Customer Reviews

Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga Tradition

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1 star:		(4)

 

 

Marshall Govindan writes with insight and intelligence on the history of the Siddhas. It is, therefore, very difficult to understand the motivation behind some of the scathing reviews on this page - perhaps it is a matter of Govindan having offended the fundamentalist Christian mindset by delving into the topic of immortality; although one wonders why such people would even pick up a book like this one. I would have liked to see more information on Babaji himself, as the current offering is rather sketchy. Nevertheless, the book is well-researched and illuminated by Govindan's gentle style. It is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in following the paths of the Siddhas, particularly the ones who have allegedly transformed the physical body into an immortal vehicle, transcending ageing and death. Govindan also gives us a concise and well-organized overview of Kriya Yoga making this book an excellent introduction to the topic.

This book revels the unlimited potential of human evolution.It shows that the current human development is at its infancy and it is very possible to achieve immortality with the human body.

To prove my point I would like to recommend other inspiring books such as the ''conversations with God series'' by Neale Donald Walsch which clearly states that the human body is designed to exist for eternity. That book also revels that our current physical, spiritual, intellectual and technological development is at its infancy compared to other civilizations in the universe.

There is a striking similarity between these books. M. Govindan has shown that Mahavatar Babaji and the other perfected beings are not myths. In the ''The Complete Conversations with God (Boxed Set)'' series, God has also revealed that a number of human beings had achieved immortality in the physical plane and He made a reference to Babaji as an example!

The main reason that this book as received some negative reviews is because the readers themselves do not believe in their own divinity. Didn't Jesus teach that we are all gods and the kingdom of heaven is within us?

I highly recommend this book for those who wish to improve themselves in their thoughts, words and deeds. This book shows that nothing is impossible to achieve.

I read this book years ago...Having been brought up in Tamil Nadu,with knowledge of Tamil language ,literature and folklore, I can say that this book contains folk-lore stories about the 18 siddhas which most children hear about..there is no historical or factual matter in this...while the siddha tradition of evolving the body through yoga, herbal medicine and other practices exist,the lives of the siddhas given here, as well as that of Agastya are all fictional stories only...Only about Ramalinga Adigal we can say with any confidence since he lived in the 19th century..But he is not one among the 18 siddhas..It is easy to spin stories with a few anecdotes about these siddhas.Ever since'Autobiography of a Yogi' was published by Yogananda, many books have come about telling us about Babaji, only slightly modifying or adding to the account given there....If you want to believe that Babaji and his sister live somewhere in the Himalayas, that he was born as Nagaraja and moved to Sri Lanka and so on,you are free to do so...but the accounts about the 18 suddhas are just folklore accounts in Tamil Nadu!

After having read Autobiography of a Yogi, I felt eager for more information on the ultimate source of this Yoga lineage. While I was interested in taking the Kriya Yoga path I could not do so unless I knew the whole story.

I believe I found it in the book Babaji & the 18 Siddhas. The author not only provides details of the lives and accomplishments of these masters of Yoga. He also grounds their existence into the historical and geographical context of ancient India. It helps us to connect more easily with this little known lineage of Yoga masters.

Finally the book is also very practical in giving us the great lines of the various techniques offered to achieve not only spiritual enlightenment but also physical immortality. Yes the promises seem too good to be true. Yet the author writes in a factual and knowing manner. While it remains for each of us to decide whether this is truth or not,no one who is serious in their search for enlightenment thru the Yoga way should be without this book.

The book, Babaji and the 18 Siddha Tradition, is of the kind that inspires on several levels. It inspires through the wealth of information it provides on some of the great Siddhas and their world vision of love and service. In addition, it includes glorious color prints of Shiva and Murugan and Sri Aurobindo and the 18 Siddhas which are powerful inspirations if one meditates on them. Moreover, I have found that as I have used the book it has become a faithful tool in my sadhana. Due to the Shakti, which must have guided the hand of the author, I am guided to various teachings from the Siddhas whenever I need them. This book is so much more than it appears to be. It is a book which opens us to the possibility of knowing Kriya Babaji and the 18 Siddhas in this world, today.

For me, the most interesting chapters were about Babaji's life story and work. It also talks about the lineage that Babaji comes from.
This is a very informative book. Once you've read Autobiography of a Yogi and have been introduced to Babaji, you will really appreciate reading this book and getting to know more about him.

A brilliant exposition of an Indian tradition: the Siddhantham of the 18 Siddhas of the South of India. One reason for the western ignorance about this Tradition is because the Siddhas wrote in tamil, not in sanskrit. So, there are no translations of the writings and the knowledge of the Siddhas. The book is an erudite work of Marshall Govindan that transmits the love that the author has for this Tradition. He received these teachings from his master, Yogi Ramaiah. This books opens new looks and points of view about Kriya Yoga to the western mind, for those who are ready to understand a bigger picture of the Yoga lore, a picture that includes the past (with the knowledge of the origins of the Yoga tradition) and also the future.
The system of Kriya techniques of this lineage is different of the lineage of Lahiri Mahasaya. I have seen strong changes for better in the lives of people who practice it; it is designed to improve your life in all levels; the Saiva Siddhanta tradition doesn't run away from the world, but uses the gifts of Yoga to improve the society and the world (the Siddhas wrote a lot of works about different matters, including medicine and philosophy). These techniques are wonderful treasures, but only for those who are ready to practice them, they are not for faith fundamentalists looking for controversies, those who always think that there is only one way - their way. Saint Thomas Aquinus defined well the fundamentalist when he said, "I am afraid of the man of only one book!" (Most of the negative reviews here of this book were written by the same person!).
Yoga is an experience, not a faith. The Siddhas themselves were very critics against faiths; they offered the Kriya techniques as a pathway to direct experience. Their message and scientific approach to spirituality are completely alive today!

Contrary to what some may think, this book is well worth its price. In fact, the knowledge it contains is priceless. It describes the quintessence of Kriya Yoga. The author writes brillantly, acedemically, and even passionatly, conveying the hidden nuances of Kriya Yoga. It seems that the readers(in specifics "reader") who have reviewed this book online have treated it most unfairly. Perhaps they(he) lack(s) the maturity to assimilate its pearls of wisdom, and should immediatly commence the practice of Kriya Yoga as outlined in the book! To those of you have who have not yet read the book, and are interested in Yoga at all, it would be a most appropriate place to begin. The remarkable knowledge of the history, and theory of Kriya Yoga are yours within the contents of this book.

I found this enjoyable to read. If what is written is true I do not know. If it is false I do not know. I do know I enjoyed reading this book and felt good while doing so. I also felt a resonation within to the writing in this book. So to me it is good. I would recommend this book based on what I have written above.

This is an awesome book for those interested in the past pillars of what spirituality is on earth. I have been touch by the love of Babaji that no words can say.

Thanks to Mr. Govindan and to his great dedication. The book is clear with nice color pictures and some maps.

This books doesn't teach Truth in anyway, just a historical background.
Very beautiful for all lover of Babaji.