Haidakhan Babaji

Haidakhan Babaji, simply called "Babaji" or Bhole Baba by his students and devotees, was a teacher who appeared in northern India(Uttarakhand) and taught publicly from 1970 to 1984. 

Life

Manifestation

According to “The Teachings of Babaji” Haidakhan Babaji “appeared” in June 1970 in a cave at the foot of the Kumaon Mount Kailash, across the river Gautama Ganga, near a remote village called Hairakhan, in the Nainital District of Uttrakhand, India. His followers maintain that Haidakhan Babaji is a Mahavatar – “a human manifestation of God, not born from woman.”

Meditation on Kumaon Mount Kailash

It is reported that starting in late September 1970 Haidakhan Babaji spent forty-five days meditating in a small temple on the top of the Kumaon Mount Kailash “without leaving his seat.

Ashrams

In September 1971, Haidakhan Babaji, in a sworn testimony, convinced the judge of the court in Haldwani that he was the “Old Hairakhan Baba,” thought to be active in that region in the years 1860-1922, and that he had the right to use the ashrams in Kathgaria and Haidakhan.

Travels

In 1971 Haidakhan Babaji started travelling across India, proclaiming his Message, performing sacred ceremonies, such as yagna, and attracting more devotees. This included celebrities, such as Shammi Kapoor, and gradually more Westerners.

Mahasamadhi

Though some of his followers believed he was immortal, Haidakhan Babaji died (his followers prefer the term “left his body” or “entered mahasamadhi”) on 14 February 1984, of what appeared to be a heart failure. He was buried in Haidakhan Ashram. This is how Babaji foretold and explained his death:

My body is meant to dry up one day. This body is nothing; it is here only to serve people. Even my own body has come only to perform a duty to serve all human and all living things.

Teachings

Sanatan Dharma

Although worshipped according to local customs, Haidakhan Babaji explained that he came to restore Sanatan Dharma rather than Hindu Dharma (Hinduism). Sanatan Dharma can be understood as a primordial religion reflecting natural laws established at the beginning of the Creation. This is how Vishnu Dutt Shastriji, a scholar and one of Babaji's followers, explained Sanatan Dharma:

He (Babaji) is not preaching any new religion. He has come to preach the religion, which occurred at the time of Creation, and that is the Sanatan Dharma - the Eternal Religion. He has come to preach the Sanatan Dharma only.

We can determine the date from which every religion started. For example, the Muslim religion was started by Mohammed 1400 years ago and this is recorded in their scriptures. Christianity started with birth of Christ, 2000 years ago. Before Christ and Mohammed existed, the world and its people were living. The Sanatan Dharma has been followed for thousands and millions of years and no one is able to trace the date it began.

You may try to understand this spontaneous religion this way: the dharma (law or nature) of fire is to burn; the dharma of water is to be wet; the air has to blow. Can one tell on what day the fire started to burn, the water to be wet, and the air to blow? No one can say.

Sanatan Dharma is like a great ocean. From that ocean, each country has dug canals according to their needs and purposes. But canals cannot give total satisfaction as the ocean gives complete bliss. The Lord

is showing a vision of the Sanatan Dharma, which is like the great ocean, and this is the greatest form of knowledge.

Until now, people only had knowledge of their canals. Now the Lord is showing us that we aren't just bubbles in a canal, but rather bubbles in the great ocean. As long as we have individuality, we are seen as bubbles; when we disappear, we are one with the ocean."

Truth, simplicity and love

Haidakhan Babaji taught that: “All religions are incorporated in the principle of Truth, Simplicity and Love.” He explained further: “I have come to guide humanity to a higher path. I do not belong to any particular religion, but respect all religions. I seek the elevation of all mankind. He also said: “To follow and demonstrate the path of Truth, Simplicity and Love is man’s supreme duty and the highest Yoga. Diligent work is a quality of this path, for laziness is death on earth. Only by work can one claim victory over karma. All must strive to do their duty in the best way possible and not wander from that duty. Service to humanity is the first duty.

Unity

Haidakhan Babaji stressed the unity of all religions as expressed in the following words: “In any town there is always a central place; all the roads in the town or from out of town lead to that central place. Similarly, all religions lead to one point, and that is God Himself; and therefore following any religion you will ultimately reach God.” He was encouraging his followers to ignore superficial differences: “Everyone must remove differences/distinctions from their hearts. There must be more stress on unity.  He said: “We are all equal, despite the country we come from, and national differences should be ignored. We are all a unity. We must shed all jealousy and envy because they are harmful. We are all one with each other and with God.”

Harmony

Haidakhan Babaji said: “You should seek harmony in everything you do. I am harmony. Thank you for your love.“ More on this subject can be found in the book: "I Am Harmony", by Radhe Shyam (1990).

