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[[File:Mohini M. Chatterji.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:Mohini M. Chatterji.jpg|right|190px|thumb|M. M. Chatterji]]
'''Mohini Mohun Chatterji''' (1858 - 1936) was a Bengali attorney and scholar who belonged to a prominent family that for several generations had mediated between [[Hinduism|Hindu]] religious traditions and [[Christianity]].<ref>Diane Sasson, ''Yearning for the New Age'' (Bloomington, IN:Indiana University Press, 2012), 78.</ref> He joined the [[Theosophical Society]] in 1882 and became Assistant Secretary of the Bengal branch. Later that year he became a [[Chelas|chela]] in [[probation]] of the [[Mahâtma]] [[Koot Hoomi]], and saw apparitions of Mahatmas on five or six occasions.<ref>[http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/mastersencounterswith.htm# A Casebook of Encounters with the Theosophical Mahatmas] Case 29, compiled and edited by Daniel H. Caldwell</ref></blockquote> He eventually failed as a chela, and resigned from the [[Theosophical Society]] in 1887, after only five years of membership.
'''Mohini Mohun Chatterji''' (1858 - 1936) was a Bengali attorney and scholar who belonged to a prominent family that for several generations had mediated between [[Hinduism|Hindu]] religious traditions and [[Christianity]].<ref>Diane Sasson, ''Yearning for the New Age'' (Bloomington, IN:Indiana University Press, 2012), 78.</ref> He joined the [[Theosophical Society]] in 1882 and became Assistant Secretary of the Bengal branch. Later that year he became a [[Chelas|chela]] in [[probation]] of the [[Mahâtma]] [[Koot Hoomi]], and saw apparitions of Mahatmas on five or six occasions.<ref>[http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/mastersencounterswith.htm# A Casebook of Encounters with the Theosophical Mahatmas] Case 29, compiled and edited by Daniel H. Caldwell</ref></blockquote> He eventually failed as a chela, and resigned from the [[Theosophical Society]] in 1887, after only five years of membership. Alternate spellings of his name are "Mohan" and "Chatterjee" (in [[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 2 No. 57|Letter No. 57 in ''Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom, Second Series'']]).


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Line 7: Line 7:


== Theosophical Society involvement ==
== Theosophical Society involvement ==
[[File:Mohini Mohun Chatterji 2.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:Mohini Mohun Chatterji 2.jpg|right|160px|thumb|M. M. Chatterji]]
Mohini became a member of the Bengal Theosophical Society on [[April 16]], 1882. According to [[Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)|''Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']], "When [[Henry Steel Olcott|HSO]] opened the first Theosophical Sunday School in Calcutta on [[March 10]], 1883, with 17 boys, Mohini was appointed their teacher".<ref>George E. Linton and Virginia Hanson, eds., ''Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'' (Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 223.</ref>


Being a [[chela]] of [[Koot Hoomi|Master K.H.]], he gave evidence to the [[Society for Psychical Research]] concerning the reality of psychic [[phenomena]] at Adyar,<ref>”Chatterji, Mohini Mohun,''The Theosophical Year Book, 1938'' (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 172.</ref> in what came to be known as the [[Hodgson Report|Hodgson investigation]].
=== Joining the Society ===
Mohini became a member of the [[Bengal Theosophical Society]] on [[April 6]], 1882, joining in Calcutta on the day the branch formed.<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 1066 (website file: 1A/36).</ref> [[Henry Steel Olcott|President-Founder Olcott]] chaired the meeting, and the new branch was organized by Peary Chand Mittra, [[Norenḍranāṭh Sen|Norendra Nath Sen]], and [[Balai Chand Mullick]].<ref>Balai Chand Muluk, "The Bengal Theosophical Society" ''The Theosophist'' Supplement 3 no.32 (May 1882): 3-4.</ref> According to [[Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)|''Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']], "When [[Henry Steel Olcott|HSO]] opened the first Theosophical Sunday School in Calcutta on [[March 10]], 1883, with 17 boys, Mohini was appointed their teacher".<ref>George E. Linton and Virginia Hanson, eds., ''Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'' (Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 223.</ref>
 
