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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox Hindu leader {{Infobox Hindu leader
| name = Mahavatar Babaji | name = Mahavatar Babaji
| image = Babaji-transparent.png | image = Babaji-transparent.png
| alt = | alt =
| caption = Mahavatar Babaji ] in the ] – a drawing from ''Autobiography of a Yogi'', commissioned by Paramahansa Yogananda and based on his own meeting with Babaji | caption = Mahavatar Babaji ] in the ] – a drawing from ''Autobiography of a Yogi'', commissioned by Paramahansa Yogananda and based on his own meeting with Babaji
| religion = ] | religion = ]
| relatives =
| nationality = ]n
| relatives = Mataji (sibling) | honors =
| known_for = ]
| honors = Deathless guru<br />Mahamuni Babaji Maharaj<br />Maha Yogi<br />Trambak Baba<br />Shiva Baba<br />Baba Garib Nath Ji<br />Babaji
| known_for = Kriya Yoga | school = ]
| school = ] | disciples = ]
| influenced = ], ], ], ], ], ],<ref name=beatles/> ], ]
| order = ] (])
| birth_date =
| philosophy = ]
| birth_place =
| disciples = ]
| influenced = ], ], ], ], ], ],<ref name=beatles/> ] ]
| birth_place = ] near ], ], ]
}} }}
'''Mahavatar Babaji''' ({{IAST3|Mahāvatāra Bābājī}}; {{literal translation|Great ] ]}}) is the Himalayan ] and ] who taught ] to ] (1828–1895).<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Miller |first=Timothy |url=http://archive.org/details/americasalternat00mill |title=America's alternative religions |date=1995 |publisher=Albany : State University of New York Press |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-7914-2397-4 |pages=178}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Constance |url=http://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofhi0000jone_r9k7 |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |date=2008 |publisher=New York : Checkmark Books, an imprint of Infobase Publishing |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-8160-7336-8 |pages=61}}</ref>{{efn|Babaji's other names include ''Mahamuni Babaji Maharaj'' (Supreme Ecstatic Master), ''Maha Yogi'' (Great Yogi), and ''Trambak Baba'' or ''Shiva Baba'' (incarnations of ]).<ref name=":0" />}} Babaji first became recognized through the writings of ], who devoted a chapter of his '']'' to Babaji and founded ], a modern yoga movement that Babaji is associated with.<ref name=":0" /> The cave where Babaji met Lahiri Mahasaya, located near ], is now a tourist attraction and place of pilgrimage in India.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=170}}
{{Hinduism}}
'''Mahavatar Babaji''' ({{IAST3|Mahāvatāra Bābājī}}; literally; Great ] ]) is the name given to an Indian ] by ],
and several of his disciples, ], Baba Nasib Singh Ji, Ram Gopal Muzumdar, Swami Kebalananda, and Swami Pranabananda Giri who reported meeting him between 1861 and 1935. Some of these meetings were described by ] in his 1946 book '']'', including a report of Yogananda's own meeting with the yogi.<ref name=yogananda>Yogananda, Paramahansa, ''Autobiography of a Yogi'', 2005. {{ISBN|978-1-56589-212-5}}.</ref> Another account was given by ] in his 1894 book '']''.<ref name=yukteswar>Yukteswar Giri, ''The Holy Science''. Yogoda Satsanga Society, 1949</ref> According to ]'s autobiography (apprenticed to a Himalayan Master), Babaji was Lord ]. In the second to last chapter of his book, he mentions Babaji changing his form to that of Lord Shiva. All of these accounts, along with additional reported meetings, are described in various biographies.<ref name=pranabananda>Mukhopadyay, Jnananedranath, ''Srimad Swami Pranabananda Giri'', Sri Jnananedranath Mukhopadyay Property Trust, 2001.</ref><ref name=yukteswarbio>], , iUniverse Inc. 2006. {{ISBN|978-0-595-38675-8}}.</ref><ref name=lahiribio>, iUniverse Inc. 2006. {{ISBN|978-0-595-38675-8}}.</ref> According to Yogananda's autobiography, Babaji has resided for at least hundreds of years in the remote Himalayan regions of India, seen in person by only a small number of disciples and others.<ref name=yogananda/><ref name="it">indiatoday.intoday.in {{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/the-unknown-siddha-babaji/1/657901.html |title=Mahavatar Babaji: The unknown 'immortal yogi'|access-date=2017-08-30 }}</ref>


