The 197th birth anniversary of Lahiri Mahashay was observed with deep devotion at the Yogoda Satsang branch ashram in Ranchi. The day began with an online meditation led by Swami Shankarananda Giri, with participation from devotees around the world from 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM. Swami Shankarananda Giri, during the meditation, emphasized that Lahiri Mahashay’s life was an ideal model for a happy and balanced modern life, blending Kriya Yoga meditation with Karma Yoga, which involves daily meditation and selfless service.
Subsequently, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, Brahmachari Gautamananda and Brahmachari Aradhyananda led heartfelt bhajans that filled the ashram with devotional energy. In the evening, Brahmachari Hridayananda conducted a special two-hour meditation session from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. During the meditation, readings from ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by Paramahansa Yogananda, highlighted Lahiri Mahashay’s teachings. These teachings emphasized the importance of detachment from worldly attachments and preparation for the afterlife through spiritual realization and meditation. Lahiri Mahashay taught that through Kriya Yoga, individuals could attain liberation from the physical body and realize their true, sorrow-free nature.
Lahiri Mahashay, a prominent guru in the Yogoda Satsang tradition, was a disciple of Mahavatar Babaji. Babaji entrusted Lahiri Mahashay with the mission to revive and disseminate the ancient science of Kriya Yoga. Lahiri Mahashay was unique in that he gave Kriya initiation to spiritual aspirants from all religious backgrounds. He lived as a householder-yogi, demonstrating how to balance family and societal duties with a life of devotion and meditation. His life inspired numerous individuals and offered hope to the underprivileged, while challenging the caste-based discrimination prevalent in his time. For additional details on meditation and Kriya Yoga, visit yssofindia.org.