Autobiography of a Yogi

Paramhansa Yogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi
Table of Contents
Autobiography of a
Yogi...................................................................................................................................1
Paramhansa Yogananda..........................................................................................................................1
PREFACE...............................................................................................................................................2
AUT!R"# AC$%!&'E()*E%T#...................................................................................................+
CAPTER 1. *Y PARE%T# A%( EAR'Y ',FE................................................................................+
CAPTER 2. *Y *!TER"# (EAT A%( TE *Y#T,C A*U'ET..........................................1-
CAPTER +. TE #A,%T &,T T&! .!(,E#...............................................................................1/
CAPTER /. *Y ,%TERRUPTE( F',)T T!&AR( TE ,*A'AYA#..................................10
CAPTER 1. A 2PERFU*E #A,%T3 (,#P'AY# ,# &!%(ER#.................................................24
CAPTER 4. TE T,)ER #&A*,.....................................................................................................+2
CAPTER 5. TE 'E6,TAT,%) #A,%T...........................................................................................+5
CAPTER 0. ,%(,A"# )REAT #C,E%T,#T7 8.C. .!#E.................................................................../1
CAPTER 9. TE .',##FU' (E6!TEE A%( ,# C!#*,C R!*A%CE.................................../4
CAPTER 1-. , *EET *Y *A#TER7 #R, YU$TE#&AR..............................................................11
CAPTER 11. T&! PE%%,'E## .!Y# ,% .R,%(A.A%.............................................................15
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E................................................................4+
CAPTER 1+. TE #'EEP'E## #A,%T............................................................................................0+
CAPTER 1/. A% E:PER,E%CE ,% C!#*,C C!%#C,!U#%E##................................................05
CAPTER 11. TE CAU',F'!&ER R!..ERY.............................................................................92
CAPTER 14. !UT&,TT,%) TE #TAR#.......................................................................................99
CAPTER 15. #A#, A%( TE TREE #APP,RE#.....................................................................1-4
CAPTER 10. A *!A**E(A% &!%(ER;&!R$ER............................................................11-
CAPTER 19. *Y *A#TER7 ,% CA'CUTTA7 APPEAR# ,% #ERA*P!RE..............................11+
CAPTER 2-. &E (! %!T 6,#,T $A#*,R...............................................................................114
CAPTER 21. &E 6,#,T $A#*,R...............................................................................................119
CAPTER 22. TE EART !F A #T!%E ,*A)E........................................................................12/
CAPTER 2+. , RECE,6E *Y U%,6ER#,TY (E)REE................................................................120
CAPTER 2/. , .EC!*E A *!%$ !F TE #&A*, !R(ER....................................................1++
CAPTER 21. .R!TER A%A%TA A%( #,#TER %A',%,.........................................................1+5
CAPTER 24. TE #C,E%CE !F $R,YA Y!)A...........................................................................1/1
CAPTER 25. F!U%(,%) A Y!)A #C!!' AT RA%C,.......................................................1/4
CAPTER 20. $A#,7 RE.!R% A%( RE(,#C!6ERE(.............................................................111
CAPTER 29. RA.,%(RA%AT TA)!RE A%( , C!*PARE #C!!'#................................11/
CAPTER +-. TE 'A& !F *,RAC'E#.......................................................................................115
CAPTER +1. A% ,%TER6,E& &,T TE #ACRE( *!TER................................................14+
CAPTER +2. RA*A ,# RA,#E( FR!* TE (EA(...................................................................15-
CAPTER ++. .A.A8,7 TE Y!),;CR,#T !F *!(ER% ,%(,A............................................151
CAPTER +/. *ATER,A',<,%) A PA'ACE ,% TE ,*A'AYA#.........................................159
CAPTER +1. TE CR,#T',$E ',FE !F 'A,R, *AA#AYA..............................................105
CAPTER +4. .A.A8,"# ,%TERE#T ,% TE &E#T......................................................................191
CAPTER +5. , )! T! A*ER,CA..................................................................................................2-1
CAPTER +0. 'UTER .UR.A%$=A #A,%T A*,(#T TE R!#E#......................................2-5
CAPTER +9. TERE#E %EU*A%%7 TE CAT!',C #T,)*AT,#T......................................211
CAPTER /-. , RETUR% T! ,%(,A...............................................................................................214
CAPTER /1. A% ,(Y' ,% #!UT ,%(,A....................................................................................221
CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU...............................................................................229
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR......................................................2+0
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A..........................................................2/9
Autobiography of a Yogi
Table of Contents
Autobiography of a Yogi
CAPTER /1. TE .E%)A', 28!Y;PER*EATE(3 *!TER..................................................24-
CAPTER /4. TE &!*A% Y!), &! %E6ER EAT#.............................................................24/
CAPTER /5. , RETUR% T! TE &E#T.......................................................................................251
CAPTER /0. AT E%C,%,TA# ,% CA',F!R%,A..........................................................................25+
Autobiography of a Yogi
Paramhansa Yogananda
This page >opyright ? 2--+ .la>@mas@ !nline.
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D PREFACE
D AUT!R"# AC$%!&'E()*E%T#
D CAPTER 1. *Y PARE%T# A%( EAR'Y ',FE
D CAPTER 2. *Y *!TER"# (EAT A%( TE *Y#T,C A*U'ET
D CAPTER +. TE #A,%T &,T T&! .!(,E#
D CAPTER /. *Y ,%TERRUPTE( F',)T T!&AR( TE ,*A'AYA#
D CAPTER 1. A 2PERFU*E #A,%T3 (,#P'AY# ,# &!%(ER#
D CAPTER 4. TE T,)ER #&A*,
D CAPTER 5. TE 'E6,TAT,%) #A,%T
D CAPTER 0. ,%(,A"# )REAT #C,E%T,#T7 8.C. .!#E
D CAPTER 9. TE .',##FU' (E6!TEE A%( ,# C!#*,C R!*A%CE
D CAPTER 1-. , *EET *Y *A#TER7 #R, YU$TE#&AR
D CAPTER 11. T&! PE%%,'E## .!Y# ,% .R,%(A.A%
D CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
D CAPTER 1+. TE #'EEP'E## #A,%T
D CAPTER 1/. A% E:PER,E%CE ,% C!#*,C C!%#C,!U#%E##
D CAPTER 11. TE CAU',F'!&ER R!..ERY
D CAPTER 14. !UT&,TT,%) TE #TAR#
D CAPTER 15. #A#, A%( TE TREE #APP,RE#
D CAPTER 10. A *!A**E(A% &!%(ER;&!R$ER
D CAPTER 19. *Y *A#TER7 ,% CA'CUTTA7 APPEAR# ,% #ERA*P!RE
D CAPTER 2-. &E (! %!T 6,#,T $A#*,R
D CAPTER 21. &E 6,#,T $A#*,R
D CAPTER 22. TE EART !F A #T!%E ,*A)E
D CAPTER 2+. , RECE,6E *Y U%,6ER#,TY (E)REE
D CAPTER 2/. , .EC!*E A *!%$ !F TE #&A*, !R(ER
D CAPTER 21. .R!TER A%A%TA A%( #,#TER %A',%,
D CAPTER 24. TE #C,E%CE !F $R,YA Y!)A
D CAPTER 25. F!U%(,%) A Y!)A #C!!' AT RA%C,
D CAPTER 20. $A#,7 RE.!R% A%( RE(,#C!6ERE(
D CAPTER 29. RA.,%(RA%AT TA)!RE A%( , C!*PARE #C!!'#
D CAPTER +-. TE 'A& !F *,RAC'E#
D CAPTER +1. A% ,%TER6,E& &,T TE #ACRE( *!TER
D CAPTER +2. RA*A ,# RA,#E( FR!* TE (EA(
D CAPTER ++. .A.A8,7 TE Y!),;CR,#T !F *!(ER% ,%(,A
D CAPTER +/. *ATER,A',<,%) A PA'ACE ,% TE ,*A'AYA#
D CAPTER +1. TE CR,#T',$E ',FE !F 'A,R, *AA#AYA
D CAPTER +4. .A.A8,"# ,%TERE#T ,% TE &E#T
D CAPTER +5. , )! T! A*ER,CA
D CAPTER +0. 'UTER .UR.A%$=A #A,%T A*,(#T TE R!#E#
D CAPTER +9. TERE#E %EU*A%%7 TE CAT!',C #T,)*AT,#T
D CAPTER /-. , RETUR% T! ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
Autobiography of a Yogi
D CAPTER /1. A% ,(Y' ,% #!UT ,%(,A
D CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU
D CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
D CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
D CAPTER /1. TE .E%)A', 28!Y;PER*EATE(3 *!TER
D CAPTER /4. TE &!*A% Y!), &! %E6ER EAT#
D CAPTER /5. , RETUR% T! TE &E#T
D CAPTER /0. AT E%C,%,TA# ,% CA',F!R%,A
EFrontispie>eA PARA*A%#A Y!)A%A%(A=see py.FpgG
AUT!.,!)RAPY !F A Y!), .y Paramhansa Yogananda
&,T A PREFACE .Y &. Y. EHans;&entI7 *.A.7 (.'itt.7 (.#>.
2E:CEPT YE%#EE*#,)%# A%( &!%(ERR#7
YE &,'' %!T .E',E6E.3;8ohn /A/0.
(E(,CATE( T! TE *E*!RY !F 'UTER .UR.A%$ An Ameri>an #aint
E,llustrationA *ap of ,ndia=see map.gifG
PREFACE
.y &. Y. E6A%#;&E%T<7 *.A.7 (.'itt.7 (.#>.
8esus College7 !JfordK Author of
TE T,.ETA% .!!$ !F TE (EA(7
T,.ET"# )REAT Y!), *,'AREPA7
T,.ETA% Y!)A A%( #ECRET (!CTR,%E#7 et>.
The Halue of Yogananda"s AUT!.,!)RAPYis greatly enhan>ed by the fa>t that it is one of the feC
boo@s
in English about the Cise men of ,ndia Chi>h has been Critten7 not by a Fournalist or foreigner7 but by
one of
their oCn ra>e and training=in short7 a boo@ A.!UT yogis .Y a yogi. As an eyeCitness re>ountal of
the
eJtraordinary liHes and poCers of modern indu saints7 the boo@ has importan>e both timely and
timeless. To
its illustrious author7 Chom , haHe had the pleasure of @noCing both in ,ndia and Ameri>a7 may eHery
reader
render due appre>iation and gratitude. is unusual life;do>ument is >ertainly one of the most reHealing
of the
depths of the indu mind and heart7 and of the spiritual Cealth of ,ndia7 eHer to be published in the
&est.
,t has been my priHilege to haHe met one of the sages Chose life;history is herein narrated;#ri
Yu@tesCar
)iri. A li@eness of the Henerable saint appeared as part of the frontispie>e of my T,.ETA% Y!)A
A%(
#ECRET (!CTR,%E#. LF%1;1M ,t Cas at Puri7 in !rissa7 on the .ay of .engal7 that , en>ountered #ri
Yu@tesCar. e Cas then the head of a Nuiet ashrama near the seashore there7 and Cas >hiefly o>>upied
in the
spiritual training of a group of youthful dis>iples. e eJpressed @een interest in the Celfare of the
people of
the United #tates and of all the Ameri>as7 and of England7 too7 and Nuestioned me >on>erning the
distant
a>tiHities7 parti>ularly those in California7 of his >hief dis>iple7 Paramhansa Yogananda7 Chom he
dearly
loHed7 and Chom he had sent7 in 192-7 as his emissary to the &est.
#ri Yu@tesCar Cas of gentle mien and Hoi>e7 of pleasing presen>e7 and Corthy of the Heneration Chi>h
his
folloCers spontaneously a>>orded to him. EHery person Cho @neC him7 Chether of his oCn >ommunity
or
PREFACE
Autobiography of a Yogi
not7 held him in the highest esteem. , HiHidly re>all his tall7 straight7 as>eti> figure7 garbed in the
saffron;>olored garb of one Cho has renoun>ed Corldly Nuests7 as he stood at the entran>e of the
hermitage to
giHe me Cel>ome. is hair Cas long and someChat >urly7 and his fa>e bearded. is body Cas
mus>ularly
firm7 but slender and Cell;formed7 and his step energeti>. e had >hosen as his pla>e of earthly abode
the
holy >ity of Puri7 Chither multitudes of pious indus7 representatiHe of eHery proHin>e of ,ndia7 >ome
daily on
pilgrimage to the famed Temple of 8agannath7 2'ord of the &orld.3 ,t Cas at Puri that #ri Yu@tesCar
>losed
his mortal eyes7 in 19+47 to the s>enes of this transitory state of being and passed on7 @noCing that his
in>arnation had been >arried to a triumphant >ompletion. , am glad7 indeed7 to be able to re>ord this
testimony
to the high >hara>ter and holiness of #ri Yu@tesCar. Content to remain afar from the multitude7 he gaHe
himself unreserHedly and in tranNuillity to that ideal life Chi>h Paramhansa Yogananda7 his dis>iple7
has noC
des>ribed for the ages. &. Y. E6A%#;&E%T<
LF%1;1M !Jford UniHersity Press7 19+1.
AUT!R"# AC$%!&'E()*E%T#
, am deeply indebted to *iss '. 6. Pratt for her long editorial labors oHer the manus>ript of this boo@.
*y
than@s are due also to *iss Ruth <ahn for preparation of the indeJ7 to *r. C. Ri>hard &right for
permission
to use eJtra>ts from his ,ndian traHel diary7 and to (r. &. Y. EHans;&entI for suggestions and
en>ouragement.
PARA*A%#A Y!)A%A%(A !CT!.ER 207 19/1
E%C,%,TA#7 CA',F!R%,A
CAPTER 1. *Y PARE%T# A%( EAR'Y ',FE
The >hara>teristi> features of ,ndian >ulture haHe long been a sear>h for ultimate Herities and the
>on>omitant
dis>iple;guru LF%1;2M relationship. *y oCn path led me to a Christli@e sage Chose beautiful life Cas
>hiseled for the ages. e Cas one of the great masters Cho are ,ndia"s sole remaining Cealth. Emerging
in
eHery generation7 they haHe bulCar@ed their land against the fate of .abylon and Egypt.
, find my earliest memories >oHering the ana>hronisti> features of a preHious in>arnation. Clear
re>olle>tions
>ame to me of a distant life7 a yogi LF%1;+M amidst the imalayan snoCs. These glimpses of the past7
by
some dimensionless lin@7 also afforded me a glimpse of the future.
The helpless humiliations of infan>y are not banished from my mind. , Cas resentfully >ons>ious of not
being
able to Cal@ or eJpress myself freely. Prayerful surges arose Cithin me as , realiIed my bodily
impoten>e. *y
strong emotional life too@ silent form as Cords in many languages. Among the inCard >onfusion of
tongues7
my ear gradually a>>ustomed itself to the >ir>umambient .engali syllables of my people. The beguiling
s>ope
of an infant"s mindO adultly >onsidered limited to toys and toes.
Psy>hologi>al ferment and my unresponsiHe body brought me to many obstinate >rying;spells. , re>all
the
general family beCilderment at my distress. appier memories7 too7 >roCd in on meA my mother"s
>aresses7
and my first attempts at lisping phrase and toddling step. These early triumphs7 usually forgotten
Nui>@ly7 are
yet a natural basis of self;>onfiden>e.
*y far;rea>hing memories are not uniNue. *any yogis are @noCn to haHe retained their self;
>ons>iousness
Cithout interruption by the dramati> transition to and from 2life3 and 2death.3 ,f man be solely a body7
its loss
indeed pla>es the final period to identity. .ut if prophets doCn the millenniums spa@e Cith truth7 man
is
essentially of in>orporeal nature. The persistent >ore of human egoity is only temporarily allied Cith
sense
AUT!R"# AC$%!&'E()*E%T#
Autobiography of a Yogi
per>eption.
Although odd7 >lear memories of infan>y are not eJtremely rare. (uring traHels in numerous lands7 ,
haHe
listened to early re>olle>tions from the lips of Hera>ious men and Comen.
, Cas born in the last de>ade of the nineteenth >entury7 and passed my first eight years at )ora@hpur.
This Cas
my birthpla>e in the United ProHin>es of northeastern ,ndia. &e Cere eight >hildrenA four boys and four
girls.
,7 *u@unda 'al )hosh LF%1;/M7 Cas the se>ond son and the fourth >hild.
Father and *other Cere .engalis7 of the $#ATR,YA >aste. LF%1;1M .oth Cere blessed Cith saintly
nature. Their mutual loHe7 tranNuil and dignified7 neHer eJpressed itself friHolously. A perfe>t parental
harmony Cas the >alm >enter for the reHolHing tumult of eight young liHes.
Father7 .hagabati Charan )hosh7 Cas @ind7 graHe7 at times stern. 'oHing him dearly7 Ce >hildren yet
obserHed
a >ertain reHerential distan>e. An outstanding mathemati>ian and logi>ian7 he Cas guided prin>ipally by
his
intelle>t. .ut *other Cas a Nueen of hearts7 and taught us only through loHe. After her death7 Father
displayed
more of his inner tenderness. , noti>ed then that his gaIe often metamorphosed into my mother"s.
,n *other"s presen>e Ce tasted our earliest bitter;sCeet a>Nuaintan>e Cith the s>riptures. Tales from the
*AA.ARATA and RA*AYA%A LF%1;4M Cere resour>efully summoned to meet the eJigen>ies
of
dis>ipline. ,nstru>tion and >hastisement Cent hand in hand.
A daily gesture of respe>t to Father Cas giHen by *other"s dressing us >arefully in the afternoons to
Cel>ome
him home from the offi>e. is position Cas similar to that of a Hi>e;president7 in the .engal;%agpur
RailCay7 one of ,ndia"s large >ompanies. is Cor@ inHolHed traHeling7 and our family liHed in seHeral
>ities
during my >hildhood.
*other held an open hand toCard the needy. Father Cas also @indly disposed7 but his respe>t for laC
and
order eJtended to the budget. !ne fortnight *other spent7 in feeding the poor7 more than Father"s
monthly
in>ome.
2All , as@7 please7 is to @eep your >harities Cithin a reasonable limit.3 EHen a gentle rebu@e from her
husband
Cas grieHous to *other. #he ordered a ha>@ney >arriage7 not hinting to the >hildren at any
disagreement.
2)ood;byK , am going aCay to my mother"s home.3 An>ient ultimatumO
&e bro@e into astounded lamentations. !ur maternal un>le arriHed opportunelyK he Chispered to Father
some
sage >ounsel7 garnered no doubt from the ages. After Father had made a feC >on>iliatory remar@s7
*other
happily dismissed the >ab. Thus ended the only trouble , eHer noti>ed betCeen my parents. .ut , re>all
a
>hara>teristi> dis>ussion.
2Please giHe me ten rupees for a hapless Coman Cho has Fust arriHed at the house.3 *other"s smile had
its
oCn persuasion.
2&hy ten rupeesP !ne is enough.3 Father added a Fustifi>ationA 2&hen my father and grandparents
died
suddenly7 , had my first taste of poHerty. *y only brea@fast7 before Cal@ing miles to my s>hool7 Cas a
small
banana. 'ater7 at the uniHersity7 , Cas in su>h need that , applied to a Cealthy Fudge for aid of one rupee
per
month. e de>lined7 remar@ing that eHen a rupee is important.3
2oC bitterly you re>all the denial of that rupeeO3 *other"s heart had an instant logi>. 2(o you Cant
this
Coman also to remember painfully your refusal of ten rupees Chi>h she needs urgentlyP3
AUT!R"# AC$%!&'E()*E%T#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2You CinO3 &ith the immemorial gesture of HanNuished husbands7 he opened his Callet. 2ere is a ten;
rupee
note. )iHe it to her Cith my good Cill.3
Father tended to first say 2%o3 to any neC proposal. is attitude toCard the strange Coman Cho so
readily
enlisted *other"s sympathy Cas an eJample of his >ustomary >aution. AHersion to instant a>>eptan>e=
typi>al
of the Fren>h mind in the &est;is really only honoring the prin>iple of 2due refle>tion.3 , alCays found
Father reasonable and eHenly balan>ed in his Fudgments. ,f , >ould bolster up my numerous reNuests
Cith one
or tCo good arguments7 he inHariably put the >oHeted goal Cithin my rea>h7 Chether it Cere a Ha>ation
trip or
a neC motor>y>le.
Father Cas a stri>t dis>iplinarian to his >hildren in their early years7 but his attitude toCard himself Cas
truly
#partan. e neHer Hisited the theater7 for instan>e7 but sought his re>reation in Harious spiritual
pra>ti>es and
in reading the .A)A6A( ),TA. LF%1;5M #hunning all luJuries7 he Could >ling to one old pair of
shoes
until they Cere useless. is sons bought automobiles after they >ame into popular use7 but Father Cas
alCays
>ontent Cith the trolley >ar for his daily ride to the offi>e. The a>>umulation of money for the sa@e of
poCer
Cas alien to his nature. !n>e7 after organiIing the Cal>utta Urban .an@7 he refused to benefit himself
by
holding any of its shares. e had simply Cished to perform a >iHi> duty in his spare time.
#eHeral years after Father had retired on a pension7 an English a>>ountant arriHed to eJamine the boo@s
of the
.engal;%agpur RailCay Company. The amaIed inHestigator dis>oHered that Father had neHer applied
for
oHerdue bonuses.
2e did the Cor@ of three menO3 the a>>ountant told the >ompany. 2e has rupees 1217--- Qabout
R/1721-.S
oCing to him as ba>@ >ompensation.3 The offi>ials presented Father Cith a >he>@ for this amount. e
thought
so little about it that he oHerloo@ed any mention to the family. *u>h later he Cas Nuestioned by my
youngest
brother .ishnu7 Cho noti>ed the large deposit on a ban@ statement.
2&hy be elated by material profitP3 Father replied. 2The one Cho pursues a goal of eHenmindedness is
neither
Fubilant Cith gain nor depressed by loss. e @noCs that man arriHes penniless in this Corld7 and departs
Cithout a single rupee.3
E,llustrationA *Y FATER7 .hagabati Charan )hosh7 A (is>iple of 'ahiri *ahasaya=see father1.FpgG
Early in their married life7 my parents be>ame dis>iples of a great master7 'ahiri *ahasaya of .enares.
This
>onta>t strengthened Father"s naturally as>eti>al temperament. *other made a remar@able admission to
my
eldest sister RomaA 2Your father and myself liHe together as man and Cife only on>e a year7 for the
purpose of
haHing >hildren.3
Father first met 'ahiri *ahasaya through Abinash .abu7 LF%1;0M an employee in the )ora@hpur offi>e
of
the .engal;%agpur RailCay. Abinash instru>ted my young ears Cith engrossing tales of many ,ndian
saints.
e inHariably >on>luded Cith a tribute to the superior glories of his oCn guru.
2(id you eHer hear of the eJtraordinary >ir>umstan>es under Chi>h your father be>ame a dis>iple of
'ahiri
*ahasayaP3
,t Cas on a laIy summer afternoon7 as Abinash and , sat together in the >ompound of my home7 that he
put
this intriguing Nuestion. , shoo@ my head Cith a smile of anti>ipation.
2Years ago7 before you Cere born7 , as@ed my superior offi>er;your father;to giHe me a Cee@"s leaHe
from
my )ora@hpur duties in order to Hisit my guru in .enares. Your father ridi>uled my plan.
AUT!R"# AC$%!&'E()*E%T#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2"Are you going to be>ome a religious fanati>P" he inNuired. "Con>entrate on your offi>e Cor@ if you
Cant to
forge ahead."
2#adly Cal@ing home along a Coodland path that day7 , met your father in a palanNuin. e dismissed
his
serHants and >onHeyan>e7 and fell into step beside me. #ee@ing to >onsole me7 he pointed out the
adHantages
of striHing for Corldly su>>ess. .ut , heard him listlessly. *y heart Cas repeatingA "'ahiri *ahasayaO ,
>annot
liHe Cithout seeing youO"
2!ur path too@ us to the edge of a tranNuil field7 Chere the rays of the late afternoon sun Cere still
>roCning
the tall ripple of the Cild grass. &e paused in admiration. There in the field7 only a feC yards from us7
the
form of my great guru suddenly appearedO LF%1;9M
2".hagabati7 you are too hard on your employeeO" is Hoi>e Cas resonant in our astounded ears. e
Hanished
as mysteriously as he had >ome. !n my @nees , Cas eJ>laiming7 "'ahiri *ahasayaO 'ahiri *ahasayaO"
Your
father Cas motionless Cith stupefa>tion for a feC moments.
2"Abinash7 not only do , giHe Y!U leaHe7 but , giHe *Y#E'F leaHe to start for .enares tomorroC. ,
must
@noC this great 'ahiri *ahasaya7 Cho is able to materialiIe himself at Cill in order to inter>ede for
youO , Cill
ta@e my Cife and as@ this master to initiate us in his spiritual path. &ill you guide us to himP"
2"!f >ourse." 8oy filled me at the mira>ulous ansCer to my prayer7 and the Nui>@7 faHorable turn of
eHents.
2The neJt eHening your parents and , entrained for .enares. &e too@ a horse >art the folloCing day7
and then
had to Cal@ through narroC lanes to my guru"s se>luded home. Entering his little parlor7 Ce boCed
before the
master7 enlo>@ed in his habitual lotus posture. e blin@ed his pier>ing eyes and leHeled them on your
father.
2".hagabati7 you are too hard on your employeeO" is Cords Cere the same as those he had used tCo
days
before in the )ora@hpur field. e added7 ", am glad that you haHe alloCed Abinash to Hisit me7 and that
you
and your Cife haHe a>>ompanied him."
2To their Foy7 he initiated your parents in the spiritual pra>ti>e of $R,YA Y!)A. LF%1;1-M Your father
and
,7 as brother dis>iples7 haHe been >lose friends sin>e the memorable day of the Hision. 'ahiri *ahasaya
too@ a
definite interest in your oCn birth. Your life shall surely be lin@ed Cith his oCnA the master"s blessing
neHer
fails.3
'ahiri *ahasaya left this Corld shortly after , had entered it. is pi>ture7 in an ornate frame7 alCays
gra>ed
our family altar in the Harious >ities to Chi>h Father Cas transferred by his offi>e. *any a morning and
eHening found *other and me meditating before an improHised shrine7 offering floCers dipped in
fragrant
sandalCood paste. &ith fran@in>ense and myrrh as Cell as our united deHotions7 Ce honored the
diHinity
Chi>h had found full eJpression in 'ahiri *ahasaya.
is pi>ture had a surpassing influen>e oHer my life. As , greC7 the thought of the master greC Cith me.
,n
meditation , Could often see his photographi> image emerge from its small frame and7 ta@ing a liHing
form7
sit before me. &hen , attempted to tou>h the feet of his luminous body7 it Could >hange and again
be>ome the
pi>ture. As >hildhood slipped into boyhood7 , found 'ahiri *ahasaya transformed in my mind from a
little
image7 >ribbed in a frame7 to a liHing7 enlightening presen>e. , freNuently prayed to him in moments of
trial or
>onfusion7 finding Cithin me his sola>ing dire>tion. At first , grieHed be>ause he Cas no longer
physi>ally
liHing. As , began to dis>oHer his se>ret omnipresen>e7 , lamented no more. e had often Critten to
those of
his dis>iples Cho Cere oHer;anJious to see himA 2&hy >ome to HieC my bones and flesh7 Chen , am
eHer
Cithin range of your $UTA#TA Qspiritual sightSP3
AUT!R"# AC$%!&'E()*E%T#
Autobiography of a Yogi
, Cas blessed about the age of eight Cith a Conderful healing through the photograph of 'ahiri
*ahasaya.
This eJperien>e gaHe intensifi>ation to my loHe. &hile at our family estate in ,>hapur7 .engal7 , Cas
stri>@en
Cith Asiati> >holera. *y life Cas despaired ofK the do>tors >ould do nothing. At my bedside7 *other
franti>ally motioned me to loo@ at 'ahiri *ahasaya"s pi>ture on the Call aboHe my head.
2.oC to him mentallyO3 #he @neC , Cas too feeble eHen to lift my hands in salutation. 2,f you really
shoC
your deHotion and inCardly @neel before him7 your life Cill be sparedO3
, gaIed at his photograph and saC there a blinding light7 enHeloping my body and the entire room. *y
nausea
and other un>ontrollable symptoms disappearedK , Cas Cell. At on>e , felt strong enough to bend oHer
and
tou>h *other"s feet in appre>iation of her immeasurable faith in her guru. *other pressed her head
repeatedly
against the little pi>ture.
2! !mnipresent *aster7 , than@ thee that thy light hath healed my sonO3
, realiIed that she too had Citnessed the luminous blaIe through Chi>h , had instantly re>oHered from a
usually fatal disease.
!ne of my most pre>ious possessions is that same photograph. )iHen to Father by 'ahiri *ahasaya
himself7 it
>arries a holy Hibration. The pi>ture had a mira>ulous origin. , heard the story from Father"s brother
dis>iple7
$ali $umar Roy.
,t appears that the master had an aHersion to being photographed. !Her his protest7 a group pi>ture Cas
on>e
ta@en of him and a >luster of deHotees7 in>luding $ali $umar Roy. ,t Cas an amaIed photographer Cho
dis>oHered that the plate Chi>h had >lear images of all the dis>iples7 reHealed nothing more than a
blan@ spa>e
in the >enter Chere he had reasonably eJpe>ted to find the outlines of 'ahiri *ahasaya. The
phenomenon Cas
Cidely dis>ussed.
A >ertain student and eJpert photographer7 )anga (har .abu7 boasted that the fugitiHe figure Could not
es>ape him. The neJt morning7 as the guru sat in lotus posture on a Cooden ben>h Cith a s>reen behind
him7
)anga (har .abu arriHed Cith his eNuipment. Ta@ing eHery pre>aution for su>>ess7 he greedily
eJposed
tCelHe plates. !n ea>h one he soon found the imprint of the Cooden ben>h and s>reen7 but on>e again
the
master"s form Cas missing.
&ith tears and shattered pride7 )anga (har .abu sought out his guru. ,t Cas many hours before 'ahiri
*ahasaya bro@e his silen>e Cith a pregnant >ommentA
2, am #pirit. Can your >amera refle>t the omnipresent ,nHisibleP3
2, see it >annotO .ut7 oly #ir7 , loHingly desire a pi>ture of the bodily temple Chere alone7 to my
narroC
Hision7 that #pirit appears fully to dCell.3
2Come7 then7 tomorroC morning. , Cill pose for you.3
Again the photographer fo>used his >amera. This time the sa>red figure7 not >loa@ed Cith mysterious
imper>eptibility7 Cas sharp on the plate. The master neHer posed for another pi>tureK at least7 , haHe
seen none.
The photograph is reprodu>ed in this boo@. 'ahiri *ahasaya"s fair features7 of a uniHersal >ast7 hardly
suggest
to Chat ra>e he belonged. is intense Foy of )od;>ommunion is slightly reHealed in a someChat
enigmati>
smile. is eyes7 half open to denote a nominal dire>tion on the outer Corld7 are half >losed also.
Completely
obliHious to the poor lures of the earth7 he Cas fully aCa@e at all times to the spiritual problems of
see@ers
AUT!R"# AC$%!&'E()*E%T#
Autobiography of a Yogi
Cho approa>hed for his bounty.
#hortly after my healing through the poten>y of the guru"s pi>ture7 , had an influential spiritual Hision.
#itting
on my bed one morning7 , fell into a deep reHerie.
2&hat is behind the dar@ness of >losed eyesP3 This probing thought >ame poCerfully into my mind. An
immense flash of light at on>e manifested to my inCard gaIe. (iHine shapes of saints7 sitting in
meditation
posture in mountain >aHes7 formed li@e miniature >inema pi>tures on the large s>reen of radian>e Cithin
my
forehead.
2&ho are youP3 , spo@e aloud.
2&e are the imalayan yogis.3 The >elestial response is diffi>ult to des>ribeK my heart Cas thrilled.
2Ah7 , long to go to the imalayas and be>ome li@e youO3 The Hision Hanished7 but the silHery beams
eJpanded in eHer;Cidening >ir>les to infinity.
2&hat is this Condrous gloCP3
2, am ,sCara.LF%1;11M , am 'ight.3 The Hoi>e Cas as murmuring >louds.
2, Cant to be one Cith TheeO3
!ut of the sloC dCindling of my diHine e>stasy7 , salHaged a permanent lega>y of inspiration to see@
)od.
2e is eternal7 eHer;neC 8oyO3 This memory persisted long after the day of rapture.
Another early re>olle>tion is outstandingK and literally so7 for , bear the s>ar to this day. *y elder sister
Uma
and , Cere seated in the early morning under a %EE* tree in our )ora@hpur >ompound. #he Cas
helping me
Cith a .engali primer7 Chat time , >ould spare my gaIe from the near;by parrots eating ripe margosa
fruit.
Uma >omplained of a boil on her leg7 and fet>hed a Far of ointment. , smeared a bit of the salHe on my
forearm.
2&hy do you use medi>ine on a healthy armP3
2&ell7 #is7 , feel , am going to haHe a boil tomorroC. , am testing your ointment on the spot Chere the
boil
Cill appear.3
2You little liarO3
2#is7 don"t >all me a liar until you see Chat happens in the morning.3 ,ndignation filled me.
Uma Cas unimpressed7 and thri>e repeated her taunt. An adamant resolution sounded in my Hoi>e as ,
made
sloC reply.
2.y the poCer of Cill in me7 , say that tomorroC , shall haHe a fairly large boil in this eJa>t pla>e on
my armK
and Y!UR boil shall sCell to tCi>e its present siIeO3
*orning found me Cith a stalCart boil on the indi>ated spotK the dimensions of Uma"s boil had
doubled. &ith
a shrie@7 my sister rushed to *other. 2*u@unda has be>ome a ne>roman>erO3 )raHely7 *other
instru>ted me
neHer to use the poCer of Cords for doing harm. , haHe alCays remembered her >ounsel7 and folloCed
it.
AUT!R"# AC$%!&'E()*E%T#
Autobiography of a Yogi
*y boil Cas surgi>ally treated. A noti>eable s>ar7 left by the do>tor"s in>ision7 is present today. !n my
right
forearm is a >onstant reminder of the poCer in man"s sheer Cord.
Those simple and apparently harmless phrases to Uma7 spo@en Cith deep >on>entration7 had possessed
suffi>ient hidden for>e to eJplode li@e bombs and produ>e definite7 though inFurious7 effe>ts. ,
understood7
later7 that the eJplosiHe Hibratory poCer in spee>h >ould be Cisely dire>ted to free one"s life from
diffi>ulties7
and thus operate Cithout s>ar or rebu@e. LF%1;12M
!ur family moHed to 'ahore in the PunFab. There , a>Nuired a pi>ture of the (iHine *other in the form
of the
)oddess $ali. LF%1;1+M ,t san>tified a small informal shrine on the bal>ony of our home. An
uneNuiHo>al
>onHi>tion >ame oHer me that fulfillment Could >roCn any of my prayers uttered in that sa>red spot.
#tanding
there Cith Uma one day7 , Cat>hed tCo @ites flying oHer the roofs of the buildings on the opposite side
of the
Hery narroC lane.
2&hy are you so NuietP3 Uma pushed me playfully.
2, am Fust thin@ing hoC Conderful it is that (iHine *other giHes me ChateHer , as@.3
2, suppose #he Could giHe you those tCo @itesO3 *y sister laughed derisiHely.
2&hy notP3 , began silent prayers for their possession.
*at>hes are played in ,ndia Cith @ites Chose strings are >oHered Cith glue and ground glass. Ea>h
player
attempts to seHer the string of his opponent. A freed @ite sails oHer the roofsK there is great fun in
>at>hing it.
,nasmu>h as Uma and , Cere on the bal>ony7 it seemed impossible that any loosed @ite >ould >ome into
our
handsK its string Could naturally dangle oHer the roofs.
The players a>ross the lane began their mat>h. !ne string Cas >utK immediately the @ite floated in my
dire>tion. ,t Cas stationary for a moment7 through sudden abatement of breeIe7 Chi>h suffi>ed to firmly
entangle the string Cith a >a>tus plant on top of the opposite house. A perfe>t loop Cas formed for my
seiIure.
, handed the priIe to Uma.
2,t Cas Fust an eJtraordinary a>>ident7 and not an ansCer to your prayer. ,f the other @ite >omes to you7
then ,
shall belieHe.3 #ister"s dar@ eyes >onHeyed more amaIement than her Cords.
, >ontinued my prayers Cith a >res>endo intensity. A for>ible tug by the other player resulted in the
abrupt
loss of his @ite. ,t headed toCard me7 dan>ing in the Cind. *y helpful assistant7 the >a>tus plant7 again
se>ured
the @ite string in the ne>essary loop by Chi>h , >ould grasp it. , presented my se>ond trophy to Uma.
2,ndeed7 (iHine *other listens to youO This is all too un>anny for meO3 #ister bolted aCay li@e a
frightened
faCn.
LF%1;2M #piritual tea>herK from #ans@rit root )UR7 to raise7 to uplift.
LF%1;+M A pra>titioner of yoga7 2union73 an>ient ,ndian s>ien>e of meditation on )od.
LF%1;/M *y name Cas >hanged to Yogananda Chen , entered the an>ient monasti> #Cami !rder in
191/.
*y guru bestoCed the religious title of PARA*A%#A on me in 19+1 Qsee ..B>hapters 2/ and /2S.
LF%1;1M Traditionally7 the se>ond >aste of Carriors and rulers.
AUT!R"# AC$%!&'E()*E%T#
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%1;4M These an>ient epi>s are the hoard of ,ndia"s history7 mythology7 and philosophy. An
2EHeryman"s
'ibrary3 Holume7 RA*AYA%A A%( *AA.ARATA7 is a >ondensation in English Herse by
Romesh
(utt Q%eC Yor@A E. P. (uttonS.
LF%1;5M This noble #ans@rit poem7 Chi>h o>>urs as part of the *AA.ARATA epi>7 is the indu
.ible.
The most poeti>al English translation is EdCin Arnold"s TE #!%) CE'E#T,A' QPhiladelphiaA
(aHid
*>$ay7 51 >entsS. !ne of the best translations Cith detailed >ommentary is #ri Aurobindo"s
*E##A)E !F
TE ),TA Q8upiter Press7 14 #emudoss #t.7 *adras7 ,ndia7 R+.1-S.
LF%1;0M .A.U Q*isterS is pla>ed in .engali names at the end.
LF%1;9M The phenomenal poCers possessed by great masters are eJplained in >hapter +-7 2The 'aC of
*ira>les.3
LF%1;1-M A yogi> te>hniNue Chereby the sensory tumult is stilled7 permitting man to a>hieHe an
eHer;in>reasing identity Cith >osmi> >ons>iousness. Q#ee p. 2/+.S
LF%1;11M A #ans@rit name for )od as Ruler of the uniHerseK from the root ,#7 to rule. There are 1-0
names
for )od in the indu s>riptures7 ea>h one >arrying a different shade of philosophi>al meaning.
LF%1;12M The infinite poten>ies of sound deriHe from the CreatiHe &ord7 AU*7 the >osmi> Hibratory
poCer
behind all atomi> energies. Any Cord spo@en Cith >lear realiIation and deep >on>entration has a
materialiIing
Halue. 'oud or silent repetition of inspiring Cords has been found effe>tiHe in Coueism and similar
systems of
psy>hotherapyK the se>ret lies in the stepping;up of the mind"s Hibratory rate. The poet Tennyson has
left us7
in his *E*!,R#7 an a>>ount of his repetitious deHi>e for passing beyond the >ons>ious mind into
super>ons>iousnessA
2A @ind of Ca@ing tran>e;this for la>@ of a better Cord;, haHe freNuently had7 Nuite up from boyhood7
Chen ,
haHe been all alone73 Tennyson Crote. 2This has >ome upon me through REPEAT,%) my oCn name to
myself silently7 till all at on>e7 as it Cere out of the intensity of the >ons>iousness of indiHiduality7
indiHiduality itself seemed to dissolHe and fade aCay into boundless being7 and this not a >onfused state
but
the >learest7 the surest of the surest7 utterly beyond Cords;Chere death Cas an almost laughable
impossibility;the loss of personality Qif so it CereS seeming no eJtin>tion7 but the only true life.3 e
Crote
furtherA 2,t is no nebulous e>stasy7 but a state of trans>endent Conder7 asso>iated Cith absolute
>learness of
mind.3
LF%1;1+M $ali is a symbol of )od in the aspe>t of eternal *other %ature.
CAPTER 2. *Y *!TER"# (EAT A%( TE *Y#T,C A*U'ET
*y mother"s greatest desire Cas the marriage of my elder brother. 2Ah7 Chen , behold the fa>e of
Ananta"s
Cife7 , shall find heaHen on this earthO3 , freNuently heard *other eJpress in these Cords her strong
,ndian
sentiment for family >ontinuity.
, Cas about eleHen years old at the time of Ananta"s betrothal. *other Cas in Cal>utta7 Foyously
superHising
the Cedding preparations. Father and , alone remained at our home in .areilly in northern ,ndia7
Chen>e
Father had been transferred after tCo years at 'ahore.
, had preHiously Citnessed the splendor of nuptial rites for my tCo elder sisters7 Roma and UmaK but
for
Ananta7 as the eldest son7 plans Cere truly elaborate. *other Cas Cel>oming numerous relatiHes7 daily
arriHing in Cal>utta from distant homes. #he lodged them >omfortably in a large7 neCly a>Nuired house
at 1-
CAPTER 2. *Y *!TER"# (EAT A%( TE *Y#T,C A*U'ET
Autobiography of a Yogi
Amherst #treet. EHerything Cas in readiness;the banNuet deli>a>ies7 the gay throne on Chi>h .rother
Cas to
be >arried to the home of the bride;to;be7 the roCs of >olorful lights7 the mammoth >ardboard elephants
and
>amels7 the English7 #>ottish and ,ndian or>hestras7 the professional entertainers7 the priests for the
an>ient
rituals.
Father and ,7 in gala spirits7 Cere planning to Foin the family in time for the >eremony. #hortly before
the great
day7 hoCeHer7 , had an ominous Hision.
,t Cas in .areilly on a midnight. As , slept beside Father on the piaIIa of our bungaloC7 , Cas
aCa@ened by a
pe>uliar flutter of the mosNuito netting oHer the bed. The flimsy >urtains parted and , saC the beloHed
form of
my mother.
2ACa@en your fatherO3 er Hoi>e Cas only a Chisper. 2Ta@e the first aHailable train7 at four o">lo>@ this
morning. Rush to Cal>utta if you Could see meO3 The Craithli@e figure Hanished.
2Father7 FatherO *other is dyingO3 The terror in my tone aroused him instantly. , sobbed out the fatal
tidings.
2%eHer mind that hallu>ination of yours.3 Father gaHe his >hara>teristi> negation to a neC situation.
2Your
mother is in eJ>ellent health. ,f Ce get any bad neCs7 Ce shall leaHe tomorroC.3
2You shall neHer forgiHe yourself for not starting noCO3 Anguish >aused me to add bitterly7 2%or shall ,
eHer
forgiHe youO3
The melan>holy morning >ame Cith eJpli>it CordsA 2*other dangerously illK marriage postponedK
>ome at
on>e.3
Father and , left distra>tedly. !ne of my un>les met us en route at a transfer point. A train thundered
toCard
us7 looming Cith teles>opi> in>rease. From my inner tumult7 an abrupt determination arose to hurl
myself on
the railroad tra>@s. Already bereft7 , felt7 of my mother7 , >ould not endure a Corld suddenly barren to
the
bone. , loHed *other as my dearest friend on earth. er sola>ing bla>@ eyes had been my surest refuge
in the
trifling tragedies of >hildhood.
2(oes she yet liHeP3 , stopped for one last Nuestion to my un>le.
2!f >ourse she is aliHeO3 e Cas not sloC to interpret the desperation in my fa>e. .ut , s>ar>ely
belieHed him.
&hen Ce rea>hed our Cal>utta home7 it Cas only to >onfront the stunning mystery of death. , >ollapsed
into
an almost lifeless state. Years passed before any re>on>iliation entered my heart. #torming the Hery
gates of
heaHen7 my >ries at last summoned the (iHine *other. er Cords brought final healing to my
suppurating
CoundsA
2,t is , Cho haHe Cat>hed oHer thee7 life after life7 in the tenderness of many mothersO #ee in *y gaIe
the tCo
bla>@ eyes7 the lost beautiful eyes7 thou see@estO3
Father and , returned to .areilly soon after the >rematory rites for the Cell;beloHed. Early eHery
morning ,
made a patheti> memorial=pilgrimage to a large #E!', tree Chi>h shaded the smooth7 green;gold
laCn
before our bungaloC. ,n poeti>al moments7 , thought that the Chite #E!', floCers Cere streCing
themselHes Cith a Cilling deHotion oHer the grassy altar. *ingling tears Cith the deC7 , often obserHed
a
strange other;Corldly light emerging from the daCn. ,ntense pangs of longing for )od assailed me. ,
felt
poCerfully draCn to the imalayas.
CAPTER 2. *Y *!TER"# (EAT A%( TE *Y#T,C A*U'ET
Autobiography of a Yogi
!ne of my >ousins7 fresh from a period of traHel in the holy hills7 Hisited us in .areilly. , listened
eagerly to
his tales about the high mountain abode of yogis and sCamis. LF%2;1M
2'et us run aCay to the imalayas.3 *y suggestion one day to (Car@a Prasad7 the young son of our
landlord
in .areilly7 fell on unsympatheti> ears. e reHealed my plan to my elder brother7 Cho had Fust arriHed
to see
Father. ,nstead of laughing lightly oHer this impra>ti>al s>heme of a small boy7 Ananta made it a
definite point
to ridi>ule me.
2&here is your orange robeP You >an"t be a sCami Cithout thatO3
.ut , Cas ineJpli>ably thrilled by his Cords. They brought a >lear pi>ture of myself roaming about
,ndia as a
mon@. Perhaps they aCa@ened memories of a past lifeK in any >ase7 , began to see Cith Chat natural
ease ,
Could Cear the garb of that an>iently;founded monasti> order.
Chatting one morning Cith (Car@a7 , felt a loHe for )od des>ending Cith aHalan>hi> for>e. *y
>ompanion
Cas only partly attentiHe to the ensuing eloNuen>e7 but , Cas Choleheartedly listening to myself.
, fled that afternoon toCard %aini Tal in the imalayan foothills. Ananta gaHe determined >haseK , Cas
for>ed
to return sadly to .areilly. The only pilgrimage permitted me Cas the >ustomary one at daCn to the
#E!',
tree. *y heart Cept for the lost *others7 human and diHine.
The rent left in the family fabri> by *other"s death Cas irreparable. Father neHer remarried during his
nearly
forty remaining years. Assuming the diffi>ult role of Father;*other to his little flo>@7 he greC
noti>eably
more tender7 more approa>hable. &ith >almness and insight7 he solHed the Harious family problems.
After
offi>e hours he retired li@e a hermit to the >ell of his room7 pra>ti>ing $R,YA Y!)A in a sCeet
serenity.
'ong after *other"s death7 , attempted to engage an English nurse to attend to details that Could ma@e
my
parent"s life more >omfortable. .ut Father shoo@ his head.
E,llustrationA *y *other7 A (is>iple of 'ahiri *ahasaya=see mother.FpgG
2#erHi>e to me ended Cith your mother.3 is eyes Cere remote Cith a lifelong deHotion. 2, Cill not
a>>ept
ministrations from any other Coman.3
Fourteen months after *other"s passing7 , learned that she had left me a momentous message. Ananta
Cas
present at her deathbed and had re>orded her Cords. Although she had as@ed that the dis>losure be
made to
me in one year7 my brother delayed. e Cas soon to leaHe .areilly for Cal>utta7 to marry the girl
*other had
>hosen for him. LF%2;2M !ne eHening he summoned me to his side.
2*u@unda7 , haHe been relu>tant to giHe you strange tidings.3 Ananta"s tone held a note of resignation.
2*y
fear Cas to inflame your desire to leaHe home. .ut in any >ase you are bristling Cith diHine ardor.
&hen ,
>aptured you re>ently on your Cay to the imalayas7 , >ame to a definite resolHe. , must not further
postpone
the fulfillment of my solemn promise.3 *y brother handed me a small boJ7 and deliHered *other"s
message.
2'et these Cords be my final blessing7 my beloHed son *u@undaO3 *other had said. 2The hour is here
Chen ,
must relate a number of phenomenal eHents folloCing your birth. , first @neC your destined path Chen
you
Cere but a babe in my arms. , >arried you then to the home of my guru in .enares. Almost hidden
behind a
throng of dis>iples7 , >ould barely see 'ahiri *ahasaya as he sat in deep meditation.
2&hile , patted you7 , Cas praying that the great guru ta@e noti>e and bestoC a blessing. As my silent
deHotional demand greC in intensity7 he opened his eyes and be>@oned me to approa>h. The others
made a
Cay for meK , boCed at the sa>red feet. *y master seated you on his lap7 pla>ing his hand on your
forehead by
CAPTER 2. *Y *!TER"# (EAT A%( TE *Y#T,C A*U'ET
Autobiography of a Yogi
Cay of spiritually baptiIing you.
2"'ittle mother7 thy son Cill be a yogi. As a spiritual engine7 he Cill >arry many souls to )od"s
@ingdom."
2*y heart leaped Cith Foy to find my se>ret prayer granted by the omnis>ient guru. #hortly before your
birth7
he had told me you Could folloC his path.
2'ater7 my son7 your Hision of the )reat 'ight Cas @noCn to me and your sister Roma7 as from the neJt
room
Ce obserHed you motionless on the bed. Your little fa>e Cas illuminatedK your Hoi>e rang Cith iron
resolHe as
you spo@e of going to the imalayas in Nuest of the (iHine.
2,n these Cays7 dear son7 , >ame to @noC that your road lies far from Corldly ambitions. The most
singular
eHent in my life brought further >onfirmation;an eHent Chi>h noC impels my deathbed message.
2,t Cas an interHieC Cith a sage in the PunFab. &hile our family Cas liHing in 'ahore7 one morning the
serHant >ame pre>ipitantly into my room.
2"*istress7 a strange #A(U LF%2;+M is here. e insists that he 2see the mother of *u@unda.3"
2These simple Cords stru>@ a profound >hord Cithin meK , Cent at on>e to greet the Hisitor. .oCing at
his
feet7 , sensed that before me Cas a true man of )od.
2"*other7" he said7 "the great masters Cish you to @noC that your stay on earth Cill not be long. Your
neJt
illness shall proHe to be your last." LF%2;/M There Cas a silen>e7 during Chi>h , felt no alarm but only a
Hibration of great pea>e. Finally he addressed me againA
2"You are to be the >ustodian of a >ertain silHer amulet. , Cill not giHe it to you todayK to demonstrate
the truth
in my Cords7 the talisman shall materialiIe in your hands tomorroC as you meditate. !n your deathbed7
you
must instru>t your eldest son Ananta to @eep the amulet for one year and then to hand it oHer to your
se>ond
son. *u@unda Cill understand the meaning of the talisman from the great ones. e should re>eiHe it
about the
time he is ready to renoun>e all Corldly hopes and start his Hital sear>h for )od. &hen he has retained
the
amulet for some years7 and Chen it has serHed its purpose7 it shall Hanish. EHen if @ept in the most
se>ret spot7
it shall return Chen>e it >ame."
2, proffered alms LF%2;1M to the saint7 and boCed before him in great reHeren>e. %ot ta@ing the
offering7 he
departed Cith a blessing. The neJt eHening7 as , sat Cith folded hands in meditation7 a silHer amulet
materialiIed betCeen my palms7 eHen as the #A(U had promised. ,t made itself @noCn by a >old7
smooth
tou>h. , haHe Fealously guarded it for more than tCo years7 and noC leaHe it in Ananta"s @eeping. (o
not
grieHe for me7 as , shall haHe been ushered by my great guru into the arms of the ,nfinite. FareCell7 my
>hildK
the Cosmi> *other Cill prote>t you.3
A blaIe of illumination >ame oHer me Cith possession of the amuletK many dormant memories
aCa@ened. The
talisman7 round and an>iently Nuaint7 Cas >oHered Cith #ans@rit >hara>ters. , understood that it >ame
from
tea>hers of past liHes7 Cho Cere inHisibly guiding my steps. A further signifi>an>e there Cas7 indeedK
but one
does not reHeal fully the heart of an amulet.
oC the talisman finally Hanished amidst deeply unhappy >ir>umstan>es of my lifeK and hoC its loss
Cas a
herald of my gain of a guru7 >annot be told in this >hapter.
.ut the small boy7 thCarted in his attempts to rea>h the imalayas7 daily traHeled far on the Cings of
his
amulet.
CAPTER 2. *Y *!TER"# (EAT A%( TE *Y#T,C A*U'ET
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%2;1M #ans@rit root meaning of #&A*, is 2he Cho is one Cith his #elf Q#&AS.3 Applied to a
member of
the ,ndian order of mon@s7 the title has the formal respe>t of 2the reHerend.3
LF%2;2M The ,ndian >ustom7 Chereby parents >hoose the life;partner for their >hild7 has resisted the
blunt
assaults of time. The per>entage is high of happy ,ndian marriages.
LF%2;+M An an>horiteK one Cho pursues a #A(A%A or path of spiritual dis>ipline.
LF%2;/M &hen , dis>oHered by these Cords that *other had possessed se>ret @noCledge of a short life7
,
understood for the first time Chy she had been insistent on hastening the plans for Ananta"s marriage.
Though
she died before the Cedding7 her natural maternal Cish had been to Citness the rites.
LF%2;1M A >ustomary gesture of respe>t to #A(U#.
CAPTER +. TE #A,%T &,T T&! .!(,E#
2Father7 if , promise to return home Cithout >oer>ion7 may , ta@e a sight;seeing trip to .enaresP3
*y @een loHe of traHel Cas seldom hindered by Father. e permitted me7 eHen as a mere boy7 to Hisit
many
>ities and pilgrimage spots. Usually one or more of my friends a>>ompanied meK Ce Could traHel
>omfortably
on first;>lass passes proHided by Father. is position as a railroad offi>ial Cas fully satisfa>tory to the
nomads in the family.
Father promised to giHe my reNuest due >onsideration. The neJt day he summoned me and held out a
round;trip pass from .areilly to .enares7 a number of rupee notes7 and tCo letters.
2, haHe a business matter to propose to a .enares friend7 $edar %ath .abu. Unfortunately , haHe lost
his
address. .ut , belieHe you Cill be able to get this letter to him through our >ommon friend7 #Cami
Pranabananda. The sCami7 my brother dis>iple7 has attained an eJalted spiritual stature. You Cill
benefit by
his >ompanyK this se>ond note Cill serHe as your introdu>tion.3
Father"s eyes tCin@led as he added7 2*ind7 no more flights from homeO3
, set forth Cith the Iest of my tCelHe years Qthough time has neHer dimmed my delight in neC s>enes
and
strange fa>esS. Rea>hing .enares7 , pro>eeded immediately to the sCami"s residen>e. The front door
Cas
openK , made my Cay to a long7 hall;li@e room on the se>ond floor. A rather stout man7 Cearing only a
loin>loth7 Cas seated in lotus posture on a slightly raised platform. is head and unCrin@led fa>e Cere
>lean;shaHenK a beatifi> smile played about his lips. To dispel my thought that , had intruded7 he
greeted me
as an old friend.
2.A.A A%A%( Qbliss to my dear oneS.3 is Cel>ome Cas giHen heartily in a >hildli@e Hoi>e. , @nelt
and
tou>hed his feet.
2Are you #Cami PranabanandaP3
e nodded. 2Are you .hagabati"s sonP3 is Cords Cere out before , had had time to get Father"s letter
from
my po>@et. ,n astonishment7 , handed him the note of introdu>tion7 Chi>h noC seemed superfluous.
2!f >ourse , Cill lo>ate $edar %ath .abu for you.3 The saint again surprised me by his >lairHoyan>e.
e
glan>ed at the letter7 and made a feC affe>tionate referen>es to my parent.
CAPTER +. TE #A,%T &,T T&! .!(,E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2You @noC7 , am enFoying tCo pensions. !ne is by the re>ommendation of your father7 for Chom ,
on>e
Cor@ed in the railroad offi>e. The other is by the re>ommendation of my eaHenly Father7 for Chom ,
haHe
>ons>ientiously finished my earthly duties in life.3
, found this remar@ Hery obs>ure. 2&hat @ind of pension7 sir7 do you re>eiHe from the eaHenly FatherP
(oes
e drop money in your lapP3
e laughed. 2, mean a pension of fathomless pea>e;a reCard for many years of deep meditation. ,
neHer >raHe
money noC. *y feC material needs are amply proHided for. 'ater you Cill understand the signifi>an>e
of a
se>ond pension.3
Abruptly terminating our >onHersation7 the saint be>ame graHely motionless. A sphinJli@e air
enHeloped him.
At first his eyes spar@led7 as if obserHing something of interest7 then greC dull. , felt abashed at his
pau>iloNuyK he had not yet told me hoC , >ould meet Father"s friend. A trifle restlessly7 , loo@ed about
me in
the bare room7 empty eJ>ept for us tCo. *y idle gaIe too@ in his Cooden sandals7 lying under the
platform
seat.
2'ittle sir7 LF%+;1M don"t get Corried. The man you Cish to see Cill be Cith you in half an hour.3 The
yogi
Cas reading my mind;a feat not too diffi>ult at the momentO
Again he fell into ins>rutable silen>e. *y Cat>h informed me that thirty minutes had elapsed.
The sCami aroused himself. 2, thin@ $edar %ath .abu is nearing the door.3
, heard somebody >oming up the stairs. An amaIed in>omprehension arose suddenlyK my thoughts
ra>ed in
>onfusionA 2oC is it possible that Father"s friend has been summoned to this pla>e Cithout the help of
a
messengerP The sCami has spo@en to no one but myself sin>e my arriHalO3
Abruptly , Nuitted the room and des>ended the steps. alfCay doCn , met a thin7 fair;s@inned man of
medium height. e appeared to be in a hurry.
2Are you $edar %ath .abuP3 EJ>itement >olored my Hoi>e.
2Yes. Are you not .hagabati"s son Cho has been Caiting here to meet meP3 e smiled in friendly
fashion.
2#ir7 hoC do you happen to >ome hereP3 , felt baffled resentment oHer his ineJpli>able presen>e.
2EHerything is mysterious todayO 'ess than an hour ago , had Fust finished my bath in the )anges Chen
#Cami Pranabananda approa>hed me. , haHe no idea hoC he @neC , Cas there at that time.
2".hagabati"s son is Caiting for you in my apartment7" he said. "&ill you >ome Cith meP" , gladly
agreed. As
Ce pro>eeded hand in hand7 the sCami in his Cooden sandals Cas strangely able to outpa>e me7 though
, Core
these stout Cal@ing shoes.
2"oC long Cill it ta@e you to rea>h my pla>eP" PranabanandaFi suddenly halted to as@ me this Nuestion.
2"About half an hour."
2", haHe something else to do at present." e gaHe me an enigmati>al glan>e. ", must leaHe you behind.
You
>an Foin me in my house7 Chere .hagabati"s son and , Cill be aCaiting you."
CAPTER +. TE #A,%T &,T T&! .!(,E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2.efore , >ould remonstrate7 he dashed sCiftly past me and disappeared in the >roCd. , Cal@ed here as
fast as
possible.3
This eJplanation only in>reased my beCilderment. , inNuired hoC long he had @noCn the sCami.
2&e met a feC times last year7 but not re>ently. , Cas Hery glad to see him again today at the bathing
)AT.3
2, >annot belieHe my earsO Am , losing my mindP (id you meet him in a Hision7 or did you a>tually see
him7
tou>h his hand7 and hear the sound of his feetP3
2, don"t @noC Chat you"re driHing atO3 e flushed angrily. 2, am not lying to you. Can"t you understand
that
only through the sCami >ould , haHe @noCn you Cere Caiting at this pla>e for meP3
2&hy7 that man7 #Cami Pranabananda7 has not left my sight a moment sin>e , first >ame about an hour
ago.3 ,
blurted out the Chole story.
is eyes opened Cidely. 2Are Ce liHing in this material age7 or are Ce dreamingP , neHer eJpe>ted to
Citness
su>h a mira>le in my lifeO , thought this sCami Cas Fust an ordinary man7 and noC , find he >an
materialiIe an
eJtra body and Cor@ through itO3 Together Ce entered the saint"s room.
2'oo@7 those are the Hery sandals he Cas Cearing at the )AT73 $edar %ath .abu Chispered. 2e Cas
>lad
only in a loin>loth7 Fust as , see him noC.3
As the Hisitor boCed before him7 the saint turned to me Cith a NuiIIi>al smile.
2&hy are you stupefied at all thisP The subtle unity of the phenomenal Corld is not hidden from true
yogis. ,
instantly see and >onHerse Cith my dis>iples in distant Cal>utta. They >an similarly trans>end at Cill
eHery
obsta>le of gross matter.3
,t Cas probably in an effort to stir spiritual ardor in my young breast that the sCami had >ondes>ended
to tell
me of his poCers of astral radio and teleHision. LF%+;2M .ut instead of enthusiasm7 , eJperien>ed only
an
aCe;stri>@en fear. ,nasmu>h as , Cas destined to underta@e my diHine sear>h through one parti>ular
guru;#ri
Yu@tesCar7 Chom , had not yet met;, felt no in>lination to a>>ept Pranabananda as my tea>her. ,
glan>ed at
him doubtfully7 Condering if it Cere he or his >ounterpart before me.
E,llustrationA #Cami Pranabananda7 2The #aint &ith TCo .odiesT7 An EJalted (is>iple of 'ahiri
*ahasaya=see pranabananda.FpgG
The master sought to banish my disNuietude by bestoCing a soul;aCa@ening gaIe7 and by some
inspiring
Cords about his guru.
2'ahiri *ahasaya Cas the greatest yogi , eHer @neC. e Cas (iHinity ,tself in the form of flesh.3
,f a dis>iple7 , refle>ted7 >ould materialiIe an eJtra fleshly form at Cill7 Chat mira>les indeed >ould be
barred
to his masterP
2, Cill tell you hoC pri>eless is a guru"s help. , used to meditate Cith another dis>iple for eight hours
eHery
night. &e had to Cor@ at the railroad offi>e during the day. Finding diffi>ulty in >arrying on my >leri>al
duties7 , desired to deHote my Chole time to )od. For eight years , perseHered7 meditating half the
night. , had
Conderful resultsK tremendous spiritual per>eptions illumined my mind. .ut a little Heil alCays
remained
betCeen me and the ,nfinite. EHen Cith super;human earnestness7 , found the final irreHo>able union to
be
CAPTER +. TE #A,%T &,T T&! .!(,E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
denied me. !ne eHening , paid a Hisit to 'ahiri *ahasaya and pleaded for his diHine inter>ession. *y
importunities >ontinued during the entire night.
2"Angeli> )uru7 my spiritual anguish is su>h that , >an no longer bear my life Cithout meeting the
)reat
.eloHed fa>e to fa>eO"
2"&hat >an , doP You must meditate more profoundly."
2", am appealing to Thee7 ! )od my *asterO , see Thee materialiIed before me in a physi>al bodyK
bless me
that , may per>eiHe Thee in Thine infinite formO"
2'ahiri *ahasaya eJtended his hand in a benign gesture. "You may go noC and meditate. , haHe
inter>eded
for you Cith .rahma." LF%+;+M
2,mmeasurably uplifted7 , returned to my home. ,n meditation that night7 the burning )oal of my life
Cas
a>hieHed. %oC , >easelessly enFoy the spiritual pension. %eHer from that day has the .lissful Creator
remained hidden from my eyes behind any s>reen of delusion.3
Pranabananda"s fa>e Cas suffused Cith diHine light. The pea>e of another Corld entered my heartK all
fear had
fled. The saint made a further >onfiden>e.
2#ome months later , returned to 'ahiri *ahasaya and tried to than@ him for his bestoCal of the infinite
gift.
Then , mentioned another matter.
2"(iHine )uru7 , >an no longer Cor@ in the offi>e. Please release me. .rahma @eeps me >ontinuously
intoJi>ated."
2"Apply for a pension from your >ompany."
2"&hat reason shall , giHe7 so early in my serHi>eP"
2"#ay Chat you feel."
2The neJt day , made my appli>ation. The do>tor inNuired the grounds for my premature reNuest.
2"At Cor@7 , find an oHerpoCering sensation rising in my spine. LF%+;/M ,t permeates my Chole body7
unfitting me for the performan>e of my duties."
2&ithout further Nuestioning the physi>ian re>ommended me highly for a pension7 Chi>h , soon
re>eiHed. ,
@noC the diHine Cill of 'ahiri *ahasaya Cor@ed through the do>tor and the railroad offi>ials7 in>luding
your
father. Automati>ally they obeyed the great guru"s spiritual dire>tion7 and freed me for a life of
unbro@en
>ommunion Cith the .eloHed.3 LF%+;1M
After this eJtraordinary reHelation7 #Cami Pranabananda retired into one of his long silen>es. As , Cas
ta@ing
leaHe7 tou>hing his feet reHerently7 he gaHe me his blessingA
2Your life belongs to the path of renun>iation and yoga. , shall see you again7 Cith your father7 later
on.3 The
years brought fulfillment to both these predi>tions. LF%+;4M
$edar %ath .abu Cal@ed by my side in the gathering dar@ness. , deliHered Father"s letter7 Chi>h my
>ompanion read under a street lamp.
CAPTER +. TE #A,%T &,T T&! .!(,E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Your father suggests that , ta@e a position in the Cal>utta offi>e of his railroad >ompany. oC pleasant
to
loo@ forCard to at least one of the pensions that #Cami Pranabananda enFoysO .ut it is impossibleK ,
>annot
leaHe .enares. Alas7 tCo bodies are not yet for meO3
LF%+;1M C!T! *AA#AYA is the term by Chi>h a number of ,ndian saints addressed me. ,t
translates
2little sir.3.
LF%+;2M ,n its oCn Cay7 physi>al s>ien>e is affirming the Halidity of laCs dis>oHered by yogis through
mental s>ien>e. For eJample7 a demonstration that man has teleHisional poCers Cas giHen on %oH. 247
19+/ at
the Royal UniHersity of Rome. 2(r. )iuseppe Calligaris7 professor of neuro;psy>hology7 pressed
>ertain
points of a subFe>t"s body and the subFe>t responded Cith minute des>riptions of other persons and
obFe>ts on
the opposite side of a Call. (r. Calligaris told the other professors that if >ertain areas on the s@in are
agitated7
the subFe>t is giHen super;sensorial impressions enabling him to see obFe>ts that he >ould not otherCise
per>eiHe. To enable his subFe>t to dis>ern things on the other side of a Call7 Professor Calligaris pressed
on a
spot to the right of the thoraJ for fifteen minutes. (r. Calligaris said that if other spots of the body Cere
agitated7 the subFe>ts >ould see obFe>ts at any distan>e7 regardless of Chether they had eHer before seen
those
obFe>ts.3.
LF%+;+M )od in is aspe>t of CreatorK from #ans@rit root .R,7 to eJpand. &hen Emerson"s poem
.RA*A appeared in the AT'A%T,C *!%T'Y in 10157 most the readers Cere beCildered.
Emerson
>hu>@led. 2Tell them73 he said7 2to say "8ehoHah" instead of ".rahma" and they Cill not feel any
perpleJity.3
LF%+;/M ,n deep meditation7 the first eJperien>e of #pirit is on the altar of the spine7 and then in the
brain.
The torrential bliss is oHerChelming7 but the yogi learns to >ontrol its outCard manifestations.
LF%+;1M After his retirement7 Pranabananda Crote one of the most profound >ommentaries on the
.A)A6A( ),TA7 aHailable in .engali and indi.
LF%+;4M #ee >hapter 25.
CAPTER /. *Y ,%TERRUPTE( F',)T T!&AR( TE ,*A'AYA#
2'eaHe your >lassroom on some trifling preteJt7 and engage a ha>@ney >arriage. #top in the lane Chere
no one
in my house >an see you.3
These Cere my final instru>tions to Amar *itter7 a high s>hool friend Cho planned to a>>ompany me to
the
imalayas. &e had >hosen the folloCing day for our flight. Pre>autions Cere ne>essary7 as Ananta
eJer>ised
a Higilant eye. e Cas determined to foil the plans of es>ape Chi>h he suspe>ted Cere uppermost in my
mind.
The amulet7 li@e a spiritual yeast7 Cas silently at Cor@ Cithin me. Amidst the imalayan snoCs7 ,
hoped to
find the master Chose fa>e often appeared to me in Hisions.
The family Cas liHing noC in Cal>utta7 Chere Father had been permanently transferred. FolloCing the
patriar>hal ,ndian >ustom7 Ananta had brought his bride to liHe in our home7 noC at / )urpar Road.
There in a
small atti> room , engaged in daily meditations and prepared my mind for the diHine sear>h.
The memorable morning arriHed Cith inauspi>ious rain. earing the Cheels of Amar"s >arriage in the
road7 ,
hastily tied together a blan@et7 a pair of sandals7 'ahiri *ahasaya"s pi>ture7 a >opy of the .A)A6A(
),TA7
a string of prayer beads7 and tCo loin>loths. This bundle , threC from my third;story CindoC. , ran
doCn the
steps and passed my un>le7 buying fish at the door.
2&hat is the eJ>itementP3 is gaIe roHed suspi>iously oHer my person.
CAPTER /. *Y ,%TERRUPTE( F',)T T!&AR( TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
, gaHe him a non>ommittal smile and Cal@ed to the lane. RetrieHing my bundle7 , Foined Amar Cith
>onspiratorial >aution. &e droHe to Chadni ChoC@7 a mer>handise >enter. For months Ce had been
saHing our
tiffin money to buy English >lothes. $noCing that my >leHer brother >ould easily play the part of a
dete>tiHe7
Ce thought to outCit him by European garb.
!n the Cay to the station7 Ce stopped for my >ousin7 8otin )hosh7 Chom , >alled 8atinda. e Cas a neC
>onHert7 longing for a guru in the imalayas. e donned the neC suit Ce had in readiness. &ell;
>amouflaged7
Ce hopedO A deep elation possessed our hearts.
2All Ce need noC are >anHas shoes.3 , led my >ompanions to a shop displaying rubber;soled footCear.
2Arti>les of leather7 gotten only through the slaughter of animals7 must be absent on this holy trip.3 ,
halted on
the street to remoHe the leather >oHer from my .A)A6A( ),TA7 and the leather straps from my
English;made #!'A T!PEE QhelmetS.
At the station Ce bought ti>@ets to .urdCan7 Chere Ce planned to transfer for ardCar in the
imalayan
foothills. As soon as the train7 li@e ourselHes7 Cas in flight7 , gaHe utteran>e to a feC of my glorious
anti>ipations.
28ust imagineO3 , eFa>ulated. 2&e shall be initiated by the masters and eJperien>e the tran>e of >osmi>
>ons>iousness. !ur flesh Cill be >harged Cith su>h magnetism that Cild animals of the imalayas Cill
>ome
tamely near us. Tigers Cill be no more than mee@ house >ats aCaiting our >aressesO3
This remar@;pi>turing a prospe>t , >onsidered entran>ing7 both metaphori>ally and literally;brought an
enthusiasti> smile from Amar. .ut 8atinda aHerted his gaIe7 dire>ting it through the CindoC at the
s>ampering
lands>ape.
2'et the money be diHided in three portions.3 8atinda bro@e a long silen>e Cith this suggestion. 2Ea>h
of us
should buy his oCn ti>@et at .urdCan. Thus no one at the station Cill surmise that Ce are running aCay
together.3
, unsuspe>tingly agreed. At dus@ our train stopped at .urdCan. 8atinda entered the ti>@et offi>eK Amar
and ,
sat on the platform. &e Caited fifteen minutes7 then made unaHailing inNuiries. #ear>hing in all
dire>tions7 Ce
shouted 8atinda"s name Cith the urgen>y of fright. .ut he had faded into the dar@ un@noCn surrounding
the
little station.
, Cas >ompletely unnerHed7 sho>@ed to a pe>uliar numbness. That )od Could >ountenan>e this
depressing
episodeO The romanti> o>>asion of my first >arefully;planned flight after im Cas >ruelly marred.
2Amar7 Ce must return home.3 , Cas Ceeping li@e a >hild. 28atinda"s >allous departure is an ill omen.
This trip
is doomed to failure.3
2,s this your loHe for the 'ordP Can"t you stand the little test of a trea>herous >ompanionP3
Through Amar"s suggestion of a diHine test7 my heart steadied itself. &e refreshed ourselHes Cith
famous
.urdCan sCeetmeats7 #,TA.!) Qfood for the goddessS and *!T,CUR Qnuggets of sCeet pearlS.
,n a feC
hours7 Ce entrained for ardCar7 Hia .areilly. Changing trains at *oghul #erai7 Ce dis>ussed a Hital
matter as
Ce Caited on the platform.
2Amar7 Ce may soon be >losely Nuestioned by railroad offi>ials. , am not underrating my brother"s
ingenuityO
%o matter Chat the out>ome7 , Cill not spea@ untruth.3
CAPTER /. *Y ,%TERRUPTE( F',)T T!&AR( TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2All , as@ of you7 *u@unda7 is to @eep still. (on"t laugh or grin Chile , am tal@ing.3
At this moment7 a European station agent a>>osted me. e CaHed a telegram Chose import ,
immediately
grasped.
2Are you running aCay from home in angerP3
2%oO3 , Cas glad his >hoi>e of Cords permitted me to ma@e emphati> reply. %ot anger but 2diHinest
melan>holy3 Cas responsible7 , @neC7 for my un>onHentional behaHior.
The offi>ial then turned to Amar. The duel of Cits that folloCed hardly permitted me to maintain the
>ounseled stoi> graHity.
2&here is the third boyP3 The man inFe>ted a full ring of authority into his Hoi>e. 2Come onK spea@ the
truthO3
2#ir7 , noti>e you are Cearing eyeglasses. Can"t you see that Ce are only tCoP3 Amar smiled
impudently. 2,
am not a magi>ianK , >an"t >onFure up a third >ompanion.3
The offi>ial7 noti>eably dis>on>erted by this impertinen>e7 sought a neC field of atta>@.
2&hat is your nameP3
2, am >alled Thomas. , am the son of an English mother and a >onHerted Christian ,ndian father.3
2&hat is your friend"s nameP3
2, >all him Thompson.3
.y this time my inCard mirth had rea>hed a IenithK , un>eremoniously made for the train7 Chistling for
departure. Amar folloCed Cith the offi>ial7 Cho Cas >redulous and obliging enough to put us into a
European
>ompartment. ,t eHidently pained him to thin@ of tCo half;English boys traHeling in the se>tion allotted
to
natiHes. After his polite eJit7 , lay ba>@ on the seat and laughed un>ontrollably. *y friend Core an
eJpression
of blithe satisfa>tion at haHing outCitted a Heteran European offi>ial.
!n the platform , had >ontriHed to read the telegram. From my brother7 it Cent thusA 2Three .engali
boys in
English >lothes running aCay from home toCard ardCar Hia *oghul #erai. Please detain them until
my
arriHal. Ample reCard for your serHi>es.3
2Amar7 , told you not to leaHe mar@ed timetables in your home.3 *y glan>e Cas reproa>hful. 2.rother
must
haHe found one there.3
*y friend sheepishly a>@noCledged the thrust. &e halted briefly in .areilly7 Chere (Car@a Prasad
aCaited
us Cith a telegram from Ananta. *y old friend tried Haliantly to detain usK , >onHin>ed him that our
flight had
not been underta@en lightly. As on a preHious o>>asion7 (Car@a refused my inHitation to set forth to the
imalayas.
&hile our train stood in a station that night7 and , Cas half asleep7 Amar Cas aCa@ened by another
Nuestioning offi>ial. e7 too7 fell a Hi>tim to the hybrid >harms of 2Thomas3 and 2Thompson.3 The
train bore
us triumphantly into a daCn arriHal at ardCar. The maFesti> mountains loomed inHitingly in the
distan>e. &e
dashed through the station and entered the freedom of >ity >roCds. !ur first a>t Cas to >hange into
natiHe
>ostume7 as Ananta had somehoC penetrated our European disguise. A premonition of >apture Ceighed
on my
CAPTER /. *Y ,%TERRUPTE( F',)T T!&AR( TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
mind.
(eeming it adHisable to leaHe ardCar at on>e7 Ce bought ti>@ets to pro>eed north to Rishi@esh7 a soil
long
halloCed by feet of many masters. , had already boarded the train7 Chile Amar lagged on the platform.
e
Cas brought to an abrupt halt by a shout from a poli>eman. !ur unCel>ome guardian es>orted us to a
station
bungaloC and too@ >harge of our money. e eJplained >ourteously that it Cas his duty to hold us until
my
elder brother arriHed.
'earning that the truants" destination had been the imalayas7 the offi>er related a strange story.
2, see you are >raIy about saintsO You Cill neHer meet a greater man of )od than the one , saC only
yesterday. *y brother offi>er and , first en>ountered him fiHe days ago. &e Cere patrolling by the
)anges7 on
a sharp loo@out for a >ertain murderer. !ur instru>tions Cere to >apture him7 aliHe or dead. e Cas
@noCn to
be masNuerading as a #A(U in order to rob pilgrims. A short Cay before us7 Ce spied a figure Chi>h
resembled the des>ription of the >riminal. e ignored our >ommand to stopK Ce ran to oHerpoCer him.
Approa>hing his ba>@7 , Cielded my aJ Cith tremendous for>eK the man"s right arm Cas seHered almost
>ompletely from his body.
2&ithout out>ry or any glan>e at the ghastly Cound7 the stranger astonishingly >ontinued his sCift
pa>e. As
Ce Fumped in front of him7 he spo@e Nuietly.
2", am not the murderer you are see@ing."
2, Cas deeply mortified to see , had inFured the person of a diHine=loo@ing sage. Prostrating myself at
his
feet7 , implored his pardon7 and offered my turban;>loth to staun>h the heaHy spurts of blood.
2"#on7 that Cas Fust an understandable mista@e on your part." The saint regarded me @indly. "Run along7
and
don"t reproa>h yourself. The .eloHed *other is ta@ing >are of me." e pushed his dangling arm into its
stump
and loO it adheredK the blood ineJpli>ably >eased to floC.
2"Come to me under yonder tree in three days and you Cill find me fully healed. Thus you Cill feel no
remorse."
2Yesterday my brother offi>er and , Cent eagerly to the designated spot. The #A(U Cas there and
alloCed
us to eJamine his arm. ,t bore no s>ar or tra>e of hurtO
2", am going Hia Rishi@esh to the imalayan solitudes." e blessed us as he departed Nui>@ly. , feel that
my
life has been uplifted through his san>tity.3
The offi>er >on>luded Cith a pious eFa>ulationK his eJperien>e had obHiously moHed him beyond his
usual
depths. &ith an impressiHe gesture7 he handed me a printed >lipping about the mira>le. ,n the usual
garbled
manner of the sensational type of neCspaper Qnot missing7 alasO eHen in ,ndiaS7 the reporter"s Hersion
Cas
slightly eJaggeratedA it indi>ated that the #A(U had been almost de>apitatedO
Amar and , lamented that Ce had missed the great yogi Cho >ould forgiHe his perse>utor in su>h a
Christli@e
Cay. ,ndia7 materially poor for the last tCo >enturies7 yet has an ineJhaustible fund of diHine CealthK
spiritual
2s@ys>rapers3 may o>>asionally be en>ountered by the Cayside7 eHen by Corldly men li@e this
poli>eman.
&e than@ed the offi>er for relieHing our tedium Cith his marHelous story. e Cas probably intimating
that he
Cas more fortunate than CeA he had met an illumined saint Cithout effortK our earnest sear>h had ended7
not at
the feet of a master7 but in a >oarse poli>e stationO
CAPTER /. *Y ,%TERRUPTE( F',)T T!&AR( TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
#o near the imalayas and yet7 in our >aptiHity7 so far7 , told Amar , felt doubly impelled to see@
freedom.
2'et us slip aCay Chen opportunity offers. &e >an go on foot to holy Rishi@esh.3 , smiled
en>ouragingly.
.ut my >ompanion had turned pessimist as soon as the stalCart prop of our money had been ta@en from
us.
2,f Ce started a tre@ oHer su>h dangerous Fungle land7 Ce should finish7 not in the >ity of saints7 but in
the
stoma>hs of tigersO3
Ananta and Amar"s brother arriHed after three days. Amar greeted his relatiHe Cith affe>tionate relief. ,
Cas
unre>on>iledK Ananta got no more from me than a seHere upbraiding.
2, understand hoC you feel.3 *y brother spo@e soothingly. 2All , as@ of you is to a>>ompany me to
.enares
to meet a >ertain saint7 and go on to Cal>utta to Hisit your grieHing father for a feC days. Then you >an
resume
your sear>h here for a master.3
Amar entered the >onHersation at this point to dis>laim any intention of returning to ardCar Cith me.
e Cas
enFoying the familial Carmth. .ut , @neC , Could neHer abandon the Nuest for my guru.
!ur party entrained for .enares. There , had a singular and instant response to my prayers.
A >leHer s>heme had been prearranged by Ananta. .efore seeing me at ardCar7 he had stopped in
.enares to
as@ a >ertain s>riptural authority to interHieC me later. .oth the pundit and his son had promised to
underta@e
my dissuasion from the path of a #A%%YA#,. LF%/;1M
Ananta too@ me to their home. The son7 a young man of ebullient manner7 greeted me in the >ourtyard.
e
engaged me in a lengthy philosophi> dis>ourse. Professing to haHe a >lairHoyant @noCledge of my
future7 he
dis>ountenan>ed my idea of being a mon@.
2You Cill meet >ontinual misfortune7 and be unable to find )od7 if you insist on deserting your
ordinary
responsibilitiesO You >annot Cor@ out your past @arma LF%/;2M Cithout Corldly eJperien>es.3
$rishna"s immortal Cords rose to my lips in replyA 2"EHen he Cith the Corst of @arma Cho >easelessly
meditates on *e Nui>@ly loses the effe>ts of his past bad a>tions. .e>oming a high;souled being7 he
soon
attains perennial pea>e. ArFuna7 @noC this for >ertainA the deHotee Cho puts his trust in *e neHer
perishesO"2
LF%/;+M
.ut the for>eful prognosti>ations of the young man had slightly sha@en my >onfiden>e. &ith all the
ferHor of
my heart , prayed silently to )odA
2Please solHe my beCilderment and ansCer me7 right here and noC7 if Thou dost desire me to lead the
life of a
renun>iate or a Corldly manO3
, noti>ed a #A(U of noble >ountenan>e standing Fust outside the >ompound of the pundit"s house.
EHidently
he had oHerheard the spirited >onHersation betCeen the self;styled >lairHoyant and myself7 for the
stranger
>alled me to his side. , felt a tremendous poCer floCing from his >alm eyes.
2#on7 don"t listen to that ignoramus. ,n response to your prayer7 the 'ord tells me to assure you that
your sole
path in this life is that of the renun>iate.3
&ith astonishment as Cell as gratitude7 , smiled happily at this de>isiHe message.
CAPTER /. *Y ,%TERRUPTE( F',)T T!&AR( TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Come aCay from that manO3 The 2ignoramus3 Cas >alling me from the >ourtyard. *y saintly guide
raised
his hand in blessing and sloCly departed.
2That #A(U is Fust as >raIy as you are.3 ,t Cas the hoary;headed pundit Cho made this >harming
obserHation. e and his son Cere gaIing at me lugubriously. 2, heard that he too has left his home in a
Hague
sear>h for )od.3
, turned aCay. To Ananta , remar@ed that , Could not engage in further dis>ussion Cith our hosts. *y
brother
agreed to an immediate departureK Ce soon entrained for Cal>utta.
E,llustrationA , stand behind my elder brother7 Ananta.=see ananta.FpgG
E,llustrationA 'ast #olsti>e FestiHal >elebrated by #ri Yu@tesCar7 (e>ember7 19+1. *y )uru is seated in
the
>enterK , am at his right7 in the large >ourtyard of his hermitage in #erampore.=see festiHal.FpgG
2*r. (ete>tiHe7 hoC did you dis>oHer , had fled Cith tCo >ompanionsP3 , Hented my liHely >uriosity to
Ananta during our homeCard Fourney. e smiled mis>hieHously.
2At your s>hool7 , found that Amar had left his >lassroom and had not returned. , Cent to his home the
neJt
morning and unearthed a mar@ed timetable. Amar"s father Cas Fust leaHing by >arriage and Cas tal@ing
to the
>oa>hman.
2"*y son Cill not ride Cith me to his s>hool this morning. e has disappearedO" the father moaned.
2", heard from a brother >oa>hman that your son and tCo others7 dressed in European suits7 boarded the
train
at oCrah #tation7" the man stated. "They made a present of their leather shoes to the >ab driHer."
2Thus , had three >lues;the timetable7 the trio of boys7 and the English >lothing.3
, Cas listening to Ananta"s dis>losures Cith mingled mirth and HeJation. !ur generosity to the
>oa>hman had
been slightly mispla>edO
2!f >ourse , rushed to send telegrams to station offi>ials in all the >ities Chi>h Amar had underlined in
the
timetable. e had >he>@ed .areilly7 so , Cired your friend (Car@a there. After inNuiries in our Cal>utta
neighborhood7 , learned that >ousin 8atinda had been absent one night but had arriHed home the
folloCing
morning in European garb. , sought him out and inHited him to dinner. e a>>epted7 Nuite disarmed by
my
friendly manner. !n the Cay , led him unsuspe>tingly to a poli>e station. e Cas surrounded by seHeral
offi>ers Chom , had preHiously sele>ted for their fero>ious appearan>e. Under their formidable gaIe7
8atinda
agreed to a>>ount for his mysterious >ondu>t.
2", started for the imalayas in a buoyant spiritual mood7" he eJplained. ",nspiration filled me at the
prospe>t
of meeting the masters. .ut as soon as *u@unda said7 2(uring our e>stasies in the imalayan >aHes7
tigers
Cill be spellbound and sit around us li@e tame pussies73 my spirits froIeK beads of perspiration formed
on my
broC. 2&hat thenP3 , thought. 2,f the Hi>ious nature of the tigers be not >hanged through the poCer of
our
spiritual tran>e7 shall they treat us Cith the @indness of house >atsP3 ,n my mind"s eye7 , already saC
myself
the >ompulsory inmate of some tiger"s stoma>h;entering there not at on>e Cith the Chole body7 but by
installments of its seHeral partsO"2
*y anger at 8atinda"s Hanishment Cas eHaporated in laughter. The hilarious seNuel on the train Cas
Corth all
the anguish he had >aused me. , must >onfess to a slight feeling of satisfa>tionA 8atinda too had not
es>aped an
en>ounter Cith the poli>eO
CAPTER /. *Y ,%TERRUPTE( F',)T T!&AR( TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Ananta7 LF%/;/M you are a born sleuthhoundO3 *y glan>e of amusement Cas not Cithout some
eJasperation. 2And , shall tell 8atinda , am glad he Cas prompted by no mood of trea>hery7 as it
appeared7 but
only by the prudent instin>t of self;preserHationO3
At home in Cal>utta7 Father tou>hingly reNuested me to >urb my roHing feet until7 at least7 the
>ompletion of
my high s>hool studies. ,n my absen>e7 he had loHingly hat>hed a plot by arranging for a saintly pundit7
#Cami $ebalananda7 LF%/;1M to >ome regularly to the house.
2The sage Cill be your #ans@rit tutor73 my parent announ>ed >onfidently.
Father hoped to satisfy my religious yearnings by instru>tions from a learned philosopher. .ut the
tables Cere
subtly turnedA my neC tea>her7 far from offering intelle>tual aridities7 fanned the embers of my
)od;aspiration. Un@noCn to Father7 #Cami $ebalananda Cas an eJalted dis>iple of 'ahiri *ahasaya.
The
peerless guru had possessed thousands of dis>iples7 silently draCn to him by the irresistibility of his
diHine
magnetism. , learned later that 'ahiri *ahasaya had often >hara>teriIed $ebalananda as R,#, or
illumined
sage.
'uJuriant >urls framed my tutor"s handsome fa>e. is dar@ eyes Cere guileless7 Cith the transparen>y
of a
>hild"s. All the moHements of his slight body Cere mar@ed by a restful deliberation. EHer gentle and
loHing7 he
Cas firmly established in the infinite >ons>iousness. *any of our happy hours together Cere spent in
deep
$R,YA meditation.
$ebalananda Cas a noted authority on the an>ient #A#TRA# or sa>red boo@sA his erudition had
earned him
the title of 2#hastri *ahasaya73 by Chi>h he Cas usually addressed. .ut my progress in #ans@rit
s>holarship
Cas unnoteCorthy. , sought eHery opportunity to forsa@e prosai> grammar and to tal@ of yoga and
'ahiri
*ahasaya. *y tutor obliged me one day by telling me something of his oCn life Cith the master.
2Rarely fortunate7 , Cas able to remain near 'ahiri *ahasaya for ten years. is .enares home Cas my
nightly
goal of pilgrimage. The guru Cas alCays present in a small front parlor on the first floor. As he sat in
lotus
posture on a ba>@less Cooden seat7 his dis>iples garlanded him in a semi>ir>le. is eyes spar@led and
dan>ed
Cith the Foy of the (iHine. They Cere eHer half >losed7 peering through the inner teles>opi> orb into a
sphere
of eternal bliss. e seldom spo@e at length. !>>asionally his gaIe Could fo>us on a student in need of
helpK
healing Cords poured then li@e an aHalan>he of light.
2An indes>ribable pea>e blossomed Cithin me at the master"s glan>e. , Cas permeated Cith his
fragran>e7 as
though from a lotus of infinity. To be Cith him7 eHen Cithout eJ>hanging a Cord for days7 Cas
eJperien>e
Chi>h >hanged my entire being. ,f any inHisible barrier rose in the path of my >on>entration7 , Could
meditate
at the guru"s feet. There the most tenuous states >ame easily Cithin my grasp. #u>h per>eptions eluded
me in
the presen>e of lesser tea>hers. The master Cas a liHing temple of )od Chose se>ret doors Cere open to
all
dis>iples through deHotion.
2'ahiri *ahasaya Cas no boo@ish interpreter of the s>riptures. Effortlessly he dipped into the "diHine
library."
Foam of Cords and spray of thoughts gushed from the fountain of his omnis>ien>e. e had the
Condrous
>laHis Chi>h unlo>@ed the profound philosophi>al s>ien>e embedded ages ago in the 6E(A#. LF%/;4M
,f
as@ed to eJplain the different planes of >ons>iousness mentioned in the an>ient teJts7 he Could
smilingly
assent.
2", Cill undergo those states7 and presently tell you Chat , per>eiHe." e Cas thus diametri>ally unli@e
the
tea>hers Cho >ommit s>ripture to memory and then giHe forth unrealiIed abstra>tions.
CAPTER /. *Y ,%TERRUPTE( F',)T T!&AR( TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2"Please eJpound the holy stanIas as the meaning o>>urs to you." The ta>iturn guru often gaHe this
instru>tion
to a near;by dis>iple. ", Cill guide your thoughts7 that the right interpretation be uttered." ,n this Cay
many of
'ahiri *ahasaya"s per>eptions >ame to be re>orded7 Cith Holuminous >ommentaries by Harious
students.
2The master neHer >ounseled slaHish belief. "&ords are only shells7" he said. "&in >onHi>tion of )od"s
presen>e through your oCn Foyous >onta>t in meditation."
2%o matter Chat the dis>iple"s problem7 the guru adHised $R,YA Y!)A for its solution.
2"The yogi> @ey Cill not lose its effi>ien>y Chen , am no longer present in the body to guide you. This
te>hniNue >annot be bound7 filed7 and forgotten7 in the manner of theoreti>al inspirations. Continue
>easelessly
on your path to liberation through $R,YA7 Chose poCer lies in pra>ti>e."
2, myself >onsider $R,YA the most effe>tiHe deHi>e of salHation through self;effort eHer to be eHolHed
in
man"s sear>h for the ,nfinite.3 $ebalananda >on>luded Cith this earnest testimony. 2Through its use7 the
omnipotent )od7 hidden in all men7 be>ame Hisibly in>arnated in the flesh of 'ahiri *ahasaya and a
number
of his dis>iples.3
A Christli@e mira>le by 'ahiri *ahasaya too@ pla>e in $ebalananda"s presen>e. *y saintly tutor
re>ounted the
story one day7 his eyes remote from the #ans@rit teJts before us.
2A blind dis>iple7 Ramu7 aroused my a>tiHe pity. #hould he haHe no light in his eyes7 Chen he faithfully
serHed our master7 in Chom the (iHine Cas fully blaIingP !ne morning , sought to spea@ to Ramu7 but
he sat
for patient hours fanning the guru Cith a hand;made palm;leaf PU%$A. &hen the deHotee finally left
the
room7 , folloCed him.
2"Ramu7 hoC long haHe you been blindP"
2"From my birth7 sirO %eHer haHe my eyes been blessed Cith a glimpse of the sun."
2"!ur omnipotent guru >an help you. Please ma@e a suppli>ation."
2The folloCing day Ramu diffidently approa>hed 'ahiri *ahasaya. The dis>iple felt almost ashamed to
as@
that physi>al Cealth be added to his spiritual superabundan>e.
2"*aster7 the ,lluminator of the >osmos is in you. , pray you to bring is light into my eyes7 that ,
per>eiHe the
sun"s lesser gloC."
2"Ramu7 someone has >onniHed to put me in a diffi>ult position. , haHe no healing poCer."
2"#ir7 the ,nfinite !ne Cithin you >an >ertainly heal."
2"That is indeed different7 Ramu. )od"s limit is noChereO e Cho ignites the stars and the >ells of flesh
Cith
mysterious life;effulgen>e >an surely bring luster of Hision into your eyes."
2The master tou>hed Ramu"s forehead at the point betCeen the eyebroCs. LF%/;5M 2"$eep your mind
>on>entrated there7 and freNuently >hant the name of the prophet Rama LF%/;0M for seHen days. The
splendor
of the sun shall haHe a spe>ial daCn for you."
2'oO in one Cee@ it Cas so. For the first time7 Ramu beheld the fair fa>e of nature. The !mnis>ient !ne
had
unerringly dire>ted his dis>iple to repeat the name of Rama7 adored by him aboHe all other saints.
Ramu"s faith
CAPTER /. *Y ,%TERRUPTE( F',)T T!&AR( TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
Cas the deHotionally ploughed soil in Chi>h the guru"s poCerful seed of permanent healing sprouted.3
$ebalananda Cas silent for a moment7 then paid a further tribute to his guru.
2,t Cas eHident in all mira>les performed by 'ahiri *ahasaya that he neHer alloCed the ego;prin>iple
LF%/;9M to >onsider itself a >ausatiHe for>e. .y perfe>tion of resistless surrender7 the master enabled
the
Prime ealing PoCer to floC freely through him.
2The numerous bodies Chi>h Cere spe>ta>ularly healed through 'ahiri *ahasaya eHentually had to
feed the
flames of >remation. .ut the silent spiritual aCa@enings he effe>ted7 the Christli@e dis>iples he
fashioned7 are
his imperishable mira>les.3
, neHer be>ame a #ans@rit s>holarK $ebalananda taught me a diHiner syntaJ.
LF%/;1M 'iterally7 2renun>iate.3 From #ans@rit Herb roots7 2to >ast aside.3
LF%/;2M Effe>ts of past a>tions7 in this or a former lifeK from #ans@rit $R,7 2to do.3
LF%/;+M .A)A6A( ),TA7 ,:7 +-;+1. $rishna Cas the greatest prophet of ,ndiaK ArFuna Cas his
foremost dis>iple.
LF%/;/M , alCays addressed him as Ananta;da. (A is a respe>tful suffiJ Chi>h the eldest brother in an
,ndian family re>eiHes from Funior brothers and sisters.
LF%/;1M At the time of our meeting7 $ebalananda had not yet Foined the #Cami !rder and Cas
generally
>alled 2#hastri *ahasaya.3 To aHoid >onfusion Cith the name of 'ahiri *ahasaya and of *aster
*ahasaya
Q..B>hapter 9S7 , am referring to my #ans@rit tutor only by his later monasti> name of #Cami
$ebalananda. is
biography has been re>ently published in .engali. .orn in the $hulna distri>t of .engal in 104+7
$ebalananda
gaHe up his body in .enares at the age of siJty;eight. is family name Cas Ashutosh ChatterFi.
LF%/;4M The an>ient four 6E(A# >omprise oHer 1-- eJtant >anoni>al boo@s. Emerson paid the
folloCing
tribute in his 8!UR%A' to 6edi> thoughtA 2,t is sublime as heat and night and a breathless o>ean. ,t
>ontains
eHery religious sentiment7 all the grand ethi>s Chi>h Hisit in turn ea>h noble poeti> mind. . . . ,t is of no
use to
put aCay the boo@K if , trust myself in the Coods or in a boat upon the pond7 %ature ma@es a
.RA*,% of
me presentlyA eternal ne>essity7 eternal >ompensation7 unfathomable poCer7 unbro@en silen>e. . . . This
is her
>reed. Pea>e7 she saith to me7 and purity and absolute abandonment=these pana>eas eJpiate all sin and
bring
you to the beatitude of the Eight )ods.3
LF%/;5M The seat of the 2single3 or spiritual eye. At death the >ons>iousness of man is usually draCn
to this
holy spot7 a>>ounting for the upraised eyes found in the dead.
LF%/;0M The >entral sa>red figure of the #ans@rit epi>7 RA*AYA%A.
LF%/;9M Ahan@ara7 egoismK literally7 2, do.3 The root >ause of dualism or illusion of *AYA7 Chereby
the
subFe>t QegoS appears as obFe>tK the >reatures imagine themselHes to be >reators.
CAPTER 1. A 2PERFU*E #A,%T3 (,#P'AY# ,# &!%(ER#
2To eHery thing there is a season7 and a time to eHery purpose under the heaHen.3
, did not haHe this Cisdom of #olomon to >omfort meK , gaIed sear>hingly about me7 on any eJ>ursion
from
home7 for the fa>e of my destined guru. .ut my path did not >ross his oCn until after the >ompletion of
my
CAPTER 1. A 2PERFU*E #A,%T3 (,#P'AY# ,# &!%(ER#
Autobiography of a Yogi
high s>hool studies.
TCo years elapsed betCeen my flight Cith Amar toCard the imalayas7 and the great day of #ri
Yu@tesCar"s
arriHal into my life. (uring that interim , met a number of sages;the 2Perfume #aint73 the 2Tiger
#Cami73
%agendra %ath .haduri7 *aster *ahasaya7 and the famous .engali s>ientist7 8agadis Chandra .ose.
*y en>ounter Cith the 2Perfume #aint3 had tCo preambles7 one harmonious and the other humorous.
