About the Book :
Sri Sri Paramhansa Yoganand, also known as ‘Premavatar’ was born to devout Bengali parents on 5th January, 1883, as the second son amongst eight children. His parents and his Guru Jnanavatar Sri Yukteshwara Giri, were direct disciples of the eminent Sri Sri Lahiri Mahashaya of Benares, an enlightened soul who propounded Kriya Yoga, the technique of attaining divinity through self-realisation. Trained in meditation, the Scriptures and Kriya Yoga, Paramhansa Yogananda was sent by his teacher as an emissary to spread Oriental spiritual knowledge in the West. This he achieved most successfully during his stays in the United States of America from 1920 to 1952. Thus, he penned a first-hand account of his life experiences in Autobiography of a Yogi which traces the journey of a young Mukunda Lal Ghosh thirsting for divine knowledge. During his journey, starting with a silver amulet, divinely delivered to his mother, he meets distinguished people like Mahendra Nath Gupta, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa’ disciple, and eminent scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose, culminating in his meeting his guru, Jnanavatar Sri Yukteshwara Giri in Benares. The humble disciple with his simplified explanations of divinity and miracles, linking Indian philosophy with Christian theosophy, paid a befitting tribute to his Guru and the mission he was entrusted with.
About the Author :
The Yogi entered Mahasamadhi on 7th March, 1952, on the historic occasion of the banquet held in honour of the then Indian Ambassador. His body kept in a Los Angeles mortuary, remained fresh even twenty days after his death.
People whose lives have been touched by his teachings regularly visit his mausoleum is in California.