==In popular culture==
==Childhood==
There are few accounts of Babaji's childhood. One source of information is the book ''Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga tradition'' by ]. V.T. Neelakantan and S.A.A. Ramaiah founded on 17 October 1952, (they claim – at the request of Babaji) a new organization, "Kriya Babaji Sangah," dedicated to the teaching of Babaji's Kriya Yoga. They claim that in 1953 Mahavatar Babaji told them that he was born in the year 203 CE in a small coastal village now known as ], ] of ], Chola Kingdom.<ref name="NeelakantanRamaiah2006">{{cite book |last1=Neelakantan |first1=V. T. |last2=Ramaiah |first2=S. A. A. |author3=Babaji |title=The voice of Babaji: a trilogy on Kriya Yoga |year=2006 |publisher=Babaji's Kriya Yoga Order of Acharyas |isbn=978-1-895383-23-2}}</ref> Babaji's Kriya Yoga Order of Acharyas Trust (Kriya Babaji Sangah) and their branch organizations claim his place and date of birth.<ref name="NeelakantanRamaiah2006"/> He was a disciple of ] and his birth name is Nagarajan.<ref name="Govindan2001">{{cite book |title=Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga tradition |last=Govindan |first=Marshall |date=1 January 2001
|publisher=Babaji's Kriya Yoga Publications |isbn=978-1-895383-00-3}}</ref><ref name="NeelakantanRamaiah2006" />


Mahavatar Babaji was on the cover of ]' 1967 album '']''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tillery |first=Gary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ajhTvx3NQPYC |title=Working Class Mystic: A Spiritual Biography of George Harrison |publisher=Quest |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-8356-0900-5 |page=81 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="beatles">cnn.com {{cite news |title=How the 'Sgt. Pepper' cover might have looked today |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/31/entertainment/sgt-pepper-cover-anniversary-trnd/index.html |access-date=2017-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Who Are All Those People in SGT Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band - Spacious Planet |url=http://www.spaciousplanet.com/world/guide/who-are-all-those-people-in-sgt-peppers-lonely-hearts-club-band |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024180614/http://www.spaciousplanet.com/world/guide/who-are-all-those-people-in-sgt-peppers-lonely-hearts-club-band |archive-date=24 October 2011 |access-date=2011-11-28 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> He can also be seen on the cover of ]'s 1974 album '']''. Songwriter ] of English rock band ] composed a song called "]" in reference to Mahavatar Babaji. This song was recorded and released on their 1977 album '']''<ref name="supertramp">{{Cite book |last=Melhuish |first=Martin |title=The Supertramp Book |publisher=] |year=1986 |isbn=0-7119-0787-0 |pages=124–126}}</ref> In Book 3 of '']'' (1998), by ], it is mentioned that Babaji may at one time have resurrected himself from the dead, like ].<ref>Walsch, Neale Donald, ''Conversations with God: an uncommon dialog (Book #3)'', page 95.</ref>
In Paramahansa Yogananda's ''Autobiography of a Yogi'', many references are made to Mahavatar Babaji, including from Lahirī Mahasaya and ].<ref name=yogananda/>
In his book '']'', Yogananda states that ] and conferred with Mahavatar Babaji.<ref name=it/> This would make Babaji at least 2000 years old.<ref>{{cite book |last=Yogananda |first=Paramahansa |title=The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You p. |year=2004 |publisher=Self-Realization Fellowship |location= Los Angeles, CA|isbn=0-87612-555-0}}</ref>


