Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952)
Author of Autobiography of a Yogi
About the Author
Swami Yogananda, a young Hindu monk, delivered his first address, "The Science of Religion," to the International Congress of Religious Liberals meeting in Boston on October 6, 1920. He remained in America and began to attract thousands to his public lectures. In 1925, Yogananda established the show more headquarters of his organization, the Self-Realization Fellowship, on Mount Washington in Los Angeles. (One of his most distinguished disciples was the horticulturist Luther Burbank.) His Autobiography of a Yogi Autobiography of a Yogi was published in 1946 and has been translated into 18 languages. Yogananda and the Self-Realization Fellowship have been the means by which many Americans have been introduced to and have adopted Hindu modes of thought and religious practice. Yogananda taught that Hindu mysticism was compatible with and similar to Western and Christian mysticism. In 1935 his guru gave Yogananda the title Paramahansa, which means "supreme swan" and is a title indicating the highest spiritual attainment. His disciples regard the manner of Yogananda's death---he expired immediately after addressing a banquet in honor of the ambassador from India---as a demonstration of his supreme yogic bodily control. The Self-Realization Fellowship continues to be an important alternative religion in America, and it has a strong institutional presence in and around the Los Angeles area. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Works by Paramahansa Yogananda
Metaphysical Meditations: Universal Prayers, Affirmations, and Visualizations (1967) 235 copies, 3 reviews
The Divine Romance - Collected Talks and Essays. Volume 2 (Self-Realization Fellowship) (1986) 167 copies, 1 review
Where There Is Light: Insight and Inspiration for Meeting Life's Challenges (1989) 124 copies, 1 review
The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita: Explained By Paramhansa Yogananda, As Remembered By His Disciple, Swami Kriyananda (2006) 119 copies
The Law of Success: Using the Power of Spirit to Create Health, Prosperity, and Happiness (1980) 115 copies, 2 reviews
Wine of the Mystic : The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam : A Spiritual Interpretation (1994) 105 copies, 1 review
God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita (Self-Realization Fellowship) 2 Volume Set (1992) 91 copies
Journey to Self-Realization - Collected Talks and Essays. Volume 3 (Self-Realization Fellowship) (1997) 90 copies
Living Fearlessly: Bringing Out Your Inner Soul Strength (How-to-Live Series) (2003) 45 copies, 1 review
Demystifying Patanjali: The Yoga Sutras: The Wisdom of Paramhansa Yogananda as Presented by his Direct Disciple, Swami Kriyananda (2013) 24 copies, 1 review
La Segunda Venida de Cristo, Vol. 1 (The Second Coming of Christ, Vol. 1 ) (Self-Realization Fellowship) (Spanish Edition) (2011) 5 copies
La Segunda Venida de Cristo, Vol. 3 (The Second Coming of Christ, Vol. 3) (Self-Realization Fellowship) (Spanish Edition) (2013) 4 copies
The Great Light of God: An Informal Talk by Paramahansa Yogananda (Collector's (Self-Realization Fellowship)) (2006) 3 copies
Undreamed-of possibilities: An introduciton to self-realization : the teachings of Paramahansa Yoganada (1982) 3 copies
The Life Of Paramahansa Yoganada: The Early Years In America (1920-1928) DVD (Multilingual Edition) (2005) 3 copies
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI-FLIPKART 2 copies
One Life Versus Reincarnation 2 copies
Be a Smile Millionaire: an Informal Talk by Paramahansa Yogananda (Collector's Series An Informal Talk By Paramahansa Yo (2005) 2 copies
To Make Heaven On Earth: An Informal Talk By Paramahansa Yoganada (Collector's Series) (2007) 2 copies
El viaje a la iluminacion / Journey to Self-Realization: Como Percibir a Dios En La Vida Diaria Charles Y Ensayos (Spanish Edition) (2007) 2 copies
Onde Existe Luz (estante) 2 copies
Self -Realization Fellowship Lessons 2 copies
Awake 1 copy
A Ciência da Religião 1 copy
Canções da Alma 1 copy
Crise Mundial 1 copy
A Lei do Suceso 1 copy
Revelations Of Christ 1 copy
Onde Existe Luz 1 copy
Journey to self-realization 1 copy
Susurros de la Eternidad 1 copy
LIVING FEARLESSLY 1 copy
Karma e Reencarnação [Karma and Reincarnation]: A Sabedoria de Yogananda [The Wisdom of Yogananda] 1 copy
Vetenskapliga Helande Affirmationer - Scientific Healing Affirmations (Swedish) (Swedish Edition) (2015) 1 copy
යෝගී : ජීවිතයට දොරටුව 1 copy
