The ancient science of ‘Kriya Yoga’ came to be known, after Lahiri Mahasya received his initiation from Mahavathar Babaji. It cannot be said that it was lost until then. Just that, it was not widespread until then. It is stated that when Mahavathar Babaji taught the Kriya Yoga to Lahiri Mahasya, He has simply said – this is the ancient science, that I am reviving to you in the nineteenth century; the same that Sri Krishna gave to Arjuna. Dattatreya being the Adi Guru, with no end to His Avatar, is present with a physical body in the Himalayan Ranges. He gives darshan to sincere, ardent seekers of spiritual discipline. He appears as a young form of about 33 years of age. Some call this Avatar Purusha as Maha Avatar; some address Him as Babaji; some call Him as Sreepada Vallabha. The form of Datta of yore, is the same as Sreepada Vallabha. It is also to be recalled here, a note from Charithamrutham:
“Exactly 2498 years before He manifested as Sreepada Sreevallabha on Ganesh Chaturdhi, one strange event happened. Great Yogis in different higher spiritual states did intense penance in Badarikashram and prayed for the darshan of Datta Prabhu. Then Sree Prabhu gave them darshan as a 25-year-old form. He taught them ‘Kriya Yogam’ which was very ancient, and which accelerated the progress of transformation of Jeevas. The mental chaitanyam, which otherwise takes one lakh years in natural course of transformation to reach the wholesome state, will achieve it in a few years because of ‘Kriya Yoga’. The great power in the highest dynamic planes will be attracted into the chaitanyam of earth, water, air, fire and sky and in accordance with the will of that Maha Shakti, the gross bodies in the lower planes will be transformed. This is called Kriya Yoga. This is the most secretive type of yoga of Sree Dattatreya. With this, the molecules in the body will get charged with oxygen. The carbon in the body will be removed. This is the royal path to defeat death and become ‘Mrityunjay’. They called that form who taught them Raja Yoga as Sree Babaji. It was Sree Dattatreya Himself Who appeared as ‘chandala’ to Adi Shankara and taught him ‘gyana’. He is still present in the physical body. They could not ask, Sree Dattatreya Who gave darshan as Babaji to take birth on earth (bhumandalam). They regretted for that. All those great yogis gathered in ‘kaivalya srunga sthal’ between Nepal and Bhutan and did intense penance. There were many yogis whose ages were several hundreds of years. They had great power of tapas to their credit. Hearing their prayers, Prabhu gave darshan. As a result of their prayers, a great mass of light having the light intensity equal to that of one crore Suns appeared in the sky. That Light took the shape of an elderly man. They called that Maha Prabhu as Sri Visweswara Mahaprabhu. They prayed him to keep giving them darshan always. He, in the form of Light, promised that He would take birth as Sreepada.
Kriya Yoga is twice mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita
Offering inhaling breath into the outgoing breath, and offering the outgoing breath into the inhaling breath, the yogi neutralizes both these breaths; he thus releases the life force from the heart and brings it under his control. This stanza of the Gita highlights the necessity of neutralizing or "making even" the currents of prana and apana. This effect is made possible by the practice of Kriya Yoga, which recharges the body cells by the inner cosmic life so that inhalation and exhalation become even—that is, still and unnecessary. The life, mind, and intellect are active in the body and its senses when the life current flows outwardly through the afferent and efferent nerves as a result of the downflowing apana current. This outflowing current is "uneven," restless and erratic from the bombardment of impulse to and from the nerve centre—stimuli that constantly vary during the states of wakefulness and sleep. But when the life current is withdrawn into the spine and brain, this interiorization frees the life force from the excitants of the senses and their objects. The prana and apana currents flowing in the spine become calm and even, generating a tremendous magnetic power and joy. The world knows it from then. But a lesser known fact is that this Kriya Yoga has been in practise since the Krita Yuga when Adi Guru Dattatreya is said to have initiated many earnest seekers. This is mentioned in Sri Datta Purana, Sreevallabha in Pithapuram after 2498 years.
The first complete manifestation of Datta, Sreepada Sreevallabha is also said to have initiated many into Kriya Yoga Deeksha, as stated in Charitaamrutam. Shirdi Sai Baba too, has passed on the technique of Kriya Yoga to his trusted and staunch disciples, in the earlier days. There is evidence for this as well. Now, with the time being ripe for the spiritual era, the ancient Master with His abundance compassion, awakening the many devotees with this Datta Yoga Upasana. Becoming to the present dark age of Kali Yuga, when ignorance and darkness have caught the humans in is clutches, out of immense compassion; Sreepada Vallabha has revived the ancient science, making it easily comprehendible for the present day seekers and devotees. This Ancient Science will help in charging an individual’s energetic make up, also cleansing the chakras and raising the awareness, opening the individual to higher states of consciousness and experience.