=== Receiving Mahatma Letters ===
Beginning in 1882, and continuing through at least 1884, Mohini received at least thirteen letters from [[Mahatma]] [[Koot Hoomi|K. H.]] They were published in [[Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom (book)|'''''Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom''''']], First Series and Second Series. These are links to the letters, in an approximation of chronological order:
{{Col-begin|width=70%}}
{{Col-break|width=5%}}
 
{{Col-break|width=12%}}
<u>'''Sept-Nov 1882'''</u><br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 2 No. 58|LMW 2 No. 58]]<br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 1 No. 15|LMW 1 No. 15]]<br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 2 No. 57|LMW 2 No. 57]]<br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 2 No. 59|LMW 2 No. 59]]<br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 1 No. 14|LMW 1 No. 14]]<br>
{{Col-break|width=12%}}
<u>'''1882-1884'''</u><br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 2 No. 61|LMW 2 No. 61]]<br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 2 No. 60|LMW 2 No. 62]]<br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 1 No. 10|LMW 1 No. 10]]<br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 1 No. 11|LMW 1 No. 11]]<br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 1 No. 23|LMW 1 No. 23]]<br>
{{Col-break|width=12%}}
<u>'''1884'''</u><br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 2 No. 63|LMW 2 No. 63]]<br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 2 No. 62|LMW 2 No. 62]]<br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 1 No. 13|LMW 1 No. 13]]<br>
[[Mahatma Letter to Mohini - LMW 1 No. 52|LMW 1 No. 52]]<br>
{{Col-end}}


=== European tour of 1884 ===
Mohini worked as private secretary to H. S. Olcott and accompanied him and [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] on their European tour in 1884:
Mohini worked as private secretary to H. S. Olcott and accompanied him and [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] on their European tour in 1884:


<blockquote>The purpose of his trip to Europe was seemingly to give the members there some assistance in understanding the Eastern doctrines which had been brought into prominence by [[Alfred Percy Sinnett|APS]] in his book [[Esoteric Buddhism (book)|''Esoteric Buddhism'']]."<ref>George E. Linton and Virginia Hanson, eds., ''Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'' (Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 223.</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>
The purpose of his trip to Europe was seemingly to give the members there some assistance in understanding the Eastern doctrines which had been brought into prominence by [[Alfred Percy Sinnett|APS]] in his book [[Esoteric Buddhism (book)|''Esoteric Buddhism'']]."<ref>George E. Linton and Virginia Hanson, eds., ''Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'' (Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 223.</ref>
</blockquote>
 
<blockquote>
He rendered valuable aid with lectures and discourses both in Paris and London, and many European Theosophists still remember the brilliance of presentation of spiritual truths by the young Hindu.<ref>[[Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom (book)|''Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom, Second Series'' (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1925), 103.</ref>
</blockquote>
 
From a letter from [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] to Mr. Sinnett, it would appear that he was going to be used in a similar manner as [[Babaji]] was:
 
<blockquote>
On February 17th [[Henry Steel Olcott|Olcott]] will probably sail for England on various business, and Mahatma K. H. sends his chela, under the guise of Mohini Mohun Chatterjee, to explain to the London Theosophists of the Secret Section — every or nearly every mooted point and to defend you and your assumptions. You better show Mohini all the Master's letters of a non-private character — saith the Lord, my Boss — so that by knowing all the subjects upon which he wrote to you he might defend your position the more effectually — which you yourself cannot do, not being a regular chela. Do not make the mistake, my dear boss, of taking the Mohini you knew for the Mohini who will come. There is more than one Maya in this world of which neither you nor your friends and critic [[Edward Maitland|Maitland]] is cognisant. The ambassador will be invested with an inner as well as with an outer clothing. Dixit.<ref>A. Trevor Barker, ''The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett'' Letter No. XXVIII, (Pasadena, CA: Theosophical University Press, 1973), ??.</ref>
</blockquote>
 