2)od is simple. EHerything else is >ompleJ. (o not see@ absolute Halues in the relatiHe Corld of
nature.3
These philosophi>al finalities gently entered my ear as , stood silently before a temple image of $ali.
Turning7
, >onfronted a tall man Chose garb7 or la>@ of it7 reHealed him a Candering #A(U.
2You haHe indeed penetrated the beCilderment of my thoughtsO3 , smiled gratefully. 2The >onfusion of
benign and terrible aspe>ts in nature7 as symboliIed by $ali7 LF%1;1M has puIIled Ciser heads than
mineO3
2FeC there be Cho solHe her mysteryO )ood and eHil is the >hallenging riddle Chi>h life pla>es
sphinJli@e
before eHery intelligen>e. Attempting no solution7 most men pay forfeit Cith their liHes7 penalty noC
eHen as
in the days of Thebes. ere and there7 a toCering lonely figure neHer >ries defeat. From the *AYA
LF%1;2M
of duality he plu>@s the >leaHeless truth of unity.3
2You spea@ Cith >onHi>tion7 sir.3
2, haHe long eJer>ised an honest introspe>tion7 the eJNuisitely painful approa>h to Cisdom. #elf;
s>rutiny7
relentless obserHan>e of one"s thoughts7 is a star@ and shattering eJperien>e. ,t pulHeriIes the stoutest
ego. .ut
true self;analysis mathemati>ally operates to produ>e seers. The Cay of "self;eJpression7" indiHidual
a>@noCledgments7 results in egotists7 sure of the right to their priHate interpretations of )od and the
uniHerse.3
2Truth humbly retires7 no doubt7 before su>h arrogant originality.3 , Cas enFoying the dis>ussion.
2*an >an understand no eternal Herity until he has freed himself from pretensions. The human mind7
bared to
a >enturied slime7 is teeming Cith repulsiHe life of >ountless Corld;delusions. #truggles of the
battlefields
pale into insignifi>an>e here7 Chen man first >ontends Cith inCard enemiesO %o mortal foes these7 to be
oHer>ome by harroCing array of mightO !mnipresent7 unresting7 pursuing man eHen in sleep7 subtly
eNuipped
Cith a miasmi> Ceapon7 these soldiers of ignorant lusts see@ to slay us all. Thoughtless is the man Cho
buries
his ideals7 surrendering to the >ommon fate. Can he seem other than impotent7 Cooden7 ignominiousP3
2Respe>ted #ir7 haHe you no sympathy for the beCildered massesP3
The sage Cas silent for a moment7 then ansCered obliNuely.
2To loHe both the inHisible )od7 Repository of All 6irtues7 and Hisible man7 apparently possessed of
none7 is
often bafflingO .ut ingenuity is eNual to the maIe. ,nner resear>h soon eJposes a unity in all human
minds;the
stalCart @inship of selfish motiHe. ,n one sense at least7 the brotherhood of man stands reHealed. An
aghast
humility folloCs this leHeling dis>oHery. ,t ripens into >ompassion for one"s felloCs7 blind to the
healing
poten>ies of the soul aCaiting eJploration.3
2The saints of eHery age7 sir7 haHe felt li@e yourself for the sorroCs of the Corld.3
2!nly the shalloC man loses responsiHeness to the Coes of others" liHes7 as he sin@s into narroC
suffering of
his oCn.3 The #A(U"# austere fa>e Cas noti>eably softened. 2The one Cho pra>ti>es a s>alpel
CAPTER 1. A 2PERFU*E #A,%T3 (,#P'AY# ,# &!%(ER#
Autobiography of a Yogi
self;disse>tion Cill @noC an eJpansion of uniHersal pity. Release is giHen him from the deafening
demands of
his ego. The loHe of )od floCers on su>h soil. The >reature finally turns to his Creator7 if for no other
reason
than to as@ in anguishA "&hy7 'ord7 ChyP" .y ignoble Chips of pain7 man is driHen at last into the
,nfinite
Presen>e7 Chose beauty alone should lure him.3
The sage and , Cere present in Cal>utta"s $alighat Temple7 Chither , had gone to HieC its famed
magnifi>en>e. &ith a sCeeping gesture7 my >han>e >ompanion dismissed the ornate dignity.
2.ri>@s and mortar sing us no audible tuneK the heart opens only to the human >hant of being.3
&e strolled to the inHiting sunshine at the entran>e7 Chere throngs of deHotees Cere passing to and fro.
2You are young.3 The sage surHeyed me thoughtfully. 2,ndia too is young. The an>ient R,#,# LF%1;
+M laid
doCn ineradi>able patterns of spiritual liHing. Their hoary di>tums suffi>e for this day and land. %ot
outmoded7 not unsophisti>ated against the guiles of materialism7 the dis>iplinary pre>epts mold ,ndia
still. .y
millenniums;more than embarrassed s>holars >are to >omputeO;the s@epti> Time has Halidated 6edi>
Corth.
Ta@e it for your heritage.3
As , Cas reHerently bidding fareCell to the eloNuent #A(U7 he reHealed a >lairHoyant per>eptionA
2After you leaHe here today7 an unusual eJperien>e Cill >ome your Cay.3
, Nuitted the temple pre>in>ts and Candered along aimlessly. Turning a >orner7 , ran into an old
a>Nuaintan>e;one of those long;Cinded felloCs Chose >onHersational poCers ignore time and embra>e
eternity.
2, Cill let you go in a Hery short Chile7 if you Cill tell me all that has happened during the siJ years of
our
separation.3
2&hat a paradoJO , must leaHe you noC.3
.ut he held me by the hand7 for>ing out tidbits of information. e Cas li@e a raHenous Colf7 , thought
in
amusementK the longer , spo@e7 the more hungrily he sniffed for neCs. ,nCardly , petitioned the
)oddess $ali
to deHise a gra>eful means of es>ape.
*y >ompanion left me abruptly. , sighed Cith relief and doubled my pa>e7 dreading any relapse into
the
garrulous feHer. earing rapid footsteps behind me7 , Nui>@ened my speed. , dared not loo@ ba>@. .ut
Cith a
bound7 the youth reFoined me7 FoHially >lasping my shoulder.
2, forgot to tell you of )andha .aba QPerfume #aintS7 Cho is gra>ing yonder house.3 e pointed to a
dCelling
a feC yards distant. 2(o meet himK he is interesting. You may haHe an unusual eJperien>e. )ood;by73
and he
a>tually left me.
The similarly Corded predi>tion of the #A(U at $alighat Temple flashed to my mind. (efinitely
intrigued7
, entered the house and Cas ushered into a >ommodious parlor. A >roCd of people Cere sitting7 !rient;
Cise7
here and there on a thi>@ orange;>olored >arpet. An aCed Chisper rea>hed my earA
2.ehold )andha .aba on the leopard s@in. e >an giHe the natural perfume of any floCer to a s>entless
one7
or reHiHe a Cilted blossom7 or ma@e a person"s s@in eJude delightful fragran>e.3
CAPTER 1. A 2PERFU*E #A,%T3 (,#P'AY# ,# &!%(ER#
Autobiography of a Yogi
, loo@ed dire>tly at the saintK his Nui>@ gaIe rested on mine. e Cas plump and bearded7 Cith dar@ s@in
and
large7 gleaming eyes.
2#on7 , am glad to see you. #ay Chat you Cant. &ould you li@e some perfumeP3
2&hat forP3 , thought his remar@ rather >hildish.
2To eJperien>e the mira>ulous Cay of enFoying perfumes.3
2arnessing )od to ma@e odorsP3
2&hat of itP )od ma@es perfume anyCay.3
2Yes7 but e fashions frail bottles of petals for fresh use and dis>ard. Can you materialiIe floCersP3
2, materialiIe perfumes7 little friend.3
2Then s>ent fa>tories Cill go out of business.3
2, Cill permit them to @eep their tradeO *y oCn purpose is to demonstrate the poCer of )od.3
2#ir7 is it ne>essary to proHe )odP ,sn"t e performing mira>les in eHerything7 eHeryChereP3
2Yes7 but Ce too should manifest some of is infinite >reatiHe Hariety.3
2oC long did it ta@e to master your artP3
2TCelHe years.3
2For manufa>turing s>ents by astral meansO ,t seems7 my honored saint7 you haHe been Casting a doIen
years
for fragran>es Chi>h you >an obtain Cith a feC rupees from a florist"s shop.3
2Perfumes fade Cith floCers.3
2Perfumes fade Cith death. &hy should , desire that Chi>h pleases the body onlyP3
2*r. Philosopher7 you please my mind. %oC7 stret>h forth your right hand.3 e made a gesture of
blessing.
, Cas a feC feet aCay from )andha .abaK no one else Cas near enough to >onta>t my body. , eJtended
my
hand7 Chi>h the yogi did not tou>h.
2&hat perfume do you CantP3
2Rose.3
2.e it so.3
To my great surprise7 the >harming fragran>e of rose Cas Cafted strongly from the >enter of my palm. ,
smilingly too@ a large Chite s>entless floCer from a near;by Hase.
2Can this odorless blossom be permeated Cith FasmineP3
CAPTER 1. A 2PERFU*E #A,%T3 (,#P'AY# ,# &!%(ER#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2.e it so.3
A Fasmine fragran>e instantly shot from the petals. , than@ed the Conder;Cor@er and seated myself by
one of
his students. e informed me that )andha .aba7 Chose proper name Cas 6ishudhananda7 had learned
many
astonishing yoga se>rets from a master in Tibet. The Tibetan yogi7 , Cas assured7 had attained the age
of oHer
a thousand years.
2is dis>iple )andha .aba does not alCays perform his perfume;feats in the simple Herbal manner you
haHe
Fust Citnessed.3 The student spo@e Cith obHious pride in his master. 2is pro>edure differs Cidely7 to
a>>ord
Cith diHersity in temperaments. e is marHelousO *any members of the Cal>utta intelligentsia are
among his
folloCers.3
, inCardly resolHed not to add myself to their number. A guru too literally 2marHelous3 Cas not to my
li@ing.
&ith polite than@s to )andha .aba7 , departed. #auntering home7 , refle>ted on the three Haried
en>ounters the
day had brought forth.
*y sister Uma met me as , entered our )urpar Road door.
2You are getting Nuite stylish7 using perfumesO3
&ithout a Cord7 , motioned her to smell my hand.
2&hat an attra>tiHe rose fragran>eO ,t is unusually strongO3
Thin@ing it Cas 2strongly unusual73 , silently pla>ed the astrally s>ented blossom under her nostrils.
2!h7 , loHe FasmineO3 #he seiIed the floCer. A ludi>rous bafflement passed oHer her fa>e as she
repeatedly
sniffed the odor of Fasmine from a type of floCer she Cell @neC to be s>entless. er rea>tions disarmed
my
suspi>ion that )andha .aba had indu>ed an auto;suggestiHe state Chereby , alone >ould dete>t the
fragran>es.
'ater , heard from a friend7 Ala@ananda7 that the 2Perfume #aintT had a poCer Chi>h , Cish Cere
possessed
by the starHing millions of Asia and7 today7 of Europe as Cell.
2, Cas present Cith a hundred other guests at )andha .aba"s home in .urdCan73 Ala@ananda told me.
2,t Cas
a gala o>>asion. .e>ause the yogi Cas reputed to haHe the poCer of eJtra>ting obFe>ts out of thin air7 ,
laughingly reNuested him to materialiIe some out;of;season tangerines. ,mmediately the 'UC,#
LF%1;/M
Chi>h Cere present on all the banana;leaf plates be>ame puffed up. Ea>h of the bread;enHelopes proHed
to
>ontain a peeled tangerine. , bit into my oCn Cith some trepidation7 but found it deli>ious.3
Years later , understood by inner realiIation hoC )andha .aba a>>omplished his materialiIations. The
method7 alasO is beyond the rea>h of the Corld"s hungry hordes.
The different sensory stimuli to Chi>h man rea>ts;ta>tual7 Hisual7 gustatory7 auditory7 and olfa>tory;are
produ>ed by Hibratory Hariations in ele>trons and protons. The Hibrations in turn are regulated by
2lifetrons73
subtle life for>es or finer;than;atomi> energies intelligently >harged Cith the fiHe distin>tiHe sensory
idea;substan>es.
)andha .aba7 tuning himself Cith the >osmi> for>e by >ertain yogi> pra>ti>es7 Cas able to guide the
lifetrons
to rearrange their Hibratory stru>ture and obFe>tiHiIe the desired result. is perfume7 fruit and other
mira>les
Cere a>tual materialiIations of mundane Hibrations7 and not inner sensations hypnoti>ally produ>ed.
LF%1;1M
CAPTER 1. A 2PERFU*E #A,%T3 (,#P'AY# ,# &!%(ER#
Autobiography of a Yogi
Performan>es of mira>les su>h as shoCn by the 2Perfume #aint3 are spe>ta>ular but spiritually useless.
aHing little purpose beyond entertainment7 they are digressions from a serious sear>h for )od.
ypnotism has been used by physi>ians in minor operations as a sort of psy>hi>al >hloroform for
persons Cho
might be endangered by an anestheti>. .ut a hypnoti> state is harmful to those often subFe>ted to itK a
negatiHe
psy>hologi>al effe>t ensues Chi>h in time deranges the brain >ells. ypnotism is trespass into the
territory of
another"s >ons>iousness. ,ts temporary phenomena haHe nothing in >ommon Cith the mira>les
performed by
men of diHine realiIation. ACa@e in )od7 true saints effe>t >hanges in this dream;Corld by means of a
Cill
harmoniously attuned to the CreatiHe Cosmi> (reamer.
!stentatious display of unusual poCers are de>ried by masters. The Persian mysti>7 Abu #aid7 on>e
laughed at
>ertain FA$,R# Cho Cere proud of their mira>ulous poCers oHer Cater7 air7 and spa>e.
2A frog is also at home in the CaterO3 Abu #aid pointed out in gentle s>orn. 2The >roC and the Hulture
easily
fly in the airK the (eHil is simultaneously present in the East and in the &estO A true man is he Cho
dCells in
righteousness among his felloC men7 Cho buys and sells7 yet is neHer for a single instant forgetful of
)odO3
!n another o>>asion the great Persian tea>her gaHe his HieCs on the religious life thusA 2To lay aside
Chat you
haHe in your head Qselfish desires and ambitionsSK to freely bestoC Chat you haHe in your handK and
neHer to
flin>h from the bloCs of adHersityO3
%either the impartial sage at $alighat Temple nor the Tibetan;trained yogi had satisfied my yearning
for a
guru. *y heart needed no tutor for its re>ognitions7 and >ried its oCn 2.raHosO3 the more resoundingly
be>ause unoften summoned from silen>e. &hen , finally met my master7 he taught me by sublimity of
eJample alone the measure of a true man.
LF%1;1M $ali represents the eternal prin>iple in nature. #he is traditionally pi>tured as a four;armed
Coman7
standing on the form of the )od #hiHa or the ,nfinite7 be>ause nature or the phenomenal Corld is rooted
in the
%oumenon. The four arms symboliIe >ardinal attributes7 tCo benefi>ent7 tCo destru>tiHe7 indi>ating the
essential duality of matter or >reation.
LF%1;2M Cosmi> illusionK literally7 2the measurer.3 *AYA is the magi>al poCer in >reation by Chi>h
limitations and diHisions are apparently present in the ,mmeasurable and ,nseparable. Emerson Crote
the
folloCing poem7 to Chi>h he gaHe the title of *AYAA
,llusion Cor@s impenetrable7 &eaHing Cebs innumerable7 er gay pi>tures neHer fail7 CroCd ea>h
other7 Heil
on Heil7 Charmer Cho Cill be belieHed .y man Cho thirsts to be de>eiHed.
LF%1;+M The R,#,#7 literally 2seers73 Cere the authors of the 6E(A# in an indeterminable antiNuity..
LF%1;/M Flat7 round ,ndian bread..
LF%1;1M 'aymen s>ar>ely realiIe the Hast strides of tCentieth;>entury s>ien>e. Transmutation of metals
and
other al>hemi>al dreams are seeing fulfillment eHery day in >enters of s>ientifi> resear>h oHer the
Corld. The
eminent Fren>h >hemist7 *. )eorges Claude7 performed 2mira>les3 at Fontainebleau in 1920 before a
s>ientifi> assemblage through his >hemi>al @noCledge of oJygen transformations. is 2magi>ian"s
Cand3 Cas
simple oJygen7 bubbling in a tube on a table. The s>ientist 2turned a handful of sand into pre>ious
stones7 iron
into a state resembling melted >ho>olate and7 after depriHing floCers of their tints7 turned them into the
>onsisten>y of glass.
2*. Claude eJplained hoC the sea >ould be turned by oJygen transformations into many millions of
pounds
of horsepoCerK hoC Cater Chi>h boils is not ne>essarily burningK hoC little mounds of sand7 by a
single Chiff
CAPTER 1. A 2PERFU*E #A,%T3 (,#P'AY# ,# &!%(ER#
Autobiography of a Yogi
of the oJygen bloCpipe7 >ould be >hanged into sapphires7 rubies7 and topaIesK and he predi>ted the
time Chen
it Cill be possible for men to Cal@ on the bottom of the o>ean minus the diHer"s eNuipment. Finally the
s>ientist amaIed his onloo@ers by turning their fa>es bla>@ by ta@ing the red out of the sun"s rays.3
This noted Fren>h s>ientist has produ>ed liNuid air by an eJpansion method in Chi>h he has been able
to
separate the Harious gases of the air7 and has dis>oHered Harious means of me>hani>al utiliIation of
differen>es of temperature in sea Cater.
CAPTER 4. TE T,)ER #&A*,
2, haHe dis>oHered the Tiger #Cami"s address. 'et us Hisit him tomorroC.3
This Cel>ome suggestion >ame from Chandi7 one of my high s>hool friends. , Cas eager to meet the
saint
Cho7 in his premonasti> life7 had >aught and fought tigers Cith his na@ed hands. A boyish enthusiasm
oHer
su>h remar@able feats Cas strong Cithin me.
The neJt day daCned Cintry >old7 but Chandi and , sallied forth gaily. After mu>h Hain hunting in
.hoCanipur7 outside Cal>utta7 Ce arriHed at the right house. The door held tCo iron rings7 Chi>h ,
sounded
pier>ingly. %otCithstanding the >lamor7 a serHant approa>hed Cith leisurely gait. is ironi>al smile
implied
that Hisitors7 despite their noise7 Cere poCerless to disturb the >almness of a saint"s home.
Feeling the silent rebu@e7 my >ompanion and , Cere than@ful to be inHited into the parlor. !ur long Cait
there
>aused un>omfortable misgiHings. ,ndia"s unCritten laC for the truth see@er is patien>eK a master may
purposely ma@e a test of one"s eagerness to meet him. This psy>hologi>al ruse is freely employed in the
&est
by do>tors and dentistsO
Finally summoned by the serHant7 Chandi and , entered a sleeping apartment. The famous #ohong
LF%4;1M
#Cami Cas seated on his bed. The sight of his tremendous body affe>ted us strangely. &ith bulging
eyes7 Ce
stood spee>hless. &e had neHer before seen su>h a >hest or su>h football;li@e bi>eps. !n an immense
ne>@7
the sCami"s fier>e yet >alm fa>e Cas adorned Cith floCing lo>@s7 beard and mousta>he. A hint of
doHeli@e and
tigerli@e Nualities shone in his dar@ eyes. e Cas un>lothed7 saHe for a tiger s@in about his mus>ular
Caist.
Finding our Hoi>es7 my friend and , greeted the mon@7 eJpressing our admiration for his proCess in the
eJtraordinary feline arena.
2&ill you not tell us7 please7 hoC it is possible to subdue Cith bare fists the most fero>ious of Fungle
beasts7
the royal .engalsP3
2*y sons7 it is nothing to me to fight tigers. , >ould do it today if ne>essary.3 e gaHe a >hildli@e laugh.
2You
loo@ upon tigers as tigersK , @noC them as pussy>ats.3
2#CamiFi7 , thin@ , >ould impress my sub>ons>iousness Cith the thought that tigers are pussy>ats7 but
>ould ,
ma@e tigers belieHe itP3
2!f >ourse strength also is ne>essaryO !ne >annot eJpe>t Hi>tory from a baby Cho imagines a tiger to
be a
house >atO PoCerful hands are my suffi>ient Ceapon.3
e as@ed us to folloC him to the patio7 Chere he stru>@ the edge of a Call. A bri>@ >rashed to the floorK
the
s@y peered boldly through the gaping lost tooth of the Call. , fairly staggered in astonishmentK he Cho
>an
remoHe mortared bri>@s from a solid Call Cith one bloC7 , thought7 must surely be able to displa>e the
teeth of
tigersO
CAPTER 4. TE T,)ER #&A*,
Autobiography of a Yogi
2A number of men haHe physi>al poCer su>h as mine7 but still la>@ in >ool >onfiden>e. Those Cho are
bodily
but not mentally stalCart may find themselHes fainting at mere sight of a Cild beast bounding freely in
the
Fungle. The tiger in its natural fero>ity and habitat is Hastly different from the opium;fed >ir>us animalO
2*any a man Cith her>ulean strength has nonetheless been terroriIed into abFe>t helplessness before
the
onslaught of a royal .engal. Thus the tiger has >onHerted the man7 in his oCn mind7 to a state as
nerHeless as
the pussy>at"s. ,t is possible for a man7 oCning a fairly strong body and an immensely strong
determination7 to
turn the tables on the tiger7 and for>e it to a >onHi>tion of pussy>at defenselessness. oC often , haHe
done
Fust thatO3
, Cas Nuite Cilling to belieHe that the titan before me Cas able to perform the tiger;pussy>at
metamorphosis.
e seemed in a dida>ti> moodK Chandi and , listened respe>tfully.
2*ind is the Cielder of mus>les. The for>e of a hammer bloC depends on the energy appliedK the
poCer
eJpressed by a man"s bodily instrument depends on his aggressiHe Cill and >ourage. The body is
literally
manufa>tured and sustained by mind. Through pressure of instin>ts from past liHes7 strengths or
Cea@nesses
per>olate gradually into human >ons>iousness. They eJpress as habits7 Chi>h in turn ossify into a
desirable or
an undesirable body. !utCard frailty has mental originK in a Hi>ious >ir>le7 the habit;bound body
thCarts the
mind. ,f the master alloCs himself to be >ommanded by a serHant7 the latter be>omes auto>rati>K the
mind is
similarly enslaHed by submitting to bodily di>tation.3
At our entreaty7 the impressiHe sCami >onsented to tell us something of his oCn life.
2*y earliest ambition Cas to fight tigers. *y Cill Cas mighty7 but my body Cas feeble.3
An eFa>ulation of surprise bro@e from me. ,t appeared in>redible that this man7 noC 2Cith Atlantean
shoulders7 fit to bear73 >ould eHer haHe @noCn Cea@ness.
2,t Cas by indomitable persisten>y in thoughts of health and strength that , oHer>ame my handi>ap. ,
haHe
eHery reason to eJtol the >ompelling mental Higor Chi>h , found to be the real subduer of royal
.engals.3
2(o you thin@7 reHered sCami7 that , >ould eHer fight tigersP3 This Cas the first7 and the last7 time that
the
biIarre ambition eHer Hisited my mindO
2Yes.3 e Cas smiling. 2.ut there are many @inds of tigersK some roam in Fungles of human desires. %o
spiritual benefit a>>rues by @no>@ing beasts un>ons>ious. Rather be Hi>tor oHer the inner proClers.3
2*ay Ce hear7 sir7 hoC you >hanged from a tamer of Cild tigers to a tamer of Cild passionsP3
The Tiger #Cami fell into silen>e. Remoteness >ame into his gaIe7 summoning Hisions of bygone years.
,
dis>erned his slight mental struggle to de>ide Chether to grant my reNuest. Finally he smiled in
a>Nuies>en>e.
2&hen my fame rea>hed a Ienith7 it brought the intoJi>ation of pride. , de>ided not only to fight tigers
but to
display them in Harious tri>@s. *y ambition Cas to for>e saHage beasts to behaHe li@e domesti>ated
ones. ,
began to perform my feats publi>ly7 Cith gratifying su>>ess.
2!ne eHening my father entered my room in pensiHe mood.
2"#on7 , haHe Cords of Carning. , Could saHe you from >oming ills7 produ>ed by the grinding Cheels of
>ause
and effe>t."
CAPTER 4. TE T,)ER #&A*,
Autobiography of a Yogi
2"Are you a fatalist7 FatherP #hould superstition be alloCed to dis>olor the poCerful Caters or my
a>tiHitiesP"
2", am no fatalist7 son. .ut , belieHe in the Fust laC of retribution7 as taught in the holy s>riptures. There
is
resentment against you in the Fungle familyK sometime it may a>t to your >ost."
2"Father7 you astonish meO You Cell @noC Chat tigers are;beautiful but mer>ilessO EHen immediately
after an
enormous meal of some hapless >reature7 a tiger is fired Cith fresh lust at sight of neC prey. ,t may be a
Foyous gaIelle7 fris@ing oHer the Fungle grass. Capturing it and biting an opening in the soft throat7 the
maleHolent beast tastes only a little of the mutely >rying blood7 and goes its Canton Cay.
2"Tigers are the most >ontemptible of the Fungle breedO &ho @noCsP my bloCs may inFe>t some slight
sanity
of >onsideration into their thi>@ heads. , am headmaster in a forest finishing s>hool7 to tea>h them
gentle
mannersO
2"Please7 Father7 thin@ of me as tiger tamer and neHer as tiger @iller. oC >ould my good a>tions bring
ill upon
meP , beg you not to impose any >ommand that , >hange my Cay of life."2
Chandi and , Cere all attention7 understanding the past dilemma. ,n ,ndia a >hild does not lightly
disobey his
parents" Cishes.
2,n stoi> silen>e Father listened to my eJplanation. e folloCed it Cith a dis>losure Chi>h he uttered
graHely.
2"#on7 you >ompel me to relate an ominous predi>tion from the lips of a saint. e approa>hed me
yesterday as
, sat on the Heranda in my daily meditation.
2"2(ear friend7 , >ome Cith a message for your belligerent son. 'et him >ease his saHage a>tiHities.
!therCise7
his neJt tiger;en>ounter shall result in his seHere Counds7 folloCed by siJ months of deathly si>@ness.
e
shall then forsa@e his former Cays and be>ome a mon@.3"
2This tale did not impress me. , >onsidered that Father had been the >redulous Hi>tim of a deluded
fanati>.3
The Tiger #Cami made this >onfession Cith an impatient gesture7 as though at some stupidity. )rimly
silent
for a long time7 he seemed obliHious of our presen>e. &hen he too@ up the dangling thread of his
narratiHe7 it
Cas suddenly7 Cith subdued Hoi>e.
2%ot long after Father"s Carning7 , Hisited the >apital >ity of Coo>h .ehar. The pi>turesNue territory
Cas neC
to me7 and , eJpe>ted a restful >hange. As usual eHeryChere7 a >urious >roCd folloCed me on the
streets. ,
Could >at>h bits of Chispered >ommentA
2"This is the man Cho fights Cild tigers."
2"as he legs7 or tree;trun@sP"
2"'oo@ at his fa>eO e must be an in>arnation of the @ing of tigers himselfO"
2You @noC hoC Hillage ur>hins fun>tion li@e final editions of a neCspaperO &ith Chat speed do the
eHen;later spee>h;bulletins of the Comen >ir>ulate from house to houseO &ithin a feC hours7 the Chole
>ity
Cas in a state of eJ>itement oHer my presen>e.
2, Cas relaJing Nuietly in the eHening7 Chen , heard the hoofbeats of galloping horses. They stopped in
front
of my dCelling pla>e. ,n >ame a number of tall7 turbaned poli>emen.
CAPTER 4. TE T,)ER #&A*,
Autobiography of a Yogi
2, Cas ta@en aba>@. "All things are possible unto these >reatures of human laC7" , thought. ", Conder if
they are
going to ta@e me to tas@ about matters utterly un@noCn to me." .ut the offi>ers boCed Cith unConted
>ourtesy.
2"onored #ir7 Ce are sent to Cel>ome you on behalf of the Prin>e of Coo>h .ehar. e is pleased to
inHite you
to his pala>e tomorroC morning."
2, spe>ulated aChile on the prospe>t. For some obs>ure reason , felt sharp regret at this interruption in
my
Nuiet trip. .ut the suppliant manner of the poli>emen moHed meK , agreed to go.
2, Cas beCildered the neJt day to be obseNuiously es>orted from my door into a magnifi>ent >oa>h
draCn by
four horses. A serHant held an ornate umbrella to prote>t me from the s>or>hing sunlight. , enFoyed the
pleasant ride through the >ity and its Coodland outs@irts. The royal s>ion himself Cas at the pala>e door
to
Cel>ome me. e proffered his oCn gold;bro>aded seat7 smilingly pla>ing himself in a >hair of simpler
design.
2"All this politeness is >ertainly going to >ost me somethingO" , thought in mounting astonishment. The
prin>e"s
motiHe emerged after a feC >asual remar@s.
2"*y >ity is filled Cith the rumor that you >an fight Cild tigers Cith nothing more than your na@ed
hands. ,s it
a fa>tP"
2",t is Nuite true."
2", >an s>ar>ely belieHe itO You are a Cal>utta .engali7 nurtured on the Chite ri>e of >ity fol@. .e fran@7
pleaseK
haHe you not been fighting only spineless7 opium;fed animalsP" is Hoi>e Cas loud and sar>asti>7 tinged
Cith
proHin>ial a>>ent.
2, Hou>hsafed no reply to his insulting Nuestion.
2", >hallenge you to fight my neCly;>aught tiger7 RaFa .egum. LF%4;2M ,f you >an su>>essfully resist
him7
bind him Cith a >hain7 and leaHe his >age in a >ons>ious state7 you shall haHe this royal .engalO #eHeral
thousand rupees and many other gifts shall also be bestoCed. ,f you refuse to meet him in >ombat7 ,
shall
blaIon your name throughout the state as an impostorO"
2is insolent Cords stru>@ me li@e a Holley of bullets. , shot an angry a>>eptan>e. alf risen from the
>hair in
his eJ>itement7 the prin>e san@ ba>@ Cith a sadisti> smile. , Cas reminded of the Roman emperors Cho
delighted in setting Christians in bestial arenas.
2"The mat>h Cill be set for a Cee@ hen>e. , regret that , >annot giHe you permission to HieC the tiger in
adHan>e."
2&hether the prin>e feared , might see@ to hypnotiIe the beast7 or se>retly feed him opium7 , @noC notO
2, left the pala>e7 noting Cith amusement that the royal umbrella and panoplied >oa>h Cere noC
missing.
2The folloCing Cee@ , methodi>ally prepared my mind and body for the >oming ordeal. Through my
serHant ,
learned of fantasti> tales. The saint"s direful predi>tion to my father had somehoC got abroad7 enlarging
as it
ran. *any simple Hillagers belieHed that an eHil spirit7 >ursed by the gods7 had rein>arnated as a tiger
Chi>h
too@ Harious demonia> forms at night7 but remained a striped animal during the day. This demon;tiger
Cas
supposed to be the one sent to humble me.
CAPTER 4. TE T,)ER #&A*,
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Another imaginatiHe Hersion Cas that animal prayers to Tiger eaHen had a>hieHed a response in the
shape
of RaFa .egum. e Cas to be the instrument to punish me;the auda>ious biped7 so insulting to the
entire tiger
spe>iesO A furless7 fangless man daring to >hallenge a >laC;armed7 sturdy;limbed tigerO The
>on>entrated
Henom of all humiliated tigers;the Hillagers de>lared;had gathered momentum suffi>ient to operate
hidden
laCs and bring about the fall of the proud tiger tamer.
2*y serHant further appriIed me that the prin>e Cas in his element as manager of the bout betCeen
man and
beast. e had superHised the ere>tion of a storm;proof paHilion7 designed to a>>ommodate thousands.
,ts
>enter held RaFa .egum in an enormous iron >age7 surrounded by an outer safety room. The >aptiHe
emitted a
>easeless series of blood;>urdling roars. e Cas fed sparingly7 to @indle a Crathful appetite. Perhaps the
prin>e eJpe>ted me to be the meal of reCardO
2CroCds from the >ity and suburbs bought ti>@ets eagerly in response to the beat of drums announ>ing
the
uniNue >ontest. The day of battle saC hundreds turned aCay for la>@ of seats. *any men bro@e through
the
tent openings7 or >roCded any spa>e beloC the galleries.3
As the Tiger #Cami"s story approa>hed a >limaJ7 my eJ>itement mounted Cith itK Chandi also Cas
raptly
mute.
2Amidst pier>ing sound;eJplosions from RaFa .egum7 and the hubbub of the someChat terrified
>roCd7 ,
Nuietly made my appearan>e. #>antily >lad around the Caist7 , Cas otherCise unprote>ted by >lothing. ,
opened the bolt on the door of the safety room and >almly lo>@ed it behind me. The tiger sensed blood.
'eaping Cith a thunderous >rash on his bars7 he sent forth a fearsome Cel>ome. The audien>e Cas
hushed
Cith pitiful fearK , seemed a mee@ lamb before the raging beast.
2,n a tri>e , Cas Cithin the >ageK but as , slammed the door7 RaFa .egum Cas headlong upon me. *y
right
hand Cas desperately torn. uman blood7 the greatest treat a tiger >an @noC7 fell in appalling streams.
The
prophe>y of the saint seemed about to be fulfilled.
2, rallied instantly from the sho>@ of the first serious inFury , had eHer re>eiHed. .anishing the sight of
my
gory fingers by thrusting them beneath my Caist >loth7 , sCung my left arm in a bone;>ra>@ing bloC.
The
beast reeled ba>@7 sCirled around the rear of the >age7 and sprang forCard >onHulsiHely. *y famous
fisti>
punishment rained on his head.
2.ut RaFa .egum"s taste of blood had a>ted li@e the maddening first sip of Cine to a dipsomania>
long;depriHed. Pun>tuated by deafening roar7 the brute"s assaults greC in fury. *y inadeNuate defense
of only
one hand left me Hulnerable before >laCs and fangs. .ut , dealt out daIing retribution. *utually
ensanguined7
Ce struggled as to the death. The >age Cas pandemonium7 as blood splashed in all dire>tions7 and blasts
of
pain and lethal lust >ame from the bestial throat.
2"#hoot himO" "$ill the tigerO" #hrie@s arose from the audien>e. #o fast did man and beast moHe7 that a
guard"s
bullet Cent amiss. , mustered all my Cill for>e7 belloCed fier>ely7 and landed a final >on>ussiHe bloC.
The
tiger >ollapsed and lay Nuietly.
2'i@e a pussy>atO3 , interFe>ted.
The sCami laughed in hearty appre>iation7 then >ontinued the engrossing tale.
2RaFa .egum Cas HanNuished at last. is royal pride Cas further humbledA Cith my la>erated hands7 ,
auda>iously for>ed open his FaCs. For a dramati> moment7 , held my head Cithin the yaCning
deathtrap. ,
loo@ed around for a >hain. Pulling one from a pile on the floor7 , bound the tiger by his ne>@ to the >age
bars.
CAPTER 4. TE T,)ER #&A*,
Autobiography of a Yogi
,n triumph , moHed toCard the door.
2.ut that fiend in>arnate7 RaFa .egum7 had stamina Corthy of his supposed demonia> origin. &ith an
in>redible lunge7 he snapped the >hain and leaped on my ba>@. *y shoulder fast in his FaCs7 , fell
Hiolently.
.ut in a tri>e , had him pinned beneath me. Under mer>iless bloCs7 the trea>herous animal san@ into
semi>ons>iousness. This time , se>ured him more >arefully. #loCly , left the >age.
2, found myself in a neC uproar7 this time one of delight. The >roCd"s >heer bro@e as though from a
single
giganti> throat. (isastrously mauled7 , had yet fulfilled the three >onditions of the fight;stunning the
tiger7
binding him Cith a >hain7 and leaHing him Cithout reNuiring assistan>e for myself. ,n addition7 , had so
drasti>ally inFured and frightened the aggressiHe beast that he had been >ontent to oHerloo@ the
opportune
priIe of my head in his mouthO
2After my Counds Cere treated7 , Cas honored and garlandedK hundreds of gold pie>es shoCered at my
feet.
The Chole >ity entered a holiday period. Endless dis>ussions Cere heard on all sides about my Hi>tory
oHer
one of the largest and most saHage tigers eHer seen. RaFa .egum Cas presented to me7 as promised7 but
, felt
no elation. A spiritual >hange had entered my heart. ,t seemed that Cith my final eJit from the >age ,
had also
>losed the door on my Corldly ambitions.
2A Coeful period folloCed. For siJ months , lay near death from blood poisoning. As soon as , Cas
Cell
enough to leaHe Coo>h .ehar7 , returned to my natiHe toCn.
2", @noC noC that my tea>her is the holy man Cho gaHe the Cise Carning." , humbly made this
>onfession to
my father. "!h7 if , >ould only find himO" *y longing Cas sin>ere7 for one day the saint arriHed
unheralded.
2"Enough of tiger taming." e spo@e Cith >alm assuran>e. "Come Cith meK , Cill tea>h you to subdue
the
beasts of ignoran>e roaming in Fungles of the human mind. You are used to an audien>eA let it be a
galaJy of
angels7 entertained by your thrilling mastery of yogaO"
2, Cas initiated into the spiritual path by my saintly guru. e opened my soul;doors7 rusty and resistant
Cith
long disuse. and in hand7 Ce soon set out for my training in the imalayas.3
Chandi and , boCed at the sCami"s feet7 grateful for his HiHid outline of a life truly >y>loni>. , felt
amply
repaid for the long probationary Cait in the >old parlorO
LF%4;1M #!!%) Cas his monasti> name. e Cas popularly @noCn as the 2Tiger #Cami.3
LF%4;2M 2Prin>e Prin>essT;so named to indi>ate that this beast possessed the >ombined fero>ity of tiger
and
tigress.
CAPTER 5. TE 'E6,TAT,%) #A,%T
2, saC a yogi remain in the air7 seHeral feet aboHe the ground7 last night at a group meeting.3 *y friend7
Upendra *ohun ChoCdhury7 spo@e impressiHely.
, gaHe him an enthusiasti> smile. 2Perhaps , >an guess his name. &as it .haduri *ahasaya7 of Upper
Cir>ular
RoadP3
Upendra nodded7 a little >restfallen not to be a neCs;bearer. *y inNuisitiHeness about saints Cas Cell;
@noCn
among my friendsK they delighted in setting me on a fresh tra>@.
CAPTER 5. TE 'E6,TAT,%) #A,%T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2The yogi liHes so >lose to my home that , often Hisit him.3 *y Cords brought @een interest to
Upendra"s fa>e7
and , made a further >onfiden>e.
2, haHe seen him in remar@able feats. e has eJpertly mastered the Harious PRA%AYA*A# LF%5;1M
of the
an>ient eightfold yoga outlined by PatanFali. LF%5;2M !n>e .haduri *ahasaya performed the
.A#TR,$A
PRA%AYA*A before me Cith su>h amaIing for>e that it seemed an a>tual storm had arisen in the
roomO
Then he eJtinguished the thundering breath and remained motionless in a high state of
super>ons>iousness.
LF%5;+M The aura of pea>e after the storm Cas HiHid beyond forgetting.3
2, heard that the saint neHer leaHes his home.3 Upendra"s tone Cas a trifle in>redulous.
2,ndeed it is trueO e has liHed indoors for the past tCenty years. e slightly relaJes his self;imposed
rule at
the times of our holy festiHals7 Chen he goes as far as his front sideCal@O The beggars gather there7
be>ause
#aint .haduri is @noCn for his tender heart.3
2oC does he remain in the air7 defying the laC of graHitationP3
2A yogi"s body loses its grossness after use of >ertain PRA%AYA*A#. Then it Cill leHitate or hop
about li@e
a leaping frog. EHen saints Cho do not pra>ti>e a formal yoga LF%5;/M haHe been @noCn to leHitate
during a
state of intense deHotion to )od.3
2, Could li@e to @noC more of this sage. (o you attend his eHening meetingsP3 Upendra"s eyes Cere
spar@ling
Cith >uriosity.
2Yes7 , go often. , am Hastly entertained by the Cit in his Cisdom. !>>asionally my prolonged laughter
mars
the solemnity of his gatherings. The saint is not displeased7 but his dis>iples loo@ daggersO3
!n my Cay home from s>hool that afternoon7 , passed .haduri *ahasaya"s >loister and de>ided on a
Hisit.
The yogi Cas ina>>essible to the general publi>. A lone dis>iple7 o>>upying the ground floor7 guarded
his
master"s priHa>y. The student Cas something of a martinetK he noC inNuired formally if , had an
2engagement.3 is guru put in an appearan>e Fust in time to saHe me from summary eFe>tion.
2'et *u@unda >ome Chen he Cill.3 The sage"s eyes tCin@led. 2*y rule of se>lusion is not for my oCn
>omfort7 but for that of others. &orldly people do not li@e the >andor Chi>h shatters their delusions.
#aints are
not only rare but dis>on>erting. EHen in s>ripture7 they are often found embarrassingO3
, folloCed .haduri *ahasaya to his austere Nuarters on the top floor7 from Chi>h he seldom stirred.
*asters
often ignore the panorama of the Corld"s ado7 out of fo>us till >entered in the ages. The >ontemporaries
of a
sage are not alone those of the narroC present.
2*aharishi7 LF%5;1M you are the first yogi , haHe @noCn Cho alCays stays indoors.3
2)od plants his saints sometimes in uneJpe>ted soil7 lest Ce thin@ Ce may redu>e im to a ruleO3
The sage lo>@ed his Hibrant body in the lotus posture. ,n his seHenties7 he displayed no unpleasing signs
of age
or sedentary life. #talCart and straight7 he Cas ideal in eHery respe>t. is fa>e Cas that of a R,#,7 as
des>ribed in the an>ient teJts. %oble;headed7 abundantly bearded7 he alCays sat firmly upright7 his
Nuiet eyes
fiJed on !mnipresen>e.
The saint and , entered the meditatiHe state. After an hour7 his gentle Hoi>e roused me.
CAPTER 5. TE 'E6,TAT,%) #A,%T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2You go often into the silen>e7 but haHe you deHeloped A%U.A6AP3 LF%5;4M e Cas reminding me
to
loHe )od more than meditation. 2(o not mista@e the te>hniNue for the )oal.3
e offered me some mangoes. &ith that good;humored Cit that , found so delightful in his graHe
nature7 he
remar@ed7 2People in general are more fond of 8A'A Y!)A Qunion Cith foodS than of (YA%A
Y!)A
Qunion Cith )odS.3
is yogi> pun affe>ted me uproariously.
2&hat a laugh you haHeO3 An affe>tionate gleam >ame into his gaIe. is oCn fa>e Cas alCays serious7
yet
tou>hed Cith an e>stati> smile. is large7 lotus eyes held a hidden diHine laughter.
2Those letters >ome from far;off Ameri>a.3 The sage indi>ated seHeral thi>@ enHelopes on a table. 2,
>orrespond Cith a feC so>ieties there Chose members are interested in yoga. They are dis>oHering
,ndia aneC7
Cith a better sense of dire>tion than ColumbusO , am glad to help them. The @noCledge of yoga is free
to all
Cho Cill re>eiHe7 li@e the ungarnishable daylight.
2&hat R,#,# per>eiHed as essential for human salHation need not be diluted for the &est. Ali@e in
soul
though diHerse in outer eJperien>e7 neither &est nor East Cill flourish if some form of dis>iplinary
yoga be
not pra>ti>ed.3
The saint held me Cith his tranNuil eyes. , did not realiIe that his spee>h Cas a Heiled propheti>
guidan>e. ,t is
only noC7 as , Crite these Cords7 that , understand the full meaning in the >asual intimations he often
gaHe me
that someday , Could >arry ,ndia"s tea>hings to Ameri>a.
E,llustrationA .A(UR, *AA#AYA7 2The 'eHitating #aint3 2#ir73 , inNuired7 2Chy do you not Crite
a
boo@ on yoga for the benefit of the CorldP3 2, am training dis>iples73 e replied. 2They and their
students Cill
be liHing Holumes7 proof against the natural disintegrations of time and the unnatural interpretaations of
the
>riti>s.3=see badhuri.FpgG
2*aharishi7 , Cish you Could Crite a boo@ on yoga for the benefit of the Corld.3
2, am training dis>iples. They and their students Cill be liHing Holumes7 proof against the natural
disintegrations of time and the unnatural interpretations of the >riti>s.3 .haduri"s Cit put me into
another gale
of laughter.
, remained alone Cith the yogi until his dis>iples arriHed in the eHening. .haduri *ahasaya entered one
of his
inimitable dis>ourses. 'i@e a pea>eful flood7 he sCept aCay the mental debris of his listeners7 floating
them
)odCard. is stri@ing parables Cere eJpressed in a flaCless .engali.
This eHening .haduri eJpounded Harious philosophi>al points >onne>ted Cith the life of *irabai7 a
medieHal
RaFputani prin>ess Cho abandoned her >ourt life to see@ the >ompany of sadhus. !ne great;sannyasi
refused
to re>eiHe her be>ause she Cas a ComanK her reply brought him humbly to her feet.
2Tell the master73 she had said7 2that , did not @noC there Cas any *ale in the uniHerse saHe )odK are
Ce all
not females before imP3 QA s>riptural >on>eption of the 'ord as the only PositiHe CreatiHe Prin>iple7
is
>reation being naught but a passiHe *AYA.S
*irabai >omposed many e>stati> songs Chi>h are still treasured in ,ndiaK , translate one of them hereA
CAPTER 5. TE 'E6,TAT,%) #A,%T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2,f by bathing daily )od >ould be realiIed
#ooner Could , be a Chale in the deepK
,f by eating roots and fruits e >ould be @noCn
)ladly Could , >hoose the form of a goatK
,f the >ounting of rosaries un>oHered im
, Could say my prayers on mammoth beadsK
,f boCing before stone images unHeiled im
A flinty mountain , Could humbly CorshipK
,f by drin@ing mil@ the 'ord >ould be imbibed
*any >alHes and >hildren Could @noC imK
,f abandoning one"s Cife Could summon )od
&ould not thousands be eunu>hsP
*irabai @noCs that to find the (iHine !ne
The only indispensable is 'oHe.3
#eHeral students put rupees in .haduri"s slippers Chi>h lay by his side as he sat in yoga posture. This
respe>tful offering7 >ustomary in ,ndia7 indi>ates that the dis>iple pla>es his material goods at the guru"s
feet.
)rateful friends are only the 'ord in disguise7 loo@ing after is oCn.
2*aster7 you are ConderfulO3 A student7 ta@ing his leaHe7 gaIed ardently at the patriar>hal sage. 2You
haHe
renoun>ed ri>hes and >omforts to see@ )od and tea>h us CisdomO3 ,t Cas Cell;@noCn that .haduri
*ahasaya
had forsa@en great family Cealth in his early >hildhood7 Chen single;mindedly he entered the yogi>
path.
2You are reHersing the >aseO3 The saint"s fa>e held a mild rebu@e. 2, haHe left a feC paltry rupees7 a feC
petty
pleasures7 for a >osmi> empire of endless bliss. oC then haHe , denied myself anythingP , @noC the
Foy of
sharing the treasure. ,s that a sa>rifi>eP The shortsighted Corldly fol@ are Herily the real renun>iatesO
They
relinNuish an unparalleled diHine possession for a poor handful of earthly toysO3
, >hu>@led oHer this paradoJi>al HieC of renun>iation;one Chi>h puts the >ap of Croesus on any saintly
beggar7 Chilst transforming all proud millionaires into un>ons>ious martyrs.
2The diHine order arranges our future more Cisely than any insuran>e >ompany.3 The master"s
>on>luding
Cords Cere the realiIed >reed of his faith. 2The Corld is full of uneasy belieHers in an outCard se>urity.
Their
bitter thoughts are li@e s>ars on their foreheads. The !ne Cho gaHe us air and mil@ from our first breath
@noCs hoC to proHide day by day for is deHotees.3
, >ontinued my after;s>hool pilgrimages to the saint"s door. &ith silent Ieal he aided me to attain
A%U.A6A. !ne day he moHed to Ram *ohan Roy Road7 aCay from the neighborhood of my
)urpar
Road home. is loHing dis>iples had built him a neC hermitage7 @noCn as 2%agendra *ath.3 LF%5;5M
Although it throCs me ahead of my story by a number of years7 , Cill re>ount here the last Cords giHen
to me
by .haduri *ahasaya. #hortly before , embar@ed for the &est7 , sought him out and humbly @nelt for
his
fareCell blessingA
2#on7 go to Ameri>a. Ta@e the dignity of hoary ,ndia for your shield. 6i>tory is Critten on your broCK
the
noble distant people Cill Cell re>eiHe you.3
LF%5;1M *ethods of >ontrolling life;for>e through regulation of breath.
LF%5;2M The foremost an>ient eJponent of yoga.
CAPTER 5. TE 'E6,TAT,%) #A,%T
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%5;+M Fren>h professors Cere the first in the &est to be Cilling to s>ientifi>ally inHestigate the
possibilities of the super>ons>ious mind. Professor 8ules;.ois7 member of the '"E>ole de Psy>hologie
of the
#orbonne7 le>tured in Ameri>a in 1920K he told his audien>es that Fren>h s>ientists haHe a>>orded
re>ognition
to the super>ons>iousness7 2Chi>h is the eJa>t opposite of Freud"s sub>ons>ious mind and is the fa>ulty
Chi>h
ma@es man really man and not Fust a super;animal.3 *. 8ules;.ois eJplained that the aCa@ening of the
higher >ons>iousness 2Cas not to be >onfused Cith Coueism or hypnotism. The eJisten>e of a
super>ons>ious
mind has long been re>ogniIed philosophi>ally7 being in reality the !Hersoul spo@en of by Emerson7
but only
re>ently has it been re>ogniIed s>ientifi>ally.3 The Fren>h s>ientist pointed out that from the
super>ons>iousness >ome inspiration7 genius7 moral Halues. 2.elief in this is not mysti>ism though it
re>ogniIed and Halued the Nualities Chi>h mysti>s prea>hed.3
LF%5;/M #t. Theresa of AHila and other Christian saints Cere often obserHed in a state of leHitation.
LF%5;1M 2)reat sage.3
LF%5;4M A>tual per>eption of )od.
LF%5;5M The saint"s full name Cas %agendranath .haduri. *AT means hermitage or A#RA*.
CAPTER 0. ,%(,A"# )REAT #C,E%T,#T7 8.C. .!#E
28agadis Chandra .ose"s Cireless inHentions antedated those of *ar>oni.3
!Herhearing this proHo>atiHe remar@7 , Cal@ed >loser to a sideCal@ group of professors engaged in
s>ientifi>
dis>ussion. ,f my motiHe in Foining them Cas ra>ial pride7 , regret it. , >annot deny my @een interest in
eHiden>e that ,ndia >an play a leading part in physi>s7 and not metaphysi>s alone.
2&hat do you mean7 sirP3
The professor obligingly eJplained. 2.ose Cas the first one to inHent a Cireless >oherer and an
instrument for
indi>ating the refra>tion of ele>tri> CaHes. .ut the ,ndian s>ientist did not eJploit his inHentions
>ommer>ially. e soon turned his attention from the inorgani> to the organi> Corld. is reHolutionary
dis>oHeries as a plant physiologist are outpa>ing eHen his radi>al a>hieHements as a physi>ist.3
, politely than@ed my mentor. e added7 2The great s>ientist is one of my brother professors at
Presiden>y
College.3
, paid a Hisit the neJt day to the sage at his home7 Chi>h Cas >lose to mine on )urpar Road. , had long
admired him from a respe>tful distan>e. The graHe and retiring botanist greeted me gra>iously. e Cas
a
handsome7 robust man in his fifties7 Cith thi>@ hair7 broad forehead7 and the abstra>ted eyes of a
dreamer. The
pre>ision in his tones reHealed the lifelong s>ientifi> habit.
2, haHe re>ently returned from an eJpedition to s>ientifi> so>ieties of the &est. Their members
eJhibited
intense interest in deli>ate instruments of my inHention Chi>h demonstrate the indiHisible unity of all
life.
LF%0;1M The .ose >res>ograph has the enormity of ten million magnifi>ations. The mi>ros>ope
enlarges only
a feC thousand timesK yet it brought Hital impetus to biologi>al s>ien>e. The >res>ograph opens
in>al>ulable
Histas.3
2You haHe done mu>h7 sir7 to hasten the embra>e of East and &est in the impersonal arms of s>ien>e.3
CAPTER 0. ,%(,A"# )REAT #C,E%T,#T7 8.C. .!#E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2, Cas edu>ated at Cambridge. oC admirable is the &estern method of submitting all theory to
s>rupulous
eJperimental Herifi>ationO That empiri>al pro>edure has gone hand in hand Cith the gift for
introspe>tion
Chi>h is my Eastern heritage. Together they haHe enabled me to sunder the silen>es of natural realms
long
un>ommuni>atiHe. The telltale >harts of my >res>ograph LF%0;2M are eHiden>e for the most s@epti>al
that
plants haHe a sensitiHe nerHous system and a Haried emotional life. 'oHe7 hate7 Foy7 fear7 pleasure7 pain7
eJ>itability7 stupor7 and >ountless appropriate responses to stimuli are as uniHersal in plants as in
animals.3
2The uniNue throb of life in all >reation >ould seem only poeti> imagery before your adHent7 ProfessorO
A
saint , on>e @neC Could neHer plu>@ floCers. "#hall , rob the rosebush of its pride in beautyP #hall ,
>ruelly
affront its dignity by my rude diHestmentP" is sympatheti> Cords are Herified literally through your
dis>oHeriesO3
2The poet is intimate Cith truth7 Chile the s>ientist approa>hes aC@Cardly. Come someday to my
laboratory
and see the uneNuiHo>able testimony of the >res>ograph.3
)ratefully , a>>epted the inHitation7 and too@ my departure. , heard later that the botanist had left
Presiden>y
College7 and Cas planning a resear>h >enter in Cal>utta.
&hen the .ose ,nstitute Cas opened7 , attended the dedi>atory serHi>es. Enthusiasti> hundreds strolled
oHer
the premises. , Cas >harmed Cith the artistry and spiritual symbolism of the neC home of s>ien>e. ,ts
front
gate7 , noted7 Cas a >enturied reli> from a distant shrine. .ehind the lotus LF%0;+M fountain7 a
s>ulptured
female figure Cith a tor>h >onHeyed the ,ndian respe>t for Coman as the immortal light;bearer. The
garden
held a small temple >onse>rated to the %oumenon beyond phenomena. Thought of the diHine
in>orporeity Cas
suggested by absen>e of any altar;image.
E,llustrationA *yself at Age siJ=see atsiJ.FpgG
E,llustrationA 8A)A(,# CA%(RA .!#E7 ,ndia"s great physi>ist7 botanist7 and inHentor of the
Cres>ograph=see bose.FpgG
.ose"s spee>h on this great o>>asion might haHe issued from the lips of one of the inspired an>ient
R,#,#.
2, dedi>ate today this ,nstitute as not merely a laboratory but a temple.3 is reHerent solemnity stole
li@e an
unseen >loa@ oHer the >roCded auditorium. 2,n the pursuit of my inHestigations , Cas un>ons>iously led
into
the border region of physi>s and physiology. To my amaIement7 , found boundary lines Hanishing7 and
points
of >onta>t emerging7 betCeen the realms of the liHing and the non;liHing. ,norgani> matter Cas
per>eiHed as
anything but inertK it Cas athrill under the a>tion of multitudinous for>es.
2A uniHersal rea>tion seemed to bring metal7 plant and animal under a >ommon laC. They all eJhibited
essentially the same phenomena of fatigue and depression7 Cith possibilities of re>oHery and of
eJaltation7 as
Cell as the permanent irresponsiHeness asso>iated Cith death. Filled Cith aCe at this stupendous
generaliIation7 it Cas Cith great hope that , announ>ed my results before the Royal #o>iety=results
demonstrated by eJperiments. .ut the physiologists present adHised me to >onfine myself to physi>al
inHestigations7 in Chi>h my su>>ess had been assured7 rather than en>roa>h on their preserHes. , had
unCittingly strayed into the domain of an unfamiliar >aste system and so offended its etiNuette.
2An un>ons>ious theologi>al bias Cas also present7 Chi>h >onfounds ignoran>e Cith faith. ,t is often
forgotten
that e Cho surrounded us Cith this eHer;eHolHing mystery of >reation has also implanted in us the
desire to
Nuestion and understand. Through many years of mis>omprehension7 , >ame to @noC that the life of a
deHotee
of s>ien>e is ineHitably filled Cith unending struggle. ,t is for him to >ast his life as an ardent
offering;regarding gain and loss7 su>>ess and failure7 as one.
CAPTER 0. ,%(,A"# )REAT #C,E%T,#T7 8.C. .!#E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2,n time the leading s>ientifi> so>ieties of the Corld a>>epted my theories and results7 and re>ogniIed
the
importan>e of the ,ndian >ontribution to s>ien>e. LF%0;/M Can anything small or >ir>ums>ribed eHer
satisfy
the mind of ,ndiaP .y a >ontinuous liHing tradition7 and a Hital poCer of reFuHenes>en>e7 this land has
readFusted itself through unnumbered transformations. ,ndians haHe alCays arisen Cho7 dis>arding the
immediate and absorbing priIe of the hour7 haHe sought for the realiIation of the highest ideals in life;
not
through passiHe renun>iation7 but through a>tiHe struggle. The Cea@ling Cho has refused the >onfli>t7
a>Nuiring nothing7 has had nothing to renoun>e. e alone Cho has striHen and Con >an enri>h the
Corld by
bestoCing the fruits of his Hi>torious eJperien>e.
2The Cor@ already >arried out in the .ose laboratory on the response of matter7 and the uneJpe>ted
reHelations in plant life7 haHe opened out Hery eJtended regions of inNuiry in physi>s7 in physiology7 in
medi>ine7 in agri>ulture7 and eHen in psy>hology. Problems hitherto regarded as insoluble haHe noC
been
brought Cithin the sphere of eJperimental inHestigation.
2.ut high su>>ess is not to be obtained Cithout rigid eJa>titude. en>e the long battery of super;
sensitiHe
instruments and apparatus of my design7 Chi>h stand before you today in their >ases in the entran>e
hall. They
tell you of the protra>ted efforts to get behind the de>eptiHe seeming into the reality that remains
unseen7 of
the >ontinuous toil and persisten>e and resour>efulness >alled forth to oHer>ome human limitations. All
>reatiHe s>ientists @noC that the true laboratory is the mind7 Chere behind illusions they un>oHer the
laCs of
truth.
2The le>tures giHen here Cill not be mere repetitions of se>ond;hand @noCledge. They Cill announ>e
neC
dis>oHeries7 demonstrated for the first time in these halls. Through regular publi>ation of the Cor@ of
the
,nstitute7 these ,ndian >ontributions Cill rea>h the Chole Corld. They Cill be>ome publi> property. %o
patents
Cill eHer be ta@en. The spirit of our national >ulture demands that Ce should foreHer be free from the
dese>ration of utiliIing @noCledge only for personal gain.
2,t is my further Cish that the fa>ilities of this ,nstitute be aHailable7 so far as possible7 to Cor@ers from
all
>ountries. ,n this , am attempting to >arry on the traditions of my >ountry. #o far ba>@ as tCenty;fiHe
>enturies7 ,ndia Cel>omed to its an>ient uniHersities7 at %alanda and TaJila7 s>holars from all parts of
the
Corld.
2Although s>ien>e is neither of the East nor of the &est but rather international in its uniHersality7 yet
,ndia is
spe>ially fitted to ma@e great >ontributions. LF%0;1M The burning ,ndian imagination7 Chi>h >an eJtort
neC
order out of a mass of apparently >ontradi>tory fa>ts7 is held in >he>@ by the habit of >on>entration.
This
restraint >onfers the poCer to hold the mind to the pursuit of truth Cith an infinite patien>e.3
Tears stood in my eyes at the s>ientist"s >on>luding Cords. ,s 2patien>e3 not indeed a synonym of ,ndia7
>onfounding Time and the historians ali@eP
, Hisited the resear>h >enter again7 soon after the day of opening. The great botanist7 mindful of his
promise7
too@ me to his Nuiet laboratory.
2, Cill atta>h the >res>ograph to this fernK the magnifi>ation is tremendous. ,f a snail"s >raCl Cere
enlarged in
the same proportion7 the >reature Could appear to be traHeling li@e an eJpress trainO3
*y gaIe Cas fiJed eagerly on the s>reen Chi>h refle>ted the magnified fern;shadoC. *inute life;
moHements
Cere noC >learly per>eptibleK the plant Cas groCing Hery sloCly before my fas>inated eyes. The
s>ientist
tou>hed the tip of the fern Cith a small metal bar. The deHeloping pantomime >ame to an abrupt halt7
resuming the eloNuent rhythms as soon as the rod Cas CithdraCn.
CAPTER 0. ,%(,A"# )REAT #C,E%T,#T7 8.C. .!#E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2You saC hoC any slight outside interferen>e is detrimental to the sensitiHe tissues73 .ose remar@ed.
2&at>hK
, Cill noC administer >hloroform7 and then giHe an antidote.3
The effe>t of the >hloroform dis>ontinued all groCthK the antidote Cas reHiHifying. The eHolutionary
gestures
on the s>reen held me more raptly than a 2moHie3 plot. *y >ompanion Qhere in the role of HillainS
thrust a
sharp instrument through a part of the fernK pain Cas indi>ated by spasmodi> flutters. &hen he passed a
raIor
partially through the stem7 the shadoC Cas Hiolently agitated7 then stilled itself Cith the final
pun>tuation of
death.
2.y first >hloroforming a huge tree7 , a>hieHed a su>>essful transplantation. Usually7 su>h monar>hs of
the
forest die Hery Nui>@ly after being moHed.3 8agadis smiled happily as he re>ounted the life;saHing
maneuHer.
2)raphs of my deli>ate apparatus haHe proHed that trees possess a >ir>ulatory systemK their sap
moHements
>orrespond to the blood pressure of animal bodies. The as>ent of sap is not eJpli>able on the
me>hani>al
grounds ordinarily adHan>ed7 su>h as >apillary attra>tion. The phenomenon has been solHed through the
>res>ograph as the a>tiHity of liHing >ells. Peristalti> CaHes issue from a >ylindri>al tube Chi>h eJtends
doCn
a tree and serHes as an a>tual heartO The more deeply Ce per>eiHe7 the more stri@ing be>omes the
eHiden>e
that a uniform plan lin@s eHery form in manifold nature.3
The great s>ientist pointed to another .ose instrument.
2, Cill shoC you eJperiments on a pie>e of tin. The life;for>e in metals responds adHersely or
benefi>ially to
stimuli. ,n@ mar@ings Cill register the Harious rea>tions.3
(eeply engrossed7 , Cat>hed the graph Chi>h re>orded the >hara>teristi> CaHes of atomi> stru>ture.
&hen the
professor applied >hloroform to the tin7 the Hibratory Critings stopped. They re>ommen>ed as the metal
sloCly regained its normal state. *y >ompanion dispensed a poisonous >hemi>al. #imultaneous Cith
the
NuiHering end of the tin7 the needle dramati>ally Crote on the >hart a death;noti>e.
2.ose instruments haHe demonstrated that metals7 su>h as the steel used in s>issors and ma>hinery7 are
subFe>t
to fatigue7 and regain effi>ien>y by periodi> rest. The life;pulse in metals is seriously harmed or eHen
eJtinguished through the appli>ation of ele>tri> >urrents or heaHy pressure.3
, loo@ed around the room at the numerous inHentions7 eloNuent testimony of a tireless ingenuity.
2#ir7 it is lamentable that mass agri>ultural deHelopment is not speeded by fuller use of your marHelous
me>hanisms. &ould it not be easily possible to employ some of them in Nui>@ laboratory eJperiments
to
indi>ate the influen>e of Harious types of fertiliIers on plant groCthP3
2You are right. Countless uses of .ose instruments Cill be made by future generations. The s>ientist
seldom
@noCs >ontemporaneous reCardK it is enough to possess the Foy of >reatiHe serHi>e.3
&ith eJpressions of unreserHed gratitude to the indefatigable sage7 , too@ my leaHe. 2Can the
astonishing
fertility of his genius eHer be eJhaustedP3 , thought.
%o diminution >ame Cith the years. ,nHenting an intri>ate instrument7 the 2Resonant Cardiograph73
.ose then
pursued eJtensiHe resear>hes on innumerable ,ndian plants. An enormous unsuspe>ted pharma>opoeia
of
useful drugs Cas reHealed. The >ardiograph is >onstru>ted Cith an unerring a>>ura>y by Chi>h a
one;hundredth part of a se>ond is indi>ated on a graph. Resonant re>ords measure infinitesimal
pulsations in
plant7 animal and human stru>ture. The great botanist predi>ted that use of his >ardiograph Cill lead to
HiHise>tion on plants instead of animals.
CAPTER 0. ,%(,A"# )REAT #C,E%T,#T7 8.C. .!#E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2#ide by side re>ordings of the effe>ts of a medi>ine giHen simultaneously to a plant and an animal
haHe
shoCn astounding unanimity in result73 he pointed out. 2EHerything in man has been foreshadoCed in
the
plant. EJperimentation on Hegetation Cill >ontribute to lessening of human suffering.3
Years later .ose"s pioneer plant findings Cere substantiated by other s>ientists. &or@ done in 19+0 at
Columbia UniHersity Cas reported by TE %E& Y!R$ T,*E# as folloCsA
,t has been determined Cithin the past feC years that Chen the nerHes transmit messages betCeen the
brain
and other parts of the body7 tiny ele>tri>al impulses are being generated. These impulses haHe been
measured
by deli>ate galHanometers and magnified millions of times by modern amplifying apparatus. Until noC
no
satisfa>tory method had been found to study the passages of the impulses along the nerHe fibers in
liHing
animals or man be>ause of the great speed Cith Chi>h these impulses traHel.
(rs. $. #. Cole and . 8. Curtis reported haHing dis>oHered that the long single >ells of the fresh;Cater
plant
nitella7 used freNuently in goldfish boCls7 are Hirtually identi>al Cith those of single nerHe fibers.
Furthermore7 they found that nitella fibers7 on being eJ>ited7 propagate ele>tri>al CaHes that are similar
in
eHery Cay7 eJ>ept Helo>ity7 to those of the nerHe fibers in animals and man. The ele>tri>al nerHe
impulses in
the plant Cere found to be mu>h sloCer than those in animals. This dis>oHery Cas therefore seiIed
upon by
the Columbia Cor@ers as a means for ta@ing sloC motion pi>tures of the passage of the ele>tri>al
impulses in
nerHes.
The nitella plant thus may be>ome a sort of Rosetta stone for de>iphering the >losely guarded se>rets
>lose to
the Hery borderland of mind and matter.
The poet Rabindranath Tagore Cas a stalCart friend of ,ndia"s idealisti> s>ientist. To him7 the sCeet
.engali
singer addressed the folloCing linesA LF%0;4M
! ermit7 >all thou in the authenti> Cords
!f that old hymn >alled #A*AK 2RiseO ACa@eO3
Call to the man Cho boasts his #A#TR,C lore
From Hain pedanti> Cranglings profitless7
Call to that foolish braggart to >ome forth
!ut on the fa>e of nature7 this broad earth7
#end forth this >all unto thy s>holar bandK
Together round thy sa>rifi>e of fire
'et them all gather. #o may our ,ndia7
!ur an>ient land unto herself return
! on>e again return to steadfast Cor@7
To duty and deHotion7 to her tran>e
!f earnest meditationK let her sit
!n>e more unruffled7 greedless7 strifeless7 pure7
! on>e again upon her lofty seat
And platform7 tea>her of all lands.
LF%0;1M 2All s>ien>e is trans>endental or else passes aCay. .otany is noC a>Nuiring the right theory;
the
aHatars of .rahma Cill presently be the teJtboo@s of natural history.3;E*ER#!%.
LF%0;2M From the 'atin root7 CRE#CERE7 to in>rease. For his >res>ograph and other inHentions7 .ose
Cas
@nighted in 1915.
CAPTER 0. ,%(,A"# )REAT #C,E%T,#T7 8.C. .!#E
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%0;+M The lotus floCer is an an>ient diHine symbol in ,ndiaK its unfolding petals suggest the
eJpansion of
the soulK the groCth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise.
LF%0;/M 2At present7 only the sheerest a>>ident brings ,ndia into the purHieC of the Ameri>an >ollege
student. Eight uniHersities QarHard7 Yale7 Columbia7 Prin>eton7 8ohns op@ins7 PennsylHania7
Chi>ago7 and
CaliforniaS haHe >hairs of ,ndology or #ans@rit7 but ,ndia is Hirtually unrepresented in departments of
history7
philosophy7 fine arts7 politi>al s>ien>e7 so>iology7 or any of the other departments of intelle>tual
eJperien>e in
Chi>h7 as Ce haHe seen7 ,ndia has made great >ontributions. . . . &e belieHe7 >onseNuently7 that no
department
of study7 parti>ularly in the humanities7 in any maFor uniHersity >an be fully eNuipped Cithout a
properly
trained spe>ialist in the ,ndi> phases of its dis>ipline. &e belieHe7 too7 that eHery >ollege Chi>h aims to
prepare its graduates for intelligent Cor@ in the Corld Chi>h is to be theirs to liHe in7 must haHe on its
staff a
s>holar >ompetent in the >iHiliIation of ,ndia.3;EJtra>ts from an arti>le by Professor &. %orman .roCn
of
the UniHersity of PennsylHania Chi>h appeared in the *ay7 19+97 issue of the .U''ET,% of the
Ameri>an
Coun>il of 'earned #o>ieties7 9-5 11th #t.7 &ashington7 (. C.7 21 >ents >opy. This issue QU20S >ontains
oHer
1-- pages of a 2.asi> .ibliography for ,ndi> #tudies.3
LF%0;1M The atomi> stru>ture of matter Cas Cell;@noCn to the an>ient indus. !ne of the siJ systems
of
,ndian philosophy is 6A,#E#,$A7 from the #ans@rit root 6,#E#A#7 2atomi> indiHiduality.3 !ne of the
foremost 6A,#E#,$A eJpounders Cas Aulu@ya7 also >alled $anada7 2the atom;eater73 born about 20--
years ago.
,n an arti>le in EA#T;&E#T7 April7 19+/7 a summary of 6A,#E#,$A s>ientifi> @noCledge Cas giHen
as
folloCsA 2Though the modern "atomi> theory" is generally >onsidered a neC adHan>e of s>ien>e7 it Cas
brilliantly eJpounded long ago by $anada7 "the atom;eater." The #ans@rit A%U# >an be properly
translated as
"atom" in the latter"s literal )ree@ sense of "un>ut" or indiHisible. !ther s>ientifi> eJpositions of
6A,#E#,$A
treatises of the ..C. era in>lude Q1S the moHement of needles toCard magnets7 Q2S the >ir>ulation of
Cater in
plants7 Q+S A$A# or ether7 inert and stru>tureless7 as a basis for transmitting subtle for>es7 Q/S the
solar fire
as the >ause of all other forms of heat7 Q1S heat as the >ause of mole>ular >hange7 Q4S the laC of
graHitation as
>aused by the Nuality that inheres in earth;atoms to giHe them their attra>tiHe poCer or doCnCard pull7
Q5S the
@ineti> nature of all energyK >ausation as alCays rooted in an eJpenditure of energy or a redistribution
of
motion7 Q0S uniHersal dissolution through the disintegration of atoms7 Q9S the radiation of heat and light
rays7
infinitely small parti>les7 darting forth in all dire>tions Cith in>on>eiHable speed Qthe modern ">osmi>
rays"
theoryS7 Q1-S the relatiHity of time and spa>e.
26A,#E#,$A assigned the origin of the Corld to atoms7 eternal in their nature7 i.e.7 their ultimate
pe>uliarities. These atoms Cere regarded as possessing an in>essant Hibratory motion. . . . The re>ent
dis>oHery that an atom is a miniature solar system Could be no neCs to the old 6A,#E#,$A
philosophers7
Cho also redu>ed time to its furthest mathemati>al >on>ept by des>ribing the smallest unit of time
Q$A'AS as
the period ta@en by an atom to traHerse its oCn unit of spa>e.3
LF%0;4M Translated from the .engali of Rabindranath Tagore7 by *anmohan )hosh7 in
6,#&A;.ARAT,.
CAPTER 9. TE .',##FU' (E6!TEE A%( ,# C!#*,C R!*A%CE
2'ittle sir7 please be seated. , am tal@ing to my (iHine *other.3
#ilently , had entered the room in great aCe. The angeli> appearan>e of *aster *ahasaya fairly
daIIled me.
&ith sil@y Chite beard and large lustrous eyes7 he seemed an in>arnation of purity. is upraised >hin
and
folded hands appriIed me that my first Hisit had disturbed him in the midst of his deHotions.
CAPTER 9. TE .',##FU' (E6!TEE A%( ,# C!#*,C R!*A%CE
Autobiography of a Yogi
is simple Cords of greeting produ>ed the most Hiolent effe>t my nature had so far eJperien>ed. The
bitter
separation of my mother"s death , had thought the measure of all anguish. %oC an agony at separation
from
my (iHine *other Cas an indes>ribable torture of the spirit. , fell moaning to the floor.
2'ittle sir7 Nuiet yourselfO3 The saint Cas sympatheti>ally distressed.
Abandoned in some o>eani> desolation7 , >lut>hed his feet as the sole raft of my res>ue.
2oly sir7 thy inter>essionO As@ (iHine *other if , find any faHor in er sightO3
This promise is one not easily bestoCedK the master Cas >onstrained to silen>e.
.eyond rea>h of doubt7 , Cas >onHin>ed that *aster *ahasaya Cas in intimate >onHerse Cith the
UniHersal
*other. ,t Cas deep humiliation to realiIe that my eyes Cere blind to er Cho eHen at this moment Cas
per>eptible to the faultless gaIe of the saint. #hamelessly gripping his feet7 deaf to his gentle
remonstran>es7 ,
besought him again and again for his interHening gra>e.
2, Cill ma@e your plea to the .eloHed.3 The master"s >apitulation >ame Cith a sloC7 >ompassionate
smile.
&hat poCer in those feC Cords7 that my being should @noC release from its stormy eJileP
2#ir7 remember your pledgeO , shall return soon for er messageO3 8oyful anti>ipation rang in my Hoi>e
that
only a moment ago had been sobbing in sorroC.
(es>ending the long stairCay7 , Cas oHerChelmed by memories. This house at 1- Amherst #treet7 noC
the
residen>e of *aster *ahasaya7 had on>e been my family home7 s>ene of my mother"s death. ere my
human
heart had bro@en for the Hanished motherK and here today my spirit had been as though >ru>ified by
absen>e of
the (iHine *other. alloCed Calls7 silent Citness of my grieHous hurts and final healingO
*y steps Cere eager as , returned to my )urpar Road home. #ee@ing the se>lusion of my small atti>7 ,
remained in meditation until ten o">lo>@. The dar@ness of the Carm ,ndian night Cas suddenly lit Cith a
Condrous Hision.
aloed in splendor7 the (iHine *other stood before me. er fa>e7 tenderly smiling7 Cas beauty itself.
2AlCays haHe , loHed theeO EHer shall , loHe theeO3
The >elestial tones still ringing in the air7 #he disappeared.
The sun on the folloCing morning had hardly risen to an angle of de>orum Chen , paid my se>ond Hisit
to
*aster *ahasaya. Climbing the stair>ase in the house of poignant memories7 , rea>hed his fourth;floor
room.
The @nob of the >losed door Cas Crapped around Cith a >lothK a hint7 , felt7 that the saint desired
priHa>y. As ,
stood irresolutely on the landing7 the door Cas opened by the master"s Cel>oming hand. , @nelt at his
holy
feet. ,n a playful mood7 , Core a solemn mas@ oHer my fa>e7 hiding the diHine elation.
2#ir7 , haHe >ome;Hery early7 , >onfessO;for your message. (id the .eloHed *other say anything about
meP3
2*is>hieHous little sirO3
%ot another remar@ Could he ma@e. Apparently my assumed graHity Cas unimpressiHe.
CAPTER 9. TE .',##FU' (E6!TEE A%( ,# C!#*,C R!*A%CE
Autobiography of a Yogi
2&hy so mysterious7 so eHasiHeP (o saints neHer spea@ plainlyP3 Perhaps , Cas a little proHo@ed.
2*ust you test meP3 is >alm eyes Cere full of understanding. 2Could , add a single Cord this
morning to the
assuran>e you re>eiHed last night at ten o">lo>@ from the .eautiful *other erselfP3
*aster *ahasaya possessed >ontrol oHer the flood;gates of my soulA again , plunged prostrate at his
feet. .ut
this time my tears Celled from a bliss7 and not a pain7 past bearing.
2Thin@ you that your deHotion did not tou>h the ,nfinite *er>yP The *otherhood of )od7 that you
haHe
Corshiped in forms both human and diHine7 >ould neHer fail to ansCer your forsa@en >ry.3
&ho Cas this simple saint7 Chose least reNuest to the UniHersal #pirit met Cith sCeet a>Nuies>en>eP
is role
in the Corld Cas humble7 as befitted the greatest man of humility , eHer @neC. ,n this Amherst #treet
house7
*aster *ahasaya LF%9;1M >ondu>ted a small high s>hool for boys. %o Cords of >hastisement passed
his lipsK
no rule and ferule maintained his dis>ipline. igher mathemati>s indeed Cere taught in these modest
>lassrooms7 and a >hemistry of loHe absent from the teJtboo@s. e spread his Cisdom by spiritual
>ontagion
rather than impermeable pre>ept. Consumed by an unsophisti>ated passion for the (iHine *other7 the
saint no
more demanded the outCard forms of respe>t than a >hild.
2, am not your guruK he shall >ome a little later73 he told me. 2Through his guidan>e7 your eJperien>es
of the
(iHine in terms of loHe and deHotion shall be translated into his terms of fathomless Cisdom.3
EHery late afternoon7 , betoo@ myself to Amherst #treet. , sought *aster *ahasaya"s diHine >up7 so full
that
its drops daily oHerfloCed on my being. %eHer before had , boCed in utter reHeren>eK noC , felt it an
immeasurable priHilege eHen to tread the same ground Chi>h *aster *ahasaya san>tified.
2#ir7 please Cear this >hampa@ garland , haHe fashioned espe>ially for you.3 , arriHed one eHening7
holding
my >hain of floCers. .ut shyly he dreC aCay7 repeatedly refusing the honor. Per>eiHing my hurt7 he
finally
smiled >onsent.
2#in>e Ce are both deHotees of the *other7 you may put the garland on this bodily temple7 as offering
to er
Cho dCells Cithin.3 is Hast nature la>@ed spa>e in Chi>h any egotisti>al >onsideration >ould gain
foothold.
E,llustrationA TCo .rothers of Therese %eumann7 , stand Cith them in $onnersreuth7 .aHaria.=see
nbrothers.FpgG
E,llustrationA *aster *ahasaya7 EHer engrossed in his blissful >osmi> roman>e.=see mmahasaya.FpgG
2'et us go tomorroC to the (a@shinesCar Temple7 foreHer halloCed by my guru.3 *aster *ahasaya
Cas a
dis>iple of a Christli@e master7 #ri Rama@rishna Paramhansa.
The four;mile Fourney on the folloCing morning Cas ta@en by boat on the )anges. &e entered the
nine;domed Temple of $ali7 Chere the figures of the (iHine *other and #hiHa rest on a burnished
silHer
lotus7 its thousand petals meti>ulously >hiseled. *aster *ahasaya beamed in en>hantment. e Cas
engaged in
his ineJhaustible roman>e Cith the .eloHed. As he >hanted er name7 my enraptured heart seemed
shattered
into a thousand pie>es.
&e strolled later through the sa>red pre>in>ts7 halting in a tamaris@ groHe. The manna >hara>teristi>ally
eJuded by this tree Cas symboli> of the heaHenly food *aster *ahasaya Cas bestoCing. is diHine
inHo>ations >ontinued. , sat rigidly motionless on the grass amid the pin@ feathery tamaris@ floCers.
Temporarily absent from the body7 , soared in a supernal Hisit.
CAPTER 9. TE .',##FU' (E6!TEE A%( ,# C!#*,C R!*A%CE
Autobiography of a Yogi
This Cas the first of many pilgrimages to (a@shinesCar Cith the holy tea>her. From him , learned the
sCeetness of )od in the aspe>t of *other7 or (iHine *er>y. The >hildli@e saint found little appeal in
the
Father aspe>t7 or (iHine 8usti>e. #tern7 eJa>ting7 mathemati>al Fudgment Cas alien to his gentle nature.
2e >an serHe as an earthly prototype for the Hery angels of heaHenO3 , thought fondly7 Cat>hing him
one day
at his prayers. &ithout a breath of >ensure or >riti>ism7 he surHeyed the Corld Cith eyes long familiar
Cith the
Primal Purity. is body7 mind7 spee>h7 and a>tions Cere effortlessly harmoniIed Cith his soul"s
simpli>ity.
2*y *aster told me so.3 #hrin@ing from personal assertion7 the saint ended any sage >ounsel Cith this
inHariable tribute. #o deep Cas his identity Cith #ri Rama@rishna that *aster *ahasaya no longer
>onsidered
his thoughts as his oCn.
and in hand7 the saint and , Cal@ed one eHening on the blo>@ of his s>hool. *y Foy Cas dimmed by
the
arriHal of a >on>eited a>Nuaintan>e Cho burdened us Cith a lengthy dis>ourse.
2, see this man doesn"t please you.3 The saint"s Chisper to me Cas unheard by the egotist7 spellbound
by his
oCn monologue. 2, haHe spo@en to (iHine *other about itK #he realiIes our sad predi>ament. As soon
as Ce
get to yonder red house7 #he has promised to remind him of more urgent business.3
*y eyes Cere glued to the site of salHation. Rea>hing its red gate7 the man una>>ountably turned and
departed7 neither finishing his senten>e nor saying good;by. The assaulted air Cas >omforted Cith
pea>e.
Another day found me Cal@ing alone near the oCrah railCay station. , stood for a moment by a
temple7
silently >riti>iIing a small group of men Cith drum and >ymbals Cho Cere Hiolently re>iting a >hant.
2oC undeHotionally they use the 'ord"s diHine name in me>hani>al repetition73 , refle>ted. *y gaIe
Cas
astonished by the rapid approa>h of *aster *ahasaya. 2#ir7 hoC >ome you hereP3
The saint7 ignoring my Nuestion7 ansCered my thought. 2,sn"t it true7 little sir7 that the .eloHed"s name
sounds
sCeet from all lips7 ignorant or CiseP3 e passed his arm around me affe>tionatelyK , found myself
>arried on
his magi> >arpet to the *er>iful Presen>e.
2&ould you li@e to see some bios>opesP3 This Nuestion one afternoon from *aster *ahasaya Cas
mystifyingK the term Cas then used in ,ndia to signify motion pi>tures. , agreed7 glad to be in his
>ompany in
any >ir>umstan>es. A bris@ Cal@ brought us to the garden fronting Cal>utta UniHersity. *y >ompanion
indi>ated a ben>h near the )!'(,), or pond.
2'et us sit here for a feC minutes. *y *aster alCays as@ed me to meditate CheneHer , saC an eJpanse
of
Cater. ere its pla>idity reminds us of the Hast >almness of )od. As all things >an be refle>ted in Cater7
so the
Chole uniHerse is mirrored in the la@e of the Cosmi> *ind. #o my )URU(E6A often said.3
#oon Ce entered a uniHersity hall Chere a le>ture Cas in progress. ,t proHed abysmally dull7 though
Haried
o>>asionally by lantern slide illustrations7 eNually uninteresting.
2#o this is the @ind of bios>ope the master Canted me to seeO3 *y thought Cas impatient7 yet , Could
not hurt
the saint by reHealing boredom in my fa>e. .ut he leaned toCard me >onfidentially.
2, see7 little sir7 that you don"t li@e this bios>ope. , haHe mentioned it to (iHine *otherK #he is in full
sympathy Cith us both. #he tells me that the ele>tri> lights Cill noC go out7 and Con"t be relit until Ce
haHe a
>han>e to leaHe the room.3
CAPTER 9. TE .',##FU' (E6!TEE A%( ,# C!#*,C R!*A%CE
Autobiography of a Yogi
As his Chisper ended7 the hall Cas plunged into dar@ness. The professor"s strident Hoi>e Cas stilled in
astonishment7 then remar@ed7 2The ele>tri>al system of this hall appears to be defe>tiHe.3 .y this time7
*aster
*ahasaya and , Cere safely a>ross the threshold. )lan>ing ba>@ from the >orridor7 , saC that the s>ene
of our
martyrdom had again be>ome illuminated.
2'ittle sir7 you Cere disappointed in that bios>ope7 LF%9;2M but , thin@ you Cill li@e a different one.3
The
saint and , Cere standing on the sideCal@ in front of the uniHersity building. e gently slapped my
>hest oHer
the heart.
A transforming silen>e ensued. 8ust as the modern 2tal@ies3 be>ome inaudible motion pi>tures Chen the
sound
apparatus goes out of order7 so the (iHine and7 by some strange mira>le7 stifled the earthly bustle. The
pedestrians as Cell as the passing trolley >ars7 automobiles7 bullo>@ >arts7 and iron;Cheeled ha>@ney
>arriages
Cere all in noiseless transit. As though possessing an omnipresent eye7 , beheld the s>enes Chi>h Cere
behind
me7 and to ea>h side7 as easily as those in front. The Chole spe>ta>le of a>tiHity in that small se>tion of
Cal>utta passed before me Cithout a sound. 'i@e a gloC of fire dimly seen beneath a thin >oat of ashes7
a
melloC lumines>en>e permeated the panorami> HieC.
*y oCn body seemed nothing more than one of the many shadoCs7 though it Cas motionless7 Chile the
others
flitted mutely to and fro. #eHeral boys7 friends of mine7 approa>hed and passed onK though they had
loo@ed
dire>tly at me7 it Cas Cithout re>ognition.
The uniNue pantomime brought me an ineJpressible e>stasy. , dran@ deep from some blissful fount.
#uddenly
my >hest re>eiHed another soft bloC from *aster *ahasaya. The pandemonium of the Corld burst
upon my
unCilling ears. , staggered7 as though harshly aCa@ened from a gossamer dream. The trans>endental
Cine
remoHed beyond my rea>h.
2'ittle sir7 , see you found the se>ond bios>ope to your li@ing.3 The saint Cas smilingK , started to drop
in
gratitude on the ground before him. 2You >an"t do that to me noCK you @noC )od is in your temple
alsoO ,
Con"t let (iHine *other tou>h my feet through your handsO3
,f anyone obserHed the unpretentious master and myself as Ce Cal@ed aCay from the >roCded
paHement7 the
onloo@er surely suspe>ted us of intoJi>ation. , felt that the falling shades of eHening Cere
sympatheti>ally
drun@ Cith )od. &hen dar@ness re>oHered from its nightly sCoon7 , fa>ed the neC morning bereft of
my
e>stati> mood. .ut eHer enshrined in memory is the seraphi> son of (iHine *other;*aster *ahasayaO
Trying Cith poor Cords to do Fusti>e to his benignity7 , Conder if *aster *ahasaya7 and others among
the
deep;Hisioned saints Chose paths >rossed mine7 @neC that years later7 in a &estern land7 , Could be
Criting
about their liHes as diHine deHotees. Their fore@noCledge Could not surprise me nor7 , hope7 my
readers7 Cho
haHe >ome thus far Cith me.
LF%9;1M These are respe>tful titles by Chi>h he Cas >ustomarily addressed. is name Cas *ahendra
%ath
)uptaK he signed his literary Cor@s simply 2*.3
LF%9;2M The !Jford English (i>tionary giHes7 as rare7 this definition of .,!#C!PEA A HieC of lifeK
that
Chi>h giHes su>h a HieC.
*aster *ahasaya"s >hoi>e of a Cord Cas7 then7 pe>uliarly Fustified.
CAPTER 9. TE .',##FU' (E6!TEE A%( ,# C!#*,C R!*A%CE
Autobiography of a Yogi
CAPTER 1-. , *EET *Y *A#TER7 #R, YU$TE#&AR
2Faith in )od >an produ>e any mira>le eJ>ept one;passing an eJamination Cithout study.3 (istastefully
,
>losed the boo@ , had pi>@ed up in an idle moment.
2The Criter"s eJ>eption shoCs his >omplete la>@ of faith73 , thought. 2Poor >hap7 he has great respe>t
for the
midnight oilO3
*y promise to Father had been that , Could >omplete my high s>hool studies. , >annot pretend to
diligen>e.
The passing months found me less freNuently in the >lassroom than in se>luded spots along the Cal>utta
bathing )AT#. The adFoining >rematory grounds7 espe>ially gruesome at night7 are >onsidered highly
attra>tiHe by the yogi. e Cho Could find the (eathless Essen>e must not be dismayed by a feC
unadorned
s@ulls. uman inadeNua>y be>omes >lear in the gloomy abode of mis>ellaneous bones. *y midnight
Higils
Cere thus of a different nature from the s>holar"s.
The Cee@ of final eJaminations at the indu igh #>hool Cas fast approa>hing. This interrogatory
period7
li@e the sepul>hral haunts7 inspires a Cell;@noCn terror. *y mind Cas neHertheless at pea>e. .raHing
the
ghouls7 , Cas eJhuming a @noCledge not found in le>ture halls. .ut it la>@ed the art of #Cami
Pranabananda7
Cho easily appeared in tCo pla>es at one time. *y edu>ational dilemma Cas plainly a matter for the
,nfinite
,ngenuity. This Cas my reasoning7 though to many it seems illogi>. The deHotee"s irrationality springs
from a
thousand ineJpli>able demonstrations of )od"s instan>y in trouble.
2ello7 *u@undaO , >at>h hardly a glimpse of you these daysO3 A >lassmate a>>osted me one afternoon
on
)urpar Road.
2ello7 %antuO *y inHisibility at s>hool has a>tually pla>ed me there in a de>idedly aC@Card position.3
,
unburdened myself under his friendly gaIe.
%antu7 Cho Cas a brilliant student7 laughed heartilyK my predi>ament Cas not Cithout a >omi> aspe>t.
2You are utterly unprepared for the finalsO , suppose it is up to me to help youO3
The simple Cords >onHeyed diHine promise to my earsK Cith ala>rity , Hisited my friend"s home. e
@indly
outlined the solutions to Harious problems he >onsidered li@ely to be set by the instru>tors.
2These Nuestions are the bait Chi>h Cill >at>h many trusting boys in the eJamination trap. Remember
my
ansCers7 and you Cill es>ape Cithout inFury.3
The night Cas far gone Chen , departed. .ursting Cith unseasoned erudition7 , deHoutly prayed it
Could
remain for the neJt feC >riti>al days. %antu had >oa>hed me in my Harious subFe>ts but7 under press of
time7
had forgotten my >ourse in #ans@rit. FerHently , reminded )od of the oHersight.
, set out on a short Cal@ the neJt morning7 assimilating my neC @noCledge to the rhythm of sCinging
footsteps. As , too@ a short >ut through the Ceeds of a >orner lot7 my eye fell on a feC loose printed
sheets. A
triumphant poun>e proHed them to be #ans@rit Herse. , sought out a pundit for aid in my stumbling
interpretation. is ri>h Hoi>e filled the air Cith the edgeless7 honeyed beauty of the an>ient tongue.
LF%1-;1M
2These eJ>eptional stanIas >annot possibly be of aid in your #ans@rit test.3 The s>holar dismissed them
s@epti>ally.
CAPTER 1-. , *EET *Y *A#TER7 #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
.ut familiarity Cith that parti>ular poem enabled me on the folloCing day to pass the #ans@rit
eJamination.
Through the dis>erning help %antu had giHen7 , also attained the minimum grade for su>>ess in all my
other
subFe>ts.
Father Cas pleased that , had @ept my Cord and >on>luded my se>ondary s>hool >ourse. *y gratitude
sped to
the 'ord7 Chose sole guidan>e , per>eiHed in my Hisit to %antu and my Cal@ by the unhabitual route of
the
debris;filled lot. Playfully e had giHen a dual eJpression to is timely design for my res>ue.
, >ame a>ross the dis>arded boo@ Chose author had denied )od pre>eden>e in the eJamination halls. ,
>ould
not restrain a >hu>@le at my oCn silent >ommentA
2,t Could only add to this felloC"s >onfusion7 if , Cere to tell him that diHine meditation among the
>adaHers is
a short >ut to a high s>hool diplomaO3
,n my neC dignity7 , Cas noC openly planning to leaHe home. Together Cith a young friend7 8itendra
*aIumdar7 LF%1-;2M , de>ided to Foin a *ahamandal hermitage in .enares7 and re>eiHe its spiritual
dis>ipline.
A desolation fell oHer me one morning at thought of separation from my family. #in>e *other"s death7
my
affe>tion had groCn espe>ially tender for my tCo younger brothers7 #ananda and .ishnu. , rushed to
my
retreat7 the little atti> Chi>h had Citnessed so many s>enes in my turbulent #A(A%A. LF%1-;+M
After a
tCo;hour flood of tears7 , felt singularly transformed7 as by some al>hemi>al >leanser. All atta>hment
LF%1-;/M disappearedK my resolution to see@ )od as the Friend of friends set li@e granite Cithin me. ,
Nui>@ly >ompleted my traHel preparations.
2, ma@e one last plea.3 Father Cas distressed as , stood before him for final blessing. 2(o not forsa@e
me and
your grieHing brothers and sisters.3
2ReHered Father7 hoC >an , tell my loHe for youO .ut eHen greater is my loHe for the eaHenly Father7
Cho
has giHen me the gift of a perfe>t father on earth. 'et me go7 that , someday return Cith a more diHine
understanding.3
&ith relu>tant parental >onsent7 , set out to Foin 8itendra7 already in .enares at the hermitage. !n my
arriHal
the young head sCami7 (yananda7 greeted me >ordially. Tall and thin7 of thoughtful mien7 he impressed
me
faHorably. is fair fa>e had a .uddhali@e >omposure.
, Cas pleased that my neC home possessed an atti>7 Chere , managed to spend the daCn and morning
hours.
The ashram members7 @noCing little of meditation pra>ti>es7 thought , should employ my Chole time
in
organiIational duties. They gaHe me praise for my afternoon Cor@ in their offi>e.
2(on"t try to >at>h )od so soonO3 This ridi>ule from a felloC resident a>>ompanied one of my early
departures toCard the atti>. , Cent to (yananda7 busy in his small san>tum oHerloo@ing the )anges.
2#CamiFi7 LF%1-;1M , don"t understand Chat is reNuired of me here. , am see@ing dire>t per>eption of
)od.
&ithout im7 , >annot be satisfied Cith affiliation or >reed or performan>e of good Cor@s.3
The orange;robed e>>lesiasti> gaHe me an affe>tionate pat. #taging a mo>@ rebu@e7 he admonished a
feC
near;by dis>iples. 2(on"t bother *u@unda. e Cill learn our Cays.3
, politely >on>ealed my doubt. The students left the room7 not oHerly bent Cith their >hastisement.
(yananda
had further Cords for me.
CAPTER 1-. , *EET *Y *A#TER7 #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
2*u@unda7 , see your father is regularly sending you money. Please return it to himK you reNuire none
here. A
se>ond inFun>tion for your dis>ipline >on>erns food. EHen Chen you feel hunger7 don"t mention it.3
&hether famishment gleamed in my eye7 , @neC not. That , Cas hungry7 , @neC only too Cell. The
inHariable
hour for the first hermitage meal Cas tCelHe noon. , had been a>>ustomed in my oCn home to a large
brea@fast at nine o">lo>@.
The three;hour gap be>ame daily more interminable. )one Cere the Cal>utta years Chen , >ould rebu@e
the
>oo@ for a ten;minute delay. %oC , tried to >ontrol my appetiteK one day , undertoo@ a tCenty;four hour
fast.
&ith double Iest , aCaited the folloCing midday.
2(yanandaFi"s train is lateK Ce are not going to eat until he arriHes.3 8itendra brought me this
deHastating neCs.
As gesture of Cel>ome to the sCami7 Cho had been absent for tCo Cee@s7 many deli>a>ies Cere in
readiness.
An appetiIing aroma filled the air. %othing else offering7 Chat else >ould be sCalloCed eJ>ept pride
oHer
yesterday"s a>hieHement of a fastP
2'ord hasten the trainO3 The eaHenly ProHider7 , thought7 Cas hardly in>luded in the interdi>tion Cith
Chi>h
(yananda had silen>ed me. (iHine Attention Cas elseChere7 hoCeHerK the plodding >lo>@ >oHered the
hours.
(ar@ness Cas des>ending as our leader entered the door. *y greeting Cas one of unfeigned Foy.
2(yanandaFi Cill bathe and meditate before Ce >an serHe food.3 8itendra approa>hed me again as a bird
of ill
omen.
, Cas in near;>ollapse. *y young stoma>h7 neC to depriHation7 protested Cith gnaCing Higor. Pi>tures ,
had
seen of famine Hi>tims passed Craithli@e before me.
2The neJt .enares death from starHation is due at on>e in this hermitage73 , thought. ,mpending doom
aHerted
at nine o">lo>@. Ambrosial summonsO ,n memory that meal is HiHid as one of life"s perfe>t hours.
,ntense absorption yet permitted me to obserHe that (yananda ate absent;mindedly. e Cas apparently
aboHe
my gross pleasures.
2#CamiFi7 Ceren"t you hungryP3 appily surfeited7 , Cas alone Cith the leader in his study.
2! yesO , haHe spent the last four days Cithout food or drin@. , neHer eat on trains7 filled Cith the
heterogenous
Hibrations of Corldly people. #tri>tly , obserHe the #A#TR,C LF%1-;4M rules for mon@s of my
parti>ular
order.
2Certain problems of our organiIational Cor@ lie on my mind. Tonight at home , negle>ted my dinner.
&hat"s
the hurryP TomorroC ,"ll ma@e it a point to haHe a proper meal.3 e laughed merrily.
#hame spread Cithin me li@e a suffo>ation. .ut the past day of my torture Cas not easily forgottenK ,
Hentured
a further remar@.
