Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 14

Once the entire villagers were afflicted with the small-pox, it created huge chaos among the people, they were forced to leave the village and their properties behind, and people were panicked and rushed to various directions with no hopes.  Lokenathji was in his hermitage undertaking meditation, he could realize the pathetic state of the people, and soon he entered in a transcendental state.  Lokenathji arrived in the dense wood where he could see Matha Sheethala who was angrily leaving the village.  She was too unhappy with the evilness, selfishness, and inhuman deeds of the people.  Lokenathji  stood before her and putting a sudden halt to her movement, he requested her ‘You are the mother of the people in this Universe, how can you leave like this while your children are in a wretched state.  Kindly go back to your children and take care of them.”  Matha Sheethala was calmed by Lokenathji and she returned to the village soon the peace was restored.

One day Babaji was giving lectures on mortality, he explained to his devotees assembled “ The supreme Lord assumed the form of Ram and Krishna, he lived like an ordinary human on the Earth, he allowed himself to go through the pains, afflictions, miseries, and grief of the worldly existence.  He incarnated on the Earth to reinstate righteousness, none of the afflictions could deviate them from their objective, they become an object of worship to the common people, when their purpose of the incarnation was accomplished, they left the Earth and returned to their supreme abode.”  In that huge crowd of devotees, Babaji announced his decision to leave his mortal coil, it was extremely shocking news for his disciples, King, and the devotees.  Malini Ma said “ Babaji, you are Mahapurusha, you can live in this world as long as you wish, why you want to discard this body.  Kindly do not leave us.”  Babaji said “Ma, This body is perishable, Yogis have no death. I will not leave you all, where will I go, I will be here always, and I am leaving this perishable body, that’s it.” After saying so, he entered inside his hermitage, the people assembled were reciting sacred chants.  Mahayogi Lokenath  was 160 years old,  it was on the 19^th day of Jyeshta/ 3^rd June, 1890,  he was seated on Gomukh Yogasana posture, as usual, went to transcendental state and the eyes were wide open, it was around 11.30 in the afternoon Mahayogi left his mortal coil and attained union with the Bramham.

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 13

Once the Ashram was filled with devotees and disciple,  Shyam Bakshi, a disciple of Goswamiji came rushing in search of Babaji and cried before him describing the miserable state of his preceptor Bijoy Krishna Goswami who was affected by pneumonia, doctors left any hope, he was so worried about the poor health of his preceptor.    Babaji took a test of his Guru Bhakti, he proved himself as the sincere disciple of Bijoy Krishna Goswamiji.  Babaji invited him to take a meal, but his disciple was not willing to eat anything thinking about the ill health of his preceptor.  Lokenathji pacified him and took inside the hermitage and served his meal.  Soon Babaji entered in a state of transcendental, people could not recognize anything, Babaji arrived at Bijoy Krishna Goswamiji’s hermitage at Dharbhanga, where Goswamiji was in his bed. Babaji said “You are my beloved Krishna,”  he smeared some herbal paste on the stomach of Goswamiji.   While in the Ashram, Shyam Bhakshi looked at Babaji who was in a state of transcendental. After a few minutes, Bijoy Krishna Goswamiji rose from his bed and started speaking normally.

Once, Bijoy Krishna Goswamiji with his wife Yogamaya and few of his disciples arrived in the Barodi Ashram.  After the formal introduction to his wife, Lokenathji went into a state of ecstasy after listening to his wife ‘Yogamaya’, he approached Ma Yogamaya and asked: “ Ma, could you feed me with your hands.”  The thirty-five-year-old Yogamaya was too shy, smiled at the Babaji of 156 years old.  Soon meal was prepared by Yogamaya and food was fed by her to Babaji.  His interaction with Yogamaya was like little Krishna’s communication with his dear mother Yasodha.

