Master taught with unflinching authority the metaphorical essence of the scriptures. His renditions embraced the common ground of all traditions and effortlessly elucidated the teachings of the world’s prophets. His explanations of the hidden meanings of scriptural aphorisms were logical, intellectually stimulating, and yet carried the fullness of heart needed to generate a venerable, subtle feeling of deepening faith. His sublime teachings of Yoga philosophy summed up Kriyayoga as the essence of Karma-Yoga, Jnana-Yoga, and Bhakti-Yoga with such simple dictums as “Breath is life,” “Life is God,” and “God is love.”

To the ardent server, Master taught the art of service and nonattachment to results; to a genuine seeker, Master freely quoted from the scriptures to elucidate the deeper meanings; and to a loving devotee, Master exemplified divine love as the way to cultivate faith. So broad and effortless was his outreach that everyone and anyone had the opportunity to learn and feel richer in his presence. His sternness while guiding meditation classes was aimed at breaking down barriers in the practice of techniques. But above all, his guidance of Kriyayoga practice, through the cultivation of tangible and subtle inner streams of sound, pulsation, and light gave the maximum benefit to the practitioner of Kriyayoga. Only a Master of his calibre could effect such profound teaching for the masses of servers, seekers, and devotees.

Closure of Earthly Life

Master’s divine play (lila) in the last days before the closure of his earthly life was also a surreal event. A kindly light seemingly flickered for a brief moment as it gathered momentum for a subtler course. Only a single breath was used to begin the ascension, leaving a mortal body behind, thereby creating a legacy of a myriad of inspiring teachings for many more generations of disciples to come. Our Master, Paramahamsa Swami Hariharananda Giri, closed his earthly life on the third day of December, 2002, and was ceremoniously buried soon thereafter. Although he has passed on to yonder realms, he has perhaps become more accessible, through the earnest prayers of the followers who wish to emulate him. Master departed from his body, thus leaving an imprint of his Kriyayoga teachings in the West, perhaps to honour the mission of the revered Swami Shriyukteshwar Giri.

Words cannot describe a realized saint’s character, for his ways are extraordinary. What is paranormal to untrained eyes is the very domain of normal for exalted beings. Master was obviously no stranger to that transcendental realm. Unique in his repeated willful demonstrations of pulseless and breathless states of meditative communion, his passing also revealed telltale signs of yogic enigma. Stillness became alive and yet so silent. It was as if a deep silence paid its respects as Master inhaled for the last time, his pulse not ceasing for more than twenty minutes thereafter.