I recently read the book written by Mama in 1939, provided by ex-l in the History section. It was very revealing but I thought I would bring it out into this space for those who don't go to that section - firstly, it was very articulate and well prepared and presented and struck me as being way beyond the abilities of a 20 year old girl in 1939, notably as it was presented in English. Dada Lehkraj probably had a lot to do with it given their relationship.
Keeping in mind this was written by Mama, in consultation with Lehkraj probably - some of the highlights were:
There is no sign of the cult ideas that took over the BKs from ... whenever. No mention of Shiva, Brahma, cycles or anything.
Interestingly Mama (Om Radhe) talks about how Dada Lehkraj started conducting satsang in his house in 1932 , how it steadily grew to a following of about 500 people before Om Mandli was established in 1935/6. Still no mention of Shiva or The Cycle.
And the reaction to Om Mandli was the result simply of 3 women independently refusing their husbands sex. This was an issue for a lot of women in that community because husbands would be away for months and years at a time on business, with mistresses overseas, and the wives did not want to have sex with a man who was a husband in name only. This was type of conflict was not uncommon then. It was just that now a finger could be pointed.
Also Mama describes how the anti Om Mandli party was driven by miffed husbands - or rather one in particular - and ironically this conflict forced Lehkraj, by law, to have women only in the boarding schools that he ran. Thus it became all about Kumaris - there is no suggestion that "The Brahma Kumaris" was ever a plan, so much as a wierd play of history.
So this all begs the question - since Mama has made it clear, by default, that Shiva did not descend into the body of Brahma in 1936, and still hadn't by 1939, at what point did Dada actually go nuts and start writing on walls, thus revealing The Knowledge of Shiva? We are told prior to 1936, but clearly that is a fabrication. So maybe the better question is: at what point did Dada actually just go nuts?
Keeping in mind this was written by Mama, in consultation with Lehkraj probably - some of the highlights were:
- pg 38 (pg 56 in pdf file): "knowledge is given by Krishna..."
pg 39 (pg 57 in pdf file): "Father Krishna says ..."
pgs 54/55 (pg 54/55): a quote from a visitor "the young girls ... preach ... the lofty truths of the Gita and Upanishads".
pg 94 (pg111 in pdf file): Mamas words "each one of us here is taught how he or she is God"
There is no sign of the cult ideas that took over the BKs from ... whenever. No mention of Shiva, Brahma, cycles or anything.
Interestingly Mama (Om Radhe) talks about how Dada Lehkraj started conducting satsang in his house in 1932 , how it steadily grew to a following of about 500 people before Om Mandli was established in 1935/6. Still no mention of Shiva or The Cycle.
And the reaction to Om Mandli was the result simply of 3 women independently refusing their husbands sex. This was an issue for a lot of women in that community because husbands would be away for months and years at a time on business, with mistresses overseas, and the wives did not want to have sex with a man who was a husband in name only. This was type of conflict was not uncommon then. It was just that now a finger could be pointed.
Also Mama describes how the anti Om Mandli party was driven by miffed husbands - or rather one in particular - and ironically this conflict forced Lehkraj, by law, to have women only in the boarding schools that he ran. Thus it became all about Kumaris - there is no suggestion that "The Brahma Kumaris" was ever a plan, so much as a wierd play of history.
So this all begs the question - since Mama has made it clear, by default, that Shiva did not descend into the body of Brahma in 1936, and still hadn't by 1939, at what point did Dada actually go nuts and start writing on walls, thus revealing The Knowledge of Shiva? We are told prior to 1936, but clearly that is a fabrication. So maybe the better question is: at what point did Dada actually just go nuts?