Viewing this gallery reminded me of a heartwarming story my father has often shared about an experience of Bade Baba’s
darshan. Many years ago, his job transferred him to a remote village far from our hometown. He made this move alone in order to spare our family from disruption.
While there, he prayed to Bade Baba to help him with his feelings of loneliness and sadness at the lack of a local Siddha Yoga meditation center. That same day, during his morning
japa walk around the village after meditation, he noticed a crowd gathered around a small tea stall. Intrigued, he approached and asked why so many people were gathered there.
To his astonishment, the young stall owner explained that he had been given a photo of an unknown saint that was drawing many people to visit and pay their respects. My father was overjoyed to see that the photo was of his beloved Bhagwan Nityananda. With tears of love and gratitude, my father realized that Bade Baba was always with him, no matter where he was.
Thane West, India
I woke up one morning with a painful health condition. The doctors could not find the cause for it, and they were concerned. I prayed to Bade Baba. In my prayer, I felt guided to recite
Shri Guru Gita, and I did.
The next morning the pain was gone. The doctors who saw me again were in shock, for the threat had disappeared! “What did you do?” they asked. I just smiled. When I went to the reception to ask about the bill, I was told, “No charge!”
I ran down the hall to the exit, chanting
Om Namo Bhagavate Nityanandaya in gratitude and joy.
Florida, United States
Last year my daughter and grandson moved to a faraway country. My grandson was feeling very lonely, and I was worried about his situation.
I decided to write a letter to Bhagavan Nityananda and put it on my
puja. I asked Bade Baba to help my grandson through his loneliness and to help him make friends.
A few weeks later my grandson met a young person his age. She invited him to meet up at a park with some of her local friends. The meeting was on July 24, the day of Bade Baba’s lunar
punyatithi! When my daughter told me about these events, I remembered my letter to Bade Baba and felt touched by the Guru’s love.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A few days ago, I had a dream in which I saw Bade Baba's radiant face very close to my right ear. He said to me, "Do not be so critical toward yourself."
Since receiving this gift of Bade Baba's guidance, I have been applying his words to my heart—like a sacred balm—when I find I am judging myself harshly.
Milan, Italy
The meaning of Bade Baba’s name—Nityananda, eternal bliss—reminds me that his pure manifestation of the bliss of Consciousness is everlasting. Receiving his
darshan always draws my awareness toward my heart, and I feel his generosity leading me into an intimate relationship with God. It keeps me moving forward on the path of
sadhana.
Rodez, France
Many years ago I was invited to offer
seva in the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple at Shree Muktananda Ashram. Prior to that, I had not had much experience of Bade Baba’s
darshan. As we proceeded to bathe, anoint, and dress the
murti, I felt a gentle stillness fill me. When I and the person training me stepped back to gaze at Bade Baba, I turned to her and said in amazement, “My mind is so still. I have no thoughts—just silence and stillness.” “Yes,” she said. “That is Bade Baba.” For thirty-five years I offered that sweet
seva. He has remained with me always.
Oregon, United States
As I viewed the pictures in this gallery, I recalled my first Siddha Yoga
Shaktipat Intensive. In one of the meditations, I saw Bade Baba in my mind’s eye, stepping out of his portrait that was hung over the Guru's seat.
As Gurumayi recommends in the words quoted next to Image 30, I often focus on Bade Baba in meditation and experience his presence and his radiant form or face. Recently during meditation I saw Bade Baba, made of beautiful blue light, with hands raised in the
mudra of blessing.
I trust that everything is in Bhagavan Nityananda's hands; in my experience, he is always near me. I am ever grateful to this great Siddha's guiding grace.
Pennsylvania, United State
I am very grateful for these beautiful images of Bade Baba and his teachings. Bade Baba has been a big source of love and support for me in my
sadhana. He is ever present when I pray to him. I have a room in my home dedicated to him and it’s where I go to feel his comforting presence.
