Mahavatar Babaji Quotes

The Best Babaji Quotes

Mahavatar Babaji to Lahiri Mahasaya:

The cries of many bewildered worldly men and women have not fallen unheard on the ears of the Great Ones. … You [Lahiri Mahasaya] have been chosen to bring spiritual solace through Kriya Yoga to numerous earnest seekers. The millions who are encumbered by family ties and heavy worldly duties will take new heart from you, a householder like themselves. You should guide them to understand that the highest yogic attainments are not barred to the family man. Even in the world, the yogi who faithfully discharges his responsibilities, without personal motive or attachment, treads the sure path of enlightenment."

Give Kriya to all who humbly ask you for help. Repeat to each of your disciples this majestic promise from the Bhagavad-Gita [II:40]: Swalpamapyasya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat. ['Even a little practice of this dharma (religious rite or righteous action) will save you from great fear (mahato bhayat)' — the colossal sufferings inherent in the repeated cycles of birth and death.]

For more than three decades I have waited for you to return to me. … You slipped away and disappeared into the tumultuous waves of the life beyond death. The magic wand of your karma touched you, and you were gone! Though you lost sight of me, never did I lose sight of you! I pursued you over the luminescent astral sea where the glorious angels sail. Through gloom, storm, upheaval, and light I followed you, like a mother bird guarding her young. As you lived out your human term of womb life, and emerged a babe, my eye was ever on you.

Wake! All your earthly thirsts are about to be quenched forever. … My son, arise. Receive your initiation into the kingdom of God through Kriya Yoga.

— from Autobiography of a Yogi (pg.296-307)

Guidance by Babaji of Kriya Yogis

Babaji has promised to guard and guide all sincere Kriya Yogis in their path toward the Goal. Hundreds of thousands, not dozens merely, of Kriya Yogis are needed to bring into manifestation the world of peace and plenty that awaits men when they have made the proper effort to reestablish their status as sons of the Divine Father. (p.465)

Humility

"The scene was a Kumbha Mela at Allahabad," Lahiri Mahasaya told his disciples. "I had gone there during a short vacation from my office duties. As I wandered amidst the throng of monks and sadhus who had come from great distances to attend the holy festival, I noticed an ash-smeared ascetic who was holding a begging bowl. The thought arose in my mind that the man was hypocritical, wearing the outward symbols of renunciation without a corresponding inward grace.

"No sooner had I passed the ascetic than my astounded eye fell on Babaji. He was kneeling in front of a matted-haired anchorite.

"'Guruji!' I hastened to his side. 'Sir, what are you doing here?'

"'I am washing the feet of this renunciate, and then I shall clean his cooking utensils.' Babaji smiled at me like a little child; I knew he was intimating that he wanted me to criticize no one, but to see the Lord as residing equally in all body-temples, whether of superior or inferior men. The great guru added, 'By serving wise and ignorant sadhus, I am learning the greatest of virtues, pleasing to God above all others—humility.'"— from Autobiography of a Yogi (p.317)

Babaji Relaxes Ancient Rules Regarding Kriya

"'Bestow the Kriya key only on qualified chelas,' Babaji said. 'He who vows to sacrifice all in the quest of the Divine is fit to unravel the final mysteries of life through the science of meditation.'

"'Angelic Guru, as you have already favored mankind by resurrecting the lost Kriya art, will you not increase that benefit by relaxing the strict requirements for discipleship?' I gazed beseechingly at Babaji. 'I pray that you permit me to communicate Kriya to all sincere seekers, even though at first they may not be able to vow themselves to complete inner renunciation. The tortured men and women of the world, pursued by the threefold suffering, need special encouragement. They may never attempt the road to freedom if Kriya initiation be withheld from them.'

"'Be it so. The divine wish has been expressed through you. Give Kriya to all who humbly ask you for help the merciful guru replied.

[ * Self-Realization Fellowship and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India Kriya Yoga initiates are strictly required to sign a pledge that they will not reveal the Kriya technique to others. In this way the simple but exact Kriya technique is protected from changes and distortions by unauthorized teachers, and remains in its original, uncorrupted form.]

— from Autobiography of a Yogi (p.313)

Babaji Promises to Retain His Physical Body

Lahiri Mahasaya, Mataji, and I knelt at the great guru's feet. An ethereal sensation of beatific glory thrilled every fiber of my being as I touched his divine flesh.

'Blessed sister,' Babaji said, 'I am intending to shed my form and plunge into the Infinite Current.'

'I have already glimpsed your plan, beloved Master. I wanted to discuss it with you tonight. Why should you leave your body?' The glorious woman looked at him beseechingly.

'What is the difference if I wear a visible or an invisible wave on the ocean of my Spirit?'

Mataji replied with a quaint flash of wit. 'Deathless Guru, if it makes no difference, then please do not ever relinquish your form.'

'Be it so,' Babaji said solemnly. 'I shall never leave my physical body. It will always remain visible to at least a small number of people on this earth. The Lord has spoken His own wish through your lips.'

— from Autobiography of a Yogi (p.302)