Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, and founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India was one of the great saints who introduced truth-seekers all over the world to yoga meditation. His universal Kriya Yoga teachings enable all to create for themselves spiritually harmonious lives, and to contribute to a more compassionate and peaceful world. His work and influence continue to grow.

In 1977, while issuing a commemorative stamp in his honour on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his mahasamadhi, the Gove ment of India paid him the following tribute:

“The ideal of love for God and service to humanity found full expression in the life of Paramahansa Yogananda….He takes his place among our great saints. His work continues to grow and shine ever more brightly, drawing people everywhere on the path of the pilgrimage of the spirit.”

This legacy of Paramahansa Yoganandaji is being carried forward by Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS), founded by him.

Bo in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, on January 5, 1893, Paramahansaji’s early years were marked by events and portents indicating his future mission. After graduating from Calcutta University in 1915, Paramahansaji was initiated into sannyas. His guru encouraged him to take up organizational work, reminding him that he who renounces worldly duties must love and serve, as his own, the larger family of humanity. Thus was Yogoda Satsanga Society of India founded in 1917, with an Ashram and a small school at Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Paramahansaji was sent by his guru to Boston, USA in 1920 to represent India at an Inte ational Congress of Religious Liberals. Subsequent lectures were enthusiastically received. He toured extensively, giving lectures and classes on the science of meditation and balanced spiritual living. He established the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) headquarters at Los Angeles in 1925.

The aims and ideals of YSS include the liberation of man from his threefold suffering: physical disease, mental inharmonies, and spiritual ignorance. Also included is the dissemination of definite techniques for overcoming these, and for attaining direct personal experience of God through meditation — the one divine highway to which all paths of true religious beliefs eventually lead. Serving mankind as one’s larger self is another ideal of YSS.

The Energization Exercises, developed by Paramahansaji in 1916, enable one to consciously draw energy from the Cosmic Source, to purify and strengthen the body, and to prepare it for meditation. Concentration techniques empower one to withdraw thoughts and energy from outer distractions and to focus them on any goal to be achieved, or problem to be solved, or on the Divine Consciousness within. Techniques of meditation show one how to use the power of concentration to expand the awareness beyond the body and to experience one’s infinite potential.

The teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda offer a direct means of stilling the natural turbulence of thoughts that prevents us from knowing what we really are. By practicing these step-by-step methods, we come to know our oneness with the Infinite Intelligence that gives life to all and is the essence of our own Self. These scientific techniques reverse the outward flow of energy and consciousness so that the mind becomes a dynamic centre of direct perception — dependent no longer on the fallible senses but capable of actually experiencing Truth. The highest of these methods of meditation is Kriya Yoga that reinforces and revitalizes subtle currents of life energy in the body. Consciousness is drawn to higher levels of awareness, gradually bringing about an inner awakening. Referring to the sure and methodical efficacy of Kriya Yoga practice, Paramahansaji declared: “It works like mathematics; it cannot fail.”

Paramahansa Yoganandaji’s method of disseminating these teachings is ingenious. One does not have to go to any classes or meet any instructors. One lea s and practices these teachings at one’s home, at one’s own time. Under Paramahansaji’s direction, classes and lectures he gave on the art of balanced spiritual living were compiled to form the Yogoda Satsanga Lessons. These Lessons are available to sincere seekers for study and practice at home.

Another major aspect of Paramahansaji’s teachings is the emphasis on balanced spiritual living. Apart from the very few who might choose to devote their entire lives to loving and serving God, devotees are taught how to maintain a balance between their worldly duties and spiritual upliftment — how God-consciousness can make them better human beings.

Paramahansaji strongly advised his disciples to meditate together in groups. He said, “Group meetings strengthen the individual Self-realization that one has acquired in private at home,” adding that, “meditating together increases the degree of Self-realization of each member of the group by the law of invisible vibratory exchange of group magnetism.” It is a measure of the success of the efforts of YSS that there are over 200 such meditation centres all over India and the Indian subcontinent today. In addition, there are four Ashrams: at Ranchi, Kolkata, Noida, and Dwarahat (near Ranikhet) where Yogoda devotees can spend a few days in spiritual solitude to deepen their sadhana and to receive personal guidance from YSS sannyasis. Such guidance is also made available when the Swamis tour different parts of India and the Indian subcontinent. YSS publishes at affordable prices the writings and lectures of Paramahansaji and his seniormost disciples.

YSS also undertakes various activities of service to mankind. The Society oversees some 20 educational institutions. The school founded by Paramahansaji at Ranchi with a handful of students has developed into a complex of schools and colleges with thousands of students. YSS serves tens of thousands of patients every year through allopathic and homeopathic dispensaries. Specialized clinics, free eye camps, and helping orphanages and leprosy colonies are some of its other regular charitable activities. And these are apart from providing emergency relief throughout India, to people ravaged by natural disasters such as earthquake in Kashmir to Tsunami in Tamil Nadu.

Today Paramahansaji’s spiritual and humanitarian worldwide work is carried on under the guidance of Sri Sri Swami Chidananda Giri. As the President of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India and Self-Realization Fellowship, he carries forward the legacy of Paramahansaji, inspiring people of all faiths and from all walks of life with his wisdom and great love of God.

On the completion of 100 years of its existence, YSS legitimately has the satisfaction of not only safeguarding the legacy of its founder but also carrying his message to an ever increasing number of thirsty souls yea ing for spiritual solace. In honour of 100 years of YSS, the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sri Narendra Modi has released a commemorative stamp on March 7, 2017.

In 2018, the Gove ment of India in recognition of the spiritual stature, achievements, and contributions of one of India’s immortal sons, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, has decided to celebrate his 125th Birth Anniversary by publishing his teachings, and organizing public talks and seminars across India to disseminate his yoga-meditation techniques. In 2019, the Gove ment also released a commemorative silver coin of value ₹125 in honour of Paramahansaji.

The last sentence of Autobiography of a Yogi reads, “Lord, Thou hast given this monk a large family.” The family has grown, and will continue to grow, as was foreseen by Paramahansa Yogananda.






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