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Baba Lokenath Brahmachari was born as the fourth child to Kamala Devi and Ramnarayan Ghosal in 1730, in a village called Chakla in the Barasat district, a few miles to the north of the city of Kolkata. Ramnarayan believed in the age-old Hindu tradition of dedicating one person from the family to become a renunciate monk in service to God. However, filial attachment prevented the mother from giving up her first three children. Still, divine phenomena, which occurred during the birth of her fourth child, persuaded her to dedicate that child to God willingly! He was named ‘Lokenath,’ which means the Lord of Lokas (all the worlds). When Lokenath was 11 years old, Ramnarayan handed over the responsibility of this child to a great householder yogi and renowned Vedic scholar, Bhagwan Ganguly, who, realising the divine providence of Lokenath’s birth, initiated him and his playmate Benimadhav, who also insisted on becoming a sannyasi.
For thirty years, Lokenath went through the most difficult yogic practices, from ashtanga yoga to incredible feats of hatha yoga while living in the jungles and the plains, observing the vow of celibacy and fasting.
Finally, all three of them left for the Himalayas. There, Baba, at the age of 90 years, touched the highest peaks of spiritual illumination, Nirvikalpa Samadhi (complete oneness with the whole cosmos or the divine). However, at the same time, he realised that his Gurudev, who had given his entire life to his disciples, was yet to be enlightened! So, Gurudev informed Lokenath that he would give up his body shortly and asked Lokenath to accept him as his disciple in his next birth and lead him to full enlightenment. Baba prayerfully accepted.
Possibly, this was why a yogi of Baba’s stature, instead of remaining forever in the Himalayas, came down and settled in the hamlet of Baradi in Bangladesh. Another unique part of Baba Lokenath’s life is his travel on foot to Mecca, Afghanistan, Persia, parts of western countries, and even to the North Pole, sanctifying the lands and finally coming to settle in Baradi (presently in Bangladesh, 35 km from the capital city of Dacca) where he lived for the last twenty-six years of his life.
As the words of his compassion, love, and healing spread far and wide, his small hermitage became the holy confluence of all religious communities. He was considered as a mythological wish-fulfilling tree. Even though he never willingly performed any miracles, like the fragrance of flowers, miracles spontaneously occured throughout his life. He did not create any order of sannyasis but instead trained the householders to reach the high state of yoga through his instructions and his yogic teachings.
Though this love-incarnate yogi was busy during the day heeding to all the wishes of the ordinary people, at night in his cottage, yogis from the Himalayas and Tibet would visit in their astral bodies to learn advanced yoga.
On 2nd June 1890, at the advanced age of 160 years, in the presence of thousands of devotees, Baba left his mortal body of his own will and entered the state of mahasamadhi, which is the retreat to the final abode of complete liberation. During his lifetime, no one saw Baba blinking his eyes even once! His eternal promises still ring in the hearts of his followers, irrespective of caste, color, or creed.
Baba Lokenath Brahmachari (31 August 1730 – 2 June 1890) was born as Lokenath Ghosal in Chaurasi Chakla, Barasat district, West Bengal, to Kamaladevi and Ramnarayan Ghosal. Later in life, he became known as Baba Lokenath. Lokenath means the Lord of Lokas (all the astral worlds) and the people who inhabit Earth. He was the fourth and youngest child. His parents followed the ancient tradition of dedicating one of the children to the sannyasa mode of life, dedicating him to divine service. He lived in Bengal and also in a village, Baradi, in Bangladesh.
Baba Lokenath was eleven years old when he went to live with a householder yogī named Guru Bhagwan Ganguly, who lived in the nearby village Kochua. Gurudev could see the divinity within this child, so he took him on as his disciple and initiated him into the Gayatri Mahamantra. Shortly after the sacred thread ceremony, Gurudev and Baba Lokenath went to Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata.
There, they found many ascetics living in the jungles around the temples. While there, Baba Lokenath was trained in the most difficult yogic practices, including ashtanga yoga and hatha yoga techniques, observing the vow of celibacy, and fasting. After more than thirty to forty years of this guided body-and-mind-purifying yogic practice in the jungles, Baba Lokenath could reach the deepest levels of the divine in samadhi.
During this long period of sadhana, Guru Bhagwan tended to his disciples’ every need. Leaving the brahmacharis in the jungle, he would go to a nearby village to beg alms from householders. He would prepare a special diet of boiled milk and sesamum(sesame seeds) upon his return. After serving it to the brahmacharis, he would take the same food for himself. According to the Master, this was the best diet for brahmacharis. Reminiscing about his early days of sadhana, Baba told his devotees, ‘After having this wonderful diet every day for a long time, we got so fed up with it that the very sight of milk and sesamum would irritate us, and we wondered why the householders did not offer us any other food in alms.’ Despite their irritation, neither Lokenath nor Benimadhav ever expressed their feelings about the food. On the contrary, they had surrendered unconditionally to Guru Bhagwan and accepted whatever was offered to them without complaint.
When the brahmacharis had grown quite strong and able-bodied, they approached Guru Bhagwan. They said, ‘We are no longer able to accept the idea of sitting in the jungle with our young and energetic bodies while you go to distant villages to beg alms from the villagers.’ Guru Bhagwan was touched by the concern of his disciples but convinced them otherwise by saying, ‘No, if you are allowed to do that, the single-pointedness of your minds will become disturbed. If you expose yourselves to the activities and ways of householders, there is a danger that you will develop such tendencies in your minds. You must understand that there is always the possibility of a fall from the yogic state that you have reached through your long spiritual discipline.‘
On another occasion, Lokenath had an understandable doubt and innocently presented it to his Gurudev. Baba asked Guru Bhagwan, ‘Knowledge of the scriptures is supposed to be a part of the discipline of a spiritual aspirant. Why, then, is Gurudev simply indifferent about this aspect, even though he himself is a respected scholar in all the schools of Vedic philosophy?’
Gurudev replied, ‘Why should you take the pains of learning the shastras? I have studied a great deal. You need not take those pains. Why should you waste your time reading bundles of worn-out, torn papers? Whenever you need guidance from any of the scriptures, you can always receive it from me. Instead of wasting time acquiring borrowed knowledge from books, utilise that time in the practice of yoga. If you know who you are, you will come to know everything. There is nothing in this external, manifested world that is not within you. Believe my words; there is no truth without because your Atman is ‘sarvabhutatman,’ the Atman seated in the hearts of all creatures. In you is the dormant seed form of all the knowledge, power, and wealth of this entire creation. Why should you leave the diamond and waste time on pieces of glass? Lokenath continued, ‘I thought this book knowledge was essential for our sadhana. Without it, how are we to find a place in the society of sages who are so well versed in Vedic literature?’
