When Maharaj Shri turned 4, preparations were made to send him to a primary
school. He refused to go however he was forcibly made to attend school. One day
the school principal exasperated with Maharaj Shri’s vagabond attitude,
reprimanded him to focus on his studies, he replied "what are you going to teach
me, I will be taught by my almighty father”
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His principal, Tiwari Ji once
mentioned that he couldn’t quite understand why Maharaj shri was always
surrounded by kids. At last he asked one of the kids as to why they are always
with Ravi and what does he give them? The kid replied instantly because he gives us
delicious sweets which he produces magically from air! Tiwari Ji didn’t believe
it however when his wife later mentioned that Ravi offered her the temple
offering of Orcha Dham which he magically plucked out of thin air, then he was
forced to think that there might be some truth in these incidents.
Maharaj Shri has always been of a
carefree attitude since childhood. His mother mentions that he used to go to the
temple with them and at some distance to the temple is a mound which has a cave
inside it. However the opening of the cave is so small that no child can ever
pass through it. Maharaj Ji Shri often used to go inside this mysterious cave or
at the altar of Siddha Baba leaving his mother alone at the temple. Sometimes he
used to direct people on where to dig a well to find water or find lost
treasures hidden inside the ground. Such divine and extraordinary powers in a
child obviously couldn’t escape the acute eyes of people who curiously asked
him, how he does all these things. Maharaj Shri used to avoid such questions by
saying that it’s due to the blessings of Siddha Baba or some spirits etc. It was
clear that he always kept his true identity in the dark.
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Many a times, Maharaj shri while
playing with kids used to go inside the cave at the mound of Sharda Mata’s
temple for hours. On returning he would be completely wet and avoided answering
any questions on his whereabouts. When constantly reprimanded he mentioned once
that there are many Sadhus inside this cave who are in a constant state of
meditation. There is also a huge lake inside and these Sadhus often talk to me.
Once Maharaj shri asked his mother to accompany him inside the cave however she
refused out of fear. From then on he started going to this cave in the middle of
nights as well.
Maharaj Shri has a loving attitude towards people of all ages. While his
childlike heart naturally attracts kids towards him at the same time younger
generation and old folks are not left untouched by his positive energy and
compassion. Maharaj shri has a special fondness for the youth because he feels that
it’s the youth power that would provide direction to this nation. If the youth
of today are given right direction then it doesn’t take much to develop the
nation.
Maharaj Shri had a soft corner for
cows and their welfare since his childhood and the best example of this was his
household cow, Shyama whom Maharaj shri bought for Rs 60 after much pestering
with his father and took complete responsibility of looking after her right from
making her fodder, feeding and bathing her. Shyama was so affectionate towards
him that she used to stop
taking fodder if she couldn’t see Maharaj shri for a day.
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Maharaj Shri has faced lot of
hardship in his childhood and adolescence. Lack of interest in studies, vagabond
lifestyle and constant chiding from his father led him to work as a laborer at
many places. One of the villagers Kashi who worked along with Maharaj Shri
mentions that once he had asked him why he is working in fields when it looks
like he comes from a well to do family to which Maharaj shri replied "Work
should be done at all costs”
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Maharaj shri first set his foot at
Rawatpura in 1991. Rawatpura is a small quaint village situated deep inside the
ravines of Chambal region of MP state between Pahuj and Sonmriga Rivers.
Initially there was only a small ancient Hanuman Ji temple which was in a
dilapidated state. Except for local villagers no one frequented this temple
neither any worship was performed at its altars. Thus began the story of an
astonishing revolution which over the years has transformed the character of
this region starting with its natural landscape, social conditions, spiritual
and religious environment. Today this place is a 100 acres plus ashram which is
now known as Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Dham.
From the dilapidated conditions of 1991, this small temple suddenly came into
prominence as a spiritual center in 1996 when a divine Yagya was organized at a
massive scale. BBC London declared this Yagya as the biggest ever religious
ceremony ever undertaken in the Indian annals. Spread over a perimeter of 10 km
it had the capacity to efficiently manage and provide free food for 100,000
people in one sitting. This nine day event also had performances from many world
famous celebrated artists apart from the spiritual and religious programs.
In 2000, Rawatpura Sarkar Lok
Kalyan Trust was founded to act as a medium for channeling humanitarian
activities. Today this organization has laid the groundwork for fulfilling the
objectives which Maharaj Shri has set forth for the holistic development of
humanity.
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These include setting up
educational institutes providing quality professional education for the needy
and underprivileged sections of the society, programs for social upliftment of
rural folks especially women and children, environmental awareness, healthcare,
vocational training for the unemployed youth and establishing Cowpens.
Since 2000 this humanitarian movement has gained tremendous grounds and has
spread its wings beyond Rawatpura to centers at Raipur, Kolkata, Hairdwar and
Chitrakoot to increase its reach among people in various regions of the nation.
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"True intelligence operates silently. Stillness is where creativity and solutions to problems are found"
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