Sadhguru on Trailanga Swami's Jayanti expresses his utmost regards during his prolonged stay in Varanasi. This article delves into Trailanga Swami's life, his mystic activities, his spiritual discipline, and the profound teachings he imparted. He expresses that in Nigam Tantrik's Practice, the body may hunger, the mind may thirst, but the spirit, once free, drinks only from the waters of divine contentment.
Article | Varanasi | January 10th, 2016
Sadhguru: Trailanga Swami, one of the most revered mystics and yogis of India, is renowned for his supernatural powers, simplicity, and deep wisdom. Known as the "walking Shiva of Varanasi," he resided in Kashi (now Varanasi) in the 18th and 19th centuries, where he became a legend of spiritual prowess and extraordinary siddhis (spiritual abilities). His life, much like the spiritual energy of Varanasi itself, was a testament to the ancient yogic powers and the mysticism surrounding saints in Indian culture.
Early Life and Spiritual Journey
Trailanga Swami was born as Shivarama in 1607 in a small village in Andhra Pradesh, India. From an early age, he displayed an intense spiritual inclination, leading a contemplative life focused on the divine. After his mother’s death, his desire for spiritual liberation grew deeper, driving him to renounce worldly life. At around 40, he met his guru, Swami Bhagirathananda Saraswati, who initiated him into sanyas (monastic life) and imparted the teachings of Advaita Vedanta. Through rigorous sadhana (spiritual discipline), Trailanga Swami achieved significant yogic accomplishments, eventually moving to Varanasi, where he would spend the rest of his life as a living symbol of divine consciousness.
The yogi who masters silence speaks in ways words cannot reach; in stillness, the soul hears what the world cannot say.
Trailanga Swami's Ascetic Lifestyle
Trailanga Swami led an ascetic life, dressed minimally or sometimes remaining without clothing, which symbolized his transcendence beyond physical needs and societal norms. In Varanasi, his presence became widely known as he would spend hours meditating by the sacred Ganges River or wandering through the narrow streets. Unlike other yogis, he had no fixed abode. He often lived by the ghats of the Ganges, sometimes in the water for hours, a testament to his mastery over his body and mind.
This lack of attachment extended to food and drink. Swami consumed little, subsisting mainly on offerings from devotees. Despite this, he appeared to thrive, displaying extraordinary vitality and strength. His ascetic lifestyle was not merely an act of renunciation but a demonstration of the power of yogic discipline and detachment from bodily needs.
Detach from the transient and embrace the eternal; only then does the soul glimpse the boundless freedom within.
Trailanga Swami's Mystic Powers and Miraculous Acts
One of the most fascinating aspects of Trailanga Swami’s life was the display of miraculous acts, which drew crowds of followers and sceptics alike. Known for his mystic powers, he embodied the yogic principle that the human body, when tuned to higher energies, can achieve feats that defy ordinary physical laws. His siddhis became legendary, as people witnessed astonishing acts that seemed impossible.
Defying Poison and Intoxication: One of the most famous incidents involved a sceptical devotee who gave Trailanga Swami a bucket of calcium lime mixed with water, a highly toxic substance. Knowing the man’s intent, Swami calmly drank the entire bucket without any visible effect. This act convinced many people of his divinity, demonstrating his immunity to poison. Similarly, it was said that he could consume intoxicants or poisonous substances without harm, a clear indication of his mastery over bodily functions and toxins.
Levitation and Floating on Water: Swami was often seen floating on the waters of the Ganges, a feat considered impossible for ordinary beings. He would remain in the water for hours, sometimes even days, as if in a state of deep meditation or samadhi. This act was considered a divine symbol of his unity with the elements. By transcending the body’s density, he showed that the spirit, once unbound, could even control physical matter.
Walking Across Water: In one instance, he was said to have walked across the river to reach the other side without a boat, astonishing both his followers and sceptics. Accounts of this feat, though unproven by science, were consistently mentioned by devotees. They believed he could alter the very nature of his body to become light enough to walk on water, a testament to his command over physical limitations.
