Shri Satpal Ji Maharaj, the son of Paramsant Satgurudev Shri Hans Ji Maharaj, was born on 21st September 1951 at Kankhal in the holy town of Haridwar. His father’s life was one of selfless service to humanity and of tireless devotion to the ideal of awakening man’s dormant spirituality. Birth in the family of an enlightened Yogi, combined with his own inherent tendencies, facilitated Shri Satpal Ji Maharaj’s spiritual development from a very early age. By the age of two and half he was already sitting for long periods of meditation and he encouraged others to do likewise. His father once remarked that his consciousness was naturally drawn inwards but was to be drawn out for the benefit of others. Growing up in a spiritual environment, under the strict guidance of his parents and surrounded by mahatmas and devotees, he very soon became a master of the spiritual science.
When he was three years old, his father arranged a large procession through the main streets of Delhi in his honour. Thousands of devotees and interested people participated. At one point, a gigantic traffic jam halted the procession. Little Satpal Ji himself stood up and directed the traffic so that the way was cleared. So, even at a tender age, his innate leadership and organizational abilities were evident.
Besides his spiritual education at home, he received a formal education at St. George’s College, Mussourie. Right from the start he showed a keen interest in science. Practical by nature, he would not accept anything until he could verify it through objective analysis or practical experience.
Totally devoted to his own Master, Shri Satpal Ji Maharaj demonstrated the path of service in his own life. His life is an example of service, dedication and also to inspire others for the same. His father passed away in 19th July 1966, bequeathing his mission and unfinished work to his eldest son. When the time came, young Maharaj Ji took command with his characteristic zeal and efficiency, dedicating himself to fulfilling his father’s dreams. He has never deviated from the ideals and path taught by Shri Hans Ji Maharaj, no matter what the cost. His integrity and clarity of vision, his noble character, self-discipline and patient effort have earned him the respect of all sections of society.
He teaches the deepest esoteric mysteries of spirituality in a very down-to-earth fashion. He makes spirituality a living, practical reality in the lives of his followers. He emphasises the need of first living religion and then talking about it. Thus, spirituality has become a way of life for him and his disciples and he is the living embodiment of what he teaches.
Shri Satpal Ji Maharaj is a multi-dimensional personality. He is a humanist, social activist, a reformer and claims to serve humankind. But he is even more than this. He is primarily a spiritual scientist and an enlightened teacher. He takes life in totality and wants to bring about a peaceful spiritual revolution in human consciousness, which will then transform society. To enlighten man and enlighten the Universe is the motto of his life.
He has been disseminating this spiritual knowledge, the living essence of all religions, for more than three decades. He teaches no scripture but believes in all, he stands for no rituals, but opposes none. He respects the great religious books and frequently quotes from them to indicate that the essence of all religions is one. And this essence is ‘Know thyself’. Know the image of God in which you are made, know your real entity, know the all-permeating consciousness.
His work, as he sees it, is to “restore respect for the past, find solutions in the present and devise a proper course of action for the future”.