ABSTRACT

Away from the esoteric environment of Adyar, Leadbeater was building an occult domain for himself, and developing interests far removed from the metaphysical adventism of the Order of the Star in the East (OSE). According to Leadbeater, who thoroughly investigated Rajagopalacharya's past lives; he had a wonderful record behind him and an even more brilliant future. Leadbeater did not publicly question, let alone deny, the validity of Mrs Besant's claims to the approval of the Occult Hierarchy, but he certainly did not approve of political work. On 20 February 1914 Leadbeater left India to undertake a tour of Burma, Java, New Zealand and Australia. Prentice noted that Leadbeater showed considerable rudeness to the women who formed the majority of his audience, and both avoided conversation with them, and refused to shake their hands. Meanwhile in May the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council heard and allowed Mrs Besant's appeal.