2#CamiFi7 , am puIIled. FolloCing your instru>tion7 suppose , neHer as@ed for food7 and nobody giHes
me
any. , should starHe to death.3
2(ie thenO3 This alarming >ounsel split the air. 2(ie if you must *u@undaO %eHer admit that you liHe
by the
poCer of food and not by the poCer of )odO e Cho has >reated eHery form of nourishment7 e Cho
has
bestoCed appetite7 Cill >ertainly see that is deHotee is sustainedO (o not imagine that ri>e maintains
you7 or
that money or men support youO Could they aid if the 'ord CithdraCs your life;breathP They are is
indire>t
CAPTER 1-. , *EET *Y *A#TER7 #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
instruments merely. ,s it by any s@ill of yours that food digests in your stoma>hP Use the sCord of your
dis>rimination7 *u@undaO Cut through the >hains of agen>y and per>eiHe the #ingle CauseO3
, found his in>isiHe Cords entering some deep marroC. )one Cas an age;old delusion by Chi>h bodily
imperatiHes outCit the soul. There and then , tasted the #pirit"s all;suffi>ien>y. ,n hoC many strange
>ities7 in
my later life of >easeless traHel7 did o>>asion arise to proHe the serHi>eability of this lesson in a .enares
hermitageO
The sole treasure Chi>h had a>>ompanied me from Cal>utta Cas the #A(U"# silHer amulet
beNueathed to
me by *other. )uarding it for years7 , noC had it >arefully hidden in my ashram room. To reneC my
Foy in
the talismani> testimony7 one morning , opened the lo>@ed boJ. The sealed >oHering untou>hed7 loO the
amulet
Cas gone. *ournfully , tore open its enHelope and made unmista@ably sure. ,t had Hanished7 in
a>>ordan>e
Cith the #A(U"# predi>tion7 into the ether Chen>e he had summoned it.
*y relationship Cith (yananda"s folloCers greC steadily Corse. The household Cas alienated7 hurt by
my
determined aloofness. *y stri>t adheren>e to meditation on the Hery ,deal for Chi>h , had left home
and all
Corldly ambitions >alled forth shalloC >riti>ism on all sides.
Torn by spiritual anguish7 , entered the atti> one daCn7 resolHed to pray until ansCer Cas Hou>hsafed.
2*er>iful *other of the UniHerse7 tea>h me Thyself through Hisions7 or through a guru sent by TheeO3
The passing hours found my sobbing pleas Cithout response. #uddenly , felt lifted as though bodily to
a
sphere un>ir>ums>ribed.
2Thy *aster >ometh todayO3 A diHine Comanly Hoi>e >ame from eHeryChere and noChere.
This supernal eJperien>e Cas pier>ed by a shout from a definite lo>ale. A young priest ni>@named
abu Cas
>alling me from the doCnstairs @it>hen.
2*u@unda7 enough of meditationO You are needed for an errand.3
Another day , might haHe replied impatientlyK noC , Ciped my tear;sCollen fa>e and mee@ly obeyed
the
summons. Together abu and , set out for a distant mar@et pla>e in the .engali se>tion of .enares. The
ungentle ,ndian sun Cas not yet at Ienith as Ce made our pur>hases in the baIaars. &e pushed our Cay
through the >olorful medley of houseCiHes7 guides7 priests7 simply;>lad CidoCs7 dignified .rahmins7
and the
ubiNuitous holy bulls. Passing an in>onspi>uous lane7 , turned my head and surHeyed the narroC length.
A Christli@e man in the o>her robes of a sCami stood motionless at the end of the road. ,nstantly and
an>iently
familiar he seemedK my gaIe fed hungrily for a tri>e. Then doubt assailed me.
2You are >onfusing this Candering mon@ Cith someone @noCn to you73 , thought. 2(reamer7 Cal@ on.3
After ten minutes7 , felt heaHy numbness in my feet. As though turned to stone7 they Cere unable to
>arry me
farther. 'aboriously , turned aroundK my feet regained normal>y. , fa>ed the opposite dire>tionK again
the
>urious Ceight oppressed me.
2The saint is magneti>ally draCing me to himO3 &ith this thought7 , heaped my par>els into the arms of
abu.
e had been obserHing my errati> footCor@ Cith amaIement7 and noC burst into laughter.
2&hat ails youP Are you >raIyP3
CAPTER 1-. , *EET *Y *A#TER7 #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
*y tumultuous emotion preHented any retortK , sped silently aCay.
Retra>ing my steps as though Cing;shod7 , rea>hed the narroC lane. *y Nui>@ glan>e reHealed the Nuiet
figure7 steadily gaIing in my dire>tion. A feC eager steps and , Cas at his feet.
2)urudeHaO3 LF%1-;5M The diHine fa>e Cas none other than he of my thousand Hisions. These hal>yon
eyes7
in leonine head Cith pointed beard and floCing lo>@s7 had oft peered through gloom of my no>turnal
reHeries7
holding a promise , had not fully understood.
2! my oCn7 you haHe >ome to meO3 *y guru uttered the Cords again and again in .engali7 his Hoi>e
tremulous Cith Foy. 2oC many years , haHe Caited for youO3
&e entered a oneness of silen>eK Cords seemed the ran@est superfluities. EloNuen>e floCed in
soundless >hant
from heart of master to dis>iple. &ith an antenna of irrefragable insight , sensed that my guru @neC
)od7 and
Could lead me to im. The obs>uration of this life disappeared in a fragile daCn of prenatal memories.
(ramati> timeO Past7 present7 and future are its >y>ling s>enes. This Cas not the first sun to find me at
these
holy feetO
*y hand in his7 my guru led me to his temporary residen>e in the Rana *ahal se>tion of the >ity. is
athleti>
figure moHed Cith firm tread. Tall7 ere>t7 about fifty;fiHe at this time7 he Cas a>tiHe and Higorous as a
young
man. is dar@ eyes Cere large7 beautiful Cith plumbless Cisdom. #lightly >urly hair softened a fa>e of
stri@ing poCer. #trength mingled subtly Cith gentleness.
As Ce made our Cay to the stone bal>ony of a house oHerloo@ing the )anges7 he said affe>tionatelyA
2, Cill giHe you my hermitages and all , possess.3
2#ir7 , >ome for Cisdom and )od;>onta>t. Those are your treasure;troHes , am afterO3
The sCift ,ndian tCilight had dropped its half;>urtain before my master spo@e again. is eyes held
unfathomable tenderness.
2, giHe you my un>onditional loHe.3
Pre>ious CordsO A Nuarter;>entury elapsed before , had another auri>ular proof of his loHe. is lips
Cere
strange to ardorK silen>e be>ame his o>eani> heart.
2&ill you giHe me the same un>onditional loHeP3 e gaIed at me Cith >hildli@e trust.
2, Cill loHe you eternally7 )urudeHaO3
2!rdinary loHe is selfish7 dar@ly rooted in desires and satisfa>tions. (iHine loHe is Cithout >ondition7
Cithout
boundary7 Cithout >hange. The fluJ of the human heart is gone foreHer at the transfiJing tou>h of pure
loHe.3
e added humbly7 2,f eHer you find me falling from a state of )od;realiIation7 please promise to put
my head
on your lap and help to bring me ba>@ to the Cosmi> .eloHed Ce both Corship.3
e rose then in the gathering dar@ness and guided me to an inner room. As Ce ate mangoes and almond
sCeetmeats7 he unobtrusiHely CoHe into his >onHersation an intimate @noCledge of my nature. , Cas
aCe;stru>@ at the grandeur of his Cisdom7 eJNuisitely blended Cith an innate humility.
CAPTER 1-. , *EET *Y *A#TER7 #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
2(o not grieHe for your amulet. ,t has serHed its purpose.3 'i@e a diHine mirror7 my guru apparently
had
>aught a refle>tion of my Chole life.
2The liHing reality of your presen>e7 *aster7 is Foy beyond any symbol.3
2,t is time for a >hange7 inasmu>h as you are unhappily situated in the hermitage.3
, had made no referen>es to my lifeK they noC seemed superfluousO .y his natural7 unemphati> manner7
,
understood that he Cished no astonished eFa>ulations at his >lairHoyan>e.
2You should go ba>@ to Cal>utta. &hy eJ>lude relatiHes from your loHe of humanityP3
is suggestion dismayed me. *y family Cas predi>ting my return7 though , had been unresponsiHe to
many
pleas by letter. 2'et the young bird fly in the metaphysi>al s@ies73 Ananta had remar@ed. 2is Cings
Cill tire
in the heaHy atmosphere. &e shall yet see him sCoop toCard home7 fold his pinions7 and humbly rest in
our
family nest.3 This dis>ouraging simile fresh in my mind7 , Cas determined to do no 2sCooping3 in the
dire>tion of Cal>utta.
2#ir7 , am not returning home. .ut , Cill folloC you anyChere. Please giHe me your address7 and your
name.3
2#Cami #ri Yu@tesCar )iri. *y >hief hermitage is in #erampore7 on Rai )hat 'ane. , am Hisiting my
mother
here for only a feC days.3
, Condered at )od"s intri>ate play Cith is deHotees. #erampore is but tCelHe miles from Cal>utta7 yet
in
those regions , had neHer >aught a glimpse of my guru. &e had had to traHel for our meeting to the
an>ient
>ity of $asi Q.enaresS7 halloCed by memories of 'ahiri *ahasaya. ere too the feet of .uddha7
#han@ara>harya and other Yogi=Christs had blessed the soil.
2You Cill >ome to me in four Cee@s.3 For the first time7 #ri Yu@tesCar"s Hoi>e Cas stern. 2%oC , haHe
told
my eternal affe>tion7 and haHe shoCn my happiness at finding you;that is Chy you disregard my
reNuest. The
neJt time Ce meet7 you Cill haHe to reaCa@en my interestA , Con"t a>>ept you as a dis>iple easily. There
must
be >omplete surrender by obedien>e to my stri>t training.3
, remained obstinately silent. *y guru easily penetrated my diffi>ulty.
2(o you thin@ your relatiHes Cill laugh at youP3
2, Cill not return.3
2You Cill return in thirty days.3
2%eHer.3 .oCing reHerently at his feet7 , departed Cithout lightening the >ontroHersial tension. As ,
made my
Cay in the midnight dar@ness7 , Condered Chy the mira>ulous meeting had ended on an inharmonious
note.
The dual s>ales of *AYA7 that balan>e eHery Foy Cith a griefO *y young heart Cas not yet malleable to
the
transforming fingers of my guru.
The neJt morning , noti>ed in>reased hostility in the attitude of the hermitage members. *y days
be>ame
spi@ed Cith inHariable rudeness. ,n three Cee@s7 (yananda left the ashram to attend a >onferen>e in
.ombayK
pandemonium bro@e oHer my hapless head.
CAPTER 1-. , *EET *Y *A#TER7 #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
2*u@unda is a parasite7 a>>epting hermitage hospitality Cithout ma@ing proper return.3 !Herhearing
this
remar@7 , regretted for the first time that , had obeyed the reNuest to send ba>@ my money to Father.
&ith
heaHy heart7 , sought out my sole friend7 8itendra.
2, am leaHing. Please >onHey my respe>tful regrets to (yanandaFi Chen he returns.3
2, Cill leaHe alsoO *y attempts to meditate here meet Cith no more faHor than your oCn.3 8itendra
spo@e Cith
determination.
2, haHe met a Christli@e saint. 'et us Hisit him in #erampore.3
And so the 2bird3 prepared to 2sCoop3 perilously >lose to Cal>uttaO
LF%1-;1M #A%#$R,TA7 polishedK >omplete. #ans@rit is the eldest sister of all ,ndo;European tongues.
,ts
alphabeti>al s>ript is (E6A%A)AR,7 literally 2diHine abode.3 2&ho @noCs my grammar @noCs
)odO3
Panini7 great philologist of an>ient ,ndia7 paid this tribute to the mathemati>al and psy>hologi>al
perfe>tion in
#ans@rit. e Cho Could tra>@ language to its lair must indeed end as omnis>ient.
LF%1-;2M e Cas not 8atinda Q8otin )hoshS7 Cho Cill be remembered for his timely aHersion to tigersO
LF%1-;+M Path or preliminary road to )od.
LF%1-;/M indu s>riptures tea>h that family atta>hment is delusiHe if it preHents the deHotee from
see@ing
the )iHer of all boons7 in>luding the one of loHing relatiHes7 not to mention life itself. 8esus similarly
taughtA
2&ho is my motherP and Cho are my brethrenP3 Q*ATTE& 12A/0.S
LF%1-;1M 8, is a >ustomary respe>tful suffiJ7 parti>ularly used in dire>t addressK thus 2sCamiFi73
2guruFi73
2#ri Yu@tesCarFi73 2paramhansaFi.3
LF%1-;4M Pertaining to the #A#TRA#7 literally7 2sa>red boo@s73 >omprising four >lasses of s>riptureA
the
#RUT,7 #*R,T,7 PURA%A7 and TA%TRA. These >omprehensiHe treatises >oHer eHery aspe>t of
religious
and so>ial life7 and the fields of laC7 medi>ine7 ar>hite>ture7 art7 et>. The #RUT,# are the 2dire>tly
heard3 or
2reHealed3 s>riptures7 the 6E(A#. The #*R,T,# or 2remembered3 lore Cas finally Critten doCn in a
remote
past as the Corld"s longest epi> poems7 the *AA.ARATA and the RA*AYA%A. PURA%A# are
literally 2an>ient3 allegoriesK TA%TRA# literally mean 2rites3 or 2rituals3K these treatises >onHey
profound
truths under a Heil of detailed symbolism.
LF%1-;5M 2(iHine tea>her73 the >ustomary #ans@rit term for one"s spiritual pre>eptor. , haHe rendered it
in
English as simply 2*aster.3
CAPTER 11. T&! PE%%,'E## .!Y# ,% .R,%(A.A%
2,t Could serHe you right if Father disinherited you7 *u@undaO oC foolishly you are throCing aCay
your
lifeO3 An elder;brother sermon Cas assaulting my ears.
8itendra and ,7 fresh from the train Qa figure of spee>h merelyK Ce Cere >oHered Cith dustS7 had Fust
arriHed at
the home of Ananta7 re>ently transferred from Cal>utta to the an>ient >ity of Agra. .rother Cas a
superHising
a>>ountant for the .engal;%agpur RailCay.
2You Cell @noC7 Ananta7 , see@ my inheritan>e from the eaHenly Father.3
CAPTER 11. T&! PE%%,'E## .!Y# ,% .R,%(A.A%
Autobiography of a Yogi
2*oney firstK )od >an >ome laterO &ho @noCsP 'ife may be too long.3
2)od firstK money is is slaHeO &ho >an tellP 'ife may be too short.3
*y retort Cas summoned by the eJigen>ies of the moment7 and held no presentiment. Yet the leaHes of
time
unfolded to early finality for AnantaK a feC years later LF%11;1M he entered the land Chere ban@ notes
aHail
neither first nor last.
2&isdom from the hermitage7 , supposeO .ut , see you haHe left .enares.3 Ananta"s eyes gleamed Cith
satisfa>tionK he yet hoped to se>ure my pinions in the family nest.
2*y soFourn in .enares Cas not in HainO , found there eHerything my heart had been longing forO You
may be
sure it Cas not your pundit or his sonO3
Ananta Foined me in reminis>ent laughterK he had had to admit that the .enares 2>lairHoyant3 he
sele>ted Cas
a shortsighted one.
2&hat are your plans7 my Candering brotherP3
28itendra persuaded me to Agra. &e shall HieC the beauties of the TaF *ahal LF%11;2M here73 ,
eJplained.
2Then Ce are going to my neCly;found guru7 Cho has a hermitage in #erampore.3
Ananta hospitably arranged for our >omfort. #eHeral times during the eHening , noti>ed his eyes fiJed
on me
refle>tiHely.
2, @noC that loo@O3 , thought. 2A plot is breCingO3
The denouement too@ pla>e during our early brea@fast.
2#o you feel Nuite independent of Father"s Cealth.3 Ananta"s gaIe Cas inno>ent as he resumed the barbs
of
yesterday"s >onHersation.
2, am >ons>ious of my dependen>e on )od.3
2&ords are >heapO 'ife has shielded you thus farO &hat a plight if you Cere for>ed to loo@ to the
,nHisible
and for your food and shelterO You Could soon be begging on the streetsO3
2%eHerO , Could not put faith in passers;by rather than )odO e >an deHise for is deHotee a thousand
resour>es besides the begging;boClO3
2*ore rhetori>O #uppose , suggest that your Haunted philosophy be put to a test in this tangible CorldP3
2, Could agreeO (o you >onfine )od to a spe>ulatiHe CorldP3
2&e shall seeK today you shall haHe opportunity either to enlarge or to >onfirm my oCn HieCsO3 Ananta
paused for a dramati> momentK then spo@e sloCly and seriously.
2, propose that , send you and your felloC dis>iple 8itendra this morning to the near;by >ity of
.rindaban.
You must not ta@e a single rupeeK you must not beg7 either for food or moneyK you must not reHeal your
predi>ament to anyoneK you must not go Cithout your mealsK and you must not be stranded in
.rindaban. ,f
you return to my bungaloC here before tCelHe o">lo>@ tonight7 Cithout haHing bro@en any rule of the
test7 ,
CAPTER 11. T&! PE%%,'E## .!Y# ,% .R,%(A.A%
Autobiography of a Yogi
shall be the most astonished man in AgraO3
2, a>>ept the >hallenge.3 %o hesitation Cas in my Cords or in my heart. )rateful memories flashed of
the
,nstant .enefi>en>eA my healing of deadly >holera through appeal to 'ahiri *ahasaya"s pi>tureK the
playful
gift of the tCo @ites on the 'ahore roof Cith UmaK the opportune amulet amidst my dis>ouragementK
the
de>isiHe message through the un@noCn .enares #A(U outside the >ompound of the pundit"s homeK
the
Hision of (iHine *other and er maFesti> Cords of loHeK er sCift heed through *aster *ahasaya to
my
trifling embarrassmentsK the last;minute guidan>e Chi>h materialiIed my high s>hool diplomaK and the
ultimate boon7 my liHing *aster from the mist of lifelong dreams. %eHer >ould , admit my
2philosophy3
uneNual to any tussle on the Corld"s harsh proHing groundO
2Your Cillingness does you >redit. ,"ll es>ort you to the train at on>e.3 Ananta turned to the
openmouthed
8itendra. 2You must go along as a Citness and7 Hery li@ely7 a felloC Hi>timO3
A half hour later 8itendra and , Cere in possession of one;Cay ti>@ets for our impromptu trip. &e
submitted7
in a se>luded >orner of the station7 to a sear>h of our persons. Ananta Cas Nui>@ly satisfied that Ce
Cere
>arrying no hidden hoardK our simple (!T,# LF%11;+M >on>ealed nothing more than Cas ne>essary.
As faith inHaded the serious realms of finan>e7 my friend spo@e protestingly. 2Ananta7 giHe me one or
tCo
rupees as a safeguard. Then , >an telegraph you in >ase of misfortune.3
28itendraO3 *y eFa>ulation Cas sharply reproa>hful. 2, Cill not pro>eed Cith the test if you ta@e any
money as
final se>urity.3
2There is something reassuring about the >lin@ of >oins.3 8itendra said no more as , regarded him
sternly.
2*u@unda7 , am not heartless.3 A hint of humility had >rept into Ananta"s Hoi>e. ,t may be that his
>ons>ien>e
Cas smiting himK perhaps for sending tCo insolHent boys to a strange >ityK perhaps for his oCn
religious
s@epti>ism. 2,f by any >han>e or gra>e you pass su>>essfully through the .rindaban ordeal7 , shall as@
you to
initiate me as your dis>iple.3
This promise had a >ertain irregularity7 in @eeping Cith the un>onHentional o>>asion. The eldest brother
in an
,ndian family seldom boCs before his FuniorsK he re>eiHes respe>t and obedien>e se>ond only to a
father. .ut
no time remained for my >ommentK our train Cas at point of departure.
8itendra maintained a lugubrious silen>e as our train >oHered the miles. Finally he bestirred himselfK
leaning
oHer7 he pin>hed me painfully at an aC@Card spot.
2, see no sign that )od is going to supply our neJt mealO3
2.e Nuiet7 doubting ThomasK the 'ord is Cor@ing Cith us.3
2Can you also arrange that e hurryP Already , am famished merely at the prospe>t before us. , left
.enares
to HieC the TaF"s mausoleum7 not to enter my oCnO3
2Cheer up7 8itendraO Are Ce not to haHe our first glimpse of the sa>red Conders of .rindabanP LF%11;
/M ,
am in deep Foy at thought of treading the ground halloCed by feet of 'ord $rishna.3
The door of our >ompartment openedK tCo men seated themselHes. The neJt train stop Could be the
last.
2Young lads7 do you haHe friends in .rindabanP3 The stranger opposite me Cas ta@ing a surprising
interest.
CAPTER 11. T&! PE%%,'E## .!Y# ,% .R,%(A.A%
Autobiography of a Yogi
2%one of your businessO3 Rudely , aHerted my gaIe.
2You are probably flying aCay from your families under the en>hantment of the #tealer of earts.
LF%11;1M
, am of deHotional temperament myself. , Cill ma@e it my positiHe duty to see that you re>eiHe food7
and
shelter from this oHerpoCering heat.3
2%o7 sir7 let us alone. You are Hery @indK but you are mista@en in Fudging us to be truants from home.3
%o further >onHersation ensuedK the train >ame to a halt. As 8itendra and , des>ended to the platform7
our
>han>e >ompanions lin@ed arms Cith us and summoned a horse >ab.
&e alit before a stately hermitage7 set amidst the eHergreen trees of Cell;@ept grounds. !ur benefa>tors
Cere
eHidently @noCn hereK a smiling lad led us Cithout >omment to a parlor. &e Cere soon Foined by an
elderly
Coman of dignified bearing.
2)auri *a7 the prin>es >ould not >ome.3 !ne of the men addressed the ashram hostess. 2At the last
moment
their plans Cent aCryK they send deep regrets. .ut Ce haHe brought tCo other guests. As soon as Ce
met on
the train7 , felt draCn to them as deHotees of 'ord $rishna.3
E,llustrationA Q'eft to RightS 8itendra *aIumdar7 my >ompanion on the 2penniless test3 at .rindabanK
'alit;da7 my >ousinK #Cami $ebelananda Q2#hastri *ahasayaTS7 my saintly #ans@rit tutorK myself7 as a
high
s>hool youth=see friends.FpgG
E,llustrationA Ananda *oyi *a7 the .engali 28oy;Permeated *other.3=see amoyima.FpgG
E,llustrationA !ne of the >aHes o>>upied by .abaFi in the (rongiri *ountains near Rani@het in the
imalayas.
A grandson of 'ahiri *ahasaya7 Ananda *ohan 'ahiri Qse>ond from right7 in ChiteS7 and three other
deHotees
are Hisiting the sa>red spot.=see >aHe.FpgG
2)ood;by7 young friends.3 !ur tCo a>Nuaintan>es Cal@ed to the door. 2&e shall meet again7 if )od be
Cilling.3
2You are Cel>ome here.3 )auri *a smiled in motherly fashion on her tCo uneJpe>ted >harges. 2You
>ould
not haHe >ome on a better day. , Cas eJpe>ting tCo royal patrons of this hermitage. &hat a shame if my
>oo@ing had found none to appre>iate itO3
These appetiIing Cords had disastrous effe>t on 8itendraA he burst into tears. The 2prospe>t3 he had
feared in
.rindaban Cas turning out as royal entertainmentK his sudden mental adFustment proHed too mu>h for
him.
!ur hostess loo@ed at him Cith >uriosity7 but Cithout remar@K perhaps she Cas familiar Cith adoles>ent
Nuir@s.
'un>h Cas announ>edK )auri *a led the Cay to a dining patio7 spi>y Cith saHory odors. #he Hanished
into an
adFoining @it>hen.
, had been premeditating this moment. #ele>ting the appropriate spot on 8itendra"s anatomy7 ,
administered a
pin>h as resounding as the one he had giHen me on the train.
2(oubting Thomas7 the 'ord Cor@s;in a hurry7 tooO3
The hostess reentered Cith a PU%$A. #he steadily fanned us in the !riental fashion as Ce sNuatted
on
ornate blan@et;seats. Ashram dis>iples passed to and fro Cith some thirty >ourses. Rather than 2meal73
the
CAPTER 11. T&! PE%%,'E## .!Y# ,% .R,%(A.A%
Autobiography of a Yogi
des>ription >an only be 2sumptuous repast.3 #in>e arriHing on this planet7 8itendra and , had neHer
before
tasted su>h deli>a>ies.
2(ishes fit for prin>es indeed7 onored *otherO &hat your royal patrons >ould haHe found more
urgent than
attending this banNuet7 , >annot imagineO You haHe giHen us a memory for a lifetimeO3
#ilen>ed as Ce Cere by Ananta"s reNuirement7 Ce >ould not eJplain to the gra>ious lady that our than@s
held a
double signifi>an>e. !ur sin>erity at least Cas patent. &e departed Cith her blessing and an attra>tiHe
inHitation to reHisit the hermitage.
The heat outdoors Cas mer>iless. *y friend and , made for the shelter of a lordly >adamba tree at the
ashram
gate. #harp Cords folloCedK on>e again 8itendra Cas beset Cith misgiHings.
2A fine mess you haHe got me intoO !ur lun>heon Cas only a>>idental good fortuneO oC >an Ce see
the
sights of this >ity7 Cithout a single pi>e betCeen usP And hoC on earth are you going to ta@e me ba>@ to
Ananta"sP3
2You forget )od Nui>@ly7 noC that your stoma>h is filled.3 *y Cords7 not bitter7 Cere a>>usatory. oC
short
is human memory for diHine faHorsO %o man liHes Cho has not seen >ertain of his prayers granted.
2, am not li@ely to forget my folly in Henturing out Cith a mad>ap li@e youO3
2.e Nuiet7 8itendraO The same 'ord Cho fed us Cill shoC us .rindaban7 and return us to Agra.3
A slight young man of pleasing >ountenan>e approa>hed at rapid pa>e. alting under our tree7 he
boCed
before me.
2(ear friend7 you and your >ompanion must be strangers here. Permit me to be your host and guide.3
,t is s>ar>ely possible for an ,ndian to pale7 but 8itendra"s fa>e Cas suddenly si>@ly. , politely de>lined
the
offer.
2You are surely not banishing meP3 The stranger"s alarm Could haHe been >omi> in any other
>ir>umstan>es.
2&hy notP3
2You are my guru.3 is eyes sought mine trustfully. 2(uring my midday deHotions7 the blessed 'ord
$rishna
appeared in a Hision. e shoCed me tCo forsa@en figures under this Hery tree. !ne fa>e Cas yours7 my
masterO !ften haHe , seen it in meditationO &hat Foy if you a>>ept my humble serHi>esO3
2, too am glad you haHe found me. %either )od nor man has forsa@en usO3 Though , Cas motionless7
smiling
at the eager fa>e before me7 an inCard obeisan>e >ast me at the (iHine Feet.
2(ear friends7 Cill you not honor my home for a HisitP3
2You are @indK but the plan is unfeasible. Already Ce are guests of my brother in Agra.3
2At least giHe me memories of touring .rindaban Cith you.3
, gladly >onsented. The young man7 Cho said his name Cas Pratap ChatterFi7 hailed a horse >arriage.
&e
Hisited *adanamohana Temple and other $rishna shrines. %ight des>ended Chile Ce Cere at our
temple
CAPTER 11. T&! PE%%,'E## .!Y# ,% .R,%(A.A%
Autobiography of a Yogi
deHotions.
2EJ>use me Chile , get #A%(E#.3 LF%11;4M Pratap entered a shop near the railroad station. 8itendra
and ,
sauntered along the Cide street7 >roCded noC in the >omparatiHe >oolness. !ur friend Cas absent for
some
time7 but finally returned Cith gifts of many sCeetmeats.
2Please alloC me to gain this religious merit.3 Pratap smiled pleadingly as he held out a bundle of
rupee notes
and tCo ti>@ets7 Fust pur>hased7 to Agra.
The reHeren>e of my a>>eptan>e Cas for the ,nHisible and. #>offed at by Ananta7 had ,ts bounty not
far
eJ>eeded ne>essityP
&e sought out a se>luded spot near the station.
2Pratap7 , Cill instru>t you in the $R,YA of 'ahiri *ahasaya7 the greatest yogi of modern times. is
te>hniNue Cill be your guru.3
The initiation Cas >on>luded in a half hour. 2$R,YA is your C,%TA*A%,73 LF%11;5M , told the neC
student. 2The te>hniNue7 Chi>h as you see is simple7 embodies the art of Nui>@ening man"s spiritual
eHolution.
indu s>riptures tea>h that the in>arnating ego reNuires a million years to obtain liberation from
*AYA. This
natural period is greatly shortened through $R,YA Y!)A. 8ust as 8agadis Chandra .ose has
demonstrated
that plant groCth >an be a>>elerated far beyond its normal rate7 so man"s psy>hologi>al deHelopment
>an be
also speeded by an inner s>ien>e. .e faithful in your pra>ti>eK you Cill approa>h the )uru of all gurus.3
2, am transported to find this yogi> @ey7 long soughtO3 Pratap spo@e thoughtfully. 2,ts unsha>@ling
effe>t on
my sensory bonds Cill free me for higher spheres. The Hision today of 'ord $rishna >ould only mean
my
highest good.3
&e sat aChile in silent understanding7 then Cal@ed sloCly to the station. 8oy Cas Cithin me as ,
boarded the
train7 but this Cas 8itendra"s day for tears. *y affe>tionate fareCell to Pratap had been pun>tuated by
stifled
sobs from both my >ompanions. The Fourney on>e more found 8itendra in a Celter of grief. %ot for
himself
this time7 but against himself.
2oC shalloC my trustO *y heart has been stoneO %eHer in future shall , doubt )od"s prote>tionO3
*idnight Cas approa>hing. The tCo 2Cinderellas73 sent forth penniless7 entered Ananta"s bedroom. is
fa>e7
as he had promised7 Cas a study in astonishment. #ilently , shoCered the table Cith rupees.
28itendra7 the truthO3 Ananta"s tone Cas Fo>ular. 2as not this youngster been staging a holdupP3
.ut as the tale Cas unfolded7 my brother turned sober7 then solemn.
2The laC of demand and supply rea>hes into subtler realms than , had supposed.3 Ananta spo@e Cith a
spiritual enthusiasm neHer before noti>eable. 2, understand for the first time your indifferen>e to the
Haults
and Hulgar a>>umulations of the Corld.3
'ate as it Cas7 my brother insisted that he re>eiHe (,$#A LF%11;0M into $R,YA Y!)A. The 2guru3
*u@unda had to shoulder the responsibility of tCo unsought dis>iples in one day.
.rea@fast the folloCing morning Cas eaten in a harmony absent the day before. , smiled at 8itendra.
CAPTER 11. T&! PE%%,'E## .!Y# ,% .R,%(A.A%
Autobiography of a Yogi
2You shall not be >heated of the TaF. 'et us HieC it before starting for #erampore.3
.idding fareCell to Ananta7 my friend and , Cere soon before the glory of Agra7 the TaF *ahal. &hite
marble
daIIling in the sun7 it stands a Hision of pure symmetry. The perfe>t setting is dar@ >ypress7 glossy
laCn7 and
tranNuil lagoon. The interior is eJNuisite Cith la>eli@e >arHings inlaid Cith semipre>ious stones.
(eli>ate
Creaths and s>rolls emerge intri>ately from marbles7 broCn and Hiolet. ,llumination from the dome
falls on
the >enotaphs of Emperor #hah;8ahan and *umtaI *ahall7 Nueen of his realm and his heart.
Enough of sight;seeingO , Cas longing for my guru. 8itendra and , Cere shortly traHeling south by train
toCard .engal.
2*u@unda7 , haHe not seen my family in months. , haHe >hanged my mindK perhaps later , shall Hisit
your
master in #erampore.3
*y friend7 Cho may mildly be des>ribed as Ha>illating in temperament7 left me in Cal>utta. .y lo>al
train ,
soon rea>hed #erampore7 tCelHe miles to the north.
A throb of Conderment stole oHer me as , realiIed that tCenty;eight days had elapsed sin>e the .enares
meeting Cith my guru. 2You Cill >ome to me in four Cee@sO3 ere , Cas7 heart pounding7 standing
Cithin his
>ourtyard on Nuiet Rai )hat 'ane. , entered for the first time the hermitage Chere , Cas to spend the
best part
of the neJt ten years Cith ,ndia"s 8YA%A6ATAR7 2in>arnation of Cisdom.3
LF%11;1M #ee >hapter 21.
LF%11;2M The Corld;famous mausoleum..
LF%11;+M A (!T,;>loth is @notted around the Caist and >oHers the legs..
LF%11;/M .rindaban7 in the *uttra distri>t of United ProHin>es7 is the indu 8erusalem. ere 'ord
$rishna
displayed his glories for the benefit of man@ind..
LF%11;1M ariK an endearing name by Chi>h 'ord $rishna is @noCn to his deHotees.
LF%11;4M An ,ndian sCeetmeat..
LF%11;5M A mythologi>al gem Cith poCer to grant desires.
LF%11;0M #piritual initiationK from the #ans@rit root (,$#7 to dedi>ate oneself.
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
2You haHe >ome.3 #ri Yu@tesCar greeted me from a tiger s@in on the floor of a bal>onied sitting room.
is
Hoi>e Cas >old7 his manner unemotional.
2Yes7 dear *aster7 , am here to folloC you.3 $neeling7 , tou>hed his feet.
2oC >an that beP You ignore my Cishes.3
2%o longer7 )uruFiO Your Cish shall be my laCO3
2That is betterO %oC , >an assume responsibility for your life.3
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2, Cillingly transfer the burden7 *aster.3
2*y first reNuest7 then7 is that you return home to your family. , Cant you to enter >ollege in Cal>utta.
Your
edu>ation should be >ontinued.3
26ery Cell7 sir.3 , hid my >onsternation. &ould importunate boo@s pursue me doCn the yearsP First
Father7
noC #ri Yu@tesCarO
2#omeday you Cill go to the &est. ,ts people Cill lend ears more re>eptiHe to ,ndia"s an>ient Cisdom if
the
strange indu tea>her has a uniHersity degree.3
2You @noC best7 )uruFi.3 *y gloom departed. The referen>e to the &est , found puIIling7 remoteK but
my
opportunity to please *aster by obedien>e Cas Hitally immediate.
2You Cill be near in Cal>uttaK >ome here CheneHer you find time.3
2EHery day if possible7 *asterO )ratefully , a>>ept your authority in eHery detail of my life;on one
>ondition.3
2YesP3
2That you promise to reHeal )od to meO3
An hour;long Herbal tussle ensued. A master"s Cord >annot be falsifiedK it is not lightly giHen. The
impli>ations in the pledge open out Hast metaphysi>al Histas. A guru must be on intimate terms indeed
Cith
the Creator before he >an obligate im to appearO , sensed #ri Yu@tesCar"s diHine unity7 and Cas
determined7
as his dis>iple7 to press my adHantage.
2You are of eJa>ting dispositionO3 Then *aster"s >onsent rang out Cith >ompassionate finalityA
2'et your Cish be my Cish.3
'ifelong shadoC lifted from my heartK the Hague sear>h7 hither and yon7 Cas oHer. , had found eternal
shelter
in a true guru.
2ComeK , Cill shoC you the hermitage.3 *aster rose from his tiger mat. , glan>ed about meK my gaIe
fell Cith
astonishment on a Call pi>ture7 garlanded Cith a spray of Fasmine.
2'ahiri *ahasayaO3
2Yes7 my diHine guru.3 #ri Yu@tesCar"s tone Cas reHerently Hibrant. 2)reater he Cas7 as man and yogi7
than
any other tea>her Chose life >ame Cithin the range of my inHestigations.3
#ilently , boCed before the familiar pi>ture. #oul;homage sped to the peerless master Cho7 blessing my
infan>y7 had guided my steps to this hour.
'ed by my guru7 , strolled oHer the house and its grounds. 'arge7 an>ient and Cell;built7 the hermitage
Cas
surrounded by a massiHe;pillared >ourtyard. !uter Calls Cere moss;>oHeredK pigeons fluttered oHer the
flat
gray roof7 un>eremoniously sharing the ashram Nuarters. A rear garden Cas pleasant Cith Fa>@fruit7
mango7
and plantain trees. .alustraded bal>onies of upper rooms in the tCo;storied building fa>ed the
>ourtyard from
three sides. A spa>ious ground;floor hall7 Cith high >eiling supported by >olonnades7 Cas used7 *aster
said7
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
>hiefly during the annual festiHities of (UR)APU8A. LF%12;1M A narroC stairCay led to #ri
Yu@tesCar"s
sitting room7 Chose small bal>ony oHerloo@ed the street. The ashram Cas plainly furnishedK eHerything
Cas
simple7 >lean7 and utilitarian. #eHeral &estern styled >hairs7 ben>hes7 and tables Cere in eHiden>e.
*aster inHited me to stay oHernight. A supper of Hegetable >urry Cas serHed by tCo young dis>iples
Cho Cere
re>eiHing hermitage training.
2)uruFi7 please tell me something of your life.3 , Cas sNuatting on a straC mat near his tiger s@in. The
friendly
stars Cere Hery >lose7 it seemed7 beyond the bal>ony.
2*y family name Cas Priya %ath $arar. , Cas born LF%12;2M here in #erampore7 Chere Father Cas a
Cealthy businessman. e left me this an>estral mansion7 noC my hermitage. *y formal s>hooling Cas
littleK ,
found it sloC and shalloC. ,n early manhood7 , undertoo@ the responsibilities of a householder7 and
haHe one
daughter7 noC married. *y middle life Cas blessed Cith the guidan>e of 'ahiri *ahasaya. After my
Cife
died7 , Foined the #Cami !rder and re>eiHed the neC name of #ri Yu@tesCar )iri. LF%12;+M #u>h are
my
simple annals.3
*aster smiled at my eager fa>e. 'i@e all biographi>al s@et>hes7 his Cords had giHen the outCard fa>ts
Cithout
reHealing the inner man.
2)uruFi7 , Could li@e to hear some stories of your >hildhood.3
2, Cill tell you a feC;ea>h one Cith a moralO3 #ri Yu@tesCar"s eyes tCin@led Cith his Carning. 2*y
mother
on>e tried to frighten me Cith an appalling story of a ghost in a dar@ >hamber. , Cent there
immediately7 and
eJpressed my disappointment at haHing missed the ghost. *other neHer told me another horror;tale.
*oralA
'oo@ fear in the fa>e and it Cill >ease to trouble you.
2Another early memory is my Cish for an ugly dog belonging to a neighbor. , @ept my household in
turmoil
for Cee@s to get that dog. *y ears Cere deaf to offers of pets Cith more prepossessing appearan>e.
*oralA
Atta>hment is blindingK it lends an imaginary halo of attra>tiHeness to the obFe>t of desire.
2A third story >on>erns the plasti>ity of the youthful mind. , heard my mother remar@ o>>asionallyA "A
man
Cho a>>epts a Fob under anyone is a slaHe." That impression be>ame so indelibly fiJed that eHen after
my
marriage , refused all positions. , met eJpenses by inHesting my family endoCment in land. *oralA
)ood and
positiHe suggestions should instru>t the sensitiHe ears of >hildren. Their early ideas long remain sharply
et>hed.3
*aster fell into tranNuil silen>e. Around midnight he led me to a narroC >ot. #leep Cas sound and
sCeet the
first night under my guru"s roof.
#ri Yu@tesCar >hose the folloCing morning to grant me his $R,YA Y!)A initiation. The te>hniNue ,
had
already re>eiHed from tCo dis>iples of 'ahiri *ahasaya;Father and my tutor7 #Cami $ebalananda;but
in
*aster"s presen>e , felt transforming poCer. At his tou>h7 a great light bro@e upon my being7 li@e glory
of
>ountless suns blaIing together. A flood of ineffable bliss7 oHerChelming my heart to an innermost
>ore7
>ontinued during the folloCing day. ,t Cas late that afternoon before , >ould bring myself to leaHe the
hermitage.
2You Cill return in thirty days.3 As , rea>hed my Cal>utta home7 the fulfillment of *aster"s predi>tion
entered
Cith me. %one of my relatiHes made the pointed remar@s , had feared about the reappearan>e of the
2soaring
bird.3
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
, >limbed to my little atti> and bestoCed affe>tionate glan>es7 as though on a liHing presen>e. 2You
haHe
Citnessed my meditations7 and the tears and storms of my #A(A%A. %oC , haHe rea>hed the harbor
of my
diHine tea>her.3
2#on7 , am happy for us both.3 Father and , sat together in the eHening >alm. 2You haHe found your
guru7 as in
mira>ulous fashion , on>e found my oCn. The holy hand of 'ahiri *ahasaya is guarding our liHes.
Your
master has proHed no ina>>essible imalayan saint7 but one near;by. *y prayers haHe been ansCeredA
you
haHe not in your sear>h for )od been permanently remoHed from my sight.3
Father Cas also pleased that my formal studies Could be resumedK he made suitable arrangements. ,
Cas
enrolled the folloCing day at the #>ottish Chur>h College in Cal>utta.
appy months sped by. *y readers haHe doubtless made the perspi>a>ious surmise that , Cas little seen
in the
>ollege >lassrooms. The #erampore hermitage held a lure too irresistible. *aster a>>epted my
ubiNuitous
presen>e Cithout >omment. To my relief7 he seldom referred to the halls of learning. Though it Cas
plain to all
that , Cas neHer >ut out for a s>holar7 , managed to attain minimum passing grades from time to time.
(aily life at the ashram floCed smoothly7 infreNuently Haried. *y guru aCo@e before daCn. 'ying
doCn7 or
sometimes sitting on the bed7 he entered a state of #A*A(,. LF%12;/M ,t Cas simpli>ity itself to
dis>oHer
Chen *aster had aCa@enedA abrupt halt of stupendous snores. LF%12;1M A sigh or tCoK perhaps a
bodily
moHement. Then a soundless state of breathlessnessA he Cas in deep yogi> Foy.
.rea@fast did not folloCK first >ame a long Cal@ by the )anges. Those morning strolls Cith my guru;
hoC real
and HiHid stillO ,n the easy resurre>tion of memory7 , often find myself by his sideA the early sun is
Carming
the riHer. is Hoi>e rings out7 ri>h Cith the authenti>ity of Cisdom.
A bathK then the midday meal. ,ts preparation7 a>>ording to *aster"s daily dire>tions7 had been the
>areful tas@
of young dis>iples. *y guru Cas a Hegetarian. .efore embra>ing mon@hood7 hoCeHer7 he had eaten
eggs and
fish. is adHi>e to students Cas to folloC any simple diet Chi>h proHed suited to one"s >onstitution.
*aster ate littleK often ri>e7 >olored Cith turmeri> or Fui>e of beets or spina>h and lightly sprin@led Cith
buffalo )EE or melted butter. Another day he might haHe lentil;(A' or CA%%A LF%12;4M >urry
Cith
Hegetables. For dessert7 mangoes or oranges Cith ri>e pudding7 or Fa>@fruit Fui>e.
6isitors appeared in the afternoons. A steady stream poured from the Corld into the hermitage
tranNuillity.
EHeryone found in *aster an eNual >ourtesy and @indness. To a man Cho has realiIed himself as a soul7
not
the body or the ego7 the rest of humanity assumes a stri@ing similarity of aspe>t.
The impartiality of saints is rooted in Cisdom. *asters haHe es>aped *AYAK its alternating fa>es of
intelle>t
and idio>y no longer >ast an influential glan>e. #ri Yu@tesCar shoCed no spe>ial >onsideration to those
Cho
happened to be poCerful or a>>omplishedK neither did he slight others for their poHerty or illitera>y. e
Could
listen respe>tfully to Cords of truth from a >hild7 and openly ignore a >on>eited pundit.
E,llustrationA *y *aster7 #ri Yu@tesCar7 (is>iple of 'ahiri *ahasaya=see yu@tesCar.FpgG
Eight o">lo>@ Cas the supper hour7 and sometimes found lingering guests. *y guru Could not eJ>use
himself
to eat aloneK none left his ashram hungry or dissatisfied. #ri Yu@tesCar Cas neHer at a loss7 neHer
dismayed by
uneJpe>ted HisitorsK s>anty food Could emerge a banNuet under his resour>eful dire>tion. Yet he Cas
e>onomi>alK his modest funds Cent far. 2.e >omfortable Cithin your purse73 he often said.
2EJtraHagan>e Cill
buy you dis>omfort.3 &hether in the details of hermitage entertainment7 or his building and repair
Cor@7 or
other pra>ti>al >on>erns7 *aster manifested the originality of a >reatiHe spirit.
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
Vuiet eHening hours often brought one of my guru"s dis>ourses7 treasures against time. is eHery
utteran>e
Cas measured and >hiseled by Cisdom. A sublime self;assuran>e mar@ed his mode of eJpressionA it
Cas
uniNue. e spo@e as none other in my eJperien>e eHer spo@e. is thoughts Cere Ceighed in a deli>ate
balan>e
of dis>rimination before he permitted them an outCard garb. The essen>e of truth7 all;perHasiHe Cith
eHen a
physiologi>al aspe>t7 >ame from him li@e a fragrant eJudation of the soul. , Cas >ons>ious alCays that ,
Cas
in the presen>e of a liHing manifestation of )od. The Ceight of his diHinity automati>ally boCed my
head
before him.
,f late guests dete>ted that #ri Yu@tesCar Cas be>oming engrossed Cith the ,nfinite7 he Nui>@ly engaged
them
in >onHersation. e Cas in>apable of stri@ing a pose7 or of flaunting his inner CithdraCal. AlCays one
Cith
the 'ord7 he needed no separate time for >ommunion. A self;realiIed master has already left behind the
stepping stone of meditation. 2The floCer falls Chen the fruit appears.3 .ut saints often >ling to
spiritual
forms for the en>ouragement of dis>iples.
As midnight approa>hed7 my guru might fall into a doIe Cith the naturalness of a >hild. There Cas no
fuss
about bedding. e often lay doCn7 Cithout eHen a pilloC7 on a narroC daHenport Chi>h Cas the
ba>@ground
for his >ustomary tiger;s@in seat.
A night;long philosophi>al dis>ussion Cas not rareK any dis>iple >ould summon it by intensity of
interest. ,
felt no tiredness then7 no desire for sleepK *aster"s liHing Cords Cere suffi>ient. 2!h7 it is daCnO 'et us
Cal@
by the )anges.3 #o ended many of my periods of no>turnal edifi>ation.
*y early months Cith #ri Yu@tesCar >ulminated in a useful lesson;ToC to !utCit a *osNuito.3 At
home
my family alCays used prote>tiHe >urtains at night. , Cas dismayed to dis>oHer that in the #erampore
hermitage this prudent >ustom Cas honored in the brea>h. Yet the inse>ts Cere in full residen>yK , Cas
bitten
from head to foot. *y guru too@ pity on me.
2.uy yourself a >urtain7 and also one for me.3 e laughed and added7 2,f you buy only one7 for
yourself7 all
mosNuitoes Cill >on>entrate on meO3
, Cas more than than@ful to >omply. EHery night that , spent in #erampore7 my guru Could as@ me to
arrange
the bedtime >urtains.
The mosNuitoes one eHening Cere espe>ially Hirulent. .ut *aster failed to issue his usual instru>tions.
,
listened nerHously to the anti>ipatory hum of the inse>ts. )etting into bed7 , threC a propitiatory prayer
in
their general dire>tion. A half hour later7 , >oughed pretentiously to attra>t my guru"s attention. ,
thought ,
Could go mad Cith the bites and espe>ially the singing drone as the mosNuitoes >elebrated bloodthirsty
rites.
%o responsiHe stir from *asterK , approa>hed him >autiously. e Cas not breathing. This Cas my first
obserHation of him in the yogi> tran>eK it filled me Cith fright.
2is heart must haHe failedO3 , pla>ed a mirror under his noseK no breath;Hapor appeared. To ma@e
doubly
>ertain7 for minutes , >losed his mouth and nostrils Cith my fingers. is body Cas >old and motionless.
,n a
daIe7 , turned toCard the door to summon help.
2#oO A budding eJperimentalistO *y poor noseO3 *aster"s Hoi>e Cas sha@y Cith laughter. 2&hy don"t
you go
to bedP ,s the Chole Corld going to >hange for youP Change yourselfA be rid of the mosNuito
>ons>iousness.3
*ee@ly , returned to my bed. %ot one inse>t Hentured near. , realiIed that my guru had preHiously
agreed to
the >urtains only to please meK he had no fear of mosNuitoes. is yogi> poCer Cas su>h that he either
>ould
Cill them not to bite7 or >ould es>ape to an inner inHulnerability.
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2e Cas giHing me a demonstration73 , thought. 2That is the yogi> state , must striHe to attain.3 A yogi
must
be able to pass into7 and >ontinue in7 the super>ons>iousness7 regardless of multitudinous distra>tions
neHer
absent from this earth. &hether in the buII of inse>ts or the perHasiHe glare of daylight7 the testimony
of the
senses must be barred. #ound and sight >ome then indeed7 but to Corlds fairer than the banished Eden.
LF%12;5M
The instru>tiHe mosNuitoes serHed for another early lesson at the ashram. ,t Cas the gentle hour of
dus@. *y
guru Cas mat>hlessly interpreting the an>ient teJts. At his feet7 , Cas in perfe>t pea>e. A rude mosNuito
entered the idyl and >ompeted for my attention. As it dug a poisonous hypodermi> needle into my
thigh7 ,
automati>ally raised an aHenging hand. ReprieHe from impending eJe>utionO An opportune memory
>ame to
me of one of PatanFali"s yoga aphorisms;that on A,*#A QharmlessnessS.
2&hy didn"t you finish the FobP3
2*asterO (o you adHo>ate ta@ing lifeP3
2%oK but the deathbloC already had been stru>@ in your mind.3
2, don"t understand.3
2PatanFali"s meaning Cas the remoHal of (E#,RE to @ill.3 #ri Yu@tesCar had found my mental
pro>esses an
open boo@. 2This Corld is in>onHeniently arranged for a literal pra>ti>e of A,*#A. *an may be
>ompelled
to eJterminate harmful >reatures. e is not under similar >ompulsion to feel anger or animosity. All
forms of
life haHe eNual right to the air of *AYA. The saint Cho un>oHers the se>ret of >reation Cill be in
harmony
Cith its >ountless beCildering eJpressions. All men may approa>h that understanding Cho >urb the
inner
passion for destru>tion.3
2)uruFi7 should one offer himself a sa>rifi>e rather than @ill a Cild beastP3
2%oK man"s body is pre>ious. ,t has the highest eHolutionary Halue be>ause of uniNue brain and spinal
>enters.
These enable the adHan>ed deHotee to fully grasp and eJpress the loftiest aspe>ts of diHinity. %o loCer
form is
so eNuipped. ,t is true that one in>urs the debt of a minor sin if he is for>ed to @ill an animal or any
liHing
thing. .ut the 6E(A# tea>h that Canton loss of a human body is a serious transgression against the
@armi>
laC.3
, sighed in reliefK s>riptural reinfor>ement of one"s natural instin>ts is not alCays forth>oming.
,t so happened that , neHer saC *aster at >lose Nuarters Cith a leopard or a tiger. .ut a deadly >obra
on>e
>onfronted him7 only to be >onNuered by my guru"s loHe. This Hariety of sna@e is mu>h feared in ,ndia7
Chere
it >auses more than fiHe thousand deaths annually. The dangerous en>ounter too@ pla>e at Puri7 Chere
#ri
Yu@tesCar had a se>ond hermitage7 >harmingly situated near the .ay of .engal. Prafulla7 a young
dis>iple of
later years7 Cas Cith *aster on this o>>asion.
2&e Cere seated outdoors near the ashram73 Prafulla told me. 2A >obra appeared near;by7 a four;foot
length
of sheer terror. ,ts hood Cas angrily eJpanded as it ra>ed toCard us. *y guru gaHe a Cel>oming
>hu>@le7 as
though to a >hild. , Cas beside myself Cith >onsternation to see *aster engage in a rhythmi>al >lapping
of
hands. LF%12;0M e Cas entertaining the dread HisitorO , remained absolutely Nuiet7 inCardly
eFa>ulating
Chat ferHent prayers , >ould muster. The serpent7 Hery >lose to my guru7 Cas noC motionless7
seemingly
magnetiIed by his >aressing attitude. The frightful hood gradually >ontra>tedK the sna@e slithered
betCeen
*aster"s feet and disappeared into the bushes.
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2&hy my guru Could moHe his hands7 and Chy the >obra Could not stri@e them7 Cere ineJpli>able to
me
then73 Prafulla >on>luded. 2, haHe sin>e >ome to realiIe that my diHine master is beyond fear of hurt
from any
liHing >reature.3
!ne afternoon during my early months at the ashram7 found #ri Yu@tesCar"s eyes fiJed on me
pier>ingly.
2You are too thin7 *u@unda.3
is remar@ stru>@ a sensitiHe point. That my sun@en eyes and ema>iated appearan>e Cere far from my
li@ing
Cas testified to by roCs of toni>s in my room at Cal>utta. %othing aHailedK >hroni> dyspepsia had
pursued me
sin>e >hildhood. *y despair rea>hed an o>>asional Ienith Chen , as@ed myself if it Cere Corth;Chile
to >arry
on this life Cith a body so unsound.
2*edi>ines haHe limitationsK the >reatiHe life;for>e has none. .elieHe thatA you shall be Cell and
strong.3
#ri Yu@tesCar"s Cords aroused a >onHi>tion of personally;appli>able truth Chi>h no other healer;and ,
had
tried manyO;had been able to summon Cithin me.
(ay by day7 beholdO , CaJed. TCo Cee@s after *aster"s hidden blessing7 , had a>>umulated the
inHigorating
Ceight Chi>h eluded me in the past. *y persistent stoma>h ailments Hanished Cith a lifelong
permanen>y. !n
later o>>asions , Citnessed my guru"s instantaneous diHine healings of persons suffering from ominous
disease;tuber>ulosis7 diabetes7 epilepsy7 or paralysis. %ot one >ould haHe been more grateful for his
>ure than
, Cas at sudden freedom from my >adaHerous aspe>t.
2Years ago7 , too Cas anJious to put on Ceight73 #ri Yu@tesCar told me. 2(uring >onHales>en>e after a
seHere
illness7 , Hisited 'ahiri *ahasaya in .enares.
2"#ir7 , haHe been Hery si>@ and lost many pounds."
2", see7 Yu@tesCar7 LF%12;9M you made yourself unCell7 and noC you thin@ you are thin."
2This reply Cas far from the one , had eJpe>tedK my guru7 hoCeHer7 added en>ouraginglyA
2"'et me seeK , am sure you ought to feel better tomorroC."
2Ta@ing his Cords as a gesture of se>ret healing toCard my re>eptiHe mind7 , Cas not surprised the neJt
morning at a Cel>ome a>>ession of strength. , sought out my master and eJ>laimed eJultingly7 "#ir7 ,
feel
mu>h better today."
2",ndeedO Today you inHigorate yourself."
2"%o7 masterO" , protested. ",t Cas you Cho helped meK this is the first time in Cee@s that , haHe had any
energy."
2"! yesO Your malady has been Nuite serious. Your body is frail yetK Cho >an say hoC it Cill be
tomorroCP"
2The thought of possible return of my Cea@ness brought me a shudder of >old fear. The folloCing
morning ,
>ould hardly drag myself to 'ahiri *ahasaya"s home.
2"#ir7 , am ailing again."
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2*y guru"s glan>e Cas NuiIIi>al. "#oO !n>e more you indispose yourself."
2")urudeHa7 , realiIe noC that day by day you haHe been ridi>uling me." *y patien>e Cas eJhausted. ",
don"t
understand Chy you disbelieHe my truthful reports."
2"Really7 it has been your thoughts that haHe made you feel alternately Cea@ and strong." *y master
loo@ed at
me affe>tionately. "You haHe seen hoC your health has eJa>tly folloCed your eJpe>tations. Thought is a
for>e7
eHen as ele>tri>ity or graHitation. The human mind is a spar@ of the almighty >ons>iousness of )od. ,
>ould
shoC you that ChateHer your poCerful mind belieHes Hery intensely Could instantly >ome to pass."
2$noCing that 'ahiri *ahasaya neHer spo@e idly7 , addressed him Cith great aCe and gratitudeA
"*aster7 if ,
thin@ , am Cell and haHe regained my former Ceight7 shall that happenP"
2",t is so7 eHen at this moment." *y guru spo@e graHely7 his gaIe >on>entrated on my eyes.
2'oO , felt an in>rease not alone of strength but of Ceight. 'ahiri *ahasaya retreated into silen>e. After
a feC
hours at his feet7 , returned to my mother"s home7 Chere , stayed during my Hisits to .enares.
2"*y sonO &hat is the matterP Are you sCelling Cith dropsyP" *other >ould hardly belieHe her eyes.
*y body
Cas noC of the same robust dimensions it had possessed before my illness.
2, Ceighed myself and found that in one day , had gained fifty poundsK they remained Cith me
permanently.
Friends and a>Nuaintan>es Cho had seen my thin figure Cere aghast Cith Conderment. A number of
them
>hanged their mode of life and be>ame dis>iples of 'ahiri *ahasaya as a result of this mira>le.
2*y guru7 aCa@e in )od7 @neC this Corld to be nothing but an obFe>tiHiIed dream of the Creator.
.e>ause he
Cas >ompletely aCare of his unity Cith the (iHine (reamer7 'ahiri *ahasaya >ould materialiIe or
dematerialiIe or ma@e any >hange he Cished in the >osmi> Hision. LF%12;1-M
2All >reation is goHerned by laC73 #ri Yu@tesCar >on>luded. 2The ones Chi>h manifest in the outer
uniHerse7
dis>oHerable by s>ientists7 are >alled natural laCs. .ut there are subtler laCs ruling the realms of
>ons>iousness Chi>h >an be @noCn only through the inner s>ien>e of yoga. The hidden spiritual planes
also
haHe their natural and laCful prin>iples of operation. ,t is not the physi>al s>ientist but the fully self;
realiIed
master Cho >omprehends the true nature of matter. Thus Christ Cas able to restore the serHant"s ear
after it
had been seHered by one of the dis>iples.3 LF%12;11M
#ri Yu@tesCar Cas a peerless interpreter of the s>riptures. *any of my happiest memories are >entered
in his
dis>ourses. .ut his FeCeled thoughts Cere not >ast into ashes of heedlessness or stupidity. !ne restless
moHement of my body7 or my slight lapse into absent;mindedness7 suffi>ed to put an abrupt period to
*aster"s eJposition.
2You are not here.3 *aster interrupted himself one afternoon Cith this dis>losure. As usual7 he Cas
@eeping
tra>@ of my attention Cith a deHastating immedia>y.
2)uruFiO3 *y tone Cas a protest. 2, haHe not stirredK my eyelids haHe not moHedK , >an repeat ea>h
Cord you
haHe utteredO3
2%eHertheless you Cere not fully Cith me. Your obFe>tion for>es me to remar@ that in your mental
ba>@ground you Cere >reating three institutions. !ne Cas a sylHan retreat on a plain7 another on a
hilltop7 a
third by the o>ean.3
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
Those Haguely formulated thoughts had indeed been present almost sub>ons>iously. , glan>ed at him
apologeti>ally.
2&hat >an , do Cith su>h a master7 Cho penetrates my random musingsP3
E,llustrationA *ain building at the *ount &ashington Estates in 'os Angeles7 established in 1921 as
Ameri>an headNuarters for the #elf;RealiIation FelloCship.=see mtCash.FpgG
E,llustrationA #elf;RealiIation Chur>h of All Religions7 ollyCood7 California.=see hollyCood.FpgG
2You haHe giHen me that right. The subtle truths , am eJpounding >annot be grasped Cithout your
>omplete
>on>entration. Unless ne>essary , do not inHade the se>lusion of others" minds. *an has the natural
priHilege
of roaming se>retly among his thoughts. The unbidden 'ord does not enter thereK neither do , Henture
intrusion.3
2You are eHer Cel>ome7 *asterO3
2Your ar>hite>tural dreams Cill materialiIe later. %oC is the time for studyO3
Thus in>identally my guru reHealed in his simple Cay the >oming of three great eHents in my life. #in>e
early
youth , had had enigmati> glimpses of three buildings7 ea>h in a different setting. ,n the eJa>t seNuen>e
#ri
Yu@tesCar had indi>ated7 these Hisions too@ ultimate form. First >ame my founding of a boys" yoga
s>hool on
a Ran>hi plain7 then my Ameri>an headNuarters on a 'os Angeles hilltop7 finally a hermitage in
southern
California by the Hast Pa>ifi>.
*aster neHer arrogantly assertedA 2, prophesy that su>h and su>h an eHent shall o>>urO3 e Could
rather hintA
2(on"t you thin@ it may happenP3 .ut his simple spee>h hid Hati> poCer. There Cas no re>antingK neHer
did
his slightly Heiled Cords proHe false.
#ri Yu@tesCar Cas reserHed and matter;of;fa>t in demeanor. There Cas naught of the Hague or daft
Hisionary
about him. is feet Cere firm on the earth7 his head in the haHen of heaHen. Pra>ti>al people aroused
his
admiration. 2#aintliness is not dumbnessO (iHine per>eptions are not in>apa>itatingO3 he Could say.
2The
a>tiHe eJpression of Hirtue giHes rise to the @eenest intelligen>e.3
,n *aster"s life , fully dis>oHered the >leaHage betCeen spiritual realism and the obs>ure mysti>ism that
spuriously passes as a >ounterpart. *y guru Cas relu>tant to dis>uss the superphysi>al realms. is only
2marHelous3 aura Cas one of perfe>t simpli>ity. ,n >onHersation he aHoided startling referen>esK in
a>tion he
Cas freely eJpressiHe. !thers tal@ed of mira>les but >ould manifest nothingK #ri Yu@tesCar seldom
mentioned
the subtle laCs but se>retly operated them at Cill.
2A man of realiIation does not perform any mira>le until he re>eiHes an inCard san>tion73 *aster
eJplained.
2)od does not Cish the se>rets of is >reation reHealed promis>uously. LF%12;12M Also7 eHery
indiHidual in
the Corld has inalienable right to his free Cill. A saint Cill not en>roa>h upon that independen>e.3
The silen>e habitual to #ri Yu@tesCar Cas >aused by his deep per>eptions of the ,nfinite. %o time
remained
for the interminable 2reHelations3 that o>>upy the days of tea>hers Cithout self;realiIation. 2,n shalloC
men
the fish of little thoughts >ause mu>h >ommotion. ,n o>eani> minds the Chales of inspiration ma@e
hardly a
ruffle.3 This obserHation from the indu s>riptures is not Cithout dis>erning humor.
.e>ause of my guru"s unspe>ta>ular guise7 only a feC of his >ontemporaries re>ogniIed him as a
superman.
The popular adageA 2e is a fool that >annot >on>eal his Cisdom73 >ould neHer be applied to #ri
Yu@tesCar.
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
Though born a mortal li@e all others7 *aster had a>hieHed identity Cith the Ruler of time and spa>e. ,n
his life
, per>eiHed a godli@e unity. e had not found any insuperable obsta>le to mergen>e of human Cith
(iHine. %o
su>h barrier eJists7 , >ame to understand7 saHe in man"s spiritual unadHenturousness.
, alCays thrilled at the tou>h of #ri Yu@tesCar"s holy feet. Yogis tea>h that a dis>iple is spiritually
magnetiIed
by reHerent >onta>t Cith a masterK a subtle >urrent is generated. The deHotee"s undesirable habit;
me>hanisms
in the brain are often >auteriIedK the grooHe of his Corldly tenden>ies benefi>ially disturbed.
*omentarily at
least he may find the se>ret Heils of *AYA lifting7 and glimpse the reality of bliss. *y Chole body
responded
Cith a liberating gloC CheneHer , @nelt in the ,ndian fashion before my guru.
2EHen Chen 'ahiri *ahasaya Cas silent73 *aster told me7 2or Chen he >onHersed on other than stri>tly
religious topi>s7 , dis>oHered that nonetheless he had transmitted to me ineffable @noCledge.3
#ri Yu@tesCar affe>ted me similarly. ,f , entered the hermitage in a Corried or indifferent frame of
mind7 my
attitude imper>eptibly >hanged. A healing >alm des>ended at mere sight of my guru. EHery day Cith
him Cas
a neC eJperien>e in Foy7 pea>e7 and Cisdom. %eHer did , find him deluded or intoJi>ated Cith greed or
emotion or anger or any human atta>hment.
2The dar@ness of *AYA is silently approa>hing. 'et us hie homeCard Cithin.3 &ith these Cords at
dus@
*aster >onstantly reminded his dis>iples of their need for $R,YA Y!)A. A neC student o>>asionally
eJpressed doubts regarding his oCn Corthiness to engage in yoga pra>ti>e.
2Forget the past73 #ri Yu@tesCar Could >onsole him. 2The Hanished liHes of all men are dar@ Cith many
shames. uman >ondu>t is eHer unreliable until an>hored in the (iHine. EHerything in future Cill
improHe if
you are ma@ing a spiritual effort noC.3
*aster alCays had young CE'A# LF%12;1+M in his hermitage. Their spiritual and intelle>tual
edu>ation
Cas his lifelong interestA eHen shortly before he passed on7 he a>>epted for training tCo siJ;year;old
boys and
one youth of siJteen. e dire>ted their minds and liHes Cith that >areful dis>ipline in Chi>h the Cord
2dis>iple3 is etymologi>ally rooted. The ashram residents loHed and reHered their guruK a slight >lap of
his
hands suffi>ed to bring them eagerly to his side. &hen his mood Cas silent and CithdraCn7 no one
Hentured to
spea@K Chen his laugh rang FoHially7 >hildren loo@ed upon him as their oCn.
*aster seldom as@ed others to render him a personal serHi>e7 nor Could he a>>ept help from a student
unless
the Cillingness Cere sin>ere. *y guru Nuietly Cashed his >lothes if the dis>iples oHerloo@ed that
priHileged
tas@. #ri Yu@tesCar Core the traditional o>her;>olored sCami robeK his la>eless shoes7 in a>>ordan>e
Cith
yogi >ustom7 Cere of tiger or deer s@in.
*aster spo@e fluent English7 Fren>h7 indi7 and .engaliK his #ans@rit Cas fair. e patiently instru>ted
his
young dis>iples by >ertain short >uts Chi>h he had ingeniously deHised for the study of English and
#ans@rit.
*aster Cas >autious of his body7 Chile Cithholding soli>itous atta>hment. The ,nfinite7 he pointed out7
properly manifests through physi>al and mental soundness. e dis>ountenan>ed any eJtremes. A
dis>iple
on>e started a long fast. *y guru only laughedA 2&hy not throC the dog a boneP3
#ri Yu@tesCar"s health Cas eJ>ellentK , neHer saC him unCell. LF%12;1/M e permitted students to
>onsult
do>tors if it seemed adHisable. is purpose Cas to giHe respe>t to the Corldly >ustomA 2Physi>ians must
>arry
on their Cor@ of healing through )od"s laCs as applied to matter.3 .ut he eJtolled the superiority of
mental
therapy7 and often repeatedA 2&isdom is the greatest >leanser.3
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2The body is a trea>herous friend. )iHe it its dueK no more73 he said. 2Pain and pleasure are transitoryK
endure
all dualities Cith >almness7 Chile trying at the same time to remoHe their hold. ,magination is the door
through Chi>h disease as Cell as healing enters. (isbelieHe in the reality of si>@ness eHen Chen you are
illK an
unre>ogniIed Hisitor Cill fleeO3
*aster numbered many do>tors among his dis>iples. 2Those Cho haHe ferreted out the physi>al laCs
>an
easily inHestigate the s>ien>e of the soul73 he told them. 2A subtle spiritual me>hanism is hidden Fust
behind
the bodily stru>ture.3 LF%12;11M
#ri Yu@tesCar >ounseled his students to be liHing liaisons of &estern and Eastern Hirtues. imself an
eJe>utiHe !>>idental in outer habits7 inCardly he Cas the spiritual !riental. e praised the progressiHe7
resour>eful and hygieni> habits of the &est7 and the religious ideals Chi>h giHe a >enturied halo to the
East.
(is>ipline had not been un@noCn to meA at home Father Cas stri>t7 Ananta often seHere. .ut #ri
Yu@tesCar"s
training >annot be des>ribed as other than drasti>. A perfe>tionist7 my guru Cas hyper>riti>al of his
dis>iples7
Chether in matters of moment or in the subtle nuan>es of behaHior.
2)ood manners Cithout sin>erity are li@e a beautiful dead lady73 he remar@ed on suitable o>>asion.
2#traightforCardness Cithout >iHility is li@e a surgeon"s @nife7 effe>tiHe but unpleasant. Candor Cith
>ourtesy
is helpful and admirable.3
*aster Cas apparently satisfied Cith my spiritual progress7 for he seldom referred to itK in other matters
my
ears Cere no strangers to reproof. *y >hief offenses Cere absentmindedness7 intermittent indulgen>e in
sad
moods7 non;obserHan>e of >ertain rules of etiNuette7 and o>>asional unmethodi>al Cays.
2!bserHe hoC the a>tiHities of your father .hagabati are Cell;organiIed and balan>ed in eHery Cay73
my
guru pointed out. The tCo dis>iples of 'ahiri *ahasaya had met7 soon after , began my pilgrimages to
#erampore. Father and #ri Yu@tesCar admiringly eHaluated the other"s Corth. .oth had built an inner
life of
spiritual granite7 insoluble against the ages.
From transient tea>hers of my earlier life , had imbibed a feC erroneous lessons. A CE'A7 , Cas told7
need
not >on>ern himself strenuously oHer Corldly dutiesK Chen , had negle>ted or >arelessly performed my
tas@s7 ,
Cas not >hastised. uman nature finds su>h instru>tion Hery easy of assimilation. Under *aster"s
unsparing
rod7 hoCeHer7 , soon re>oHered from the agreeable delusions of irresponsibility.
2Those Cho are too good for this Corld are adorning some other73 #ri Yu@tesCar remar@ed. 2#o long as
you
breathe the free air of earth7 you are under obligation to render grateful serHi>e. e alone Cho has fully
mastered the breathless state LF%12;14M is freed from >osmi> imperatiHes. , Cill not fail to let you
@noC
Chen you haHe attained the final perfe>tion.3
*y guru >ould neHer be bribed7 eHen by loHe. e shoCed no lenien>y to anyone Cho7 li@e myself7
Cillingly
offered to be his dis>iple. &hether *aster and , Cere surrounded by his students or by strangers7 or
Cere
alone together7 he alCays spo@e plainly and upbraided sharply. %o trifling lapse into shalloCness or
in>onsisten>y es>aped his rebu@e. This flattening treatment Cas hard to endure7 but my resolHe Cas to
alloC
#ri Yu@tesCar to iron out ea>h of my psy>hologi>al @in@s. As he labored at this titani> transformation7 ,
shoo@
many times under the Ceight of his dis>iplinary hammer.
2,f you don"t li@e my Cords7 you are at liberty to leaHe at any time73 *aster assured me. 2, Cant
nothing from
you but your oCn improHement. #tay only if you feel benefited.3
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
For eHery humbling bloC he dealt my Hanity7 for eHery tooth in my metaphori>al FaC he @no>@ed loose
Cith
stunning aim7 , am grateful beyond any fa>ility of eJpression. The hard >ore of human egotism is
hardly to be
dislodged eJ>ept rudely. &ith its departure7 the (iHine finds at last an unobstru>ted >hannel. ,n Hain ,t
see@s
to per>olate through flinty hearts of selfishness.
#ri Yu@tesCar"s Cisdom Cas so penetrating that7 heedless of remar@s7 he often replied to one"s
unspo@en
obserHation. 2&hat a person imagines he hears7 and Chat the spea@er has really implied7 may be poles
apart73
he said. 2Try to feel the thoughts behind the >onfusion of men"s Herbiage.3
.ut diHine insight is painful to Corldly earsK *aster Cas not popular Cith superfi>ial students. The
Cise7
alCays feC in number7 deeply reHered him. , daresay #ri Yu@tesCar Could haHe been the most
soughtafter
guru in ,ndia had his Cords not been so >andid and so >ensorious.
2, am hard on those Cho >ome for my training73 he admitted to me. 2That is my CayK ta@e it or leaHe it.
, Cill
neHer >ompromise. .ut you Cill be mu>h @inder to your dis>iplesK that is your Cay. , try to purify only
in the
fires of seHerity7 searing beyond the aHerage toleration. The gentle approa>h of loHe is also
transfiguring. The
infleJible and the yielding methods are eNually effe>tiHe if applied Cith Cisdom. You Cill go to foreign
lands7
Chere blunt assaults on the ego are not appre>iated. A tea>her >ould not spread ,ndia"s message in the
&est
Cithout an ample fund of a>>ommodatiHe patien>e and forbearan>e.3 , refuse to state the amount of
truth ,
later >ame to find in *aster"s CordsO
Though #ri Yu@tesCar"s undissembling spee>h preHented a large folloCing during his years on earth7
neHertheless his liHing spirit manifests today oHer the Corld7 through sin>ere students of his $R,YA
Y!)A
and other tea>hings. e has further dominion in men"s souls than eHer AleJander dreamed of in the soil.
Father arriHed one day to pay his respe>ts to #ri Yu@tesCar. *y parent eJpe>ted7 Hery li@ely7 to hear
some
Cords in my praise. e Cas sho>@ed to be giHen a long a>>ount of my imperfe>tions. ,t Cas *aster"s
pra>ti>e
to re>ount simple7 negligible short>omings Cith an air of portentous graHity. Father rushed to see me.
2From
your guru"s remar@s , thought to find you a >omplete Cre>@O3 *y parent Cas betCeen tears and
laughter.
The only >ause of #ri Yu@tesCar"s displeasure at the time Cas that , had been trying7 against his gentle
hint7 to
>onHert a >ertain man to the spiritual path.
&ith indignant speed , sought out my guru. e re>eiHed me Cith doCn>ast eyes7 as though >ons>ious
of guilt.
,t Cas the only time , eHer saC the diHine lion mee@ before me. The uniNue moment Cas saHored to the
full.
2#ir7 Chy did you Fudge me so mer>ilessly before my astounded fatherP &as that FustP3
2, Cill not do it again.3 *aster"s tone Cas apologeti>.
,nstantly , Cas disarmed. oC readily the great man admitted his faultO Though he neHer again upset
Father"s
pea>e of mind7 *aster relentlessly >ontinued to disse>t me CheneHer and ChereHer he >hose.
%eC dis>iples often Foined #ri Yu@tesCar in eJhaustiHe >riti>ism of others. &ise li@e the guruO *odels
of
flaCless dis>riminationO .ut he Cho ta@es the offensiHe must not be defenseless. The same >arping
students
fled pre>ipitantly as soon as *aster publi>ly unloosed in their dire>tion a feC shafts from his analyti>al
NuiHer.
2Tender inner Cea@nesses7 reHolting at mild tou>hes of >ensure7 are li@e diseased parts of the body7
re>oiling
before eHen deli>ate handling.3 This Cas #ri Yu@tesCar"s amused >omment on the flighty ones.
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
There are dis>iples Cho see@ a guru made in their oCn image. #u>h students often >omplained that they
did
not understand #ri Yu@tesCar.
2%either do you >omprehend )odO3 , retorted on one o>>asion. 2&hen a saint is >lear to you7 you Cill
be
one.3 Among the trillion mysteries7 breathing eHery se>ond the ineJpli>able air7 Cho may Henture to
as@ that
the fathomless nature of a master be instantly graspedP
#tudents >ame7 and generally Cent. Those Cho >raHed a path of oily sympathy and >omfortable
re>ognitions
did not find it at the hermitage. *aster offered shelter and shepherding for the aeons7 but many
dis>iples
miserly demanded ego;balm as Cell. They departed7 preferring life"s >ountless humiliations before any
humility. *aster"s blaIing rays7 the open penetrating sunshine of his Cisdom7 Cere too poCerful for
their
spiritual si>@ness. They sought some lesser tea>her Cho7 shading them Cith flattery7 permitted the fitful
sleep
of ignoran>e.
(uring my early months Cith *aster7 , had eJperien>ed a sensitiHe fear of his reprimands. These Cere
reserHed7 , soon saC7 for dis>iples Cho had as@ed for his Herbal HiHise>tion. ,f any Crithing student
made a
protest7 #ri Yu@tesCar Could be>ome unoffendedly silent. is Cords Cere neHer Crathful7 but
impersonal
Cith Cisdom.
*aster"s insight Cas not for the unprepared ears of >asual HisitorsK he seldom remar@ed on their defe>ts7
eHen
if >onspi>uous. .ut toCard students Cho sought his >ounsel7 #ri Yu@tesCar felt a serious responsibility.
.raHe
indeed is the guru Cho underta@es to transform the >rude ore of ego;permeated humanityO A saint"s
>ourage
roots in his >ompassion for the stumbling eyeless of this Corld.
&hen , had abandoned underlying resentment7 , found a mar@ed de>rease in my >hastisement. ,n a Hery
subtle
Cay7 *aster melted into >omparatiHe >lemen>y. ,n time , demolished eHery Call of rationaliIation and
sub>ons>ious reserHation behind Chi>h the human personality generally shields itself. LF%12;15M The
reCard
Cas an effortless harmony Cith my guru. , dis>oHered him then to be trusting7 >onsiderate7 and silently
loHing.
UndemonstratiHe7 hoCeHer7 he bestoCed no Cord of affe>tion.
*y oCn temperament is prin>ipally deHotional. ,t Cas dis>on>erting at first to find that my guru7
saturated
Cith 8%A%A but seemingly dry of .A$T,7 LF%12;10M eJpressed himself only in terms of >old
spiritual
mathemati>s. .ut as , tuned myself to his nature7 , dis>oHered no diminution but rather in>rease in my
deHotional approa>h to )od. A self;realiIed master is fully able to guide his Harious dis>iples along
natural
lines of their essential bias.
*y relationship Cith #ri Yu@tesCar7 someChat inarti>ulate7 nonetheless possessed all eloNuen>e. !ften
,
found his silent signature on my thoughts7 rendering spee>h inutile. Vuietly sitting beside him7 , felt his
bounty pouring pea>efully oHer my being.
#ri Yu@tesCar"s impartial Fusti>e Cas notably demonstrated during the summer Ha>ation of my first
>ollege
year. , Cel>omed the opportunity to spend uninterrupted months at #erampore Cith my guru.
2You may be in >harge of the hermitage.3 *aster Cas pleased oHer my enthusiasti> arriHal. 2Your
duties Cill
be the re>eption of guests7 and superHision of the Cor@ of the other dis>iples.3
$umar7 a young Hillager from east .engal7 Cas a>>epted a fortnight later for hermitage training.
Remar@ably
intelligent7 he Nui>@ly Con #ri Yu@tesCar"s affe>tion. For some unfathomable reason7 *aster Cas Hery
lenient
to the neC resident.
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2*u@unda7 let $umar assume your duties. Employ your oCn time in sCeeping and >oo@ing.3 *aster
issued
these instru>tions after the neC boy had been Cith us for a month.
EJalted to leadership7 $umar eJer>ised a petty household tyranny. ,n silent mutiny7 the other dis>iples
>ontinued to see@ me out for daily >ounsel.
2*u@unda is impossibleO You made me superHisor7 yet the others go to him and obey him.3 Three
Cee@s later
$umar Cas >omplaining to our guru. , oHerheard him from an adFoining room.
2That"s Chy , assigned him to the @it>hen and you to the parlor.3 #ri Yu@tesCar"s Cithering tones Cere
neC to
$umar. 2,n this Cay you haHe >ome to realiIe that a Corthy leader has the desire to serHe7 and not to
dominate. You Canted *u@unda"s position7 but >ould not maintain it by merit. Return noC to your
earlier
Cor@ as >oo@"s assistant.3
After this humbling in>ident7 *aster resumed toCard $umar a former attitude of unConted indulgen>e.
&ho
>an solHe the mystery of attra>tionP ,n $umar our guru dis>oHered a >harming fount Chi>h did not
spurt for
the felloC dis>iples. Though the neC boy Cas obHiously #ri Yu@tesCar"s faHorite7 , felt no dismay.
Personal
idiosyn>rasies7 possessed eHen by masters7 lend a ri>h >ompleJity to the pattern of life. *y nature is
seldom
>ommandeered by a detailK , Cas see@ing from #ri Yu@tesCar a more ina>>essible benefit than an
outCard
praise.
$umar spo@e Henomously to me one day Cithout reasonK , Cas deeply hurt.
2Your head is sCelling to the bursting pointO3 , added a Carning Chose truth , felt intuitiHelyA 2Unless
you
mend your Cays7 someday you Cill be as@ed to leaHe this ashram.3
'aughing sar>asti>ally7 $umar repeated my remar@ to our guru7 Cho had Fust entered the room. Fully
eJpe>ting to be s>olded7 , retired mee@ly to a >orner.
2*aybe *u@unda is right.3 *aster"s reply to the boy >ame Cith unusual >oldness. , es>aped Cithout
>astigation.
A year later7 $umar set out for a Hisit to his >hildhood home. e ignored the Nuiet disapproHal of #ri
Yu@tesCar7 Cho neHer authoritatiHely >ontrolled his dis>iples" moHements. !n the boy"s return to
#erampore
in a feC months7 a >hange Cas unpleasantly apparent. )one Cas the stately $umar Cith serenely
gloCing
fa>e. !nly an undistinguished peasant stood before us7 one Cho had lately a>Nuired a number of eHil
habits.
*aster summoned me and bro@enheartedly dis>ussed the fa>t that the boy Cas noC unsuited to the
monasti>
hermitage life.
2*u@unda7 , Cill leaHe it to you to instru>t $umar to leaHe the ashram tomorroCK , >an"t do itO3 Tears
stood in
#ri Yu@tesCar"s eyes7 but he >ontrolled himself Nui>@ly. 2The boy Could neHer haHe fallen to these
depths had
he listened to me and not gone aCay to miJ Cith undesirable >ompanions. e has reFe>ted my
prote>tionK the
>allous Corld must be his guru still.3
$umar"s departure brought me no elationK sadly , Condered hoC one Cith poCer to Cin a master"s loHe
>ould
eHer respond to >heaper allures. EnFoyment of Cine and seJ are rooted in the natural man7 and reNuire
no
deli>a>ies of per>eption for their appre>iation. #ense Ciles are >omparable to the eHergreen oleander7
fragrant
Cith its multi>olored floCersA eHery part of the plant is poisonous. The land of healing lies Cithin7
radiant Cith
that happiness blindly sought in a thousand misdire>tions. LF%12;19M
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2$een intelligen>e is tCo;edged73 *aster on>e remar@ed in referen>e to $umar"s brilliant mind. 2,t
may be
used >onstru>tiHely or destru>tiHely li@e a @nife7 either to >ut the boil of ignoran>e7 or to de>apitate
one"s self.
,ntelligen>e is rightly guided only after the mind has a>@noCledged the ines>apability of spiritual laC.3
*y guru miJed freely Cith men and Comen dis>iples7 treating all as his >hildren. Per>eiHing their soul
eNuality7 he shoCed no distin>tion or partiality.
2,n sleep7 you do not @noC Chether you are a man or a Coman73 he said. 28ust as a man7 impersonating
a
Coman7 does not be>ome one7 so the soul7 impersonating both man and Coman7 has no seJ. The soul is
the
pure7 >hangeless image of )od.3
#ri Yu@tesCar neHer aHoided or blamed Comen as obFe>ts of sedu>tion. *en7 he said7 Cere also a
temptation
to Comen. , on>e inNuired of my guru Chy a great an>ient saint had >alled Comen 2the door to hell.3
2A girl must haHe proHed Hery troublesome to his pea>e of mind in his early life73 my guru ansCered
>austi>ly. 2!therCise he Could haHe denoun>ed7 not Coman7 but some imperfe>tion in his oCn self;
>ontrol.3
,f a Hisitor dared to relate a suggestiHe story in the hermitage7 *aster Could maintain an unresponsiHe
silen>e.
2(o not alloC yourself to be thrashed by the proHo@ing Chip of a beautiful fa>e73 he told the dis>iples.
2oC
>an sense slaHes enFoy the CorldP ,ts subtle flaHors es>ape them Chile they groHel in primal mud. All
ni>e
dis>riminations are lost to the man of elemental lusts.3
#tudents see@ing to es>ape from the dualisti> *AYA delusion re>eiHed from #ri Yu@tesCar patient and
understanding >ounsel.
28ust as the purpose of eating is to satisfy hunger7 not greed7 so the seJ instin>t is designed for the
propagation
of the spe>ies a>>ording to natural laC7 neHer for the @indling of insatiable longings73 he said. 2(estroy
Crong
desires noCK otherCise they Cill folloC you after the astral body is torn from its physi>al >asing. EHen
Chen
the flesh is Cea@7 the mind should be >onstantly resistant. ,f temptation assails you Cith >ruel for>e7
oHer>ome
it by impersonal analysis and indomitable Cill. EHery natural passion >an be mastered.
2ConserHe your poCers. .e li@e the >apa>ious o>ean7 absorbing Cithin all the tributary riHers of the
senses.
#mall yearnings are openings in the reserHoir of your inner pea>e7 permitting healing Caters to be
Casted in
the desert soil of materialism. The for>eful a>tiHating impulse of Crong desire is the greatest enemy to
the
happiness of man. Roam in the Corld as a lion of self;>ontrolK see that the frogs of Cea@ness don"t @i>@
you
around.3
The deHotee is finally freed from all instin>tiHe >ompulsions. e transforms his need for human
affe>tion into
aspiration for )od alone7 a loHe solitary be>ause omnipresent.
#ri Yu@tesCar"s mother liHed in the Rana *ahal distri>t of .enares Chere , had first Hisited my guru.
)ra>ious and @indly7 she Cas yet a Coman of Hery de>ided opinions. , stood on her bal>ony one day
and
Cat>hed mother and son tal@ing together. ,n his Nuiet7 sensible Cay7 *aster Cas trying to >onHin>e her
about
something. e Cas apparently unsu>>essful7 for she shoo@ her head Cith great Higor.
2%ay7 nay7 my son7 go aCay noCO Your Cise Cords are not for meO , am not your dis>ipleO3
#ri Yu@tesCar ba>@ed aCay Cithout further argument7 li@e a s>olded >hild. , Cas tou>hed at his great
respe>t
for his mother eHen in her unreasonable moods. #he saC him only as her little boy7 not as a sage. There
Cas a
>harm about the trifling in>identK it supplied a sidelight on my guru"s unusual nature7 inCardly humble
and
outCardly unbendable.
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
The monasti> regulations do not alloC a sCami to retain >onne>tion Cith Corldly ties after their formal
seHeran>e. e >annot perform the >eremonial family rites Chi>h are obligatory on the householder. Yet
#han@ara7 the an>ient founder of the #Cami !rder7 disregarded the inFun>tions. At the death of his
beloHed
mother7 he >remated her body Cith heaHenly fire Chi>h he >aused to spurt from his upraised hand.
#ri Yu@tesCar also ignored the restri>tions7 in a fashion less spe>ta>ular. &hen his mother passed on7 he
arranged the >rematory serHi>es by the holy )anges in .enares7 and fed many .rahmins in
>onforman>e Cith
age;old >ustom.
The #A#TR,C prohibitions Cere intended to help sCamis oHer>ome narroC identifi>ations. #han@ara
and
#ri Yu@tesCar had Cholly merged their beings in the ,mpersonal #piritK they needed no res>ue by rule.
#ometimes7 too7 a master purposely ignores a >anon in order to uphold its prin>iple as superior to and
independent of form. Thus 8esus plu>@ed ears of >orn on the day of rest. To the ineHitable >riti>s he
saidA 2The
sabbath Cas made for man7 and not man for the sabbath.3 LF%12;2-M
!utside of the s>riptures7 seldom Cas a boo@ honored by #ri Yu@tesCar"s perusal. Yet he Cas inHariably
a>Nuainted Cith the latest s>ientifi> dis>oHeries and other adHan>ements of @noCledge. A brilliant
>onHersationalist7 he enFoyed an eJ>hange of HieCs on >ountless topi>s Cith his guests. *y guru"s
ready Cit
and rolli>@ing laugh enliHened eHery dis>ussion. !ften graHe7 *aster Cas neHer gloomy. 2To see@ the
'ord7
one need not disfigure his fa>e73 he Could remar@. 2Remember that finding )od Cill mean the funeral
of all
sorroCs.3
Among the philosophers7 professors7 laCyers and s>ientists Cho >ame to the hermitage7 a number
arriHed for
their first Hisit Cith the eJpe>tation of meeting an orthodoJ religionist. A super>ilious smile or a glan>e
of
amused toleran>e o>>asionally betrayed that the neC>omers anti>ipated nothing more than a feC pious
platitudes. Yet their relu>tant departure Could bring an eJpressed >onHi>tion that #ri Yu@tesCar had
shoCn
pre>ise insight into their spe>ialiIed fields.
*y guru ordinarily Cas gentle and affable to guestsK his Cel>ome Cas giHen Cith >harming >ordiality.
Yet
inHeterate egotists sometimes suffered an inHigorating sho>@. They >onfronted in *aster either a frigid
indifferen>e or a formidable oppositionA i>e or ironO
A noted >hemist on>e >rossed sCords Cith #ri Yu@tesCar. The Hisitor Could not admit the eJisten>e of
)od7
inasmu>h as s>ien>e has deHised no means of dete>ting im.
2#o you haHe ineJpli>ably failed to isolate the #upreme PoCer in your test tubesO3 *aster"s gaIe Cas
stern. 2,
re>ommend an unheard;of eJperiment. EJamine your thoughts unremittingly for tCenty;four hours.
Then
Conder no longer at )od"s absen>e.3
A >elebrated pundit re>eiHed a similar Folt. &ith ostentatious Ieal7 the s>holar shoo@ the ashram rafters
Cith
s>riptural lore. Resounding passages poured from the *AA.ARATA7 the UPA%,#A(#7 LF%12;
21M
the .A#YA# LF%12;22M of #han@ara.
2, am Caiting to hear you.3 #ri Yu@tesCar"s tone Cas inNuiring7 as though utter silen>e had reigned. The
pundit Cas puIIled.
2Vuotations there haHe been7 in superabundan>e.3 *aster"s Cords >onHulsed me Cith mirth7 as ,
sNuatted in
my >orner7 at a respe>tful distan>e from the Hisitor. 2.ut Chat original >ommentary >an you supply7
from the
uniNueness of your parti>ular lifeP &hat holy teJt haHe you absorbed and made your oCnP ,n Chat
Cays haHe
these timeless truths renoHated your natureP Are you >ontent to be a holloC Hi>trola7 me>hani>ally
repeating
the Cords of other menP3
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2, giHe upO3 The s>holar"s >hagrin Cas >omi>al. 2, haHe no inner realiIation.3
For the first time7 perhaps7 he understood that dis>erning pla>ement of the >omma does not atone for a
spiritual >oma.
2These bloodless pedants smell unduly of the lamp73 my guru remar@ed after the departure of the
>hastened
one. 2They prefer philosophy to be a gentle intelle>tual setting;up eJer>ise. Their eleHated thoughts are
>arefully unrelated either to the >rudity of outCard a>tion or to any s>ourging inner dis>iplineO3
*aster stressed on other o>>asions the futility of mere boo@ learning.
2(o not >onfuse understanding Cith a larger Ho>abulary73 he remar@ed. 2#a>red Critings are benefi>ial
in
stimulating desire for inCard realiIation7 if one stanIa at a time is sloCly assimilated. Continual
intelle>tual
study results in Hanity and the false satisfa>tion of an undigested @noCledge.3
#ri Yu@tesCar related one of his oCn eJperien>es in s>riptural edifi>ation. The s>ene Cas a forest
hermitage in
eastern .engal7 Chere he obserHed the pro>edure of a renoCned tea>her7 (abru .allaH. is method7 at
on>e
simple and diffi>ult7 Cas >ommon in an>ient ,ndia.
(abru .allaH had gathered his dis>iples around him in the sylHan solitudes. The holy .A)A6A(
),TA
Cas open before them. #teadfastly they loo@ed at one passage for half an hour7 then >losed their eyes.
Another
half hour slipped aCay. The master gaHe a brief >omment. *otionless7 they meditated again for an
hour.
Finally the guru spo@e.
2aHe you understoodP3
2Yes7 sir.3 !ne in the group Hentured this assertion.
2%oK not fully. #ee@ the spiritual Hitality that has giHen these Cords the poCer to reFuHenate ,ndia
>entury after
>entury.3 Another hour disappeared in silen>e. The master dismissed the students7 and turned to #ri
Yu@tesCar.
2(o you @noC the .A)A6A( ),TAP3
2%o7 sir7 not reallyK though my eyes and mind haHe run through its pages many times.3
2Thousands haHe replied to me differentlyO3 The great sage smiled at *aster in blessing. 2,f one busies
himself Cith an outer display of s>riptural Cealth7 Chat time is left for silent inCard diHing after the
pri>eless
pearlsP3
#ri Yu@tesCar dire>ted the study of his oCn dis>iples by the same intensiHe method of one;pointedness.
2&isdom is not assimilated Cith the eyes7 but Cith the atoms73 he said. 2&hen your >onHi>tion of a
truth is
not merely in your brain but in your being7 you may diffidently Hou>h for its meaning.3 e dis>ouraged
any
tenden>y a student might haHe to >onstrue boo@;@noCledge as a ne>essary step to spiritual realiIation.
2The R,#,# Crote in one senten>e profundities that >ommentating s>holars busy themselHes oHer for
generations73 he remar@ed. 2Endless literary >ontroHersy is for sluggard minds. &hat more liberating
thought
than ")od is";nay7 ")od"P3
.ut man does not easily return to simpli>ity. ,t is seldom 2)od3 for him7 but rather learned
pomposities. is
ego is pleased7 that he >an grasp su>h erudition.
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
*en Cho Cere pridefully >ons>ious of high Corldly position Cere li@ely7 in *aster"s presen>e7 to add
humility to their other possessions. A lo>al magistrate on>e arriHed for an interHieC at the seaside
hermitage in
Puri. The man7 Cho held a reputation for ruthlessness7 had it Cell Cithin his poCer to oust us from the
ashram.
, >autioned my guru about the despoti> possibilities. .ut he seated himself Cith an un>ompromising air7
and
did not rise to greet the Hisitor. #lightly nerHous7 , sNuatted near the door. The man had to >ontent
himself
Cith a Cooden boJK my guru did not reNuest me to fet>h a >hair. There Cas no fulfillment of the
magistrate"s
obHious eJpe>tation that his importan>e Could be >eremoniously a>@noCledged.
A metaphysi>al dis>ussion ensued. The guest blundered through misinterpretations of the s>riptures. As
his
a>>ura>y san@7 his ire rose.
2(o you @noC that , stood first in the *. A. eJaminationP3 Reason had forsa@en him7 but he >ould still
shout.
2*r. *agistrate7 you forget that this is not your >ourtroom73 *aster replied eHenly. 2From your
>hildish
remar@s , Could haHe surmised that your >ollege >areer Cas unremar@able. A uniHersity degree7 in any
>ase7 is
not remotely related to 6edi> realiIation. #aints are not produ>ed in bat>hes eHery semester li@e
a>>ountants.3
After a stunned silen>e7 the Hisitor laughed heartily.
2This is my first en>ounter Cith a heaHenly magistrate73 he said. 'ater he made a formal reNuest7
>ou>hed in
the legal terms Chi>h Cere eHidently part and par>el of his being7 to be a>>epted as a 2probationary3
dis>iple.
*y guru personally attended to the details >onne>ted Cith the management of his property.
Uns>rupulous
persons on Harious o>>asions attempted to se>ure possession of *aster"s an>estral land. &ith
determination
and eHen by instigating laCsuits7 #ri Yu@tesCar outCitted eHery opponent. e underCent these painful
eJperien>es from a desire neHer to be a begging guru7 or a burden on his dis>iples.
is finan>ial independen>e Cas one reason Chy my alarmingly outspo@en *aster Cas inno>ent of the
>unnings of diploma>y. Unli@e those tea>hers Cho haHe to flatter their supporters7 my guru Cas
imperHious to
the influen>es7 open or subtle7 of others" Cealth. %eHer did , hear him as@ or eHen hint for money for
any
purpose. is hermitage training Cas giHen free and freely to all dis>iples.
An insolent >ourt deputy arriHed one day at the #erampore ashram to serHe #ri Yu@tesCar Cith a legal
summons. A dis>iple named $anai and myself Cere also present. The offi>er"s attitude toCard *aster
Cas
offensiHe.
2,t Cill do you good to leaHe the shadoCs of your hermitage and breathe the honest air of a >ourtroom.3
The
deputy grinned >ontemptuously. , >ould not >ontain myself.
2Another Cord of your impuden>e and you Cill be on the floorO3 , adHan>ed threateningly.
2You Cret>hO3 $anai"s shout Cas simultaneous Cith my oCn. 2(are you bring your blasphemies into
this
sa>red ashramP3
.ut *aster stood prote>tingly in front of his abuser. 2(on"t get eJ>ited oHer nothing. This man is only
doing
his rightful duty.3
The offi>er7 daIed at his Harying re>eption7 respe>tfully offered a Cord of apology and sped aCay.
AmaIing it Cas to find that a master Cith su>h a fiery Cill >ould be so >alm Cithin. e fitted the 6edi>
definition of a man of )odA 2#ofter than the floCer7 Chere @indness is >on>ernedK stronger than the
thunder7
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
Chere prin>iples are at sta@e.3
There are alCays those in this Corld Cho7 in .roCning"s Cords7 2endure no light7 being themselHes
obs>ure.3
An outsider o>>asionally berated #ri Yu@tesCar for an imaginary grieHan>e. *y imperturbable guru
listened
politely7 analyIing himself to see if any shred of truth lay Cithin the denun>iation. These s>enes Could
bring
to my mind one of *aster"s inimitable obserHationsA 2#ome people try to be tall by >utting off the heads
of
othersO3
The unfailing >omposure of a saint is impressiHe beyond any sermon. 2e that is sloC to anger is better
than
the mightyK and he that ruleth his spirit than he that ta@eth a >ity.3 LF%12;2+M
, often refle>ted that my maFesti> *aster >ould easily haHe been an emperor or Corld;sha@ing Carrior
had his
mind been >entered on fame or Corldly a>hieHement. e had >hosen instead to storm those inner
>itadels of
Crath and egotism Chose fall is the height of a man.
LF%12;1M 2&orship of (urga.3 This is the >hief festiHal of the .engali year and lasts for nine days
around
the end of #eptember. ,mmediately folloCing is the ten;day festiHal of (A#AARA Q2the !ne Cho
remoHes ten sinsT;three of body7 three of mind7 four of spee>hS. .oth PU8A# are sa>red to (urga7
literally
2the ,na>>essible73 an aspe>t of (iHine *other7 #ha@ti7 the female >reatiHe for>e personified.
LF%12;2M #ri Yu@tesCar Cas born on *ay 1-7 1011.
LF%12;+M YU$TE#&AR means 2united to )od.3 ),R, is a >lassifi>atory distin>tion of one of the ten
an>ient #Cami bran>hes. #R, means 2holy3K it is not a name but a title of respe>t.
LF%12;/M 'iterally7 2to dire>t together.3 #A*A(, is a super>ons>ious state of e>stasy in Chi>h the
yogi
per>eiHes the identity of soul and #pirit.