Patiently, Gurudev convinced Lokenath by saying, ‘The discipline of yoga which I am giving to you through this strict observance of celibacy and fasting will, in due course, grant you profound knowledge, not only of the scriptures but of everything that exists in this cosmos. Moreover, this observance, combined with the unalloyed trust you have in your Guru, will allow all my scriptural knowledge to be transmitted to you without any study on your part.‘
Gurudev continued, ‘If you study the various shastras, then you are apt to become confused by the many contradicting opinions of the commentators, and the concentration of your mind will be disturbed. Apart from that, once you study the scriptures and form opinions in your mind, you will not be able to accept my spiritual guidance as innocently and without complaint as before. You will always judge my instructions in the light of your borrowed, conditioned knowledge. That will hinder your spiritual growth, advancing steadily in your present state of clear, unconditioned mind. Borrowed knowledge always becomes a barrier to spiritual advancement.‘
Guru Bhagwan ended his argument by saying, ‘Your demand to learn the shastras without proper realisation can make you a glorified pundit, a renowned scholar, or a grand philosopher, but never an Enlightened One. Follow my path, and you will reach your goal.‘
Eventually, the Himalayas were where Baba Lokenath attained the state of nirvikalpa samadhi, which is complete oneness with the divine. He reached this level of enlightenment after 50 years of meditation when he was already 90 years old. Recalling the days in the Himalayas, Baba Lokenath often said,
‘For more than half a century, my Gurudev took me through the most intense disciplines of yoga. With humble surrender, I followed his instructions, traversing the diverse paths of yoga. He would guide me like the most patient and loving mother through the subtle problem to a higher experience if I ever had any doubt. With the most profound faith in him, I quickly moved along the path toward the goal. I passed through the most challenging stages of yoga practices only by his grace and able guidance. Drowned in the ocean of eternal bliss in the state of samadhi, I did not have any awareness of time. While in samadhi, heaps of snow would cover my body and would melt away. In that sublime state, I had no feeling of the existence of my body. I was in that state of samadhi (Cosmic Consciousness) for a long time.
Finally, the effortless state of the Ultimate Truth was revealed to me. In that state of consciousness, there was no separation between me and any other Cosmic manifestation. The inner and the outer merged into each other as an expression of ultimate bliss and absolute joy. There is no state beyond this to be achieved in human life. It all occurred through total effort and Divine grace.‘
Meeting Trailangya Swami
Altogether, Baba made three visits to Mecca and Medina during his lifetime, traveling on foot. In Mecca, the Muslims highly respected him and considered him a saint of great attainment and spiritual power. Therefore, they always treated him with utmost hospitality. In the words of Baba, ‘The Muslims told me, “If you want to cook for yourself, you are most welcome to do so. We will supply you with all the food you need. If you allow us, we will most gladly cook for you.” I agreed to the second proposition. They observed all the rituals of cleanliness and covered their mouths while preparing the meals so that the food would not become contaminated with the saliva that might fall from the tongue while talking.’
When the three yogis came to Medina, many people were naturally drawn to Lokenath by his strong spiritual presence and his mastery and knowledge of the Koran. Islamic seekers recognised him as a Realised Master, surrendering to his spiritual guidance on their path of Islam. It gratified and amazed them to see a Hindu yogi from the Himalayas who had such profound wisdom and command of the deepest secrets of Islam. Local Islamic religious teachers visited him, filled with doubts about the real purpose of this Hindu. They were stunned to hear him giving the deepest and most natural interpretations possible of the Koran. Won over by his childlike innocence and the tenderness of his sublime love, which transcended all religious barriers, they gave Baba their love and support. The people visiting Baba never went away empty-handed.
After the last pilgrimage to Mecca, Guru Bhagwan decided that the time had come to give up his old, worn-out body. As the day approached, he told Lokenath and Benimadhav that he wished to proceed to Kashi (Varanasi), the holy pilgrimage site on the bank of the Mother Ganges. On their way to Varanasi, they met a great yogi called Hithlal Mishra, popularly known as Trailangya Swami, the Living Shiva. He is reputed to have lived for more than two hundred and fifty years and could recollect the experiences of his last three births.
Guru Bhagwan was relieved to meet Trailangya Swami because he had been worried about the care of his young children. Over the decades, he had developed the tender love of a mother toward Lokenath and Benimadhav. He could not think of them as more than his children, though they were a hundred years old at the time. He felt confident that Trailangya Swami was the right person to assume responsibility for their care. One day he placed the hands of both Lokenath and Benimadhav into the hands of Hithlal. With tears in his eyes, he said, ‘Today, I have placed the responsibility of these two young boys of mine into your able hands. From this day forward, you will be their guardian.‘ Trailangya Swami agreed in silence.
The great yogis, Lokenath, Benihmadhav, and Trailangya Swami, traveled together for thirty to forty years. They started on foot to see the western world first. Regarding this part of the journey, Baba told very little except for a brief remark, that, ‘The limit of travel to the west was the sea.‘ Once, a few English people visited Baba’s ashram at Baradi and discussed an English word pronounced differently by the French. Baba spoke a few words of French and told them that he had visited France. Therefore, we can at least assume that he toured the European continent to the Atlantic Ocean.
After traveling extensively through Arabia, Israel, Persia, Afghanistan, and various parts of Europe, the three returned to the loving lap of the mother Himalayas. Tired of traveling only on the plains, Lokenath decided to undertake the historic journey along the Mahaprasthana. This was the path through the Himalayan ranges described in the Mahabharata. Yudhisthira traveled with the other Pandava brothers and their wife, Draupadi, to reach heaven with their physical bodies after Sri Krishna left His body. Even today, beyond the Badrikasham Temple, there is a path that is said to be the path to Mahaprasthana, meaning the final retreat. Baba Lokenath wanted to travel the same route.
However, before commencing the journey, he knew it was wise first to acclimatise their bodies to the freezing temperatures so that they could live and walk without difficulty. For this reason, he and Benimadhav stayed in the Badrikashram area during both the cold and hot seasons. This area remains closed for six to eight months of the year, and it is humanly impossible to stay there all year around. Even today, the gates of the Holy Shrine of Badrinath Temple are closed for more than six months. During that time, the entire temple is covered with snow.
However, Lokenath and Benimadhav lived in this area for three long years, totally naked, to grow accustomed to the severe climatic conditions. At the end of that time, Trailangya Swami appeared before them, expressing his desire to walk to the Sumeru regions. Lokenath was more than happy to take him along, but he asked that Trailangya Swami accustom himself to living and walking in such a cold climate to avoid any difficulties. Therefore, the three yogis lived in the Badrikashram area for an additional three years to grow further accustomed to the freezing temperatures. Then they began their arduous journey and proceeded through the Himalayan peaks along the path of Mahaprasthana. During this long, tedious climb, they occasionally ate some kandamul (wild roots).
