Mahatma Ramchandra Ji(Hindi: महात्मा रामचन्द्र), affectionately known as “Laalaaji Maharaaj”, born on the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami, the 3rd February 1873 was an Indian mystic and capable master (समर्थ गुरु). He became such an illustrious and celebrated saint that today, after more than one hundred years, a dozens of missionaries are full-time working in propagation of his method of spirituality. His disciples are spreading his message of love to God and Humanity in over hundred countries.

Mahatma Ramchandra, who was the first duly authorized Hindu Sufi, at one point of time expressed a desire to convert to Islam, the religion of his spiritual Master Maulana Fazl Ahmad Khan (Huzur Maharaj), but his spiritual Master out rightly rejected the idea stating that in all the human beings, the flow of spirituality occurs in the same manner but their way of living differs. Religion depends upon the society and circumstances in which one is born but the soul is the same in everyone. Spirituality is a matter of soul, which is the same in every one and it requires no particular religion to be followed.

Life Sketch
Ancestors
His ancestors were from a village named ‘Adhyoli’ somewhere in the vicinity of Delhi region. His ancestors lived there and thereby acquired the family name of ‘Adhyolia’. According to the available genealogy, his family tree starts with Chaudhary Mantokhrai. It is said that impressed by his honesty, integrity, efficiency and bravery, the then emperor [[Akbar]] gave him the title of [[Chowdhury]] with the land-lordship of 555 villages. This area, which was then known as Bhoomi-gram, now located in the District [[Mainpuri]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]] in [[India]], later on came to be known as [[Bhogaon]]. Chowdhury Mantokhrai was blessed with three sons namely-1. Shri Sevaram, 2. Shri Bhuvandas, and 3. Chaudhary Hemachandra. Mahatma Ramchandra's branch of family starts from Chowdhury Hemachandra. Chowdhury Narpatrai, Chowdhury Hulasrai, Chowdhury Makkhanlal and Chowdhury Chunnilal were his great grand fathers in that order. Chowdhury Vrindavanlal was the son of Chowdhury Chunnilalji, who was Mahatma Ramchandra's grandfather. Chowdhury Vrindavanlal had two sons namely 1. Chowdhury Harbakhshrai and 2. Chowdhury Ulfatrai. Both these brothers had two children each. Mahatma Ramchandra and his younger brother Shri Raghubar Dayal (Nanhe) were sons of Chowdhury Harbakhshrai. His uncle Chowdhury Ulfatraiji was blessed with two sons - Dr. Krishna Swaroop and Shri Ram Swaroop.

Indian freedom revolution of 1857 took Bhoomi-gram in its fold. As a result his family got dislocated. His ancestors got scattered in the nearby areas and settled wherever they found shelter. His father Chowdhury Harbakhshrai also moved and settled in [[Farrukhabad]] where he started working as Superintendent in the Octroi Department. Throughout his life his father lived there. His father received many appreciation and merit certificates during his service because of extraordinary excellence in his work. Mahatma Ramchandra kept them safely and always felt proud of his father's honesty and integrity.

Birth and Early Childhood
His father was a wealthy person. Besides the prestige of being a land lord, his father being a Superintendent of Octroi was held in high esteem and even the British officers had respect for him. In spite of all these means of comfort and luxury, his father constantly had an upsetting feeling of not begetting a child. His mother was was a pious lady absorbed in the divine love. It so happened that a blanket wearing Avadhut (an [[ascetic]] - usually absorbed in his own self) arrived in [[Farrukhabad]]. No one knew him, as he was new to Farrukhabad. Neither earlier nor was he to be seen after this incidence. It appeared that his arrival at his mother's door was preplanned. Suddenly he knocked at her door and asked for some food. His mother saluted him and whatever food that was ready, i.e. bread, vegetables, and sweets were offered to him with great respect. He, however, expressed his desire to have some fish. Since his mother was a devout [[Vaishnav]], there was no question of any non-vegetarian food being available. She prayed the Almighty for help. With his mother, a loyal maid was also present, standing right behind her. In this difficult moment his mother looked towards her. Before his mother could say anything, the maid informed his mother that two cooked fish had been sent by Nawab of Shamshabad (for his father), which were kept in the guestroom and if she permits, the same can be served. My mother immediately asked them to be served to the [[ascetic]], which the [[ascetic]] happily ate.

