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.

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.