According to Baba, this was good enough. Baba Lokenath told his disciple, Sri Brahmananda Bharati, ‘We did not even have any warm clothing to cover our bodies. We were stark naked. Living and walking like this for a long time, a white layer of skin appeared on our bodies. It gave us natural protection against the freezing cold. Walking like this, we reached Lake Manasarovar.‘ Later, devotees of Baba who saw him during his initial days at Baradi had the unique opportunity to see this white layer of skin, which gradually disappeared while living on the plains at Baradi.
The three yogis walked toward the north and crossed the borders of Siberia in eastern Russia. Then, they walked further northward for thousands of miles and finally reached a place called the ‘Land of No-Sun,’ the darkest region on this planet. Unable to see well enough to continue walking in those deep, dark areas, they decided it would be best to remain where they were until they could continue safely.
Baba said, ‘After we stayed there for some time, our eyes naturally adjusted to the darkness. Our vision, as well as the shape of our eyes, became like those of a cat. We came to see in the same manner as one sees objects in flashes of lightning during a storm. Eventually, we developed the power to see even in the dark. And after we could see in that darkness, we advanced further.‘ Baba also described other unbelievable experiences in these dark regions, saying, ‘During our stay there, we saw some very unusual human beings of very short height, ranging from one foot to one and a half feet. Their bodies were white complexioned, and they moved about naked in the icy polar region. At first, they were quite frightened when they saw our tall human stature. They realised that we were harmless creatures when they saw our peaceful attitude. They collected kandamul (wild roots) for our food and would leave them near us, but they never came close. We could not understand a bit of their language. But we observed them for a long time quite closely and could understand them by their behavior patterns. We discovered that there was no institution of marriage in their society. They moved about most freely. Although I could not understand their language, I could grasp certain words which they often used like “ambian” and “dhokar.”‘
The wandering yogis traveled through the ‘Land of No-Sun’ for a very long time. It was difficult for them to determine the passage of time since the sun did not rise or set. They had to calculate the time based on the snow piling up and melting. The former was accepted as winter and the latter as summer. It took years to go to Sumeru and return. Sumeru is one of the holiest of all mountains in Hindu Mythology. Lord Krishna says in Vibhuti Yoga that among all the mountains, He is Sumeru, signifying the sacredness of this mountain in the far north of the globe. According to Hindu myth, a visit to this mountain frequented by celestial beings is considered holy.
Trailangya Swami wanted to proceed east when they returned to the plains, so all three continued in that direction. When they reached China, the border security guards caught sight of the unusual-looking trio. They immediately arrested them and put them behind bars. But to their surprise, the captors discovered that their captives could pass in and out of prison through the locked gates in a spirit of absolute indifference. The king, realising the great mystic powers of his prisoners, immediately set them free. For a long time, the three great yogis had traveled extensively together. Now it was time for Trailangya Swami to give directions to Baba Lokenath. When Baba indicated that he would like to accompany Trailagya Swami to the far east, Trailangya Swami said, ‘Lokenath, please do not come with me any further. You have a Divine mission to perform in the lower plains. Go ahead with your mission.‘ So the three parted company, with Mahayogi Trailangya Swami moving alone toward the east and Baba Lokenath and Benimadhav proceeding toward the Himalayas on the way to Tibet.
Baba Settles Down
Around the 1860s, a family named Nag was among the richest landlords of Baradi. The family had become deeply attached to Baba and always longed to serve Baba in whatever way he wished. They, therefore, asked Baba if he would permit them to construct a permanent ashram for him. Baba accepted their offer with the provision that the ashram was to be constructed on land that was not taxed. At the east of Baradi market, a piece of land was found which was untaxed because it had been used to cremate the dead. Baba approved the property, and the ashram, modeled after the ancient hermitage of the rishis, was constructed shortly after. When the ashram was completed, the Nag family requested that Baba clothe himself. After living almost one hundred and forty years as a naked sadhu, Baba Lokenath, in his usual state of indifference, placed the sacred thread around his neck and dressed his Divine body with a piece of white cloth. He then took his seat at the ashram and began dispensing his limitless treasures to the world. The ashram at Baradi became a holy pilgrimage centre. Regardless of caste, color, or creed, people flocked to the ashram to pay their respects to Baba, have his darshan, receive his blessings, and fulfill their myriad personal desires through his grace.
Baba’s Departure
Observing the failing condition of his health, Baba finally decided to give up his body. The date and time for leaving the body was a matter of his choosing. He declared to his devotees that on the 19th day of Jaistha, (June 2nd), 1890, he would leave his mortal body and enter mahasamadhi.
Early in the morning of June 2, 1890, Ramkumar Chakraborty came to the ashram. He talked with Baba privately for some time. Then Baba instructed him how to perform the last ceremonial rites after his mahasamadhi. About ten o’clock in the morning, Baba called his devotees. He wanted them to have their food. No one was in the mood, but it was the last instruction of the Master. Baba supervised the serving of the food. When the last person in the ashram had received the blessed food, Baba went inside his room to sit on his asana in his usual gomukhasana posture. The devotees sat near Baba, expecting him to change his mind out of mercy for his children. Silence prevailed in the room. With his non-blinking lotus eyes, Baba looked at all the devotees and disciples and said in the most compassionate voice:
‘My children! Why are you all so worried? Do you think I am going to die? Only this old worn-out body will fall. I am ever-present. I am deathless.
If with a little touch of love and devotion, you call me, you will instantly feel how close I am to you. As I heard your words in the body, so shall I hear when this body is no more. Just as you are receiving my grace now, you shall always receive my protection and grace in the future. This is my promise.
Where can I go? In all existence, I am eternally present. Whoever will seek my eternal presence and my grace with right trust and surrender will experience me.
With steadfast devotion, hold on to the Truth. Surrender yourself with sincerity to the Divine and move along the path shown by your Satguru.
The yoga of Self-Realisation is the path to freedom. Devotion and love are the essences. Mantras are the props. With devotion and love, move ahead fearlessly. Who is there to obstruct your way? You are my children.
No one can rule over my children. I have never preached. This is the place of command.
You are never alone. I am always with you. Never forget this truth. I am eternally present in you. I shall remain with you for posterity.
I am Eternal. I am Deathless.’
Finally, the deep voice proclaimed the Vedic revelation, ‘Fear not, I am with you.‘
Brahmarishi Baba Lokenath blessed his beloved devotees with his non-blinking eyes. In the next moment, he proceeded through the crown of his head, through the solar rays, to the ultimate union of mahasamadhi. His body remained in its yogic posture, with his non-blinking eyes wide open. At about 11:45 in the morning, the devotees touched Baba’s body and found that he had left it for good.
