Our Great Gurus
Yogiraj Shri Shyamacharan Lahiri Baba
Born in Ghurani (Krishnanagar, Bengal) and raised in Kashi (Varanasi), Rev. Yogiraj Shri Shyamachran Lahiri is one of the greatest spiritual leaders from India. He was blessed with an acute intelligence and acquired a deep knowledge of ancient Indian languages, as well as, English. Notwithstanding the excellent education he received, by nature, he was a practical man who taught with his own example.
In 1868, he was initiated into Kriya Yoga (a scientific method of self-realization) by none other than the great Babaji Maharaj in the Himalayas. In the face of his devoted spiritual practices, he dutifully followed his household responsibilities, hereby setting a unique and timeless example for humanity.
Lahiri Babaji initiated spiritual seekers of all castes and races. He accompanied them in their path and inspired with his sincere, simple and scientific methods of teaching.
Though he never set out to write a book of his own, he did give many explanations of the scriptures within the context of Kriya Yoga. These explanations were transcribed by his disciples over the course of their regular meetings and today form several books which have been translated into Hindi and English. These books are available to Kriya practitioners all over the world from the Aryya Mission Institution.
Yogacharya Shri Panchanan Bhattacharya Baba
Rev. Yogacharya Panchanan Bhattacharya may be considered the greatest of Yogiraj Shyamacharan Lahiri’s disciples. As a young rebel, thirsty for truth and realization, he objected to the religious rituals performed by his family. He thus donned the saffron robe, leaving his childhood abode in search of a guide and his true path.
His search led him to Lahiri Baba. The clairvoyance of the master so impressed him that he decided to dedicate himself to the path of Kriya Yoga. Only after promising to lay aside the robe of a monk and follow the life of a family man, did Lahiri Baba agree to give him initiation. The act of becoming a family man was often criticized by those who did not fully understand the true sincerity and independence of a Kriya practitioner in the face of worldly life.
With the blessings of Yogiraj (Lahiri Baba), Panchanan Bhattacharya established the Aryya Mission Institution by which he aimed to spread proper Ideology. He hoped to help put and end to the confusion of so many by writing books on various topics. Utilizing his gifts for music, he also composed songs about Yoga.
Panchanan Bhattacharya was the first of Yogiraj’s disciples to achieve self realization. As a deeply insightful and omniscient man, he was also the first whom Yogiraj permitted to give Kriya initiation. He preached that true detachment from the world is but a state of mind, while at the same time, inspiring and encouraging perseverance, tenacity and trust in Kriya Yoga. Although a Guru himself, Yogacharya always cultivated great devotion for his own Guru Rev. Yogiraj Shyamacharan Lahiri.
Yogivar Shri Netaicharan Banerjee
Nitai Baba was the son of a close disciple of Yogacharya Panchanan Bhattacharya. The father initiated him into Kriya Yoga at the age of thirteen following the directive of his Guru. Being a young boy and inexperienced in the ways of sadhana, he rebelled against the practice, complaining that he was achieving no results. He yielded, however, to the strong pleas of his father and continued his practice. Only a few days thereafter, he was blessed with the state of Samadhi.
From this moment on he remained loyal to the practice of Kriya Yoga and through it enjoyed an uninterrupted state of bliss. This was a very unusual state of mind with which to conduct his daily affairs. Thus he decided it would be best to end his employment with the Bengal-Nagpur Railway and instead serve others as a homeopathic doctor. In this way he lovingly cared for all those in need, successfully treating their diseases, often miraculously.
A soft spoken, quiet man, Nitai Baba saw God dwelling in the form of every living being and as such, he humbly found pleasure in performing acts of service. He had a great love for humanity and encouraged his disciples to cultivate this same dedication to serving others. He left no stone unturned to resolve the obstacles of a true seeker. He showered lovingness on his disciples and it was said that his presence alone bestowed a great sense of peace upon all who were present.
Nitai Baba sought not to author any books of his own, insisting that the works left by Panchanan Bhattacharya and Lahiri Baba were not only sufficient, but essential aids to the Kriya Yoga practitioner. In 1979 he left his body at the age of 85. A temple was constructed in his honor and stands at his grave in Bakutalla (Howra -India).