A Living Legend…
Paramahamsa Hariharananda known affectionately as "BABA" (Father) to his students, was widely known as a God-realized Kriya Yogi in the lineage of Babaji Maharaj, Shri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Shriyukteshwar Giri and Paramahamsa Yogananda .
But who was Baba? A divine mystery, A Fountain of Chaotic Beauty & Immortal Bliss and An Ocean of Infinite Compassion & Humility. As Baba himself once said, "If anyone tried to know who is Baba, he would go mad"...
He spent his life studying, teaching and fulfilling his mission to share the philosophy and technique of Kriya Yoga with the people of the world. He was much revered as a fountain of love, strength, and wisdom for the thousands of students he personally taught all over the world.
Baba was born as Robindranath Bhattacharya, into a family that strongly emphasized spiritual practice and education,in the hamlet of Habibpur, on the bank of the sacred river Ganga, in the district of Nadia, West Bengal, 65 Km from Kolkata. Nadia is considered one of the holiest places in India as many great saints and sages were born there.
Nadia
is well known for the birthplace of Shri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1485-1533). Deemed
to be a reincarnation of Shri Krishna, he was
instrumental in reviving the bhakti(devotional)
movement in India.
Baba's
father Haripada Bhattacharya
was an affluent community landlord. He was a Brahmin,
known for his integrity and self-discipline. He
was as scholar of Sanskrit, well versed in the
scriptures of Hinduism and had a thorough knowledge
of Ayurveda, homeopathy, some modern medicine
as well as an interest in legal matters. He led
a strict life with a deep love for God and had
high ethical and moral standards.He was a respected
priest, astrologer, and healer. He had divined
the special destiny of his tenth child, and used
to call him affectionately "Sannyasi Thakur" (Lord
monk).
Baba's
mother, Nabin Kali, was a pious
and devoted woman from the village of Birnagar,
Nadia and came from a Brahmin family. Nabin Kali
literally means Eternal Mother Divine. She had
a compassionate heart and charitable nature helping
the poor and needy in the community. She was a
virtuous and tender-hearted woman, who imbued
her son with qualities of extraordinary compassion
and tenderness.
Nabin Kali and Haripada had eleven children, five sons and six daughters. Rabindranath was the youngest son and later came to be known as Paramahamsa Hariharananda.
At
four and a half, Hariharananda had already memorized
all the puja mantras of Hinduism by simply hearing
his father, recite them a few times. By the age
of twelve, he took initiation in the path of Jnana
Yoga from the renowned realized master Shri
Bijoy Krishna Chattopadhyay after visiting
him a couple of times in the company of his brother
Pareshnath and brother-in-law, both disciples
of his. A disciple of Trailinga Swami of Benares,
Bijoy Krishna Chattopadhyaya was known as "Howrah
Thakur" because he lived in the Howrah suburb
of Kolkata.
In
1932, he went to meet the great Kriya master,
Swami Shriyukteshwar Giri. Pleased
by the divine propensities of young Rabindranath,
Shriyukteshwarji initiated him into Kriya Yoga,
in his Serampore ashram, West Bengal, also taught
him cosmic astrology, and entreated him to come
and live in his Karar Ashram in Puri, Orissa.
Due to Professional and family obligations, Robi
was not able to fulfill his master's wishes until
six years later.
In
1935, he met Paramahamsa Yogananda, and received
the second Kriya initiation from him. In 1938,
he renounced the material life and entered his
Master's Ashram in Puri, Orissa, starting the
life of an ascetic monk as Brahmachari
Rabinarayan.
He
received the third Kriya initiation from Swami
Satyananda Giri in 1941, the then head
of the Karar Ashram and childhood friend of Paramahamsa
Yogananda.
Shrimat
Bhupendranath Sanyal Mahasaya (1877-1962),
youngest disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, and close
friend of Rabindranath Tagore.the last higher
Kriya initiations were given by Shrimat Bhupendranath
Sanyal, during 1943 to 1945 the pious householder
disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya.
