Haidakhan Babaji
Encyclopedia
Haidakhan Babaji, simply called "Babaji" or Bhole Baba (an epithet for Shiva) by his students and devotees, was a teacher who appeared in northern India
(Uttarakhand
) and taught publicly from 1970 to 1984. The spiritual teacher Leonard Orr
wrote about his encounters with Haidakhan Babaji, and together with Sondra Ray
, promoted him as being Mahavatar Babaji
.
Haidakhan Babaji died in 1984.
who initiated Lahiri Mahasaya
into Kriya Yoga
in 1861 as described by Yogananda in his book Autobiography of a Yogi
, but this assertion may appear self-contradictory since Mahavatar Babaji is described as immortal in Autobiography of a Yogi while Haidakhan Babaji left his mortal body in 1984. According to adherents, what appears to be an ordinary death, has been used as a way of closing curtains on a particular appearance by Babaji in earlier appearances many times. Often Babaji is known to take on the physical karmas of his devotees and end those karmas through his own body, even at the point of letting the body die. Babaji is always able to reappear with the same body through his mastery over matter. From 1924 to 1970 though Babaji was not publicly visible, there are many references of Babaji interacting with small groups of devotees during that period.
In October 2010, Shri Muniraj, his disciple and leader of the Babaji's ashrams, talked about the new coming of Babaji who would already take a material form.
perspective, he claimed that all religions were good and helpful. He also taught that karma yoga
and japa
, the repetition of a mantra
, was the best path for most people to follow. He particularly stressed the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" claiming it was "more powerful than a nuclear bomb."
One of his more radical teachings was that some type of great disaster was coming, though he did not say what it was or when it would come. He did say that it would be a worldwide catastrophe. In some countries he predicted a survival rate of 5% or lower, saying that the highest survival rate in any country would be 25%, while some countries would be completely destroyed. The only way to survive this was to pray to one's chosen deity or chant Om Namah Shivaya.
Nama Japa
, the repetition of God's Name, was a fundamental part of Haidakhan Babaji's teachings:
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
(Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
) and taught publicly from 1970 to 1984. The spiritual teacher Leonard Orr
Leonard Orr
Leonard Orr is an American best known for developing Rebirthing-Breathwork, a 'system' or technique of breathing that can help one to overcome the "trauma" of being born...
wrote about his encounters with Haidakhan Babaji, and together with Sondra Ray
Sondra Ray
Sondra Ray is a Californian author and self-improvement lecturer.Sondra Ray, eminent author and public figure on the subjects of Relationships, Rebirthing/Breathwork, India Spiritual Quests, A Course in Miracles, Hawaiian Wisdom, The Divine Mother, and Spiritual Healing gives her voice to the new...
, promoted him as being Mahavatar Babaji
Mahavatar Babaji
Mahavatar Babaji is the name given to an Indian saint by Lahiri Mahasaya and several of his disciples who met Mahavatar Babaji between 1861 and 1935. Some of these meetings were described by Paramhansa Yogananda in his book Autobiography of a Yogi , including a first hand telling of Yogananda’s own...
.
Haidakhan Babaji died in 1984.
Beliefs about Haidakhan Babaji
It has been asserted by some that Haidakhan Babaji is the same person as Mahavatar BabajiMahavatar Babaji
Mahavatar Babaji is the name given to an Indian saint by Lahiri Mahasaya and several of his disciples who met Mahavatar Babaji between 1861 and 1935. Some of these meetings were described by Paramhansa Yogananda in his book Autobiography of a Yogi , including a first hand telling of Yogananda’s own...
who initiated Lahiri Mahasaya
Lahiri Mahasaya
Shyama Charan Lahiri , , best known as Lahiri Mahasaya, was an Indian yogi and a disciple of Mahavatar Babaji. He was also popularly known as Yogiraj and Kashi Baba. He revived the yogic science of Kriya Yoga when he learned it from Mahavatar Babaji in 1861...
into Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga
Kriya Yoga finds mention in the ancient spiritual texts of Patanjali Yogasutras "Tapah svadhyayeshvara pranidhani kriyayogah" . It was later revived by Yogiraj Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri in the 19th century. Subsequently Paramhansa Yogananda in his Autobiography of a Yogi reported the same for his...
in 1861 as described by Yogananda in his book Autobiography of a Yogi
Autobiography of a Yogi
In 1946, Paramahansa Yogananda , published his life story, Autobiography of a Yogi, which introduced many westerners to meditation and yoga...
