Birth and Early Life: (I need to review this entire dates and places)
- Born Shyama Charan Lahiri: on September 30, 1828, in the village of Ghurni, near Krishnanagar in Nadia, West Bengal, India. (I am not able to refer to his life in Varanasi and how he ended up near Mount Meru (Ksheerasagara Madhanam) between Bhagalpur and Deogarh on the boundaries of Jharkhand and Bihar)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahiri_Mahasaya
- Family: His father, Gaur Mohan Lahiri, was a priest and scholar of Sanskrit scriptures. His mother, Muktakeshi Devi, was known for her piety and devotion. He had two older brothers.
- Early Loss: Tragically, his mother passed away when he was only three or five years old (accounts vary). This loss deeply impacted him.
- Raised by his paternal aunt: He was then raised by his aunt, who instilled in him a love for spiritual practices and devotion to the Divine Mother.
- Education: He received a traditional education, studying Sanskrit, Bengali, Urdu, Persian, and English. He excelled in his studies and developed a keen interest in religion and philosophy.
Family Life and Career:
- Marriage: In 1846, he married Kashi Moni Devi. They had five sons and three daughters.
- Accountant General’s Office: He worked as an accountant in the Military Engineering Department of the British East India Company, later becoming an accountant in the Accountant General’s Office in Calcutta.
- Householder Yogi: Unlike many yogis who renounce worldly life, Lahiri Mahasaya lived as a householder, balancing his spiritual practices with his family and professional responsibilities. This made him a relatable figure for many.
Spiritual Awakening and Kriya Yoga:
- Himalayan Encounter: In 1861, while on a work assignment in Ranikhet, Himalayas, he encountered his guru, Mahavatar Babaji.
- Kriya Yoga Initiation: Babaji initiated him into Kriya Yoga and instructed him to revive this ancient technique and make it available to sincere seekers.
- Spreading the Teachings: Upon returning to Varanasi, Lahiri Mahasaya began teaching Kriya Yoga to people from all walks of life, regardless of their caste, creed, or social status.
- Diverse Disciples: His disciples included householders, monks, scholars, and even people from other religions. He emphasized the universality of Kriya Yoga as a path to self-realization.
- Spiritual Heights: He was known for his profound spiritual attainments, including the ability to materialize objects, heal the sick, and read minds. However, he discouraged his disciples from focusing on these powers and emphasized inner transformation.
Legacy and Impact:
- Revival of Kriya Yoga: Lahiri Mahasaya is credited with reviving and popularizing Kriya Yoga in modern times.
- Lineage: He established a lineage of Kriya Yoga teachers, including his son Tincori Lahiri and Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri (Yogananda’s guru).
- Global Influence: Through Yogananda’s writings, Lahiri Mahasaya’s teachings reached a global audience, inspiring millions to pursue the path of Kriya Yoga.
- Continuing Inspiration: Even today, he is revered as a great yogi and spiritual master, and his teachings continue to guide seekers worldwide.
Unique details:
- “Yogiraj” title: He was bestowed with the title “Yogiraj” (King of Yogis) by his guru, Babaji.
- Emphasis on devotion: While known for Kriya Yoga, he also emphasized devotion to God and the Divine Mother.
- Humility and simplicity: Despite his spiritual attainments, he lived a simple life and treated everyone with humility and respect.
- Emphasis on direct experience: He encouraged his disciples to verify the truth of Kriya Yoga through their own direct experience rather than blind faith.
These details offer a glimpse into the remarkable life and legacy of Lahiri Mahasaya, a yogi who bridged the gap between the ancient wisdom of Kriya Yoga and the modern world