In “Autobiography of the yogi” we read, that when Babaji called Lahiri Mahasaya to initiate him – he showed him the feet on which he was stolid sit to practice and one command him. But those, who are very much deep in Kriya yoga – they know, that Lahiri Mahasaya did not die at this period of time to take birth as Shyamacharan Lahiri in his parents. He went into Samadhi, left that body, took birth in a regular way, did his mission what Babaji decided for him then died here – and woke up from Samadhi there. Babaji himself was taking care of that body, because he had to take care of it for 67 years.
And only Guru can be very specifically and meticulous in taking care of that. You can not simply have faith in everybody – who will become careless and something will happen. He is, I think, one of the immortals group of Babaji; he was just asked to go into Samadhi, take birth there, live the regular way of life. You see, what happen when you’re doing something for the society – to guide them in a certain way – if you already appear in front of them as an extraordinary person – they will start worship you as an avatar or some miracle man.
Babaji are very particular about this – that you should take birth as absolutely normal human being, you must work very humbly – and Lahiri Mahasaya was a clerk; and that is the beauty of Babaji’s message – that even king is came to touch the feet of the simple clerk, that was a power of knowledge and yoga. When he finished his task here, when he was 67 years old – he died here in a regular way and woke up there from Samadhi. And then Babaji left that place. Nowadays many Kriya yoga devotees go to there as pilgrims to offer their respect. That’s the real story behind the story.
who was this being, who took birth as Lahiri Mahasaya?
Guruji: his name is given: his name was Gangadhar.
from there this name came?
Guruji: read “Autobiography of the yogi” carefully – it is mentioned there. In his diaries I’ve also seen it. Gangadhar or Ganganath maybe one and the same. Only such powerful being could gain such enough power to go beyond physical death and then come back again – it’s incredible.
Ganganath is the very ancient person?
Guruji: his Guru was a disciple of Gorakhnath – this is what we found in the history of nath yogins. Gorakhnath had a disciple Chandranath, Chandranath had two disciples – Ganganath and Darshaninath, they are very mighty yogins, very long-lived ones. The references are in many books.
they are in the group of Babaji?
Guruji: probably; it looks like it.
where is the place, where Ganganath was in Samadhi for 67 years?
Guruji: in Himalayas, near Ranipith – on Drona giri mountain. The cave of Babaji is there. And it’s full of ashes – so no insect will crawling. Very meticulous care is taken, when such attempt is done.
such Samadhi includes sahajoli technics?
Guruji: it is much left behind. It was not just he was sitting there in Samadhi, he need to leave that body, take birth as a regular person, die there and come back again. Only very high accomplished yogi are in a situation to attempt it. That’s why Babaji himself was taking care, because you can not leave things just for chance.
I even can’t imagine, how Lahiri Mahasaya felt when the great Guru, whom he didn’t recognize – because when you’re taking birth always some cut come, which you can’t remember properly, then you’re called and remind it; I can well imagine how he must be feeling when he saw himself sitting in Samadhi. I think it was the great revelation of some sort.
Ganganath was sitting or lying in shavasana?
Guruji: always in sitting position. It’s a practice method.
he had a very difficult mission…
Guruji: I will tell you – to give the very simple guidance to the society is the very difficult task.