The life and death of Paramahansa Yogananda, guru to the stars

Paramahansa Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

Paramahansa Yogananda wasn’t just a guru—he was the guru who brought yoga and meditation to the West in a way that was accessible, transformative, and deeply spiritual. Today, he’s remembered as one of the most influential spiritual leaders of the modern era, with a legacy that continues to inspire celebrities, seekers, and skeptics alike.

A calling from the start

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

Born Mukunda Lal Ghosh on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur, India, Yogananda showed signs of spiritual curiosity from a very young age.

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

A guru predicted his future

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

His parents were devotees of Lahiri Mahasaya, a revered figure in the Kriya Yoga tradition. Legend has it that when Yogananda was still a child, a visiting guru predicted his future, telling his mother, “Little mother, your son will be a yogi. Like a spiritual locomotive, he will carry many souls to God.”

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

Finding his master

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

Yogananda’s spiritual path became more defined when he met Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, who would become his guru and mentor. Under Yukteswar’s guidance, he spent ten intense years studying Hindu scriptures, deepening his practice of meditation, and immersing himself in the discipline of Kriya Yoga.

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

Scholar and seeker

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

Despite his devotion to spiritual life, Yogananda also pursued formal education, enrolling at the University of Calcutta. After graduating, he was initiated as a monk in the Swami order and given the name “Yogananda,” meaning “bliss through divine union.”

A journey to the West

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

In 1920, Yogananda received an invitation that would change the spiritual landscape of the Western world. He traveled to Boston to represent India at the Congress of Religious Liberals and delivered a groundbreaking lecture on the unity of science and religion. The reception was so enthusiastic that he began lecturing at American universities, drawing large crowds fascinated by Eastern philosophy.

A return to roots

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

In 1935, he returned to India, stopping in Europe and Pakistan along the way. During this visit, he met with Mahatma Gandhi, initiating him into Kriya Yoga. That same year, he was bestowed the title “Paramahansa,” which roughly translates to “supreme swan”—a symbol of ultimate spiritual realization and constant communion with the divine.

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

A death foretold

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

Yogananda seemed to know his time was coming to an end. In his book ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’, he hinted at his mission being nearly complete. According to members of the Self-Realization Fellowship, in his final years he spoke openly of his readiness to leave the earthly plane, saying his work here was done.

The day he left this world

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

On March 7, 1952, Yogananda attended a banquet in Los Angeles held in honor of India’s ambassador. According to Sexto Sentido magazine, published by Brazil’s Institute of Projectiology and Bioenergetics Research, Yogananda stood to recite his poem ‘My India’. As he finished, he raised his gaze to the spiritual center between his eyebrows—and passed away peacefully. It was a poetic exit, as serene as his teachings.

Awake: The Life of Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

In 1993, the centenary of his birth was celebrated around the globe. Later, in 2014, the acclaimed documentary ‘Awake: The Life of Yogananda’ was released, chronicling his journey and impact. (You can watch it now on Prime Video.)

A message for every generation

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

From Gen X to Gen Z, Yogananda’s blend of ancient wisdom and introspective practice continues to resonate. Whether through yoga, meditation, or mindfulness, his tools for inner peace remain as relevant as ever.

A guru to the stars

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

With his calm presence and millennia-old teachings, Yogananda became a favorite among celebrities seeking spiritual depth. His fan base includes Steve Jobs, Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, and Will Smith.

Steve Jobs

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

According to CNN, Steve Jobs considered Yogananda’s teachings essential to living well. So much so that at his 2011 memorial service, each guest received a copy of ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’—his final offering to those closest to him.

George Harrison

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

Beatles guitarist George Harrison never met Yogananda, but called him a major inspiration. He even dedicated his song ‘My Sweet Lord’ to the guru, calling it a reflection of the spiritual truths Yogananda shared. It's also said he gave US President Gerald Ford a copy of his autobiography during a visit to the White House.

My Sweet Lord

Paramahansa Yogananda, A calling from the start, A guru predicted his future, Finding his master, Scholar and seeker, A journey to the West, A return to roots, A death foretold, The day he left this world, Awake: The Life of Yogananda, A message for every generation, A guru to the stars, Steve Jobs, George Harrison, My Sweet Lord

His famous 1970 track, which includes the words: I really want to know you (Hallelujah) / Now, I really want to see you (Hare Rama)/ My sweet Lord (Guru Sakshata)" is reportedly written to tshow that 'Hallelujah' and 'Hare Kishna' are the same, and to give western people a pop mantra.

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