Mahavatar Babaji

Mahavatar babaji) Jump to: navigation, search Mahavatar Babaji - a drawing from Autobiography of a Yogi, commissioned by Yogananda and based on his own meeting with Babaji

Mahavatar Babaji is the name given to an Indian saint by Lahiri Mahasaya and several of his disciples^[1] who met Mahavatar Babaji between 1861 and 1935. Some of these meetings were described by Paramahansa Yogananda in his book Autobiography of a Yogi, including a first hand telling of Yogananda's own meeting with Mahavatar Babaji.^[2] Another first hand account was given by Sri Yukteswar Giri in his book The Holy Science.^[3] All of these accounts, along with additional meetings with Mahavatar Babaji, are described in various biographies^[4][5][6] of those mentioned by Yogananda.

Mahavatar Babaji's real name and date of birth are not known, so those who met him during that period all called him by the title first given to him by Lahiri Mahasaya.^[2][6] 'Mahavatar' means 'great avatar', and 'Babaji' simply means 'revered father'. Some of the encounters included two or more witnesses — discussions between those who met Mahavatar Babaji indicate that they all met the same person.^[2][5][4]

[edit] Meetings with Mahavatar Babaji, 1861-1935

edit] Lahiri Mahasaya

The first reported encounter with Mahavatar Babaji was in 1861, when Lahiri Mahasaya was posted to Ranikhet in his work as an accountant for the British government. One day while walking in the hills above Ranikhet, he heard a voice calling his name. Following the voice up the mountain, he met a "tall, divinely radiant sadhu."^[6] He was amazed to find that the sadhu knew his name.^[6][2] This sadhu was Mahavatar Babaji.

Mahavatar Babaji told Lahiri Mahasaya that he was his Guru from the past, then initiated him into Kriya Yoga, and instructed Lahiri to initiate others. Lahiri wanted to remain with Mahavatar Babaji, who told him instead that he must return to the world to teach Kriya Yoga, and that "Kriya Yoga sadhana would spread through the people of the world through his (Lahiri's) presence in the world."^[6]

Lahiri Mahasaya reported that Mahavatar Babaji did not give his name or background, so Lahiri gave him the title "Mahavatar Babaji." Many sadhus in India are called Babaji, and sometimes even "Babaji Maharaj", which has caused confusion between Mahavatar Babaji and other sadhus with similar names.^[6]

Lahiri Mahasaya had many meetings with Mahavatar Babaji, recounted in several books, including Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi,^[2] Yogiraj Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya (Lahiri's biography)^[6], and Purana Purusha: Yogiraj Sri Shama Churn Lahiree,^[7] among others.

edit] Disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya

Several disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya also said they met Babaji. Through discussion with each other, and the fact that some of these encounters included two or more witnesses, they confirmed that the person they saw was the same sadhu that Lahiri called Mahavatar Babaji.^[6][2][8]

In 1894, at the Kumbha Mela in Allahabad, Sri Yukteswar Giri, a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, met Mahavatar Babaji. He was surprised by the striking resemblance between Lahiri Mahasaya and Mahavatar Babaji.^[5][2] Others who met Babaji also commented on the resemblance.^[6] It was at this meeting that Mahavatar Babaji instructed Sri Yukteswar to write the book that was to become Kaivalya Darshanam, or The Holy Science.^[3] Sri Yukteswar had two more meetings with Mahavatar Babaji, including one in the presence of Lahiri Mahasaya.^[6][2][5]

Swami Pranabananda Giri, another disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, also met Mahavatar Babaji in the presence of Lahiri Mahasaya, at Lahiri's home. Pranabananda asked Mahavatar Babaji his age. Mahavatar Babaji responded that he was about 500 years old at that time.^[4]

Swami Keshabananda Giri, a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, tells of meeting Mahavatar Babaji in the mountains near Badrinath around 1935, after he became lost wandering in the mountains.^[2] At that meeting, Pranabananda reported that Babaji gave him a message for Yogananda, that "I won't see him this time, as he is eagerly hoping; but I shall see him on some other occasion."^[2]

