Agaram Bagaram Baba: Life, Teachings, and Parables -- A Spiritual Biography of Baba Prakashananda [Paperback]

Brian Foster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 1999

Agaram Bagaram is an indefinable word Swam Prakshananda used to describe himself, meaning hodgepodge, down to earth and humorously self-effacing. Nevertheless, he was regarded as jnani, a self-realized being acknowledged by both seekers and saints. This small book consists of a short biography of Swami Prakashananda (58 pages) plus a lot of parables he told as his way to answer to requests of his pupil.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The delightful, personal narrative and the well chosen use of Prakashananda’s love and wisdom stories bring to us the essence of the Prakashananda experience. It is an experience and awareness worth knowing and treasuring."
—Gabriel Cousens, M.D.

About the Author

Titus Foster was born in Vienna and was educated in Poland, South Africa, and Englad. In 1976, he met Swami Prakashananda near Bombay, India. Titus lived in his close company for eight years as a disciple. Profoundly affected by his contact with Swamiji, Titus noted down various incidents, anecdotes, and teachings, which later became this book. He now lives in Sussex, England with his wife and two children and practices acupuncture and complementary medicine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (June 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556432879
• ISBN-13: 978-1556432873
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,819,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Swami, June 29, 2000

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A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Agaram Bagaram Baba: Life, Teachings, and Parables -- A Spiritual Biography of Baba Prakashananda (Paperback)

This small book consists of a short biography of Swami Prakashananda (58 pages) plus a lot of parables he told as his way to answer to requests of his pupils. This Swami seems to have had a very "rich" life. Lot's of travels and deep spiritual insights. One would really like to know more about him, but since he was not in the limelight, nearly nothing has remained about his pilgrimages. Nevertheless, it shows one, that there are great souls out there, even if nearly unknown. In the later part of his life he was a pupil of Swami Muktananda, and one learns here, that Muktananda would have liked Prakashananda to become his successor, Prakashananda declined, and therefore Chidvilasanda and Nityananda have been choosen. As we know from other sources, Nityanda left the "position", so nowadays one hears only about Chidvilasananda, when it comes to SYDA Yoga. But Swami Prakashananda was a man of his own and basically a Shakta in his Temple Sapta Shring. The book is short, but touching and worth reading. The author lived with the Swami for eight years and tells the story without bringing himself into it, which is quite an achievement. Thank you Titus:-)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Titus has done the world the greatest service, July 12, 2001

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"gilly-gilly" (Ny, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Agaram Bagaram Baba: Life, Teachings, and Parables -- A Spiritual Biography of Baba Prakashananda (Paperback)

Titus Foster a long-time devotee of Swami Prakashananda has done the world(All of us) the greatest service. He has brought to the world the wisdom and stories of one of the most loving compasssionate souls to ever walk this earth. In a world colored by hatred and prejudices of every kind. This man didnt live for name or fame or power.As he said,"I came for Love and Knowledge and service to humanity"- and he got it! After Muktanandas death, Baba took on the task of helping many of Muktanandas orphaned children continue their spiritual destiny under his compassionate wing. Being part of a large group of devotees around Muktananda, I had always wished for the close contact and training of a great being. In Prakashananda I found a simple loving presence of great light and over-whelming spiritual beauty.I had the Opportunity to live with Prakashananda and Titus off and own for years. It is of great importance that the genuine article is now available for everyone and my only wish is that Babaji now to enjoy the "Name and fame" that he ironically so deeply deserves in service to humanity.Thankyou Harihar!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exraordinary soul, extraordinary living memories!, August 6, 2008

By 

Robert C. Kirk - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Agaram Bagaram Baba: Life, Teachings, and Parables -- A Spiritual Biography of Baba Prakashananda (Paperback)

It was a great pleasure to read this book about such a splendid spiritual Master. I had the great fortune of being in Prakashananda Baba's presence during my years with Swami Muktananda. I thank Titus Foster for awakening many submerged memories of Prakashananda Baba. He and Muktananda were the closest of friends. When such a relationship exists between such beings, the notion of Guru-Disciple intertwines into oneness. I was there when Baba spoke about his desires for Prakashananda Baba concerning SYDA lineage. It was at a time when Baba Muktananda was worried about his health and wasn't sure he would complete his work. He told us that if anything happens to Him, we should go to Prakashananda Baba. Swami Muktananda was well aware of Prakashananda's aloofness concerning the structure of school walls. They were simply the best of friends. Baba Muktananda said to me that successorship just doesn't happen the way people imagine. Prakashananda is the successor of Siddhahood. Everyone involved in SYDA, Shanti Mandir and all other offsprings of Bhagawan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri will find a veritable river of Grace from this book. Thank you for your seva, Titus!