Interviewer:
Pronam, Baba. Tell us, what is special about today?
Speaker:
Today is the 19th of Joishtho. It is the Tirodhan Dibosh (passing anniversary) of the great yogi, Shri Lokenath Brahmachari. We often speak of his appearance and his passing on this day. He was a profound practitioner of austerities, as we have seen through his life's history.
Interviewer:
I would like to know more about his journey with his guru, Bhagwan Das Ganguly, and his childhood friend, Beni Madhav.
Speaker:
Yes, Beni Madhav was his childhood friend. Everyone knows Baba Lokenath; he is worshipped in almost every household. He spent many years—nearly 90 years—practicing austerities in the Himalayas. But interestingly, his journey began at Kalighat.
Interviewer:
Could you elaborate on that?
Speaker:
Baba Lokenath was born on Janmashtami, the same day as Lord Krishna, in the village of Chakla in North 24 Parganas. He was the fourth son of a Brahmin family. By a stroke of luck, he found Bhagwan Das Ganguly as his guru. His childhood friend, Beni Madhav, also took initiation from the same guru after witnessing several supernatural events.
Speaker:
Lokenath's father was Ramnarayan Ghoshal, and his mother was Kamala Devi. At a young age, Lokenath left Chakla for Kalighat with his friend and their guru. At that time, Kalighat was not as it is now; it was a dense jungle, filled with robbers, tantriks, and wild animals like tigers and bears. Bhagwan Das Ganguly took them there to perform specific spiritual practices.
Speaker:
After their time in Kalighat, they traveled to Varanasi (Benaras) to meet Trailanga Swami, who was often called the "Living Shiva." As the guru, Bhagwan Das Ganguly, reached the end of his life, he entrusted Lokenath and Beni Madhav to Trailanga Swami.
Speaker:
Baba Lokenath then traveled extensively—not just across India, but to Afghanistan, China (where he was briefly imprisoned on suspicion), and it is even said he visited Mecca and Medina. During these travels, he met a saint named Abdul Ghaffar, with whom he had many spiritual discussions.
Interviewer:
He lived for 160 years, didn't he? That is incredible for a yogi living among common people.
Speaker:
Yes, 160 years. He had a famous assurance for his followers: "In the forest, in the wilderness, or in the middle of the sea, whenever you are in danger, remember me, and I will protect you."
Speaker:
He identified himself with the Paramatma (Supreme Soul) described in the Bhagavad Gita. He used to say, "I have no end, and I have no birth. I have emerged from the body of the Supreme Soul." Because of this, he could perceive the sorrows and suffering of anyone who came to him. He was known to take the illnesses of his devotees upon his own body to relieve them of their pain. This is a rare quality among saints—to suffer physically for the welfare of the people.
Interviewer:
There is also a famous story involving the saint Bijoy Krishna Goswami, isn't there?
Speaker:
Yes. Bijoy Krishna Goswami was a prominent leader and a former medical student who later followed the path of Sanatana Dharma. There is a record of his meeting with Baba Lokenath.
Speaker:
The story goes that a disciple of Bijoy Krishna Goswami once came to Baba Lokenath in Chakla because his guru was deathly ill. The disciple was desperate. When he reached Baba Lokenath, the Baba acted nonchalant and told him to sit down, eat, and drink some water first. The disciple was furious—his guru was on his deathbed, and this saint was telling him to eat! In his anger, the disciple actually struck Baba Lokenath with a piece of wood.
Speaker:
Baba Lokenath took the blow, and the disciple left in a huff. However, when the disciple returned to his guru, he found Bijoy Krishna Goswami completely healed. The guru asked, "Where were you? Lokenath came here, stroked my head and body, and I am now perfectly fine." The disciple realized his mistake and ran back to Baba Lokenath to beg for forgiveness. Baba Lokenath just smiled and said, "A guru needs a devoted disciple like you."
Interviewer:
What about his time in the Himalayas and his travels to Mecca?
Speaker:
There is a fascinating story from Mecca. He went there with Beni Madhav. They met a great realized soul who lived in a cave. This saint asked them their ages. The saint said, "My age is 3, Lokenath's age is 2, and Beni Madhav's age is 1."
Speaker:
They were confused. The saint explained: "I can remember three of my past lives. Lokenath can remember two, and Beni Madhav can remember one." This was a testament to their spiritual evolution.
Interviewer:
How was he usually seen? What were his physical attributes?
Speaker:
He was a man of extreme self-control. He almost always sat in the Gomukhasana posture. He carried a Kamandalu (water pot) and a Chimta (tongs). He used the tongs for various tasks, like maintaining a sacred fire or making bread during his travels. Unlike many other yogis, he never carried a Trishul (trident). He sat on a tiger skin and was loved by wild animals, who recognized him as an incarnation of Shiva.
Interviewer:
He spent his final years in Barodi, right?
Speaker:
Yes, he spent the latter part of his life in Barodi (now in Bangladesh). He promised his devotees that he would always be there for them. If anyone calls upon him with true devotion and respect, he fulfills their heart's desires. This is a truth experienced by many.
Interviewer:
Thank you, Baba. We learned so many new things about Baba Lokenath today.
Speaker:
You're welcome. There are countless stories, but we have shared the essence of his greatness today. Pronam.
Spiritual Insight
Baba Lokenath Brahmachari stands as one of the most remarkable yogis in Bengali spiritual history—a being who lived 160 years, spent 90 of them in Himalayan austerities, and yet remained accessible to common devotees. Born on Janmashtami in Chakla, his journey took him from the dangerous jungles of Kalighat to the guidance of Trailanga Swami, from the mountains of Afghanistan and China to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. His famous assurance—"In the forest, in the wilderness, or in the middle of the sea, whenever you are in danger, remember me, and I will protect you"—continues to give solace to millions. The story of his intervention to heal Bijoy Krishna Goswami, despite being struck by a desperate disciple, exemplifies his infinite compassion and his ability to take on the sufferings of others. His final years in Barodi became a sanctuary where devotees found living proof that the divine can walk among us.