Yogiraj Charit (Life sketch of Great Yogis) 1. Yogiraj Shree Shyamacharan Lahiri 2. Yogacharya Yogacharya Shree Panchanan Bhattacharya 3. Yogivar Shree Netai Charan Banerjee
Shri Vats Vats Writ ritten ten by :Rev. Shri
English Translation: Translation: N. K. Mishra, Mishra , Wakidi Wakidi &
A.Gahlot
Published by Aryya Mission Institution Kolkata
Yogiraj Charit (Life sketch of Great Yogis) -: This book contains Life Sketch of :-
1. Yogiraj Yogiraj Shyamacharan Shy amacharan Lahiri L ahiri (Great Master of Kriya Yoga)
2. Yogacharya Yogacharya Panchanan Panchan an Bhattacharya Bhat tacharya (Chief Disciple of Shyamacharan Lahiri)
3. Yogishwor Yogishwor Netaicharan Banerjee (An eminent disciple of Panchanan Bhattacharya and Guru of Shri Vats)
Yogiraj Charit (Life sketch of Great Yogis) -: This book contains Life Sketch of :-
1. Yogiraj Yogiraj Shyamacharan Shy amacharan Lahiri L ahiri (Great Master of Kriya Yoga)
2. Yogacharya Yogacharya Panchanan Panchan an Bhattacharya Bhat tacharya (Chief Disciple of Shyamacharan Lahiri)
3. Yogishwor Yogishwor Netaicharan Banerjee (An eminent disciple of Panchanan Bhattacharya and Guru of Shri Vats)
Kriya Kriy a Yoga Yoga Kriya–yoga as provided by Yogiraj Yogiraj Rev. Shyamacharan Devasharman (Lahiri) is a scientific method of soul-realization. soul-realiz ation. The eternal quest for bliss has been a constant human endeavor. The perp perpet etua uall plea pleasu sure re canno cannott be deri derive ved d out out of any any worl worldl dly y thin thing g sinc sincee they they are are mort mortal al and and are are subj subjec ecte ted d to transformation. How can something which keeps on changing provide perpetual pleasure? pleasur e? Rarely any one ponders over this fundamental question. Those who by God’s God’s grace are fortunate enough to ask such a question have a chance to get correct answer but everybody eve rybody is not fortunate to get a correct path or an ideal guide who can teach the original Kriya which, if practiced regularly with devotion can provide the ultimate answer not in the form of words from someone but as selfrealization. As we know that the prana ( breath ) is the proof of someone being alive. When the breathing breathing stops, the individual individual is dead. We are aware that just as the rate of breathing breathing becomes faster when a person experiences a sudden pleasure, pain or shock, it becomes slower when a person person is tired tired or restin resting. g. Thus Thus breath breathing ing chang changes es accord according ing to the physica physicall and mental mental condit condition ionss of a person. It is also a fact without wit hout even an idea of doubt that an individual who claims clai ms to have done great works and who considers himself to be the controller of everything and everyone, become becomess helple helpless ss when when asked asked to regula regulate te his breath breathing ing.. The The functio function n of breath breathing ing contin continues ues even even when one is fast asleep. To sum up, it can be said that an ordinary human being does not have any sort of control over his breathing. Kriya–yoga comprises compri ses of two words- Kr Kriya iya meaning Action and Yoga Yoga meaning Complet Completee Attachment. Thus Kriya yoga means complete comple te attachment with you and your source i.e GOD. It is the main objective of a being in human garb. By regular practice pra ctice of Kriya-yoga with devotion, an individual can not only attain self-realization, but he can c an also come to know about his previous incarnations. There is scientific explanation for this and the other facts related to the practice of Kriya-yoga. This practice, based on regulation of prana (breathing) acquaints the practitioner with the subtle world. In that subtle world this world seems s eems to be an atom. There are billions billi ons of cells in our brain. These cells carry the information from our past incarnations. The scientists have als o confirmed on the basis of their research that human beings are not able to make full use of their brains. Even the great scientists were not able to use more than 20% of their brain. When we regulate our breathing through Kriya-yoga techniques, techni ques, there is expansion and contraction in the nerves and the veins vei ns of our brain. This also happens happe ns to the whole body. This continuous process pro cess results into the appearance of the hidden information from our past incarnations like the scenes of a motion picture. As we know that no one can obliterate the past. Acknowledgment of this fact provides provides the self-awareness self-awareness and the seeker proceeds proceeds on the path inner-journe inner-journey y. In this Journey Journey the worldly things become irrelevant. This journey continues with the help of our fully concentrated concentrat ed
mind and sound physical body. body. Yogacharya Yogacharya Rev. Panchanan Baba says “ The person who pe performs rforms Kriya-practice regularly re gularly with devotion and without any worldly desire is the darling of his Guru. Offering of flower, fruits and other worldly worl dly things to an idol cannot relieve relie ve a man from his inner pains. pains. It must must be rememb remembere ered d that that the meanin meaning g of devo devotio tion n to God God indee indeed d is to follow follow his rules rules (the (the rules of nature) and consider them above all. How can we confine the omnipresent God in a Temple, a Church or a Mosque? Such an act is really re ally an act of belittling the Omnipotent, the Omnipresent and the Omniscient God. The real effect of Kriya-yoga is easily manifested in the real life of its practitioners. The persona of a Kriya- devotee is different from others. A Kriya-practitioner must be regular regular in Kriya-practice. It gives automatic awareness aware ness regarding food and other affairs of daily life and the seeker enjoys a healthy life free from any disease. disease . The practice of Kriya-yoga helps in i n the regulation of breathing. When the breathing breathi ng is regulated ( under control) the mind is set free of attachments ( for or against something). The moment a seeker acquires control over his breathing he realizes reali zes the great power within and its potential. potential. Realizing the soul (self) provides provides wisdom which transforms transforms the world into a motion picture picture before before a seeker seeker.. All the attachme attachments nts of mind cease to exist exist and the seeker seeker is self-abso self-absorbed rbed by seeing seeing a blue light light by a black substance substance in the Kutasth Kutasth (center (center of eyebrows) eyebrows).. To sum up it can be said that that Kriya-y Kriya-yoga oga is a scienti scientific fic path path to self ( soul soul ) realizat realization ion.. The KriyaKriya-pra practic cticee is the real classical and eternal religious practice. Kriya-devotees do not need any example or guidance from outside be it a book or a person. I do advocate on the basis of my personal experience that the real wisdom cannot be acquired from any book either classical classica l or contemporary, thought or contact (Close interaction) ; the wisdom is the outcome of devoted and regular Kriya-practice over a number of years. I would to narrate an incident from the life of Yogiraj Yogiraj Rev. Lahiri Babaji. Once Shri Dayanand, the founder of Arya Samaj visited Varanasi Varanasi.. He was totally against idol-worship idol-wor ship and considered himself to be brahmagyani i.e the self realized. He announced in Kashi that idol-worship was useless and should be stopped immediately and that God could only be realized through Veda-recital. eda-recit al. He also challenged the scholars schola rs of Kashi to participate in a religious debate debat e on this. He proposed that if he won, all the idols from the different temples temple s of Kashi would be consigned to the Ganges. Everybody knew Shri Dayanand and his logical viewpoints. So no body came forward. The news spread sprea d like a wild fire. When it reached reache d the king of Kashi, Y Yogiraj ogiraj Lahiri Babaji Bab aji was teaching the prince ( as a tutor) in the palac e. On seeing the worried face of the king, the legendary Yogiraj Yogiraj said “Do not worry wor ry,, everything will be al alll right”. The next day Sri Dayanand Dayana nd and Rev. Rev. Yogiraj Yogiraj were face to t o face at Dashashvamegha Ghat of Kashi in order to discuss the t he religious issues raised by Sri Dayanand. Sri Dayanand asked his question “ Is God formless or has God a form? “. Rev. Yogiraj in his usual composure said “ God has many forms but at the t he same time God has no form”. Hearing this, the disciples of Sri Dayanand started shouting and used objectionable
words aimed at Yogiraj. Yogiraj requested Sri Dayanand to exercise control over his disciples but Dayanandji could not discipline the hooligans. Indeed they wanted Yogiraj to concede defeat and make a retreat. At last Rev. Yogiraj told Dayanandji “ Since you could not make them quite so now I am trying to make them quite”. Having uttered these words Rev. Yogiraj closed his eyes. All of a sudden there was complete silence. All the hooligans who were shouting found themselves helpless, their mouth remained open and the jaw-movements stopped. Sri Dayanand was taken aback. At this moment Rev. Yogiraj said “ Water does no have a form of its own but when it is transformed into ice, it has a form”. In the same way so long as we try to perceive God through our senseorgans, God has various forms but when we transcend our sense-organs we realize the truth ( in that light of soul and self-awareness) God is formless. This God has various forms but at the same time God does not have a form i.e. God is formless”. Everybody was satisfied with this irrefutable explanation emanating from a realized master. Sri Dayanand had nothing to ask after listening to such a speech loaded with nothing but truth. At last Sri Dayanand requested Rev. Yogiraj to bring his disciples back to normalcy. Then Yogiraj ordered one of Dayanand´s disciple to bring water ( the Gangajal ) offered on Kashi Viswanath Shivalinge. When the water was sprinkled on the faces of those hooligans by Rev. Yogiraj they came back to normalcy. Sri Dayanan left Kashi immediately. The above incident highlights the basic mission of Kriya-yoga. It is not related to any sect, caste or race. Those who believe in God and follow the rules of nature are worthy of being initiated in Kriya-yoga. It is the panacea which paves the way to real human welfare. Yogiraj Rev. Lahiri Babaji used to initiate the seekers into Kriya-yoga according to their abilities and capabilities. This tradition was followed by his chief disciple Rev.Yogacharya Panchanan babaji and the subsequent followers of his lineage. This system of self-realization is bestowed upon a person even today without any discrimination if the person is really interested in selfrealization and devoted to this cause. It can be learnt directly from a master only. Yogiraj prohibited publication of this technique. “ Guru Kripahi Kevalam “ Benediction from guru is the only sustenance.
A picture drawn by Lahiri Baba to display 6 chakras and 49 air present in a human body
Note: Only an advanced Kriya Expert can explain the above drawing
Shree Guru Stuti ( Prayer) Who else can bestow the feeling of parmatma ( the supreme God ) the Omnipresent, other than Guru. The Guru is ever present in Agyan Chakra (Dwidala/two petalled lotus) . It is the Guru who provides divine vision to the blind ( people blinded by sense organs ). The day Guru´s benediction is received, the seeker owns the eyes of wisdom. And then eternal bliss and quietude is spontaneous. The Omnipresent Guru ( who pervades the living as well as non-living objects ) can at first be felt in the dark part of oval in Kutastha, when the Chitta becomes pure and his from i.e. light around the dark oval becomes visible to the closed eyes. The Guru manifests himself in the form of divine soothing light. Seeing the divine form, nothing remains to be seen. So it has been said, None other than Guru can bestow upon the seeker. The feel of paramatma ( the supreme being ) who is omnipresent i.e who pervades everything living as well as non-living (Char and Achar). Originally Composed by : Shree Panchanan Bhattacharya in Bengali language
Yogiraj Shree Shyamacharan Devasharman ( Lahiri ) A brief live-sketch Bengal has been the land of spirituality and enlightened thought. This pious land has produced spiritual giants from time to time. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Bamakhepa, Lokenath Brahmachari, Ramprasad Sen etc. are the illustrious examples. This pious land of Bengal saw the advent of Revered Gurudeva Yogiraj Shree Shyamacharan Lahiri Baba on the 30 th of September 1828. ( the date as noted down by his son and disciple Sri Dukauri Mahasaya ) at the village named Ghurani in Nadia district of Bengal. His father was Shree Gaur Mohan Lahiri ( Devasharman ) and mother Shrimati Muktikeshi Devi. This divine self was a boon not only to his family but also to the whole globe. He quenched the spiritual thirst of seekers from all walks of life through Kriya-yoga. Shri Gaur Mohan Devasharman was economically sound but the flood in Jalangi river inundated a large chunk of his landmass forming it a part of the river-bed. It compelled him to leave Ghurani and settle in Varanasi. Thus his family settled in Varanasi in around 1830. It is for this reason that Shri Lahiri Babaji is known as an inhabitant of Varanasi. His disciples call him Kashi Baba ( the Baba from Kashi ). Shri Yogiraj was an erudite man known for his depth of understanding the languages of Sanskrit, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu , Persian and English. He completed his higher studies from Government Sanskrit College, Varanasi. During his student life he got married at the age of 18 years to Smt. Kashimani Devi, the daughter of Shri Devanarayan Ghoshal. Shri Lahiri Baba was serious and truthful by nature. He did not get influenced by any school of thought easily. He was of the view that a way of thinking should not be imposed upon others unless it was successfully tested in the life of a preacher himself. He followed this principle throughout his life. In 1851 Shri Yogiraj got a job in Public welfare Department of British India Military in Gazipur (Uttar Pradesh). After 16 years of his marriage Yogiraj was blessed with his first son named Tinkauri Lahiri. Yogiraj was compelled to shift his place of residence because of a tense environment at home created by his brothers. In 1865 he purchased an old house at Gadureshwor ( presently Ganeshmahal ). It is here that he mastered the techniques of Kriya-yoga and initiated his disciples into it ( Kriyayoga ). It is in his house that he was blessed with other children viz. Shri Dukauri Lahiri (son) and Harimati, Harikamini and Harimohini (daughters). Yogiraj led his life following the highest principles of ethics, morality, honesty and devotion to duty. He also encouraged his disciples to incorporate these jewels in their life-styles. In 1868 he was transferred to Ranikhet in the Himalayas. He was
assigned the supervision work in connection with the construction of road on the mountains. It was at this place in a cave of Dronagiri mountain where he was initiated in the eternal Kriya-yoga by none other than Yogeshwor Supreme being Babaji Maharaj himself; paving the way to salvation of many Kriya-seekers under the guidance of Rev. Yogiraj Lahiri Babaji. Rev. Babaji Maharaj assured Yogiraj that he ( Babaji Maharaj ) would himself continue to supervise the Kriya-practitioners so long as they ( Kriya- practitioners ) keep on practicing Kriya. It is not a hearsay but an experience with many Kriya-practitioners, Mr. Vats being a living example even today. At present general people cannot see this cave but the true and dedicated / devoted Kriya-practitioners can see this cave even today. Following the instructions of Rev. Babaji Maharaj, Yogiraj Lahiri Baba devoted his life to Kriya-practice even though he had to devote time to the Domestic chores of a householder. Babaji Maharaj had instructed him to initiate in Kriya-yoga the devoted seekers only, irrespective of their castes religion, colour, economic background etc. Yogiraj Lahiri Baba obeyed this command of his Guru throughout his life. Later on his disciples also continued to follow this practice. There are certain misconceived ideas about Babaji Maharaj. Indeed these have been spread by selfish people in order to cheat the innocent common people. The fact is that Babaji has been maintaining top secrecy about himself. Therefore his name, date of birth, place of birth, caste and other worldly descriptions are of no significance. A seeker can be face to face with him only on a spiritual plane. If he comes into contact with any seeker, it solely depends on his sweet-will. He never manifests himself on being prayed by any seeker. The most important fact to be highlighted is that Babaji is not an ordinary human being. He manifests himself in different forms before true seekers in order to remove their spiritual hindrances. Yogiraj Lahiri Babaji himself got a glimpse of Babaji Maharaj in the guise of a rickshaw-puller, a scavenger and an ordinary farmer. He is supreme – being the Omnipotent. Nothing is beyond him. It is therefore our duty to accept him as a divine– power. Yogiraj Lahiri Baba continued to perform the duties of a householder during the day but at night he kept on performing Kriya-practice. He had an unwavering devotion for his Guru and a penchant for hard work, coupled with perseverance. A good Kriya-practitioner experiences bliss which is akin to intoxication. This self-intoxication or bliss is the outcome of subtle prana ( breathing ). In this stage the seeker experiences that the whole universe is pervaded with Brahm. It is the climax of Kriya-practice. Yogiraj always remained in this state. Initially he was misunderstood and people considered him to be a drunkard but later on when they came face to face with his enlightening works they started queueing up and requesting for initiation in Kriya-yoga. Yogiraj initiated some of them purely on the basis of merit i.e. the eligibility criteria provided by his guru Babaji Maharaj. The list of his disciples included the king of Kashi, some British officers of that era and common people from different walks of life. Yogiraj exhorted people to set aside the meaningless beliefs from the religion i.e. religious rituals common to all religions, in order to have enlightenment ( self-awareness or liberation ). Many of his disciples succeeded in this endeavor.