LF%12;1M #noring7 a>>ording to physiologists7 is an indi>ation of utter relaJation Qto the obliHious
pra>titioner7 solelyS.
LF%12;4M (A' is a thi>@ soup made from split peas or other pulses. CA%%A is a >heese of fresh
>urdled
mil@7 >ut into sNuares and >urried Cith potatoes.
LF%12;5M The omnipresent poCers of a yogi7 Chereby he sees7 hears7 tastes7 smells7 and feels his
oneness in
>reation Cithout the use of sensory organs7 haHe been des>ribed as folloCs in the TA,TT,R,YA
ARA%YA$AA 2The blind man pier>ed the pearlK the fingerless put a thread into itK the ne>@less Core itK
and
the tongueless praised it.3
LF%12;0M The >obra sCiftly stri@es at any moHing obFe>t Cithin its range. Complete immobility is
usually
one"s sole hope of safety.
LF%12;9M 'ahiri *ahasaya a>tually said 2Priya3 Qfirst or giHen nameS7 not 2Yu@tesCar3 Qmonasti>
name7 not
re>eiHed by my guru during 'ahiri *ahasaya"s lifetimeS. Q#ee page 1-9.S 2Yu@tesCar3 is substituted
here7 and
in a feC other pla>es in this boo@7 in order to aHoid the >onfusion7 to reader7 of tCo names.
LF%12;1-M 2Therefore , say unto you7 &hat things soeHer ye desire7 Chen ye pray7 belieHe that ye
re>eiHe
them7 and ye shall haHe them.3;*AR$ 11A2/. *asters Cho possess the (iHine 6ision are fully able to
transfer their realiIations to adHan>ed dis>iples7 as 'ahiri *ahasaya did for #ri Yu@tesCar on this
o>>asion.
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%12;11M 2And one of them smote the serHant of the high priest7 and >ut off his right ear. And 8esus
ansCered and said7 #uffer ye thus far. And he tou>hed his ear and healed him.3;'U$E 22A1-;11.
LF%12;12M 2)iHe not that Chi>h is holy unto the dogs7 neither >ast ye your pearls before sCine7 lest
they
trample them under their feet7 and turn again and rend you.3;*ATTE& 5A4.
LF%12;1+M (is>iplesK from #ans@rit Herb root7 2to serHe.3
LF%12;1/M e Cas on>e ill in $ashmir7 Chen , Cas absent from him. Q#ee >hapter 2+.S
LF%12;11M A >ourageous medi>al man7 Charles Robert Ri>het7 aCarded the %obel PriIe in physiology7
Crote
as folloCsA 2*etaphysi>s is not yet offi>ially a s>ien>e7 re>ogniIed as su>h. .ut it is going to be. . . . At
Edinburgh7 , Cas able to affirm before 1-- physiologists that our fiHe senses are not our only means of
@noCledge and that a fragment of reality sometimes rea>hes the intelligen>e in other Cays. . . . .e>ause
a fa>t
is rare is no reason that it does not eJist. .e>ause a study is diffi>ult7 is that a reason for not
understanding itP .
. . Those Cho haHe railed at metaphysi>s as an o>>ult s>ien>e Cill be as ashamed of themselHes as those
Cho
railed at >hemistry on the ground that pursuit of the philosopher"s stone Cas illusory. . . . ,n the matter
of
prin>iples there are only those of 'aHoisier7 Claude .ernard7 and Pasteur;the E:PER,*E%TA'
eHeryChere
and alCays. )reetings7 then7 to the neC s>ien>e Chi>h is going to >hange the orientation of human
thought.3
LF%12;14M #A*A(,A perfe>t union of the indiHidualiIed soul Cith the ,nfinite #pirit.
LF%12;15M The sub>ons>iously guided rationaliIations of the mind are utterly different from the
infallible
guidan>e of truth Chi>h issues from the super>ons>iousness. 'ed by Fren>h s>ientists of the #orbonne7
&estern thin@ers are beginning to inHestigate the possibility of diHine per>eption in man.
2For the past tCenty years7 students of psy>hology7 influen>ed by Freud7 gaHe all their time to
sear>hing the
sub>ons>ious realms73 Rabbi ,srael . 'eHinthal pointed out in 1929. 2,t is true that the sub>ons>ious
reHeals
mu>h of the mystery that >an eJplain human a>tions7 but not all of our a>tions. ,t >an eJplain the
abnormal7
but not deeds that are aboHe the normal. The latest psy>hology7 sponsored by the Fren>h s>hools7 has
dis>oHered a neC region in man7 Chi>h it terms the super>ons>ious. ,n >ontrast to the sub>ons>ious
Chi>h
represents the submerged >urrents of our nature7 it reHeals the heights to Chi>h our nature >an rea>h.
*an
represents a triple7 not a double7 personalityK our >ons>ious and sub>ons>ious being is >roCned by a
super>ons>iousness. *any years ago the English psy>hologist7 F. &. . *yers7 suggested that "hidden
in the
deep of our being is a rubbish heap as Cell as a treasure house." ,n >ontrast to the psy>hology that
>enters all
its resear>hes on the sub>ons>ious in man"s nature7 this neC psy>hology of the super>ons>ious fo>uses
its
attention upon the treasure;house7 the region that alone >an eJplain the great7 unselfish7 heroi> deeds of
men.3
LF%12;10M 8%A%A7 Cisdom7 and .A$T,7 deHotionA tCo of the main paths to )od.
LF%12;19M 2*an in his Ca@ing state puts forth innumerable efforts for eJperien>ing sensual pleasuresK
Chen
the entire group of sensory organs is fatigued7 he forgets eHen the pleasure on hand and goes to sleep in
order
to enFoy rest in the soul7 his oCn nature73 #han@ara7 the great 6edantist7 has Critten. 2Ultra;sensual
bliss is
thus eJtremely easy of attainment and is far superior to sense delights Chi>h alCays end in disgust.3
LF%12;2-M *AR$ 2A25.
LF%12;21M The UPA%,#A(# or 6E(A%TA Qliterally7 2end of the 6edasTS7 o>>ur in >ertain parts of
the
6E(A# as essential summaries. The UPA%,#A(# furnish the do>trinal basis of the indu religion.
They
re>eiHed the folloCing tribute from #>hopenhauerA 2oC entirely does the UPA%,#A( breathe
throughout
the holy spirit of the 6E(A#O oC is eHeryone Cho has be>ome familiar Cith that in>omparable boo@
stirred
CAPTER 12. YEAR# ,% *Y *A#TER"# ER*,TA)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
by that spirit to the Hery depths of his soulO From eHery senten>e deep7 original7 and sublime thoughts
arise7
and the Chole is perHaded by a high and holy and earnest spirit. . . . The a>>ess to the 6E(A# by
means of the
UPA%,#A(# is in my eyes the greatest priHilege this >entury may >laim before all preHious
>enturies.3
LF%12;22M Commentaries. #han@ara peerlessly eJpounded the UPA%,#A(#.
LF%12;2+M PR!6ER.# 14A+2.
CAPTER 1+. TE #'EEP'E## #A,%T
2Please permit me to go to the imalayas. , hope in unbro@en solitude to a>hieHe >ontinuous diHine
>ommunion.3
, a>tually on>e addressed these ungrateful Cords to my *aster. #eiIed by one of the unpredi>table
delusions
Chi>h o>>asionally assail the deHotee7 , felt a groCing impatien>e Cith hermitage duties and >ollege
studies.
A feebly eJtenuating >ir>umstan>e is that my proposal Cas made Chen , had been only siJ months Cith
#ri
Yu@tesCar. %ot yet had , fully surHeyed his toCering stature.
2*any hillmen liHe in the imalayas7 yet possess no )od;per>eption.3 *y guru"s ansCer >ame sloCly
and
simply. 2&isdom is better sought from a man of realiIation than from an inert mountain.3
,gnoring *aster"s plain hint that he7 and not a hill7 Cas my tea>her7 , repeated my plea. #ri Yu@tesCar
Hou>hsafed no reply. , too@ his silen>e for >onsent7 a pre>arious interpretation readily a>>epted at one"s
>onHenien>e.
,n my Cal>utta home that eHening7 , busied myself Cith traHel preparations. Tying a feC arti>les inside
a
blan@et7 , remembered a similar bundle7 surreptitiously dropped from my atti> CindoC a feC years
earlier. ,
Condered if this Cere to be another ill;starred flight toCard the imalayas. The first time my spiritual
elation
had been highK tonight >ons>ien>e smote heaHily at thought of leaHing my guru.
The folloCing morning , sought out .ehari Pundit7 my #ans@rit professor at #>ottish Chur>h College.
2#ir7 you haHe told me of your friendship Cith a great dis>iple of 'ahiri *ahasaya. Please giHe me his
address.3
2You mean Ram )opal *uIumdar. , >all him the "sleepless saint." e is alCays aCa@e in an e>stati>
>ons>iousness. is home is at RanbaFpur7 near Tara@esCar.3
, than@ed the pundit7 and entrained immediately for Tara@esCar. , hoped to silen>e my misgiHings by
Cringing a san>tion from the 2sleepless saint3 to engage myself in lonely imalayan meditation.
.ehari"s
friend7 , heard7 had re>eiHed illumination after many years of $R,YA Y!)A pra>ti>e in isolated >aHes.
At Tara@esCar , approa>hed a famous shrine. indus regard it Cith the same Heneration that Catholi>s
giHe to
the 'ourdes san>tuary in Fran>e. ,nnumerable healing mira>les haHe o>>urred at Tara@esCar7 in>luding
one
for a member of my family.
2, sat in the temple there for a Cee@73 my eldest aunt on>e told me. 2!bserHing a >omplete fast7 ,
prayed for
the re>oHery of your Un>le #arada from a >hroni> malady. !n the seHenth day , found a herb
materialiIed in
my handO , made a breC from the leaHes7 and gaHe it to your un>le. is disease Hanished at on>e7 and
has
neHer reappeared.3
CAPTER 1+. TE #'EEP'E## #A,%T
Autobiography of a Yogi
, entered the sa>red Tara@esCar shrineK the altar >ontains nothing but a round stone. ,ts >ir>umferen>e7
beginningless and endless7 ma@es it aptly signifi>ant of the ,nfinite. Cosmi> abstra>tions are not alien
eHen to
the humblest ,ndian peasantK he has been a>>used by &esterners7 in fa>t7 of liHing on abstra>tionsO
*y oCn mood at the moment Cas so austere that , felt disin>lined to boC before the stone symbol. )od
should be sought7 , refle>ted7 only Cithin the soul.
, left the temple Cithout genufle>tion and Cal@ed bris@ly toCard the outlying Hillage of RanbaFpur. *y
appeal
to a passer;by for guidan>e >aused him to sin@ into long >ogitation.
2&hen you >ome to a >rossroad7 turn right and @eep going73 he finally pronoun>ed ora>ularly.
!beying the dire>tions7 , Cended my Cay alongside the ban@s of a >anal. (ar@ness fellK the outs@irts of
the
Fungle Hillage Cere aliHe Cith Cin@ing fireflies and the hoCls of near;by Fa>@als. The moonlight Cas
too faint
to supply any reassuran>eK , stumbled on for tCo hours.
&el>ome >lang of a >oCbellO *y repeated shouts eHentually brought a peasant to my side.
2, am loo@ing for Ram )opal .abu.3
2%o su>h person liHes in our Hillage.3 The man"s tone Cas surly. 2You are probably a lying dete>tiHe.3
oping to allay suspi>ion in his politi>ally troubled mind7 , tou>hingly eJplained my predi>ament. e
too@
me to his home and offered a hospitable Cel>ome.
2RanbaFpur is far from here73 he remar@ed. 2At the >rossroad7 you should haHe turned left7 not right.3
*y earlier informant7 , thought sadly7 Cas a distin>t mena>e to traHelers. After a relishable meal of
>oarse
ri>e7 lentil;(A'7 and >urry of potatoes Cith raC bananas7 , retired to a small hut adFoining the
>ourtyard. ,n
the distan>e7 Hillagers Cere singing to the loud a>>ompaniment of *R,(A%)A# LF%1+;1M and
>ymbals.
#leep Cas in>onsiderable that nightK , prayed deeply to be dire>ted to the se>ret yogi7 Ram )opal.
As the first strea@s of daCn penetrated the fissures of my dar@ room7 , set out for RanbaFpur. Crossing
rough
paddy fields7 , trudged oHer si>@led stumps of the pri>@ly plant and mounds of dried >lay. An
o>>asionally;met peasant Could inform me7 inHariably7 that my destination Cas 2only a $R!#A QtCo
milesS.3 ,n siJ hours the sun traHeled Hi>toriously from horiIon to meridian7 but , began to feel that ,
Could
eHer be distant from RanbaFpur by one $R!#A.
At midafternoon my Corld Cas still an endless paddy field. eat pouring from the aHoidless s@y Cas
bringing
me to near;>ollapse. As a man approa>hed at leisurely pa>e7 , hardly dared utter my usual Nuestion7 lest
it
summon the monotonousA 28ust a $R!#A.3
The stranger halted beside me. #hort and slight7 he Cas physi>ally unimpressiHe saHe for an
eJtraordinary pair
of pier>ing dar@ eyes.
2, Cas planning to leaHe RanbaFpur7 but your purpose Cas good7 so , aCaited you.3 e shoo@ his finger
in my
astounded fa>e. 2Aren"t you >leHer to thin@ that7 unannoun>ed7 you >ould poun>e on meP That professor
.ehari had no right to giHe you my address.3
Considering that introdu>tion of myself Could be mere Herbosity in the presen>e of this master7 , stood
spee>hless7 someChat hurt at my re>eption. is neJt remar@ Cas abruptly put.
CAPTER 1+. TE #'EEP'E## #A,%T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Tell meK Chere do you thin@ )od isP3
2&hy7 e is Cithin me and eHeryChere.3 , doubtless loo@ed as beCildered as , felt.
2All;perHading7 ehP3 The saint >hu>@led. 2Then Chy7 young sir7 did you fail to boC before the ,nfinite
in the
stone symbol at the Tara@esCar temple yesterdayP LF%1+;2M Your pride >aused you the punishment of
being
misdire>ted by the passer;by Cho Cas not bothered by fine distin>tions of left and right. Today7 too7
you haHe
had a fairly un>omfortable time of itO3
, agreed Choleheartedly7 Conder;stru>@ that an omnis>ient eye hid Cithin the unremar@able body
before me.
ealing strength emanated from the yogiK , Cas instantly refreshed in the s>or>hing field.
2The deHotee in>lines to thin@ his path to )od is the only Cay73 he said. 2Yoga7 through Chi>h diHinity
is
found Cithin7 is doubtless the highest roadA so 'ahiri *ahasaya has told us. .ut dis>oHering the 'ord
Cithin7
Ce soon per>eiHe im Cithout. oly shrines at Tara@esCar and elseChere are rightly Henerated as
nu>lear
>enters of spiritual poCer.3
The saint"s >ensorious attitude HanishedK his eyes be>ame >ompassionately soft. e patted my shoulder.
2Young yogi7 , see you are running aCay from your master. e has eHerything you needK you must
return to
him. *ountains >annot be your guru.3 Ram )opal Cas repeating the same thought Chi>h #ri Yu@tesCar
had
eJpressed at our last meeting.
2*asters are under no >osmi> >ompulsion to limit their residen>e.3 *y >ompanion glan>ed at me
NuiIIi>ally.
2The imalayas in ,ndia and Tibet haHe no monopoly on saints. &hat one does not trouble to find
Cithin Cill
not be dis>oHered by transporting the body hither and yon. As soon as the deHotee is &,'',%) to go
eHen to
the ends of the earth for spiritual enlightenment7 his guru appears near;by.3
, silently agreed7 re>alling my prayer in the .enares hermitage7 folloCed by the meeting Cith #ri
Yu@tesCar
in a >roCded lane.
2Are you able to haHe a little room Chere you >an >lose the door and be aloneP3
2Yes.3 , refle>ted that this saint des>ended from the general to the parti>ular Cith dis>on>erting speed.
2That is your >aHe.3 The yogi bestoCed on me a gaIe of illumination Chi>h , haHe neHer forgotten.
2That is
your sa>red mountain. That is Chere you Cill find the @ingdom of )od.3
is simple Cords instantaneously banished my lifelong obsession for the imalayas. ,n a burning
paddy field
, aCo@e from the monti>olous dreams of eternal snoCs.
2Young sir7 your diHine thirst is laudable. , feel great loHe for you.3 Ram )opal too@ my hand and led
me to a
Nuaint hamlet. The adobe houses Cere >oHered Cith >o>onut leaHes and adorned Cith rusti> entran>es.
The saint seated me on the umbrageous bamboo platform of his small >ottage. After giHing me
sCeetened
lime Fui>e and a pie>e of ro>@ >andy7 he entered his patio and assumed the lotus posture. ,n about four
hours ,
opened my meditatiHe eyes and saC that the moonlit figure of the yogi Cas still motionless. As , Cas
sternly
reminding my stoma>h that man does not liHe by bread alone7 Ram )opal approa>hed me.
2, see you are famishedK food Cill be ready soon.3
CAPTER 1+. TE #'EEP'E## #A,%T
Autobiography of a Yogi
A fire Cas @indled under a >lay oHen on the patioK ri>e and (A' Cere Nui>@ly serHed on large banana
leaHes. *y host >ourteously refused my aid in all >oo@ing >hores. 2The guest is )od73 a indu proHerb7
has
>ommanded deHout obserHan>e from time immemorial. ,n my later Corld traHels7 , Cas >harmed to see
that a
similar respe>t for Hisitors is manifested in rural se>tions of many >ountries. The >ity dCeller finds the
@een
edge of hospitality blunted by superabundan>e of strange fa>es.
The marts of men seemed remotely dim as , sNuatted by the yogi in the isolation of the tiny Fungle
Hillage.
The >ottage room Cas mysterious Cith a melloC light. Ram )opal arranged some torn blan@ets on the
floor
for my bed7 and seated himself on a straC mat. !HerChelmed by his spiritual magnetism7 , Hentured a
reNuest.
2#ir7 Chy don"t you grant me a #A*A(,P3
2(ear one7 , Could be glad to >onHey the diHine >onta>t7 but it is not my pla>e to do so.3 The saint
loo@ed at
me Cith half;>losed eyes. 2Your master Cill bestoC that eJperien>e shortly. Your body is not tuned Fust
yet.
As a small lamp >annot Cithstand eJ>essiHe ele>tri>al Holtage7 so your nerHes are unready for the
>osmi>
>urrent. ,f , gaHe you the infinite e>stasy right noC7 you Could burn as if eHery >ell Cere on fire.
2You are as@ing illumination from me73 the yogi >ontinued musingly7 2Chile , am Condering;
in>onsiderable
as , am7 and Cith the little meditation , haHe done;if , haHe su>>eeded in pleasing )od7 and Chat Corth
, may
find in is eyes at the final re>@oning.3
2#ir7 haHe you not been singleheartedly see@ing )od for a long timeP3
2, haHe not done mu>h. .ehari must haHe told you something of my life. For tCenty years , o>>upied a
se>ret
grotto7 meditating eighteen hours a day. Then , moHed to a more ina>>essible >aHe and remained there
for
tCenty;fiHe years7 entering the yoga union for tCenty hours daily. , did not need sleep7 for , Cas eHer
Cith
)od. *y body Cas more rested in the >omplete >almness of the super>ons>iousness than it >ould be by
the
partial pea>e of the ordinary sub>ons>ious state.
2The mus>les relaJ during sleep7 but the heart7 lungs7 and >ir>ulatory system are >onstantly at Cor@K
they get
no rest. ,n super>ons>iousness7 the internal organs remain in a state of suspended animation7 ele>trified
by the
>osmi> energy. .y su>h means , haHe found it unne>essary to sleep for years. The time Cill >ome Chen
you
too Cill dispense Cith sleep.3
2*y goodness7 you haHe meditated for so long and yet are unsure of the 'ord"s faHorO3 , gaIed at him
in
astonishment. 2Then Chat about us poor mortalsP3
2&ell7 don"t you see7 my dear boy7 that )od is Eternity ,tselfP To assume that one >an fully @noC im
by
forty;fiHe years of meditation is rather a preposterous eJpe>tation. .abaFi assures us7 hoCeHer7 that
eHen a
little meditation saHes one from the dire fear of death and after;death states. (o not fiJ your spiritual
ideal on
a small mountain7 but hit>h it to the star of unNualified diHine attainment. ,f you Cor@ hard7 you Cill get
there.3
Enthralled by the prospe>t7 , as@ed him for further enlightening Cords. e related a Condrous story of
his first
meeting Cith 'ahiri *ahasaya"s guru7 .abaFi. LF%1+;+M Around midnight Ram )opal fell into silen>e7
and ,
lay doCn on my blan@ets. Closing my eyes7 , saC flashes of lightningK the Hast spa>e Cithin me Cas a
>hamber of molten light. , opened my eyes and obserHed the same daIIling radian>e. The room be>ame
a part
of that infinite Hault Chi>h , beheld Cith interior Hision.
2&hy don"t you go to sleepP3
CAPTER 1+. TE #'EEP'E## #A,%T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2#ir7 hoC >an , sleep in the presen>e of lightning7 blaIing Chether my eyes are shut or openP3
2You are blessed to haHe this eJperien>eK the spiritual radiations are not easily seen.3 The saint added a
feC
Cords of affe>tion.
At daCn Ram )opal gaHe me ro>@ >andies and said , must depart. , felt su>h relu>tan>e to bid him
fareCell
that tears >oursed doCn my >hee@s.
2, Cill not let you go empty;handed.3 The yogi spo@e tenderly. 2, Cill do something for you.3
e smiled and loo@ed at me steadfastly. , stood rooted to the ground7 pea>e rushing li@e a mighty flood
through the gates of my eyes. , Cas instantaneously healed of a pain in my ba>@7 Chi>h had troubled
me
intermittently for years. ReneCed7 bathed in a sea of luminous Foy7 , Cept no more. After tou>hing the
saint"s
feet7 , sauntered into the Fungle7 ma@ing my Cay through its tropi>al tangle until , rea>hed Tara@esCar.
There , made a se>ond pilgrimage to the famous shrine7 and prostrated myself fully before the altar.
The round
stone enlarged before my inner Hision until it be>ame the >osmi>al spheres7 ring Cithin ring7 Ione after
Ione7
all doCered Cith diHinity.
, entrained happily an hour later for Cal>utta. *y traHels ended7 not in the lofty mountains7 but in the
imalayan presen>e of my *aster.
LF%1+;1M and;played drums7 used only for deHotional musi>.
LF%1+;2M !ne is reminded here of (ostoeHs@i"s obserHationA 2A man Cho boCs doCn to nothing >an
neHer
bear the burden of himself.3
LF%1+;+M #ee >hapter +1.
CAPTER 1/. A% E:PER,E%CE ,% C!#*,C C!%#C,!U#%E##
2, am here7 )uruFi.3 *y shamefa>edness spo@e more eloNuently for me.
2'et us go to the @it>hen and find something to eat.3 #ri Yu@tesCar"s manner Cas as natural as if hours
and
not days had separated us.
2*aster7 , must haHe disappointed you by my abrupt departure from my duties hereK , thought you
might be
angry Cith me.3
2%o7 of >ourse notO &rath springs only from thCarted desires. , do not eJpe>t anything from others7 so
their
a>tions >annot be in opposition to Cishes of mine. , Could not use you for my oCn endsK , am happy
only in
your oCn true happiness.3
2#ir7 one hears of diHine loHe in a Hague Cay7 but for the first time , am haHing a >on>rete eJample in
your
angeli> selfO ,n the Corld7 eHen a father does not easily forgiHe his son if he leaHes his parent"s business
Cithout Carning. .ut you shoC not the slightest HeJation7 though you must haHe been put to great
in>onHenien>e by the many unfinished tas@s , left behind.3
&e loo@ed into ea>h other"s eyes7 Chere tears Cere shining. A blissful CaHe engulfed meK , Cas
>ons>ious that
the 'ord7 in the form of my guru7 Cas eJpanding the small ardors of my heart into the in>ompressible
rea>hes
of >osmi> loHe.
CAPTER 1/. A% E:PER,E%CE ,% C!#*,C C!%#C,!U#%E##
Autobiography of a Yogi
A feC mornings later , made my Cay to *aster"s empty sitting room. , planned to meditate7 but my
laudable
purpose Cas unshared by disobedient thoughts. They s>attered li@e birds before the hunter.
2*u@undaO3 #ri Yu@tesCar"s Hoi>e sounded from a distant inner bal>ony.
, felt as rebellious as my thoughts. 2*aster alCays urges me to meditate73 , muttered to myself. 2e
should
not disturb me Chen he @noCs Chy , >ame to his room.3
e summoned me againK , remained obstinately silent. The third time his tone held rebu@e.
2#ir7 , am meditating73 , shouted protestingly.
2, @noC hoC you are meditating73 my guru >alled out7 2Cith your mind distributed li@e leaHes in a
stormO
Come here to me.3
#nubbed and eJposed7 , made my Cay sadly to his side.
2Poor boy7 the mountains >ouldn"t giHe Chat you Canted.3 *aster spo@e >aressiHely7 >omfortingly. is
>alm
gaIe Cas unfathomable. 2Your heart"s desire shall be fulfilled.3
#ri Yu@tesCar seldom indulged in riddlesK , Cas beCildered. e stru>@ gently on my >hest aboHe the
heart.
*y body be>ame immoHably rootedK breath Cas draCn out of my lungs as if by some huge magnet.
#oul and
mind instantly lost their physi>al bondage7 and streamed out li@e a fluid pier>ing light from my eHery
pore.
The flesh Cas as though dead7 yet in my intense aCareness , @neC that neHer before had , been fully
aliHe. *y
sense of identity Cas no longer narroCly >onfined to a body7 but embra>ed the >ir>umambient atoms.
People
on distant streets seemed to be moHing gently oHer my oCn remote periphery. The roots of plants and
trees
appeared through a dim transparen>y of the soilK , dis>erned the inCard floC of their sap.
The Chole Hi>inity lay bare before me. *y ordinary frontal Hision Cas noC >hanged to a Hast spheri>al
sight7
simultaneously all;per>eptiHe. Through the ba>@ of my head , saC men strolling far doCn Rai )hat
Road7 and
noti>ed also a Chite >oC Cho Cas leisurely approa>hing. &hen she rea>hed the spa>e in front of the
open
ashram gate7 , obserHed her Cith my tCo physi>al eyes. As she passed by7 behind the bri>@ Call7 , saC
her
>learly still.
All obFe>ts Cithin my panorami> gaIe trembled and Hibrated li@e Nui>@ motion pi>tures. *y body7
*aster"s7
the pillared >ourtyard7 the furniture and floor7 the trees and sunshine7 o>>asionally be>ame Hiolently
agitated7
until all melted into a lumines>ent seaK eHen as sugar >rystals7 throCn into a glass of Cater7 dissolHe
after
being sha@en. The unifying light alternated Cith materialiIations of form7 the metamorphoses reHealing
the
laC of >ause and effe>t in >reation.
An o>eani> Foy bro@e upon >alm endless shores of my soul. The #pirit of )od7 , realiIed7 is eJhaustless
.lissK
is body is >ountless tissues of light. A sCelling glory Cithin me began to enHelop toCns7 >ontinents7
the
earth7 solar and stellar systems7 tenuous nebulae7 and floating uniHerses. The entire >osmos7 gently
luminous7
li@e a >ity seen afar at night7 glimmered Cithin the infinitude of my being. The sharply et>hed global
outlines
faded someChat at the farthest edgesK there , >ould see a melloC radian>e7 eHer;undiminished. ,t Cas
indes>ribably subtleK the planetary pi>tures Cere formed of a grosser light.
The diHine dispersion of rays poured from an Eternal #our>e7 blaIing into galaJies7 transfigured Cith
ineffable
auras. Again and again , saC the >reatiHe beams >ondense into >onstellations7 then resolHe into sheets
of
transparent flame. .y rhythmi> reHersion7 seJtillion Corlds passed into diaphanous lusterK fire be>ame
CAPTER 1/. A% E:PER,E%CE ,% C!#*,C C!%#C,!U#%E##
Autobiography of a Yogi
firmament.
, >ogniIed the >enter of the empyrean as a point of intuitiHe per>eption in my heart. ,rradiating splendor
issued from my nu>leus to eHery part of the uniHersal stru>ture. .lissful A*R,TA7 the ne>tar of
immortality7
pulsed through me Cith a Nui>@silHerli@e fluidity. The >reatiHe Hoi>e of )od , heard resounding as
AU*7
LF%1/;1M the Hibration of the Cosmi> *otor.
#uddenly the breath returned to my lungs. &ith a disappointment almost unbearable7 , realiIed that my
infinite immensity Cas lost. !n>e more , Cas limited to the humiliating >age of a body7 not easily
a>>ommodatiHe to the #pirit. 'i@e a prodigal >hild7 , had run aCay from my ma>ro>osmi> home and
imprisoned myself in a narroC mi>ro>osm.
*y guru Cas standing motionless before meK , started to drop at his holy feet in gratitude for the
eJperien>e in
>osmi> >ons>iousness Chi>h , had long passionately sought. e held me upright7 and spo@e >almly7
unpretentiously.
2You must not get oHerdrun@ Cith e>stasy. *u>h Cor@ yet remains for you in the Corld. ComeK let us
sCeep
the bal>ony floorK then Ce shall Cal@ by the )anges.3
, fet>hed a broomK *aster7 , @neC7 Cas tea>hing me the se>ret of balan>ed liHing. The soul must stret>h
oHer
the >osmogoni> abysses7 Chile the body performs its daily duties. &hen Ce set out later for a stroll7 ,
Cas still
entran>ed in unspea@able rapture. , saC our bodies as tCo astral pi>tures7 moHing oHer a road by the
riHer
Chose essen>e Cas sheer light.
2,t is the #pirit of )od that a>tiHely sustains eHery form and for>e in the uniHerseK yet e is
trans>endental and
aloof in the blissful un>reated Hoid beyond the Corlds of Hibratory phenomena73 LF%1/;2M *aster
eJplained.
2#aints Cho realiIe their diHinity eHen Chile in the flesh @noC a similar tCofold eJisten>e.
Cons>ientiously
engaging in earthly Cor@7 they yet remain immersed in an inCard beatitude. The 'ord has >reated all
men
from the limitless Foy of is being. Though they are painfully >ramped by the body7 )od neHertheless
eJpe>ts
that souls made in is image shall ultimately rise aboHe all sense identifi>ations and reunite Cith im.3
The >osmi> Hision left many permanent lessons. .y daily stilling my thoughts7 , >ould Cin release from
the
delusiHe >onHi>tion that my body Cas a mass of flesh and bones7 traHersing the hard soil of matter. The
breath
and the restless mind7 , saC7 Cere li@e storms Chi>h lashed the o>ean of light into CaHes of material
forms;earth7 s@y7 human beings7 animals7 birds7 trees. %o per>eption of the ,nfinite as !ne 'ight >ould
be had
eJ>ept by >alming those storms. As often as , silen>ed the tCo natural tumults7 , beheld the
multitudinous
CaHes of >reation melt into one lu>ent sea7 eHen as the CaHes of the o>ean7 their tempests subsiding7
serenely
dissolHe into unity.
A master bestoCs the diHine eJperien>e of >osmi> >ons>iousness Chen his dis>iple7 by meditation7 has
strengthened his mind to a degree Chere the Hast Histas Could not oHerChelm him. The eJperien>e >an
neHer
be giHen through one"s mere intelle>tual Cillingness or open;mindedness. !nly adeNuate enlargement
by
yoga pra>ti>e and deHotional .A$T, >an prepare the mind to absorb the liberating sho>@ of
omnipresen>e.
,t >omes Cith a natural ineHitability to the sin>ere deHotee. is intense >raHing begins to pull at )od
Cith an
irresistible for>e. The 'ord7 as the Cosmi> 6ision7 is draCn by the see@er"s magneti> ardor into his
range of
>ons>iousness.
, Crote7 in my later years7 the folloCing poem7 2#amadhi73 endeaHoring to >onHey the glory of its
>osmi>
stateA
CAPTER 1/. A% E:PER,E%CE ,% C!#*,C C!%#C,!U#%E##
Autobiography of a Yogi
6anished the Heils of light and shade7
'ifted eHery Hapor of sorroC7
#ailed aCay all daCns of fleeting Foy7
)one the dim sensory mirage.
'oHe7 hate7 health7 disease7 life7 death7
Perished these false shadoCs on the s>reen of duality.
&aHes of laughter7 s>yllas of sar>asm7 melan>holi> Chirlpools7
*elting in the Hast sea of bliss.
The storm of *AYA stilled
.y magi> Cand of intuition deep.
The uniHerse7 forgotten dream7 sub>ons>iously lur@s7
Ready to inHade my neCly;Ca@ened memory diHine.
, liHe Cithout the >osmi> shadoC7
.ut it is not7 bereft of meK
As the sea eJists Cithout the CaHes7
.ut they breathe not Cithout the sea.
(reams7 Ca@ings7 states of deep TUR,A sleep7
Present7 past7 future7 no more for me7
.ut eHer;present7 all;floCing ,7 ,7 eHeryChere.
Planets7 stars7 stardust7 earth7
6ol>ani> bursts of doomsday >ata>lysms7
Creation"s molding furna>e7
)la>iers of silent J;rays7 burning ele>tron floods7
Thoughts of all men7 past7 present7 to >ome7
EHery blade of grass7 myself7 man@ind7
Ea>h parti>le of uniHersal dust7
Anger7 greed7 good7 bad7 salHation7 lust7
, sCalloCed7 transmuted all
,nto a Hast o>ean of blood of my oCn one .eingO
#moldering Foy7 oft;puffed by meditation
.linding my tearful eyes7
.urst into immortal flames of bliss7
Consumed my tears7 my frame7 my all.
Thou art ,7 , am Thou7
$noCing7 $noCer7 $noCn7 as !neO
TranNuilled7 unbro@en thrill7 eternally liHing7 eHer;neC pea>eO
EnFoyable beyond imagination of eJpe>tan>y7 #A*A(, blissO
%ot an un>ons>ious state
!r mental >hloroform Cithout Cilful return7
#A*A(, but eJtends my >ons>ious realm
.eyond limits of the mortal frame
To farthest boundary of eternity
&here ,7 the Cosmi> #ea7
&at>h the little ego floating in *e.
The sparroC7 ea>h grain of sand7 fall not Cithout *y sight.
All spa>e floats li@e an i>eberg in *y mental sea.
Colossal Container7 ,7 of all things made.
.y deeper7 longer7 thirsty7 guru;giHen meditation
Comes this >elestial #A*A(,.
*obile murmurs of atoms are heard7
The dar@ earth7 mountains7 Hales7 loO molten liNuidO
CAPTER 1/. A% E:PER,E%CE ,% C!#*,C C!%#C,!U#%E##
Autobiography of a Yogi
FloCing seas >hange into Hapors of nebulaeO
AU* bloCs upon Hapors7 opening Condrously their Heils7
!>eans stand reHealed7 shining ele>trons7
Till7 at last sound of the >osmi> drum7
6anish the grosser lights into eternal rays
!f all;perHading bliss.
From Foy , >ame7 for Foy , liHe7 in sa>red Foy , melt.
!>ean of mind7 , drin@ all >reation"s CaHes.
Four Heils of solid7 liNuid7 Hapor7 light7
'ift aright.
*yself7 in eHerything7 enters the )reat *yself.
)one foreHer7 fitful7 fli>@ering shadoCs of mortal memory.
#potless is my mental s@y7 beloC7 ahead7 and high aboHe.
Eternity and ,7 one united ray.
A tiny bubble of laughter7 ,
Am be>ome the #ea of *irth ,tself.
#ri Yu@tesCar taught me hoC to summon the blessed eJperien>e at Cill7 and also hoC to transmit it to
others
if their intuitiHe >hannels Cere deHeloped. For months , entered the e>stati> union7 >omprehending Chy
the
UPA%,#A(# say )od is RA#A7 2the most relishable.3 !ne day7 hoCeHer7 , too@ a problem to
*aster.
2, Cant to @noC7 sir;Chen shall , find )odP3
2You haHe found im.3
2! no7 sir7 , don"t thin@ soO3
*y guru Cas smiling. 2, am sure you aren"t eJpe>ting a Henerable Personage7 adorning a throne in
some
antisepti> >orner of the >osmosO , see7 hoCeHer7 that you are imagining that the possession of
mira>ulous
poCers is @noCledge of )od. !ne might haHe the Chole uniHerse7 and find the 'ord elusiHe stillO
#piritual
adHan>ement is not measured by one"s outCard poCers7 but only by the depth of his bliss in meditation.
2E6ER;%E& 8!Y ,# )!(. e is ineJhaustibleK as you >ontinue your meditations during the years7
e Cill
beguile you Cith an infinite ingenuity. (eHotees li@e yourself Cho haHe found the Cay to )od neHer
dream of
eJ>hanging im for any other happinessK e is sedu>tiHe beyond thought of >ompetition.
2oC Nui>@ly Ce Ceary of earthly pleasuresO (esire for material things is endlessK man is neHer
satisfied
>ompletely7 and pursues one goal after another. The "something else" he see@s is the 'ord7 Cho alone
>an grant
lasting Foy.
2!utCard longings driHe us from the Eden CithinK they offer false pleasures Chi>h only impersonate
soul;happiness. The lost paradise is Nui>@ly regained through diHine meditation. As )od is
unanti>ipatory
EHer;%eCness7 Ce neHer tire of im. Can Ce be surfeited Cith bliss7 delightfully Haried throughout
eternityP3
2, understand noC7 sir7 Chy saints >all the 'ord unfathomable. EHen eHerlasting life >ould not suffi>e to
appraise im.3
2That is trueK but e is also near and dear. After the mind has been >leared by $R,YA Y!)A of
sensory
obsta>les7 meditation furnishes a tCofold proof of )od. EHer;neC Foy is eHiden>e of is eJisten>e7
>onHin>ing to our Hery atoms. Also7 in meditation one finds is instant guidan>e7 is adeNuate
response to
eHery diffi>ulty.3
CAPTER 1/. A% E:PER,E%CE ,% C!#*,C C!%#C,!U#%E##
Autobiography of a Yogi
2, see7 )uruFiK you haHe solHed my problem.3 , smiled gratefully. 2, do realiIe noC that , haHe found
)od7 for
CheneHer the Foy of meditation has returned sub>ons>iously during my a>tiHe hours7 , haHe been subtly
dire>ted to adopt the right >ourse in eHerything7 eHen details.3
2uman life is beset Cith sorroC until Ce @noC hoC to tune in Cith the (iHine &ill7 Chose "right
>ourse" is
often baffling to the egoisti> intelligen>e. )od bears the burden of the >osmosK e alone >an giHe
unerring
>ounsel.3
LF%1/;1M 2,n the beginning Cas the &ord7 and the &ord Cas Cith )od7 and the &ord Cas )od.3;
8!%
1A1.
LF%1/;2M 2For the Father Fudgeth no man7 but hath >ommitted all Fudgment unto the #on.3;8!%
1A22. 2%o
man hath seen )od at any timeK the only begotten #on7 Chi>h is in the bosom of the Father7 he hath
de>lared
him.3;8!% 1A10. 26erily7 Herily7 , say unto you7 he that belieHeth on me7 the Cor@s that , do shall he
do
alsoK and greater Cor@s than these shall he doK be>ause , go unto my Father.3;8!% 1/A12. 2.ut the
Comforter7 Chi>h is the oly )host7 Chom the Father Cill send in my name7 he shall tea>h you all
things7 and
bring all things to your remembran>e7 ChatsoeHer , haHe said to you.3;8!% 1/A24.
These .ibli>al Cords refer to the threefold nature of )od as Father7 #on7 oly )host Q#AT7 TAT7 AU*
in the
indu s>ripturesS. )od the Father is the Absolute7 Unmanifested7 eJisting .EY!%( Hibratory >reation.
)od
the #on is the Christ Cons>iousness Q.rahma or $UTA#TA CA,TA%YAS eJisting &,T,%
Hibratory
>reationK this Christ Cons>iousness is the 2only begotten3 or sole refle>tion of the Un>reated ,nfinite.
,ts
outCard manifestation or 2Citness3 is AU* or oly )host7 the diHine7 >reatiHe7 inHisible poCer Chi>h
stru>tures all >reation through Hibration. AU* the blissful Comforter is heard in meditation and reHeals
to the
deHotee the ultimate Truth.
CAPTER 11. TE CAU',F'!&ER R!..ERY
2*aster7 a gift for youO These siJ huge >aulifloCers Cere planted Cith my handsK , haHe Cat>hed oHer
their
groCth Cith the tender >are of a mother nursing her >hild.3 , presented the bas@et of Hegetables Cith a
>eremonial flourish.
2Than@ youO3 #ri Yu@tesCar"s smile Cas Carm Cith appre>iation. 2Please @eep them in your roomK ,
shall
need them tomorroC for a spe>ial dinner.3
, had Fust arriHed in Puri LF%11;1M to spend my >ollege summer Ha>ation Cith my guru at his seaside
hermitage. .uilt by *aster and his dis>iples7 the >heerful little tCo;storied retreat fronts on the .ay of
.engal.
, aCo@e early the folloCing morning7 refreshed by the salty sea breeIes and the >harm of my
surroundings. #ri
Yu@tesCar"s melodious Hoi>e Cas >allingK , too@ a loo@ at my >herished >aulifloCers and stoCed them
neatly
under my bed.
2Come7 let us go to the bea>h.3 *aster led the CayK seHeral young dis>iples and myself folloCed in a
s>attered
group. !ur guru surHeyed us in mild >riti>ism.
2&hen our &estern brothers Cal@7 they usually ta@e pride in unison. %oC7 please mar>h in tCo roCsK
@eep
rhythmi> step Cith one another.3 #ri Yu@tesCar Cat>hed as Ce obeyedK he began to singA 2.oys go to
and fro7
in a pretty little roC.3 , >ould not but admire the ease Cith Chi>h *aster Cas able to mat>h the bris@
pa>e of
his young students.
CAPTER 11. TE CAU',F'!&ER R!..ERY
Autobiography of a Yogi
2altO3 *y guru"s eyes sought mine. 2(id you remember to lo>@ the ba>@ door of the hermitageP3
E,llustrationA *Y )URU"# #EA#,(E ER*,TA)E AT PUR, A steady stream of Hisitors poured from
the
Corld into the hermitage tranNuillity. A number of learned men >ame Cith the eJpe>tation of meeting
an
orthodoJ religionist. A super>ilious smile or a glan>e of amused toleran>e o>>asionally betreayed that
the
neC>omers anti>ipated nothing more than a feC pious platitudes. Yet their relu>tant departure Could
bring an
eJpressed >onHi>tion that #ri Yu@tesCar had shoCn pre>ise insight into their spe>ialiIed fields of
@noCledge.
*y guru alCays had young resident dis>iples in his hermitage. e dire>ted their minds and liHes Cith
that
>areful dis>ipline in Chi>h the Cord 2dis>iple3 is etymologi>ally rooted.=see puri.FpgG
2, thin@ so7 sir.3
#ri Yu@tesCar Cas silent for a feC minutes7 a half;suppressed smile on his lips. 2%o7 you forgot73 he
said
finally. 2(iHine >ontemplation must not be made an eJ>use for material >arelessness. You haHe
negle>ted
your duty in safeguarding the ashramK you must be punished.3
, thought he Cas obs>urely Fo@ing Chen he addedA 2Your siJ >aulifloCers Cill soon be only fiHe.3
&e turned around at *aster"s orders and mar>hed ba>@ until Ce Cere >lose to the hermitage.
2Rest aChile. *u@unda7 loo@ a>ross the >ompound on our leftK obserHe the road beyond. A >ertain man
Cill
arriHe there presentlyK he Cill be the means of your >hastisement.3
, >on>ealed my HeJation at these in>omprehensible remar@s. A peasant soon appeared on the roadK he
Cas
dan>ing grotesNuely and flinging his arms about Cith meaningless gestures. Almost paralyIed Cith
>uriosity7 ,
glued my eyes on the hilarious spe>ta>le. As the man rea>hed a point in the road Chere he Could Hanish
from
our HieC7 #ri Yu@tesCar said7 2%oC7 he Cill return.3
The peasant at on>e >hanged his dire>tion and made for the rear of the ashram. Crossing a sandy tra>t7
he
entered the building by the ba>@ door. , had left it unlo>@ed7 eHen as my guru had said. The man
emerged
shortly7 holding one of my priIed >aulifloCers. e noC strode along respe>tably7 inHested Cith the
dignity of
possession.
The unfolding far>e7 in Chi>h my role appeared to be that of beCildered Hi>tim7 Cas not so
dis>on>erting that
, failed in indignant pursuit. , Cas halfCay to the road Chen *aster re>alled me. e Cas sha@ing from
head to
foot Cith laughter.
2That poor >raIy man has been longing for a >aulifloCer73 he eJplained betCeen outbursts of mirth. 2,
thought it Could be a good idea if he got one of yours7 so ill;guardedO3
, dashed to my room7 Chere , found that the thief7 eHidently one Cith a Hegetable fiJation7 had left
untou>hed
my gold rings7 Cat>h7 and money7 all lying openly on the blan@et. e had >raCled instead under the bed
Chere7 >ompletely hidden from >asual sight7 one of my >aulifloCers had aroused his singlehearted
desire.
, as@ed #ri Yu@tesCar that eHening to eJplain the in>ident Chi>h had7 , thought7 a feC baffling features.
*y guru shoo@ his head sloCly. 2You Cill understand it someday. #>ien>e Cill soon dis>oHer a feC of
these
hidden laCs.3
&hen the Conders of radio burst some years later on an astounded Corld7 , remembered *aster"s
predi>tion.
Age;old >on>epts of time and spa>e Cere annihilatedK no peasant"s home so narroC that 'ondon or
Cal>utta
CAPTER 11. TE CAU',F'!&ER R!..ERY
Autobiography of a Yogi
>ould not enterO The dullest intelligen>e enlarged before indisputable proof of one aspe>t of man"s
omnipresen>e.
The 2plot3 of the >aulifloCer >omedy >an be best understood by a radio analogy. #ri Yu@tesCar Cas a
perfe>t
human radio. Thoughts are no more than Hery gentle Hibrations moHing in the ether. 8ust as a sensitiIed
radio
pi>@s up a desired musi>al number out of thousands of other programs from eHery dire>tion7 so my
guru had
been able to >at>h the thought of the half;Citted man Cho han@ered for a >aulifloCer7 out of the
>ountless
thoughts of broad>asting human Cills in the Corld. LF%11;2M .y his poCerful Cill7 *aster Cas also a
human
broad>asting station7 and had su>>essfully dire>ted the peasant to reHerse his steps and go to a >ertain
room for
a single >aulifloCer.
,ntuition LF%11;+M is soul guidan>e7 appearing naturally in man during those instants Chen his mind is
>alm.
%early eHeryone has had the eJperien>e of an ineJpli>ably >orre>t 2hun>h73 or has transferred his
thoughts
effe>tiHely to another person.
The human mind7 free from the stati> of restlessness7 >an perform through its antenna of intuition all
the
fun>tions of >ompli>ated radio me>hanisms;sending and re>eiHing thoughts7 and tuning out undesirable
ones.
As the poCer of a radio depends on the amount of ele>tri>al >urrent it >an utiliIe7 so the human radio is
energiIed a>>ording to the poCer of Cill possessed by ea>h indiHidual.
All thoughts Hibrate eternally in the >osmos. .y deep >on>entration7 a master is able to dete>t the
thoughts of
any mind7 liHing or dead. Thoughts are uniHersally and not indiHidually rootedK a truth >annot be
>reated7 but
only per>eiHed. The erroneous thoughts of man result from imperfe>tions in his dis>ernment. The goal
of yoga
s>ien>e is to >alm the mind7 that Cithout distortion it may mirror the diHine Hision in the uniHerse.
Radio and teleHision haHe brought the instantaneous sound and sight of remote persons to the firesides
of
millionsA the first faint s>ientifi> intimations that man is an all;perHading spirit. %ot a body >onfined to
a
point in spa>e7 but the Hast soul7 Chi>h the ego in most barbari> modes >onspires in Hain to >ramp.
26ery strange7 Hery Conderful7 seemingly Hery improbable phenomena may yet appear Chi>h7 Chen
on>e
established7 Cill not astonish us more than Ce are noC astonished at all that s>ien>e has taught us
during the
last >entury73 Charles Robert Ri>het7 %obel PriIeman in physiology7 has de>lared. 2,t is assumed that
the
phenomena Chi>h Ce noC a>>ept Cithout surprise7 do not eJ>ite our astonishment be>ause they are
understood. .ut this is not the >ase. ,f they do not surprise us it is not be>ause they are understood7 it is
be>ause they are familiarK for if that Chi>h is not understood ought to surprise us7 Ce should be
surprised at
eHerything;the fall of a stone throCn into the air7 the a>orn Chi>h be>omes an oa@7 mer>ury Chi>h
eJpands
Chen it is heated7 iron attra>ted by a magnet7 phosphorus Chi>h burns Chen it is rubbed. . . . The
s>ien>e of
today is a light matterK the reHolutions and eHolutions Chi>h it Cill eJperien>e in a hundred thousand
years
Cill far eJ>eed the most daring anti>ipations. The truths;those surprising7 amaIing7 unforeseen truths;
Chi>h
our des>endants Cill dis>oHer7 are eHen noC all around us7 staring us in the eyes7 so to spea@7 and yet
Ce do
not see them. .ut it is not enough to say that Ce do not see themK Ce do not Cish to see themK for as
soon as
an uneJpe>ted and unfamiliar fa>t appears7 Ce try to fit it into the frameCor@ of the >ommonpla>es of
a>Nuired @noCledge7 and Ce are indignant that anyone should dare to eJperiment further.3
A humorous o>>urren>e too@ pla>e a feC days after , had been so implausibly robbed of a >aulifloCer.
A
>ertain @erosene lamp >ould not be found. aHing so lately Citnessed my guru"s omnis>ient insight7 ,
thought
he Could demonstrate that it Cas >hild"s play to lo>ate the lamp.
*aster per>eiHed my eJpe>tation. &ith eJaggerated graHity he Nuestioned all ashram residents. A
young
dis>iple >onfessed that he had used the lamp to go to the Cell in the ba>@ yard.
CAPTER 11. TE CAU',F'!&ER R!..ERY
Autobiography of a Yogi
#ri Yu@tesCar gaHe the solemn >ounselA 2#ee@ the lamp near the Cell.3
, rushed thereK no lampO Crestfallen7 , returned to my guru. e Cas noC laughing heartily7 Cithout
>ompun>tion for my disillusionment.
2Too bad , >ouldn"t dire>t you to the Hanished lampK , am not a fortune tellerO3 &ith tCin@ling eyes7 he
added7
2, am not eHen a satisfa>tory #herlo>@ olmesO3
, realiIed that *aster Could neHer display his poCers Chen >hallenged7 or for a triHiality.
(elightful Cee@s sped by. #ri Yu@tesCar Cas planning a religious pro>ession. e as@ed me to lead the
dis>iples oHer the toCn and bea>h of Puri. The festiHe day daCned as one of the hottest of the summer.
2)uruFi7 hoC >an , ta@e the barefooted students oHer the fiery sandsP3 , spo@e despairingly.
2, Cill tell you a se>ret73 *aster responded. 2The 'ord Cill send an umbrella of >loudsK you all shall
Cal@ in
>omfort.3
, happily organiIed the pro>essionK our group started from the ashram Cith a #AT;#A%)A banner.
LF%11;/M (esigned by #ri Yu@tesCar7 it bore the symbol of the single LF%11;1M eye7 the teles>opi>
gaIe of
intuition.
%o sooner had Ce left the hermitage than the part of the s@y Chi>h Cas oHerhead be>ame filled Cith
>louds as
though by magi>. To the a>>ompaniment of astonished eFa>ulations from all sides7 a Hery light shoCer
fell7
>ooling the >ity streets and the burning seashore. The soothing drops des>ended during the tCo hours of
the
parade. The eJa>t instant at Chi>h our group returned to the ashram7 the >louds and rain passed aCay
tra>elessly.
2You see hoC )od feels for us73 *aster replied after , had eJpressed my gratitude. 2The 'ord responds
to all
and Cor@s for all. 8ust as e sent rain at my plea7 so e fulfills any sin>ere desire of the deHotee.
#eldom do
men realiIe hoC often )od heeds their prayers. e is not partial to a feC7 but listens to eHeryone Cho
approa>hes im trustingly. is >hildren should eHer haHe impli>it faith in the loHing;@indness of their
!mnipresent Father.3 LF%11;4M
#ri Yu@tesCar sponsored four yearly festiHals7 at the eNuinoJes and solsti>es7 Chen his students
gathered from
far and near. The Cinter solsti>e >elebration Cas held in #eramporeK the first one , attended left me Cith
a
permanent blessing.
The festiHities started in the morning Cith a barefoot pro>ession along the streets. The Hoi>es of a
hundred
students rang out Cith sCeet religious songsK a feC musi>ians played the flute and $!' $ARTA'
Qdrums
and >ymbalsS. Enthusiasti> toCnspeople streCed the path Cith floCers7 glad to be summoned from
prosai>
tas@s by our resounding praise of the 'ord"s blessed name. The long tour ended in the >ourtyard of the
hermitage. There Ce en>ir>led our guru7 Chile students on upper bal>onies shoCered us Cith marigold
blossoms.
*any guests Cent upstairs to re>eiHe a pudding of CA%%A and oranges. , made my Cay to a group
of
brother dis>iples Cho Cere serHing today as >oo@s. Food for su>h large gatherings had to be >oo@ed
outdoors
in huge >auldrons. The improHised Cood;burning bri>@ stoHes Cere smo@y and tear;proHo@ing7 but Ce
laughed merrily at our Cor@. Religious festiHals in ,ndia are neHer >onsidered troublesomeK ea>h one
does his
part7 supplying money7 ri>e7 Hegetables7 or his personal serHi>es.
CAPTER 11. TE CAU',F'!&ER R!..ERY
Autobiography of a Yogi
*aster Cas soon in our midst7 superHising the details of the feast. .usy eHery moment7 he @ept pa>e
Cith the
most energeti> young student.
A #A%$,RTA% Qgroup >hantingS7 a>>ompanied by the harmonium and hand;played ,ndian drums7 Cas
in
progress on the se>ond floor. #ri Yu@tesCar listened appre>iatiHelyK his musi>al sense Cas a>utely
perfe>t.
2They are off @eyO3 *aster left the >oo@s and Foined the artists. The melody Cas heard again7 this time
>orre>tly rendered.
,n ,ndia7 musi> as Cell as painting and the drama is >onsidered a diHine art. .rahma7 6ishnu7 and
#hiHa;the
Eternal Trinity;Cere the first musi>ians. The (iHine (an>er #hiHa is s>ripturally represented as haHing
Cor@ed out the infinite modes of rhythm in is >osmi> dan>e of uniHersal >reation7 preserHation7 and
dissolution7 Chile .rahma a>>entuated the time;beat Cith the >langing >ymbals7 and 6ishnu sounded
the holy
*R,(A%)A or drum. $rishna7 an in>arnation of 6ishnu7 is alCays shoCn in indu art Cith a flute7 on
Chi>h
he plays the enrapturing song that re>alls to their true home the human souls Candering in *AYA;
delusion.
#arasCati7 goddess of Cisdom7 is symboliIed as performing on the 6,%A7 mother of all stringed
instruments.
The #A*A 6E(A of ,ndia >ontains the Corld"s earliest Critings on musi>al s>ien>e.
The foundation stone of indu musi> is the RA)A# or fiJed melodi> s>ales. The siJ basi> RA)A#
bran>h
out into 124 deriHatiHe RA),%,# QCiHesS and PUTRA# QsonsS. Ea>h RA)A has a minimum of fiHe
notesA a
leading note Q6A(, or @ingS7 a se>ondary note Q#A*A6A(, or prime ministerS7 helping notes
QA%U6A(,7
attendantsS7 and a dissonant note Q6,6A(,7 the enemyS.
Ea>h one of the siJ basi> RA)A# has a natural >orresponden>e Cith a >ertain hour of the day7 season
of the
year7 and a presiding deity Cho bestoCs a parti>ular poten>y. Thus7 Q1S the ,%(!'E RA)A is heard
only at
daCn in the spring7 to eHo@e the mood of uniHersal loHeK Q2S (EEPA$A RA)A is played during the
eHening
in summer7 to arouse >ompassionK Q+S *E)A RA)A is a melody for midday in the rainy season7 to
summon >ourageK Q/S .A,RA6A RA)A is played in the mornings of August7 #eptember7 !>tober7 to
a>hieHe tranNuillityK Q1S #R, RA)A is reserHed for autumn tCilights7 to attain pure loHeK Q4S
*A'$!U%#A
RA)A is heard at midnights in Cinter7 for Halor.
The an>ient rishis dis>oHered these laCs of sound allian>e betCeen nature and man. .e>ause nature is
an
obFe>tifi>ation of AU*7 the Primal #ound or 6ibratory &ord7 man >an obtain >ontrol oHer all natural
manifestations through the use of >ertain *A%TRA# or >hants. LF%11;5M istori>al do>uments tell of
the
remar@able poCers possessed by *iyan Tan #en7 siJteenth >entury >ourt musi>ian for A@bar the )reat.
Commanded by the Emperor to sing a night RA)A Chile the sun Cas oHerhead7 Tan #en intoned a
*A%TRA
Chi>h instantly >aused the Chole pala>e pre>in>ts to be>ome enHeloped in dar@ness.
,ndian musi> diHides the o>taHe into 22 #RUT,# or demi;semitones. These mi>rotonal interHals permit
fine
shades of musi>al eJpression unattainable by the &estern >hromati> s>ale of 12 semitones. Ea>h one of
the
seHen basi> notes of the o>taHe is asso>iated in indu mythology Cith a >olor7 and the natural >ry of a
bird or
beast;(! Cith green7 and the pea>o>@K RE Cith red7 and the s@ylar@K *, Cith golden7 and the goatK FA
Cith
yelloCish Chite7 and the heronK #!' Cith bla>@7 and the nightingaleK 'A Cith yelloC7 and the horseK #,
Cith a
>ombination of all >olors7 and the elephant.
Three s>ales;maFor7 harmoni> minor7 melodi> minor;are the only ones Chi>h !>>idental musi>
employs7 but
,ndian musi> outlines 52 TATA# or s>ales. The musi>ian has a >reatiHe s>ope for endless
improHisation
around the fiJed traditional melody or RA)AK he >on>entrates on the sentiment or definitiHe mood of
the
stru>tural theme and then embroiders it to the limits of his oCn originality. The indu musi>ian does
not read
set notesK he >lothes aneC at ea>h playing the bare s@eleton of the RA)A7 often >onfining himself to a
single
melodi> seNuen>e7 stressing by repetition all its subtle mi>rotonal and rhythmi> Hariations. .a>h7
among
CAPTER 11. TE CAU',F'!&ER R!..ERY
Autobiography of a Yogi
&estern >omposers7 had an understanding of the >harm and poCer of repetitious sound slightly
differentiated
in a hundred >ompleJ Cays.
An>ient #ans@rit literature des>ribes 12- TA'A# or time;measures. The traditional founder of indu
musi>7
.harata7 is said to haHe isolated +2 @inds of TA'A in the song of a lar@. The origin of TA'A or rhythm
is
rooted in human moHements;the double time of Cal@ing7 and the triple time of respiration in sleep7
Chen
inhalation is tCi>e the length of eJhalation. ,ndia has alCays re>ogniIed the human Hoi>e as the most
perfe>t
instrument of sound. indu musi> therefore largely >onfines itself to the Hoi>e range of three o>taHes.
For the
same reason7 melody Qrelation of su>>essiHe notesS is stressed7 rather than harmony Qrelation of
simultaneous
notesS.
The deeper aim of the early rishi;musi>ians Cas to blend the singer Cith the Cosmi> #ong Chi>h >an be
heard
through aCa@ening of man"s o>>ult spinal >enters. ,ndian musi> is a subFe>tiHe7 spiritual7 and
indiHidualisti>
art7 aiming not at symphoni> brillian>e but at personal harmony Cith the !Hersoul. The #ans@rit Cord
for
musi>ian is .A)A6ATAR7 2he Cho sings the praises of )od.3 The #A%$,RTA%# or musi>al
gatherings
are an effe>tiHe form of yoga or spiritual dis>ipline7 ne>essitating deep >on>entration7 intense
absorption in the
seed thought and sound. .e>ause man himself is an eJpression of the CreatiHe &ord7 sound has the
most
potent and immediate effe>t on him7 offering a Cay to remembran>e of his diHine origin.
The #A%$,RTA% issuing from #ri Yu@tesCar"s se>ond;story sitting room on the day of the festiHal
Cas
inspiring to the >oo@s amidst the steaming pots. *y brother dis>iples and , Foyously sang the refrains7
beating
time Cith our hands.
.y sunset Ce had serHed our hundreds of Hisitors Cith $,CUR, Qri>e and lentilsS7 Hegetable >urry7
and ri>e
pudding. &e laid >otton blan@ets oHer the >ourtyardK soon the assemblage Cas sNuatting under the
starry
Hault7 Nuietly attentiHe to the Cisdom pouring from #ri Yu@tesCar"s lips. is publi> spee>hes
emphasiIed the
Halue of $R,YA Y!)A7 and a life of self;respe>t7 >almness7 determination7 simple diet7 and regular
eJer>ise.
A group of Hery young dis>iples then >hanted a feC sa>red hymnsK the meeting >on>luded Cith
#A%$,RTA%. From ten o">lo>@ until midnight7 the ashram residents Cashed pots and pans7 and >leared
the
>ourtyard. *y guru >alled me to his side.
2, am pleased oHer your >heerful labors today and during the past Cee@ of preparations. , Cant you
Cith meK
you may sleep in my bed tonight.3
This Cas a priHilege , had neHer thought Could fall to my lot. &e sat aChile in a state of intense diHine
tranNuillity. ardly ten minutes after Ce had gotten into bed7 *aster rose and began to dress.
2&hat is the matter7 sirP3 , felt a tinge of unreality in the uneJpe>ted Foy of sleeping beside my guru.
2, thin@ that a feC students Cho missed their proper train >onne>tions Cill be here soon. 'et us haHe
some
food ready.3
2)uruFi7 no one Could >ome at one o">lo>@ in the morningO3
2#tay in bedK you haHe been Cor@ing Hery hard. .ut , am going to >oo@.3
At #ri Yu@tesCar"s resolute tone7 , Fumped up and folloCed him to the small daily;used @it>hen
adFa>ent to
the se>ond;floor inner bal>ony. Ri>e and (A' Cere soon boiling.
CAPTER 11. TE CAU',F'!&ER R!..ERY
Autobiography of a Yogi
*y guru smiled affe>tionately. 2Tonight you haHe >onNuered fatigue and fear of hard Cor@K you shall
neHer
be bothered by them in the future.3
As he uttered these Cords of lifelong blessing7 footsteps sounded in the >ourtyard. , ran doCnstairs and
admitted a group of students.
2(ear brother7 hoC relu>tant Ce are to disturb *aster at this hourO3 !ne man addressed me
apologeti>ally.
2&e made a mista@e about train s>hedules7 but felt Ce >ould not return home Cithout a glimpse of our
guru.3
2e has been eJpe>ting you and is eHen noC preparing your food.3
#ri Yu@tesCar"s Cel>oming Hoi>e rang outK , led the astonished Hisitors to the @it>hen. *aster turned to
me
Cith tCin@ling eyes.
2%oC that you haHe finished >omparing notes7 no doubt you are satisfied that our guests really did miss
their
trainO3
, folloCed him to his bedroom a half hour later7 realiIing fully that , Cas about to sleep beside a
godli@e guru.
LF%11;1M Puri7 about +1- miles south of Cal>utta7 is a famous pilgrimage >ity for deHotees of $rishnaK
his
Corship is >elebrated there Cith tCo immense annual festiHals7 #%A%AYATRA and RATAYATRA.
LF%11;2M The 19+9 dis>oHery of a radio mi>ros>ope reHealed a neC Corld of hitherto un@noCn rays.
2*an
himself as Cell as all @inds of supposedly inert matter >onstantly emits the rays that this instrument
"sees7"2
reported the A##!C,ATE( PRE##. 2Those Cho belieHe in telepathy7 se>ond sight7 and >lairHoyan>e7
haHe in
this announ>ement the first s>ientifi> proof of the eJisten>e of inHisible rays Chi>h really traHel from
one
person to another. The radio deHi>e a>tually is a radio freNuen>y spe>tros>ope. ,t does the same thing
for >ool7
nongloCing matter that the spe>tros>ope does Chen it dis>loses the @inds of atoms that ma@e the stars. .
. .
The eJisten>e of su>h rays >oming from man and all liHing things has been suspe>ted by s>ientists for
many
years. Today is the first eJperimental proof of their eJisten>e. The dis>oHery shoCs that eHery atom and
eHery
mole>ule in nature is a >ontinuous radio broad>asting station. . . . Thus eHen after death the substan>e
that Cas
a man >ontinues to send out its deli>ate rays. The CaHe lengths of these rays range from shorter than
anything
noC used in broad>asting to the longest @ind of radio CaHes. The Fumble of these rays is almost
in>on>eiHable.
There are millions of them. A single Hery large mole>ule may giHe off 17---7--- different CaHe lengths
at the
same time. The longer CaHe lengths of this sort traHel Cith the ease and speed of radio CaHes. . . .
There is one
amaIing differen>e betCeen the neC radio rays and familiar rays li@e light. This is the prolonged time7
amounting to thousands of years7 Chi>h these radio CaHes Cill @eep on emitting from undisturbed
matter.3
LF%11;+M !ne hesitates to use 2intuition3K itler has almost ruined the Cord along Cith more
ambitious
deHastations. The 'atin root meaning of ,%TU,T,!% is 2inner prote>tion.3 The #ans@rit Cord A)A*A
means intuitional @noCledge born of dire>t soul;per>eptionK hen>e >ertain an>ient treatises by the rishis
Cere
>alled A)A*A#.
LF%11;/M #AT is literally 2being73 hen>e 2essen>eK reality.3 #A%)A is 2asso>iation.3 #ri Yu@tesCar
>alled
his hermitage organiIation #AT;#A%)A7 2felloCship Cith truth.3
LF%11;1M 2,f therefore thine eye be single7 thy Chole body shall be full of light.3;*ATTE& 4A22.
(uring
deep meditation7 the single or spiritual eye be>omes Hisible Cithin the >entral part of the forehead. This
omnis>ient eye is Hariously referred to in s>riptures as the third eye7 the star of the East7 the inner eye7
the
doHe des>ending from heaHen7 the eye of #hiHa7 the eye of intuition7 et>.
CAPTER 11. TE CAU',F'!&ER R!..ERY
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%11;4M 2e that planted the ear7 shall he not hearP he that formed the eye7 shall he not seeP . . . he
that
tea>heth man @noCledge7 shall he not @noCP3;P#A'* 9/A9;1-.
LF%11;5M Fol@lore of all peoples >ontains referen>es to in>antations Cith poCer oHer nature. The
Ameri>an
,ndians are Cell;@noCn to haHe deHeloped sound rituals for rain and Cind. Tan #en7 the great indu
musi>ian7 Cas able to Nuen>h fire by the poCer of his song. Charles $ellogg7 the California naturalist7
gaHe a
demonstration of the effe>t of tonal Hibration on fire in 1924 before a group of %eC Yor@ firemen.
2Passing a
boC7 li@e an enlarged Hiolin boC7 sCiftly a>ross an aluminum tuning for@7 he produ>ed a s>ree>h li@e
intense
radio stati>. ,nstantly the yelloC gas flame7 tCo feet high7 leaping inside a holloC glass tube7 subsided
to a
height of siJ in>hes and be>ame a sputtering blue flare. Another attempt Cith the boC7 and another
s>ree>h of
Hibration7 eJtinguished it.3
CAPTER 14. !UT&,TT,%) TE #TAR#
2*u@unda7 Chy don"t you get an astrologi>al armletP3
2#hould ,7 *asterP , don"t belieHe in astrology.3
2,t is neHer a Nuestion of .E',EFK the only s>ientifi> attitude one >an ta@e on any subFe>t is Chether it
is
TRUE. The laC of graHitation Cor@ed as effi>iently before %eCton as after him. The >osmos Could be
fairly
>haoti> if its laCs >ould not operate Cithout the san>tion of human belief.
2Charlatans haHe brought the stellar s>ien>e to its present state of disrepute. Astrology is too Hast7 both
mathemati>ally LF%14;1M and philosophi>ally7 to be rightly grasped eJ>ept by men of profound
understanding. ,f ignoramuses misread the heaHens7 and see there a s>raCl instead of a s>ript7 that is to
be
eJpe>ted in this imperfe>t Corld. !ne should not dismiss the Cisdom Cith the "Cise."
2All parts of >reation are lin@ed together and inter>hange their influen>es. The balan>ed rhythm of the
uniHerse is rooted in re>ipro>ity73 my guru >ontinued. 2*an7 in his human aspe>t7 has to >ombat tCo
sets of
for>es;first7 the tumults Cithin his being7 >aused by the admiJture of earth7 Cater7 fire7 air7 and ethereal
elementsK se>ond7 the outer disintegrating poCers of nature. #o long as man struggles Cith his
mortality7 he is
affe>ted by the myriad mutations of heaHen and earth.
2Astrology is the study of man"s response to planetary stimuli. The stars haHe no >ons>ious
beneHolen>e or
animosityK they merely send forth positiHe and negatiHe radiations. !f themselHes7 these do not help or
harm
humanity7 but offer a laCful >hannel for the outCard operation of >ause;effe>t eNuilibriums Chi>h ea>h
man
has set into motion in the past.
2A >hild is born on that day and at that hour Chen the >elestial rays are in mathemati>al harmony Cith
his
indiHidual @arma. is horos>ope is a >hallenging portrait7 reHealing his unalterable past and its
probable future
results. .ut the natal >hart >an be rightly interpreted only by men of intuitiHe CisdomA these are feC.
2The message boldly blaIoned a>ross the heaHens at the moment of birth is not meant to emphasiIe
fate;the
result of past good and eHil;but to arouse man"s Cill to es>ape from his uniHersal thralldom. &hat he
has
done7 he >an undo. %one other than himself Cas the instigator of the >auses of ChateHer effe>ts are noC
preHalent in his life. e >an oHer>ome any limitation7 be>ause he >reated it by his oCn a>tions in the
first
pla>e7 and be>ause he has spiritual resour>es Chi>h are not subFe>t to planetary pressure.
2#uperstitious aCe of astrology ma@es one an automaton7 slaHishly dependent on me>hani>al guidan>e.
The
Cise man defeats his planets=Chi>h is to say7 his past;by transferring his allegian>e from the >reation
to the
Creator. The more he realiIes his unity Cith #pirit7 the less he >an be dominated by matter. The soul is
CAPTER 14. !UT&,TT,%) TE #TAR#
Autobiography of a Yogi
eHer;freeK it is deathless be>ause birthless. ,t >annot be regimented by stars.
2*an ,# a soul7 and A# a body. &hen he properly pla>es his sense of identity7 he leaHes behind all
>ompulsiHe patterns. #o long as he remains >onfused in his ordinary state of spiritual amnesia7 he Cill
@noC
the subtle fetters of enHironmental laC.
2)od is harmonyK the deHotee Cho attunes himself Cill neHer perform any a>tion amiss. is a>tiHities
Cill be
>orre>tly and naturally timed to a>>ord Cith astrologi>al laC. After deep prayer and meditation he is in
tou>h
Cith his diHine >ons>iousnessK there is no greater poCer than that inCard prote>tion.3
2Then7 dear *aster7 Chy do you Cant me to Cear an astrologi>al bangleP3 , Hentured this Nuestion after
a long
silen>e7 during Chi>h , had tried to assimilate #ri Yu@tesCar"s noble eJposition.
2,t is only Chen a traHeler has rea>hed his goal that he is Fustified in dis>arding his maps. (uring the
Fourney7
he ta@es adHantage of any >onHenient short >ut. The an>ient rishis dis>oHered many Cays to >urtail the
period
of man"s eJile in delusion. There are >ertain me>hani>al features in the laC of @arma Chi>h >an be
s@illfully
adFusted by the fingers of Cisdom.
2All human ills arise from some transgression of uniHersal laC. The s>riptures point out that man must
satisfy
the laCs of nature7 Chile not dis>rediting the diHine omnipoten>e. e should sayA "'ord7 , trust in Thee7
and
@noC Thou >anst help me7 but , too Cill do my best to undo any Crong , haHe done." .y a number of
means;by prayer7 by Cill poCer7 by yoga meditation7 by >onsultation Cith saints7 by use of astrologi>al
bangles;the adHerse effe>ts of past Crongs >an be minimiIed or nullified.
28ust as a house >an be fitted Cith a >opper rod to absorb the sho>@ of lightning7 so the bodily temple
>an be
benefited by Harious prote>tiHe measures. Ages ago our yogis dis>oHered that pure metals emit an astral
light
Chi>h is poCerfully >ountera>tiHe to negatiHe pulls of the planets. #ubtle ele>tri>al and magneti>
radiations
are >onstantly >ir>ulating in the uniHerseK Chen a man"s body is being aided7 he does not @noC itK Chen
it is
being disintegrated7 he is still in ignoran>e. Can he do anything about itP
2This problem re>eiHed attention from our rishisK they found helpful not only a >ombination of metals7
but
also of plants and;most effe>tiHe of all;faultless FeCels of not less than tCo >arats. The preHentiHe uses
of
astrology haHe seldom been seriously studied outside of ,ndia. !ne little;@noCn fa>t is that the proper
FeCels7
metals7 or plant preparations are Halueless unless the reNuired Ceight is se>ured7 and unless these
remedial
agents are Corn neJt to the s@in.3
2#ir7 of >ourse , shall ta@e your adHi>e and get a bangle. , am intrigued at the thought of outCitting a
planetO3
2For general purposes , >ounsel the use of an armlet made of gold7 silHer7 and >opper. .ut for a spe>ifi>
purpose , Cant you to get one of silHer and lead.3 #ri Yu@tesCar added >areful dire>tions.
2)uruFi7 Chat "spe>ifi> purpose" do you meanP3
2The stars are about to ta@e an unfriendly interest in you7 *u@unda. Fear notK you shall be prote>ted. ,n
about
a month your liHer Cill >ause you mu>h trouble. The illness is s>heduled to last for siJ months7 but
your use of
an astrologi>al armlet Cill shorten the period to tCenty;four days.3
, sought out a FeCeler the neJt day7 and Cas soon Cearing the bangle. *y health Cas eJ>ellentK
*aster"s
predi>tion slipped from my mind. e left #erampore to Hisit .enares. Thirty days after our
>onHersation7 , felt
a sudden pain in the region of my liHer. The folloCing Cee@s Cere a nightmare of eJ>ru>iating pain.
Relu>tant
to disturb my guru7 , thought , Could braHely endure my trial alone.
CAPTER 14. !UT&,TT,%) TE #TAR#
Autobiography of a Yogi
.ut tCenty;three days of torture Cea@ened my resolutionK , entrained for .enares. There #ri Yu@tesCar
greeted me Cith unusual Carmth7 but gaHe me no opportunity to tell him my Coes in priHate. *any
deHotees
Hisited *aster that day7 Fust for a (AR#A%. LF%14;2M ,ll and negle>ted7 , sat in a >orner. ,t Cas not
until
after the eHening meal that all guests had departed. *y guru summoned me to the o>tagonal bal>ony of
the
house.
2You must haHe >ome about your liHer disorder.3 #ri Yu@tesCar"s gaIe Cas aHertedK he Cal@ed to and
fro7
o>>asionally inter>epting the moonlight. 2'et me seeK you haHe been ailing for tCenty;four days7
haHen"t
youP3
2Yes7 sir.3
2Please do the stoma>h eJer>ise , haHe taught you.3
2,f you @neC the eJtent of my suffering7 *aster7 you Could not as@ me to eJer>ise.3 %eHertheless ,
made a
feeble attempt to obey him.
2You say you haHe painK , say you haHe none. oC >an su>h >ontradi>tions eJistP3 *y guru loo@ed at
me
inNuiringly.
, Cas daIed and then oHer>ome Cith Foyful relief. %o longer >ould , feel the >ontinuous torment that
had @ept
me nearly sleepless for Cee@sK at #ri Yu@tesCar"s Cords the agony Hanished as though it had neHer
been.
, started to @neel at his feet in gratitude7 but he Nui>@ly preHented me.
2(on"t be >hildish. )et up and enFoy the beauty of the moon oHer the )anges.3 .ut *aster"s eyes Cere
tCin@ling happily as , stood in silen>e beside him. , understood by his attitude that he Canted me to
feel that
not he7 but )od7 had been the ealer.
, Cear eHen noC the heaHy silHer and lead bangle7 a memento of that day;long;past7 eHer;>herished;
Chen ,
found aneC that , Cas liHing Cith a personage indeed superhuman. !n later o>>asions7 Chen , brought
my
friends to #ri Yu@tesCar for healing7 he inHariably re>ommended FeCels or the bangle7 eJtolling their
use as
an a>t of astrologi>al Cisdom.
, had been preFudi>ed against astrology from my >hildhood7 partly be>ause , obserHed that many people
are
seNua>iously atta>hed to it7 and partly be>ause of a predi>tion made by our family astrologerA 2You Cill
marry
three times7 being tCi>e a CidoCer.3 , brooded oHer the matter7 feeling li@e a goat aCaiting sa>rifi>e
before
the temple of triple matrimony.
2You may as Cell be resigned to your fate73 my brother Ananta had remar@ed. 2Your Critten horos>ope
has
>orre>tly stated that you Could fly from home toCard the imalayas during your early years7 but Could
be
for>ibly returned. The fore>ast of your marriages is also bound to be true.3
A >lear intuition >ame to me one night that the prophe>y Cas Cholly false. , set fire to the horos>ope
s>roll7
pla>ing the ashes in a paper bag on Chi>h , CroteA 2#eeds of past @arma >annot germinate if they are
roasted
in the diHine fires of Cisdom.3 , put the bag in a >onspi>uous spotK Ananta immediately read my defiant
>omment.
2You >annot destroy truth as easily as you haHe burnt this paper s>roll.3 *y brother laughed s>ornfully.
CAPTER 14. !UT&,TT,%) TE #TAR#
Autobiography of a Yogi
,t is a fa>t that on three o>>asions before , rea>hed manhood7 my family tried to arrange my betrothal.
Ea>h
time , refused to fall in Cith the plans7 LF%14;+M @noCing that my loHe for )od Cas more
oHerChelming
than any astrologi>al persuasion from the past.
2The deeper the self;realiIation of a man7 the more he influen>es the Chole uniHerse by his subtle
spiritual
Hibrations7 and the less he himself is affe>ted by the phenomenal fluJ.3 These Cords of *aster"s often
returned inspiringly to my mind.
!>>asionally , told astrologers to sele>t my Corst periods7 a>>ording to planetary indi>ations7 and ,
Could still
a>>omplish ChateHer tas@ , set myself. ,t is true that my su>>ess at su>h times has been a>>ompanied
by
eJtraordinary diffi>ulties. .ut my >onHi>tion has alCays been FustifiedA faith in the diHine prote>tion7
and the
right use of man"s )od;giHen Cill7 are for>es formidable beyond any the 2inHerted boCl3 >an muster.
The starry ins>ription at one"s birth7 , >ame to understand7 is not that man is a puppet of his past. ,ts
message is
rather a prod to prideK the Hery heaHens see@ to arouse man"s determination to be free from eHery
limitation.
)od >reated ea>h man as a soul7 doCered Cith indiHiduality7 hen>e essential to the uniHersal stru>ture7
Chether in the temporary role of pillar or parasite. is freedom is final and immediate7 if he so CillsK it
depends not on outer but inner Hi>tories.
#ri Yu@tesCar dis>oHered the mathemati>al appli>ation of a 2/7---;year eNuino>tial >y>le to our
present age.
LF%14;/M The >y>le is diHided into an As>ending Ar> and a (es>ending Ar>7 ea>h of 127--- years.
&ithin
ea>h Ar> fall four YU)A# or Ages7 >alled $A',7 (&APARA7 TRETA7 and #ATYA7 >orresponding to
the
)ree@ ideas of ,ron7 .ronIe7 #ilHer7 and )olden Ages.
*y guru determined by Harious >al>ulations that the last $A', YU)A or ,ron Age7 of the As>ending
Ar>7
started about A.(. 1--. The ,ron Age7 12-- years in duration7 is a span of materialismK it ended about
A.(.
15--. That year ushered in (&APARA YU)A7 a 2/--;year period of ele>tri>al and atomi>;energy
deHelopments7 the age of telegraph7 radio7 airplanes7 and other spa>e;annihilators.
The +4--;year period of TRETA YU)A Cill start in A.(. /1--K its age Cill be mar@ed by >ommon
@noCledge of telepathi> >ommuni>ations and other time;annihilators. (uring the /0-- years of #ATYA
YU)A7 final age in an as>ending ar>7 the intelligen>e of a man Cill be >ompletely deHelopedK he Cill
Cor@ in
harmony Cith the diHine plan.
A des>ending ar> of 127--- years7 starting Cith a des>ending )olden Age of /0-- years7 then begins
LF%14;1M for the CorldK man gradually sin@s into ignoran>e. These >y>les are the eternal rounds of
*AYA7
the >ontrasts and relatiHities of the phenomenal uniHerse. LF%14;4M *an7 one by one7 es>apes from
>reation"s
prison of duality as he aCa@ens to >ons>iousness of his inseHerable diHine unity Cith the Creator.
*aster enlarged my understanding not only of astrology but of the Corld"s s>riptures. Pla>ing the holy
teJts
on the spotless table of his mind7 he Cas able to disse>t them Cith the s>alpel of intuitiHe reasoning7
and to
separate errors and interpolations of s>holars from the truths as originally eJpressed by the prophets.
2FiJ one"s Hision on the end of the nose.3 This ina>>urate interpretation of a .A)A6A( ),TA stanIa7
LF%14;5M Cidely a>>epted by Eastern pundits and &estern translators7 used to arouse *aster"s droll
>riti>ism.
2The path of a yogi is singular enough as it is73 he remar@ed. 2&hy >ounsel him that he must also ma@e
himself >ross;eyedP The true meaning of %A#,$A)RA* is "origin of the nose7 not "end of the nose."
The
nose begins at the point betCeen the tCo eyebroCs7 the seat of spiritual Hision.3 LF%14;0M .e>ause of
one
#A%$YA LF%14;9M aphorism7 2,#&AR;A#,(A73;TA 'ord of Creation >annot be dedu>ed3 or
2)od
CAPTER 14. !UT&,TT,%) TE #TAR#
Autobiography of a Yogi
is not proHed73 LF%14;1-M=many s>holars >all the Chole philosophy atheisti>al.
2The Herse is not nihilisti>73 #ri Yu@tesCar eJplained. 2,t merely signifies that to the unenlightened
man7
dependent on his senses for all final Fudgments7 proof of )od must remain un@noCn and therefore
non;eJistent. True #A%$YA folloCers7 Cith unsha@able insight born of meditation7 understand that
the
'ord is both eJistent and @noCable.3
*aster eJpounded the Christian .ible Cith a beautiful >larity. ,t Cas from my indu guru7 un@noCn to
the
roll >all of Christian membership7 that , learned to per>eiHe the deathless essen>e of the .ible7 and to
understand the truth in Christ"s assertion;surely the most thrillingly intransigent eHer utteredA 2eaHen
and
earth shall pass aCay7 but my Cords shall not pass aCay.3 LF%14;11M
The great masters of ,ndia mold their liHes by the same godly ideals Chi>h animated 8esusK these men
are his
pro>laimed @inA 2&hosoeHer shall do the Cill of my Father Chi>h is in heaHen7 the same is my brother7
and
sister7 and mother.3 LF%14;12M 2,f ye >ontinue in my Cord73 Christ pointed out7 2then are ye my
dis>iples
indeedK and ye shall @noC the truth7 and the truth shall ma@e you free.3 LF%14;1+M Freemen all7 lords
of
themselHes7 the Yogi;Christs of ,ndia are part of the immortal fraternityA those Cho haHe attained a
liberating
@noCledge of the !ne Father.
2The Adam and EHe story is in>omprehensible to meO3 , obserHed Cith >onsiderable heat one day in
my early
struggles Cith the allegory. 2&hy did )od punish not only the guilty pair7 but also the inno>ent unborn
generationsP3
*aster Cas more amused by my Hehemen>e than my ignoran>e. 2)E%E#,# is deeply symboli>7 and
>annot be
grasped by a literal interpretation73 he eJplained. 2,ts "tree of life" is the human body. The spinal >ord is
li@e an
upturned tree7 Cith man"s hair as its roots7 and afferent and efferent nerHes as bran>hes. The tree of the
nerHous system bears many enFoyable fruits7 or sensations of sight7 sound7 smell7 taste7 and tou>h. ,n
these7
man may rightfully indulgeK but he Cas forbidden the eJperien>e of seJ7 the "apple" at the >enter of the
bodily
garden. LF%14;1/M
2The "serpent" represents the >oiled;up spinal energy Chi>h stimulates the seJ nerHes. "Adam" is reason7
and
"EHe" is feeling. &hen the emotion or EHe;>ons>iousness in any human being is oHerpoCered by the seJ
impulse7 his reason or Adam also su>>umbs. LF%14;11M
2)od >reated the human spe>ies by materialiIing the bodies of man and Coman through the for>e of
is CillK
e endoCed the neC spe>ies Cith the poCer to >reate >hildren in a similar "imma>ulate" or diHine
manner.
LF%14;14M .e>ause is manifestation in the indiHidualiIed soul had hitherto been limited to animals7
instin>t;bound and la>@ing the potentialities of full reason7 )od made the first human bodies7
symboli>ally
>alled Adam and EHe. To these7 for adHantageous upCard eHolution7 e transferred the souls or diHine
essen>e of tCo animals. LF%14;15M ,n Adam or man7 reason predominatedK in EHe or Coman7 feeling
Cas
as>endant. Thus Cas eJpressed the duality or polarity Chi>h underlies the phenomenal Corlds. Reason
and
feeling remain in a heaHen of >ooperatiHe Foy so long as the human mind is not tri>@ed by the
serpentine
energy of animal propensities.
2The human body Cas therefore not solely a result of eHolution from beasts7 but Cas produ>ed by an
a>t of
spe>ial >reation by )od. The animal forms Cere too >rude to eJpress full diHinityK the human being Cas
uniNuely giHen a tremendous mental >apa>ity;the "thousand;petaled lotus" of the brain;as Cell as a>utely
aCa@ened o>>ult >enters in the spine.
2)od7 or the (iHine Cons>iousness present Cithin the first >reated pair7 >ounseled them to enFoy all
human
sensibilities7 but not to put their >on>entration on tou>h sensations. LF%14;10M These Cere banned in
order to
CAPTER 14. !UT&,TT,%) TE #TAR#
Autobiography of a Yogi
aHoid the deHelopment of the seJ organs7 Chi>h Could enmesh humanity in the inferior animal method
of
propagation. The Carning not to reHiHe sub>ons>iously;present bestial memories Cas not heeded.
Resuming
the Cay of brute pro>reation7 Adam and EHe fell from the state of heaHenly Foy natural to the original
perfe>t
man.
2$noCledge of "good and eHil" refers to the >osmi> dualisti> >ompulsion. Falling under the sCay of
*AYA
through misuse of his feeling and reason7 or EHe;and Adam;>ons>iousness7 man relinNuishes his right
to
enter the heaHenly garden of diHine self;suffi>ien>y. LF%14;19M The personal responsibility of eHery
human
being is to restore his "parents" or dual nature to a unified harmony or Eden.3
As #ri Yu@tesCar ended his dis>ourse7 , glan>ed Cith neC respe>t at the pages of )E%E#,#.
2(ear *aster73 , said7 2for the first time , feel a proper filial obligation toCard Adam and EHeO3
LF%14;1M From astronomi>al referen>es in an>ient indu s>riptures7 s>holars haHe been able to
>orre>tly
as>ertain the dates of the authors. The s>ientifi> @noCledge of the rishis Cas Hery greatK in the
$AU#,TA$,
.RA*A%A Ce find pre>ise astronomi>al passages Chi>h shoC that in +1-- ..C. the indus Cere
far
adHan>ed in astronomy7 Chi>h had a pra>ti>al Halue in determining the auspi>ious times for astrologi>al
>eremonies. ,n an arti>le in EA#T;&E#T7 February7 19+/7 the folloCing summary is giHen of the
8Y!T,#
or body of 6edi> astronomi>al treatisesA 2,t >ontains the s>ientifi> lore Chi>h @ept ,ndia at the forefront
of all
an>ient nations and made her the me>>a of see@ers after @noCledge. The Hery an>ient
.RA*A)UPTA7 one
of the 8Y!T,# Cor@s7 is an astronomi>al treatise dealing Cith su>h matters as the helio>entri> motion
of the
planetary bodies in our solar system7 the obliNuity of the e>lipti>7 the earth"s spheri>al form7 the
refle>ted light
of the moon7 the earth"s daily aJial reHolution7 the presen>e of fiJed stars in the *il@y &ay7 the laC of
graHitation7 and other s>ientifi> fa>ts Chi>h did not daCn in the &estern Corld until the time of
Coperni>us
and %eCton.3
,t is noC Cell;@noCn that the so;>alled 2Arabi> numerals73 Cithout Chose symbols adHan>ed
mathemati>s is
diffi>ult7 >ame to Europe in the 9th >entury7 Hia the Arabs7 from ,ndia7 Chere that system of notation
had been
an>iently formulated. Further light on ,ndia"s Hast s>ientifi> heritage Cill be found in (r. P. C. Ray"s
,#T!RY !F ,%(U CE*,#TRY7 and in (r. .. %. #eal"s P!#,T,6E #C,E%CE# !F TE
A%C,E%T
,%(U#.
LF%14;2M The blessing Chi>h floCs from the mere sight of a saint.
LF%14;+M !ne of the girls Chom my family sele>ted as a possible bride for me7 afterCards married my
>ousin7 Prabhas Chandra )hose.
LF%14;/M A series of thirteen arti>les on the histori>al Herifi>ation of #ri Yu@tesCar"s YU)A theory
appeared in the magaIine EA#T;&E#T Q'os AngelesS from #eptember7 19+27 to #eptember7 19++.
LF%14;1M ,n the year A.(. 1271--.
LF%14;4M The indu s>riptures pla>e the present Corld;age as o>>urring Cithin the $A', YU)A of a
mu>h
longer uniHersal >y>le than the simple 2/7---;year eNuino>tial >y>le Cith Chi>h #ri Yu@tesCar Cas
>on>erned. The uniHersal >y>le of the s>riptures is /7+--714-7--- years in eJtent7 and measures out a
(ay of
Creation or the length of life assigned to our planetary system in its present form. This Hast figure giHen
by the
rishis is based on a relationship betCeen the length of the solar year and a multiple of Pi Q+.1/147 the
ratio of
the >ir>umferen>e to the diameter of a >ir>leS.
CAPTER 14. !UT&,TT,%) TE #TAR#
Autobiography of a Yogi
The life span for a Chole uniHerse7 a>>ording to the an>ient seers7 is +1/71197---7---7--- solar years7
or 2!ne
Age of .rahma.3
#>ientists estimate the present age of the earth to be about tCo billion years7 basing their >on>lusions on
a
study of lead po>@ets left as a result of radioa>tiHity in ro>@s. The indu s>riptures de>lare that an earth
su>h
as ours is dissolHed for one of tCo reasonsA the inhabitants as a Chole be>ome either >ompletely good
or
>ompletely eHil. The Corld;mind thus generates a poCer Chi>h releases the >aptiHe atoms held together
as an
earth.
(ire pronoun>ements are o>>asionally published regarding an imminent 2end of the Corld.3 The latest
predi>tion of doom Cas giHen by ReH. Chas. ). 'ong of Pasadena7 Cho publi>ly set the 2(ay of
8udgment3
for #ept. 217 19/1. U%,TE( PRE## reporters as@ed my opinionK , eJplained that Corld >y>les folloC
an
orderly progression a>>ording to a diHine plan. %o earthly dissolution is in sightK tCo billion years of
as>ending and des>ending eNuino>tial >y>les are yet in store for our planet in its present form. The
figures
giHen by the rishis for the Harious Corld ages deserHe >areful study in the &estK the magaIine T,*E
Q(e>. 157
19/17 p. 4S >alled them 2reassuring statisti>s.3
LF%14;5M >hapter 6,A1+.
LF%14;0M 2The light of the body is the eyeA therefore Chen thine eye is single7 thy Chole body also is
full of
lightK but Chen thine eye is eHil7 thy body also is full of dar@ness. Ta@e heed therefore that the light
Chi>h is
in thee be not dar@ness.3;'U$E 11A+/;+1.
LF%14;9M !ne of the siJ systems of indu philosophy. #A%$YA tea>hes final eman>ipation through
@noCledge of tCenty;fiHe prin>iples7 starting Cith PRA$R,T, or nature and ending Cith PURU#A or
soul.
LF%14;1-M #A%$YA AP!R,#*#7 ,A92.
LF%14;11M *ATTE& 2/A+1.
LF%14;12M *ATTE& 12A1-.
LF%14;1+M 8!% 0A+1;+2. #t. 8ohn testifiedA 2.ut as many as re>eiHed him7 to them gaHe he poCer to
be>ome the sons of )od7 eHen to them that belieHe on his name QeHen to them Cho are established in
the
Christ Cons>iousnessS.3;8!% 1A12.
LF%14;1/M 2&e may eat of the fruit of the trees of the gardenA but of the fruit of the tree Chi>h is in the
midst
of the garden7 )od hath said7 Ye shall not eat of it7 neither shall ye tou>h it7 lest ye die.3;)E%E#,# +A2;
+.
LF%14;11M 2The Coman Chom thou gaHest to be Cith me7 she gaHe me of the tree7 and , did eat. The
Coman
said7 The serpent beguiled me7 and , did eat.3;)E%. +A12;1+.
LF%14;14M 2#o )od >reated man in his oCn image7 in the image of )od >reated he himK male and
female
>reated he them. And )od blessed them7 and )od said unto them7 .e fruitful and multiply7 and
replenish the
earth7 and subdue it.3;)E%. 1A25;20.
LF%14;15M 2And the 'ord )od formed man of the dust of the ground7 and breathed into his nostrils the
breath of lifeK and man be>ame a liHing soul.3;)E%. 2A5.
LF%14;10M 2%oC the serpent QseJ for>eS Cas more subtil than any beast of the field3 Qany other sense
of the
bodyS.;)E%. +A1.
CAPTER 14. !UT&,TT,%) TE #TAR#
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%14;19M 2And the 'ord )od planted a garden eastCard in EdenK and there he put the man Chom he
had
formed.3;)E%. 2A0. 2Therefore the 'ord )od sent him forth from the garden of Eden7 to till the ground
from
Chen>e he Cas ta@en.3;)E%. +A2+. The diHine man first made by )od had his >ons>iousness >entered
in the
omnipotent single eye in the forehead QeastCardS. The all;>reatiHe poCers of his Cill7 fo>used at that
spot7
Cere lost to man Chen he began to 2till the ground3 of his physi>al nature.
CAPTER 15. #A#, A%( TE TREE #APP,RE#
2.e>ause you and my son thin@ so highly of #Cami #ri Yu@tesCar7 , Cill ta@e a loo@ at him.3 The tone
of
Hoi>e used by (r. %arayan Chunder Roy implied that he Cas humoring the Chim of half;Cits. ,
>on>ealed my
indignation7 in the best traditions of the proselyter.
*y >ompanion7 a Heterinary surgeon7 Cas a >onfirmed agnosti>. is young son #antosh had implored
me to
ta@e an interest in his father. #o far my inHaluable aid had been a bit on the inHisible side.
(r. Roy a>>ompanied me the folloCing day to the #erampore hermitage. After *aster had granted him
a brief
interHieC7 mar@ed for the most part by stoi> silen>e on both sides7 the Hisitor brusNuely departed.
2&hy bring a dead man to the ashramP3 #ri Yu@tesCar loo@ed at me inNuiringly as soon as the door
had
>losed on the Cal>utta s@epti>.
2#irO The do>tor is Hery mu>h aliHeO3
2.ut in a short time he Cill be dead.3
, Cas sho>@ed. 2#ir7 this Cill be a terrible bloC to his son. #antosh yet hopes for time to >hange his
father"s
materialisti> HieCs. , besee>h you7 *aster7 to help the man.3
26ery CellK for your sa@e.3 *y guru"s fa>e Cas impassiHe. 2The proud horse do>tor is far gone in
diabetes7
although he does not @noC it. ,n fifteen days he Cill ta@e to his bed. The physi>ians Cill giHe him up
for lostK
his natural time to leaHe this earth is siJ Cee@s from today. (ue to your inter>ession7 hoCeHer7 on that
date he
Cill re>oHer. .ut there is one >ondition. You must get him to Cear an astrologi>al bangleK he Cill
doubtless
obFe>t as Hiolently as one of his horses before an operationO3 *aster >hu>@led.
After a silen>e7 during Chi>h , Condered hoC #antosh and , >ould best employ the arts of >aFolery on
the
re>al>itrant do>tor7 #ri Yu@tesCar made further dis>losures.
2As soon as the man gets Cell7 adHise him not to eat meat. e Cill not heed this >ounsel7 hoCeHer7 and
in siJ
months7 Fust as he is feeling at his best7 he Cill drop dead. EHen that siJ;month eJtension of life is
granted
him only be>ause of your plea.3
The folloCing day , suggested to #antosh that he order an armlet at the FeCeler"s. ,t Cas ready in a
Cee@7 but
(r. Roy refused to put it on.
2, am in the best of health. You Cill neHer impress me Cith these astrologi>al superstitions.3 The do>tor
glan>ed at me belligerently.
, re>alled Cith amusement that *aster had Fustifiably >ompared the man to a bal@y horse. Another
seHen days
passedK the do>tor7 suddenly ill7 mee@ly >onsented to Cear the bangle. TCo Cee@s later the physi>ian in
attendan>e told me that his patient"s >ase Cas hopeless. e supplied harroCing details of the raHages
infli>ted
by diabetes.
CAPTER 15. #A#, A%( TE TREE #APP,RE#
Autobiography of a Yogi
, shoo@ my head. 2*y guru has said that7 after a si>@ness lasting one month7 (r. Roy Cill be Cell.3
The physi>ian stared at me in>redulously. .ut he sought me out a fortnight later7 Cith an apologeti> air.
2(r. Roy has made a >omplete re>oHeryO3 he eJ>laimed. 2,t is the most amaIing >ase in my eJperien>e.