Jai SatGuru Baba Lokenath
During Lokenath’s early youth, a Vedic scholar named Sri Bhagwan Ganguly lived in the neighboring village. Ganguly was a scholar of great repute who was revered as a household Bhagwan. Ganguly’s judgment was considered unexcelled and definitive in sannyasin. Ganguly was sixty years old and second to none in the knowledge of the scriptures. His knowledge of the scriptures was preeminent in all conferences and debates on scriptural injunctions throughout India.
Ram Narayan approached Bhagwan Ganguly and asked him to become the Acharya Guru (the guru who initiates the adolescent boy into the Gayatri Mahamantra at a sacred thread ceremony and then leads him toward the ultimate realisation of the Self). Ganguly sensed a divine destiny in Lokenath when he heard the story of Ram Narayan’s implacable prayers for a spiritual son and Kamala Devi’s surrender of this, her fourth son. Ganguly was convinced that Lokenath was the proper soil in which to sow the seed of yoga that combined Bhakti (the path of devotional surrender) and Jnana (the path of knowledge of the Will of the Divine). Ram Narayan returned home, filled with gratitude to the All-Merciful God.
Bhagwan Ganguly agreed to perform the sacred thread ceremony when Lokenath reached the age of eleven. The most auspicious day was selected for the performance of the ceremony since it was decided that after the initiation, young Lokenath would start out on his journey with his teacher.
Lokenath’s bosom friend, Benimadhav, whose sacred thread ceremony was also fixed on the same day, expressed his firm determination to leave home with Lokenath and Bhagwan Ganguly. Benimadhav’s parents, however, were not willing to let him go and tried their best to dissuade him. They attempted to get the boy to see the seriousness of his decision, which was no longer child’s play, by painting a dreadful picture of the lives of a sannyasin, who must live in absolute uncertainty as far as the material demands of the body are concerned. The warnings of his elders went unheeded, and Benimadhav, undeterred, stepped into his larger destiny as the companion of Lokenath in the search for the Absolute.
The matter was presented to Bhagwan Ganguly and, as the Divine willed, he agreed to perform the sacred thread ceremony for Benimadhav on the same day. The news about the two young boys leaving home under the guidance of such a renowned scholar and householder, who by then had reached the age of sixty, spread quickly. People assembled in large numbers at the residence of the young Lokenath to witness the ceremony. Bhagwan Ganguly conducted the entire ceremony following scriptural injunctions. It reminded the people of a yajna, or sacred fire ceremony, as was performed in the ancient Vedic days.
It is important to note that Lokenath was not a brahmachari in the lineage of Adiguru Shankaracharya’s sannyasin and brahmacharin. Guru Bhagwan initiated Lokenath and Benimadhav as Naisthic Brahmacharin. Unlike brahmacharin, who wear white clothes, Naisthic brahmacharin traditionally put on ochre-colored robes and follow more orthodox celibacy rules, food, etc. Soon after the ceremony, Guru Bhagwan left with his two young disciples to live in the jungle. Thus, their spiritual odyssey in search of the Indwelling Atman began in the tradition of the Rishis of ancient Vedic times.
Baba Lokenath is regarded as the divine incarnation of jnana yoga, bhakti yoga, karma yoga, and ashtanga yoga combined. His teachings were simple, reaching out to the ordinary person. He advocated love, devotion, and shraddha [faith] in one’s inner absolute Self.
After attaining enlightenment, Baba Lokenath said, ‘I have seen only myself. I am bound by my own karma. The materialistic world is bound by the tongue and the sex organ. He who can restrain these two is fit to attain enlightenment.‘
Baba Lokenath also shared this gem of wisdom,
‘I have everything in me. What you need in life, you only have to take. Do not think that with the death of this body, everything will come to an end. I shall be as available to you as ever when I was in my physical body. Only the body will be burnt to ashes. That I, which is not the body, will never perish. I am the Changeless, Immutable One who is never lost nor finished. Wherever and whenever anybody needs my help, I shall be available forever after.‘
Today, Lokenath is revered in Bengal in most households as a local deity, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He would assure his devotees with the words:
‘Whenever you are in danger, whether in war, forest, ocean, or jungle, just think of me, and I shall protect you.‘
Baba Lokenath spent more than two decades at Baradi Ashram (approximately from 1826 to 1890) presently in Bangladesh in the district of Naryangunj. At that time, the small unknown hamlet of Baradi became a holy pilgrim centre where seekers of all faiths, all religious traditions found a holy confluence, as Baba embodied the synthesis of Yoga and religions.
Narisababa, a devotee of Baba, once asked him, ‘Our minds are restless. How are we to listen to the Divine song, which you say is the true Gita from within. We are so overwhelmed with negative situations and circumstances from all sides, how are we to focus into the world where resides the Lord?’
Baba replied, ‘Without Divine Grace, nothing is possible. With Divine Grace, even the impossible becomes possible. When you receive Grace, your mind will spontaneously turn to the Divine. Then you will realise what the Gita is.’
A little deeper focus on his teachings below can awaken the latent spiritual yearning in the hearts of a truth seeker. He spoke at times with a few ambiguous words, which needed more profound attention to understand their correct context. But his teaching was simple and most scientific. He emphasised that it is not enough to read the scriptures like the Gita and know it as knowledge, but one has to chew and digest it to make it his own. Only those can teach who have realised the meaning and experienced the reality of what one is to teach. As he was the living Gita, people from all communities found their path from the words of this great Himalayan Master.
On Self-Realisation
Traversing the diverse paths and disciplines of yoga, Lokenath reached the pinnacle of Realisation. He attained the Self, the state of being one with the absolute ground of Reality, at one with the Beloved. Transcending all duality and multiplicity, he became established in the non-dual ground of pure energy and pure being — a fully conscious witness to the Divine Play in all its myriad forms in the ecstatic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction.
To whom could Baba speak about this unique state of his mind? Who would understand his language of the beyond? At times, though, Baba did attempt.
‘Words are such poor vehicles to express the inner experience. Any attempt to reduce it to words only belittles the Ultimate Truth. It is like a mute trying to express the taste of nectar.‘ Talking to his intimate devotees, Baba once said, ‘When I am talking about that, I am not able to stay in touch with my body. When I think of that, I become that. I am detached from body consciousness. In human language, it is impossible to express this, the deepest feeling of ecstatic bliss. Everything that exists in infinite creation exists within me. The whole universe is in me. I am existence beyond space, time, and causation. My existence is without beginning or end. I exist in eternal expansion. These words are not to be shared. That is the reason you see me spending time with householders, granting their mundane demands.‘
‘Do not think that when I am busy with you in worldly matters that I lose touch with that blissful state. No. Whoever achieves that state can never fall from there. Nothing can ever again be seen in isolation. Everything is an expression of the One. In variety is the taste of Unity. Because I eat, drink, attend to the call of nature, and live like any one of you, you think of me as one like you. Your greatest mistake is to think of me as a body. How am I to explain who I am? Everyone is so involved in the fulfillment of small desires, unconscious, so forgetful of their true “I”.’
