Tag Archive for: meditation

What Happens to the Soul After Death?

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By Yogiraj Siddhanath

Is Death the final goal of life or is there life after death? And if there is life, what are the turns and twists and evolutionary journey in life after death, until the soul is reborn again? This question has long perturbed humankind caught between medical sciences which have for long tried to prolong life, thinking it to be the only one, and the rishis and yogis who have claimed to conquer ultimate Death freeing themselves from the unending cycle of birth and death.

For realised beings of the Vedic era, there is no “after death”, because for the soul there is no death, so how can there be “after death”? What normal people call death is in reality only the end of the physical body. The earth known as Mrityu Lok, is the plane of mortality, where life ends with the decay and death of the physical body perceived by our five senses.

The journey of the soul after death, which in India we call devachan or devasthan was originally discovered and intuited by the ancient sages of India thousands of years ago, and one can find the details of this in the Brahmanical rituals of the shraad. Narratives of near-death experiences in modern times have validated many of the stages in this journey.

According to the Sanatan system of knowing, the soul though itself an immortal entity residing in a physical body, has a lifespan. This lifespan differs from individual to individual, as per their personal karma. According to its lifespan, the soul lives in the physical body, does good deeds, neutral deeds, bad deeds, living according to the karma released to it for this lifetime. Then comes old age, the body starts to decay and like our garments get old and torn and must be discarded, the body too is discarded by the soul.

Here begins the journey of the soul after the death of the physical body.

At the first instance, the soul leaves the outermost coat, which is the physical casement, or the physical garment, but the coat of its subtler emotional and mental garments remains. The body is burnt, the physical body, the garment, which is not the soul — the apparent self is burnt, and the true self, the soul, covered by its passions, emotions and the mind passes out of the body.

For seventy-two hours after the body shell is burnt or buried the soul remains in the plane called the Pret Lok. The soul hovers in the burial or cremation ground as the emotional, mental and intuitional body disengages itself from the physical and ethereal body while working out its grossest karma, those that are closest to the physical body.

On the third day, according to the shraad ritual the soul is offered food that it enjoyed when in the body. It’s laid out so that the spirit, which is there, satisfies its last leftover desires, to move from Pret Lok to the next plane, called the Pishachya Lok.

Once in the Pishachya Lok, the soul works out the subtler karmas of its emotional and passional body, satisfying its carnal desires before it can break through the Pishachic shell. To facilitate the breaking of the shell a ritual is performed on this day to release the soul from its limited passional and emotional consciousness, to get it into a state of mental consciousness. When that puja is done, the shell breaks.

Around the tenth day the soul, having more or less satisfied all its desires starts its transition to the Pitr Lok, the plane of the ancestors. Here the ancestors and in the case of disciples their Satguru will appear to lead the soul through the maze. Even though most of the residual karmas are worked out, in the initial stages even of Pitr Lok some differences and bitterness are resolved. Nullifying all its karma the soul gets purer and joins its ancestors, those who are enlightened.

The soul then finally rests in the Dev Lok, the heavenly spheres. After working out all its good and bad karmas the soul rests. This is its journey from the earthly terrestrial sphere of Bhur, to the intermediate astral stage of Bhuvaha to the celestial heavenly sphere of Svaha.

Then again it reincarnates, descending from Svaha, to Bhuvaha to Bhur, taking once again, an intuitional body, then a mental body, an emotional then an etheric body, and finally a physical body in the womb of a mother who is most suitable for its karma.  Parents who will give the maximum facilities for its spiritual evolution are chosen by the soul.

This not just a belief in India, it’s a fact and many have had firsthand experience of it. So death is nothing to be afraid of.

“Why do people think of me what I am not supposed to be?

They call me death and yet I take them to Eternity.

Oh, this paradox of ignorance

Deludes humanity.”*

Now we come to the most important part, what happens to a sincerely practicing yogi progressing along the chosen path in this process of life and death, in the terrestrial plane and afterlife? A meditating yogi, depending upon the practice and because of the speed of the evolutionary practice of yoga works out the karma of the devachan, life after the death of the body, while in the body itself. The yogi does not go through the planes of bhuvaha and svaha, the yogi does not travel through the pret and pishachya lok nor the pitr lok. Some even transcend the dev lok, consciously leaving this body to merge into the finality of the Supreme Conscious Being.