Since he practiced what he had preached, he followed no other path except Kriya-yoga which instructs to worship none but the self ( Atma ). He did not favor religious rituals nor did he believe the fake religious stories narrated by greedy and sensuous people in the garb of monk. He was firm in his belief that the seekers of Atma-vikas i.e. soul-consciousness should dedicate themselves to Kriya-practice because it is the only way for self-realization. Material worship is a different story altogether. Kriya-yoga focuses on breathing regulation based on the processes as directed by Babaji Maharaj or person authorized by him. This is the only way to self–realization i.e. being face to face with God, the Supreme Being. Yogiraj attained the pinnacle of yoga i.e. self-realization. Naturally Siddhis ( special spiritual powers ) of different types embraced him. He helped his disciples in many ways during his life-time. Even today people remember his divine miracles. Once he gave a gift of life to the deceased friend of his disciple. Baba is beyond the reach of time ( Kalajayee ) and so even today he keeps on visiting his devoted disciples in various guises in order to instill confidence. His unique way of preaching the timely lesson to a needy seeker is inexplicable. Yogiraj never believed in body worship. When disciples talked of Guru-puja he used to explain its real meaning and accordingly advised them to continue with Kriya-practice with renewed vigor and zeal since Atma ( the soul ) is the real Guru and this Guru can be realized only with Kriya practice. Once, his disciple Sri Gangadhar Bandopadhayay took a snap of him against his wish. When the photograph was finally printed Yogiraj was not visible on the paper used for printing his photograph. When Sri Gangadhar Babu asked him the reason, Baba replied that the soul could not be captured by the lens of a camera. After repeated requests from disciples, Yogiraj relented and gave permission just for one snap. The copies of this photograph are available to the whole world today. The first copy of this photograph was handed over to Rev. Panchanan Bhattacharya, the chief disciple of Yogiraj. This picture has been preserved with great care and interested seekers may have a glimpse of this great item of inheritance in the office of Aryya mission at 8, Ram Charan Seth Road, Howrah-4, West Bengal, India. Baba´s photograph emanates a spiritual wave of light which Kriya practitioners have experienced from time to time. Another copy of original photograph is available at Baba´s residence in Madanpura, Varanasi. Probably these are the only two original photographs of Baba presently available on this planet. Some foreign Kriya-practitioners showed me the changed photograph of Yogiraj which incorporate unnecessary changes. I do not approve of such changes. Aryya mission has been successful in making available the printed copies of the original photograph. It is available free of any charge. Once, Baba was absorbed in a discussion on Yoga with his disciples. All of a sudden he produced a sound of great distress. No body could understand the mystery behind it. On being asked Baba said that he felt like being drowned in an ocean. The next day the newspapers repor ted that a ship carrying thousands of people had sunk in the ocean near Japan precisely at that time. This incident highlights omnipresence of Yogiraj Lahiri Baba.
Mrs. Sagarika Das of Kolkata was a disciple of Baba. Once she decided to visit Varanasi in order to see Baba. While going to the station she got late but kept on praying to Baba so that she could board the train, the departure time of which was already over. The train was signaling to start but all of a sudden something happened and the train could not move forward. Engineers tried to detect the cause but they were baffled in their attempt. Meanwhile Smt. Das reached the platform, running like a mad person, with a feeling of gratitude for the Baba. The moment she stepped inside the coach, the train started moving forward as if nothing had happened. Everybody was surprised since nobody understood it except Smt. Das. It was indeed a miracle for all the people. On reaching Varanasi, Baba admonished her with affection for causing inconvenience to people in the train. He told that other trains were also available and so she should not have caused inconvenience to the passengers of that train. Yogiraj used to hide the miracles he had to perform for his disciples. He used to avoid the pronoun “I” for himself. Since he was one with the Soul ( Atmastha ) he used the term “ atmaram “ in place of I. For common people he appeared like an ordinary person but his devoted disciples who had succeeded in acquiring success in Kriya-practice ( either realized ones or those on the brink of realization ) experienced his spiritual prowess . Even today seekers of his lineage feel his presence quiet often. He is an ocean of kindness, a teacher of teachers because of his simple and unique method of teaching. Even the Goddess of learning will be envious of his way of teaching. He is a guru of gurus, being able to provide a chain of gurus in astral forms, each one resembling in methodology, style, expression, simplicity and humility. Just a glimpse is enough to learn the unforgettable lessons; creating a permanent impact on the being of a seeker. The people in general, evaluate divine personality on the basis of his miracles but it is not a proper way of evaluation. Most of the people evaluate such personalities on the basis of fulfillment of their worldly desires through such saints but these people are not able to touch even the fringe of truth. Areal seeker exploring the spiritual biography of a spiritual giant, follow him on the basis of the spiritual works done by him. Such explorers are able to be face to face with truth one day or the other since God knows the intentions of a seeker. It is for this reason that we have endeavored to highlight spiritual works of Yogiraj and not his miracles. All this work could only be realized and continues to proceed towards the objective only with the due inspiration of Yogiraj himself. Yogiraj used to be with his disciples everyday in the evening. It was the time for a lively discussion on yoga and Kriya practice. Rev. Panchanan Bhattacharya used to lucidly recite the slokas of Gita. Later on Yogiraj used to explain them in the context of Kriya-yoga. Disciples used to jot down those rare jewels emanating from Yogiraj. Baba gave a lucid explanation of 26 spiritual volumes in the context of Kriya-yoga. Later on these were published by Aryya mission Institution. Rev. Panchanan Bhattacharya, the chief disciple of Yogiraj made these books available to Kriya practitioners. These books were originally published in Bengali. Now these books have been translated into Hindi and English for the benefit of Hindi and English speaking Kriya-practitioners. These books have been made available to Kriya-practitioners in India and Abroad. Everything has been made
possible by Yogiraj himself. Indeed he inspired me to undertake this work. Indeed the blessings of Yogiraj to Kriya-practitioners have been passed through theses books. It is to be noticed here that Kriya-yoga is the scientific Method of self-realization. The books with commentary in the context of Kriya-yoga published by Aryya Mission are enumerated below: 1. Tantrasar ( along withYantrasar )
In this book importance of Kriya-yoga has been highlighted. Human body it is a machine ( Tantra ). Various treatises on tantra have been lucidly explained in the context of Kriya-yoga. At the end of the book various mantras have been given which must be understood by consulting a high caliber Kriyayogi. At present, this book is available in Hindi with Aryya Mission. 2. Srimad Bhagvad Gita
The slokas have been lucidly explained in the context of Kriya-yoga. Lord Krishna has been denoted by the word “ Kutastha “ and the word “ Teja “ has been used to denote Arjuna. At present these explanations are available in Hindi and Bengali, by way of special commentary from Lahiri Mahasaya in the Gita with detailed commentary from Sri Bhupendranath Sanyal Mahasaya. 3. Manu Sanhita
This book has been lucidly explained from the viewpoint of pure spirituality. The Kriya-practitioner has been denoted by the word “ Manu “. In this way Yogiraj has presented this book as a manual containing rules for Kriya-practitioners. This book, therefore, is very popular. At present it is available in Hindi with Aryya Mission. 4. Charak
This book contains Yogiraj´s commentary on the slokas of Rishi Charak in connection with the causes of various diseases, remedies, human incarnation, child birth etc. It is also available in Hindi with Aryya Mission. 5. Avinashi Kabir Gita
This book gives a vivid explanation of dialogues between Rev. Kabir Saheb and Rev. Dattatreya Maharaj. In course of Kriya-practice, a seeker’s experiences and the essence of soul have been dealt with. At present it is available in Hindi with Aryya Mission.
6. Shree Durga Saptashati ( Chandi )
In this widely acclaimed book, Yogiraj has given a lucid explanation of the story of Durga in the context of Kriya-yoga. This book is highly inspiring for the Kriya-practitioners. Also available in Hindi with Aryya Mission.
7. Vedanta Darshan
Contains Yogiraj´s commentary on Vedanta. 8. Gautam Sutra ( Nyaya-Siddhant )
The principles of justice as propounded by Rishi Gautam have been explained in the context of Kriya-yoga. 9. Astavakra Gita
This book deals with a detailed analysis of spiritual practices of body and soul ( Atma ). 10. Linga Purana
This book provides the lucid explanation of Shiva-tantra and omkar-tantra in the context of Kriyayoga. 11. Guru Gita
This is one of the most favorite book of Yogiraj. He used to give this book as a divine gift ( Prasad ) to all Kriya- practitioners. Guru means soul ( Atma ). This fact has been lucidly explained in this book. This book is the primary requirement (basic need) of each Kriya-practitioner. At present it is available in Hindi and English with Aryya Mission. 12. Patanjali Yoga Sutra
The yogic teachings of yoga-expert, Rishi Patanjali have been lucidly explained in the context of Kriya. 13. Japuji
This book contains vivid descriptions of the teaching of Guru Nanakdevji in the context of Kriyayoga. Also available in Hindi with Aryya Mission. 14. Shrimad Bhaagvat ( Ekadash Skandh )
This book could not be published during the life time of Yogiraj. It deals with the ten manifestations ( Avatars ) of Lord Vishnu and meditation ( Dhyan-Dharana ). It reveals the experiences gained through Kriya-practice. It is also available in Hindi with Aryya Mission. 15. Kabir
The couplets of Saint Kabirdasji have been vividly explained in the context of Kriya. They have been translated in Hindi. This book it is also available with Aryya Mission. 16. Avadhoot Gita
This book was published with financial assistance from a disciple of Yogiraj Sri Chitrasen Singh ( Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh ). It deals with the real meaning of Sanyas in the light of Kriya-yoga. It is
due to be published shortly by Aryya Mission. ( The original copy is preserved with Aryya Mission Institution ) Other books include Panini Shiksha ( teachings of Panini ), Taittariya Upanishad, Omkar Gita, Tejabindu, Dhyanbindu Upanishad, Mimansaharthá Sangraha, Amrit, Niralanbopnishad and Vaisheshik Darshan. All these books contain lucid explanations in the light of Kriya-yoga. Yogiraj has highlighted the importance of Kriya-practice in his commentaries. Using a linesketch, he had explained the 49 different types of air and its control on Chakras present in a human body. Shri Panchanan Bhattacharyaji used to symbolize Yogiraj as Saint Kabir. Once, during an insightful discussion with him, Yogiraj has also given indications of his similarity with Saint Kabir. The most important books have been published in Hindi, Bengali and English by Aryya Mission. Interested seekers may contact Aryya Mission office in order to get copy of these books. Yogiraj did not favour the out form of sanyas i.e. leaving family ostensibly but remaining attached to all belongings. He was of the view that sanyas did not require putting on a robe or becoming a member of a specific sect. In his opinion sanyas was a state of mind which makes a person remaining unattached like Videha ( King Jank ).Any householder who practices Kriya-yoga regularly with devotion can easily be in this state of mind (sanyas). Yogiraj permitted just two of his disciples to leave their families and lead the austere lives of ascetics. These two persons were – Shri Keshvanand Brahmachari ( Formely known as Sri Nealmadhav Banerjee ) and Swami Pranavanand Giri ( Formely known as Sri Manmathnath Mukherjee ). Beside them none else was permitted by him to renounce their duties as householders to accept sanyas. A staunch believer in the workings of destiny, Yogiraj never used his special spiritual prowess ( Siddhis ) for ostentation or publicity. He was of the view that spiritual pursuit was an extremely personal matter and a seeker should be initiated in Kriya-yoga only by and advanced Kriya-yogi. The spiritual practice on the basis of instructions given in the books or available only in monasteries or ashrams are of no avail. The pious rules for Kriya-practitioners handed down to Yogiraj by Shri Babaji Maharaj himself are strictly followed by the Kriya-practitioners of his lineage. Once Yogiraj was coming back from Gangaghat ( the bank of Ganga ) with his devout disciple Shri Krishnaramji. While crossing the narrow lanes of Varanasi, Yogiraj asked Shri Krishnaram to tear off a portion of his dhoti but Krishanaram could not understand the reason and so he paid little attention. After some time suddenly a broken brick fell on the right foot of Yogiraj leading to profuse bleeding. Yogiraj once again asked Shri Krishnaram to tear off a portion of his dhoti in order to stop the profuse bleeding. After coming back to home Shri Krishnaram asked Baba about the accident. Yogiraj answered that it was always better to accept destiny. Otherwise its impact could become severe causing more suffering. It is to be noted here that a seeker must accept destiny and suffer without any grudge in order to ensure rapid progress on the path of Kriya- practice.
