Papaji Tribute

Sri H.W.L Poonja - PapajiIn this play of Kali Yuga, Sri Ramana established Silence and Self-Inquiry in the sattvic realm.  For this he is called MahaRishi.  Sri Poonjaji tossed the flame of silence into the marketplace. He set the secret burning of non-abidance loose in the land of activity. And the world is catching fire. For this he is called Papaji,  Beloved father of all.

– Devoted Son Jaxon

Sri H.W.L Poonja was born in Lylepoore, in the western Punjab, October 13, 1910. He experienced his first samadhi while eight years old.  A fierce seeker after Freedom, he resigned his officer’s commission in the Indian Army in 1942 to find someone who could show him God. He visited and challenged all the gurus of his time to show him God.  One day a sadhu appeared at his door and said that there was a man at the holy mountain Arunachala who could show him God. He went straight away and met his Master, Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.


At the first meeting he started to leave, believing Ramana to be a fraud as he was the same man who had appeared at his door and advertised himself. Assured by the devotees that Ramana had not left his holy mountain in many decades, Poonjaji decided to stay.  Ramana showed him the immovable truth of Self in which Gods, souls and the Universe appear and disappear.

Sri Poonjaji stayed true to this revelation, and his devotion to his beloved Ramana never wavered.  As a married man with two children, he continued to work and support his family, supervising a mine in the jungles of Kerala for many years. At 65, after his children were married, he retired and took up a life as a wandering sadhu, pointing all who would listen to the truth of Self that is alive in every heart.  When the first hippies came to India, Poonjaji was staying in a cave at the banks of the holy river Ganga.

Some of these first westerners became his devotees and took him to Europe where he traveled and taught in the late sixties. He always refused ashrams, organizations or devotees. He said that you should get what is offered, realize the truth and be on your way. He would let no one stay with him for many years. Always a small trickle of devotees would make their way to his door, receive the transmission and leave.  Seeing that there were no teachers in the west producing enlightened students, he sent emissaries with his radical transmission of a silent mind and instant recognition of the truth of Self. These emissaries spread the word around the world that a living master was giving Freedom to all who walked in the door.

One of his devotees in 1990 named him Papaji, and this is how he was known for the rest of his days. In 1992, Wake Up and Roar  was published in English and then in German, French, Italian, Dutch, and Spanish. This, along with the spreading word of his emissaries and the living proof that it was possible for anyone to be enlightened and Self-realized in this lifetime, increased the flow of seekers to Lucknow to a flood.  Later, Papaji Interviews, a second volume of Wake Up and Roar, and The Truth Is  were published.

Wake up and Roar

Wake Up and Roar

Wake Up and Roar by Sri H.W.L Poonja introduces to the idea that full awakening is possible here and now for everybody, regardless of background, practice or personal circumstances.

This possibility is the teaching of Srci H.W.L. Poonja. Many people have experienced glimpses of the truth through psychedelics or meditating or unexpected moments of bliss.

Yet, because of incorrect understanding, these moments usually get incorporated into the ego as just another experience. There is an unspoken belief that it is not possible to be totally awakened in this lifetime. Wake Up and Roar announces the possibility of true.

Many thousands of devotees from all over the world made their way to Lucknow, India, to sit in his holy presence and receive his pure transmission of a silent mind and direct realization of Self. He sent untold numbers out to hold satsang to spread this message of the potential of pure fulfillment. Some stayed and a small community of devotees grew up around him in his last years.  Papaji died in Lucknow, India, September 6, 1997.

His last words were his final teaching. The same teaching. The one teaching. He grabbed the hand of one of his devotees in the intensive care hospital room with him  and asked, “Where is the Buddha?” “I understand Papaji,” the devotee said. “He grabbed the hand of the other devotee and fiercely asked, “Where is the Buddha?!!” “You are the Buddha,” she replied. He grabbed her harder and asked again, “Where is the Buddha?!!!” She held up a photo of Ramana Maharshi. He asked again, determined that his message be directly understood.

When asked if he wanted further treatment to keep his body alive, twice he said, “Bas!” which in Hindi means “Enough!” or finished.  Papaji’s body was carried through the streets of Lucknow by hundreds of his chanting devotees. The body was burned at a ghatt on the Gompti river in Lucknow, and the ashes were then taken to Hardwar to be cast into his beloved river Ganga.  His body is gone but He is still present, alive in the hearts of those who loved him. His message of world peace through direct Self-realization is carried by many around the world. May all beings wake up! This is his wish.

Click HERE to purchase Wake Up and Roar

Videos:

The Essence of My Teaching

What is Satsang?

“When you can recognize who you are not, then there is a possibility to wake up and discover who you really are.”

