Meeting Mahavatar Babaji: always there when you need him
“Where ever you are, whenever you call me, I shall be with you instantly.”
These promising words spoken by Mahavatar Baba Ji are recounted by Paramahansa Yogananda in his seminal book Autobiography of a Yogi. Baba Ji was addressing Lahri Mahasaya the guru of Sri Yukteswar who in turn became Yogananda’s guru. There was also a caveat: “Henceforth, my son, I shall come when you need me, and not always when you call me.” Mahasaya called on Baba Ji to appear before his friends to prove that the avatar existed and would come when summoned.
Although Baba Ji acquiesced he made it clear that he should not be called upon frivolously. But there is no doubt that the ever present Baba Ji is always there to guide and inspire. I read Autobiography of a Yogi for the first time in 2020 and was introduced to the Mahavatar.
He was a fascinating, endearing, mysterious, all powerful benevolent yet frightening figure. I read about how he materialized his body and appeared and disappeared at will, about how he materialised magnificent palaces and sumptuous feasts which vanished as quickly as they had appeared.
My Meeting Mahavatar Babaji
I didn’t believe it would be possible for me to ever meet Baba Ji., I felt I could not handle his presence awe inspiring as it might be. My small room, more like an attic, on the top floor of an old Victoria house which was reached only be climbing 85 steps was dark, lit only by my faint light bulb. Three lights appeared in a somewhat strange configuration, almost in a straight line, but not quite.
Logic and the rational mind took over. Just the light from the flats opposite my room. Nothing else was visible as it was late at night and the occupants of the other flats and buildings had switched off their lights and retired for the night. The plan was to visit Baba Ji’s cave alter in 2020 and travel to India from New Zealand where I was on holiday. But covid intervened and the trip was not possible until September 2022.
I sat outside my cabin in Joshi’s guest house near Baba Ji’s cave. It was night time, a friendly darkness enveloped the sky. It was a pleasant evening, no wind, nothing stirred, the silence was loud and profound. And in that silence, silhouetted against the night sky were three lights in the same configuration as those outside my room in the attic two years ago.
Baba Ji was telling me that he was there, waiting for me to walk to his cave the next morning. And walk to the cave I did, despite the altitude sickness and the fatigue. With each step along the winding mountain track the scenery became greener, the peace more profound, the air of mystery thick with the vibrations of stillness.
I looked out from the cave at the world outside – not just a view but a glimpse into eternity, no boundaries, no barriers. And Baba Ji was there guiding me into this space of eternal serenity. It was not such an easy climb to the cave. Joshi asked me how it went when I was sipping tea outside the general store by the road leading to the guest house. I told him at first the climb was a little difficult and I doubted my ability to get to the cave.
Joshi smiled an all knowing smile, his snow white teeth glistening. “Sometimes Baba Ji tests you”, he said. “And did I pass the test,” I asked. Joshi did not answer but the smile of the cheshire cat remained on his lips as he busied himself in the general store.
Baba Ji makes his presence known. He is never early, but neither is his late. To see him just ask and let go, let God. Many insights into the life and works of Baba Ji are found in Autobiography of a Yogi. Chapter 33 Baba Ji, the Yogi-Christ of Modern India is dedicated to him.
Yogananda tells us: “The northern Himalayan crags near Badrinarayan are still blessed by the living presence of Babaji, guru of Lahiri Mahasaya. The secluded master has retained his physical form for centuries, perhaps millenniums. The deathless Babaji is an Avatara. Th Sanskrit word means descent.”
Mahavatar Babaji Appearance
“In any century Babaji never appeared before the general public. Even while being the sole power in the creation, like the creator who silently continues his work, Babaji also continues his work in humble anonymity. The words described in ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ make us eager to know about the works of Mahavatar Babaji. In this scripture composed by Shri Shri Paramahansa Yogananda ji, some chapters are included about the immortal Mahavatar Babaji.
To spread the lost knowledge of Kriyayoga to every person, at the Kumbh Mela Babaji said to Swami Sri Yukteswar ji (who later became the guru of Yogananda ji), ‘After some years I will send a disciple to you, whom you can train to spread the knowledge of yoga in the West.
Yogoda Satsanga Society
‘ That disciple was Paramahansa Yogananda, who by establishing Yogoda Satsanga Society of India in the East and Self-Realization Fellowship in the West spread the spiritual science technique of Kriyayoga.
Before going to America to participate in the International Conference of Religious Liberals, when Shri Shri Yogananda prayed to God to receive blessings, then Babaji appeared before him and gave the assurance of his complete protection. That day was 25th July, which devotees all over the world celebrate every year as Memorial Day.”
“It is believed that in this world, to help those great souls who come for special works and to send self-liberating vibrations to the world is the work of Babaji. At the request of Lahiri Mahasaya, he had granted permission to teach the science of Kriya Yoga even to householders.
Regarding the science of Kriya Yoga, in the Gita Lord Krishna says, ‘Even a little practice of this Dharma will protect you from the fear inherent in the cycle of birth and death.’ The way to learn this science is the home-study of the lessons. The seekers can enroll in the lessons available in various languages on the website of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India to learn this technique.
After listening to an inspiring story described in ‘Autobiography of a Yogi,’ one feels inclined towards introspection. In the Kumbh Mela Lahiri Mahasaya saw that Babaji was bowing down before a matted-haired monk.
Surprised, he said, What are you doing? To this Babaji replied, ‘I am washing the feet of this monk, after this I will clean his eating vessels…’ Then he added, ‘By serving both learned and ignorant monks I am learning that greatest virtue which is dearest to God above all other qualities—humility.’
Come, in today’s age, let us try to live in our daily life this great virtue of humility, which was exemplified by Mahaguru Babaji.”
History of Babaji Cave
Mahavatar Babaji’s cave is one of the most spiritual caves in the Himalayan region. It is the birthplace of Kriya Yoga, where Yoga Guru Lahiri Mahasaya received Kriya Yoga teachings directly from Mahavatar Babaji. Every day, many pilgrims and Kriya Yoga followers, guided by different teachers, visit this cave.
The cave is in Kukuchina, in the state of Uttarakhand, India. In 1861, inside this cave, Mahavatar Babaji gave Kriya Yoga initiation to his disciple Shyam Charan Lahiri. This ancient method of meditation was lost in Kali Yuga but was brought back for the benefit of many true seekers of God.
The Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) of India, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda, has built a platform at the cave’s entrance. The cave has very strong spiritual energy and is a perfect place for meditation. Near the cave is a spot where Babaji once created a palace to fulfill a deep wish of Lahiri Mahasaya. Today, a small meditation cottage built by YSS stands there for visitors.
Kukuchina is about 13 km from Dwarahat, where YSS has an ashram. Devotees and seekers from around the world visit this cave to feel the presence and blessings of Babaji, who is said to be immortal but only shows himself to chosen people.
To better understand the history of this cave, readers are advised to study Chapter 34, “Materialising a Palace in the Himalayas,” from the book Autobiography of a Yogi.
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