*From Yogiraj Siddhanath’s poem, “Death”

Note: This is a reprint of an article published January 18, 2019 in the online publication, The Pioneer.

For more of Yogiraj’s profound wisdom, meet him at an upcoming event or watch his YouTube videos!

Smoke, Seva, and Surprises at Mt. Shasta

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Yogiraj meditating with disciples at the Upper Sacramento River by Mt. Shasta.

Yogiraj meditating with disciples at the Upper Sacramento River by Mt. Shasta.

Despite smoke from the nearby fires obscuring views of Mt. Shasta, the Shasta retreat held many delightful surprises for the participants. For the benefactors, one wonderful moment came while taking a boat ride in Lake Siskiyou. Yogiraj promised that the air would clear enough for them to be able to see Mt. Shasta. And sure enough, at one moment on the trip, the grateful benefactors could see the majestic mountain peeking out from the smoky haze.

On Saturday morning of the retreat, Hamsas had another delight at the Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens. After teaching theGoraksha Gayatri mantra, Yogiraj told the Hamsas to meditate by the nearby Upper Sacramento River for 15-20 minutes. Hamsas scampered to find rocks to sit on by the bank of the gushing river. When they opened their eyes, some people were astonished to see Yogiraj himself seated nearby on the riverbank, seated in still meditation. So they quickly closed their eyes again, experiencing a deep and powerful meditation.

Those who visited the merchandise tables were delighted to browse a beautifully illustrated picture book, A Master Stroke by Divine Destiny, written by Guruma Shivangini. It tells the story of her birth into a royal family to her marriage with Yogiraj, after which she has led a life of seva (selfless service). The book reveals many of Guruma’s personal mystical encounters with sages and saints.

But the crème de la crème was the opportunity to purchase a copy of Yoga Patanjal, Yogiraj’s experiential rendition of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. This beautiful, little gilded book fits nicely in a purse or pocket and contains Yogiraj’s own spiritual revelations. The highlight of the retreat was when Hamsas lined up to have their copies of the book personally signed by Yogiraj.

Much love and effort were poured into the two books authored by Yogiraj and Guruma. Our Satguru and his beloved are both shining examples of the theme that Yogiraj discussed during the Shasta retreat, which is “Accept the world as it is and get on with the job at hand.”

Seva

Seva was a resounding theme at Mount Shasta.  Seva is selfless service, done without any thought of reward or payment.  Even the most menial tasks, undertaken with the right attitude, is Seva.  Seva dissolves the ego.

Yogiraj often asks us to consider which ashram seva dissolves the ego more: cleaning the temple or scrubbing the toilets?  The answer is the latter.  It is not that one must choose the more difficult or least enjoyable task. Rather, the less we resist something we don’t enjoy doing, the more we have to set aside this dislike in order to do it. If we approach our tasks without resistance, and simply “get on with the job at hand” the service becomes selfless. Every task we do, whether picking up leaves from the lawn, throwing away garbage in the meditation hall, receiving other Hamsas at registration, setting up for a satsang, breaking down after satsang, becomes seva if we do it without self.

The most difficult seva is to remain where you are or to go where you must go when you have agreed to undertake a task at that “Most Particular Time” when Yogiraj gives a spontaneous satsang.  That longing to remain near Yogiraj or to be with Yogiraj is great, but seva means you are to get on with the job at hand.  So go do that job!  Give yourself entirely to service, without thought for whether or not a particular act of seva serves you.

Seva is not reserved for events.  If Yogiraj’s mission is to evolve humanity, then we must strengthen Community Humanity; we must ourselves participate in Community Humanity. This too is seva.

Finally, seva can also be a way of living.  How many moments in your day can you serve without ego?