The meeting of Shri Hitalal Sarkar of Khulana in Bangladesh with Yogiraj is quite interesting. Shri Sarkar was an employee of a kiln in Bangladesh but his spiritual pursuits made him restless. He heard the name of Yogiraj. He started praying in order to see Yogiraj. One day while his restlessness was at its climax he decided to leave Khulana at once. He reached the railway station. On the ticket counter he emptied his pocket to the booking clerk there. On being asked about the destination, Sri Sarkar replied that he wanted to go anywhere with that available amount. That money could buy a ticket for Varanasi only. Sri Hitalalji was happy to get the ticket thinking of his probable meeting with Yogiraj at Varanasi. He decided to visit Bengalitola area of Varanasi to find out the whereabouts of Yogiraj. While Sri Sarkar was crossing through the lanes of Varanasi in order to find the whereabouts of Yogiraj, Yogiraj himself opened the door of his house and started calling Hitalal. Now Sri Hitalalji was taken aback. He did not know who was calling him by his name and how did this man come to know about his name. He never saw that man before. Yogiraj took Sri Hitalalji to his house with a lot of affection. After dinner at night, Yogiraj told Hitalal that he (Yogiraj ) could help calling him from Bangladesh in view of his (Hitalal’s) desire for seeing him. The next day early in the morning, Sri Hitalal Sarkar was initiated into Kriya-yoga by the legendary guru Sri Yogiraj himself. Later on Sri Sarkar attained a very high degree of progress in Kriya-practice. Another recent incident related to Yogiraj is worth mentioning. An inhabitant of Burrebazar of Kolkata used to lead his normal life with an inclination for spirituality. One day somebody showed to him a photograph of Yogiraj. Seeing the picture the person became furious and at once threw it away. While sleeping at night he felt that Yogiraj was standing and smiling before him. At that time the feel of Yogiraj pervaded his persona since he could not see anything but Yogiraj with his usual grin. He thought that he was dreaming but the feeling was getting more and more intense. When he opened his eyes, the same scene was there before his wide open eyes. Again he closed his eyes but there was no change. Same feeling was pervading his whole persona whether his eyes were closed or kept wide open. He could not understand what was going on with him. Yogiraj then touched his chest with the right hand. He felt an extremely unique cool touch, which was never felt before in his life. After some time everything vanished in the air just like smoke. He cried out of fear. Hearing the sound, his father came to him. Seeing him drenched with sweat in a winter night, the father was at a complete loss. In the morning he placed the picture of Yogiraj at the designed place of worship and started meditating. Once again the feel of Yogiraj was vivid and everything got transformed into a sky blue dot which vanished after a moment. His breathing was changed. Certain Kriya-practices started taking place automatically. This incident highlights the omnipresence and benevolent nature of Yogiraj. The person whose story has been given above has reached the pinnacle of Kriya-practice but likes to hide himself. Yogiraj taught the lessons of austerity, devotion and faith through his personal example. He is a rare guru who never accepted anything materialistic from his disciples. This feature of guru is rarely visible elsewhere. He was out and out a householder who did not agree to receive any assistance from his disciples. It is a proof of his omnipotence. Inspite of reaching the pinnacle of succe ss in
Kriya-practice and receiving unprecedented acclaim, he continued providing tuitions to the students at their residence in order to earn for domestic expenses after his retirement from job. He also served as the Secretary of Bengalitola School at Varanasi. His contemporary Rev. Tailanga Swami had enormous respect for him. The famousYogi of Shirdi, Sri Sai Baba received initiation in Kriyayoga fromYogiraj when he was on a trip to Varanasi. It is a sheer imagination of some self–serving frauds to advocate that Yogiraj used to write his experiences gained out of Kriya-practice. He never wrote his experiences in any language because he knew that the universal truth cannot be written. More over it is not in the interest of a seeker to try to imitate the spiritual insights of others. A true and dedicated Kriya- practitioner comes to know everything by dint of showering of benediction from Guru ( Guru kripa ). Yogiraj usually used to be in a tranquil state after Kriya ( enjoying the bliss of being immersed with brahma ). He always remained detached from worldly belongings. A firm believer in the law of nature and destiny, Sri Lahiri Baba exhorted his disciples to do so. He asked his disciples not to mourn the pre mature death of any one. Yogiraj said “The death (Kal / time) is decided in the impression of a being (Jiva). The death (Kal / time) is never untimely (Akal ). Hence it is the duty of a being (Jiva) to timely remember the death (Kal / time), envisioned as Swan (Hansa). That is why I warn everyone and ask every one to remember death (Kal / time) through different Katha-Upanishads. It is a matter of sorrow that a lot many people do not follow this”. Baba further says “ I have allowed my body to suffer on account of many of my disciples past wrong doings. If there is no oil in a lamp, it will stop giving light. How long the prana will sustain in this body which has been coerced into going against the law of nature. Atma does not die since the soul (atma) itself is the manifestation of mahakal. In the present situation it is located above death (Kal / time). Mahakal, like a sea, is quiet (without any motion). This life is lying in this sea. To be cautious with Kal does not impose death. The independent feeling of detachment with the body (Videh) starts developing”. Whatever happens is right. What is right? It is not known to being (Jiva). If one knows it, he/she will become Shiva. The jiva does not consider the right thing (event) to be right rather his ignorance provokes him to consider it to be injustice (wrong). “ I am not attached to anybody , nobody belongs to me” should be the feeling of a Kriya-practitioner. It must be remembered that everything is to be abandoned one day. What will happen to whom, remains undecided. Normal ly people tend to be carefree but when they face this (unpleasant situations) they start manifesting the signs of intolerance. It is therefore necessary for all Kriya- practitioners to be resolute in Kriya practice with unflinching devotion and remain alert to face any eventuality with equanimity of mind, the mind which remains unattached. Yogiraj provided scientific explanations to his principles which had nothing to do with caste, color, formal religion, place etc. He knew about the dawn of science Age. He ignored wrong assumptions and false costumes and dogmas. He gave permission to his highly advanced or realized disciples to initiate the suitable aspirants into Kriya-yoga. This step of Yogiraj was indeed revolutionary
since it did not support the system of unworthy descendants from ones own family to inherit legacy of becoming a guru without qualifying for it. Yogiraj was of the opinion that self realization was nothing to do with the family chain of descendants becoming Gurus. He used to accept just five rupees from his disciples at the time of initiation and the money so collected was invariably handed to Babaji Maharaj himself. This tradition is still followed by the disciples of the lineage. Yogiraj´s first disciple was a flower-vendor. Another disciple was Yogiraj Shri Vrinda, was a postman who attained self-realization while he was in service. He used to remain in the tranquil state after Kriya. On the basis of Aryya Mission documents the names of Yogiraj’s famous disciples are mention below: 1. Shree Panchanan Bhattacharya.(The chief disciple of Yogiraj), Kolkata and Deoghar. 2. Shri Mahendra Chatterjee (Kolkata) 3. Shri Krishnaram Sathe (Kashi) 4. Shri Tinkauri Lahiri (1st son of Yogiraj, Benaras). 5. Shri Dukauri Lahiri (2nd son of Yogiraj, Benaras) 6. Shri Chitrasen Singh, Faizabad. (U.P) 7. Sir Gurudas Banerjee (Chunchurra, Bengal) 8. Shri Kali Krishna Tagoré (Relative of Rabindranath Tagore, Kolkata) 9. Shri Ashutosh Chatterjee (Kolkata) 10. Shri Priyanath Karad (Shrirampur, Bengal) 11. Shri BrijlalAdhikari (Bengal) 12. Shri Prasad Das Goswami (Shrirampur, Bengal) 13. Shri Kalikumar Banerjee (East Bengal) 14. Shri Ramdayal Majumdar (Tarkeshwar, Bengal) 15. Smt Sandhya Das (Kolkata) 16. Smt Kashimani Devasharman (wife of Yogiraj, Kashi) 17. Shri Harinarayan Palodhi (Benaras) 18. Shri Kali Kumar Ray (Danapur, Bihar) 19. Shri Vijaychandra (Navadweep, Bengal) 20. Shri Bhupendranath Sanyal (Bhagalpur, Bihar) 21. Shri Mahadev Prasad (Benaras) 22. Shri Vrinda Ram (Benaras) 23. Shri Bhagawati Charan Ghosh (Kolkata) 24. Shri AmirAli (Benaras) 25. Shri Abdul Gafur (Saharanpur) 26. Shri Gangadhar Bandopadhayay (Benaras) 27. Shri Manmathnath Mukherjee (Howrah) 28. Shri Neal Madhav (Howrah) Later on, some of them changed their names. Shri Panchanan Baba was the first among the disciples of Yogiraj to have attained self- realization
and therefore he was considered to be his chief disciple. Shri Panchanan Baba was the deare st among his disciples. In the biography of Shri Panchanan Baba, the reasons for his being the dearest disciple of Yogiraj are mentioned. Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya was fully permitted by Yogiraj to initiate others into Kriya during lifetime of Yogiraj. Later, Sri Brajlal Adhikari, Sri Prasad Das Goswami, Swami Pranavananda, Sri Keshvananda were other disciples who were permitted by their guru Yogiraj to give Kriya in their locality. They were also consulting Shri Bhattcharya before any initiation programme. One important thing to note that Yogiraj never allowed his sons or any organization or Ashrams to give initiation. He was totally against this. In his opinion, Ashram or organizations creates publicity and community which has no importance in spiritual world. Yogiraj only permitted Swami Pranavananda to enter in monk community. Yogiraj used to invite his disciples on the holy occasion of Shivaratri each year at his residence in Varanasi. On this occasion he and his wife used to serve food personally. This act of Yogiraj and his wife manifested parental care for disciples. On one such occasion, Yogiraj blessed Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya who was suffering from the pain of extreme poverty that he would get fifty two bighas of land in near future and this blessing of Yogiraj bore fruit in due course time. If on one side Yogiraj used to shower fatherly affection, he also used to punish those disciples who deliberately deviated from the path shown by him. Some of his disciples were deprived of Original Kriya, once they showed the signs of deliberate deviation from the path. Those disciples later on misled the later generation by teaching the fake Kriya-yoga. In Feb. 1895 there erupted a carbuncle on the back of Yogiraj. It was an excuse for Yogiraj to get rid of his human abode. On receiving information about Yogiraj´s ill health disciples started pouring into his residence at Varanasi. Famous Physician of Kolkata Dr. Hemachandra Babu went to Varanasi and started treatment but nothing could cure the incurable ailment. Even in such a condition, Yogiraj kept on preaching Kriya-yoga and did not get tired of discussion on spiritual matter with his disciples throughout night. He was a living example for his disciples when he wanted to convey that odds should not deter from Kriya-practice. He also proved that he was not a body but a living soul ( spirit ), detached from body though remaining in body. Yogiraj was very much satisfied with the uninterrupted service rendered by Shri Krishnaram. Before leaving his body Yogiraj hinted about the impending eventuality to Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya, Swami Pranavanand, Sri Keshwanand Brahmachari etc. At last the moment came when Yogiraj decided to leave his human abode. At the auspicious moment of Sandhikal in the evening on 26 th September, 1895 (Mahastami of Ashwin and Sandhikal of Mahanavami), Yogiraj sat on the lotus posture blessed everybody and left his human abode getting absorbed by five basic elements ( Panch Mahabhoota ). After the incident of Mahasamadhi of Yogiraj, his pious human form was consigned to flames on Manikarnikaghat, the famous cremation of Varanasi, on the bank of the Ganges. After the funeral
was over, each disciple took a portion of the holy ash to preserve with themselves. Yogiraj’s Samadhi Mandir (Temples) are situated in Devaghar, Haridwar, Jagannath Puri, Bhagalpur, Malipur (Faizabad), Maidenipur (West Bengal) and Varanasi. Even today his holy ashes preserved at the Howrah office of Aryya Mission, are blessings for the Kriya-practitioners. I have received this Holy Ashes from the Great Grand Son of Sri Amarendra Das (Varanasi), a disciple of Yogiraj. In addition to this, the different articles and items used by Yogacharya Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya, the handwritten letters of Yogiraj and the original Aryya Mission Books (Published during 1886 to 1930) are also preserved in the Aryya Mission Office, which spontaneously generate spiritual awareness and feeling in Kriya practitioners. Yogiraj used to say “ Believe in the kingdom of Guru. He is always with you. Do not think of this body as Guru because this body is mortal. One day this body has to fuse with the elements of the nature. Arise, and start the journey from external to inner world. There alone, the real joy is realized. Everything in the external world is baffled with ifs and buts. Where is the peace there? Hence, perform Kriya and in the Paravastha (the Beyond State) of Kriya, dissolve your self (Atma) with the Self (the Supreme Self, Parmatma)”. Wife of Yogiraj, Smt Kashimani Devi, Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya, Swami Pranavanand, Shri Keshvanand etc. have felt the presence of Yogiraj even after his demise and even today, the advanced Kriya-practitioners are in contact with him. Once the Kuthasta is enlightened (Self-realization) and the dirty mind gets pure, the practitioners becomes eligible for the subtle experience of Babaji Maharaj and Yogiraj in the form of ever present divine energy (Adi Brahm Shakti). Yogiraj has become one with every atom of this universe. Common people cannot understand this universal truth but if Yogiraj is kind enough, a devoted disciple can feel and understand this truth. After this brief life-sketch of Yogiraj, his spiritual works for which he visited this planet have been discussed. Now the preaching’s of Yogiraj are explained for the benefit of Kriya-practitioners. It is for the first time that this original preaching’s which were jotted down by his chief disciple Shri Panchanan Baba and Shri Chitrasen Singh are being published. Yogiraj’s guidelines for Kriya-practitioners
1. Parents should be considered to be the incarnation of God. 2. Everyday Kriya-practice should be done at 4 am. 3. While performing Omkar-Kriya, japa must be performed on all chakras. 4. Kriya-practice must be performed twice a day. 5. Literature on Kriya and Gita with commentaries by Yogiraj must be perused regularly. 6. Devotion to Kriya-practice, patience, regularity, perseverance etc. are prerequisites for success in this field.
7. Remain aloof from ostentation ( publicity ). Maintain secrecy. 8. Smoking and consummation of intoxicants are strictly prohibited. 9. Do not eat cold-stale, dry and spicy food. 10. Kutastha is Sadguru. So the result of Kriya-practice should be sacrificed at the alter of Kutastha. 11. Undivided devotion ( Single focused devotion ) is necessary for success. It is the sine qua non for self-realization. 12. The practice of original Kriya shows instant result. 13. Kriya-practice is the true worship. In this Kalyuga, its practice liberates from all sorrows. 14. Believe in the motto, “ there is only one truth, One without the other “ ( Ekmeve Advitiyam ) 15. “ No one and nothing belongs to you in this world. You do not belong to anything or anyone” This theme should be the part of your personality in order to ensure instant success in Kriya practice. 16. Kriya-practice must always be done in private. No body else should be allowed to be in the room where Kriya-practice is in progress. A blanket should be used for sitting for Kriya- practice. 17. Kriya-practice should not be done when it thunders or lightening is visible in the sky. 18. A Kriya-practitioner should not fall prey to casteism and untouchability. God´s presence in all the creatures should be felt. 19. A controlled mind is our greatest friend while an uncontrolled mind is our deadly enemy. 20. Kriya-practice is the real recital of the Vedas. 21. Advanced Kriya-practitioners are the Brahmins, those who are devoted to kriya are Kshátriyas, those who perform Kriya-practice with worldly desires are Vaisyas and those who do not practice Kriya are Shudras…… 22. Kutatha is present in all persons. Shri Babaji Maharaj himself inspects Kriya-practitioners in their Kutastha. 23. “ I “ (atmaram) is always ready to ensure your spiritual progress. 24. The one who carries the load will unload ( be free from the load undertaken on behalf of the disciple). You, the disciple, just keep on performing your duties ( Kriya-practice ). 25. Slow and steady wins the race. ( Banat banat bana jayee, Hari se laga raho re bhayee) 26. Kriya-literature is the best for studies. 27. Do not try to get rid of your duties as a householder. Try to get rid of your ego i.e. I, my and mine. Freeing oneself from ego is the real salvation. 28. Putting on saffron robe and changing name do not makes one a sanyasi. Remaining engaged in worldly affairs in a detached manner is the real sanyas. 29. Serving God by being a householder is the best form of service to God. The path of a householder is the best path for self realization since it is on this path that a seeker comes face to face with prakriti and purusha. 30. To be a married person and to maintain a family is the foundation stone of self realization. The unmarried persons are prone to corrupt practices. 31. Have devotion for guru who is none other than your own soul. A seeker in the beginning cannot feel this guru. Guru comes into experience in due course of Kriya-practice with devotion.
