Yogiraj Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj Lahiri Mahashay!

Chapter – 32

Sri Paramahamsa Yogananda describes an incident in his famous book “The  Autobiography of a Yogi”.  He had an opportunity to visit Kashi Moni Devi, wife of Late Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay in their residence in Kashi.  He introduced himself as the son of Bhagavathicharan Gosh and Gyanprabha Gosh, devoted disciples of Lahiri Mahashay.  Kashi Moni Devi was too old at that time, she had attractive features and good physique, she has managed to keep her health in under good control at that age too.  She invited Paramahamsa Yogananda with a motherly love; she took her room upstairs where a pristine bed of Lahiri Mahashay was kept as her veneration place.  She showed the place where Mahashay used to conduct meditation before giving Dheeksha to Kashi Moni Devi.  After receiving Dheeksha from Lahiri Mahashay and initiated her to Kriya Yoga, he never spent his nights in the same room with his wife.  He spent his whole life in the hall on the ground floor, most of the time he will be with his disciples, giving lectures on scriptures, or discussing spiritual matters hours and hours.  He hardly sleeps those days, he never felt the need for sleep, he engages in solid hours of Kriya Yoga and meditation. 

Once Kashi Moni Devi had a dream in that, her husband is undertaking meditation and several divine personalities were standing with folded hands before him, suddenly she got out of the sleep in utter shock and saw her husband practicing meditation sitting on the floor.  She thought it was a mere dream, she prostrated before her husband saying that she feels guilty for considering him as her husband, she had realized that he was not an ordinary human, he is divine personified.  Lahiri Mahashay asked her to prostrate before all those divine personalities, she sincerely followed the instructions of her husband. Kashi Moni Devi fell at his feet and said, “ Mahashay, kindly accept me as your disciple, forgive all my mistakes.” Mahashay took his wife who was fallen at his feet with tears overflowing, and said “ Lady, you need not feel guilty, finally you are qualified to become a disciple of mind, the time has arrived,  you will be receiving Dheeksha and lessons on Kriya Yoga, that would take you to the highest level of spirituality.”  Kashi Moni Devi received Dheeksha from Mahashay and became his disciple, and her two sons also attained Dheeksha from Mahashay.  After receiving Dheeksha from Mahashay, they had the relationship of preceptor and disciple; they never had the relationship of husband and wife afterward.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 31

Lahiri Mahashay, The King of Yogis was attained the highest of the spiritual state known as supreme bliss.  He proved that the Kriya Yoga /Raja Yoga, meditation is for all who want to achieve self-realization and the realization of God in them.   Mahashay affirms that every human on the Earth has the right to learn the supreme knowledge of self-realization, it does not matter whether the person belongs to Hindu, Muslim or Christian, it does not matter whether he is professional, non-professional, labor or ordinary men.  He performed the role of a husband to Kashimoni Devi, father to his children and a sincere Accountant in the British Military Engineering Department, and rose to the status of King of Yogis.  He taught the ordinary people how to nullify the balance sheet of Karma with the practice of Pranayama and meditation.  He immensely served the distressed people, saved many lives, with the peaceful tool of Kriya Yoga.  Yogiraj had gone through various troubles in the family life, one of his sons had the attack of insanity, one of his daughter married died of cholera, another daughter became widow at a young age and returned to home, but Yogiraj with firm determination performed service to humanity and spiritual practice, he had silently allowed himself to take up the Prarabdhakarma.  Lahiri Mahashay was born on 30^th September 1828, it was on the day of Dussehra one of the most auspicious days of worship of Goddess Durga in the village of Ghurni, West Bengal.  His mother died during his childhood days when he was not even five years old.  The family lost all its properties in the natural calamities when Jalangi River changed its watercourse.  Thus, King of Yogi proved to the entire world that steadfastness, intense faith, and devotion, are the essential requirements to reach the highest state of spirituality and achieve supreme bliss.   This great Yogi who was humility personified is inspiring us to follow the practice of meditation and Kriya Yoga in order to achieve union with the Bramham. 