 

** Yogiraj will be back in Europe, the U.S. and Canada in the spring and summer of 2019! You can join him now at events in India! Learn more at our Siddhanath Events Page.

Dreamweaver Experience 2016

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Lovingly dedicated to Yogiraj Satgurunath Siddhanath on his birthday, May 10, 2018
Humbly presented in an introduction
before the Satsang in Toronto, July 21, 2018.
By Brad Smith –  Devotee, Canada – 2018

Note: The Dreamweaver experience described in this article will be given by Yogiraj at these two upcoming retreats:

In September of 2016, while attending a retreat at Stony Point Center in the state of New York, I had a wonderful experience with Yogiraj Siddhanath called the “Dreamweaver.” This is given by Yogiraj at some of the extended retreats.

On the first evening of the retreat, Yogiraj explained that we may experience a dream, or we may not, but that he would be working on our chakras during the night to help us speed up our spiritual evolution. He had cautioned that we would get what we needed, not necessarily what we wanted. As instructed by Yogiraj, at 2 a.m. we came to the meditation building and meditated in front of Yogiraj’s picture to connect with him. Then we returned to our rooms. I had no expectations as I drifted off to sleep.

As I entered the dream state, I became aware that I was standing in the large grassy area beside the meditation building. I saw Yogiraj standing about 20 feet away from me dressed all in white and radiating this breathtakingly beautiful, “cottony” white light that appeared to have a texture and feel to it.  There was a white soccer ball in front of me on the grass and I kicked it to Yogiraj.  As the soccer ball reached him, it began to glow the same beautiful cottony white and was transformed into a ball made of light.  Yogiraj then kicked the ball of light to me, and I had to run a little to the side to intercept it.  As the ball touched my foot, a wondrous surge of light energy rushed up into my body to the top of my head.  But it wasn’t just light. It was filled with beautiful wordless truths about my journey in life.

There was so much information in the light, I haven’t even scratched the surface in decoding all of what was contained in it.  I felt as though I was in a euphoric state of higher knowingness, and even though I remember having realization after realization, I can’t tell you even one of them specifically since I can’t access them as I am right now.

After I ran to get the soccer ball and the light rushed into my body, I kicked the ball back to Yogiraj. This process repeated itself over and over. Sometimes I would have to run farther or faster to intercept the ball. Other times I would only have to move a few steps to access this wonderful light energy being given to me. Just like in all of our lives, there are days that are very challenging, and we have to run father for that ball. Then there are other days that are wonderful, where the ball comes right to us with little effort.

There were two messages from the experience with Yogiraj that resounded very deeply within me that I can put into words:

1. If you work at it, like running to get the ball, you will succeed in the game of life.

And in particular:

2. If you maintain effort with your Kriya practice, you will succeed in gaining this wisdom.

I remember thinking immediately after the Dreamweaver experience, when I was not yet fully awake, that the wordless truths from that soccer game encompassed not only my life but the connectivity of all life from the sub-atomic, to the gigantic.  I believe that the rest is for me to discover through Kriya Yoga under the guidance of Yogiraj Siddhanath.

If you haven’t been empowered into Kriya Yoga by this Master, please do yourself a favor and do so. It could end up being the most significant decision you make in this life.

 

Yogiraj Honored as Chief Guest at Sherwood College’s 149th Founder’s Day

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Yogiraj receiving an award at Sherwood College, where he was honored as chief guest.

By Arnab Datta –  Devotee, UK – 2018

“Mereat Quisque Palmam”. These Latin words meaning “Let each one merit his prize” adorn the gates of Sherwood College, a school nestled in the beautiful hills of Nainital in the northern regions of India. Founded in 1869, it has seen many illustrious people of India from the nation’s first Indian Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the most recognized and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, and the foremost master in Kriya Yoga, our very own beloved master, Yogiraj Satgurunath Siddhanath.

Yogiraj was in the 1962 final year batch (class 12). He was a swimmer par excellence and was awarded a certificate of courage for his rescue efforts in a drowning incident. He was also an excellent gymnast, boxer, and bodybuilder in his school and college days. In many of his satsangs globally, Yogiraj often reminisces of the good old days in Sherwood and it had been a long-cherished wish to visit Sherwood.

