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Category: Paramhansa Yogananda

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May 26
2010

Gayatri Mantra

Kerey
USA

Question

Jai Guru!

I have a (hopefully) quick question:

I don’t recall Yogananda ji recommending any specific Hindu mantras in his books, but I do remember reading something about how he was sometimes heard reciting the Gayatri mantra. Do we know if he used the long or short form? Which form is more "authentic" from a Vedic standpoint?

Nayaswami Devarshi

Ananda Village

Answer

It is possible that Paramhansa Yogananda chanted the Gayatri Mantra at times, though I’ve never heard any stories in that regard. He certainly must have been raised hearing and chanting that very sacred mantra while he was growning up in India. There are no records of him actually teaching the Gayatri Mantra.

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April 1
2010

Need for a living guru?

Christina
USA

Question

When we talk about having a Guru, does the Guru need to be a living person you interact with and can talk with you, or can it be someone who has passed (ie. Paramhansa Yogananda)? I’m confused on this matter.

Nayaswami Pranaba

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Christina,


This is a very important question and the answer includes different perspectives.


First of all, any true guru (sat-guru) such as Paramhansa Yogananda, continues to help his disciples even though he is no longer in his body; indeed there is no diminishing of the blessings in the guru-disciple relationship.

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January 29
2010

Focusing on the Guru

Sunil
U.A.E

Question

Aum Guru

I read in an article by Swami Kriyanada that once Daya Mata was continually scolded by Yogananda to make her understand not to get too much attached to him and to put divine mother first. When I sit to meditate and throughout the day I tend to think of Yogananda much more than God or divine mother. I find it easier to focus on his image than a formless one. But after reading this, I wonder if it is ok?. My second question is

After liberated souls merge into the spirit what do they do?

Nayaswami Anandi

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Sunil,

It is wonderful, and recommended, for you to focus on Yogananda in meditation. Tuning in to Yogananda’s image or vibration helps you attune to God.

The difference in the case of Daya Mata is that, since she knew Yogananda personally, it was easy to become attached to his delightful human personality, to their personal relationship which seemed to be like father and daughter, and to forget that Yogananda was like glass, allowing God’s light to flow perfectly through him. Whatever sense she might have had — as would be natural when you know someone personally — that they had a personal relationship, was a delusion.

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January 22
2010

A Path for All Religions

Susan
US

Question

I am profoundly drawn to Yogananda as my Guru (since 1984), but have great difficulty reconciling my Jewish heritage with the Christian focus in the teachings. (Years ago, I stopped Kriya, but still do Hong Sau). I felt drawn back again and found Ananda-just ordered the courses. But can I truly be a Devotee if I cannot accept Christ or Christian celebrations like Christmas? After more than two decades wrestling with this issue, I hope you can provide guidance to help me resolve it. Thx

Nayaswami Devi

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Susan,

Yogananda called his places of worship, “Churches of All Religions,” because the teachings he brought, and especially Kriya Yoga, are a universal path to God. The practice of meditation and Kriya are not limited by any religious creed or affiliation, but are based on the Yogic Sciences which deal with the evolution of consciousness.

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January 13
2010

Yogananda as a God-realized soul

Vinay
India

Question

Hi,

I read this conversation in Autobiography of a Yogi between Sri Yukteshwar and Yogananda where Yogananda accepts his discipline on the condition that his guru reveal God to him. After a long verbal tussle, he accepts it. I want to ask that when Sri Yukteshwar knew that Yogananda was a God realized soul, why did this conversation take place? This leads to the question that do God-realized ones have to go through everything again in every life to get that first experience of Samadhi again?

Nayaswami Devarshi

Ananda Village

Answer

God-realized souls don’t neccessarily have to go through it all again in every life to experience samadhi. They generally do so, however, as an example to others. The life of a great Master is also a teaching, in and of itself.

That explains why Christ was baptized by John the Baptist — to show others that one must follow the spiritual law of the Guru-Disciple relationship. When Christ sought baptism, John said, “I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?”

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January 5
2010

Yogananda's popularity

jon
norway

Question

Dear friends,

How well known is Yogananda in the USA and India. Is he as well known as Ramakrishna? Do people have the same respect for Yogananda as they have for Ramakrishna and Vivekananda, just to take an example. Thank you.

Nayaswami Pranaba

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Jon,

Paramhansa Yogananda is very well known in the USA and is given a lot of respect. His Autobiography of a Yogi is one of the best selling spiritual biographies of all time, which has resulted in many, many people knowing about him, as well as his inspiring and life changing teachings.

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September 23
2009

Which version of the Bible did Yogananda prefer?

Casey
England

Question

Which version of The Bible did Paramhansaji refer to in his writings?

Nayaswami Savitri

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Casey,

He preferred the King James version of the Bible. He said that this version’s prose and poetry is more beautiful than any other translation, even though some of the language may seem archaic to us now.

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September 9
2009

Why is "Paramhansa" spelled two different ways?

No name
no country

Question

With all respect due, May I ask why the name Paramhansa Yogananda is also spelled Paramahansa? I find on your site and some others it is spelled the first way and then on the site which is dedicated to his foundation Self Realization Fellowship it is spelled the latter way.

Thank you for any explanation you might afford me.

Nayaswami Savitri

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Friend,

When Swami Yogananda, as he was called when he first came to the United States in 1920, returned to India in 1935 – 36, his guru, Sri Yukteswar bestowed on him the spiritual title: Paramhansa.

Upon his return to the United States, he asked that everyone use that title before his monastic name, Yogananda. In all announcements to the public about this name change it was spelled without the middle "a." Indeed, his signature always appeared that way, right up until he left his body in 1952. In the original 1946 edition of Autobiography of a Yogi he spells it without the additional "a."

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