Paramhansa Yogananda: A Biography

With Personal Reflections & Reminiscenses

By: Swami Kriyananda

Narrated by: Swami Kriyananda

Paramhansa Yogananda’s classic Autobiography of a Yogi was more about the saints Yogananda met than about himself - in spite of the fact that Yogananda was much greater than many he described. Now, one of Yogananda’s few remaining direct disciples, Swami Kriyananda, author of award winning book The New Path, tells the untold story of this great spiritual master and world teacher: his teenage miracles, his challenges in coming to America, his national lecture campaigns, his struggles to fulfill his world-changing mission amid incomprehension and painful betrayals, and his ultimate triumphant achievement.

Kriyananda’s subtle grasp of his great guru’s inner nature reveals Yogananda’s many-sided and extraordinary greatness. Includes many never-before-published anecdotes.

©2011 Hansa Trust (P)2012 Hansa Trust

Critic reviews

"This new biography of Paramhansa Yogananda will pave the path to perfection in the spiritual journey of each individual. I like this book. It is a masterpiece that serves as a guide in daily life. Through the stories of his life and the unfolding of his destiny, Yogananda’s life story will inspire the reader and flower a spiritual awakening in every heart.” (Vasant Lad, BAM&S, MASc, Ayurvedic Physician, author of Ayurveda: Science of Self-Healing, Textbook of Ayurveda series, and more)

“Where did we come from, why are we here, and where does this life lead to? Swami Kriyananda is the most experienced philosopher that could help us understand how his guru answers these questions. Through this biography of Paramhansa Yogananda, people will discover their divine nature and potential." (Bikram Choudhury, Founder of Bikram’s Yoga College of India, author of Bikram Yoga)

"A deeply insightful look into the life of one of the greatest spiritual figures of our time, by one of his most accomplished, yet last-remaining living disciples. Like the life it depicts, this book is a gem!" (Walter Cruttenden, author of Lost Star of Myth and Time)

always excellent

Kriyananda offers a unique perspective on the masters life...it's taken me time to warm to that idea but I've always found his writings enlightening.❤🙏❤

Good book, needs a different narrator

It is great to have a complementary Yogananda biography, and there are some lovely nuggets of wisdom in it also. The drawback is the narration, it is great to hear the book from the voice of the author; however, his health impedes him from properly delivering it...in this case, probably better to have someone else read it.

entertaining and interesting.

there are so many interesting things surrounding Yogananda life. this telling just adds more to the story.

Kriyananda's Memoirs

If you could sum up Paramhansa Yogananda: A Biography in three words, what would they be?

Almost good,but

What was one of the most memorable moments of Paramhansa Yogananda: A Biography?

Yogananda's early years before he was a teaching master show him to be extraordinary in a way that the Autobiography does not. He could be humorous as well as humble. And yes, there were 'miracles' I had not heard about.

How could the performance have been better?

Kriyananda's voice is scratchy (God bless him) and not pleasant to listen to. He should dictate it to someone else to read

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely not. The information is good coming from a man who knew him personally, and is well worth hearing, so i did soldier through it, and would recommend doing so. A little at a time

Any additional comments?

Good listen

A unbelievable treasure of divine wisdom and love.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I recommend to first read or listen to Autobiography Of A Yogi if you have not already read it ( there is not better book then AY in my experience) and follow up with this sacred amazing book. It is packed with so many incredible stories of Paramahansa Yogananda that are not in AY and filled with so many layered teachings that will help to enrich and place your feet even more firmly on the path of self realization. It is written and narrated in the voice of a direct desciple of Paramahansa Yogananda named Swami Kriyananda who he himself you cannot help but feel and be pleasantly uplifted by the saintly qualities that come through his voice and expression. WOW WOW WOW!!!
May this book feed your soul as it has mine.

eye opening and insightful

the book was very well written and portrayed a very magnificent biography on a man who seemed much more than regular.

Amazing book!

If you are hungry for spiritual growth look no further (other than the Autobiography). This book is absolutely fantastic.

A close perspective from the inner circle

In the beginning there were a few stories that were better told by Yogananda's younger brother in his book Medja. However, the author's perspective is from someone that was very close to the master during the last few years of his life. And also had to part ways from SRF after Yogananda's passing. I found the information interesting and the overall message on point.

Life story and recollections

This is an overview of Paramhansa Yogananda's life and includes material which is not present in the Autobiography of a Yogi. Many stories and recollections here can be found in the author's other works such as The New Path; the beauty of this work is the context in which the author has tried to set the various events in the life of Paramhansa Yogananda. He also talks about their Spiritual path, Sanatan Dharm and Yogananda's universal teachings. the author is an old man and has read the book himself so the voice is not youthful however, the energy and sincerity which he brings in his voice cannot be substituted by a professional.

We will listen again to the Soul Lifting words.

We were surprised to hear that the author was born in Romania, a beautiful country.