Autobiography of a Yogi
pattern. Similarly, when he awakens in cosmic consciousness, he
will effortlessly dematerialize the illusions of the cosmic dream.
“‘Being one with the infinite all-accomplishing Will, Babaji can
summon the elemental atoms to combine and manifest themselves in
any form. This golden palace, instantaneously created, is real,
even as this earth is real. Babaji created this palatial mansion out
of his mind and is holding its atoms together by the power of his
will, even as God created this earth and is maintaining it intact.’
He added, ‘When this structure has served its purpose, Babaji will
dematerialize it.’
“As I remained silent in awe, my guide made a sweeping gesture. ‘This
shimmering palace, superbly embellished with jewels, has not been
built by human effort or with laboriously mined gold and gems. It
stands solidly, a monumental challenge to man. {FN34-5} Whoever
realizes himself as a son of God, even as Babaji has done, can
reach any goal by the infinite powers hidden within him. A common
stone locks within itself the secret of stupendous atomic energy;
{FN34-6} even so, a mortal is yet a powerhouse of divinity.’
“The sage picked up from a near-by table a graceful vase whose handle
was blazing with diamonds. ‘Our great guru created this palace by
solidifying myriads of free cosmic rays,’ he went on. ‘Touch this
vase and its diamonds; they will satisfy all the tests of sensory
experience.’
“I examined the vase, and passed my hand over the smooth room-walls,
thick with glistening gold. Each of the jewels scattered lavishly
about was worthy of a king’s collection. Deep satisfaction spread
over my mind. A submerged desire, hidden in my subconsciousness
from lives now gone, seemed simultaneously gratified and extinguished.
“My stately companion led me through ornate arches and corridors
into a series of chambers richly furnished in the style of an
emperor’s palace. We entered an immense hall. In the center stood
a golden throne, encrusted with jewels shedding a dazzling medley
of colors. There, in lotus posture, sat the supreme Babaji. I
knelt on the shining floor at his feet.
“‘Lahiri, are you still feasting on your dream desires for a golden
palace?’ My guru’s eyes were twinkling like his own sapphires.
‘Wake! All your earthly thirsts are about to be quenched forever.’
He murmured some mystic words of blessing. ‘My son, arise. Receive
your initiation into the kingdom of God through KRIYA YOGA.’
“Babaji stretched out his hand; a HOMA (sacrificial) fire appeared,
surrounded by fruits and flowers. I received the liberating yogic
technique before this flaming altar.
“The rites were completed in the early dawn. I felt no need for
sleep in my ecstatic state, and wandered around the palace, filled
on all sides with treasures and priceless OBJETS D’ART. Descending
to the gorgeous gardens, I noticed, near-by, the same caves and
barren mountain ledges which yesterday had boasted no adjacency to
palace or flowered terrace.
“Reentering the palace, fabulously glistening in the cold Himalayan
sunlight, I sought the presence of my master. He was still enthroned,
surrounded by many quiet disciples.
“‘Lahiri, you are hungry.’ Babaji added, ‘Close your eyes.’
“When I reopened them, the enchanting palace and its picturesque
gardens had disappeared. My own body and the forms of Babaji
and the cluster of chelas were all now seated on the bare ground
at the exact site of the vanished palace, not far from the sunlit
entrances of the rocky grottos. I recalled that my guide had remarked
that the palace would be dematerialized, its captive atoms released
into the thought-essence from which it had sprung. Although stunned,
I looked trustingly at my guru. I knew not what to expect next on
this day of miracles.
“‘The purpose for which the palace was created has now been served,’
Babaji explained. He lifted an earthen vessel from the ground. ‘Put
your hand there and receive whatever food you desire.’
“As soon as I touched the broad, empty bowl, it became heaped
with hot butter-fried LUCHIS, curry, and rare sweetmeats. I helped
myself, observing that the vessel was ever-filled. At the end of my
meal I looked around for water. My guru pointed to the bowl before
me. Lo! the food had vanished; in its place was water, clear as
from a mountain stream.
“‘Few mortals know that the kingdom of God includes the kingdom of
mundane fulfillments,’ Babaji observed. ‘The divine realm extends
to the earthly, but the latter, being illusory, cannot include the
essence of reality.’
“‘Beloved guru, last night you demonstrated for me the link of
beauty in heaven and earth!’ I smiled at memories of the vanished
palace; surely no simple yogi had ever received initiation into the
august mysteries of Spirit amidst surroundings of more impressive
luxury! I gazed tranquilly at the stark contrast of the present
scene. The gaunt ground, the skyey roof, the caves offering primitive
shelter-all seemed a gracious natural setting for the seraphic
saints around me.
“I sat that afternoon on my blanket, hallowed by associations of
past-life realizations. My divine guru approached and passed his
hand over my head. I entered the NIRBIKALPA SAMADHI state, remaining
unbrokenly in its bliss for seven days. Crossing the successive
strata of self-knowledge, I penetrated the deathless realms of
reality. All delusive limitations dropped away; my soul was fully
established on the eternal altar of the Cosmic Spirit. On the eighth
day I fell at my guru’s feet and implored him to keep me always
near him in this sacred wilderness.
