Babaji - Definition and Overview

Babaji may refer to:

• a Saivite Hindu guru
  • A song by Supertramp about the former
• Mahavatar Babaji, referred to by Paramahansa Yogananda in his best-selling Autobiography of a Yogi.

Mahavatar Babaji. (203 AD – Present) God Teacher/Guru to Lahiri Mahasaya. The birth name of Babaji is Nagaraj. Babaji revived the ancient science of Kriya Yoga by teaching it to Lahiri Mahasaya in 1861. Devoted practice of Kriya Yoga leads to realization of God. Jesus, Krishna, St. John, Gandhi, Pantanjali, St. Paul, Kabir, and other prophets were past Masters in the use of Kriya Yoga or a similar technique. At 276 Babaji has retained his physical form for centuries and currently works with Jesus in helping mankind towards its Spiritual development. Lahiri said, "Any time a person utters his name in reverence, in instant blessing is bestowed upon them." Ji, Babaji, Ji !

Here it is very important to note that the word "BABAJI" in the Indian national language HINDI is a generic word and may be used to refer to any saint or guru. and this may arise doubts in the minds of readers about the identity of the person.

A very good example of such a confusion is that between the great divine guru and supreme yogi the ever living Babaji (Mahaavatar babaji) and an ordinary person haidakhan baba often referred to as babaji by some of his western desciples.

They are two distinct and unrelated persons and haida khan baba is sometimes falesly promoted as one of the incarnations of Babaji because he used the same name. for a detailed information about the deathless master one may refer to the book by Paramhansa Yogananda: 'Autobiography Of A Yogi'

There is only one sketch of Babaji with us that was prepared by the description given by Yogananda after the deathless master met him before his departure to United States for establishing Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) for promoting Yoga around the world.

The deathless master has promised to be on earth in a human form forever. His immortal flock moves around the globe and often resides on the peaks of Himalayan ranges.

The signature of Babaji - using his birth name NagaRaj.

There are several other Hindu gurus who have been given the title of babaji, including some who are still alive. Most of them live in India or the United States.