Words of Baba Lokenath
Each Creation is Great in Itself:
One day, Baba was visited by a pundit from a local school who lectured Him on the scriptures. As the pundit talked, a crow began making an unpleasant sound that the pundit found intolerable. He threw a stone to make the crow fly away, only to have the bird return immediately to the same branch and resume making noise. To Baba, the bird was freely expressing the beauty of its existence through its own sound. When the pundit tried to drive it away a second time, Baba interfered. ‘You have driven away the crow because the sound seemed very unpleasant to your ears, but your sound, too, seems to Me equally unpleasant and disturbing.‘
The pundit was shocked because a crow is a crow, and man is the master, superior to all creatures. To Baba, each and every creature is itself a manifestation of Divinity. He felt the same about the smallest ant as the highest being. As a result, hate had no place in His heart. Baba wants us to know that nothing should be looked down upon.
Conscious Awareness :
To the question, ‘What is the path to a happy and peaceful life?” Baba spontaneously replied, “Do whatever you like, but do it consciously, with a sense of awareness.’ The questioner, however, continued, ‘If You give me permission to do as I please, then what would You say if I hit somebody’s head with a stick?’ Baba smiled and replied, ‘Do it and see. I asked you to perform all actions consciously. Once you become conscious and aware, you will find that your conscience will prevent you from hurting anyone. The evils in society are perpetrated because awareness is absent. All evil actions are the result of unconsciousness.‘
To seekers of truth and bliss, Baba gave another fruitful instruction. ‘If you intend to become spiritual, you must analyse your actions and thoughts each day before you go to bed at night. You must assess the good actions and evil actions and come to a firm resolution not to repeat evil actions anymore. A seeker should try to practice all activities in a state of awareness. This is the most important “abhyasa-yoga” or spiritual practice for the aspirant. Most recurring actions that flow from lust, anger, greed, jealousy, and the like manifest only in a state of unawareness. The seeds of these tendencies lie dormant in the subconscious layers of the mind.‘
Be Angry but Do Not Become Blind with Anger :
Baba also says, ‘Be angry but do not become blind with anger. Never allow anger to possess you. Then it blinds you. When anger is given free rein, it bursts out and causes damage — not only to the person at whom the anger is directed, but also, more seriously, at all levels of being to the angry one. Let anger become conscious. Step back, witness anger and its mechanisms, to what is appropriate and inappropriate in the situation. The show of justified anger in daily life may be inevitable. The parent chastising a child, the teacher reprimanding the student, may call out a display of anger in protective guidance. But no one should be consumed by anger. Remain a vehicle of appropriate and conscious expressions of anger, always working for the highest possible good. Then anger cannot possess or damage the mind or body, or thwart the purposes of the soul.‘
Practice What You Preach:
As a world teacher, Baba always followed the maxim, ‘First, practice yourself; then preach.’ He often repeated this principle to His devotees. It was a principle that He followed perfectly. For example, Baba taught the path of desireless action and the importance of self-help. When local landowners presented the land for construction of the ashram and proposed their intention to donate funds to build the cottage, Baba objected. With the help of the villagers, He worked on the construction of His small cottage, at the same time inspiring everyone never to feel ashamed to do menial work since all work is service to the Divine.
Love and Sexuality:
While reminiscing about the days spent in his birthplace, Baba Lokenath revealed to his disciple, Narisababa, an important instruction on an aspect of human life that concerns every spiritual seeker. Narisababa gives a vivid account of what he heard from his Master on the issues of love and sex. Baba Lokenath said, ‘Love is beyond all human rationalisation. The natural attraction between male and female has, too often, been viewed as immoral. But it is childish to give up sex or condemn it as a social evil. You have to go deep into this phenomenon to know its source. Why is this basic aspect of nature found in human beings? Why does man try, again and again, to rise above this instinctive urge yet fail to succeed?’
Then Baba gave the most practical explanation saying, ‘To brand sex as a sin is the greatest blunder. How can that without which the creation is impossible be called a sin? Sin is a feeling of the mind in a state of unawareness. Sex cannot be separated from the world of desires. The hardships and material discomforts which a seeker of truth accepts happily to have the vision of God has its roots in desire. You may say that the desire for material pleasure is limited, whereas the desire for Divine Grace is of greater value in life, but can you deny the phenomenon of desiring at the root? In man is the seed of desire; hence, there is the possibility of divine transformation.’
‘The whole secret of this cosmic creation is hidden deep within this phenomenon of Kama or desire or sex. Of course, you may rail against this. You may try to suppress this natural urge, but that is to do the impossible. It is not possible to reach the state of divine love through the suppression of sex.’
‘Your material life and the natural tendency of desiring material happiness is divinely designed to take you to a state of higher evolution. Through this material desiring, you reach a stage where, through the Grace of the Divine, your mind turns towards God and His Glory when the time is ripe. Your sexual energy changes and transforms itself into love for the Divine, and you then transcend desire in the world of Bliss.’
Finding Truth
‘To know yourself, first hear the Truth directly from your Guru, who is the living embodiment of the scriptures. With utmost trust in his words and devotion to him, practice the disciplines with all your might, without the slightest reservation. When you have emptied yourself in the process, you will realise that you are fulfilled, that you have flowered.‘
‘From time immemorial, the Eternal Lord has been sitting in the hearts of devotees. In the hearts of all living beings, He has been singing the Divine song. Who is conscious of it? The mind is always busy, thinking about the past, weaving dreams of the future, or being disturbed by the diverse array of sounds of the external world. The Divine Song is never heard. But the Divine does not stop singing. It will be singing until you hear.‘
‘Surrender, unconditional surrender is the path. You have to constantly try to surrender your ego, your mind, and intellect to the Divine. This cannot be achieved in one day. All your miseries will come to an end the moment Divine Grace descends. For that moment to occur, you must first prepare yourself with devotion and the utmost perseverance.’
‘Give your mind to the Guru. Think about His Glory. Meditate upon the supreme ideals of love and compassion which the Guru personifies. You will see that the Guru will allow you to enjoy life blissfully. That which is to be rejected will leave you on its own accord for good. Instead of glorifying your ego, glorify Guru. Instead of suffering from the false vanity of being the doer, realise God and Guru as the only Doer.‘
How to Handle Money
The next morning the devotees went to Baba and prostrated themselves at his feet. Baba said to Kuladananda’s elder brother, ‘Earn money and selflessly spend it for suffering people.’ Baba clarified that earning and spending money should not be considered an obstacle to the spiritual aspirant. What matters is the attitude with which the money is used. Money becomes a curse to those who want to make it to satisfy their material desires. This brings bondage. A true seeker cultivates the spirit of selflessness and a compassionate heart and shares with the less-privileged children of the Divine.
