Why am I so drawn to Babaji and serve two different paths? I pray to Nityananda and Babaji almost daily, repeat "Om Naha Shivaya," and am still drawn to Babaji for His help with my life.
I offer my work every day, feed the poor, and don’t get paid. I completely changed my lifestyle, eat only healthy foods, and try to control my mind.
—Govinda, United States
Dear Govinda,
How wonderful that you have changed your lifestyle in this devotional way. It will be your blessing.
There is no problem at all in praying to both Nityananda and Babaji. To understand why, we need to understand who Mahavatar Babaji is.
Babaji is far too great to be limited to only one path. He is rather like the sun of Spirit, shining his light on every seeking soul. He is a world-Guru, for everyone, and even more: for all times to come.
“Babaji has been chosen by God to remain in his body for the duration of this particular world cycle. Ages shall come and go–still the deathless master, beholding the drama of the centuries, shall be present on this stage terrestrial.”
(This and all other quotes are from Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi.)
Babaji is “a divinely appointed medium of supernatural blessings on the world.” His blessings, in other words, are not limited to some devotees, but are for the entire world… which of course includes you.
“Babaji’s mission in India has been to assist prophets in carrying out their special dispensations. He thus qualifies for the scriptural classification of Mahavatar (Great Avatar).” This passage too shows how how Babaji’s work is far greater than any one single path. He is guiding various saints who come from different traditions and religions.
Mahavatar Babaji also is “in constant communion with Christ,” with whom he works together for our world’s evolution. Christians too, then, can pray to him, receiving great inner benefit and help.
“He has stated that he gave yoga initiation to Shankara, ancient founder of the Swami Order, and to Kabir, famous medieval [Muslim] saint.” So all Swamis, and also Muslims, could ask for his blessings, and receive his grace.
Also all Krishna devotees can pray to him, as Babaji has stated (according to Durga Mata and Swami Kriyananda) that he was Krishna in his former life. Yogananda therefore usually prayed to “Babaji-Krishna”.
In short, everyone, of every path, can devotionally pray to Babaji and receive his divine abundance, taking advantage of this extraordinary promise: “Whenever anyone utters with reverence the name of Babaji, that devotee attracts an instant spiritual blessing.”
So keep praying to him, let yourself be ever more attracted to him, repeating his name sincerely — Om Babaji, Om Babaji.
You might also consider a pilgrimage to Badrinath, which is where Babaji resides even to this day, hidden usually, even though various yogis there are in contact with him.
In divine friendship,
Jai Babaji,
Jayadev