, but this assertion may appear self-contradictory since Mahavatar Babaji is described as immortal in Autobiography of a Yogi while Haidakhan Babaji left his mortal body in 1984. According to adherents, what appears to be an ordinary death, has been used as a way of closing curtains on a particular appearance by Babaji in earlier appearances many times. Often Babaji is known to take on the physical karmas of his devotees and end those karmas through his own body, even at the point of letting the body die. Babaji is always able to reappear with the same body through his mastery over matter. From 1924 to 1970 though Babaji was not publicly visible, there are many references of Babaji interacting with small groups of devotees during that period.
In October 2010, Shri Muniraj, his disciple and leader of the Babaji's ashrams, talked about the new coming of Babaji who would already take a material form.
Teachings
Babaji taught that the Sanatana Dharma or "Eternal Religion" was to lead a life based on truth, simplicity and love. Although he taught from a HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
perspective, he claimed that all religions were good and helpful. He also taught that karma yoga
Karma Yoga
Karma yoga , or the "discipline of action" is a form of yoga based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Sanskrit scripture of Hinduism. Of the four paths to realization, karma yoga is the science of achieving perfection in action...
and japa
Japa
Japa is a spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a mantra or name of a divine power. The mantra or name may be spoken softly, enough for the practitioner to hear it, or it may be spoken purely within the recitor's mind...
, the repetition of a mantra
Mantra
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation"...
, was the best path for most people to follow. He particularly stressed the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" claiming it was "more powerful than a nuclear bomb."
One of his more radical teachings was that some type of great disaster was coming, though he did not say what it was or when it would come. He did say that it would be a worldwide catastrophe. In some countries he predicted a survival rate of 5% or lower, saying that the highest survival rate in any country would be 25%, while some countries would be completely destroyed. The only way to survive this was to pray to one's chosen deity or chant Om Namah Shivaya.
Nama Japa
Japa
Japa is a spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a mantra or name of a divine power. The mantra or name may be spoken softly, enough for the practitioner to hear it, or it may be spoken purely within the recitor's mind...
, the repetition of God's Name, was a fundamental part of Haidakhan Babaji's teachings:
- Have faith! Reciting the Name of the Lord is not the first, but the last stage of spiritual practice! When lions enter the forest, the other animals run away. Likewise, all evil thoughts will vanish with the recitation of the Lord's name. Reciting the Name of the Lord will bring you the company of a good people and you will be near saints. Blessed are the few who will discard the kingdom of the world for the Lord's name. Such a devotee always resides in My heart. In the womb, you take a vow not to get attached; but as soon as you come out, you get entangled. Abandon attachment! Your mind plays tricks on you! That is why you are after pleasures! All worldly things - including the desire for liberation - are obstacles to which you are attached. If you want divine peace, leave behind ignorant karma.
See also
- Mahavatar BabajiMahavatar BabajiMahavatar Babaji is the name given to an Indian saint by Lahiri Mahasaya and several of his disciples who met Mahavatar Babaji between 1861 and 1935. Some of these meetings were described by Paramhansa Yogananda in his book Autobiography of a Yogi , including a first hand telling of Yogananda’s own...
- an Indian saint who appeared between 1861 and 1935 and described firstly by Lahiri MahasayaLahiri MahasayaShyama Charan Lahiri , , best known as Lahiri Mahasaya, was an Indian yogi and a disciple of Mahavatar Babaji. He was also popularly known as Yogiraj and Kashi Baba. He revived the yogic science of Kriya Yoga when he learned it from Mahavatar Babaji in 1861... - Hariakhan BabaHariakhan BabaHariakhan Baba was a teacher who taught throughout northern India near the Himalayas between 1861 and 1924.Babaji, as he is referred to, is discussed in the book Hariakhan Baba: Known and Unknown by Baba Hari Dass...
- a teacher who appeared in many places in northern India near the Himalayas between 1861 and 1924