BABA’S ETERNAL MESSAGE
‘Oh! My children! When are you going to believe that I alone am the Doer? Trust and rely upon me. Give up your unreal sense of being the doer. Perform your duties with sincerity and dedication. Leave everything to me. You will surely attain peace.
‘Whoever will seek my presence and grace at times of distress and danger will feel my healing grace instantly.
‘I may have left the body, but to protect my devotees from danger, I am always with them. You do not recognise me because you don’t have the eyes to see.
‘The more you will have faith and trust in me, the more you will have the fulfillment of your wishes in life. Nobody leaves me empty-handed. Those who surrender to me will attain their coveted goals. Don’t be engrossed with the world’s mundane demands and forget the Self. Realise the Truth. My grace will quickly help you to achieve your spiritual quest.
‘Know with certainty that I carry the burden of my devotees on my shoulders. All your responsibilities are mine. Just give me your simple heart and mind.
‘I am a beggar for your love. My mercy spreads all over the world. Ask for it with trust and love. Pick it up.
‘He who gives their whole heart and mind to me alone, I become theirs. I am eternally indebted to them.
“In you, I live as the timeless Truth. I am ever awake. I feel happy when you are happy, unhappy when you feel unhappy.
‘I am the imperishable Self. I am. I am. I am.‘
‘Sarve bhavantu sukhinah
Sarve santu niramayah
Sarve bhadrani pasyantu
Ma kaschit dukkha bhag bhavet.
Om Shanti Om Shanti Om Shanti’
‘May all be happy, may all enjoy sound physical and mental health, may all see good in others and everything, may none in this world suffer from miseries and unhappiness. May Peace be everywhere!‘
More Promises Of Baba Lokenath
. I have traveled through the hills and mountains for more than a hundred years and have amassed enough spiritual treasures. You shall sit at home and enjoy the fruits of my austerities.
The Name and the Form of the Divine are one and the same. The Name is the Sound Form of God. All world religious traditions have always considered a repetition of the Name of the Lord or the Guru or Master as the surest way to reach God. There are spiritual seekers and Masters who continually mumble the Divine Name, and you can see the movement of their lips while their hearts chant the Divine Name incessantly.
Shuddhaanandaa Brahmachari (Babaji) has always spoken about the efficacy of the repetition of the divine Name or Japa as the most time-tested path to Self Realisation, reconfirming the most authentic pronouncements of the great Sages and Saints of the world. He says, ‘Those who can cry in the Name of the Master are freed from all the bondages of the Past and Future. No worry can torture them; no loss can make them poor. No tension can tear them apart. No fangs of ego can damage their heart’s love for the Master, and they are Calm in heart, quiet in mind, and universal in their Breath.’
Blessed are you to tread that path of devotional surrender, the most difficult yet the easiest and assured way to the abode of eternal freedom: freedom from birth and death and that which creates it, the ego.
Therefore, come, chant the Divine Name of Baba Lokenath with Bhav or positive emotion and make it a regular practice before you go to sleep or at any time you feel you can drown yourself in the Nectar of Divine Name.
The Garland of 108 Names of Sri Sri Lokenath Brahmachari, the Great Sage of Baradi: read here.
Radhika Mohan Roy :
Radhika Mohan Roy was a wealthy man suffering from chronic rheumatism, which partially paralysed him. Although he could afford the best treatments available, nothing improved his condition. His devout wife had heard about the divine powers and mercy of Baba Lokenath and found her way to Baba’s feet. Unfortunately, Radhika was a disrespectful husband involved in many unethical activities. Baba was unsympathetic to his plight. Baba’s heart melted, however, at the tearful prayers of his devoted wife. Baba took pity on Radhika because of his wife’s heartfelt prayers. With Baba’s grace, Radhika slowly regained strength in his limbs. After a few days, he began to move. The change was a miraculous improvement since he had been a total invalid. Only one arm remained paralysed. One day, as Baba sat in His room, Radhika’s wife came to Him looking very depressed. She said that, although she was deeply grateful for Baba’s grace, she felt sad that his arm was still paralysed and unable to raise it. She prayed for Baba’s mercy. Baba raised His hands three times and told her, ‘Go, and you will find that your husband can raise his hands.’ She was fully convinced of her husband’s total recovery and ran to the boat where her husband was lying. To her great happiness, Radhika had been cured.
Heaven’s Milk for the Divine Child :
Umaprasanna Nag had been blessed with a son but lost his wife during childbirth. No one at home could nurse the baby. Umaprasanna’s sister, Sindhuvasini, was unable to help him. He, therefore, decided to find a paid woman to feed the baby and save the child. Learning of her brother’s intentions, Sindhuvasini went to Baba. Baba listened to her, then told her, ‘There is no need of any paid woman. You come to sit before me. I will suck your milk.‘ Sindhuvasini was infertile. She had always wished to be a mother. She could not believe her ears. The barren woman sat before the Divine Child. As Baba put his mouth to her breasts, they filled with milk. Her clothes were drenched. The motherless child had found a mother in Sindhuvasini. With the nourishment of that blessed milk, the boy grew into a holy child and an ardent devotee of Baba. Umaprasanna settled in Calcutta and established a temple dedicated to Baba Lokenath at Garia in later life.
The Barren Conceive :
Other infertile women often came to Baba, begging to have children through His mercy and grace. Baba took pity on these unfortunate women who wholeheartedly longed to have a child. Baba always blessed them, saying, ‘You will be blessed with a child, and I shall come to your home as your child.’ Since Baba would say the same thing to these women, most devotees found His statements confusing. When they asked him to explain what he meant, he would say, ‘To you, there is the second. But to Me, there is nobody else. I have become everything, so who else will be born other than Me?‘
Honouring Our Promises to God :
Sri Chandarkumar Dutta was the Deputy Magistrate of Dacca. After a prolonged ailment, his wife lost her ability to speak. She could not take food, pass urine or stool. She had the finest medical care but continued to deteriorate. Only God could save her. Baba was her only refuge, so Chandrakumar brought her to Baba and begged for mercy. Baba responded, ‘To test whether I had attained the state of Brahman, I cured 94 dying patients, just by word. Now I do not have such wishes. But if anybody can make Me wish, even today, he can cure himself.‘ Chandrakumar asked how to make Baba wish. Baba replied, ‘Just as you feel the need for food to appease your appetite, just as you need to attend to the call of nature to maintain the health of your body, in the same way, if anybody feels the need for me, he can make Me wish and thereby fulfill his desires.‘ The sad condition of Chandrakumar’s wife touched Baba’s heart. The lady stayed for two months at the Baradi ashram. Finally, with the grace of Baba, she was able to speak again. Her other problems disappeared. Before her recovery, Chandrakumar promised to donate 500 rupees to the ashram if his wife recovered. Baba reminded him in a personal letter not to forget the promise he had made. Chandrakumar wrote back arrogantly, saying, ‘You are a sannyasin. What are you going to do with so much money?’ A year later, Chandrakumar’s wife once again fell ill with all of the previous ailments. While Baba did not need the money, the promise had been made freely by Chandrakumar. When he deliberately and arrogantly dismissed it, the blessings that had flowed out to him from Baba were taken away. Sadly, Chandrakumar’s wife suffered for his foolish actions.
