Shri Shri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya, popularly known among Kriyabans as Lahiri Mahasaya, Lahiri Baba, or Kashi Baba, was born on September 30, 1828, into a devout Barindra Brahmin family in the small village of Ghurni in the Nadia district of West Bengal, India. His parents were Shri Gourmohan Lahiri and Smt. Muktakeshi Devi.
Early Life and Education
From a young age, Shyamacharan displayed a deep spiritual inclination and was often found engrossed in meditation. He was proficient in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, and Sanskrit. Due to a devastating flood that wiped out their entire village, his family relocated to Kashi (Varanasi). While historical records of this move are scarce, reliable sources confirm the relocation.
Family Life
At a young age, Shyamacharan married Kashimoni Devi, the daughter of Shri Devnarayan Mahasay. Despite his profound spiritual pursuits, he remained a householder throughout his life, balancing familial responsibilities with his spiritual practices.
Professional Career
To support his family, Lahiri Mahasaya took employment with the Military Engineering Department of the British Government. His job required him to travel extensively across India. During one such assignment, he was posted to Ranikhet in the Almora District of the Himalayan region.
Spiritual Awakening
In the Dronagiri mountainous region near Ranikhet, Lahiri Mahasaya had a life-changing encounter with Mahavatar Babaji Maharaj. Babaji blessed him with divine darshan (vision) and initiated him into Kriya Yoga, instructing him to propagate this ancient practice among ordinary householders for the spiritual betterment of humanity.
Initially, Babaji Maharaj advised Lahiri Mahasaya to transmit the highly secret Kriya Yoga techniques only to devout individuals who qualified after rigorous examination. However, upon Lahiri Mahasaya's request, Babaji relaxed these conditions, allowing the first stage of Kriya to be taught to all deserving individuals who showed genuine interest. The advanced stages remained reserved for those who demonstrated exemplary progress in their practice.
Contributions to Kriya Yoga
Lahiri Mahasaya is credited with disseminating Kriya Yoga among ordinary householders as a path to self-realization. He emphasized sincere practice over external rituals, focusing on serving the prana (life force) through Atma Karma (self-action). He imparted Kriya initiation to all deserving individuals, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or gender.
Although he did not author any books himself, many of his commentaries on sacred texts like the Gita, Vedantas, Upanishads, and Yoga Darshan were recorded by his disciples, most notably Pandit Panchanan Bhattacharya.
Miracles and Legacy
Numerous miraculous incidents are associated with Lahiri Mahasaya, attributed to his profound mastery of Kriya Yoga and sincere practice. His yogic feats could no longer remain covert and came to the notice of the world after his initiation by Babaji Maharaj. He believed that sincere and devoted practice of the techniques he taught was sufficient to experience divine darshan and receive blessings, even after his physical departure from the world.
Prominent Disciples
Among his eminent disciples were:
- Pandit Panchanan Bhattacharya
- Bhupendranath Sanyal
- Dukori Lahiri
- Tinkuri Lahiri
- Swami Keshavananda
- Swami Pranabananda
- Swami Yukteswar Giri
- Ashutosh Chatterjee
- Sir Gurudas Banerjee
- Keshav Chandra Banerjee
- Harinarayan Palodhi
He also initiated his wife, Kashimoni Devi, into Kriya Yoga.
Passing
On September 26, 1895, in Varanasi, Lahiri Mahasaya left his earthly body, entering Mahasamadhi (great liberation). His teachings continue to inspire countless spiritual seekers worldwide, emphasizing that sincere practice of Kriya Yoga is the key to spiritual advancement.