The 2002 film '']'' featured a fictional encounter with Mahavatar Babaji.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Virk |first=Rizwan |title=Wisdom of a Yogi |publisher=Bayview Books |year=2023 |isbn=978-1-954872-10-3 |pages=}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=235, 314}} The film was produced by ], a devotee of Babaji.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chaubey |first=Santosh |date=16 March 2018 |title=Here's how Rajinikanth became a devotee of Mahavatar Babaji |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/what-s-hot/story/here-s-how-rajinikanth-became-a-devotee-of-mahavatar-babaji-1191001-2018-03-16}}</ref>
According to Govindan's book, Babaji Nagaraj's father was the priest of the village's temple. Babaji revealed only those details which he believed to be formative as well as potentially instructive to his disciples. Govindan mentioned one incident like this: "One time Nagaraj's mother had got one rare ] for a family feast and put it aside. Babaji was only 4 years old at that time. He found the jackfruit when his mother was not around and ate it all. When his mother came to know about it, she flew in blind rage and stuffed a cloth inside Babaji's mouth, nearly suffocating him, but he survived. Later on he thanked God for showing him that she was to be loved without attachment or illusion. His love for his mother became unconditional and detached."<ref name="Govindan2001"/>

When Nagaraj was about fifteen years old, he joined a small group of wandering ] due to their radiant faces and love for God. During the next few years, he wandered from place to place, studying holy scriptures like the ], ], ], ] and ] and practiced deep meditation.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

==Quest for self-realization==
According to Marshall Govindan's book, at the age of eleven, he made a difficult journey on foot and by boat with a group of ascetics to ], Sri Lanka. Nagaraj met ] ] and became his disciple. Nagaraj performed intensive yogic ] for a long time with him. Bhogarnathar inspired Nagaraj to seek his initiation into Kriya Kundalini Pranayam from Siddha ] ]. Babaji became a disciple of Siddha Agastya. Nagaraj was initiated into the secrets of Kriya Kundalini Pranayama or "Vasi Yogam". Babaji made a long pilgrimage to ] and spent eighteen months practising yogic ] taught to him by Siddha Agastya and Bhogarnathar. Babaji attained self-realization shortly thereafter.<ref name="Govindan2001"/>

It is claimed that these revelations were made by Babaji himself to S.A.A. Ramaiah, a young graduate student in geology at the University of Madras and V.T. Neelakantan, a famous journalist, and close student of ], President of the Theosophical Society and mentor of ]. Babaji was said to have appeared to each of them independently and then brought them together to work for his Mission in 1942.<ref>{{cite web |title=Babaji's Kriya Yoga |url=http://www.babajiskriyayoga.net/english/about-babaji.htm}}</ref>

==Reports of meetings, 1861–1935==
===Lahiri Mahasaya===
{{Main|Lahiri Mahasaya}}
The first reported encounter with Mahavatar Babaji was in 1861, when Shyāmacharan Lahirī (called "Mahāsaya" by disciples, devotees, and admirers) was posted to ] in his work as an accountant for the British government. One day while walking in the hills of ] above Ranikhet, he heard a voice calling his name. Following the voice up the mountain, he met a "tall, divinely radiant ]."<ref name=lahiribio/> He was amazed to find that the sadhu knew his name.<ref name=yogananda/><ref name=lahiribio/> This sadhu was Mahavatar Babaji.{{Citation needed|date= May 2022}}

Mahavatar Babaji told Lahiri Mahasaya that he was his guru from the past, then initiated him into ] and instructed Lahiri Mahasaya to initiate others. Lahiri Mahasaya wanted to remain with Mahavatar Babaji, who told him instead that he must return to the world to teach Kriya Yoga and that "Kriya Yoga ] would spread through the people of the world through his (Lahiri's) presence in the world."<ref name=lahiribio/>

Lahirī Mahasaya reported that Mahavatar Babaji did not give his name or background, so Lahiri Mahasaya gave him the title "Mahavatar Babaji." Many sadhus in India are called Babaji, and sometimes even "Babaji Maharaj", which has caused confusion between Mahavatar Babaji and other sadhus with similar names.<ref name=lahiribio/>