32. Those you leave their houses are fickle minded. They are restless people having unstable mind due to burning ambition. Such persons cannot show the path to stability. The real Guru is selfabsorbed blissful submerged in tranquility. Such gurus appear before a seeker when his past good deeds start bearing fruits. 33. A seeker does not force himself into a garb of sanyasi. Sanyas is a state of mind / being. A seeker automatically becomes a sanyasi after purity of mind as a result of regular Kriya-practice. Such a state of mind is the real sanyas. 34. True Yogis appear like common people. Generally the common people cannot recognize them since they tend to hide themselves. They manifest themselves at appropriate times before the deserving seekers. 35. The way out of worldly pains is to remain unattached from the worldly chores even while performing them. Whatever is destined to happen is sure to happen. 36. The wealth is not a means of happiness. Why should we bother for the accumulation of unnecessary wealth? Why should we be concerned with future? Every body in this world is like puppet, the string of which is under the control of God. People are tensed up because of their worldly pursuits-an outcome of stark ignorance. 37. Many Kriya-practitioners are incapable of performing japa on the chakras. It transforms their Kriya-practice into tamasic state and the result is also like wise. It is therefore es sential to perform “Omkar japa” on all the six chakras. 38. At the time of performing Omkar Kriya, japa must be performed on all the six chakras. Sitting for Kriya-practice, performing Pranayama and keeping the mind on worldly desires leads the seekers to nowhere. Such a practice becomes just normal breathing because the brain keeps in thinking about the worldly things, matters, persons, situation etc. 39. Do not perform Kriya-practice if you are under the influence of sleeping tendency or drowsiness. Doing Kriya Practice in such situations is equivalent to not performing it at all. 40. Try to get up around 4 a.m. It is the most suitable time for Kriya-practi ce. 41. Meditate on Guru (Atma). This Atma will provide you with enlightenment i.e. self- awareness, a state of being omniscient. 42. Kriya-practice is not an ordinary practice. It requires whole-hearted efforts on a continuous basis for years. 43. Pranayama is the root of everything. 44. Keep on performing Kriya-practice regularly while discharging your worldly duties. Inhaling, exhaling are the feet of God. Have a firm grip on these feet i.e. Keep on performing japa while inhaling and exhaling. 45. These inhalation and exhalation are the feet of God. Therfore holding these feet means the Japa on the inhalation and exhalation.
Yogacharya Shree Panchanan Bhattacharya (A brief life –sketch) Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya, the chief disciple of Yogiraj Shri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasay, was born at Ahiritola in Kolkata on Saturday, Nov. 12, 1853 (28 kartik Suklapaksha) . He was the real inheritor of the spiritual legacy of Yogiraj. He turned to be a renowned Guru of many worthy disciples including our Gurudeva Shri Nitai Charan Bandopadhyay. His father was Shri Thakurdas Bhattacharya and mother Smt. Jagdamba Devi. At the tender age of 4 years, he lost his father. The economic condition of his family worsened after his father’s demise. It is because of this that he could not complete his formal higher education. Their primary education was through Bengali as a medium of instruction. Although he did not receive higher formal education, his writings on various topics highlight his erudition. It is not every body’s cup of tea to understand his writings. Durgapuja and Jagaddhatri puja were the two main religious festivals of his family.As Shri Panchanan Baba was an introvert he could not digest the extraneous religious rituals. As he grew old, the thirst for spirituality and self realization gained in momentum. In his family was an idol of Radha-Govinda installed by his grandfather. Later on this idol was handed over to a relative and was installed there. Shri Bhattacharya Mahasaya was a pure vegetarian from his early childhood. He loved the sweets made of jaggery ( Tal-Gur ), coconut and pop rice
( Nariyal-murhi ). He advised his disciples to eat these
things. Opposing animal sacrifice on the occasion of Durgapuja, he used to say that people tend to convert their households into slaughter- house on this occasion He opposed this custom vehemently. “ It was not to be accepted at all “, he opined. Filled with the thirst for self realization, when young Panchanan did not find satisfaction in the religious rituals being performed at his home in order to serve the worldly ends, he left his residence in around 1870, for real self-knowledge. Striving hard for spiritual upliftment, he reached Mithila in Bihar where he met ( Shakti Sadhakas ), worshippers of Goddess /Prakriti / Shakti, but they were the worshippers in the name and by appearance only having nothing to do with spirituality. Young Panchanan Baba at that time, himself in the robe of a Sadhu felt let down. Once again he started, with renewed vigor, the search for a real guide. As destiny had kept in store for him it unfolded at the appropriate time and he came to know the whereabouts of Yogiraj Revered Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya. On reaching Kashi, Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya Mahasaya appeared before Yogiraj in the evening at his residence. At that time Yogiraj was completely absorbed in Yoga discourses. On seeing Bhattacharya Mahasaya he greeted him with three words – “ Welcome Guruvanshi ( From Guru Pedigree ) Bhattacharya Mahasaya “ . Shri Panchanan Baba was taken a back at such an
address to him because it was his first meeting with Yogiraj. He felt overwhelmed at receiving the
fatherly affection from Yogiraj at the first glance. He instantly understood that he met his real master a Brahmagyani who could lead him to self – realization. So he prostrated before Yogiraj and begged for initiation. On hearing his request for initiation, Yogiraj asked him to put off the saffron robe and promise to be a householder, as a precondition for the initiation into Kriya-yoga. (This statement of Yogiraj clearly indicates that he never believed the outer showy wearing (like putting robes). He used the term “Guruvanshi” for Panchanan Baba, representing him as the spiritual successor of Yogiraj) . One can easily feel the state of a person who was going to resign
from Swami Pantha in order to become a householder for the sake of initiation. In our society, if a Sadhu becomes a householder he is condemned and regarded as a sinner, and outcast. Shri Panchanan Baba who was destined to be the chief disciple of Yogiraj, did not show any sign of hesitation, even for a moment in accepting wholeheartedly the precondition laid down by the great master. The next day Shri Bhattacharya Mahasaya put on his saffron robe and consigned it to the Ganges. After that he received initiation from Yogiraj. This incident placed Bhattacharya Mahasaya at the apex in the list of Yogiraj´s disciples. Yogiraj used the Hindi word “ Aap “ meaning “you for giving respect”, in order to address Shri Bhattacharya Mahasaya. No other example of this nature is available till date. Rev. Panchanan Baba was a tall and colored person. From the very beginning he was softspoken, reserved and persevering. He considered dedication, devotion, regularity in practice, determination and perseverance to be the essential ingredients of success in any field of activity. In this world if one surrenders to Guru ( Existence / Soul ), considers every work to be the Guru’s work and performs his work with devotion, he or she is bound to relish the flavors from Guru and have self-realization i.e. the blissful state of being. Shri Panchanan Baba possessed the valor and tenacity of a warrior necessa ry for success in any endeavor. In his opinion, hard work, discipline and perseverance are the sine qua non of success. According to him, true devotion and proper practice are the prerequisite s for the conquest in the battle of prolonged spiritual practice. The easiest way of attaining self-realization is to keep on doing all worldly activities as a service to God. Shri Panchanan Baba used to be simple dressed. Though omniscient he looked like a common man. Some of the articles used by him and his wife have been preserved by Aryya Mission. The original books published by the old Aryya Mission and United Mission have also been preserved by the new Aryya Mission. These books were published during the period of 1885 -1947. These books have been collected from the families of Shri Bhattacharya and his disciple Shri Hari Mohan Bandopadhyay. In addition to these rare materials, Yogiraj´s picture ( given by none other than himself), his pious ash, rare photographs of Shri Panchanan Baba, the articles used by Shri Netai Baba etc. are worth seeing. All these articles are available at 8, Ram Charan Seth Road, Howrah-4, the office of present Aryya Mission. Like his Guru Yogiraj, he also used to hide himself from the common people. His Dedication, sincerity, alertness, devotion and perseverance are worth emulation for any Kriya-practitioner. Once a person was praising Sanyas-path ( the path of renouncing ones household for spiritual pursuit ). Sri
Panchanan Baba explained to that person the importance of being a householder in order to pursue spiritual pursuit. He said “Our ancestors, the Rishis in the ancient times were householders”. They were self-realized and showed the path of self-realization to others while remaining in their households. A person who criticizes a householder cannot attain the state of sanyas. A sanyasi depends on a householder for food and other necessities. He (Sanyasi) is born in the family of a householder. Sanyas is therefore, a state of being and it has nothing to do with robes, names and titles ( Swami ). A person, who has set aside his ego, becomes a sanyasi. Yogiraj Shri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya was a living example of this.” The person who was previously arguing was completely satisfied and begged for being initiated in Kriya-yoga. Shri Panchanan Baba was kind enough to initiate him. Shri Panchanan Baba initiated a prostitue of Desghra into Kriya-yoga, showing scant respect for the prevailing fake social norms. Baba used to teach lessons to the proud seekers from upper castes by sending them to his worthy disciples, Shri Nagendranath Chaudhury for initiation into Kriya-yoga. Shri Chandhury hailed from schedule- caste but was a highly advanced Kriya-yogi. Another disciple of Baba, Shri Hari Mohan Banerjee ( father of Surdhani Devi and first secretary of Aryya Mission ) authored many books on Kriya-yoga in Bengali, Sanskrit and English. He converted his res idence into Adinath Ashram and started United Mission for publication of books from there only. The first wife of Yogacharya Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya, Smt Yukteshwari Devi was a very advanced spiritual lady. His second wife, Smt. Surdhani Devi was also a very high profile Kriyayogi. Baba’s only son Shri Bodhisatva Bhattacharya, was given birth by Smt Surdhani Devi. Yogiraj Shri Lahiri Baba knew about the past life of Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya. Yogacharya Shri Panchanan Baba narrated this story from his previous incarnation. The story is being produced in his own words“ In my previous incarnation I was a sanyasi of Naga Pantha. I used to stay in what is known as Tibet today. Once I was wandering in the foothills of the Himalayas. I felt very hungry. I took shelter in a cottage of a Bhairavi (a lady endowed with Siddhis i.e. special spiritual powers). Her Guru had foretold her that her husband would be a highly advanced sanyasi. In order to test whether the person was really befitting her or not, she should throw any of her clothes. If the cloth burnt after touching that person he would be unfit, but if it did not burn he would be the befitting person for her in order to marry. The lady performed the same test with me but the cloth did not get burnt. Seeing this, the lady requested me to marry her but I was against marriage, since I used to consider a householder to be an inferior person. So I turned down her offer. She wanted to force me into wedlock and at the last there was a real fight. I pushed her into burning fire and got out of the cottage quickly. After some time I started repenting on my deed and so went back to the cottage and saw that the lady dead due to burning injuries. Surdhani, my present wife is the same lady. So I am a firm believer in destiny”. I heard this story from Rev. Jeavanlal Chaudhury, a worthy disciple of Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya. Once I heard the same story from Shri Rangnath Tewari. Like his guru Yogiraj Lahiri Mahasaya, Shri Panchanan Baba also used to be absorbed in the
practice of and deliberations on Kriya-yoga at his residence. Shri Panchanan Baba was the first fortunate disciple of Yogiraj to have been allowed to initiate eligible seekers into Kriya-yoga. Eligible seekers in the neighborhood of Kolkata used to receive initiation in Kriya-yoga from Shri Panchanan Baba at the behest of Shri Yogiraj. While advising a seeker to approach Shri Panchanan Baba for initiation into Kriya-yoga, Yogiraj had written this letter and advised him to show the letter to Shri Bhattacharya “Sin and good deeds are just the states of human mind. When the mind becomes stable, Brahmakarma takes place where there is neither sin nor punya (good deed). The one who is thinking, if we meditate upon that, where is the scope of any thought and feeling? If Kala (time) is brought under control, why should there be fear from Kala (time)? Nobody is a disciple, on the contrary everybody is a (master) Guru. He only can initiate you into Kriya-Yoga after analyzing you” (Taken from archive letters). The people from Kolkata and nearby areas use d to get initiated into Kriya by Panchanan Baba. Shri Panchanan Baba used to conduct minute test of people desirous for Kriya before initiating them into Kriya-yoga. He was a hard taskmaster so far as Kriya-practice is concerned. I used to visit Baba’s disciple Late Shri Jeevanlal Chaudhury of Kalkota. Rev. Chaudhury Mahasaya provided me immense help. Shri Chaudhury was initiated by Baba at the tender age of just twelve years and was advised to be regular in Kriya-practice, otherwise he would incur Baba’s wrath. According to Shri Chaudhury, Baba used to judge the disciples state of devotion to Kriya-practice just by seeing their faces. Dedicated disciples received fatherly affection from Baba. Baba used to be clad in dhoti and a half-sleeved Kurta. He paid scant attention to dress. There was a complete absence of egoism ( pride ) in his personality. Many disciples of Yogiraj Lahiri Mahasaya used to visit his place in order to learn the techniques or process of higher stages of Kriya-practice. Sri Bhupendranath Sanyal Mahasaya learnt almost entire Kriya-practice from Sri Panchanan Baba. Baba used to console depressed disciples by advising them to ignore or face bravely the tides of Poverty, social-criticism or family problems etc., since these tend to appear before Kriya-practitioners in order to test their patience and perseverance. They really help the Kriya-practitioners in the same way as the wind helps the kite to fly higher and higher. As a result of dedicated Kriya-practice on a regular basis for some years, the seeker becomes unworried since by then he realizes the importance of detached work. Special favor from Guru makes him devoid of ego i.e. detached. In such a state, vari ous spiritual powers (Siddhis) crown him, but the seeker does not utilize them for personal purposes because he knows that in such a case his degradation will start. Rev. Panchanan Baba was a worthy disciple of Yogiraj and just like him he also did not believe in caste, creed and sect. I came to know from Late Shri Abhijit Sengupta a disciple of Swami Satyananda, that in 1911 Shri Satyanand and Shri Yoganand went to Yogacharya Rev. Panchanan Baba at Ahiritola, Kolkata. On being requested to give guidelines, Shri Panchanan Baba said- “ The youth should not desert the family and put on a saffron robe to become a fake sanyasi. In my opinion a householder is a better place so far as the success in Kriya-practice or any sort of spiritual practice is concerned. Like my Gurudeva, Yogiraj Lahiri Baba, a householder can scale the pinnacle of success in the realm of
Kriya-practice or any other spiritual practice.” Some people ask me why Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya should be considered to be Yogiraj’s chief disciple. They are so many reasons for this. Shri Panchanan Baba showed the exemplary courage in obeying Yogiraj even before receiving initiation from him by shedding his saffron robe - a symbol of resignation from Sadhu sect and accepting the status of a householder. It is to be remembered that he was vehemently criticized not only by then prevailing society in general but also by some of Yogiraj’s disciples in particular, for his act of shedding the saffron robe and agreeing to become a householder. It is undoubtedly praiseworthy that Shri Bhattacharya obeyed his Guru without any sort of hesitation, showing scant respect to the prevailing social norms and are not giving emphasis to the taunts of fellow Kriya-practitioners. This incident is indeed unforgettable. It is the reason for Yogiraj’s special favor and affection for Shri Panchanan Baba. Devotion to Guru is indeed the real Gurudakshina (offering to Guru from a disciple). No other disciple of Yogiraj could pay such a heavy price. On the other hand, one of Yogiraj’s disciples ignored his advice, received initiation in Puri and became a follower of Giri Sect. It is really regrettable and painful but the awareness of this fact is in the interest of society in general and Kriya-practitioners in particular. Rev. Panchanan Bhattacharya was the first to have attained self-realization among the disciples of Yogiraj. For him there was nothing but Kriya and Yogiraj in the world. In a letter to Yogiraj he writes-
“ During the last two years, Annapurna Puja was celebrated. This fact is known to you.