During
his time in Puri, he had the great fortune of
meeting and receiving the blessings of many divine
masters such as Sri Anandamoyee Ma.
The Holy Mother, who also had an ashram in Puri,
used to call him affectionately her "Sahib Baba"
as she first met him before his monkhood, when
he was still wearing fashionable Western clothes.
BABA
also spent some time with Nanga Baba Digambara
Paramahamsa, the great "sky-clad" realized master
who lived on the far side of Puri near the Lokanath
Temple. This mysterious saint is also identified
as Totapuri, the guru of Ramakrishna,
and is said to have lived over 350 years. A holy
hermitage of Nanga Baba known as Girinaribanta
Ashram by locals of Puri is there emanating divine
serenity and peace in solitude.
Baba
also met Shri Sitaram Das Omkarnath,
a well-known Vaishnava saint of Varanasi. Omkarnath
Baba was cousion our beloved Baba also from Naida
the holy land of Sri chaitanya.
In the mid-40's, the most secret technique of samadhi was revealed to him by a young, anonymous and mysterious yogi, who came and appeared in Karar Ashram. During this period he attained six stages of samadhi.
In 1948, after eleven years spent in silence and seclusion in his cell, he attained the state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi, the pulseless and breathless highest spiritual attainment of a dedicated yogi.
A
few months later, in 1949, while still in seclusion
in his monastic cell, he obtained twice the vision
of the deathless yogi Babaji Maharaj,
who blessed him and prophesized that his mission
would be to spread the original message of the
Kriya masters to the whole world.
After
following a strict spiritual practice of meditation
and maintaining silence for many years, he was
empowered by Paramahamsa Yogananda,
in 1951, to initiate others into Kriya Yoga. Thus,
he started his long missionary work that took
him to the length and breadth of his beloved India.
In
his monastic cell, most nights found him meditating
before his presiding deity Mother Kali,
a form of formless Divine mother.
On September 27, 1958 the Divine Mother appeared before him and blessed him with Her divine effulgence, confirming his divine mission for the spiritual upliftment of the world.
On
May 27, 1959 he took formal monastic vows from
the Shankaracharya of Puri Srimad Swami
Bharati Krishna Tirtha (the Hindu equivalent
to the Pope) and was named Swami Hariharananda
Giri.
The year 1974 marked his first journey to the West, where he would return every year to spread the message of divine love through conscious awareness of God within. His travels took him all over Europe, South America, the United States, and Canada where he established centers and ashrams. He remained extensively in the West after 1990 and his work continues from headquarters on three continents: Vienna, Austria; Miami, USA; and Jagatpur, Orissa, India.
Kriya Yoga is non-sectarian and is practiced by people of all religions. Paramahamsa Hariharananda was well versed in the holy scriptures of India, the Holy Bible, the Torah, the Quran, as well as Buddhist scriptures and the teachings of all religions. He illuminated their meaning by providing interpretations in a new metaphorical way. His writings include "Kriya Yoga: The Scientific Process of Soul-Culture," "The Bhagavad Gita In the Light of Kriya Yoga: A Rare Metaphorical Explanation for God-Realization," and numerous other publications.
Baba
initiated his chosen disciple Brahmachari Triloki
into monkhood and named him as Swami Prajnanananda,
to carry out his mission in the west. On August
10, 1998, the highest title, Paramahamsa, a designation
reserved for monks and saints who have attained
the summit of realization was conferred upon Swami
Prajnanananda by his Master Paramahamsa Hariharananda.
Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji is
the president of Kriya organizations started by
Baba Hariharanandaji Maharaj and the current head
of a great lineage of Kriya Yoga Guru Parampara.