%eHer
before haHe , seen a dying man shoC su>h an ineJpli>able >omeba>@. Your guru must indeed be a
healing
prophetO3
After one interHieC Cith (r. Roy7 during Chi>h , repeated #ri Yu@tesCar"s adHi>e about a meatless diet7
, did
not see the man again for siJ months. e stopped for a >hat one eHening as , sat on the piaIIa of my
family
home on )urpar Road.
2Tell your tea>her that by eating meat freNuently7 , haHe Cholly regained my strength. is uns>ientifi>
ideas
on diet haHe not influen>ed me.3 ,t Cas true that (r. Roy loo@ed a pi>ture of health.
.ut the neJt day #antosh >ame running to me from his home on the neJt blo>@. 2This morning Father
dropped
deadO3
This >ase Cas one of my strangest eJperien>es Cith *aster. e healed the rebellious Heterinary surgeon
in
spite of his disbelief7 and eJtended the man"s natural term on earth by siJ months7 Fust be>ause of my
earnest
suppli>ation. #ri Yu@tesCar Cas boundless in his @indness Chen >onfronted by the urgent prayer of a
deHotee.
,t Cas my proudest priHilege to bring >ollege friends to meet my guru. *any of them Could lay aside;
at least
in the ashramO;their fashionable a>ademi> >loa@ of religious s@epti>ism.
!ne of my friends7 #asi7 spent a number of happy Cee@ ends in #erampore. *aster be>ame immensely
fond
of the boy7 and lamented that his priHate life Cas Cild and disorderly.
2#asi7 unless you reform7 one year hen>e you Cill be dangerously ill.3 #ri Yu@tesCar gaIed at my
friend Cith
affe>tionate eJasperation. 2*u@unda is the CitnessA don"t say later that , didn"t Carn you.3
#asi laughed. 2*aster7 , Cill leaHe it to you to interest a sCeet >harity of >osmos in my oCn sad >aseO
*y
spirit is Cilling but my Cill is Cea@. You are my only saHior on earthK , belieHe in nothing else.3
2At least you should Cear a tCo;>arat blue sapphire. ,t Cill help you.3
2, >an"t afford one. AnyhoC7 dear guruFi7 if trouble >omes7 , fully belieHe you Cill prote>t me.3
2,n a year you Cill bring three sapphires73 #ri Yu@tesCar replied >rypti>ally. 2They Cill be of no use
then.3
6ariations on this >onHersation too@ pla>e regularly. 2, >an"t reformO3 #asi Could say in >omi>al
despair.
2And my trust in you7 *aster7 is more pre>ious to me than any stoneO3
A year later , Cas Hisiting my guru at the Cal>utta home of his dis>iple7 %aren .abu. About ten o">lo>@
in the
morning7 as #ri Yu@tesCar and , Cere sitting Nuietly in the se>ond;floor parlor7 , heard the front door
open.
*aster straightened stiffly.
2,t is that #asi73 he remar@ed graHely. 2The year is noC upK both his lungs are gone. e has ignored my
>ounselK tell him , don"t Cant to see him.3
alf stunned by #ri Yu@tesCar"s sternness7 , ra>ed doCn the stairCay. #asi Cas as>ending.
CAPTER 15. #A#, A%( TE TREE #APP,RE#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2! *u@undaO , do hope *aster is hereK , had a hun>h he might be.3
2Yes7 but he doesn"t Cish to be disturbed.3
#asi burst into tears and brushed past me. e threC himself at #ri Yu@tesCar"s feet7 pla>ing there three
beautiful sapphires.
2!mnis>ient guru7 the do>tors say , haHe galloping tuber>ulosisO They giHe me no longer than three
more
monthsO , humbly implore your aidK , @noC you >an heal meO3
2,sn"t it a bit late noC to be Corrying oHer your lifeP (epart Cith your FeCelsK their time of usefulness
is past.3
*aster then sat sphinJli@e in an unrelenting silen>e7 pun>tuated by the boy"s sobs for mer>y.
An intuitiHe >onHi>tion >ame to me that #ri Yu@tesCar Cas merely testing the depth of #asi"s faith in
the
diHine healing poCer. , Cas not surprised a tense hour later Chen *aster turned a sympatheti> gaIe on
my
prostrate friend.
2)et up7 #asiK Chat a >ommotion you ma@e in other people"s housesO Return your sapphires to the
FeCeler"sK
they are an unne>essary eJpense noC. .ut get an astrologi>al bangle and Cear it. Fear notK in a feC
Cee@s you
shall be Cell.3
#asi"s smile illumined his tear;marred fa>e li@e sudden sun oHer a sodden lands>ape. 2.eloHed guru7
shall ,
ta@e the medi>ines pres>ribed by the do>torsP3
#ri Yu@tesCar"s glan>e Cas longanimous. 28ust as you Cish;drin@ them or dis>ard themK it does not
matter. ,t
is more possible for the sun and moon to inter>hange their positions than for you to die of
tuber>ulosis.3 e
added abruptly7 2)o noC7 before , >hange my mindO3
&ith an agitated boC7 my friend hastily departed. , Hisited him seHeral times during the neJt feC
Cee@s7 and
Cas aghast to find his >ondition in>reasingly Corse.
2#asi >annot last through the night.3 These Cords from his physi>ian7 and the spe>ta>le of my friend7
noC
redu>ed almost to a s@eleton7 sent me posthaste to #erampore. *y guru listened >oldly to my tearful
report.
2&hy do you >ome here to bother meP You haHe already heard me assure #asi of his re>oHery.3
, boCed before him in great aCe7 and retreated to the door. #ri Yu@tesCar said no parting Cord7 but
san@ into
silen>e7 his unCin@ing eyes half;open7 their Hision fled to another Corld.
, returned at on>e to #asi"s home in Cal>utta. &ith astonishment , found my friend sitting up7 drin@ing
mil@.
2! *u@undaO &hat a mira>leO Four hours ago , felt *aster"s presen>e in the roomK my terrible
symptoms
immediately disappeared. , feel that through his gra>e , am entirely Cell.3
,n a feC Cee@s #asi Cas stouter and in better health than eHer before. LF%15;1M .ut his singular
rea>tion to
his healing had an ungrateful tingeA he seldom Hisited #ri Yu@tesCar againO *y friend told me one day
that he
so deeply regretted his preHious mode of life that he Cas ashamed to fa>e *aster.
, >ould only >on>lude that #asi"s illness had had the >ontrasting effe>t of stiffening his Cill and
impairing his
manners.
CAPTER 15. #A#, A%( TE TREE #APP,RE#
Autobiography of a Yogi
The first tCo years of my >ourse at #>ottish Chur>h College Cere draCing to a >lose. *y >lassroom
attendan>e had been Hery spasmodi>K Chat little studying , did Cas only to @eep pea>e Cith my family.
*y
tCo priHate tutors >ame regularly to my houseK , Cas regularly absentA , >an dis>ern at least this one
regularity
in my s>holasti> >areerO
,n ,ndia tCo su>>essful years of >ollege bring an ,ntermediate Arts diplomaK the student may then loo@
forCard to another tCo years and his A... degree.
The ,ntermediate Arts final eJaminations loomed ominously ahead. , fled to Puri7 Chere my guru Cas
spending a feC Cee@s. 6aguely hoping that he Could san>tion my nonappearan>e at the finals7 , related
my
embarrassing unpreparedness.
.ut *aster smiled >onsolingly. 2You haHe Choleheartedly pursued your spiritual duties7 and >ould not
help
negle>ting your >ollege Cor@. Apply yourself diligently to your boo@s for the neJt Cee@A you shall get
through your ordeal Cithout failure.3
, returned to Cal>utta7 firmly suppressing all reasonable doubts that o>>asionally arose Cith unnerHing
ridi>ule. #urHeying the mountain of boo@s on my table7 , felt li@e a traHeler lost in a Cilderness. A long
period
of meditation brought me a labor;saHing inspiration. !pening ea>h boo@ at random7 , studied only
those
pages Chi>h lay thus eJposed. Pursuing this >ourse during eighteen hours a day for a Cee@7 ,
>onsidered
myself entitled to adHise all su>>eeding generations on the art of >ramming.
The folloCing days in the eJamination halls Cere a Fustifi>ation of my seemingly haphaIard pro>edure.
,
passed all the tests7 though by a hairbreadth. The >ongratulations of my friends and family Cere
ludi>rously
miJed Cith eFa>ulations betraying their astonishment.
!n his return from Puri7 #ri Yu@tesCar gaHe me a pleasant surprise. 2Your Cal>utta studies are noC
oHer. ,
Cill see that you pursue your last tCo years of uniHersity Cor@ right here in #erampore.3
, Cas puIIled. 2#ir7 there is no .a>helor of Arts >ourse in this toCn.3 #erampore College7 the sole
institution
of higher learning7 offered only a tCo;year >ourse in ,ntermediate Arts.
*aster smiled mis>hieHously. 2, am too old to go about >olle>ting donations to establish an A...
>ollege for
you. , guess , shall haHe to arrange the matter through someone else.3
TCo months later Professor oCells7 president of #erampore College7 publi>ly announ>ed that he had
su>>eeded in raising suffi>ient funds to offer a four;year >ourse. #erampore College be>ame a bran>h
affiliation of the UniHersity of Cal>utta. , Cas one of the first students to enroll in #erampore as an A...
>andidate.
2)uruFi7 hoC @ind you are to meO , haHe been longing to leaHe Cal>utta and be near you eHery day in
#erampore. Professor oCells does not dream hoC mu>h he oCes to your silent helpO3
#ri Yu@tesCar gaIed at me Cith mo>@ seHerity. 2%oC you Con"t haHe to spend so many hours on trainsK
Chat
a lot of free time for your studiesO Perhaps you Cill be>ome less of a last;minute >rammer and more of
a
s>holar.3 .ut somehoC his tone la>@ed >onHi>tion.
LF%15;1M ,n 19+4 , heard from a friend that #asi Cas still in eJ>ellent health.
CAPTER 15. #A#, A%( TE TREE #APP,RE#
Autobiography of a Yogi
CAPTER 10. A *!A**E(A% &!%(ER;&!R$ER
2Years ago7 right in this Hery room you noC o>>upy7 a *ohammedan Conder;Cor@er performed four
mira>les before meO3
#ri Yu@tesCar made this surprising statement during his first Hisit to my neC Nuarters. ,mmediately
after
entering #erampore College7 , had ta@en a room in a near;by boardinghouse7 >alled PA%T,. ,t Cas an
old;fashioned bri>@ mansion7 fronting the )anges.
2*aster7 Chat a >oin>iden>eO Are these neCly de>orated Calls really an>ient Cith memoriesP3 , loo@ed
around my simply furnished room Cith aCa@ened interest.
2,t is a long story.3 *y guru smiled reminis>ently. 2The name of the FA$,R LF%10;1M Cas AfIal
$han. e
had a>Nuired his eJtraordinary poCers through a >han>e en>ounter Cith a indu yogi.
2"#on7 , am thirstyK fet>h me some Cater." A dust;>oHered #A%%YA#, made this reNuest of AfIal one
day
during his early boyhood in a small Hillage of eastern .engal.
2"*aster7 , am a *ohammedan. oC >ould you7 a indu7 a>>ept a drin@ from my handsP"
2"Your truthfulness pleases me7 my >hild. , do not obserHe the ostra>iIing rules of ungodly
se>tarianism. )oK
bring me Cater Nui>@ly."
2AfIal"s reHerent obedien>e Cas reCarded by a loHing glan>e from the yogi.
2"You possess good @arma from former liHes7" he obserHed solemnly. ", am going to tea>h you a >ertain
yoga
method Chi>h Cill giHe you >ommand oHer one of the inHisible realms. The great poCers that Cill be
yours
should be eJer>ised for Corthy endsK neHer employ them selfishlyO , per>eiHe7 alasO that you haHe
brought
oHer from the past some seeds of destru>tiHe tenden>ies. (o not alloC them to sprout by Catering them
Cith
fresh eHil a>tions. The >ompleJity of your preHious @arma is su>h that you must use this life to
re>on>ile your
yogi> a>>omplishments Cith the highest humanitarian goals."
2After instru>ting the amaIed boy in a >ompli>ated te>hniNue7 the master Hanished.
2AfIal faithfully folloCed his yoga eJer>ise for tCenty years. is mira>ulous feats began to attra>t
Cidespread
attention. ,t seems that he Cas alCays a>>ompanied by a disembodied spirit Chom he >alled "aIrat."
This
inHisible entity Cas able to fulfill the FA$,R"# slightest Cish.
2,gnoring his master"s Carning7 AfIal began to misuse his poCers. &hateHer obFe>t he tou>hed and
then
repla>ed Could soon disappear Cithout a tra>e. This dis>on>erting eHentuality usually made the
*ohammedan
an obFe>tionable guestO
2e Hisited large FeCelry stores in Cal>utta from time to time7 representing himself as a possible
pur>haser.
Any FeCel he handled Could Hanish shortly after he had left the shop.
2AfIal Cas often surrounded by seHeral hundred students7 attra>ted by the hope of learning his se>rets.
The
FA$,R o>>asionally inHited them to traHel Cith him. At the railCay station he Could manage to tou>h a
roll
of ti>@ets. These he Could return to the >ler@7 remar@ingA ", haHe >hanged my mind7 and Con"t buy them
noC."
.ut Chen he boarded the train Cith his retinue7 AfIal Could be in possession of the reNuired ti>@ets.
LF%10;2M
CAPTER 10. A *!A**E(A% &!%(ER;&!R$ER
Autobiography of a Yogi
2These eJploits >reated an indignant uproarK .engali FeCelers and ti>@et;sellers Cere su>>umbing to
nerHous
brea@doCnsO The poli>e Cho sought to arrest AfIal found themselHes helplessK the FA$,R >ould
remoHe
in>riminating eHiden>e merely by sayingA "aIrat7 ta@e this aCay."2
#ri Yu@tesCar rose from his seat and Cal@ed to the bal>ony of my room Chi>h oHerloo@ed the )anges.
,
folloCed him7 eager to hear more of the baffling *ohammedan Raffles.
2This PA%T, house formerly belonged to a friend of mine. e be>ame a>Nuainted Cith AfIal and
as@ed him
here. *y friend also inHited about tCenty neighbors7 in>luding myself. , Cas only a youth then7 and felt
a
liHely >uriosity about the notorious FA$,R.3 *aster laughed. 2, too@ the pre>aution of not Cearing
anything
HaluableO AfIal loo@ed me oHer inNuisitiHely7 then remar@edA
2"You haHe poCerful hands. )o doCnstairs to the gardenK get a smooth stone and Crite your name on it
Cith
>hal@K then throC the stone as far as possible into the )anges."
2, obeyed. As soon as the stone had Hanished under distant CaHes7 the *ohammedan addressed me
againA
2"Fill a pot Cith )anges Cater near the front of this house."
2After , had returned Cith a Hessel of Cater7 the FA$,R >ried7 "aIrat7 put the stone in the potO"
2The stone appeared at on>e. , pulled it from the Hessel and found my signature as legible as Chen ,
had
Critten it.
2.abu7 LF%10;+M one of my friends in the room7 Cas Cearing a heaHy antiNue gold Cat>h and >hain.
The
FA$,R eJamined them Cith ominous admiration. #oon they Cere missingO
2"AfIal7 please return my priIed heirloomO" .abu Cas nearly in tears.
2The *ohammedan Cas stoi>ally silent for aChile7 then said7 "You haHe fiHe hundred rupees in an iron
safe.
.ring them to me7 and , Cill tell you Chere to lo>ate your timepie>e."
2The distraught .abu left immediately for his home. e >ame ba>@ shortly and handed AfIal the
reNuired
sum.
2")o to the little bridge near your house7" the FA$,R instru>ted .abu. "Call on aIrat to giHe you the
Cat>h
and >hain."
2.abu rushed aCay. !n his return7 he Cas Cearing a smile of relief and no FeCelry ChateHer.
2"&hen , >ommanded aIrat as dire>ted7" he announ>ed7 "my Cat>h >ame tumbling doCn from the air
into my
right handO You may be sure , lo>@ed the heirloom in my safe before reFoining the group hereO"
2.abu"s friends7 Citnesses of the >omi>otragedy of the ransom for a Cat>h7 Cere staring Cith
resentment at
AfIal. e noC spo@e pla>atingly.
2"Please name any drin@ you CantK aIrat Cill produ>e it."
2A number as@ed for mil@7 others for fruit Fui>es. , Cas not too mu>h sho>@ed Chen the unnerHed .abu
reNuested Chis@yO The *ohammedan gaHe an orderK the obliging aIrat sent sealed >ontainers sailing
doCn
the air and thudding to the floor. Ea>h man found his desired beHerage.
CAPTER 10. A *!A**E(A% &!%(ER;&!R$ER
Autobiography of a Yogi
2The promise of the fourth spe>ta>ular feat of the day Cas doubtless gratifying to our hostA AfIal
offered to
supply an instantaneous lun>hO
2"'et us order the most eJpensiHe dishes7" .abu suggested gloomily. ", Cant an elaborate meal for my
fiHe
hundred rupeesO EHerything should be serHed on gold platesO"
2As soon as ea>h man had eJpressed his preferen>es7 the FA$,R addressed himself to the ineJhaustible
aIrat. A great rattle ensuedK gold platters filled Cith intri>ately;prepared >urries7 hot 'UC,#7 and
many
out;of;season fruits7 landed from noChere at our feet. All the food Cas deli>ious. After feasting for an
hour7
Ce started to leaHe the room. A tremendous noise7 as though dishes Cere being piled up7 >aused us to
turn
around. 'oO there Cas no sign of the glittering plates or the remnants of the meal.3
2)uruFi73 , interrupted7 2if AfIal >ould easily se>ure su>h things as gold dishes7 Chy did he >oHet the
property
of othersP3
2The FA$,R Cas not highly deHeloped spiritually73 #ri Yu@tesCar eJplained. 2is mastery of a >ertain
yoga
te>hniNue gaHe him a>>ess to an astral plane Chere any desire is immediately materialiIed. Through the
agen>y of an astral being7 aIrat7 the *ohammedan >ould summon the atoms of any obFe>t from
etheri>
energy by an a>t of poCerful Cill. .ut su>h astrally;produ>ed obFe>ts are stru>turally eHanes>entK they
>annot
be long retained. AfIal still yearned for Corldly Cealth Chi>h7 though more hardly earned7 has a more
dependable durability.3
, laughed. 2,t too sometimes Hanishes most una>>ountablyO3
2AfIal Cas not a man of )od;realiIation73 *aster Cent on. 2*ira>les of a permanent and benefi>ial
nature
are performed by true saints be>ause they haHe attuned themselHes to the omnipotent Creator. AfIal
Cas
merely an ordinary man Cith an eJtraordinary poCer of penetrating a subtle realm not usually entered
by
mortals until death.3
2, understand noC7 )uruFi. The after;Corld appears to haHe some >harming features.3
*aster agreed. 2, neHer saC AfIal after that day7 but a feC years later .abu >ame to my home to shoC
me a
neCspaper a>>ount of the *ohammedan"s publi> >onfession. From it , learned the fa>ts , haHe Fust told
you
about AfIal"s early initiation from a indu guru.3
The gist of the latter part of the published do>ument7 as re>alled by #ri Yu@tesCar7 Cas as folloCsA 2,7
AfIal
$han7 am Criting these Cords as an a>t of penan>e and as a Carning to those Cho see@ the possession
of
mira>ulous poCers. For years , haHe been misusing the Condrous abilities imparted to me through the
gra>e of
)od and my master. , be>ame drun@ Cith egotism7 feeling that , Cas beyond the ordinary laCs of
morality.
*y day of re>@oning finally arriHed.
2Re>ently , met an old man on a road outside Cal>utta. e limped along painfully7 >arrying a shining
obFe>t
Chi>h loo@ed li@e gold. , addressed him Cith greed in my heart.
2", am AfIal $han7 the great FA$,R. &hat haHe you thereP"
2"This ball of gold is my sole material CealthK it >an be of no interest to a FA$,R. , implore you7 sir7 to
heal
my limp."
2, tou>hed the ball and Cal@ed aCay Cithout reply. The old man hobbled after me. e soon raised an
out>ryA
"*y gold is goneO"
CAPTER 10. A *!A**E(A% &!%(ER;&!R$ER
Autobiography of a Yogi
2As , paid no attention7 he suddenly spo@e in a stentorian Hoi>e that issued oddly from his frail bodyA
2"(o you not re>ogniIe meP"
2, stood spee>hless7 aghast at the belated dis>oHery that this unimpressiHe old >ripple Cas none other
than the
great saint Cho7 long7 long ago7 had initiated me into yoga. e straightened himselfK his body instantly
be>ame strong and youthful.
2"#oO" *y guru"s glan>e Cas fiery. ", see Cith my oCn eyes that you use your poCers7 not to help
suffering
humanity7 but to prey on it li@e a >ommon thiefO , CithdraC your o>>ult giftsK aIrat is noC freed from
you.
%o longer shall you be a terror in .engalO"
2, >alled on aIrat in anguished tonesK for the first time7 he did not appear to my inner sight. .ut some
dar@
Heil suddenly lifted Cithin meK , saC >learly the blasphemy of my life.
2"*y guru7 , than@ you for >oming to banish my long delusion." , Cas sobbing at his feet. ", promise to
forsa@e
my Corldly ambitions. , Cill retire to the mountains for lonely meditation on )od7 hoping to atone for
my eHil
past."
2*y master regarded me Cith silent >ompassion. ", feel your sin>erity7" he said finally. ".e>ause of your
earlier
years of stri>t obedien>e7 and be>ause of your present repentan>e7 , Cill grant you one boon. Your other
poCers are noC gone7 but CheneHer food and >lothing are needed7 you may still >all su>>essfully on
aIrat to
supply them. (eHote yourself Choleheartedly to diHine understanding in the mountain solitudes."
2*y guru then HanishedK , Cas left to my tears and refle>tions. FareCell7 CorldO , go to see@ the
forgiHeness of
the Cosmi> .eloHed.3
LF%10;1M A *oslem yogiK from the Arabi> FAV,R7 poorK originally applied to derHishes under a HoC
of
poHerty.
LF%10;2M *y father later told me that his >ompany7 the .engal;%agpur RailCay7 had been one of the
firms
Hi>timiIed by AfIal $han.
LF%10;+M , do not re>all the name of #ri Yu@tesCar"s friend7 and must refer to him simply as 2.abu3
Q*isterS.
CAPTER 19. *Y *A#TER7 ,% CA'CUTTA7 APPEAR# ,% #ERA*P!RE
2, am often beset by atheisti> doubts. Yet a torturing surmise sometimes haunts meA may not untapped
soul
possibilities eJistP ,s man not missing his real destiny if he fails to eJplore themP3
These remar@s of (iFen .abu7 my roommate at the PA%T, boardinghouse7 Cere >alled forth by my
inHitation that he meet my guru.
2#ri Yu@tesCarFi Cill initiate you into $R,YA Y!)A73 , replied. 2,t >alms the dualisti> turmoil by a
diHine
inner >ertainty.3
That eHening (iFen a>>ompanied me to the hermitage. ,n *aster"s presen>e my friend re>eiHed su>h
spiritual
pea>e that he Cas soon a >onstant Hisitor. The triHial preo>>upations of daily life are not enough for
manK
Cisdom too is a natiHe hunger. ,n #ri Yu@tesCar"s Cords (iFen found an in>entiHe to those attempts;
first
painful7 then effortlessly liberating;to lo>ate a realer self Cithin his bosom than the humiliating ego of a
CAPTER 19. *Y *A#TER7 ,% CA'CUTTA7 APPEAR# ,% #ERA*P!RE
Autobiography of a Yogi
temporary birth7 seldom ample enough for the #pirit.
As (iFen and , Cere both pursuing the A... >ourse at #erampore College7 Ce got into the habit of
Cal@ing
together to the ashram as soon as >lasses Cere oHer. &e Could often see #ri Yu@tesCar standing on his
se>ond;floor bal>ony7 Cel>oming our approa>h Cith a smile.
!ne afternoon $anai7 a young hermitage resident7 met (iFen and me at the door Cith disappointing
neCs.
2*aster is not hereK he Cas summoned to Cal>utta by an urgent note.3
The folloCing day , re>eiHed a post >ard from my guru. 2, shall leaHe Cal>utta &ednesday morning73
he had
Critten. 2You and (iFen meet the nine o">lo>@ train at #erampore station.3
About eight;thirty on &ednesday morning7 a telepathi> message from #ri Yu@tesCar flashed insistently
to my
mindA 2, am delayedK don"t meet the nine o">lo>@ train.3
, >onHeyed the latest instru>tions to (iFen7 Cho Cas already dressed for departure.
2You and your intuitionO3 *y friend"s Hoi>e Cas edged in s>orn. 2, prefer to trust *aster"s Critten
Cord.3
, shrugged my shoulders and seated myself Cith Nuiet finality. *uttering angrily7 (iFen made for the
door and
>losed it noisily behind him.
As the room Cas rather dar@7 , moHed nearer to the CindoC oHerloo@ing the street. The s>ant sunlight
suddenly in>reased to an intense brillian>y in Chi>h the iron;barred CindoC >ompletely Hanished.
Against
this daIIling ba>@ground appeared the >learly materialiIed figure of #ri Yu@tesCarO
.eCildered to the point of sho>@7 , rose from my >hair and @nelt before him. &ith my >ustomary
gesture of
respe>tful greeting at my guru"s feet7 , tou>hed his shoes. These Cere a pair familiar to me7 of orange;
dyed
>anHas7 soled Cith rope. is o>her sCami >loth brushed against meK , distin>tly felt not only the teJture
of his
robe7 but also the gritty surfa>e of the shoes7 and the pressure of his toes Cithin them. Too mu>h
astounded to
utter a Cord7 , stood up and gaIed at him Nuestioningly.
2, Cas pleased that you got my telepathi> message.3 *aster"s Hoi>e Cas >alm7 entirely normal. 2, haHe
noC
finished my business in Cal>utta7 and shall arriHe in #erampore by the ten o">lo>@ train.3
As , still stared mutely7 #ri Yu@tesCar Cent on7 2This is not an apparition7 but my flesh and blood form.
,
haHe been diHinely >ommanded to giHe you this eJperien>e7 rare to a>hieHe on earth. *eet me at the
stationK
you and (iFen Cill see me >oming toCard you7 dressed as , am noC. , shall be pre>eded by a felloC
passenger;a little boy >arrying a silHer Fug.3
*y guru pla>ed both hands on my head7 Cith a murmured blessing. As he >on>luded Cith the Cords7
2TA.A
A#,73 LF%19;1M , heard a pe>uliar rumbling sound. LF%19;2M is body began to melt gradually Cithin
the
pier>ing light. First his feet and legs Hanished7 then his torso and head7 li@e a s>roll being rolled up. To
the
Hery last7 , >ould feel his fingers resting lightly on my hair. The effulgen>e fadedK nothing remained
before me
but the barred CindoC and a pale stream of sunlight.
, remained in a half;stupor of >onfusion7 Nuestioning Chether , had not been the Hi>tim of a
hallu>ination. A
>restfallen (iFen soon entered the room.
CAPTER 19. *Y *A#TER7 ,% CA'CUTTA7 APPEAR# ,% #ERA*P!RE
Autobiography of a Yogi
2*aster Cas not on the nine o">lo>@ train7 nor eHen the nine;thirty.3 *y friend made his announ>ement
Cith a
slightly apologeti> air.
2Come thenK , @noC he Cill arriHe at ten o">lo>@.3 , too@ (iFen"s hand and rushed him for>ibly along
Cith me7
heedless of his protests. ,n about ten minutes Ce entered the station7 Chere the train Cas already
puffing to a
halt.
2The Chole train is filled Cith the light of *aster"s auraO e is thereO3 , eJ>laimed Foyfully.
2You dream soP3 (iFen laughed mo>@ingly.
2'et us Cait here.3 , told my friend details of the Cay in Chi>h our guru Could approa>h us. As ,
finished my
des>ription7 #ri Yu@tesCar >ame into HieC7 Cearing the same >lothes , had seen a short time earlier. e
Cal@ed sloCly in the Ca@e of a small lad bearing a silHer Fug.
For a moment a CaHe of >old fear passed through me7 at the unpre>edented strangeness of my
eJperien>e. ,
felt the materialisti>7 tCentieth;>entury Corld slipping from meK Cas , ba>@ in the an>ient days Chen
8esus
appeared before Peter on the seaP
As #ri Yu@tesCar7 a modern Yogi;Christ7 rea>hed the spot Chere (iFen and , Cere spee>hlessly rooted7
*aster smiled at my friend and remar@edA
2, sent you a message too7 but you Cere unable to grasp it.3
(iFen Cas silent7 but glared at me suspi>iously. After Ce had es>orted our guru to his hermitage7 my
friend
and , pro>eeded toCard #erampore College. (iFen halted in the street7 indignation streaming from his
eHery
pore.
2#oO *aster sent me a messageO Yet you >on>ealed itO , demand an eJplanationO3
2Can , help it if your mental mirror os>illates Cith su>h restlessness that you >annot register our guru"s
instru>tionsP3 , retorted.
The anger Hanished from (iFen"s fa>e. 2, see Chat you mean73 he said ruefully. 2.ut please eJplain hoC
you
>ould @noC about the >hild Cith the Fug.3
.y the time , had finished the story of *aster"s phenomenal appearan>e at the boardinghouse that
morning7
my friend and , had rea>hed #erampore College.
2The a>>ount , haHe Fust heard of our guru"s poCers73 (iFen said7 2ma@es me feel that any uniHersity in
the
Corld is only a @indergarten.3
Chapter 19 Footnotes
LF%19;1M The .engali 2)ood;by3K literally7 it is a hopeful paradoJA 2Then , >ome.3
LF%19;2M The >hara>teristi> sound of dematerialiIation of bodily atoms.
CAPTER 19. *Y *A#TER7 ,% CA'CUTTA7 APPEAR# ,% #ERA*P!RE
Autobiography of a Yogi
CAPTER 2-. &E (! %!T 6,#,T $A#*,R
2Father7 , Cant to inHite *aster and four friends to a>>ompany me to the imalayan foothills during
my
summer Ha>ation. *ay , haHe siJ train passes to $ashmir and enough money to >oHer our traHel
eJpensesP3
As , had eJpe>ted7 Father laughed heartily. 2This is the third time you haHe giHen me the same >o>@;
and;bull
story. (idn"t you ma@e a similar reNuest last summer7 and the year before thatP At the last moment7 #ri
Yu@tesCarFi refuses to go.3
2,t is true7 FatherK , don"t @noC Chy my guru Cill not giHe me his definite Cord about $ashmir. LF%2-;
1M
.ut if , tell him that , haHe already se>ured the passes from you7 somehoC , thin@ that this time he Cill
>onsent to ma@e the Fourney.3
Father Cas un>onHin>ed at the moment7 but the folloCing day7 after some good;humored gibes7 he
handed me
siJ passes and a roll of ten;rupee bills.
2, hardly thin@ your theoreti>al trip needs su>h pra>ti>al props73 he remar@ed7 2but here they are.3
That afternoon , eJhibited my booty to #ri Yu@tesCar. Though he smiled at my enthusiasm7 his Cords
Cere
non>ommittalA 2, Could li@e to goK Ce shall see.3 e made no >omment Chen , as@ed his little
hermitage
dis>iple7 $anai7 to a>>ompany us. , also inHited three other friends=RaFendra %ath *itra7 8otin Auddy7
and
one other boy. !ur date of departure Cas set for the folloCing *onday.
!n #aturday and #unday , stayed in Cal>utta7 Chere marriage rites for a >ousin Cere being >elebrated
at my
family home. , arriHed in #erampore Cith my luggage early *onday morning. RaFendra met me at the
hermitage door.
2*aster is out7 Cal@ing. e has refused to go.3
, Cas eNually grieHed and obdurate. 2, Cill not giHe Father a third >han>e to ridi>ule my >himeri>al
plans for
$ashmir. ComeK the rest of us Cill go anyhoC.3
RaFendra agreedK , left the ashram to find a serHant. $anai7 , @neC7 Could not ta@e the trip Cithout
*aster7 and
someone Cas needed to loo@ after the luggage. , bethought myself of .ehari7 preHiously a serHant in
my
family home7 Cho Cas noC employed by a #erampore s>hoolmaster. As , Cal@ed along bris@ly7 , met
my
guru in front of the Christian >hur>h near #erampore Courthouse.
2&here are you goingP3 #ri Yu@tesCar"s fa>e Cas unsmiling.
2#ir7 , hear that you and $anai Cill not ta@e the trip Ce haHe been planning. , am see@ing .ehari. You
Cill
re>all that last year he Cas so anJious to see $ashmir that he eHen offered to serHe Cithout pay.3
2, remember. %eHertheless7 , don"t thin@ .ehari Cill be Cilling to go.3
, Cas eJasperated. 2e is Fust eagerly Caiting for this opportunityO3
*y guru silently resumed his Cal@K , soon rea>hed the s>hoolmaster"s house. .ehari7 in the >ourtyard7
greeted
me Cith a friendly Carmth that abruptly Hanished as soon as , mentioned $ashmir. &ith a murmured
Cord of
apology7 the serHant left me and entered his employer"s house. , Caited half an hour7 nerHously assuring
myself that .ehari"s delay Cas being >aused by preparations for his trip. Finally , @no>@ed at the front
door.
CAPTER 2-. &E (! %!T 6,#,T $A#*,R
Autobiography of a Yogi
2.ehari left by the ba>@ stairs about thirty minutes ago73 a man informed me. A slight smile hoHered
about his
lips.
, departed sadly7 Condering Chether my inHitation had been too >oer>iHe or Chether *aster"s unseen
influen>e Cere at Cor@. Passing the Christian >hur>h7 again , saC my guru Cal@ing sloCly toCard me.
&ithout Caiting to hear my report7 he eJ>laimedA
2#o .ehari Could not goO %oC7 Chat are your plansP3
, felt li@e a re>al>itrant >hild Cho is determined to defy his masterful father. 2#ir7 , am going to as@ my
un>le
to lend me his serHant7 'al (hari.3
2#ee your un>le if you Cant to73 #ri Yu@tesCar replied Cith a >hu>@le. 2.ut , hardly thin@ you Cill
enFoy the
Hisit.3
ApprehensiHe but rebellious7 , left my guru and entered #erampore Courthouse. *y paternal un>le7
#arada
)hosh7 a goHernment attorney7 Cel>omed me affe>tionately.
2, am leaHing today Cith some friends for $ashmir73 , told him. 2For years , haHe been loo@ing
forCard to
this imalayan trip.3
2, am happy for you7 *u@unda. ,s there anything , >an do to ma@e your Fourney more >omfortableP3
These @ind Cords gaHe me a lift of en>ouragement. 2(ear un>le73 , said7 2>ould you possibly spare me
your
serHant7 'al (hariP3
*y simple reNuest had the effe>t of an earthNua@e. Un>le Fumped so Hiolently that his >hair oHerturned7
the
papers on the des@ fleC in eHery dire>tion7 and his pipe7 a long7 >o>onut;stemmed hubble;bubble7 fell to
the
floor Cith a great >latter.
2You selfish young man73 he shouted7 NuiHering Cith Crath7 2Chat a preposterous ideaO &ho Cill loo@
after
me7 if you ta@e my serHant on one of your pleasure FauntsP3
, >on>ealed my surprise7 refle>ting that my amiable un>le"s sudden >hange of front Cas only one more
enigma
in a day fully deHoted to in>omprehensibility. *y retreat from the >ourthouse offi>e Cas more
ala>ritous than
dignified.
, returned to the hermitage7 Chere my friends Cere eJpe>tantly gathered. ConHi>tion Cas groCing on
me that
some suffi>ient if eJ>eedingly re>ondite motiHe Cas behind *aster"s attitude. Remorse seiIed me that ,
had
been trying to thCart my guru"s Cill.
2*u@unda7 Couldn"t you li@e to stay aChile longer Cith meP3 #ri Yu@tesCar inNuired. 2RaFendra and
the
others >an go ahead noC7 and Cait for you at Cal>utta. There Cill be plenty of time to >at>h the last
eHening
train leaHing Cal>utta for $ashmir.3
2#ir7 , don"t >are to go Cithout you73 , said mournfully.
*y friends paid not the slightest attention to my remar@. They summoned a ha>@ney >arriage and
departed
Cith all the luggage. $anai and , sat Nuietly at our guru"s feet. After a half hour of >omplete silen>e7
*aster
rose and Cal@ed toCard the se>ond;floor dining patio.
CAPTER 2-. &E (! %!T 6,#,T $A#*,R
Autobiography of a Yogi
2$anai7 please serHe *u@unda"s food. is train leaHes soon.3
)etting up from my blan@et seat7 , staggered suddenly Cith nausea and a ghastly >hurning sensation in
my
stoma>h. The stabbing pain Cas so intense that , felt , had been abruptly hurled into some Hiolent hell.
)roping blindly toCard my guru7 , >ollapsed before him7 atta>@ed by all symptoms of the dread Asiati>
>holera. #ri Yu@tesCar and $anai >arried me to the sitting room.
Ra>@ed Cith agony7 , >ried7 2*aster7 , surrender my life to youKT for , belieHed it Cas indeed fast
ebbing from
the shores of my body.
#ri Yu@tesCar put my head on his lap7 stro@ing my forehead Cith angeli> tenderness.
2You see noC Chat Could haHe happened if you Cere at the station Cith your friends73 he said. 2, had
to loo@
after you in this strange Cay7 be>ause you >hose to doubt my Fudgment about ta@ing the trip at this
parti>ular
time.3
, understood at last. ,nasmu>h as great masters seldom see fit to display their poCers openly7 a >asual
obserHer
of the day"s eHents Could haHe imagined that their seNuen>e Cas Nuite natural. *y guru"s interHention
had
been too subtle to be suspe>ted. e had Cor@ed his Cill through .ehari and my Un>le #arada and
RaFendra
and the others in su>h an in>onspi>uous manner that probably eHeryone but myself thought the
situations had
been logi>ally normal.
As #ri Yu@tesCar neHer failed to obserHe his so>ial obligations7 he instru>ted $anai to go for a
spe>ialist7 and
to notify my un>le.
2*aster73 , protested7 2only you >an heal me. , am too far gone for any do>tor.3
2Child7 you are prote>ted by the (iHine *er>y. (on"t Corry about the do>torK he Cill not find you in
this state.
You are already healed.3
&ith my guru"s Cords7 the eJ>ru>iating suffering left me. , sat up feebly. A do>tor soon arriHed and
eJamined
me >arefully.
2You appear to haHe passed through the Corst73 he said. 2, Cill ta@e some spe>imens Cith me for
laboratory
tests.3
The folloCing morning the physi>ian arriHed hurriedly. , Cas sitting up7 in good spirits.
2&ell7 Cell7 here you are7 smiling and >hatting as though you had had no >lose >all Cith death.3 e
patted my
hand gently. 2, hardly eJpe>ted to find you aliHe7 after , had dis>oHered from the spe>imens that your
disease
Cas Asiati> >holera. You are fortunate7 young man7 to haHe a guru Cith diHine healing poCersO , am
>onHin>ed of itO3
, agreed Choleheartedly. As the do>tor Cas preparing to leaHe7 RaFendra and Auddy appeared at the
door. The
resentment in their fa>es >hanged into sympathy as they glan>ed at the physi>ian and then at my
someChat
Can >ountenan>e.
2&e Cere angry Chen you didn"t turn up as agreed at the Cal>utta train. You haHe been si>@P3
2Yes.3 , >ould not help laughing as my friends pla>ed the luggage in the same >orner it had o>>upied
yesterday. , NuotedA 2There Cas a ship that Cent to #painK Chen it arriHed7 it >ame ba>@ againO3
CAPTER 2-. &E (! %!T 6,#,T $A#*,R
Autobiography of a Yogi
*aster entered the room. , permitted myself a >onHales>ent"s liberty7 and >aptured his hand loHingly.
2)uruFi73 , said7 2from my tCelfth year on7 , haHe made many unsu>>essful attempts to rea>h the
imalayas. ,
am finally >onHin>ed that Cithout your blessings the )oddess ParHati LF%2-;2M Cill not re>eiHe meO3
LF%2-;1M Although *aster failed to ma@e any eJplanation7 his relu>tan>e to Hisit $ashmir during
those tCo
summers may haHe been a fore@noCledge that the time Cas not ripe for his illness there Qsee >hapter
22S.
LF%2-;2M 'iterally7 2of the mountains.3 ParHati7 mythologi>ally represented as a daughter of imaHat
or the
sa>red mountains7 is a name giHen to the #A$T, or 2>onsort3 of #hiHa.
CAPTER 21. &E 6,#,T $A#*,R
2You are strong enough noC to traHel. , Cill a>>ompany you to $ashmir73 #ri Yu@tesCar informed me
tCo
days after my mira>ulous re>oHery from Asiati> >holera.
That eHening our party of siJ entrained for the north. !ur first leisurely stop Cas at #imla7 a Nueenly
>ity
resting on the throne of imalayan hills. &e strolled oHer the steep streets7 admiring the magnifi>ent
HieCs.
2English straCberries for sale73 >ried an old Coman7 sNuatting in a pi>turesNue open mar@et pla>e.
*aster Cas >urious about the strange little red fruits. e bought a bas@etful and offered it to $anai and
myself7 Cho Cere near;by. , tasted one berry but spat it hastily on the ground.
2#ir7 Chat a sour fruitO , >ould neHer li@e straCberriesO3
*y guru laughed. 2!h7 you Cill li@e them;in Ameri>a. At a dinner there7 your hostess Cill serHe them
Cith
sugar and >ream. After she has mashed the berries Cith a for@7 you Cill taste them and sayA "&hat
deli>ious
straCberriesO" Then you Cill remember this day in #imla.3
#ri Yu@tesCar"s fore>ast Hanished from my mind7 but reappeared there many years later7 shortly after
my
arriHal in Ameri>a. , Cas a dinner guest at the home of *rs. Ali>e T. asey Q#ister YogmataS in &est
#omerHille7 *assa>husetts. &hen a dessert of straCberries Cas put on the table7 my hostess pi>@ed up
her for@
and mashed my berries7 adding >ream and sugar. 2The fruit is rather tartK , thin@ you Cill li@e it fiJed
this
Cay73 she remar@ed.
, too@ a mouthful. 2&hat deli>ious straCberriesO3 , eJ>laimed. At on>e my guru"s predi>tion in #imla
emerged
from the fathomless >aHe of memory. ,t Cas staggering to realiIe that long ago #ri Yu@tesCar"s )od;
tuned
mind had sensitiHely dete>ted the program of @armi> eHents Candering in the ether of futurity.
!ur party soon left #imla and entrained for RaCalpindi. There Ce hired a large landau7 draCn by tCo
horses7
in Chi>h Ce started a seHen;day trip to #rinagar7 >apital >ity of $ashmir. The se>ond day of our
northbound
Fourney brought into HieC the true imalayan Hastness. As the iron Cheels of our >arriage >rea@ed
along the
hot7 stony roads7 Ce Cere enraptured Cith >hanging Histas of mountainous grandeur.
2#ir73 Auddy said to *aster7 2, am greatly enFoying these glorious s>enes in your holy >ompany.3
, felt a throb of pleasure at Auddy"s appre>iation7 for , Cas a>ting as host on this trip. #ri Yu@tesCar
>aught
my thoughtK he turned to me and ChisperedA
CAPTER 21. &E 6,#,T $A#*,R
Autobiography of a Yogi
2(on"t flatter yourselfK Auddy is not nearly as entran>ed Cith the s>enery as he is Cith the prospe>t of
leaHing
us long enough to haHe a >igaret.3
, Cas sho>@ed. 2#ir73 , said in an undertone7 2please do not brea@ our harmony by these unpleasant
Cords. ,
>an hardly belieHe that Auddy is han@ering for a smo@e.3 LF%21;1M , loo@ed apprehensiHely at my
usually
irrepressible guru.
26ery CellK , Con"t say anything to Auddy.3 *aster >hu>@led. 2.ut you Cill soon see7 Chen the landau
halts7
that Auddy is Nui>@ to seiIe his opportunity.3
The >arriage arriHed at a small >araHanserai. As our horses Cere led to be Catered7 Auddy inNuired7
2#ir7 do
you mind if , ride aChile Cith the driHerP , Could li@e to get a little outside air.3
#ri Yu@tesCar gaHe permission7 but remar@ed to me7 2e Cants fresh smo@e and not fresh air.3
The landau resumed its noisy progress oHer the dusty roads. *aster"s eyes Cere tCin@lingK he instru>ted
me7
2Crane up your ne>@ through the >arriage door and see Chat Auddy is doing Cith the air.3
, obeyed7 and Cas astounded to obserHe Auddy in the a>t of eJhaling rings of >igaret smo@e. *y glan>e
toCard #ri Yu@tesCar Cas apologeti>.
2You are right7 as alCays7 sir. Auddy is enFoying a puff along Cith a panorama.3 , surmised that my
friend had
re>eiHed a gift from the >ab driHerK , @neC Auddy had not >arried any >igarets from Cal>utta.
&e >ontinued on the labyrinthine Cay7 adorned by HieCs of riHers7 Halleys7 pre>ipitous >rags7 and
multitudinous mountain tiers. EHery night Ce stopped at rusti> inns7 and prepared our oCn food. #ri
Yu@tesCar too@ spe>ial >are of my diet7 insisting that , haHe lime Fui>e at all meals. , Cas still Cea@7 but
daily
improHing7 though the rattling >arriage Cas stri>tly designed for dis>omfort.
8oyous anti>ipations filled our hearts as Ce neared >entral $ashmir7 paradise land of lotus la@es7
floating
gardens7 gaily >anopied houseboats7 the many;bridged 8helum RiHer7 and floCer;streCn pastures7 all
ringed
round by the imalayan maFesty. !ur approa>h to #rinagar Cas through an aHenue of tall7 Cel>oming
trees.
&e engaged rooms at a double;storied inn oHerloo@ing the noble hills. %o running Cater Cas aHailableK
Ce
dreC our supply from a near;by Cell. The summer Ceather Cas ideal7 Cith Carm days and slightly >old
nights.
&e made a pilgrimage to the an>ient #rinagar temple of #Cami #han@ara. As , gaIed upon the
mountain;pea@ hermitage7 standing bold against the s@y7 , fell into an e>stati> tran>e. A Hision appeared
of a
hilltop mansion in a distant land. The lofty #han@ara ashram before me Cas transformed into the
stru>ture
Chere7 years later7 , established the #elf;RealiIation FelloCship headNuarters in Ameri>a. &hen , first
Hisited
'os Angeles7 and saC the large building on the >rest of *ount &ashington7 , re>ogniIed it at on>e from
my
long;past Hisions in $ashmir and elseChere.
A feC days at #rinagarK then on to )ulmarg Q2mountain paths of floCersTS7 eleHated by siJ thousand
feet.
There , had my first ride on a large horse. RaFendra mounted a small trotter7 Chose heart Cas fired Cith
ambition for speed. &e Hentured onto the Hery steep $hilanmargK the path led through a dense forest7
abounding in tree;mushrooms7 Chere the mist;shrouded trails Cere often pre>arious. .ut RaFendra"s
little
animal neHer permitted my oHersiIed steed a moment"s rest7 eHen at the most perilous turns. !n7 on7
untiringly
>ame RaFendra"s horse7 obliHious to all but the Foy of >ompetition.
CAPTER 21. &E 6,#,T $A#*,R
Autobiography of a Yogi
!ur strenuous ra>e Cas reCarded by a breath;ta@ing HieC. For the first time in this life7 , gaIed in all
dire>tions at sublime snoC;>apped imalayas7 lying tier upon tier li@e silhouettes of huge polar bears.
*y
eyes feasted eJultingly on endless rea>hes of i>y mountains against sunny blue s@ies.
, rolled merrily Cith my young >ompanions7 all Cearing oHer>oats7 on the spar@ling Chite slopes. !n
our
doCnCard trip Ce saC afar a Hast >arpet of yelloC floCers7 Cholly transfiguring the blea@ hills.
!ur neJt eJ>ursions Cere to the famous royal 2pleasure gardens3 of the Emperor 8ehangir7 at #halimar
and
%ishat .agh. The an>ient pala>e at %ishat .agh is built dire>tly oHer a natural Caterfall. Rushing doCn
from
the mountains7 the torrent has been regulated through ingenious >ontriHan>es to floC oHer >olorful
terra>es
and to gush into fountains amidst the daIIling floCer;beds. The stream also enters seHeral of the pala>e
rooms7 ultimately dropping fairy li@e into the la@e beloC. The immense gardens are riotous Cith >olor
=roses
of a doIen hues7 snapdragons7 laHender7 pansies7 poppies. An emerald en>losing outline is giHen by
symmetri>al roCs of C,%AR#7 LF%21;2M >ypresses7 >herry treesK beyond them toCer the Chite
austerities
of the imalayas.
$ashmir grapes are >onsidered a rare deli>a>y in Cal>utta. RaFendra7 Cho had been promising himself a
Heritable feast on rea>hing $ashmir7 Cas disappointed to find there no large Hineyards. %oC and then ,
>haffed him Fo>osely oHer his baseless anti>ipation.
2!h7 , haHe be>ome so mu>h gorged Cith grapes , >an"t Cal@O3 , Could say. 2The inHisible grapes are
breCing
Cithin meO3 'ater , heard that sCeet grapes groC abundantly in $abul7 Cest of $ashmir. &e >onsoled
ourselHes Cith i>e >ream made of RA.R,7 a heaHily >ondensed mil@7 and flaHored Cith Chole pista>hio
nuts.
&e too@ seHeral trips in the #,$ARA# or houseboats7 shaded by red;embroidered >anopies7 >oursing
along
the intri>ate >hannels of (al 'a@e7 a netCor@ of >anals li@e a Catery spider Ceb. ere the numerous
floating
gardens7 >rudely improHised Cith logs and earth7 stri@e one Cith amaIement7 so in>ongruous is the first
sight
of Hegetables and melons groCing in the midst of Hast Caters. !>>asionally one sees a peasant7
disdaining to
be 2rooted to the soil73 toCing his sNuare plot of 2land3 to a neC lo>ation in the many;fingered la@e.
,n this storied Hale one finds an epitome of all the earth"s beauties. The 'ady of $ashmir is
mountain;>roCned7 la@e;garlanded7 and floCer;shod. ,n later years7 after , had toured many distant
lands7 ,
understood Chy $ashmir is often >alled the Corld"s most s>eni> spot. ,t possesses some of the >harms
of the
#Ciss Alps7 and of 'o>h 'omond in #>otland7 and of the eJNuisite English la@es. An Ameri>an traHeler
in
$ashmir finds mu>h to remind him of the rugged grandeur of Alas@a and of Pi@es Pea@ near (enHer.
As entries in a s>eni> beauty >ontest7 , offer for first priIe either the gorgeous HieC of :o>himil>o in
*eJi>o7
Chere mountains7 s@ies7 and poplars refle>t themselHes in myriad lanes of Cater amidst the playful fish7
or the
FeCel;li@e la@es of $ashmir7 guarded li@e beautiful maidens by the stern surHeillan>e of the imalayas.
These
tCo pla>es stand out in my memory as the loHeliest spots on earth.
Yet , Cas aCed also Chen , first beheld the Conders of YelloCstone %ational Par@ and of the )rand
Canyon
of the Colorado7 and of Alas@a. YelloCstone Par@ is perhaps the only region Chere one >an see
innumerable
geysers shooting high into the air7 performing year after year Cith >lo>@Cor@ regularity. ,ts opal and
sapphire
pools and hot sulphurous springs7 its bears and Cild >reatures7 remind one that here %ature left a
spe>imen of
her earliest >reation. *otoring along the roads of &yoming to the 2(eHil"s Paint Pot3 of hot bubbling
mud7
Cith gurgling springs7 Haporous fountains7 and spouting geysers in all dire>tions7 , Cas disposed to say
that
YelloCstone deserHes a spe>ial priIe for uniNueness.
The an>ient maFesti> redCoods of Yosemite7 stret>hing their huge >olumns far into the unfathomable
s@y7 are
green natural >athedrals designed Cith s@ill diHine. Though there are Conderful falls in the !rient7 none
mat>h
CAPTER 21. &E 6,#,T $A#*,R
Autobiography of a Yogi
the torrential beauty of %iagara near the Canadian border. The *ammoth CaHes of $entu>@y and the
Carlsbad
CaHerns in %eC *eJi>o7 Cith >olorful i>i>leli@e formations7 are stunning fairylands. Their long needles
of
stala>tite spires7 hanging from >aHe >eilings and mirrored in underground Caters7 present a glimpse of
other
Corlds as fan>ied by man.
*ost of the indus of $ashmir7 Corld;famed for their beauty7 are as Chite as Europeans and haHe
similar
features and bone stru>tureK many haHe blue eyes and blonde hair. (ressed in &estern >lothes7 they
loo@ li@e
Ameri>ans. The >old imalayas prote>t the $ashmiris from the sultry sun and preserHe their light
>ompleJions. As one traHels to the southern and tropi>al latitudes of ,ndia7 he finds progressiHely that
the
people be>ome dar@er and dar@er.
After spending happy Cee@s in $ashmir7 , Cas for>ed to return to .engal for the fall term of #erampore
College. #ri Yu@tesCar remained in #rinagar7 Cith $anai and Auddy. .efore , departed7 *aster hinted
that his
body Could be subFe>t to suffering in $ashmir.
2#ir7 you loo@ a pi>ture of health73 , protested.
2There is a >han>e that , may eHen leaHe this earth.3
2)uruFiO3 , fell at his feet Cith an imploring gesture. 2Please promise that you Con"t leaHe your body
noC. ,
am utterly unprepared to >arry on Cithout you.3
#ri Yu@tesCar Cas silent7 but smiled at me so >ompassionately that , felt reassured. Relu>tantly , left
him.
2*aster dangerously ill.3 This telegram from Auddy rea>hed me shortly after my return to #erampore.
2#ir73 , Cired my guru franti>ally7 2, as@ed for your promise not to leaHe me. Please @eep your bodyK
otherCise7 , also shall die.3
2.e it as you Cish.3 This Cas #ri Yu@tesCar"s reply from $ashmir.
A letter from Auddy arriHed in a feC days7 informing me that *aster had re>oHered. !n his return to
#erampore during the neJt fortnight7 , Cas grieHed to find my guru"s body redu>ed to half its usual
Ceight.
Fortunately for his dis>iples7 #ri Yu@tesCar burned many of their sins in the fire of his seHere feHer in
$ashmir. The metaphysi>al method of physi>al transfer of disease is @noCn to highly adHan>ed yogis.
A
strong man >an assist a Cea@er one by helping to >arry his heaHy loadK a spiritual superman is able to
minimiIe his dis>iples" physi>al or mental burdens by sharing the @arma of their past a>tions. 8ust as a
ri>h
man loses some money Chen he pays off a large debt for his prodigal son7 Cho is thus saHed from dire
>onseNuen>es of his oCn folly7 so a master Cillingly sa>rifi>es a portion of his bodily Cealth to lighten
the
misery of dis>iples. LF%21;+M
.y a se>ret method7 the yogi unites his mind and astral Hehi>le Cith those of a suffering indiHidualK the
disease is >onHeyed7 Cholly or in part7 to the saint"s body. aHing harHested )od on the physi>al field7 a
master no longer >ares Chat happens to that material form. Though he may alloC it to register a >ertain
disease in order to relieHe others7 his mind is neHer affe>tedK he >onsiders himself fortunate in being
able to
render su>h aid.
The deHotee Cho has a>hieHed final salHation in the 'ord finds that his body has >ompletely fulfilled its
purposeK he >an then use it in any Cay he deems fit. is Cor@ in the Corld is to alleHiate the sorroCs of
man@ind7 Chether through spiritual means or by intelle>tual >ounsel or through Cill poCer or by the
physi>al
CAPTER 21. &E 6,#,T $A#*,R
Autobiography of a Yogi
transfer of disease. Es>aping to the super>ons>iousness CheneHer he so desires7 a master >an remain
obliHious
of physi>al sufferingK sometimes he >hooses to bear bodily pain stoi>ally7 as an eJample to dis>iples.
.y
putting on the ailments of others7 a yogi >an satisfy7 for them7 the @armi> laC of >ause and effe>t. This
laC is
me>hani>ally or mathemati>ally operatiHeK its Cor@ings >an be s>ientifi>ally manipulated by men of
diHine
Cisdom.
The spiritual laC does not reNuire a master to be>ome ill CheneHer he heals another person. ealings
ordinarily ta@e pla>e through the saint"s @noCledge of Harious methods of instantaneous >ure in Chi>h
no hurt
to the spiritual healer is inHolHed. !n rare o>>asions7 hoCeHer7 a master Cho Cishes to greatly Nui>@en
his
dis>iples" eHolution may then Holuntarily Cor@ out on his oCn body a large measure of their undesirable
@arma.
8esus signified himself as a ransom for the sins of many. &ith his diHine poCers7 LF%21;/M his body
>ould
neHer haHe been subFe>ted to death by >ru>ifiJion if he had not Cillingly >ooperated Cith the subtle
>osmi>
laC of >ause and effe>t. e thus too@ on himself the >onseNuen>es of others" @arma7 espe>ially that of
his
dis>iples. ,n this manner they Cere highly purified and made fit to re>eiHe the omnipresent
>ons>iousness
Chi>h later des>ended on them.
!nly a self;realiIed master >an transfer his life for>e7 or >onHey into his oCn body the diseases of
others. An
ordinary man >annot employ this yogi> method of >ure7 nor is it desirable that he should do soK for an
unsound
physi>al instrument is a hindran>e to )od=meditation. The indu s>riptures tea>h that the first duty of
man
is to @eep his body in good >onditionK otherCise his mind is unable to remain fiJed in deHotional
>on>entration.
A Hery strong mind7 hoCeHer7 >an trans>end all physi>al diffi>ulties and attain to )od;realiIation.
*any
saints haHe ignored illness and su>>eeded in their diHine Nuest. #t. Fran>is of Assisi7 seHerely affli>ted
Cith
ailments7 healed others and eHen raised the dead.
, @neC an ,ndian saint7 half of Chose body Cas on>e festering Cith sores. is diabeti> >ondition Cas so
a>ute
that under ordinary >onditions he >ould not sit still at one time for more than fifteen minutes. .ut his
spiritual
aspiration Cas undeterrable. 2'ord73 he prayed7 2Cilt Thou >ome into my bro@en templeP3 &ith
>easeless
>ommand of Cill7 the saint gradually be>ame able to sit daily in the lotus posture for eighteen
>ontinuous
hours7 engrossed in the e>stati> tran>e.
2And73 he told me7 2at the end of three years7 , found the ,nfinite 'ight blaIing Cithin my shattered
form.
ReFoi>ing in the Foyful splendour7 , forgot the body. 'ater , saC that it had be>ome Chole through the
(iHine
*er>y.3
A histori>al healing in>ident >on>erns $ing .aber Q1/0+;11+-S7 founder of the *ogul empire in ,ndia.
is
son7 Prin>e umayun7 Cas mortally ill. The father prayed Cith anguished determination that he re>eiHe
the
si>@ness7 and that his son be spared. After all physi>ians had giHen up hope7 umayun re>oHered. .aber
immediately fell si>@ and died of the same disease Chi>h had stri>@en his son. umayun su>>eeded
.aber as
Emperor of industan.
*any people imagine that eHery spiritual master has7 or should haHe7 the health and strength of a
#andoC. The
assumption is unfounded. A si>@ly body does not indi>ate that a guru is not in tou>h Cith diHine
poCers7 any
more than lifelong health ne>essarily indi>ates an inner illumination. The >ondition of the physi>al
body7 in
other Cords7 >annot rightfully be made a test of a master. is distinguishing Nualifi>ations must be
sought in
his oCn domain7 the spiritual.
CAPTER 21. &E 6,#,T $A#*,R
Autobiography of a Yogi
%umerous beCildered see@ers in the &est erroneously thin@ that an eloNuent spea@er or Criter on
metaphysi>s
must be a master. The rishis7 hoCeHer7 haHe pointed out that the a>id test of a master is a man"s ability
to enter
at Cill the breathless state7 and to maintain the unbro@en #A*A(, of %,R.,$A'PA. LF%21;1M
!nly by
these a>hieHements >an a human being proHe that he has 2mastered3 *AYA or the dualisti> Cosmi>
(elusion.
e alone >an say from the depths of realiIationA 2E$A* #AT73;T!nly !ne eJists.3
2The 6E(A# de>lare that the ignorant man Cho rests >ontent Cith ma@ing the slightest distin>tion
betCeen
the indiHidual soul and the #upreme #elf is eJposed to danger73 #han@ara the great monist has Critten.
2&here there is duality by Hirtue of ignoran>e7 one sees all things as distin>t from the #elf. &hen
eHerything
is seen as the #elf7 then there is not eHen an atom other than the #elf. . . .
2As soon as the @noCledge of the Reality has sprung up7 there >an be no fruits of past a>tions to be
eJperien>ed7 oCing to the unreality of the body7 in the same Cay as there >an be no dream after
Ca@ing.3
!nly great gurus are able to assume the @arma of dis>iples. #ri Yu@tesCar Could not haHe suffered in
$ashmir unless he had re>eiHed permission from the #pirit Cithin him to help his dis>iples in that
strange
Cay. FeC saints Cere eHer more sensitiHely eNuipped Cith Cisdom to >arry out diHine >ommands than
my
)od;tuned *aster.
&hen , Hentured a feC Cords of sympathy oHer his ema>iated figure7 my guru said gailyA
2,t has its good pointsK , am able noC to get into some small )A%8,# QundershirtsS that , haHen"t Corn
in
yearsO3
'istening to *aster"s FoHial laugh7 , remembered the Cords of #t. Fran>is de #alesA 2A saint that is sad
is a sad
saintO3
LF%21;1M ,t is a mar@ of disrespe>t7 in ,ndia7 to smo@e in the presen>e of one"s elders and superiors.
LF%21;2M The !riental plane tree..
LF%21;+M *any Christian saints7 in>luding Therese %eumann Qsee >hapter +9S7 are familiar Cith the
metaphysi>al transfer of disease.
LF%21;/M Christ said7 Fust before he Cas led aCay to be >ru>ifiedA 2Thin@est thou that , >annot noC
pray to
my Father7 and he shall presently giHe me more than tCelHe legions of angelsP .ut hoC then shall the
s>riptures be fulfilled7 that thus it must beP3;*ATTE& 24A1+;1/.
LF%21;1M #ee ..B>hapters 247 /+ %!TE#.
CAPTER 22. TE EART !F A #T!%E ,*A)E
2As a loyal indu Cife7 , do not Cish to >omplain of my husband. .ut , yearn to see him turn from his
materialisti> HieCs. e delights in ridi>uling the pi>tures of saints in my meditation room. (ear brother7
,
haHe deep faith that you >an help him. &ill youP3
*y eldest sister Roma gaIed besee>hingly at me. , Cas paying a short Hisit at her Cal>utta home on
)irish
6idyaratna 'ane. er plea tou>hed me7 for she had eJer>ised a profound spiritual influen>e oHer my
early life7
and had loHingly tried to fill the Hoid left in the family >ir>le by *other"s death.
CAPTER 22. TE EART !F A #T!%E ,*A)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2.eloHed sister7 of >ourse , Cill do anything , >an.3 , smiled7 eager to lift the gloom plainly Hisible on
her
fa>e7 in >ontrast to her usual >alm and >heerful eJpression.
Roma and , sat aChile in silent prayer for guidan>e. A year earlier7 my sister had as@ed me to initiate
her into
$R,YA Y!)A7 in Chi>h she Cas ma@ing notable progress.
An inspiration seiIed me. 2TomorroC73 , said7 2, am going to the (a@shinesCar temple. Please >ome
Cith me7
and persuade your husband to a>>ompany us. , feel that in the Hibrations of that holy pla>e7 (iHine
*other
Cill tou>h his heart. .ut don"t dis>lose our obFe>t in Canting him to go.3
#ister agreed hopefully. 6ery early the neJt morning , Cas pleased to find that Roma and her husband
Cere in
readiness for the trip. As our ha>@ney >arriage rattled along Upper Cir>ular Road toCard (a@shinesCar7
my
brother;in;laC7 #atish Chandra .ose7 amused himself by deriding spiritual gurus of the past7 present7
and
future. , noti>ed that Roma Cas Nuietly Ceeping.
E,llustrationA #elf;RealiIation Chur>h of All Religions7 #an (iego7 California=see sandiego.FpgG
E,llustrationA , stand Cith my tCo sisters7 Roma Qat leftS and %alini=see sisters.FpgG
E,llustrationA *y sister Uma7 as a young girl=see uma.FpgG
2#ister7 >heer upO3 , Chispered. 2(on"t giHe your husband the satisfa>tion of belieHing that Ce ta@e his
mo>@ery seriously.3
2*u@unda7 hoC >an you admire Corthless humbugsP3 #atish Cas saying. 2A #A(U"# Hery
appearan>e is
repulsiHe. e is either as thin as a s@eleton7 or as unholily fat as an elephantO3
, shouted Cith laughter. *y good;natured rea>tion Cas annoying to #atishK he retired into sullen
silen>e. As
our >ab entered the (a@shinesCar grounds7 he grinned sar>asti>ally.
2This eJ>ursion7 , suppose7 is a s>heme to reform meP3
As , turned aCay Cithout reply7 he >aught my arm. 2Young *r. *on@73 he said7 2don"t forget to ma@e
proper
arrangements Cith the temple authorities to proHide for our noon meal.3
2, am going to meditate noC. (o not Corry about your lun>h73 , replied sharply. 2(iHine *other Cill
loo@
after it.3
2, don"t trust (iHine *other to do a single thing for me. .ut , do hold you responsible for my food.3
#atish"s
tones Cere threatening.
, pro>eeded alone to the >olonnaded hall Chi>h fronts the large temple of $ali7 or *other %ature.
#ele>ting a
shady spot near one of the pillars7 , arranged my body in the lotus posture. Although it Cas only about
seHen
o">lo>@7 the morning sun Could soon be oppressiHe.
The Corld re>eded as , be>ame deHotionally entran>ed. *y mind Cas >on>entrated on )oddess $ali7
Chose
image at (a@shinesCar had been the spe>ial obFe>t of adoration by the great master7 #ri Rama@rishna
Paramhansa. ,n ansCer to his anguished demands7 the stone image of this Hery temple had often ta@en a
liHing
form and >onHersed Cith him.
CAPTER 22. TE EART !F A #T!%E ,*A)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2#ilent *other Cith stony heart73 , prayed7 2Thou be>amest filled Cith life at the reNuest of Thy
beloHed
deHotee Rama@rishnaK Chy dost Thou not also heed the Cails of this yearning son of ThineP3
*y aspiring Ieal in>reased boundlessly7 a>>ompanied by a diHine pea>e. Yet7 Chen fiHe hours had
passed7 and
the )oddess Chom , Cas inCardly HisualiIing had made no response7 , felt slightly disheartened.
#ometimes
it is a test by )od to delay the fulfillment of prayers. .ut e eHentually appears to the persistent
deHotee in
ChateHer form he holds dear. A deHout Christian sees 8esusK a indu beholds $rishna7 or the )oddess
$ali7 or
an eJpanding 'ight if his Corship ta@es an impersonal turn.
Relu>tantly , opened my eyes7 and saC that the temple doors Cere being lo>@ed by a priest7 in
>onforman>e
Cith a noon;hour >ustom. , rose from my se>luded seat under the open7 roofed hall7 and stepped into
the
>ourtyard. ,ts stone floor Cas s>or>hing under the midday sunK my bare feet Cere painfully burned.
2(iHine *other73 , silently remonstrated7 2Thou didst not >ome to me in Hision7 and noC Thou art
hidden in
the temple behind >losed doors. , Canted to offer a spe>ial prayer to Thee today on behalf of my
brother;in;laC.3
*y inCard petition Cas instantly a>@noCledged. First7 a delightful >old CaHe des>ended oHer my ba>@
and
under my feet7 banishing all dis>omfort. Then7 to my amaIement7 the temple be>ame greatly magnified.
,ts
large door sloCly opened7 reHealing the stone figure of )oddess $ali. )radually it >hanged into a liHing
form7
smilingly nodding in greeting7 thrilling me Cith Foy indes>ribable. As if by a mysti> syringe7 the breath
Cas
CithdraCn from my lungsK my body be>ame Hery still7 though not inert.
An e>stati> enlargement of >ons>iousness folloCed. , >ould see >learly for seHeral miles oHer the
)anges
RiHer to my left7 and beyond the temple into the entire (a@shinesCar pre>in>ts. The Calls of all
buildings
glimmered transparentlyK through them , obserHed people Cal@ing to and fro oHer distant a>res.
Though , Cas breathless and my body in a strangely Nuiet state7 yet , Cas able to moHe my hands and
feet
freely. For seHeral minutes , eJperimented in >losing and opening my eyesK in either state , saC
distin>tly the
Chole (a@shinesCar panorama.
#piritual sight7 J;rayli@e7 penetrates into all matterK the diHine eye is >enter eHeryChere7 >ir>umferen>e
noChere. , realiIed aneC7 standing there in the sunny >ourtyard7 that Chen man >eases to be a prodigal
>hild
of )od7 engrossed in a physi>al Corld indeed dream7 baseless as a bubble7 he reinherits his eternal
realms. ,f
2es>apismT be a need of man7 >ramped in his narroC personality7 >an any es>ape >ompare Cith the
maFesty of
omnipresen>eP
,n my sa>red eJperien>e at (a@shinesCar7 the only eJtraordinarily;enlarged obFe>ts Cere the temple
and the
form of the )oddess. EHerything else appeared in its normal dimensions7 although ea>h Cas en>losed
in a halo
of melloC light;Chite7 blue7 and pastel rainboC hues. *y body seemed to be of ethereal substan>e7
ready to
leHitate. Fully >ons>ious of my material surroundings7 , Cas loo@ing about me and ta@ing a feC steps
Cithout
disturbing the >ontinuity of the blissful Hision.
.ehind the temple Calls , suddenly glimpsed my brother;in;laC as he sat under the thorny bran>hes of
a
sa>red .E' tree. , >ould effortlessly dis>ern the >ourse of his thoughts. #omeChat uplifted under the
holy
influen>e of (a@shinesCar7 his mind yet held un@ind refle>tions about me. , turned dire>tly to the
gra>ious
form of the )oddess.
2(iHine *other73 , prayed7 2Cilt Thou not spiritually >hange my sister"s husbandP3
The beautiful figure7 hitherto silent7 spo@e at lastA 2Thy Cish is grantedO3
CAPTER 22. TE EART !F A #T!%E ,*A)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
, loo@ed happily at #atish. As though instin>tiHely aCare that some spiritual poCer Cas at Cor@7 he rose
resentfully from his seat on the ground. , saC him running behind the templeK he approa>hed me7
sha@ing his
fist.
The all;embra>ing Hision disappeared. %o longer >ould , see the glorious )oddessK the toCering temple
Cas
redu>ed to its ordinary siIe7 minus its transparen>y. Again my body sCeltered under the fier>e rays of
the sun.
, Fumped to the shelter of the pillared hall7 Chere #atish pursued me angrily. , loo@ed at my Cat>h. ,t
Cas one
o">lo>@K the diHine Hision had lasted an hour.
2You little fool73 my brother;in;laC blurted out7 2you haHe been sitting there >ross;legged and >ross;
eyed
for siJ hours. , haHe gone ba>@ and forth Cat>hing you. &here is my foodP %oC the temple is >losedK
you
failed to notify the authoritiesK Ce are left Cithout lun>hO3
The eJaltation , had felt at the )oddess" presen>e Cas still Hibrant Cithin my heart. , Cas emboldened
to
eJ>laim7 2(iHine *other Cill feed usO3
#atish Cas beside himself Cith rage. 2!n>e and for all73 he shouted7 2, Could li@e to see your (iHine
*other
giHing us food here Cithout prior arrangementsO3
is Cords Cere hardly uttered Chen a temple priest >rossed the >ourtyard and Foined us.
2#on73 he addressed me7 2, haHe been obserHing your fa>e serenely gloCing during hours of
meditation. , saC
the arriHal of your party this morning7 and felt a desire to put aside ample food for your lun>h. ,t is
against the
temple rules to feed those Cho do not ma@e a reNuest beforehand7 but , haHe made an eJ>eption for
you.3
, than@ed him7 and gaIed straight into #atish"s eyes. e flushed Cith emotion7 loCering his gaIe in
silent
repentan>e. &hen Ce Cere serHed a laHish meal7 in>luding out;of;season mangoes7 , noti>ed that my
brother;in;laC"s appetite Cas meager. e Cas beCildered7 diHing deep into the o>ean of thought. !n the
return Fourney to Cal>utta7 #atish7 Cith softened eJpression7 o>>asionally glan>ed at me pleadingly. .ut
he did
not spea@ a single Cord after the moment the priest had appeared to inHite us to lun>h7 as though in
dire>t
ansCer to #atish"s >hallenge.
The folloCing afternoon , Hisited my sister at her home. #he greeted me affe>tionately.
2(ear brother73 she >ried7 2Chat a mira>leO 'ast eHening my husband Cept openly before me.
2".eloHed (E6,7" LF%22;1M he said7 ", am happy beyond eJpression that this reforming s>heme of your
brother"s has Crought a transformation. , am going to undo eHery Crong , haHe done you. From tonight
Ce
Cill use our large bedroom only as a pla>e of CorshipK your small meditation room shall be >hanged
into our
sleeping Nuarters. , am sin>erely sorry that , haHe ridi>uled your brother. For the shameful Cay , haHe
been
a>ting7 , Cill punish myself by not tal@ing to *u@unda until , haHe progressed in the spiritual path.
(eeply ,
Cill see@ the (iHine *other from noC onK someday , must surely find erO"2
Years later7 , Hisited my brother;in;laC in (elhi. , Cas oHerFoyed to per>eiHe that he had deHeloped
highly in
self;realiIation7 and had been blessed by the Hision of (iHine *other. (uring my stay Cith him7 ,
noti>ed that
#atish se>retly spent the greater part of eHery night in diHine meditation7 though he Cas suffering from
a
serious ailment7 and Cas engaged during the day at his offi>e.
The thought >ame to me that my brother;in;laC"s life span Could not be a long one. Roma must haHe
read
my mind.
CAPTER 22. TE EART !F A #T!%E ,*A)E
Autobiography of a Yogi
2(ear brother73 she said7 2, am Cell7 and my husband is si>@. %eHertheless7 , Cant you to @noC that7 as
a
deHoted indu Cife7 , am going to be the first one to die. LF%22;2M ,t Con"t be long noC before , pass
on.3
Ta@en aba>@ at her ominous Cords7 , yet realiIed their sting of truth. , Cas in Ameri>a Chen my sister
died7
about a year after her predi>tion. *y youngest brother .ishnu later gaHe me the details.
2Roma and #atish Cere in Cal>utta at the time of her death73 .ishnu told me. 2That morning she
dressed
herself in her bridal finery.
2"&hy this spe>ial >ostumeP" #atish inNuired.
2"This is my last day of serHi>e to you on earth7" Roma replied. A short time later she had a heart atta>@.
As her
son Cas rushing out for aid7 she saidA
2"#on7 do not leaHe me. ,t is no useK , shall be gone before a do>tor >ould arriHe." Ten minutes later7
holding
the feet of her husband in reHeren>e7 Roma >ons>iously left her body7 happily and Cithout suffering.
2#atish be>ame Hery re>lusiHe after his Cife"s death73 .ishnu >ontinued. 2!ne day he and , Cere
loo@ing at a
large smiling photograph of Roma.
2"&hy do you smileP" #atish suddenly eJ>laimed7 as though his Cife Cere present. "You thin@ you Cere
>leHer
in arranging to go before me. , shall proHe that you >annot long remain aCay from meK soon , shall Foin
you."
2Although at this time #atish had fully re>oHered from his si>@ness7 and Cas enFoying eJ>ellent health7
he
died Cithout apparent >ause shortly after his strange remar@ before the photograph.3
Thus propheti>ally passed my dearly beloHed eldest sister Roma7 and her husband #atish;he Cho
>hanged at
(a@shinesCar from an ordinary Corldly man to a silent saint.
LF%22;1M )oddess.
LF%22;2M The indu Cife belieHes it is a sign of spiritual adHan>ement if she dies before her husband7
as a
proof of her loyal serHi>e to him7 or 2dying in harness.3
CAPTER 2+. , RECE,6E *Y U%,6ER#,TY (E)REE
2You ignore your teJtboo@ assignments in philosophy. %o doubt you are depending on an unlaborious
"intuition" to get you through the eJaminations. .ut unless you apply yourself in a more s>holarly
manner7 ,
shall see to it that you don"t pass this >ourse.3
Professor (. C. )hoshal of #erampore College Cas addressing me sternly. ,f , failed to pass his final
Critten
>lassroom test7 , Could be ineligible to ta@e the >on>lusiHe eJaminations. These are formulated by the
fa>ulty
of Cal>utta UniHersity7 Chi>h numbers #erampore College among its affiliated bran>hes. A student in
,ndian
uniHersities Cho is unsu>>essful in one subFe>t in the A... finals must be eJamined aneC in A'' his
subFe>ts
the folloCing year.
*y instru>tors at #erampore College usually treated me Cith @indness7 not untinged by an amused
toleran>e.
2*u@unda is a bit oHer;drun@ Cith religion.3 Thus summing me up7 they ta>tfully spared me the
embarrassment of ansCering >lassroom NuestionsK they trusted the final Critten tests to eliminate me
from the
list of A... >andidates. The Fudgment passed by my felloC students Cas eJpressed in their ni>@name
for
me;T*ad *on@.3
CAPTER 2+. , RECE,6E *Y U%,6ER#,TY (E)REE
Autobiography of a Yogi
, too@ an ingenious step to nullify Professor )hoshal"s threat to me of failure in philosophy. &hen the
results
of the final tests Cere about to be publi>ly announ>ed7 , as@ed a >lassmate to a>>ompany me to the
professor"s
study.
2Come alongK , Cant a Citness73 , told my >ompanion. 2, shall be Hery mu>h disappointed if , haHe not
su>>eeded in outCitting the instru>tor.3
Professor )hoshal shoo@ his head after , had inNuired Chat rating he had giHen my paper.
2You are not among those Cho haHe passed73 he said in triumph. e hunted through a large pile on his
des@.
2Your paper isn"t here at allK you haHe failed7 in any >ase7 through non;appearan>e at the eJamination.3
, >hu>@led. 2#ir7 , Cas there. *ay , loo@ through the sta>@ myselfP3
The professor7 nonplused7 gaHe his permissionK , Nui>@ly found my paper7 Chere , had >arefully omitted
any
identifi>ation mar@ eJ>ept my roll >all number. UnCarned by the 2red flag3 of my name7 the instru>tor
had
giHen a high rating to my ansCers eHen though they Cere unembellished by teJtboo@ Nuotations.
LF%2+;1M
#eeing through my tri>@7 he noC thundered7 2#heer braIen lu>@O3 e added hopefully7 2You are sure to
fail in
the A... finals.3
For the tests in my other subFe>ts7 , re>eiHed some >oa>hing7 parti>ularly from my dear friend and
>ousin7
Prabhas Chandra )hose7 LF%2+;2M son of my Un>le #arada. , staggered painfully but su>>essfully;
Cith the
loCest possible passing mar@s;through all my final tests.
%oC7 after four years of >ollege7 , Cas eligible to sit for the A... eJaminations. %eHertheless7 , hardly
eJpe>ted to aHail myself of the priHilege. The #erampore College finals Cere >hild"s play >ompared to
the stiff
ones Chi>h Could be set by Cal>utta UniHersity for the A... degree. *y almost daily Hisits to #ri
Yu@tesCar
had left me little time to enter the >ollege halls. There it Cas my presen>e rather than my absen>e that
brought
forth eFa>ulations of amaIement from my >lassmatesO
*y >ustomary routine Cas to set out on my bi>y>le about nine;thirty in the morning. ,n one hand ,
Could
>arry an offering for my guru;a feC floCers from the garden of my PA%T, boardinghouse. )reeting
me
affably7 *aster Could inHite me to lun>h. , inHariably a>>epted Cith ala>rity7 glad to banish the thought
of
>ollege for the day. After hours Cith #ri Yu@tesCar7 listening to his in>omparable floC of Cisdom7 or
helping
Cith ashram duties7 , Could relu>tantly depart around midnight for the PA%T,. !>>asionally , stayed
all
night Cith my guru7 so happily engrossed in his >onHersation that , s>ar>ely noti>ed Chen dar@ness
>hanged
into daCn.
!ne night about eleHen o">lo>@7 as , Cas putting on my shoes LF%2+;+M in preparation for the ride to
the
boardinghouse7 *aster Nuestioned me graHely.
2&hen do your A... eJaminations startP3
2FiHe days hen>e7 sir.3
2, hope you are in readiness for them.3
TransfiJed Cith alarm7 , held one shoe in the air. 2#ir73 , protested7 2you @noC hoC my days haHe been
passed
Cith you rather than Cith the professors. oC >an , ena>t a far>e by appearing for those diffi>ult
finalsP3
CAPTER 2+. , RECE,6E *Y U%,6ER#,TY (E)REE
Autobiography of a Yogi
#ri Yu@tesCar"s eyes Cere turned pier>ingly on mine. 2You must appear.3 is tone Cas >oldly
peremptory.
2&e should not giHe >ause for your father and other relatiHes to >riti>iIe your preferen>e for ashram
life. 8ust
promise me that you Cill be present for the eJaminationsK ansCer them the best Cay you >an.3
Un>ontrollable tears Cere >oursing doCn my fa>e. , felt that *aster"s >ommand Cas unreasonable7 and
that
his interest Cas7 to say the least7 belated.
2, Cill appear if you Cish it73 , said amidst sobs. 2.ut no time remains for proper preparation.3 Under
my
breath , muttered7 2, Cill fill up the sheets Cith your tea>hings in ansCer to the NuestionsO3
&hen , entered the hermitage the folloCing day at my usual hour7 , presented my bouNuet Cith a
>ertain
mournful solemnity. #ri Yu@tesCar laughed at my Coebegone air.
2*u@unda7 has the 'ord eHer failed you7 at an eJamination or elseChereP3
2%o7 sir73 , responded Carmly. )rateful memories >ame in a reHiHifying flood.
2%ot laIiness but burning Ieal for )od has preHented you from see@ing >ollege honors73 my guru said
@indly.
After a silen>e7 he Nuoted7 2"#ee@ ye first the @ingdom of )od7 and is righteousnessK and all these
things
shall be added unto you."2 LF%2+;/M
For the thousandth time7 , felt my burdens lifted in *aster"s presen>e. &hen Ce had finished our early
lun>h7
he suggested that , return to the PA%T,.
2(oes your friend7 Romesh Chandra (utt7 still liHe in your boardinghouseP3
2Yes7 sir.3
2)et in tou>h Cith himK the 'ord Cill inspire him to help you Cith the eJaminations.3
26ery Cell7 sirK but Romesh is unusually busy. e is the honor man in our >lass7 and >arries a heaHier
>ourse
than the others.3
*aster CaHed aside my obFe>tions. 2Romesh Cill find time for you. %oC go.3
, bi>y>led ba>@ to the PA%T,. The first person , met in the boardinghouse >ompound Cas the
s>holarly
Romesh. As though his days Cere Nuite free7 he obligingly agreed to my diffident reNuest.
2!f >ourseK , am at your serHi>e.3 e spent seHeral hours of that afternoon and of su>>eeding days in
>oa>hing
me in my Harious subFe>ts.
2, belieHe many Nuestions in English literature Cill be >entered in the route of Childe arold73 he told
me.
2&e must get an atlas at on>e.3
, hastened to the home of my Un>le #arada and borroCed an atlas. Romesh mar@ed the European map
at the
pla>es Hisited by .yron"s romanti> traHeler.
A feC >lassmates had gathered around to listen to the tutoring. 2Romesh is adHising you Crongly73 one
of
them >ommented to me at the end of a session. 2Usually only fifty per >ent of the Nuestions are about
the
boo@sK the other half Cill inHolHe the authors" liHes.3
CAPTER 2+. , RECE,6E *Y U%,6ER#,TY (E)REE
Autobiography of a Yogi
&hen , sat for the eJamination in English literature the folloCing day7 my first glan>e at the Nuestions
>aused
tears of gratitude to pour forth7 Cetting my paper. The >lassroom monitor >ame to my des@ and made a
sympatheti> inNuiry.
2*y guru foretold that Romesh Could help me73 , eJplained. 2'oo@K the Hery Nuestions di>tated to me
by
Romesh are here on the eJamination sheetO Fortunately for me7 there are Hery feC Nuestions this year
on
English authors7 Chose liHes are Crapped in deep mystery so far as , am >on>ernedO3
*y boardinghouse Cas in an uproar Chen , returned. The boys Cho had been ridi>uling Romesh"s
method of
>oa>hing loo@ed at me in aCe7 almost deafening me Cith >ongratulations. (uring the Cee@ of the
eJaminations7 , spent many hours Cith Romesh7 Cho formulated Nuestions that he thought Cere li@ely
to be
set by the professors. (ay by day7 Romesh"s Nuestions appeared in almost the same form on the
eJamination
sheets.
The neCs Cas Cidely >ir>ulated in the >ollege that something resembling a mira>le Cas o>>urring7 and
that
su>>ess seemed probable for the absent;minded 2*ad *on@.3 , made no attempt to hide the fa>ts of the
>ase.
The lo>al professors Cere poCerless to alter the Nuestions7 Chi>h had been arranged by Cal>utta
UniHersity.
Thin@ing oHer the eJamination in English literature7 , realiIed one morning that , had made a serious
error.
!ne se>tion of the Nuestions had been diHided into tCo parts of A or .7 and C or (. ,nstead of
ansCering one
Nuestion from ea>h part7 , had >arelessly ansCered both Nuestions in )roup ,7 and had failed to >onsider
anything in )roup ,,. The best mar@ , >ould s>ore in that paper Could be ++7 three less than the passing
mar@
of +4. , rushed to *aster and poured out my troubles.
2#ir7 , haHe made an unpardonable blunder. , don"t deserHe the diHine blessings through RomeshK , am
Nuite
unCorthy.3
2Cheer up7 *u@unda.3 #ri Yu@tesCar"s tones Cere light and un>on>erned. e pointed to the blue Hault
of the
heaHens. 2,t is more possible for the sun and moon to inter>hange their positions in spa>e than it is for
you to
fail in getting your degreeO3
, left the hermitage in a more tranNuil mood7 though it seemed mathemati>ally in>on>eiHable that ,
>ould pass.
, loo@ed on>e or tCi>e apprehensiHely into the s@yK the 'ord of (ay appeared to be se>urely an>hored
in his
>ustomary orbitO
As , rea>hed the PA%T,7 , oHerheard a >lassmate"s remar@A 2, haHe Fust learned that this year7 for the
first
time7 the reNuired passing mar@ in English literature has been loCered.3
, entered the boy"s room Cith su>h speed that he loo@ed up in alarm. , Nuestioned him eagerly.
2'ong;haired mon@73 he said laughingly7 2Chy this sudden interest in s>holasti> mattersP &hy >ry in
the
eleHenth hourP .ut it is true that the passing mar@ has Fust been loCered to ++ points.3
A feC Foyous leaps too@ me into my oCn room7 Chere , san@ to my @nees and praised the mathemati>al
perfe>tions of my (iHine Father.
EHery day , thrilled Cith the >ons>iousness of a spiritual presen>e that , >learly felt to be guiding me
through
Romesh. A signifi>ant in>ident o>>urred in >onne>tion Cith the eJamination in .engali. Romesh7 Cho
had
tou>hed little on that subFe>t7 >alled me ba>@ one morning as , Cas leaHing the boardinghouse on my
Cay to
the eJamination hall.
CAPTER 2+. , RECE,6E *Y U%,6ER#,TY (E)REE
Autobiography of a Yogi
2There is Romesh shouting for you73 a >lassmate said to me impatiently. 2(on"t returnK Ce shall be late
at the
hall.3
,gnoring the adHi>e7 , ran ba>@ to the house.
2The .engali eJamination is usually easily passed by our .engali boys73 Romesh told me. 2.ut , haHe
Fust
had a hun>h that this year the professors haHe planned to massa>re the students by as@ing Nuestions
from our
an>ient literature.3 *y friend then briefly outlined tCo stories from the life of 6idyasagar7 a renoCned
philanthropist.
, than@ed Romesh and Nui>@ly bi>y>led to the >ollege hall. The eJamination sheet in .engali proHed to
>ontain tCo parts. The first instru>tion CasA 2&rite tCo instan>es of the >harities of 6idyasagar.3 As ,
transferred to the paper the lore that , had so re>ently a>Nuired7 , Chispered a feC Cords of
than@sgiHing that ,
had heeded Romesh"s last;minute summons. ad , been ignorant of 6idyasagar"s benefa>tions to
man@ind
Qin>luding ultimately myselfS7 , >ould not haHe passed the .engali eJamination. Failing in one subFe>t7
,
Could haHe been for>ed to stand eJamination aneC in all subFe>ts the folloCing year. #u>h a prospe>t
Cas
understandably abhorrent.
The se>ond instru>tion on the sheet readA 2&rite an essay in .engali on the life of the man Cho has
most
inspired you.3 )entle reader7 , need not inform you Chat man , >hose for my theme. As , >oHered page
after
page Cith praise of my guru7 , smiled to realiIe that my muttered predi>tion Cas >oming trueA 2, Cill
fill up
the sheets Cith your tea>hingsO3
, had not felt in>lined to Nuestion Romesh about my >ourse in philosophy. Trusting my long training
under #ri
Yu@tesCar7 , safely disregarded the teJtboo@ eJplanations. The highest mar@ giHen to any of my papers
Cas
the one in philosophy. *y s>ore in all other subFe>ts Cas Fust barely Cithin the passing mar@.
,t is a pleasure to re>ord that my unselfish friend Romesh re>eiHed his oCn degree CU* 'AU(E.
Father Cas Creathed in smiles at my graduation. 2, hardly thought you Could pass7 *u@unda73 he
>onfessed.
2You spend so mu>h time Cith your guru.3 *aster had indeed >orre>tly dete>ted the unspo@en >riti>ism
of my
father.
For years , had been un>ertain that , Could eHer see the day Chen an A... Could folloC my name. ,
seldom
use the title Cithout refle>ting that it Cas a diHine gift7 >onferred on me for reasons someChat obs>ure.
!>>asionally , hear >ollege men remar@ that Hery little of their >rammed @noCledge remained Cith
them after
graduation. That admission >onsoles me a bit for my undoubted a>ademi> defi>ien>ies.
!n the day , re>eiHed my degree from Cal>utta UniHersity7 , @nelt at my guru"s feet and than@ed him for
all
the blessings floCing from his life into mine.
2)et up7 *u@unda73 he said indulgently. 2The 'ord simply found it more >onHenient to ma@e you a
graduate
than to rearrange the sun and moonO3
LF%2+;1M , must do Professor )hoshal the Fusti>e of admitting that the strained relationship betCeen us
Cas
not due to any fault of his7 but solely to my absen>es from >lasses and inattention in them. Professor
)hoshal
Cas7 and is7 a remar@able orator Cith Hast philosophi>al @noCledge. ,n later years Ce >ame to a >ordial
understanding..
LF%2+;2M Although my >ousin and , haHe the same family name of )hosh7 Prabhas has a>>ustomed
himself
to transliterating his name in English as )hoseK therefore , folloC his oCn spelling here.
CAPTER 2+. , RECE,6E *Y U%,6ER#,TY (E)REE
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%2+;+M A dis>iple alCays remoHes his shoes in an ,ndian hermitage.
LF%2+;/M *ATTE& 4A++.
CAPTER 2/. , .EC!*E A *!%$ !F TE #&A*, !R(ER
2*aster7 my father has been anJious for me to a>>ept an eJe>utiHe position Cith the .engal;%agpur
RailCay.
.ut , haHe definitely refused it.3 , added hopefully7 2#ir7 Cill you not ma@e me a mon@ of the #Cami
!rderP3
, loo@ed pleadingly at my guru. (uring pre>eding years7 in order to test the depth of my determination7
he had
refused this same reNuest. Today7 hoCeHer7 he smiled gra>iously.
26ery CellK tomorroC , Cill initiate you into sCamiship.3 e Cent on Nuietly7 2, am happy that you
haHe
persisted in your desire to be a mon@. 'ahiri *ahasaya often saidA ",f you don"t inHite )od to be your
summer
)uest7 e Con"t >ome in the Cinter of your life."2
2(ear master7 , >ould neHer falter in my goal to belong to the #Cami !rder li@e your reHered self.3 ,
smiled at
him Cith measureless affe>tion.
2e that is unmarried >areth for the things that belong to the 'ord7 hoC he may please the 'ordA but he
that is
married >areth for the things of the Corld7 hoC he may please his Cife.3 LF%2/;1M , had analyIed the
liHes of
many of my friends Cho7 after undergoing >ertain spiritual dis>ipline7 had then married. 'aun>hed on
the sea
of Corldly responsibilities7 they had forgotten their resolutions to meditate deeply.
To allot )od a se>ondary pla>e in life Cas7 to me7 in>on>eiHable. Though e is the sole !Cner of the
>osmos7
silently shoCering us Cith gifts from life to life7 one thing yet remains Chi>h e does not oCn7 and
Chi>h
ea>h human heart is empoCered to Cithhold or bestoC;man"s loHe. The Creator7 in ta@ing infinite pains
to
shroud Cith mystery is presen>e in eHery atom of >reation7 >ould haHe had but one motiHe;a sensitiHe
desire
that men see@ im only through free Cill. &ith Chat HelHet gloHe of eHery humility has e not >oHered
the
iron hand of omnipoten>eO
The folloCing day Cas one of the most memorable in my life. ,t Cas a sunny Thursday7 , remember7 in
8uly7
191/7 a feC Cee@s after my graduation from >ollege. !n the inner bal>ony of his #erampore hermitage7
*aster dipped a neC pie>e of Chite sil@ into a dye of o>her7 the traditional >olor of the #Cami !rder.
After
the >loth had dried7 my guru draped it around me as a renun>iate"s robe.
2#omeday you Cill go to the &est7 Chere sil@ is preferred73 he said. 2As a symbol7 , haHe >hosen for
you this
sil@ material instead of the >ustomary >otton.3
,n ,ndia7 Chere mon@s embra>e the ideal of poHerty7 a sil@;>lad sCami is an unusual sight. *any yogis7
hoCeHer7 Cear garments of sil@7 Chi>h preserHes >ertain subtle bodily >urrents better than >otton.
2, am aHerse to >eremonies73 #ri Yu@tesCar remar@ed. 2, Cill ma@e you a sCami in the .,(&AT
Qnon;>eremoniousS manner.3
The .,.,(,#A or elaborate initiation into sCamiship in>ludes a fire >eremony7 during Chi>h
symboli>al
funeral rites are performed. The physi>al body of the dis>iple is represented as dead7 >remated in the
flame of
Cisdom. The neCly;made sCami is then giHen a >hant7 su>h asA 2This AT*A is .rahma3 LF%2/;2M or
2Thou art That3 or 2, am e.3 #ri Yu@tesCar7 hoCeHer7 Cith his loHe of simpli>ity7 dispensed Cith all
formal
rites and merely as@ed me to sele>t a neC name.
2, Cill giHe you the priHilege of >hoosing it yourself73 he said7 smiling.
CAPTER 2/. , .EC!*E A *!%$ !F TE #&A*, !R(ER
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Yogananda73 , replied7 after a moment"s thought. The name literally means 2.liss QA%A%(AS through
diHine union QY!)AS.3
2.e it so. Forsa@ing your family name of *u@unda 'al )hosh7 hen>eforth you shall be >alled
Yogananda of
the )iri bran>h of the #Cami !rder.3
As , @nelt before #ri Yu@tesCar7 and for the first time heard him pronoun>e my neC name7 my heart
oHerfloCed Cith gratitude. oC loHingly and tirelessly had he labored7 that the boy *u@unda be
someday
transformed into the mon@ YoganandaO , Foyfully sang a feC Herses from the long #ans@rit >hant of
'ord
#han@araA
2*ind7 nor intelle>t7 nor ego7 feelingK
#@y nor earth nor metals am ,.
, am e7 , am e7 .lessed #pirit7 , am eO
%o birth7 no death7 no >aste haHe ,K
Father7 mother7 haHe , none.
, am e7 , am e7 .lessed #pirit7 , am eO
.eyond the flights of fan>y7 formless am ,7
Permeating the limbs of all lifeK
.ondage , do not fearK , am free7 eHer free7
, am e7 , am e7 .lessed #pirit7 , am eO3
EHery sCami belongs to the an>ient monasti> order Chi>h Cas organiIed in its present form by
#han@ara.
LF%2/;+M .e>ause it is a formal order7 Cith an unbro@en line of saintly representatiHes serHing as
a>tiHe
leaders7 no man >an giHe himself the title of sCami. e rightfully re>eiHes it only from another sCamiK
all
mon@s thus tra>e their spiritual lineage to one >ommon guru7 'ord #han@ara. .y HoCs of poHerty7
>hastity7
and obedien>e to the spiritual tea>her7 many Catholi> Christian monasti> orders resemble the !rder of
#Camis.
,n addition to his neC name7 usually ending in A%A%(A7 the sCami ta@es a title Chi>h indi>ates his
formal
>onne>tion Cith one of the ten subdiHisions of the #Cami !rder. These (A#A%A*,# or ten agnomens
in>lude the ),R, QmountainS7 to Chi>h #ri Yu@tesCar7 and hen>e myself7 belong. Among the other
bran>hes
are the #A)AR QseaS7 .ARAT, QlandS7 ARA%YA QforestS7 PUR, Qtra>tS7 T,RTA Qpla>e of
pilgrimageS7
and #ARA#&AT, QCisdom of natureS.
The neC name re>eiHed by a sCami thus has a tCofold signifi>an>e7 and represents the attainment of
supreme
bliss QA%A%(AS through some diHine Nuality or state;loHe7 Cisdom7 deHotion7 serHi>e7 yoga;and
through a
harmony Cith nature7 as eJpressed in her infinite Hastness of o>eans7 mountains7 s@ies.
The ideal of selfless serHi>e to all man@ind7 and of renun>iation of personal ties and ambitions7 leads
the
maFority of sCamis to engage a>tiHely in humanitarian and edu>ational Cor@ in ,ndia7 or o>>asionally
in
foreign lands. ,gnoring all preFudi>es of >aste7 >reed7 >lass7 >olor7 seJ7 or ra>e7 a sCami folloCs the
pre>epts of
human brotherhood. is goal is absolute unity Cith #pirit. ,mbuing his Ca@ing and sleeping
>ons>iousness
Cith the thought7 2, am e73 he roams >ontentedly7 in the Corld but not of it. Thus only may he Fustify
his title
of sCami;one Cho see@s to a>hieHe union Cith the #&A or #elf. ,t is needless to add that not all
formally
titled sCamis are eNually su>>essful in rea>hing their high goal.