Baba Keeps His Promise :
A successful lawyer of the Dacca court, Sri Biharilal Mukherjee, was an ardent devotee of Baba. Once, he was traveling by boat through the middle of a river. A furious thunderstorm suddenly arose. Biharilal and the other passengers realised that the situation was beyond the control of the boatman. They began preparing for the end. Feeling helpless, Biharilal suddenly remembered Baba’s promise, ‘In a forest or the ocean, whenever you are in danger, remember Me. I will save you.‘ The earnest prayers of the devotee reached Baba. At the time of this crisis, Anath Bandhu Mallik was sitting near Baba at the Baradi ashram. Baba told him, ‘Anath, Bihari’s life is at stake. He is praying to Me for My grace. I am going to save him.‘ As if by magic, the boat slowly balanced itself and reached its destination safely.
Baba Manifests to an American Woman :
Manifestations of Baba’s grace were not confined to India. The following episode illustrates how Baba would bi-locate when he heard the call for help. Dr. Nishikanta Basu, an ardent devotee of Baba’s, was a practicing physician in a sanitarium in Chicago. One day, a patient came to him for treatment of a stomach tumor. The condition was severe. She was distraught and told the doctor she would do whatever he advised her. As Dr. Basu was about to reply, the lady cried out, ‘Stop, don’t talk. I see somebody behind you, towering above your head. Do you know who he is? He must be your spiritual guide.’ As she described the appearance, the doctor realised that she was describing Baba. Dr. wrote in his diary, ‘I did not look behind me, but only kept looking at the lady and knew that Baba had come. He made it clear to me that he is the Divine Presence, and he is always behind me protecting me.’ Dr. Basu advised his patient to go to another hospital to have her tumor operation, knowing full well that if she went, the sanitarium would lose from a business point of view. Dr. Basu knew that Baba had appeared because he would advise his patient to stay in the sanitarium for a few more days to satisfy hospital officials. Baba Lokenath had appeared to show him the path of truth and forthrightness.
Baba Protects Tiger Cubs
A fascinating incident occurred during their stay in this area. One day, Lokenath was sitting under a tree in the jungle. The wild roar of a tiger suddenly broke the silence. Sensing pain, Baba meditated on the source of the animal’s trouble and soon realised that it was a tigress who had just given birth to several handsome cubs. She was extremely anxious about leaving the cubs unprotected to search for food and roared in helplessness and frustration. Feeling deep compassion for her, Baba Lokenath appeared before the frantic mother to assure her of his protection of the cubs. Relieved that she could leave the cubs in his care, she went in search of food. A rare bond of love and trust was forged, with the tigress routinely leaving the cubs behind with Baba while she went hunting. After the cubs had grown a bit, Baba thought himself free of responsibility and started again traveling with Benimadhav. After going only a short distance, however, the tigress was roaring again. Baba knew it was a call from her. Understanding that the tigress did not feel the cubs were ready to be left on their own, Lokenath had no choice but to grant the mother’s prayer. He remained for two to three more months until the cubs had grown enough to accompany their mother on her hunts.
Baba Rescues from Fire
Lokenath started toward the plains. Coming down from the hills and jungles of Chandranath, he encountered a terrible wildfire. While birds flew to safety, for most of the panic-stricken animals, there was no escape. They were engulfed in raging flames. One of the great saints of Bengal, Prabhupada Vijay Krishna Goswami, had been meditating under a tree when the fire broke out. Disturbed from meditation by the wild cries of the animals and birds, he looked up to discover himself in a circle of flames. Death seemed imminent, but he did not feel fear. With his heart utterly surrendered to the Divine, Vijay prayed for God’s help. He saw an extremely tall, totally naked, and brilliant human figure approaching him through the flames when he opened his eyes. Vijay assumed it was a vision, but the luminous being with long matted locks lifted Vijay in his arms, placed him on his shoulder, and carried him effortlessly through the fire. When Vijay returned to his senses, he found himself lying in a safe place with no trace of his mysterious savior. Years later, when Vijay Krishna Goswami met Baba at his Baradi ashram, Baba asked him who had saved him from the wildfire in the Chandranath hills. Vijay Krishna Goswami immediately recognised Baba and prostrated himself at Baba’s feet. Vijay Krishna Goswami became Baba Lokenath’s most ardent devotee. Vijay lavishly praised Baba and his spiritual powers and attainment, spreading the word of Baba wherever Goswami went. Though Vijay Krishna Goswami had a great mission of his own as a spiritual preceptor, it was through him that thousands of people throughout Bengal came to know about Baba Lokenath and began flooding to Baba’s ashram at Baradi.