A significant part of Hariharananda's legacy is evident in the charitable works he committed to throughout his lifetime. Through the Hariharananda Charitable Health Centers over 50,000 people receive medical care and supplies each year. As a part of the Charitable Health Centers a variety of outreach and educational programs have been implemented including mobile medical and dental services, livestock vaccinations, the building of library's and schools, and AIDS education/awareness programs.
The last days of beloved BABA
narrated by Paramahamsa Prajnanananda
The beauty of the Master manifests in the disciple.
A sincere disciple with surrender and love becomes
one with the master. The experience of that oneness
is beyond all attachment.
O beloved Gurudev you are the burning lamp who lit the lamp of spiritual seekers. Let your love, your wisdom, your teaching, dedication and determination shine in the life of others. O Beloved Gurudev, Let the light of your life of affection and illumination bring illumination into the lives of many.
Sitting in your room, I see emptiness. But still, I feel completeness. I realize the pain of separation, yet I experience the joy of oneness. I miss you but I find you in my love, in my experience. I see you vividly present not only in me but also in the lives of many. You are a river flowing continuously.
Until early November 2002 you continued with the daily delight of the garden tour. It was wonderful experience to see you shower your guests with love feeding them with fruits freshly plucked from the garden. Every one returned richer basking in your radiant presence of divine love and compassion. Even during your last days, you would consider the welfare of others first and foremost. Little did we know that you were preparing to bring your earthly sojourn to a conclusion.
When I came to Miami from London hearing about your poor health and went to your room you silently touched my head and blessed me. You did not utter a single word but your love, compassion and calmness were evident. As per the advice of the doctors, when you were taken to the hospital at first no one knew what to expect. As events unfolded the harsh reality began to dawn. That first night in the hospital you asked me, "Have you finished your work?" When I said yes, you said, "I have also finished everything, let us go." Until that moment I did not know that you were preparing to leave your body.
I stayed with you continuously. All night long I would sit by your bed holding your hand looking at you. During those times we had nice play like a father and child. Most of your talk during that time was about India. Physically you were here but mentally you were in India.
On Dec 1, you asked me again for a second time, "Are you ready" and I said yes. Again you said, "I am also ready, let us go."
On the afternoon of December 2, you were immersed in bhava Samadhi. You were in an ecstasy. Looking at me and Shuddhanandaji seated on either side of your bed you started speaking in Bengali. The language was similar to that used in the writing of Bijoy Krishna, your first guru. You talked about life on other planes, and the five vital energies merging in the cosmic energy.
On 2, December you were physically in pain and it was painful to watch you suffer. All night we sat and watched. You looked at me and closed your eyes. Next morning the doctor emphasized further decline in your health. All ashrams were informed of your condition.
You looked at me and spoke your last words. You said, "Peace, bliss, love, joy, divinity." Uttering these words you took my right hand and placed it on your lower belly gently indicating to massage. While I was massaging people were in and out to visit you. Slowly you were more peaceful opening your eyes and looking at us.
These days in the hospital were beautiful in a way. Your smile was so meaningful and so loving. I have never seen such a beautiful smile any where before even on your face. It was a divine heavenly smile.
Swami Shuddhanandaji was chanting the Gita. I asked the others to meditate and chant the mahamrutyunjaya mantra.
That evening your breath was special. There was one inhalation and a pause and then an exhalation. It was like when a yogi does Pranayama, breath control. Then after an inhalation we were not sure if there was an exhalation. Pulse was there, but there was no breath. Calmness and love was emanating from your face. We called the doctor and the doctor checked and said it was over. Baba finally entered into breathlessness stage which he preached throughout his life as deathlessness stage.
At 6.48 pm, December 3, 2002, beloved Baba, you peacefully took your final inhalation. The next exhalation was not to be. You exited the body land to immerse your self once more in the Supreme all mighty Lord.
At 11.15am Tuesday the 10th of Dec, 2002, your mortal remains left Homestead, Florida homeward bound for the distant shores of Mother India to be laid to rest in the land of your fore fathers.
