Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 15

Sri Avinash Babu was working as a clerk in Bengal - Nagpur Railway office, one day he had a desire to meet his preceptor, he applied for leave for a week, his senior officer was Sri Bhagavathicharan Gosh who had a son Mukundlal Gosh, he had divine powers from the early years of childhood, later he embraced Sanyasa and came to know as Paramahamsa Yogananda.   Yogananda was a disciple of Sri Yuketheshwargiri who was the disciple of Lahiri Mahashay,  he had the Dharshan of Mahavathar Babaji and with his blessings, he went to America to spread the practice of meditation and Kriya Yoga.  He organized many institutions for self-realization in America and was the author of famous work “ Yogi Kathamrith”.   

Avinash Babu was questioned by Bhagavathicharan “why did you want to leave for a week.”  Avinash Babu said, “ I want to meet my preceptor Lahiri Mahashay, my heart says so, I am feeling little disturbed in his absence.” Bhagavathicharan said “ Avinash Babu, stop your madness.  Karma is important than Dharma and Guru, Karma by which we are earning our livelihood. If you want to be successful in life, leave all this craziness behind and concentrate on your work.”  Avinash Babu felt so disappointed after listening to his senior officer. He understood that it is a waste of time to argue or request for leave again.  In the evening, Avinash Babu remembering his preceptor Lahiri Mahashay and walking through the streets Kolkata, he started hating his work, he was terribly upset.  On the way he met Bhagavathicharan, seeing his dull face Bhagavathicharan gave advises so that he may feel better, but Avinash Babu was not willing to withdraw his mind from the visit to his preceptor.  He was tormented by the memories of Lahiri Mahashay, they both walked for a long distance in silence and came into an open ground, suddenly a brilliant ray appeared before them, from the light appeared Lahiri Mahashay, he said “ Bhagavathicharan, you are too insensitive to your subordinate Avinash Babu,”  Avinash Babu seeing Lahiri Mahashay before him,  cried out for him and prostrated before him.  Soon that brilliant ray disappeared from the sight; Bhagavathicharan was in a great shock to witness all. Bhagavathicharan said “ Avinash, I am also taking leave and joining with you to Kashi.  I never knew that your preceptor could appear before us like this. Tomorrow I will be coming with my wife to Varanasi, will you help me to get Dheeksha from your preceptor.”  As planned earlier, Bhagavathicharan and his wife arrived in Varanasi, they prostrated before Lahiri Mahashay, he said “ Bhagavathi, you are too insensitive to your assistant,” this was exactly he heard while walking with Avinash Babu yesterday.  Later Bhagavathicharan and his wife became a devoted disciple of Lahiri Mahashay. 

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 14

Once, Ramgopal Mazumdar who was a disciple of Lahiri Mahashay appealed to Mahashay about his earnest desire   to meet Babaji, Lahiri Mahashay said “When the time comes, you will meet Babaji,”.  Ramgopal Mazumdar came to Kashi to meet Lahiri Mahashay who was surrounded by many disciples and devotees, it was almost dawn, it was the beginning of the first part of the night, Lahiri Mahashay said to Ramgopal “ You go to Dhashashvamedha Ghat immediately and wait there.” Ramgopal immediately left to Dhashashvamedha Ghat, though he wanted to know the reason for sending him in this first part of the night to Dhashashvamedha Ghat, later he thought there must be something important that’s why his preceptor advised him to go.  Ramgopal came in Dhashashvamedha Ghat and seated in a place.  Soon a rock rolled down from the stairs and went to nothingness, there was a cave appeared from the place where the rock fell down, a beautiful woman emerged out of the cave, she said “I am Mathaji, people address me in this name. I am the sister of Babaji who is the preceptor of Lahiri Mahashay.  He is going to be here soon for an important purpose.” Soon they could see a brilliant light in the sky from that Lahiri Mahashay appeared, in the same manner, one more brilliant light appeared and Babji came in to view, Ramgopal was stunned to witness them.  He could see the similarities in the appearance of Babaji and Lahiri Mahashay, there was the only difference that Babaji had long and reddish-brown hair.   Lahiri Mahashay and Ramgopal prostrated before Mathaji.   Babaji said, “Hail to you sister, I want to leave the mortal coil.” Mathaji said “I understood your wish that is the reason I am here to discuss it. Kindly do not leave your mortal coil.” Babaji and Mathaji had a discussion on this subject for some time.   Finally, Babaji said “Ok. I will not sacrifice my mortal coil.” After that, both of them disappeared from sight.  When Ramgopal came back to meet Lahiri Mahashay, he found that Mahashay was giving lectures on immortality, he did not move an inch from his seat.  Ramgopal prostrated before Lahiri Mahashay.  Mahashay said: “you wanted to meet Babaji so long, it was good that finally, your wish has come true.”