Humanity

Haidakhan Babaji proclaimed: “One can follow any religion, one can follow any practice or path, but one must be humane.” By being humane he meant that: One should not have hatred towards anyone; one should try not to let down other people; one should try to help others; one should try to love all.” He said: “The world now is in a state of turmoil. It is suffering from three kinds of pain – physical, mental, spiritual – and there is only one way of being cured from these. We have to root out inhumanity and replace it with humanity. There are people in this world who, when they see someone else’s house burning, are happy. There are people who want to live in comfort at the expense of the labor of others. There is only one God, who created all men in His image. This is why we have to re-establish humanity.” He also made the following statement: “The only true man is one who practices ‘humanism. This is the only way to success in life.”

Karma yoga

According to Radhe Shyam “Karma Yoga is work (activity) performed in harmony with the Creator and with all Creation, without selfish motive or aim. It is the expression of one’s duty (dharma) in the world.” Babaji talked about the importance of hard work and proper performance of one’s duty so often that Karma Yoga should be considered the central element of his teachings. Babaji used to say that: “Work is worship  and that hard work is the best spiritual practice. He stated: In every Age people reached salvation through different types of action and sadhana (spiritual practice), but in this Age one can reach liberation only through hard work. We need not consider religion or caste, but only look to hard work.” Babaji explained: “In this Age, work purifies and is the best spiritual practice Work is so good that it prevents disease and gives you mental ease. Work is such a good thing that it relieves man of all ailments.” On another occasion he said: “If you are engaged in doing good deeds and go on doing good acts, you will have good sleep, good appetite and bad thoughts will not cross your mind. Otherwise, you will always be criticizing others. In inaction, your minds will always be engaged in thinking critically of others. Karma – activity – is the only thing which can drive out all evils.” He explained further: “No work is low or bad in this world if it is done in the right spirit. That is why a man should never hesitate to do any work. Whether it is high or low, big or small, no work is bad. Work is work.” Babaji made this comment about technologically advanced societies: “Science has made great progress in this world. Where we used to engage a thousand men to work, now a bulldozer does the work in seconds. But that makes a thousand people useless and unemployed. While unemployment is increasing in the world, people have lost their peace of mind. The reason for this is because man has ceased to work. Due to this inaction, all kind of pains and sicknesses are increasing in the world. I want you to take the energy of the machines into yourself and work like machines! He was encouraging parents: “Train your children in karma yoga that they may become people of good and strong character.” He explained that independence is only achieved through work. Everyone should be able to stand on his/her feet. The problems of all countries can be solved when everyone becomes hard working. As long as there is laziness in the world, people cannot attain happiness. Babaji explained that only work can change personal or societal destiny. He said:  This is a great teaching for the whole world because Karma Yoga is capable of achieving everything. You can even change your fate or destiny by sheer hard work.  That is why, Babaji stated, people should be working regardless of circumstances and “work to the last breath. He proclaimed: “Therefore, you must never be disappointed in life and you must remember that what even God cannot achieve, you can achieve through hard work. Karma is a thing, which can even change the course laid down by God.

Repetition of God’s name

Haidakhan Babaji was asking his devotees to practice japa, the repetition of God’s Name, while they were doing Karma Yoga. He explained that God’s Name is the most powerful sound of the Creation- more powerful than a thousand atomic and hydrogen bombs, and that this is the only real thing. He said: “This world is transitory; the Name of God is the true reality. Everything in this world is destructible, transient, ephemeral. So you must all repeat God’s Name. He pointed out to some therapeutic benefits of this method when he stated: “Man’s mind is very fast, faster than the wind. By doing work while repeating God’s Name, your mind becomes cleansed of thoughts and useless, negative thoughts cannot enter it. He explained further: “Of great importance is that the repetition of God’s Name increases daily. In this way your heart and mind will be purified. Only then you will find God in yourself. The water to clean your heart is the Name of God. So teach everyone to repeat the Name of God – everywhere. Haidakhan Babaji especially recommended the use of the mantra – Om Namaha Shivaya – because of its protective qualities, but also stated that one can use any God’s Name “his religion teaches.

Maha Kranti

Haidakhan Babaji warned his followers about the forthcoming Great Revolution or Maha Kranti. He described Maha Kranti as involving earthquakes, floods, accidents, collisions and wars. He indicated that ,There will be atomic war. People will die immediately in their houses from gas and atomic and nuclear radiation. Babaji explained that: This revolution takes place for the sake of world peace. When unrighteousness prevails in the world this is the only path possible. He seemed to suggest that Maha Kranti can be mitigated to some extent when he said: “Today the world is playing with fire. We have to be ready to face fire, water and great storms and not be shaken. We have to go beyond the hope of life and the fear of death. Whatever happens we must go ahead. Then only can we benefit the world. We have to bring the path of karma into the light. Now the world is in deep darkness. The Revolution spreading in this world can be controlled by karma alone. Babaji commented: “The calamities which are coming to this world are unavoidable. Only he who has strong determination to do good acts and who is strongly devoted to God can survive this destruction.