Lahirī Mahasaya had many meetings with Mahavatar Babaji, recounted in several books, including Paramahansa Yogananda's ''Autobiography of a Yogi'',<ref name=yogananda/> ''Yogiraj Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya'' (Lahiri's biography),<ref name=lahiribio/> and ''Purana Purusha: Yogiraj Sri Shama Churn Lahiri'',<ref name=purana>Chatterjee, Ashoke Kumar, ''Purana Purusha: Yogiraj Sri Shama Churn Lahiri''. Yogiraj Publications, 2004. {{ISBN|81-87563-01-X}}.</ref> among others.

There are references to Lahiri Mahasaya in Sampoorna Sripada Vallabha Charitam as guru to ], who initiated him to kriya yoga.{{Citation needed|date= May 2022}}

===Disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya===
Several disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya also reported having met Babaji. Through discussion with each other, and the fact that some of these encounters included two or more witnesses, they confirmed that the person they saw was the same sadhu that Lahirī Mahasaya called Mahavatar Babaji.<ref name=yogananda/><ref name=lahiribio/><ref name=kebalanandabio>{{cite book |last=Giri |first=Satyananda |title=Yogacharya Shastri Mahasaya: a short biographical sketch of Hamsaswami Kebalanandaji Maharaj |publisher=Yoganiketan |year=2004 |url=http://www.yoganiketan.net}}</ref>

At the 1894 ] in Allahabad, ], a disciple of Lahirī Mahasaya, met Mahavatar Babaji. He was struck by the resemblance between Lahirī Mahasaya and Mahavatar Babaji.<ref name=yogananda/><ref name=yukteswarbio/> Others who met Babaji also commented on the resemblance.<ref name=lahiribio/> It was at this meeting that Mahavatar Babaji instructed Sri Yukteswar to write the book that was to become ''Kaivalya Darshanam'', or '']''.<ref name=yukteswar/> Yukteswar had two more meetings with Mahavatar Babaji, including one in the presence of Lahiri Mahasaya.<ref name=yogananda/><ref name=yukteswarbio/><ref name=lahiribio/>

Pranabananda Giri, another disciple of Lahirī, also met Mahavatar Babaji in the presence of Lahirī, at Lahirī's home. Pranabananda asked Mahavatar Babaji his age. Mahavatar Babaji responded that he was about 500 years old at that time.<ref name=pranabananda/>

Keshabananda, a disciple of Lahirī, tells of meeting Mahavatar Babaji in the mountains near ] around 1935, after he became lost wandering in the mountains.<ref name=yogananda/> At that meeting, Pranabananda reported that Babaji gave him a message for Paramahansa Yogananda, that "I won't see him this time, as he is eagerly hoping; but I shall see him on some other occasion."<ref name=yogananda/> In his book ''Autobiography of a Yogi'', Paramahansa Yogananda wrote that Mahavatar Babaji visited him before his journey to America and addressed him saying, "You are the one I have chosen to spread the message of Kriya Yoga in the West."<ref name=yogananda/>

Other disciples of Lahirī Mahasaya who reported meetings with Mahavatar Babaji include Kebalananda Giri<ref name=kebalanandabio/> and Ram Gopal Muzumdar, who recounted meeting Mahavatar Babaji and his sister, whom he called Mataji.<ref name=yogananda/><ref name=lahiribio/> In addition, a disciple of ], Shankari Mata (also called Shankari Mai ]) met Mahavatar Babaji while visiting Lahiri Mahasaya.<ref name=yogananda/><ref name=lahiribio/>