Rajarsi Janakananda: A Great Western Yogi, the Life of Paramahansa Yogananda's First Spiritual Successor (2010) 1 copy
Teaduslikud Tervendamise Jaatused - Scientific Healing Affirmations (Estonian) (Estonian Edition) (2015) 1 copy
The Voice of Paramahansa Yogananda - Collector's Series #10. In the Glory of the Spirit (2007) 1 copy
The Divine Romance (estante) 1 copy
Songs of the Soul (estante) 1 copy
Cristo y krishna 1 copy
Il maestro disse 1 copy
An Autobiography of A Yogi 1 copy
Bonheur et sagesse 1 copy
The Divine Love 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Yodananda, Paramhansa
Ghosh, Mukunda Lal (birth) - Birthdate
- 1893-01-05
- Date of death
- 1952-03-07
- Gender
- male
- Organizations
- Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF)
- Short biography
- Paramhansa Yogananda (often misspelled 'Paramahansa' Yogananda) was born on January 5, 1893 in Gorakhpur, India. He was the first yoga master of India to permanently live and teach in the West. Yogananda arrived in America in 1920, and traveled throughout the United States on what he called his 'spiritual campaigns'. His enthusiastic audiences filled the largest halls in America. Hundreds of thousands came to see the yogi from India. At some packed venues thousands were turned away nightly. A national sensation, Yogananda's lectures and books were extensively written about by the major media of the era, including Time Magazine, Newsweek, and Life. He was even invited to the White House by President Calvin Coolidge. Yogananda continued to lecture and write up to his passing in 1952.Yogananda's initial impact was truly impressive. But his lasting impact has been even greater. Yogananda's "Autobiography of a Yogi", first published in 1946, helped launch a spiritual revolution throughout the world. His message was nonsectarian and universal. Yogananda's Guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar, sent him to the West with the admonition, "The West is high in material attainments, but lacking in spiritual understanding. It is God's will that you play a role in teaching mankind the value of balancing the material with an inner, spiritual life."
Yogananda brought clarity to hundreds of thousands of people regarding the ancient teachings of India - previously shrouded in the cultural assumptions and terminology of an era long past. These teachings include the path of Kriya Yoga, which Yogananda called the 'jet-airplane' route to God, consisting of ancient yoga techniques to hasten the spiritual evolution of the student.
"The true basis of religion is not belief, but intuitive experience. Intuition is the soul's power of knowing God. To know what religion is really all about, one must know God," said Paramhansa Yogananda in the book "The Essence of Self-Realization". He further wrote that "Self- Realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you; that God's omnipresence is your omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing." - Cause of death
- heart failure
- Nationality
- India
USA (Naturalized 1949) - Birthplace
- Gorakhpur, India
- Place of death
- Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Burial location
- Forest Lawn Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Los Angeles, California, USA
Members
Reviews
"The Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda is more than a personal history; it is a profound spiritual testament that introduces the West to the ancient wisdom of India. Published in 1946, the book chronicles the life of Mukunda Lal Ghosh (later Paramahansa Yogananda), detailing his remarkable journey from an earnest seeker in India to a world-renowned spiritual teacher who brought the science of Kriya Yoga to America.
The narrative begins with Yogananda's early life in Gorakhpur, show more India, where he was born in 1893. From a young age, he displayed an extraordinary spiritual temperament and a deep longing for a personal relationship with the divine. He recounts his family's devout nature, particularly the influence of his mother and father, who were both disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya, a revered guru in the lineage of Kriya Yoga. This early exposure to yogic philosophy and the miraculous stories of saints and masters ignited a fire within him. He describes his youthful attempts to run away to the Himalayas in search of a master, driven by an intense desire to find God. These anecdotes, often humorous and filled with a childlike innocence, establish the sincerity and depth of his spiritual quest.
