Paramhansa Yogananda: The Great Yogi Who Brought Yoga to the World

Yoga has given India some of the greatest spiritual masters, and among them, Paramhansa Yogananda stands out as a true visionary. Known worldwide as the author of the immortal spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, he was among the first to bring the ancient science of yoga and meditation to the Western world.

Yogananda’s life was a blend of devotion, discipline, and divine wisdom, and his mission was to unite East and West through the message of self-realization. His teachings continue to inspire millions even today.

Early Life and Childhood

Paramhansa Yogananda was born on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur, India, as Mukunda Lal Ghosh. From his earliest years, he displayed a deep spiritual inclination, often slipping into meditative states and seeking out saints and yogis.

Unlike most children, he longed not for worldly pleasures but for divine truth. His determination to find God became the guiding force of his life.

Meeting His Guru

Every seeker needs a master, and Yogananda’s search ended when he met his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, in Serampore.

This was the turning point of his spiritual journey. Under Sri Yukteswar’s strict discipline and boundless wisdom, young Mukunda was trained in Kriya Yoga, a sacred meditation technique passed down through the lineage of great masters like Mahavatar Babaji and Lahiri Mahasaya.

This master-disciple relationship became the foundation of Yogananda’s mission to share yoga with the world.

Founding of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS)

In 1917, Yogananda founded the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) to teach yoga and meditation to people of all walks of life.

The mission of YSS was revolutionary — it combined spiritual training, education, and practical living. Yogananda believed that yoga was not just for monks but for householders, students, and seekers everywhere.

Even today, YSS continues to guide thousands of spiritual aspirants across India.

Journey to the West

The real turning point came in 1920, when Yogananda traveled to the United States to represent India at the International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston. His speech, “The Science of Religion”, left a lasting impact.

Recognizing his global mission, he established the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in Los Angeles, which became the headquarters of his work.

Through lectures, writings, and personal guidance, Yogananda shared Kriya Yoga, Vedanta philosophy, and meditation practices with thousands of Western seekers, breaking cultural barriers and planting yoga firmly in the modern world.

Autobiography of a Yogi – A Spiritual Masterpiece

In 1946, Yogananda published his world-famous book, Autobiography of a Yogi.

This book opened the spiritual treasures of India to the West and introduced countless readers to meditation, saints, and yogic wisdom. Translated into 50+ languages, it continues to be a guiding light for seekers — even influential personalities like Steve Jobs, George Harrison, and Virat Kohli found inspiration in its pages.

Teachings and Philosophy

Yogananda’s philosophy was universal, practical, and deeply transformative. His core teachings included:

• Kriya Yoga as the supreme technique for spiritual awakening.
• Harmony of science and spirituality, proving meditation’s scientific benefits.
• Unity of all religions, emphasizing that truth is one though paths are many.
• Balanced living, integrating spirituality into work, family, and daily duties.
• Inner peace through meditation, teaching that true happiness lies within.

His message, “Be in the world, but not of it,” continues to inspire modern seekers juggling material and spiritual life.

Final Years and Mahasamadhi

On March 7, 1952, Paramhansa Yogananda consciously entered Mahasamadhi after delivering a powerful speech in Los Angeles, praising India and America’s spiritual unity.

A remarkable phenomenon followed: his body remained incorrupt and undecayed for weeks, something widely reported and seen as a sign of his yogic mastery.

Legacy – A Bridge Between East and West

Paramhansa Yogananda’s work lives on through YSS (India) and SRF (worldwide). His disciples and millions of readers regard him as the world teacher who made yoga a global practice.

He is celebrated not only as a yogi but as a visionary spiritual ambassador, who showed humanity that yoga is the science of inner freedom, beyond religion and nationality.

Conclusion

Paramhansa Yogananda was more than a yogi — he was a world teacher, philosopher, and divine messenger. His vision of self-realization, harmony of East and West, and unity of all religions remains as relevant today as it was in his lifetime.

At Mimamsa Yoga School, Rishikesh, we draw deep inspiration from his timeless teachings. Just as he blended spirituality with modern living, we train students to embrace yoga as a complete path of body, mind, and soul.

Learn more about our yoga teacher training programs at: mimamsayoga.com