=== Collaboration with Laura C. Holloway ===
 
In July 1884, probably while at the house of [[Francesca Arundale]], Mohini worked with [[Laura C. Holloway]] to write '''[[Man: Fragments of Forgotten History (book)|''Man: Fragments of a Forgotten History'']]'''. They used the pseudonym [[Two Chelâs|"Two Chelâs"]].<ref>Two Chelas, ''Man: Fragments of a Forgotten History'', 1887. The complete text is available at the [https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/ManFragmentsOfAForgottenHistory_MChatterjiLCHolloway.pdf Canadian Theosophical Association]</ref> The work was published in 1885 by Reeves and Turner, but portions were incomplete due to the early departure of Mrs. Holloway before the final version could be completed.
 
=== Portraits of Masters ===
Mohini was present in London in 1884 when the young German artist [[Hermann Schmiechen]] painted the [[Portraits of the Masters]]. He was described by [[Laura Holloway-Langford|Laura C. Holloway]] as being “nearer the [[Masters of Wisdom|Master]] than all others in the room, not even excepting H.P.B.”<ref> Laura C. Holloway,  “The Mahatmas and Their Instruments Part II,” ''The Word'' (New York), July 1912, pp. 200-206, available at The Blavatsky Archives [http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/holloway2.htm#The Portraits of the Mahatmas]</ref>  


From a letter from Mme. Blavatsky to Mr. Sinnett, it would appear that he was going to be used in a similar manner as [[Babaji]] was:
=== Testifying for Hodgson Report ===
Being a [[chela]] of [[Koot Hoomi|Master K.H.]], he gave evidence to the [[Society for Psychical Research]] concerning the reality of psychic [[phenomena]] at Adyar,<ref>”Chatterji, Mohini Mohun,” ''The Theosophical Year Book, 1938'' (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 172.</ref> in what came to be known as the [[Hodgson Report|Hodgson investigation]].


<blockquote>On February 17th Olcott will probably sail for England on various business, and Mahatma K. H. sends his chela, under the guise of Mohini Mohun Chatterjee, to explain to the London Theosophists of the Secret Section — every or nearly every mooted point and to defend you and your assumptions. You better show Mohini all the Master's letters of a non-private character — saith the Lord, my Boss — so that by knowing all the subjects upon which he wrote to you he might defend your position the more effectually — which you yourself cannot do, not being a regular chela. Do not make the mistake, my dear boss, of taking the Mohini you knew for the Mohini who will come. There is more than one Maya in this world of which neither you nor your friends and critic Maitland is cognisant. The ambassador will be invested with an inner as well as with an outer clothing. Dixit.<ref>A. Trevor Barker, ''The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett'' Letter No. XXVIII, (Pasadena, CA: Theosophical University Press, 1973), ??.</ref></blockquote>
=== Lecture tour in Europe ===
In 1885, he went to Ireland to lecture, and helped to establish the '''Dublin Lodge''' of the TS. There, he produced a deep impression on Irish poets [[George William Russell|George Russell (Æ)]] and [[William Butler Yeats|W. B. Yeats]] and is said to have influenced the oriental turn of their writings. Yeats wrote a poem entitled 'Mohini Chatterjee'.  


Mohini was present in London in 1884 when the young German artist [[Hermann Schmiechen]] painted the [[Portraits of the Masters]]. He was described by [[Laura Holloway-Langford|Laura C. Holloway]] as being “nearer the [[Masters of Wisdom|Master]] than all others in the room, not even excepting H.P.B.<ref> Laura C. Holloway,  “The Mahatmas and Their Instruments Part II,” ''The Word'' (New York), July 1912, pp. 200-206, available at The Blavatsky Archives [http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/holloway2.htm#The Portraits of the Mahatmas]</ref> However, the adulation he received from some of the European members went to his head and he showed poor judgment on several matters. As Mme. Blavatsky wrote to Mr. Sinnett in March 1886:  
The adulation he received from some of the European members fueled his pride and he showed poor judgment on several matters. In late 1885, Mohini became involved in scandal with female Theosophists. The case came to public attention when one of the women, in response to Blavatsky's criticisms, intended to publicize letters written to her by Mohini Chatterjee.<ref>See [http://www.open.ac.uk/researchprojects/makingbritain/content/mohini-chatterjee# The Open University web site]</ref> Mme. Blavatsky wrote to Mr. Sinnett in March 1886:


<blockquote>Mohini was sent, and at first won the hearts and poured new life into the [[London Lodge|L.L.]] He was spoiled by male and female adulation, by incessant flattery and his own weakness.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 140 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 459.</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mohini was sent, and at first won the hearts and poured new life into the [[London Lodge|L.L.]] He was spoiled by male and female adulation, by incessant flattery and his own weakness.<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 140 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 459.</ref>
</blockquote>


Mohini resigned from the [[Theosophical Society]] in 1887 and went back to his former home in Calcutta, where he resumed his practice of law.
Mohini resigned from the [[Theosophical Society]] in 1887 and went back to his former home in Calcutta, where he resumed his practice of law.
Line 30: Line 81:
Mohini wrote poetry and prose in both English and his native Bengali.  
Mohini wrote poetry and prose in both English and his native Bengali.  


He and [[Laura Holloway-Langford|Mrs. Holloway]] wrote [[Man: Fragments of Forgotten History (book)|''Man: Fragments of Forgotten History'']], published in 1887 under the pseudonym [[Two Chelâs|"Two Chelâs"]].<ref>The complete text is available at [http://www.theosophical.ca/books/ManFragmentsOfAForgottenHistory_MChatterjiLCHolloway.pdf]</ref>
He and [[Laura Holloway-Langford|Mrs. Holloway]] wrote [[Man: Fragments of Forgotten History (book)|''Man: Fragments of Forgotten History'']], published in 1887 under the pseudonym [[Two Chelâs|"Two Chelâs"]].<ref>The complete text is available at [https://cdn.website-editor.net/e4d6563c50794969b714ab70457d9761/files/uploaded/ManFragmentsOfAForgottenHistory_MChatterjiLCHolloway.pdf]</ref>
 
He translated the [[The Crest-Jewel of Wisdom (book)|''The Crest-Jewel of Wisdom'']] of [[Sankaracharya]]. He worked with [[G. R. S. Mead]] in translating the [[Upanishads (book)|Upanishads]] in 1896, using the pseudonym J.  C. Chattopadhyaya.<ref>”Chatterji, Mohini Mohun,” ''The Theosophical Year Book, 1938'' (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 172.</ref>
 
Irish poets [[George William Russell|Æ]] and [[William Butler Yeats|W. B. Yeats]] were acquainted with Mohini, and he was said to have influenced the oriental turn to their writings.''
 
Additional writings:


* ''Viveka-Cūḍāmaṇi''. Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1968. Translator.
He translated the [[The Crest-Jewel of Wisdom (book)|''The Crest-Jewel of Wisdom'']] (Viveka-Cūḍāmaṇi) of [[Sankaracharya]]. He worked with [[G. R. S. Mead]] in translating the [[Upanishads (book)|Upanishads]] in 1896, using the pseudonym J.  C. Chattopadhyaya.<ref>”Chatterji, Mohini Mohun,” ''The Theosophical Year Book, 1938'' (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 172.</ref>


== Later years ==
== Later years ==
[[William Butler Yeats|Yeats]] and [[George William Russell|George Russell (Æ)]] believed that at the turn of the century Mohini was working as a lawyer in Bombay. According to Harbans Rai Bachchan, the last heard of him was that he was a blind old man living in London with his daughter, in the early 1930s.<ref>See [http://www.open.ac.uk/researchprojects/makingbritain/content/mohini-chatterjee# The Open University web site]</ref> Mohini died in February, 1936.


