Mahamuni babaji maharaj is the first source of kriya yoga. For centuries, stories have been told in India of a deathless saint, one of many is who forever youthful and whose role is to work with the gradual evolutionary trend of planetary consciousness. Very little has been published about the enlightened master known as Babaji, who is considered to be a Mahavatar (a great incarnation of God). The title, Babaji, means revered or holy father. The reason for such limited information about Babaji and other siddhas is that their role is best played out of public eyes.
There are several enlightened masters now among us who work with mass consciousness. Many such masters and prophets are spiritually assisted by Babaji. It is his role to inspire current spiritual leaders who are on the front lines of enlightenment movements. While Babaji is known as the first in this line of succession, though he is not limited to any particular succession line or tradition. Babaji works with any spiritual person or enlightenment tradition, in order to bring positive change in the world. He is a perfected being, a true siddha who has no karmic ties with the world, but still on the earth plane in a body that acts as a medium through which the light and power of God can flow into human and the world.
Babaji has been embodied for centuries and has been known by various names at different times and places. Lahiri Mahasaya, his first order disciple confirmed that Babaji played the role of Krishna. Lahiri Mahasaya wrote in his Diary, “The old baba is Krishna. As known, Babaji told Lahiri Mahasaya and Swami Kebalananda that he had initiated Shankara, centuries before, into the science of Kriya Yoga.
One yoga master initiated by Babaji in times past is Kabir. Also some of the masters who wrote texts on Yoga. Lahiri Mahasaya told disciples that he had been Kabir in a previous incarnation. It can be said that wherever there is a yogic tradition which emphasizes kriyas, Babaji’s influence is pronounced.
Babaji himself has used Kriya Yoga processes to maintain his physical form. He has also repeatedly used a rejuvenation process, kaya-kalpa, which includes fasting, prolonged rest and meditation, and the use of medicinal herbs. He told Swami Pranabananda, a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, that he had undergone the kaya-kalpa process many times.
The Mahavatar teaches according to the temperament and capacity of the disciple, giving useful guidelines for responsible living to the general seeker and initiating into advanced processes those who are ready for a more dramatic transformation of consciousness. Avatars play their roles according to the need in the cosmic drama. Babaji’s role is that of an avatar of Shiva. His mission is to work with planetary consciousness during this transition from the dark age to the age of enlightenment. His work is to accelerate of mankind’s awakening towards spiritual values. There are certain celestial and planetary influences that keep changing. That require the illuminated masters to be present on earth, who to direct some of the energies in harmony with the evolutionary trend. The work of enlightened masters on earth, as well as on subtle planes, is our assurance that the divine pattern will unfold in line with God’s perfect plan.
Babaji has resided in northern India during the last century, in the mountain area near Badrinarayan, not very far from the border of Nepal. In Drongiri Mountain Babaji initiated Lahiri Mahasaya into Kriya Yoga and subsequently asked his newly-awakened disciple to return to his community and teach others the secret science. This took place in the autumn of 1861. During his stay with Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya saw many miracles and met with several close disciples of the Mahavatar.
At a Kumbha Mela (major religious gathering of spiritual men and saints) held at Allahabad, where the Ganges, Jamuna and Saraswati rivers come together, Babaji met Sri Yukteshwar and asked him to write a book revealing the underlying unity of religions. Sri Yukteshwar produced the book, The Holy Science. Several close disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya also had personal contact with Babaji for years. Sometimes in person in the Himalayas or otherwise when Babaji would visit them in his subtle form.
Babaji’s personal history is unknown. Some titles of respect given him by disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya are Mahamuni Babaji (Supreme Ecstatic Master), Maha Yogi (The Great Yogi), and Trambak Baba or Shiva Baba (titles denoting avatars of Shiva). There is more than a little evidence to connect him with a more recent appearance of a great saint known as Sri Hairakhan Baba, who was publicly active until 1992
Paramhansa Yoganandaji has written more extensively about Babaji in his book, Autobiography of a Yogi. Babaji often appears youthful and, at other times, older. Sometimes he is clean-shaven and sometimes he has a mustache or beard. No matter the outer appearance, the immortal avatar is ever the same as a free spirit. He is known to conduct special ceremonies during which mantras, designed to invite subtle energies into the planetary atmosphere, are chanted.
Because Babaji’s mission is still at work, he does not engage in any public meetings. Nor is he available to the casual seeker who might travel to the Himalayas to try to find him. He can be contacted through spiritual process when the devotee sufficiently attenuates his consciousness.