Mahavatar Babaji: The Immortal Yogi and Great Avatar
North of the Himalayas, the cliffs near Badrinath still radiate the blessing and inspiration of Mahavatar Babaji, the immortal yogi and mentor of Lahiri Mahasaya, the saint of Benares. Believers hold that the great master has lived for centuries without leaving his physical body.
Devotees recognize Babaji as a true Avatar, a state in which the divine takes form and manifests in a human body. India’s ancient Avatars include Krishna, Buddha, and Patanjali, and Babaji holds the same revered status among spiritual seekers.
In Western Country: Mahavatar Babaji
The Western world first learned about Mahavatar Babaji through Paramahansa Yogananda’s classic book Autobiography of a Yogi, published in 1946. In this spiritual masterpiece, Yogananda described Babaji as the Mahavatar – the “great Avatar.”
He also wrote about other contemporary masters of the Kriya Yoga tradition who had encountered Babaji. According to this lineage, Babaji was born into a Brahmin family on November 30, 203 A.D., in Parangipettai, a small village in South India near the Cauvery River estuary.
Followers believe that Babaji initiated great spiritual figures such as Adi Shankara, Kabir, and Lahiri Mahasaya, who in turn guided saints like Paramahansa Yogananda, Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi, and Sri Sudhir Ranjan Bhaduri.
Even today, Mahavatar Babaji projects pure vibrations across the world to uplift humanity. He encourages nations to end wars, overcome hatred, rise above religious divisions, and resist the negative pull of materialism. Sri Swami Yukteswarji wrote that Babaji’s spiritual level lies far beyond ordinary human comprehension, as limited perception cannot reach the consciousness of an Avatar.
The ever-young Babaji, who has resided in the Himalayas for centuries, continuously blesses the world. His divine mission is to assist spiritual guides when they complete their worldly duties and prepare to operate on the higher spiritual plane.
Although devotees gave Babaji many titles, the great master chose to remain known simply as “Babaji.” The word Baba means “father,” and ji conveys honor, respect, and reverence. Together, Babaji means “The Admirable Father.”
In the 19th century, Babaji’s most renowned disciple was Lahiri Mahasaya, the modern reviver of the sacred practice of Kriya Yoga. When Babaji initiated Lahiri Mahasaya into the secrets of Kriya Yoga in 1861, he reintroduced humanity to one of the most ancient and powerful techniques for achieving self-realization and spiritual freedom.