Lokenath Brahmachari

Baba Lokenath
A rare camera photograph of Sri Sri Lokenath Brahmachari
Personal
Born	1730 Chaurasi Chakla, Barasat, Bengal Subah
Died	3 June 1890 (aged 160) Baradi (near Dacca), Bengal Presidency
Religion	Hinduism
Nationality	Indian
Order	Self-realization[1]
Philosophy	Ashtanga yoga Hatha yoga[1]
Religious career
Guru	Bhagwan Ganguly[1]

Baba Lokenath Brahmachari was an Indian spiritual master and yogi, considered to be one of the most influential gurus of oriental philosophy.

Early life

Loknath was born as Loknath Ghoshal at Chaurasi Chakla (in present-day West Bengal) on Janmashtami (the birthday of Lord Krishna) in 1730^[2] in a Bengali Brahmin family to Ramnarayan Ghoshal (father) and Kamaladevi (mother). He was the fourth of their children. As was the convention of his times, his parents had pledged to send one of their sons to be a sannyasi. When he was 10, Loknath's father approached Pandit Bhagavan Ganguly, a local householder yogi, to be his son's teacher. Bhagavan Ganguly immediately saw the potential of divinity in young Loknath and readily agreed to take him in as his disciple. Loknath left his parents and started his spiritual training with Bhagavan Ganguly shortly thereafter. Also accompanying him on his spiritual expedition was his friend Benimadhav.^[3] In the realm of religious world the name of Shree Shree Loknath Brahmachari Baba bears the top dignity among the saints who sacrificed their body and mind at the altar of great perseverance in order to achieve the salvation of life. The descendant of this great saint was the inhabitant of the province of West Bengal in Barasat, Chakla in 1730 (18th Bhadra, 1137 Bangabda) of India. His father's name was Shree Ramnarayan Ghoshal and the name of his mother was Shrimati Kamala Debi. Baba Loknath was fourth son of their parents. The father of Loknath was religious minded and he always cherished an ambition that one of his sons would be monk who would rescue his generation as well as mankind. After the first issue had come into the womb of his wife, he placed his proposal to her, but her wife refused his proposal. During the time of second issue he placed the same proposal but this time also she did not agree. During third issue same negative word came from his wife. But at the time of fourth issue, his wife informed her husband that he might take this son and might lead him the way whatever he liked. At this the heart of the father of Loknath leapt up with joy and without any delay he at once went to the house of Bhagaban Ganguli the then great scholar in Hindu religion in Barasat to inform him that he had come to him to give.

Portrait of Lokenath Brahmachari (Baba Lokenath)

One of his sons named Loknath in his hand to carry him out the monk life. Bhagaban Ganguli was in the line of wisdom in religion. He came to know in studying the religion that the great salvation of life can be achieved by practicing the Karma-Yoga in the process of work in accordance with the rule of religious practice Bhagaban Ganguli was faithful in Jñāna-Yoga but not in Karma-Yoga. Though the doctrine of religion is not false, yet it is not possible on his part to have achieved the real truth by practicing himself. For he was then the age of sixty. Now he thought this great chance had come from God. So he did not let this opportunity go in rain then he desired this fact would be proved by leading his disciple in this line i.e. in Karma-Yoga.

At once he said to the father of Loknath that he would lead his son in the line of Karma-Yoga in order to achieve the perfection in monk life. At the appointed day the departure of Loknath from his village came near. In that village a boy named Benimadhab Ganguli who was the boy–friend of Baba Loknath desired to be his company. The parents of Benimadhab did not accept it. But Benimadhab was strong determined to full fill his desire. At last his parents agreed to let him go.^{[citation needed]}

At the appointed day, the celebration of monk ceremony of the two boys observed with is fitting manner in that village.

