Brij Mohan Sharma
In the spiritual history of India, we come across many a ‘realized soul’ who are the quintessence of our ancient spiritual heritage and cultural values. Amongst them, one of the names that stands out prominently is that of Paramahansa Yogananda, the great yogi-saint of twentieth century.
Born on January 5, 1893, Paramahansa Yogananda, right from his birth, gave ample indications of his divine destiny. He had no fascination for the ephemeral charms of this materialistic world and was always found immersed in divine pursuits.
After having undergone the rigours of asceticism under the strict surveillance of his Guru Swami Sri Yuketshwar Giriji, he donned the ochre robes of Swami order at a fairly young age of 22, and took upon himself the herculean task of spreading the message of Yoga and ancient spiritual teachings of India in every nook and corner of the world with an indomitable courage of conviction.
Owing to his preoccupations with various spiritual activities, he could not allot the requisite time to his school and college studies. As a result, he passed his BA exam from Calcutta University just barely within the passing mark. Being well aware of his lapse, he considered the university degree as a ‘divine gift’ conferred on him for reasons somewhat obscure.
Amazingly, notwithstanding his unconvincing record of college career, he turned out to be one of the brilliant writers of English, and authored many books and anthologies of poems and chants, all devoted to God. His book ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ is rated one of the best spiritual classics in English language. This book has been instrumental in sowing the seeds of love and yearning for God in millions of people all over the world, and has been responsible for the spectacular transformation of their lives. It contains lucid exposition of all the essential ideas of spirituality, and has an illuminating description of Yoga philosophy. Indeed, it is a charming and most absorbing blend of deep mysticism and profound philosophy. Just one earnest reading of this book can work wonders.
Soon after his graduation and induction into Swami order, Paramahansa Yogananda was ordained by his Guru and Mahavatar Babaji, the invisible and ever-living Master in the Himalayas, to go to the West and spread the message of Kriya Yoga, a non-religious and non-sectarian scientific yogic technique for God-realization.
Paramahansaji had, till then, never seen or met Mahavatar Babaji and longed vehemently to catch his glimpse before leaving for the unknown shores of America. He prayed and prayed and even cried his heart out like a child to have his darshans. At long lost, Babaji heard his prayer, and lo! one fine morning, he knocked at the door of his beloved devotee. Yoganandaji at once recognized him. Speechless and choked with devotion, he lay prostrate before the deathless saint. Babaji blessed him and told him many things about his life, as also gave him some personal instructions. He impressed upon him; ‘You are the one I have chosen to spread the message of Kriya Yoga in the West.” He also prophesied with solemnity : “Kriya Yoga, the scientific technique of God Realization will ultimately spread in all lands, and aid in harmonizing the nations through man’s personal, transcendantal perception of the Infinite Father.”
Paramahansaji never recounted this sacred experience of his meeting with invisible Babaji to any one. It was after several years that he thought it fit to reveal this secret in his autobiography, so that his readers might be “inclined to believe in the reality of the secluded Babaji”. Paramhansaji also helped an American artist to draw a true picture of the deathless Guru. This very picture is at present in general display in India and abroad.
Paramhansa Yogananda left India for America in August 1920. He lectured in almost every part of the new land and addressed hundreds of clubs, colleges, churches and groups of every denomination. His yoga classes were attended by tens of thousands of Americans. Wherever he went he found people eager to listen to his teachings, which impart to the follower of any faith a deeper and better understanding of his own religion, as also practical wisdom in his physical, mental and spiritual evolution. He specially emphasised the underlying unity of the scriptures of East and West.
Summarising his activities in the West, Yoganandaji’s Secretary late Mr C Richard Wright has said : ”It is certainly gratifying to see how the West has embraced his teachings, how the system he taught for developing body, mind and soul has taken such a hold throughout the world. He did so much to bring about a welding of the spirituality of India with the scientific and material development of the West.”
The science of Yoga is applicable by people of every clime and time. It is a method for restraining the natural turbulence of thoughts, which otherwise prevents all men of all lands from glimpsing their true nature of Spirit.
All creation is governed by law. The principles that operate in outer universe discoverable by scientists are called natural laws. But there are subtler laws also that rule the hidden spiritual planes and the inner realm of consciousness; these principles are knowable through the science of Yoga.
To gain knowledge of these inner realms, one need not go to forests or mountain caves to practise yoga and to meditate on God. “A true yogi may remain dutifully in the world; there he is like butter on water, and not like unchurned, easily diluted milk of undisciplined humanity. Fulfilling one’s earthly responsibilities need not separate man from God, provided he maintains uninvolvement with egotistical desires and plays his part in life as a willing instrument of the Divine,” says Paramahansa Yoganandaji.
To attain this state of divinity, however, one has to put his full faith and trust in God. To allot Him a secondary place in life is to “offer Him no place”. He is the sole owner of the cosmos, silently showering man with gift after gift. In return, he does not ask for anything except man’s love, love and love only. It is for man to withhold it or bestow it!
The deep passion and love for God with which Paramahansa Yoganandji was imbued can be guaged from one of his following bewitching chants: “Door of my heart, open wide I keep for Thee, Will Thou come, Will Thow come? Just for once come to me. Will my days fly away without seeing Thee my Lord? Night and day, Night and day, I look for Thee night and day.”
What an honest and sincere prayer born out of true devotion and strong emotion! Paramahansaji used to sing such chants along with his other devotees, many a time late in the night, dancing in a state of ecstasy. It was his belief that such an exercise kindle sparks of Divine realization.
The eventful life of Paramahansa Yogananda ended on March 7, 1952, in America just after he had uttered the final words of a speech. No doubt, ‘such a great soul comes on earth only rarely, when there is a real need among men.”
(The writer is former Additional Secretary to Government)
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