Paramahansa Yogananda's real name was Mukunda Lal Ghosh. He changed his name after becoming a monk and taking formal vows.
Yogananda was born in 1893 in Gorakhpur, India. He was the fourth child of his parents.
Yogananda's parents were devout Hindus who practiced Kriya Yoga, a form of meditation. This was the foundation for Yogananda's spiritual path.
At the age of 17, Yogananda met his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, who became his spiritual teacher and mentor
Yogananda was the first Indian guru to establish a spiritual organization in the United States, the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), in 1920.
Yogananda's book, "Autobiography of a Yogi," has sold millions of copies and has been translated into 52 languages.
Yogananda was a pioneer in introducing yoga and meditation to the West. He held lectures and classes throughout the United States, and his teachings inspired many people to take up the practice of yoga.
Yogananda was a staunch advocate of vegetarianism and believed that it was essential for spiritual growth.
Yogananda was known for his sense of humor and his ability to tell stories that conveyed deep spiritual truths in a simple and entertaining way.
Yogananda was a prolific writer and poet. He wrote many books and poems on spirituality and self-realization.
Yogananda was also a trained engineer and had a degree in physics. He used this knowledge to explain complex spiritual concepts in a scientific way.
Yogananda was a firm believer in the power of positive thinking and visualization. He taught that by changing our thoughts, we can change our lives.
Yogananda had a close relationship with Mahatma Gandhi, whom he met several times. He was also friends with other prominent spiritual figures, such as Rabindranath Tagore and Sri Aurobindo.
Yogananda's teachings emphasized the importance of meditation as a means to achieve self-realization and to connect with the divine.
Yogananda passed away in 1952, but his teachings continue to inspire and guide people around the world.