Mohini died in February, 1936.
== Additional resources ==
 
== Online resources ==
===Articles===
===Articles===
*[http://theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Chatterji,_Mohini_Mohun# Mohini Mohun Chatterji] at Theosopedia.
*[https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/chatterji-mohini-mohun Mohini Mohun Chatterji] in Theosophy World
*[http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v7/yxxxx_018.htm# A Few Words on The Theosophical Organization] by Mohini Mohun Chatterji and Arthur Gebhard
*[http://hpb.narod.ru/HigherAspectsTheosophicStudiesMMC.html# On the Higher Aspects of Theosophic Studies] by Mohini M. Chatterji
*[http://hpb.narod.ru/QualificationsForChelashipMMC.html# Qualifications for Chelaship] by Mohini M. Chatterjee
*[http://blavatskyarchives.com/chatterji_existence_of_the_mahatmas.htm# On the Existence of the Mahatmas] by Mohini M. Chatterji
*[http://hpb.narod.ru/tph/TPH_VIVE.HTM# The Crest Jewel of Wisdom] translated by Mohini M Chatterji
*[http://www.universaltheosophy.com/articles/chatterji/atmanatma-viveka/# Atmanatma-Viveka: Discrimination of Spirit and Not-Spirit] translated by Mohini M Chatterji
*[https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shodh.net%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_phocadownload%26view%3Dcategory%26download%3D138%3A4-mohini-mohan-chatterjis-influence-on-wb-yeats-dr-suman-singh-%26id%3D40%3Avol3-issue-2%26Itemid%3D99&ei=xItxUcPuFaqM2gWDvoG4Dw&usg=AFQjCNFvvU4HuEEFi-iOiI7PXdtGR-uF4Q&bvm=bv.45373924,d.b2I# Mohini Mohan Chatterji's Influence on W.B. Yeats] by Dr. Suman Singh
*[https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shodh.net%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_phocadownload%26view%3Dcategory%26download%3D138%3A4-mohini-mohan-chatterjis-influence-on-wb-yeats-dr-suman-singh-%26id%3D40%3Avol3-issue-2%26Itemid%3D99&ei=xItxUcPuFaqM2gWDvoG4Dw&usg=AFQjCNFvvU4HuEEFi-iOiI7PXdtGR-uF4Q&bvm=bv.45373924,d.b2I# Mohini Mohan Chatterji's Influence on W.B. Yeats] by Dr. Suman Singh


== Additional resources ==
== Additional resources ==
* '''[https://brill.com/view/journals/nu/67/2-3/article-p165_3.xml?language=en Mohini: A Case Study of a Transnational Spiritual Space in the History of the Theosophical Society]''' by Mriganka Mukhopadhyay. Originally published in ''Numen: International Review for the History of Religions'' 67.2-3 (20 April 2020), 165–190. Permanent link from [https://doi.org/10.1163/15685276-12341572 Brill].


See also references in:
See also references in:
* [[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)|''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']]
* '''[[The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (book)|''The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett'']]'''
* [[A Short History of the Theosophical Society (book)|''A Short History of the Theosophical Society'']]
* '''[[A Short History of the Theosophical Society (book)|''A Short History of the Theosophical Society'']]'''
* [[Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett (book)|''Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett'']]
* '''[[The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett (book)|''The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett'']]'''
* '''[[Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom (book)|''Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom'']]'''. See [[Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom Contents|Table of Contents]].