Courage and alertness

In the context of Maha Kranti Haidakhan Babaji spoke about the need for courage and alertness. He stated: Only courageous people can survive such critical times. He urged his followers: “Walk on with courage and bravery. Go on working to improve humankind and establish the Path of Truth. Fight for truth! To face life you must have great courage every day. He continued: Now people with courage are needed. It is better to die, facing life with courage. To live as a coward is shameful – it is better that the coward drown himself in the river. Awake! Arise! Be brave! Babaji explained: when a man is fearless, no man can stand against him in battle – either a battle in material life or in spiritual life. He is victorious in all battles of life. That is why he urged: “Awake! Arise! Go and learn from the wise! Become brave karma-yogis of the Lord! Babaji said: “You must awake others and make them arise and be alert. If you are always alert, this will be of great benefit to you. You will achieve happiness and you will be saved from the calamities, which are coming very soon.

Inspiration

Haidakhan Babaji urged his followers to be “inspired.” He stated: “Everything in this world is ‘PHURO’ – transient. It has no reality. True reality is to proceed on the path of truth, to keep the company of saintly people, and to render service to men. He explained: inspiring words are eternal; the physical body will go, it is perishable. That is why he requested: “Awake! Arise! Go to the wise and gain knowledge! Realize the Self! Be of firm determination – fully concentrated – achieve your goal!

Cleanliness

Babaji often repeated that “cleanliness is next to godliness.” He stated:  you should look to the areas of your countries where people are poverty-stricken and helpless and then do all you can to raise their standard of living, teaching them cleanliness and high morals. To serve the needy truly and from the heart is true service to God.

Daily practices

Some followers described the discipline of being with Haidakhan Babaji as “the most difficult one could ever face Babaji would typically start his day around 3:00 A.M., with a bath, often in cold Gautama Ganga, which was followed by meditation or a fire ceremony. Around 5:00 A.M. he would see his devotees for ceremonial chandan (placing a mark on forehead), followed by morning Aarti (devotional singing) around 6:00 A.M. Then until noon everybody would be engaged in some form of karma yoga. At noon the only meal of the day was being served, followed by more karma yoga in the afternoon. Sometimes a more elaborate ceremony such as havan would be performed around the noon time. In the afternoon, Babaji would sometimes see the devotees for individual audiences, known as darshan. Then there would be another bath, followed by the evening Aarti. After the evening Aarti, Babaji were giving short speeches that were recorded in “The Teachings of Babaji.

His self-awareness

Haidakhan Babaji was often asked who he was. He made the following assertions about himself:

Old Hairakhan Baba – as mentioned above Haidakhan Babaji maintained that he was identical with Hairakhan Baba (also spelled as Hariakhan) who lived around Hairakhan in the years 1860-1922.

Mahavatar Babaji - it appears that Haidakhan Babaji pointed out or implied a few times that he was identical with Mahavatar Babaji described in Yogandanda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi. This claim is apparently disputed by the Self-Realization Fellowship, the society founded by Paramahansa Yogandanda.

Messenger – Haidakhan Babaji would sometimes refer to himself as “messenger of revolution, He often urged the followers to “spread his Message.

Mahaprabhuji – on one occasion Babaji stated: “I am Bhole Baba (Simple Father). I am nobody and nothing. I am only like a mirror in which you can see yourself. I am like a fire. Don’t keep too far away or you will not get warmth. But don’t get too near or you may burn yourself. Learn the right distance. My name is Maha Prabhuji (The Great God). Vishnu Dutt Shastriji said the following about Mahaprabhuji: “Sitting here at Haidakhan, Mahaprabhuji has control over every particle of the Creation by the power of His mere wish, by His very thought. (...) Mahaprabhuji has control over the elements, the spiritual world - to say nothing of the world of men. He is the Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer of the world. Not a single blade of grass can grow but that He wills it. He has incarnated in a human body for the welfare of mankind. His sole desire - is to make it possible for the whole world to be liberated. He shall do His utmost to achieve liberation of the world.

The Guru of all Gurus – Gaura Devi recorded Babaji saying: “I am no one’s Guru, but I am the Guru of gurus.

“I am everywhere” – Haidakhan Babaji was recorded saying: “I am everywhere – in your every breath. I have come to help you realize unity beyond division. I will show you a freedom you have not imagined. You must seek that unity from whence there is awareness that we are all one. Seek harmony in all that you do. I am harmony. If you are in peace, I am in peace. If you are troubled, I am troubled. If you are happy, I am happy. Be happy. Have faith – everything depends on faith.”