“‘My son,’ Babaji said, embracing me, ‘your role in this incarnation
must be played on an outward stage. Prenatally blessed by many lives
of lonely meditation, you must now mingle in the world of men.
“‘A deep purpose underlay the fact that you did not meet me this
time until you were already a married man, with modest business
responsibilities. You must put aside your thoughts of joining our
secret band in the Himalayas; your life lies in the crowded marts,
serving as an example of the ideal yogi-householder.
“‘The cries of many bewildered worldly men and women have not fallen
unheard on the ears of the Great Ones,’ he went on. ‘You 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 must guide them to see 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.
“‘No necessity compels you to leave the world, for inwardly you
have already sundered its every karmic tie. Not of this world, you
must yet be in it. Many years still remain during which you must
conscientiously fulfill your family, business, civic, and spiritual
duties. A sweet new breath of divine hope will penetrate the
arid hearts of worldly men. From your balanced life, they will
understand that liberation is dependent on inner, rather than outer,
renunciations.’
“How remote seemed my family, the office, the world, as I listened
to my guru in the high Himalayan solitudes. Yet adamantine truth
rang in his words; I submissively agreed to leave this blessed
haven of peace. Babaji instructed me in the ancient rigid rules
which govern the transmission of the yogic art from guru to disciple.
“‘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
seekers, even though at first they cannot vow themselves to complete
inner renunciation. The tortured men and women of the world, pursued
by the threefold suffering, {FN34-7} 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.’ With
these simple words, the merciful guru banished the rigorous safeguards
that for ages had hidden KRIYA from the world. ‘Give KRIYA freely
to all who humbly ask for help.’
“After a silence, Babaji added, ‘Repeat to each of your disciples
this majestic promise from the BHAGAVAD GITA: “SWALPAMASYA DHARMASYA,
TRAYATA MAHATO BHOYAT”—“Even a little bit of the practice of this
religion will save you from dire fears and colossal sufferings.”’
{FN34-8}
“As I knelt the next morning at my guru’s feet for his farewell
blessing, he sensed my deep reluctance to leave him.
“‘There is no separation for us, my beloved child.’ He touched my
shoulder affectionately. ‘Wherever you are, whenever you call me,
I shall be with you instantly.’
“Consoled by his wondrous promise, and rich with the newly found gold
of God-wisdom, I wended my way down the mountain. At the office I
was welcomed by my fellow employees, who for ten days had thought
me lost in the Himalayan jungles. A letter soon arrived from the
head office.
“‘Lahiri should return to the Danapur {FN34-9} office,’ it read.
‘His transfer to Ranikhet occurred by error. Another man should
have been sent to assume the Ranikhet duties.’
“I smiled, reflecting on the hidden crosscurrents in the events
which had led me to this furthermost spot of India.
“Before returning to Danapur, I spent a few days with a Bengali
family at Moradabad. A party of six friends gathered to greet me.
As I turned the conversation to spiritual subjects, my host observed
gloomily:
“‘Oh, in these days India is destitute of saints!’
“‘Babu,’ I protested warmly, ‘of course there are still great
masters in this land!’
“In a mood of exalted fervor, I felt impelled to relate my miraculous
experiences in the Himalayas. The little company was politely
incredulous.
“‘Lahiri,’ one man said soothingly, ‘your mind has been under a
strain in those rarefied mountain airs. This is some daydream you
have recounted.’
“Burning with the enthusiasm of truth, I spoke without due thought.
‘If I call him, my guru will appear right in this house.’
“Interest gleamed in every eye; it was no wonder that the group
was eager to behold a saint materialized in such a strange way.
Half-reluctantly, I asked for a quiet room and two new woolen
blankets.
“‘The master will materialize from the ether,’ I said. ‘Remain
silently outside the door; I shall soon call you.’
“I sank into the meditative state, humbly summoning my guru. The
darkened room soon filled with a dim aural moonlight; the luminous
figure of Babaji emerged.
“‘Lahiri, do you call me for a trifle?’ The master’s gaze was stern.
‘Truth is for earnest seekers, not for those of idle curiosity. It
is easy to believe when one sees; there is nothing then to deny.
Supersensual truth is deserved and discovered by those who overcome
their natural materialistic skepticism.’ He added gravely, ‘Let me
go!’
“I fell entreatingly at his feet. ‘Holy guru, I realize my serious
error; I humbly ask pardon. It was to create faith in these
spiritually blinded minds that I ventured to call you. Because you
have graciously appeared at my prayer, please do not depart without
bestowing a blessing on my friends. Unbelievers though they be,
at least they were willing to investigate the truth of my strange
assertions.’
“‘Very well; I will stay awhile. I do not wish your word discredited
before your friends.’ Babaji’s face had softened, but he added