Other disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya who reported meetings with Mahavatar Babaji include Swami Kebalananda Giri^[9] and Ram Gopal Muzumdar, who recounted meeting Mahavatar Babaji and his sister, whom he called Mataji.^[2][6] In addition, a woman disciple of Trailanga Swami, Shankari Mata (also called Shankari Mai Jiew) met Mahavatar Babaji while visiting Lahiri Mahasaya.^[6][2]

[edit] Legends about Mahavatar Babaji

Legendary powers and age have been attributed to Mahavatar Babaji—by the disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya, and by additional unconfirmed stories told in modern times. These stories have led many to believe that Mahavatar Babaji is a legendary person, rather than a real sadhu that was seen by numerous witnesses from 1861-1935.

Paramahansa Yogananda, in his Autobiography, described Mahavatar Babaji's role on earth:

The Mahavatar is in constant communion with Christ; together they send out vibrations of redemption, and have planned the spiritual technique of salvation for this age. The work of these two fully-illumined masters–one with the body, and one without it–is to inspire the nations to forsake suicidal wars, race hatreds, religious sectarianism, and the boomerang-evils of materialism. Babaji is well aware of the trend of modern times, especially of the influence and complexities of Western civilization, and realizes the necessity of spreading the self-liberations of yoga equally in the West and in the East.

In addition, Babaji is reputed to be ageless, according to some accounts, and about 500 years old around the late 1800's, according to Swami Pranabananda.^[4] Yogananda reports that, according to the disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya, nobody knows Babaji's age, family, place of birth, true name, or other details "dear to the annalist's heart."^[2]

edit] Mahavatar Babaji as Krishna

Lahiri Mahasaya wrote in his diary that Mahavatar Babaji was Lord Krishna.^[7] Two disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda report that he also stated Mahavatar Babaji was Krishna in a former lifetime.^[10][11] Yogananda also frequently prayed out loud to "Babaji-Krishna."^[12]

[edit] Modern references and claims

Since the publication of Autobiography of a Yogi in 1946, many people have claimed that they had visions of Mahavatar Babaji. Some of these people offered more background about Babaji.

Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga Tradition by M. Govindan, claims to build upon the story of Mahavatar Babaji by giving new details, such as Mahavatar Babaji's birthdate (30th of November 203 A.D.), birthplace (Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu), youth, and attainment of the highest goal of physical immortality under the guidance of two great Siddha Masters of South India - Agastyar and Bogar. The book The Voice of Babaji: A Trilogy on Kriya Yoga narrates the meetings that brought this new information about the life of Babaji. This book is a modern reprint of three different books that were published in India along the 50's.

Also Swami Satyeswarananda said that he had several meetings with Babaji. Satyeswarananda is still alive. He published the book "Babaji: The Divine Himalayan Yogi" recording his experiences, and also "Babaji: Lahiri Mahasay : The Polestar of Kriya". His narration of the meeting of Babaji with Pranabananda contradicts other versions of it ^[4]. So Babaji could be much older than 500 years old. Satyeswarananda has also published several books of Lahiri Mahasaya.

Another saint who is identified with Mahavatar Babaji is Hariakhan Baba, a teacher who lived and taught from 1861 through 1924. This Babaji is discussed in the book Hariakhan Baba: Known and Unknown by Baba Hari Dasa. Several accounts were also written by an Indian holy man named Mahendra Baba, who identified him as being the same person as Mahavatar Babaji. Roy Eugene Davis, a direct personal disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda and former minister of the Self-Realization Fellowship Phoenix Temple, expressed a similar conclusion in his book Life Surrendered in God: The Philosophy and Practices of Kriya Yoga.