In the next day all the men and women gave then adieu with tearful eyes. Then Bhagaban Ganguli with two boys who were 11 years old started for Kalighat in Kolkata. There they took shelter in jungle where so many monks did practice the yoga. Now the two boys came under chained life and led their life under the direction of their preceptor. The Gurudeb (Bhagaban Ganguli) would go to the nearer village in order to gather food for all of them. He did not allow them to go to the nearer village in order to gather it. For their fickleness of mind would osculate to see the posture and gesture of village man and woman. He would himself take the food and fed the two boys. Even he made them seat in a place where they used to practice the yoga without any movement. They used to sit in a place in statuesque position and practiced the process of yoga in order of direction.

Gurudeb would clear the evacuation of their bowels and urines by his own hands so that no disturbance could come in the way of practicing the yoga.

Such a preceptor is rare now-a-days. How ever these two boys absolutely surrendered to their preceptor. Bhagaban Ganguly also led them according to the trends of religion. To achieve succession in yoga self- restraint plays vital role. So in order to make balance in their body in practicing the Yoga Gurudeb made them practice Nokta-Brata which means starvation all the day and light meal in the night. This meal was consisted with milk and til. i.e., a kind of grain. This diet they drank about 40 years. Once by way of conversation Loknath as ked Gurudeb that they were the monks with out knowledge of religion. At this Gurudeb said to them his learning of religion would be infused in them by way of practicing the yoga. ^{[citation needed]}

Spiritual training and enlightenment

For the next three decades, Baba Loknath underwent intense training in various schools of Yoga in several remote locations all over the Indian Subcontinent. He adopted a lifestyle of extreme austerity and vowed celibacy (hence brahmacārī) and undertook long periods of fasting. He finally attained Enlightenment in the Himalayas at the age of 90 in 1820. His guru was still alive and 150 years old at that point. After enlightenment, he is said to have traveled all over South Asia and Southeast Asia on foot. Having transcended the narrow boundaries of faith and religion, he visited many holy sites of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. This included three trips to Mecca and tours of modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, Palestine, and other regions of western Asia and the Middle East.^[4] Then Bhagaban Ganguli began ton teach them "The Akantara-Brata", which means the starvation previous day and taking the meal after to next day. This Brata extended in the process of are thematically progression. i.e., after two days (including day and night) the taking of meal of the following day. In this way 30 days (day and night) of starvation the taking of meal on the next day. Loknath got the succession in two times. But Benimadhab could not more the one. On practicing this method with the process of yoga Loknath marked at his memory his "previous birth" and described the facts and figures to his Gurudeb. On hearing this Gurudeb took the pen and ink pot and wrote down his description what he found in his memory. The description was Loknath had taken birth in the Bandyopadhyay family at the name of Sitanath in the Burdwan district near the bank of Damodar River. On going to Burdwan they got the proof.

Then they started for Himalayan Mountains and selected a place for meditation. There they practiced the yoga with deep concentration. It is referred here before going to the Himalaya Gurudeb examined their body and mind. To examine their body and mind he made them sat in a place where insects and ants bit them, but it was found that in spite of biting their meditation did not break and to examine their concentration of mind Gurudeb made them sat in a popular area where varieties of noises would disturb the serenity of their mind but he minutely observed that their meditation was as before as it was. However, in the Himalayan Mountain their last practice of yoga made them reach to the real goal. They got the transcendental feeing of joy and success in salvation. ^{[citation needed]}

On reaching to high position of religion Loknath cried to see the miserable able condition of his Gurudeb Bhagaban Ganguli was entangled with earthly affairs. He told Loknath that he (Gurudeb) was faithful in the path of wisdom for salvation but not in Karma-Yoga. So he said to Loknath immediately he would leave his body by yoga and would take new birth then he ordered Baba Loknath to make arrangement for his salvation keeping him under his incentive care. When the two boys got success of salvation in Karma-yoga, their age was then 100 years. After achievement of salvation, Baba Loknath, Beni Madhab and Gurudeb determined to pilgrim on the holy place of Islam and desired to be apprenticeship under an experienced wise man, i.e. Alem in order to learn The Holy Qu'ran. They started on foot in Mecca. At first they reached at Kabul and began to learn The Qu'ran under the teachership of Mollah Shadi by name at his house Kabul they passed the painstaking road and reached Mecca via Modena. Then they visited Medina and they met a pir named Abdul Gafur who was 400 years old and was in trans in a secret cave. ^{[citation needed]}

