“Surely this must be the cave itself! It matches every description given in Autobiography of a Yogi.” We were listening, enthralled, to a remarkable tale of the search for Babaji’s cave, the existence of which was revealed to the world by Paramhansa Yogananda in that book.
It was Indu Bhan, one of Swami Kriyananda’s dearest friends in India, who told us the story. Indu, his mother Rani, and two companions, having read about Babaji’s cave, set off hoping to find it, or, more properly, to find Babaji himself. After arriving at Ranikhet, the nearest town, they asked if anyone knew the location of this cave on Drongiri Mountain. One inquiry led to the next, and the next, until after a week they found someone able to draw them a crude map. As they were preparing to leave, however, Indu was warned not to go to the region because two man-eating lions were terrorizing the area.
Ananda pilgrims visiting Babaji’s cave.
He reported this to Rani, who with the ancient wisdom of Indian mothers said, “You are still young and have your life ahead of you. I can understand why you are afraid. I, on the other hand, am old and don’t fear death. I will go alone.” So, of course, the entire party set off the next day.
As soon as they left, a man with a rifle appeared, and then a second one, asking if they could accompany them for their protection. When they came to a rushing stream, a huge fellow suddenly appeared on the other side and built a bridge of stones allowing them to cross safely. Aided step-by-step on their long and difficult journey, they finally found the cave. But, unfortunately, Babaji was not there.
Then they were told that a very holy man lived in an even higher and more remote spot, so they set off in great hopes. As they arrived at his little hut, he greeted them saying, “I am not the Babaji you are seeking.” After reciting details of their journey, he answered many unasked questions. As evening approached, they became anxious, but he said, “You can’t leave without taking food. Don’t worry about wild animals. You will be safe.” He then proceeded to feed six people out of a pot hardly bigger than one’s fist. They heard later that he had recently fed 140 men from this same pot.
They retraced their steps back down the mountainside. As they left Ranikhet by train to return to New Delhi, Rani looked out the window and saw Babaji on the platform of the station silently blessing them. Since she alone could see him, she mentally said, “I won’t believe it is you unless I see you again at the next station (several miles away). As they came to the next platform, there again was the holy Babaji.
Upon arriving home they sent maps back to devotees in America of the route to the cave. It is because of these early explorers that many pilgrims today make their way to this remote cave, surely one of the most sacred spots on earth.
In the search for the Divine,
Nayaswami Jyotish
24 Comments
It is really a great joy to hear this incidence, only the blessed once get darshan of Great Guru BABAJI. ITIS SAID THAT SPECIAL GRACE IS NOT FOR THOSE WHO DESERVE IT BUT THOSE WHOM HE CHOOSES.Every body sustains grace the sun that shines ,rain that appeases thirst fragrance of flower.birds singing,stars that appears sight.Blessed are those who have glimpse of Mahaavatar BABAJI.JAI GURU YOGANANDA.JAI SWAMIJI.
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish, Thank you for the article.
We are thankful to the great souls Indu bhan Ji and his family for finding the route to the great masters cave.
Looking forward to take the blessings on the cave tour.
Aum… Prem
Thank you, Jyotish for sharing this beautiful story. I have long wondered how his cave was found. I hope one day to see it or better still, to see Babaji himself, with my own eyes.
Blessings to you, Devi and to all our Gurubhais in India!
Jayanti
Thank you, dear Jyotish, for sharing this beautiful story with us. And thank you to the great souls who were blessed to find the cave and share the story! I hope one day to see the cave with my own eyes…or better still, to see Mahavatar Babaji with my own eyes. With his blessing, may it be so.
Blessings to you and to all our Gurubhais in India.
Jayanti
Thank you dears, for this inspiring story. I appreciate his cave all the more now, that it was not just found through speculation, but from divine guidance. Can’t wait to go back there again, and maybe see Babaji for myself, like Rani.
Mary
Very inspiring.
But, sorry Jyotish, can’t resist. Poor Babaji, driven from his cave by the tourist trade.
Oh, well, I reckon he’s there in the off-season and invisibly whenever he wants to bless the turistas.
God speed your travels and inspire you to help many.
In Joy,
Rambhakta
Profoundly inspiring and deeply moving. Thank you.
Jai Babaji. All these journey and the story of the journey are his radiance. He only made me know about him through his be loved swami Shankarananda maharaj my guru. Jai Gurudev.
I am lucky that in this life I visited Baba ji Cave in 2007 and had a chance to meditate there.
Surinder
Oh this was such a surprise to read this story on fb that I have heard from indumamu from childhood …I am Rani bhans granddaughter arti and have had the good fortune of being brought up by her….thank you ….
How wonderful to hear from you, Arti. I fondly remember meeting you. I hope that I’ve gotten the details of the story right having only heard it recently from Induji.
Thank you very much Jyotish
The Lord Babaji is the father of Mother Earth. The Lord Babaji is one of the six Adepts who fought the battle of Operation Kamalight on behalf of Earth people. He is foreve blessed.
Thanx Jyotish bhaii for sharing wonderful info. More details would have been beneficil to people who wish to visit but can’t afford for some reason or other. I’m 78+ waiting for darshan of Babaji maharaaj as n when HE calls me. One Q remains — ” who was the old ” Holy man” whom ur party of six met n recd food frm His hand. How the ‘pot’ looked like!!!??? Pl write abt it. Thanx, I’m a KYogi at M’bai.
I visited this cave in 2010 along with my family. Govt has sealed the cave, you can see the entree but everything else s blocked. Still it was great experience to sit in front and meditate.