Yogiraj was fallen severely ill  on September 26th, 1895, he was silently bearing all the sins of his disciples, he remembered the verdict of Mahapurusha Babaji Maharaj, which was conveyed by Yuktheshwarji after coming back from Allahabad Kumbha Mela “ Time is limited, energy is draining.” One day Panchanan Bhattacharya, the disciple of Mahashay saw his Gurudev standing before him and asking him to hurry to Kashi.   Swami Pranavanandh in Udaipur also received the same instruction from Yogiraj.  In this way, many disciples received the message from Yogiraj.  All the disciples arrived at the home of Yogiraj and saw he was reading scriptures and the recitation continued for several days,  One day he said “ I have finished my work, I am leaving to my home,” all the disciples started crying,  Yogiraj consoled them “ No need to cry, I am leaving this perishable body, but I will remain next to you always.” He seated in a Padmasana posture and in a few minutes he immersed in Mahasamadhi.  In the year 1895, September 26^th  Lahiri Mahashay attained Mahasamadhi, his mortal coil was cremated followed with elaborate Bhraminic rite at the Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 30

During this period of time, Mahashay came to visit Thrailanga Swamiji who was known as living Lord of Kashi, people persistently talk about the supernatural powers of Swamiji.  One day Yogiraj with four of his disciples came to Panchaganga Ghat to meet Thrailanga Swamiji.  Seeing Mahashay coming closer, Thrailanga Swamiji rushed towards him and embraced him, he took Mahashay to his place. They discussed for a few minutes, and after that Yogiraj left the place.  One of the devotees who was assembled before Swamiji asked “ Maharaj, you are an eminent Yogi, surprising to note the way you have welcomed another noble-soul.  I did not understand anything.  Usually, people respect people of their own rank isn’t it?”  Thrailanga Swamiji said “He is not an ordinary soul, he is a renowned personality in Yogic practices, he is a Yogi of high rank, he achieved highest of the spiritual state as a Grihastha, I had to abandon even my loincloth in order to achieve that highest state, you cannot understand that.” Eventually, Mahashay’s fame spread across Kashi with the great admiration of Thrailanga Swamiji, people crowded to meet Mahashay.

Once a disciple asked Maharishi Angirass, “ Gurudev, how did humans get rid of the darkness of ignorance and purify his intellect?.”  Maharishi said “Son, It is easy to practice for the person who is steadfast and willing to follow, otherwise not.  The sincere practice of learning Upanishads and practice Upasana/worship, meditating upon the supreme Bhramam would remove the darkness of ignorance and leads to liberation from worldly existence.  The Universal spirit is supreme bliss, the spiritual seeker should learn from the qualified preceptor, never be suspicious about the preceptor and do not expect that the preceptor will show supreme spirit and he will take you to the highest state of spirituality.  A preceptor can guide a disciple; he cannot fulfill all the desires of the disciple.  The disciple should take sincere initiative to learn, the preceptor cannot quench his thirst to envision the supreme spirit, it is the responsibility of the disciple to put sincere effort and constant practice in search of it, earnestly follow the instructions of the preceptor, only truthful and righteous would attain the supreme bliss, eventually it will take the disciple to the state of liberation.  Whoever witnesses the supreme spirit with his divine sight would automatically leave the attachment to senses and worldly desires, he will not worry about the physical body, and ultimately the mind will remain calm and serene.  Once the illusion goes away from the mind, all the fickleness will destroy and all the Karma ends.  It is true that a Jeevathma cannot be a Bramham, but it can transform into a form of Bramham.  In this way, a soul attains supreme bliss.”

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 29

Yuktheshwarji and his disciple Mukundlal Gosh had Dharshan of Babaji.  There was a disciple Kalikumar Rai of Yogiraj, he used to visit his preceptor regularly, unfortunately, Kalikumar Rai’s boss does not like this habit of him, his boss thought all the saints are making fool of people.  He tried many times to put off the spiritual interest in Rai Sahab, but his faith and devotion to Yogiraj had never changed.   He regularly visits Yogiraj and serves him.  One day Rai Sahab’s boss followed him and arrived at the house of Yogiraj, he sat on the last row of the devotees,  he arrived with a firm decision to expose the wickedness of this saint, he sat there and keenly watched at Yogiraj.   Mahashay asked his disciple “Would you like to watch a movie?” everyone agreed to it, Lahiri Mahashay asked to put off the light in the chamber, asked the disciples to sit in a circle and one person should close the other person's eye, Lahiri Mahashay asked, “ Could you vision anything?” Everyone said “ Yes, we could see a beautiful woman in red saree standing under the Gajakarnna plant,” Mahashay asked the boss of Rai Sahab “ Do you know this woman?” he said “ Yes I know her, I am ignorant leaving my beautiful wife at home, I was chasing this woman.  I am ashamed of my wicked sense.  Kindly forgive me and give me Dheeksha and bless me.”  Yogiraj said, “ If you can leave all these illicit relationships for six months, then I will give you Dheeksha.”  He could control his sense for three months, not more than that.  Once again he started chasing the prostitute for sensual pleasure, within a month he passed away.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 28

