Shri Shri Baba Lokenath Bramhachary-His Arrival

Great saints descent upon this earth for a very specific purpose. Most of them live in recluse far away from our society, accomplish their purpose and leave this moribund world quietly. These saints are so pure and sacred in their heart that they live in this world like a lotus in the water, as if the petals are in water, still not wet. They live in the state of ecstacy filled with absolute happiness and absolute peace. These are the qualities that we the ordinary people will never know. So it will be an audacity to describe it with our so very little knowledge and understanding. They prefer quiescence, and need no introduction for themselves.

There is one very important sloka in Gita, which says that whenever the world is filled with the autrocities and anarchy, God comes down to this earth to destry the sinners and protect the commoners. In 1700 AD, religious fanaticism was in peak in Bengal. Bramhins were very powerful people and they distorted Hinduism to protect their own selfdom. They promoted untouchability, made twisted and distorted rituals to meet their demands. All these had increased wretchedness of the poor people of Bengal. They were destroying the basic principles of Hinduism. It was then Shri Shri Baba Lokenath had arrived in Bengal with a purpose.

There are not many descriptive documents available about Baba Lokenath. Out of his 160-years, he had spent only some 25 years or so among the people. That too, he had chosen to come to a village sparcely populated and poorly connected to the popular towns. From the Himalayas he had come down to Barodi, a remote village in Bangladesh and lived there until the last day of His human life.

He was strictly against popularizing Himself. He never wanted to spread His name among people. He wanted people to love Him from the very core of their heart and then come to Him as they please by their natural affection. But His aura and charisma was so great that people irrespective of their caste and religion started loving Him. Gradually, His name spread among hundreds and thousands of His followers.

One day his devotee, Raja Rajendra Narayan arrived in His Ashram with a photographer. He wanted to take a photograph of our Baba. But Baba was very reluctant to pose for it. But then Raja Rajendra Narayan was also not a person to give up so he was adamant that he will not leave without taking Baba's photograph. Raja knew that Baba had a very kind heart and for the people of his society and for the devotees He would do anything for their wellness and happiness. So Raja convinced Baba that every household and whosoever will keep Baba's picture and pray will get Baba's blessings, and for the vendors who will sell Baba's pictures will be able to earn their living. With Baba's photo, He will remain within the hearts of His followers, present and in future. Baba finally agreed but gave only one pose for a single take. He wanted to people to know Him in one and only one form- the same form in every heart of His devotees.

Why Baba was against spreading His name and popularity?

There is a reason for that and we will try to discuss of the in the next Log.

Jai Baba Mangalkari Lokenath Bramhachary!