The Life and Teachings of Guru Lahiri Mahasaya (vegetarian) in “Autobiography of a Yogi” by Paramahansa Yogananda (vegetarian), Part 2 of 2

“The Master’s omnipresence was demonstrated one day before a group of disciples who were listening to His exposition of the Bhagavad Gita. As He was explaining the meaning of Kutastha Chaitanya or the Christ Consciousness in all vibratory creation, Lahiri Mahasaya suddenly gasped and cried out: ‘I am drowning in the bodies of many souls off the coast of Japan!’ The next morning the disciples read a newspaper account of the death of many people whose ship had foundered the preceding day near Japan.

The distant disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya were often made aware of His enfolding presence. ‘I am ever with those who practice Kriya,’ He said consolingly to disciples who could not remain near Him. ‘I will guide you to the Cosmic Home through your enlarging perceptions.’ Swami Satyananda was told by a devotee that, unable to go to Benares, the man had nevertheless received precise Kriya initiation in a dream. Lahiri Mahasaya had appeared to instruct the disciple in answer to his prayers. […]

A number of Lahiri Mahasaya’s disciples with influential worldly position were desirous of expanding the Kriya circle by publicity. The Guru refused his permission. One disciple, the royal physician to the Lord of Benares, started an organized effort to spread the Master’s name as ‘Kashi Baba’ (Exalted One of Benares). Again, the Guru forbade it. ‘Let the fragrance of the Kriya flower be wafted naturally, without any display,’ He said. ‘Its seeds will take root in the soil of spiritually fertile hearts.’ […]

To the awe of all beholders, Lahiri Mahasaya’s habitual physiological state exhibited the superhuman features of breathlessness, sleeplessness, cessation of pulse and heartbeat, calm eyes unblinking for hours, and a profound aura of peace. No visitors departed without upliftment of spirit; all knew they had received the silent blessing of a true Man of God.

The Master now permitted His disciple, Panchanon Bhattacharya, to open an ‘Arya Mission Institution’ in Calcutta. Here the saintly disciple spread the message of Kriya Yoga, and prepared for public benefit certain yogic herbal medicines. In accordance with ancient custom, the Master gave to people in general a neem oil for the cure of various diseases. When the Guru requested a disciple to distil the oil, He could easily accomplish the task. If anyone else tried, he would encounter strange difficulties, finding that the medicinal oil had almost evaporated after going through the required distilling processes. Evidently the Master’s blessing was a necessary ingredient. […]”