Paramahansa Yogananda’s birth name was Mukunda Lal Ghosh. He was born on 5 January 1893 in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. He was son of Shri Bhagabati Charan Ghosh who was a disciple of Shri Lahiri Mahasaya. He is a popular Indian Saint. He introduced Kriya Yoga to Occidental World.
His book Autobiography of a Yogi is an excellent book and a must read for all spiritual seekers.
Paramahansa Yogananda had inclination for God Realization from childhood, during his adolescence he made an unsuccessful attempt to go to Himalayas.
Yogananda was chief disciple of Sri Yukteswar Giri. Although his guru was a householder, Yogananda never married and led the life of an ascetic.
Yogananda acquired Bachelor of Arts degree from Serampore College at the behest of his Guru.
Yogananda founded Yogoda Satsanga Society of India in 1917 and Self Realization Fellowship in 1920.
Below is a photograph of Paramahansa Yogananda:
Yogananda spent a considerable time in United States spreading the knwoledge of Kriya Yoga. He can be seen as one of the persons who tried to bridge the gap between Occidental and Oriental cultures.
He had deep love and respect for India, this is expressed in his last words which he said just before his death on 7 March 1952 at a dinner party in Los Angeles:
“Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves, and men dream God—I am hallowed; my body touched that sod”.
He is one of the Saints who presented the ancient Yoga techniques in modern way to the world.
To learn more about Yogananda you can read Autobiography of a Yogi.
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