Once the King arrived in the hermitage of Babaji Lokenath with a request to allow him to take a photograph, Queen wanted to worship him, Babaji laughed at the request of the King.  Babaji was surprised and took the King and camera person inside the Hermitage.  He seated majestically on his seat in Gomukh Yogasana posture and pleased his devotee.

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 12

One day Babaji was giving lectures to villagers, as usual, the old woman arrived with a bowl of milk to feed Babaji, he invited someone to partake the milk, people assembled were shocked to see that it was a venomous serpent.  Babaji guided the serpent to climb the small stairs of the Ashram,  and said: “ It is Malini Ma brought the milk, drink as much as you want.” The serpent took milk from the bowl, after drinking the milk the serpent raised its hood and left silently.  Babaji drank the remaining milk saying “It is Prasadh.” The people assembled were terrified to see that.

Once people were assembled in the Ashram to listen to the speeches of Babaji, Malini Ma served them with the offerings, suddenly they could hear the loud roar of tiger, this Ashram was situated close to the dense forest, the people ran off to different directions after hearing the sound of the roar.   A few of them took shelter at Babaji’s feet.  Babaji was very calm as usual, he took a bow full of meal and went close to the tiger, and said: “ You must be feeling very hungry right.  Eat this.” Smiled and said “ Eat as much as you want.  See how many people are scared of you; I have already made arrangements for your food.” The tiger finished the meal and left the place silently.  Lokenath Babaji never find any difference between humans or animals, he treated them equally, he conversed with them in his usual peaceful and pleasant manner.

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 11

Lokenathji settled in the Ashram in Bar0di, Sonargaon Upazila, in Narayanganj District.  This Asham was built by a respectable person and it was meticulously followed all the spiritual rites and fire sacrifices.  Babaji spends hours and hours imparting knowledge on scriptures to the people of this village.  One day Babaji instructed his disciple to rush to the shore of Ganga, to receive two holy men to Ashram; it was Bijoy Krishna Goswami and his disciple who witnessed the great Baba Lokenath who is beyond religion or form.  After witnessing the serene form of Babaj, he forgot his hunger and tiredness, he was fed by Lokenathji.

There was a grand feast organized in the Ashram for serving villagers.  There were many disciples and devotees of Baba Lokenathji were present to partake the meal, suddenly a dog entered from nowhere in the kitchen and put its mouth in the food which was kept for serving the villagers, one of the organizers Madhu  took a wooden stick and bet the dog ruthlessly.  It ran off from his sight and disappeared.  Madhu who was taking care of the feast came to Babaji’s chamber and complaint that the dog spoiled the meal and he also conveyed the message that he did not leave the dog like that, Babaji said, “ Yeah I know, You bet the dog at your heart's content.” Madhu was surprised to hear Babaji who removed his upper cloth and showed the bruises on his upper back.   People assembled were shocked and felt awful. Babaji smiled and said, “You bet me very badly indeed.” Madhu felt terribly guilty and fallen at the feet of Babaji who advised him to “control your anger; otherwise, it will kill a person.”

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 10

He took Babaji in his small cottage and received him with all honors,  he introduced Babaji to his wife who prostrated before him.  Soon two of his sons arrived there and insulted Babaji, the father of young men does not like their behavior at all, husband and wife shouted at the arrogant behavior of their sons, “ This Mahapurusha is our guest, you have no right to insult him.” His son forcefully took Babaji out of their house, husband and wife cried and ran after him, the husband got intense chest pain and fallen unconscious and died.  The two sons saw the pathetic state at home and rushed to   Babaji.  They took Babaji on his shoulder; soon a respectable person in the village arrived and shouted at them for their arrogance, asked them to stay away from the noble-person.  He came closer to Babaji and said “ Maharaj, I feel extremely calm and serene at your presence.   You are not an ordinary person, where are you living here?” Lokenathji said, “ I am also an ordinary human being like you.” He invited Babaji to his home, Babaji said: “ I have this whole Universe as my home, this widespread sky is my roof and the Earth is my shelter place.” Babaji continued pointing at a place “I prefer to stay in that funeral ground which is our ultimate resting place.”  The respectable person said, “ Maharaj, order me, I can build an Ashram for you.” Babaji said, “ As you wish.”  In a short period, a hermitage was built in the funeral ground, there was an old lady who used to serve Lokenath Babaji in the Ashram, she brings milk for him on a regular basis, Babaji used to address her ‘Ma’.