Baba Loknath being Amzad means virtuous life realised the inner significance of Islam and got the truth of universal role of religion. After words he exposed his feeling of truth at Baradi and his teaching aimed at was rather universal in its scope and was Non-sectarian who made him acceptable to all caste and creeds. ^{[citation needed]}

However, after then they started for Beneras (Kashi Dham, India) where they met with Tralayanga Swami who was well known as "The God Shiv of Kashi". Bhagaban Ganguli requested him to receive the two boys from his hand and lead them according to his desire. Tralayanga Swami agreed to his proposal and received them. Once Gurudeb (Bhagaban Ganguli) bathed and took meditation in the Manikarnika Ghat (Kashi Dham). After long time had passed, he did not leave his meditation any sooner had he touched his body, than the body fell down on the ground. At this Baba Loknath realised his Gurudeb had breathed his last. He did not weep for it. He cremated the dead body and finished his funeral work. After the death of Gurudeb a great desire raised in the mind of Baba Loknath on world tour. On reaching at the end of eternal wisdom of universe he felt the material object is not value less to him. So the versatile appearance of nature its inner beauty and the men of various country attracted his mind, and as a result he started for world tour with the company of Beni Madhab and Tralayanga Swami. About so many years on foot. They traveled Mecca, Medina and Palestine and in the west. The eastern coast of Mediterranean. They also traveled in France. This evidence came to light when some Englishmen conversed with him and he uttered some France words.^{[citation needed]} After traveling of Afghanistan, Persia, Arab and so many countries of Europe,^{[citation needed]} he came back at the natural beauteous environment of Himalaya. This time Mahayogi Loknath desired to surmount the highest glacial of Himalaya and also desired to roam in north and west of it. Hence they lived in Bandarika Ashram which is glacial. There they waited for long in order to make the body of Benimadhab adjusted to that environment. By this time suddenly Tralanyanga Swami presented there. He also desired to be accompanying with them in this tour. Baba Loknath was highly pleased at this. So they had to wait for further 3 years there in order to make adjustment of the body of Tralayanga Swami with cool and ice. Then they set-in, with a view to observing the polar region through historic way of Mahaprasthan, i.e., the way in which Pañcapāṇḍava started for ever.

On that very travel their body was absolutely uncovered and they passed the time in Himalaya with naked body. As they passed their lives on long time in the region of ice, a wonderful skin like white as ice grew in their body and they did not feel any keen of cold. On going in this way they reached at Manas-Sarovar. But this Manas-Sarovar was not the geographical region situated at Tibet. These Manas is situated on the remote corner in a rigid place. To reach at that place is quite impossible for common people. About this travel how much we get from the saying of Mahayogi Loknath was that they traveled over thousand and thousand miles on the eastern Saiberia of Russia and turned into deeper on the northern side. After going through months over months they reached in such a place where the light of sun is absolutely omit. All was covered with dark. In such a position it is next to impossible on their part to go to further in advance. So they were compelled to bind to stay there for sometime. Now we can guess that they reached at the polar region, where the duration of day is six months and the night six months. On staying there they got the power to see in the dark. They had intense desire to witness the polar region for long time. But it was not possible on their part to identify the rising and setting of sun. This time Traylanga Swami wished to see the path of rising sun and started to full-fill his missing. Loknath and Benimadhab started for the path of Tibet of Himalaya. After long day they came down at lowland of the Eastern corner of India after crossing the high summits of Himalaya through Tibet and China. At last they reached at forest full of tigers at the hill of Chandranath. One day Benimadhab expressed his desire to Loknath to witness the temple of Kamakhya. Almost after so many years the two close companies took adieu from each other after traveling thousands of miles West-North and South-East of the earth. Benimadhab set for the city of Kamakhya and Baba Loknath took decision to go to the East Bengal (Bangladesh) where his after wards works were pending. ^{[citation needed]}