#ri Yu@tesCar Cas both a sCami and a yogi. A sCami7 formally a mon@ by Hirtue of his >onne>tion Cith
the
an>ient order7 is not alCays a yogi. Anyone Cho pra>ti>es a s>ientifi> te>hniNue of )od;>onta>t is a
yogiK he
may be either married or unmarried7 either a Corldly man or one of formal religious ties. A sCami may
>on>eiHably folloC only the path of dry reasoning7 of >old renun>iationK but a yogi engages himself in a
CAPTER 2/. , .EC!*E A *!%$ !F TE #&A*, !R(ER
Autobiography of a Yogi
definite7 step;by;step pro>edure by Chi>h the body and mind are dis>iplined7 and the soul liberated.
Ta@ing
nothing for granted on emotional grounds7 or by faith7 a yogi pra>ti>es a thoroughly tested series of
eJer>ises
Chi>h Cere first mapped out by the early rishis. Yoga has produ>ed7 in eHery age of ,ndia7 men Cho
be>ame
truly free7 truly Yogi;Christs.
'i@e any other s>ien>e7 yoga is appli>able to people of eHery >lime and time. The theory adHan>ed by
>ertain
ignorant Criters that yoga is 2unsuitable for &esterners3 is Cholly false7 and has lamentably preHented
many
sin>ere students from see@ing its manifold blessings. Yoga is a method for restraining the natural
turbulen>e
of thoughts7 Chi>h otherCise impartially preHent all men7 of all lands7 from glimpsing their true nature
of
#pirit. Yoga >annot @noC a barrier of East and &est any more than does the healing and eNuitable light
of the
sun. #o long as man possesses a mind Cith its restless thoughts7 so long Cill there be a uniHersal need
for yoga
or >ontrol.
E,llustrationA TE '!R( ,% ,# A#PECT A# #,6A7 %ot a histori>al personage li@e $rishna7 #hiHa
is the
name giHen to )od in the last aspe>t of is threefold nature QCreator;PreserHer;(estroyerS. #hiHa7 the
Annihilator of maya or delusion7 is symboli>ally represented in the s>riptures as the 'ord of
Renun>iates7 the
$ing of Yogis. ,n indu art e is alCays shoCn Cith the neC moon in is hair7 and Cearing a garland
of
hooded sna@es7 an>ient emblem of eHil oHer>ome and perfe>t Cisdom. The 2single3 eye of omnis>ien>e
is
open on is forehead.=see shiHa.FpgG
The an>ient rishi PatanFali defines 2yoga3 as 2>ontrol of the flu>tuations of the mind;stuff.3 LF%2/;/M
is
Hery short and masterly eJpositions7 the Y!)A #UTRA#7 form one of the siJ systems of indu
philosophy.
LF%2/;1M ,n >ontradistin>tion to &estern philosophies7 all siJ indu systems embody not only
theoreti>al
but pra>ti>al tea>hings. ,n addition to eHery >on>eiHable ontologi>al inNuiry7 the siJ systems formulate
siJ
definite dis>iplines aimed at the permanent remoHal of suffering and the attainment of timeless bliss.
The >ommon thread lin@ing all siJ systems is the de>laration that no true freedom for man is possible
Cithout
@noCledge of the ultimate Reality. The later UPA%,#A(# uphold the Y!)A #UTRA#7 among the
siJ
systems7 as >ontaining the most effi>a>ious methods for a>hieHing dire>t per>eption of truth. Through
the
pra>ti>al te>hniNues of yoga7 man leaHes behind foreHer the barren realms of spe>ulation and >ogniIes
in
eJperien>e the Heritable Essen>e.
The Y!)A system as outlined by PatanFali is @noCn as the Eightfold Path. The first steps7 Q1S YA*A
and Q2S
%,YA*A7 reNuire obserHan>e of ten negatiHe and positiHe moralities;aHoidan>e of inFury to others7 of
untruthfulness7 of stealing7 of in>ontinen>e7 of gift;re>eiHing QChi>h brings obligationsSK and purity of
body
and mind7 >ontentment7 self;dis>ipline7 study7 and deHotion to )od.
The neJt steps are Q+S A#A%A Qright postureSK the spinal >olumn must be held straight7 and the body
firm in a
>omfortable position for meditationK Q/S PRA%AYA*A Q>ontrol of PRA%A7 subtle life >urrentsSK and
Q1S
PRATYAARA QCithdraCal of the senses from eJternal obFe>tsS.
The last steps are forms of yoga properA Q4S (ARA%A Q>on>entrationSK holding the mind to one
thoughtK Q5S
(YA%A QmeditationS7 and Q0S #A*A(, Qsuper>ons>ious per>eptionS. This is the Eightfold Path of
Yoga
LF%2/;4M Chi>h leads one to the final goal of $A,6A'YA QAbsolutenessS7 a term Chi>h might be
more
>omprehensibly put as 2realiIation of the Truth beyond all intelle>tual apprehension.3
2&hi>h is greater73 one may as@7 2a sCami or a yogiP3 ,f and Chen final oneness Cith )od is a>hieHed7
the
distin>tions of the Harious paths disappear. The .A)A6A( ),TA7 hoCeHer7 points out that the
methods of
yoga are all;embra>iHe. ,ts te>hniNues are not meant only for >ertain types and temperaments7 su>h as
those
feC Cho in>line toCard the monasti> lifeK yoga reNuires no formal allegian>e. .e>ause the yogi>
s>ien>e
satisfies a uniHersal need7 it has a natural uniHersal appli>ability.
CAPTER 2/. , .EC!*E A *!%$ !F TE #&A*, !R(ER
Autobiography of a Yogi
A true yogi may remain dutifully in the CorldK there he is li@e butter on Cater7 and not li@e the easily;
diluted
mil@ of un>hurned and undis>iplined humanity. To fulfill one"s earthly responsibilities is indeed the
higher
path7 proHided the yogi7 maintaining a mental uninHolHement Cith egotisti>al desires7 plays his part as a
Cilling instrument of )od.
There are a number of great souls7 liHing in Ameri>an or European or other non;indu bodies today
Cho7
though they may neHer haHe heard the Cords Y!), and #&A*,7 are yet true eJemplars of those terms.
Through their disinterested serHi>e to man@ind7 or through their mastery oHer passions and thoughts7 or
through their single hearted loHe of )od7 or through their great poCers of >on>entration7 they are7 in a
sense7
yogisK they haHe set themselHes the goal of yoga;self;>ontrol. These men >ould rise to eHen greater
heights if
they Cere taught the definite s>ien>e of yoga7 Chi>h ma@es possible a more >ons>ious dire>tion of one"s
mind
and life.
Yoga has been superfi>ially misunderstood by >ertain &estern Criters7 but its >riti>s haHe neHer been its
pra>titioners. Among many thoughtful tributes to yoga may be mentioned one by (r. C. ). 8ung7 the
famous
#Ciss psy>hologist.
2&hen a religious method re>ommends itself as "s>ientifi>7" it >an be >ertain of its publi> in the &est.
Yoga
fulfills this eJpe>tation73 (r. 8ung Crites. LF%2/;5M 2Vuite apart from the >harm of the neC7 and the
fas>ination of the half;understood7 there is good >ause for Yoga to haHe many adherents. ,t offers the
possibility of >ontrollable eJperien>e7 and thus satisfies the s>ientifi> need of "fa>ts7" and besides this7
by
reason of its breadth and depth7 its Henerable age7 its do>trine and method7 Chi>h in>lude eHery phase
of life7
it promises undreamed;of possibilities.
2EHery religious or philosophi>al pra>ti>e means a psy>hologi>al dis>ipline7 that is7 a method of mental
hygiene. The manifold7 purely bodily pro>edures of Yoga LF%2/;0M also mean a physiologi>al hygiene
Chi>h is superior to ordinary gymnasti>s and breathing eJer>ises7 inasmu>h as it is not merely
me>hanisti>
and s>ientifi>7 but also philosophi>alK in its training of the parts of the body7 it unites them Cith the
Chole of
the spirit7 as is Nuite >lear7 for instan>e7 in the PRA%AYA*A eJer>ises Chere PRA%A is both the
breath and
the uniHersal dynami>s of the >osmos.
2&hen the thing Chi>h the indiHidual is doing is also a >osmi> eHent7 the effe>t eJperien>ed in the body
Qthe
innerHationS7 unites Cith the emotion of the spirit Qthe uniHersal ideaS7 and out of this there deHelops a
liHely
unity Chi>h no te>hniNue7 hoCeHer s>ientifi>7 >an produ>e. Yoga pra>ti>e is unthin@able7 and Could
also be
ineffe>tual7 Cithout the >on>epts on Chi>h Yoga is based. ,t >ombines the bodily and the spiritual Cith
ea>h
other in an eJtraordinarily >omplete Cay.
2,n the East7 Chere these ideas and pra>ti>es haHe deHeloped7 and Chere for seHeral thousand years an
unbro@en tradition has >reated the ne>essary spiritual foundations7 Yoga is7 as , >an readily belieHe7 the
perfe>t and appropriate method of fusing body and mind together so that they form a unity Chi>h is
s>ar>ely
to be Nuestioned. This unity >reates a psy>hologi>al disposition Chi>h ma@es possible intuitions that
trans>end
>ons>iousness.3
The &estern day is indeed nearing Chen the inner s>ien>e of self;>ontrol Cill be found as ne>essary as
the
outer >onNuest of nature. This neC Atomi> Age Cill see men"s minds sobered and broadened by the
noC
s>ientifi>ally indisputable truth that matter is in reality a >on>entrate of energy. Finer for>es of the
human
mind >an and must liberate energies greater than those Cithin stones and metals7 lest the material
atomi> giant7
neCly unleashed7 turn on the Corld in mindless destru>tion. LF%2/;9M
LF%2/;1M , C!R,%T,A%# 5A+2;++.
CAPTER 2/. , .EC!*E A *!%$ !F TE #&A*, !R(ER
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%2/;2M 'iterally7 2This soul is #pirit.3 The #upreme #pirit7 the Un>reated7 is Cholly un>onditioned
Q%ET,7
%ET,7 not this7 not thatS but is often referred to in 6E(A%TA as #AT;C,T;A%A%(A7 that is7
.eing;,ntelligen>e;.liss.
LF%2/;+M #ometimes >alled #han@ara>harya. ACARYA means 2religious tea>her.3 #han@ara"s date is
a
>enter of the usual s>holasti> dispute. A feC re>ords indi>ate that the peerless monist liHed from 11- to
/50
..C.K &estern historians assign him to the late eighth >entury A.(. Readers Cho are interested in
#han@ara"s
famous eJposition of the .RA*A #UTRA# Cill find a >areful English translation in (r. Paul
(eussen"s
#Y#TE* !F TE 6E(A%TA QChi>agoA !pen Court Publishing Company7 1912S. #hort eJtra>ts from
his
Critings Cill be found in #E'ECTE( &!R$# !F #R, #A%$ARACARYA Q%atesan WCo.7
*adrasS.
LF%2/;/M 2C,TTA 6R,TT, %,R!(AT;Y!)A #UTRA ,A2. PatanFali"s date is un@noCn7 though a
number of s>holars pla>e him in the se>ond >entury ..C. The rishis gaHe forth treatises on all subFe>ts
Cith
su>h insight that ages haHe been poCerless to outmode themK yet7 to the subseNuent >onsternation of
historians7 the sages made no effort to atta>h their oCn dates and personalities to their literary Cor@s.
They
@neC their liHes Cere only temporarily important as flashes of the great infinite 'ifeK and that truth is
timeless7
impossible to trademar@7 and no priHate possession of their oCn.
LF%2/;1M The siJ orthodoJ systems Q#A((AR#A%AS are #A%$YA7 Y!)A7 6E(A%TA7
*,*A*#A7
%YAYA7 and 6A,#E#,$A. Readers of a s>holarly bent Cill delight in the subtleties and broad s>ope of
these
an>ient formulations as summariIed7 in English7 in ,#T!RY !F ,%(,A% P,'!#!PY7 6ol. ,7 by
Prof.
#urendranath (as)upta QCambridge UniHersity Press7 1922S.
LF%2/;4M %ot to be >onfused Cith the 2%oble Eightfold Path3 of .uddhism7 a guide to man"s >ondu>t
of life7
as folloCs Q1S Right ,deals7 Q2S Right *otiHe7 Q+S Right #pee>h7 Q/S Right A>tion7 Q1S Right *eans of
'iHelihood7 Q4S Right Effort7 Q5S Right Remembran>e Qof the #elfS7 Q0S Right RealiIation Q#A*A(,S.
LF%2/;5M (r. 8ung attended the ,ndian #>ien>e Congress in 19+5 and re>eiHed an honorary degree
from the
UniHersity of Cal>utta.
LF%2/;0M (r. 8ung is here referring to ATA Y!)A7 a spe>ialiIed bran>h of bodily postures and
te>hniNues for health and longeHity. ATA is useful7 and produ>es spe>ta>ular physi>al results7 but
this
bran>h of yoga is little used by yogis bent on spiritual liberation.
LF%2/;9M ,n Plato"s T,*AEU# story of Atlantis7 he tells of the inhabitants" adHan>ed state of s>ientifi>
@noCledge. The lost >ontinent is belieHed to haHe Hanished about 91-- ..C. through a >ata>lysm of
natureK
>ertain metaphysi>al Criters7 hoCeHer7 state that the Atlanteans Cere destroyed as a result of their
misuse of
atomi> poCer. TCo Fren>h Criters haHe re>ently >ompiled a .,.',!)RAPY !F AT'A%T,#7 listing
oHer
15-- histori>al and other referen>es.
CAPTER 21. .R!TER A%A%TA A%( #,#TER %A',%,
2Ananta >annot liHeK the sands of his @arma for this life haHe run out.3
These ineJorable Cords rea>hed my inner >ons>iousness as , sat one morning in deep meditation.
#hortly after
, had entered the #Cami !rder7 , paid a Hisit to my birthpla>e7 )ora@hpur7 as a guest of my elder
brother
Ananta. A sudden illness >onfined him to his bedK , nursed him loHingly.
The solemn inCard pronoun>ement filled me Cith grief. , felt that , >ould not bear to remain longer in
)ora@hpur7 only to see my brother remoHed before my helpless gaIe. Amidst un>omprehending
>riti>ism
from my relatiHes7 , left ,ndia on the first aHailable boat. ,t >ruised along .urma and the China #ea to
8apan. ,
CAPTER 21. .R!TER A%A%TA A%( #,#TER %A',%,
Autobiography of a Yogi
disembar@ed at $obe7 Chere , spent only a feC days. *y heart Cas too heaHy for sightseeing.
!n the return trip to ,ndia7 the boat tou>hed at #hanghai. There (r. *isra7 the ship"s physi>ian7 guided
me to
seHeral >urio shops7 Chere , sele>ted Harious presents for #ri Yu@tesCar and my family and friends. For
Ananta , pur>hased a large >arHed bamboo pie>e. %o sooner had the Chinese salesman handed me the
bamboo
souHenir than , dropped it on the floor7 >rying out7 2, haHe bought this for my dear dead brotherO3
A >lear realiIation had sCept oHer me that his soul Cas Fust being freed in the ,nfinite. The souHenir
Cas
sharply and symboli>ally >ra>@ed by its fallK amidst sobs7 , Crote on the bamboo surfa>eA 2For my
beloHed
Ananta7 noC gone.3
*y >ompanion7 the do>tor7 Cas obserHing these pro>eedings Cith a sardoni> smile.
2#aHe your tears73 he remar@ed. 2&hy shed them until you are sure he is deadP3
&hen our boat rea>hed Cal>utta7 (r. *isra again a>>ompanied me. *y youngest brother .ishnu Cas
Caiting
to greet me at the do>@.
2, @noC Ananta has departed this life73 , said to .ishnu7 before he had had time to spea@. 2Please tell
me7 and
the do>tor here7 Chen Ananta died.3
.ishnu named the date7 Chi>h Cas the Hery day that , had bought the souHenirs in #hanghai.
2'oo@ hereO3 (r. *isra eFa>ulated. 2(on"t let any Cord of this get aroundO The professors Cill be
adding a
year"s study of mental telepathy to the medi>al >ourse7 Chi>h is already long enoughO3
Father embra>ed me Carmly as , entered our )urpar Road home. 2You haHe >ome73 he said tenderly.
TCo
large tears dropped from his eyes. !rdinarily undemonstratiHe7 he had neHer before shoCn me these
signs of
affe>tion. !utCardly the graHe father7 inCardly he possessed the melting heart of a mother. ,n all his
dealings
Cith the family7 his dual parental role Cas distin>tly manifest.
#oon after Ananta"s passing7 my younger sister %alini Cas brought ba>@ from death"s door by a diHine
healing.
.efore relating the story7 , Cill refer to a feC phases of her earlier life.
The >hildhood relationship betCeen %alini and myself had not been of the happiest nature. , Cas Hery
thinK
she Cas thinner still. Through an un>ons>ious motiHe or 2>ompleJ3 Chi>h psy>hiatrists Cill haHe no
diffi>ulty
in identifying7 , often used to tease my sister about her >adaHerous appearan>e. er retorts Cere eNually
permeated Cith the >allous fran@ness of eJtreme youth. #ometimes *other interHened7 ending the
>hildish
Nuarrels7 temporarily7 by a gentle boJ on my ear7 as the elder ear.
Time passedK %alini Cas betrothed to a young Cal>utta physi>ian7 Pan>hanon .ose. e re>eiHed a
generous
doCry from Father7 presumably Qas , remar@ed to #isterS to >ompensate the bridegroom;to;be for his
fate in
allying himself Cith a human bean;pole.
Elaborate marriage rites Cere >elebrated in due time. !n the Cedding night7 , Foined the large and
FoHial group
of relatiHes in the liHing room of our Cal>utta home. The bridegroom Cas leaning on an immense
gold;bro>aded pilloC7 Cith %alini at his side. A gorgeous purple sil@ #AR, LF%21;1M >ould not7 alas7
Cholly
hide her angularity. , sheltered myself behind the pilloC of my neC brother;in;laC and grinned at him
in
friendly fashion. e had neHer seen %alini until the day of the nuptial >eremony7 Chen he finally
learned Chat
he Cas getting in the matrimonial lottery.
CAPTER 21. .R!TER A%A%TA A%( #,#TER %A',%,
Autobiography of a Yogi
Feeling my sympathy7 (r. .ose pointed unobtrusiHely to %alini7 and Chispered in my ear7 2#ay7 Chat"s
thisP3
2&hy7 (o>tor73 , replied7 2it is a s@eleton for your obserHationO3
ConHulsed Cith mirth7 my brother;in;laC and , Cere hard put to it to maintain the proper de>orum
before our
assembled relatiHes.
As the years Cent on7 (r. .ose endeared himself to our family7 Cho >alled on him CheneHer illness
arose. e
and , be>ame fast friends7 often Fo@ing together7 usually Cith %alini as our target.
2,t is a medi>al >uriosity73 my brother;in;laC remar@ed to me one day. 2, haHe tried eHerything on your
lean
sister;>od liHer oil7 butter7 malt7 honey7 fish7 meat7 eggs7 toni>s. #till she fails to bulge eHen one;
hundredth of
an in>h.3 &e both >hu>@led.
A feC days later , Hisited the .ose home. *y errand there too@ only a feC minutesK , Cas leaHing7
unnoti>ed7 ,
thought7 by %alini. As , rea>hed the front door7 , heard her Hoi>e7 >ordial but >ommanding.
2.rother7 >ome here. You are not going to giHe me the slip this time. , Cant to tal@ to you.3
, mounted the stairs to her room. To my surprise7 she Cas in tears.
2(ear brother73 she said7 2let us bury the old hat>het. , see that your feet are noC firmly set on the
spiritual
path. , Cant to be>ome li@e you in eHery Cay.3 #he added hopefully7 2You are noC robust in
appearan>eK >an
you help meP *y husband does not >ome near me7 and , loHe him so dearlyO .ut still more , Cant to
progress
in )od;realiIation7 eHen if , must remain thin LF%21;2M and unattra>tiHe.3
*y heart Cas deeply tou>hed at her plea. !ur neC friendship steadily progressedK one day she as@ed to
be>ome my dis>iple.
2Train me in any Cay you li@e. , put my trust in )od instead of toni>s.3 #he gathered together an
armful of
medi>ines and poured them doCn the roof drain.
As a test of her faith7 , as@ed her to omit from her diet all fish7 meat7 and eggs.
After seHeral months7 during Chi>h %alini had stri>tly folloCed the Harious rules , had outlined7 and
had
adhered to her Hegetarian diet in spite of numerous diffi>ulties7 , paid her a Hisit.
2#is7 you haHe been >ons>ientiously obserHing the spiritual inFun>tionsK your reCard is near.3 , smiled
mis>hieHously. 2oC plump do you Cant to be;as fat as our aunt Cho hasn"t seen her feet in yearsP3
2%oO .ut , long to be as stout as you are.3
, replied solemnly. 2.y the gra>e of )od7 as , haHe spo@en truth alCays7 , spea@ truly noC. LF%21;+M
Through the diHine blessings7 your body shall Herily >hange from todayK in one month it shall haHe the
same
Ceight as mine.3
These Cords from my heart found fulfillment. ,n thirty days7 %alini"s Ceight eNualled mine. The neC
roundness gaHe her beautyK her husband fell deeply in loHe. Their marriage7 begun so inauspi>iously7
turned
out to be ideally happy.
CAPTER 21. .R!TER A%A%TA A%( #,#TER %A',%,
Autobiography of a Yogi
!n my return from 8apan7 , learned that during my absen>e %alini had been stri>@en Cith typhoid feHer.
,
rushed to her home7 and Cas aghast to find her redu>ed to a mere s@eleton. #he Cas in a >oma.
2.efore her mind be>ame >onfused by illness73 my brother;in;laC told me7 2she often saidA ",f brother
*u@unda Cere here7 , Could not be faring thus."2 e added despairingly7 2The other do>tors and
myself see
no hope. .lood dysentery has set in7 after her long bout Cith typhoid.3
, began to moHe heaHen and earth Cith my prayers. Engaging an Anglo;,ndian nurse7 Cho gaHe me full
>ooperation7 , applied to my sister Harious yoga te>hniNues of healing. The blood dysentery
disappeared.
.ut (r. .ose shoo@ his head mournfully. 2#he simply has no more blood left to shed.3
2#he Cill re>oHer73 , replied stoutly. 2,n seHen days her feHer Cill be gone.3
A Cee@ later , Cas thrilled to see %alini open her eyes and gaIe at me Cith loHing re>ognition. From
that day
her re>oHery Cas sCift. Although she regained her usual Ceight7 she bore one sad s>ar of her nearly
fatal
illnessA her legs Cere paralyIed. ,ndian and English spe>ialists pronoun>ed her a hopeless >ripple.
The in>essant Car for her life Chi>h , had Caged by prayer had eJhausted me. , Cent to #erampore to
as@ #ri
Yu@tesCar"s help. is eyes eJpressed deep sympathy as , told him of %alini"s plight.
2Your sister"s legs Cill be normal at the end of one month.3 e added7 2'et her Cear7 neJt to her s@in7 a
band
Cith an unperforated tCo;>arat pearl7 held on by a >lasp.3
, prostrated myself at his feet Cith Foyful relief.
2#ir7 you are a masterK your Cord of her re>oHery is enough .ut if you insist , shall immediately get her
a
pearl.3
*y guru nodded. 2Yes7 do that.3 e Cent on to >orre>tly des>ribe the physi>al and mental
>hara>teristi>s of
%alini7 Chom he had neHer seen.
2#ir73 , inNuired7 2is this an astrologi>al analysisP You do not @noC her birth day or hour.3
#ri Yu@tesCar smiled. 2There is a deeper astrology7 not dependent on the testimony of >alendars and
>lo>@s.
Ea>h man is a part of the Creator7 or Cosmi> *anK he has a heaHenly body as Cell as one of earth. The
human
eye sees the physi>al form7 but the inCard eye penetrates more profoundly7 eHen to the uniHersal pattern
of
Chi>h ea>h man is an integral and indiHidual part.3
, returned to Cal>utta and pur>hased a pearl for %alini. A month later7 her paralyIed legs Cere
>ompletely
healed.
#ister as@ed me to >onHey her heartfelt gratitude to my guru. e listened to her message in silen>e. .ut
as ,
Cas ta@ing my leaHe7 he made a pregnant >omment.
2Your sister has been told by many do>tors that she >an neHer bear >hildren. Assure her that in a feC
years she
Cill giHe birth to tCo daughters.3
#ome years later7 to %alini"s Foy7 she bore a girl7 folloCed in a feC years by another daughter.
CAPTER 21. .R!TER A%A%TA A%( #,#TER %A',%,
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Your master has blessed our home7 our entire family73 my sister said. 2The presen>e of su>h a man is a
san>tifi>ation on the Chole of ,ndia. (ear brother7 please tell #ri Yu@tesCarFi that7 through you7 ,
humbly
>ount myself as one of his $R,YA Y!)A dis>iples.3
LF%21;1M The gra>efully draped dress of ,ndian Comen.
LF%21;2M .e>ause most persons in ,ndia are thin7 reasonable plumpness is >onsidered Hery desirable.
LF%21;+M The indu s>riptures de>lare that those Cho habitually spea@ the truth Cill deHelop the
poCer of
materialiIing their Cords. &hat >ommands they utter from the heart Cill >ome true in life.
CAPTER 24. TE #C,E%CE !F $R,YA Y!)A
The s>ien>e of $R,YA Y!)A7 mentioned so often in these pages7 be>ame Cidely @noCn in modern
,ndia
through the instrumentality of 'ahiri *ahasaya7 my guru"s guru. The #ans@rit root of $R,YA is $R,7 to
do7 to
a>t and rea>tK the same root is found in the Cord $AR*A7 the natural prin>iple of >ause and effe>t.
$R,YA
Y!)A is thus 2union QyogaS Cith the ,nfinite through a >ertain a>tion or rite.3 A yogi Cho faithfully
folloCs
its te>hniNue is gradually freed from @arma or the uniHersal >hain of >ausation.
.e>ause of >ertain an>ient yogi> inFun>tions7 , >annot giHe a full eJplanation of $R,YA Y!)A in the
pages
of a boo@ intended for the general publi>. The a>tual te>hniNue must be learned from a $R,YA.A% or
$R,YA Y!),K here a broad referen>e must suffi>e.
$R,YA Y!)A is a simple7 psy>hophysiologi>al method by Chi>h the human blood is de>arboniIed
and
re>harged Cith oJygen. The atoms of this eJtra oJygen are transmuted into life >urrent to reFuHenate
the brain
and spinal >enters. LF%24;1M .y stopping the a>>umulation of Henous blood7 the yogi is able to lessen
or
preHent the de>ay of tissuesK the adHan>ed yogi transmutes his >ells into pure energy. EliFah7 8esus7
$abir and
other prophets Cere past masters in the use of $R,YA or a similar te>hniNue7 by Chi>h they >aused
their
bodies to dematerialiIe at Cill.
$R,YA is an an>ient s>ien>e. 'ahiri *ahasaya re>eiHed it from his guru7 .abaFi7 Cho redis>oHered and
>larified the te>hniNue after it had been lost in the (ar@ Ages.
2The $R,YA Y!)A Chi>h , am giHing to the Corld through you in this nineteenth >entury73 .abaFi
told
'ahiri *ahasaya7 2is a reHiHal of the same s>ien>e Chi>h $rishna gaHe7 millenniums ago7 to ArFuna7
and
Chi>h Cas later @noCn to PatanFali7 and to Christ7 #t. 8ohn7 #t. Paul7 and other dis>iples.3
$R,YA Y!)A is referred to by $rishna7 ,ndia"s greatest prophet7 in a stanIa of the .A)A6A(
),TAA
2!ffering inhaling breath into the outgoing breath7 and offering the outgoing breath into the inhaling
breath7
the yogi neutraliIes both these breathsK he thus releases the life for>e from the heart and brings it under
his
>ontrol.3 LF%24;2M The interpretation isA 2The yogi arrests de>ay in the body by an addition of life
for>e7 and
arrests the mutations of groCth in the body by APA% Qeliminating >urrentS. Thus neutraliIing de>ay
and
groCth7 by Nuieting the heart7 the yogi learns life >ontrol.3
$rishna also relates LF%24;+M that it Cas he7 in a former in>arnation7 Cho >ommuni>ated the
indestru>tible
yoga to an an>ient illuminato7 6iHasHat7 Cho gaHe it to *anu7 the great legislator. LF%24;/M e7 in
turn7
instru>ted ,@shCa@u7 the father of ,ndia"s solar Carrior dynasty. Passing thus from one to another7 the
royal
yoga Cas guarded by the rishis until the >oming of the materialisti> ages. LF%24;1M Then7 due to
priestly
se>re>y and man"s indifferen>e7 the sa>red @noCledge gradually be>ame ina>>essible.
CAPTER 24. TE #C,E%CE !F $R,YA Y!)A
Autobiography of a Yogi
$R,YA Y!)A is mentioned tCi>e by the an>ient sage PatanFali7 foremost eJponent of yoga7 Cho
CroteA
2$R,YA Y!)A >onsists of body dis>ipline7 mental >ontrol7 and meditating on AU*.3 LF%24;4M
PatanFali
spea@s of )od as the a>tual Cosmi> #ound of AU* heard in meditation. LF%24;5M AU* is the
CreatiHe
&ord7 LF%24;0M the sound of the 6ibratory *otor. EHen the yoga;beginner soon inCardly hears the
Condrous sound of AU*. Re>eiHing this blissful spiritual en>ouragement7 the deHotee be>omes
assured that
he is in a>tual tou>h Cith diHine realms.
PatanFali refers a se>ond time to the life;>ontrol or $R,YA te>hniNue thusA 2'iberation >an be
a>>omplished
by that PRA%AYA*A Chi>h is attained by disFoining the >ourse of inspiration and eJpiration.3
LF%24;9M
#t. Paul @neC $R,YA Y!)A7 or a te>hniNue Hery similar to it7 by Chi>h he >ould sCit>h life >urrents
to and
from the senses. e Cas therefore able to sayA 26erily7 , protest by our reFoi>ing Chi>h , haHe in Christ7
, (,E
(A,'Y.3 LF%24;1-M .y daily CithdraCing his bodily life for>e7 he united it by yoga union Cith the
reFoi>ing
Qeternal blissS of the Christ >ons>iousness. ,n that feli>itous state7 he Cas >ons>iously aCare of being
dead to
the delusiHe sensory Corld of *AYA.
,n the initial states of )od;>onta>t Q#A.,$A'PA #A*A(,S the deHotee"s >ons>iousness merges Cith
the
Cosmi> #piritK his life for>e is CithdraCn from the body7 Chi>h appears 2dead73 or motionless and
rigid. The
yogi is fully aCare of his bodily >ondition of suspended animation. As he progresses to higher spiritual
states
Q%,R.,$A'PA #A*A(,S7 hoCeHer7 he >ommunes Cith )od Cithout bodily fiJation7 and in his
ordinary
Ca@ing >ons>iousness7 eHen in the midst of eJa>ting Corldly duties. LF%24;11M
2$R,YA Y!)A is an instrument through Chi>h human eHolution >an be Nui>@ened73 #ri Yu@tesCar
eJplained to his students. 2The an>ient yogis dis>oHered that the se>ret of >osmi> >ons>iousness is
intimately
lin@ed Cith breath mastery. This is ,ndia"s uniNue and deathless >ontribution to the Corld"s treasury of
@noCledge. The life for>e7 Chi>h is ordinarily absorbed in maintaining the heart;pump7 must be freed
for
higher a>tiHities by a method of >alming and stilling the >easeless demands of the breath.3
The $R,YA Y!), mentally dire>ts his life energy to reHolHe7 upCard and doCnCard7 around the siJ
spinal
>enters Qmedullary7 >erHi>al7 dorsal7 lumbar7 sa>ral7 and >o>>ygeal pleJusesS Chi>h >orrespond to the
tCelHe
astral signs of the Iodia>7 the symboli> Cosmi> *an. !ne;half minute of reHolution of energy around
the
sensitiHe spinal >ord of man effe>ts subtle progress in his eHolutionK that half;minute of $R,YA eNuals
one
year of natural spiritual unfoldment.
The astral system of a human being7 Cith siJ QtCelHe by polarityS inner >onstellations reHolHing around
the
sun of the omnis>ient spiritual eye7 is interrelated Cith the physi>al sun and the tCelHe Iodia>al signs.
All men
are thus affe>ted by an inner and an outer uniHerse. The an>ient rishis dis>oHered that man"s earthly and
heaHenly enHironment7 in tCelHe;year >y>les7 push him forCard on his natural path. The s>riptures aHer
that
man reNuires a million years of normal7 diseaseless eHolution to perfe>t his human brain suffi>iently to
eJpress >osmi> >ons>iousness.
!ne thousand $R,YA pra>ti>ed in eight hours giHes the yogi7 in one day7 the eNuiHalent of one
thousand years
of natural eHolutionA +417--- years of eHolution in one year. ,n three years7 a $R,YA Y!), >an thus
a>>omplish by intelligent self;effort the same result Chi>h nature brings to pass in a million years. The
$R,YA short >ut7 of >ourse7 >an be ta@en only by deeply deHeloped yogis. &ith the guidan>e of a guru7
su>h
yogis haHe >arefully prepared their bodies and brains to re>eiHe the poCer >reated by intensiHe pra>ti>e.
The $R,YA beginner employs his yogi> eJer>ise only fourteen to tCenty;eight times7 tCi>e daily. A
number
of yogis a>hieHe eman>ipation in siJ or tCelHe or tCenty;four or forty;eight years. A yogi Cho dies
before
a>hieHing full realiIation >arries Cith him the good @arma of his past $R,YA effortK in his neC life he
is
harmoniously propelled toCard his ,nfinite )oal.
CAPTER 24. TE #C,E%CE !F $R,YA Y!)A
Autobiography of a Yogi
The body of the aHerage man is li@e a fifty;Catt lamp7 Chi>h >annot a>>ommodate the billion Catts of
poCer
roused by an eJ>essiHe pra>ti>e of $R,YA. Through gradual and regular in>rease of the simple and
2foolproof3 methods of $R,YA7 man"s body be>omes astrally transformed day by day7 and is finally
fitted to
eJpress the infinite potentials of >osmi> energy;the first materially a>tiHe eJpression of #pirit.
$R,YA Y!)A has nothing in >ommon Cith the uns>ientifi> breathing eJer>ises taught by a number of
misguided Iealots. Their attempts to for>ibly hold breath in the lungs is not only unnatural but
de>idedly
unpleasant. $R,YA7 on the other hand7 is a>>ompanied from the Hery beginning by an a>>ession of
pea>e7 and
by soothing sensations of regeneratiHe effe>t in the spine.
The an>ient yogi> te>hniNue >onHerts the breath into mind. .y spiritual adHan>ement7 one is able to
>ogniIe
the breath as an a>t of mind;a dream;breath.
*any illustrations >ould be giHen of the mathemati>al relationship betCeen man"s respiratory rate and
the
Hariations in his states of >ons>iousness. A person Chose attention is Cholly engrossed7 as in folloCing
some
>losely @nit intelle>tual argument7 or in attempting some deli>ate or diffi>ult physi>al feat7
automati>ally
breathes Hery sloCly. FiJity of attention depends on sloC breathingK Nui>@ or uneHen breaths are an
ineHitable
a>>ompaniment of harmful emotional statesA fear7 lust7 anger. The restless mon@ey breathes at the rate
of +2
times a minute7 in >ontrast to man"s aHerage of 10 times. The elephant7 tortoise7 sna@e and other
animals noted
for their longeHity haHe a respiratory rate Chi>h is less than man"s. The tortoise7 for instan>e7 Cho may
attain
the age of +-- years7 LF%24;12M breathes only / times per minute.
The reFuHenating effe>ts of sleep are due to man"s temporary unaCareness of body and breathing. The
sleeping
man be>omes a yogiK ea>h night he un>ons>iously performs the yogi> rite of releasing himself from
bodily
identifi>ation7 and of merging the life for>e Cith healing >urrents in the main brain region and the siJ
sub;dynamos of his spinal >enters. The sleeper thus dips un@noCingly into the reserHoir of >osmi>
energy
Chi>h sustains all life.
The Holuntary yogi performs a simple7 natural pro>ess >ons>iously7 not un>ons>iously li@e the sloC;
pa>ed
sleeper. The $R,YA Y!), uses his te>hniNue to saturate and feed all his physi>al >ells Cith
unde>aying light
and @eep them in a magnetiIed state. e s>ientifi>ally ma@es breath unne>essary7 Cithout produ>ing the
states
of sub>ons>ious sleep or un>ons>iousness.
.y $R,YA7 the outgoing life for>e is not Casted and abused in the senses7 but >onstrained to reunite
Cith
subtler spinal energies. .y su>h reinfor>ement of life7 the yogi"s body and brain >ells are ele>trified
Cith the
spiritual eliJir. Thus he remoHes himself from studied obserHan>e of natural laCs7 Chi>h >an only ta@e
him;by >ir>uitous means as giHen by proper food7 sunlight7 and harmonious thoughts;to a million;year
)oal.
,t needs tCelHe years of normal healthful liHing to effe>t eHen slight per>eptible >hange in brain
stru>ture7 and
a million solar returns are eJa>ted to suffi>iently refine the >erebral tenement for manifestation of
>osmi>
>ons>iousness.
Untying the >ord of breath Chi>h binds the soul to the body7 $R,YA serHes to prolong life and enlarge
the
>ons>iousness to infinity. The yoga method oHer>omes the tug of Car betCeen the mind and the matter;
bound
senses7 and frees the deHotee to reinherit his eternal @ingdom. e @noCs his real nature is bound neither
by
physi>al en>asement nor by breath7 symbol of the mortal enslaHement to air7 to nature"s elemental
>ompulsions.
,ntrospe>tion7 or 2sitting in the silen>e73 is an uns>ientifi> Cay of trying to for>e apart the mind and
senses7
tied together by the life for>e. The >ontemplatiHe mind7 attempting its return to diHinity7 is >onstantly
dragged
ba>@ toCard the senses by the life >urrents. $R,YA7 >ontrolling the mind (,RECT'Y through the life
for>e7
is the easiest7 most effe>tiHe7 and most s>ientifi> aHenue of approa>h to the ,nfinite. ,n >ontrast to the
sloC7
CAPTER 24. TE #C,E%CE !F $R,YA Y!)A
Autobiography of a Yogi
un>ertain 2bullo>@ >art3 theologi>al path to )od7 $R,YA may Fustly be >alled the 2airplane3 route.
The yogi> s>ien>e is based on an empiri>al >onsideration of all forms of >on>entration and meditation
eJer>ises. Yoga enables the deHotee to sCit>h off or on7 at Cill7 life >urrent from the fiHe sense
telephones of
sight7 sound7 smell7 taste7 and tou>h. Attaining this poCer of sense;dis>onne>tion7 the yogi finds it
simple to
unite his mind at Cill Cith diHine realms or Cith the Corld of matter. %o longer is he unCillingly
brought ba>@
by the life for>e to the mundane sphere of roCdy sensations and restless thoughts. *aster of his body
and
mind7 the $R,YA Y!), ultimately a>hieHes Hi>tory oHer the 2last enemy73 death.
#o shalt thou feed on (eath7 that feeds on menA And (eath on>e dead7 there"s no more dying then.
LF%24;1+M
The life of an adHan>ed $R,YA Y!), is influen>ed7 not by effe>ts of past a>tions7 but solely by
dire>tions
from the soul. The deHotee thus aHoids the sloC7 eHolutionary monitors of egoisti> a>tions7 good and
bad7 of
>ommon life7 >umbrous and snail;li@e to the eagle hearts.
The superior method of soul liHing frees the yogi Cho7 shorn of his ego;prison7 tastes the deep air of
omnipresen>e. The thralldom of natural liHing is7 in >ontrast7 set in a pa>e humiliating. Conforming his
life to
the eHolutionary order7 a man >an >ommand no >on>essionary haste from nature but7 liHing Cithout
error
against the laCs of his physi>al and mental endoCment7 still reNuires about a million years of
in>arnating
masNuerades to @noC final eman>ipation.
The teles>opi> methods of yogis7 disengaging themselHes from physi>al and mental identifi>ations in
faHor of
soul;indiHiduality7 thus >ommend themselHes to those Cho eye Cith reHolt a thousand thousand years.
This
numeri>al periphery is enlarged for the ordinary man7 Cho liHes in harmony not eHen Cith nature7 let
alone his
soul7 but pursues instead unnatural >ompleJities7 thus offending in his body and thoughts the sCeet
sanities of
nature. For him7 tCo times a million years >an s>ar>e suffi>e for liberation.
)ross man seldom or neHer realiIes that his body is a @ingdom7 goHerned by Emperor #oul on the
throne of
the >ranium7 Cith subsidiary regents in the siJ spinal >enters or spheres of >ons>iousness. This
theo>ra>y
eJtends oHer a throng of obedient subFe>tsA tCenty;seHen thousand billion >ells;endoCed Cith a sure if
automati> intelligen>e by Chi>h they perform all duties of bodily groCths7 transformations7 and
dissolutions;and fifty million substratal thoughts7 emotions7 and Hariations of alternating phases in
man"s
>ons>iousness in an aHerage life of siJty years. Any apparent insurre>tion of bodily or >erebral >ells
toCard
Emperor #oul7 manifesting as disease or depression7 is due to no disloyalty among the humble >itiIens7
but to
past or present misuse by man of his indiHiduality or free Cill7 giHen to him simultaneous Cith a soul7
and
reHo>able neHer.
,dentifying himself Cith a shalloC ego7 man ta@es for granted that it is he Cho thin@s7 Cills7 feels7
digests
meals7 and @eeps himself aliHe7 neHer admitting through refle>tion Qonly a little Could suffi>eOS that in
his
ordinary life he is naught but a puppet of past a>tions Q@armaS and of nature or enHironment. Ea>h
man"s
intelle>tual rea>tions7 feelings7 moods7 and habits are >ir>ums>ribed by effe>ts of past >auses7 Chether
of this
or a prior life. 'ofty aboHe su>h influen>es7 hoCeHer7 is his regal soul. #purning the transitory truths
and
freedoms7 the $R,YA Y!), passes beyond all disillusionment into his unfettered .eing. All s>riptures
de>lare man to be not a >orruptible body7 but a liHing soulK by $R,YA he is giHen a method to proHe the
s>riptural truth.
2!utCard ritual >annot destroy ignoran>e7 be>ause they are not mutually >ontradi>tory73 Crote
#han@ara in his
famous CE%TURY !F 6ER#E#. 2RealiIed @noCledge alone destroys ignoran>e. . . . $noCledge
>annot
spring up by any other means than inNuiry. "&ho am ,P oC Cas this uniHerse bornP &ho is its ma@erP
&hat
is its material >auseP" This is the @ind of inNuiry referred to.3 The intelle>t has no ansCer for these
NuestionsK
hen>e the rishis eHolHed yoga as the te>hniNue of spiritual inNuiry.
CAPTER 24. TE #C,E%CE !F $R,YA Y!)A
Autobiography of a Yogi
$R,YA Y!)A is the real 2fire rite3 often eJtolled in the .A)A6A( ),TA. The purifying fires of
yoga
bring eternal illumination7 and thus differ mu>h from outCard and little;effe>tiHe religious fire
>eremonies7
Chere per>eption of truth is oft burnt7 to solemn >hanted a>>ompaniment7 along Cith the in>enseO
The adHan>ed yogi7 Cithholding all his mind7 Cill7 and feeling from false identifi>ation Cith bodily
desires7
uniting his mind Cith super>ons>ious for>es in the spinal shrines7 thus liHes in this Corld as )od hath
planned7
not impelled by impulses from the past nor by neC Citlessnesses of fresh human motiHations. #u>h a
yogi
re>eiHes fulfillment of his #upreme (esire7 safe in the final haHen of ineJhaustibly blissful #pirit.
The yogi offers his labyrinthine human longings to a monotheisti> bonfire dedi>ated to the unparalleled
)od.
This is indeed the true yogi> fire >eremony7 in Chi>h all past and present desires are fuel >onsumed by
loHe
diHine. The Ultimate Flame re>eiHes the sa>rifi>e of all human madness7 and man is pure of dross. is
bones
stripped of all desirous flesh7 his @armi> s@eleton blea>hed in the antisepti> suns of Cisdom7 he is >lean
at last7
inoffensiHe before man and *a@er.
Referring to yoga"s sure and methodi>al effi>a>y7 'ord $rishna praises the te>hnologi>al yogi in the
folloCing
CordsA 2The yogi is greater than body;dis>iplining as>eti>s7 greater eHen than the folloCers of the path
of
Cisdom Q8%A%A Y!)AS7 or of the path of a>tion Q$AR*A Y!)ASK be thou7 ! dis>iple ArFuna7 a
yogiO3
LF%24;1/M
LF%24;1M The noted s>ientist7 (r. )eorge &. Crile of CleHeland7 eJplained before a 19/- meeting of
the
Ameri>an Asso>iation for the AdHan>ement of #>ien>e the eJperiments by Chi>h he had proHed that all
bodily tissues are ele>tri>ally negatiHe7 eJ>ept the brain and nerHous system tissues Chi>h remain
ele>tri>ally
positiHe be>ause they ta@e up reHiHifying oJygen at a more rapid rate.
LF%24;2M .A)A6A( ),TA7 ,6A29.
LF%24;+M .A)A6A( ),TA ,6A1;2.
LF%24;/M The author of *A%A6A (AR*A #A#TRA#. These institutes of >anoniIed >ommon
laC are
effe>tiHe in ,ndia to this day. The Fren>h s>holar7 'ouis 8a>olliot7 Crites that the date of *anu 2is lost
in the
night of the ante;histori>al period of ,ndiaK and no s>holar has dared to refuse him the title of the most
an>ient
laCgiHer in the Corld.3 ,n 'A .,.'E (A%# '",%(E7 pages ++;+57 8a>olliot reprodu>es parallel teJtual
referen>es to proHe that the Roman C!(E !F 8U#T,%,A% folloCs >losely the 'A&# !F *A%U.
LF%24;1M The start of the materialisti> ages7 a>>ording to indu s>riptural re>@onings7 Cas +1-2 ..C.
This
Cas the beginning of the (es>ending (Capara Age Qsee page 15/S. *odern s>holars7 blithely belieHing
that
1-7--- years ago all men Cere sun@ in a barbarous #tone Age7 summarily dismiss as 2myths3 all
re>ords and
traditions of Hery an>ient >iHiliIations in ,ndia7 China7 Egypt7 and other lands.
LF%24;4M PatanFali"s AP!R,#*#7 ,,A1. ,n using the Cords $R,YA Y!)A7 PatanFali Cas referring to
either
the eJa>t te>hniNue taught by .abaFi7 or one Hery similar to it. That it Cas a definite te>hniNue of life
>ontrol is
proHed by PatanFali"s AP!R,#* ,,A/9.
LF%24;5M PatanFali"s AP!R,#*#7 ,A25.
LF%24;0M 2,n the beginning Cas the &ord7 and the &ord Cas Cith )od7 and the &ord Cas )od. . . . All
things Cere made by himK and Cithout him Cas not any thing made that Cas made.3;8!% 1A1;+.
AU*
Q!*S of the 6E(A# be>ame the sa>red Cord A*,% of the *oslems7 U* of the Tibetans7 and
A*E% of
the Christians Qits meaning in ebreC being #URE7 FA,TFU'S. 2These things saith the Amen7 the
faithful
and true Citness7 the beginning of the >reation of )od.3;RE6E'AT,!%# +A1/.
CAPTER 24. TE #C,E%CE !F $R,YA Y!)A
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%24;9M AP!R,#*# ,,A/9..
LF%24;1-M , C!R,%T,A%# 11A+1. 2!ur reFoi>ing3 is the >orre>t translationK not7 as usually giHen7
2your
reFoi>ing.3 #t. Paul Cas referring to the !*%,PRE#E%CE of the Christ >ons>iousness..
LF%24;11M $A'PA means time or aeon. #A.,$A'PA means subFe>t to time or >hangeK some lin@
Cith
PRA$R,T, or matter remains. %,R.,$A'PA means timeless7 >hangelessK this is the highest state of
#A*A(,.
LF%24;12M A>>ording to the ',%C!'% ',.RARY !F E##E%T,A' ,%F!R*AT,!%7 p. 1-+-7 the
giant
tortoise liHes betCeen 2-- and +-- years.
LF%24;1+M #ha@espeareA #!%%ET U1/4.
LF%24;1/M .A)A6A( ),TA7 6,A/4.
CAPTER 25. F!U%(,%) A Y!)A #C!!' AT RA%C,
2&hy are you aHerse to organiIational Cor@P3
*aster"s Nuestion startled me a bit. ,t is true that my priHate >onHi>tion at the time Cas that
organiIations Cere
2hornets" nests.3
2,t is a than@less tas@7 sir73 , ansCered. 2%o matter Chat the leader does or does not7 he is >riti>iIed.3
2(o you Cant the Chole diHine CA%%A Qmil@ >urdS for yourself aloneP3 *y guru"s retort Cas
a>>ompanied
by a stern glan>e. 2Could you or anyone else a>hieHe )od;>onta>t through yoga if a line of generous;
hearted
masters had not been Cilling to >onHey their @noCledge to othersP3 e added7 2)od is the oney7
organiIations are the hiHesK both are ne>essary. Any F!R* is useless7 of >ourse7 Cithout the spirit7 but
Chy
should you not start busy hiHes full of the spiritual ne>tarP3
is >ounsel moHed me deeply. Although , made no outCard reply7 an adamant resolution arose in my
breastA ,
Could share Cith my felloCs7 so far as lay in my poCer7 the unsha>@ling truths , had learned at my
guru"s feet.
2'ord73 , prayed7 2may Thy 'oHe shine foreHer on the san>tuary of my deHotion7 and may , be able to
aCa@en
that 'oHe in other hearts.3
!n a preHious o>>asion7 before , had Foined the monasti> order7 #ri Yu@tesCar had made a most
uneJpe>ted
remar@.
2oC you Cill miss the >ompanionship of a Cife in your old ageO3 he had said. 2(o you not agree that
the
family man7 engaged in useful Cor@ to maintain his Cife and >hildren7 thus plays a reCarding role in
)od"s
eyesP3
2#ir73 , had protested in alarm7 2you @noC that my desire in this life is to espouse only the Cosmi>
.eloHed.3
*aster had laughed so merrily that , understood his obserHation Cas made merely as a test of my faith.
2Remember73 he had said sloCly7 2that he Cho dis>ards his Corldly duties >an Fustify himself only by
assuming some @ind of responsibility toCard a mu>h larger family.3
CAPTER 25. F!U%(,%) A Y!)A #C!!' AT RA%C,
Autobiography of a Yogi
The ideal of an all;sided edu>ation for youth had alCays been >lose to my heart. , saC >learly the arid
results
of ordinary instru>tion7 aimed only at the deHelopment of body and intelle>t. *oral and spiritual Halues7
Cithout Chose appre>iation no man >an approa>h happiness7 Cere yet la>@ing in the formal >urri>ulum.
,
determined to found a s>hool Chere young boys >ould deHelop to the full stature of manhood. *y first
step in
that dire>tion Cas made Cith seHen >hildren at (ihi@a7 a small >ountry site in .engal.
A year later7 in 19107 through the generosity of #ir *anindra Chandra %undy7 the *aharaFa of
$asimbaIar7 ,
Cas able to transfer my fast;groCing group to Ran>hi. This toCn in .ihar7 about tCo hundred miles
from
Cal>utta7 is blessed Cith one of the most healthful >limates in ,ndia. The $asimbaIar Pala>e at Ran>hi
Cas
transformed into the headNuarters for the neC s>hool7 Chi>h , >alled .RA*ACARYA
6,(YA'AYA
LF%25;1M in a>>ordan>e Cith the edu>ational ideals of the rishis. Their forest ashrams had been the
an>ient
seats of learning7 se>ular and diHine7 for the youth of ,ndia.
At Ran>hi , organiIed an edu>ational program for both grammar and high s>hool grades. ,t in>luded
agri>ultural7 industrial7 >ommer>ial7 and a>ademi> subFe>ts. The students Cere also taught yoga
>on>entration
and meditation7 and a uniNue system of physi>al deHelopment7 2Yogoda73 Chose prin>iples , had
dis>oHered
in 1914.
RealiIing that man"s body is li@e an ele>tri> battery7 , reasoned that it >ould be re>harged Cith energy
through
the dire>t agen>y of the human Cill. As no a>tion7 slight or large7 is possible Cithout &,'',%)7 man
>an
aHail himself of his prime moHer7 Cill7 to reneC his bodily tissues Cithout burdensome apparatus or
me>hani>al eJer>ises. , therefore taught the Ran>hi students my simple 2Yogoda3 te>hniNues by Chi>h
the life
for>e7 >entred in man"s medulla oblongata7 >an be >ons>iously and instantly re>harged from the
unlimited
supply of >osmi> energy.
The boys responded Conderfully to this training7 deHeloping eJtraordinary ability to shift the life
energy from
one part of the body to another part7 and to sit in perfe>t poise in diffi>ult body postures. LF%25;2M
They
performed feats of strength and enduran>e Chi>h many poCerful adults >ould not eNual. *y youngest
brother7
.ishnu Charan )hosh7 Foined the Ran>hi s>hoolK he later be>ame a leading physi>al >ulturist in .engal.
e
and one of his students traHeled to Europe and Ameri>a7 giHing eJhibitions of strength and s@ill Chi>h
amaIed
the uniHersity saHants7 in>luding those at Columbia UniHersity in %eC Yor@.
At the end of the first year at Ran>hi7 appli>ations for admission rea>hed tCo thousand. .ut the s>hool7
Chi>h
at that time Cas solely residential7 >ould a>>ommodate only about one hundred. ,nstru>tion for day
students
Cas soon added.
,n the 6,(YA'AYA , had to play father;mother to the little >hildren7 and to >ope Cith many
organiIational
diffi>ulties. , often remembered Christ"s CordsA 26erily , say unto you7 There is no man that hath left
house7
or brethren or sisters7 or father7 or mother7 or Cife7 or >hildren7 or lands7 for my sa@e7 and the gospel"s7
but he
shall re>eiHe an hundredfold noC in this time7 houses and brethren7 and sisters7 and mothers7 and
>hildren7 and
lands7 Cith perse>utionsK and in the Corld to >ome eternal life.3 LF%25;+M #ri Yu@tesCar had
interpreted
these CordsA 2The deHotee Cho forgoes the life;eJperien>es of marriage and family7 and eJ>hanges the
problems of a small household and limited a>tiHities for the larger responsibilities of serHi>e to so>iety
in
general7 is underta@ing a tas@ Chi>h is often a>>ompanied by perse>ution from a misunderstanding
Corld7 but
also by a diHine inner >ontentment.3
E,llustrationA Yogoda *ath7 beautiful hermitage of #elf;RealiIation FelloCship at (a@shinesCar on the
)anges. Founded in 19+0 as a yoga retreat for students of East and &est.=see math.FpgG
E,llustrationA Central building of the Yogoda #at;#anga .rahma>harya 6idyalaya at Ran>hi7 .ihar7
established in 1910 as a yoga s>hool for boys7 Cith grammar and high s>hool edu>ation. Conne>ted
Cith it is
CAPTER 25. F!U%(,%) A Y!)A #C!!' AT RA%C,
Autobiography of a Yogi
the philanthropi> 'ahiri *ahasaya *ission.=see ran>hi.FpgG
!ne day my father arriHed in Ran>hi to bestoC a paternal blessing7 long Cithheld be>ause , had hurt
him by
refusing his offer of a position Cith the .engal;%agpur RailCay.
2#on73 he said7 2, am noC re>on>iled to your >hoi>e in life. ,t giHes me Foy to see you amidst these
happy7
eager youngstersK you belong here rather than Cith the lifeless figures of railroad timetables.3 e
CaHed
toCard a group of a doIen little ones Cho Cere tagging at my heels. 2, had only eight >hildren73 he
obserHed
Cith tCin@ling eyes7 2but , >an feel for youO3
&ith a large fruit or>hard and tCenty;fiHe fertile a>res at our disposal7 the students7 tea>hers7 and
myself
enFoyed many happy hours of outdoor labor in these ideal surroundings. &e had many pets7 in>luding a
young
deer Cho Cas fairly idoliIed by the >hildren. , too loHed the faCn so mu>h that , alloCed it to sleep in
my
room. At the light of daCn7 the little >reature Could toddle oHer to my bed for a morning >aress.
!ne day , fed the pet earlier than usual7 as , had to attend to some business in the toCn of Ran>hi.
Although ,
>autioned the boys not to feed the faCn until my return7 one of them Cas disobedient7 and gaHe the
baby deer
a large Nuantity of mil@. &hen , >ame ba>@ in the eHening7 sad neCs greeted meA 2The little faCn is
nearly
dead7 through oHer feeding.3
,n tears7 , pla>ed the apparently lifeless pet on my lap. , prayed piteously to )od to spare its life. ours
later7
the small >reature opened its eyes7 stood up7 and Cal@ed feebly. The Chole s>hool shouted for Foy.
.ut a deep lesson >ame to me that night7 one , >an neHer forget. , stayed up Cith the faCn until tCo
o">lo>@7
Chen , fell asleep. The deer appeared in a dream7 and spo@e to meA
2You are holding me ba>@. Please let me goK let me goO3
2All right73 , ansCered in the dream.
, aCo@e immediately7 and >ried out7 2.oys7 the deer is dyingO3 The >hildren rushed to my side.
, ran to the >orner of the room Chere , had pla>ed the pet. ,t made a last effort to rise7 stumbled toCard
me7
then dropped at my feet7 dead.
A>>ording to the mass @arma Chi>h guides and regulates the destinies of animals7 the deer"s life Cas
oHer7 and
it Cas ready to progress to a higher form. .ut by my deep atta>hment7 Chi>h , later realiIed Cas
selfish7 and
by my ferHent prayers7 , had been able to hold it in the limitations of the animal form from Chi>h the
soul Cas
struggling for release. The soul of the deer made its plea in a dream be>ause7 Cithout my loHing
permission7 it
either Could not or >ould not go. As soon as , agreed7 it departed.
All sorroC left meK , realiIed aneC that )od Cants is >hildren to loHe eHerything as a part of im7
and not to
feel delusiHely that death ends all. The ignorant man sees only the unsurmountable Call of death7
hiding7
seemingly foreHer7 his >herished friends. .ut the man of unatta>hment7 he Cho loHes others as
eJpressions of
the 'ord7 understands that at death the dear ones haHe only returned for a breathing;spa>e of Foy in
im.
The Ran>hi s>hool greC from small and simple beginnings to an institution noC Cell;@noCn in ,ndia.
*any
departments of the s>hool are supported by Holuntary >ontributions from those Cho reFoi>e in
perpetuating the
edu>ational ideals of the rishis. Under the general name of Y!)!(A #AT;#A%)A7 LF%25;/M
flourishing
bran>h s>hools haHe been established at *idnapore7 'a@shmanpur7 and Puri.
CAPTER 25. F!U%(,%) A Y!)A #C!!' AT RA%C,
Autobiography of a Yogi
The Ran>hi headNuarters maintains a *edi>al (epartment Chere medi>ines and the serHi>es of do>tors
are
supplied freely to the poor of the lo>ality. The number treated has aHeraged more than 107--- persons a
year.
The 6,(YA'AYA has made its mar@7 too7 in ,ndian >ompetitiHe sports7 and in the s>holasti> field7
Chere
many Ran>hi alumni haHe distinguished themselHes in later uniHersity life.
The s>hool7 noC in its tCenty;eighth year and the >enter of many a>tiHities7 LF%25;1M has been
honored by
Hisits of eminent men from the East and the &est. !ne of the earliest great figures to inspe>t the
6,(YA'AYA in its first year Cas #Cami Pranabananda7 the .enares 2saint Cith tCo bodies.3 As the
great
master HieCed the pi>turesNue outdoor >lasses7 held under the trees7 and saC in the eHening that young
boys
Cere sitting motionless for hours in yoga meditation7 he Cas profoundly moHed.
28oy >omes to my heart73 he said7 2to see that 'ahiri *ahasaya"s ideals for the proper training of youth
are
being >arried on in this institution. *y guru"s blessings be on it.3
A young lad sitting by my side Hentured to as@ the great yogi a Nuestion.
2#ir73 he said7 2shall , be a mon@P ,s my life only for )odP3
Though #Cami Pranabananda smiled gently7 his eyes Cere pier>ing the future.
2Child73 he replied7 2Chen you groC up7 there is a beautiful bride Caiting for you.3 The boy did
eHentually
marry7 after haHing planned for years to enter the #Cami !rder.
#ometime after #Cami Pranabananda had Hisited Ran>hi7 , a>>ompanied my father to the Cal>utta
house
Chere the yogi Cas temporarily staying. Pranabananda"s predi>tion7 made to me so many years before7
>ame
rushing to my mindA 2, shall see you7 Cith your father7 later on.3
As Father entered the sCami"s room7 the great yogi rose from his seat and embra>ed my parent Cith
loHing
respe>t.
2.hagabati73 he said7 2Chat are you doing about yourselfP (on"t you see your son ra>ing to the
,nfiniteP3 ,
blushed to hear his praise before my father. The sCami Cent on7 2You re>all hoC often our blessed guru
used
to sayA ".A%AT7 .A%AT7 .A% 8A,." LF%24;4M #o @eep up $R,YA Y!)A >easelessly7 and rea>h the
diHine
portals Nui>@ly.3
The body of Pranabananda7 Chi>h had appeared so Cell and strong during my amaIing first Hisit to him
in
.enares7 noC shoCed definite aging7 though his posture Cas still admirably ere>t.
2#CamiFi73 , inNuired7 loo@ing straight into his eyes7 2please tell me the truthA Aren"t you feeling the
adHan>e
of ageP As the body is Cea@ening7 are your per>eptions of )od suffering any diminutionP3
e smiled angeli>ally. 2The .eloHed is more than eHer Cith me noC.3 is >omplete >onHi>tion
oHerChelmed
my mind and soul. e Cent on7 2, am still enFoying the tCo pensions;one from .hagabati here7 and one
from
aboHe.3 Pointing his finger heaHenCard7 the saint fell into an e>stasy7 his fa>e lit Cith a diHine gloC;an
ample
ansCer to my Nuestion.
%oti>ing that Pranabananda"s room >ontained many plants and pa>@ages of seed7 , as@ed their purpose.
2, haHe left .enares permanently73 he said7 2and am noC on my Cay to the imalayas. There , shall
open an
ashram for my dis>iples. These seeds Cill produ>e spina>h and a feC other Hegetables. *y dear ones
Cill liHe
simply7 spending their time in blissful )od;union. %othing else is ne>essary.3
CAPTER 25. F!U%(,%) A Y!)A #C!!' AT RA%C,
Autobiography of a Yogi
Father as@ed his brother dis>iple Chen he Could return to Cal>utta.
2%eHer again73 the saint replied. 2This year is the one in Chi>h 'ahiri *ahasaya told me , Could leaHe
my
beloHed .enares foreHer and go to the imalayas7 there to throC off my mortal frame.3
*y eyes filled Cith tears at his Cords7 but the sCami smiled tranNuilly. e reminded me of a little
heaHenly
>hild7 sitting se>urely on the lap of the (iHine *other. The burden of the years has no ill effe>t on a
great
yogi"s full possession of supreme spiritual poCers. e is able to reneC his body at CillK yet sometimes
he does
not >are to retard the aging pro>ess7 but alloCs his @arma to Cor@ itself out on the physi>al plane7 using
his old
body as a time;saHing deHi>e to eJ>lude the ne>essity of Cor@ing out @arma in a neC in>arnation.
*onths later , met an old friend7 #anandan7 Cho Cas one of Pranabananda"s >lose dis>iples.
2*y adorable guru is gone73 he told me7 amidst sobs. 2e established a hermitage near Rishi@esh7 and
gaHe us
loHing training. &hen Ce Cere pretty Cell settled7 and ma@ing rapid spiritual progress in his >ompany7
he
proposed one day to feed a huge >roCd from Rishi@esh. , inNuired Chy he Canted su>h a large number.
2"This is my last festiHal >eremony7" he said. , did not understand the full impli>ations of his Cords.
2PranabanandaFi helped Cith the >oo@ing of great amounts of food. &e fed about 2--- guests. After the
feast7
he sat on a high platform and gaHe an inspired sermon on the ,nfinite. At the end7 before the gaIe of
thousands7 he turned to me7 as , sat beside him on the dais7 and spo@e Cith unusual for>e.
2"#anandan7 be preparedK , am going to @i>@ the frame." LF%25;5M
2After a stunned silen>e7 , >ried loudly7 "*aster7 don"t do itO Please7 please7 don"t do itO" The >roCd Cas
tongue;tied7 Cat>hing us >uriously. *y guru smiled at me7 but his solemn gaIe Cas already fiJed on
Eternity.
2".e not selfish7" he said7 "nor grieHe for me. , haHe been long >heerfully serHing you allK noC reFoi>e
and Cish
me )odspeed. , go to meet my Cosmi> .eloHed." ,n a Chisper7 PranabanandaFi added7 ", shall be reborn
shortly. After enFoying a short period of the ,nfinite .liss7 , shall return to earth and Foin .abaFi.
LF%25;0M
You shall soon @noC Chen and Chere my soul has been en>ased in a neC body."
2e >ried again7 "#anandan7 here , @i>@ the frame by the se>ond $R,YA Y!)A." LF%25;9M
2e loo@ed at the sea of fa>es before us7 and gaHe a blessing. (ire>ting his gaIe inCardly to the
spiritual eye7
he be>ame immobile. &hile the beCildered >roCd thought he Cas meditating in an e>stati> state7 he
had
already left the taberna>le of flesh and plunged his soul into the >osmi> Hastness. The dis>iples tou>hed
his
body7 seated in the lotus posture7 but it Cas no longer the Carm flesh. !nly a stiffened frame remainedK
the
tenant had fled to the immortal shore.3
, inNuired Chere Pranabananda Cas to be reborn.
2That"s a sa>red trust , >annot diHulge to anyone73 #anandan replied. 2Perhaps you may find out some
other
Cay.3
Years later , dis>oHered from #Cami $eshabananda LF%25;1-M that Pranabananda7 a feC years after
his birth
in a neC body7 had gone to .adrinarayan in the imalayas7 and there Foined the group of saints around
the
great .abaFi.
CAPTER 25. F!U%(,%) A Y!)A #C!!' AT RA%C,
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%25;1M 6,(YA'AYA7 s>hool. .RA*ACARYA here refers to one of the four stages in the 6edi>
plan
for man"s life7 as >omprising that of Q1S the >elibate student Q.RA*ACAR,SK Q2S the householder
Cith
Corldly responsibilities Q)R,A#TASK Q+S the hermit Q6A%APRA#TASK Q/S the forest dCeller or
Canderer7 free from all earthly >on>erns Q#A%%YA#,S. This ideal s>heme of life7 Chile not Cidely
obserHed
in modern ,ndia7 still has many deHout folloCers. The four stages are >arried out religiously under the
lifelong
dire>tion of a guru.
LF%25;2M A number of Ameri>an students also haHe mastered Harious A#A%A# or postures7 in>luding
.ernard Cole7 an instru>tor in 'os Angeles of the #elf;RealiIation FelloCship tea>hings.
LF%25;+M *AR$ 1-A29;+-..
LF%25;/M YogodaA Y!)A7 union7 harmony7 eNuilibriumK (A7 that Chi>h imparts. #at;#angaA #AT7
truthK
#A%)A7 felloCship. ,n the &est7 to aHoid the use of a #ans@rit name7 the Y!)!(A #AT;#A%)A
moHement has been >alled the #E'F;REA',<AT,!% FE''!&#,P.
LF%25;1M The a>tiHities at Ran>hi are des>ribed more fully in >hapter /-. The 'a@shmanpur s>hool is
in the
>apable >harge of *r. ). C. (ey7 ..A. The medi>al department is ably superHised by (r. #. %. Pal and
#asi
.husan *ulli>@.
LF%25;4M !ne of 'ahiri *ahasaya"s faHorite remar@s7 giHen as en>ouragement for his students"
perseHeran>e.
A free translation isA 2#triHing7 striHing7 one day beholdO the (iHine )oalO3
LF%25;5M i.e.7 giHe up the body.
LF%25;0M 'ahiri *ahasaya"s guru7 Cho is still liHing. Q#ee >hapter ++.S
LF%25;9M The se>ond $R,YA7 as taught by 'ahiri *ahasaya7 enables the deHotee that has mastered it
to
leaHe and return to the body >ons>iously at any time. AdHan>ed yogis use the se>ond $riya te>hniNue
during
the last eJit of death7 a moment they inHariably @noC beforehand.
LF%25;1-M *y meeting Cith $eshabananda is des>ribed in >hapter /2.
CAPTER 20. $A#,7 RE.!R% A%( RE(,#C!6ERE(
2Please do not go into the Cater. 'et us bathe by dipping our bu>@ets.3
, Cas addressing the young Ran>hi students Cho Cere a>>ompanying me on an eight;mile hi@e to a
neighboring hill. The pond before us Cas inHiting7 but a distaste for it had arisen in my mind. The
group
around me folloCed my eJample of dipping bu>@ets7 but a feC lads yielded to the temptation of the
>ool
Caters. %o sooner had they diHed than large Cater sna@es Ciggled around them. The boys >ame out of
the
pond Cith >omi>al ala>rity.
&e enFoyed a pi>ni> lun>h after Ce rea>hed our destination. , sat under a tree7 surrounded by a group of
students. Finding me in an inspirational mood7 they plied me Cith Nuestions.
2Please tell me7 sir73 one youth inNuired7 2if , shall alCays stay Cith you in the path of renun>iation.3
2Ah7 no73 , replied7 2you Cill be for>ibly ta@en aCay to your home7 and later you Cill marry.3
CAPTER 20. $A#,7 RE.!R% A%( RE(,#C!6ERE(
Autobiography of a Yogi
,n>redulous7 he made a Hehement protest. 2!nly if , am dead >an , be >arried home.3 .ut in a feC
months7 his
parents arriHed to ta@e him aCay7 in spite of his tearful resistan>eK some years later7 he did marry.
After ansCering many Nuestions7 , Cas addressed by a lad named $ashi. e Cas about tCelHe years
old7 a
brilliant student7 and beloHed by all.
2#ir73 he said7 2Chat Cill be my fateP3
2You shall soon be dead.3 The reply >ame from my lips Cith an irresistible for>e.
This uneJpe>ted dis>losure sho>@ed and grieHed me as Cell as eHeryone present. #ilently rebu@ing
myself as
an E%FA%T TERR,.'E7 , refused to ansCer further Nuestions.
!n our return to the s>hool7 $ashi >ame to my room.
2,f , die7 Cill you find me Chen , am reborn7 and bring me again to the spiritual pathP3 e sobbed.
, felt >onstrained to refuse this diffi>ult o>>ult responsibility. .ut for Cee@s afterCard7 $ashi pressed
me
doggedly. #eeing him unnerHed to the brea@ing point7 , finally >onsoled him.
2Yes73 , promised. 2,f the eaHenly Father lends is aid7 , Cill try to find you.3
(uring the summer Ha>ation7 , started on a short trip. Regretting that , >ould not ta@e $ashi Cith me7 ,
>alled
him to my room before leaHing7 and >arefully instru>ted him to remain7 against all persuasion7 in the
spiritual
Hibrations of the s>hool. #omehoC , felt that if he did not go home7 he might aHoid the impending
>alamity.
%o sooner had , left than $ashi"s father arriHed in Ran>hi. For fifteen days he tried to brea@ the Cill of
his son7
eJplaining that if $ashi Could go to Cal>utta for only four days to see his mother7 he >ould then return.
$ashi
persistently refused. The father finally said he Could ta@e the boy aCay Cith the help of the poli>e. The
threat
disturbed $ashi7 Cho Cas unCilling to be the >ause of any unfaHorable publi>ity to the s>hool. e saC
no
>hoi>e but to go.
, returned to Ran>hi a feC days later. &hen , heard hoC $ashi had been remoHed7 , entrained at on>e
for
Cal>utta. There , engaged a horse >ab. 6ery strangely7 as the Hehi>le passed beyond the oCrah bridge
oHer
the )anges7 , beheld $ashi"s father and other relatiHes in mourning >lothes. #houting to my driHer to
stop7 ,
rushed out and glared at the unfortunate father.
2*r. *urderer73 , >ried someChat unreasonably7 2you haHe @illed my boyO3
The father had already realiIed the Crong he had done in for>ibly bringing $ashi to Cal>utta. (uring
the feC
days the boy had been there7 he had eaten >ontaminated food7 >ontra>ted >holera7 and passed on.
*y loHe for $ashi7 and the pledge to find him after death7 night and day haunted me. %o matter Chere ,
Cent7
his fa>e loomed up before me. , began a memorable sear>h for him7 eHen as long ago , had sear>hed for
my
lost mother.
E,llustrationA $ashi7 lost and redis>oHered=see @ashi.FpgG
E,llustrationA *y brother .ishnuK *otilal *u@herFi of #erampore7 a highly adHan>ed dis>iple of #ri
Yu@tesCarK my fatherK *r. &rightK myselfK Tulsi %arayan .oseK #Cami #atyananda of Ran>hi=see
bishnu.FpgG
CAPTER 20. $A#,7 RE.!R% A%( RE(,#C!6ERE(
Autobiography of a Yogi
E,llustrationA A group of delegates to the 192- ,nternational Congress of Religious 'iberals at .oston7
Chere ,
gaHe my maiden spee>h in Ameri>a. Q'eft to RightS ReH. Clay *a>Cauley7 ReH. T. Rhondda &illiams7
Prof.
#. Ushigasa@i7 ReH. 8abeI T. #underland7 myself7 ReH. Chas. &. &endte7 ReH. #amuel A. Eliot7 ReH.
.asil
*artin7 ReH. Christopher 8. #treet7 ReH. #amuel *. Crothers.=see >ongress.FpgG
, felt that inasmu>h as )od had giHen me the fa>ulty of reason7 , must utiliIe it and taJ my poCers to
the
utmost in order to dis>oHer the subtle laCs by Chi>h , >ould @noC the boy"s astral Chereabouts. e Cas
a soul
Hibrating Cith unfulfilled desires7 , realiIed;a mass of light floating someChere amidst millions of
luminous
souls in the astral regions. oC Cas , to tune in Cith him7 among so many Hibrating lights of other
soulsP
Using a se>ret yoga te>hniNue7 , broad>asted my loHe to $ashi"s soul through the mi>rophone of the
spiritual
eye7 the inner point betCeen the eyebroCs. &ith the antenna of upraised hands and fingers7 , often
turned
myself round and round7 trying to lo>ate the dire>tion in Chi>h he had been reborn as an embryo. ,
hoped to
re>eiHe response from him in the >on>entration;tuned radio of my heart. LF%20;1M
, intuitiHely felt that $ashi Could soon return to the earth7 and that if , @ept un>easingly broad>asting
my >all
to him7 his soul Could reply. , @neC that the slightest impulse sent by $ashi Could be felt in my
fingers7
hands7 arms7 spine7 and nerHes.
&ith undiminished Ieal7 , pra>ti>ed the yoga method steadily for about siJ months after $ashi"s death.
&al@ing Cith a feC friends one morning in the >roCded .oCbaIar se>tion of Cal>utta7 , lifted my
hands in
the usual manner. For the first time7 there Cas response. , thrilled to dete>t ele>tri>al impulses tri>@ling
doCn
my fingers and palms. These >urrents translated themselHes into one oHerpoCering thought from a deep
re>ess
of my >ons>iousnessA 2, am $ashiK , am $ashiK >ome to meO3
The thought be>ame almost audible as , >on>entrated on my heart radio. ,n the >hara>teristi>7 slightly
hoarse
Chisper of $ashi7 LF%20;2M , heard his summons again and again. , seiIed the arm of one of my
>ompanions7 Pro@ash (as7 LF%20;+M and smiled at him Foyfully.
2,t loo@s as though , haHe lo>ated $ashiO3
, began to turn round and round7 to the undisguised amusement of my friends and the passing throng.
The
ele>tri>al impulses tingled through my fingers only Chen , fa>ed toCard a near;by path7 aptly named
2#erpentine 'ane.3 The astral >urrents disappeared Chen , turned in other dire>tions.
2Ah73 , eJ>laimed7 2$ashi"s soul must be liHing in the Comb of some mother Chose home is in this
lane.3
*y >ompanions and , approa>hed >loser to #erpentine 'aneK the Hibrations in my upraised hands greC
stronger7 more pronoun>ed. As if by a magnet7 , Cas pulled toCard the right side of the road. Rea>hing
the
entran>e of a >ertain house7 , Cas astounded to find myself transfiJed. , @no>@ed at the door in a state
of
intense eJ>itement7 holding my Hery breath. , felt that the su>>essful end had >ome for my long7
arduous7 and
>ertainly unusual NuestO
The door Cas opened by a serHant7 Cho told me her master Cas at home. e des>ended the stairCay
from the
se>ond floor and smiled at me inNuiringly. , hardly @neC hoC to frame my Nuestion7 at on>e pertinent
and
impertinent.
2Please tell me7 sir7 if you and your Cife haHe been eJpe>ting a >hild for about siJ monthsP3
2Yes7 it is so.3 #eeing that , Cas a sCami7 a renun>iate attired in the traditional orange >loth7 he added
politely7 2Pray inform me hoC you @noC my affairs.3
CAPTER 20. $A#,7 RE.!R% A%( RE(,#C!6ERE(
Autobiography of a Yogi
&hen he heard about $ashi and the promise , had giHen7 the astonished man belieHed my story.
2A male >hild of fair >ompleJion Cill be born to you73 , told him. 2e Cill haHe a broad fa>e7 Cith a
>oCli>@
atop his forehead. is disposition Cill be notably spiritual.3 , felt >ertain that the >oming >hild Could
bear
these resemblan>es to $ashi.
'ater , Hisited the >hild7 Chose parents had giHen him his old name of $ashi. EHen in infan>y he Cas
stri@ingly similar in appearan>e to my dear Ran>hi student. The >hild shoCed me an instantaneous
affe>tionK
the attra>tion of the past aCo@e Cith redoubled intensity.
Years later the teen;age boy Crote me7 during my stay in Ameri>a. e eJplained his deep longing to
folloC
the path of a renun>iate. , dire>ted him to a imalayan master Cho7 to this day7 guides the reborn
$ashi.
LF%20;1M The Cill7 proFe>ted from the point betCeen the eyebroCs7 is @noCn by yogis as the
broad>asting
apparatus of thought. &hen the feeling is >almly >on>entrated on the heart7 it a>ts as a mental radio7
and >an
re>eiHe the messages of others from far or near. ,n telepathy the fine Hibrations of thoughts in one
person"s
mind are transmitted through the subtle Hibrations of astral ether and then through the grosser earthly
ether7
>reating ele>tri>al CaHes Chi>h7 in turn7 translate themselHes into thought CaHes in the mind of the
other
person.
LF%20;2M EHery soul in its pure state is omnis>ient. $ashi"s soul remembered all the >hara>teristi>s of
$ashi7
the boy7 and therefore mimi>@ed his hoarse Hoi>e in order to stir my re>ognition.
LF%20;+M Pro@ash (as is the present dire>tor of our Yogoda *ath QhermitageS at (a@shinesCar in
.engal.
CAPTER 29. RA.,%(RA%AT TA)!RE A%( , C!*PARE #C!!'#
2Rabindranath Tagore taught us to sing7 as a natural form of self;eJpression7 li@e the birds.3
.hola %ath7 a bright fourteen;year;old lad at my Ran>hi s>hool7 gaHe me this eJplanation after , had
>omplimented him one morning on his melodious outbursts. &ith or Cithout proHo>ation7 the boy
poured
forth a tuneful stream. e had preHiously attended the famous Tagore s>hool of 2#antini@etan3 QaHen
of
Pea>eS at .olpur.
2The songs of Rabindranath haHe been on my lips sin>e early youth73 , told my >ompanion. 2All
.engal7 eHen
the unlettered peasants7 delights in his lofty Herse.3
.hola and , sang together a feC refrains from Tagore7 Cho has set to musi> thousands of ,ndian poems7
some
original and others of hoary antiNuity.
2, met Rabindranath soon after he had re>eiHed the %obel PriIe for literature73 , remar@ed after our
Ho>aliIing. 2, Cas draCn to Hisit him be>ause , admired his undiplomati> >ourage in disposing of his
literary
>riti>s.3 , >hu>@led.
.hola >uriously inNuired the story.
2The s>holars seHerely flayed Tagore for introdu>ing a neC style into .engali poetry73 , began. 2e
miJed
>olloNuial and >lassi>al eJpressions7 ignoring all the pres>ribed limitations dear to the pundits" hearts.
is
songs embody deep philosophi> truth in emotionally appealing terms7 Cith little regard for the a>>epted
literary forms.
CAPTER 29. RA.,%(RA%AT TA)!RE A%( , C!*PARE #C!!'#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2!ne influential >riti> slightingly referred to Rabindranath as a "pigeon;poet Cho sold his >ooings in
print for
a rupee." .ut Tagore"s reHenge Cas at handK the Chole &estern Corld paid homage at his feet soon after
he
had translated into English his ),TA%8A', Q"#ong !fferings"S. A trainload of pundits7 in>luding his
one;time
>riti>s7 Cent to #antini@etan to offer their >ongratulations.
2Rabindranath re>eiHed his guests only after an intentionally long delay7 and then heard their praise in
stoi>
silen>e. Finally he turned against them their oCn habitual Ceapons of >riti>ism.
2")entlemen7" he said7 "the fragrant honors you here bestoC are in>ongruously mingled Cith the putrid
odors of
your past >ontempt. ,s there possibly any >onne>tion betCeen my aCard of the %obel PriIe7 and your
suddenly a>ute poCers of appre>iationP , am still the same poet Cho displeased you Chen , first offered
my
humble floCers at the shrine of .engal."
2The neCspapers published an a>>ount of the bold >hastisement giHen by Tagore. , admired the
outspo@en
Cords of a man unhypnotiIed by flattery73 , Cent on. 2, Cas introdu>ed to Rabindranath in Cal>utta by
his
se>retary7 *r. C. F. AndreCs7 LF%29;1M Cho Cas simply attired in a .engali (!T,. e referred
loHingly to
Tagore as his )URU(E6A.
2Rabindranath re>eiHed me gra>iously. e emanated a soothing aura of >harm7 >ulture7 and >ourtliness.
Replying to my Nuestion about his literary ba>@ground7 Tagore told me that one an>ient sour>e of his
inspiration7 besides our religious epi>s7 had been the >lassi>al poet7 .idyapati.3
,nspired by these memories7 , began to sing Tagore"s Hersion of an old .engali song7 2'ight the 'amp
of Thy
'oHe.3 .hola and , >hanted Foyously as Ce strolled oHer the 6,(YA'AYA grounds.
About tCo years after founding the Ran>hi s>hool7 , re>eiHed an inHitation from Rabindranath to Hisit
him at
#antini@etan in order to dis>uss our edu>ational ideals. , Cent gladly. The poet Cas seated in his study
Chen ,
enteredK , thought then7 as at our first meeting7 that he Cas as stri@ing a model of superb manhood as
any
painter >ould desire. is beautifully >hiseled fa>e7 nobly patri>ian7 Cas framed in long hair and floCing
beard.
'arge7 melting eyesK an angeli> smileK and a Hoi>e of fluteli@e Nuality Chi>h Cas literally en>hanting.
#talCart7 tall7 and graHe7 he >ombined an almost Comanly tenderness Cith the delightful spontaneity of
a
>hild. %o idealiIed >on>eption of a poet >ould find more suitable embodiment than in this gentle singer.
Tagore and , Cere soon deep in a >omparatiHe study of our s>hools7 both founded along unorthodoJ
lines. &e
dis>oHered many identi>al features;outdoor instru>tion7 simpli>ity7 ample s>ope for the >hild"s >reatiHe
spirit.
Rabindranath7 hoCeHer7 laid >onsiderable stress on the study of literature and poetry7 and the self;
eJpression
through musi> and song Chi>h , had already noted in the >ase of .hola. The #antini@etan >hildren
obserHed
periods of silen>e7 but Cere giHen no spe>ial yoga training.
The poet listened Cith flattering attention to my des>ription of the energiIing 2Yogoda3 eJer>ises and
the
yoga >on>entration te>hniNues Chi>h are taught to all students at Ran>hi.
Tagore told me of his oCn early edu>ational struggles. 2, fled from s>hool after the fifth grade73 he
said7
laughing. , >ould readily understand hoC his innate poeti> deli>a>y had been affronted by the dreary7
dis>iplinary atmosphere of a s>hoolroom.
2That is Chy , opened #antini@etan under the shady trees and the glories of the s@y.3 e motioned
eloNuently
to a little group studying in the beautiful garden. 2A >hild is in his natural setting amidst the floCers
and
songbirds. !nly thus may he fully eJpress the hidden Cealth of his indiHidual endoCment. True
edu>ation >an
neHer be >rammed and pumped from CithoutK rather it must aid in bringing spontaneously to the
surfa>e the
infinite hoards of Cisdom Cithin.3 LF%29;2M
CAPTER 29. RA.,%(RA%AT TA)!RE A%( , C!*PARE #C!!'#
Autobiography of a Yogi
, agreed. 2The idealisti> and hero;Corshiping instin>ts of the young are starHed on an eJ>lusiHe diet of
statisti>s and >hronologi>al eras.3
The poet spo@e loHingly of his father7 (eHendranath7 Cho had inspired the #antini@etan beginnings.
2Father presented me Cith this fertile land7 Chere he had already built a guest house and temple73
Rabindranath told me. 2, started my edu>ational eJperiment here in 19-17 Cith only ten boys. The eight
thousand pounds Chi>h >ame Cith the %obel PriIe all Cent for the up@eep of the s>hool.3
The elder Tagore7 (eHendranath7 @noCn far and Cide as 2*aharishi73 Cas a Hery remar@able man7 as
one may
dis>oHer from his AUT!.,!)RAPY. TCo years of his manhood Cere spent in meditation in the
imalayas. ,n turn7 his father7 (Car@anath Tagore7 had been >elebrated throughout .engal for his
munifi>ent
publi> benefa>tions. From this illustrious tree has sprung a family of geniuses. %ot Rabindranath aloneK
all his
relatiHes haHe distinguished themselHes in >reatiHe eJpression. is brothers7 )ogonendra and
Abanindra7 are
among the foremost artists LF%29;+M of ,ndiaK another brother7 (CiFendra7 is a deep;seeing
philosopher7 at
Chose gentle >all the birds and Coodland >reatures respond.
Rabindranath inHited me to stay oHernight in the guest house. ,t Cas indeed a >harming spe>ta>le7 in the
eHening7 to see the poet seated Cith a group in the patio. Time unfolded ba>@CardA the s>ene before me
Cas
li@e that of an an>ient hermitage;the Foyous singer en>ir>led by his deHotees7 all aureoled in diHine
loHe.
Tagore @nitted ea>h tie Cith the >ords of harmony. %eHer assertiHe7 he dreC and >aptured the heart by
an
irresistible magnetism. Rare blossom of poesy blooming in the garden of the 'ord7 attra>ting others by
a
natural fragran>eO
,n his melodious Hoi>e7 Rabindranath read to us a feC of his eJNuisite poems7 neCly >reated. *ost of
his
songs and plays7 Critten for the dele>tation of his students7 haHe been >omposed at #antini@etan. The
beauty
of his lines7 to me7 lies in his art of referring to )od in nearly eHery stanIa7 yet seldom mentioning the
sa>red
%ame. 2(run@ Cith the bliss of singing73 he Crote7 2, forget myself and >all thee friend Cho art my
lord.3
The folloCing day7 after lun>h7 , bade the poet a relu>tant fareCell. , reFoi>e that his little s>hool has
noC
groCn to an international uniHersity7 26isCa;.harati73 Chere s>holars of all lands haHe found an ideal
setting.
2&here the mind is Cithout fear and the head is held highK
&here @noCledge is freeK
&here the Corld has not been bro@en up into fragments by
narroC domesti> CallsK
&here Cords >ome out from the depth of truthK
&here tireless striHing stret>hes its arms toCard perfe>tionK
&here the >lear stream of reason has not lost its Cay into the
dreary desert sand of dead habitK
&here the mind is led forCard by Thee into eHer;Cidening
thought and a>tionK
,nto that heaHen of freedom7 my Father7 let my >ountry
aCa@eO3 LF%29;/M
RA.,%(RA%AT TA)!RE
LF%29;1M The English Criter and publi>ist7 >lose friend of *ahatma )andhi. *r. AndreCs is honored
in
,ndia for his many serHi>es to his adopted land.
LF%29;2M 2The soul haHing been often born7 or7 as the indus say7 "traHeling the path of eJisten>e
through
thousands of births" . . . there is nothing of Chi>h she has not gained the @noCledgeK no Conder that she
is able
CAPTER 29. RA.,%(RA%AT TA)!RE A%( , C!*PARE #C!!'#
Autobiography of a Yogi
to re>olle>t . . . Chat formerly she @neC. . . . For inNuiry and learning is reminis>en>e all.3;E*ER#!%.
LF%29;+M Rabindranath7 too7 in his siJties7 engaged in a serious study of painting. EJhibitions of his
2futuristi>3 Cor@ Cere giHen some years ago in European >apitals and %eC Yor@.
LF%29;/M ),TA%8A', Q%eC Yor@A *a>millan Co.S. A thoughtful study of the poet Cill be found in
TE
P,'!#!PY !F RA.,%(RA%AT TA)!RE7 by the >elebrated s>holar7 #ir #. Radha@rishnan
Q*a>millan7 1910S. Another eJpository Holume is .. $. Roy"s RA.,%(RA%AT TA)!REA TE
*A%
A%( ,# P!ETRY Q%eC Yor@A (odd7 *ead7 1911S. .U((A A%( TE )!#PE' !F .U((,#*
Q%eC Yor@A Putnam"s7 1914S7 by the eminent !riental art authority7 Ananda $. CoomarasCamy7
>ontains a
number of illustrations in >olor by the poet"s brother7 Abanindra %ath Tagore.
CAPTER +-. TE 'A& !F *,RAC'E#
The great noHelist 'eo Tolstoy Crote a delightful story7 TE TREE ER*,T#. is friend %i>holas
Roeri>h
LF%+-;1M has summariIed the tale7 as folloCsA
2!n an island there liHed three old hermits. They Cere so simple that the only prayer they used CasA
"&e are
threeK Thou art Three;haHe mer>y on usO" )reat mira>les Cere manifested during this naiHe prayer.
2The lo>al bishop LF%+-;2M >ame to hear about the three hermits and their inadmissible prayer7 and
de>ided
to Hisit them in order to tea>h them the >anoni>al inHo>ations. e arriHed on the island7 told the hermits
that
their heaHenly petition Cas undignified7 and taught them many of the >ustomary prayers. The bishop
then left
on a boat. e saC7 folloCing the ship7 a radiant light. As it approa>hed7 he dis>erned the three hermits7
Cho
Cere holding hands and running upon the CaHes in an effort to oHerta@e the Hessel.
2"&e haHe forgotten the prayers you taught us7" they >ried as they rea>hed the bishop7 "and haHe
hastened to
as@ you to repeat them." The aCed bishop shoo@ his head.
2"(ear ones7" he replied humbly7 ">ontinue to liHe Cith your old prayerO"2
oC did the three saints Cal@ on the CaterP
oC did Christ resurre>t his >ru>ified bodyP
oC did 'ahiri *ahasaya and #ri Yu@tesCar perform their mira>lesP
*odern s>ien>e has7 as yet7 no ansCerK though Cith the adHent of the atomi> bomb and the Conders of
radar7
the s>ope of the Corld;mind has been abruptly enlarged. The Cord 2impossible3 is be>oming less
prominent
in the s>ientifi> Ho>abulary.
The an>ient 6edi> s>riptures de>lare that the physi>al Corld operates under one fundamental laC of
*AYA7
the prin>iple of relatiHity and duality. )od7 the #ole 'ife7 is an Absolute UnityK e >annot appear as the
separate and diHerse manifestations of a >reation eJ>ept under a false or unreal Heil. That >osmi>
illusion is
*AYA. EHery great s>ientifi> dis>oHery of modern times has serHed as a >onfirmation of this simple
pronoun>ement of the rishis.
%eCton"s 'aC of *otion is a laC of *AYAA 2To eHery a>tion there is alCays an eNual and >ontrary
rea>tionK
the mutual a>tions of any tCo bodies are alCays eNual and oppositely dire>ted.3 A>tion and rea>tion are
thus
eJa>tly eNual. 2To haHe a single for>e is impossible. There must be7 and alCays is7 a pair of for>es
eNual and
opposite.3
CAPTER +-. TE 'A& !F *,RAC'E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
Fundamental natural a>tiHities all betray their mayi> origin. Ele>tri>ity7 for eJample7 is a phenomenon
of
repulsion and attra>tionK its ele>trons and protons are ele>tri>al opposites. Another eJampleA the atom
or final
parti>le of matter is7 li@e the earth itself7 a magnet Cith positiHe and negatiHe poles. The entire
phenomenal
Corld is under the ineJorable sCay of polarityK no laC of physi>s7 >hemistry7 or any other s>ien>e is
eHer
found free from inherent opposite or >ontrasted prin>iples.
Physi>al s>ien>e7 then7 >annot formulate laCs outside of *AYA7 the Hery teJture and stru>ture of
>reation.
%ature herself is *AYAK natural s>ien>e must perfor>e deal Cith her inelu>table Nuiddity. ,n her oCn
domain7
she is eternal and ineJhaustibleK future s>ientists >an do no more than probe one aspe>t after another of
her
Haried infinitude. #>ien>e thus remains in a perpetual fluJ7 unable to rea>h finalityK fit indeed to
formulate the
laCs of an already eJisting and fun>tioning >osmos7 but poCerless to dete>t the 'aC Framer and #ole
!perator. The maFesti> manifestations of graHitation and ele>tri>ity haHe be>ome @noCn7 but Chat
graHitation
and ele>tri>ity are7 no mortal @noCeth. LF%+-;+M
E,llustrationA A )URU A%( (,#C,P'E7 Forest hermitages Cere the an>ient seats of learning7 se>ular
and
diHine7 for the youth of ,ndia. ere a Henerable guru7 leaning on a Cooden meditation elboC;prop7 is
initiating his dis>iple into the august mysteries of #pirit.=see guru.FpgG
To surmount *AYA Cas the tas@ assigned to the human ra>e by the millennial prophets. To rise aboHe
the
duality of >reation and per>eiHe the unity of the Creator Cas >on>eiHed of as man"s highest goal. Those
Cho
>ling to the >osmi> illusion must a>>ept its essential laC of polarityA floC and ebb7 rise and fall7 day and
night7
pleasure and pain7 good and eHil7 birth and death. This >y>li> pattern assumes a >ertain anguishing
monotony7
after man has gone through a feC thousand human birthsK he begins to >ast a hopeful eye beyond the
>ompulsions of *AYA.
To tear the Heil of *AYA is to pier>e the se>ret of >reation. The yogi Cho thus denudes the uniHerse is
the
only true monotheist. All others are Corshiping heathen images. #o long as man remains subFe>t to the
dualisti> delusions of nature7 the 8anus;fa>ed *AYA is his goddessK he >annot @noC the one true )od.
The Corld illusion7 *AYA7 is indiHidually >alled A6,(YA7 literally7 2not;@noCledge73 ignoran>e7
delusion.
*AYA or A6,(YA >an neHer be destroyed through intelle>tual >onHi>tion or analysis7 but solely
through
attaining the interior state of %,R.,$A'PA #A*A(,. The !ld Testament prophets7 and seers of all
lands
and ages7 spo@e from that state of >ons>iousness. EIe@iel says Q/+A1;2SA 2AfterCards he brought me to
the
gate7 eHen the gate that loo@eth toCard the eastA and7 behold7 the glory of the )od of ,srael >ame from
the Cay
of the eastA and his Hoi>e Cas li@e a noise of many CatersA and the earth shined Cith his glory.3
Through the
diHine eye in the forehead QeastS7 the yogi sails his >ons>iousness into omnipresen>e7 hearing the &ord
or
Aum7 diHine sound of many Caters or Hibrations Chi>h is the sole reality of >reation.
Among the trillion mysteries of the >osmos7 the most phenomenal is light. Unli@e sound;CaHes7 Chose
transmission reNuires air or other material media7 light;CaHes pass freely through the Ha>uum of
interstellar
spa>e. EHen the hypotheti>al ether7 held as the interplanetary medium of light in the undulatory theory7
>an be
dis>arded on the Einsteinian grounds that the geometri>al properties of spa>e render the theory of ether
unne>essary. Under either hypothesis7 light remains the most subtle7 the freest from material
dependen>e7 of
any natural manifestation.
,n the giganti> >on>eptions of Einstein7 the Helo>ity of light;1047--- miles per se>ond;dominates the
Chole
Theory of RelatiHity. e proHes mathemati>ally that the Helo>ity of light is7 so far as man"s finite mind
is
>on>erned7 the only C!%#TA%T in a uniHerse of unstayable fluJ. !n the sole absolute of light;Helo>ity
depend all human standards of time and spa>e. %ot abstra>tly eternal as hitherto >onsidered7 time and
spa>e
are relatiHe and finite fa>tors7 deriHing their measurement Halidity only in referen>e to the yardsti>@ of
light;Helo>ity. ,n Foining spa>e as a dimensional relatiHity7 time has surrendered age;old >laims to a
CAPTER +-. TE 'A& !F *,RAC'E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
>hangeless Halue. Time is noC stripped to its rightful nature;a simple essen>e of ambiguityO &ith a feC
eNuational stro@es of his pen7 Einstein has banished from the >osmos eHery fiJed reality eJ>ept that of
light.
,n a later deHelopment7 his Unified Field Theory7 the great physi>ist embodies in one mathemati>al
formula
the laCs of graHitation and of ele>tromagnetism. Redu>ing the >osmi>al stru>ture to Hariations on a
single laC7
Einstein LF%+-;/M rea>hes a>ross the ages to the rishis Cho pro>laimed a sole teJture of >reation;that
of a
protean *AYA.
!n the epo>hal Theory of RelatiHity haHe arisen the mathemati>al possibilities of eJploring the ultimate
atom.
)reat s>ientists are noC boldly asserting not only that the atom is energy rather than matter7 but that
atomi>
energy is essentially mind;stuff.
2The fran@ realiIation that physi>al s>ien>e is >on>erned Cith a Corld of shadoCs is one of the most
signifi>ant adHan>es73 #ir Arthur #tanley Eddington Crites in TE %ATURE !F TE PY#,CA'
&!R'(.