There was a royal family in Kolkata, the king, and wife had a dream of a noble-man with matted hair locks and pristine white robe, they came to know from Rajapurohith about the miracles of Baba Lokenath.   They discussed the noble saint Baba Lokenath who arrived in Sonargaon and settled in  Barodi Ashram.  Maharani requested King to make a visit to the Ashram with her, King was not willing to visit any place without proper invitation, she said it is the place of Mahapurusha where people do not require an invitation to visit him.  King and the Queen made arrangements to visit Baba Lokenath.  They reached the hermitage of Babaji, Baba Lokenath walked at the entrance of the Ashram to receive the King who was hesitant to visit places without invitation and the Queen who was not in their Royal attire. Babaji expressed his awe, they both prostrated before Babaji.  On that day a grand recital of scriptures and Keerthans were conducted, the whole village was assembled to witness this marvelous occasion.

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 9

Once a few Bhramin priests were finding it difficult to remove the knots in the sacred thread which they were holding in their hands, Lokenathji arrived at this spot and looked at the sacred thread, soon the knots were removed effortlessly, the Bhramin priests fallen at the feet of Baba.  Lokenathji advised them to recite Gita on a regular basis, which could teach them how to remove the knots of worldly bondage and attain the supreme abode of Lord.

Lokenathji arrived in a village of Sonargaon, in Bengal, there was a pious young couple lived in this village.  The husband was wrongly charged in a murder case, he pleaded his wife not to believe all the rumors, and he sincerely prayed his Guruji and hoped he would do some miracle to relieve him from this trouble.  On the day of the verdict, he came out of the home with his advocate.  He saw a Baba sitting on the pathway in a Gomukh Yogasana posture, he waved and called out for the man and said: “The person who committed the crime will definitely get punished, you do not worry, you will be freed soon.”  He was surprised at his words but he did not pay much attention to Baba and hurried to court with his advocate.  Finally, the verdict was heard, he was released from the charge of crime which he was not committed. He rushed out of the courtroom and came running towards Baba, and fallen at his feet and wept bitterly. Babaji described the significance of the performance of righteousness; it was his Dharma saved him from the clutches of evil.  He became inconsolable, Babaji said, “ Go, go to your Badi/house, take rest for a while, you are emotionally drained.” He was not willing to move an inch from Babaji, he felt intense peace and serenity in his presence, and he does not want to leave Babaji and stayed at the feet of him. 

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 8

Once Lokenathj witnessed the forest fire engulfing the life of a Vaishnava saint who was in deep meditation in the wood of Chandranath hills, he put off the fire with his Manthrasiddhi and saved his life. It was Saint Bijoy Krishna Goswami who was saved from the forest fire.  When Goswamiji opened his eyes, he witnessed a saint in a white robe, grey matted hair locks,  and the effulgent face disappeared from his sight.  Bijoy Krishna Goswami conducted a rigorous search for the Yogi but he could not meet him.  Later he was initiated to Sanyasa and renamed as Sri Acchyuthananda Saraswathi.  Several years after that incident, one day he received an invitation from Lokenathji to meet in his Ashram, he hired a boat and arrived in Sonargaon with his disciple.  When he met Lokenathji, he was in a state of utter dismay and immediately recognized the Yogi who saved his life with his heroic and fearless acts from the forest fire.  He fallen at the feet of the Yogi, they embraced each other.  Bijoy Krishna Goswami found Baba Lokenathji was the younger brother to his great grandfather and he is above 156 years of age.

