It will be appropriate to recapitulate once again what we have mentioned before about Talabya Kriya and its implications.

In the Original Kriya, successful Talabya Kriya or Khecharimudra qualifies a Kriyanwita to receive higher Kriyas, that is the Kriyas of the Tranquil Breath (the Omkar Kriyas). Talabya Kriya helps to achieve the state of Tranquil breath while practiced in conjunction with Pranayam. That is why it becomes a milestone or essential precondition before a Kriyanwita is introduced to the Omkar Kriyas which require a special procedure to adopt and only successful Talabya Kriya or Khecharimudra can easily provide it.

In the words of Lahiri Mahasay, “Putting the tongue into the head or to the area between the eyebrows” provides one to be able to connect the individual self of the seeker to the cosmic Consciousness or inner Consciousness of the inner Self, the Kutastha.

“ ... donation of Kriya, that which can be given after the tongue is raised [subject to Master’s permission with blessings], ... ” 1:89 Manusanghita, Lahiri Mahasay’s Commentaries (p. 29, Hidden Wisdom, Com. Vol. III by the author].

It will be helpful to put things in sequence and in proper perspective. As mentioned before Satyananda and Yogananda first learned Kriya in 1906 from Bhagavati Charan Ghosh and from Kebalananda the next two years in 1907 and 1908 before they met Sriyukteswar in 1909.

Let us see what Satyananda, the best friend, colleague, and brother disciple of Yogananda has to say regarding their teenage days.

“Under Sastri Mahasay’s [Kebalananda’s] teaching Mukundalal [Yogananda] received a new life in his Sadhana, pursuit of meditation. Within a short period of time he crossed the first step; his jiohagranthi, knot of his tongue, was crossed.” Yogananda Sanga by Satyananda p. 33

“I [Satyananda] never saw him [Yogananda] so intensely practice his Sadhana any time in his life except in those teen years of ours when we were associated with Sastri Mahasay [Kebalananda].” Yogananda Sanga by Satyananda p. 30

The successful Talabya or Khechari has its positive impact; it increases inwardness in the seeker’s pursuit of Truth. The outwardness of mind from all the three planes: physical, mental, and cosmic begin to transform into inwardness. The seeker generates greater strength to restrain his senses particularly touch (skin or sensual attachment), smell (nose), and taste (tongue).

“During this period Mukunda started drawing attention of others at home, neighborhood, and at the school from friends, classmates, and the boys from his age-group. Many came his way and received spiritual life. Many were initiated into Kriya by Sastri Mahasay [Kebalananda].” Yogananda Sanga by Satyananda, p. 31

Successful Talabya or Khechari at a young age has its down side also; it brings some yogic powers: it ignites inner visions, tempts one to see in the future, and tempts one to tell future happenings, etc. (It may be mentioned here that being able to see and tell future happening is not an advanced state of inner Realization, rather a preliminary state.) It creates greater temptations to use these powers in practical life for personal success. One has to handle the situation and to channel this inspiration into a positive direction, or else it causes an impact in a negative way in the entire life of the person. The application of yogic powers for drawing attraction upon oneself, generating name and fame, and gaining comforts, builds obstructions, and that is why Yogi Patanjali condemned it in his Yoga Sutras.

Te samadhabupasarga byuthane siddhaya. Yoga Sutras 3:37

The verse says, “The sixfold yogic powers are the obstruction in achieving success [Liberation].”

The successful Talabya or Khechari in the young age also brings frequent failure of memory in practical life. As the tongue intends to go upwards always to be in touch with the inner Self within, the individual’s material aspect of life automatically is being ignored. It happened to Dukori Lahiri, the youngest son of Lahiri Mahasay. (Lahiri Mahasay watched his youngest son, Dukori Lahiri, and once he said, “Keep yourself secret. Do not worry about what the people say about you.” Once, some devotee drew Lahiri Mahasay’s attention requesting him to do something to cure Dukori Lahiri. Lahiri Mahasay replied, “Do you think that he is my only son? What about all these people?” He pointed to the attending Kriyanwitas.)

In Yogananda’s case, successful Khechari in youth brought excessive enthusiasm in his life to help others. He started initiating his friends in those days as a young boy’s play, though he was not permitted either by his father or by Sastri Mahasay (Kebalananda). The question of permission from Sriyukteswar did not arise, because he was yet to meet Sriyukteswar. He assumed the role of a Guru by himself in his teens, and the style continued. As mentioned before, in his young days, he developed interest in hypnotism, etc. For details, the reader may look at Biography of a Yogi by the author.

The following year, after graduating from high school, in October 1909, Mukunda left for Benares to stay at Sri Bharat Dharma Mahamandal hermitage. Coincidentally, Sriyukteswar was visiting his old mother at Benares, where Mukunda first met him.

Later, observing Yogananda’s ability for publicity and the spirit of liberalism, Sriyukteswar chose him as his emissary to the West.