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.

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 17

Yogiraj always receive five rupees after giving Dheeksha to his disciples, he takes ten rupees as Dhakshina from the widow's in order to perform curative procedures.  His wife Kashi Moni Devi, his two sons were the disciple of Mahashay.  There were Panchanan Bhattacharya, Keshavanand, Kevalanand, Vishudhdhanand Saraswathi, Kashinath Shastri, Nagendra Baduri, Prashanth Goswami, Ramgopal Mazumdar, Harinarayanphaladhi, Kailash Chandra, Bandyopadhyay, Ramdhayal Mazumdar, Mahendrasanyal,  King of Nepal, King of Kashi, King of Vardhaman, King of Kashmir, Kalikrishna Thakur, Gurudas Banerji like prominent people were his disciples.  There were many illustrious saints who had received lessons of Kriya Yoga from Lahiri Mahashay, they were  Bhaskarananda Saraswathi, Balanand Bhramachari, and  Sai Baba.  It is not evident that Sai Baba arrived in Kashi and attained Dheeksha from Lahiri Mahashay, Shirdi Sai Baba lived during 1838 -1918, Sri Sathyacharan who was the grandson of Lahiri Mahashay wrote from the diaries of Lahiri Mahashay gave Dheeksha to Nanakpankthi Sai Baba. 

King of Kashi and Baskaranandhji used to visit Thrailangaswamiji very often, Baskaranandhji heard about Shyamacharan Lahiri from Thrailangaswamiji, this made him meet Lahiri Mahashay, and he asked King of Kashi to bring Yogiraj to Kashi.  Baskaranandhji was not used to visit Lahiri Mahashay who was a Grihastha, King of Kashi took Lahiri Mahashay in his vehicle to Baskarandhji’s hermitage, and they both had detailed discussion about the practices of spirituality and Kriya Yoga.  Lahiri Mahashay while giving Dheeksha to his disciple, always check on the capabilities of his disciple, accordingly, he will give teachings on Kriya Yoga.  He explains the basic necessities for Yoga and he will check on his disciple who is following the basic rules, after that he will give lessons further.  Ordinary people cannot follow the basic principles. 

Swami Yogananda wrote about Kriya Yoga that it is an ancient technique of meditation and breath control/Pranayama, it quickens the human evolution, the practice of Pranayama helps human blood  to decarbonizes and recharge with oxygen, the atom of the extra oxygen is transmitted into life current to rejuvenate the brain and spinal centers. 

Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay

Pranams at the lotus feet of Yogiraj!

Chapter – 16

It is believed that women are too devoted and sincere than men in religious and spiritual matters.   Gyanaprabhadevi who was the wife of Bhagavathicharan considered Lahiri Mahashay as her God, she performs the daily ritual to the preceptor, and all her wishes were fulfilled with the blessings of the preceptor.   Once Mukundlal Gosh was afflicted with small-pox, his health became critical, the doctor tried his best to save the boy, but he was not in a position to get out of the bed, Bhagavathicharan lost his hope.  Seeing this, Gyanaprabhadevi came towards her child and showed him the picture of Lahiri Mahashay pasted on the wall and said “Son, offer your humble Pranams to Guruji” he was so weak, he could not even lift his hand.  She said “ No problem son,  offer your Pranams with all your heart.  I am sure you will be alright, God cannot take you away from me.” Mukundlal sincerely prayed to Lahiri Mahashay.  Gyanaprabhadevi poured out all her devotion to Lahiri Mahashay, the very next day onwards the child started feeling better and this child has become one of the famous Yogi known to the world as Paramahamsa Yogananda.  He built Ashrams in Mount Washington, Los Angeles, and California, and Ranchi and Puri in India, in order to spread self-realization and meditation techniques at the divine command of his preceptor Sri Yuktheshwar Giri and Mahavathar Babaji.

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.