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Mahavatar Babaji, a Himalayan mahayogi who is said to be
eons old, first gave us Kriya Yoga and then the western world first heard
about him courtesy of Paramahansa Yogananda's 'Autobiography of a Yogi'.
Today, many followers are, and have been, growing around His enigmatic
persona.
It has always been known that some of the remote parts of the Himalayas
are home to many rishis, tapasvis and siddhayogis - Eternal Masters engaged
in singular methods of sadhana or disciplined practice dedicated to spiritual
exploration and in guiding the destiny of humanity through the ages. Some
live in rough-hewn natural caves under glacial conditions.
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Some have ashrams amidst verdant greenery, located at a
vibrational frequency at variance with the 'normal' three-dimensional
one with which to keep intruders at bay. Their abodes have been given
many names Shambala, Gyan Ganj or Siddha Loka among them.Some have ashrams
amidst verdant greenery, located at a vibrational frequency at variance
with the 'normal' three-dimensional one with which to keep intruders at
bay. Their abodes have been given many names Shambala, Gyan Ganj or Siddha
Loka among them.In this phantasmagorical world of accomplished yogis,
anything is possible. A siddha sadhak (realized master) may simply choose
to take the form of an ancient tree to meditate undisturbed for hundreds
of years. Others, when they venture beyond the confines of their rarefied
sanctuaries, may fly through the air as themselves, or change into swans,
geese, eagles, or even into animals, fish and insects.There are many creative
ideas for teleportation, with some just travelling on beams of light from
one place to another.
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Exalted as these beings are, a distinct feature
common to all is their complete identification with India and her Vedic
heritage. When people attain a certain level in their sadhana, they automatically
lose their narrow personal bonds of family, language, caste or province.
Then the old terrain of the Motherland takes over, so that it matters not
whether it is Kabir, Lahiri Mahasaya, Jesus, Shirdi Sai Baba or Ramana Maharshi.
And they converse with each other using an argot common to the wandering
sadhus (monks).
Thus it is that the venerable heritage of Gorakhnath and Machhindranath
is claimed for its own by Garhwal, Konkan, Bundelkhand, Mewar and Coorg,
and many a small child in the remotest village of India is put to sleep
to the refrain of "Chalo Machhinder, Gorakh Aaya...."
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kriya yoga, a discipline involving purification of the body-mind
organism through breath control techniques to aid longevity and spiritual
evolution. 'Mahavatar' means 'great incarnation'. He is also known as
Mahakaya Babaji, the word 'Mahakaya' describing His immortal body. In
some circles the Hare Khan Baba being referred to sounds suspiciously
similar to Mahavatar Babaji's persona.
Mahavatar Babaji, never left the shores of India and is way beyond the
reach of puny intellectual property rights. He is a yogi and keeper of
the ancient faith the Sanatan Dharma, whose mission for many ages has
been to teach the Sanatan Dharma to us. He has often changed the course
of history, guided by otherwise immortal rishis, working way above insidious
parochial divisions.
Babaji's influence as a guru is said to have prevailed over the ages from
Adi Shankaracharya, Jesus of Nazareth and Kabir to more recent saints
like Sai Baba of Shirdi, Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon and Swami Samartha
of Akkalkot. It is said that the first was a Muslim, while the other two
were Hindus. They went to the Himalayas for sanctuary and were later given
a spiritual initiation by Babaji. They eventually returned as illumined
leaders of humanity.
Babaji mostly works in obscurity, even while serving as a spiritual mentor
to scores of masters. He has guided the destiny of many people, yet he
is perhaps one of the most accessible of siddhayogis to walk in our midst
in recent times. Over many millennia, Babaji has continued to nurture
hundreds of accomplished devotees.
Babaji's entourage of enlightened and immortal disciples includes yogi's
and yogini's who have been here for many years and are (in some cases)
many eons old. Babaji conveys the impression that he cherishes individuality
and thoughtful dissension, rather than servile obedience.
The sage with the immortal body has walked the length and breadth of India
and is inured to the ways of the seemingly berserk lone ascetics that
are a law unto themselves. There is no field of knowledge that is beyond
Him and the transmutation of atoms is simply an entertaining pastime.
MAN OF MIRACLES
Babaji has remarked that deep within the womb of the Himalayas is an unimaginable
storehouse of ancient texts just waiting for us. Babaji has also forecast
the end of all the political 'isms' of the 20th century.
Like all great yogis, Babaji can (supposedly) materialize, dematerialize
and take on any form at will. He may choose to present himself as an old
man, an animal or a bird. He once promised a devotee that he would attend
a feast at the man's house, but seemingly did not. When the man later
questioned him, Babaji replied: "I was there. I was the dog to whom
you fed the leftovers."
Babaji can travel anywhere and anytime in the universe, it is also said
that he sends specific instructions to his chosen disciples through birds.
He's taught a chosen few how to discern birdcalls, and it may well be
that the pigeon stridently cooing at your window is actually a messenger
from Him.
A true wanderer, he is not to be found in any one place, whether in the
Himalayas or elsewhere. Yet he is very much amongst us, whether it's in
Mumbai, Delhi or London just as much as he is in Haidakhan ashram or Paris.
He encourages devotees to strive for their highest destiny. Neither God
nor an angel, Babaji is more like the atmik guru, or the inner light.
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