Once Lokenathji arrived in a village where there were a few Muslim villagers assembled, they received Lokenathji with great reverence and gave a seat.  He asked for something to drink, the Muslim people said that they are not supposed to give him anything to eat or drink, because they are not Hindus,  he is a Mahapurusha, he is a Bhramin, therefore they have no right to serve a Hindu saint.  Lokenathji said “What’s that Hindu or Muslim, we are one, we have no difference at all, I am Hindu, I am Muslim and Christian as well. I am beyond all the religion.” and he asked them to bring water.  He happily drank the water and blessed them.

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 7

After Mahasidhdhi of Ganguly Mahashay, they continued to stay with the Swamiji in Kashi.  Once they conducted spiritual journey to Badrinath and places close to Himalaya.  They have arrived in the Himalaya and conducted Tapasya.  One day while three saints were walking  in the borders of Tibet there were security men surrounded this three Sanyasin, one of the Tibetian soldier pointed gun at Lokenath, he got stunned after witnessing Lord Buddha in place of the saint, soon his gun slipped out of his hand.  They allowed the saintly men to cross the border with great reverence. 

Benimadhav revealed his desire to visit the Kamakhya shrine, Swamiji said: “you can go to Kamakhya.  May your trip brings an abundance of piousness to your spiritual life” Soon he rushed to Lokenath with tears overflowing and  hugged each other, the friends who have started spiritual journey as a young boys from the small village of Bengal,  after several years of togetherness for the first time Benimadhav leaving Lokenath in Himalaya, Swamiji said “ Sannyasin do not leave in tears, depart your ways with a smile.”  The two young ascetics with a courageous smile and great hope departed each other.   Swamiji blessed Benimadhav to be successful in his journey to Kamakdhya, soon Swamiji took leave from Lokenath.  Lokenath continued Tapasya in the rest of the days in a heavy downpour, thunderstorms, and extreme shower of snow in the icy cold mountain of Himalaya.  In this way, Lokenath continued his Tapasya for several years.

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Brahmachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 6

Lokenath and Benimadhav with his preceptor Ganguly Mahashay conducted journey to Himalaya, and further to Persia, Arabia, Israel and Mecca where they met the prophet and both of the preceptors of different religions embraced each other with great love.  Prophet blessed the young ascetics, he received them with great reverence, he requested them to teach lessons on scriptures, and in return, he would teach them Quran, in this way the great union of two religions ‘Puran and Quran’ took place.  The saints of two religions spent their days in learning scriptures and sacred text.

Ganguly Mahashay along with Lokenath and Benimadhav visited Kashi.  Mahashay took the young saints to renowned Swamiji and formally introduced to him.   Once Ganguly Mahashay said his time to leave this world has arrived.   Lokenath could not bear the words of his preceptor, he wept bitterly.  That night Lokenath could not sleep, in the same night, he found his preceptor was missing.  He called Benimadhav that their preceptor is not in the chamber, they conducted a search through the twist and turns of the street of Kashi, finally, they arrived on the river bank of Ganga, they met Swamiji who was a close associate of his preceptor.  He was undertaking meditation on the river bank of Ganga; Lokenath worriedly enquired about his preceptor.  The Swamiji instructed them to check in Manikarnika Ghat, they rushed through the stairs, found their preceptor was sitting on the steps leading to Mahashmashana in Padmasana posture staring at the funeral pyre.  Lokenath and Benimadhav had immense relief seeing their preceptor; they embraced him, immediately they could realize that his preceptor had already attained union with Bramham.  They performed final rites of their preceptor in an elaborate manner.