Return to Bengal

Baba Lokenath returned to Bengal in 1866 and settled down at Baradi, near Dhaka (present-day Bangladesh), where he built a small thatch out of mud and bamboo using his own hands. This would later grow to be his ashram for the rest of his life. The plot of land was donated by Dengu Karmakar, whom Baba had saved from a conviction in the past. Unlike many other sages and mystics of his times, Baba preferred to keep a low profile and avoided any kind of publicity. Nonetheless, he would help and heal anyone who visited him, irrespective of their caste, creed, or color. His fame inevitably spread far and wide, and the ashram at Baradi slowly started attracting devotees from all over the world.^[5] One day Baba Loknath sat on the hill tracts of Chandra Nath in Chittagong, Bangladesh he marked a Yogi sat under a tree in the mood of meditation. His sitting place was confined in jungle, suddenly all the jungle began to burn with fire and that yogi was attacked with fire. That yogi was "Bejoy Krishna Goswami". As the fire began to intensify all the beasts and animals surrounding the jungle began to run hither and thither with crying. At this the meditation of that yogi broke and he tried to come out from that unbearable condition, but in vain at naked body monk with long hair and beard came forward before him and took his heavy body in his shoulder just like a child and through that fire he began to advance in order to go out of it. Goswami felt that the flame was without heat and at the same time he felt cold touch throughout his body. When he got his sense he found he was laid down in a bed under a well-protected foot of the hall. That monk disappeared protecting him from certain death.

Afterwards Bejoy Krishna Goswami went to Baradi to meet with Baba Loknath. Then he (Baba Loknath) drew the attention of Goswami about the incident occurred in the hill of Chandranath and asked by whom his life was saved. At that moment the image of that great man flashed in the realm of his mind and found that it was he who stood before him. Then and there he (Bejoy Krishna Goswami) bent his head under the lotus feet of Baba Loknath. However, on descending from the hill Chandra-Nath, Baba Loknath went to the village named Dawood Kandi in the district of Comilla, Bangladesh. There he was acquainted with a person who was convicted with murder case, bore the name Dengu Karmaker the inhabitant of Baradi. At that time he stayed at Dawood Kandi as an opponent of judgment. In order to be released form the case he used to go from one steadier another. At that time he found a tall man with long hair and bearded. His body was as white as an ice and his image was a statue sat under a tree. He at once ran to that hermit and began to weep with holding his legs and prayed to him to escape his life. Baba Loknath with sweet tune said to him that he had no anxiety. He will be released without any cause. On the next day he went to the court and was astonished to hear the hearing of the judge. He had been free from his charge. Then Dengu Karmaker came to Baba Loknath and requested him with utmost to go to Baradi and at last he got him (Baba) permission from him. Baba Loknath said he was ready to keep his secret foot-prints on the sand of Baradi. He came at the house of Dengu Karmaker and took shelter under that aching of a boat in his house. He was a Naked Saint. So the villagers did not like him. They often teased him and brought hit upon his body. But Baba Loknath bore all hates, insults and hits with handsome forgiveness of mind. Baba Loknath was a celibate. He was a vegetarian. He was pure in thought, body and mind throughout his life. So he got the power of incarnation of god. Now he desired to disclose some of his super natural power in order to attract the public under his lotus feet. After showing some supernatural power his name and fame were spread all over the country and abroad. Soon the hut of Dengu Karmaker transformed into a place of pilgrimage. Here we can define "Dengu Karmaker" as Bhagirath and Baba Loknath as the goddess "Ganga" who brought him at Baradi in order to rescue his generation as well as mankind in general from ignorance. Baba Loknath also would know his coming at Baradi among which one of the main works was to rescue his preceptor. However Dengu Karmakar lives long more.

