The Life and Times of Paramahansa Yogananda

“Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.” – Paramahansa Yogananda

The first half of the 20th century was a period of great unrest and turmoil in the world. It would bear through two World Wars and witness historic struggles against colonialism. It was a period which endured the destructive effects of human greed, making many question the presence of morality, empathy, and kindness in humans. Faith in humanity had to be restored. The world needed a healing touch, and there was an urgent need for spiritual guidance. The time was ripe for the unconditional love and spiritual teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Nearly seven decades have passed since Paramahansa Yogananda attained Mahasamadhi – leaving the body for good by will. His message and teachings are more relevant and popular today than ever before; he continues to remain an inspiration for all. His teachings are a source of light; guiding all people, transcending the boundaries of race, culture, and creed, towards self-realization.

Formative Years of Paramahansa Yogananda

Mukunda Lal Ghosh, born on January 5, 1893, in an affluent Bengali family, did not have a normal childhood. The inherent spirituality in him only needed a conducive environment to surface. Even at a young age, he felt at home among yogis, saints, and hundreds and thousands of disciples. He absorbed knowledge like a sponge, always eager to learn more, and got great pleasure attending spiritual seminars and religious discourses. The boy’s spiritual depth and self-awareness were not lost on those around him.

Young Mukunda was predestined to become a great yogi. In his infancy, Mukunda’s mother sought the blessings of Lahiri Mahasaya – the spiritual master who popularized Kriya Yoga in India – for her son. After blessing the child, the master told the mother that young Mukunda would grow up to become a Yogi and a great spiritual leader. He would guide many souls to the doorways of self-realization.

As Mukunda aged the spiritual spark in him only grew brighter. As a youth, he sought out yogis, saints, and sages who could guide him uncover the depths of Indian philosophy and spirituality. His search came to an end when he met his Guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri at 19-years of age. He spent the next decade with him, in preparation for what was to come.

His Guru soon understood that Mukunda was no ordinary young man; he chose Mukunda to be the one who would spread Kriya yoga in the west. At a very young age, just after graduation, Mukunda took the vows of a monk and was given the name Yogananda, which means to ‘bliss through the divine union’. Thus began Paramahansa Yogananda’s journey of serving God, spreading love, and propagating Kriya Yoga to every corner of the world.

“The season of failure is the best time for sowing the seeds of success.” – Paramahansa Yogananda

The Beginning of the Journey

Yogananda’s first big step to promote yoga and spirituality saw the establishment of the ‘how-to-live’ school in Ranchi. In addition to the formal academic syllabus, the students were also taught spirituality and yoga exercises. The school was established in a palace at Ranchi, which has been gifted by the Maharajah of Kasimbazar. Years later, Mahatma Gandhi would visit and greatly praise the school.

The crucial phase of his spiritual journey would start in 1920, when Yogananda had a vision during meditation: He was advised to begin the journey that would fulfill his life’s purpose, to spread his teachings in the west.

Simultaneously, greater powers were at work to facilitate his journey. Yogananda was invited to attend the international congress of religious leaders in Boston. Before departing, Yogananda met his Guru, who told him all obstacles had cleared, the time had come to fulfill his mission.

Yogananda’s first speech on the Science of Religion at the International Congress of Religious Liberals, in front of a huge audience – comprising of philosophers, politicians, reformers, and religious leaders from around the world – was received with great enthusiasm. By the end of the 1920s, the seeds were sowed to spread India’s spirituality, science, and philosophy. It was in Boston that the first center of the Self-Realization Fellowship was opened with the help of his disciples: Alice Hasey, Dr. Minott Lewis, and his wife Mildred Lewis.

Yogananda spent the next three years on the east coast, teaching and delivering lectures to large audiences. In 1924, he began his spiritual tour westward, traveling from city to city, enthralling the best minds of America with his ideas and speeches. Upon reaching Los Angeles, Yogananda established an ashram at the top of Mount Washington, which would serve as the international headquarters of SRF.

Yogananda spent the next ten years crisscrossing the country, speaking and giving lectures in some of the country’s largest auditoriums, which would gather great crowds. From the Philharmonic Auditorium in Los Angeles to Carnegie Hall in New York, he commanded attention like no other. The audiences were enthralled by his speeches and were often visibly moved by what Yogananda had to say. Writing about his lecture in the Philharmonic Auditorium, the Los Angeles Times reported that thousands outside were refused entry as the lecture hall was packed to capacity; not a single seat available in an auditorium that could hold 3000.

“There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking go others first; when you learn olive for others, they will live for you” – Paramahansa Yogananda

The Message of Universal Love and Brotherhood

In his lectures, Yogananda highlighted the commonalities among the major religious philosophies in the world. His approach was unique and impactful because of its universal appeal.