==Traditional legends==
], Lord ], Paramahansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar Giri]]
Paramahansa Yogananda, in his Autobiography, described Mahavatar Babaji's role on earth:<ref name=it/>
<blockquote>The Mahavatar is in constant communion with Christ; together they send out vibrations of redemption, and have planned the spiritual technique of salvation for this age. The work of these two {{Sic|?|hide=y|fully|-}}illumined masters–one with the body, and one without it–is to inspire the nations to forsake suicidal wars, race hatreds, religious sectarianism, and the boomerang-evils of materialism. Babaji is well aware of the trend of modern times, especially of the influence and complexities of Western civilization, and realizes the necessity of spreading the self-liberations of yoga equally in the West and in the East.</blockquote>

In addition, Babaji is reputed to be ageless, according to some accounts, and about 500 years old around the late 1800s, according to Pranabananda.<ref name=pranabananda/> Yogananda reports that, according to the disciples of Lahirī, nobody knows Babaji's age, family, place of birth, true name, or other details "dear to the annalist's heart."<ref name=yogananda/>

According to Yogananda's autobiography, he has a sister called Mataji (meaning "Holy Mother") who also has lived throughout the centuries.<ref name="E">{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism / Self Realisation Fellowship / Page: 781|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kzPgCgAAQBAJ&q=Mahavatar+Babaji+hinduism&pg=PA781|isbn=978-0-7007-1267-0|last1 = Cush|first1 = Denise|last2 = Robinson|first2 = Catherine|last3 = York|first3 = Michael|date = 21 August 2012}}</ref> Her level of spiritual attainment is comparable to her brother's, and she lives in a state of spiritual ecstasy in a cave. Although only three pages in the book are dedicated to her, she is described by Ram Gopal as "young and surpassingly lovely" as well as a "glorious woman."<ref name=yogananda/>

==Modern claims and popular references==
]
Mahavatar Babaji was on the cover of ]' 1967 album '']''. He can also be seen on the cover of ]'s 1974 album '']''.<ref name="beatles">cnn.com {{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/31/entertainment/sgt-pepper-cover-anniversary-trnd/index.html |title=How the 'Sgt. Pepper' cover might have looked today|access-date=2017-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spaciousplanet.com/world/guide/who-are-all-those-people-in-sgt-peppers-lonely-hearts-club-band |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-11-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024180614/http://www.spaciousplanet.com/world/guide/who-are-all-those-people-in-sgt-peppers-lonely-hearts-club-band |archive-date=24 October 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In Book 3 of '']'' (1998), by ], it is mentioned that Babaji may at one time have resurrected himself from the dead, just like Lazarus, Jesus and others.<ref>Walsch, Neale Donald, ''Conversations with God: an uncommon dialog (Book #3)'', page 95.</ref>

The 2002 ] '']'' written by ] was based on Babaji.
] writes in his book ''The hidden power in humans'', that the Guru of the legendary Babaji is Sri Alakh Puriji.<ref>], ''The hidden power in humans'', Ibera Verlag, page 245. {{ISBN|3-85052-197-4}}</ref>

In his autobiography ''Apprenticed to a Himalayan master: a yogi's autobiography'' (2010), ] (Mumtaz Ali) narrates his meeting with Babaji near Neelkant hill.<ref>Sri M (Mumtaz Ali), ''Apprenticed to a Himalayan master: a yogi's autobiography'', Magenta Press, 2010, {{ISBN|81-910096-0-9}}</ref> In his book, Sri M gave description of Babaji as golden complexioned, bare-bodied, except for a shining white loin cloth that barely reached the knees, and flowing brown hair that fell to his shoulders. He mentioned that a lovely scent emanated from Babaji, and he looked divine. In the second last chapter of his book, he mentions that Babji himself was Lord Shiva. He describes seeing Babaji changing his form to Lord Shiva again and again. He also mentions that Sai Baba, Jesus, Guru Nanak and many others were disciples of Mahavatar Babaji.