Myths and legends

Not much is known about Baba Lokenath's personal life, which has always remained shrouded in mystery. Several folklores exist about his miraculous powers and magical abilities. He is said to have lived until 160 and remains one of the most prominent examples of the human longevity myth. Baba stood taller than 7 feet in height and had a very thin, lanky disposition. Decades of sadhana in the High Himalayas had given him the ability to tolerate extremely cold temperatures without any warm clothing. In his later years, he is also said to have completely given up sleeping and would even not blink. Since he never turned anybody down, he was also known as the Wish tree.^[6]

Death and legacy

Baba went into a samadhi with his eyes wide open on 3 June 1890.^[2] He was surrounded by his disciples at his Baradi Ashram. Comforting his mourning devotees shortly before his death, Baba promised to continue being available to anyone who prayed and asked for help, even after his death and forever. One of his famous quotes roughly transliterates as: "Whether it is at war, or in the woods, or on the water; if you are ever in danger, remember me, and I shall save you."

Baba Lokenath continues to be a revered spiritual figure in India and abroad, well more than a century after his death.^[7] After his death the Nag Zaminder of Baradi to have consent of Baba Loknath allotted a plot that was a Cremation Ground situated on the bank of the River Chagal Baghini in his name. In- the-mean time Baba Loknath took the dress as a social being. He stayed at that Asram about 26 years and played various uncommon activities. During his staying many men and women from different religion used to come to him and the Ashram was turned into a great place of holy pilgrimage to all sects of people such as Hindu, Muslim, Buddha and Christian etc. and as a result a feeling of great brother-hood grew among the people on the high level of humanity and led to form a society in which all are mingled into the feeling of oneness. According to the calendar of Bengali years 1297 (1890) the great Maha-Yogi Baba Loknath left his earthly body he disclosed his desire to leave his earthly body over at that appointed day (19th Jyestha at 11:45 a.m.) to his dearest and nearest devotees and also said during his death the sky would be clear and sunny, he would penetrate through the rays of sun and would enter into the realm of the absolute spirit. The Baba was meditating when he went into a trance with his eyes open, and while still meditation, left his physical body forever. He was aged 160. He had said before his death, "I am eternal, I am deathless. After this body falls, do not think that everything will come to an end. I will live in the hearts of all living beings in my subtle astral form. Whoever will seek my refuge, will always receive my Grace". He also gave order to his devotees, after his death they should burn his body. His saying was true. According to his direction his dead body was burnt with Candan Wood and Ghee.  When his body was burning a man came from Lunglebond to Baradi. On the way he heard Baba Loknath was no more on earth. He at once went to Baba Loknath Ashram and saw the scene in his own eyes. Then he narrated the play with Baba Loknath among the assembled devotees in the premises of the funeral cremation of Baba Loknath. When he crossed the river Brahamaputra by boat on eastern part, he himself saw Baba Loknath was going to the western part of Brahamaputra by another boat he had the opportunity to talk with him. This incident happened at the time of 12:00 A.M to 12:30 P.M. on the Dated of 19th Jystha, 1297 Bangabda (1890). Now on seeing this incident he was stunned for a long time and afterwards he admitted nothing is impossible on the part of the Mahayogi Loknath Brahamachari. On the cremation ground place a great Samadhi temple with the collaboration of dear and near disciple Mathura Mohon Chakrabarti had been created by the subscription of local public.

References

Further reading

• Shukla, Sanjeev (5 August 2014). Yogis of India Timeless Stories of Their Lives and Wisdom. Wisdom Tree Publishers. p. 200. ISBN 978-8-183-28304-5. 
• Ghosh, Amritangshu (8 November 2020). What is the Infinite Power?. Notion Press. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-636-69200-5. 
• Dhar, Haripada (6 July 2017). Something Worth Reading for Inspiration. Xlibris Corporation LLC. p. 74. ISBN 978-1-543-42711-0. 
• Kanti, Samir (22 December 2014). Space and My Life (A Layman'S Choice of Understanding). Partridge Publishing India. p. 136. ISBN 978-1-482-84348-4. 

External links

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• Baba Lokenath
• Baba Lokenath (1730-1890)

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