Kriya Yoga [Paperback]

Sri Sailendra Bejoy Dasgupta (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 2006

For ages and ages Kriya had been the preserve of ascetics and saints who normally lived away from human society. The system was so highly esteemed and possibility of attainments by devotedly adopting it that the early masters thought only a very select and deserving few should be initiated into it lest the system was wrongly practiced and applied for earthly gains or lest the price-less technique was in any way tampered with or misinterpreted. Many sound religious and spiritual teachings have been found to have been turned into unwelcome banal and vulgar features and decayed in the long history of India’s spiritual efforts due to indiscriminate broadcasting of the teachings. The rigid attitude of the early Gurus of Kriya Yoga, even if it appears uncalled for and narrow today, saved the system from getting tarnished, debased and deviated from like many other valuable spiritual teachings.

The above barrier was, however, breached with the advent of Shyama Charan Lahiri on the scene, towards the middle of the last century, in 1861 to be specific. It was Lahiri Mahasaya’s large-hearted kindness and unbounded loving consideration for his fellow worldly men and women that wrought the miracle. His ardent prayers to his Guru ultimately softened the Guru and “the ice” was melted. He was allowed by his god-man Guru to initiate deserving and devotedly desiring persons, even a householder, into the secrets of Kriya. Thus it was Shyama Charan who became the fountain source of Kriya that spread gradually throughout the country and abroad. Kriya performers would always remember the ever-kind Lahiri Mahasaya for his munificence in this respect and worship his memory in their heart of hearts.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"For ages and ages Kriya had been the preserve of ascetics and saints who normally lived away from human society. The system was so highly esteemed and possibility of attainments by devotedly adopting it that the early masters thought only a very select and deserving few should be initiated into it lest the system was wrongly practiced and applied for earthly gains or lest the price-less technique was in any way tampered with or misinterpreted. Many sound religious and spiritual teachings have been found to have been turned into unwelcome banal and vulgar features and decayed in the long history of India's spiritual efforts due to indiscriminate broadcasting of the teachings. The rigid attitude of the early Gurus of Kriya Yoga, even if it appears uncalled for and narrow today, saved the system from getting tarnished, debased and deviated from like many other valuable spiritual teachings.

The above barrier was, however, breached with the advent of Shyama Charan Lahiri on the scene, towards the middle of the last century, in 1861 to be specific. It was Lahiri Mahasaya's large-hearted kindness and unbounded loving consideration for his fellow worldly men and women that wrought the miracle. His ardent prayers to his Guru ultimately softened the Guru and "the ice" was melted. He was allowed by his god-man Guru to initiate deserving and devotedly desiring persons, even a householder, into the secrets of Kriya. Thus it was Shyama Charan who became the fountain source of Kriya that spread gradually throughout the country and abroad. Kriya performers would always remember the ever-kind Lahiri Mahasaya for his munificence in this respect and worship his memory in their heart of hearts."

About the Author

The Author is a direct disciple of Swami Sri Yukteshvar. He also came in intimate contact with several other direct disciples of Yogiraj Shyama Charan Lahiri. He was a student of the Ranchi Brahmacharya Vidyalaya established by Paramhansa Yogananda.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (June 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595403476
• ISBN-13: 978-0595403479
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,102,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for all Kriyabans, November 30, 2006

By 

Siva Balan "Cosmic Consciousness" (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kriya Yoga (Hardcover)

"Kriya Yoga" is a book written by Sri Sailendra Bejoy Dasgupta, who is a disciple of Sri Yukteshwar. It is translated by Kashi, who is a disciple of Sailendra.

This book discusses similarities of the teachings of Jesus and Hindu spiritual scriptures. It gives the reader further insight on the true meaning and practice of Kriya Yoga. A reader who is well versed in Yogananda's teachings would find this book immensely helpful. For example, the reader would be able to judge for himself/herself that the true practice of Kriya Yoga is actually more intense than Yogananda's version.

It explains the reason why Swami Yogananda had to "dilute" his teachings to make the practice of Kriya Yoga more appealing to the West. If similar standards are used for the West, very few people (with absolutely no disrespect) would be able to follow them completely.

It also gives a detailed explanation in favour of Sri Yukteshwar's calculation of the Yugas and supports the Swami's theories with detailed explanation. This analysis does not deviate from the main theme of the book. Instead, it acts as a complement to this sacred science of Kriya Yoga.

In conclusion, this book is a must read for Self-Realization Fellowship members and followers of Swami Yogananda. This would definitely increase their understanding of the value in the practice of this ancient science.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, July 22, 2011

By 

Jaime Vendera "Producer of Kindle books for 7... (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kriya Yoga (Kindle Edition)

In my twenties, I loved to read the writings of the Self Realization Fellowship organization started by Paramahansa Yogananda. But I never got far along enough in the teachings to study Kriya Yoga. Since that time, I have looked for years to find a manual to explain the concepts. I was very happy to find this book and well pleased with the contents. I just wish I would have found it years ago.

8 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars KRIYA YOGA BACKGROUND, March 3, 2009

By 

RICHARD K. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kriya Yoga (Paperback)

THIS IS REALLY A BOOK FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS SOME DEEPER YOGA BACKGROUND. BUT
IT STILL LEAVES OUT THE BIG KEY TO KRIYA YOGA. IF YOU READ PARAMAHANSA'S
BOOKS HE ALWAYS LEAVES OUT WHATEVER MANTRAS OR PRECISE INSTRUCTIONS ARE USED IN KRIYA YOGA. THEY SAY ITS BECAUSE THE "GURU" IS THE ONLY WHO CAN DEVULGE THE SECRETS. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE "SECRET" FOR YEARS WITHOUT BECOMING A DISCIPLE, AND THEY HAVEN'T BUDGED. I HAVE A FEELING THE "SECRET" WILL DIE WITH THESE LAST "GURU'S" AND LAHIRI MAHASAYA'S GOAL
OF BRINGING IT TO THE COMMON MAN WILL DIE TOO.
HAVING SAID THAT IT DOES OFFER SOME INTERESTING COMMENTARIES FROM SRI YUKTISWAR AND HIS GURU FOR THE ADVANCED SEEKER. MY BACKGROUND WAS KUNDALINI YOGA FROM YOGI BHAJAN BACK IN THE EARLY SEVENTIES AND HE DID NOT BELIEVE IN KEEPING SECRETS.