This year also everybody is urging for the celebration, but I have not been able to decide. If you permit, it is okay otherwise I do not intend to celebrate. For me you are the Vishweshwor Annapurna ( God of the Universe). You do everything but people consider me to be the doing. What is (proper) right? In order to know I have written this letter to you. – The servant at your feet ( Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya ) “. Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya shifted to Bavanbigha (Vaidyanath-Devghar, Jhakhand) house when he got 52 bighas of land there by way of Yogiraj’s blessings. In order to earn his livelihood, Baba started cultivation of roses in the entire land. The roses grown there were of very good quality and so were dispatched to Kolkata and other parts of India. Everyday he used to garland Yogiraj’s photograph with roses. Yogiraj’s memorial was also wreathed in roses everyday. After Yogiraj’s funeral his disciples took into possession a portion of holy ashes and bones as sacred blessings from Yogiraj and placed the containers at their places. Shri Panchanan Baba placed the container at his residence in Bavanbigha (Devghar). He used to initiate the seekers into Kriya-yoga near that sacred place. Today Adinath Shiv Temple adores that place. This place is indeed enchanting and it is adjacent to Baba’s residence. Obeying his Guru, Rev. Panchanan Baba established Aryya Mission Institution 3 rd May 1886 at 80, Mukta Ram Babu Street, Kalkota-7. Now that place is occupied by a personal residence. The institution was established with a mission to make available the books, having Yogiraj´s
commentaries to the public, to distribute those books among Kriya-practitioners, to manufacture and distribute Ayurvedic medicines ( special medicines to cure the otherwise incurable diseases ) and to encourage spreading of education in the society. The credit goes to this Institution for being the pioneer in the field of distribution of Shrimad Bhagwat Gita with Yogiraj’s commentaries, at a very nominal cheap rate not only in Kolkata, but in other parts of undivided Bengal as well. This Gita is now sold in the name of Aryya Mission Gita. Now the Aryya Mission Institutuion has been shifted to 8, Ram Charan Seth Road, Howrah and 192, Rabindra Sarani, Kolkata. The Mission is working with renewed vigor with the blessings from Yogiraj and the disciples from his lineage. It is nothing but miracle that during Kriya-practice, I was inspired by none other than Yogiraj himself to reactivate the dormant Aryya Mission. Later on, I consulted Shri Ranganath Tewari Babaji, who not only gave his personal blessings for success in this pious endeavor but also assured of guidance and blessings from Mahavtar Babaji Maharaj, Yogiraj Shri Panchanan Baba and other disciples from his lineage. It is their work and therefore they have been taking utmost care, which all of us ( those associated with this work ) feel. It is sheer mercy of Gurudeva that I got hold of old documents of Aryya Mission in a mysterious way and all associated with the Mission’s work feel that Gurudeva himself has been guiding us, caring for us, giving us much more than what we need. Like Shri Panchanan Baba, we feel constant growth of devotion, sincerity, perseverance etc. The Mission has been rec eiving unprecedented help from Kriya-practitioners from India and abroad. Shri Panchanan Baba had an extensive tour of Bengal, Bihar and U.P ( Uttar Pradesh ). Many eligible seekers were fortunate to have been initiated into Kriya-yoga by him during such tours. Master of all Siddhis, Shri Panchanan Baba kept himself totally aloof from publicity since he used to hide his special spiritual prowess from the common folk. He favored and encouraged secrecy so far as Kriya-practice is concerned. Unaware of the praise or criticism, Rev. Panchanan Baba remained in blissful (tranquil) state (the state of being one with Brahma). Shri Baba used to speak less but was firm in his resolve. He used to advise his disciples to be away from the worldly dirty tricks (foul play). Once, Rev. Panchanan Baba dealt with the ego problem of his dear disciple Shrish Mukherjee in an awe-inspiring manner. Shri Shrish Babu was praising his professional acumen before Babaji who immediately identified the ego-centric behavior of his disciple which needed to be cured urgently. Baba asked Dr. Mukherjee in an easy-going chatting tone to diagnose his body. Dr. Mukherjee started examining heart beat of Babaji with his Stethoscope but he was awe-struck. The Stethoscope was showing no heart beat at all. Being perplexed, Dr. Mukherjee started diagnosing Baba’s pulse but again he could not feel the pulse. Dr. Mukherjee gazed at the face of Baba who asked smilingly the reason for Dr. Mukherjee’s discomfort. Dr. Mukherjee told Baba that Baba, who was talking, showed the features of a dead body according to medical science. Dr. Mukherjee conceded his defeat. At this Baba said that it was needed to cure the disease of Dr. Mukherjee’s ego-centric behavior. Baba asked Dr. Mukherjee to re-diagnose him. This time everything was quite normal. I would like to narrate one more incident for the benefit of Kriya-practitioners. Like his Guru,
Sri Yogiraj, Rev Panchanan Baba also used on invite his disciples on the occasion of Shivaratri. Once, a huge crowd of disciples gathered on such an occasion at Bavanbigha residence of Babaji. Bavanbigha is located at Devghar, Jharkand. Devghar is famous for one of the twelve Shivalingas. Devghar is also called Baidyanath Dham ( One of the Shivalinga is known as Baidhynath Shaivalinga ), the place of Shiva. A day before Shivaratri, all the disciples were tired and so they went to bed a bit earlier at night. In the morning on the day of Shivaratri, Baba woke up all his disciples and exhorted them to pour the holy water of the Ganges on the Shivalinga, in the temple of Baidyanath, since Puranas assured of liberation without fail to those who did so that day. All the disciples obeyed Baba and went to that temple but there was a disciple who did not agree to Baba’s suggestion to visit the temple of Baidyanath. When the Baba wore a stern face the disciple pleaded with folded hands that Sri Panchanan Baba was the real Baidyanath disguised in the normal human form and so there was no need to go to pour holy water of the Ganges on Shivalinga. Hearing this devotion filled utterances, Rev. Panchanan Baba was deeply moved. He touched the disciples Kutastha ( Agyan Chakra ) with his right thumb. Immediately the disciple went into deep Samadhi (the blissful state) and attained self realization i.e. became enlightened like the Baba himself. This disciple was Shri Srilal Yadav of Jamnia Gazipur U.P ( Uttar Pradesh ). Miracles were common to the disciples of Shri Panchanan Baba. Even today devoted Kriya-practitioners of his lineage feel Baba’s blessings during Kriya-practice and sometimes in the normal daily life also. Even today the Kriya-practitioners do feel the grace of Rev Panchanan Baba during kriya – practice. In the month of July 2003, I went to Ahiritola residence of Rev. Baba. My friends Shri Nand Kumar Mishra and Shri Satish Bhatia were accompanying me. Mr. Bhatia, who came from U.S.A. to see me and get certain clarifications in connection with Kriya-practice, started singing a Sloka by way of prayer to Guru, at my request. The Sloka recital in classical form was really unique. All of us were absorbed in a blissful state ( transcended time ). Later on, Mr. Bhatia told me that he never made such a classical recital previously. He felt the blessings of Rev. Panchanan Baba in course of his recital. Being immersed in the grace, he went back to U.S.A. Rev. Panchanan Baba vehemently criticized the prevailing ostentation in the form of religious practices and the other malpractices in the form of formal religious practices. He used to comment – “ Without thinking enough, people allow the weak and hopeless people, to t ake important decisions of their lives. Before getting initiation from anybody, all the possible details regarding the person must be verified from various sources. His ability and spiritual prowess must be taken into consideration. Kabir says “ Drink water after proper filtration, take initiation after careful verification of initiator. ( Pani Pejai Chhankar , Guru Kijay Jankar ) Being a descendant of a Siddha clan does not make a person eligible for becoming an initiator. Today there are many persons filled with fake ego who claim to hail from a Siddha clan ( in a clan having a Siddha as an ancestor ). Such people have declared themselves to be a Guru ( initiator ). These hopeless people are highly materialistic in nature. Being attached to various corrupt practices they do not know even the basic of spiritual practices. They simply keep on trying to deceive the ignorant seekers and amass as much wealth as they can. They pretend to be a Guru by dressing themselves suitably. It is therefore necessary to be alert so as to remain aloof
from such Thugs ( frauds ). The relatives of an enlightened person can never claim to be Guru. One has to perform spiritual practices for quite a long period of time in order to become enlightened. It is no way related to birth. Now I would like to narrate an incident related to Rev. Panchanan Baba. It is extracted from the writings of Shri Bodhisatva Bhattacharya Mahasaya, the only son of Rev. Baba. Once a German lady Dr. Leonora Margrethi along with Sri Harinath De, Baba’s disciple came to see Baba. She wanted to be initiated into Kriya-yoga. On hearing request, Shri Baba contacted Yogiraj ( in astral form ). Even today the disciples of his lineage take permission from Babaji Maharaj or Shri Yogiraj ( in astral form ) for initiation of a seeker into Kriya-yoga. Yogiraj, Sri Lahiri Baba ( in astral form ) instructed Shri Panchanan Baba to ask that lady to concentrate on Kutastha, but the lady failed to do so since she wanted to be initiated in order to serve worldly ends. It is not possible for Kriya-practitioner to succeed with worldly dreams remaining intact. Seeing the lady’s eagerness, Sri Panchanan Baba touched her Kutastha. Just on being touched, the lady passed into a trance ( a blissful state) i.e. Bhava Samadhi. After some time Harinath Babu’s mother gave her a good shake in order to bring her back to normalcy. On regaining normalcy, the lady yelled – “ Why did you disturb me , I was seeing heavens light, Alas! It is gone”. After this Baba did not initiate her since she was not fit for it at that time but remarked that in the next incarnation she would receive initiation into Kriya-yoga. It is to be noted that Baba called her by the name Yogmaya on that occasion. Gurudeva Shri Netai Charan Bandopadhyay, the disciple of Shri Panchanan Baba, initiated the lady, whose name was Yogmaya Das ( in the next incarnation ). The renowned poet and lyricist of Bengal Najrul Islam Saheb received initiation in Kriya-yoga from Shri Varadacharan Majumdar Mahasaya, the head master of Lalgola High School. Shri Majumdar was a disciple of Shri Panchanan Baba. It took time for Panchanan Baba to experience the truth that Yogiraj Lahiri Mahasaya was a Brahmapurush ( immersed in Brahma ). Like Yogiraj, Shri Panchanan Baba believed something only when there was an irrefutable proof to support that. Once Shri Panchanan Baba told his friend that only on attaining self–realization he would consider Yogiraj to be his Guru. It is to be noted that Shri Panchanan Baba was the first among the many disciples of Yogiraj to have had self-realization. That is why Shri Panchanan Baba was extraordinary devoted to his Guru- the Yogiraj. Another incident of Shri Panchanan Baba and his disciple Shri Haricharan Mukhopadhyay is narrated here. This incident, took place a decade after the Mahasamadhi of Yogiraj Lahiri Baba. One day Shri. Panchanan Baba asked Shri Haricharan Mukhopadhyay to plan for a visit to Kashi. Haricharan Babu was elated thinking that he would visit famous temples of Kashi, take a holy dip in the Ganges, and tour famous Ghats ( specially designed embankments ). Both of them left Devghar and reached Kashi by train. Shri Panchanan Baba went to an inn ( Dharamshala ) took a bath and cooked food. After having food, both of them went out. Panchanan Baba was walking fast through the narrow and dirty lanes of Varanasi but Shri Haricharan Babu kept on thinking of temples, Ghtas,
holy dip in the Ganges walking behind Baba, through the dirty lane which he ( Shri Hari Babu ) did not like at all. All of a sudden Shri Panchanan Baba stopped in front of an old house, bowed down at the entrance and entered into the premises. It was the residence of Yogiraj Lahiri Mahasaya. There was a small room in which Yogiraj´s wooden slipper (paduka) and his small picture were kept. At present a copy of this original picture adores Howrah office of Aryya Mission. Shri Panchanan Baba sat in Kriya-practice posture and performed “Guru Pranam” (salutation to the Guru through Pranayams). Sri Haricharan Babu followed his master. After that Shri Panchanan Baba, who knew what was going on in the mind of Hari Babu, told him- “Hari, this is Lord Vishwanath’s temple, it is pious Ganga-ghat and pious water of the Ganges for me. Besides this there is nothing adorable for me, not only in Kashi but in the entire universe. Please come; let us go back by the next available train.” Haricharan Babu was taken aback at this single-focused devotion ( Avyabhicharini Bhakti ) of Shri Panchanan Baba. Yogacharya Shri Panchanan Baba had firm faith in Avyabhicharini Bhakti. He opined that a seeker must follow only one path with a firm resolve. It is a common knowledge that people worship many deities in order to serve their varying worldly purposes. Man has himself invented so many deities out of greed for wealth, worldly ( sensual ) pleasures, advancement of learning, family aggrandizement etc. but in doing so he has separated himself from his soul , the Guru the real master. It indeed reflects a very sad state of affair since it saps devotion out of a person. He is not devoted to anything since he keeps on changing ( or shifting ) loyalty as per his convenience. So it is necessary to follow just one correct path. Breathing ( Prana ) is the basic ingredient of any type of spiritual practice irrespective of sect or religious inclination. Regulation of ( Prana ) breathing in called Pranayam. It is a fact that
a body which has stopped breathing is of no use and the people quickly per form its last rites. No body wants to preserve a dead body of his dear ones. Therefore the body, which is breathing, is fit to be explored for worshipping. It is true with idol worship also since the mantras for (prana pratishtha) giving Prana to the idol are chanted by the priests. The question arises as to the validity of this act of an ignorant priest. It is not the correct procedure. The way out it is to worship Prana through the body machine since the body is really made to suffer or enjoy the outcome of all deeds, both good and bad. Therefore, Prana worship is the best form of worship. If one does it with devotion, he is sure to get a Sadguru. Sadguru means a soul, which is immersed in the blissful state ( Brahma ). Our soul is covered with ( Manas ) mind. As a result of regular devoted Kriya-practice the soul is able to shed the cover of mind i.e. the mind is transcended. The soul of a body, which has transcended mind, is called
( Brahmamaya Atma ) a soul immersed in Brahma.