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 13

One day a man approached Babaji and said “ Gurudev, I was searching for you in the whole woods, I am here with an appeal to you, kindly accept me as your disciple,” Gurudev did not respond to his request, he became anxious seeing the silence of Babaji, he said “ If you did not accept me as your disciple, I will jump from this mountain and sacrifice my life.” Babaji said “ Do it. I cannot accept you as my disciple.” Immediately that person jumped from the mountain and sacrificed his life, it was an experiment conducted by Babaji on that person, thus he became successful in his test.  Later, Babaji said his disciple to bring his dead body, many disciples went down and conducted a rigorous search for the body and brought it before Babaji.  While everyone was watching in awe, Babaji put his hands on his head, his life was restored and he was brought back to normal, he prostrated before Gurudev.   At that moment Sri Kevalanandhji and Lahiri Mahashay were present before Babaji.  Babaji pleasantly said “You have passed in a difficult test, now you are qualified to remain as my disciple, death cannot touch you,”

Lahiri Mahashay used to talk about his preceptor,  “he is a divine personified on the Earth, Babaji is mercy personified, whoever remembers his name with devotion and faith would attain his blessings and guidance in spirituality.” Sri Yuktheshwar Giri who was a disciple of Lahiri Mahashay has seen Babaji in person several times.  Once Yuktheshwarji was attending the Prayag Kumbhamela to take a holy dip in Ganga, there was a huge crowd of saints and holy men as usual.   He saw a few of them were begging for alms, he felt disappointed thinking that there is no one true in search of Supreme spirit, Is this festival for begging alms? At that moment, one stranger came towards Yuktheshwarji and said “ Maharaj, one saint is waiting for you, kindly come with me.” Yuktheshwarji was spellbound, there was no one familiar to him in the Prayag, he asked “ Who is he?” the stranger said “ he is sitting under the tree.” He came forward to see the saint, where he could see Babaji who has great splendor sitting under the shade of the tree and few of his disciples were sitting around him, he came close to  Yuktheshwarji and embraced him, Yuketheshwarji felt some divine energy passing through his body, he felt supreme bliss,  Babaji said “ Sanyasin, kindly be seated,”.  Those days Yuktheshwarji was not initiated to Sanyasa, he was learning Kriya Yoga from Lahiri Mahashay, so  he said “ I am not a saint,” and Babaji repeated, “ kindly be seated.” There were lectures on Gita was going on, suddenly the saint said “You were writing Bashya on Gita, aren’t you?” Yuktheshwar was shocked, he never discussed this thing with anyone, he was surprised how did the saint know about it all, saint started speaking “you must be knowing Shyamacharan Lahiri living in Kashi, give my message to him, tell him that there is little time left, energy is draining,” Yuktheshwarji stunned and looked at Babaji. While leaving Babaji said, “I will meet you again.” Yuktheshwarji conveyed all the messages to Lahiri Mahashay after returning from Prayag, Lahiri Mahashay  while listening about Babaji went into a state of trance,  he said “ Yuktheshwar, you are really fortunate, you have seen my preceptor,” Yuktheshwarji was in an awe after listening to Lahirimahashay,  he had not even a single thought of meeting Babji who is a great master for whom several noble souls are yearning to meet him for several Yugas, he was not even thought of this fortune in his dreams, he felt so disappointed and hated himself for not bowing down his head before the great Mahapurusha.   Lahiri Mahashay understood the state of mind of Yuktheshwarji and said “do not worry, Babji already promised to meet you again, therefore he will definitely give his Dharshan, you finish your writing task.”   Yuktheshwarji built an Ashram at Srirampur/Serampur in Bengal; he finished his writing task in that hermitage.  One day he finished bathing in Ganga and while returning he saw Babaji under the shade of a tree surrounded by his disciples, he rushed to Babaji and bowed down his head at his lotus feet, Yuktheshwarji said “ Babaji, kindly visit my hermitage, and purify it with your presence .” He did not accept the request of Yuktheshwarji, so he said “Kindly wait here for some time, I will bring offerings to Guruji, so that I may achieve some piousness of feeding my Guru.”  Yuktheshwarji rushed to the nearby sweet shop, when he returned there was no one to be seen, he felt miserable.  Yuktheshwarji’s sorrow was visible to Lahiri Mahashay, he prostrated before Lahiri Mahashay.   Mahashay asked, “ did you meet Babaji at the door.” Yuktheshwarji said, “ No I did not meet him.” Lahiri Mahashay said “ See, he is standing there, waiting for you” Yuktheshwarji shocked to see Babaji is standing at the door and he was all smiling, his body has great effulgence, seeing Yuktheshwarji’s non-responsiveness, Lahiri Mahashay became anxious and said “ Yuktheshwar, you did not prostrate before Babaji till now.?” Babaji said “ Yuktheshwar is angry at me. Child, you were too emotional that day that was the reason I had to leave, I was behind the sun, you could not see me, keep practicing meditation,” saying so Babaji disappeared from their sight.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 12

