Theos-Talk Archives (June 2005 Message tt00398)

In a letter dated Sept. 14, 1888, H.P. Blavatsky wrote
the following to the American Theosophist John 
Ransom Bridge:

"For the past 12 years I have been imparting, & 
transmitting esoteric teachings without enacting 
any pledge or imposing conditions to several — more 
or less known individuals among others — a few Hindus. 
Since the explosion of the infamous Hodgson & Coulomb 
conspiracy against me some of my ex-pupils ill-grounded 
in the theosophical spirit, have, for various reasons 
deserted me, after posing for chelas. The latter attitude 
they would not abandon, however. 

Hence since that time, they have been giving out 
travestied versions of the esoteric philosophy, composed 
of one part of truths, & three parts misconceptions & 
conceit. Thus great confusion, & contradictory statements 
have been made in print, all of which have been pitched 
back upon my unfortunate head. 

Not only that, but with the idea of making themselves 
more important they have pretended that my occult 
knowledge had faded away during my illness; that even 
Masters have turned away from me to them, & that I was 
now the prey of Elementals & half-fledged chelas! 

Many, however, wish me to continue my instructions. But 
I am not willing to do so, save under restrictions shown 
by experience to be necessary. I am determined not to permit 
any longer the Master's names to be desecrated & dragged 
in the mire of idiotic criticism." 

Quoted from: http://blavatskyarchives.com/hpbjrb.htm

Concerning Mme. Blavatsky's above statement that reads:

"...they have pretended that my occult knowledge had faded 
away during my illness; that even Masters have turned away 
from me to them, & that I was now the prey of Elementals & 
half-fledged chelas! !"

compare what Mahatma Koot Hoomi had written to Colonel
Henry S. Olcott just three weeks before the above was
penned:

[August 22, 1888]

"...we employ agents -- the best available. Of these for the past 
thirty years the chief has been the personality known as H. P. B. to 
the world (but otherwise to us). Imperfect and very troublesome, no 
doubt, she proves to some, nevertheless, there is no likelihood of 
our finding a better one for years to come -- and your theosophists 
should be made to understand it....

...Her fidelity to our work being constant, and her sufferings 
having come upon her thro' it, neither I nor either of my Brother 
associates will desert or supplant her....

...this you must tell to all: -- With occult matters she has 
everything to do. We have not abandoned her; she is not 'given over 
to chelas.' She is our direct agent....

I have also noted, your thoughts about the 'Secret Doctrine.' Be 
assured that what she has not annotated from scientific and other 
works, we have given or suggested to her. Every mistake or erroneous 
notion, corrected and explained by her from the works of other 
theosophists was corrected by me, or under my instruction. . . . 
K.H."

Quoted from: Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom, First Series, 
Letter 19, 5th edition. 

Who were the persons claiming that the Masters had abandoned H.P. 
Blavatsky and that she "was given over to chelas"?

One person was, no doubt, A.P. Sinnett. But it would appear that T. 
Subba Row was also making this claim.

In a letter dated June 5, 1888 to W.Q. Judge, Madame Blavatsky wrote:

"My dear Judge 

...Subba Row, Cooper-Oakley N. Cook have resigned from the T.S. & 
left Adyar. . . . 

You know that S.R. [Subba Row] claimed for the two past years to be 
in communication with my Master....!!! ...[Subba Row] showed 
Sanskrit letters from Him (no handwriting no indiscrete calligraphy
— in Sanskrit!) to himself, & translated them to C.O. [Alfred
Cooper-Oakley] The letters were to the effect that he S.R. had to 
reform the Society, & hinted that I, HPB had been given up by the 
Masters!! C.O. who has chosen S.R. for his guru, who worships him as 
does N. Cook believes in him explicitly. 

What are the 'Muslin & bladder Mahatmas' of the Coulombs compared to 
such doings!! Bus, bus — I must say nothing, however much I may
be disgusted. But, as the ranks thin around us, & one after the 
other our best intellectual Forces depart to turn bitter enemies
— I say — Blessed are the pure hearted who have only
intuition for intuition is better than intellect...."

Quoted from: http://blavatskyarchives.com/hpbwqj6588.htm

And in another letter dated July 12, 1888 to N.D.K. Khandalavala, 
Madame Blavatsky gives more details:

"Mrs. C.O. [Isabel Cooper-Oakley, wife of Alfred Cooper-Oakley] said 
to the Countess [Wachtmeister] several times that her 'Alf' [Alfred 
Cooper-Oakley] is constantly receving through S.R. [Subba Row] 
letters from the Master, my Master!! One of such letters (a copy) 
she showed and read to the Countess, to prove to her that she and 
S.R. and C.O. and Cook all believed in the Masters.  

Now I know that my Master (whom they called Mahatma Morya) has never 
since I left Adyar written on single line to anyone at Adyar, or 
Madras, or India, except a few words once to H.S.O. [Henry S. 
Olcott]. I have Master's assurance to this effect. . . . surely 
something must be rotten 'in the state of Denmark.' This is private 
and confidential, and meant for you alone. You can ask Countess if 
you like...."

Even the Mahatma Koot Hoomi in his July 1888 communication to H.P. 
Blavatsky concerning Henry S. Olcott refers to Alfred Cooper-Oakley 
and T. Subba Row and mentions the claim being circulated at that 
time that the "'Masters' are in direct correspondence and 
communication with C.O. [Alfred Cooper-Oakley] – their true
delegate being now at Madras – S.R [Subba Row]...."
Quoted from: Letters from the Masters of Wisdom, First Series, 
Letter 47.

In light of all the above, one can start to understand why Mahatma 
Koot Hoomi wrote to Colonel Olcott the following:

[August 22, 1888]

"...we employ agents -- the best available. Of these for the past 
thirty years the chief has been the personality known as H. P. B. to 
the world (but otherwise to us). Imperfect and very troublesome, no 
doubt, she proves to some, nevertheless, there is no likelihood of 
our finding a better one for years to come -- and your theosophists 
should be made to understand it....

...Her fidelity to our work being constant, and her sufferings 
having come upon her thro' it, neither I nor either of my Brother 
associates will desert or supplant her....

...this you must tell to all: -- With occult matters she has 
everything to do. We have not abandoned her; she is not 'given over 
to chelas.' She is our direct agent....

Continued in Part Two

Daniel H. Caldwell
http://hpb.cc