Introduction to the Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda

Introduction by Jayaram V

Summary: This page provides an introduction to the Autobiography of a Yogi, the seminal spiritual work by Paramhansa Yogananda originally published in 1946. The introduction, written by Jayaram V, offers context on Yogananda's early life, including his birth as Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur, India in 1893 and his lifelong spiritual quest. Readers gain insight into the biographical foundation of this influential Hindu spiritual classic before exploring the full text's 48 chapters.

Paramahansa Yogananda was born on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur, India. His birth name was Mukunda Lal Ghosh, and he was born into a well-to-do Bengali family. From early childhood, his parents recognized the spiritual significance of his birth. As a boy, he was driven by an intense longing to seek the Divine and to cultivate a loving relationship with God in all forms and aspects.

He underwent many personal experiences that deepened his faith in the Divine and inspired him to seek a Guru who could guide him to the highest Truth. At the age of seventeen, he met Swami Yukteswar Giri and became his disciple. He spent the next ten years under his Guru’s guidance, practicing Kriya Yoga and exploring the inner realms. To prepare him for his future mission in the Western world, his Guru encouraged him to attend college and receive a modern education.

After completing his education in 1915, Swami Yukteswar initiated him into monkhood and gave him the name Yogananda. He later became widely known in both the East and the West through his teachings and speeches. His Autobiography of a Yogi, published in 1946, attracted the attention of readers around the world. After spreading a message of love across many parts of the world and demonstrating that sustained self-effort can elevate human beings to extraordinary spiritual heights, he passed away on March 7, 1952.

It has been said that, because of his extraordinary spiritual powers, his body showed no signs of decay even twenty days after his death—a fact that was reportedly recorded officially by doctors.

Hinduwebsite presents the original 1946 edition of his Autobiography in its entirety. We believe this edition is in the public domain and have reproduced it here in accordance with the Berne Convention. This book holds profound spiritual significance for anyone interested in spiritual matters, regardless of caste or creed. It narrates in great detail the firsthand experiences of Sri Yogananda and his encounters with higher worlds and divine beings.

Autobiography of a Yogi is significant not only as the life story of Sri Yogananda, but also as one of the most influential spiritual books of the modern era. It introduced countless readers in the West to the deeper philosophical and meditative traditions of India, especially the path of yoga as a practical means of self-realization. Through its vivid blend of personal narrative, spiritual insight, and accounts of saints and mystics, the book has inspired generations of seekers to explore the inner life and to view religion as a universal search for truth beyond the boundaries of creed and culture.