"Being with Two Great Kriya Yoga Masters"
Dec 12, 2023
Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri and Paramhansa Yogananda
In 1932, I came into contact with Sri Yukteswarji for the first time and initiated into "Kriya Yoga" through him.
He read something from the lines on my palm, and as it happened, my appearance as a young brahmana brahmachari and knowledge of scriptures fascinated him very much.
He seemed to entertain a desire to place me as the steward of the (Karar) ashram.
This was confirmed in 1934, when I met him in his Serampore ashram in West Bengal.
Studying my horoscope, he predicted that I was destined to be a sannyasi, not a samsari.
He told me again, "You see I have grown old; I have some access to astrology from which I come to know my body can no longer survive. Puri is a scared place; you are the son of a brahmana.
Your body looks look godly; and you have abundant treasure of spiritual wealth. I sincerely desire you to remain in charge of that ashram.
I have a strong conviction that only you to remain in charge of that ashram.
I have a strong conviction that only you can inherit the spiritual energy within me and can spread it throughout Orissa."
I replied, "You are the embodiment of knowledge, farsightedness, and a great Master in spiritual practice.
Your wish can never remain unfulfilled, but I am only 34 and have yet to achieve a lot of things in sadhana."
Sri Yukteswarji left his body in the year 1936, but many people are reported to have seen him in his gross body even two years after his death.
I was fortunate to see him his gross appearance once toward the end of 1938.
On that very night, I saw him in my dream and was directed to settle down in the ashram.
Kriya Yogi Brahmachari Rabinarayan
I had been again initiated into Kriya Yoga by Yogananda on Yukeswarji's advice.
As regards my acquaintance and meeting with Paramahansa Yogananda, I had heard that Yogananda could transport himself into the samadhi state at any moment at will.
This filled me with curiosity, and I met him in 1935 during his stay in Calcutta.
I had been initiated into Kriya Yoga before this meeting by Sri Yukteswarji, the guru of Yogananda, and had been regularly practicing.
Paramahansaji told me that only by seeing, neither could I gain that power nor would I fulfill my life's desire.
I replied that I wanted to experience the power of his spiritual practices and to learn from him the advanced techniques of the higher forms of Kriya Yoga.
Paramhansaji asked me how many hours I could devote for spiritual practice.
I replied that is was not a matter of hours, days, or years.
In order to gain the contact of such a great power, I was prepared to sacrifice the whole life in spiritual practice in a hermitage and that I had taken a vow of lifelong service and dedication for this purpose.
Paramahansaji, being satisfied, took me with him to a separate room and sat in meditation and within a short time reached the samadhi state.
I was overwhelmed with astonishment to behold his body luminous with divine light, without any heart or pulse beating.
When after half an hour, his normal physical condition was gradually restored, I bowed to him with all devotion and love.
I wanted spiritual initiation from him, and he fulfilled my desire with all kindness and sympathy.
When I asked him what were the things to be collected for the initiation ceremony, he smilingly replied that the offering of full-hearted love is the best offering to the guru.
The next day, after the initiation, he embraced me.
At his loving and superhuman touch, I experienced a divine vibration and blissful sensation in me.
On another occasion, he touched my head and said that one day I would awaken the Supreme Power in me through spiritual practice and I would attain the superhuman state.
I now realize the truth of his profound prophecy.
The inspiring words and godly behavior of Paramahansaji are still alive in my memory and will remain ever fresh and permanent treasure for me.
In the year 1949, Paramahansa Yogananda authorized me to impart the technique of Kriya yoga to interested disciples.
*Excerpts from "Kriya Yoga, The Scientific Process of Soul-Culture and the Essence of all Religions", Chapter VII. "Being with Two Great Masters" by Swami Hariharananda Giri, Third Edition on 22 March, 1986.