Somehow we got to locate the place which is few Kms from Dwarhat in Uttrakhand. From road it’s around 3-4 Kms of walk(hilly terrain), without much of road or path indicators. While walking there we always got some help when we strayed away from path, though area is not populated. We were with kids without any protection(later got to know of wild animals in that region) but everything went well. While walking to cave, we all were very thirsty. We forgot to pick water bottles and you won’t get any drinkable water in that area. Kids were cribbing about being thirsty but we continued in hope of reaching there. We thought that we might get water also near the cave. Absence of path makes the way tough and slippery at places. Ultimately we reached there, after reaching there, all of us lost our thirst of water…. Off course there was no place to get drinkable water. Even kids became cheerful….. We sat there meditated for some time and then returned…..
I had many opportunities visiting Babaji’s cave throughout my spiritual sojourn. It was during samadhi meditation that he would summon me and I would arrive in my astral body. I intuitively knew he wanted me to step into the scared fire of purity which I did without hesitation. I would burn away to ash. Suddenly I would rise out of the ash with a new body–purified to continue on with my spiritual sojourn to God. Paramahansa Yogananda and Mahavatar Babaji have led me to God which I am eternally thankful for. It was in 1973 when I first began studying the Autobiography of a Yogi. I saw a poster of Guru. His eyes lite up and a white light energy struck my heart chakra sending me into samadhi. I didn’t know it was samadhi at that moment. I was uplifted spiritually like never before. I was in bliss. I felt as if I was floating up the staircase. I was in graduate school at the time. I then proceeded to the book store and found one book on the bottom shelf under psychology textbooks–the Autobiography of a Yogi. I was practicing the Kriya yoga twice to four times daily since 1985. Master and Babaji led me to God! There I bask daily in the nectar of unconditional love and light forever blessed in God. Thank you my great Gurus!
Dear Jyotish, Thank you so much for this inspiring story….almost like being there! You and Devi are in my thoughts and prayers as you continue your travels and visits with so many truthseekers. May Babaji sustain you in everything there! Blessings and love to you!
Dear Jyotish,
I am inspired by what you wrote about Ms. Rani Bhan of whom I have fond memories, my Father Sh. Jawahar Lal Seth was a regular visitor to her home in Delhi. I attended her daughters marriage celebrated in typical Kashmiri style.
I was too young but often accompanied him and listened to their discussions. (Rani & Father’s)
I am following the path shown by Mata Bhramjyoti Ji( Bhrigu Ashram, Haridwar). It was told that Lord Vishnu first time taught Kriya Yoga to Mahrishi Bhrigu Ji.
Mata Ji follows and worship Mahrishi Bhrigu Ji, so do we, her followers. I always sat behind her and listened to her. I had a chance to go inside her place of Sleep where I found a Picture of Baba Ji on her pillow side. I asked her who is he ? I had seen that picture in father’s personal Mandir.
I was stunned to have a vivid description of Mahaavtar Baba from her mouth. She first met her in 1950 at Ranikhet. She was doing meditation in a field and saw Baba Ji coming down from Sky. A Young, thin man of six ft height having bluish tone on his skin with an adbhut Tej on his forehead.
Baba ordered her to recite Gayatri for 1.25 lakh count. She innocently asked how she will count. he assured her that she will automatically come to know when it would be over. He furthered asked her to do Havan after this Gayatri Japa. Which she sincerely did.
From that day Baba visits her frequently.
Spiritual seekers from different part of country, not known to us visit her ashram saying that somebody in their meditation/ dreams have asked them to meet her.
In a similar context a seeker young man from California visited her in December 2008, wherein she inquisitively asked how he does KRIYA, which he declined saying , he is not authorized by his Guru.
Suddenly Yukteshwar Giri ji materialised in the ashram and blessed the people sitting with her and permitted this young man to teach the practice of Kriya to her.
Similar i have plenty of sweet memories of Kriya, Baba Ji, Lahiri Mahashya and instances these great Gurus have guided.
I will love to meet Indu Bahen and Aarti. Kindly let me know their address. I am available at 91-9422501179
Regards and seek fragrance of Lotus feet of Baba Ji.
Thank you Jyotish! Truly inspiring!
I sat here for a long time reading so many beautiful accounts of Babaji. Thank you, Jyotish, for writing this inspiring story AND to ALL who commented. I feel truly blessed and energized by reading AND by Babaji’s grace. Jai, Babaji!
That was very inspiring. Wonder whether I could ever be worthy enough to see Babaji!
ALOHA—-BABAJI’S PRESENCE HAS HAD MY ATTENTION FOR MANY DACADES, AND THROUGH A BOOK, “BABAJI AND THE 18 SIDDA YOGIS”—-I HAVE A KNOWING OF THE GREATNESS OF THIS SOUL’S EARTHLY PRESENCE, FOR WHICH I AM THANKFUL; I’M SURE WE WILL BE TOGETHER SOME TIME….FOR WHICH I AM SO THANKFUL…MAHALO…
pl. inform me available address for getting book babaji n sidda yogi. i am keen to read.
Yes absolutely jyotish….I narrated it to him and he was happy to see it documented ….thank you and blessings to all at ananda …
Thanks fot the Article Ji
Eagerly looking to visit Babaji cave on 8th Nov along with you Acharyas, indeed a Great Blessings. And ever Greatful to Ananda Sanga and Nayaswami Dharmarajan & Dharmini to make this to hapend.
With Gratitude
R Sundararajan