Dengu’s Court Case
Dengu Karmakar, a native of Baradi, a village located in the Narayanganj district(Bangladesh), stayed in Daudkandi due to a court case he was involved in. Dengu was beside himself due to the criminal charge he was facing. There seemed to be nothing he could do. He was certain that he would be proven guilty, a verdict that would probably result in the death sentence. Dengu’s lawyers had been exploiting him, continually demanding more money. In a desperate attempt to raise the needed funds, Dengu began going from door to door in search of loans. Suddenly, Dengu saw a naked sadhu sitting under a tree, staring at him with fixed eyes. The sadhu had a thin, frail body of considerable height. The moment Dengu saw the holy man, he felt peaceful and secure. Dengu fell at Baba’s feet without any hesitancy, tearfully pouring his troubles out to the saint. Baba listened patiently. When Dengu had emptied himself, Baba spoke to him with a soft, affectionate voice. ‘All your attempts to find loans are in vain. No one will lend you anything. You need not worry about all that anymore. Go straight to the court. I have written the judgment through the hands of the judge. You will be acquitted.‘ Dengu ran to the court and found that the promise of the saint had come true. His joy knew no bounds. His heart was overflowing with gratitude and reverence for the unknown saint. Without wasting a moment at the courthouse, Dengu dashed back to the tree to find the saint sitting in the same posture. This time, Baba had a different expression on his face. He appeared to be absolutely indifferent, as though nothing had happened. Dengu fell at Baba’s feet to express his deep gratitude while Baba sat motionless, lost in his own world. As Dengu sat at Baba’s feet, a sweet fragrance from Baba’s body filled him with happiness. For the first time in his life, he felt relieved of all pain and tension. He was no longer concerned about his home, his properties, or his family. He was possessed only by the great being who sat before him. Baba seemed strangely familiar, but Dengu could not imagine where he might have met him. After a long while, Baba looked at Dengu. With folded hands, Dengu said, ‘It is only through your grace that I have gotten back everything in life. But you are the greatest gift of all. You are God in human form. Now tell me where you live. If you wish, I can help you reach that place.’ Baba smiled and answered, ‘The whole world is my home. I have already reached home.‘
Miracle of the Sacred Thread
One day, a few Brahmin priests were sitting together busily preparing the sacred thread for a ceremony. In the process, the threads became knotted. The Brahmins could not unravel the threads, and a quarrel arose among them. Baba Lokenath suddenly appeared to them and said, ‘Why are you all quarreling with each other? Do you not know the technique of unknotting the threads? And strangely, you call yourselves Brahmins!’ At first, the Brahmins reacted sharply to the naked man’s comments and said, ‘We know well that with the utterance of the sacred Gayatri Mantra, the knots of the sacred thread is loosened. These knots, however, seem to be too tight. We are not able to unravel them.’ Baba said, ‘I do not know what kind of Brahmins you all are. Well, while I am doing the Gayatri Japa, the two of you will pull the knotted threads from both ends, and they will be straightened.‘ The Brahmins had mixed feelings about Baba. They had regarded him as a mindless madman. Now they were stunned by the authority with which he spoke about the scriptures. They could not ignore the power that radiated through his words and presence. Feeling compelled to follow his instructions, the two Brahmins began pulling both ends of the thread. As they did so, Baba started to chant the Gayatri Maha Mantra in the purest Vedic way. Transcendental vibrations filled the air, and within seconds the entire thread had straightened itself without a single knot. The Brahmins then recognised Baba as a great yogi and immediately prostrated themselves at his feet, asking for forgiveness. News of the incident and about Baba’s spiritual power spread swiftly to villages near and far. People in large numbers began visiting Baradi to have the darshan of the great yogi.
The Visit of Vijay Krishna Goswami
Baba was sitting in his cottage with a few devotees. He suddenly said, ‘Vijay is coming. His boat has gotten stuck in the sand of the riverbank near Chamarbari,’ and asked a few devotees to go greet Vijay and bring him to the ashram. When Baba’s devotees reached the riverbank, they found the boat stuck in the sand and inquired whether Vijay Krishna Goswami had come. The astonished devotees of Vijay Krishna asked how they knew of his arrival. Baba’s devotees told them that Baba Lokenath had instructed them to go to the riverbank to meet Goswami and escort him back to the ashram. Vijay Krishna Goswami entered the ashram and stood in the room’s doorway, where Baba was sitting in his usual Gomukhasana posture. Goswami saw Baba in His Cosmic Form in a spontaneous meditative trance and began proclaiming, ‘Oh! He is the Self-Illumined One! The light of the sun is radiating from his body. I see gods and goddesses all over his Divine form. The whole room is filled with celestial beings!‘ Baba got up and moved toward Goswami with outstretched arms. The assembled devotees stood fixed in their places and later described an unforgettable scene. Goswami ran and fell devotedly at Baba’s feet. Like a loving mother joyfully receiving her child after a long separation, Baba pulled Goswami to his heart. As he embraced Goswami, Baba transmitted a stream of spiritual power and inspiration to him. Goswami’s body began to tremble as if charged by a high voltage electric current. When Baba completed the transmission, Goswami began to collapse. The devotees caught hold of him and seated him near Baba. When Goswami later returned to normal consciousness, he asked Baba, ‘Why have you waited to call me to your Divine Presence? Why have I been deprived of your mercy until now?’ Baba replied, ‘You are too heartless. Why did you come so late?” Hearing this, Goswami understood how much Baba loved and had missed him and shed tears of joy.
Relationship between Baba Lokenath, Bodhi Shuddhaanandaa, and Thakur Sri Sri Bhajan Brahmachari
Sri Sri Bhajan Brahmachari (lovingly called Thakur), Bodhi Shuddhaanandaa’s Gurudev, initiated Bodhi into the path of Lokenath Bhakti. Thakur, from his early childhood, received the infinite grace of Baba Lokenath in the path of his sadhana. Baba Lokenath used to appear in gross physical form (in flesh and blood) to Bhajan Baba throughout his sadhana days and instructed him about his course of the highest form of Yoga. (The biography of Thakur authored by Bodhi is available in Kindle from amazon.in and .com) In later years, when Bhajan Baba became a self-realised Master, Baba Lokenath appeared to him in gross physical form and ordained him to do his unfinished work of initiating devotees in the path of Yoga.
After Sri Sri Bhajan Baba initiated Bodhi, he sent him to the Himalayas for sadhana. When the time came, he instructed Bodhi to carry out the order Baba Lokenath had given to Bodhi in a divine vision. In the divine vision, Baba Lokenath lifted his hand, waved it in all directions, and told Bodhi, ‘Spread Out’ (choriye de, in Bengali). Again, this was the unfinished work that Baba Lokenath had ordained to Sri Sri Bhajan Baba that was delegated to Bhajan Baba’s spiritual child (Manasputra), Bodhi, to carry forward and spread the Word of Baba Lokenath all over the world. Baba Lokenath appeared in this vision when Bodhi was living in the ashram of his beloved Gurudev Thakur, on 15 October 1978. He went and narrated the whole vision to his Gurudev, Bhajan Baba, and Gurudev told Bodhi, ‘Do as he said.’
Sri Sri Bhajan Baba thus becomes the Master who brought Baba Lokenath to Bodhi’s life, and through Bodhi, to the world. Bodhi has been traveling all over the world since 1990, relentlessly trying to serve his Gurudev, whom he identifies as one and same as Baba Lokenath. His relentless service to humanity’s suffering stretches from both the seekers of light and love to India’s underprivileged children.
Direction To Reach Lokenath Divine Life Mission And Baba Lokenath Temple, Kolkata, India
Come to Kasba Acropolis Mall, take a rickshaw or walk 10 minutes to Garden High School, 100 meters from there is 47B Bus Terminus. Right on the Terminus and the first left to the Ashram, which is about 200 meters from there.
Brahmachari, Shuddhaanandaa. The Incredible Life of a Himalayan Yogi: The Times, Teachings and Life of Living Shiva: Baba Lokenath Brahmachari.
Lokenath Divine Life Mission, Kolkata, India. Kindle Edition.
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