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 5

Once Ganguly Mahashay took Lokenath and Benimadhav into the dense forest and instructed them to conduct Tapasya, there were too many nasty creatures like giant ants, worms, bees, scorpions, and snakes.  Benimadhav found it difficult to conduct meditation, Lokenathdha was soon entered into trans state, Benimadhav found honey bees crawling over the body of Lokenathdha, soon he cautioned Lokenathdha about it, he advised Benimadhav to follow the instructions of the preceptor and continued his meditation, but Benimadhav did not find any peace, when he opened his eyes saw a   scorpion crawling on the chest of Lokenathdha, he saw preceptor before him asking to keep quiet with gestures.   Benimadhav continued the meditation, he could hear a unique sound, it was a venomous serpent crawling all over the body of Lokenathdha but he was still under the transcendental state.  Preceptor was highly pleased with the dedication in the  practice of Lokenath and blessed him.

A person who takes up Sanyasa can return home before completing twelve years to meet his beloved people, after that he is not allowed to visit home in his life.  So Ganguly Mahashay took Lokenath and Benimadhav to their village to meet their parents.  All the villagers assembled to receive the Bhramacharis.   Lokenath embraced his mother and her joy has no bound, he met all the senior people of the village and conversed to them with great love.  He heard somebody weeping bitterly and calling “Lokenathdha”, it was his sister Madhavi, and she has become a widow.  She prostrates before Ganguly Mahashay, he blessed her “Daughter, God will give you the strength to bear the loss.”  While Lokenath was at home, Madhavi took great care of him; he meticulously served him with the meal, massaging his feet.  It was the time to leave the home for Lokenath, she wept bitterly and begged his brother and preceptor to take her for Sanyasa.  Lokenath advised her “ Madhavi, Tapasya is not easy, it is too difficult and impossible to achieve.  It needs lots of mental strength and physical stamina.” The whole villagers were assembled to wave good-bye to these two Bhramacharis.  Once again Madhavi and Kamala Devi wept bitterly at the separation of Lokenath.

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 4

At home, Lokenath’s sister and mother often discuss their beautiful days with Lokenath and shed tears of the pain of separation.  They have not heard anything about Lokenath all these years.  On the other side, Lokenath sits alone in the forest all depressed and rushing thoughts of mother and his little sister, Benimadhav pacifies him.  In this way, these two young men share their intimate thoughts with each other and became a support system for each other during the hours of emotional turbulence.  They divert their minds in meditation and prayers.  Lokenath mother was grieving at the separation from her son, she refused to take meals, she finds no taste in meals, she continued like that for three days, she cried out calling for her son.  Suddenly, Lokenath appeared before his mother and patted her affectionately; they embraced each other with extreme joy.  He said that he also did not take any meal for three days, she took him to the food served for her and fed him, they happily consumed the meal together, when she was about to finish the meal, she found Lokenath was missing.  She cried loud for Lokenath, soon the elder sons and their wives, daughter and her husband assembled before her with a confused look, she explained all that had happened, but none was ready to believe her.

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Brahmachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 3

 Lokenath and Benimadhav followed preceptor Ganguly Mahashay to Mahatheerth Kalighat, Kolkata.   Benimadhav’s father worriedly asked about their next destination and exclaimed that it is a dense forest; Guruji said that’s the perfect place for the children to begin the life of asceticism.   Those days, the famous shrine of Goddess Parvathi of Kalighat was surrounded by dense woods of wild animals, these areas where many ascetics take their meditation and Yogic practices.   Ganguly Mahashay explained the four states of Ashrama dharma to Lokenath and Benimadhav.  “There are four Ashramadharmas known as Bhramacharya, Grihastha, Sanyasa, and Vanaprastha.  The strict disciplines during the Brahmacharya Ashram would provide purity of mind and body."  Mahashay continued "The rules of Bhramacharya such as meditation, Yogic practices, and disciplines, the vow of celibacy and fast.   A Sannyasin should not have a desire towards any material possessions; they do not take pleasure in basic necessities of life.”    They undertook four years of intense meditation and Yogic practices in the dense wood.  Lokenath and Benimadhav learned all the Yogic practices and Hatha Yoga, observance of fast, and celibacy during this period.   On the auspicious days of Navrathri, these young ascetics undertake fast on nine days, in this way they have passed twelve years of ascetic life.