The forms of first and latest, complete manifestations of Adi Guru, Dattatreya – Sreepada Vallabha and Shirdi Sai Nath are consecrated at Sree Chakra Datta Sree Pada Sree Sai Peadam, at Melsirunai, Kancheepuram. The temple has a unique significance itself. The sacred land where the temple is built, was the same which accommodated the famous Akshaya Lingeswarar, about a thousand years ago. The land was then sanctified with the Akshaya Teertha; and was a much-celebrated place, for devotees and seekers of spirituality. This spot was regarded as the ‘Naabi sthaan’ of the Universe. The same has been mentioned in ancient texts relating to the famous Kamakshi Temple, Kancheepuram which is famous for the Sreechakra installed and worshipped by Shankaracharya. While the world knows from thence, the fact is far richer and the association of the Sreechakra with this particular spot dates back to much before the coming of Shankaracharya.
The ancient ‘Sree Chakra Worship’ has its roots from Adi Guru, Dattatreya Who externalised the Sree Chakra within a living system. He taught the depth of Truth to Parasurama and the teaching is compiled in a famous text, titled, Tripura Rahasya. The essence of the Text being, the Primordial’s Master’s guidance, leading His devotees beyond the three states of consciousness – to Truth, realization, and unending bliss. The result of sincere scriptural worship of Sree Chakra is also the same. As a matter of fact, the ancient method was externalised for those who were no able to do the mental worship, which is considered as the highest form of worship – ten times more effective than a worship done externally in a ritualistic manner. This is stated in Datta Purana, which is several thousands of years old.
The significance of Sree Chakra Datta Sree Pada Sree Sai Peadam at Melsirunai, about 10 Kms. from Kancheepuram – will be experienced by strict spiritual seekers who step in there, as the spot has been sanctified since aeons, that whoever steps in there will have his chakras (energy centres in his energy body) stirred and activated appropriately as per his stage of awareness. This temple has been founded by Sree Datta chosen instrument Sree Matha Vallabha Nanda Mayi, who serves as a powerful centre, in receiving and transmitting the Master’s energy. The ancient yogic science of Kriya, in simpler terms descended on her – having directly handed down by Adi Guru Dattatreya. It is Lord Datta is vision, at this very spot, where Akshaya Lingeswarar received grand worship, over a thousand years ago, and where spiritual seekers gathered aeons ago – be revived back, and as a start of this grand program, that the temple is built and consecrated as a first step. Going forward, a massive spiritual university is to spring up at this very place, for earnest seekers of Spirituality from across the world. This sacred temple will be significant in transforming the devotees to higher states of consciousness. It is not something anew. What was happening over a thousand years ago, in that sacred spot – is simply being revived again by the grace of Datta.
The knowledge of the same had been passed on to Sree Matha Vallabha Nanda Mayi, through a dream vision graced by Maha Periyava of Kancheepuram. It only confirmed the fact, which was already told to her, by Lord Datta, several years ago before discovering the ancient spot. It is also being reaffirmed by several devotees who have been graced with dreams or visions in meditations, where they were told the significance of this very spot, where the temple stands. An elderly sage from Kancheepuram Mutt too, visited the team and personally told Sree Vallabha Nanda Mayi on the same knowledge which was already known to him. This event happened before the construction of the temple commenced. Now, the timeline being ripe – Sree Dattatreya chooses to establish the subtle period in the Kali yuga, by ushering in the Golden Age (Satya Yugam). For this purpose, He sends out a loud call to His devotees and believers, spread across the globe. Individuals who with faith, respond to the Master’s call can join in the grand program of re-establishing the Satya yuga. As a matter of fact – the golden state of existence is to be experienced by the individual, foremost. When there is absence of fear, distress, anxiety, or pain – then, that itself is the state of liberation. When wisdom dawns and there is the experience of permanent peace – this itself is the Golden State of Existence. This experience is what the Guru strives to lead His seekers to. He, the Adi Guru graced the earth in several forms and names, with the same purpose. He continues to awaken His devotees spread in different parts of the earth. As collective souls wake up to experiencing this golden state of existence within them – then the Golden Age is ushered on a universal level.