2,n the Corld of physi>s Ce Cat>h a shadoCgraph performan>e of the drama of familiar life. The
shadoC of
my elboC rests on the shadoC table as the shadoC in@ floCs oHer the shadoC paper. ,t is all symboli>7
and as
a symbol the physi>ist leaHes it. Then >omes the al>hemist *ind Cho transmutes the symbols. . . . To
put the
>on>lusion >rudely7 the stuff of the Corld is mind;stuff. . . . The realisti> matter and fields of for>e of
former
physi>al theory are altogether irreleHant eJ>ept in so far as the mind;stuff has itself spun these
imaginings. . .
. The eJternal Corld has thus be>ome a Corld of shadoCs. ,n remoHing our illusions Ce haHe remoHed
the
substan>e7 for indeed Ce haHe seen that substan>e is one of the greatest of our illusions.3
&ith the re>ent dis>oHery of the ele>tron mi>ros>ope >ame definite proof of the light;essen>e of atoms
and of
the ines>apable duality of nature. TE %E& Y!R$ T,*E# gaHe the folloCing report of a 19+5
demonstration of the ele>tron mi>ros>ope before a meeting of the Ameri>an Asso>iation for the
AdHan>ement
of #>ien>eA
2The >rystalline stru>ture of tungsten7 hitherto @noCn only indire>tly by means of :;rays7 stood
outlined
boldly on a fluores>ent s>reen7 shoCing nine atoms in their >orre>t positions in the spa>e latti>e7 a >ube7
Cith
one atom in ea>h >orner and one in the >enter. The atoms in the >rystal latti>e of the tungsten appeared
on the
fluores>ent s>reen as points of light7 arranged in geometri> pattern. Against this >rystal >ube of light the
bombarding mole>ules of air >ould be obserHed as dan>ing points of light7 similar to points of sunlight
shimmering on moHing Caters. . . .
2The prin>iple of the ele>tron mi>ros>ope Cas first dis>oHered in 1925 by (rs. Clinton 8. (aHisson and
'ester
. )ermer of the .ell Telephone 'aboratories7 %eC Yor@ City7 Cho found that the ele>tron had a dual
personality parta@ing of the >hara>teristi> of both a parti>le and a CaHe. The CaHe Nuality gaHe the
ele>tron
the >hara>teristi> of light7 and a sear>h Cas begun to deHise means for "fo>using" ele>trons in a manner
similar
to the fo>using of light by means of a lens.
2For his dis>oHery of the 8e@yll;yde Nuality of the ele>tron7 Chi>h >orroborated the predi>tion made
in 192/
by (e .roglie7 Fren>h %obel PriIe Cinning physi>ist7 and shoCed that the entire realm of physi>al
nature had
a dual personality7 (r. (aHisson also re>eiHed the %obel PriIe in physi>s.3
2The stream of @noCledge73 #ir 8ames 8eans Crites in TE *Y#TER,!U# U%,6ER#E7 2is heading
toCards
a non;me>hani>al realityK the uniHerse begins to loo@ more li@e a great thought than li@e a great
ma>hine.3
TCentieth;>entury s>ien>e is thus sounding li@e a page from the hoary 6E(A#.
From s>ien>e7 then7 if it must be so7 let man learn the philosophi> truth that there is no material
uniHerseK its
Carp and Coof is *AYA7 illusion. ,ts mirages of reality all brea@ doCn under analysis. As one by one
the
reassuring props of a physi>al >osmos >rash beneath him7 man dimly per>eiHes his idolatrous relian>e7
his past
CAPTER +-. TE 'A& !F *,RAC'E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
transgression of the diHine >ommandA 2Thou shalt haHe no other gods before *e.3
,n his famous eNuation outlining the eNuiHalen>e of mass and energy7 Einstein proHed that the energy in
any
parti>le of matter is eNual to its mass or Ceight multiplied by the sNuare of the Helo>ity of light. The
release of
the atomi> energies is brought about through the annihilation of the material parti>les. The 2death3 of
matter
has been the 2birth3 of an Atomi> Age.
'ight;Helo>ity is a mathemati>al standard or >onstant not be>ause there is an absolute Halue in 1047---
miles
a se>ond7 but be>ause no material body7 Chose mass in>reases Cith its Helo>ity7 >an eHer attain the
Helo>ity of
light. #tated another CayA only a material body Chose mass is infinite >ould eNual the Helo>ity of light.
T,# C!%CEPT,!% .R,%)# U# T! TE 'A& !F *,RAC'E#.
The masters Cho are able to materialiIe and dematerialiIe their bodies or any other obFe>t7 and to moHe
Cith
the Helo>ity of light7 and to utiliIe the >reatiHe light;rays in bringing into instant Hisibility any physi>al
manifestation7 haHe fulfilled the ne>essary Einsteinian >onditionA their mass is infinite.
The >ons>iousness of a perfe>ted yogi is effortlessly identified7 not Cith a narroC body7 but Cith the
uniHersal
stru>ture. )raHitation7 Chether the 2for>e3 of %eCton or the Einsteinian 2manifestation of inertia73 is
poCerless to C!*PE' a master to eJhibit the property of 2Ceight3 Chi>h is the distinguishing
graHitational
>ondition of all material obFe>ts. e Cho @noCs himself as the omnipresent #pirit is subFe>t no longer
to the
rigidities of a body in time and spa>e. Their imprisoning 2rings;pass;not3 haHe yielded to the solHentA
2, am
e.3
2Fiat luJO And there Cas light.3 )od"s first >ommand to is ordered >reation Q)E%E#,# 1A+S brought
into
being the only atomi> realityA light. !n the beams of this immaterial medium o>>ur all diHine
manifestations.
(eHotees of eHery age testify to the appearan>e of )od as flame and light. 2The $ing of @ings7 and
'ord of
lordsK Cho only hath immortality7 dCelling in the light Chi>h no man >an approa>h unto.3 LF%+-;1M
A yogi Cho through perfe>t meditation has merged his >ons>iousness Cith the Creator per>eiHes the
>osmi>al
essen>e as lightK to him there is no differen>e betCeen the light rays >omposing Cater and the light rays
>omposing land. Free from matter;>ons>iousness7 free from the three dimensions of spa>e and the
fourth
dimension of time7 a master transfers his body of light Cith eNual ease oHer the light rays of earth7
Cater7 fire7
or air. 'ong >on>entration on the liberating spiritual eye has enabled the yogi to destroy all delusions
>on>erning matter and its graHitational CeightK then>eforth he sees the uniHerse as an essentially
undifferentiated mass of light.
2!pti>al images73 (r. '. T. Troland of arHard tells us7 2are built up on the same prin>iple as the
ordinary
"half;tone" engraHingsK that is7 they are made up of minute dottings or stripplings far too small to be
dete>ted
by the eye. . . . The sensitiHeness of the retina is so great that a Hisual sensation >an be produ>ed by
relatiHely
feC Vuanta of the right @ind of light.3 Through a master"s diHine @noCledge of light phenomena7 he
>an
instantly proFe>t into per>eptible manifestation the ubiNuitous light atoms. The a>tual form of the
proFe>tion;Chether it be a tree7 a medi>ine7 a human body;is in >onforman>e Cith a yogi"s poCers of
Cill and
of HisualiIation.
,n man"s dream;>ons>iousness7 Chere he has loosened in sleep his >lut>h on the egoisti> limitations that
daily
hem him round7 the omnipoten>e of his mind has a nightly demonstration. 'oO there in the dream stand
the
long;dead friends7 the remotest >ontinents7 the resurre>ted s>enes of his >hildhood. &ith that free and
un>onditioned >ons>iousness7 @noCn to all men in the phenomena of dreams7 the )od;tuned master has
forged a neHer;seHered lin@. ,nno>ent of all personal motiHes7 and employing the >reatiHe Cill bestoCed
on
him by the Creator7 a yogi rearranges the light atoms of the uniHerse to satisfy any sin>ere prayer of a
deHotee.
CAPTER +-. TE 'A& !F *,RAC'E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
For this purpose Cere man and >reation madeA that he should rise up as master of *AYA7 @noCing his
dominion oHer the >osmos.
2And )od said7 'et us ma@e man in our image7 after our li@enessA and let them haHe dominion oHer the
fish of
the sea7 and oHer the foCl of the air7 and oHer the >attle7 and oHer all the earth7 and oHer eHery >reeping
thing
that >reepeth upon the earth.3 LF%+-;4M
,n 19117 shortly after , had entered the #Cami !rder7 , Citnessed a Hision of Hiolent >ontrasts. ,n it the
relatiHity of human >ons>iousness Cas HiHidly establishedK , >learly per>eiHed the unity of the Eternal
'ight
behind the painful dualities of *AYA. The Hision des>ended on me as , sat one morning in my little
atti>
room in Father"s )urpar Road home. For months &orld &ar , had been raging in EuropeK , refle>ted
sadly on
the Hast toll of death.
As , >losed my eyes in meditation7 my >ons>iousness Cas suddenly transferred to the body of a >aptain
in
>ommand of a battleship. The thunder of guns split the air as shots Cere eJ>hanged betCeen shore
batteries
and the ship"s >annons. A huge shell hit the poCder magaIine and tore my ship asunder. , Fumped into
the
Cater7 together Cith the feC sailors Cho had surHiHed the eJplosion.
eart pounding7 , rea>hed the shore safely. .ut alasO a stray bullet ended its furious flight in my >hest. ,
fell
groaning to the ground. *y Chole body Cas paralyIed7 yet , Cas aCare of possessing it as one is
>ons>ious of
a leg gone to sleep.
2At last the mysterious footstep of (eath has >aught up Cith me73 , thought. &ith a final sigh7 , Cas
about to
sin@ into un>ons>iousness Chen loO , found myself seated in the lotus posture in my )urpar Road room.
ysteri>al tears poured forth as , Foyfully stro@ed and pin>hed my regained possession;a body free
from any
bullet hole in the breast. , ro>@ed to and fro7 inhaling and eJhaling to assure myself that , Cas aliHe.
Amidst
these self;>ongratulations7 again , found my >ons>iousness transferred to the >aptain"s dead body by the
gory
shore. Utter >onfusion of mind >ame upon me.
2'ord73 , prayed7 2am , dead or aliHeP3
A daIIling play of light filled the Chole horiIon. A soft rumbling Hibration formed itself into CordsA
2&hat has life or death to do Cith 'ightP ,n the image of *y 'ight , haHe made you. The relatiHities of
life
and death belong to the >osmi> dream. .ehold your dreamless beingO ACa@e7 my >hild7 aCa@eO3
As steps in man"s aCa@ening7 the 'ord inspires s>ientists to dis>oHer7 at the right time and pla>e7 the
se>rets of
is >reation. *any modern dis>oHeries help men to apprehend the >osmos as a Haried eJpression of
one
poCer;light7 guided by diHine intelligen>e. The Conders of the motion pi>ture7 of radio7 of teleHision7
of
radar7 of the photo;ele>tri> >ell;the all;seeing 2ele>tri> eye73 of atomi> energies7 are all based on the
ele>tromagneti> phenomenon of light.
The motion pi>ture art >an portray any mira>le. From the impressiHe Hisual standpoint7 no marHel is
barred to
tri>@ photography. A man"s transparent astral body >an be seen rising from his gross physi>al form7 he
>an
Cal@ on the Cater7 resurre>t the dead7 reHerse the natural seNuen>e of deHelopments7 and play haHo>
Cith time
and spa>e. Assembling the light images as he pleases7 the photographer a>hieHes opti>al Conders Chi>h
a true
master produ>es Cith a>tual light rays.
The lifeli@e images of the motion pi>ture illustrate many truths >on>erning >reation. The Cosmi>
(ire>tor has
Critten is oCn plays7 and assembled the tremendous >asts for the pageant of the >enturies. From the
dar@
CAPTER +-. TE 'A& !F *,RAC'E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
booth of eternity7 e pours is >reatiHe beam through the films of su>>essiHe ages7 and the pi>tures are
throCn on the s>reen of spa>e. 8ust as the motion;pi>ture images appear to be real7 but are only
>ombinations
of light and shade7 so is the uniHersal Hariety a delusiHe seeming. The planetary spheres7 Cith their
>ountless
forms of life7 are naught but figures in a >osmi> motion pi>ture7 temporarily true to fiHe sense
per>eptions as
the s>enes are >ast on the s>reen of man"s >ons>iousness by the infinite >reatiHe beam.
A >inema audien>e >an loo@ up and see that all s>reen images are appearing through the instrumentality
of one
imageless beam of light. The >olorful uniHersal drama is similarly issuing from the single Chite light of
a
Cosmi> #our>e. &ith in>on>eiHable ingenuity )od is staging an entertainment for is human >hildren7
ma@ing them a>tors as Cell as audien>e in is planetary theater.
!ne day , entered a motion pi>ture house to HieC a neCsreel of the European battlefields. &orld &ar ,
Cas
still being Caged in the &estK the neCsreel re>orded the >arnage Cith su>h realism that , left the theater
Cith a
troubled heart.
2'ord73 , prayed7 2Chy dost Thou permit su>h sufferingP3
To my intense surprise7 an instant ansCer >ame in the form of a Hision of the a>tual European
battlefields. The
horror of the struggle7 filled Cith the dead and dying7 far surpassed in fero>ity any representation of the
neCsreel.
2'oo@ intentlyO3 A gentle Hoi>e spo@e to my inner >ons>iousness. 2You Cill see that these s>enes noC
being
ena>ted in Fran>e are nothing but a play of >hiaros>uro. They are the >osmi> motion pi>ture7 as real and
as
unreal as the theater neCsreel you haHe Fust seen;a play Cithin a play.3
*y heart Cas still not >omforted. The diHine Hoi>e Cent onA 2Creation is light and shadoC both7 else no
pi>ture is possible. The good and eHil of *AYA must eHer alternate in suprema>y. ,f Foy Cere >easeless
here
in this Corld7 Could man eHer see@ anotherP &ithout suffering he s>ar>ely >ares to re>all that he has
forsa@en
his eternal home. Pain is a prod to remembran>e. The Cay of es>ape is through CisdomO The tragedy of
death
is unrealK those Cho shudder at it are li@e an ignorant a>tor Cho dies of fright on the stage Chen
nothing more
is fired at him than a blan@ >artridge. *y sons are the >hildren of lightK they Cill not sleep foreHer in
delusion.3
Although , had read s>riptural a>>ounts of *AYA7 they had not giHen me the deep insight that >ame
Cith the
personal Hisions and their a>>ompanying Cords of >onsolation. !ne"s Halues are profoundly >hanged
Chen he
is finally >onHin>ed that >reation is only a Hast motion pi>ture7 and that not in it7 but beyond it7 lies his
oCn
reality.
As , finished Criting this >hapter7 , sat on my bed in the lotus posture. *y room Cas dimly lit by tCo
shaded
lamps. 'ifting my gaIe7 , noti>ed that the >eiling Cas dotted Cith small mustard;>olored lights7
s>intillating
and NuiHering Cith a radiumli@e luster. *yriads of pen>illed rays7 li@e sheets of rain7 gathered into a
transparent shaft and poured silently upon me.
At on>e my physi>al body lost its grossness and be>ame metamorphosed into astral teJture. , felt a
floating
sensation as7 barely tou>hing the bed7 the Ceightless body shifted slightly and alternately to left and
right. ,
loo@ed around the roomK the furniture and Calls Cere as usual7 but the little mass of light had so
multiplied
that the >eiling Cas inHisible. , Cas Conder;stru>@.
2This is the >osmi> motion pi>ture me>hanism.3 A Hoi>e spo@e as though from Cithin the light.
2#hedding its
beam on the Chite s>reen of your bed sheets7 it is produ>ing the pi>ture of your body. .ehold7 your
form is
nothing but lightO3
CAPTER +-. TE 'A& !F *,RAC'E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
, gaIed at my arms and moHed them ba>@ and forth7 yet >ould not feel their Ceight. An e>stati> Foy
oHerChelmed me. This >osmi> stem of light7 blossoming as my body7 seemed a diHine repli>a of the
light
beams streaming out of the proFe>tion booth in a >inema house and manifesting as pi>tures on the
s>reen.
For a long time , eJperien>ed this motion pi>ture of my body in the dimly lighted theater of my oCn
bedroom.
(espite the many Hisions , haHe had7 none Cas eHer more singular. As my illusion of a solid body Cas
>ompletely dissipated7 and my realiIation deepened that the essen>e of all obFe>ts is light7 , loo@ed up
to the
throbbing stream of lifetrons and spo@e entreatingly.
2(iHine 'ight7 please CithdraC this7 my humble bodily pi>ture7 into Thyself7 eHen as EliFah Cas draCn
up to
heaHen by a flame.3
This prayer Cas eHidently startlingK the beam disappeared. *y body resumed its normal Ceight and
san@ on
the bedK the sCarm of daIIling >eiling lights fli>@ered and Hanished. *y time to leaHe this earth had
apparently not arriHed.
2.esides73 , thought philosophi>ally7 2the prophet EliFah might Cell be displeased at my presumptionO3
LF%+-;1M This famous Russian artist and philosopher has been liHing for many years in ,ndia near the
imalayas. 2From the pea@s >omes reHelation73 he has Critten. 2,n >aHes and upon the summits liHed
the
rishis. !Her the snoCy pea@s of the imalayas burns a bright gloC7 brighter than stars and the fantasti>
flashes
of lightning.3
LF%+-;2M The story may haHe a histori>al basisK an editorial note informs us that the bishop met the
three
mon@s Chile he Cas sailing from Ar>hangel to the #loHets@y *onastery7 at the mouth of the (Hina
RiHer.
LF%+-;+M *ar>oni7 the great inHentor7 made the folloCing admission of s>ientifi> inadeNua>y before
the
finalitiesA 2The inability of s>ien>e to solHe life is absolute. This fa>t Could be truly frightening Cere it
not for
faith. The mystery of life is >ertainly the most persistent problem eHer pla>ed before the thought of
man.3
LF%+-;/M A >lue to the dire>tion ta@en by Einstein"s genius is giHen by the fa>t that he is a lifelong
dis>iple
of the great philosopher #pinoIa7 Chose best;@noCn Cor@ is ET,C# (E*!%#TRATE( ,%
)E!*ETR,CA' !R(ER.
LF%+-;1M , T,*!TY 4A11;14.
LF%+-;4M )E%E#,# 1A24.
CAPTER +1. A% ,%TER6,E& &,T TE #ACRE( *!TER
2ReHerend *other7 , Cas baptiIed in infan>y by your prophet;husband. e Cas the guru of my parents
and of
my oCn guru #ri Yu@tesCarFi. &ill you therefore giHe me the priHilege of hearing a feC in>idents in
your
sa>red lifeP3
, Cas addressing #rimati $ashi *oni7 the life;>ompanion of 'ahiri *ahasaya. Finding myself in
.enares for
a short period7 , Cas fulfilling a long;felt desire to Hisit the Henerable lady. #he re>eiHed me gra>iously
at the
old 'ahiri homestead in the )arudesCar *ohulla se>tion of .enares. Although aged7 she Cas blooming
li@e a
lotus7 silently emanating a spiritual fragran>e. #he Cas of medium build7 Cith a slender ne>@ and fair
s@in.
'arge7 lustrous eyes softened her motherly fa>e.
2#on7 you are Cel>ome here. Come upstairs.3
CAPTER +1. A% ,%TER6,E& &,T TE #ACRE( *!TER
Autobiography of a Yogi
$ashi *oni led the Cay to a Hery small room Chere7 for a time7 she had liHed Cith her husband. , felt
honored
to Citness the shrine in Chi>h the peerless master had >ondes>ended to play the human drama of
matrimony.
The gentle lady motioned me to a pilloC seat by her side.
2,t Cas years before , >ame to realiIe the diHine stature of my husband73 she began. 2!ne night7 in this
Hery
room7 , had a HiHid dream. )lorious angels floated in unimaginable gra>e aboHe me. #o realisti> Cas
the sight
that , aCo@e at on>eK the room Cas strangely enHeloped in daIIling light.
2*y husband7 in lotus posture7 Cas leHitated in the >enter of the room7 surrounded by angels Cho Cere
Corshiping him Cith the suppli>ating dignity of palm;folded hands. Astonished beyond measure7 , Cas
>onHin>ed that , Cas still dreaming.
2"&oman7" 'ahiri *ahasaya said7 "you are not dreaming. Forsa@e your sleep foreHer and foreHer." As he
sloCly
des>ended to the floor7 , prostrated myself at his feet.
2"*aster7" , >ried7 "again and again , boC before youO &ill you pardon me for haHing >onsidered you as
my
husbandP , die Cith shame to realiIe that , haHe remained asleep in ignoran>e by the side of one Cho is
diHinely aCa@ened. From this night7 you are no longer my husband7 but my guru. &ill you a>>ept my
insignifi>ant self as your dis>ipleP" LF%+1;1M
2The master tou>hed me gently. "#a>red soul7 arise. You are a>>epted." e motioned toCard the angels.
"Please
boC in turn to ea>h of these holy saints."
2&hen , had finished my humble genufle>tions7 the angeli> Hoi>es sounded together7 li@e a >horus from
an
an>ient s>ripture.
2"Consort of the (iHine !ne7 thou art blessed. &e salute thee." They boCed at my feet and loO their
refulgent
forms Hanished. The room dar@ened.
2*y guru as@ed me to re>eiHe initiation into $R,YA Y!)A.
2"!f >ourse7" , responded. ", am sorry not to haHe had its blessing earlier in my life."
2"The time Cas not ripe." 'ahiri *ahasaya smiled >onsolingly. "*u>h of your @arma , haHe silently
helped you
to Cor@ out. %oC you are Cilling and ready."
2e tou>hed my forehead. *asses of Chirling light appearedK the radian>e gradually formed itself into
the
opal;blue spiritual eye7 ringed in gold and >entered Cith a Chite pentagonal star.
2"Penetrate your >ons>iousness through the star into the @ingdom of the ,nfinite." *y guru"s Hoi>e had a
neC
note7 soft li@e distant musi>.
26ision after Hision bro@e as o>eani> surf on the shores of my soul. The panorami> spheres finally
melted in a
sea of bliss. , lost myself in eHer;surging blessedness. &hen , returned hours later to aCareness of this
Corld7
the master gaHe me the te>hniNue of $R,YA Y!)A.
2From that night on7 'ahiri *ahasaya neHer slept in my room again. %or7 thereafter7 did he eHer sleep.
e
remained in the front room doCnstairs7 in the >ompany of his dis>iples both by day and by night.3
The illustrious lady fell into silen>e. RealiIing the uniNueness of her relationship Cith the sublime yogi7
,
finally Hentured to as@ for further reminis>en>es.
CAPTER +1. A% ,%TER6,E& &,T TE #ACRE( *!TER
Autobiography of a Yogi
2#on7 you are greedy. %eHertheless you shall haHe one more story.3 #he smiled shyly. 2, Cill >onfess a
sin
Chi>h , >ommitted against my guru;husband. #ome months after my initiation7 , began to feel forlorn
and
negle>ted. !ne morning 'ahiri *ahasaya entered this little room to fet>h an arti>leK , Nui>@ly folloCed
him.
!Her>ome by Hiolent delusion7 , addressed him s>athingly.
2"You spend all your time Cith the dis>iples. &hat about your responsibilities for your Cife and
>hildrenP ,
regret that you do not interest yourself in proHiding more money for the family."
2The master glan>ed at me for a moment7 then loO he Cas gone. ACed and frightened7 , heard a Hoi>e
resounding from eHery part of the roomA
2",t is all nothing7 don"t you seeP oC >ould a nothing li@e me produ>e ri>hes for youP"
2")uruFi7" , >ried7 ", implore pardon a million timesO *y sinful eyes >an see you no moreK please appear
in your
sa>red form."
2", am here." This reply >ame from aboHe me. , loo@ed up and saC the master materialiIe in the air7 his
head
tou>hing the >eiling. is eyes Cere li@e blinding flames. .eside myself Cith fear7 , lay sobbing at his
feet after
he had Nuietly des>ended to the floor.
2"&oman7" he said7 "see@ diHine Cealth7 not the paltry tinsel of earth. After a>Nuiring inCard treasure7
you Cill
find that outCard supply is alCays forth>oming." e added7 "!ne of my spiritual sons Cill ma@e
proHision for
you."
2*y guru"s Cords naturally >ame trueK a dis>iple did leaHe a >onsiderable sum for our family.3
, than@ed $ashi *oni for sharing Cith me her Condrous eJperien>es. LF%+1;2M !n the folloCing day ,
returned to her home and enFoyed seHeral hours of philosophi>al dis>ussion Cith Tin>ouri and (u>ouri
'ahiri.
These tCo saintly sons of ,ndia"s great yogi folloCed >losely in his ideal footsteps. .oth men Cere fair7
tall7
stalCart7 and heaHily bearded7 Cith soft Hoi>es and an old;fashioned >harm of manner.
is Cife Cas not the only Coman dis>iple of 'ahiri *ahasayaK there Cere hundreds of others7
in>luding my
mother. A Coman >hela on>e as@ed the guru for his photograph. e handed her a print7 remar@ing7 2,f
you
deem it a prote>tion7 then it is soK otherCise it is only a pi>ture.3
A feC days later this Coman and 'ahiri *ahasaya"s daughter;in;laC happened to be studying the
.A)A6A( ),TA at a table behind Chi>h hung the guru"s photograph. An ele>tri>al storm bro@e out
Cith
great fury.
2'ahiri *ahasaya7 prote>t usO3 The Comen boCed before the pi>ture. 'ightning stru>@ the boo@ Chi>h
they
had been reading7 but the tCo deHotees Cere unhurt.
2, felt as though a sheet of i>e had been pla>ed around me to Card off the s>or>hing heat73 the >hela
eJplained.
'ahiri *ahasaya performed tCo mira>les in >onne>tion Cith a Coman dis>iple7 Abhoya. #he and her
husband7
a Cal>utta laCyer7 started one day for .enares to Hisit the guru. Their >arriage Cas delayed by heaHy
traffi>K
they rea>hed the oCrah main station only to hear the .enares train Chistling for departure.
Abhoya7 near the ti>@et offi>e7 stood Nuietly.
CAPTER +1. A% ,%TER6,E& &,T TE #ACRE( *!TER
Autobiography of a Yogi
2'ahiri *ahasaya7 , besee>h thee to stop the trainO3 she silently prayed. 2, >annot suffer the pangs of
delay in
Caiting another day to see thee.3
The Cheels of the snorting train >ontinued to moHe round and round7 but there Cas no onCard progress.
The
engineer and passengers des>ended to the platform to HieC the phenomenon. An English railroad guard
approa>hed Abhoya and her husband. Contrary to all pre>edent7 he Holunteered his serHi>es.
2.abu73 he said7 2giHe me the money. , Cill buy your ti>@ets Chile you get aboard.3
As soon as the >ouple Cas seated and had re>eiHed the ti>@ets7 the train sloCly moHed forCard. ,n
pani>7 the
engineer and passengers >lambered again to their pla>es7 @noCing neither hoC the train started7 nor
Chy it had
stopped in the first pla>e.
ArriHing at the home of 'ahiri *ahasaya in .enares7 Abhoya silently prostrated herself before the
master7 and
tried to tou>h his feet.
2Compose yourself7 Abhoya73 he remar@ed. 2oC you loHe to bother meO As if you >ould not haHe
>ome here
by the neJt trainO3
Abhoya Hisited 'ahiri *ahasaya on another memorable o>>asion. This time she Canted his
inter>ession7 not
Cith a train7 but Cith the stor@.
2, pray you to bless me that my ninth >hild may liHe73 she said. 2Eight babies haHe been born to meK all
died
soon after birth.3
The master smiled sympatheti>ally. 2Your >oming >hild Cill liHe. Please folloC my instru>tions
>arefully. The
baby7 a girl7 Cill be born at night. #ee that the oil lamp is @ept burning until daCn. (o not fall asleep
and thus
alloC the light to be>ome eJtinguished.3
Abhoya"s >hild Cas a daughter7 born at night7 eJa>tly as foreseen by the omnis>ient guru. The mother
instru>ted her nurse to @eep the lamp filled Cith oil. .oth Comen @ept the urgent Higil far into the early
morning hours7 but finally fell asleep. The lamp oil Cas almost goneK the light fli>@ered feebly.
The bedroom door unlat>hed and fleC open Cith a Hiolent sound. The startled Comen aCo@e. Their
astonished eyes beheld the form of 'ahiri *ahasaya.
2Abhoya7 behold7 the light is almost goneO3 e pointed to the lamp7 Chi>h the nurse hastened to refill.
As
soon as it burned again brightly7 the master Hanished. The door >losedK the lat>h Cas affiJed Cithout
Hisible
agen>y.
Abhoya"s ninth >hild surHiHedK in 19+17 Chen , made inNuiry7 she Cas still liHing.
!ne of 'ahiri *ahasaya"s dis>iples7 the Henerable $ali $umar Roy7 related to me many fas>inating
details of
his life Cith the master.
2, Cas often a guest at his .enares home for Cee@s at a time73 Roy told me. 2, obserHed that many
saintly
figures7 (A%(A LF%+1;+M sCamis7 arriHed in the Nuiet of night to sit at the guru"s feet. #ometimes
they
Could engage in dis>ussion of meditational and philosophi>al points. At daCn the eJalted guests Could
depart. , found during my Hisits that 'ahiri *ahasaya did not on>e lie doCn to sleep.
CAPTER +1. A% ,%TER6,E& &,T TE #ACRE( *!TER
Autobiography of a Yogi
2(uring an early period of my asso>iation Cith the master7 , had to >ontend Cith the opposition of my
employer73 Roy Cent on. 2e Cas steeped in materialism.
2", don"t Cant religious fanati>s on my staff7" he Could sneer. ",f , eHer meet your >harlatan guru7 , shall
giHe
him some Cords to remember."
2This alarming threat failed to interrupt my regular programK , spent nearly eHery eHening in my guru"s
presen>e. !ne night my employer folloCed me and rushed rudely into the parlor. e Cas doubtless
fully bent
on uttering the pulHeriIing remar@s he had promised. %o sooner had the man seated himself than 'ahiri
*ahasaya addressed the little group of about tCelHe dis>iples.
2"&ould you all li@e to see a pi>tureP"
2&hen Ce nodded7 he as@ed us to dar@en the room. "#it behind one another in a >ir>le7" he said7 "and
pla>e
your hands oHer the eyes of the man in front of you."
2, Cas not surprised to see that my employer also Cas folloCing7 albeit unCillingly7 the master"s
dire>tions. ,n
a feC minutes 'ahiri *ahasaya as@ed us Chat Ce Cere seeing.
2"#ir7" , replied7 "a beautiful Coman appears. #he Cears a red;bordered #AR,7 and stands near an
elephant;ear
plant." All the other dis>iples gaHe the same des>ription. The master turned to my employer. "(o you
re>ogniIe
that ComanP"
2"Yes." The man Cas eHidently struggling Cith emotions neC to his nature. ", haHe been foolishly
spending my
money on her7 though , haHe a good Cife. , am ashamed of the motiHes Chi>h brought me here. &ill
you
forgiHe me7 and re>eiHe me as a dis>ipleP"
2",f you lead a good moral life for siJ months7 , shall a>>ept you." The master enigmati>ally added7
"!therCise
, Con"t haHe to initiate you."
2For three months my employer refrained from temptationK then he resumed his former relationship
Cith the
Coman. TCo months later he died. Thus , >ame to understand my guru"s Heiled prophe>y about the
improbability of the man"s initiation.3
'ahiri *ahasaya had a Hery famous friend7 #Cami Trailanga7 Cho Cas reputed to be oHer three
hundred years
old. The tCo yogis often sat together in meditation. Trailanga"s fame is so Cidespread that feC indus
Could
deny the possibility of truth in any story of his astounding mira>les. ,f Christ returned to earth and
Cal@ed the
streets of %eC Yor@7 displaying his diHine poCers7 it Could >ause the same eJ>itement that Cas >reated
by
Trailanga de>ades ago as he passed through the >roCded lanes of .enares.
!n many o>>asions the sCami Cas seen to drin@7 Cith no ill effe>t7 the most deadly poisons. Thousands
of
people7 in>luding a feC Cho are still liHing7 haHe seen Trailanga floating on the )anges. For days
together he
Could sit on top of the Cater7 or remain hidden for Hery long periods under the CaHes. A >ommon sight
at the
.enares bathing )AT# Cas the sCami"s motionless body on the blistering stone slabs7 Cholly
eJposed to the
mer>iless ,ndian sun. .y these feats Trailanga sought to tea>h men that a yogi"s life does not depend
upon
oJygen or ordinary >onditions and pre>autions. &hether he Cere aboHe Cater or under it7 and Chether
or not
his body lay eJposed to the fier>e solar rays7 the master proHed that he liHed by diHine >ons>iousnessA
death
>ould not tou>h him.
The yogi Cas great not only spiritually7 but physi>ally. is Ceight eJ>eeded three hundred poundsA a
pound
for ea>h year of his lifeO As he ate Hery seldom7 the mystery is in>reased. A master7 hoCeHer7 easily
ignores all
CAPTER +1. A% ,%TER6,E& &,T TE #ACRE( *!TER
Autobiography of a Yogi
usual rules of health7 Chen he desires to do so for some spe>ial reason7 often a subtle one @noCn only
to
himself. )reat saints Cho haHe aCa@ened from the >osmi> mayi> dream and realiIed this Corld as an
idea in
the (iHine *ind7 >an do as they Cish Cith the body7 @noCing it to be only a manipulatable form of
>ondensed
or froIen energy. Though physi>al s>ientists noC understand that matter is nothing but >ongealed
energy7
fully;illumined masters haHe long passed from theory to pra>ti>e in the field of matter;>ontrol.
Trailanga alCays remained >ompletely nude. The harassed poli>e of .enares >ame to regard him as a
baffling
problem >hild. The natural sCami7 li@e the early Adam in the garden of Eden7 Cas utterly un>ons>ious
of his
na@edness. The poli>e Cere Nuite >ons>ious of it7 hoCeHer7 and un>eremoniously >ommitted him to Fail.
)eneral embarrassment ensuedK the enormous body of Trailanga Cas soon seen7 in its usual entirety7 on
the
prison roof. is >ell7 still se>urely lo>@ed7 offered no >lue to his mode of es>ape.
The dis>ouraged offi>ers of the laC on>e more performed their duty. This time a guard Cas posted
before the
sCami"s >ell. *ight again retired before right. Trailanga Cas soon obserHed in his non>halant stroll oHer
the
roof. 8usti>e is blindK the outCitted poli>e de>ided to folloC her eJample.
The great yogi preserHed a habitual silen>e. LF%+1;/M ,n spite of his round fa>e and huge7 barrel;li@e
stoma>h7 Trailanga ate only o>>asionally. After Cee@s Cithout food7 he Could brea@ his fast Cith
potfuls of
>labbered mil@ offered to him by deHotees. A s@epti> on>e determined to eJpose Trailanga as a
>harlatan. A
large bu>@et of >al>ium;lime miJture7 used in ChiteCashing Calls7 Cas pla>ed before the sCami.
2*aster73 the materialist said7 in mo>@ reHeren>e7 2, haHe brought you some >labbered mil@. Please
drin@ it.3
Trailanga unhesitatingly drained7 to the last drop7 the >ontainerful of burning lime. ,n a feC minutes the
eHildoer fell to the ground in agony.
2elp7 sCami7 helpO3 he >ried. 2, am on fireO ForgiHe my Ci>@ed testO3
The great yogi bro@e his habitual silen>e. 2#>offer73 he said7 2you did not realiIe Chen you offered me
poison
that my life is one Cith your oCn. EJ>ept for my @noCledge that )od is present in my stoma>h7 as in
eHery
atom of >reation7 the lime Could haHe @illed me. %oC that you @noC the diHine meaning of
boomerang7 neHer
again play tri>@s on anyone.3
The Cell;purged sinner7 healed by Trailanga"s Cords7 slun@ feebly aCay.
The reHersal of pain Cas not due to any Holition of the master7 but >ame about through unerring
appli>ation of
the laC of Fusti>e Chi>h upholds >reation"s farthest sCinging orb. *en of )od;realiIation li@e Trailanga
alloC
the diHine laC to operate instantaneouslyK they haHe banished foreHer all thCarting >ross>urrents of
ego.
The automati> adFustments of righteousness7 often paid in an uneJpe>ted >oin as in the >ase of
Trailanga and
his Could be murderer7 assuage our hasty indignan>e at human inFusti>e. 26engean>e is mineK , Cill
repay7
saith the 'ord.3 LF%+1;1M &hat need for man"s brief resour>esP the uniHerse duly >onspires for
retribution.
(ull minds dis>redit the possibility of diHine Fusti>e7 loHe7 omnis>ien>e7 immortality. 2Airy s>riptural
>onFe>turesO3 This insensitiHe HieCpoint7 aCeless before the >osmi> spe>ta>le7 arouses a train of eHents
Chi>h
brings its oCn aCa@ening.
The omnipoten>e of spiritual laC Cas referred to by Christ on the o>>asion of his triumphant entry into
8erusalem. As the dis>iples and the multitude shouted for Foy7 and >ried7 2Pea>e in heaHen7 and glory in
the
highest73 >ertain Pharisees >omplained of the undignified spe>ta>le. 2*aster73 they protested7 2rebu@e
thy
dis>iples.3
CAPTER +1. A% ,%TER6,E& &,T TE #ACRE( *!TER
Autobiography of a Yogi
2, tell you73 8esus replied7 2that7 if these should hold their pea>e7 the stones Could immediately >ry
out.3
LF%+1;4M
,n this reprimand to the Pharisees7 Christ Cas pointing out that diHine Fusti>e is no figuratiHe
abstra>tion7 and
that a man of pea>e7 though his tongue be torn from its roots7 Cill yet find his spee>h and his defense in
the
bedro>@ of >reation7 the uniHersal order itself.
2Thin@ you73 8esus Cas saying7 2to silen>e men of pea>eP As Cell may you hope to throttle the Hoi>e of
)od7
Chose Hery stones sing is glory and is omnipresen>e. &ill you demand that men not >elebrate in
honor of
the pea>e in heaHen7 but should only gather together in multitudes to shout for Car on earthP Then
ma@e your
preparations7 ! Pharisees7 to oHertopple the foundations of the CorldK for it is not gentle men alone7 but
stones
or earth7 and Cater and fire and air that Cill rise up against you7 to bear Citness of is ordered
harmony.3
The gra>e of the Christli@e yogi7 Trailanga7 Cas on>e bestoCed on my #A8! *A*A Qmaternal un>leS.
!ne
morning Un>le saC the master surrounded by a >roCd of deHotees at a .enares ghat. e managed to
edge his
Cay >lose to Trailanga7 Chose feet he tou>hed humbly. Un>le Cas astonished to find himself instantly
freed
from a painful >hroni> disease. LF%+1;5M
The only @noCn liHing dis>iple of the great yogi is a Coman7 #han@ari *ai 8ieC. (aughter of one of
Trailanga"s dis>iples7 she re>eiHed the sCami"s training from her early >hildhood. #he liHed for forty
years in a
series of lonely imalayan >aHes near .adrinath7 $edarnath7 Amarnath7 and Pasupatinath. The
.RA*ACAR,%, QComan as>eti>S7 born in 10247 is noC Cell oHer the >entury mar@. %ot aged in
appearan>e7 hoCeHer7 she has retained her bla>@ hair7 spar@ling teeth7 and amaIing energy. #he >omes
out of
her se>lusion eHery feC years to attend the periodi>al *E'A# or religious fairs.
This Coman saint often Hisited 'ahiri *ahasaya. #he has related that one day7 in the .ara>@pur se>tion
near
Cal>utta7 Chile she Cas sitting by 'ahiri *ahasaya"s side7 his great guru .abaFi Nuietly entered the
room and
held >onHerse Cith them both.
!n one o>>asion her master Trailanga7 forsa@ing his usual silen>e7 honored 'ahiri *ahasaya Hery
pointedly in
publi>. A .enares dis>iple obFe>ted.
2#ir73 he said7 2Chy do you7 a sCami and a renun>iate7 shoC su>h respe>t to a householderP3
2*y son73 Trailanga replied7 2'ahiri *ahasaya is li@e a diHine @itten7 remaining ChereHer the Cosmi>
*other
has pla>ed him. &hile dutifully playing the part of a Corldly man7 he has re>eiHed that perfe>t self;
realiIation
for Chi>h , haHe renoun>ed eHen my loin>lothO3
LF%+1;1M !ne is reminded here of *ilton"s lineA 2e for )od only7 she for )od in him.3
LF%+1;2M The Henerable mother passed on at .enares in 19+-.
LF%+1;+M #taff7 symboliIing the spinal >ord7 >arried ritually by >ertain orders of mon@s.
LF%+1;/M e Cas a *U%,7 a mon@ Cho obserHes *AU%A7 spiritual silen>e. The #ans@rit root *U%,
is
a@in to )ree@ *!%!#7 2alone7 single73 from Chi>h are deriHed the English Cords *!%$7 *!%,#*7
et>.
LF%+1;1M R!*A%# 12A19.
LF%+1;4M 'U$E 19A+5;/-.
CAPTER +1. A% ,%TER6,E& &,T TE #ACRE( *!TER
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%+1;5M The liHes of Trailanga and other great masters remind us of 8esus" CordsA 2And these signs
shall
folloC them that belieHeK ,n my name Qthe Christ >ons>iousnessS they shall >ast out deHilsK they shall
spea@
Cith neC tonguesK they shall ta@e up serpentsK and if they drin@ any deadly thing7 it shall not hurt themK
they
shall lay hands on the si>@7 and they shall re>oHer.3;*AR$ 14A15;10.
CAPTER +2. RA*A ,# RA,#E( FR!* TE (EA(
2%oC a >ertain man Cas si>@7 named 'aIarus. . . . &hen 8esus heard that7 he said7 This si>@ness is not
unto
death7 but for the glory of )od7 that the #on of )od might be glorified thereby."2 LF%+2;1M
#ri Yu@tesCar Cas eJpounding the Christian s>riptures one sunny morning on the bal>ony of his
#erampore
hermitage. .esides a feC of *aster"s other dis>iples7 , Cas present Cith a small group of my Ran>hi
students.
2,n this passage 8esus >alls himself the #on of )od. Though he Cas truly united Cith )od7 his referen>e
here
has a deep impersonal signifi>an>e73 my guru eJplained. 2The #on of )od is the Christ or (iHine
Cons>iousness in man. %o *!RTA' >an glorify )od. The only honor that man >an pay his Creator is
to see@
imK man >annot glorify an Abstra>tion that he does not @noC. The "glory" or nimbus around the head
of the
saints is a symboli> Citness of their CAPAC,TY to render diHine homage.3
#ri Yu@tesCar Cent on to read the marHelous story of 'aIarus" resurre>tion. At its >on>lusion *aster
fell into
a long silen>e7 the sa>red boo@ open on his @nee.
2, too Cas priHileged to behold a similar mira>le.3 *y guru finally spo@e Cith solemn un>tion. 2'ahiri
*ahasaya resurre>ted one of my friends from the dead.3
The young lads at my side smiled Cith @een interest. There Cas enough of the boy in me7 too7 to enFoy
not
only the philosophy but7 in parti>ular7 any story , >ould get #ri Yu@tesCar to relate about his Condrous
eJperien>es Cith his guru.
2*y friend Rama and , Cere inseparable73 *aster began. 2.e>ause he Cas shy and re>lusiHe7 he >hose
to Hisit
our guru 'ahiri *ahasaya only during the hours of midnight and daCn7 Chen the >roCd of daytime
dis>iples
Cas absent. As Rama"s >losest friend7 , serHed as a spiritual Hent through Chi>h he let out the Cealth of
his
spiritual per>eptions. , found inspiration in his ideal >ompanionship.3 *y guru"s fa>e softened Cith
memories.
2Rama Cas suddenly put to a seHere test73 #ri Yu@tesCar >ontinued. 2e >ontra>ted the disease of
Asiati>
>holera. As our master neHer obFe>ted to the serHi>es of physi>ians at times of serious illness7 tCo
spe>ialists
Cere summoned. Amidst the franti> rush of ministering to the stri>@en man7 , Cas deeply praying to
'ahiri
*ahasaya for help. , hurried to his home and sobbed out the story.
2"The do>tors are seeing Rama. e Cill be Cell." *y guru smiled FoHially.
2, returned Cith a light heart to my friend"s bedside7 only to find him in a dying state.
2"e >annot last more than one or tCo hours7" one of the physi>ians told me Cith a gesture of despair.
!n>e
more , hastened to 'ahiri *ahasaya.
2"The do>tors are >ons>ientious men. , am sure Rama Cill be Cell." The master dismissed me blithely.
2At Rama"s pla>e , found both do>tors gone. !ne had left me a noteA "&e haHe done our best7 but his
>ase is
hopeless."
CAPTER +2. RA*A ,# RA,#E( FR!* TE (EA(
Autobiography of a Yogi
2*y friend Cas indeed the pi>ture of a dying man. , did not understand hoC 'ahiri *ahasaya"s Cords
>ould
fail to >ome true7 yet the sight of Rama"s rapidly ebbing life @ept suggesting to my mindA "All is oHer
noC."
Tossing thus on the seas of faith and apprehensiHe doubt7 , ministered to my friend as best , >ould. e
roused
himself to >ry outA
2"Yu@tesCar7 run to *aster and tell him , am gone. As@ him to bless my body before its last rites." &ith
these
Cords Rama sighed heaHily and gaHe up the ghost. LF%+2;2M
2, Cept for an hour by his beloHed form. AlCays a loHer of Nuiet7 noC he had attained the utter stillness
of
death. Another dis>iple >ame inK , as@ed him to remain in the house until , returned. alf;daIed7 ,
trudged
ba>@ to my guru.
2"oC is Rama noCP" 'ahiri *ahasaya"s fa>e Cas Creathed in smiles.
2"#ir7 you Cill soon see hoC he is7" , blurted out emotionally. ",n a feC hours you Cill see his body7
before it is
>arried to the >rematory grounds." , bro@e doCn and moaned openly.
2"Yu@tesCar7 >ontrol yourself. #it >almly and meditate." *y guru retired into #A*A(,. The afternoon
and
night passed in unbro@en silen>eK , struggled unsu>>essfully to regain an inner >omposure.
2At daCn 'ahiri *ahasaya glan>ed at me >onsolingly. ", see you are still disturbed. &hy didn"t you
eJplain
yesterday that you eJpe>ted me to giHe Rama tangible aid in the form of some medi>ineP" The master
pointed
to a >up;shaped lamp >ontaining >rude >astor oil. "Fill a little bottle from the lampK put seHen drops into
Rama"s mouth."
2"#ir7" , remonstrated7 "he has been dead sin>e yesterday noon. !f Chat use is the oil noCP"
2"%eHer mindK Fust do as , as@." 'ahiri *ahasaya"s >heerful mood Cas in>omprehensibleK , Cas still in
the
unassuaged agony of bereaHement. Pouring out a small amount of oil7 , departed for Rama"s house.
2, found my friend"s body rigid in the death;>lasp. Paying no attention to his ghastly >ondition7 ,
opened his
lips Cith my right finger and managed7 Cith my left hand and the help of the >or@7 to put the oil drop by
drop
oHer his >len>hed teeth.
2As the seHenth drop tou>hed his >old lips7 Rama shiHered Hiolently. is mus>les Hibrated from head to
foot
as he sat up Conderingly.
2", saC 'ahiri *ahasaya in a blaIe of light7" he >ried. "e shone li@e the sun. "AriseK forsa@e your sleep7"
he
>ommanded me. "Come Cith Yu@tesCar to see me."2
2, >ould s>ar>ely belieHe my eyes Chen Rama dressed himself and Cas strong enough after that fatal
si>@ness
to Cal@ to the home of our guru. There he prostrated himself before 'ahiri *ahasaya Cith tears of
gratitude.
2The master Cas beside himself Cith mirth. is eyes tCin@led at me mis>hieHously.
2"Yu@tesCar7" he said7 "surely hen>eforth you Cill not fail to >arry Cith you a bottle of >astor oilO
&heneHer
you see a >orpse7 Fust administer the oilO &hy7 seHen drops of lamp oil must surely foil the poCer of
YamaO"
LF%+2;+M
2")uruFi7 you are ridi>uling me. , don"t understandK please point out the nature of my error."
CAPTER +2. RA*A ,# RA,#E( FR!* TE (EA(
Autobiography of a Yogi
2", told you tCi>e that Rama Could be CellK yet you >ould not fully belieHe me7" 'ahiri *ahasaya
eJplained. ",
did not mean the do>tors Could be able to >ure himK , remar@ed only that they Cere in attendan>e.
There Cas
no >ausal >onne>tion betCeen my tCo statements. , didn"t Cant to interfere Cith the physi>iansK they
haHe to
liHe7 too." ,n a Hoi>e resounding Cith Foy7 my guru added7 "AlCays @noC that the ineJhaustible
Paramatman
LF%+2;/M >an heal anyone7 do>tor or no do>tor."
2", see my mista@e7" , a>@noCledged remorsefully. ", @noC noC that your simple Cord is binding on the
Chole
>osmos."2
As #ri Yu@tesCar finished the aCesome story7 one of the spellbound listeners Hentured a Nuestion that7
from a
>hild7 Cas doubly understandable.
2#ir73 he said7 2Chy did your guru use >astor oilP3
2Child7 giHing the oil had no meaning eJ>ept that , eJpe>ted something material and 'ahiri *ahasaya
>hose
the near;by oil as an obFe>tiHe symbol for aCa@ening my greater faith. The master alloCed Rama to die7
be>ause , had partially doubted. .ut the diHine guru @neC that inasmu>h as he had said the dis>iple
Could be
Cell7 the healing must ta@e pla>e7 eHen though he had to >ure Rama of death7 a disease usually finalO3
#ri Yu@tesCar dismissed the little group7 and motioned me to a blan@et seat at his feet.
2Yogananda73 he said Cith unusual graHity7 2you haHe been surrounded from birth by dire>t dis>iples of
'ahiri *ahasaya. The great master liHed his sublime life in partial se>lusion7 and steadfastly refused to
permit
his folloCers to build any organiIation around his tea>hings. e made7 neHertheless7 a signifi>ant
predi>tion.
2"About fifty years after my passing7" he said7 "my life Cill be Critten be>ause of a deep interest in yoga
Chi>h
the &est Cill manifest. The yogi> message Cill en>ir>le the globe7 and aid in establishing that
brotherhood of
man Chi>h results from dire>t per>eption of the !ne Father."
2*y son Yogananda73 #ri Yu@tesCar Cent on7 2you must do your part in spreading that message7 and in
Criting that sa>red life.3
Fifty years after 'ahiri *ahasaya"s passing in 1091 >ulminated in 19/17 the year of >ompletion of this
present
boo@. , >annot but be stru>@ by the >oin>iden>e that the year 19/1 has also ushered in a neC age;the era
of
reHolutionary atomi> energies. All thoughtful minds turn as neHer before to the urgent problems of
pea>e and
brotherhood7 lest the >ontinued use of physi>al for>e banish all men along Cith the problems.
Though the human ra>e and its Cor@s disappear tra>elessly by time or bomb7 the sun does not falter in
its
>ourseK the stars @eep their inHariable Higil. Cosmi> laC >annot be stayed or >hanged7 and man Could
do Cell
to put himself in harmony Cith it. ,f the >osmos is against might7 if the sun Cars not Cith the planets
but
retires at dueful time to giHe the stars their little sCay7 Chat aHails our mailed fistP #hall any pea>e
indeed
>ome out of itP %ot >ruelty but good Cill arms the uniHersal sineCsK a humanity at pea>e Cill @noC the
endless fruits of Hi>tory7 sCeeter to the taste than any nurtured on the soil of blood.
The effe>tiHe 'eague of %ations Cill be a natural7 nameless league of human hearts. The broad
sympathies
and dis>erning insight needed for the healing of earthly Coes >annot floC from a mere intelle>tual
>onsideration of man"s diHersities7 but from @noCledge of man"s sole unity;his @inship Cith )od.
ToCard
realiIation of the Corld"s highest ideal;pea>e through brotherhood;may yoga7 the s>ien>e of personal
>onta>t
Cith the (iHine7 spread in time to all men in all lands.
CAPTER +2. RA*A ,# RA,#E( FR!* TE (EA(
Autobiography of a Yogi
Though ,ndia"s >iHiliIation is an>ient aboHe any other7 feC historians haHe noted that her feat of
national
surHiHal is by no means an a>>ident7 but a logi>al in>ident in the deHotion to eternal Herities Chi>h
,ndia has
offered through her best men in eHery generation. .y sheer >ontinuity of being7 by intransitiHity before
the
ages;>an dusty s>holars truly tell us hoC manyP;,ndia has giHen the Corthiest ansCer of any people to
the
>hallenge of time.
The .ibli>al story LF%+2;1M of Abraham"s plea to the 'ord that the >ity of #odom be spared if ten
righteous
men >ould be found therein7 and the diHine replyA 2, Cill not destroy it for ten"s sa@e73 gains neC
meaning in
the light of ,ndia"s es>ape from the obliHion of .abylon7 Egypt and other mighty nations Cho Cere
on>e her
>ontemporaries. The 'ord"s ansCer >learly shoCs that a land liHes7 not by its material a>hieHements7 but
in its
masterpie>es of man.
'et the diHine Cords be heard again7 in this tCentieth >entury7 tCi>e dyed in blood ere half oHerA %o
nation
that >an produ>e ten men7 great in the eyes of the Unbribable 8udge7 shall @noC eJtin>tion. eeding
su>h
persuasions7 ,ndia has proHed herself not Citless against the thousand >unnings of time. #elf;realiIed
masters
in eHery >entury haHe halloCed her soilK modern Christli@e sages7 li@e 'ahiri *ahasaya and his dis>iple
#ri
Yu@tesCar7 rise up to pro>laim that the s>ien>e of yoga is more Hital than any material adHan>es to
man"s
happiness and to a nation"s longeHity.
6ery s>anty information about the life of 'ahiri *ahasaya and his uniHersal do>trine has eHer appeared
in
print. For three de>ades in ,ndia7 Ameri>a7 and Europe7 , haHe found a deep and sin>ere interest in his
message
of liberating yogaK a Critten a>>ount of the master"s life7 eHen as he foretold7 is noC needed in the &est7
Chere
liHes of the great modern yogis are little @noCn.
%othing but one or tCo small pamphlets in English has been Critten on the guru"s life. !ne biography
in
.engali7 #R, #R, LF%+2;4M #YA*A CARA% 'A,R, *AA#AYA7 appeared in 19/1. ,t Cas
Critten
by my dis>iple7 #Cami #atyananda7 Cho for many years has been the ACARYA Qspiritual pre>eptorS
at our
6,(YA'AYA in Ran>hi. , haHe translated a feC passages from his boo@ and haHe in>orporated them
into this
se>tion deHoted to 'ahiri *ahasaya.
,t Cas into a pious .rahmin family of an>ient lineage that 'ahiri *ahasaya Cas born #eptember +-7
1020. is
birthpla>e Cas the Hillage of )hurni in the %adia distri>t near $rishnagar7 .engal. e Cas the youngest
son of
*u@ta@ashi7 the se>ond Cife of the esteemed )aur *ohan 'ahiri. Qis first Cife7 after the birth of three
sons7
had died during a pilgrimage.S The boy"s mother passed aCay during his >hildhoodK little about her is
@noCn
eJ>ept the reHealing fa>t that she Cas an ardent deHotee of 'ord #hiHa7 LF%+2;5M s>ripturally
designated as
the 2$ing of Yogis.3
The boy 'ahiri7 Chose giHen name Cas #hyama Charan7 spent his early years in the an>estral home at
%adia.
At the age of three or four he Cas often obserHed sitting under the sands in the posture of a yogi7 his
body
>ompletely hidden eJ>ept for the head.
The 'ahiri estate Cas destroyed in the Cinter of 10++7 Chen the nearby 8alangi RiHer >hanged its
>ourse and
disappeared into the depths of the )anges. !ne of the #hiHa temples founded by the 'ahiris Cent into
the riHer
along Cith the family home. A deHotee res>ued the stone image of 'ord #hiHa from the sCirling Caters
and
pla>ed it in a neC temple7 noC Cell;@noCn as the )hurni #hiHa #ite.
)aur *ohan 'ahiri and his family left %adia and be>ame residents of .enares7 Chere the father
immediately
ere>ted a #hiHa temple. e >ondu>ted his household along the lines of 6edi> dis>ipline7 Cith regular
obserHan>e of >eremonial Corship7 a>ts of >harity7 and s>riptural study. 8ust and open;minded7
hoCeHer7 he
did not ignore the benefi>ial >urrent of modern ideas.
CAPTER +2. RA*A ,# RA,#E( FR!* TE (EA(
Autobiography of a Yogi
The boy 'ahiri too@ lessons in indi and Urdu in .enares study;groups. e attended a s>hool
>ondu>ted by
8oy %arayan )hosal7 re>eiHing instru>tion in #ans@rit7 .engali7 Fren>h7 and English. Applying himself
to a
>lose study of the 6E(A#7 the young yogi listened eagerly to s>riptural dis>ussions by learned
.rahmins7
in>luding a *arhatta pundit named %ag;.hatta.
#hyama Charan Cas a @ind7 gentle7 and >ourageous youth7 beloHed by all his >ompanions. &ith a
Cell;proportioned7 bright7 and poCerful body7 he eJ>elled in sCimming and in many s@illful a>tiHities.
,n 10/4 #hyama Charan 'ahiri Cas married to #rimati $ashi *oni7 daughter of #ri (ebnarayan
#anyal. A
model ,ndian houseCife7 $ashi *oni >heerfully >arried on her home duties and the traditional
householder"s
obligation to serHe guests and the poor. TCo saintly sons7 Tin>ouri and (u>ouri7 blessed the union.
At the age of 2+7 in 10117 'ahiri *ahasaya too@ the post of a>>ountant in the *ilitary Engineering
(epartment of the English goHernment. e re>eiHed many promotions during the time of his serHi>e.
Thus not
only Cas he a master before )od"s eyes7 but also a su>>ess in the little human drama Chere he played
his
giHen role as an offi>e Cor@er in the Corld.
As the offi>es of the Army (epartment Cere shifted7 'ahiri *ahasaya Cas transferred to )aIipur7
*irFapur7
(anapur7 %aini Tal7 .enares7 and other lo>alities. After the death of his father7 'ahiri had to assume the
entire
responsibility of his family7 for Chom he bought a Nuiet residen>e in the )arudesCar *ohulla
neighborhood
of .enares.
,t Cas in his thirty;third year that 'ahiri *ahasaya saC fulfillment of the purpose for Chi>h he had
been
rein>arnated on earth. The ash;hidden flame7 long smouldering7 re>eiHed its opportunity to burst into
flame. A
diHine de>ree7 resting beyond the gaIe of human beings7 Cor@s mysteriously to bring all things into
outer
manifestation at the proper time. e met his great guru7 .abaFi7 near Rani@het7 and Cas initiated by him
into
$R,YA Y!)A.
This auspi>ious eHent did not happen to him aloneK it Cas a fortunate moment for all the human ra>e7
many of
Chom Cere later priHileged to re>eiHe the soul;aCa@ening gift of $R,YA. The lost7 or long;Hanished7
highest
art of yoga Cas again being brought to light. *any spiritually thirsty men and Comen eHentually found
their
Cay to the >ool Caters of $R,YA Y!)A. 8ust as in the indu legend7 Chere *other )anges offers her
diHine
draught to the par>hed deHotee .hagirath7 so the >elestial flood of $R,YA rolled from the se>ret
fastnesses of
the imalayas into the dusty haunts of men.
LF%+2;1M 8!% 11A1;/.
LF%+2;2M A >holera Hi>tim is often rational and fully >ons>ious right up to the moment of death.
LF%+2;+M The god of death.
LF%+2;/M 'iterally7 2#upreme soul.3
LF%+2;1M )E%E#,# 10A2+;+2.
LF%+2;4M #R,7 a prefiJ meaning 2holy73 is atta>hed Qgenerally tCi>e or thri>eS to names of great ,ndian
tea>hers.
LF%+2;5M !ne of the trinity of )odhead;.rahma7 6ishnu7 #hiHa;Chose uniHersal Cor@ is7 respe>tiHely7
that
of >reation7 preserHation7 and dissolution;restoration. #hiHa Qsometimes spelled #iHaS7 represented in
mythology as the 'ord of Renun>iates7 appears in Hisions to is deHotees under Harious aspe>ts7 su>h
as
CAPTER +2. RA*A ,# RA,#E( FR!* TE (EA(
Autobiography of a Yogi
*ahadeHa7 the matted;haired As>eti>7 and %ataraFa7 the Cosmi> (an>er.
CAPTER ++. .A.A8,7 TE Y!),;CR,#T !F *!(ER% ,%(,A
The northern imalayan >rags near .adrinarayan are still blessed by the liHing presen>e of .abaFi7 guru
of
'ahiri *ahasaya. The se>luded master has retained his physi>al form for >enturies7 perhaps for
millenniums.
The deathless .abaFi is an A6ATARA. This #ans@rit Cord means 2des>ent3K its roots are A6A7 2doCn73
and
TR,7 2to pass.3 ,n the indu s>riptures7 A6ATARA signifies the des>ent of (iHinity into flesh.
2.abaFi"s spiritual state is beyond human >omprehension73 #ri Yu@tesCar eJplained to me. 2The
dCarfed
Hision of men >annot pier>e to his trans>endental star. !ne attempts in Hain eHen to pi>ture the aHatar"s
attainment. ,t is in>on>eiHable.3
The UPA%,#A(# haHe minutely >lassified eHery stage of spiritual adHan>ement. A #,((A
Q2perfe>ted
beingTS has progressed from the state of a 8,6A%*U$TA Q2freed Chile liHingTS to that of a
PARA*U$TA
Q2supremely freeT;full poCer oHer deathSK the latter has >ompletely es>aped from the mayi> thralldom
and its
rein>arnational round. The PARA*U$TA therefore seldom returns to a physi>al bodyK if he does7 he is
an
aHatar7 a diHinely appointed medium of supernal blessings on the Corld.
An aHatar is unsubFe>t to the uniHersal e>onomyK his pure body7 Hisible as a light image7 is free from
any debt
to nature. The >asual gaIe may see nothing eJtraordinary in an aHatar"s form but it >asts no shadoC nor
ma@es
any footprint on the ground. These are outCard symboli> proofs of an inCard la>@ of dar@ness and
material
bondage. #u>h a )od;man alone @noCs the Truth behind the relatiHities of life and death. !mar
$hayyam7 so
grossly misunderstood7 sang of this liberated man in his immortal s>ripture7 the RU.A,YATA
2Ah7 *oon of my (elight Cho @noC"st no Cane7 The *oon of eaH"n is rising on>e againK oC oft
hereafter
rising shall she loo@ Through this same )arden after me;in HainO3
The 2*oon of (elight3 is )od7 eternal Polaris7 ana>hronous neHer. The 2*oon of eaH"n3 is the
outCard
>osmos7 fettered to the laC of periodi> re>urren>e. ,ts >hains had been dissolHed foreHer by the Persian
seer
through his self;realiIation. 2oC oft hereafter rising shall she loo@ . . . after me;in HainO3 &hat
frustration
of sear>h by a franti> uniHerse for an absolute omissionO
Christ eJpressed his freedom in another CayA 2And a >ertain s>ribe >ame7 and said unto him7 *aster7 ,
Cill
folloC thee ChithersoeHer thou goest. And 8esus saith unto him7 The foJes haHe holes7 and the birds of
the air
haHe nestsK but the #on of man hath not Chere to lay his head.3 LF%++;1M
#pa>ious Cith omnipresen>e7 >ould Christ indeed be folloCed eJ>ept in the oHerar>hing #piritP
$rishna7 Rama7 .uddha7 and PatanFali Cere among the an>ient ,ndian aHatars. A >onsiderable poeti>
literature
in Tamil has groCn up around Agastya7 a #outh ,ndian aHatar. e Cor@ed many mira>les during the
>enturies
pre>eding and folloCing the Christian era7 and is >redited Cith retaining his physi>al form eHen to this
day.
.abaFi"s mission in ,ndia has been to assist prophets in >arrying out their spe>ial dispensations. e thus
Nualifies for the s>riptural >lassifi>ation of *AA6ATAR Q)reat AHatarS. e has stated that he gaHe
yoga
initiation to #han@ara7 an>ient founder of the #Cami !rder7 and to $abir7 famous medieHal saint. is
>hief
nineteenth;>entury dis>iple Cas7 as Ce @noC7 'ahiri *ahasaya7 reHiHalist of the lost $R,YA art.
E,llustrationA .A.A8,7 TE *AA6ATAR7 )uru of 'ahiri *ahasaya7 , haHe helped an artist to draC a
true
li@eness of the great Yogi;Christ of modern ,ndia.=see babaFi.FpgG
CAPTER ++. .A.A8,7 TE Y!),;CR,#T !F *!(ER% ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
The *AA6ATAR is in >onstant >ommunion Cith ChristK together they send out Hibrations of
redemption7
and haHe planned the spiritual te>hniNue of salHation for this age. The Cor@ of these tCo fully;
illumined
masters;one Cith the body7 and one Cithout it;is to inspire the nations to forsa@e sui>idal Cars7 ra>e
hatreds7
religious se>tarianism7 and the boomerang;eHils of materialism. .abaFi is Cell aCare of the trend of
modern
times7 espe>ially of the influen>e and >ompleJities of &estern >iHiliIation7 and realiIes the ne>essity of
spreading the self;liberations of yoga eNually in the &est and in the East.
That there is no histori>al referen>e to .abaFi need not surprise us. The great guru has neHer openly
appeared
in any >enturyK the misinterpreting glare of publi>ity has no pla>e in his millennial plans. 'i@e the
Creator7 the
sole but silent PoCer7 .abaFi Cor@s in a humble obs>urity.
)reat prophets li@e Christ and $rishna >ome to earth for a spe>ifi> and spe>ta>ular purposeK they depart
as
soon as it is a>>omplished. !ther aHatars7 li@e .abaFi7 underta@e Cor@ Chi>h is >on>erned more Cith
the sloC
eHolutionary progress of man during the >enturies than Cith any one outstanding eHent of history. #u>h
masters alCays Heil themselHes from the gross publi> gaIe7 and haHe the poCer to be>ome inHisible at
Cill.
For these reasons7 and be>ause they generally instru>t their dis>iples to maintain silen>e about them7 a
number
of toCering spiritual figures remain Corld;un@noCn. , giHe in these pages on .abaFi merely a hint of
his
life;only a feC fa>ts Chi>h he deems it fit and helpful to be publi>ly imparted.
%o limiting fa>ts about .abaFi"s family or birthpla>e7 dear to the annalist"s heart7 haHe eHer been
dis>oHered.
is spee>h is generally in indi7 but he >onHerses easily in any language. e has adopted the simple
name of
.abaFi QreHered fatherSK other titles of respe>t giHen him by 'ahiri *ahasaya"s dis>iples are *ahamuni
.abaFi
*aharaF Qsupreme e>stati> saintS7 *aha Yogi Qgreatest of yogisS7 Tramba@ .aba and #hiHa .aba Qtitles
of
aHatars of #hiHaS. (oes it matter that Ce @noC not the patronymi> of an earth;released masterP
2&heneHer anyone utters Cith reHeren>e the name of .abaFi73 'ahiri *ahasaya said7 2that deHotee
attra>ts an
instant spiritual blessing.3
The deathless guru bears no mar@s of age on his bodyK he appears to be no more than a youth of
tCenty;fiHe.
Fair;s@inned7 of medium build and height7 .abaFi"s beautiful7 strong body radiates a per>eptible gloC.
is
eyes are dar@7 >alm7 and tenderK his long7 lustrous hair is >opper;>olored. A Hery strange fa>t is that
.abaFi
bears an eJtraordinarily eJa>t resemblan>e to his dis>iple 'ahiri *ahasaya. The similarity is so stri@ing
that7
in his later years7 'ahiri *ahasaya might haHe passed as the father of the youthful;loo@ing .abaFi.
#Cami $ebalananda7 my saintly #ans@rit tutor7 spent some time Cith .abaFi in the imalayas.
2The peerless master moHes Cith his group from pla>e to pla>e in the mountains73 $ebalananda told
me. 2is
small band >ontains tCo highly adHan>ed Ameri>an dis>iples. After .abaFi has been in one lo>ality for
some
time7 he saysA "(ERA (A%(A UTA!." Q"'et us lift our >amp and staff."S e >arries a symboli>
(A%(A
Qbamboo staffS. is Cords are the signal for moHing Cith his group instantaneously to another pla>e.
e does
not alCays employ this method of astral traHelK sometimes he goes on foot from pea@ to pea@.
2.abaFi >an be seen or re>ogniIed by others only Chen he so desires. e is @noCn to haHe appeared in
many
slightly different forms to Harious deHotees;sometimes Cithout beard and mousta>he7 and sometimes
Cith
them. As his unde>aying body reNuires no food7 the master seldom eats. As a so>ial >ourtesy to Hisiting
dis>iples7 he o>>asionally a>>epts fruits7 or ri>e >oo@ed in mil@ and >larified butter.
2TCo amaIing in>idents of .abaFi"s life are @noCn to me73 $ebalananda Cent on. 2is dis>iples Cere
sitting
one night around a huge fire Chi>h Cas blaIing for a sa>red 6edi> >eremony. The master suddenly
seiIed a
burning log and lightly stru>@ the bare shoulder of a >hela Cho Cas >lose to the fire.
CAPTER ++. .A.A8,7 TE Y!),;CR,#T !F *!(ER% ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
2"#ir7 hoC >ruelO" 'ahiri *ahasaya7 Cho Cas present7 made this remonstran>e.
2"&ould you rather haHe seen him burned to ashes before your eyes7 a>>ording to the de>ree of his past
@armaP"
2&ith these Cords .abaFi pla>ed his healing hand on the >hela"s disfigured shoulder. ", haHe freed you
tonight
from painful death. The @armi> laC has been satisfied through your slight suffering by fire."
2!n another o>>asion .abaFi"s sa>red >ir>le Cas disturbed by the arriHal of a stranger. e had >limbed
Cith
astonishing s@ill to the nearly ina>>essible ledge near the >amp of the master.
2"#ir7 you must be the great .abaFi." The man"s fa>e Cas lit Cith ineJpressible reHeren>e. "For months ,
haHe
pursued a >easeless sear>h for you among these forbidding >rags. , implore you to a>>ept me as a
dis>iple."
2&hen the great guru made no response7 the man pointed to the ro>@y >hasm at his feet.
2",f you refuse me7 , Cill Fump from this mountain. 'ife has no further Halue if , >annot Cin your
guidan>e to
the (iHine."
2"8ump then7" .abaFi said unemotionally. ", >annot a>>ept you in your present state of deHelopment."
2The man immediately hurled himself oHer the >liff. .abaFi instru>ted the sho>@ed dis>iples to fet>h the
stranger"s body. &hen they returned Cith the mangled form7 the master pla>ed his diHine hand on the
dead
man. 'oO he opened his eyes and prostrated himself humbly before the omnipotent one.
2"You are noC ready for dis>ipleship." .abaFi beamed loHingly on his resurre>ted >hela. "You haHe
>ourageously passed a diffi>ult test. (eath shall not tou>h you againK noC you are one of our immortal
flo>@."
Then he spo@e his usual Cords of departure7 "(ERA (A%(A UTA!"K the Chole group Hanished from
the
mountain.3
An aHatar liHes in the omnipresent #piritK for him there is no distan>e inHerse to the sNuare. !nly one
reason7
therefore7 >an motiHate .abaFi in maintaining his physi>al form from >entury to >enturyA the desire to
furnish
humanity Cith a >on>rete eJample of its oCn possibilities. &ere man neHer Hou>hsafed a glimpse of
(iHinity
in the flesh7 he Could remain oppressed by the heaHy mayi> delusion that he >annot trans>end his
mortality.
8esus @neC from the beginning the seNuen>e of his lifeK he passed through ea>h eHent not for himself7
not
from any @armi> >ompulsion7 but solely for the upliftment of refle>tiHe human beings. is four
reporter;dis>iples;*attheC7 *ar@7 'u@e7 and 8ohn;re>orded the ineffable drama for the benefit of later
generations.
For .abaFi7 also7 there is no relatiHity of past7 present7 futureK from the beginning he has @noCn all
phases of
his life. Yet7 a>>ommodating himself to the limited understanding of men7 he has played many a>ts of
his
diHine life in the presen>e of one or more Citnesses. Thus it >ame about that a dis>iple of 'ahiri
*ahasaya
Cas present Chen .abaFi deemed the time to be ripe for him to pro>laim the possibility of bodily
immortality.
e uttered this promise before Ram )opal *uIumdar7 that it might finally be>ome @noCn for the
inspiration
of other see@ing hearts. The great ones spea@ their Cords and parti>ipate in the seemingly natural
>ourse of
eHents7 solely for the good of man7 eHen as Christ saidA 2Father . . . , @neC that thou hearest me alCaysA
but
.ECAU#E !F TE PE!P'E &,C #TA%( .Y , #A,( ,T7 that they may belieHe that thou hast
sent me.3
LF%++;2M (uring my Hisit at RanbaFpur Cith Ram )opal7 2the sleepless saint73 LF%++;+M he related
the
Condrous story of his first meeting Cith .abaFi.
CAPTER ++. .A.A8,7 TE Y!),;CR,#T !F *!(ER% ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
2, sometimes left my isolated >aHe to sit at 'ahiri *ahasaya"s feet in .enares73 Ram )opal told me.
2!ne
midnight as , Cas silently meditating in a group of his dis>iples7 the master made a surprising reNuest.
2"Ram )opal7" he said7 "go at on>e to the (asasamedh bathing )AT."
2, soon rea>hed the se>luded spot. The night Cas bright Cith moonlight and the glittering stars. After ,
had sat
in patient silen>e for aChile7 my attention Cas draCn to a huge stone slab near my feet. ,t rose
gradually7
reHealing an underground >aHe. As the stone remained balan>ed in some un@noCn manner7 the draped
form of
a young and surpassingly loHely Coman Cas leHitated from the >aHe high into the air. #urrounded by a
soft
halo7 she sloCly des>ended in front of me and stood motionless7 steeped in an inner state of e>stasy.
#he
finally stirred7 and spo@e gently.
2", am *ataFi7 LF%++;/M the sister of .abaFi. , haHe as@ed him and also 'ahiri *ahasaya to >ome to my
>aHe
tonight to dis>uss a matter of great importan>e."
2A nebulous light Cas rapidly floating oHer the )angesK the strange lumines>en>e Cas refle>ted in the
opaNue
Caters. ,t approa>hed nearer and nearer until7 Cith a blinding flash7 it appeared by the side of *ataFi
and
>ondensed itself instantly into the human form of 'ahiri *ahasaya. e boCed humbly at the feet of the
Coman saint.
2.efore , had re>oHered from my beCilderment7 , Cas further Conderstru>@ to behold a >ir>ling mass
of
mysti>al light traHeling in the s@y. (es>ending sCiftly7 the flaming Chirlpool neared our group and
materialiIed itself into the body of a beautiful youth Cho7 , understood at on>e7 Cas .abaFi. e loo@ed
li@e
'ahiri *ahasaya7 the only differen>e being that .abaFi appeared mu>h younger7 and had long7 bright
hair.
2'ahiri *ahasaya7 *ataFi7 and myself @nelt at the guru"s feet. An ethereal sensation of beatifi> glory
thrilled
eHery fiber of my being as , tou>hed his diHine flesh.
2".lessed sister7" .abaFi said7 ", am intending to shed my form and plunge into the ,nfinite Current."
2", haHe already glimpsed your plan7 beloHed master. , Canted to dis>uss it Cith you tonight. &hy
should you
leaHe your bodyP" The glorious Coman loo@ed at him besee>hingly.
2"&hat is the differen>e if , Cear a Hisible or inHisible CaHe on the o>ean of my #piritP"
2*ataFi replied Cith a Nuaint flash of Cit. "(eathless guru7 if it ma@es no differen>e7 then please do not
eHer
relinNuish your form." LF%++;1M
2".e it so7" .abaFi said solemnly. ", Cill neHer leaHe my physi>al body. ,t Cill alCays remain Hisible to at
least
a small number of people on this earth. The 'ord has spo@en is oCn Cish through your lips."
2As , listened in aCe to the >onHersation betCeen these eJalted beings7 the great guru turned to me Cith
a
benign gesture.
2"Fear not7 Ram )opal7" he said7 "you are blessed to be a Citness at the s>ene of this immortal promise."
2As the sCeet melody of .abaFi"s Hoi>e faded aCay7 his form and that of 'ahiri *ahasaya sloCly
leHitated and
moHed ba>@Card oHer the )anges. An aureole of daIIling light templed their bodies as they Hanished
into the
night s@y. *ataFi"s form floated to the >aHe and des>endedK the stone slab >losed of itself7 as if Cor@ing
on an
inHisible leHerage.
CAPTER ++. .A.A8,7 TE Y!),;CR,#T !F *!(ER% ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
2,nfinitely inspired7 , Cended my Cay ba>@ to 'ahiri *ahasaya"s pla>e. As , boCed before him in the
early
daCn7 my guru smiled at me understandingly.
2", am happy for you7 Ram )opal7" he said. "The desire of meeting .abaFi and *ataFi7 Chi>h you haHe
often
eJpressed to me7 has found at last a sa>red fulfillment."
2*y felloC dis>iples informed me that 'ahiri *ahasaya had not moHed from his dais sin>e early the
pre>eding eHening.
2"e gaHe a Conderful dis>ourse on immortality after you had left for the (asasamedh )AT7" one of
the
>helas told me. For the first time , fully realiIed the truth in the s>riptural Herses Chi>h state that a man
of
self;realiIation >an appear at different pla>es in tCo or more bodies at the same time.
2'ahiri *ahasaya later eJplained to me many metaphysi>al points >on>erning the hidden diHine plan
for this
earth73 Ram )opal >on>luded. 2.abaFi has been >hosen by )od to remain in his body for the duration
of this
parti>ular Corld >y>le. Ages shall >ome and go=still the deathless master7 LF%++;4M beholding the
drama of
the >enturies7 shall be present on this stage terrestrial.3
Chapter ++ Footnotes
LF%++;1M *ATTE& 0A19;2-.
LF%++;2M 8!% 11A/1;/2.
LF%++;+M The omnipresent yogi Cho obserHed that , failed to boC before the Tara@esCar shrine
Q..B>hapter
1+S.
LF%++;/M 2oly *other.3 *ataFi also has liHed through the >enturiesK she is almost as far adHan>ed
spiritually as her brother. #he remains in e>stasy in a hidden underground >aHe near the (asasamedh
)AT.
LF%++;1M This in>ident reminds one of Thales. The great )ree@ philosopher taught that there Cas no
differen>e betCeen life and death. 2&hy7 then73 inNuired a >riti>7 2do you not dieP3 2.e>ause73
ansCered
Thales7 2it ma@es no differen>e.3
LF%++;4M 26erily7 Herily7 , say unto you7 ,f a man @eep my saying Qremain unbro@enly in the Christ
Cons>iousnessS7 he shall neHer see death.3;8!% 0A11.
CAPTER +/. *ATER,A',<,%) A PA'ACE ,% TE ,*A'AYA#
2.abaFi"s first meeting Cith 'ahiri *ahasaya is an enthralling story7 and one of the feC Chi>h giHes us
a
detailed glimpse of the deathless guru.3
These Cords Cere #Cami $ebalananda"s preamble to a Condrous tale. The first time he re>ounted it ,
Cas
literally spellbound. !n many other o>>asions , >oaJed my gentle #ans@rit tutor to repeat the story7
Chi>h Cas
later told me in substantially the same Cords by #ri Yu@tesCar. .oth these 'ahiri *ahasaya dis>iples
had
heard the aCesome tale dire>t from the lips of their guru.
2*y first meeting Cith .abaFi too@ pla>e in my thirty;third year73 'ahiri *ahasaya had said. 2,n the
autumn
of 1041 , Cas stationed in (anapur as a goHernment a>>ountant in the *ilitary Engineering
(epartment. !ne
morning the offi>e manager summoned me.
CAPTER +/. *ATER,A',<,%) A PA'ACE ,% TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2"'ahiri7" he said7 "a telegram has Fust >ome from our main offi>e. You are to be transferred to Rani@het7
Chere
an army post LF%+/;1M is noC being established."
2&ith one serHant7 , set out on the 1--;mile trip. TraHeling by horse and buggy7 Ce arriHed in thirty
days at
the imalayan site of Rani@het. LF%+/;2M
2*y offi>e duties Cere not onerousK , Cas able to spend many hours roaming in the magnifi>ent hills. A
rumor rea>hed me that great saints blessed the region Cith their presen>eK , felt a strong desire to see
them.
(uring a ramble one early afternoon7 , Cas astounded to hear a distant Hoi>e >alling my name. ,
>ontinued my
Higorous upCard >limb on (rongiri *ountain. A slight uneasiness beset me at the thought that , might
not be
able to retra>e my steps before dar@ness had des>ended oHer the Fungle.
2, finally rea>hed a small >learing Chose sides Cere dotted Cith >aHes. !n one of the ro>@y ledges
stood a
smiling young man7 eJtending his hand in Cel>ome. , noti>ed Cith astonishment that7 eJ>ept for his
>opper;>olored hair7 he bore a remar@able resemblan>e to myself.
2"'ahiri7 you haHe >omeO" The saint addressed me affe>tionately in indi. "Rest here in this >aHe. ,t Cas
, Cho
>alled you."
2, entered a neat little grotto Chi>h >ontained seHeral Coolen blan@ets and a feC $A*A%(U'U#
Qbegging
boClsS.
2"'ahiri7 do you remember that seatP" The yogi pointed to a folded blan@et in one >orner.
2"%o7 sir." #omeChat daIed at the strangeness of my adHenture7 , added7 ", must leaHe noC7 before
nightfall. ,
haHe business in the morning at my offi>e."
2The mysterious saint replied in English7 "The offi>e Cas brought for you7 and not you for the offi>e."
2, Cas dumbfounded that this forest as>eti> should not only spea@ English but also paraphrase the
Cords of
Christ. LF%+/;+M
2", see my telegram too@ effe>t." The yogi"s remar@ Cas in>omprehensible to meK , inNuired his
meaning.
2", refer to the telegram that summoned you to these isolated parts. ,t Cas , Cho silently suggested to
the mind
of your superior offi>er that you be transferred to Rani@het. &hen one feels his unity Cith man@ind7 all
minds
be>ome transmitting stations through Chi>h he >an Cor@ at Cill." e added gently7 "'ahiri7 surely this
>aHe
seems familiar to youP"
2As , maintained a beCildered silen>e7 the saint approa>hed and stru>@ me gently on the forehead. At
his
magneti> tou>h7 a Condrous >urrent sCept through my brain7 releasing the sCeet seed;memories of my
preHious life.
2", rememberO" *y Hoi>e Cas half;>ho@ed Cith Foyous sobs. "You are my guru .abaFi7 Cho has
belonged to
me alCaysO #>enes of the past arise HiHidly in my mindK here in this >aHe , spent many years of my last
in>arnationO" As ineffable re>olle>tions oHerChelmed me7 , tearfully embra>ed my master"s feet.
2"For more than three de>ades , haHe Caited for you here;Caited for you to return to meO" .abaFi"s Hoi>e
rang
Cith >elestial loHe. "You slipped aCay and Hanished into the tumultuous CaHes of the life beyond death.
The
magi> Cand of your @arma tou>hed you7 and you Cere goneO Though you lost sight of me7 neHer did ,
lose
sight of youO , pursued you oHer the lumines>ent astral sea Chere the glorious angels sail. Through
gloom7
CAPTER +/. *ATER,A',<,%) A PA'ACE ,% TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
storm7 upheaHal7 and light , folloCed you7 li@e a mother bird guarding her young. As you liHed out your
human term of Comb;life7 and emerged a babe7 my eye Cas eHer on you. &hen you >oHered your tiny
form
in the lotus posture under the %adia sands in your >hildhood7 , Cas inHisibly presentO Patiently7 month
after
month7 year after year7 , haHe Cat>hed oHer you7 Caiting for this perfe>t day. %oC you are Cith meO 'o7
here
is your >aHe7 loHed of yoreO , haHe @ept it eHer >lean and ready for you. ere is your halloCed
A#A%A;blan@et7 Chere you daily sat to fill your eJpanding heart Cith )odO .ehold there your boCl7
from
Chi>h you often dran@ the ne>tar prepared by meO #ee hoC , haHe @ept the brass >up brightly polished7
that
you might drin@ again therefromO *y oCn7 do you noC understandP"
2"*y guru7 Chat >an , sayP" , murmured bro@enly. "&here has one eHer heard of su>h deathless loHeP" ,
gaIed
long and e>stati>ally on my eternal treasure7 my guru in life and death.
2"'ahiri7 you need purifi>ation. (rin@ the oil in this boCl and lie doCn by the riHer." .abaFi"s pra>ti>al
Cisdom7
, refle>ted Cith a Nui>@7 reminis>ent smile7 Cas eHer to the fore.
2, obeyed his dire>tions. Though the i>y imalayan night Cas des>ending7 a >omforting Carmth7 an
inner
radiation7 began to pulsate in eHery >ell of my body. , marHeled. &as the un@noCn oil endued Cith a
>osmi>al
heatP
2.itter Cinds Chipped around me in the dar@ness7 shrie@ing a fier>e >hallenge. The >hill CaHelets of
the
)ogash RiHer lapped noC and then oHer my body7 outstret>hed on the ro>@y ban@. Tigers hoCled near;
by7
but my heart Cas free of fearK the radiant for>e neCly generated Cithin me >onHeyed an assuran>e of
unassailable prote>tion. #eHeral hours passed sCiftlyK faded memories of another life CoHe themselHes
into
the present brilliant pattern of reunion Cith my diHine guru.
2*y solitary musings Cere interrupted by the sound of approa>hing footsteps. ,n the dar@ness7 a man"s
hand
gently helped me to my feet7 and gaHe me some dry >lothing.
2"Come7 brother7" my >ompanion said. "The master aCaits you."
2e led the Cay through the forest. The somber night Cas suddenly lit by a steady luminosity in the
distan>e.
2"Can that be the sunriseP" , inNuired. "#urely the Chole night has not passedP"
2"The hour is midnight." *y guide laughed softly. "Yonder light is the gloC of a golden pala>e7
materialiIed
here tonight by the peerless .abaFi. ,n the dim past7 you on>e eJpressed a desire to enFoy the beauties
of a
pala>e. !ur master is noC satisfying your Cish7 thus freeing you from the bonds of @arma." LF%+/;/M
e
added7 "The magnifi>ent pala>e Cill be the s>ene of your initiation tonight into $R,YA Y!)A. All your
brothers here Foin in a paean of Cel>ome7 reFoi>ing at the end of your long eJile. .eholdO"
2A Hast pala>e of daIIling gold stood before us. #tudded Cith >ountless FeCels7 and set amidst
lands>aped
gardens7 it presented a spe>ta>le of unparalleled grandeur. #aints of angeli> >ountenan>e Cere stationed
by
resplendent gates7 half;reddened by the glitter of rubies. (iamonds7 pearls7 sapphires7 and emeralds of
great
siIe and luster Cere imbedded in the de>oratiHe ar>hes.
2, folloCed my >ompanion into a spa>ious re>eption hall. The odor of in>ense and of roses Cafted
through the
airK dim lamps shed a multi>olored gloC. #mall groups of deHotees7 some fair7 some dar@;s@inned7
>hanted
musi>ally7 or sat in the meditatiHe posture7 immersed in an inner pea>e. A Hibrant Foy perHaded the
atmosphere.
CAPTER +/. *ATER,A',<,%) A PA'ACE ,% TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2"Feast your eyesK enFoy the artisti> splendors of this pala>e7 for it has been brought into being solely in
your
honor." *y guide smiled sympatheti>ally as , uttered a feC eFa>ulations of Conderment.
2".rother7" , said7 "the beauty of this stru>ture surpasses the bounds of human imagination. Please tell
me the
mystery of its origin."
2", Cill gladly enlighten you." *y >ompanion"s dar@ eyes spar@led Cith Cisdom. ",n reality there is
nothing
ineJpli>able about this materialiIation. The Chole >osmos is a materialiIed thought of the Creator. This
heaHy7 earthly >lod7 floating in spa>e7 is a dream of )od. e made all things out of is >ons>iousness7
eHen as
man in his dream >ons>iousness reprodu>es and HiHifies a >reation Cith its >reatures.
2")od first >reated the earth as an idea. Then e Nui>@ened itK energy atoms >ame into being. e
>oordinated
the atoms into this solid sphere. All its mole>ules are held together by the Cill of )od. &hen e
CithdraCs
is Cill7 the earth again Cill disintegrate into energy. Energy Cill dissolHe into >ons>iousnessK the
earth;idea
Cill disappear from obFe>tiHity.
2"The substan>e of a dream is held in materialiIation by the sub>ons>ious thought of the dreamer. &hen
that
>ohesiHe thought is CithdraCn in Ca@efulness7 the dream and its elements dissolHe. A man >loses his
eyes and
ere>ts a dream;>reation Chi>h7 on aCa@ening7 he effortlessly dematerialiIes. e folloCs the diHine
ar>hetypal
pattern. #imilarly7 Chen he aCa@ens in >osmi> >ons>iousness7 he Cill effortlessly dematerialiIe the
illusions
of the >osmi> dream.
2".eing one Cith the infinite all;a>>omplishing &ill7 .abaFi >an summon the elemental atoms to
>ombine and
manifest themselHes in any form. This golden pala>e7 instantaneously >reated7 is real7 eHen as this earth
is real.
.abaFi >reated this palatial mansion out of his mind and is holding its atoms together by the poCer of
his Cill7
eHen as )od >reated this earth and is maintaining it inta>t." e added7 "&hen this stru>ture has serHed
its
purpose7 .abaFi Cill dematerialiIe it."
2As , remained silent in aCe7 my guide made a sCeeping gesture. "This shimmering pala>e7 superbly
embellished Cith FeCels7 has not been built by human effort or Cith laboriously mined gold and gems.
,t
stands solidly7 a monumental >hallenge to man. LF%+/;1M &hoeHer realiIes himself as a son of )od7
eHen as
.abaFi has done7 >an rea>h any goal by the infinite poCers hidden Cithin him. A >ommon stone lo>@s
Cithin
itself the se>ret of stupendous atomi> energyK LF%+/;4M eHen so7 a mortal is yet a poCerhouse of
diHinity."
2The sage pi>@ed up from a near;by table a gra>eful Hase Chose handle Cas blaIing Cith diamonds.
"!ur
great guru >reated this pala>e by solidifying myriads of free >osmi> rays7" he Cent on. "Tou>h this Hase
and its
diamondsK they Cill satisfy all the tests of sensory eJperien>e."
2, eJamined the Hase7 and passed my hand oHer the smooth room;Calls7 thi>@ Cith glistening gold.
Ea>h of
the FeCels s>attered laHishly about Cas Corthy of a @ing"s >olle>tion. (eep satisfa>tion spread oHer my
mind.
A submerged desire7 hidden in my sub>ons>iousness from liHes noC gone7 seemed simultaneously
gratified
and eJtinguished.
2*y stately >ompanion led me through ornate ar>hes and >orridors into a series of >hambers ri>hly
furnished
in the style of an emperor"s pala>e. &e entered an immense hall. ,n the >enter stood a golden throne7
en>rusted
Cith FeCels shedding a daIIling medley of >olors. There7 in lotus posture7 sat the supreme .abaFi. ,
@nelt on
the shining floor at his feet.
2"'ahiri7 are you still feasting on your dream desires for a golden pala>eP" *y guru"s eyes Cere
tCin@ling li@e
his oCn sapphires. "&a@eO All your earthly thirsts are about to be Nuen>hed foreHer." e murmured
some
mysti> Cords of blessing. "*y son7 arise. Re>eiHe your initiation into the @ingdom of )od through
$R,YA
CAPTER +/. *ATER,A',<,%) A PA'ACE ,% TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
Y!)A."
2.abaFi stret>hed out his handK a !*A Qsa>rifi>ialS fire appeared7 surrounded by fruits and floCers. ,
re>eiHed the liberating yogi> te>hniNue before this flaming altar.
2The rites Cere >ompleted in the early daCn. , felt no need for sleep in my e>stati> state7 and Candered
around
the pala>e7 filled on all sides Cith treasures and pri>eless !.8ET# ("ART. (es>ending to the gorgeous
gardens7 , noti>ed7 near;by7 the same >aHes and barren mountain ledges Chi>h yesterday had boasted no
adFa>en>y to pala>e or floCered terra>e.
2Reentering the pala>e7 fabulously glistening in the >old imalayan sunlight7 , sought the presen>e of
my
master. e Cas still enthroned7 surrounded by many Nuiet dis>iples.
2"'ahiri7 you are hungry." .abaFi added7 "Close your eyes."
2&hen , reopened them7 the en>hanting pala>e and its pi>turesNue gardens had disappeared. *y oCn
body
and the forms of .abaFi and the >luster of >helas Cere all noC seated on the bare ground at the eJa>t
site of
the Hanished pala>e7 not far from the sunlit entran>es of the ro>@y grottos. , re>alled that my guide had
remar@ed that the pala>e Could be dematerialiIed7 its >aptiHe atoms released into the thought;essen>e
from
Chi>h it had sprung. Although stunned7 , loo@ed trustingly at my guru. , @neC not Chat to eJpe>t neJt
on this
day of mira>les.
2"The purpose for Chi>h the pala>e Cas >reated has noC been serHed7" .abaFi eJplained. e lifted an
earthen
Hessel from the ground. "Put your hand there and re>eiHe ChateHer food you desire."
2As soon as , tou>hed the broad7 empty boCl7 it be>ame heaped Cith hot butter;fried 'UC,#7 >urry7
and
rare sCeetmeats. , helped myself7 obserHing that the Hessel Cas eHer;filled. At the end of my meal ,
loo@ed
around for Cater. *y guru pointed to the boCl before me. 'oO the food had HanishedK in its pla>e Cas
Cater7
>lear as from a mountain stream.
2"FeC mortals @noC that the @ingdom of )od in>ludes the @ingdom of mundane fulfillments7" .abaFi
obserHed. "The diHine realm eJtends to the earthly7 but the latter7 being illusory7 >annot in>lude the
essen>e of
reality."
2".eloHed guru7 last night you demonstrated for me the lin@ of beauty in heaHen and earthO" , smiled at
memories of the Hanished pala>eK surely no simple yogi had eHer re>eiHed initiation into the august
mysteries
of #pirit amidst surroundings of more impressiHe luJuryO , gaIed tranNuilly at the star@ >ontrast of the
present
s>ene. The gaunt ground7 the s@yey roof7 the >aHes offering primitiHe shelter;all seemed a gra>ious
natural
setting for the seraphi> saints around me.
2, sat that afternoon on my blan@et7 halloCed by asso>iations of past;life realiIations. *y diHine guru
approa>hed and passed his hand oHer my head. , entered the %,R.,$A'PA #A*A(, state7
remaining
unbro@enly in its bliss for seHen days. Crossing the su>>essiHe strata of self;@noCledge7 , penetrated the
deathless realms of reality. All delusiHe limitations dropped aCayK my soul Cas fully established on the
eternal altar of the Cosmi> #pirit. !n the eighth day , fell at my guru"s feet and implored him to @eep
me
alCays near him in this sa>red Cilderness.
2"*y son7" .abaFi said7 embra>ing me7 "your role in this in>arnation must be played on an outCard
stage.
Prenatally blessed by many liHes of lonely meditation7 you must noC mingle in the Corld of men.
CAPTER +/. *ATER,A',<,%) A PA'ACE ,% TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2"A deep purpose underlay the fa>t that you did not meet me this time until you Cere already a married
man7
Cith modest business responsibilities. You must put aside your thoughts of Foining our se>ret band in
the
imalayasK your life lies in the >roCded marts7 serHing as an eJample of the ideal yogi;householder.
2"The >ries of many beCildered Corldly men and Comen haHe not fallen unheard on the ears of the
)reat
!nes7" he Cent on. "You haHe been >hosen to bring spiritual sola>e through $R,YA Y!)A to numerous
earnest see@ers. The millions Cho are en>umbered by family ties and heaHy Corldly duties Cill ta@e
neC heart
from you7 a householder li@e themselHes. You must guide them to see that the highest yogi> attainments
are
not barred to the family man. EHen in the Corld7 the yogi Cho faithfully dis>harges his responsibilities7
Cithout personal motiHe or atta>hment7 treads the sure path of enlightenment.
2"%o ne>essity >ompels you to leaHe the Corld7 for inCardly you haHe already sundered its eHery
@armi> tie.
%ot of this Corld7 you must yet be in it. *any years still remain during Chi>h you must >ons>ientiously
fulfill
your family7 business7 >iHi>7 and spiritual duties. A sCeet neC breath of diHine hope Cill penetrate the
arid
hearts of Corldly men. From your balan>ed life7 they Cill understand that liberation is dependent on
inner7
rather than outer7 renun>iations."
2oC remote seemed my family7 the offi>e7 the Corld7 as , listened to my guru in the high imalayan
solitudes. Yet adamantine truth rang in his CordsK , submissiHely agreed to leaHe this blessed haHen of
pea>e.
.abaFi instru>ted me in the an>ient rigid rules Chi>h goHern the transmission of the yogi> art from guru
to
dis>iple.
2".estoC the $R,YA @ey only on Nualified >helas7" .abaFi said. "e Cho HoCs to sa>rifi>e all in the
Nuest of
the (iHine is fit to unraHel the final mysteries of life through the s>ien>e of meditation."
2"Angeli> guru7 as you haHe already faHored man@ind by resurre>ting the lost $R,YA art7 Cill you not
in>rease that benefit by relaJing the stri>t reNuirements for dis>ipleshipP" , gaIed besee>hingly at
.abaFi. ",
pray that you permit me to >ommuni>ate $R,YA to all see@ers7 eHen though at first they >annot HoC
themselHes to >omplete inner renun>iation. The tortured men and Comen of the Corld7 pursued by the
threefold suffering7 LF%+/;5M need spe>ial en>ouragement. They may neHer attempt the road to
freedom if
$R,YA initiation be Cithheld from them."
2".e it so. The diHine Cish has been eJpressed through you." &ith these simple Cords7 the mer>iful
guru
banished the rigorous safeguards that for ages had hidden $R,YA from the Corld. ")iHe $R,YA freely
to all
Cho humbly as@ for help."
2After a silen>e7 .abaFi added7 "Repeat to ea>h of your dis>iples this maFesti> promise from the
.A)A6A(
),TAA 2#&A'PA*A#YA (AR*A#YA7 TRAYATA *AAT! .!YAT3=2EHen a little bit of the
pra>ti>e of this religion Cill saHe you from dire fears and >olossal sufferings.3" LF%+/;0M
2As , @nelt the neJt morning at my guru"s feet for his fareCell blessing7 he sensed my deep relu>tan>e
to leaHe
him.