Yogacharya Panchanan Baba used to conduct a thorough test of a seeker and when he used to be completely convinced / assured, only the he initiated the seeker into Kriya-yoga. The names of some of his disciples are available with the documents of Aryya Mission. I received them from Rev. Jeevan Baba a noted disciple of Shri Panchanan Baba . These names are stated below:
1. Dr. Shrish Mukheerje. 2. Shri Kanhailal Seth. 3. Shri Tarabhushan Banerjee. 4. Shri Bhutanath De. 5. Shri Vinod Behari De. 6. ShriYogenranath Pal. 7. Shri Bamancharan Bandopadhyaya. 8. Shri Nagendranath Chaudhury. 9. Shri Adyanath Roy. 10. Shri Netai Charan Banerjee. 11. Shri Ambika Charan Biswas. 12. Shri Jeevanlal Chaudhury. 13. Shri Hari Mohan Banerjee. 14. Shri Varadacharan Majumdar. 15. Shri Anndacharan. 16. Shri Harinath De. 17. Shri ShrilalYadav 18. Shri Bhagwan Sahay 19. Shri Nandalal Kanduri. 20. Shri Nikunj Behari Sen. They used to initiate the seeker into Kriya-yoga with Baba’s permission. Shri Panchanan Baba had a passion for music. He composed hundreds of yoga songs with their musical composition. Aryya Mission published his songs in Bengali in a book titled “Yoga-Sangeet tatha Eshwor Tatwalochana”. This book is available now with the Aryya Mission ( The book was compiled by the Elder most Great Grand Son of Shri. Panchanan Baba ). After self-realization, Rev. Panchanan Baba introduced before us the real face of so many misconceptions prevalent in our society. Each individual has to reach the last stage of his life i.e. to face the eventuality, the journey to graveyard but usually people face this eventuality not as a realized soul
( Dehi – Atma Sahit ), but as a body without any connection with the soul ( Deh - Atma Rahit
). The society considers graveyard / cremation ground ( Shamshan ) to be inauspicious since it does not know its real meaning (Praknit Artha). Commenting on this word Baba said – “ The soul merges into the void
( Mahashunya Ya Mahavyoma Mein Hi Jiva Ka Laya Hota Hai ). Those who
meditate on this void are Mahadeva the Devadhideva ( the supreme God). It is a special state. The crematory is not the place where the soul ( Jiva / Dehi ) gets absorbed by the void, so the cremation ground where the dead body is burnt to ashes cannot be called Shamshan. Therefore the void, the great void ( Mahashunya ) is the real Cremation ( Praknit Shamshan ), since the Jiva merges into Brahma herein.
Treading on the footprints of Yogiraj, Shri Panchanan Baba spread revolutionary ideology in the society. This ideology aimed at showing the right path to confused people. The episode involving his noted disciple Shri Nagendranath Chaudhury proves this point beyond doubt. Shri Nagendranath had left his family and joined a sect of Sanyas, putting on the saffron robe. By chance he came to know about Shri Panchanan Baba. One day he visited Ahiritola residence of Rev. Panchanan Baba and asked him for spiritual guidance. Rev. Baba said, “ I am a householder , engaged in worldly affairs ( Sansari ) and you are a Sanyasi. What will you learn from me? You have abandoned your wife and daughter and put on the saffron robe. You are not aware of the misfortune which has befallen upon them. One who cannot take care of his own family cannot, in any case, cope up with the extra-ordinary prowess ( Param Teja ) of the almighty. O! Coward fellow it is better for you to commit suicide than to continue with deceiving yourself and the society by your saffron robe and long hairs”. Nagendranath was speechless. He did not know how Rev. Baba knew about his previous life and family. He instantly understood that he at last met the right pers on who would guide him properly. Immediately he prostrated before Rev. Baba and begged for discipleship. Knowing everything, Baba asked him to shave off his long hairs and put on the simple dress of a householder in order to be initiated into Kriya-yoga. Later on Shri Nagendranath attained a very high degree of success in Kriya-practice. He used to narrate this incident to his disciples in order to motivate them. Till the last day of his life Shri Panchanan Baba bestowed upon the society his spiritual property not as a Siddha but as a disciple of Yogiraj and as Kriya-practitioner. Before his demise, he gave a hint to his wife Smt. Surdhani Devi about the impending eventuality. At the ripe age of 66, Rev. Yogacharya Shri Panchanan Baba left his human abode at the auspicious moment of Sandhikal of Aghor Chaturdashi and Alok Amavasya (9:55 p.m) on 24 th of August, 1919 ( Baba left his human abode in his meditation cum bed room on the first floor of his Devghar residence). His daughter inlaw came to know of this when she went up to hand over a water-pot fi lled with water at 10 p.m. Rev Babaji Maharaj and Yogiraj Lahiri Baba graced this pious event in astral form. Smt. Surdhani Devi and Indumati Devi ( wife of Shri. Bodhisatwa Mahasaya and daughter in law of of Rev. Panchanan Baba ) witnessed their presence through Chaitanya Kutastha ( Enlightened Kutastha ). Smt. Sirdhani Devi left her human abode on 23 rd April, 1956 at Panchanan Dham in Chattagaon. Panchanan Dham at Chattagaon was established by the noted disciple of Rev. Panchanan Baba, Shri Nagendranath Chaudhury. Now Yogacharya´s religious works are being highlighted with his permission. Rev. Baba not only published Yogiraj Lahiri Baba´s gospels but also authored some inspiring books in Bengali in order to guide Kriya-practitioners of that era. At present Aryya Mission is trying to translate these books into Hindi and English. 1. The world and I ( Jagat aur Main ) 2. Women Education and Liberty ( Stri Shiksha aur Swadhinata )
3. Commentary on Religion and Investigation of worship ( Dharma aur Poojadi Mimansa) 4. Yoga-Music and Commentary on the Essence of God. ( Yoga-Sangeet tatha Eshwor Tatwalochana )
1. The world and I ( Jagat aur Main )
This book provides the description of the world from the view point of Shri Yogacharya. This book provides recollection of his experiences with society during the period spanning from his childhood to the adulthood. It also provides spiritual insights encompassing the areas of Pranayama, Tatwagyan (knowledge), love and devotion. The Present Aryya Mission is trying to translate this voluminous treatise into Hindi. 2. Women Education and Liberty ( Stri Shiksha aur Swadhinata )
Rev. Yogacharya highlighted the importance of women education in this book. During his life time, Babaji was a staunch supporter of women education. This book deals with the manner in which the girls can develop mentally, physically and above all, formation of sound character through education. Commenting on liberty, Babaji says, “ What does liberty really means? Does it mean the way boys and girls move around, together in an unmannered way? Disrespecting parents? To take wrong decisions by giving justifications to own thoughts? These are all the confusions of the present society. Education should inculcate the feelings of respect for parents, elders, teachers etc. Then only the welfare of this country and society can take place. It must teach the proper way to behave in society, fostering mutual respect, satisfaction to both sides in sundry social interactions and above all care for Soul (self). In the pursuit of excellence in materialistic sense, the essence of good behavior should not take a back seat. Spiritual upliftment is the corner-stone of progress of a society. Materialistic growth without spiritual progress results into social havoc. Men and women must identify their areas of specialization ( which our ancestors did in similar way successfully ) in order to ensure that a man is a good householder and a woman a good housewife. Social evils which have crept into society on account of foreign influences due to foreign rulers must not continue to sap the vitality of universally acclaimed Indian wisdom”. ( This book was translated in Hindi by Shri Gurudasram, disciple of Shri Panchanan Baba, in 1935 ). This book is available in Hindi with Aryya Mission. 3. Commentary on Religion and Investigation of worship ( Dharma aur Poojadi Mimansa)
This book portrays the inner meaning of religion. The evils like concocted religious tales, false assumptions and organized business of fake priests and pundits in the name of religion have been discussed extensively. Commenting on the cheats in the guise of priests and pundits, Rev. Panchanan Baba says - these persons not only engage in self-deceit but they also corrupt the society. They beg from the householders for bread and butter and scoff at them at the same time. He says that re ligion is related to experience, it cannot be expressed through words, sects or classified as Hinduism and Islam. It is a continuous activity happening in all forms of life. This process is nothing but (PranaKriya) the act of breathing. With the help of a very inspiring story, Shri Babaji has highlighted the
importance of controlled breathing (Prana-Kriya). ( This book was first published in Hindi in 1921 by Suradhani Ma i.e. wife of Rev. Panchanan Baba. This book is available with Aryya Mission ).
4. Yoga-Music and Commentary on the Essence of God. ( Yoga-Sangeet tatha Eshwor Tatwalochana )
In this book Yogacharya Rev. Panchanan Baba has emphasized the importance of Yoga and blessings of Guru through songs. This collection of Yogic-songs in Bengali provides spontaneous inspiration to have religious pursuits. Baba writes - human body is a wonderful machine ( Manav Deher Majhe Ajab Karkhana ). Five chakras are like five Pandavas and the sixth chakra symbolizes Krishna. The king of body is Dhritarahstre ( Mind / Manas ) and Kauravas ( hundred in number i.e. ten sense organs each having ten Gunas ) are his sons. The human body is the battlefield. Only the blessings of Guru can ensure victory in this battle. Other songs also explain the benefits of Yoga and Guru’s blessings. In this body both Kali and Krishna are present ( Ghaté Kali Krishna Ek Antarte ). Oh! Fool Manas (mind) why are you getting enchanted by the food for sense organs ( Hey Murkha Mana, Vishayon Mein Bhala Kyon Mohit Ho? ) and Oh! Manas, lets proceed to Guru’s place ( Manava Chal Re Gurudham) etc. are highly effective and illuminating religious compositions ( Bhajans ). Similarly , one of the compositions of Rev. Baba highlights the Everest of restlessness of a seeker for the almighty. “ I constantly try to keep on calling you, my darling! But alas! I am helpless, my days and nights were spent in vain. ( Daki Daki Kari, Dakite na Pari, Viphalate Gelo Divas , Rajani ). The reason for this inability of a seeker is his attachment with wealth, women and other worldly things ( Kanchan and Kamini ). So long as the attachments are there, the call for the Almighty remains to be fake, a lip service without any support from the inner being. Nevertheless the seeker in his initial stages is beckoning God by imploring that he is ready to get rid of worldly attachments and seeks the assistance of Almighty Guru to strengthen him in order to enable him to succeed in this endeavor because it is a stage when the seekers feels the constant pain gnawing at his heart due to these attachments and begs for showing the benediction of mercy which could wash off theses negativities and lead him to the path which culminates in God’s kingdom. It has already been mentioned that all the books with commentaries from Yogiraj Shri Lahiri Babaji were published by Aryya Mission by Rev. Yogacharya Panchanan Babaji himself and even today the Mission is working under his guidance ( in the astral form). Rev. Panchanan Babaji’s life has always been a source of inspiration for the Kriya-practitioners. His simplicity, devotion to Guru, perseverance etc. are worth emulating. Yogacharya Rev. Panchanan Bhattacharya’s guide lines for Kriya-practitioners
1. The longing for God realization leads to appearance of Sadguru before a seeker. 2. Religion is the real friend of human beings.
3. Non-violence is the foremost religion ( Param Dharma ). 4. Pleasure lies in the state of mind, not in wealth and other worldly things. 5. Greed is the worst enemy. So a greedy never attains peace. 6. Everything that belongs to I, Me or My should be bestowed upon Guru’s feet. 7. If one is freed from greed, properties and wealth belonging to others seem to be worthless to a seeker. 8. Do not insult or put to loss anybody with out reason. 9. Have the feeling of kindness to all creatures. 10. Do not be annoyed (angry) with an angry man. 11. Take the food which can enhance Satwaguna ( the light of wisdom ) 12. Do not give arguments without knowing the subject matter. 13. Try to inculcate the feelings of a Sadhu. 14. Bestow courage to the afraid people. 15. Do not sleep on a very soft bed. 16. Be quiet ( peaceful ) and patient (have patience) 17. Try to tolerate criticism and harsh words heaved upon you by others. 18. Always try to provide food, clothes and other types of help to the needy, utilizing your full potential or capacity. 19. Be polite and cultivate an enlightening (ideal) character ( Sat Charitra ). 20. Thinking of others (other women and men) is a sin. So try to be se lf absorbed. 21. Consider other ladies to be like your mother. 22. Do not harbor animosity towards any body. The wavering mind is the real enemy. 23. Do not try to look into the secrets of others. It spreads all types of vices (Pra panch). 24. Perform Kriya-practice twice a day on a regular basis. Always have devotion for Guru and gospels of Guru. 25. Keep the points of outlets and secretions (urine, stool, sweat etc.) clean i.e. body cleanness. 26. Forgiving, Kindness and equanimity (equality) are the important features of a Kriya practitioner. 27. Do not perform Kriya-practice when it thunders or there is a cyclone or when you are tired. 28. Do not allow the ego to raise its ugly head as a result of extra-ordinary or super natural experiences gained from Kriya-practice. 29. Consider all advanced Kriya-practitioners as good as Guru. 30. Those who have been able to revert their tongue and stretch it up to the hollow (point where throat and nose meet) are Gurus in human form since they remain absorbed with the self (Soul-consciousness). 31. Magical showmanship is the feature of a magician not of a Guru. Ostentations of wealth and worldly powers have nothing to do with the journey for the discovery of soul (Self awareness).
32. Being with a realized person provides peace and pleasure. 33. The discussions related to Kriya-matters and experiences gained during Kriya-practice should
take place wholeheartedly, only with the person who initiated you into Kriya-yoga. 34. Mental / silent Kriya is advisable to the pregnant ladies. Pranayam is not allowed during this period. 35. Kriya-practice must be done according to the guidelines provided. Violating the guidelines is not in the interest of Kriya-practitioners. “Yeh Shashtravidhimutsrijya Vartate Kamkaratah). 36. Kriya-practice according to guidelines will lead to attainment of peace and all round welfare. 37. When in troubles, people call God. The atheist also implores God when in trouble. Keep on doing the work assigned to you. 38. Desire for worldly pleasures is at the root of misery (pain) and discontentment. 39. Do not be sad if you do not have super natural experience from Kriya-practice. Continue with Kriya-practice ensuring japa on all charkas, you will eventually succeed one day or the other. Remember, we may be dishonest, but the guru and Sadhana can never be that. 40. Always meditate upon the Guru i.e. keep your focus of attention on the soul. Regular breathing should be watched constantly by a seeker. 41. The attachment to worldly affairs and family if transferred absolutely to Kriya-practice will lead to happening of miracles. 42. Babaji Maharaj has been observing Kriya-practitioners all the time but we do not keep our focus of attention on him i.e. Kriya-practice. Generally people give priority to their selfishness. Those who are devoted Kriya -practitioners are able to have a glimpse of Babaji Maharaj. 43. Keep on practicing Kriya with patience and perseverance. The correct paths (ways) will be revealed automatically.