This wish crystallized in a majestic way when Sherwood had the honor and privilege of inviting Yogiraj as the chief guest at this year’s 149th Founder’s ceremony. Beloved Guruma also accompanied him. The event started with skating, a swimming and diving show, exhibitions of various societies, a Horsman Wing (junior school) Production and the Middle School Production.

Yogiraj led a deeply spiritual and wonderful session with the parents in the chapel, where he spoke about his experiences and read a few of his poems, such as “Maya”.

The Batch of 1993 was also there to celebrate their 25th-year reunion.  They presented a bell for the Horsman Wing which was inaugurated by Yogiraj.

It was a brilliant event, showcasing the unbelievable levels of physical fitness, artistic talents, and creativity that the school promotes and encourages. No wonder it churns out such shining stars year after year, and it is undoubtedly true that the most luminous of those stars blessed the school with his presence this year.

 

 

Yoga Patanjal, an Experiential Revelation

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By Jyoti Subramanian –  Devotee, India – 2018

Yogiraj’s birthday this month marked the birth of his new book, Yoga Patanjal. More than a scholarly rendition of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the book is an experiential revelation of Yogiraj’s realizations. Yoga Patanjal will be sold at Yogiraj’s 2018 World Tour events.

Very briefly in Yogiraj’s own words, “To facilitate your entry into the highest spheres with your satguru, I have taken considerable pain and effort to make available this gold-gilded pocketbook for you, as I love you. I am always there for you and even if you understand one verse in the book I will be happy, though all of you are capable of much more.”

The book was formally released post lunch on May 10th at the Siddhanath Forest Ashram in Pune after the disciples finished their morning Kriya Yoga practice session with Yogiraj. Present at the launch were Yogiraj’s mausi (meaning “like a mother”, a term used for one’s mother’s sister in India) and his sister, Durga. Yogiraj handed the first book to his aunt whom he referred to as his mother and then to his sister and Gurumata. The disciples received the book with all their blessings after that.

It is understood in the annals of Sanatan philosophy that the birth and manifestation of a satguru is the result of a collective yearning of humankind for the realization of the self and the divinity within. Satgurus of certain lineage come from time to time to guide, tweak and point the way towards speedier evolution for contemporary seekers. In short, according to Yogiraj, one deserves the guru one gets!

May 10th is the birthday of our Satguru Yogiraj Siddhanath who was born on this day in 1944. Disciples and sadhaks make their way to the Siddhanath Forest Ashram on this day to express their devotion and gratitude to him, who has shown them the way from ignorance to eternal truth, from darkness to light and from death to divinity. In a deeper and esoteric manner on this day the disciples are also born anew. So instead of “Happy birthday to you”, Yogiraj asked his disciples to sing “Happy birthday to me”, which they did very joyously, understanding their oneness with him.

The auspicious day started, as it usually does at the ashram, with the disciples making their way to the dining area and the morning satsang over breakfast and tea. Yogiraj at that time revealed that his book, Yoga Patanjal, was ready and would be available to the disciples later that day. He then went on to give a powerful message blessing his disciples and humanity in general with nuggets gleaned from this book.

The contemporary satguru brings to light ancient knowledge and wisdom which is still extant and pertinent in a language understandable to modern-day seekers. He cautioned seekers to concentrate on the living spirit rather than perusing the dead letter, an instruction that is very precious for the sincere spiritual aspirant.

Being in the presence of a householder satguru is an enchanting experience for the disciples and they got to see the simple and loving interchange of dialogue between him and Gurumata in the evening when she wore a sari presented to her by Yogiraj for this occasion. The happiness between them was palpable and spilled over to the disciples many of whom are enmeshed in the trammels of daily familial living. Disciples dressed in their finery for the evening of celebration. Gurumata began the arati, which is the waving of a lamp in devotion to the satguru. She then passed the lamp to other disciples.

The kids, of whom there were many, of course, had eyes only for the cake. The evening ended with sharing of prasad (blessed food) and dinner.

