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Thursday, December 5, 2013

Saints: Common to Hinduism and Christianity

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Autobiography of a Yogi describes the extraordinary lives and powers of many modern Hindu saints and yogis. Here, I identified three described in the book along with an explanation of why I found each of them fascinating. I also identified a Christian saint who is interests me and described how Hindus might characterize him/her as a yogi. 

Three modern Hindu saints/yogis that I found fascinating in Autobiography of a Yogi were Gandha Baba, Giri Bala, and Babaji.
Ghandha Baba, The Perfume Saint
Gandha Baba[1], the “perfume saint”, one of the first Hindu saints mentioned in the book intrigued me because of the connection of floral scents/perfumes and saints/relics in Christian belief. Often relics are considered authentic[2] if they exhibit a sweet or floral scent. Saints, such as St. Theresa of Avila and Padre Pio, have been said to have had an “odor of sanctity”, which is defined as a sweet fragrance emanating from a saint’s body around and after death[3]. Exhibiting an unexplainable odor of sanctity would be one of many ways in which a Christian saint could be canonized as authentic[4].
Although the floral perfume miracles that Gandha Baba performed had nothing to do with his own body or his death, it reminded me of the saintly floral scents mentioned in my Christianity courses. I was also intrigued at how skeptical the young Yogananda was about this particular saint. He seemed to expect that it was a simple parlor trick, yet could not fathom how he had done it, thus decided it was a true miracle.
Yogananda (left) with Giri Baba (right)
Giri Bala’s miracle of taking no food or water[5] for fifty years is something I simply don’t understand (but wish I could replicate at times!). As the holder of a Bachelors of Science in Biology, the science behind the necessity of food for the body is preventing my mind from simply appreciating the miracle. I keep trying to figure out HOW? Obviously, if I were a believer in KriyaYoga, I would not question the miracle at all. From Yogananda’s descriptions of “how”, it does make sense to me on some level, as I do believe everything is reducible to a form of energy that science doesn't completely understand yet, and if you could manipulate those energies, you could bring something out of the “apparent” nothing, including nourishment and water that the body requires to stay alive. Perhaps it is because the method, Kriya Yoga, of which to get there is hidden as a secret teaching (must be initiated to learn the technique) to us readers at this point. It has intrigued me enough that I am curious about learning more about Kriya Yoga.
Therese Neumann
I also found it interesting that Yogananda first found the stigmata-plagued Christian saint, Therese Neumann[6] -- who also did not eat -- before he met Giri Bala. From those encounters, it is easy to draw parallels between Hindu and Christian saints.
Babaji
Finally, the Hindu saint/yogi that most intrigued me in Yogananda’s autobiography was the infamous Babaji. Although it has nothing to do with his miraculous nature that is described by Yogananda from his interviews with those that have claimed to have interacted with Babaji. The characteristic that sticks out the most to me is his description of having copper-colored hair[7].  The reason it sticks out to me is that Indians are not known for having red hair and it seems very odd to me. It makes me want to figure out where he might have originated. As a biologist, I am also reminded of genetic anomalies, which I also know[8] are often seen as gifts from God in Hinduism. I can’t help but wonder and question the validity of reports that he has lived ever so long and without change; but, that is the skeptic in me. Babaji to me is the man of myth – one in which is likely based in fact (as many myths are) -- but has been exaggerated and bronzed in fantastical legends over time. Perhaps I need a visit from Babaji to end my skepticism (and wouldn't I be sheepish!). In some ways he reminds me not of Jesus, but of the miraculous visions of Mother Mary that many people have claimed over the years. I can definitely see how the Hindus venerate Babaji though, as he is the epitome of what every yogi would hope to become.
St. Theresa of Avila
As I mentioned above, it is easy to pull similarities between Christian and Hindu saints. Both reflect their devotion to God. St. Theresa of Avila, a Christian saint, would likely have been considered saintly by Hindu standards as well, and I think Yogananda would have made a pilgrimage to her if she had been alive still. Like the yogis/saints that Yogananda spoke of in his book, St. Theresa also raised her consciousness to reflect a union with God, which she called “devotions of ecstasy”[9]. In fact, Yoganada mentions her several times[10] when talking about saints and their abilities and activities.




[1] (Yogananda 2006, 52-55)
[2] (Brazinski and Fryxell 2013)
[3] (Odor of Sanctity n.d.)
[4] (Canonization of Saints n.d.)
[5] (Yogananda 2006, 505; 510-517)
[6] (Yogananda 2006, 402-409)
[7] (Yogananda 2006, 335)
[8] I have seen documentaries about Hinduism wherein children born with multiple limbs are often worshipped locally.
[9] (Wikipedia contributors n.d.)
[10] (Yogananda 2006, 73; 245; 538)

Works Cited

Brazinski, P.A., and A.R.P. Fryxell. "The Smell of Relics: Authenticating Saintly Bones and the Role of Scent in the Sensory Experience of Medieval Christian Veneration." Papers from the Institute of Archaeology, 2013: 23(1):11.

"Canonization of Saints." Religion Facts. n.d. http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/practices/honoring_saints/canonization.htm (accessed November 20, 2013).

"Odor of Sanctity." Merriam-Webster.com. n.d. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/odor%20of%20sanctity (accessed November 20, 2013).

Wikipedia contributors. "Teresa of Ávila." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Cite&page=Teresa_of_%C3%81vila&id=582615830 (accessed November 21, 2013).

Yogananda. Autobiography of a Yogi. Los Angeles, CA: Self-Realization Fellowship, 2006.