Another teacher who is identified with Mahavatar Babaji has a similar name, Haidakhan Babaji. He lived in northern India and taught publicly from 1970 until his death in 1984. The spiritual teacher Leonard Orr wrote about his encounters with Haidakhan Babaji, and together with Sondra Ray, promoted him as being Mahavatar Babaji.^{[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]}

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, Ram Gopal Muzumdar, Swami Kebalananda, Swami Pranabananda Giri
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m} Yogananda, Paramahansa, Autobiography of a Yogi, 2005. ISBN 978-1565892125.
3. ^ ^{a b} Yukteswar Giri, Sri, The Holy Science. Yogoda Satsanga Society, 1949
4. ^ ^{a b c d e} Mukhopadyay, Sri Jnananedranath, Srimad Swami Prananabananda Giri, Sri Jnananedranath Mukhopadyay Property Trust, 2001.
5. ^ ^{a b c d} Satyananda Giri, Swami, Swami Sri Yukteshvar Giri Maharaj, from A Collection of Biographies of 4 Kriya Yoga Gurus, iUniverse Inc. 2006. ISBN 978-0595386758.
6. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} Satyananda Giri, Swami, Yogiraj Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasay, from A Collection of Biographies of 4 Kriya Yoga Gurus, iUniverse Inc. 2006. ISBN 978-0595386758.
7. ^ ^{a b} Chatterjee, Ashoke Kumar, Purana Purusha: Yogiraj Sri Shama Churn Lahiri. Yogiraj Publications, 2004. ISBN 81-87563-01-X.
8. ^ Satyananda, Swami, Yogacharya Shastri Mahasaya: A Short Biographical Sketch of Hamsaswami Kebalanandaji Maharaj.Yoganiketan, 2004.
9. ^ Satyananda, Swami, Yogacharya Shastri Mahasaya: A Short Biographical Sketch of Hamsaswami Kebalanandaji Maharaj.Yoganiketan, 2004
10. ^ Kriyananda, Swami: Conversations with Yogananda, page 347. Crystal Clarity Publishers, 2003. ISBN 156589202X
11. ^ Sri Durga Mata: A Paramhansa Yogananda Trilogy of Divine Love, page 50, copyright Joan Wight, 1992. ISBN 0963583808
12. ^ Yogananda, Paramahansa: various articles (Praecepta Lessons, Volume 1, by Swami Yogananda, 1934) and recordings (One Life Versus Reincarnation [CD]. ISBN 0876124392).
13. ^ Shyam, Radhe, I Am Harmony.
14. ^ Reichel, Gertraud, Babaji - Gateway to the Light.
15. ^ Reichel, Gertraud, Message from the Himalayas.
16. ^ Goodman, Shdema, Babaji: meeting with Truth.
17. ^ Chaghatai, Ikram, BabaJi.
18. ^ Minett, Gunnel, Babaji: Shri Haidakhan Wale Baba.
19. ^ Churchill, Pola, Shiva Mahavatar Babaji.
20. ^ Several authors, Babaji the unfathomable.

[edit] See also

• Autobiography of a Yogi on Wikisource:
• Autobiography of a Yogi, Chapter 33: Babaji, the Yogi-Christ of Modern India
• Autobiography of a Yogi, Chapter 34: Materializing a Palace in the Himalayas
• Autobiography of a Yogi, Chapter 36: Babaji's Interest in the West

[edit] External links

• "In search of Babaji." from What is Enlightenment?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavatar_Babaji"

Categories: Year of birth unknown | Year of death unknown | Hindu religious figures | Longevity myths | Yogis

