Sri Babaji taught that we should work to realise truth, simplicity and love within ourselves and in our daily lives. He encouraged people to follow whatever religion they were drawn to as all religion leads to the same goal, and to repeat the name of God to purify the mind. One way to do this is by the repetition of the mantra om namah shivay– Sri Babaji said that this can be given to anyone, and that anything can be achieved through it. Sri Babaji repeatedly emphasised the importance of karma yoga, selfless service to humanity, as the most effective spiritual practice for the modern day.

The Kumaon region in India lies at the foot of the Himalayas. It is the birth place and abode of several of India’s greatest saints. It was here that the Haidakhan Wale Baba resided, and instantly stated that He was the Shiva Mahavatar Babaji, referred to in the book Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. As a Maha Avatar, (human manifestation of the Divine not born of woman), Babaji has continually manifested on earth in a divine body since the beginning of creation.

One such manifestation of Babaji recorded in a number of books and witnessed by many local people, was some time in the year 1800. He is remembered by several people even today. At the time, Babaji travelled extensively in the Kumaon region, gathering around him several devotees and disciples. Several unusual events such as changing His form, appearing simultaneously in different places and miraculous incidents of healing the sick and dying have been recorded. Seating Himself on the surface of the water at the confluence of the Rivers Kali and Gori, and disappearing in a ball of light, He dematerialised this form in 1922. This event too was witnessed by several devotees. Several Tibetan lamas, who came to visit Him, recognised Him as Lama Baba who had lived in Tibet centuries ago. There are tales of his appearances in Nepal also.

Babaji appeared in 1970 in the historic holy cave situated at the foot of Kumaon Mount Adi Kailash at Haidakhan (a small village in the region). He materialised as a youth of eighteen or twenty years. His divine power was experienced by several people who saw Him simultaneously in different guises at different places. In September of that year, He further exhibited His yogic powers when he ascended Mount Kailash, and sat on the summit for forty five days without food or sleep. Babaji spent most of this manifestation of fourteen years (1970-84) at Haidakhan where He established a beautiful spiritual ashram (abode) and built nine temples on the bank of the River Gautami Ganga. The Haidakhan area and the Kumaon Mount Kailash have for centuries been spiritually graced with the power of Lord Shiva’s tapasya (penance). The main temple at Haidakhan was constructed by the old Haidakhan Baba Himself. Babaji built several other temples and ashrams within India. Below Ranikhet, at a small village called Chilianaula, overlooking the snow-peaked Himalayas, He constructed a large and beautiful temple and ashram.

Thousands of disciples from various countries continue to receive Babaji’s blessings by being mystically inspired to come to the spiritual path through extraordinary events, dreams and visions. Many spiritual centres dedicated to Babaji have been established the world over. He had proclaimed that He had come to revive the eternal religion – The Sanatan Dharma – and to reform the very mentality of man, laying stress on three basic precepts of Dharma (inherent quality): Truth, simplicity and love. He predicted that mankind was in danger during the period of Kali Yuga (the dark age) due to a steep rise in materialism and decline in spiritual values. He also predicted widespread physical destruction, revolution and change in this century. He said that only those who sincerely worship God, repeating His name and living in harmony, truth and love, would survive. “God’s name is more powerful than any atomic bomb,” He said. He promised a new world, a new age, a new religious kingdom after this destruction. Babaji, as the manifestation of Lord Shiva, emphasised constant repetition of the Maha Mantra (the greatest Divine utterance) om namah shivay (I bow to Lord Shiva) to enable man to be constantly focused on the Almighty. Constant repetition (japa) of the Mantra leads to increase of faith and devotion. Babaji’s subtle presence continuously guides and inspires devotees to spread His eternal teachings far and wide, thereby touching every heart with His Divinity.

Thanks to the Bhole Babaji Ayurvedic Hospital & Research Centre for permission to reproduce the above text from their web site.