Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) was an Indian yogi and
spiritual teacher who introduced millions of people to the ancient practice of
meditation and the philosophy of Yoga in the West. His Jayanti or birth anniversary
is annually held on January 5. In 2024, it is the 130th birth
anniversary of Paramahansa Yogananda. Here’s a short biography of his life:
Early Life: Yogananda was born on January 5, 1893, in
Gorakhpur, in the northern part of India. His birth name was Mukunda Lal Ghosh.
From a young age, he showed a deep interest in spiritual matters and a strong
inclination towards meditation.
Spiritual Quest: In his teenage years, Yogananda became a
disciple of the revered spiritual teacher Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. He spent
many years in intense spiritual practice, seeking to attain the highest states
of consciousness.
Initiation into the Sannyasa: In 1915, Yogananda took
formal vows as a monk and became Swami Yogananda Giri. He established the
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India in 1917, with the aim of disseminating the
teachings of Kriya Yoga, a spiritual technique he learned from his guru, Swami Sri
Yukteswar.
Mission to the West: In 1920, Yogananda was invited to the
United States to speak at the International Congress of Religious Liberals in
Boston. He decided to stay in the U.S. to share the teachings of Yoga and
meditation with Western audiences. His mission was to promote the unity of the
world’s great religions and to teach practical techniques for attaining direct
personal experience of God.
Autobiography of a Yogi: In 1946, Yogananda published his
seminal work, “Autobiography of a Yogi,” which became a classic and
has been widely read around the world. The book has inspired countless
individuals on their spiritual journeys.
Establishment of Self-Realization Fellowship: In 1920,
Yogananda founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in Los Angeles,
California. SRF became the organizational vehicle for disseminating his
teachings and preserving the integrity of the Kriya Yoga tradition.
Legacy: Yogananda’s teachings emphasize the universality of
religious truths and the practical methods of attaining direct personal
experience of God through Kriya Yoga. He passed away on March 7, 1952, in Los
Angeles, California. Despite his physical departure, his teachings continue to
influence spiritual seekers worldwide, and the institutions he founded, like
SRF, carry on his mission.