The pivotal moment in his life occurs when he is a teenager: he meets his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. Yogananda's description of their first encounter is powerful, marked by an immediate and profound recognition, as if they were reuniting after many lifetimes. The years spent under Sri Yukteswar’s strict yet loving guidance form the core of the book's teachings. Yogananda recounts the rigorous discipline and spiritual lessons imparted by his guru, who focused on transcending intellectual understanding to achieve direct, experiential knowledge of the Self. Sri Yukteswar taught him to balance the external world of duties with the internal world of meditation, emphasizing the scientific, systematic nature of Kriya Yoga. Through these accounts, the reader is introduced to the principles of this meditation technique, which aims to accelerate spiritual evolution by revitalizing subtle energy in the spine and brain.
Beyond his training with Sri Yukteswar, the autobiography is filled with incredible tales of Yogananda's encounters with various spiritual masters and figures. He recounts meeting the elusive Mahavatar Babaji, a deathless Himalayan master who is said to have revived Kriya Yoga in this age. He also shares stories of Lahiri Mahasaya, the guru who initiated his family into Kriya Yoga, and the legendary "Perfume Saint" who could manifest any scent at will. Perhaps the most captivating of these accounts is his meeting with the saintly master Giri Bala, who could remain underwater for extended periods. These vignettes serve not only to entertain but also to ground the spiritual teachings in tangible, miraculous reality, demonstrating the extraordinary potential of human consciousness. Yogananda's ability to recount these supernatural events with a simple, matter-of-fact tone makes them all the more compelling and believable.
The second half of the book details Yogananda’s transformative mission to the West. Guided by his guru’s prophecy, he travels to America in 1920 to attend the International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston. His speech, "The Science of Religion," received an enthusiastic response, marking the beginning of his lifelong work. He established the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) to disseminate his teachings, traveling extensively and giving lectures to packed auditoriums across the United States. He describes the challenges he faced in adapting to a new culture and the skepticism he encountered, as well as the deep reverence and spiritual hunger he found among many Westerners. He successfully presented yoga not as a mystical, esoteric practice but as a universal, scientific method of attaining God-realization.
"The Autobiography of a Yogi" is revered for its clear and accessible explanation of complex spiritual concepts. Yogananda meticulously explains the principles of karma, reincarnation, and the unity of all religions. He emphasizes that the truths of yoga are not exclusive to any single faith but are the underlying principles of all spiritual paths. He presents Kriya Yoga as a "master key" to inner freedom, a practical technique for spiritual growth that can be practiced by anyone, regardless of their religious background. Through his life story, he illustrates the profound peace and joy that come from a deep, consistent spiritual practice. The book concludes with Yogananda’s final return to India to visit his guru, followed by his continued work in the West, establishing centers and spreading his message of universal love and self-realization. It remains a timeless classic, inspiring millions to explore the depths of their own consciousness and embark on their own spiritual journeys. show less
The narrative begins with Yogananda's early life in Gorakhpur, show more India, where he was born in 1893. From a young age, he displayed an extraordinary spiritual temperament and a deep longing for a personal relationship with the divine. He recounts his family's devout nature, particularly the influence of his mother and father, who were both disciples of Lahiri Mahasaya, a revered guru in the lineage of Kriya Yoga. This early exposure to yogic philosophy and the miraculous stories of saints and masters ignited a fire within him. He describes his youthful attempts to run away to the Himalayas in search of a master, driven by an intense desire to find God. These anecdotes, often humorous and filled with a childlike innocence, establish the sincerity and depth of his spiritual quest.
The pivotal moment in his life occurs when he is a teenager: he meets his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. Yogananda's description of their first encounter is powerful, marked by an immediate and profound recognition, as if they were reuniting after many lifetimes. The years spent under Sri Yukteswar’s strict yet loving guidance form the core of the book's teachings. Yogananda recounts the rigorous discipline and spiritual lessons imparted by his guru, who focused on transcending intellectual understanding to achieve direct, experiential knowledge of the Self. Sri Yukteswar taught him to balance the external world of duties with the internal world of meditation, emphasizing the scientific, systematic nature of Kriya Yoga. Through these accounts, the reader is introduced to the principles of this meditation technique, which aims to accelerate spiritual evolution by revitalizing subtle energy in the spine and brain.