Gurudeva Shree Netai Charan Banerjee A brief life-sketch
Once again the pious land of Bengal was adored with the advent of our Gurudeva, the Brahma in human form, Rev. Netai Charan Banerjee ( Bandopadhyay ), on 18 th June, 1894 at Gidhani, a village of Bengal. His father was Shri Bamdev Banerjee, a disciple of Yogacharya Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya. Shri Panchanan Baba initiated Shri Bamdevji at a time when he used to stay at his Ahiritola residence in Kolkata. For a long period of time Shri Bamdevji Banerjee and Dr. Shirish Mukherjee, another noted disciple of Yogacharya Rev. Panchana Babaji used to perform Kriya practice together. At that time Shri Bamdevji was working with public welfare Department of Bengal Nagpur Railway (BNR). After retirement from his job he settled at Gidhani, a village on the border of Jharkhand and West Bengal. He started initiating people into Kriya-yoga there, with permission from Rev. Panchanan Babaji. It was at this place that our Gurudeva was born in human form. Fair complexioned, tall and peaceful appearance of our Gurudeva was enough for the people to get attracted /drawn towards him. Parents used to cal l him Khokha ( a Bengali word used to denote a child ) on account of natural parental affection. He was a class apart, from his very childhood. Being serious in nature and possessing equanimity of mind he used to speak appropriately using just a few words.A sincere student devoted to studies, he did his B.A. from Wellesley Mission College of Bankura. At present this college is named as Christian college Bankura. At the tender age of 13, the child Netai was taken by his father to Ahiritola residence of Yogacharya Rev. Panchanan Baba in order to be initiated into Kriya-yoga. On seeing Rev. Panchanan Babaji, the child Netai started trembling with fear. Seeing thisYogacharya Mahodaya authorized Shri Bamdevji to initiate the child into Kriya-yoga. When asked about the reason of child’s abnormal fear on seeing Rev. Yogacharya, Shri Babaji replied that the child hadfear from Kali ( Kal-Bhaya ) from his previous incarnation. On seeing Babaji, the dormant fear got activated but it was the last time it ( fear ) occurred since it was overcome. Following the instructions of Yogacharya Rev. Panchanan Babaji, Shri Bamdevji initiated his son Netai Charan into Kriya-yoga. During initiation period the child Netai Charan felt that he was being initiated by the Yogacharya himself although his father Shri Babandevji was before him performing the work of initiation. The child Netai saw Shri Panchanan Babaji in person at that time as if the body of Shri Bamdevji were mutually exchanged for the occasion. In the beginning the child devoted his entire energy to the practice of Kriya-yoga but he did not experience anything special in order to sustain his faith in Kriya-yoga. One day the child told his father that the Kriya –yoga was a useless
method. Hearing this Shri Bamdevji tried to explain to the child the outcome of this scientific method.At last the experienced and veteran Kriya-yogi Shri Bamdevji gave his final verdict in these words “Listen, if you do not experience something extra-ordinary by the twenty-first day of devoted Kriya practice, you will be free to stop this practice”. It was destined and the presence of blessings of Guru to the child Netai Charan that on the 21st day of his Kriya-practice he realized the climax of yoga and was absorbed in Supreme consciousness ( Samadhimagna - self-absorbed ). He continued to be in the state of Samadhi for a very long period of time. Seeing the extra-ordinary condition of the child, his mother became anxious and started imploring the great Guru Rev. Yogacharya Panchanan Babaji who was kind enough to bring the child back to normalcy. After some time when the child Netai Charan accompanied by his father went to the residence of Yogacharya Rev. Panchanan Babaji, the great Baba stood up and offered pranam / namaskar ( Salutation ) to Shri Netai Charan who was still a child. It was not a worldly pranam / namaskar but a divine one signifying the communication of two pure souls ( Atmas ). Everybody present there had an experience of this uncommon incident. After this, the Baba instructed the child to keep on performing Kriya-yoga. Usually Rev. Panchanan Baba used to praise the adept practice of Kriya-yoga by Shri Netai Baba. This fact was authenticated by Shri Jeevan Babaji, a self-realized disciple of Rev. Panchanan Babaji. Like his father, Rev. Netai Charan Banerjee also got a job with the Financ e Department of Bengal-Nagpur Railway ( B.N.R ). His superiors were highly impressed of him because of his regularity and efficiency of work. Barely there was any complaint against him. Gradually he became very popular on account of his simple-saintly nature. He way married to Smt. Molina Devi in Shivapur, Howrah. She was also initiated into Kriya-yoga by Rev. Netai Baba himself. Babaji had a son and a daughter whom he reared with due care. After serving for a few years in B.N.R, Babaji used to remain in the tranquil state, the outcome of Kriya-practice of high order. When his tranquil state became his nature it was not possible for him to remain in the job. Hence he resigned from the job. After that he shifted to Shivapur Howrah ( Bengal ). He started practicing Homeopathic system of treatment in order to benefit the local people on the one hand and to earn his livelihood, on the other. He used to charge just two Annas ( twelve paise ) for medicine in order to cure even the most complicated diseases. The patients got cured with immediate effect. I have been able to meet many such persons who authenticated this fact. On account of charging two – Annas by way of fee, Rev. Babaji was popular by the name of “Duanni Babu”. Rev. Babaji used to provide free of cost treatment to the poor. He discharged his social responsibilities in a unique way. Rev. Netai Babaji accepted Rev. Panchanan Babaji as his initiator ( Diksha-Guru ) although he was granted permission to initiate the eligible ones into Kriya-yoga by his father Shri Bamdevji because Rev. Panchanan Babai was not present in his physical form at that time. Rev. Netai Baba
initiated people into Kriya-yoga without any sort of discrimination but he was very strict so far as the eligibility criteria was concerned. Those who were greedy never found favor from Babaji. At the same time, he used to shower parental affection on those seekers who were desirous to know the secrets of Soul. Rev. Babaji used to remain in blissful state (tranquil state after Kriya) in a small room at his residence ( 8/10, Bipradas Chatterjee Lane, Shivapur, Howrah, W. Bengal ). The visitors felt extra-ordinary peace on visiting and staying there for some time. On the basis of my personal experience I do assert that not only the Kriya- practitioner but also the common people were thrown out of thought-process while they were with Rev. Babaji. He had the foresights to explore the possibilities hidden in a person. Even then he did not divulge the secrets without a necessary reason. Gurudeva Rev. Netai Charan Bandopadhyayji Maharj used to shower parental affection on his disciples. All the disciples got equal share of his affection. Yogiraj Netai Babaji provided all the seekers the type of Kriya most suited to them. He always emphasized the regulation of brea th practices ( Prana-Kriya ) i.e. Kriya-yoga in place of idolatry ( Sthul puja ). He was of the view that if a Kriya-practitioner was guided in a path suggested by his Gurus personal experiences, the disciples could progress quickly on the path of self realization. It is worth mentioning here that Rev. Netai Babaji showed the path to thousands of his disciples and they immensely benefitted by the successful practice of Kriya-yoga. Rev. Babaji used to talk less. His proximity bestowed peace and silence, pervaded on everyone who came into his contact. His proximity used to provided internal as well as external peac e. He used to advise every Kriya-practitioner to perform daily two times Kriya-practice, with utmost efforts. When a disciple would ask him something, he used to say that regular Kriya-practice would provide all the knowledge and wisdom required by a seeker. Rev. Baba used to praise all those Kriya-practitioners who, inspite of performing the worldly chores were regular and who had attained a high degree of advancement in Kriya. Baba used to say that Kriya-practitioners who performed the worldly chores considering them to be God’s work and at the same ti me were regular with Kriya-practice were the gems of human beings. He used to say that the best gift for him by his disciple was his / her regular dedicated Kriya-practice. Gurudeva Netai Babaji never accepted anything as gift from anybody. He was very strict in this respect. He dedicated his life to Kriya-yoga following the rueles laid down by the great Gurus, Yogiraj Rev. Lahiri Babaji andYogacharya Rev. Panchanan Babaji. Rev. Netai Baba’s residence at Shivapur
( Howrah ) became a center for Kriya-practice and spiritual discourses. He used to
celebrate the death anniversaries of Yogiraj Rev. Lahiri Babaji and Yogacharya Rev. Panchanan Babaji and also used to celebrate special days like Guru Purnima and Shivaratri etc. on these occasions Rev. Netai Babaji used to encourage innumerable people to take up spiritual pursuits and endeavor to ensure their spiritual upliftment. By feeding peopleof all age groups, children, youth, and old, Babaji used to derive special pleasure since he used to believe that Narayan ( God ) dwells in all human forms. He used to advise his disciples not to allow any visitor to return without feeding him at
least something. It was one of the simplest techniques to come across God (Parmatma) in human form. Babaji’s disciples keep on practicing Kriya even today in various parts of India like Bengal, Bihar, Jhakhand, U.P., Gujarat, Orissa and Kerala. He respected the law of nature and advised people to do the same. He used to highlight this important fact and said that those who respected the rules of nature and follow them in course of their daily life, did not fall prey to various diseases and weakness. Highlighting the importance of Kriya-yoga Rev. Netai Baba used to say, “ Kriya is indeed the mother of Kriya-practitioners. This Kriya takes motherly care of the Kriya-practitioners. As a result of Kriya-practice, the prana ( breath ) becomes subtle lea ding to the cessation of lust for gross elements i.e. worldly things. At this stage eternal bliss is experienced. The Kriya-practitioners are immune to Tantric or any other disturbance from various occult systems. Kriya is the ultimate shield. It is a matter of experience and there is no doubt about it.” One of the disciples of Rev. Netai Baba, Sri Niradanand Brahmachari was i nspired during meditation in the Himalayas to come into contact with Rev. Netai Babaji at Shivapur, Howrah. Considering this inspiration to be God’s will, Shri Niradanandji left the Himalayas and came to Shivapur. After coming to Shivapur he could not find out Rev. Babaji and so he settled down at a cremation-ground in Bakultalla, near Shivapur. He selected that place in the hope of getting information about Shri Babaji from there. It was a time when Shri Niradanandji’s patience and devotion were put to test. One day at a tea-stall, some people were discussing matters related to yoga and a reference to Rev. Netai Babaji was also made in course of chatting. Fortunately, Sri Niradanandji visited that tea-satll at the opportune moment. His pleasure knew no bounds when he came to know the address of Rev. Netai Babaji. When he reached Baba’s residence, Baba welcomed him and said that he came at the appropiate time. The next day Babaji asked Niradanandji to promise to stay at one place like a householder and then only initiated him into Kriya-yoga. Shri Niradanandji spent his entire life at that Ponchabil Cremation-ground and passed away during the life-time of Rev. Netai Babaji. He was cremated there. At the time of death, Shri Niradanandji took an assurance from Rev. Babaji to be with him till eternity. Rev. Babaji fulfilled his desire. After leaving the human form, the body of Rev. Nitai Babaji was cremated in that Ponchabil Cremation ground. Nowadays that place is known as “ Shri Nityanand Yogashram “. Yogishwor Shri Netai Baba established anotherAshram at Balarampur, Purulia ( W. Bengal ). Occasionally Babaji used to visit that Ashram also, in order to quench the spiritual thirst of his disciples and other persons. Babaji also used to visit the residence of his disciples and blesse d them by staying there for a while, explaining the intricacies of Kriya-yoga. On 25th of December ( Christmas day ) each year Babaji used to invite his disciples at Ponchabil Ashram and used to check minutely the procedure of Kriya-practice followed by them.After that everybody used to have lunch there. Ponchabil Ashram was inaugurated on 25 th of December 1978 by Babaji. In 1979 Rev. Netai Baba left his human form and was cremated in lotus posture ( Samadhi ) at that place.
Yogiraj Rev. Netai Baba was opposed to their body-worship i.e. worshipping the body of a guide (Guru), in human form. The essence of a flower is more important than the flower. The subtle is always to be preferred to the gross. May be the beginner, who has problems is even thinking of Guru in subtle form i.e. Atma, may show respect to the body of the guide but the idol inside is always more important than the four walls of the temple. Whenever anybody called him “ Gurudeva “ he used to explain promptly that the soul is the Guru. He used to remind the famous uttera nce “ Atmavaigurureva “ ( The Soul / Atma alone is the Guru ). Self-realization means being in contact with Sadguru. After that God is automatically manifests. Therefore it is imperative to perform regular Kriya-practice with devotion and experience the Guru ( Soul ) in the tranquil state, enjoyed after kriy-practice ( Paravastha of Kriya ). Rev Netai Baba used to remind people of this meaning of Guru saying that both Rev. Yogiraj Lahiri Baba amd Yogacharya Panchanan Baba uttered the same thing. Our shastras also say “ Atmavaigurureva” ( The soul /Atma alone is the Guru ). Rev. Netai Baba usually used to keep his eyes closed and enjoy the blissful state ( tranquil state ) after Kriya. If any disciple or devotee offered tulsi or flower on his feet, he made that offering touch his forehead and set that aside. If a disciple offered respect to him through pranayam, Rev. Babaji used to reciprocate in the same way. He believed in such type of respect for each other i.e. respect of one soul for the other soul. Rev. Netai Babaji did not believe in astrology, palmistry or witch-craft. He was of the view that human beings have only the right to perform duties. Astrology cannot change the law of nature. To follow astrology is tantamount to disobeying God. Shri Babaji ensured spiritual advancement of his sincere disciples by taking upon himself the onus of their physical and mental ailments. Eminent disciples of Babaji, Shri Ranganath Tewariji and Shri Bismas Babu testified such incidents since they were cured from otherwise incurable ailments which could have cost their lives. Babaji took upon himself ( his physical form ) their ailments in order to cure them completely. When someone asked him the reason for such act, Babaji used to say that if somebody trusted him in respect of Kriya practice he would leave no stone unturned in order to relieve him of his ailments so that he could make rapid strides in Kriya-practice. A self-realized person, endowed with divinity ( divine prowess ), Rev. Babaji never allowed anybody to propagate his spiritual prowess. LikeYogiraj and Yogacharya, he also believed in spiritual practice with complete secrecy. Rev. Babaji had a fascination for music also; especially Shyama Sangeet ( The Bengali Bhajans praising Formless Goddes Kali ). One of his Bengali Bhajans- “Ghate, Kali Krishna Ek Antarete” means – in human heart ( Hridaydesh ) both Kali and Krishna reside in same form. In the ultimate analysis the difference between “Purusha and Prakriti” converts into “Unity” ( formless Brahma ) visible as divine light at Kutastha ( between eyebrows ). This divine light exists in everyone in Kutastha ( between eyebrows ). This is what is taking form ( Saguna ) and is formless ( Nirguna ). This is incomparable. Seek the ultimate-lord ( Parampita ), who is beyond the scope of comparision, even by the Shastras. There is another Yoga song usually Babaji used to sing getting totally absorbed in it, either
when alone or else with one or two disciples. The wordings of the songs are: “ Hr idi Vrindavane Vaas Karo Kamalapati, Hridi Vrindavane Mridumand Sameere, Shrimati Saha Shreepati Dulichhe Anandabhare “. The yogic meaning of this song is: O! Kamalapati ( God pervading in Kutastha ), reside in my heart which is like Vrindavan. In my heart which is like Vrindavan, both Shreemati ( Radharami or Sadhana Shakti i.e. the power of spiritual Kriya-practice ) and Shreepati ( Krishna or Active Kutastha ) are swinging ( up and down movement of pranayama on Chakras ) with mellow and slow moving wind
( Best Pranayama or Uttam Pranayama ).
