Preface

The value of Yogananda’s Autobiography is greatly enhanced by the fact that it is one of the few books in English about the wise men of India which has been written, not by a journalist or foreigner, but by one of their own race and training—in short, a book about yogis by a yogi. As an eyewitness recountal of the extraordinary lives and powers of modern Hindu saints, the book has importance both timely and timeless. To its illustrious author, whom I have had the pleasure of knowing both in India and America, may every reader render due appreciation and gratitude. His unusual life-document is certainly one of the most revealing of the depths of the Hindu mind and heart, and of the spiritual wealth of India, ever to be published in the West.

Yogananda’s Autobiography is far more valuable because it is one of the few English-language books about India’s wise men written by one of their own. Its author is not a journalist or foreigner, but an Indian who shares their training. In short, it is a book about yogis by a yogi. As an eyewitness account of the extraordinary lives and powers of modern Hindu saints, the book is both timely and timeless. I have had the pleasure of knowing its distinguished author in both India and America. May every reader give him the appreciation and gratitude he deserves. His remarkable life story is certainly among the most revealing accounts of the Hindu mind and heart ever published in the West. It is also among the most revealing accounts of India’s spiritual wealth.

It has been my privilege to have met one of the sages whose life- history is herein narrated-Sri Yukteswar Giri. A likeness of the venerable saint appeared as part of the frontispiece of my Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines. [^1] It was at Puri, in Orissa, on the Bay of Bengal, that I encountered Sri Yukteswar. He was then the head of a quiet ashrama near the seashore there, and was chiefly occupied in the spiritual training of a group of youthful disciples. He expressed keen interest in the welfare of the people of the United States and of all the Americas, and of England, too, and questioned me concerning the distant activities, particularly those in California, of his chief disciple, Paramhansa Yogananda, whom he dearly loved, and whom he had sent, in 1920, as his emissary to the West.

I had the privilege of meeting one of the sages whose life stories are told here, Sri Yukteswar Giri. A portrait of the revered saint appeared as part of the frontispiece of my Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines. [^1] I met Sri Yukteswar at Puri, in Orissa, on the Bay of Bengal. He was then the head of a quiet ashrama near the seashore. His main work was the spiritual training of a group of young disciples. He showed a keen interest in the welfare of people in the United States, all the Americas, and England too. He asked me about the work of his chief disciple, Paramhansa Yogananda, in those distant lands, particularly in California. He loved Paramhansa Yogananda dearly and had sent him to the West in 1920 as his representative.

Sri Yukteswar was of gentle mien and voice, of pleasing presence, and worthy of the veneration which his followers spontaneously accorded to him. Every person who knew him, whether of his own community or not, held him in the highest esteem. I vividly recall his tall, straight, ascetic figure, garbed in the saffron-colored garb of one who has renounced worldly quests, as he stood at the entrance of the hermitage to give me welcome. His hair was long and somewhat curly, and his face bearded. His body was muscularly firm, but slender and well-formed, and his step energetic. He had chosen as his place of earthly abode the holy city of Puri, whither multitudes of pious Hindus, representative of every province of India, come daily on pilgrimage to the famed Temple of Jagannath, “Lord of the World.” It was at Puri that Sri Yukteswar closed his mortal eyes, in 1936, to the scenes of this transitory state of being and passed on, knowing that his incarnation had been carried to a triumphant completion. I am glad, indeed, to be able to record this testimony to the high character and holiness of Sri Yukteswar. Content to remain afar from the multitude, he gave himself unreservedly and in tranquillity to that ideal life which Paramhansa Yogananda, his disciple, has now described for the ages. W. Y. EVANS-WENTZ

Sri Yukteswar had a gentle manner and voice, and a pleasing presence. He deserved the reverence his followers freely showed him. Everyone who knew him, whether from his own community or not, held him in the highest esteem. I vividly remember his tall, straight figure, lean from an austere life, as he stood at the hermitage entrance to welcome me. He wore the saffron-colored robes of someone who had renounced worldly pursuits. His hair was long and somewhat curly, and he had a beard. His body was firm and muscular, yet slender and well-proportioned, and he walked energetically. He had chosen the holy city of Puri as his earthly home. Every day, great numbers of devout Hindus from every province of India come there on pilgrimage. They visit the famous Temple of Jagannath, “Lord of the World.” In Puri in 1936, Sri Yukteswar closed his eyes in death to this temporary existence and passed on. He knew that his incarnation had reached a triumphant completion. I am truly glad to record this testimony to Sri Yukteswar’s noble character and holiness. Content to remain far from the crowds, he devoted himself fully and peacefully to that ideal life. His disciple, Paramhansa Yogananda, has now described that life for all time. W. Y. EVANS-WENTZ

1-1: Oxford University Press, 1935.

1-1: Oxford University Press, 1935.

Author’s Acknowledgments

Author’s Acknowledgments

I am deeply indebted to Miss L. V. Pratt for her long editorial labors over the manuscript of this book. My thanks are due also to Miss Ruth Zahn for preparation of the index, to Mr. C. Richard Wright for permission to use extracts from his Indian travel diary, and to Dr. W. Y. Evans-Wentz for suggestions and encouragement.

I am deeply grateful to Miss L. V. Pratt for her long work editing the manuscript of this book. I also thank Miss Ruth Zahn for preparing the index. I thank Mr. C. Richard Wright for permission to use excerpts from his Indian travel diary. And I thank Dr. W. Y. Evans-Wentz for his suggestions and encouragement.