Childhood

Dr. Mathur was a favourite of his parents from the very beginning. But he was by far more attached to his grandfather and grandmother. He constantly remained in close proximity with his grandfather. He used to sleep and play and walk with him. He specially watched the spiritual activities of his grandfather - how he bowed his head before the Samadh of his Guru, how he walked, how he dressed, how he spoke and how he preached. Dr. Mathur tried to follow and emulate him even in his sport as a young boy. His grandfather remained a model and an ideal for him all his life.

Dr. Mathur became so excessively attached to his grandfather that he came to look upon him as a being omniscient and omnipotent, eternal and immortal. To him his grandfather's word was a divine oracle, a final word in all matters - personal or general. Even in sport he would sit on the pulpit and play the role of his "Babaji". Even as a young lad he used to read and recite chosen lines and verses from Prem Patra. At the early age of ten he was formally initiated into Radhasoami Faith. Ever since then Dr. Mathur has stood out as a symbol of the spirit and soul of Radhasoami Faith.

Dr. Mathur lived a princely life from his very childhood. Every shade of his will and desire was instantly fulfilled. He was a highly "protected" child. He was strictly prohibited from going outside his home or mixing with other children. But he was free to play all kinds of indoor games and some outdoor games too within the house. Dr. Mathur, as a child, himself did not feel at home in the company of other children of his age largely on account of the crude language they used. As a result he grew into an introvert child. From an introvert nature to meditation there is but one step.

Education

Dr. Mathur's early education began at home. A private tutor came to teach him English, Hindi and Mathematics at home. He proved himself to be a very sharp, intelligent and highly promising student from the earliest stage. He had equal hold on both Hindi and English. He started reading Hindustan Times and Illustrated Weekly, since his grandfather also read them. As per directions of his grandfather, he looked up every word he could not understand in the Dictionary. This cultivated in him the habit of consulting Dictionary which is the first and most important step towards mastering any language. One of his teachers taught him stories from Panchtantra which gave him some penetrating glimpses into the world of hard realities. It was at this stage that he gradually read out all the parts of Prem Patra. These early studies made a lasting impact on his mind and personality.

The school education of Dr. Mathur started with class IV at St. John's Inter. College from where he passed his high school exams. with high marks. Subsequently he passed Intermediate, B.A. and M.A. from St. John's Degree College. He was specially proficient in English and used to obtain very high marks in English. He was primarily a Hindi student but he acquired good working knowledge of Urdu which he has retained to the present day. He has even composed poetry in Urdu of a fairly high level.

The subjects in his B.A. exams were History, Economics and English Literature and that of M.A. was History. In those days the classes of M.A. History were jointly held at St. John's and Agra College on alternate days. Thus Dr. Mathur attended the classes in both the colleges and derived the best from the teachers and traditions of both these great Colleges of the town.

Besides his academic interests, Dr. Mathur took keen interest in extra curricular activities. His outstanding oration was highly applauded by all and many a time he won prizes and medals in debating competitions. He also held the posts of the Secretary History Association of St. John's College and Leader of Opposition of the College Parliament. His interest in English Literature kept him associated with the Literary Society of St. John's College as its active member. The field of sports and games also did not remain untouched and Dr. Mathur enjoyed playing Cricket, Badminton and Table Tennis.

During all these years of Dr. Mathur's education and literary and social life the protecting and blessed hand and the over-seeing eye of his grandfather was always there.

As soon as Dr. Mathur took his Master's Degree in History in 1952, he thought of doing some job because he wanted to be independent and an earning hand. In the same year he was appointed a lecturer in History at Agra College, Agra.

Marriage and Family

Dr. Mathur was married on 15th February, 1956. His wife Smt. Usha Mathur, comes of a highly respectable family. She is herself a highly refined, religious and devoted lady who has so ably supervised her family as a mother. Dr. Mathur has three children - one daughter Veera, and two sons Achint and Atul. All the three are married and well settled in their respective fields and are happy and well off.