The maid was not educated but she was wise and loyal. She noticed the signs of satisfaction and happiness on the face of the [[ascetic]]. She immediately very humbly and politely mentioned to him that her mistress (his mother) by the grace of God had everything required for a comfortable living, but she did not have a child and requested the [[ascetic]] to pray for her to beget a child.

The ascetic was impressed by the request of that maid and the silent devotion exhibited by his mother. With a loud laughter he uttered “Allah-o-Akbar” and raising his right hand said “one-two” and left the place. It is said that no one ever saw that ascetic after this incidence.

The blessings of that ascetic fructified and exactly after ten months on [[Vasant Panchami]], the 2nd February 1873, Mahatma Ramchandra was born and then after about two and a half years on 7th October 1875 his younger brother Mahatma Raghubar Dayal was born.

His mother had a very sweet voice and she had adequate skills of singing. She used to recite the [[Ramcharitmanas]] in a melodious voice. In her company, not only he developed an inclination towards spirituality, but he also got interested in singing and poetry. He used to say - "The seeds of God Realization sown in my heart due to her grace, supported me through out my life and my life became an instrument for the nurturing of that seed."

By the time he was about to be seven years old, his mother departed from this mortal world. His father, however, filled that gap with his unbound love and affection. At times when his father used to tell both his sons historical, meaningful, and moral stories. Sometimes his father used to ask them what had they learned from those stories and after that he himself used to explain to them and used to tell them many useful things. At times he would ask them to repeat the earlier stories.

Education
Mahatma Ramchandra was a healthy child and was interested in studies but even then his father did not send him to a school in spite of attaining the school-going age. The only reason for this appeared to be his affection. The formal initiation of his education had taken place in his mother’s time. His father then appointed a [[Mawlawi]] Sahab (a teacher) to teach him [[Urdu]] and [[Persian]]. He also taught him poetry.

At about ten years of age he was admitted to the local Mission High School of [[Farrukhabad]]. He passed the ‘Middle Class Anglo-Vernacular Examination’ in the second class from this school. The name of the institution that awarded his this certificate was Education Department, [[North-Western Provinces]] and [[Awadh]] at the age of 18 years.

In his own words "During the middle class studies, my only other extra curricular activity was to learn about the Christian religion and getting a close familiarity with the above mission. The saying of revered Jesus that ‘it is possible for a camel to pass through the hole of a needle but it is not possible that a rich person may receive his (Jesus) grace’ had a great and lasting impact on my mind. It was because of this that never in my life I found it difficult to sail through the tough situations."

Marriage and Wife
Mahatma Ramchandra was married in the Year-1885 Brij Rani, daughter of Shri Yadunath Sahay Kanchan, resident of village- Kanwal Nainpur, Tahsil- Kanth, District- Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. In age she was a few months older than him. His father in law was a rich person. His wife was a divine soul, an incarnation of devotion and love. She as his life-companion, was always prepared to offer all that belonged to her in the sacramental fire of his life. Inspiring him to follow the right path, she herself being righteousness personified, kept him always alert.

There is a story about his wife that Mahatma Ramchandra has narrated himself.

"This incidence relates to a time about one year after the birth of my last child, my youngest daughter Sushila. One night a man, who was as bright as sun, wearing red cloths and a crown on his head, dark complexioned and with a Pash (a cord used for tying) in his hands appeared in the dream of my wife. She asked him-“Who are you and why have you come here?” He replied-“I am Yamraj (the lord of death) and I have come to take you away with me, as your life has now come to an end”. She again asked him - “Lord! It is your Doot (representatives or servants) who come to take away human beings at the time of their death; how is it that you have come yourself? Yamraj told her-“You are a Pativrata Devi (a lady observing fidelity to her husband) and possess various divine qualities. You, therefore, can not be taken away by my servants so I have come myself.” Thereafter Yamraj pulled away the thumb sized Jivatma (embodied soul) from the body of my beloved wife and proceeded in southern direction."

"Right from the beginning I used to get up early in the morning at four o’clock. The first thing in the morning we used to sit together for Satsang and morning prayers. So, when I saw her on the cot and not complying with the daily routine, out of anxiety I pulled the sheet covering her and I was wonderstruck. She was dull and dead. I was perturbed and for the first time I felt as if I am myself the wife and she is my husband. My world was lost and I felt that there was no meaning in my living alone."