Beyond his training with Sri Yukteswar, the autobiography is filled with incredible tales of Yogananda's encounters with various spiritual masters and figures. He recounts meeting the elusive Mahavatar Babaji, a deathless Himalayan master who is said to have revived Kriya Yoga in this age. He also shares stories of Lahiri Mahasaya, the guru who initiated his family into Kriya Yoga, and the legendary "Perfume Saint" who could manifest any scent at will. Perhaps the most captivating of these accounts is his meeting with the saintly master Giri Bala, who could remain underwater for extended periods. These vignettes serve not only to entertain but also to ground the spiritual teachings in tangible, miraculous reality, demonstrating the extraordinary potential of human consciousness. Yogananda's ability to recount these supernatural events with a simple, matter-of-fact tone makes them all the more compelling and believable.
The second half of the book details Yogananda’s transformative mission to the West. Guided by his guru’s prophecy, he travels to America in 1920 to attend the International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston. His speech, "The Science of Religion," received an enthusiastic response, marking the beginning of his lifelong work. He established the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) to disseminate his teachings, traveling extensively and giving lectures to packed auditoriums across the United States. He describes the challenges he faced in adapting to a new culture and the skepticism he encountered, as well as the deep reverence and spiritual hunger he found among many Westerners. He successfully presented yoga not as a mystical, esoteric practice but as a universal, scientific method of attaining God-realization.
"The Autobiography of a Yogi" is revered for its clear and accessible explanation of complex spiritual concepts. Yogananda meticulously explains the principles of karma, reincarnation, and the unity of all religions. He emphasizes that the truths of yoga are not exclusive to any single faith but are the underlying principles of all spiritual paths. He presents Kriya Yoga as a "master key" to inner freedom, a practical technique for spiritual growth that can be practiced by anyone, regardless of their religious background. Through his life story, he illustrates the profound peace and joy that come from a deep, consistent spiritual practice. The book concludes with Yogananda’s final return to India to visit his guru, followed by his continued work in the West, establishing centers and spreading his message of universal love and self-realization. It remains a timeless classic, inspiring millions to explore the depths of their own consciousness and embark on their own spiritual journeys. show less
After painfully wading through fifty odd pages of what I consider to be lies or, at best, delusions of a (typical Bengali :P) megalomaniac, I decided to put this book down. I don't know what else I was expecting from a book of this genre. It was a mistake to pick it up in the first place.
I absolutely fail to understand how learned, intelligent people can like this book so much. People apparating in and out of thin air! Someone willing himself out of photographs! Are you fucking kidding me! show more Am I supposed to take these things on face value? Does Mukunda Ghosh mean us to take these miracles literally at all? If so, shouldn't I be seeking wisdom from someone less delusional? If not, are these stories supposed to have some hidden lessons? (I am yet to decipher any) Is the world as it is not beautiful and spiritually rich enough for him? Even if we leave the miracles out of the discussion for a moment, which is pretty difficult considering that they appear in the book at the rate of at least one per page, what IS the message that is hidden in this treasure of a book?
Before you berate me for being close-minded, I do understand that there is a wonderful world outside of science. I appreciate beauty and art and wonder. I would even appreciate spirituality, but I have to hear about it from a person who can be honest about it to himself and to me. show less
I absolutely fail to understand how learned, intelligent people can like this book so much. People apparating in and out of thin air! Someone willing himself out of photographs! Are you fucking kidding me! show more Am I supposed to take these things on face value? Does Mukunda Ghosh mean us to take these miracles literally at all? If so, shouldn't I be seeking wisdom from someone less delusional? If not, are these stories supposed to have some hidden lessons? (I am yet to decipher any) Is the world as it is not beautiful and spiritually rich enough for him? Even if we leave the miracles out of the discussion for a moment, which is pretty difficult considering that they appear in the book at the rate of at least one per page, what IS the message that is hidden in this treasure of a book?
Before you berate me for being close-minded, I do understand that there is a wonderful world outside of science. I appreciate beauty and art and wonder. I would even appreciate spirituality, but I have to hear about it from a person who can be honest about it to himself and to me. show less
This is not Yoga!!
The first prerequisite for Yoga is to have Vidya, or an intellectual base arrived at by reasoning, though in the final culmination Vidya is left behind. Yoga is an intelligent search for the truth. It doesnt depend on fanciful fables and claims.
And Yogananda really does stretch our credulity!! It starts with him remembering himself as a fetus when he knew all languages and finally selected the one he was hearing as his mother tongue and his first memories right after he was show more born. The claims keep getting more and more astonishing, beginning with minor miracles like controlling his kite as a child, to fantastical claims like Yogis who never eat, become invisible, fly through the air and do just about anything that Superman does, and much more! There's a photograph of Yogananda standing alone with a caption, "Yogananda standing with his master, who did not care to be photographed, so he made himself invisible." It requires a very strong gullibility to accept this. If anyone wants to become invisible or fly, they should go, not to a Yoga teacher, but to David Copperfield.
