Lokenath Brahmachari

Lokenath Brahmachari লোকনাথ ব্রহ্মচারী
Born	Lokenath Ghoshal 31 August 1730[1][2] Kachua Dham, Basirhat, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India
Died	3 June 1890 (aged 160)[2][3] Barodi, Dhaka, Bengal, British India
Nationality	Indian
Guru	Bhagwan Ganguly[3]
Philosophy	Jnana, Karma, Bhakti, Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali, Hatha Yoga[3]
Quotation	Whenever you are in danger, – whether in the middle of the ocean, or in the midst of the battlefield, or in the deepest jungle – think of me and I will deliver you to safety.

Lokenath Brahmachari (Bengali: লোকনাথ ব্রহ্মচারী; reportedly^{[nb 1]} 31 August 1730 – 3 June 1890), who is called Baba Lokenath or simply Sri Lokenath, was an Indian saint, yogi and mystic during 18th-century based in Bengal.

Birth

No documented evidence exists about the date of birth of Lokenath. Disciples believe he was born on or about 31 August 1730 (according to the Nepali calendar 18th Bhadra, 1137) on the holy day of Krishna Janmashtami in Kachua Dham (in present-day North 24 Parganas of West Bengal state). His father was nilakhantha Ghorasainee and his mother was Bodha Kumari.

Later years

According to folklore, Baba Lokenath finished his meditations as he had attained Samadhi (highest meditation) meditating on the formless Brahman, rather than on any of the deities of the Hindu pantheon. He then went to the eastern part of India, and settled at a small town village called Barodi, near Kathmandu (in present-day Nepal) and started living at Dangu Kormokar’s house. The zamindar family of Barodi "Nag Chowdhury" became Baba's devotees and an Ashram was built later where Baba resided and took mahasamadhi. His followers believe, at the age of 160, on 1 June 1890, Baba Lokenath took his mahasamādhi (intentional withdrawal of life).

An annual festival in remembrance of Lokenath is held every year by millions of devotees and followers, in many ashrams and in millions of households through worship, keertan, yajna, food offerings and in many other religious ways on the 19th day of the Hindu month of Jyaishtha (falls mostly on 2 or 3 June).

Preaching

First, Baba Lokenath's name was only heard in Bangladesh. Later, many devotees spread His name to neighbouring countries like India, Myanmar and Nepal. Most notable among them was Nityagopal Saha. He was known as the messenger sent to earth by Baba Lokenath! He is so famous that a temple is made in his name in the Kachua Dham complex itself! Baba Lokenath said to his devotees: (“Whenever you are in danger, whether in war, forest, ocean or jungle, remember Me. I shall save you.”)

Controversy over Birthplace

There is a controversy about the birthplace of Lokenath. Some disciples believe it was Kachua Dham, while others believe it to be Chakla Dham. There was always a hud-to-hud competition between Kachua Dham and Chakla Dham for the birthplace of Baba Lokenath. Nityagopal Saha pulled up a case in court in the early 20th Century and he won for the Kachua Dham. From then on, legally, Kachua Dham is regarded as the real birthplace of Lokenath Brahmachari. Later on, many historians revealed a script of Baba Lokenath telling this:

I am Lokenath Brahmachari. I live in Kathmandu

This revealed that he lived in Pashupati Dham but wasn't born there. So, Kalika Dham is his birthplace.

Temples of Loknath Brahmachari

1. Loknath Bhavan- Loknath Mandir - Anandapara, Duliajan, Assam- 786602
2. Lokenath Divine Life Mission - 277 Shanti Pally, Kolkata- 700107
3. Kachua Dham – North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India.
4. Gangasagar Lokenath Mandir – South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India.
5. Teghoria Lokenath Mandir – Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
6. Barodi Lokenath Ashram, Barodi, Bangladesh.
7. Chakla Dham – North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India.
8. Salkia Lokenath Mandir – Salkia, Howrah, West Bengal, India.
9. Lokenath Brahmachari Asram – Agartala, West Tripura, India
10. Lokenath Mandir, Lokenath Mission, "Kulti -Krishnapur" Branch, Bardhaman
11. Sri Baba Lokenath Brahmachari Temple, Patna, Bihar, India.
12. Sri Sri Lokenath Ashram, H-1525, Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi-110019
13. Dagapur Sri Loknath Temple - Siliguri, West Bengal
14. shree shree Loknath Babar Mondir Kaliaish, Satkania,Chittagong-4100,Bangladesh.
15. BABA LOKENATH MAHAMANDAL ASHRAM, MURAGACHA , BOARDGHAR, SODEPUR BARASAT ROAD, KOLKATA 700110
16. Lokenath Mission, Milan Pally, P.O.- Malbazar, Dist- Jalpaiguri, Pin- 735221

• 
  This is a deity of Lokenath Brahmachari in North Kolkata
• 
  An image of Nityagopal Saha, the messenger sent by Baba Lokenath.
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  A deity of Lokenath Brahmachari
• 
  The temple of Lokenath Baba in Kachua Dham. This is the real birthplace of Lokenath Brahmachari.

See also

• Trailanga
• Bijoy Krishna Goswami

Notes

1. The Guinness Book of Records states that the longest confirmed lifespan in human history is 122 years 164 days (44,724 days in total)^[4]

References

1. Gregorian and Bengali calendar of the year 1730
2. Baba Lokenath (1730-1890)
3. About Loknath Baba. Loknathbaba.com. Retrieved on 2015-11-08.
4. The Guinness Book of Records. 1999. p. 102. ISBN 0-85112-070-9.

Further reading

• Joy, Aaron; Ann B., Marino Lee (2003). Into Da Bright: Poetry Inspired And In Tribute To The Ruchira Avatar Adi Da Samraj. Lulu.com. p. 82. ISBN 9781300919704.
• Shuddhananda, Swami (2005). La vita di uno Yogi dell'Himalaya. Baba Lokenath. Laris. p. 238. ISBN 9788888718330.
• Sarkar, Ramesh Chandra (2008). Sri Sri Lokenath Brahmachari. Presidency Library. p. 200. ISBN 978-8189466084.
• Sāhā, Kalyāṇa Kumāra (1992). Yogirāja Lokanātha. University of California: Ānandadhāma Pābaliśārsa. p. 192.
• Brahmachari, Shuddhaanandaa; Shannon, Ann. The Incredible Life of a Himalayan Yogi: The Times, Teachings and Life of Living Shiva: Baba Lokenath Brahmachari. Lokenath Divine Life Mission. p. 215.
• Wright, David Dillard (2016). A Mindful Morning: Start Each Day with a Clear Mind and Open Heart. Adams Media. p. 284. ISBN 9781440596377.
• Dey, Dr. Ashimbaran (2013). Girija Library Baba Lokenath Book (in Bengali). Girija Library.

External links

• Baba Lokenath (1730-1890) Profile