The Yogoda Satsanga branch ashram in Ranchi observed the 197th birth anniversary of Lahiri Mahasaya with profound devotion and joy. The day began with an online meditation session, led by Swami Shankarananda Giri, which drew participation from devotees across India and around the world from 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM. During the meditation, Swami Shankarananda Giri explained that “Lahiri Mahasaya’s life embodies the essential balance required for happiness in the modern world—integrating the daily practice of Kriya Yoga meditation with Karma Yoga, or selfless action dedicated to the well-being of family and society.”
Following the meditation, the ashram was filled with devotional energy as Brahmachari Gautamananda and Brahmachari Aradhyananda led heartfelt bhajans from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
In the evening, a special two-hour meditation session, guided by Brahmachari Hridayananda, took place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Drawing from the Yoga Sutras (written by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda), he shared Lahiri Mahasaya’s teachings, including the quote, “‘Remember that you belong to no one and no one belongs to you. Consider that one day you will have to leave everything in this world, so know God from now,’ the great guru told his disciples. ‘Prepare yourself for the subtle journey of death by flying in the balloon of God-realization every day. Under the influence of Maya, you consider yourself a mass of flesh and blood, which is only a house of sorrows. Meditate continuously so that you can quickly recognize yourself as the eternally free supreme element, free from all suffering. Learn to escape from the prison of the body and participate in the supreme element by using the secret key of Kriya Yoga.'”
Lahiri Mahasaya, one of the paragurus of the Yogoda Satsanga tradition, was a disciple of Mahavatar Babaji, the great Himalayan immortal yogi. Mahavatar Babaji revealed to Lahiri Mahasaya the ancient, nearly lost science of Kriya Yoga, and tasked him with initiating all true seekers. A defining characteristic of Lahiri Mahasaya’s life was his practice of initiating spiritual seekers from all religious backgrounds into Kriya Yoga. He was a householder-yogi who, despite his family and social obligations, maintained a balanced life of devotion and meditation. This served as an inspiration to countless individuals living ordinary lives. He offered hope to society’s marginalized and, though of the Brahmin caste, he courageously worked to break down the rigid caste system of his time.
To discover more about meditation and the path of Kriya Yoga, visit yssofindia.org.