Rev. Babaji used to encourage his disciples to make rapid strides in the field of music. Shree Kumud Ranjan Banerjee, Principal of Tripura Government College was disciple of Baba. Another eminent disciple of Babaji was the famous musician Shreekant Bagadi. Once an official of Yogoda Satsang ( institution founded by ShreeYoganand ) requested Babaji to initiate the seekers in Kriya-yoga through Yogoda Satsanga ( the seekers recommended by Yogoda ). Rev. Babaji replied, “I will initiate eligible candidates but that cannot be on the basis of recommendation of any institution because this tradition violates the rules provided by Rev. Yogirah Lahiri Babaji. You people stop initiation into Kriya through the institution established by Mukunda in order to do a real favor to the seekers”. Hear ing this, the official went back feeling completely dejected. Babaji called Yoganandji by the name of Mukunda ( his previous name ) since Yoganandji was younger then him in age. We have come to know through Rev. Netai Babaji that the Kriyatechnique taught by Yogoda is different from the original Kriya taught by Rev.Yogiraj Lahiri Baba and the disciples of his lineage. Rev. Netai Babaji trained his disciples as per the techniques of Original Kriya-yoga. Its all written by Lahiri Baba in a diary. That diary has been preserved with due care and is safe even now. Which technique will suit whom depends on the abilities and mental inclinations as well as physical fitness of a seeker. Rev. Netai Babaji used to tell all Kriya-practitioners – “ Do Kriya with your ability and capacity “. It will set everything right. Sadguru resides in Kutastha of everyone and he is doing everything. Rev Netai Babaji initiated the members from backward or lower castes into Kriya without any sort of discrimination. He helped them to progress quickly in this field. It is indeed an ideal to be followed in a society where caste is still an important factor in traditional form of guru disciple tradition. He not only gave shelter to an orphan but initiated her ( Smt. Laxmi Devi ) into Kriya-yoga. Smt. Laxmi Devi served Rev. Netai Babji and was blessed with his grace. After leaving his physical form Baba donated his house to her. This incident is a testimony of Baba’s all encompassing heart. Rev. Baba’s eminent disciple Shree Ranganath Tewariji also initiates people into Kriya-yoga by keeping Baba’s photograph before him and considering him to be the Sadguru. In the month of December 1975 Rev. Gurudeva Yogeshwor Shri Netai Charan Banerjee formulated a plan for paying a visit to Gujarat. A few disciples were also eager to accompany Rev.
Gurudeva. They boarded a train at Mumbai Station for Surat. On reaching Surat, Babaji along with his disciples stayed at the residence of one of his disciples. The next day they planned for a visit to Nareshwor, a place 80 km from Surat. On reaching Nareshwor, Babaji initiated Shri Nathmal Modi, the disciple of Siddha Shri Rang Awadhoot, into Kriya-yoga. It was quite surprising for everybody that though it was the maiden visit to that place for Babaji, he was directing the driver of the car regarding the way to Nareshwor. On being asked Baba said, Shri Rang Awadhootji had asked him ( Rev. Netai Babaji ) to initiate and guide Shri Modi into Kriya-yoga after Shri Awadhootji’s demise. Therefore, I need to come here on his request”. Shri Modi also felt indebted after being initiated into Kriya. Shri Rang Awadhoot had expired in 1968 at Haridwar. Like Yogiraj and Shri Panchanan Baba, Rev. Netai Baba also did not propagate his spiritual prowess ( Siddhis ). On being requested fervently by his disciples, Babaji used to relent and explain everything. Another incident from the life of Rev. Netai Baba proves that he maintained a close link with Shri Matsyenranath ( Machhendranath is the commonly used name ) the Guru of Yogi Gorakhnath. Once, Rev. Netai Baba went to Gorakhpur along with some of his disciples. At that time a new temple dedicated to Shri Gorakhnath was under construction. Near the gate of the temple was an ancient temple adored by an idol. Babaji went there and offered his respect in the meditative posture. Never before was Babaji seen doing so anywhere. He was akin to his Guru in respect of adoration of Prana only. So everybody was surprised. On being asked Babaji replied, “ The idol was resembling to that of Shri Matsyendranath the Guru of Shri Gorakhnath. So I paid my respect to him”. Yogiraj Shri Netai Charan Banerjee was also known as Shri Nityanand. The word Nityanand means one who is eternally blissful i.e. who enjoys the tranquil state after Kriya ( Paravastha of Kriya ). Rev. Netai Baba learnt advanced Kriya techniques from the father in law of Yogiraj’s daughter. In fact Yogiraj himself in his astral form instructed him ( father in law of Yogiraj’s daughter ) to do so. Later on Rev. Netai Baba came into close contact with legendary Shri Babaji Maharaj who used to help Shri Netai Baba and his disciples from time to time. It hints that Babaji Maharaj is eternal ( beyond death ). Even today he guides advanced Kriya-yogis, but such yogis are difficult to trace just like Babaji Maharaj, since they look like ordinary householder and hide themselves from ostentation. Many disciples used to go to Babaji’s residence regularly in the evening in order to perform Kriya-practice. Rev. Ranganath Tewari, a teacher in a school of Kolkata. He used to visit Babaji everyday in the evening in order to perform Kriya-practice in Baba’s presence. This act of Rev. Tewari endeared him to Rev. Netai Babaji, who quite often cited him as a paradigm of regularity and devotion to Kriya. Rev. Babaji never encouraged any worldly discourses. Babaji used to show utter indifference to those who came with intention to serve worldly ends. Instead he tried to explain the unusefulness of worldly pursuits and helped those who had a desire for real renunciation. For Babaji, giving food to the human visitors was an important service to God ( Narayan in human form ). Rev. Babaji used to visit his disciple’s residence intermittently in order to make the spiritual ambience of the place propitious by Kriya-practice. I have re ceived an explanation of Kriya by Rev. Netai
Babaji through Smt. Chabi De, a disciple of Babaji. Its translation from the original Bengali version is being produced here. Manas i.e. the wavering mind ( Chitta ) has led to the formation of the word “ Manava “. This wavering mind compels human beings to consider this world to be true. This Manas takes its root from three gunas ( Sat, Rajas and Tamas ) and it’s the cause of all problems. The soul is quite and unmanifested within the body. Its function its to provide energy to this mind. This mind does not attain peace by performing works in the outside world irrespective of the nature of work since this mind has been in constant search after truth. It commits the mistake of searching the eternal peace (bliss) in its outer and inner world through the sense organs. But there is no eternal bliss in the outer world as the world itself is mortal and mortal cannot provide bliss. It i s, therefore necessary to proceed in the inner journey in order to quench the age-old thirst of heart. In the inner journey, the Prana has to be used as a support to perform all practices ( Sadhna ). The Kriya-yoga alone is therefore, is an often-repeated and scientifically tested method of inner journey. Its practice provides the devoted practitioners the bliss by ensuring the absortion of mind by the soul i.e. the wavering tendency of mind ( hankerings of mind after worldly attachments ) stops. The question arises – How can one learn this Original Kriya-yoga? And how can one be sure that this is the original basic technique as given to the legendary Yogiraj Lahiri Baba by Rev. Babaji Maharaja? In order to be eligible to this original Kriya, a seeker must have some essential ingredients needed for spiritual practice. They are patience, perseverance, honesty, dedication, sound character and faith in destiny. If one has these ingredients, he or she is eligible to the Original Kriya-yoga of Lahiri Babai. In answer to the second question, it is most probable to say that food cannot quench the thirst for water and only water has to be given in order to quench the thirst of a person. After drinking water, one realizes that the thirst has vanished. The same logic applies to the basic Kriya-practice. Practice of original Kriya ( as given by Rev. Babaji Maharaj to Rev. Yogiraj Lahiri Baba ) ensure experiences of various types by the practitioners and they become increasingly more committed to Kriya-pract ice with each passing day. But this is possible only if one is regular and devoted to Kriya-practice. This practice makes a practitioner free from any longings of this transitory world and whatever he needs is automatically available to him with natural ease. Yogishwor Rev. Netai Charan Banerjee never wrote a book on Kriya. He used to say that the literatures on Kriya-yoga presented by Yogiraj Lahiri Babaji and Yogacharya Rev. Panchanan Babaji were sufficient. Nothing more is required. This fact has been authenticated by many successful Kriya-practitioners, out of their experience. It is very important for the Kriya-practitioners to study the books of Yogiraj like Guru Gita, Shri Chandi, Manu Samhita and Shimadbhagwat Gita ( with commentary by Rev. Yogiraj Shri Lahiri Babaji in the context of Kriya ). These books are now available with the present Aryya Mission. Rev. Yogiraj Shri Lahiri Babaji has made rich commentary on Guru Gita ( Treatise extracted from Skandha Purana and Vishwasar Tantra ) in the contect of Kriya. Rev. Netai Babaji highlighted
the importance of Guru Gita. He used to say that this treatise provides the real information about the word “Guru”. Like Yogiraj, Rev. Netai Baba also used to say that, “The soul ( Atma ) is the real Guru. And hence for the resurrection ( self-realization ) of the Soul perform Kriya practice. All this is what Rev.Yogiraj Lahiri Babaji has written in Guru Gita.Previously this book was available in Bengali only, but now it is being translated by present Aryya Mission and is available in Hindi also. This book is a necessity for Kriya-practitioners. Yogishwor Shri Netai Charan Banerjee used to inspire his disciples to keep on practicing Kriya even during the period of great family, social or personal distress. During his lifetime, there used to be a continuous movement of devotees at his residence. On Friday, February 9, 1979 at the Sandhikal of Nityanand Trayodeshi and Chaturdashi ( 6:15 a.m. ) the great Guru Rev. Netai Charan Bandopadhyay left his human abode at the ripe age of 85 years. After his Mahasamadhi ( the phenomenon of consciously leaving the physical form ), his body was cremated at Bakultalla. The place is now known as Nityanand Yogashram where a temple has been constructed. Though Babaji left his human abode he continues to provide necessary help to the advanced and devoted disciples. Such miracles are common to many of Baba’s disciples. Through our Gurudeva Rev. Netai Babaji God has provided us the precious and uncomparable true path for self-realization. Gurubahi ( companion disciple of same Guru ) of Gurudeva, Rev. Jeevanlal Chaudhury, who was always one with brahma, gave me opportunity to be with him from time to time. Occasionally he used to talk about Yogacharya Rev. Panchanana Babaji and Yogishwor Netai Babaji. He was really a Siddha having reached the ultimate stae of Kriya-practice, the result of which is cessation of bodily needs like food, sleep, fear etc. I never found Rev. Jeevan Baba to be tired or sleepy. Just being with him used to provide the feeling of immense peace. He was the one who inspired me to translate the books originally written in Bengali by Yogiraj Rev. Lahiri Babaji. Once he told me that if one keeps on practicing Kriya regularly for three years, his pranayamas attain Best ( Uttam Pranayam ) quality and such a seeker is worthy to attain Samadhi. He had given me indication in January 2003 regarding his impending death on 5th April 2003. It is just a chance that I got a letter written by him on the same day when he left his human form in Rishikesh ( Uttaranchal ). Blessed are such Kriya Siddhas. It is the sacred duty of all Kriya-practitioners to absorb the nectar of directives provided by Rev. Gurudeva Yogishwor Netai Babaji so that these jewels get engrafted in their personality. Guide lines provided by Supreme Gurudeva Rev.Yogishwor Netai Charan Banerjee
1. Regulation of breathing ( Prana-Karma ) is the only Sattwik Karma. 2. Keep on practicing Kriya to the best of your ability and capacity. Whoever is called upon by the sincere and devoted Kriya-practitioners will promptly visit them and render the needed help. 3. Kriya-yoga is not only a technique but a successful aid to the acquisition of the status of beyond gunas ( Gunateeta awastha ) when performed with devotion and perseverance. Later on it helps
in bringing face to face with the ultimate truth. 4. Omkar Kriya must be practiced daily. 5. The real worship is Prana-worship ( regulation of Prana or breathing ). 6. The bondage caused by illusion ( Maya ) is very subtle. It is very difficult to break ( transcend ) it. Only the benediction from Guru (Guru-Kripa) can overcome it. 7. The main function of mind is to keep on pondering on various alternatives ( Sankalp / Vikalpa ). In order to purify this mind (Manas), keep on practicing Kriya. 8. Without arousing the inner thirst, longings for worldly things do not cease. Kriya-practice ignites the fire leading to the pursuit of inner journey. 9. A desire cannot overcome other desires. Only the Kriya-practice can lead to a stage where a seeker becomes desireless, extinguishes the wild-fire of worldly longings. 10. A Kriya-practitioner is the automatic recipient of super natural attainments. 11. Anybody can be a Kriya-practitioner. It is the true path for the attainment of peace in this iron age
( Kalyuga ).
12. Consider yourself to be an agent of God rendering service ( Nimit Bhava ). It is the only way to escape the tyranny of Ego. Every body should always keep this fact in Mind and practice this fact. 13. Do not fall a pray to Astrology or Palmistry etc. Keep on performing your duties. God ( Narayan ) himself is taking care of you. 14. As “ Chiraita-water “ is a remedy for “ Pitta-problem “, “ Kriya Practice “ in the same way is the panacea for mental ailments. 15. For the success in Kriya-practice, proper japa on chakras ( as directed by Guru ) is a must. 16. Soul (Atma) is the real Guru. So keep your focus of attention on soul and worship it. 17. Ensure that regular ( check-up ) inspection of Kriya-practice is done by your guide who has taught you the Kriya-techniques. 18. Do not make false promises ( Resolutions ). Do not talk if not required. Try to speak less i.e. speak only when required. The first Kriya will provide you with seriousness and you will have the desire to talk less. 19. This world keeps on changing according to its inherent nature. Let it do its own work and you keep on practicing Kriya ( Sadhana ). 20. Kriya-practice with devotion is the panacea for all types of sufferings. 21. Always keep your focus of attention on Kutastha 22. Consider the person to be your guide in whose company you are filled with an intense desire for Kriya-practice. 23. Be aloof from worldly desires while practising Kriya since Kriya-practice with worldly desires will bear no positive outcome. 24. Make a regular perusal of Yogiraj’s commentaries on Gurugita and the Shimad Bhagwadgita. Follow the instructions given therein without even a shred of doubt and make them the part of your life. 25. Do more and more practice of first Kriya. The more the tongue is inverted and stretched above,