Songwriter ] of English rock band ] composed a song called "]" in reference to Mahavatar Babaji. This song was recorded and released on their 1977 album '']''


==See also== ==See also==
* ]
* ] – a teacher who appeared in northern India and taught publicly from 1970 to 1984
* ] – founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1917 * ] – founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1917
* ] – a teacher who appeared in northern India and taught publicly from 1970 to 1984
* ]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|40em}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin|40em}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Beckman |first1=Insiah |title=The Initiation: The Experiences of Dr. Donald Schnell (Prema Baba Swamiji) with Babaji (The Deathless Indian Avatar and God -man) |journal=The Edge |date=August 8, 2001 |url=http://www.edgemagazine.net/2001/08/the-initiation/}}
* {{cite journal |first=Carter |last=Phipps |title=In search of Babaji: ''WIE'' tracks down the elusive Yogi-Christ of the Himalayas |url= http://bodymindheartspirit.ning.com/profiles/blogs/in-search-of-babaji|journal=What is Enlightenment?|date=Spring–Summer 2002 |access-date=28 November 2011}}
* {{cite book |last=Govindan |first=Marshall |title=Babaji & the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga Tradition |publisher=Kriya Yoga Publications |page=194 |isbn=978-1-895383-00-3|year=1991 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Neelakantan |first1=V.T.|last2=Ramaiah |first2= S.A.A|title=The Voice of Babaji A Trilogy on Kriya Yoga |publisher=Kriya Yoga Publications |page=524 |isbn=978-1-895383-23-2|year=2006}}
* Farasiotis, Dionysios. (2011). "The Guru, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios". St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood. {{ISBN|978-1-887904-16-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Peterson |first= Jean|date=2012 |title= Journey To Freedom: The Bhakti Sutras of Mahavatar Kriya Babaji |publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform |page=544 |isbn=978-1-4775-5047-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Nadler |first=Mary |date= 2012|title=Sacred Symbols from Babaji and The Ascended Masters |publisher=Master's Way |page=106 |isbn=978-0-615-63791-4}}
* {{cite book |last= Sri Yukteswar|first=Swami |date=1949 |title=The Holy Science |publisher=Yogoda Satsanga Society of India }}
* {{cite book |last=Churchill |first=Pola |date=2006 |title=Shiva Mahavatar Babaji |publisher=Trafford Publishing |page= 104|isbn=978-1-4251-0100-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Prajnanananda |first= Paramahamsa |date=1997 |title=Mahavatar Babaji-The Eternal Light of God |publisher=Prajna Publication |page=88 |isbn=978-3-99000-034-2}}
* {{cite book |last= Khilnani |first= Rashmi |date=2014 |title=Shiva Speaks: Conversations with Maha Avatar Babaji |publisher=Rainbow Ridge Publishing |page=136 |isbn=978-1-937907-14-3}}
* {{cite book |last= Nagaraj |first= Kriya Babaji |date=2005 |title=Beloved Babaji: A Book on the Life and Teachings of Mahavatar Babaji |publisher=Minerva Press |page=326 |isbn=978-81-7662-330-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Caddy |first= Reneta |date=1998 |title=Encounters with Babaji: Master of the Himalayas |publisher=Findhorn Press |page=88 |isbn=978-3-99000-034-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Xaver |first= Gottfried |date=2007 |title=Mahavatar Babaji's new gospel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MRJiMAAACAAJ&q=Mahavatar+Babaji |publisher=Ghaleb |page=88 |isbn=978-88-88300-47-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Niketan |first= Yoga |date=2005 |title=The Scriptural Commentaries of Yogiraj Sri Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya |url=http://www.yoganiketan.net |publisher=Yoga Niketan |page=324 |isbn=978-0-595-35181-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Naushir |first= Guruji |date=2014 |title="Amrit" Wisdom of Mahavtar Babaji |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8HjqBQAAQBAJ&q=Mahavatar+Babaji&pg=PT7 |publisher=BecomeShakespeare.com And Mahavtar Babaji Tadekam Foundation |page=229 |isbn=978-93-83952-36-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Govindan |first=Marshall |date=1995 |title=Babaji's Kriya Hatha Yoga: 18 Postures of Relaxation & Rejuvenation |publisher=Babaji's Kriya Yoga Order Of Acharya |page=30 |isbn=978-1-895383-03-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Sturgess |first= Stephen |date=21 May 2015 |title=The Supreme Art and Science of Raja and Kriya Yoga: The Ultimate Path to Self-Realisation |publisher=Singing Dragon |page=528 |isbn=978-0-85701-209-8}}
* {{cite book |last1=Walters |first1= J. Donald |last2=Kriyananda |first2= Swami|date=1996|title=The Path: One Man's Quest |publisher=Crystal Clarity Publishers |page=480 |isbn=978-1-56589-733-5}}
{{Refend}}


== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== ==External links==
{{Commonscat}} {{Commonscat}}
{{Wikiquote|Mahavatar Babaji}} {{Wikiquote|Mahavatar Babaji}}
*'']'' on ]: *'']'' on ]
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{{Hindu reform movements}} {{Hindu reform movements}}
{{philosophy of religion}}
{{Rishis of Hindu mythology}}
{{Paramahansa Yogananda}} {{Paramahansa Yogananda}}
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Latest revision as of 16:41, 5 November 2024

Hindu Yogi

Mahavatar Babaji
Mahavatar Babaji meditating in the lotus position – a drawing from Autobiography of a Yogi, commissioned by Paramahansa Yogananda and based on his own meeting with Babaji
Personal life
Known forKriya Yoga
Religious life
ReligionHinduism
SchoolYoga
Religious career
Disciples
Influenced

Mahavatar Babaji (IAST: Mahāvatāra Bābājī; lit. 'Great Avatar (Revered) Father') is the Himalayan yogi and guru who taught Kriya Yoga to Lahiri Mahasaya (1828–1895). Babaji first became recognized through the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda, who devoted a chapter of his Autobiography of a Yogi to Babaji and founded Self-Realization Fellowship, a modern yoga movement that Babaji is associated with. The cave where Babaji met Lahiri Mahasaya, located near Ranikhet, is now a tourist attraction and place of pilgrimage in India.

In popular culture

Mahavatar Babaji was on the cover of The Beatles' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. He can also be seen on the cover of George Harrison's 1974 album Dark Horse. Songwriter Roger Hodgson of English rock band Supertramp composed a song called "Babaji" in reference to Mahavatar Babaji. This song was recorded and released on their 1977 album Even in the Quietest Moments... In Book 3 of Conversations with God (1998), by Neale Donald Walsch, it is mentioned that Babaji may at one time have resurrected himself from the dead, like Jesus.

The 2002 film Baba featured a fictional encounter with Mahavatar Babaji. The film was produced by Rajinikanth, a devotee of Babaji.

See also

Notes

  1. Babaji's other names include Mahamuni Babaji Maharaj (Supreme Ecstatic Master), Maha Yogi (Great Yogi), and Trambak Baba or Shiva Baba (incarnations of Shiva).

References

  1. ^ cnn.com "How the 'Sgt. Pepper' cover might have looked today". Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  2. Miller, Timothy (1995). America's alternative religions. Internet Archive. Albany : State University of New York Press. p. 178. ISBN 978-0-7914-2397-4.
  3. ^ Jones, Constance (2008). Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Internet Archive. New York : Checkmark Books, an imprint of Infobase Publishing. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-8160-7336-8.
  4. ^ Virk, Rizwan (2023). Wisdom of a Yogi. Bayview Books. ISBN 978-1-954872-10-3.
  5. Tillery, Gary (2011). Working Class Mystic: A Spiritual Biography of George Harrison. Quest. p. 81. ISBN 978-0-8356-0900-5.
  6. "Who Are All Those People in SGT Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band - Spacious Planet". Archived from the original on 24 October 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  7. Melhuish, Martin (1986). The Supertramp Book. Omnibus Press. pp. 124–126. ISBN 0-7119-0787-0.
  8. Walsch, Neale Donald, Conversations with God: an uncommon dialog (Book #3), page 95.
  9. Chaubey, Santosh (16 March 2018). "Here's how Rajinikanth became a devotee of Mahavatar Babaji". India Today.

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