Majji

Majji (also spelled as Maji or Majee) was a female ascetic living in retreat near Varanasi (Benares), India. She was a Gujarati Brâhmini by caste, and spoke other Indian languages, including Sanskrit, fluently. Her father had also been a yogi. She was a thorough Vedantin, and of a very cheerful temperament and her attractive manner and sympathetic voice added to her popularity.

Col. Olcott wrote about this "remarkable woman":

A very well-known female ascetic, learned in Vedânta, who occupied a guhâ (excavated cave) with buildings above ground, on the bank of the Ganges, a mile or two below the city of Benares. She inherited this âshrama from her father, together with a house in town and an extensive and valuable Sanskrit library. It is a delightful spot in the fresh early morning, an ideal place for calm meditation and study. Situated on the edge of a bank forty or fifty feet above the river, and sheltered by some large trees.

She had probably developed some Siddhis although was usually reluctant to perform phenomena. However, her revelations were sometimes found inaccurate.

The Founders learned about her soon after they arrived to India through Pandit Mohunlal Vishnulal Pandea, a member of the Society who was her disciple.

On December 16, 1879, the Founders, Damodar, Alfred and Patience Sinnett, and Alice Gordon, visited her. Soon after she returned the visit to them. The Col. wrote:

At that time Majji appeared about forty years of age, fair-skinned, with a calm dignity and grace of gesture that commanded respect. Her voice was tender in tone, face and body plump, eyes full of intelligence and fire.

Majji knew about the Masters of Wisdom independently from the Founders. Col. Olcott wrote:

On our first meeting, in 1879, before anything was known in India about H. P. B.'s connection with two certain Adepts, she told me things about them that she could not have learnt from third parties.

On September 25, 1885, in Gooty, India, Col. Olcott received a visit from Master M. and Majji at night.

Majji died around 1895. The following obituary was published in the Indian Mirror:

We are much concerned to hear of the passing away from this worldly plane of the venerable lady, known to the numerous visitors to the holy banks of the Baruna at Benares, and to the wide circle of her admirers, as Majee, the Mother. In every respect the deceased lady was a remarkable personality. She was a Sanskrit scholar, and something of an adept in occult studies. She was easily accessible, and all those who had the privilege of close acquaintance with her, literally worshipped her as a divinity. Majee was one of the few who thoroughly believed in, and testified to, the mission of the late Madame Blavatsky, and bore testimony to the existence of the Great Teachers who have done so much for the propagation of Theosophical truths in the world.

A Hindu Fakir

It is said that Majji was a Yogi that had been using that female body. Col. Olcott writes:

Speaking always as a Vedântin, she would allude to herself as "this body"; laying a hand on her knee or on the other arm, she would say "this body's" family, studies, residence, pilgrimages, or what not. I finally asked her why she spoke so and who she was. She said that the body we saw was entered at its seventh year by a Sannyâsi and had been occupied by him ever since; he had not completed his study of Yoga and so became reborn.

Damodar K. Mavalankar gave some more details about this in 1880:

I then gathered from what she said that she had been first in the body of a Fakir who, upon having his hand disabled by a shot he received while he passed the Fortress of Bhurtpore, had to change his body and choose the one that was now "Maji." A girl about seven years of age was dying at that time and so, before her death, this Fakir had entered her body and taken possession of it. "Maji" is not therefore a woman but a real Hindu Fakir in the body of a woman. It is but one by one that I gathered all these particulars. In his former body, this Fakir had studied the Yog science for 65 years, but his study having been arrested and incomplete at the time his body was disabled and consequently unequal to the task he had to perform, he had to choose this other one. In his present body he is 53 years, and consequently the "Inner Maji" is 118 years old.

If Majji died in 1895, that would mean her inner personal self lived for about 133 years.

Damodar's stay with her

Damodar K. Mavalankar lived with Majji at Benares for a few days when he was on his way to join his Master in Tibet. He wrote on his diary the following:

March 8th. Reached Benares and went to Maji's ashram. Had long talks with her both morning and afternoon. She spoke about Subba Row, and told me things which he had only lately spoken to me in private. Also spoke about Bawaji and said things known only to Mme. B. and myself. Said various other startling things.

March 9th. Conversations with Maji continued. She spoke about the portraits of the Masters at the Headquarters and told me many surprising things. Four Benares Theosophists called in the evening. Maji's talk was very interesting and instructive. In the afternoon she told me about Subba Row's Guru and about himself.
March 10th. Commenced to take internally some medicine she prepared for me. Had private talks with her during the day. Mme. B., she says, will not die for a year or more yet. When she does, she will probably reincarnate in Subba Row's family, and reappear in public life after ten years.
March 11th. Talks continued. In the afternoon attended a meeting of the Benares Branch. The Munsiff of Benares is President. The members are all new, but earnest and intellectual. Later, Maji showed me a portrait of her father which was precipitated after his death.
March l2th. A morning talk with her, and one at noon, entirely private, in her gupha, when she discussed the plans in view and the persons concerned. She tells me startling facts and something about the future. She says that for about a fortnight I am not to go to . . . [the personage with whom he wished to go to Tibet], but then it will be determined whether I shall proceed further.

March l3th. Left Benares at 11 a.m. Travelled all day and night. Reached Calcutta the next morning".

In a footnote to the above Col. Olcott wrote:

As neither of these prophecies has been fulfilled, we must discount all of Maji's revelations to Damodar. At one visit I myself paid her, she predicted that H. P. B. would die within two years of that time and at sea. Neither of these proved true.