| Revision as of 02:00, 8 March 2006 editZsinj (talk | contribs)Administrators16,120 editsm Reverted edits by NoToFrauds (Talk) to last version by Guanaco← Previous edit | Revision as of 02:00, 8 March 2006 edit undoNoToFrauds (talk | contribs)131 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
| ==Post-Yogananda claims about Mahavatar Babaji== | ==Post-Yogananda claims about Mahavatar Babaji== | ||
| Since the publication of Autobiography of a Yogi in 1946, several teachers have claimed a direct connection to Mahavatar Babaji, and offered more background stories about Babaji. Some of these stories conflict with the details in Autobiography of a Yogi, and some contradict each other. There are different opinions on whether these stories refer to the Mahavatar Babaji that Yogananda wrote about. | Since the publication of Autobiography of a Yogi in 1946, several teachers have claimed a direct connection to Mahavatar Babaji, and offered more background stories about Babaji. Some of these stories conflict with the details in Autobiography of a Yogi, and some contradict each other. There are different opinions on whether these stories refer to the Mahavatar Babaji that Yogananda wrote about. | ||
| In light of the claims about Mahavatar Babaji that have come about after the publication of Yogananda's landmark exposition ], the modern Himalayan Siddha and Living Master ], transformed by Babaji's presence and grace in his early life, has made it part of his work and teachings to clarify this lofty Beings origins and essence. | |||
| Paraphrased from ''Wings to Freedom: Mystic Revelations from Babaji and the Himalayan Yogis'' by ]: | |||
| :''In his hands he holds the evolutionary lightning of life and death. He is the head, the heart, the seed and the soul of undying knowledge. It is from him that all ancient avatars, prophets, heirophants, and divine incarnations have sprung. It is about him whom legends are rife the length and breadth of India.'' | |||
| :''People know him by many names, and yet he is called the Nameless One. He broods over the infant humanities from eternity to eternity. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but he shall be in the here now, eternally to stay. The limited vision of sages, siddhas, philosophers and yogis cannot pierce his transcendental star. His spiritual stature is inconceivable. He is the collective Elohim, the spiritual essence of the nine Nath Lords combined. He is the great sacrifice who in a countless supernovae explosion infused every atom of creation with his spirit of livingness, wisdom and truth to redeem not only humankind but all life and matter to their pristine state of consciousness. Shiv-Goraksha Babaji is regarded as a manifestation of Lord Shiva himself. He has bestowed upon humanity the practices to evolve human consciousness, in particular, the divine alchemy of Shiva Shakti (Kriya Yoga), which exercises a double action to hasten the evolution of the self soul. This expands the self consciousness and burns away past evil karma. Shiv-Goraksha Babaji is the founder of the Nath Tradition. He reveals himself to only a few he chooses and usually remains invisible, guiding humanity through his disciples. He has revived the ancient science of God realization in modern times. His mission continues to manifest through the work of his disciples. There is a great mystery and a sacrifice to the ninth level of Divine Awareness which is self born. This is the state of Brahm Nirvana from which the ineffable Shiva Goraksha Babaji descends to redeem humanity yet maintains his state. How this is possible is known only to Him. He is the collective consciousness of the seven primordial sages of the fire mist born at the beginning of Time.'' | |||
| :''Babaji is ever the same. He was never born and therefore can never die. They call him aja (the unborn). But from time to time this compassionate Lord of irradiant splendor does manifest for humanity to do what needs to be done. Pulling the veil of Maya by his own will he takes a form of Lightless light to incarnate amongst the haunts of men. He guards, guides and enlightens their consciousness as per their evolutionary blueprint. His deathless body of lightless light may take any form through which he can express and show himself to the faithful from age to age. He took the form of Adi Nath Shiva himself of Rudra of the Ancient of days. He then came 500 B.C. as Kal Agni Nath as Dakshin Murti when he initiated himself then he manifest as Gorksha Nath 70 B.C. at the time of King Shalivahan and Chowrangee Nath.Then in the same ever present immortal body he manifests as Shiv Goraksha Babaji in the ninth century A.D. during the time of Guga Nath who he empowered to have complete mastery over the Nagas and ultimately be worshipped as a Naga God.'' | |||
| ''Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga Tradition'' by M. Govindan, builds upon Yogananda's description of Babaji by giving new details, such as Babaji's birthdate (30th of November ] A.D.), youth, and attainment of the highest goal of physical ] under the guidance of two great ] Masters of South ] - ] and ]. Govindan claims to have met Babaji in person. | ''Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga Tradition'' by M. Govindan, builds upon Yogananda's description of Babaji by giving new details, such as Babaji's birthdate (30th of November ] A.D.), youth, and attainment of the highest goal of physical ] under the guidance of two great ] Masters of South ] - ] and ]. Govindan claims to have met Babaji in person. | ||
| Line 39: | Line 29: | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
| * by | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 02:00, 8 March 2006
Mahavatar Babaji is a legendary Hindu saint, yogi, and culture hero first described by Paramahansa Yogananda in his best-selling Autobiography of a Yogi. Yogananda describes Mahavatar Babaji as the guru of Lahiri Mahasaya. Yogananda wrote that Mahavatar Babaji is responsible for the revival, in 1861, of a spiritual technique known as Kriya Yoga, which is claimed to accelerate the spiritual aspirant's evolution. Yogananda also said that Babaji was Krishna in a former lifetime, and he often prayed out loud to "Babaji-Krishna".
From Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda:
- The northern Himalayan crags near Badrinarayan are still blessed by the living presence of Babaji, guru of Lahiri Mahasaya. The secluded master has retained his physical form for centuries, perhaps for millenniums. The deathless Babaji is an avatara. This Sanskrit word means “descent”; its roots are ava, “down,” and tri, “to pass.” In the Hindu scriptures, avatara signifies the descent of Divinity into flesh.
- Babaji's spiritual state is beyond human comprehension," Sri Yukteswar explained to me. "The dwarfed vision of men cannot pierce to his transcendental star. One attempts in vain even to picture the avatar's attainment. It is inconceivable.
More from Autobiography of a Yogi, on Mahavatar Babaji's life and role:
- 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.
- That there is no historical reference to Babaji need not surprise us. The great guru has never openly appeared in any century; the misinterpreting glare of publicity has no place in his millennial plans. Like the Creator, the sole but silent Power, Babaji works in a humble obscurity.
- No limiting facts about Babaji’s family or birthplace, dear to the annalist’s heart, have ever been discovered. His speech is generally in Hindi, but he converses easily in any language. He has adopted the simple name of Babaji (revered father); other titles of respect given him by Lahiri Mahasaya’s disciples are Mahamuni Babaji Maharaj (supreme ecstatic saint), Maha Yogi (greatest of yogis), Trambak Baba and Shiva Baba (titles of avatars of Shiva). Does it matter that we know not the patronymic of an earth-released master?
Post-Yogananda claims about Mahavatar Babaji
Since the publication of Autobiography of a Yogi in 1946, several teachers have claimed a direct connection to Mahavatar Babaji, and offered more background stories about Babaji. Some of these stories conflict with the details in Autobiography of a Yogi, and some contradict each other. There are different opinions on whether these stories refer to the Mahavatar Babaji that Yogananda wrote about.
Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga Tradition by M. Govindan, builds upon Yogananda's description of Babaji by giving new details, such as Babaji's birthdate (30th of November 203 A.D.), youth, and attainment of the highest goal of physical immortality under the guidance of two great Siddha Masters of South India - Agastyar and Bogar. Govindan claims to have met Babaji in person.
Several accounts were also written by an Indian Holyman named Mahendra Brahmacari, a long term desciple of Hariakhan Baba. Babaji is also discussed in the book "Hariakhan Baba, Known and Unknown" by Baba Hari Dasa.
From 1970 through 1984, a teacher lived and taught in the North India who many claimed was the same Babaji as described above. Spiritual teacher Leonard Orr, wrote about his encounters in many of his books, including Babaji — Angel of the Lord. Since this 'Babaji' passed away in 1984, it's unlikely to be the same Babaji from Autobiography of a Yogi, who said, "I will never leave my physical body. It will always remain visible to at least a small number of people on this earth." (from Autobiography of a Yogi, Chapter 33)
Notes
- Kriyananda, Swami: Conversations with Yogananda, page 347, Crystal Clarity Publishers, 2003
- Yogananda, Paramahansa: various articles and recordings
External links
 | This Hinduism-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |
 | This biography of a religious figure is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |
"Whenever anyone utters with reverence the name of Babaji," Lahiri Mahasaya said, "that devotee attracts an instant spiritual blessing."
Categories: