Is it true that Mahavatar babaji lived for thousands of years?

[The Crimson Universe]

TBH, i don't know anything about him.
I came upon his wikipedia page where it is written that he was born in 203 AD.
In other sites it is mentioned that he lived for thousands of years.

As per Yogananda's autobiography of a yogi, It is Mahavatar Babaji who revived in this age the lost scientific meditation technique of Kriya Yoga. In bestowing Kriya initiation on his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya, Mahavatar Babaji said, “The Kriya Yoga that I am giving to the world through you in this nineteenth century is a revival of the same science that Krishna gave millenniums ago to Arjuna; and that was later known to Patanjali and Christ, and to St. John, St. Paul, and other disciples.”

So, is it really possible to attain immortality or to live for thousands of years through the science of kriya yoga?

I've also read somewhere that certain spiritually advanced yogis have the advanced ability to rejuvenate their bodies (like discarding their old gross bodies in the fire of yajna probably and then again from that fire they can bring forth a new youthful body, which they use for many years before discarding them as well. And then again from the fire a new body emerges). In this manner they live for many years.

Im not certain but i think this process is called kalpak or probably kaya-kalpa. Perhaps you guys can shed more light on this matter.

 

[Vinayaka]

Fairly debated subject, this one. Some folks figure he's a metaphor for enlightenment, or Self-realisation, and others insist He's as real as all the stories say. What do you think?

 

[The Crimson Universe]

I mostly keep an open mind to topics like these.

 

[Vinayaka]

I mostly keep an open mind to topics like these.

Yes, I have no vested interest in it either. On topics like this, I'll lean in one direction or the other based on logic and intuition, but would never present my view as anything authoritative or informed. I can't see it being significant in any way to the way we live our daily lives.

 

[ajay0]

TBH, i don't know anything about him.
I came upon his wikipedia page where it is written that he was born in 203 AD.
In other sites it is mentioned that he lived for thousands of years.



So, is it really possible to attain immortality or to live for thousands of years through the science of kriya yoga?

I've also read somewhere that certain spiritually advanced yogis have the advanced ability to rejuvenate their bodies (like discarding their old gross bodies in the fire of yajna probably and then again from that fire they can bring forth a new youthful body, which they use for many years before discarding them as well. And then again from the fire a new body emerges). In this manner they live for many years.

Im not certain but i think this process is called kalpak or probably kaya-kalpa. Perhaps you guys can shed more light on this matter.

I have read of him in certain books and of people meeting him and getting instruction or guidance from him.

Imho, he might be an Avatar like figure who using yogic techniques have lived for centuries just for the purpose of instruction and guidance in the Kali Yuga where tamas is at its peak. I have read of other yogis who have lived long for centuries so I am open to this suggestion.

However it is not important to speculate long on whether he exists or not. What matters is whether we are a lamp unto ourselves.

 

[George-ananda]

I'm thinking the legend is true. There are some strange stuff in the Himalayan region. Paramahansa Yogananda in Autobiography of a Yogi talks about this Babaji and if I recall correctly, actually met Babaji. I'm not sure Babaji even spends all his time on the physical plane.

On this I am in the 'don't think you can try this at home' mentality. I'll die when my time comes, enjoy the afterlife and get a brand new physical body eventually.

 

[The Crimson Universe]

On this I am in the 'don't think you can try this at home' mentality.

True. When it comes to kriya yoga, it is not safe to practice it alone at home. Its better to try it under the guidance of a guru. I've heard that if one opens or unwinds the chakras too fast, then he/she can even go into psychosis. That's quite a dangerous thing, if you ask me.
Last year i was watching this netflix documentary on Osho, "wild wild country"
where an Englishman went inside the ashram of Osho with a hidden camera, and what he saw, shook him to the core. There were 7 or 8 disciples of Osho in a secret room of the ashram. Both male and female. And they were all naked, making beast like sounds, some were showing violent behaviours. They were clearly not right in the head.

I'll die when my time comes, enjoy the afterlife and get a brand new physical body eventually.

Well, If i don't get moksha in this life, (which i don't think i will), then i'll see you on the other side, brother. Make sure you have enough beer cans there. Even soma rasa will do.

 

[ajay0]

Well, If i don't get moksha in this life, (which i don't think i will), then i'll see you on the other side, brother. Make sure you have enough beer cans there. Even soma rasa will do.