Yogiraj had several disciples and these disciples had their own disciples, and many of them attained the highest of the spiritual state.  There was Panchanan Banerji who was one of the prominent disciples of Yogiraj,   had a disciple Varadhacharan and he had disciples Kaji Najrul Islam, and Subhashchandra Bose.  In this way, the succession of Yogis goes endless.

Yogiraj’s disciple Ramdhayal Mazumdar had a disciple Sant Seetharam Omkarnath.  Pandit Gopinath Kaviraj elaborately mentioned about all these saints in his work.  There was a shrine built in Puri in the name of Lahiri Mahashay by Bhupendra Sanyal who attained Dheeksha without visiting his house in Kashi.  Bhupendra Sanyal heard about Mahashay and admired him dearly, he sincerely prayed with all hearts.  One night while he was in deep sleep, Lahiri Mahashay appeared in his dream and gave Dheeksha to Sanyal.  In this way, though he did not receive Dheeksha personally from Lahiri Mahashay, with his intense faith and devotion he attained Dheeksha from Mahashay in his dreams.   Later when he arrived in Kashi, he asked Dheeksha from Yogiraj, Mahashay said “I have already given Dheeksha to you. So there is no meaning in giving Dheeksha again.”

Yogiraj had a nephew Tharaknath Sanyal, once he became severely ill, with the grace of Lahiri Mahashay he regained his good health, he was so surprised to see the supernatural powers of his uncle,  One day Sanyal said “ I want to meet your preceptor.” Sanyal thought if the disciple had these much divine powers, then the preceptor must be supreme in Yogic skills, he wanted to get maximum benefit out of the visit, Yogiraj said “ I asked my preceptor to visit, but he is not willing to do that,”  Yogis are visible only to a very few truly ascetic and pious people, Tharaknath Sanyal did not get Dharshan of Babaji, but a non-believer in Moradabad attained Dharshan of Babaji. 

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 27

There was a mysterious incident happened to photographer Gangadhar.   Mahashay’s disciple Kalikumar Rai wanted to have a photograph with Mahashay, they made to sit Yogiraj in the middle and took a photograph.  The next day after washing the negative the photographer found the photo is fine but Yogiraj is missing.  There was another photographer who came took several shots not to repeat the previous mistake, and he too found that Mahashay was missing in the photograph.  He understood the supernatural powers of Yogiraj and bowed down before him.  He cried and said, “ Maharaj, kindly forgive my mistake, and let me have your picture.” Yogiraj said, “come tomorrow.” Later the photographer managed to get the picture of Mahashay that is widely circulated among the public. 

Once Yogiraj played a trick to his wife Kashimoni Devi, after giving Dheeksha to his wife, they rarely meet each other in the house, they do not spend together in a room,  all the household responsibilities were taken care by Kashimonidevi.   Yogiraj will be always with his devotees and disciple in the ground floor of the house.  One day he came up to meet Kashimonidevi, she shouted at him “ You are too busy with disciples and devotees the whole day, you have never bothered about me or children,  never known about managing affairs of the house, and the work taking place, etc..” seeing her angry, Lahiri Mahashay disappeared from her sight.  He said, “Look at this, are you seeing anything?” Kashimonidevi got really anxious; she did not expect that he would disappear like this.  She begged for pardon and requested him to appear before her.  Yogiraj produces noise from the corner of the room or outside, and continued to play this trick for a while, Kashimonidevi felt uneasy and asked him to appear before her.  She started crying thinking about she had committed an unpardonable mistake to her husband.  Soon Yogiraj appeared before her and said “Leave all the bondage to material things, and always yearn for supreme consciousness, once you attain the supreme bliss, you will never feel for any outward happiness or desire.  Do not worry, soon a disciple will come and give you money to run the house smoothly.” 

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 26

Lahiri Mahashay’s disciples experienced many times that their life was saved by the mercy of their preceptor, one family was coming to visit Mahashay in a bullock cart and on the way the main part of the wheel was broken, the bullock cart got stuck on the ground, it was an isolated place famous of thieves, devotees cried for help and prayed to Yogiraj, soon their bullock cart started rolling from the place, everyone was surprised at this event.  As soon as they arrived in the home of Mahashay, they narrated the mishap, devotee felt Gurudev is not giving attention to the trouble he had gone through to reach so far, so he continued to describe with all his energies, Yogiraj said “Don’t you see, you are sweating, and you did not understand who brought you here.” 

Once a lady arrived to meet Yogiraj, she heard the splendor of Mahashay from her friends, that day onwards she started admiring Yogiraj and had a great belief in him.  While talking she said “ Gurudev, will you give me a photograph of yours? I could not make a visit to you quite often. I would be happy to worship your photograph.” Yogiraj gave a photograph and said “ If you keep this photograph as protective armor, it would do that job, or it would remain photograph always.”  After few days an interesting incident took place, there was a heavy downpour, streets were flooding, she was reciting scriptures, she was sitting close to the daughter-in-law of Mahashay, there was a photograph of Yogiraj near to them.  Suddenly deafening noise of thunder and lightning made the lady shirked out of fear “ Lahiri Mahashay, kindly protect us.”,  lightning appeared too close to them but both of them were miraculously escaped.  Later she said that they were experiencing an ice wall surrounded by them while the lightning appeared close to them. 

Yogiraj used to have amusement with his devotees, Dr.Chandramohan De, a young graduate of medicine arrived to get blessings from Yogiraj, they were talking about many things, finally, Yogiraj asked: “ How did you declare a patient died?” Dr.Chandramohan said, “ when the pulse beat stops we declare dead.” Yogiraj stretched his hands and asked to check his pulse beat and asked him to tell dead or alive. Chandramohan checked the pulse, then he checked the heartbeat, he went to pale, he shrieked out of surprise “It is a super miracle.” Yogiraj asked him to write a death certificate, Chandramohan said: “ I have no problem to follow your orders, but you are alive and speaking.” They laughed at the wit of Mahashay. 

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 25

Lahiri Mahashay had a disciple Kevalanandhji who always had the mercy of his preceptor upon him.  There was a servant named Ramu at Lahiri Mahashay’s residence, he was blind, Kevalanandhji used to think that Mahashay always showers his mercy upon his devotees, why he is distant to Ramu? He always stands behind Mahashay and fanned him, once Kevalanandhji asked Ramu “ When did you become blind?” Ramu said, “ Maharaj, I was born blind.” Kevalandhji said “ You please request Guruji to restore your eyesight, if you attain the blessings of Guruji, you will be able to see the world, people around you and deities.’  The next day Ramu reluctantly spoke to Mahashay about this matter, Mahashay said: “somebody had played a trick on you and put me in trouble, I do not have that skill to restore your eyesight.” Ramu said, “You are my Lord, if you bless me, I will be able to see the world.” Lahiri Mahashay asked him to sit close and touched his middle part of the eyebrows and said “recite Ramanama for another seven days concentrating on the middle part of your eyebrows.  God will give you the eyesight,” After seven days Ramu regained his eyesight and he could able to see his family, Gurudev, and people around him.  Later Guruji said, “continue to recite Ramanama all through your life.”

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 24

Dr. Govardan used to conduct tours to various places while he was at work, whenever he visited India, he immediately arrives Benares to meet Lahiri Mahashay.  Mahashay asked why he is taking the pain to meet him often; Dr.Govardan narrated his work requirements, and revealed his yearning to meet him on a daily basis, Yogiraj kept silent.  Before conducting a trip abroad, once again Dr.Govardan arrived to meet Lahiri Mahashay.  Later, Dr.Govardan had the opportunity to meet his preceptor on daily basis as he was wished.

