Master Kriya Babaji and disciple Yogi S.A.A Ramaiah

Yogi Ramaiah began teaching Babaji’s Kriya Yoga in New York City in the late 1960s. With humble beginnings and tireless dedication, Yogiar started our American sangam. With Master’s blessings He established the Richville Muruga Temple in 1975 and the Grahamsville Kali Temple in 1991. Since then we continue to worship and offer our sadhana as taught by Yogiar for not only our personal benefit but for the benefit of our nation and the entire human race.

Om! Shanti! Shanti! Shanti! Shalom! Sat Nam! Sadhu! Tao! Em Aum Spirit! Swami! Kami! Amin! Amen! Aumen Selah! Hum! Osah! Ja! Ji-josh! Aku-nu! Pa-Pa! Aum!


In the year 203 A. D. boy Nagaraj was born in what is now the seaport town of Porto Novo on the eastern coast of India. While still a youth he was kidnapped by a Pathan and taken north to Dacca. He was later released and migrated to Benares where he shone as a Sanskrit scholar of great eminence. Discontent with this early success and destined for a greater end, he sailed by boat to the powerful shrine of Katarigama on the southern coast of Lanka. For 18 months he plunged into meditation where, with his astute intellect, he analyzed the different philosophical systems threadbare.

Drawing inspiration from the great Siddha of Science, Boganathar, he was able to appreciate and understand the full significance of Siddhantha Yoga and Soruba Samadhi and he accepted the challenge of attaining this mystic goal, supreme. Following the inner call, he wandered throughout South India and was extremely fortunate to be initiated into the mysteries of Kundalini Yoga by the great Tamil Siddha, Agastya Maharishi at Courtrallam.

Now retiring to a lonely Himalayan cave, he remained absorbed in intensive Yogic sadhana for years at a stretch, finally to emerge LAUGHING AT THE LIMITATIONS OF DEATH. The immortal Babaji made his own contributions to the nucleus given by Sage Agastya, renamed it “Kriya”, and has retained his form through the centuries tapping many, speaking to few and materializing to give darshan to his saintly chosen.

For centuries he worked behind the scenes as the source of inspiration and guidance to past Kriya Masters like Adi Shankara, Kabir Das, Lahiri Mahasaya and many others. Thus He is the climax of the Eighteen Tamil Yoga Siddhas tradition, which includes Thirumoolar, Ramadevar, Kumbamuni, Konkanavar, Sattamuni, Karoovurar, Sundaranandar, Valmiki, NandiDevar, Paambati, Boganathar, Macchamuni Patanjali, Dhanvanthri, Goraknath, Kudambai, Idaikadar and Kamala Muni.

Yogi S.A.A. Ramaiah

In the year 1944 Kriya Babaji felt the need for a society in his name through which he could contact his devotees the world over. International Babaji Yoga Sangam came into existence and Yogi S.A.A. Ramaiah, the direct disciple of Sathguru Babaji, spread the Science of Kriya Yogam and Tamil Siva Yoga Siddhantam to the nooks and corners of the earth, giving initiation and training to sincere seekers of Truth. Through the Omnipotent Grace and assistance of Kriya Babaji, 54 world-wide branches of this international organization were established. His teachings emphasized that yoga is the practical side of all world religions and he lectured globally on this topic. A parliament of world religions , yoga and holistic health has been held annually on Babaji’s Jayanthi organized by Kriya Babaji Sangam.

As one of the world’s greatest exponents of yoga from a scientific standpoint, Yogi Ramaiah or Yogiar as his students referred to him, wrote extensively on the subject. He held a master’s degree in geology from Madras University, was a trained physical therapist, orthotist, and renowned scholar of Tamil language. From 1953, he worked on editing, translating and explaining the deeper meanings of manuscripts by the Tamil Yoga Siddhas. His publications include thousands of verses by Siddhas like Agastiar and Boganathar. Yogiar also lectured in hospitals worldwide, demonstrating how yogic therapy, combined with allopathic medicine, could treat diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. He was awarded a Ph.D. In his early 80’s by Columbia Pacific University. Yogiar’s contributions bridged the gap between yoga and science and he was honored by the World Health Organization and the World Congress for his work in alternative medicine.

Yogiar passed away on July 12, 2006, attaining Mahasamadi. His body remained glowing, indicating the divine presence. Yogiar’s spiritual journey continues to inspire and guide Kriya Babaji Yoga Sangam’s activities, carrying forward the Master’s mission.

         Om Kriya Babaji Nama Aum!

Jai Guru Dev !!