Physical Transformation and Bilocation: Witnesses claimed that Trailanga Swami could expand his body to enormous sizes or shrink it at will, another expression of yogic control over matter. Additionally, he was reputed to have the ability to appear in multiple places simultaneously. This rare siddhi, known as bilocation, left even the most logical minds perplexed, as many reported seeing him in different locations at the same time. These experiences highlighted the yogic belief in the non-locality of consciousness.
Controlling the Elements: Trailanga Swami’s relationship with the natural elements was profound. It was reported that he could alter the course of nature itself, including controlling the weather. One story claims that during an intense drought in Varanasi, Swami performed a ritual that brought immediate rain, relieving the parched city. These miraculous feats earned him the title of a “living Shiva,” as his mastery over the elements was believed to be akin to that of the gods.
To be at peace with oneself is to be in harmony with all beings, for the self and the universe are but reflections of each other.
Teachings of Trailanga Swami
Despite the awe-inspiring demonstrations of his powers, Trailanga Swami’s greatest impact lay in his teachings, which were simple yet profound. Although he spoke little, his presence and actions conveyed deep spiritual insights.
Non-Attachment and Inner Freedom: Trailanga Swami exemplified the ideal of non-attachment, urging his followers to seek liberation from worldly desires. To him, true freedom was found within and was not reliant on external conditions. His renunciation of physical comfort and wealth was a testament to this principle, showing that spiritual fulfilment is attainable only when one is free from desires and attachments.
Compassion and Universal Brotherhood: Swami believed in compassion for all beings, including animals, plants, and nature. His life echoed the philosophy that all life is interconnected, and he treated everyone, regardless of caste or creed, with love and equality. In a city as diverse as Varanasi, this message of universal unity resonated deeply with his followers, who saw in him the embodiment of the divine.
Acceptance of Divine Will: Trailanga Swami was a living example of surrender to divine will. He often said that all actions should be left to God, encouraging others to accept life’s circumstances with humility and faith. To him, the ego was the greatest barrier to spiritual realization, and only by surrendering to the divine could one achieve true peace.
Embracing Silence and Solitude: While he was often surrounded by people, Trailanga Swami practised extended periods of silence and solitude. His silence was not an avoidance but a profound communication, as he demonstrated that words were unnecessary for conveying spiritual wisdom. For him, silence was a language in itself, one that connected him to the deeper consciousness beyond spoken words.
To walk the spiritual path is to dissolve the self in universal love, to see divinity in all, and to serve without distinction.
Trailanga Swami’s Legacy in Varanasi
Trailanga Swami’s presence became inseparable from the city of Varanasi, and even today, his legacy is felt in the spiritual atmosphere of this holy city. Followers visit the sites he frequented, including the ghats, temples, and ashrams where he meditated. His influence extended beyond his lifetime, inspiring numerous devotees to pursue spiritual paths. The mystic city of Varanasi, with its vibrant spiritual energy and profound connection to life and death, was the ideal setting for a yogi of such a spiritual calibre.
Trailanga Swami’s life showed that through deep spiritual practice, the limitations of the human body and mind could be transcended, aligning one’s energy with the cosmic force. His life and teachings continue to inspire spiritual seekers around the world, especially those drawn to Advaita Vedanta and the path of renunciation.
The true mystic needs no stage; he lives the divine drama within, beyond applause, beyond fear, and beyond fame.
Remembering Trailanga Swami Today
Trailanga Swami passed away in 1887, yet his essence is still alive in the hearts of those who revere his teachings. His small shrine near the Panchaganga Ghat in Varanasi is a reminder of the saint who was both a simple monk and a master of the mystical arts. People continue to be inspired by his life, his wisdom, and his astonishing feats, which reveal the boundless potential of the human spirit.
Trailanga Swami stands as an eternal symbol of India’s spiritual legacy, representing the heights of yogic achievement and the purity of the Advaita philosophy. In his mystical acts and profound silence, he showed that the path to the divine lies beyond ordinary perception, accessible only through self-realization and surrender to the ultimate reality.
In remembering Trailanga Swami, we remember the limitless possibilities of a life dedicated to spiritual exploration, self-mastery, and compassionate service to humanity. His life remains a guiding light for those on the path to self-discovery, urging all to look beyond the material world and seek the eternal truth within.