"It is said that once a Gopi mad in love of Krishna got into a dilemma that I, who continuously remember Krishna, may perhaps myself not become Krishna. If it so happens that I myself become Krishna how would then I enjoy this love with my beloved Krishna? Another Gopi told her- “You ought not to worry about it. Thinking about Shri Krishna when you would become Shri Krishna, Shri Krishna then also would become you (Gopi) thinking about you. This joy of love between the lover and beloved would continue in the same manner. So you be engrossed in Shri Krishna’s thoughts.”

"Whether it was me, who was her husband or it was she, who was my husband, whatever be the truth, this moment of separation was very frightening and difficult for me. At last, with the grace of my revered Master I saw another strange thing. She woke up again, alive. When she regained some consciousness, after salutation, she told me about her dream, as above. After narrating this she told me that where she was taken away it was light all around and nothing else. There was indescribable peace. Her consciousness then felt like some divine voice saying her-‘Your life no doubt has ended but Our work is still unfinished. You are a religious person so be a ever-fortunate, a lady whose husband is alive (Chir-Suhagan). A very fortunate person, your husband, who is a who is established in Truth (Satpurush), go assist him and be his support. You have the divine blessings with you. Go now as a liberated person and act in accordance with the scriptures. Your sheath of attachment has been destroyed with the Truth-consciousness. Like a moving dead body, liberated from all attachments, you may live as long as you wish and come back when you desire (Ichcha Mrityu).’ After narrating what she had seen in her dream, she showed me a red circular sign which was marked on the lower part of her waist, before departure from that vision. The pageant (Lila) of God can not be understood and, therefore, there is no question of any astonishment. After this day our relationship was something else than that of a husband and wife. She through her unblemished character bestows purity to our Satsang family."

Children
Mahatma Ramchandra was blessed with eight daughters and two sons. His elder son Ch. Harishchandra was to live only for a few years and he completed his task in two-three years.

His second son, Shri Jagmohan Narain was born on 02 Nov. 1901. Shri Jagmohan Narain was a disciple of Maulana Abdul Gani Khan Sahab (R.U.A.), who was the co-disciple of Huzur Maharaj (Hazrat Maulana Fazl Ahmad Khan Sahab (R.U.A.). Shri Jagmohan Narain lived until 31st Aug. 1944.

His nephew Ch. Brijmohan stayed with him for a long time and there were a lot of difference of opinion between him and his son Shri Jagmohan Narain, but in spite of that they had a strong feeling of love towards each other. Ch. Jagmohan Narayan outwardly looked to be a prince enjoying all the worldly comforts but from within he was an [[ascetic]] and totally detached person. On the other hand Ch. Brijmohan was just opposite to him. Outwardly Ch. Brijmohan was a detached fakir but from within he was a Rajyogi of high order with a loving heart. Both of them were complimentary to each other and both of them were dear to him like his two eyes.

His youngest and the last child was his daughter Sushila (he used to call her Sheela only), she was dear to all. The spiritual seekers who used to visit him treated her with love like their sister. She was a child and, therefore, she keept moving in and out. Her nature and behavior charmed everyone. Her looks and character were like a goddess and impressed all. Speaking less, behaving courteously, understanding the needs of spiritual seekers and providing them with their needs, even without their asking and that too with humility etcetera were some of her note-worthy acts. Often she was tried to be lured by money, sweets and toys etc. but in vain. Charmed by her mannerism, many of her brothers coming from outside used to ask her for various things such as toys, sweets, clothes or anything else that she may require but she would not agree to take anything from them and on insistence would say-“Bhai sahab (respected brother) I do not need anything”.

Besides children born to him and his wife he considered all spiritual seekers who came to him as his children. In his own words, "My existence and capability is very small and limited. Besides my ten children, nieces and nephews, I have about 200 persons who are associated with me like the cows and calves, which are as dear to me as my own children. I am busy looking after them. Some words of Jesus Christ (Mahatma Yishu) guide me even today. He has said-“I am the crop of life. One who comes to me would never be left hungry. One who has faith in me would never be left thirsty. But I say it to you that although you have seen me but you do not believe me. Even then some people would come to me, who have been given to me by my Father, and I would never push them out, because I have come here from the heaven to fulfill not my desire but the desire of my Father, who has sent me here. And it is the desire of the Supreme Lord (Parmeshwar) that out of the people given by Him to me, I should not lose even one."

