Paramahansa Yogananda’s early life

The life of this yogi is filled with miraculous anecdotes to inspire the avid seeker on the yogic path. He brought the teachings of kriya yoga to the west and opened the world to a new spiritual possibility. Part 1 covers Paramahansa Yogananda’s early life and the realizations of truth he observed at a tender age.

Paramahansa Yogananda (Mukunda Lal Ghosh) at the age of six. Photograph from 1899. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Based on his autobiography, this is the story of Paramahansa Yogananda. He was a yogi who taught the world Kriya Yoga in the 20th century. Given that he lived and taught in Los Angeles for 32 years, he is thought of as the father of yoga in the west. He had a huge impact on the development of modern yoga from being invited to speak on national podiums to touching the lives of his students daily.

He published his book, "Autobiography of a Yogi," in 1946, and it became one of the most widely recommended books by successful people all over the world. He says that this book will work as his messenger when he dies, carrying his message to the world for years to come. He speaks about his life and embedded within are the philosophies of the yogic ways.

This book was written by a yogi for yogis. It is thought of as being the most revealing about the ancient Indic psyche, as well as the emotions of individuals who follow Indic traditions and believe in Gurus and truth. The book was written by a man who was well-liked by everyone who encountered him. Ancient Indian traditions seek for the ultimate verities, and Yogananda’s life is a guidebook for each yogi who aspires to understand and live on the yogic path.

He was born as Mukunda Lal Ghosh, in Gorakhpur in 1893 to a Bengali family; fourth among eight siblings. His family was devoted to the ancient Indian traditions, especially the guru-disciple relationship. Their guru was Lahiri Mahasaya, a follower of Kriya Yoga, too. They felt deeply connected with him and got to witness his miracles.

His parents were a loving and respectful couple, and their love was never showy. They were a picture of calm love that isn't strained nor exaggerated. Their father was a well-read man who used logic and common sense. Their mother was an affectionate and heart-driven woman who loved and cared for them. When his mother died, the young Mukunda saw a glimmer his mother's look in the eyes of his father. His mother, before passing gave Mukunda an amulet which he proclaimed would vanish back into the ether it came from in a few years. He had a vision of his mother telling him to call his father on the next train to her, and despite his father's disbelief, his intuition was always spot on. His emotional world as a child has always been full, with tears of distress and vivid memories of toddlerhood and previous lives. His parents thought their son was an enlightened spirit.

At one point, a strong question came up in his head: "What is behind the dark space behind my closed eyes?" In his mind, as he meditated on this, a divine white light took on the shape of yogis, and he saw them in his mind. He asked them, It was a question that he wanted to know the answer to. "Who are you?" to which they replied, "We are the Himalayan Yogis." His heart began to ache to go to the Himalayas. The image of the Himalayan yogis faded away, and the light changed into the circle of infinity. Again, he asked, "What is this glow?" "I am Ishwara" it replied. Light made him want to be one with it, and his heart began longing to seek God, which became his permanent legacy.

Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satya (truthfulness) are two of the 10 yamas according to yoga sutras. Yamas are a list of “don’t do’s” maintained by every yogi on their path. At a tender age, he learnt the vibratory power of speech. Simple words spoken with concentration has the power to explode like bombs, and produce immense effects. He learnt later on that speech can be used for healing and to free people from their difficulties. He once told his sister that her boil would increase twice in diameter and that he would produce one too on the same spot as her. Verily, the following day came and it was true. His mother reprimanded him not to speak such words that could cause harm to others. One’s convictions in life prove to be reality, this is a yogic tenet.

Through his several life lessons, Paramahansa Yogananda became a guru for the world, allowing people who read his book the opportunity to learn of the yogic ways. The yogic traditions are more a way of life than a set of standardized norms within a tradition. It is the individual’s development into the highest state of being. Part two will look into his journey into the Himalayas.