Biography Lahiri Mahasaya

Lahiri Mahasaya (1828 – 1898) was one of India’s foremost Spiritual Masters. His original family name was Shyama Lahiri. Mahasaya is an honorary Sanskrit prefix meaning “magnanimous one”.

Up until the age of 33 Lahiri Mahasaya lived an ordinary worldly life. However circumstances took his job to the foothills of the Himalayas. It was here that he had a remarkable meeting with the avatar Babaji. Babaji was able to rekindle Lahiri Mahasaya’s spiritual realisations. Realisations he had attained in previous lifetimes. After experiencing the bliss of Samadhi in the Himalayan Mountains. His Guru directed Lahiri Mahasaya to return to his worldly life and teach the ancient art of Kriya Yoga.

During his lifetime he initiated many seekers from different faiths into the ancient Indian art of Kriya Yoga. In particular he was willing to break down the rigid caste barriers that were present at the time. Lahiri Mahasaya saw God everywhere and was unencumbered by social status.

Towards the end of his life his aura of spirituality and peace attracted many sincere seekers who would come to meditate in his presence. However Lahiri Mahasaya only became well known through Paramahansa Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi”. Yogananda was a disciple of Sri Yukteswar, and Sri Yukteswar was himself a direct disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya. Thus the Kriya Yoga tradition that has spread around the world, including the West can be traced back to Lahiri Mahasaya and the great Avatar Babaji.

Five Guidelines for Living by Lahiri Mahasaya

For the householders, there are five directives of Param Guru Shri Shri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahashaya, which are worth accepting (From Kriya Yoga Vigyan by Swami Nitayananda Giriji Maharaj English translation by Dr. Brij Kumar. Copyright Yoga Niketan1999):

(1) Consider yourself very humble.This means that one should do seva (service), vandana (prayers) and maintain a feeling of being a servant of all.

(2) Always do Satsanga -- means, associate with moral and spiritually oriented people and inquire into the nature of yourself and read spiritually uplifting literature (do svadhyaya).

(3) From time to time congregate in a place and talk about God.

(4) Do not show disrespect to any name & form of God.

(5) At the end of the year, at least once, leave the worldly duties and go to a retreat for a month, or a week,or at least three days and enjoy the solitude.