Guru (Spiritual Master)
Guru: Hazrat Shah Fazl Ahmad Khan Sahab (Raipuri) Rahmat Ulla Allehi (RUA) Naqshbandia Mujaddidia Mazaharia (Huzur Maharaj)
Date of spiritual-initiation (Bay’t) : On January 23, 1896 at 05.00 P.M.
Complete Spiritual-Master (Izazat) : On October 11, 1896

Meeting his Guru
The road from [[Fatehgarh]], which for the civil administration of [[Uttar Pradesh]] government is the district headquarters of [[Farrukhabad]] passes through the main city of [[Farrukhabad]] and leads to the Tehsil. On this very road, at the beginning of [[Farrukhabad]] city, there is a suburb called Nitganja. On the main road of this Nitganja there is a [[Madrasa]] (an Islamic or religious school) by the name ‘Muftisahab Ka Madrasa’, where primary school children used to be taught mainly Urdu and Persian languages, besides being taught Islamic philosophy and discipline. Mahatma Ramchandra was fascinated by this [[Madrasa]]. His father had died and his financial condition required him to work. He got an employment by the grace of the then Collector. Although the salary was not much but it was adequate to somehow meet with the basic needs of his family. The rent that he could afford to pay could provide him only a small house in which the entire family could barely sleep. Besides that the only space that was left could just be used as kitchen. He used to have spare time at his disposal, which he used to spend in studying philosophical and religious books. It was not possible to find a separate place in this small house to store and read those books. While he was on the look out for the same, some one informed him about a room available in the Muftisahab’s [[Madrasa]] on rent. It was a coincidence that he got that room. The very next day he shifted his books and some other things necessary for the daily needs and started living there.
Immediately on entering Muftisahab’s [[Madrasa]] from the main gate there was a stone-building, which was a [[mosque]]. Adjacent to it there was a bigger building starting with a raised platform, which was the school. Starting from the left of this building there was a series of small rooms in L shape ending at the main gate. In between these rooms there was a small gate, which opened in a narrow street that went parallel to the school. In that street his above mentioned house was situated where other members of his family resided.
In the series of these small rooms the third room from the main gate was occupied by Mahatma Ramchandra and the last, which was adjacent to the school building and almost just opposite the main gate was occupied by one [[Mawlawi]] Sahab (a well-learned person of Islamic Philosophy), who used to teach children in this school. [[Mawlawi]] Sahab had an attractive personality or one may say that the power of attraction had expressed itself through his personality. He used to rarely go out of the school and used to spend the time left after teaching the students alone sitting by himself.
Mahatma Ramchandra always felt a deep attachment with this premises and, therefore, knowingly or perchance he used to pass through the school building even without a reason. For quite some time it continued like this. As although one is not able to see the soul but one gets attracted towards the body occupied by it, in the same manner he could know it only after getting a glimpse of [[Mawlawi]] Sahab that he is that flower of rose which is exhaling the fragrance all over. After that moment he developed such a strong longing for him that unless he had seen him repeatedly so as to inscribe his image deep within his heart and he got absorbed in that image he would not feel at rest. However, real self of [[Mawlawi]] Sahab was hidden not only from Mahatma Ramchandra but from everyone.
The small gate of the school premises opened in the street just in front of his rented house where his family resided. Intentionally, however, he used to take a circuitous route through the main road in front of the school to reach his room in the school premises. The reason for doing this was nothing else except the attraction of [[Mawlawi]] Sahab. He used to say, "I do not know how I on my own started saluting him (started saying him “Aadab-arz Huzur”) while passing through his room without any formal introduction. I also do not know when in reply to my salutation a silent blessing started to flow towards me from the other end, which made me feel so energized and elated that I developed such an addiction for it that I had no control over it."
During an evening of December 1891, he returned late from his office due to some abnormally excessive work. As he walked down on foot it had become dark by the time he returned home. Though it was not rainy season but that day it was raining with dense clouds and frequent lightening. It was raining continuously and he was completely drenched. Water was flowing down through his body. Anyone in that situation would have been shivering badly in that cold and rainy weather. He was in such a bad state that he could have been an object of pity for anyone. Without noticing his condition, he, like a mad man with shaking feet, was rushing towards his room in the school premises when [[Mawlawi]]Sahab spotted him and his loving and kind gaze took Mahatma Ramchandra in its fold. He immediately felt a warm activation taking place in his heart. Like a piece of iron gets pulled towards a powerful magnet, Mahatma Ramchandra was drawn towards [[Mawlawi]] Sahab and reached very close to him. Salutation today was expressed through eyes, in a hesitant, overwhelmed and dream like state. [[Mawlawi]] Sahab looked at Mahatma Ramchandra. [[Mawlawi]] Sahab very kindly said “Oh! In this stormy weather you are coming at this time”. Mahatma Ramchandra used to say - "I started sinking in the ocean of his love. I slowly lost all my senses. Tears started rolling out of my eyes continuously and the rain outside was arousing a feeling of unity. O! Voice, your existence has proved meaningful today; O! Eyes, you are fortunate; O! Ears, your effort has fructified today. This blissful union be auspicious, auspicious, and auspicious."
In his own words
"The moment I caught his gaze instantly something like electric-current passed through my entire body from the fingers of my feet to the vertex of my head. My body and mind got filled with a strange stimulating vibration. It appeared as if another soul is trying to subsume the existence of my soul in its own existence. And then I heard the sweet melodious voice of [[Mawlawi]] Sahab, who was saying - “O! Son, go now and after changing your drenched clothes, come back once again to me for warming up your body before fire for some time before going to your residence”. This humble servant immediately followed his orders and after changing my clothes I came back to sit at his feet. In the meantime Huzur Maharaj had lighted up an earthen stove, which by now was red hot. He made me lie down on his cot and covered me with his quilt. The bliss, absorption and light then was so intense and supreme that the force of rain and brightness of lightening both appeared dim in front of this flow. In my mind, heart and the entire body, both within and outside,I was constantly feeling the same vibration. It was the feeling of a divine bliss and a warm feeling of emotion in which it appeared that the soul wanted to absorb my mind and heart in it or one may say that my body and heart were getting absorbed in the soul, which was pulling the entire creation towards its Creator. At times I felt as if my entire body was melting and flowing down in the form of bright atoms and that I existed only in the form of light."

