30 September is the birthday of our Sadguru Shri Lahiri Mahasaya. Shyamacharan Lahiri was born on the Dasahara (The day Lord Rama vanquished the demon King Ravana!), 30 September 1828 in the village of Ghurani to Muktakeshi and Gourmohan. The whole village rejoiced at the august arrival of Shyamacharn.

Pundit (a revered title for the learned) Gourmohan, overwhelmed by his wife -Muktakeshi's devotion to Lord Shiva, built a Shiva temple with all pageantry and pomp. Every day, Muktakeshi and Shyamacharan use to visit the temple with offerrings to Lord Shiva. While Muktakeshi offerred lengthy pujas and presented the offerrings to Lord Shiva - young Shyamacharn used to sit in deep meditation for hours outside the temple. One day, after returning from puja, Muktakeshi caught a glimpse of Lord Shiva in quitely meditating Shyamacharn - she immediately knew that Shyamacharn was no ordinary child - but was a part manifestation of Lord Shiva. Although she could'nt comprehend the full impact of this, she became as devoted to Shyamacharn as she was to Lord Shiva.

On one occassion, Muktakeshi and Shyamacharan were completely engrossed in the worship of Lord Shiva in the temple. On hearing the sudden utterance of the word "mother", Muktakeshi opened her eyes to see a very handsome calm sannyasi with colored cloth with locked and matted hair standing near the door. The monk assured her that there was nothing to fear. He then pointed pointed to Shyamacharn and said "This child has been ordained by me to liberate the saints and householders ever simmering in the worldly fires and smitten by the stings of innumerable sufferrings, woes and distress by using the easiest and simplest techniques of self-realisation. In the future, this child while still remaining in the mundane world will be an ideal and highly honored soul and will pave the way for the others to God realisation. Like a shadow, I will be ever watchful of him and through him my grand dream will be brought to fulfillment" Before Muktakeshi could offer her prostration the sannyasi that was no other than the omnipotent and omniscient Shri Babaji Maharaj, vanished.

In 1833, Shyamacharan's mother Muktakeshi passed away and Shyamacharn along with His father and sister moved to the holy land of Kashi. Gaurmohan with his son and daughter stayed there in a rented house for 5 years. Shyamacharan was only 5 at the time. As a child He was humble, calm, quite, serious and detached. He was a great swimmer and grately enjoyed swimming in the swift currents of the Ganga from one ghat to another. Shyamacharn was diligent, and physically strong. He was a leader among his friends and worked with them with a lot of patience and forbearance. The boy Shayamacharn was the epitome of all noble and divine qualities.

At the age of 12, Shyamacharn entered an English school under the Government Sanskrit College and spend 8 years there untill 1848. Among His many talents, Shyamacharn was an accomplished linguist. He spoke 7 languages fluently - Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Bangla, English and French and several dialects.

In 1846 Shyamacharan married Kashimoni Devi  - a devout and pious lady. In 1848, Shyamacharan completed his studies and started working.in 1851. Exactly 10 years from that time He started working - In 1861, Shyamacharan was "posted" to Ranikhet where He received initation into Kirya Yoga from our Paramguru Shi Mahavtar Babaji. While sincerely practicing Kriya Yoga and his worldly duties - Shyamacharn and Kashimoni had 5 children - Tinkori (1863), Dukori (1865), Hari Mati (1868), Hari Kamini (1870) and Hari Mohini (1873). Tincori and Dukori went on to become very accomplished yogis in their own right. Since his initition Lahiri Mahasaya, as He was called now - He initiated countless sincere seekers including Abdul Gafur Khan, Bhagabati Charan Ghosh - Paramahamsa Yoganandajis' father, Sri Yukteshwar Giri - Paramahamsa Yoganandajis' Guru and Sanyal Mahasaya.

During his lifetime, Shri Lahiri Mahasaya authored 26 books including The Gita, Patanjali Yoga and Sutra Linga Purana. Each of his books contain the messages of the Bhagawat Gita, Upnishadas', Vedas and the Puranas in a language simplified for the common man and granted the same respect by scholars and laymen alike.

Shri Guru Lahiri Mahasaya entered Mahasamadhi on 27 September 1895. Several of his close disciples experienced his darashan and received blessings after his passing.

What Lahiri Mahasaya started with the blessing of Mahavatar Sri Guru Babaji, is now carried on by our lineage of Masters - including our current Master - Baba Paramhamsa Prajnananandaji.

Swami Sri Yukteshwarji retold the following 5 sermons of Sri Lahiri Mahasaya - These, I reproduce verbatim:

Shri Lahiri Mahasays life is a shining example of and a testament to the fact that the pursuit of self -realisation is not only the domain of renunciants only. It is for people of all walks of life - you don't have to abandon your life duties to realise immortal bliss. Practicing Kriya with love and devotion will surely ensure your spiritual progress.