Yogananda taught how to experience Divinity through a method that everyone irrespective of his or her race, creed, or culture could adopt. He taught that each individual had the capacity to experience Divinity through self-realization; by knowing the true-self that includes the body, mind, and soul.

To the West, his teachings were new and revolutionary. Rather than using religion to know Divinity, Yogananda promoted the idea of experiencing Divinity by tapping into one’s deeper consciousness. He also strived for better understanding and mutual respect between the philosophies and people of the West and East.

He would never turn anyone away. Those that were willing to fully commit, make an effort, and follow the teaching of Yogananda were taken in and taught the system of Kriya Yoga. It is estimated that in the 30 years that Yogananda spent in the west more than 100,000 students were initiated into Kriya Yoga.

His teachings attracted many famous personalities from varied fields including the arts, business, politics, and more. Some of his famous students include Leopold Stokowski (symphony conductor), Edwin Markham (poet), George Eastman (inventor and entrepreneur), Amelita Galli-Curci (operatic soprano), and Luther Burbank (horticulturist).

Yogananda’s speeches inspired many who sought unconditional love, self-realization, and spiritual guidance. The strength of the audience that gathered to hear Yogananda also got the press involved. His spiritual activities, lectures, and visits to various towns and cities were regularly reported in the newspapers.

In 1927, his growing popularity also earned him an invite to the White House, where he was officially received by President Calvin Coolidge. Two years later, he was cordially welcomed by Dr. Emilio Portes Gil, the President of Mexico, when Yogananda visited the country to spread his message.

A Year-long Visit to India

In the mid-1930s Yogananda visited his motherland to meet his guru. It would be his last meeting with his guru, who would pass just a few months later. Before his demise, his Guru honored Yogananda with the title of Paramahansa, a title reserved for those who have achieved self-realisation.

During that year, Paramahansa Yogananda would travel throughout the sub-continent delivering lectures and teaching Kriya Yoga. During this period he also met prominent spiritual leaders such as Anandamayi Ma and Ramana Maharshi , scientist and Nobel laureate – C.V. Raman, and Mahatma Gandhi.

During his time in India, Paramahansa Yogananda also established a permanent headquarters for the Yogoda Satsanga Society in Dakshineswar, West Bengal. Even today, the YSS continues to operate numerous meditation centers, ashrams, and schools, promoting education, conducting charitable work, and spreading the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Upon returning to the United States, Paramahansa Yogananda worked on establishing new centers of SRF in many cities. He also directed the creation of a course based on his instructions and classes, which was named ‘Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons’ and was made available to anyone wanting to learn the philosophy and technique of Kriya Yoga.

“Yoga is a method for restraining the natural turbulence of thoughts, which otherwise impartially prevent all men, of all lands, from glimpsing their true nature of spirit. Yoga cannot know a barrier of East and West any more than does the healing and equitable light of the sun.” – Paramahansa Yogananda

His Later Years and Mahasamadhi

As time went by, Yogananda scaled back his lectures and tours and spent his time writing. He was working on several projects including the commentaries on the four Gospels and the Bhagavad Gita. He also revised some of his earlier works that included the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons and Whispers from Eternity.

Yogananda thought of the future of SRF without him. His closest disciples were directed on to the work to be undertaken once he was gone. The organization was to continue, and they were trained to inherit the mission. He told his disciples, “My body shall pass but my work shall go on. And my spirit shall live on. Even when I am taken away I shall work with you all for the deliverance of the world with the message of God.”

On March 7, 1952. At the Biltmore Hotel, a small banquet was organized to honor the Indian Ambassador to the USA. Shortly after delivering his speech at the banquet, Paramahansa Yogananda entered Mahasamadhi.

A Miracle after Mahasamadhi

After Mahasamadhi, Paramahansa Yogananda’s body was embalmed – as is done in certain Indian guru traditions – and preserved for a time, so his innumerable disciples could pay homage to their master. A notarized letter by The Los Angeles Mortuary Director Harry T. Rowe stated there was an absence of any visible decay or physical disintegration on Yogananda’s body even 20 days after his demise. Rowe further added that such perfect preservation after such a long period is unparalleled and had never been seen before.

Titles, Honors, and Recognitions

The Government of India formally recognized the spiritual and humanitarian contributions of Paramahansa Yogananda by releasing a special commemorative stamp on the 25th anniversary of his mahasamadhi.

Similarly, in 2017, on the 100th anniversary of YSS, the Indian Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi released a new commemorative postal stamp and paid great tribute to Yogananda.

Documentary, Books, Collected Talks and Essays

Some of the most famous written works of Yogananda include the perennial best-seller “Autobiography of a Yogi” and “Yogoda Satsanga Lessons.”

An award-winning documentary titled ‘Awake: The Life of Yogananda’ on the life and times of the great spiritual leader was released in 2014.