The Yogoda Satsanga branch ashram in Ranchi marked the 197th birth anniversary of Lahiri Mahasaya with deep devotion. The day commenced with an online meditation session led by Swami Shankarananda Giri, attended by devotees globally from 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM. Swami Shankarananda Giri, while leading the meditation, emphasized that “Lahiri Mahasaya’s life perfectly exemplifies the essential equilibrium needed for happiness in the contemporary world – integrating daily Kriya Yoga meditation with Karma Yoga, which is selfless service for family and society’s well-being.”
Subsequently, the ashram resonated with devotional fervor during the heartfelt bhajans conducted by Brahmachari Gautamananda and Brahmachari Aradhyananda from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
In the evening, Brahmachari Hridayananda guided a special two-hour meditation from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. He shared excerpts from the Yoga Sutras (written by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda), quoting Lahiri Mahasaya’s teachings: “‘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 death’s subtle journey by soaring daily in the balloon of God-realization. Under Maya’s influence, you perceive yourself as a mere bundle of flesh and blood, a dwelling of sorrows. Meditate ceaselessly, enabling yourself to swiftly recognize your true nature as the eternally free, supreme element, liberated from all suffering. Learn to break free from the bodily prison and merge into the supreme element through the secret key of Kriya Yoga.'”
Lahiri Mahasaya, a revered guru in the Yogoda Satsanga lineage, was a disciple of Mahavatar Babaji, the immortal Himalayan yogi. Mahavatar Babaji revealed to Lahiri Mahasaya the ancient science of Kriya Yoga, instructing him to initiate sincere seekers. A key aspect of Lahiri Mahasaya’s life was his initiation of spiritual aspirants from diverse religious backgrounds into Kriya Yoga. He was a householder-yogi, who maintained a balanced life of devotion and meditation while fulfilling familial and social duties. This served as an inspiration to countless individuals leading worldly lives. He offered hope to the marginalized and downtrodden, and despite his own Brahmin heritage, he courageously worked to dismantle the rigid caste prejudices of his era.
For further insights into meditation and Kriya Yoga, explore yssofindia.org.