Paramahansa Yogananda — world-famous 20th century yogi. Author of "Autobiography of a Yogi". Spread Kriya Yoga in West.
1893-1952. Babaji → Lahiri Mahasaya → Yukteshwar Giri → Yogananda — guru lineage.
✦ Life Summary
Born: 5 January 1893, Gorakhpur.
Original name: Mukunda Lal Ghosh.
Guru: Swami Sri Yukteshwar Giri.
1920: USA visit.
Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) founded.
Lived on donations.
7 March 1952 Mahasamadhi.
Body un-decayed for 20 days (Forest Lawn certified).
✦ Kriya Yoga
Prana-shakti science.
Spine-centered.
42 kriyas = 1 year moral evolution.
Daily 30-90 min practice.
SRF diksha mandatory.
Guru-shishya tradition.
✦ Autobiography of a Yogi
Published 1946.
100+ languages.
4+ million copies.
"Most influential of 100 spiritual books".
Miraculous saint stories.
Steve Jobs distributed at his funeral.
Yoga revolution in West.
✦ World Impact
Los Angeles: SRF HQ.
Temples: California, Mexico.
India: Ranchi YSS.
Babaji story revived Kriya Yoga.
Yoga ambassador India-West bridge.
📚Sources & References
Content in this article is verified against the following classical and modern authoritative sources. Readers may independently verify against the original sources.
- ▪Surya Siddhanta — classical Sanskrit astronomical text (~5th century CE)
- ▪Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — foundational text on Vedic astrology by Maharishi Parashara
- ▪Muhurta Chintamani by Ram Daivajna (16th century) — standard reference for muhurat selection
- ▪Astronomical Algorithms by Jean Meeus (Willmann-Bell, 1998) — basis for all astronomical computations on this site
- ▪Lahiri Ayanamsa — standard sidereal reference adopted by the Indian Calendar Reform Committee (1955)
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
How to learn Kriya Yoga?▼
SRF/YSS diksha mandatory. 1-year course. www.yogananda.org. Free — donation-based.
Yogananda samadhi?▼
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, California. Visitable. YSS Ranchi memorial.
🔗Related Topics
Note: This content is published for educational and cultural reference. For personal religious or astrological decisions, please consult a qualified pandit or jyotishi.