I have had experiences when he would hold me as I was going through pain, whether physical or emotional. I felt that he supported me through those times and then freed me of that karma. Sometimes I felt that he gazed into my eyes from his pictures, and it felt like
darshan with Gurumayi in person.
He has brought me so much peace and love. I feel so blessed to have known about him in this lifetime, and so grateful for his ongoing presence.
Washington, United States
After my morning meditation, I have been bathing in the teachings on the Siddha Yoga path website. This is like taking my morning shower—I feel pure, refreshed, and energized, and I am ready to begin my day with a renewed outlook. I feel I have God’s presence to guide me, and I see God’s divine hand in everything.
This fills me with tremendous gratitude for the Siddha Yoga path website.
Florida, United States
I have always loved looking at the photos of Bade Baba with children. It’s so clear to me how much he loved children. Today I realized that during the time of Bade Baba’s life, I was a young child. Now when I see these photos, I picture myself as a little child with Bade Baba. I feel protected and loved.
Maryland, United States
I am grateful to Bade Baba for these great teachings and for showering his blessings upon me and giving me inner strength. I feel as though his eyes speak to me and his presence is always around me.
Nashik, India
As I view this gallery, I recall everyone gathering at Guru Chowk in Gurudev Siddha Peeth to chant the evening
Shiva Arati to Bade Baba. Chanting in this sacred place was so mystical and serene.
I feel that Bade Baba is my spiritual grandfather, and that his protection is always with me. I am so thankful for his benevolence.
West Vancouver, Canada
Two months ago at the local Siddha Yoga Center, we performed the
abhishek ritual worship to our beloved Bade Baba.
Some nights before the
abhishek, I had a dream in which Gurumayi asked me to arrange the
abhishek. When I started to prepare, I found out that my pitcher was empty. I then started walking on a narrow path surrounded by high and beautiful mountains, with plenty of water coming from the many streams and pure, white waterfalls. To my amazement, suddenly all the waters of all the mountains entered my little pitcher all at once. I thought, “They are eager to serve Bade Baba by giving him his ritual bath.”
At that point I awoke with a new awareness: all of nature contributes to the
abhishek of a great being like Bade Baba. I understood how divine he is and how fortunate we are just to be in his presence, and to receive back the blessed waters as
prasad for the benefit of all.
Milan, Italy
Bade Baba feels like a spiritual father whose energy and promise of protection are woven into my very being. I’ve often experienced Bade Baba coming into my meditation, his compassionate love holding me steady, and taking me through visions and insights that help me understand the bigger meaning of key life events.
He’s shown me that events I once experienced as painful were actually critical turning points that ushered in tremendous blessings—personal, spiritual, and material. After he reveals these understandings, we merge into fields of blue bliss, galaxies of stars that radiate pure ecstasy.
The gifts of insight and ecstasy I’ve received from Bade Baba have taught me that everything is perfect and is always unfolding perfectly. I bow with great love and gratitude to Bhagavan Nityananda, who guided me to Shri Gurumayi and whose grace is my anchor.
Illinois, United States
When I read Gurumayi’s quote, next to the first image, that Bade Baba “is totally immovable,” I was reminded that the Guru's grace and
shakti are always guiding me. I also recalled a vision I had had years before of Bade Baba sitting, immovable, on his pedestal in the Temple, bestowing blessings timelessly.
Yesterday, I was experiencing some physical difficulty and low energy. I remembered Gurumayi telling her dream and so I went for the Evening Arati to the Bade Baba Temple in the local Center. With effort, I chanted the Arati and meditated for half an hour. Today, I woke up feeling much better physically than I have in many days. I felt and feel renewed, and can see this renewed strength and enthusiasm shining forth.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for always being present in my life, sharing your love, giving me hope, strength, and freedom, and taking me ever closer to God through your grace and teachings. Thank you to Bade Baba and Baba for bestowing blessings continuously.