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 66: Line 119:
[[Category:Pseudonyms|Chatterji, Mohini, Mohun]]
[[Category:Pseudonyms|Chatterji, Mohini, Mohun]]
[[Category:People who encountered Mahatmas|Chatterji, Mohini, Mohun]]
[[Category:People who encountered Mahatmas|Chatterji, Mohini, Mohun]]
[[Category:Received Mahatma Letters|Chatterji, Mohini, Mohun]]
[[Category:People|Chatterji, Mohini, Mohun]]

Latest revision as of 20:44, 7 February 2024

M. M. Chatterji

Mohini Mohun Chatterji (1858 - 1936) was a Bengali attorney and scholar who belonged to a prominent family that for several generations had mediated between Hindu religious traditions and Christianity.[1] He joined the Theosophical Society in 1882 and became Assistant Secretary of the Bengal branch. Later that year he became a chela in probation of the Mahâtma Koot Hoomi, and saw apparitions of Mahatmas on five or six occasions.[2] He eventually failed as a chela, and resigned from the Theosophical Society in 1887, after only five years of membership. Alternate spellings of his name are "Mohan" and "Chatterjee" (in Letter No. 57 in Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom, Second Series).

Early life and education

Mr. Chatterji, usually known as Mohini, was born in 1858 into a Brahmin family, descended from Hindu reformer Ram Roy.[3] He attended university in Calcutta, and was awarded Bachelor of Laws and Master of Arts degrees. His wife was the niece of Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore.[4]

Theosophical Society involvement

M. M. Chatterji

Joining the Society

Mohini became a member of the Bengal Theosophical Society on April 6, 1882, joining in Calcutta on the day the branch formed.[5] President-Founder Olcott chaired the meeting, and the new branch was organized by Peary Chand Mittra, Norendra Nath Sen, and Balai Chand Mullick.[6] According to Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett, "When HSO opened the first Theosophical Sunday School in Calcutta on March 10, 1883, with 17 boys, Mohini was appointed their teacher".[7]

Receiving Mahatma Letters

Beginning in 1882, and continuing through at least 1884, Mohini received at least thirteen letters from Mahatma K. H. They were published in Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom, First Series and Second Series. These are links to the letters, in an approximation of chronological order:

Sept-Nov 1882
LMW 2 No. 58
LMW 1 No. 15
LMW 2 No. 57
LMW 2 No. 59
LMW 1 No. 14

1882-1884
LMW 2 No. 61
LMW 2 No. 62
LMW 1 No. 10
LMW 1 No. 11
LMW 1 No. 23

1884
LMW 2 No. 63
LMW 2 No. 62
LMW 1 No. 13
LMW 1 No. 52

European tour of 1884

Mohini worked as private secretary to H. S. Olcott and accompanied him and Mme. Blavatsky on their European tour in 1884:

The purpose of his trip to Europe was seemingly to give the members there some assistance in understanding the Eastern doctrines which had been brought into prominence by APS in his book Esoteric Buddhism."[8]

He rendered valuable aid with lectures and discourses both in Paris and London, and many European Theosophists still remember the brilliance of presentation of spiritual truths by the young Hindu.[9]

From a letter from Mme. Blavatsky to Mr. Sinnett, it would appear that he was going to be used in a similar manner as Babaji was:

On February 17th Olcott will probably sail for England on various business, and Mahatma K. H. sends his chela, under the guise of Mohini Mohun Chatterjee, to explain to the London Theosophists of the Secret Section — every or nearly every mooted point and to defend you and your assumptions. You better show Mohini all the Master's letters of a non-private character — saith the Lord, my Boss — so that by knowing all the subjects upon which he wrote to you he might defend your position the more effectually — which you yourself cannot do, not being a regular chela. Do not make the mistake, my dear boss, of taking the Mohini you knew for the Mohini who will come. There is more than one Maya in this world of which neither you nor your friends and critic Maitland is cognisant. The ambassador will be invested with an inner as well as with an outer clothing. Dixit.[10]

Collaboration with Laura C. Holloway

In July 1884, probably while at the house of Francesca Arundale, Mohini worked with Laura C. Holloway to write Man: Fragments of a Forgotten History. They used the pseudonym "Two Chelâs".[11] The work was published in 1885 by Reeves and Turner, but portions were incomplete due to the early departure of Mrs. Holloway before the final version could be completed.