Earth Peace Through Self Peace

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Every morning I am born anew. There is love in my heart, and wisdom is radiating from my mind. I bow to the in dwelling Spirit residing in all of us. That at the level of consciousness, humanity is one.  I am Spirit, I am Truth, I am Love Divine, this Body, Mind a Dream of Mine. The only purpose of man’s sojourn on this Earth is to seek God, all other things are secondary details.

This is pure spirituality.  If Earth Peace is to happen on Earth, let us realize that Humanity is our uniting Religion, Breath our uniting Prayer, and Consciousness our uniting  God.

Celebrate Earth Peace through Self Peace on International Yoga Day, 21st…

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” Awaken to your rights!
Humanity is our uniting religion
Breath is our uniting prayer, and
Consciousness is our uniting God”

-Yogiraj Siddhanath

  • Serve Humanity as your Larger Self by meditating on the Peace within and radiating the same to the World without.
  • Use the way of the Peaceful Breath which flows equally in all as a means for attaining World Peace. Thereby, diffusing Individual and International conflicts.
  • By virtue of being a World Citizen, it is the inborn right of every Human Being to endeavor to attain the Consciousness of Natural Enlightenment for the Peace of all Humankind and exercise your Will-to-Good for making one another’s lives on this planet a celebration.
  • Your inalienable right lies in the furthering of Human Evolution for World Peace, leading to the realization that your expanded Consciousness and Humanity’s Consciousness is One!
  • As we evolve, we live less and less in our bodies and more and more in our Consciousness. Hence, Fusion of your Positive Awareness with that of Nature’s cultivates an improved and balanced Eco-System. Help to evolve Nature with your Nature, because Nature is the Nature of Man!
  • Allow yourself to heal and be healed of the negativity of your mind by letting go of the negative mind which covers the Splendor of Your Soul.

The Avadhoot Avatar Doctrine – Yogananda, Anandamayi Ma and Babaji

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Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath World Tour Schedule: https://siddhanath.org/events/

The UNREAL Truth about Anandamayi Ma and Paramahansa Yogananda, the Kriya Yoga Master and founder of the Self Realization Fellowship, is a fascinating exploration into the spiritual legacies of these two remarkable figures. Much has been said about Yogananda after his passing, and this video seeks to address various posthumous discussions, offering a nuanced perspective from the vantage point of the Himalayan Kriya Yoga tradition.

Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath, a respected Kriya Yoga master himself, shares his profound personal experiences with Anandamayi Ma, the bliss-permeated mother. Anandamayi Ma is revered for her embodiment of divine joy and spiritual wisdom. In this video, Siddhanath describes his encounters with her, contextualizing them within the Avadhoot Avatar Doctrine. This doctrine is a profound system of spiritual knowledge that aims to delineate the proper spiritual hierarchy among divine beings.

At the summit of this spiritual hierarchy is Mahavatar Babaji, the divine visible-invisible savior. Babaji is recognized as the Mahayogi and Mahaguru, the supreme Yogiraj, who is often referred to as the Nameless One. Despite being beyond all names, Babaji is known by an array of evocative titles. These include the Non-Being Essentiality, the Is-ness of the Zero-Not-Zero, the Eternal Now, Shiv-Goraksha-Babaji, Gorakshanath, Gorakhnath, the Lightning Standing Still, the Lakulish of the Lilac Lagoon, and the Lightless Light which Lights That Light which Lights the Light of All Our Souls, among others.

This video delves into the depths of these titles and what they signify, offering viewers a glimpse into the profound and mystical world of these exalted spiritual figures. It provides a deeper understanding of Mahavatar Babaji’s role in the cosmic order, as well as the spiritual relationships and hierarchies that exist among divine beings. By presenting the insights and experiences of Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath, the video invites viewers to expand their awareness and appreciation of the intricate tapestry of spiritual truths that underpin the teachings of Anandamayi Ma and Paramahansa Yogananda. This exploration not only sheds light on their enduring legacies but also enhances our comprehension of the divine structure that governs the universe.

