Trailanga Swami, also known as Tailang Swami or Telang Swami, was a Hindu yogi and mystic who lived in Varanasi, India. He is renowned for his spiritual powers and is considered a legendary figure in Bengal, with many stories told about his yogic abilities and longevity. According to some accounts, Trailanga Swami lived to be 280 years old and is believed to be an incarnation of Shiva. Sri Ramakrishna referred to him as "The walking Shiva of Varanasi".
Trailanga Swami's exact birthplace and parentage are not known. However, it is believed that he was born in the early 17th century in a village in the present-day state of Andhra Pradesh, India. His birth name is also not known.
From a young age, Trailanga Swami showed an inclination towards spirituality and renunciation. He left home at an early age and traveled widely across India, visiting various holy places and seeking spiritual guidance from different gurus.
Trailanga Swami is said to have met many notable saints and yogis during his travels, including the famous saint, Bhagirath Baba, who initiated him into the path of yoga. It is believed that Trailanga Swami spent many years in the Himalayas, practicing austerities and deepening his spiritual knowledge.
After many years of wandering, Trailanga Swami eventually settled in Varanasi, also known as Kashi, in northern India, where he spent most of his life. It was here that he gained a reputation as a yogi with extraordinary powers and became revered by many as a great saint.
Trailanga Swami spent most of his life in Varanasi, a holy city in India, where he is said to have lived for over 150 years. He was known to wander around the city, often naked or wearing only a loincloth, and was frequently seen meditating or performing yoga in public places. He was also known to visit the cremation grounds, where he would meditate amidst the funeral pyres.
Trailanga Swami had many followers, who were drawn to him because of his spiritual powers and his reputation for being a great saint. He was said to have the ability to perform miracles, such as healing the sick and bringing the dead back to life. Many people also sought his guidance and advice, and he was known to be a compassionate and wise counselor.
Despite his fame and the adoration of his followers, Trailanga Swami lived a simple and austere life. He had no possessions and often went without food for long periods of time. He slept on the ground or in abandoned buildings, and spent much of his time in deep meditation.
Trailanga Swami was also known for his deep love and respect for all living beings. He was said to have had a special affinity for animals, and was often seen feeding and caring for them. He was known to be a strict vegetarian, and would never harm any living creature. He believed that all life was sacred, and that all beings were equal in the eyes of God.
Trailanga Swami is a legendary figure in India, and many stories and legends are told about him. Here are a few of them:
- It is said that Trailanga Swami had the power to control his body temperature, and he could sit for hours in the snow or in the scorching sun without feeling any discomfort.
- He was also said to have the power of bilocation, the ability to be in two places at once. There are stories of people seeing him in two different locations at the same time.
- It is said that he once saved a man from being executed by the British by appearing in court and revealing the man's innocence.
- There are stories of him performing miraculous healings, such as bringing a dead child back to life and curing people of diseases simply by touching them.
- It is said that he could live without food or water for long periods of time, surviving on only a few drops of Ganges water.
- Trailanga Swami was known for his eccentric behavior, such as walking around naked or wearing only a loincloth, and sometimes even sitting in a cremation ground.
- He was also known for his love of smoking, and it is said that he smoked constantly, even up to his death at the age of 280.
These are just a few of the many legends and stories that surround Trailanga Swami, and they serve to illustrate the incredible spiritual powers that he was said to possess.
Trailanga Swami passed away on 26 December 1887 in Varanasi. His death is considered to be a divine act, as he had previously foretold his own death and had instructed his followers not to perform any rituals or ceremonies after his passing. Instead, he asked them to celebrate his life by continuing to meditate and seek inner peace.
After his death, Trailanga Swami's body was taken to the Manikarnika Ghat, one of the most sacred cremation grounds in Varanasi, where his followers immersed his body in the river Ganges. It is said that even after his death, Trailanga Swami's body remained in a state of samadhi (a state of deep meditation) for several days.
Trailanga Swami's life and teachings continue to inspire people to this day, and he is regarded as a great saint and spiritual leader in India.