Yogiar’s Prayer & Dedication

In this world of materialistic rationalism many a soul blinks in wonder whether it is ever possible for Kriya Babaji, the great reviver of Kriya Yoga, to have lived for over 1800 years having been born in 203 A.D. at Porto Novo, Tamil Nad, South India. For such doubting Thomases Kriya Babaji has allowed us to publish for the first time the following signature of His with a hieroglyphic symbol.

Two distinct ways of life

There are two distinct ways of life: materialistic and spiritualistic. The former is mainly physical and followed extensively in the Western hemisphere and the latter is mainly mystic, prevalent in the Eastern hemisphere. Occidental materialism denies the independent existence of spirit and maintains that there is but one substance—MATTER. Oriental spiritualism, on the other hand, emphasizes that the spirit (or soul clothed with the sheaths of the mind) has a real, perhaps the only lasting existence apart from matter. The core of materialism is science, the quest of material TRUTH with the aid of a laboratory, while the core of spiritualism is Mysticism, the scientific art of realizing eternal TRUTH (Creator or Soul, call it what you may) and its message.

These two ways of life, one harping only on the creation and the other the Creator, are incomplete and the pages of history have proved beyond doubt their inadequacy to solve the vital problems of life and usher in the millennium. The scientific West has mastered the forces of the physical plane but is yet not happy, groping in the dark for PEACE, material and mental. On the other hand the mystic East which has produced Buddhas, Christs, Ramakrishnas and Sages has badly neglected the material aspect of existence to be subjugated and exploited by powerful material nations and denied their birthright of freedom which has prevented them for centuries from playing their rightful part in deciding the destiny of the globe. It is with pleasure we note the change for the better in world thought today.

The impact of western materialism on eastern spiritualism is profound and deep. Oriental politics is waking up from its age long slumber and westerners have started sitting meekly at the feet of mystic Masters in quest of eternal peace and bliss. Very slowly but steadily the world is taking to SCIENTIFIC MYSTICISM which is another name for Kriya Yoga.

What does Kriya yoga mean?

Kriya, the Gospel of Scientific Mysticism, is not a creed or cult but an integral WAY OF LIFE, leading to all-round development: mystic, mental, and physical. Jnana means knowledge, mystic and material, and refers to Kriya philosophy.

The proper outlook and mental background are essential for progress, otherwise the precious teachings of the Kriya Yogi will go to waste and fail to sprout like seeds sowed in barren ground. The flower-bed must be tilled and prepared to yield the beautiful blossoms of Kriya. Hence the aspirant must necessarily pass through the none-to-pleasant preliminary stage of being examined, studied, and trained by the Guru before being accepted.

Kriya Yoga is a five-fold path

Kriya Yoga, the most ancient system of Yoga, has been practiced as part of Siva Yoga Siddhantham through the ages, immemorial. It was revived by Kriya Babaji about 1800 years back. Kriya Yoga is a five-fold path of Kriya Hatha Yogum, Kriya Vasi Yogum (pranayam), Kriya Dhyana Yogum (meditation), Kriya Mantra Yogum and Kriya Bhakti Yogum ( the yoga of love and devotion). It is, in short, the gospel of Kriya Mulaguru Babaji Nagaraj as practiced and preached by International Babaji Yoga Sangam. There is only one Guru in the Kriya Yoga Order and that is Sathguru Kriya Babaji, and hence it is called the Babaji Yoga Sangam.

  • Physical postures for good health, long life, and peace.

    Kriya Hatha Yoga

  • The scientific art of mastering the breath for spiritual awakening and increased vital energy. Kriya Kundalini Pranayam is a form of Raja Yoga which has been in existence for centuries and the technique varies from master to master. Receiving the nucleus from Agasthya Maharishi at Shakti Peatam, Courtrallam, South India, Kriya Babaji has become an adept and made His original contributions to the scientific art during His long sojourn at Badrinath, Himalayas.

  • The scientific art of mastering the restless mind.

  • The use of potent seed syllables to awaken the intellect. Mantras are sacred formulae meant to be repeated over and over again; that is japa.

  • The use of Kriyas and techniques to cultivate Love, Devotion, Bliss, Ecstasy and Ananda. Through these and all of the Kriyas the devotee has an opportunity to develop a personal and intimate relationship with the Devine.

Kriya Yoga Initiation

With the blessings of the Kriya Mulaguru, International Babaji Yoga Sangam was founded to propagate this five-fold path of Kriya Yoga. As directed by Kriya Babaji it was established on October 17, 1952 to spread far and wide the Light of Kriya for the emancipation of suffering humanity. Irrespective of caste, creed and nationality anybody can become a member who would accept Sathguru Babaji as their ideal and SEEK BABAJI TO BECOME A BABAJI.

Kriya Yoga Pledge