<p>Lahiri Mahasaya is the respectful salutation given to
Shyama Charan Lahiri (Dev Sharma) a Bengali Brahmin settled in
Kashi (Benares, India). In 1861 he had a unique experience near
Rishikesh (Uttaranchal, India) when he encountered the astral
projection of Master Hemandranath, a Brahmic Raja Yogi of Kolkatta
who had achieved synthesis with Brahman (ie. embodiment of Time and
Space). Lahiri Mahasaya was touched and instantly absorbed into
Master's ancient Brahmic Mul mantra which was later developed by
Mahasaya into Kriya Yoga and distributed freely to anyone who
approached the Mahasaya. Kriya Yoga has many developments such as
Shirdi Sai Baba, Chinmayananda Mission etc. Although many
non-family members of Lahiri Mahasaya claim his successorship (with
numerous fanciful biograhies, fantastic autobiographies and
concoctions targeted to Westerners), the true developments of
Lahiri Mahasaya's philosophy are through 2 independent branches of
descent through his 2 sons TinCouri (now vested in Pandit Shibendu
Lahiri's NGO) and DuCouri (World Brahmic Council) both of which are
non-commercial.</p>