Shuddhaanandaa Brahmachari - The Incredible Life of a Himalayan Yogi: The Times, Teachings and Life of Living Shiva: Baba Lokenath Brahmachari

The divine grace descends when the time ripens. I was in the monastery in the initial days of my monastic life in the suburbs of Calcutta; of course going through the phase of discovering a new life that dwells in the depth of our own superficiality. Then the golden moment came, on 15 October 1978, the great Himalayan Master Baba Lokenath Brahmachari (1730-1890) appeared in a vision and revealed to me the purpose of my being in the path of Light and the task ahead. I asked him many questions that were bothering me, and he answered them all with infinite love and compassion. Then he asked me Why have you stopped writing? I was a bit taken aback, how could he know that I used to keep journal of my revered Masters conversations, which I had stopped. He continued, I read your writes, I liked them, then he just lifted his long right hand into the air and waved it in a circular motion and said Write and spread out.

Years later I left the ashram and as a wandering mendicant in Himalayas reached a place called Bageshwar, famous for holy confluence and an ancient Shiva Temple. There, on the top of a mountain, I built a small retreat with a temple of Baba Lokenath and started my practice of deeper contemplation. The inspiration to write the first ever English Biography of Baba Lokenath came at this time. It was an experience to write the life and teachings of Mahayogi, just being a humble instrument allowing the Divine writer to flow through me. It was not just writing a book or biography by collecting information and putting them chronologically, but to me it was my penance, my spiritual practice. For in the course of writing this book, by the grace of the Master, I could visualize the episodes and times of Baba Lokenath, and just translate those visions into words that flowed without much effort. When the ascended Masters ordain anyone to do a divine task, then it is the power of the Master that completes the task. Yes, that has been my deepest experience; I could feel my instrumentation and how silently it also brought about an inner transformation for which I have been longing and meditating for years.

As you read this book, please know that very little is known about Baba Lokenaths long life of 160 years, for he was against any propaganda about him or his incomprehensible powers of manifesting miracles. But this book has his presence, for it is his divine grace that made this book possible. Whoever will read this book will feel the aura of his divine presence surrounding. It is no coincidence that you have this book and you are reading the life of one who could say, In danger, remember me, I will save you. I tell you, he keeps his promise, and you can try.

Please read his promises, his teachings and the lives of those who came in touch with him and the transformations they attained, particularly, his equanimity, his infinite love for animals and his boundless compassion for mankind.

May you be blessed with peace and joy in your life, and feel the presence of the Master removing all the obstacles from the path of life to your ultimate journey of retreating back Home.

Shuddhaanandaa Brahmachari

Authors Note: In writing this book, I have relied upon four Bengali books on Babas life, namely: a) Sri Sri Lokenath Mahatmya by Sri Kedareshwar Sengupta; b) Ami Shei ParamatmaLokenath by Bibhupda Kirti; c) Siddha Jivani by Bharmananda Bharati; and d) Dharmasaar Sangraha by Sri Jamini Kumar Mukhopadhaya. To the departed eternal souls of these authors, I convey my profound gratitude and love and pray to the Master, Baba Lokenath, for his grace for their souls to ever remain in peace.

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Baba Lokenaths Cottage in Baradi (Bangladesh)