Lahiri Mahashay used to address his preceptor Babaji, who is Mahasiddha Purusha of this age, same as  Mahathapaji/Maharishi Mahathapa Paramahamsa, who is the preceptor of Swami Vishudhdhanand Paramahansa still resides in Ghyanganj Mutt in Tibet.  Babaji lives close to the shrine of Badarinarayan.  Babaji’s disciple Paramahamsa Yogananda wrote in his book ‘The Autobiography of a Yogi” about Babaji that there is not much information available about him.  Babaji speaks in Hindi but he is capable to handle all the languages effortlessly, he has assumed the simple name for him. Lahiri Mahashay’s disciple addresses him as Mahamuni Babaji, Maharaj, Mahayogi, Thraymbakbaba, and Shivbaba.  This Yogi’s body has no sign of age, he is always youthful like twenty-five year old, he has fair complexion, medium built, good physique, charming face, great effulgence, black eyes, serene face, and full of kindness, his long hair locks up to shoulder are reddish brown in color, his facial appearance is similar with Lahiri Mahashay.  Once, Lahiri Mahashay described Babaji to his disciple that he had given Yoga Dheeksha to Jagathguru Sri Shankaracharya, and Saint Kabir das as well.  Kevalanand was the disciple of Lahiri Mahashay described a real incident to Swami Yogananda.  One night there were few disciples were sitting close to fire pit with Babaji.  Suddenly Babaji took a blazing wood from the pit and struck on a disciple who yelled out of uncontrollable pain, Kevalanand said “ Guruji, why did you do such a merciless act.” Guruji said “his sinful deeds of previous births were burnt into ashes.” he put his hand on the wound of the disciple and removed his hand in a few minutes and there were no signs of the wound at all.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter - 11

Swami Yuktheshwar and Ram was a disciple as well as a close friend to Mahashay, once Ram was afflicted with severe infection and medicine was not helping him, Yuktheshwar selflessly served his friend, Ram’s condition became worse so he came to Mahashay and informed all about the distraught state of Ram.  Mahashay said doctor giving medicine and nothing to worry, he will be alright soon, Mahashay advised Yuktheshwar to continue his service to Ram. Yuktheshwar was felt relieved after listening to Mahashay.  One day doctor said that Ram cannot be saved, he may stay alive for another two hours.  Yuktheshwar extremely worried, he rushed to Mahashay, he was consoled by Mahashay that nothing will happen to Ram, he will be alright. Yuktheshwar saw Ram is getting worse every hourly, suddenly Ram woke up from the bed and said “ Yuktheshwar I am leaving, kindly tell Gurudev to bless my body,” soon he fell on the bed, Yuktheshwar became inconsolable, soon rest of the disciples of Mahashay came, Yuktheshwar rushed to Lahiri Mahashay to convey the demise of Ram.  Mahashay went to transcendental state after hearing from Yuktheshwar, the state continued for several hours,  after that he got up from the state the next morning and informed Yuktheshwar to collect a few drops of oil from the earthen lamp and put seven drops of oil in the mouth of Ram, Yuktheshwar said “ Guruji, he passed away yesterday afternoon. What I do with this oil?” Mahashay said “ Do what I say, nothing to worry,”.  Yuktheshwar returned with the oil, saw Ram’s body showing up the sign of life, he took the help of a disciple and put seven drops of oil in Ram’s mouth, immediately after the seventh drop, Ram’s body started moving, slowly he sat up on the bed,  Ram said “ I saw Mahashay in the ray of light, he asked me to leave sleep and wake up, he advised me to meet him immediately.” Soon three of the disciples came to Mahashay, he was extremely happy to receive them, he said “ Yuktheshwar told you not to worry about anything. I have told you two times, but you did not believe me, I do not want to interfere in doctor’s work, I hope you will keep stock of castor oil, it would keep the patient away from the mouth of death.”  Yuktheshwar and disciples prostrated before Mahashay, Yuktheshwar bow down before Mahashay and said “ Guruji, kindly forgive my mistake, I was ignorant, I could not understand the meaning of your words.”

