Marking the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, the landmark book TRIKALDARSHI – Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari: The Boundless Mahayogi, authored by Jitavati Das, was officially launched in the City of Joy in the presence of eminent dignitaries from the fields of public life, arts, literature and cinema including Agnimitra Paul, Deputy Chief Minister, Government of West Bengal; Swapan Dasgupta, Minister of Finance, Government of West Bengal; Padma Shri & popular Singer Kumar Sanu; renowned art critic Uma Nair; acclaimed actresses Raima Sen, Jaya Ahsan, Sushmita Chatterjee; actor Yash Dasgupta; acclaimed actor Shaheb Chatterjee, among other eminent guests.
TRIKALDARSHI – Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari: The Boundless Mahayogi is a pioneering visual documentary that combines rare visual narratives with psychological, philosophical and political reflections. The book offers an exhaustive and intimate exploration of the life, teachings and enduring influence of Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari, presenting his timeless philosophy of service, meditation, compassion and universal harmony in the context of today’s conflict-ridden world.
For the first time, the book comprehensively documents the profound impact of Baba Lokenath on generations of Bengali households while examining the continuing relevance of his teachings in contemporary society. Through meticulously researched visual documentation and reflective analysis, Jitavati Das presents a compelling account of one of India’s greatest spiritual masters whose message transcended religious boundaries.
According to historical accounts, Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari was born in 1730 at Kachua in present-day West Bengal. At the age of eleven, he renounced worldly life along with his close companion Benimadhab under the guidance of their guru, Bhagaban Ganguly. Beginning their spiritual journey in the forests of Kalighat on the banks of the Ganga, the young ascetics dedicated themselves to rigorous sadhana.
After completing decades of intense Hatha Yoga practice, Baba Lokenath attained extraordinary spiritual heights, spending nearly fifty years in deep samadhi and achieving one of the highest states of consciousness described in yogic traditions. Along with Benimadhab and their guru, he undertook remarkable journeys on foot across South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and parts of Europe, visiting sacred centres of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity. His encounters with revered spiritual masters, including Trailanga Swami and the renowned ascetic Abdul Gaffur, reflected his unwavering belief that spirituality transcends religion, rituals and sectarian divisions. He later devoted several decades to meditation in the Chandranath Hills, further strengthening his legacy as one of India’s greatest Mahayogis.
Renowned art critic Uma Nair describes the work as “a powerful and timely exploration of spiritual freedom.” She notes that Jitavati Das successfully connects Baba Lokenath’s teachings with contemporary discussions on modern psychology, political thought and Indian philosophy, while highlighting his enduring message of humanism, compassion and harmony as the common ground for all faiths.
Speaking on the occasion, Jitavati Das, Author of TRIKALDARSHI, said: “There could not have been a more auspicious occasion than Guru Purnima to launch TRIKALDARSHI – Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari: The Boundless Mahayogi, the first publication of Shilpayan Foundation and my second book. This work is a first-of-its-kind visual documentary interwoven with psychological, philosophical and political reflections. We undertook an extraordinary journey across undivided Bengal—from Baba Lokenath’s birthplace at Kachua to the sacred site of his Mahasamadhi at Baradi in present-day Bangladesh—to visually document the places that shaped his extraordinary life. Along this journey, I realised that Baba Lokenath truly belongs to every home and every heart. His teachings transcend rituals, institutions and even political borders. His simple message—to serve others with compassion—remains profoundly relevant in today’s world. Through this book, I have attempted to place Baba Lokenath at the centre of contemporary discourse, exploring how his philosophy speaks to modern society while celebrating his universal legacy. It is deeply humbling to launch this work in the presence of such distinguished dignitaries and esteemed personalities. I believe TRIKALDARSHI is unique because it is not merely a biography—it is a visual, philosophical and historical journey that preserves the living legacy of one of India’s greatest Mahayogis for generations to come.”
The book was curated by world-renowned Mukti Award-winning journalist and photographer Kounteya Sinha. The visual documentation features photographs by Rajendra Mohan Pandey, Snehadeep Das and Nilayan Chatterjee, while the book’s cover has been designed by Aniket Mitra, complementing its unique blend of visual storytelling and philosophical reflection.
The launch evolved into an engaging celebration of Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari’s timeless philosophy and enduring legacy. The distinguished guests shared heartfelt reflections on their personal connection with Baba Lokenath, speaking about the relevance of his teachings of compassion, service, meditation and universal brotherhood in today’s world. Their inspiring thoughts resonated deeply with the audience, reaffirming the Mahayogi’s continuing influence across generations. The evening was marked by an overwhelming sense of admiration for Jitavati Das, whose remarkable achievement at just 20 years of age drew widespread appreciation from the distinguished gathering. Guests applauded her exceptional depth of research, philosophical insight and mature narrative, noting how she had successfully presented the life and teachings of Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari through an innovative blend of visual documentation, psychology, political thought and Indian philosophy. Many described TRIKALDARSHI as a rare and significant contribution to contemporary spiritual literature, praising the young author for making the Mahayogi’s timeless wisdom meaningful and accessible for modern readers.
Jitavati Das first gained national recognition with her debut book, Visuddha Prema, published at the age of seventeen, which explored the relationship between love and bhakti. Her work in Indian philosophy earned her the title of Young Adult Author of the Year at the Kolkata Literary Carnival and recognition in the India Book of Records. With TRIKALDARSHI, she presents a significant literary and visual contribution that brings the life and philosophy of Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari to a new generation of readers.
The launch of TRIKALDARSHI on Guru Purnima served as a fitting tribute to one of India’s most revered saints, reaffirming the timeless relevance of Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari’s message of selfless service, inner awakening, peace and universal brotherhood. More than just a book launch, the event celebrated a living spiritual legacy that continues to inspire millions while introducing a landmark publication that bridges history, spirituality, philosophy and visual storytelling for contemporary audiences.
Jitavati Das Launches Landmark Book TRIKALDARSHI – Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari: The Boundless Mahayogi in Kolkata