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
In 1993 I was staying at Shree Muktananda Ashram, and since I am Italian, I was given the
seva of guiding visitors to the Ashram from Italy, into Bade Baba’s Temple. Two days later I guided the visitors into the Temple and gave a short introduction. Then we pranamed, chanted Om Namo Bhagavate Nityanandaya, and sat for meditation for ten minutes.
The moment I closed my eyes I suddenly found myself somewhere else. It was dark, and looking around, it was like being inside a cave with some light at the bottom. Walking backward was a great being I recognized as Bade Baba. He stopped walking, turned his head towards me—sending balls of blue light, one after the other. It was so beautiful! Then the meditation was over, and the Temple tour ended.
I love Bade Baba! I always remember his divine
darshan.
Rome, Italy
On the morning of August 6, I spent some time looking at the beautiful blue picture of Bade Baba reclining in image 11. At the end of the day, when I tried to go to sleep, I could not relax. Then I began to breathe deeply and imagine my whole system relaxing with the
prana flowing through it. Right from the beginning of this practice, I felt intensely aware of Bade Baba's body as though it were my body. The inner vision of this fusion with Bade Baba was bathed in blue, just as in the photograph that morning. I was filled with a calming, ecstatic energy that relaxed me so much that I wanted to continue for many more minutes than I usually would.
I woke the next morning feeling energized. I hadn't even asked for anything, and yet Bade Baba blessed me with this wonderful experience. I am so grateful for the kindness and compassion of Shri Guru.
London, United Kingdom
When I look at photographs of Bade Baba, I feel his supreme power. To join his state of quietness wherever I am, I have to dive deeply into my heart, beneath the waves of the external world. When I do my daily activities with the awareness of the breath and the mantra, a sweet inner vibration takes place. The
prana shakti nourishes my mind and body; I feel calm and free.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for teaching us the benevolent wisdom of the Siddha Masters.
Rodez, France
This gallery triggered a flood of memories in me. I recall first coming before Bade Baba's chair with the arm extensions at his home in the little town of Ganeshpuri. Baba Muktananda had just taken
mahasamadhi. Feeling bereft at Baba's recent passing, I sat with eyes closed before Bade Baba's chair.
A brilliant sapphire, the Blue Pearl, descended and hung before my inner eye for a long while. I was comforted as it drew me deeper and deeper within to a place of utter stillness and perfection. Thereafter, whenever the Blue Pearl has appeared to me, I recognize it as Bade Baba's
darshan and allow it to lead me home to that place of peace.
Washington, USA
As I move through these images of our beloved Bade Baba, stillness arises in me, and a calm; even more than a feeling of peace, it's a state of oneness I recognize.
My very first experience of meditation, and of that stillness, was in Bade Baba's Temple. It's a place I can return to within myself.
As I read about Baba's experience of his Guru, and Gurumayi's teachings about him, their words pull me deeper inside. How blessed we are to receive this wisdom and Bade Baba's
darshan!
New York, USA
When I focus on the photos of Bhagavan Nityananda, the mantra arises spontaneously within my being. I can feel his abundant blessings. Having his
darshan, I experience silence and wisdom.
I’m grateful for such a divine
darshan.
Amrawati, India
Deep down I feel utterly connected with Bhagavan Nityananda. Through these photos I feel I am visiting Bade Baba’s Ashram in Ganeshpuri, India. A strong yearning wells up, as if I had deep memories of being in his presence. I feel his state is the essence of the Truth, and for me, he is the doorway to the most profound love.
California, USA
With all our love, we celebrated the Punyatithi of Bhagavan Nityananda in the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Mexico City. After receiving Bade Baba’s
darshan, the mantra
Om Namah Shivaya arose spontaneously. I felt it move up from my belly to my head. My mind was not repeating the mantra, only my body!
Thank you, Gurumayi. Thank you, Baba. Thank you, Bhagavan. Thank you for your infinite grace in our lives. I love all of you very much, with all my heart.
Mexico City, Mexico