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter - 10

 Lahiri Mahashay remembered the writings in Yogavashisht about supreme bliss.  The miseries, pain, and sorrows cannot harm the soul, it afflicts the body and sense organs.   The soul forgets its real nature of permanent bliss due to the ignorance and gets attached to the body and sense organs eventually suffer from pain, miseries, grief, and sorrow.   This material world is an illusion, we are soaked in the illusion, therefore, we forget the nature of the soul; we are acting as an instrument and move along with miseries, afflictions, fleeting happiness, sorrows, and grief.  All those sensual pleasures are short living,  they fasten humans more and more into the worldly bondage, ultimately they cause miseries, afflictions, and pain.  A person who understands the fact that the supreme soul who is the source of permanent bliss resides as the soul in all the living beings, so there is no difference in soul and the supreme spirit, eventually came to understand the eternal truth “Aham Bhramasmi”.  The person who understands the highest of the truth that there is no difference between soul and supreme soul, instantly relieved from the illusion and will not be tormented with the pain, miseries, or sorrows.  It is called knowledge of ‘Self’.  

Yogiraj Lahiri Mahashay used to demonstrate humility before his disciple; his home was a pilgrim place for all the pious people.  There were several people used to assemble to listen to his lectures on Bhagavad Gita.  There was Ramprasad Jaiswal who has the business of selling liquor was also one of his devotees of Lahiri Mahashay was present to listen to his speeches,  as usual, the pious people and Bhramin assembled were disliked his presence.  Once a scholar asked him “Don't you feel ashamed of yourself? Why do not you sit away, why are you sitting in the crowd of twice-born? move away from here, and sit in a corner.” Yogiraj felt miserable after listening to the harsh words of the scholar, he stood up from his seat, he called for Ramprasad and said: “ Ramprasad, come and be seated in my place.” Lahiri Mahashay changed his seat. Ramprasad was frightened to see one scholar shouted at him to move away, Yogiraj calling him to take his seat, he was so confused, he thought he must have made some grave mistake, seeing the pathetic situation of Ramprasad, Yogiraj said: “ Come here and take my seat.” He fell at the feet of Yogiraj and said “ Maharaj, kindly do not command me to do so. I cannot commit this terrible sin,”.  Immediately the Zamindar of Kashmipur, Rai Bahadur understood his foolishness, he rushed towards Yogiraj and apologized, and he moved towards Ramprasad and asked for forgiveness, later he took Ramprasad with him and made him sit with him.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter - 9

Yogacharya Dr.Ashokumar Chatterji in his book “ Purana Purusha” mentioned that Lahiri Mahashay was introduced  Sai Baba to Kriya Yoga. In the year 1886 after retirement from the work, he invested a major part of his life on Meditation and Kriya Yoga, during this period of time he had several visitors. Lahiri Mahashay never revealed the fact that he is a holy man, he enlightens people with the knowledge in scriptures, Veda, Dharma Shastra, etc.. Grandson of Yogiraj wrote in a book about the incarnation of saint Kabirdas in the three Yug.  Yogiraj used to write his diary in Hindi, not in Bengali, he does not believe in religion, though he was a born in a strict Bhramin family. He advises people that we are children of Supreme Lord, none of the wealth or possession is not ours and it’s not going follow us, one day we have to leave this behind, therefore always remember the supreme soul which is the ultimate asylum of all.  Everyone knows that Lahiri Mahashay never saw any difference between Hindu, or Muslim or Christian.

Lahiri Mahashay went to attend Kumbha Mela in Allahabad, he was roaming around with the saints and holy men assembled there.  Suddenly his eyes fallen on a heavy matted hair lock Sanyasin, in front of the Sanyasin his preceptor was sitting humbly and massaging the feet of Sanyasin. Lahiri Mahashay asked his preceptor “ Gurudev, you are serving this Sanyasin,”  his preceptor did not look at Lahiri Mahashay and answered “ Now I am massaging his feet, later I will clean his vessels, I am learning humility by serving knowledgeable as well as people of no knowledge.” Lahiri Mahashay understood that it was an instruction of his preceptor about service to noblemen, the Supreme Lord resides as the soul in humans, after this incident, Lahiri Mahashay had a tremendous change in his behavior.