Kriya & Yoga

Paramahansa Yogananda

Premavatar • Father of Yoga in the West • Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh

January 5, 1893 – March 7, 1952 • Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (Ranchi & Dakshineswar) / SRF Los Angeles

"Self-Realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God."

Spiritual Essence

Core Philosophy & Universal Message

Kriya Yoga • Personal Direct Communion with God

Change yourself and you have done your part in changing the world. When you meditate deeply, you connect with the infinite ocean of divine bliss.(Man's Eternal Quest)

Historical Chronology

Verified Life & Spiritual Journey

Early Life & Calling: Born as Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur on January 5, 1893. From early childhood, his intense quest for God led him to his supreme guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri in Serampore, who trained him in the ancient science of Kriya Yoga.

Spiritual Descent & Method: In 1920, fulfilling the divine mandate of Mahavatar Babaji, Yogananda sailed to America to address the International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston. He established Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) and Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS), introducing millions to the scientific practice of Raja Yoga meditation.

Major Contribution: Penned 'Autobiography of a Yogi', heralded as one of the 100 best spiritual books of the 20th century, sparking the global spiritual awakening.

Mahasamadhi & Living Presence: Attained Mahasamadhi on March 7, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, concluding his address with his poem 'My India'. His physical body remained completely incorrupt and free from decay for over twenty days.

Documented Encounters

Verified Historical Followers & Impact

Mahatma Gandhi

Father of the Indian Nation

August 1935

The Historic Encounter: Yogananda visited Mahatma Gandhi at his Wardha ashram. Gandhi requested formal initiation into the ancient science of Kriya Yoga.

Transformation & Documented Achievement:Yogananda personally initiated Gandhi and his companions into Kriya Yoga, cementing the union between spiritual meditation and non-violent political action.

Verified Source: Autobiography of a Yogi — Paramahansa Yogananda (Chapter 44: With Mahatma Gandhi at Wardha)

Steve Jobs

Co-founder & CEO, Apple Inc.

Lifelong Reader

The Historic Encounter: Steve Jobs read 'Autobiography of a Yogi' as a teenager and reread it every single year of his life.

Transformation & Documented Achievement:At his memorial service in October 2011, Jobs arranged for every attendee to receive a copy of 'Autobiography of a Yogi' in a brown box—his final parting message to the world.

Verified Source: Steve Jobs Biography — Walter Isaacson (Chapter 41)

Continuous Humanitarian Seva

Living Charitable Seva & Legacy Today

Administered by: Yogoda Satsanga Society of India / Self-Realization Fellowship

Dissemination of Kriya Yoga teachings to hundreds of thousands of seekers worldwide.
Charitable dispensaries, eye camps, and schools across India.
Publication of sacred scriptural commentaries (Bhagavad Gita, Gospels).