I am amazed that people in the West still seem to like this book. Many reviewers write about how they have learned about a 'different culture' and a 'different way of thinking' from this book, as if in India we are quite used to seeing our Yogis flying through the air and so on.
I must make it clear that I am not belittling the book in entirety, it has a childlike purity which makes it a compelling read. Yogananda's transparent sincerity, ability to laugh at himself and his genuine love for god and his thirst for spirituality is all too apparent, and his account of his spiritual quest is often touching and revelatory. This is what gives the book its charm and power. Some of the passages deserve to be counted among the most illuminating accounts of mystical experience ever. But all too often, his eagerness to discover god and people on the spiritual path strays into descriptions of fantastical and unbelievable anecdotes.
It would be quite natural for anyone who first comes into contact with Yoga through this book to develop a strong cynicism about Hinduism and its practises, including Yoga. But this is not Yoga at all. To learn about Yoga, I would recommend reading Swami Vivekananda and Ramkrishna Paramahansa, these were great teachers who also achieved relevatory experiences through Yoga but certainly never made such incredible claims. Yoga is not all about magic and fable that this book makes it out to be.
I am sorry if this review offends anyone who has found this book inspiring. I can understand people being inspired by Yogananda's profound love of God which is so transparent in this book, and which did not fail to move me, but I would like to make my own stand for reason in following the path of Yoga. show less
The first prerequisite for Yoga is to have Vidya, or an intellectual base arrived at by reasoning, though in the final culmination Vidya is left behind. Yoga is an intelligent search for the truth. It doesnt depend on fanciful fables and claims.
And Yogananda really does stretch our credulity!! It starts with him remembering himself as a fetus when he knew all languages and finally selected the one he was hearing as his mother tongue and his first memories right after he was show more born. The claims keep getting more and more astonishing, beginning with minor miracles like controlling his kite as a child, to fantastical claims like Yogis who never eat, become invisible, fly through the air and do just about anything that Superman does, and much more! There's a photograph of Yogananda standing alone with a caption, "Yogananda standing with his master, who did not care to be photographed, so he made himself invisible." It requires a very strong gullibility to accept this. If anyone wants to become invisible or fly, they should go, not to a Yoga teacher, but to David Copperfield.
I am amazed that people in the West still seem to like this book. Many reviewers write about how they have learned about a 'different culture' and a 'different way of thinking' from this book, as if in India we are quite used to seeing our Yogis flying through the air and so on.
I must make it clear that I am not belittling the book in entirety, it has a childlike purity which makes it a compelling read. Yogananda's transparent sincerity, ability to laugh at himself and his genuine love for god and his thirst for spirituality is all too apparent, and his account of his spiritual quest is often touching and revelatory. This is what gives the book its charm and power. Some of the passages deserve to be counted among the most illuminating accounts of mystical experience ever. But all too often, his eagerness to discover god and people on the spiritual path strays into descriptions of fantastical and unbelievable anecdotes.
It would be quite natural for anyone who first comes into contact with Yoga through this book to develop a strong cynicism about Hinduism and its practises, including Yoga. But this is not Yoga at all. To learn about Yoga, I would recommend reading Swami Vivekananda and Ramkrishna Paramahansa, these were great teachers who also achieved relevatory experiences through Yoga but certainly never made such incredible claims. Yoga is not all about magic and fable that this book makes it out to be.
I am sorry if this review offends anyone who has found this book inspiring. I can understand people being inspired by Yogananda's profound love of God which is so transparent in this book, and which did not fail to move me, but I would like to make my own stand for reason in following the path of Yoga. show less
Autobiography of a Yogi is at once a beautifully written account of an exceptional life and a profound introduction to the ancient science of Yoga and its time-honored tradition of meditation. Profoundly inspiring, it is at the same time vastly entertaining, warmly humorous and filled with extraordinary personages.
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Statistics
- Works
- 217
- Members
- 6,925
- Popularity
- #3,529
- Rating
- 4.2
- Reviews
- 83
- ISBNs
- 606
- Languages
- 27
- Favorited
- 13