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The Hindu faith is rich in scriptures but the engine that drives it has always been the guidance and energy of God-realized men. In practical terms, the instructions given by such a guru overrule whatever apparent divergence it may assume from scriptural injunctions. At the current moment, an incredible phenomenon is sweeping the spiritual landscape of India, which proves the truth of the above. This is the sudden rise in prominence of a hitherto almost unknown guru into what can only be described as the Numero Uno position amongst spiritual Masters. This great master is known only as Babaji, a generic term for yogic holy men. He is supposed to have achieved immortality in the physical body, and lives presently in a secluded Himalayan ashram. His job is to oversee all spiritual impulses connected with India's grand and myriad tradition of yoga. He is over 1800 years old but appears as a young man in his twenties. The Babaji phenomenon is marvelously Hindu and demonstrates its instinctual process of evolution. Let it be at once stated clearly that nothing about Babaji will satisfy any notions of scientific verification or validity. All that we know about him is frankly hearsay, the accounts of men who claim to have encountered this awesome force of divinity. These are men of unimpeachable spiritual integrity however, men who would never consider lying, no matter what the reason. If they say they met Babaji, then that is that. But it is not 'proof'. As the old and very wise saying goes: "For those who do not believe, no proof is possible those who believe, no proof is needed." India has always regarded empirical verification as beside the point, trusting implicitly in the veracity of spiritual experiences. From that cultural standpoint, it makes no difference even if each and every one of these sightings are dubbed the products of imagination. As Shaw's Saint Joan retorted when told her voices were only her imagination, "Of course. That is how God speaks to us." Once we accept that qualification, the rapidly ascending influence of Babaji is easy to appreciate and indeed participate in. The presence of Babaji was first announced to the world by Paramahamsa Yogananda in his famous book, Autobiography of a Yogi, in the mid 20th century. It was there that Babaji was revealed as the Great Master who oversees the important version of yoga known as Kriya Yoga. This has become one of the most important forms of yoga in the world today, practiced by millions every day and most of them outside India to boot. Babaji would appear to Yogananda's guru, Sri Yukteshwar, and he was the direct physical guru to Yukteshwar's guru, Lahiri Mahashaya. Babaji was and is considered to have been a great Master in charge of cosmic processes, diligently overlooking the spiritual evolution of mankind. He had a sister called Mataji or Mother, another generic title, who had also achieved immortality in the body. It is now revealed that Mataji is actually his cousin-sister, a relationship that in India is considered as close as the real thing. No real details about who Babaji was were given in the first book. Now an entire army of disciples have emerged to proclaim the greatness of the Deathless One. Many books about him have been written, there is a foundation dedicated to propagating Kriya Yoga and there is even a temple constructed at his birthplace, which, I predict, is going to become one of the most popular sites in India by the end of the century. The following account attempts to harmonize all the strands of the Babaji story, which is very much a work in progress! The Deathless One was born in the year 203 AD on November 30th in a village known today as Parangipettai in Tamil Nadu state. Portuguese traders had a colony there many centuries later and called it Porto Novo or New Port. The astrological conjunctions of the heavens at his birth were supposed to be identical to those of Krishna's birth and portended a great spiritual future. The boy was named Nagaraj, "Serpent King", by his Nambudri Brahmin parents who had migrated from Kerala state. The Nambudris are a community famed for spiritual knowledge and they also produced the great Adi Shankara who is supposed to have been initiated into yoga by Babaji. Little is known about his childhood, as Babaji apparently does not see fit to talk about it. Two incidents however seem to stand out. The first was something that took place when he was only four years old. A jackfruit had been obtained for a family feast, but the young Nagaraj found it unattended and managed to eat it all up by himself, jackfruit being a very tasty delicacy. This by the way is a little miracle in itself, as the fruit grows into the size of a small child when ripe. His furious mother lost her reason for a moment and stuffed a piece of cloth into the young child's throat, almost suffocating him to death. This un-motherly action was a great spiritual revelation to the young child. He found out that he still loved her but there was no longer any attachment or illusion clinging to the love as is common to the rest of humanity. His mother taught him detached Witness compassion and love by this shocking act. When he was five the young child was kidnapped! The man carrying him off was identified as a foreigner from Baluchisthan, of all places, in the present day Pakistan. What was this man doing almost four thousand miles away from his homeland? In those days that area was a Buddhist stronghold, Islam not even in existence. And how did they know he was from Baluchisthan? It is a weird and completely incongruous note in the narrative. In any case, he kidnapped the child and then made a long haul across the country to somewhere near the present day Calcutta where he sold Nagaraj as a slave. First he comes down all the way from Pakistan and then he travels 1500 kms to the east to get rid of his victim; this is one very strange bird indeed. However, the geographical significance may explain why Babaji began to appear with such regularity to spiritual practitioners living in that area.