Prominent Disciples

Mahatma Ramchandra Ji had approximately 212 (two hundred twelve) disciples. During his lifetime he authorized his two disciples for the spread of spirituality as taught by him and laid the foundation of Ramashram Satsang with the first congregation (Bhandara) outside Fatehgarh at Etah in December 1930. Prior to this congregation at Etah in December 1930 the earlier congregations were held only at Fatehgarh. Some of his other disciples also established spiritual institutions in the name of "Ramashram Satsang" for the spread of his ‘Holy Mission’ after he completed his physical journey in the August month of year 1931.

Mahatma Raghubar Dayal Ji - Kanpur, Eastern Circle (Headquarter Kaunch, Bundelkhand)
Param Sant Mahatma Raghubar Dayal Ji Maharaj, also belovedly called Chachcha Ji, was the beloved younger brother of Mahatma Ramchandra Ji and initiated into the faith through his guidance. Mahatma Raghubar Dayal ji Maharaj was also a disciple of Hazrat Shah Fazl Ahmad Khan Sahab (Huzur Maharaj). Huzur Maharaj had told Mahatma Raghubar Dayal Ji to place Mahatma Ramchandra Ji in his stead after him, eliciting the same deference and regard in which he held Huzur Maharaj. Mahatma Raghubar Dayal Ji was made responsible by Mahatma Ramchandra Ji to look after Easter Circle of Ramashram Satsang with headquarters at Kaunch (Bundelkhand).

Param Sant Samarth Guru Dr. Chaturbhuj Sahay Ji - Etah, Western Circle (Headquarter Etah)
Samarth Guru Dr Chaturbhuj Sahay Ji met his Guru Mahatam Ramchandra ji in the year 1910 and upon accommplishing supreme spiritual status was anointed by Mahatma Ramchandra ji with 'Izazat Taa-amma' (Complete Authority). Dr Chaturbhuj Sahay Ji there upon established [[Ramashram Satsang, Etah]] in the year 1930 naming it after his Guru Mahatma Ramchandra Ji. Samarth Guru Dr Chaturbhuj Sahay Ji was made responsible by Mahatma Ramchandra Ji to look after Western Circle of Ramashram Satsang with headquarters at Etah. Dr Chaturbhuj Sahay Ji moved to Mathura in the year 1950 and since then [[Ramashram Satsang, Etah]] was renamed as [[Ramashram Satsang, Mathura]].