If you cannot be an enlightened sage, at least depart as a saint.

In this inauspicious Kali Yuga where values are breaking down due to the onset of nihlism and inordinate materialism, to be an enlightened sage or saint is a great service you can do to the world and sentient beings in it.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I mostly keep an open mind to topics like these.

Keep an open eye to an obvious untruth. Not my way.
For advatists there is no 'special pleading'.
If anyone believes in Yogananda then why does not he believe in Gospels, Quran and writings of Bahaollah and Mirza Gholam Ahmad?
What else can you expect from disciples of Osho? (Kindly remember that Osho was not a Hindu. He was a renegade Jain.
Other side of life extends from cockroaches to Fungi. The atoms of your body will be parts of a millions of living and non-living things.

 

[The Crimson Universe]

If you cannot be an enlightened sage, at least depart as a saint.

In this inauspicious Kali Yuga where values are breaking down due to the onset of nihlism and inordinate materialism, to be an enlightened sage or saint is a great service you can do to the world and sentient beings in it.

I'll do my best brother.

 

[sayak83]

TBH, i don't know anything about him.
I came upon his wikipedia page where it is written that he was born in 203 AD.
In other sites it is mentioned that he lived for thousands of years.



So, is it really possible to attain immortality or to live for thousands of years through the science of kriya yoga?

I've also read somewhere that certain spiritually advanced yogis have the advanced ability to rejuvenate their bodies (like discarding their old gross bodies in the fire of yajna probably and then again from that fire they can bring forth a new youthful body, which they use for many years before discarding them as well. And then again from the fire a new body emerges). In this manner they live for many years.

Im not certain but i think this process is called kalpak or probably kaya-kalpa. Perhaps you guys can shed more light on this matter.

I am very sceptical.

 

[stvdv]

So, is it really possible to attain immortality or to live for thousands of years through the science of kriya yoga?

A lot is possible, this I know. The soul is immortal anyway, so this Mahavatar Babaji seems to be able to create a new body at will. IF true he must be a very advanced yogi or Avatar.

I have met an Avatar, hence I know it is possible, so I keep an open mind that Mahavatar Babaji can be for real also

There is only 1 way to find out for sure; its a simple way; but for sure not easy

In the western world I think nobody will be able to attain such a thing, because it needs a huge discipline, and years of meditation, sense control and mind control. All of which are the opposite of the "American way of life". 20 minutes a day sitting on a chair won't do the trick (unless you did thousands of years of meditation in a previous life).
@stvdvRF

 

[George-ananda]

True. When it comes to kriya yoga, it is not safe to practice it alone at home. Its better to try it under the guidance of a guru. I've heard that if one opens or unwinds the chakras too fast, then he/she can even go into psychosis. That's quite a dangerous thing, if you ask me.
Last year i was watching this netflix documentary on Osho, "wild wild country"
where an Englishman went inside the ashram of Osho with a hidden camera, and what he saw, shook him to the core. There were 7 or 8 disciples of Osho in a secret room of the ashram. Both male and female. And they were all naked, making beast like sounds, some were showing violent behaviours. They were clearly not right in the head.

I don't even think Babaji was born a regular human and attained his attributes through practicing Kriya yoga. I think he is some level of divine incarnation to instruct the most advanced of all teachers.

 

[The Crimson Universe]

I don't even think Babaji was born a regular human and attained his attributes through practicing Kriya yoga. I think he is some level of divine incarnation to instruct the most advanced of all teachers.

Hmm maybe you're right. Maybe he is a divine incarnation. After all, he did visit all the great teachers like Lahiri Mahasaya, Yukteshwar, Yogananda etc.

 

[The Crimson Universe]

I am very sceptical.

Do you mind sharing why you feel that way?

 

[sayak83]

Do you mind sharing why you feel that way?

One should be sceptical about such extraordinary claims.

 

[SeRe]

I have read in one of the Dattatreya Charitras (Sripada Srivallabha Charitamrutam) that he is an avatar of Lord Dattatreya.

 

[Aupmanyav]

You have read and you believe. No more consideration as to whether the story may be true or false!

Hmm maybe you're right. Maybe he is a divine incarnation. After all, he did visit all the great teachers like Lahiri Mahasaya, Yukteshwar, Yogananda etc.

All in the same lineage! A family perpetuated myth!