January 7, 1990 — Sufi Letter

Sufi Letter page 1

*use the arrows to view all the letters.

July 17, 1990 – Surrendra to Eli Letter

November 20–22, 1990 — Indira Nagar, Lucknow

Sri H.W.L. Poonja to Eli Jaxon-Bear, November 1990 – April 1993

Dear Jaxon,

I have rec’d your two letters dt 10-19-90 & 11-7-90. I had to reply your letters on 11-20-90, but I had to wait because some people came away early before the Satsangh time as they were new comers from Zimbabaway & Berkeley. Then today I rec’d your letter card from Yosemite. The topic was very fresh & untouched from the National Park. Did you meet one Karl who came to see me at Hardwar & New York?

I have rec’d two letters from Ma Ganga jee which give me Joy & Happiness, asking me a question, which I will reply in an enclosed letter.

When you walk on the Razors edge don’t carry load.

[cross-writing] No one will walk along side abreast. Go your way … not to abide any whose … Love, your Papa.

One of the earliest letters, and already intimate. Papaji tracks Eli’s travels (Yosemite, the letter-card from the National Park) and notes new arrivals to satsang from as far as Zimbabwe and Berkeley — the West beginning to find him. “When you walk on the Razor’s edge, don’t carry load” is pure Papaji: the Katha Upanishad / Maugham image of the path of awakening.

December 17, 1990 — Lucknow

My Beloved Son,

I am very glad to read your letter dt Dec 5th. Many people who have met with you & Ganga ji in Europe & in America are writing to me as to how they have been benefitted by both of you, & some have rec’d direct transmission from Ma Ganga ji & have asked me to permit them to go to Lucknow. One of the letter is enclosed here for your reference.

I want to ask you if the above person is very ill to take up a long distance travell as stated in the letter, in which case you will please help him.

May I advise them to see you in Maui if you are staying [… continues on page 2]

Papaji reports the early fruit of Eli and Gangaji’s work in Europe and America — people writing to Lucknow describing how they were helped, some asking permission to come. He defers to Eli on whether to send a frail correspondent the long distance, and floats directing people to meet Eli in Maui.

January 17, 1991

My dear Son,

I have rec’d your letter of Dec 20th.

I am very happy to read your letter & receive the credit cards thru Hanuman. You do things that none had done before. Why do you send me money. You know no one ever paid me money. Except my Indian boys in Colorado Springs & one in India. As a matter of fact I dont need money from those who come to receive light. You are the one who likes to give me maximum comfort & you will be rewarded for taking good care of me.

I am very happy with my Son & daughter, whose reputation is spreading in U.S.A & Europe. There are many who are enlightened — Ganga jee [… continues on page 2]

[cross-writing] Kiss you & Ganga jee. More & more people are coming. Remember to […]

A tender, half-scolding letter about Eli sending him credit cards and money. “No one ever paid me money — except my Indian boys”: Papaji took support only from his own family of Indian devotees, never from the Western seekers who came for light. “You will be rewarded for taking good care of me.”

February 7, 1991 — Indira Nagar, Lucknow

My Dear Son,

Since I am not able to come to Hawaii nor Surendra & family.
I asked Hanuman if he could take back the credit cards you have sent me to deliver to you. He said it was not necessary. I can keep them & not use it.

I send you my Love my naughty Son. You do things that never one has had ever done to me. How to repay back this gesture of deep Love you have for your Papa.

My daughter speaks a natural language that none of the Zen [… continues on page 2]

The sequel to the January letter: Papaji has sent the credit cards back via Hanuman, who told him it wasn’t necessary, so he’ll keep them unused. “My naughty Son” — affectionate exasperation at Eli’s generosity. The closing turns to Gangaji (“my daughter”) and her natural way of speaking the teaching, the thought carrying onto the missing page.

October 18, 1991 — Indira Nagar, Lucknow

Dear Son,

Rec’d your letter dt 10-8-91.

There are one hundred people who came for Satsang today, we can not accomodate more than 70 in the room actualy ment to seat only 30 people. Due to Dev Prem & Hari Devi who were interviewed by Osho leaders & put it on the Computor, has been circulated all over the world. People are comming here & have been renting the houses in Indira Nagar. I have no rest at all.

There are 8 people who have met with Ganga ji. They sing Her praise & are gratful to her.

3 people from Hawaii have come today including a wife of Lee Joseph & two others. Poona is shifting to Lucknow, [… continues on page 2 →]

A vivid snapshot of the moment the Lucknow satsangs exploded: a hundred people in a room built for thirty. Papaji credits an Osho-leaders interview — “put on the Computer” — circulating worldwide, and notes “Poona is shifting to Lucknow” as the Pune sannyasins arrived in waves. A primary-source record of the satsang movement reaching critical mass.