Support Master Yogiraj Siddhanath’s Worldwide Mission. Buy and download this exact same video for inspiration to play on your computer or mobile device: http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=915830

The Travels of Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath

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Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath Travels to Europe and the USA to Teach World Peace Yoga

Himalayan Master Yogiraj Siddhanath brings a unique message of peace to audiences across the world with Kriya Yoga and a new world tour.

Yogiraj Siddhanath Speaks Peace at the United Nations
Earth Peace through Self Peace
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) June 10, 2015
For generations, many have sought to bring world peace to the planet. While peace has been cultivated in certain geographic regions, a global peace remains elusive. The concept of world peace seems to have become cliché.
Renowned teacher, author, and spiritual leader Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath, however, believes world peace is possible. Yogiraj thinks that it’s simply not pursued in an effective way. Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath has a unique view of world peace and he’s sharing this as a practice with audiences across the world, through his books and this international tour.
The Tour stops in over twelve cities along with three spectacular retreats. The first retreat is along the Pacific Ocean in Carlsbad, the second at the base of Mt Shasta, and the third retreat is in the Catskill Mountains, New York. More information is available on the Siddhanath.org website.
Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath taught the concept of world peace for more than five decades. In fact, peace is the topic on which he established his foundation as a teacher. At the core, his message is and has been one of “Earth peace through Self peace”. An idea that, by yogic breathing, meditation and self-reconciliation, a broader, global sense of camaraderie can be developed, what Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath calls world peace yoga.
Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath has brought this unique doctrine to audiences across the planet. Yogiraj has taught this message of peace at the esteemed United Nations, and at the same time amassed millions of views on his popular YouTube channel. Recently, the master’s views on Earth peace have been compiled and shared in a book, called Babaji: The Lightning Standing Still.
The book is, nominally, a newly revealed study of the ancient figure called Babaji, the progenitor of Yoga. The book includes insights into the ancient practice of kriya yoga given by Babaji, plus, Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath’s instructions on how Earth peace, through inner peace is manifested. It is a far-reaching work that Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath describes as the culmination of his life’s work. Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath is sharing the book with world audiences throughout the summer. The world tour begins in Pune, India, moves from Asia to Europe and then to the United States in July, August and September. The US visit will span from New York to California.
Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath’s visit will include multi-day teaching events and yoga retreats. At all of the tour stops, the author and teacher will expound upon the doctrine of “Earth peace through Self peace.” Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath says that while in the West, Yoga is often viewed as physical postures. In India, Yoga has long been the gateway to profound, inner peace. In his own words, “The alpha and omega of yoga is self realization” – in essence, the most lasting inner peace humanly possible..
For details about Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath’s tour and where to see him in-person, visit his website:https://siddhanath.org/events/ The website also offers books, poetry and videos as well as in-depth information about his life’s mission.

Yogiraj Siddhanath’s Contribution to the World Yogic Treasury

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Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath
  1. SHIVAPAT– Sharing his Enlightened Consciousness of thoughtless awareness resulting in Spiritual Evolution which brings about a Unified Field of Consciousness amongst the people.
  2. SHAKTIPAT – Transmitting center to center in the disciple’s Chakras the Kundalini Energy which burns their negative karmas.
  3. PRANAPAT – Breathing His spiritual Prana (life force) through the breath of the disciples in their spinal cord flushing out all toxins & emotional stress.
  4. HAMSA – The Hamsa means the Swan and symbolizes the Soul. In meditation, Yogiraj has seen the Hamsa Swan symbolized in the lateral ventricles of his brain. These superconscious states of a Yogi  are clearly documented in his film “Wings to Freedom”. He bestows these states on deserving disciples who have practiced Kriya Yoga assiduously.
  5. BABAJI’S MYSTERY UNVEILED –  Yogiraj reveals that Shiva Goraksha, the Supreme Master of Yoga, and the Babaji mentioned in Yogananda’s Autobiography are one and the same person. This is clearly researched in his book “Babaji – The Lightning Standing Still”.