Early Life and Family
Yogiwar Shri Netai Charan Bandyopadhyay was born on June 18, 1894, into a pious Brahmin family. His father, Shri Bamdev Banerjee, was an ardent disciple of Pandit Panchanan Bhattacharya. Unlike other boys his age, young Netai Baba was calm, quiet, simple, and reticent, possessing a charming personality from childhood.
Education and Career
Netai Baba graduated from Wellesley Mission College, which is the present-day Christian College in Bankura. After completing his education, he sought employment and joined the Finance Department of the Bengal Nagpur Railway.
Spiritual Journey
On the advice of Panchanan Baba, Netai Baba was initiated into Kriya Yoga by his father, Bamdev Banerjee. It is said that during his initiation, Netai Baba envisioned Panchanan Baba in his father and thus accepted Panchanan Baba as his guru.
Panchanan Baba was highly pleased with Netai Baba's sincerity and devotion in practicing Kriya Yoga. He often cited Netai Baba as an exemplary disciple among his followers. Eventually, Netai Baba received permission from his father to initiate others into Kriya Yoga.
Dedication to Kriya Yoga
After diligently practicing Kriya Sadhana and reaching the state of Kriya Ki Parawastha (a high state of spiritual attainment), Netai Baba found it challenging to continue his job with full dedication. Consequently, he resigned from the Bengal Nagpur Railway. He settled in Shibpur, Howrah, and took up the practice of homeopathy—a profession he adopted both as a means of livelihood and as a service to society.
Life in Shibpur
At his residence on Bipradas Chatterjee Road in Shibpur, Howrah, Netai Baba often remained in a yogic trance. Disciples and visitors would come to receive his darshan (blessings and spiritual presence). Driven by his encompassing love and with the intention of purifying the environments of his disciples' homes through satsang (spiritual gatherings) and Kriya, he would visit their houses as needed.
Mahasamadhi and Legacy
Netai Baba entered into Mahasamadhi (the conscious exit from the body by a realized yogi) on February 9, 1979. His eminent disciples include:
- Maheswari Prasad Dubey
- Nirdanand Brahmachari
- Rangnath Tewari
- Kumudranjan Banerjee
- Shrikant Bagri
- Parimal Das
- Amal Bikash Choudhury
- Others
He also initiated his wife, Molina Devi, into Kriya Yoga.