Pranavanandhji who was one of the railway employees, an ardent disciple of Lahiri Mahashay also had the same experience, he achieved greatest heights in spirituality with the blessings of preceptor and hard work, he used to conduct practice till midnight, he attained the fruit of immense bliss, one-day Pranavanandhji spoke to Yogiraj “Guruji, I want to meet the supreme spirit, my restlessness will not stop until I witness,” Yogiraj advised him to continue his practice, after several months he met Yogiraj and said “ I am not interested to work anymore, I want to take up Yoga and spend all my life in search of superconsciousness,” Yogiraj said “ Apply for pension and do as you wish.” Prananvandhji said that he had started working in Railways a few years before, and there is no proper reason to retire from the work, Yogiraj said, “tell any reason whatever comes into your mind.”  Another day Pranavanandhji applied for pension, the doctor asked for the reason for retirement, he said he is having pain in the spine and creates hindrance at work, without any further inquiries, the doctor sanctioned his paper for the pension.  After retirement, he spent most of the time in practicing Kriya Yog and meditation and he became one of the famous Siddha Yogi and he wrote the famous book ‘Pranava Gita’.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 23

Lahiri Mahashay had a disciple named Abhaya from Kolkata, she conceived eight times and each time she had lost her child.  She conceived for ninth time, she decided to go to Gurudev and earnestly pray for the well-being of the child, she was anxiously waiting to go to Benares, she came with her husband in Howrah station, found that the train is leaving, they had to get the ticket and cross the long way of platform to board on the train, she stood near the ticket counter praying to Yogiraj, she prayed “ Gurudev, kindly stop the train. I cannot wait to see you.” Surprisingly, the engine started the wheels roll down, but the train was not moving from an inch.  The driver, guard, and passengers got out of the train and watching this miracle, soon a stranger came to Abhaya and said “ Sister, please go and board the train, I will bring your tickets. I am also going to Benares,” Abhaya gave the money to the stranger and went to board on the train, soon the stranger rushed to her gave the tickets through the window, because the train was started moving.  No one did understand what’s happening.  Abhaya and her husband prostrate before Guruji, Mahashay said “you could have come by another train; otherwise, you should have left home early.”  Abhaya started crying before Guruji, Mahashay said “ I understood the reason behind your visit. You will have a girl child, during the early hours of labor pain, keep an earthen lamp lighten and keep it carefully, make sure to fill the lamp with enough oil  so that it keeps burning till the next morning.  Don’t let the lamp go off without oil.”  As predicted by Guruji, Abhaya delivered  a beautiful girl child; she was with a lady in her room to take care of her in that night.  During the midnight the light of the lamp became low and low, two ladies were fallen asleep, suddenly the door got wide opened, two ladies were stunned, there the ladies saw Lahiri Mahashay, he said “I have cautioned you, but you were failed to follow it, the earthen lamp is going to go off, pour oil on the lamp immediately,” Abhaya rushed to fill the lamp with oil, she looked around for Lahiri Mahashay, but there was no sign of him.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 22

Krishna Ram was one of the devotee and  close associate of Lahiri Mahashay, they both used to go to have a dip in Ganga, one-day Yogiraj said “ tear-off your clothes,” he repeatedly said to Krishna Ram, he could not understanding anything, soon one brick fell at the feet of Lahiri Mahashay and wounded badly, Krishna Ram torn off his clothes and tied the wounds, Krishna Ram said “ Gurudev, if you know that the brick is going to fall on your feet, you are aware and you could have moved away, why did you stand in the same place and got yourself hurt.” Yogiraj said “ Son, It is not like that, if I stand away from the Prarabdhakarma, definitely, it would make its way to come back, so it is good to receive the fruit of Karma as it comes.”