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 2

At the age of 11 Lokenath’s sacred thread ceremony was performed with elaborate rituals, Brahmachari Lokenath appeared before his mother saying “ Bhavathi Biksham Dhehi” his mother Kamala Devi brought alms in her hand and looked at him, she could divine personality in place of Lokenath.  The elderly ladies in the family offered alms to Lokenath.   His little sister who was witnessing all these asked her mother “ Naishtik Bhramachari, Dhadha should not live in our home and should wander in the forest? When he will return home?”  His mother replied with tears, “ No idea child.  He should take up Tapasya, I do not know who will take care of him.  Thakurji knows everything.  You will always remain dearest little sister of Lokenath Dhadha.”  Little girl Madhu rushed to Lokenath he asked her to give alms.  His mother was inconsolable, tears overflowing on her cheeks once again offered alms to her son.  When she stood before him stopping him to leave, Lokenath said “ Ma, kindly do not hinder my way.  Let me precede my spiritual journey.” Ramnarayan felt disappointed to see Kamala Devi’s unwillingness to leave her son, he advised her wife “ Have you not heard of Agnipareeksha of Goddess Sita, King Harish Chandra, and many more, you should not create an obstacle to your son’s glorious future.  You should not commit any sin which could bring inauspiciousness to your family or children.” Lokenath said to his mother that whenever she remembers him and requires his presence, he would attend her. He wanted to see her smile, not that crying face, he requested her to smile before he leaves home forever. So that he can leave home peacefully.  Guru Bhagavan Ganguly could read the destiny of the child agreed to accept him as his disciple.  There was a child named Benimadhav of the same age as Lokenath, both of them were childhood friends, he could not control the pain of separation from his friend Lokenath, and he was too adamant and decided to follow Lokenath to Ashram.  Benimadhav father was angry at his child,  though he was tried to make him understand the disciplines and vows involved in the Sanyasa, finally, he had to yield the desires of his child.  He was confident that if he did not learn today, he will pick up by tomorrow.  Moreover, his dearest friend Lokenath with him to teach him all,  Benimadhav prostrated before Guruji and begged him to take him.  Ganguly Mahashay accepted both the children who already had a sacred thread ceremony.  Thus Lokenath at the age of 11 years immediately after his sacred thread ceremony was taken to renowned Sanyasin Ganguly Mahashay who was skilled in Vedic knowledge and Yogic practices and left him under his custodian so that Lokenath could achieve heights in spirituality and meditation.

Mahayogi Baba Lokenath Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Lokenath Maharaj!

Chapter – 1

Baba Lokenath Maharaj was born to a pious Brahmin couple Ramnarayan Goshal and Kamala Devi, on a Janmashtami day.  His birth was on June 24th in the year 1730 in a small village of Chakla, situated a few miles away from the city of Kolkata.  It was   heavy downpour and thunderstorm on that night, Ramnarayan Goshal with his Guruji Ganguli Mahashay got the much-awaited news of the birth of the child.   Ganguly Mahashay said “your child was born on this auspicious day to affirm the pronouncement of Lord Vishnu, that he incarnates on every Yuga in order to reinstate the righteousness on the Earth.”  Ramnarayan Goshal was extremely happy to hear the words of Ganguly Mahashay and the child was named Lokenath.   His parents were deeply religious and followed all the religious and spiritual rites strictly; they have taken service to the Lord as a prime duty.  These couples had four children, Ramnarayan had an intense desire to offer one child wholly for the service to Lord and he convinced his wife Kamala Devi about their responsibility towards the Supreme Lord, she agreed to the plea of her husband.   Like any other mother, Kamala Devi forgot her promise while she was intensely soaked in the pleasures of motherhood.  This couple had two sons and one daughter. But when she conceived Lokenath she had several divine experiences, which reminded her promise to her husband.  Gradually, she had to come out of the delusion of worldly attachment; she agreed to offer Lokenath in the service of Lord.