Meeting Baba Ji: Always there when you need him

By Karen Dabrowska, London, UK

“Wherever you are, whenever you call me, I shall be with you instantly.”

These promising words spoken by Mahavatar Baba Ji are recounted by Paramahansa Yogananda in his seminal book Autobiography of a Yogi.  Baba Ji was addressing Lahri Mahasaya the guru of Sri Yukteswar who in turn became Yogananda’s guru.

There was also a caveat: “Henceforth, my son, I shall come when you need me, and not always when you call me.” Mahasaya called on Baba Ji to appear before his friends to prove that the avatar existed and would come when summoned. Although Baba Ji acquiesced, he made it clear that he should not be called upon frivolously.

But there is no doubt that the ever-present Baba Ji is always there to guide and inspire.

I read Autobiography of a Yogi for the first time in 2020 and was introduced to the Mahavatar. He was a fascinating, endearing, mysterious, all powerful benevolent yet frightening figure. I read about how he materialised his body and appeared and disappeared at will, about how he materialised magnificent palaces and sumptuous feasts which vanished as quickly as they had appeared.

I didn’t believe it would be possible for me to ever meet Baba Ji., I felt I could not handle his presence awe inspiring as it might be. My small room, more like an attic, on the top floor of an old Victoria house which was reached only be climbing 85 steps was dark, lit only by my faint light bulb. Three lights appeared in a somewhat strange configuration, almost in a straight line, but not quite.

Logic and the rational mind took over. Just the light from the flats opposite my room. Nothing else was visible as it was late at night and the occupants of the other flats and buildings had switched off their lights and retired for the night.

The plan was to visit Baba Ji’s cave alter in 2020 and travel to India from New Zealand where I was on holiday. But covid intervened and the trip was not possible until September 2022.

I sat outside my cabin in Joshi’s guest house near Baba Ji’s cave. It was nighttime, a friendly darkness enveloped the sky. It was a pleasant evening, no wind, nothing stirred, the silence was loud and profound. And in that silence, silhouetted against the night sky were three lights in the same configuration as those outside my room in the attic two years ago. Baba Ji was telling me that he was there, waiting for me to walk to his cave the next morning.

And walk to the cave I did, despite the altitude sickness and the fatigue. With each step along the winding mountain track the scenery became greener, the peace more profound, the air of mystery thick with the vibrations of stillness. I looked out from the cave at the world outside – not just a view but a glimpse into eternity, no boundaries, no barriers. And Baba Ji was there guiding me into this space of eternal serenity.

It was not such an easy climb to the cave. Joshi asked me how it went when I was sipping tea outside the general store by the road leading to the guest house. I told him at first the climb was a little difficult and I doubted my ability to get to the cave. Joshi smiled an all-knowing smile, his snowwhite teeth glistening. “Sometimes Baba Ji tests you”, he said. “And did I pass the test,” I asked. Joshi did not answer but the smile of the cheshire cat remained on his lips as he busied himself in the general store. Baba Ji makes his presence known. He is never early, but neither is his late. To see him just ask and let go, let God.

Many insights into the life and works of Baba Ji are found in Autobiography of a Yogi. Chapter 33 Baba Ji, the Yogi-Christ of Modern India is dedicated to him. Yogananda tells us: “The northern Himalayan crags near Badrinarayan are still blessed by the living presence of Babaji, guru of Lahiri Mahasaya. The secluded master has retained his physical form for centuries, perhaps millenniums. The deathless Babaji is an avatara. The Sanskrit word means descent.”

About the author:

Hindumitra Karen Dabrowska lives in London, UK. She first became interested in Sanatana Dharma in 2020 after reading Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. In 2022 she visited Babaji’s cave where Yogananda’s master was initiated into kriya yoga. She found India an enchanting, fascinating and welcoming country which she has been visiting twice a year since 2022. She then visited Rishikesh and in it the Vasishtha Cave home of Vasishtha one of the seven immortal saints. In February 2025 she felt it to be a great honor to go to the kumbh mela a very personal spiritual experience shared with millions of people. In her own words "I felt I was part of one gigantic family and we all embarked on a pilgrimage together."

In 2023 she listened to a talk at Laxmi Narayan Temple in West London by Hindumitra Dr Malladi Srinivasa Sastry, founder of Hindumitra Foundation, and was inspired by his clear presentation of the concepts of Sanatana Dharma. The talk was a condensed version of his ten-lesson course “Bring out the best in you – the Sanatana Dharma way” which she studied online. She kept in touch with Dr Malladi by email and WhatsApp and when he heard that she was planning to visit south India in January this year she was invited to Visakhapatnam to see the activities of Hindumitra. There was a fascinating visit to Dimili village where young people gave a performance of traditional dancing and art forms. Hindumitra is keen to promote the preservation of cultural traditions. She also took part in a major Hindumitra event with the theme the world is one family in Visakhapatnam public library where Hindumitra Karen ji spoke about her spiritual journey with Sanatana dharma. The programme attended by over 100 people was very full with a discussion about Hindu parenting and folk culture performances and demonstrations. Residing in UK, Hindumitra Karen ji actively contributes to the spiritual work of Hindumitra and is currently attending weekly classes on Bhagavatam by Hindumitra Dr. Malladi Srinivasa Sastry.