Poonja Ji (Papa Ji)

Poonja Ji, or affectionately called Papa Ji, refers to Sri H.W.L. Poonja (1910-1997), an Indian spiritual teacher and disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi.
 

Papaji was born in the Punjab region of British India and later settled in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He initially worked as a government officer but eventually turned towards a spiritual path.  He was not affiliated with any formal Indian tradition or lineage. His mother initiated him into the path of Bhakti Yoga through devotion of Krishna.

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As a young man, Harivansh Lal Poonja wandered for years throughout India in search of someone “who had seen God.” His seeking led only to disappointment, until 1944 when he met Ramana Maharshi, the great sage of south India, who would die six years later. During one of their visits, Poonja, a dedicated Krishna devotee at the time, proudly described to Ramana his many visions of Krishna, as well as those of Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman, superstars in the Hindu pantheon of deities. Quietly Ramana asked the young man, “Do you see these Gods now?”
 

“No,” Poonja replied.
 

“What is the use of Gods who appear and disappear?” Ramana inquired. “Only the seer has remained. The sight has disappeared. Find out who the seer is.”
 

On hearing these words, Poonja’s search was over. Instantly, he realized that “God is not an object but the subject itself.”

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Ramana instructed Papaji to re-focus his path and to locate this “seer.” Thus, Ramana pointed Papaji to what is called the direct path, known in India as Advaita (nonduality) Vedanta. 

 

Like Ramana, Papa ji taught that silence is the best teacher, certainly more important than words in pointing to the Truth. 

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In 1966, Papaji retired and settled in Lucknow, India. After retirement, he led a more recluse and simple life, sharing his experience and knowledge of the Self with those who found their way to him. Poonja would pour out his love on the seekers who met him, and answer all of their questions with great passion and earnestness. He would take them on long, tireless walks into the surrounding hills of Rishikesh and Haridwar, where he cooked rice and dhal [legumes] with them along the banks of the Ganges. Through simple actions and words he constantly reminded them of their own Reality.