Philosophy Of Liberation Interfaith

Author(s): Paramhansa Maharaj, Donald Howard, Veena Howard
Publisher: USA Santmat Society of North America

Page 8

Life History of Maharshi Mehi
Maharishi Mehi was born in the village of Manjhwa in Bihar, India on Tuesday, April 28th, 1885. He was named at birth Ramanugrah Lal. Later he was given the name “Mehi,” which means sharp or subtle. When he was four years of age, his mother passed away. Thereafter, he was raised by his uncle's uncle Dunalal Das, who was very kind and affectionate.
At the age often, Maharishi began attending the Purnea Zila School. At an early age, he showed intelligence, learning several languages. However, gradually he began to lose interest in studies and developed a keen interest in the spiritual life. He was fond of studying the Vedic scriptures, which led him to seek out the company of spiritual masters.
Always deep in Mehi's heart there was a burning desire to be an ascetic and to seek God. By virtue of his attachment to his son his father did not want him to become a sanyasi (wandering ascetic) and leave the house. His father pleaded with him, but Maharishi was firm in his resolve to follow a spiritual path. From birth Maharishi was unable to eat non-vegetarian foods in spite of the fact that his family was non-vegetarian. Regardless of his relatives' efforts to persuade him otherwise, Maharishi Mehi could not tolerate a non-vegetarian diet.
In 1902 Maharishi Mehi met a mahatma (holy man) who was a hathyogin. Maharishi served him with great devotion and prayed for initiation in meditation. He was disappointed with the mahatma, who told Maharishi, “This yoga is not meant for students like you.