Yogiraj used to give lectures on scriptures to his devotees and disciple while giving lectures he found some difficulties in continuing, later it was not audible and found difficult follow the lectures and people started staring at each other’s face.  The next day there was a tragedy happened in Japan, it was reported in the newspaper that an aircraft sunk in the ocean and many people have died.  Lahiri Mahashay took great care of his disciples who had intense devotion and faith in him.   He was always been with them in their difficult times.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 21

Lahiri Mahashay was not only proficient in scriptures; he was eminent in philosophies as well.   He used to give elaborate lectures  on the practice of meditation and its benefits, the meditation brings the awareness of supreme spirit which resides as a soul in human beings; this realization brings immense bliss in the worshiper. All the problems can be resolved with Kriya Yoga leads the worshiper to the path of liberation from worldly existence, its fruitfulness depends on the sincerity of the practice; this is the ultimate source which leads to liberation from repeated births.  The practice of Kriya Yoga is meant for all the people who belong to all the Ashrama dharma and Varnna.  The meditation is like a woman keeping the water pot on her head and keeps singing and moving, ultimately her concentration will be on the water pot on her head.  Everyone can perform all their responsibilities while practicing meditation and Kriya Yoga, the fire has the nature to purify the ingredients applied to it, just like the Pranayama purifies the sense organs.  A wavering mind always compel to do sinful deeds, with the regular practice of Pranayama one can achieve stability of the mind when the mind is calm eventually the sense organs also remain calm, when the breath completely stops he is declared as dead, Pranayama lengthen the life span,  Bhagavad Gita says Yogis absorbs Apan Vayu in vital air, the Practice of Pranayama removes fear, anxieties, anger, etc..

Lahiri Mahashay used to prostrate in between the lectures, disciples guessed that there must be the presence of subtle energy of noble-soul in the chamber that could be the reason for it, one disciple had a doubt, and he wanted to clear his suspicion so he came out of the chamber and stood.  Lahiri Mahashay’s home is a pilgrimage to the noble-minded people, so people who pass through the streets offer humble salutations and proceed their journey,  Lahiri Mahashay who was sitting inside the chamber receives their salutation  and respond to them with folded hands, later the disciple  understood that he is prostrating before the people who were walking on the street and offer salutation to Maharaj, everyone highly admired his supernatural powers.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 20

Hithlal who was a worker lived a small village in Bengal, though he had low wages he was contented and good-hearted, he always think of good for others and serve others selflessly, while working he used to feel dull, he did not find the reason, so he silently go to the river bank of Ganga and sit for some time.  One day afternoon he felt distressed and thought of leaving his village and wanted to settle where there are no people of his own, instantly he went to the railway station and approached the ticket counter “kindly give me a ticket.” Officer thought he must be mad, the officer asked “where do you want to go? Hithlal said “Give me a ticket to anywhere. I have this much money, give me a ticket where I can travel with this money.” Ticket officer immediately understood this guy must be crazy, he must have had some serious fight with his wife that is why he is leaving this place; Ticket officer asked “Did you ever visit Benares?” Hithlal said “ No”,  the officer said “ Go to Varanasi. It is one of the sacred lands, there will be lots of saints and noble-souls, Baba Bholenath is there, and you can have Dharshan of him. Then you will get peace of mind.”  He arrived in Varanasi, he asked for Bengali Muhulla and came out of the station, he was starving, he looked around, saw a house was wide open and a gentle person asked: “ Hithlalji  come here.” He was surprised to see the gentle person with a wide smile.  Hithlal looked at him in awe, he tried to recollect from his memory where did he meet this gentle person, Hithlal said “ Forgive me, I am not able to remember you, surprisingly you know my name,” Gentleperson said “  come inside and take bath and have  a meal, after that we will introduce to each other.”  He took bath and had a meal; he came to meet the gentle person that was Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay who was surrounded by disciples and devotees.  Lahiri Mahashay said “ I have to give you Dheeksha today. That’s the reason I have brought you here.  I am Shyamacharan Lahiri,” In this way, Mahashay brought the deserving disciple from far off places without even their knowledge, once Yogiraj mentioned about the mystical way of the preceptor to absorb his disciple, all that needs is intense faith and devotion, and complete surrender to one's own preceptor.   Hithlal bowed down before Mahashay, he felt fortunate to meet Yogiraj. 

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 19

One day a Bhramin arrived to receive Dheeksha from Yogiraj, he is a strict follower of discipline, he takes a regular holy dip in Ganga, undertakes worship of deities, reading scriptures and Veda, on regular basis.   Yogiraj advised him that he is sincerely following all the rites, and he will receive Dheeksha at the right time. The Bhraman felt disappointed and returned, two days after this incident, there arrived an old lady and said “ I want to take up Dheeksha on Kriya Yoga,” Yogiraj advised her to come tomorrow after a holy dip in Ganga.  After her return, one of the devotees asked “ Maharaj, you did not give Dheeksha to a Brahmin who arrived day before yesterday.  But, you were ready to give Dheeksha to an old lady arrived today. What is the reason behind this?”  Lahiri Mahashay said “This Bhramin took up the righteous path in this birth, therefore he is performing all the religious rites sincerely, this old woman already had Yoga Dheeksha in her previous birth, but she could not achieve anything out of it. She had finished all her Karma, therefore she is deserved to attain Yoga Dheeksha.” 