Portraits of Masters

Mohini was present in London in 1884 when the young German artist Hermann Schmiechen painted the Portraits of the Masters. He was described by Laura C. Holloway as being “nearer the Master than all others in the room, not even excepting H.P.B.”[12]

Testifying for Hodgson Report

Being a chela of Master K.H., he gave evidence to the Society for Psychical Research concerning the reality of psychic phenomena at Adyar,[13] in what came to be known as the Hodgson investigation.

Lecture tour in Europe

In 1885, he went to Ireland to lecture, and helped to establish the Dublin Lodge of the TS. There, he produced a deep impression on Irish poets George Russell (Æ) and W. B. Yeats and is said to have influenced the oriental turn of their writings. Yeats wrote a poem entitled 'Mohini Chatterjee'.

The adulation he received from some of the European members fueled his pride and he showed poor judgment on several matters. In late 1885, Mohini became involved in scandal with female Theosophists. The case came to public attention when one of the women, in response to Blavatsky's criticisms, intended to publicize letters written to her by Mohini Chatterjee.[14] Mme. Blavatsky wrote to Mr. Sinnett in March 1886:

Mohini was sent, and at first won the hearts and poured new life into the L.L. He was spoiled by male and female adulation, by incessant flattery and his own weakness.[15]

Mohini resigned from the Theosophical Society in 1887 and went back to his former home in Calcutta, where he resumed his practice of law.

Writings

Mohini wrote poetry and prose in both English and his native Bengali.

He and Mrs. Holloway wrote Man: Fragments of Forgotten History, published in 1887 under the pseudonym "Two Chelâs".[16]

He translated the The Crest-Jewel of Wisdom (Viveka-Cūḍāmaṇi) of Sankaracharya. He worked with G. R. S. Mead in translating the Upanishads in 1896, using the pseudonym J. C. Chattopadhyaya.[17]

Later years

Yeats and George Russell (Æ) believed that at the turn of the century Mohini was working as a lawyer in Bombay. According to Harbans Rai Bachchan, the last heard of him was that he was a blind old man living in London with his daughter, in the early 1930s.[18] Mohini died in February, 1936.

Additional resources

Articles

Additional resources

See also references in:

Notes

  1. Diane Sasson, Yearning for the New Age (Bloomington, IN:Indiana University Press, 2012), 78.
  2. A Casebook of Encounters with the Theosophical Mahatmas Case 29, compiled and edited by Daniel H. Caldwell
  3. George E. Linton and Virginia Hanson, eds., Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 223.
  4. ”Chatterji, Mohini Mohun,” The Theosophical Year Book, 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 172.
  5. Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at http://tsmembers.org/. See book 1, entry 1066 (website file: 1A/36).
  6. Balai Chand Muluk, "The Bengal Theosophical Society" The Theosophist Supplement 3 no.32 (May 1882): 3-4.
  7. George E. Linton and Virginia Hanson, eds., Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 223.
  8. George E. Linton and Virginia Hanson, eds., Readers Guide to The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett (Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 223.
  9. [[Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom (book)|Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom, Second Series (Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1925), 103.
  10. A. Trevor Barker, The Letters of H. P. Blavatsky to A. P. Sinnett Letter No. XXVIII, (Pasadena, CA: Theosophical University Press, 1973), ??.
  11. Two Chelas, Man: Fragments of a Forgotten History, 1887. The complete text is available at the Canadian Theosophical Association
  12. Laura C. Holloway, “The Mahatmas and Their Instruments Part II,” The Word (New York), July 1912, pp. 200-206, available at The Blavatsky Archives Portraits of the Mahatmas
  13. ”Chatterji, Mohini Mohun,” The Theosophical Year Book, 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 172.
  14. See The Open University web site
  15. Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence No. 140 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 459.
  16. The complete text is available at [1]
  17. ”Chatterji, Mohini Mohun,” The Theosophical Year Book, 1938 (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 172.
  18. See The Open University web site