Paramahansa Yogananda
Yogi who brought Kriya Yoga to the West and wrote Autobiography of a Yogi
- Lived
- 59 yrs
- 1893 – 1952
- Works listed
- 1
- Book
- Honours
- 0
- Awards & distinctions
- Profile views
- 1
- 0 followers
Paramahansa Yogananda was a monk and yoga teacher who spent most of his life in the United States, introducing millions of Westerners to meditation and Kriya Yoga. His Autobiography of a Yogi (1946) is one of the most widely read spiritual books of the twentieth century. He died in 1952.
Biography
Seeker
Mukunda Lal Ghosh was born in Gorakhpur into a Bengali family and was drawn to spiritual life as a child. In 1910 he met his guru, Sri Yukteswar Giri, in Varanasi, trained in his ashram at Serampore, and took monastic vows as Swami Yogananda in 1915.
To America
After founding a school in Ranchi in 1917, the start of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, he sailed to Boston in 1920 to speak at an international congress of religious liberals. He founded the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles and lectured to huge audiences across the United States.
Autobiography of a Yogi
Published in 1946, Autobiography of a Yogi describes his search for a guru and his meetings with saints, including Mahatma Gandhi, whom he initiated into Kriya Yoga in 1935. It has been translated into dozens of languages; Apple co-founder Steve Jobs reportedly reread it every year and had copies given to guests at his memorial.
Death and legacy
Yogananda died in Los Angeles on 7 March 1952. His organisations continue to teach Kriya Yoga worldwide, and India Post issued a stamp in his honour in 1977.
Timeline
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1893
Born in Gorakhpur, North-Western Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh)
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1910
Meets Sri Yukteswar
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1915
Takes monastic vows
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1917
Founds a school in Ranchi
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1920
Sails to Boston; founds Self-Realization Fellowship
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1935
Visits India; meets Gandhi
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1946
Autobiography of a Yogi
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1952
Dies in Los Angeles
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1952
Died, aged 59
Notable works
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1946
Autobiography of a Yogi Book
Did you know?
-
1
Steve Jobs reportedly read his autobiography every year.
-
2
He initiated Mahatma Gandhi into Kriya Yoga.
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3
India Post issued a stamp in his honour in 1977.
Connections
Related people
Frequently asked
Who is Paramahansa Yogananda?
Paramahansa Yogananda was a monk and yoga teacher who spent most of his life in the United States, introducing millions of Westerners to meditation and Kriya Yoga. His Autobiography of a Yogi (1946) is one of the most widely read spiritual books of the twentieth century. He died in 1952.
When did Paramahansa Yogananda die?
Paramahansa Yogananda died on 7 March 1952 at the age of 59.
Where is Paramahansa Yogananda from?
Paramahansa Yogananda was born in Gorakhpur, North-Western Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).
What is Paramahansa Yogananda known for?
Paramahansa Yogananda is best known for Autobiography of a Yogi; Self-Realization Fellowship; Kriya Yoga.
References
- Paramahansa Yogananda — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Paramahansa Yogananda — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Paramahansa Yogananda — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Paramahansa Yogananda (Q312549) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Paramahansa Yogananda”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 27 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Paramahansa Yogananda.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/paramahansa-yogananda
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