There were people who want to learn everything within a short period of time that too without spending much effort on the practice also visits Mahashay.  There was a disciple who was successful in the basic lessons of Kriya Yoga, but Mahashay does not want to introduce him to the next part of Kriya Yoga.  One day he was discussing it to Mahashay, at that moment a postman arrived, soon Lahiri Mahashay enquired about his regular practice, and asked him to take the second part of Kriya Yoga. Postman Vrinda refused to learn further lessons, he was not aware of the benefits of a higher state of spirituality, he revealed that he is already soaked in bliss after receiving the first part of Kriya Yoga, therefore he is not interested in his work, he said he came to get blessings from Mahashay, so that he can live in bliss always.  Mahashay said, “ Vrinda already in a state of bliss after receiving the first part of Kriya Yoga.”  The disciple who was sitting before him understood the inner meaning of Mahashay’s words, he prostrated before Mahashay and said: “ Guruji, you have removed my illusion, actually I was lost my path in ignorance, kindly forgive me.”  Lahiri Mahashay discourages a person who is unfit for Kriya Yoga, and he would encourage people who really deserve the same.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 18

Lahiri Mahashay attained the knowledge of Kriya Yoga from Babaji.   Once Babaji said, “This Kriya Yoga is a supreme knowledge which was given by Lord Krishna to Arjun.  Later this knowledge was received by an illustrious noble soul like Pathanjali and his various disciples; Pathanjali describes Kriya Yoga as a practice of physical exercise, control of sense, and meditation which releases the sounds of Pranava which is the essence of supreme spirit and creation of the Universe and its living beings.   We are always connected to the Supreme spirit; therefore we could listen to the sounds of Pranava while meditation, Kriya Yogi with the flow of air through the divine Chakras establishes a union with the supreme spirit/Bramham.   Yogi who sincerely follows the instructions of the preceptor, practice their mind and body with great care and attention can absorb the divine power with the continuous practice that elevates consciousness and energy level, it purifies body and mind, and it relieves the sense organs from distress caused by the world of illusion.”

Yogiraj always takes great care of his disciples as well as his devotees.  Sri Surendranath Banerjee, one of the devotees of Lahiri Mahashay was working in Rawalpindi; he was settled in Rampur, Bengal.  During his travels from the workplace, he used to visit Lahiri Mahashay in Kashi.  One day he arrived in Kashi station and did not find any means of transportation, so he walked all the way to Lahiri Mahashay’s residence.  Banerjee was exhausted, prostrated before Lahiri Mahashay.  Mahashay unpleasantly said “Why did you come to Kashi? Go home immediately”, he did not even ask his welfare and not even blessed, shouted at him.  Banerjee felt very sad and his eyes were filled with tears, throat became dry.  Instantly Yogiraj understood the pain of Banerjee, he said “ Ok. You can go now. Take a bath and eat something.  After that immediately go back to the station and go home on the same train. Don’t be late”.   Banerjee Babu was surprised why Mahashay giving such an instruction.  He followed the instruction of Lahiri Mahashay, though he wanted to ask the reason, he had no courage to question his preceptor.  He was already angry at Banerjee, if he asks anything on top of that he was not quite sure how Lahiri Mahashay would react.  As soon as he reached Rampur station, his younger brother was waiting for him, he said “ Brother, you arrived late, after sending telegram I was waiting for the train,” Banerjee babu said “ I did not receive any telegram from you. What’s the matter?” His brother said “Mother’s health is critical,” he rushed to the home and sat near his mother, she lifted two hands to his side and said “ Oh! son, you have arrived at last, I was waiting for you,” Banerjee Babu embraced his mother, immediately she left her mortal coil.  Now he understood the reason behind Lahiri Mahashay’s harsh treatment.