2"There is no separation for us7 my beloHed >hild." e tou>hed my shoulder affe>tionately. "&hereHer
you are7
CheneHer you >all me7 , shall be Cith you instantly."
2Consoled by his Condrous promise7 and ri>h Cith the neCly found gold of )od;Cisdom7 , Cended my
Cay
doCn the mountain. At the offi>e , Cas Cel>omed by my felloC employees7 Cho for ten days had
thought me
lost in the imalayan Fungles. A letter soon arriHed from the head offi>e.
CAPTER +/. *ATER,A',<,%) A PA'ACE ,% TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2"'ahiri should return to the (anapur LF%+/;9M offi>e7" it read. "is transfer to Rani@het o>>urred by
error.
Another man should haHe been sent to assume the Rani@het duties."
2, smiled7 refle>ting on the hidden >ross>urrents in the eHents Chi>h had led me to this furthermost spot
of
,ndia.
2.efore returning to (anapur7 , spent a feC days Cith a .engali family at *oradabad. A party of siJ
friends
gathered to greet me. As , turned the >onHersation to spiritual subFe>ts7 my host obserHed gloomilyA
2"!h7 in these days ,ndia is destitute of saintsO"
2".abu7" , protested Carmly7 "of >ourse there are still great masters in this landO"
2,n a mood of eJalted ferHor7 , felt impelled to relate my mira>ulous eJperien>es in the imalayas. The
little
>ompany Cas politely in>redulous.
2"'ahiri7" one man said soothingly7 "your mind has been under a strain in those rarefied mountain airs.
This is
some daydream you haHe re>ounted."
2.urning Cith the enthusiasm of truth7 , spo@e Cithout due thought. ",f , >all him7 my guru Cill appear
right in
this house."
2,nterest gleamed in eHery eyeK it Cas no Conder that the group Cas eager to behold a saint
materialiIed in
su>h a strange Cay. alf;relu>tantly7 , as@ed for a Nuiet room and tCo neC Coolen blan@ets.
2"The master Cill materialiIe from the ether7" , said. "Remain silently outside the doorK , shall soon >all
you."
2, san@ into the meditatiHe state7 humbly summoning my guru. The dar@ened room soon filled Cith a
dim
aural moonlightK the luminous figure of .abaFi emerged.
2"'ahiri7 do you >all me for a trifleP" The master"s gaIe Cas stern. "Truth is for earnest see@ers7 not for
those of
idle >uriosity. ,t is easy to belieHe Chen one seesK there is nothing then to deny. #upersensual truth is
deserHed
and dis>oHered by those Cho oHer>ome their natural materialisti> s@epti>ism." e added graHely7 "'et
me goO"
2, fell entreatingly at his feet. "oly guru7 , realiIe my serious errorK , humbly as@ pardon. ,t Cas to
>reate
faith in these spiritually blinded minds that , Hentured to >all you. .e>ause you haHe gra>iously
appeared at
my prayer7 please do not depart Cithout bestoCing a blessing on my friends. UnbelieHers though they
be7 at
least they Cere Cilling to inHestigate the truth of my strange assertions."
2"6ery CellK , Cill stay aChile. , do not Cish your Cord dis>redited before your friends." .abaFi"s fa>e
had
softened7 but he added gently7 "en>eforth7 my son7 , shall >ome Chen you need me7 and not alCays
Chen you
>all me. LF%+/;1-M"
2Tense silen>e reigned in the little group Chen , opened the door. As if mistrusting their senses7 my
friends
stared at the lustrous figure on the blan@et seat.
2"This is mass;hypnotismO" !ne man laughed blatantly. "%o one >ould possibly haHe entered this room
Cithout
our @noCledgeO"
2.abaFi adHan>ed smilingly and motioned to ea>h one to tou>h the Carm7 solid flesh of his body.
(oubts
dispelled7 my friends prostrated themselHes on the floor in aCed repentan>e.
CAPTER +/. *ATER,A',<,%) A PA'ACE ,% TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2"'et A'UA LF%+/;11M be prepared." .abaFi made this reNuest7 , @neC7 to further assure the group of
his
physi>al reality. &hile the porridge Cas boiling7 the diHine guru >hatted affably. )reat Cas the
metamorphosis
of these doubting Thomases into deHout #t. Pauls. After Ce had eaten7 .abaFi blessed ea>h of us in turn.
There
Cas a sudden flashK Ce Citnessed the instantaneous de>hemi>aliIation of the ele>troni> elements of
.abaFi"s
body into a spreading Haporous light. The )od;tuned Cill poCer of the master had loosened its grasp of
the
ether atoms held together as his bodyK forthCith the trillions of tiny lifetroni> spar@s faded into the
infinite
reserHoir.
2"&ith my oCn eyes , haHe seen the >onNueror of death." *aitra7 LF%+/;12M one of the group7 spo@e
reHerently. is fa>e Cas transfigured Cith the Foy of his re>ent aCa@ening. "The supreme guru played
Cith
time and spa>e7 as a >hild plays Cith bubbles. , haHe beheld one Cith the @eys of heaHen and earth."
2, soon returned to (anapur. Firmly an>hored in the #pirit7 again , assumed the manifold business and
family
obligations of a householder.3
'ahiri *ahasaya also related to #Cami $ebalananda and #ri Yu@tesCar the story of another meeting
Cith
.abaFi7 under >ir>umstan>es Chi>h re>alled the guru"s promiseA 2, shall >ome CheneHer you need me.3
2The s>ene Cas a $U*.A *E'A at Allahabad73 'ahiri *ahasaya told his dis>iples. 2, had gone
there
during a short Ha>ation from my offi>e duties. As , Candered amidst the throng of mon@s and sadhus
Cho had
>ome from great distan>es to attend the holy festiHal7 , noti>ed an ash;smeared as>eti> Cho Cas holding
a
begging boCl. The thought arose in my mind that the man Cas hypo>riti>al7 Cearing the outCard
symbols of
renun>iation Cithout a >orresponding inCard gra>e.
2%o sooner had , passed the as>eti> than my astounded eye fell on .abaFi. e Cas @neeling in front of a
matted;haired an>horite.
2")uruFiO" , hastened to his side. "#ir7 Chat are you doing hereP"
2", am Cashing the feet of this renun>iate7 and then , shall >lean his >oo@ing utensils." .abaFi smiled at
me li@e
a little >hildK , @neC he Cas intimating that he Canted me to >riti>iIe no one7 but to see the 'ord as
residing
eNually in all body;temples7 Chether of superior or inferior men. The great guru added7 ".y serHing
Cise and
ignorant sadhus7 , am learning the greatest of Hirtues7 pleasing to )od aboHe all others;humility."2
LF%+/;1M %oC a military sanatorium. .y 1041 the .ritish )oHernment had already established >ertain
telegraphi> >ommun>iations.
LF%+/;2M Rani@het7 in the Almora distri>t of United ProHin>es7 is situated at the foot of %anda (eHi7
the
highest imalayan pea@ Q217441 feetS in .ritish ,ndia.
LF%+/;+M 2The sabbath Cas made for man7 and not man for the sabbath.3=*AR$ 2A25.
LF%+/;/M The @armi> laC reNuires that eHery human Cish find ultimate fulfillment. (esire is thus the
>hain
Chi>h binds man to the rein>arnational Cheel.
LF%+/;1M 2&hat is a mira>leP;"Tis a reproa>h7
"Tis an impli>it satire on man@ind.3
=EdCard Young7 in %,)T T!U)T#.
LF%+/;1M The theory of the atomi> stru>ture of matter Cas eJpounded in the an>ient ,ndian
6A,#E#,$A and
%YAYA treatises. 2There are Hast Corlds all pla>ed aCay Cithin the holloCs of ea>h atom7 multifarious
as the
CAPTER +/. *ATER,A',<,%) A PA'ACE ,% TE ,*A'AYA#
Autobiography of a Yogi
motes in a sunbeam.3=Y!)A 6A#,#TA.
LF%+/;5M Physi>al7 mental7 and spiritual sufferingK manifested7 respe>tiHely7 in disease7 in
psy>hologi>al
inadeNua>ies or 2>ompleJes73 and in soul;ignoran>e.
LF%+/;0M Chapter ,,A/-.
LF%+/;9M A toCn near .enares.
LF%+/;1-M ,n the path to the ,nfinite7 eHen illumined masters li@e 'ahiri *ahasaya may suffer from an
eJ>ess of Ieal7 and be subFe>t to dis>ipline. ,n the .A)A6A( ),TA7 Ce read many passages Chere
the
diHine guru $rishna giHes >hastisement to the prin>e of deHotees7 ArFuna.
LF%+/;11M A porridge made of >ream of Cheat fried in butter7 and boiled Cith mil@.
LF%+/;12M The man7 *aitra7 to Chom 'ahiri *ahasaya is here referring7 afterCard be>ame highly
adHan>ed
in self;realiIation. , met *aitra shortly after my graduation from high s>hoolK he Hisited the
*ahamandal
hermitage in .enares Chile , Cas a resident. e told me then of .abaFi"s materialiIation before the
group in
*oradabad. 2As a result of the mira>le73 *aitra eJplained to me7 2, be>ame a lifelong dis>iple of
'ahiri
*ahasaya.3
CAPTER +1. TE CR,#T',$E ',FE !F 'A,R, *AA#AYA
2Thus it be>ometh us to fulfill all righteousness.3 LF%+1;1M ,n these Cords to 8ohn the .aptist7 and in
as@ing
8ohn to baptiIe him7 8esus Cas a>@noCledging the diHine rights of his guru.
From a reHerent study of the .ible from an !riental HieCpoint7 LF%+1;2M and from intuitional
per>eption7 ,
am >onHin>ed that 8ohn the .aptist Cas7 in past liHes7 the guru of Christ. There are numerous passages
in the
.ible Chi>h infer that 8ohn and 8esus in their last in>arnations Cere7 respe>tiHely7 EliFah and his
dis>iple
Elisha. QThese are the spellings in the !ld Testament. The )ree@ translators spelled the names as Elias
and
EliseusK they reappear in the %eC Testament in these >hanged forms.S
The Hery end of the !ld Testament is a predi>tion of the rein>arnation of EliFah and ElishaA 2.ehold7 ,
Cill
send you EliFah the prophet before the >oming of the great and dreadful day of the 'ord.3 LF%+1;+M
Thus
8ohn QEliFahS7 sent 2before the >oming . . . of the 'ord73 Cas born slightly earlier to serHe as a herald for
Christ. An angel appeared to <a>harias the father to testify that his >oming son 8ohn Could be no other
than
EliFah QEliasS.
2.ut the angel said unto him7 Fear not7 <a>hariasA for thy prayer is heardK and thy Cife Elisabeth shall
bear
thee a son7 and thou shalt >all his name 8ohn. . . . And many of the >hildren of ,srael shall he turn to the
'ord
their )od. And he shall go before him LF%+1;/M ,% TE #P,R,T A%( P!&ER !F E',A#7 to turn
the
hearts of the fathers to the >hildren7 and the disobedient to the Cisdom of the FustK to ma@e ready a
people
prepared for the 'ord.3 LF%+1;1M 8esus tCi>e uneNuiHo>ally identified EliFah QEliasS as 8ohnA 2Elias is
>ome
already7 and they @neC him not. . . . Then the dis>iples understood that he spa@e unto them of 8ohn the
.aptist.3 LF%+1;4M Again7 Christ saysA 2For all the prophets and the laC prophesied until 8ohn. And if
ye Cill
re>eiHe it7 this is Elias7 Chi>h Cas for to >ome.3 LF%+1;5M &hen 8ohn denied that he Cas Elias
QEliFahS7
LF%+1;0M he meant that in the humble garb of 8ohn he >ame no longer in the outCard eleHation of
EliFah the
great guru. ,n his former in>arnation he had giHen the 2mantle3 of his glory and his spiritual Cealth to
his
dis>iple Elisha. 2And Elisha said7 , pray thee7 let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said7
Thou
hast as@ed a hard thingA neHertheless7 if thou see me Chen , am ta@en from thee7 it shall be so unto thee.
. . .
And he too@ the *A%T'E of EliFah that fell from him.3 LF%+1;9M
CAPTER +1. TE CR,#T',$E ',FE !F 'A,R, *AA#AYA
Autobiography of a Yogi
The roles be>ame reHersed7 be>ause EliFah;8ohn Cas no longer needed to be the ostensible guru of
Elisha;8esus7 noC perfe>ted in diHine realiIation.
&hen Christ Cas transfigured on the mountain LF%+1;1-M it Cas his guru Elias7 Cith *oses7 Chom he
saC.
Again7 in his hour of eJtremity on the >ross7 8esus >ried out the diHine nameA 2E',7 E',7 'A*A
#A.ACTA%,P that is to say7 *y )od7 my )od7 Chy hast thou forsa@en meP #ome of them that
stood
there7 Chen they heard that7 said7 This man >alleth for Elias. . . . 'et us see Chether Elias Cill >ome to
saHe
him.3 LF%+1;11M
The eternal bond of guru and dis>iple that eJisted betCeen 8ohn and 8esus Cas present also for .abaFi
and
'ahiri *ahasaya. &ith tender soli>itude the deathless guru sCam the 'ethean Caters that sCirled
betCeen the
last tCo liHes of his >hela7 and guided the su>>essiHe steps ta@en by the >hild and then by the man
'ahiri
*ahasaya. ,t Cas not until the dis>iple had rea>hed his thirty;third year that .abaFi deemed the time to
be ripe
to openly reestablish the neHer;seHered lin@. Then7 after their brief meeting near Rani@het7 the selfless
master
banished his dearly;beloHed dis>iple from the little mountain group7 releasing him for an outCard
Corld
mission. 2*y son7 , shall >ome CheneHer you need me.3 &hat mortal loHer >an bestoC that infinite
promiseP
Un@noCn to so>iety in general7 a great spiritual renaissan>e began to floC from a remote >orner of
.enares.
8ust as the fragran>e of floCers >annot be suppressed7 so 'ahiri *ahasaya7 Nuietly liHing as an ideal
householder7 >ould not hide his innate glory. #loCly7 from eHery part of ,ndia7 the deHotee;bees sought
the
diHine ne>tar of the liberated master.
The English offi>e superintendent Cas one of the first to noti>e a strange trans>endental >hange in his
employee7 Chom he endearingly >alled 2E>stati> .abu.3
2#ir7 you seem sad. &hat is the troubleP3 'ahiri *ahasaya made this sympatheti> inNuiry one morning
to his
employer.
2*y Cife in England is >riti>ally ill. , am torn by anJiety.3
2, shall get you some Cord about her.3 'ahiri *ahasaya left the room and sat for a short time in a
se>luded
spot. !n his return he smiled >onsolingly.
2Your Cife is improHingK she is noC Criting you a letter.3 The omnis>ient yogi Nuoted some parts of
the
missiHe.
2E>stati> .abu7 , already @noC that you are no ordinary man. Yet , am unable to belieHe that7 at Cill7
you >an
banish time and spa>eO3
The promised letter finally arriHed. The astounded superintendent found that it >ontained not only the
good
neCs of his Cife"s re>oHery7 but also the same phrases Chi>h7 Cee@s earlier7 'ahiri *ahasaya had
repeated.
The Cife >ame to ,ndia some months later. #he Hisited the offi>e7 Chere 'ahiri *ahasaya Cas Nuietly
sitting
at his des@. The Coman approa>hed him reHerently.
2#ir73 she said7 2it Cas your form7 haloed in glorious light7 that , beheld months ago by my si>@bed in
'ondon.
At that moment , Cas >ompletely healedO #oon after7 , Cas able to underta@e the long o>ean Hoyage to
,ndia.3
(ay after day7 one or tCo deHotees besought the sublime guru for $R,YA initiation. ,n addition to these
spiritual duties7 and to those of his business and family life7 the great master too@ an enthusiasti>
interest in
edu>ation. e organiIed many study groups7 and played an a>tiHe part in the groCth of a large high
s>hool in
CAPTER +1. TE CR,#T',$E ',FE !F 'A,R, *AA#AYA
Autobiography of a Yogi
the .engalitola se>tion of .enares. is regular dis>ourses on the s>riptures >ame to be >alled his 2),TA
Assembly73 eagerly attended by many truth;see@ers.
.y these manifold a>tiHities7 'ahiri *ahasaya sought to ansCer the >ommon >hallengeA 2After
performing
one"s business and so>ial duties7 Chere is the time for deHotional meditationP3 The harmoniously
balan>ed life
of the great householder;guru be>ame the silent inspiration of thousands of Nuestioning hearts. Earning
only a
modest salary7 thrifty7 unostentatious7 a>>essible to all7 the master >arried on naturally and happily in
the path
of Corldly life.
Though ens>on>ed in the seat of the #upreme !ne7 'ahiri *ahasaya shoCed reHeren>e to all men7
irrespe>tiHe
of their differing merits. &hen his deHotees saluted him7 he boCed in turn to them. &ith a >hildli@e
humility7
the master often tou>hed the feet of others7 but seldom alloCed them to pay him similar honor7 eHen
though
su>h obeisan>e toCard the guru is an an>ient !riental >ustom.
A signifi>ant feature of 'ahiri *ahasaya"s life Cas his gift of $R,YA initiation to those of eHery faith.
%ot
indus only7 but *oslems and Christians Cere among his foremost dis>iples. *onists and dualists7
those of
all faiths or of no established faith7 Cere impartially re>eiHed and instru>ted by the uniHersal guru. !ne
of his
highly adHan>ed >helas Cas Abdul )ufoor $han7 a *ohammedan. ,t shoCs great >ourage on the part of
'ahiri
*ahasaya that7 although a high;>aste .rahmin7 he tried his utmost to dissolHe the rigid >aste bigotry of
his
time. Those from eHery Cal@ of life found shelter under the master"s omnipresent Cings. 'i@e all
)od;inspired prophets7 'ahiri *ahasaya gaHe neC hope to the out>astes and doCn;trodden of so>iety.
2AlCays remember that you belong to no one7 and no one belongs to you. Refle>t that some day you
Cill
suddenly haHe to leaHe eHerything in this Corld;so ma@e the a>Nuaintan>eship of )od noC73 the great
guru
told his dis>iples. 2Prepare yourself for the >oming astral Fourney of death by daily riding in the balloon
of
)od;per>eption. Through delusion you are per>eiHing yourself as a bundle of flesh and bones7 Chi>h at
best
is a nest of troubles. LF%+1;12M *editate un>easingly7 that you may Nui>@ly behold yourself as the
,nfinite
Essen>e7 free from eHery form of misery. Cease being a prisoner of the bodyK using the se>ret @ey of
$R,YA7
learn to es>ape into #pirit.3
The great guru en>ouraged his Harious students to adhere to the good traditional dis>ipline of their oCn
faith.
#tressing the all;in>lusiHe nature of $R,YA as a pra>ti>al te>hniNue of liberation7 'ahiri *ahasaya then
gaHe
his >helas liberty to eJpress their liHes in >onforman>e Cith enHironment and up bringing.
2A *oslem should perform his %A*A8 LF%+1;1+M Corship four times daily73 the master pointed out.
2Four
times daily a indu should sit in meditation. A Christian should go doCn on his @nees four times daily7
praying to )od and then reading the .ible.3
&ith Cise dis>ernment the guru guided his folloCers into the paths of .A$T, QdeHotionS7 $AR*A
Qa>tionS7
8%A%A QCisdomS7 or RA8A Qroyal or >ompleteS Y!)A#7 a>>ording to ea>h man"s natural tenden>ies.
The
master7 Cho Cas sloC to giHe his permission to deHotees Cishing to enter the formal path of mon@hood7
alCays >autioned them to first refle>t Cell on the austerities of the monasti> life.
The great guru taught his dis>iples to aHoid theoreti>al dis>ussion of the s>riptures. 2e only is Cise
Cho
deHotes himself to realiIing7 not reading only7 the an>ient reHelations73 he said. 2#olHe all your
problems
through meditation. LF%+1;1/M EJ>hange unprofitable religious spe>ulations for a>tual )od;>onta>t.
Clear
your mind of dogmati> theologi>al debrisK let in the fresh7 healing Caters of dire>t per>eption. Attune
yourself
to the a>tiHe inner )uidan>eK the (iHine 6oi>e has the ansCer to eHery dilemma of life. Though man"s
ingenuity for getting himself into trouble appears to be endless7 the ,nfinite #u>>or is no less
resour>eful.3
E,llustrationA 'A,R, *AA#AYA7 (is>iple of .abaFi and )uru of #ri Yu@tesCar=see lahiri.FpgG
CAPTER +1. TE CR,#T',$E ',FE !F 'A,R, *AA#AYA
Autobiography of a Yogi
The master"s omnipresen>e Cas demonstrated one day before a group of dis>iples Cho Cere listening to
his
eJposition of the .A)A6A( ),TA. As he Cas eJplaining the meaning of $UTA#TA
CA,TA%YA or
the Christ Cons>iousness in all Hibratory >reation7 'ahiri *ahasaya suddenly gasped and >ried outA
2, am droCning in the bodies of many souls off the >oast of 8apanO3
The neJt morning the >helas read a neCspaper a>>ount of the death of many people Chose ship had
foundered
the pre>eding day near 8apan.
The distant dis>iples of 'ahiri *ahasaya Cere often made aCare of his enfolding presen>e. 2, am eHer
Cith
those Cho pra>ti>e $R,YA73 he said >onsolingly to >helas Cho >ould not remain near him. 2, Cill
guide you
to the Cosmi> ome through your enlarging per>eptions.3
#Cami #atyananda Cas told by a deHotee that7 unable to go to .enares7 the man had neHertheless
re>eiHed
pre>ise $R,YA initiation in a dream. 'ahiri *ahasaya had appeared to instru>t the >hela in ansCer to
his
prayers.
,f a dis>iple negle>ted any of his Corldly obligations7 the master Could gently >orre>t and dis>ipline
him.
2'ahiri *ahasaya"s Cords Cere mild and healing7 eHen Chen he Cas for>ed to spea@ openly of a >hela"s
faults73 #ri Yu@tesCar on>e told me. e added ruefully7 2%o dis>iple eHer fled from our master"s barbs.3
,
>ould not help laughing7 but , truthfully assured #ri Yu@tesCar that7 sharp or not7 his eHery Cord Cas
musi> to
my ears.
'ahiri *ahasaya >arefully graded $R,YA into four progressiHe initiations. LF%+1;11M e bestoCed
the three
higher te>hniNues only after the deHotee had manifested definite spiritual progress. !ne day a >ertain
>hela7
>onHin>ed that his Corth Cas not being duly eHaluated7 gaHe Hoi>e to his dis>ontent.
2*aster73 he said7 2surely , am ready noC for the se>ond initiation.3
At this moment the door opened to admit a humble dis>iple7 .rinda .hagat. e Cas a .enares
postman.
2.rinda7 sit by me here.3 The great guru smiled at him affe>tionately. 2Tell me7 are you ready for the
se>ond
te>hniNue of $R,YAP3
The little postman folded his hands in suppli>ation. 2)urudeHa73 he said in alarm7 2no more initiations7
pleaseO oC >an , assimilate any higher tea>hingsP , haHe >ome today to as@ your blessings7 be>ause
the first
diHine $R,YA has filled me Cith su>h intoJi>ation that , >annot deliHer my lettersO3
2Already .rinda sCims in the sea of #pirit.3 At these Cords from 'ahiri *ahasaya7 his other dis>iple
hung his
head.
2*aster73 he said7 2, see , haHe been a poor Cor@man7 finding fault Cith my tools.3
The postman7 Cho Cas an unedu>ated man7 later deHeloped his insight through $R,YA to su>h an
eJtent that
s>holars o>>asionally sought his interpretation on inHolHed s>riptural points. ,nno>ent ali@e of sin and
syntaJ7
little .rinda Con renoCn in the domain of learned pundits.
.esides the numerous .enares dis>iples of 'ahiri *ahasaya7 hundreds >ame to him from distant parts
of
,ndia. e himself traHeled to .engal on seHeral o>>asions7 Hisiting at the homes of the fathers;in;laC of
his
tCo sons. Thus blessed by his presen>e7 .engal be>ame honey>ombed Cith small $R,YA groups.
Parti>ularly
CAPTER +1. TE CR,#T',$E ',FE !F 'A,R, *AA#AYA
Autobiography of a Yogi
in the distri>ts of $rishnagar and .ishnupur7 many silent deHotees to this day haHe @ept the inHisible
>urrent
of spiritual meditation floCing.
Among many saints Cho re>eiHed $R,YA from 'ahiri *ahasaya may be mentioned the illustrious
#Cami
6has@arananda #arasCati of .enares7 and the (eogarh as>eti> of high stature7 .alananda .rahma>hari.
For a
time 'ahiri *ahasaya serHed as priHate tutor to the son of *aharaFa ,sCari %arayan #inha .ahadur of
.enares. Re>ogniIing the master"s spiritual attainment7 the maharaFa7 as Cell as his son7 sought $R,YA
initiation7 as did the *aharaFa 8otindra *ohan Tha@ur.
A number of 'ahiri *ahasaya"s dis>iples Cith influential Corldly position Cere desirous of eJpanding
the
$R,YA >ir>le by publi>ity. The guru refused his permission. !ne >hela7 the royal physi>ian to the 'ord
of
.enares7 started an organiIed effort to spread the master"s name as 2$ashi .aba3 QEJalted !ne of
.enaresS.
LF%+1;14M Again the guru forbade it.
2'et the fragran>e of the $R,YA floCer be Cafted naturally7 Cithout any display73 he said. 2,ts seeds
Cill
ta@e root in the soil of spiritually fertile hearts.3
Although the great master did not adopt the system of prea>hing through the modern medium of an
organiIation7 or through the printing press7 he @neC that the poCer of his message Could rise li@e a
resistless
flood7 inundating by its oCn for>e the ban@s of human minds. The >hanged and purified liHes of
deHotees
Cere the simple guarantees of the deathless Hitality of $R,YA.
,n 10047 tCenty;fiHe years after his Rani@het initiation7 'ahiri *ahasaya Cas retired on a pension.
LF%+1;15M &ith his aHailability in the daytime7 dis>iples sought him out in eHer;in>reasing numbers.
The
great guru noC sat in silen>e most of the time7 lo>@ed in the tranNuil lotus posture. e seldom left his
little
parlor7 eHen for a Cal@ or to Hisit other parts of the house. A Nuiet stream of >helas arriHed7 almost
>easelessly7
for a (AR#A% Qholy sightS of the guru.
To the aCe of all beholders7 'ahiri *ahasaya"s habitual physiologi>al state eJhibited the superhuman
features
of breathlessness7 sleeplessness7 >essation of pulse and heartbeat7 >alm eyes unblin@ing for hours7 and a
profound aura of pea>e. %o Hisitors departed Cithout upliftment of spiritK all @neC they had re>eiHed
the silent
blessing of a true man of )od.
The master noC permitted his dis>iple7 Pan>hanon .hatta>harya7 to open an 2Arya *ission ,nstitution3
in
Cal>utta. ere the saintly dis>iple spread the message of $R,YA Y!)A7 and prepared for publi>
benefit
>ertain yogi> herbal LF%+1;10M medi>ines.
,n a>>ordan>e Cith an>ient >ustom7 the master gaHe to people in general a %EE* LF%+1;19M oil for
the >ure
of Harious diseases. &hen the guru reNuested a dis>iple to distil the oil7 he >ould easily a>>omplish the
tas@. ,f
anyone else tried7 he Could en>ounter strange diffi>ulties7 finding that the medi>inal oil had almost
eHaporated
after going through the reNuired distilling pro>esses. EHidently the master"s blessing Cas a ne>essary
ingredient.
E,llustrationA=lmCriting.FpgG
'ahiri *ahasaya"s handCriting and signature7 in .engali s>ript7 are shoCn aboHe. The lines o>>ur in a
letter to
a >helaK the great master interprets a #ans@rit Herse as folloCsA 2e Cho has attained a state of >almness
Cherein his eyelids do not blin@7 has a>hieHed #A*.A., *U(RA.3
Q#,)%E(S 2#R, #YA*A CARA% (E6A #AR*A%3
CAPTER +1. TE CR,#T',$E ',FE !F 'A,R, *AA#AYA
Autobiography of a Yogi
The Arya *ission ,nstitution undertoo@ the publi>ation of many of the guru"s s>riptural >ommentaries.
'i@e
8esus and other great prophets7 'ahiri *ahasaya himself Crote no boo@s7 but his penetrating
interpretations
Cere re>orded and arranged by Harious dis>iples. #ome of these Holuntary amanuenses Cere more
dis>erning
than others in >orre>tly >onHeying the profound insight of the guruK yet7 on the Chole7 their efforts Cere
su>>essful. Through their Ieal7 the Corld possesses unparalleled >ommentaries by 'ahiri *ahasaya on
tCenty;siJ an>ient s>riptures.
#ri Ananda *ohan 'ahiri7 a grandson of the master7 has Critten an interesting boo@let on $R,YA. 2The
teJt
of the .A)A6A( ),TA is a part of the great epi>7 the *AA.ARATA7 Chi>h possesses seHeral
@not;points Q6YA#;$UTA#S73 #ri Ananda Crote. 2$eep those @not;points unNuestioned7 and Ce find
nothing but mythi>al stories of a pe>uliar and easily;misunderstood type. $eep those @not;points
uneJplained7 and Ce haHe lost a s>ien>e Chi>h the East has preserHed Cith superhuman patien>e after a
Nuest
of thousands of years of eJperiment. LF%+1;2-M ,t Cas the >ommentaries of 'ahiri *ahasaya Chi>h
brought
to light7 >lear of allegories7 the Hery s>ien>e of religion that had been so >leHerly put out of sight in the
riddle
of s>riptural letters and imagery. %o longer a mere unintelligible Fugglery of Cords7 the otherCise
unmeaning
formulas of 6edi> Corship haHe been proHed by the master to be full of s>ientifi> signifi>an>e. . . .
2&e @noC that man is usually helpless against the insurgent sCay of eHil passions7 but these are
rendered
poCerless and man finds no motiHe in their indulgen>e Chen there daCns on him a >ons>iousness of
superior
and lasting bliss through $R,YA. ere the giHe;up7 the negation of the loCer passions7 syn>hroniIes
Cith a
ta@e;up7 the assertion of a beatitude. &ithout su>h a >ourse7 hundreds of moral maJims Chi>h run in
mere
negatiHes are useless to us.
2!ur eagerness for Corldly a>tiHity @ills in us the sense of spiritual aCe. &e >annot >omprehend the
)reat
'ife behind all names and forms7 Fust be>ause s>ien>e brings home to us hoC Ce >an use the poCers of
natureK
this familiarity has bred a >ontempt for her ultimate se>rets. !ur relation Cith nature is one of pra>ti>al
business. &e tease her7 so to spea@7 to @noC hoC she >an be used to serHe our purposesK Ce ma@e use
of her
energies7 Chose #our>e yet remains un@noCn. ,n s>ien>e our relation Cith nature is one that eJists
betCeen a
man and his serHant7 or in a philosophi>al sense she is li@e a >aptiHe in the Citness boJ. &e >ross;
eJamine
her7 >hallenge her7 and minutely Ceigh her eHiden>e in human s>ales Chi>h >annot measure her hidden
Halues. !n the other hand7 Chen the self is in >ommunion Cith a higher poCer7 nature automati>ally
obeys7
Cithout stress or strain7 the Cill of man. This effortless >ommand oHer nature is >alled "mira>ulous" by
the
un>omprehending materialist.
2The life of 'ahiri *ahasaya set an eJample Chi>h >hanged the erroneous notion that yoga is a
mysterious
pra>ti>e. EHery man may find a Cay through $R,YA to understand his proper relation Cith nature7 and
to feel
spiritual reHeren>e for all phenomena7 Chether mysti>al or of eHeryday o>>urren>e7 in spite of the
matter;of;fa>tness of physi>al s>ien>e. LF%+1;21M &e must bear in mind that Chat Cas mysti>al a
thousand
years ago is no longer so7 and Chat is mysterious noC may be>ome laCfully intelligible a hundred
years
hen>e. ,t is the ,nfinite7 the !>ean of PoCer7 that is at the ba>@ of all manifestations.
2The laC of $R,YA Y!)A is eternal. ,t is true li@e mathemati>sK li@e the simple rules of addition and
subtra>tion7 the laC of $R,YA >an neHer be destroyed. .urn to ashes all the boo@s on mathemati>s7 the
logi>ally;minded Cill alCays redis>oHer su>h truthsK destroy all the sa>red boo@s on yoga7 its
fundamental
laCs Cill >ome out CheneHer there appears a true yogi Cho >omprises Cithin himself pure deHotion
and
>onseNuently pure @noCledge.3
8ust as .abaFi is among the greatest of aHatars7 a *AA6ATAR7 and #ri Yu@tesCar a 8%A%A6ATAR
or
,n>arnation of &isdom7 so 'ahiri *ahasaya may Fustly be >alled Y!)A6ATAR7 or ,n>arnation of
Yoga. .y
the standards of both NualitatiHe and NuantitatiHe good7 he eleHated the spiritual leHel of so>iety. ,n his
poCer
to raise his >lose dis>iples to Christli@e stature and in his Cide dissemination of truth among the
masses7
CAPTER +1. TE CR,#T',$E ',FE !F 'A,R, *AA#AYA
Autobiography of a Yogi
'ahiri *ahasaya ran@s among the saHiors of man@ind.
is uniNueness as a prophet lies in his pra>ti>al stress on a definite method7 $R,YA7 opening for the
first time
the doors of yoga freedom to all men. Apart from the mira>les of his oCn life7 surely the Y!)A6ATAR
rea>hed the Ienith of all Conders in redu>ing the an>ient >ompleJities of yoga to an effe>tiHe simpli>ity
not
beyond the ordinary grasp.
,n referen>e to mira>les7 'ahiri *ahasaya often said7 2The operation of subtle laCs Chi>h are un@noCn
to
people in general should not be publi>ly dis>ussed or published Cithout due dis>rimination.3 ,f in these
pages
, haHe appeared to flout his >autionary Cords7 it is be>ause he has giHen me an inCard reassuran>e.
Also7 in
re>ording the liHes of .abaFi7 'ahiri *ahasaya7 and #ri Yu@tesCar7 , haHe thought it adHisable to omit
many
true mira>ulous stories7 Chi>h >ould hardly haHe been in>luded Cithout Criting7 also7 an eJplanatory
Holume
of abstruse philosophy.
%eC hope for neC menO 2(iHine union73 the Y!)A6ATAR pro>laimed7 2is possible through self;
effort7 and
is not dependent on theologi>al beliefs or on the arbitrary Cill of a Cosmi> (i>tator.3
Through use of the $R,YA @ey7 persons Cho >annot bring themselHes to belieHe in the diHinity of any
man
Cill behold at last the full diHinity of their oCn selHes.
LF%+1;1M *ATTE& +A11.
LF%+1;2M *any .ibli>al passages reHeal that the laC of rein>arnation Cas understood and a>>epted.
Rein>arnational >y>les are a more reasonable eJplanation for the different states of eHolution in Chi>h
man@ind is found7 than the >ommon &estern theory Chi>h assumes that something Q>ons>iousness of
egoityS
>ame out of nothing7 eJisted Cith Harying degrees of lustihood for thirty or ninety years7 and then
returned to
the original Hoid. The in>on>eiHable nature of su>h a Hoid is a problem to delight the heart of a
medieHal
#>hoolman.
LF%+1;+M *A'AC, /A1.
LF%+1;/M 2.efore him73 i.e.7 2before the 'ord.3
LF%+1;1M 'U$E 1A1+;15.
LF%+1;4M *ATTE& 15A12;1+.
LF%+1;5M *ATTE& 11A1+;1/.
LF%+1;0M 8!% 1A21.
LF%+1;9M ,, $,%)# 2A9;1/.
LF%+1;1-M *ATTE& 15A+.
LF%+1;11M *ATTE& 25A/4;/9.
LF%+1;12M 2oC many sorts of death are in our bodiesO %othing is therein but death.3;*ART,%
'UTER7
,% 2TA.'E;TA'$.3
LF%+1;1+M The >hief prayer of the *ohammedans7 usually repeated four or fiHe times daily.
CAPTER +1. TE CR,#T',$E ',FE !F 'A,R, *AA#AYA
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%+1;1/M 2#ee@ truth in meditation7 not in moldy boo@s. 'oo@ in the s@y to find the moon7 not in the
pond.3;PER#,A% PR!6ER..
LF%+1;11M As $R,YA Y!)A is >apable of many subdiHisions7 'ahiri *ahasaya Cisely sifted out four
steps
Chi>h he dis>erned to be those Chi>h >ontained the essential marroC7 and Chi>h Cere of the highest
Halue in
a>tual pra>ti>e.
LF%+1;14M !ther titles bestoCed on 'ahiri *ahasaya by his dis>iples Cere Y!),.AR Qgreatest of
yogisS7
Y!),RA8 Q@ing of yogisS7 and *U%,.AR Qgreatest of saintsS7 to Chi>h , haHe added Y!)A6ATAR
Qin>arnation of yogaS.
LF%+1;15M e had giHen7 altogether7 thirty;fiHe years of serHi>e in one department of the goHernment.
LF%+1;10M 6ast herbal @noCledge is found in an>ient #ans@rit treatises. imalayan herbs Cere
employed in
a reFuHenation treatment Chi>h aroused the attention of the Corld in 19+0 Chen the method Cas used
on
Pundit *adan *ohan *alaHiya7 55;year;old 6i>e;Chan>ellor of .enares indu UniHersity. To a
remar@able eJtent7 the noted s>holar regained in /1 days his health7 strength7 memory7 normal eyesightK
indi>ations of a third set of teeth appeared7 Chile all Crin@les Hanished. The herbal treatment7 @noCn as
$AYA $A'PA7 is one of 0- reFuHenation methods outlined in indu AYUR6E(A or medi>al s>ien>e.
Pundit *alaHiya underCent the treatment at the hands of #ri $alpa>harya #Cami .eshundasFi7 Cho
>laims
1544 as his birth year. e possesses do>uments proHing him to be more than 1-- years oldK
A##!C,ATE(
PRE## reporters remar@ed that he loo@ed about /-.
An>ient indu treatises diHided medi>al s>ien>e into 0 bran>hesA #A'YA QsurgerySK #A'A$YA
Qdiseases
aboHe the ne>@SK $AYAC,$,T#A Qmedi>ine properSK .UTA6,(YA Qmental diseasesSK $AU*ARA
Q>are
of infan>ySK A)A(A QtoJi>ologySK RA#AYA%A QlongeHitySK 6A),$ARA%A Qtoni>sS. 6edi>
physi>ians
used deli>ate surgi>al instruments7 employed plasti> surgery7 understood medi>al methods to >ountera>t
the
effe>ts of poison gas7 performed Caesarean se>tions and brain operations7 Cere s@illed in dynamiIation
of
drugs. ippo>rates7 famous physi>ian of the 1th >entury ..C.7 borroCed mu>h of his materia medi>a
from
indu sour>es.
LF%+1;19M The East ,ndian margosa tree. ,ts medi>inal Halues haHe noC be>ome re>ogniIed in the
&est7
Chere the bitter %EE* bar@ is used as a toni>7 and the oil from seeds and fruit has been found of
utmost
Corth in the treatment of leprosy and other diseases.
LF%+1;2-M 2A number of seals re>ently eJ>aHated from ar>haeologi>al sites of the ,ndus Halley7
datable in
the third millennium ..C.7 shoC figures seated in meditatiHe postures noC used in the system of Yoga7
and
Carrant the inferen>e that eHen at that time some of the rudiments of Yoga Cere already @noCn. &e
may not
unreasonably draC the >on>lusion that systemati> introspe>tion Cith the aid of studied methods has
been
pra>ti>ed in ,ndia for fiHe thousand years. . . . ,ndia has deHeloped >ertain Haluable religious attitudes of
mind
and ethi>al notions Chi>h are uniNue7 at least in the Cideness of their appli>ation to life. !ne of these
has been
a toleran>e in Nuestions of intelle>tual belief;do>trine;that is amaIing to the &est7 Chere for many
>enturies
heresy;hunting Cas >ommon7 and bloody Cars betCeen nations oHer se>tarian riHalries Cere
freNuent.3;EJtra>ts from an arti>le by Professor &. %orman .roCn in the *ay7 19+9 issue of the
.U''ET,%
of the Ameri>an Coun>il of 'earned #o>ieties7 &ashington7 (.C.
LF%+1;21M !ne thin@s here of Carlyle"s obserHation in #ART!R RE#ARTU#A 2The man Cho >annot
Conder7 Cho does not habitually Conder Qand CorshipS7 Cere he president of innumerable Royal
#o>ieties and
>arried . . . the epitome of all laboratories and obserHatories7 Cith their results7 in his single head7;is but
a pair
of spe>ta>les behind Chi>h there is no eye.3
CAPTER +1. TE CR,#T',$E ',FE !F 'A,R, *AA#AYA
Autobiography of a Yogi
CAPTER +4. .A.A8,"# ,%TERE#T ,% TE &E#T
2*aster7 did you eHer meet .abaFiP3
,t Cas a >alm summer night in #eramporeK the large stars of the tropi>s gleamed oHer our heads as , sat
by #ri
Yu@tesCar"s side on the se>ond;story bal>ony of the hermitage.
2Yes.3 *aster smiled at my dire>t NuestionK his eyes lit Cith reHeren>e. 2Three times , haHe been
blessed by
the sight of the deathless guru. !ur first meeting Cas in Allahabad at a $U*.A *E'A.3
The religious fairs held in ,ndia sin>e time immemorial are @noCn as $U*.A *E'A#K they haHe
@ept
spiritual goals in >onstant sight of the multitude. (eHout indus gather by the millions eHery siJ years
to meet
thousands of sadhus7 yogis7 sCamis7 and as>eti>s of all @inds. *any are hermits Cho neHer leaHe their
se>luded haunts eJ>ept to attend the *E'A# and bestoC their blessings on Corldly men and Comen.
2, Cas not a sCami at the time , met .abaFi73 #ri Yu@tesCar Cent on. 2.ut , had already re>eiHed
$R,YA
initiation from 'ahiri *ahasaya. e en>ouraged me to attend the *E'A Chi>h Cas >onHening in
8anuary7
109/ at Allahabad. ,t Cas my first eJperien>e of a $U*.AK , felt slightly daIed by the >lamor and
surge of
the >roCd. ,n my sear>hing gaIes around , saC no illumined fa>e of a master. Passing a bridge on the
ban@ of
the )anges7 , noti>ed an a>Nuaintan>e standing near;by7 his begging boCl eJtended.
2"!h7 this fair is nothing but a >haos of noise and beggars7" , thought in disillusionment. ", Conder if
&estern
s>ientists7 patiently enlarging the realms of @noCledge for the pra>ti>al good of man@ind7 are not more
pleasing to )od than these idlers Cho profess religion but >on>entrate on alms."
2*y smouldering refle>tions on so>ial reform Cere interrupted by the Hoi>e of a tall sannyasi Cho
halted
before me.
2"#ir7" he said7 "a saint is >alling you."
2"&ho is heP"
2"Come and see for yourself."
2esitantly folloCing this la>oni> adHi>e7 , soon found myself near a tree Chose bran>hes Cere
sheltering a
guru Cith an attra>tiHe group of dis>iples. The master7 a bright unusual figure7 Cith spar@ling dar@ eyes7
rose
at my approa>h and embra>ed me.
2"&el>ome7 #CamiFi7" he said affe>tionately.
2"#ir7" , replied emphati>ally7 ", am %!T a sCami."
2"Those on Chom , am diHinely dire>ted to bestoC the title of 2sCami3 neHer >ast it off." The saint
addressed
me simply7 but deep >onHi>tion of truth rang in his CordsK , Cas engulfed in an instant CaHe of spiritual
blessing. #miling at my sudden eleHation into the an>ient monasti> order7 LF%+4;1M , boCed at the feet
of the
obHiously great and angeli> being in human form Cho had thus honored me.
2.abaFi;for it Cas indeed he;motioned me to a seat near him under the tree. e Cas strong and young7
and
loo@ed li@e 'ahiri *ahasayaK yet the resemblan>e did not stri@e me7 eHen though , had often heard of
the
eJtraordinary similarities in the appearan>e of the tCo masters. .abaFi possesses a poCer by Chi>h he
>an
preHent any spe>ifi> thought from arising in a person"s mind. EHidently the great guru Cished me to be
CAPTER +4. .A.A8,"# ,%TERE#T ,% TE &E#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
perfe>tly natural in his presen>e7 not oHeraCed by @noCledge of his identity.
2"&hat do you thin@ of the $U*.A *E'AP"
2", Cas greatly disappointed7 sir." , added hastily7 "Up until the time , met you. #omehoC saints and this
>ommotion don"t seem to belong together."
2"Child7" the master said7 though apparently , Cas nearly tCi>e his oCn age7 "for the faults of the many7
Fudge
not the Chole. EHerything on earth is of miJed >hara>ter7 li@e a mingling of sand and sugar. .e li@e the
Cise
ant Chi>h seiIes only the sugar7 and leaHes the sand untou>hed. Though many sadhus here still Cander
in
delusion7 yet the *E'A is blessed by a feC men of )od;realiIation."
2,n HieC of my oCn meeting Cith this eJalted master7 , Nui>@ly agreed Cith his obserHation.
2"#ir7" , >ommented7 ", haHe been thin@ing of the s>ientifi> men of the &est7 greater by far in
intelligen>e than
most people >ongregated here7 liHing in distant Europe and Ameri>a7 professing different >reeds7 and
ignorant
of the real Halues of su>h *E'A# as the present one. They are the men Cho >ould benefit greatly by
meetings
Cith ,ndia"s masters. .ut7 although high in intelle>tual attainments7 many &esterners are Cedded to
ran@
materialism. !thers7 famous in s>ien>e and philosophy7 do not re>ogniIe the essential unity in religion.
Their
>reeds serHe as insurmountable barriers that threaten to separate them from us foreHer."
2", saC that you are interested in the &est7 as Cell as the East." .abaFi"s fa>e beamed Cith approHal. ",
felt the
pangs of your heart7 broad enough for all men7 Chether !riental or !>>idental. That is Chy ,
summoned you
here.
2"East and &est must establish a golden middle path of a>tiHity and spirituality >ombined7" he
>ontinued.
",ndia has mu>h to learn from the &est in material deHelopmentK in return7 ,ndia >an tea>h the uniHersal
methods by Chi>h the &est Cill be able to base its religious beliefs on the unsha@able foundations of
yogi>
s>ien>e.
2"You7 #CamiFi7 haHe a part to play in the >oming harmonious eJ>hange betCeen !rient and !>>ident.
#ome
years hen>e , shall send you a dis>iple Chom you >an train for yoga dissemination in the &est. The
Hibrations
there of many spiritually see@ing souls >ome floodli@e to me. , per>eiHe potential saints in Ameri>a and
Europe7 Caiting to be aCa@ened."2
At this point in his story7 #ri Yu@tesCar turned his gaIe fully on mine.
2*y son73 he said7 smiling in the moonlight7 2you are the dis>iple that7 years ago7 .abaFi promised to
send
me.3
, Cas happy to learn that .abaFi had dire>ted my steps to #ri Yu@tesCar7 yet it Cas hard for me to
HisualiIe
myself in the remote &est7 aCay from my beloHed guru and the simple hermitage pea>e.
2.abaFi then spo@e of the .A)A6A( ),TA73 #ri Yu@tesCar Cent on. 2To my astonishment7 he
indi>ated
by a feC Cords of praise that he Cas aCare of the fa>t that , had Critten interpretations on Harious
),TA
>hapters.
2"At my reNuest7 #CamiFi7 please underta@e another tas@7" the great master said. "&ill you not Crite a
short
boo@ on the underlying basi> unity betCeen the Christian and indu s>ripturesP #hoC by parallel
referen>es
that the inspired sons of )od haHe spo@en the same truths7 noC obs>ured by men"s se>tarian
differen>es."
CAPTER +4. .A.A8,"# ,%TERE#T ,% TE &E#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2"*aharaF7" LF%+4;2M , ansCered diffidently7 "Chat a >ommandO #hall , be able to fulfill itP"
2.abaFi laughed softly. "*y son7 Chy do you doubtP" he said reassuringly. ",ndeed7 &hose Cor@ is all
this7 and
&ho is the (oer of all a>tionsP &hateHer the 'ord has made me say is bound to materialiIe as truth."
2, deemed myself empoCered by the blessings of the saint7 and agreed to Crite the boo@. Feeling
relu>tantly
that the parting;hour had arriHed7 , rose from my leafy seat.
2"(o you @noC 'ahiriP" LF%+4;+M the master inNuired. "e is a great soul7 isn"t heP Tell him of our
meeting."
e then gaHe me a message for 'ahiri *ahasaya.
2After , had boCed humbly in fareCell7 the saint smiled benignly. "&hen your boo@ is finished7 , shall
pay
you a Hisit7" he promised. ")ood;by for the present."
2, left Allahabad the folloCing day and entrained for .enares. Rea>hing my guru"s home7 , poured out
the
story of the Conderful saint at the $U*.A *E'A.
2"!h7 didn"t you re>ogniIe himP" 'ahiri *ahasaya"s eyes Cere dan>ing Cith laughter. ", see you
>ouldn"t7 for he
preHented you. e is my in>omparable guru7 the >elestial .abaFiO"
2".abaFiO" , repeated7 aCestru>@. "The Yogi;Christ .abaFiO The inHisible;Hisible saHior .abaFiO !h7 if ,
>ould
Fust re>all the past and be on>e more in his presen>e7 to shoC my deHotion at his lotus feetO"
2"%eHer mind7" 'ahiri *ahasaya said >onsolingly. "e has promised to see you again."
2")urudeHa7 the diHine master as@ed me to giHe you a message. 2Tell 'ahiri73 he said7 2that the stored;
up
poCer for this life noC runs loCK it is nearly finished.3"
2At my utteran>e of these enigmati> Cords7 'ahiri *ahasaya"s figure trembled as though tou>hed by a
lightning >urrent. ,n an instant eHerything about him fell silentK his smiling >ountenan>e turned
in>redibly
stern. 'i@e a Cooden statue7 somber and immoHable in its seat7 his body be>ame >olorless. , Cas
alarmed and
beCildered. %eHer in my life had , seen this Foyous soul manifest su>h aCful graHity. The other
dis>iples
present stared apprehensiHely.
2Three hours passed in utter silen>e. Then 'ahiri *ahasaya resumed his natural7 >heerful demeanor7
and
spo@e affe>tionately to ea>h of the >helas. EHeryone sighed in relief.
2, realiIed by my master"s rea>tion that .abaFi"s message had been an unmista@able signal by Chi>h
'ahiri
*ahasaya understood that his body Could soon be untenanted. is aCesome silen>e proHed that my
guru had
instantly >ontrolled his being7 >ut his last >ord of atta>hment to the material Corld7 and fled to his eHer;
liHing
identity in #pirit. .abaFi"s remar@ had been his Cay of sayingA ", shall be eHer Cith you."
2Though .abaFi and 'ahiri *ahasaya Cere omnis>ient7 and had no need of >ommuni>ating Cith ea>h
other
through me or any other intermediary7 the great ones often >ondes>end to play a part in the human
drama.
!>>asionally they transmit their prophe>ies through messengers in an ordinary Cay7 that the final
fulfillment
of their Cords may infuse greater diHine faith in a Cide >ir>le of men Cho later learn the story.
2, soon left .enares7 and set to Cor@ in #erampore on the s>riptural Critings reNuested by .abaFi73 #ri
Yu@tesCar >ontinued. 2%o sooner had , begun my tas@ than , Cas able to >ompose a poem dedi>ated to
the
deathless guru. The melodious lines floCed effortlessly from my pen7 though neHer before had ,
attempted
#ans@rit poetry.
CAPTER +4. .A.A8,"# ,%TERE#T ,% TE &E#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2,n the Nuiet of night , busied myself oHer a >omparison of the .ible and the s>riptures of #A%ATA%
(AR*A. LF%+4;/M Vuoting the Cords of the blessed 'ord 8esus7 , shoCed that his tea>hings Cere
in
essen>e one Cith the reHelations of the 6E(A#. To my relief7 my boo@ Cas finished in a short timeK ,
realiIed
that this speedy blessing Cas due to the gra>e of my PARA*;)URU;*AARA8. LF%+4;1M The
>hapters
first appeared in the #A(U#A*.A( FournalK later they Cere priHately printed as a boo@ by one of
my
$idderpore dis>iples.
2The morning after , had >on>luded my literary efforts73 *aster >ontinued7 2, Cent to the Rai )hat here
to
bathe in the )anges. The ghat Cas desertedK , stood still for aChile7 enFoying the sunny pea>e. After a
dip in
the spar@ling Caters7 , started for home. The only sound in the silen>e Cas that of my )anges;dren>hed
>loth7
sCish;sCashing Cith eHery step. As , passed beyond the site of the large banyan tree near the riHer
ban@7 a
strong impulse urged me to loo@ ba>@. There7 under the shade of the banyan7 and surrounded by a feC
dis>iples7 sat the great .abaFiO
2")reetings7 #CamiFiO" The beautiful Hoi>e of the master rang out to assure me , Cas not dreaming. ",
see you
haHe su>>essfully >ompleted your boo@. As , promised7 , am here to than@ you."
2&ith a fast;beating heart7 , prostrated myself fully at his feet. "Param;guruFi7" , said imploringly7 "Cill
you
and your >helas not honor my near;by home Cith your presen>eP"
2The supreme guru smilingly de>lined. "%o7 >hild7" he said7 "Ce are people Cho li@e the shelter of treesK
this
spot is Nuite >omfortable."
2"Please tarry aChile7 *aster." , gaIed entreatingly at him. ", shall be ba>@ at on>e Cith some spe>ial
sCeetmeats."
2&hen , returned in a feC minutes Cith a dish of deli>a>ies7 loO the lordly banyan no longer sheltered
the
>elestial troupe. , sear>hed all around the ghat7 but in my heart , @neC the little band had already fled
on
etheri> Cings.
2, Cas deeply hurt. "EHen if Ce meet again7 , Could not >are to tal@ to him7" , assured myself. "e Cas
un@ind
to leaHe me so suddenly." This Cas a Crath of loHe7 of >ourse7 and nothing more.
2A feC months later , Hisited 'ahiri *ahasaya in .enares. As , entered his little parlor7 my guru smiled
in
greeting.
2"&el>ome7 Yu@tesCar7" he said. "(id you Fust meet .abaFi at the threshold of my roomP"
2"&hy7 no7" , ansCered in surprise.
2"Come here." 'ahiri *ahasaya tou>hed me gently on the foreheadK at on>e , beheld7 near the door7 the
form of
.abaFi7 blooming li@e a perfe>t lotus.
2, remembered my old hurt7 and did not boC. 'ahiri *ahasaya loo@ed at me in astonishment.
2The diHine guru gaIed at me Cith fathomless eyes. "You are annoyed Cith me."
2"#ir7 Chy shouldn"t , beP" , ansCered. "!ut of the air you >ame Cith your magi> group7 and into the thin
air
you Hanished."
CAPTER +4. .A.A8,"# ,%TERE#T ,% TE &E#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2", told you , Could see you7 but didn"t say hoC long , Could remain." .abaFi laughed softly. "You Cere
full of
eJ>itement. , assure you that , Cas fairly eJtinguished in the ether by the gust of your restlessness."
2, Cas instantly satisfied by this unflattering eJplanation. , @nelt at his feetK the supreme guru patted me
@indly on the shoulder.
2"Child7 you must meditate more7" he said. "Your gaIe is not yet faultless;you >ould not see me hiding
behind
the sunlight." &ith these Cords in the Hoi>e of a >elestial flute7 .abaFi disappeared into the hidden
radian>e.
2That Cas one of my last Hisits to .enares to see my guru73 #ri Yu@tesCar >on>luded. 2EHen as .abaFi
had
foretold at the $U*.A *E'A7 the householder;in>arnation of 'ahiri *ahasaya Cas draCing to a
>lose.
(uring the summer of 1091 his stalCart body deHeloped a small boil on the ba>@. e protested against
lan>ingK he Cas Cor@ing out in his oCn flesh the eHil @arma of some of his dis>iples. Finally a feC
>helas
be>ame Hery insistentK the master replied >rypti>allyA
2"The body has to find a >ause to goK , Cill be agreeable to ChateHer you Cant to do."
2A short time later the in>omparable guru gaHe up his body in .enares. %o longer need , see@ him out
in his
little parlorK , find eHery day of my life blessed by his omnipresent guidan>e.3
Years later7 from the lips of #Cami $eshabananda7 LF%+4;4M an adHan>ed dis>iple7 , heard many
Conderful
details about the passing of 'ahiri *ahasaya.
2A feC days before my guru relinNuished his body73 $eshabananda told me7 2he materialiIed himself
before
me as , sat in my hermitage at ardCar.
2"Come at on>e to .enares." &ith these Cords 'ahiri *ahasaya Hanished.
2, entrained immediately for .enares. At my guru"s home , found many dis>iples assembled. For hours
that
day LF%+4;5M the master eJpounded the ),TAK then he addressed us simply.
2", am going home."
2#obs of anguish bro@e out li@e an irresistible torrent.
2".e >omfortedK , shall rise again." After this utteran>e 'ahiri *ahasaya thri>e turned his body around
in a
>ir>le7 fa>ed the north in his lotus posture7 and gloriously entered the final *AA;#A*A(,. LF%+4;
0M
2'ahiri *ahasaya"s beautiful body7 so dear to the deHotees7 Cas >remated Cith solemn householder
rites at
*ani@arni@a )hat by the holy )anges73 $eshabananda >ontinued. 2The folloCing day7 at ten o">lo>@ in
the
morning7 Chile , Cas still in .enares7 my room Cas suffused Cith a great light. 'oO before me stood the
flesh
and blood form of 'ahiri *ahasayaO ,t loo@ed eJa>tly li@e his old body7 eJ>ept that it appeared younger
and
more radiant. *y diHine guru spo@e to me.
2"$eshabananda7" he said7 "it is ,. From the disintegrated atoms of my >remated body7 , haHe resurre>ted
a
remodeled form. *y householder Cor@ in the Corld is doneK but , do not leaHe the earth entirely.
en>eforth ,
shall spend some time Cith .abaFi in the imalayas7 and Cith .abaFi in the >osmos."
2&ith a feC Cords of blessing to me7 the trans>endent master Hanished. &ondrous inspiration filled my
heartK
, Cas uplifted in #pirit eHen as Cere the dis>iples of Christ and $abir LF%+4;9M Chen they had gaIed
on their
liHing gurus after physi>al death.
CAPTER +4. .A.A8,"# ,%TERE#T ,% TE &E#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2&hen , returned to my isolated ardCar hermitage73 $eshabananda Cent on7 2, >arried Cith me the
sa>red
ashes of my guru. , @noC he has es>aped the spatio;temporal >ageK the bird of omnipresen>e is freed.
Yet it
>omforted my heart to enshrine his sa>red remains.3
Another dis>iple Cho Cas blessed by the sight of his resurre>ted guru Cas the saintly Pan>hanon
.hatta>harya7 founder of the Cal>utta Arya *ission ,nstitution. LF%+4;1-M
, Hisited Pan>hanon at his Cal>utta home7 and listened Cith delight to the story of his many years Cith
the
master. ,n >on>lusion7 he told me of the most marHelous eHent in his life.
2ere in Cal>utta73 Pan>hanon said7 2at ten o">lo>@ of the morning Chi>h folloCed his >remation7
'ahiri
*ahasaya appeared before me in liHing glory.3
#Cami Pranabananda7 the 2saint Cith tCo bodies73 also >onfided to me the details of his oCn supernal
eJperien>e.
2A feC days before 'ahiri *ahasaya left his body73 Pranabananda told me at the time he Hisited my
Ran>hi
s>hool7 2, re>eiHed a letter from him7 reNuesting me to >ome at on>e to .enares. , Cas delayed7
hoCeHer7 and
>ould not leaHe immediately. As , Cas in the midst of my traHel preparations7 about ten o">lo>@ in the
morning7 , Cas suddenly oHerChelmed Cith Foy to see the shining figure of my guru.
2"&hy hurry to .enaresP" 'ahiri *ahasaya said7 smiling. "You shall find me there no longer."
2As the import of his Cords daCned on me7 , sobbed bro@en;heartedly7 belieHing that , Cas seeing him
only
in a Hision.
2The master approa>hed me >omfortingly. "ere7 tou>h my flesh7" he said. ", am liHing7 as alCays. (o
not
lamentK am , not Cith you foreHerP"2
From the lips of these three great dis>iples7 a story of Condrous truth has emergedA At the morning hour
of
ten7 on the day after the body of 'ahiri *ahasaya had been >onsigned to the flames7 the resurre>ted
master7 in
a real but transfigured body7 appeared before three dis>iples7 ea>h one in a different >ity.
2#o Chen this >orruptible shall haHe put on in>orruption7 and this mortal shall haHe put on immortality7
then
shall be brought to pass the saying that is Critten7 (eath is sCalloCed up in Hi>tory. ! death7 Chere is
thy
stingP ! graHe7 Chere is thy Hi>toryP3 LF%+4;11M
LF%+4;1M #ri Yu@tesCar Cas later formally initiated into the #Cami !rder by the *AA%T
Qmonastery
headS of .uddh )aya.
LF%+4;2M 2)reat $ingT;a title of respe>t.
LF%+4;+M A guru usually refers to his oCn dis>iple simply by his name7 omitting any title. Thus7 .abaFi
said
2'ahiri73 not 2'ahiri *ahasaya.3
LF%+4;/M 'iterally7 2eternal religion73 the name giHen to the body of 6edi> tea>hings. #A%ATA%
(AR*A has >ome to be >alled ,%(U,#* sin>e the time of the )ree@s Cho designated the people
on the
ban@s of the riHer ,ndus as ,%(!!#7 or ,%(U#. The Cord ,%(U7 properly spea@ing7 refers only to
folloCers of #A%ATA% (AR*A or induism. The term ,%(,A% applies eNually to indus and
*ohammedans and other ,%A.,TA%T# of the soil of ,ndia Qand also through the >onfusing
geographi>al
error of Columbus7 to the Ameri>an *ongoloid aboriginalsS.
CAPTER +4. .A.A8,"# ,%TERE#T ,% TE &E#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
The an>ient name for ,ndia is ARYA6ARTA7 literally7 2abode of the Aryans.3 The #ans@rit root of
ARYA is
2Corthy7 holy7 noble.3 The later ethnologi>al misuse of ARYA% to signify not spiritual7 but physi>al7
>hara>teristi>s7 led the great !rientalist7 *aJ *uller7 to say NuaintlyA 2To me an ethnologist Cho spea@s
of an
Aryan ra>e7 Aryan blood7 Aryan eyes and hair7 is as great a sinner as a linguist Cho spea@s of a
doli>ho>ephali> di>tionary or a bra>hy>ephali> grammar.3
LF%+4;1M PARA*;)URU is literally 2guru supreme3 or 2guru beyond73 signifying a line or
su>>ession of
tea>hers. .abaFi7 the )URU of 'ahiri *ahasaya7 Cas the PARA*;)URU of #ri Yu@tesCar.
LF%+4;4M *y Hisit to $eshabananda"s ashram is des>ribed on pp. /-1;/-0.
LF%+4;5M #eptember 247 1091 is the date on Chi>h 'ahiri *ahasaya left his body. ,n a feC more days
he
Could haHe rea>hed his siJty;eighth birthday.
LF%+4;0M Fa>ing the north7 and thri>e reHolHing the body7 are parts of a 6edi> rite used by masters Cho
@noC beforehand Chen the final hour is about to stri@e for the physi>al body. The last meditation7
during
Chi>h the master merges himself in the Cosmi> AU*7 is >alled the *AA7 or great7 #A*A(,.
LF%+4;9M $abir Cas a great siJteenth;>entury saint Chose large folloCing in>luded both indus and
*ohammedans. At the time of his death7 the dis>iples Nuarreled oHer the manner of >ondu>ting the
funeral
>eremonies. The eJasperated master rose from his final sleep7 and gaHe his instru>tions. 2alf of my
remains
shall be buried by the *oslem ritesK3 he said7 2let the other half be >remated Cith a indu sa>rament.3
e
then Hanished. &hen the dis>iples opened the >offin Chi>h had >ontained his body7 nothing Cas found
but a
daIIling array of gold;>olored >hampa@ floCers. alf of these Cere obediently buried by the *oslems7
Cho
reHere his shrine to this day.
,n his youth $abir Cas approa>hed by tCo dis>iples Cho Canted minute intelle>tual guidan>e along the
mysti>
path. The master responded simplyA
2Path presupposes distan>eK ,f e be near7 no path needest thou at all. 6erily it ma@eth me smile To
hear of a
fish in Cater athirstO3
LF%+4;1-M Pan>hanon established7 in a seHenteen;a>re garden at (eogarh in .ihar7 a temple >ontaining
a
stone statue of 'ahiri *ahasaya. Another statue of the great master has been set by dis>iples in the little
parlor
of his .enares home.
LF%+4;11M , C!R,%T,A%# 11A1/;11.
CAPTER +5. , )! T! A*ER,CA
2Ameri>aO #urely these people are Ameri>ansO3 This Cas my thought as a panorami> Hision of &estern
fa>es
passed before my inCard HieC.
,mmersed in meditation7 , Cas sitting behind some dusty boJes in the storeroom of the Ran>hi s>hool.
A
priHate spot Cas diffi>ult to find during those busy years Cith the youngstersO
The Hision >ontinuedK a Hast multitude7 LF%+5;1M gaIing at me intently7 sCept a>torli@e a>ross the
stage of
>ons>iousness.
The storeroom door openedK as usual7 one of the young lads had dis>oHered my hiding pla>e.
CAPTER +5. , )! T! A*ER,CA
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Come here7 .imal73 , >ried gaily. 2, haHe neCs for youA the 'ord is >alling me to Ameri>aO3
2To Ameri>aP3 The boy e>hoed my Cords in a tone that implied , had said 2to the moon.3
2YesO , am going forth to dis>oHer Ameri>a7 li@e Columbus. e thought he had found ,ndiaK surely
there is a
@armi> lin@ betCeen those tCo landsO3
.imal s>ampered aCayK soon the Chole s>hool Cas informed by the tCo;legged neCspaper. LF%+5;2M
,
summoned the beCildered fa>ulty and gaHe the s>hool into its >harge.
2, @noC you Cill @eep 'ahiri *ahasaya"s yoga ideals of edu>ation eHer to the fore73 , said. 2, shall
Crite you
freNuentlyK )od Cilling7 someday , shall be ba>@.3
Tears stood in my eyes as , >ast a last loo@ at the little boys and the sunny a>res of Ran>hi. A definite
epo>h in
my life had noC >losed7 , @neCK hen>eforth , Could dCell in far lands. , entrained for Cal>utta a feC
hours
after my Hision. The folloCing day , re>eiHed an inHitation to serHe as the delegate from ,ndia to an
,nternational Congress of Religious 'iberals in Ameri>a. ,t Cas to >onHene that year in .oston7 under
the
auspi>es of the Ameri>an Unitarian Asso>iation.
*y head in a Chirl7 , sought out #ri Yu@tesCar in #erampore.
2)uruFi7 , haHe Fust been inHited to address a religious >ongress in Ameri>a. #hall , goP3
2All doors are open for you73 *aster replied simply. 2,t is noC or neHer.3
2.ut7 sir73 , said in dismay7 2Chat do , @noC about publi> spea@ingP #eldom haHe , giHen a le>ture7 and
neHer
in English.3
2English or no English7 your Cords on yoga shall be heard in the &est.3
, laughed. 2&ell7 dear guruFi7 , hardly thin@ the Ameri>ans Cill learn .engaliO Please bless me Cith a
push
oHer the hurdles of the English language.3 LF%+5;+M
&hen , bro@e the neCs of my plans to Father7 he Cas utterly ta@en aba>@. To him Ameri>a seemed
in>redibly
remoteK he feared he might neHer see me again.
2oC >an you goP3 he as@ed sternly. 2&ho Cill finan>e youP3 As he had affe>tionately borne the
eJpenses of
my edu>ation and Chole life7 he doubtless hoped that his Nuestion Could bring my proFe>t to an
embarrassing
halt.
2The 'ord Cill surely finan>e me.3 As , made this reply7 , thought of the similar one , had giHen long
ago to
my brother Ananta in Agra. &ithout Hery mu>h guile7 , added7 2Father7 perhaps )od Cill put it into
your mind
to help me.3
2%o7 neHerO3 e glan>ed at me piteously.
, Cas astounded7 therefore7 Chen Father handed me7 the folloCing day7 a >he>@ made out for a large
amount.
2, giHe you this money73 he said7 2not in my >apa>ity as a father7 but as a faithful dis>iple of 'ahiri
*ahasaya.
)o then to that far &estern landK spread there the >reedless tea>hings of $R,YA Y!)A.3
CAPTER +5. , )! T! A*ER,CA
Autobiography of a Yogi
, Cas immensely tou>hed at the selfless spirit in Chi>h Father had been able to Nui>@ly put aside his
personal
desires. The Fust realiIation had >ome to him during the pre>eding night that no ordinary desire for
foreign
traHel Cas motiHating my Hoyage.
2Perhaps Ce shall not meet again in this life.3 Father7 Cho Cas siJty;seHen at this time7 spo@e sadly.
An intuitiHe >onHi>tion prompted me to reply7 2#urely the 'ord Cill bring us together on>e more.3
As , Cent about my preparations to leaHe *aster and my natiHe land for the un@noCn shores of
Ameri>a7 ,
eJperien>ed not a little trepidation. , had heard many stories about the materialisti> &estern
atmosphere7 one
Hery different from the spiritual ba>@ground of ,ndia7 perHaded Cith the >enturied aura of saints. 2An
!riental
tea>her Cho Cill dare the &estern airs73 , thought7 2must be hardy beyond the trials of any imalayan
>oldO3
!ne early morning , began to pray7 Cith an adamant determination to >ontinue7 to eHen die praying7
until ,
heard the Hoi>e of )od. , Canted is blessing and assuran>e that , Could not lose myself in the fogs of
modern utilitarianism. *y heart Cas set to go to Ameri>a7 but eHen more strongly Cas it resolHed to
hear the
sola>e of diHine permission.
, prayed and prayed7 muffling my sobs. %o ansCer >ame. *y silent petition in>reased in eJ>ru>iating
>res>endo until7 at noon7 , had rea>hed a IenithK my brain >ould no longer Cithstand the pressure of my
agonies. ,f , >ried on>e more Cith an in>reased depth of my inner passion7 , felt as though my brain
Could
split. At that moment there >ame a @no>@ outside the Hestibule adFoining the )urpar Road room in
Chi>h ,
Cas sitting. !pening the door7 , saC a young man in the s>anty garb of a renun>iate. e >ame in7 >losed
the
door behind him and7 refusing my reNuest to sit doCn7 indi>ated Cith a gesture that he Cished to tal@ to
me
Chile standing.
2e must be .abaFiO3 , thought7 daIed7 be>ause the man before me had the features of a younger 'ahiri
*ahasaya.
e ansCered my thought. 2Yes7 , am .abaFi.3 e spo@e melodiously in indi. 2!ur eaHenly Father
has
heard your prayer. e >ommands me to tell youA FolloC the behests of your guru and go to Ameri>a.
Fear notK
you Cill be prote>ted.3
After a Hibrant pause7 .abaFi addressed me again. 2You are the one , haHe >hosen to spread the message
of
$R,YA Y!)A in the &est. 'ong ago , met your guru Yu@tesCar at a $U*.A *E'AK , told him
then ,
Could send you to him for training.3
, Cas spee>hless7 >ho@ed Cith deHotional aCe at his presen>e7 and deeply tou>hed to hear from his oCn
lips
that he had guided me to #ri Yu@tesCar. , lay prostrate before the deathless guru. e gra>iously lifted
me
from the floor. Telling me many things about my life7 he then gaHe me some personal instru>tion7 and
uttered
a feC se>ret prophe>ies.
2$R,YA Y!)A7 the s>ientifi> te>hniNue of )od;realiIation73 he finally said Cith solemnity7 2Cill
ultimately
spread in all lands7 and aid in harmoniIing the nations through man"s personal7 trans>endental
per>eption of
the ,nfinite Father.3
&ith a gaIe of maFesti> poCer7 the master ele>trified me by a glimpse of his >osmi> >ons>iousness. ,n a
short
Chile he started toCard the door.
2(o not try to folloC me73 he said. 2You Cill not be able to do so.3
CAPTER +5. , )! T! A*ER,CA
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Please7 .abaFi7 don"t go aCayO3 , >ried repeatedly. 2Ta@e me Cith youO3
'oo@ing ba>@7 he replied7 2%ot noC. #ome other time.3
!Her>ome by emotion7 , disregarded his Carning. As , tried to pursue him7 , dis>oHered that my feet
Cere
firmly rooted to the floor. From the door7 .abaFi gaHe me a last affe>tionate glan>e. e raised his hand
by Cay
of benedi>tion and Cal@ed aCay7 my eyes fiJed on him longingly.
After a feC minutes my feet Cere free. , sat doCn and Cent into a deep meditation7 un>easingly
than@ing )od
not only for ansCering my prayer but for blessing me by a meeting Cith .abaFi. *y Chole body
seemed
san>tified through the tou>h of the an>ient7 eHer;youthful master. 'ong had it been my burning desire to
behold him.
Until noC7 , haHe neHer re>ounted to anyone this story of my meeting Cith .abaFi. olding it as the
most
sa>red of my human eJperien>es7 , haHe hidden it in my heart. .ut the thought o>>urred to me that
readers of
this autobiography may be more in>lined to belieHe in the reality of the se>luded .abaFi and his Corld
interests if , relate that , saC him Cith my oCn eyes. , haHe helped an artist to draC a true pi>ture of the
great
Yogi;Christ of modern ,ndiaK it appears in this boo@.
The eHe of my departure for the United #tates found me in #ri Yu@tesCar"s holy presen>e.
2Forget you Cere born a indu7 and don"t be an Ameri>an. Ta@e the best of them both73 *aster said in
his
>alm Cay of Cisdom. 2.e your true self7 a >hild of )od. #ee@ and in>orporate into your being the best
Nualities of all your brothers7 s>attered oHer the earth in Harious ra>es.3
Then he blessed meA 2All those Cho >ome to you Cith faith7 see@ing )od7 Cill be helped. As you loo@
at
them7 the spiritual >urrent emanating from your eyes Cill enter into their brains and >hange their
material
habits7 ma@ing them more )od;>ons>ious.3
e Cent on7 2Your lot to attra>t sin>ere souls is Hery good. EHeryChere you go7 eHen in a Cilderness7
you Cill
find friends.3
.oth of his blessings haHe been amply demonstrated. , >ame alone to Ameri>a7 into a Cilderness
Cithout a
single friend7 but there , found thousands ready to re>eiHe the time;tested soul;tea>hings.
, left ,ndia in August7 192-7 on TE C,TY !F #PARTA7 the first passenger boat sailing for Ameri>a
after the
>lose of &orld &ar ,. , had been able to boo@ passage only after the remoHal7 in Cays fairly
mira>ulous7 of
many 2red;tape3 diffi>ulties >on>erned Cith the granting of my passport.
(uring the tCo;months" Hoyage a felloC passenger found out that , Cas the ,ndian delegate to the
.oston
>ongress.
2#Cami Yogananda73 he said7 Cith the first of many Nuaint pronun>iations by Chi>h , Cas later to hear
my
name spo@en by the Ameri>ans7 2please faHor the passengers Cith a le>ture neJt Thursday night. , thin@
Ce
Could all benefit by a tal@ on "The .attle of 'ife and oC to Fight ,t."2
AlasO , had to fight the battle of my oCn life7 , dis>oHered on &ednesday. (esperately trying to
organiIe my
ideas into a le>ture in English7 , finally abandoned all preparationsK my thoughts7 li@e a Cild >olt eyeing
a
saddle7 refused any >ooperation Cith the laCs of English grammar. Fully trusting in *aster"s past
assuran>es7
hoCeHer7 , appeared before my Thursday audien>e in the saloon of the steamer. %o eloNuen>e rose to
my lipsK
spee>hlessly , stood before the assemblage. After an enduran>e >ontest lasting ten minutes7 the
audien>e
CAPTER +5. , )! T! A*ER,CA
Autobiography of a Yogi
realiIed my predi>ament and began to laugh.
E,llustrationA , stand on the dais before one of my >lasses in Ameri>a. This >lass of a thousand yoga
students
Cas held in &ashington7 (.C.=see d>.FpgG
The situation Cas not funny to me at the momentK indignantly , sent a silent prayer to *aster.
2You CA%O #pea@O3 is Hoi>e sounded instantly Cithin my >ons>iousness.
*y thoughts fell at on>e into a friendly relation Cith the English language. Forty;fiHe minutes later the
audien>e Cas still attentiHe. The tal@ Con me a number of inHitations to le>ture later before Harious
groups in
Ameri>a.
, neHer >ould remember7 afterCard7 a Cord that , had spo@en. .y dis>reet inNuiry , learned from a
number of
passengersA 2You gaHe an inspiring le>ture in stirring and >orre>t English.3 At this delightful neCs ,
humbly
than@ed my guru for his timely help7 realiIing aneC that he Cas eHer Cith me7 setting at naught all
barriers of
time and spa>e.
!n>e in aChile7 during the remainder of the o>ean trip7 , eJperien>ed a feC apprehensiHe tCinges about
the
>oming English;le>ture ordeal at the .oston >ongress.
2'ord73 , prayed7 2please let my inspiration be Thyself7 and not again the laughter;bombs of the
audien>eO3
TE C,TY !F #PARTA do>@ed near .oston in late #eptember. !n the siJth of !>tober , addressed the
>ongress Cith my maiden spee>h in Ameri>a. ,t Cas Cell re>eiHedK , sighed in relief. The magnanimous
se>retary of the Ameri>an Unitarian Asso>iation Crote the folloCing >omment in a published a>>ount
LF%+5;/M of the >ongress pro>eedingsA
2#Cami Yogananda7 delegate from the .rahma>harya Ashram of Ran>hi7 ,ndia7 brought the greetings
of his
Asso>iation to the Congress. ,n fluent English and a for>ible deliHery he gaHe an address of a
philosophi>al
>hara>ter on "The #>ien>e of Religion7" Chi>h has been printed in pamphlet form for a Cider
distribution.
Religion7 he maintained7 is uniHersal and it is one. &e >annot possibly uniHersaliIe parti>ular >ustoms
and
>onHi>tions7 but the >ommon element in religion >an be uniHersaliIed7 and Ce >an as@ all ali@e to
folloC and
obey it.3
(ue to Father"s generous >he>@7 , Cas able to remain in Ameri>a after the >ongress Cas oHer. Four
happy
years Cere spent in humble >ir>umstan>es in .oston. , gaHe publi> le>tures7 taught >lasses7 and Crote a
boo@
of poems7 #!%)# !F TE #!U'7 Cith a prefa>e by (r. Frederi>@ .. Robinson7 president of the
College of
the City of %eC Yor@. LF%+5;1M
#tarting a trans>ontinental tour in the summer of 192/7 , spo@e before thousands in the prin>ipal >ities7
ending
my Cestern trip Cith a Ha>ation in the beautiful Alas@an north.
&ith the help of large;hearted students7 by the end of 1921 , had established an Ameri>an headNuarters
on the
*ount &ashington Estates in 'os Angeles. The building is the one , had seen years before in my Hision
at
$ashmir. , hastened to send #ri Yu@tesCar pi>tures of these distant Ameri>an a>tiHities. e replied Cith
a
post>ard in .engali7 Chi>h , here translateA
11th August7 1924
Child of my heart7 ! YoganandaO
CAPTER +5. , )! T! A*ER,CA
Autobiography of a Yogi
#eeing the photos of your s>hool and students7 Chat Foy >omes in my life , >annot eJpress in Cords. ,
am
melting in Foy to see your yoga students of different >ities. .eholding your methods in >hant
affirmations7
healing Hibrations7 and diHine healing prayers7 , >annot refrain from than@ing you from my heart.
#eeing the
gate7 the Cinding hilly Cay upCard7 and the beautiful s>enery spread out beneath the *ount
&ashington
Estates7 , yearn to behold it all Cith my oCn eyes.
EHerything here is going on Cell. Through the gra>e of )od7 may you eHer be in bliss.
#R, YU$TE#&AR ),R,
Years sped by. , le>tured in eHery part of my neC land7 and addressed hundreds of >lubs7 >olleges7
>hur>hes7
and groups of eHery denomination. Tens of thousands of Ameri>ans re>eiHed yoga initiation. To them
all ,
dedi>ated a neC boo@ of prayer thoughts in 1929;&,#PER# FR!* ETER%,TY7 Cith a prefa>e by
Amelita
)alli;Cur>i. LF%+5;4M , giHe here7 from the boo@7 a poem entitled 2)odO )odO )odO37 >omposed one
night
as , stood on a le>ture platformA
From the depths of slumber7
As , as>end the spiral stairCay of Ca@efulness7
, ChisperA
)odO )odO )odO
Thou art the food7 and Chen , brea@ my fast
!f nightly separation from Thee7
, taste Thee7 and mentally sayA
)odO )odO )odO
%o matter Chere , go7 the spotlight of my mind
EHer @eeps turning on TheeK
And in the battle din of a>tiHity
*y silent Car >ry is eHerA )odO )odO )odO
&hen boisterous storms of trials shrie@7
And Chen Corries hoCl at me7
, droCn their >lamor7 loudly >hantingA
)odO )odO )odO
&hen my mind CeaHes dreams
&ith threads of memories7
Then on that magi> >loth , find embossedA
)odO )odO )odO
EHery night7 in time of deepest sleep7
*y pea>e dreams and >alls7 8oyO 8oyO 8oyO
And my Foy >omes singing eHermoreA
)odO )odO )odO
,n Ca@ing7 eating7 Cor@ing7 dreaming7 sleeping7
#erHing7 meditating7 >hanting7 diHinely loHing7
*y soul >onstantly hums7 unheard by anyA
)odO )odO )odO
CAPTER +5. , )! T! A*ER,CA
Autobiography of a Yogi
#ometimes;usually on the first of the month Chen the bills rolled in for up@eep of the *ount
&ashington and
other #elf;RealiIation FelloCship >entersO;, thought longingly of the simple pea>e of ,ndia. .ut daily ,
saC a
Cidening understanding betCeen &est and EastK my soul reFoi>ed.
, haHe found the great heart of Ameri>a eJpressed in the Condrous lines by Emma 'aIarus7 >arHed at
the base
of the #tatue of 'iberty7 the 2*other of EJiles3A
From her bea>on;hand
)loCs Corld;Cide Cel>omeK her mild eyes >ommand
The air;bridged harbor that tCin >ities frame.
2$eep7 an>ient lands7 your storied pompO3 >ries she
&ith silent lips. 2)iHe me your tired7 your poor7
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free7
The Cret>hed refuse of your teeming shore.
#end these7 the homeless7 tempest;tost to me7
, lift my lamp beside the golden door.
LF%+5;1M *any of those fa>es , haHe sin>e seen in the &est7 and instantly re>ogniIed..
LF%+5;2M #Cami Premananda7 noC the leader of the #elf;RealiIation Chur>h of All Religions in
&ashington7 (.C.7 Cas one of the students at the Ran>hi s>hool at the time , left there for Ameri>a. Qe
Cas
then .rahma>hari 8otin.S
LF%+5;+M #ri Yu@tesCar and , ordinarily >onHersed in .engali.
LF%+5;/M %E& P,')R,*A)E# !F TE #P,R,T Q.ostonA .ea>on Press7 1921S.
LF%+5;1M (r. and *rs. Robinson Hisited ,ndia in 19+97 and Cere honored guests at the Ran>hi s>hool.
LF%+5;4M *me. )alli;Cur>i and her husband7 omer #amuels7 the pianist7 haHe been $riya Yoga
students
for tCenty years. The inspiring story of the famous prima donna"s years of musi> has been re>ently
published
Q)A'',;CURC,"# ',FE !F #!%)7 by C. E. 'e*assena7 Paebar Co.7 %eC Yor@7 19/1S.
CAPTER +0. 'UTER .UR.A%$=A #A,%T A*,(#T TE R!#E#
2The se>ret of improHed plant breeding7 apart from s>ientifi> @noCledge7 is loHe.3 'uther .urban@
uttered this
Cisdom as , Cal@ed beside him in his #anta Rosa garden. &e halted near a bed of edible >a>ti.
2&hile , Cas >ondu>ting eJperiments to ma@e "spineless" >a>ti73 he >ontinued7 2, often tal@ed to the
plants to
>reate a Hibration of loHe. "You haHe nothing to fear7" , Could tell them. "You don"t need your defensiHe
thorns.
, Cill prote>t you." )radually the useful plant of the desert emerged in a thornless Hariety.3
, Cas >harmed at this mira>le. 2Please7 dear 'uther7 giHe me a feC >a>ti leaHes to plant in my garden at
*ount
&ashington.3
A Cor@man standing near;by started to strip off some leaHesK .urban@ preHented him.
2, myself Cill plu>@ them for the sCami.3 e handed me three leaHes7 Chi>h later , planted7 reFoi>ing
as they
greC to huge estate.
CAPTER +0. 'UTER .UR.A%$=A #A,%T A*,(#T TE R!#E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
The great horti>ulturist told me that his first notable triumph Cas the large potato7 noC @noCn by his
name.
&ith the indefatigability of genius7 he Cent on to present the Corld Cith hundreds of >rossed
improHements
on nature;his neC .urban@ Harieties of tomato7 >orn7 sNuash7 >herries7 plums7 ne>tarines7 berries7
poppies7
lilies7 roses.
, fo>used my >amera as 'uther led me before the famous Calnut tree by Chi>h he had proHed that
natural
eHolution >an be teles>opi>ally hastened.
2,n only siJteen years73 he said7 2this Calnut tree rea>hed a state of abundant nut produ>tion to Chi>h
an
unaided nature Could haHe brought the tree in tCi>e that time.3
E,llustrationA 'uther .urban@7 beloHed friend7 poses Cith me in his #anta Rosa garden.=see
burban@.FpgG
E,llustrationA 'uther .urban@=see burban@2.FpgG
.urban@"s little adopted daughter >ame romping Cith her dog into the garden.
2#he is my human plant.3 'uther CaHed to her affe>tionately. 2, see humanity noC as one Hast plant7
needing
for its highest fulfillments only loHe7 the natural blessings of the great outdoors7 and intelligent >rossing
and
sele>tion. ,n the span of my oCn lifetime , haHe obserHed su>h Condrous progress in plant eHolution
that ,
loo@ forCard optimisti>ally to a healthy7 happy Corld as soon as its >hildren are taught the prin>iples of
simple and rational liHing. &e must return to nature and nature"s )od.3
2'uther7 you Could delight in my Ran>hi s>hool7 Cith its outdoor >lasses7 and atmosphere of Foy and
simpli>ity.3
*y Cords tou>hed the >hord >losest to .urban@"s heart;>hild edu>ation. e plied me Cith Nuestions7
interest
gleaming from his deep7 serene eyes.
2#CamiFi73 he said finally7 2s>hools li@e yours are the only hope of a future millennium. , am in reHolt
against
the edu>ational systems of our time7 seHered from nature and stifling of all indiHiduality. , am Cith you
heart
and soul in your pra>ti>al ideals of edu>ation.3
As , Cas ta@ing leaHe of the gentle sage7 he autographed a small Holume and presented it to me. LF%+0;
1M
2ere is my boo@ on TE TRA,%,%) !F TE U*A% P'A%T73 LF%+0;2M he said. 2%eC types of
training are needed;fearless eJperiments. At times the most daring trials haHe su>>eeded in bringing out
the
best in fruits and floCers. Edu>ational innoHations for >hildren should li@eCise be>ome more
numerous7 more
>ourageous.3
, read his little boo@ that night Cith intense interest. is eye enHisioning a glorious future for the ra>e7
he
CroteA 2The most stubborn liHing thing in this Corld7 the most diffi>ult to sCerHe7 is a plant on>e fiJed
in
>ertain habits. . . . Remember that this plant has preserHed its indiHiduality all through the agesK perhaps
it is
one Chi>h >an be tra>ed ba>@Card through eons of time in the Hery ro>@s themselHes7 neHer haHing
Haried to
any great eJtent in all these Hast periods. (o you suppose7 after all these ages of repetition7 the plant
does not
be>ome possessed of a Cill7 if you so >hoose to >all it7 of unparalleled tena>ityP ,ndeed7 there are
plants7 li@e
>ertain of the palms7 so persistent that no human poCer has yet been able to >hange them. The human
Cill is a
Cea@ thing beside the Cill of a plant. .ut see hoC this Chole plant"s lifelong stubbornness is bro@en
simply by
blending a neC life Cith it7 ma@ing7 by >rossing7 a >omplete and poCerful >hange in its life. Then Chen
the
brea@ >omes7 fiJ it by these generations of patient superHision and sele>tion7 and the neC plant sets out
upon
its neC Cay neHer again to return to the old7 its tena>ious Cill bro@en and >hanged at last.
CAPTER +0. 'UTER .UR.A%$=A #A,%T A*,(#T TE R!#E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2&hen it >omes to so sensitiHe and pliable a thing as the nature of a >hild7 the problem be>omes Hastly
easier.3
*agneti>ally draCn to this great Ameri>an7 , Hisited him again and again. !ne morning , arriHed at the
same
time as the postman7 Cho deposited in .urban@"s study about a thousand letters. orti>ulturists Crote
him
from all parts of the Corld.
2#CamiFi7 your presen>e is Fust the eJ>use , need to get out into the garden73 'uther said gaily. e
opened a
large des@;draCer >ontaining hundreds of traHel folders.
2#ee73 he said7 2this is hoC , do my traHeling. Tied doCn by my plants and >orresponden>e7 , satisfy
my
desire for foreign lands by a glan>e noC and then at these pi>tures.3
*y >ar Cas standing before his gateK 'uther and , droHe along the streets of the little toCn7 its gardens
bright
Cith his oCn Harieties of #anta Rosa7 Pea>hbloC7 and .urban@ roses.
2*y friend enry Ford and , both belieHe in the an>ient theory of rein>arnation73 'uther told me. 2,t
sheds
light on aspe>ts of life otherCise ineJpli>able. *emory is not a test of truthK Fust be>ause man fails to
remember his past liHes does not proHe he neHer had them. *emory is blan@ >on>erning his Comb;life
and
infan>y7 tooK but he probably passed through themO3 e >hu>@led.
The great s>ientist had re>eiHed $R,YA initiation during one of my earlier Hisits. 2, pra>ti>e the
te>hniNue
deHoutly7 #CamiFi73 he said. After many thoughtful Nuestions to me about Harious aspe>ts of yoga7
'uther
remar@ed sloClyA
2The East indeed possesses immense hoards of @noCledge Chi>h the &est has s>ar>ely begun to
eJplore.3
,ntimate >ommunion Cith nature7 Cho unlo>@ed to him many of her Fealously guarded se>rets7 had
giHen
.urban@ a boundless spiritual reHeren>e.
2#ometimes , feel Hery >lose to the ,nfinite PoCer73 he >onfided shyly. is sensitiHe7 beautifully
modeled fa>e
lit Cith his memories. 2Then , haHe been able to heal si>@ persons around me7 as Cell as many ailing
plants.3
e told me of his mother7 a sin>ere Christian. 2*any times after her death73 'uther said7 2, haHe been
blessed
by her appearan>e in HisionsK she has spo@en to me.3
&e droHe ba>@ relu>tantly toCard his home and those Caiting thousand letters.
2'uther73 , remar@ed7 2neJt month , am starting a magaIine to present the truth;offerings of East and
&est.
Please help me de>ide on a good name for the Fournal.3
&e dis>ussed titles for aChile7 and finally agreed on EA#T;&E#T. After Ce had reentered his study7
.urban@ gaHe me an arti>le he had Critten on 2#>ien>e and CiHiliIation.3
2This Cill go in the first issue of EA#T;&E#T73 , said gratefully.
As our friendship greC deeper7 , >alled .urban@ my 2Ameri>an saint.3 2.ehold a man73 , Nuoted7 2in
Chom
there is no guileO3 is heart Cas fathomlessly deep7 long a>Nuainted Cith humility7 patien>e7 sa>rifi>e.
is
little home amidst the roses Cas austerely simpleK he @neC the Corthlessness of luJury7 the Foy of feC
possessions. The modesty Cith Chi>h he Core his s>ientifi> fame repeatedly reminded me of the trees
that
bend loC Cith the burden of ripening fruitsK it is the barren tree that lifts its head high in an empty
boast.
CAPTER +0. 'UTER .UR.A%$=A #A,%T A*,(#T TE R!#E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
, Cas in %eC Yor@ Chen7 in 19247 my dear friend passed aCay. ,n tears , thought7 2!h7 , Could gladly
Cal@
all the Cay from here to #anta Rosa for one more glimpse of himO3 'o>@ing myself aCay from
se>retaries and
Hisitors7 , spent the neJt tCenty;four hours in se>lusion.
The folloCing day , >ondu>ted a 6edi> memorial rite around a large pi>ture of 'uther. A group of my
Ameri>an students7 garbed in indu >eremonial >lothes7 >hanted the an>ient hymns as an offering Cas
made
of floCers7 Cater7 and fire;symbols of the bodily elements and their release in the ,nfinite #our>e.
Though the form of .urban@ lies in #anta Rosa under a 'ebanon >edar that he planted years ago in his
garden7
his soul is enshrined for me in eHery Cide;eyed floCer that blooms by the Cayside. &ithdraCn for a
time into
the spa>ious spirit of nature7 is that not 'uther Chispering in her Cinds7 Cal@ing her daCnsP
is name has noC passed into the heritage of >ommon spee>h. 'isting 2burban@3 as a transitiHe Herb7
&ebster"s %eC ,nternational (i>tionary defines itA 2To >ross or graft Qa plantS. en>e7 figuratiHely7 to
improHe
Qanything7 as a pro>ess or institutionS by sele>ting good features and reFe>ting bad7 or by adding good
features.3
2.eloHed .urban@73 , >ried after reading the definition7 2your Hery name is noC a synonym for
goodnessO3
'UTER .UR.A%$
#A%TA R!#A7 CA',F!R%,A
U.#.A.
(e>ember 227 192/
, haHe eJamined the Yogoda system of #Cami Yogananda and in my opinion it is ideal for training and
harmoniIing man"s physi>al7 mental7 and spiritual natures. #Cami"s aim is to establish 2oC;to;'iHe3
s>hools throughout the Corld7 Cherein edu>ation Cill not >onfine itself to intelle>tual deHelopment
alone7 but
also training of the body7 Cill7 and feelings.
Through the Yogoda system of physi>al7 mental7 and spiritual unfoldment by simple and s>ientifi>
methods of
>on>entration and meditation7 most of the >ompleJ problems of life may be solHed7 and pea>e and
good;Cill
>ome upon earth. The #Cami"s idea of right edu>ation is plain >ommonsense7 free from all mysti>ism
and
non;pra>iti>alityK otherCise it Could not haHe my approHal.
, am glad to haHe this opportunity of heartily Foining Cith the #Cami in his appeal for international
s>hools on
the art of liHing Chi>h7 if established7 Cill >ome as near to bringing the millennium as anything Cith
Chi>h ,
am a>Nuainted.
LF%+0;1M .urban@ also gaHe me an autographed pi>ture of himself. , treasure it eHen as a indu
mer>hant
on>e treasured a pi>ture of 'in>oln. The indu7 Cho Cas in Ameri>a during the CiHil &ar years7
>on>eiHed
su>h an admiration for 'in>oln that he Cas unCilling to return to ,ndia until he had obtained a portrait
of the
)reat Eman>ipator. Planting himself adamantly on 'in>oln"s doorstep7 the mer>hant refused to leaHe
until the
astonished President permitted him to engage the serHi>es of (aniel untington7 the famous %eC Yor@
artist.
&hen the portrait Cas finished7 the indu >arried it in triumph to Cal>utta.
E,llustrationA 'uther .urban@"s signature=see bsignature.FpgG
LF%+0;2M %eC Yor@A Century Co.7 1922.
CAPTER +0. 'UTER .UR.A%$=A #A,%T A*,(#T TE R!#E#
Autobiography of a Yogi
CAPTER +9. TERE#E %EU*A%%7 TE CAT!',C #T,)*AT,#T
2Return to india. , haHe Caited for you patiently for fifteen years. #oon , shall sCim out of the body
and on to
the #hining Abode. Yogananda7 >omeO3
#ri Yu@tesCar"s Hoi>e sounded startlingly in my inner ear as , sat in meditation at my *t. &ashington
headNuarters. TraHersing ten thousand miles in the tCin@ling of an eye7 his message penetrated my
being li@e
a flash of lightning.
Fifteen yearsO Yes7 , realiIed7 noC it is 19+1K , haHe spent fifteen years in spreading my guru"s
tea>hings in
Ameri>a. %oC he re>alls me.
That afternoon , re>ounted my eJperien>e to a Hisiting dis>iple. is spiritual deHelopment under
$R,YA
Y!)A Cas so remar@able that , often >alled him 2saint73 remembering .abaFi"s prophe>y that Ameri>a
too
Could produ>e men and Comen of diHine realiIation through the an>ient yogi> path.
This dis>iple and a number of others generously insisted on ma@ing a donation for my traHels. The
finan>ial
problem thus solHed7 , made arrangements to sail7 Hia Europe7 for ,ndia. .usy Cee@s of preparations at
*ount
&ashingtonO ,n *ar>h7 19+1 , had the #elf;RealiIation FelloCship >hartered under the laCs of the
#tate of
California as a non;profit >orporation. To this edu>ational institution go all publi> donations as Cell as
the
reHenue from the sale of my boo@s7 magaIine7 Critten >ourses7 >lass tuition7 and eHery other sour>e of
in>ome.
2, shall be ba>@73 , told my students. 2%eHer shall , forget Ameri>a.3
At a fareCell banNuet giHen to me in 'os Angeles by loHing friends7 , loo@ed long at their fa>es and
thought
gratefully7 2'ord7 he Cho remembers Thee as the #ole )iHer Cill neHer la>@ the sCeetness of friendship
among mortals.3
, sailed from %eC Yor@ on 8une 97 19+1 LF%+9;1M in the EUR!PA. TCo students a>>ompanied meA
my
se>retary7 *r. C. Ri>hard &right7 and an elderly lady from Cin>innati7 *iss Ettie .let>h. &e enFoyed
the
days of o>ean pea>e7 a Cel>ome >ontrast to the past hurried Cee@s. !ur period of leisure Cas short;
liHedK the
speed of modern boats has some regrettable featuresO
'i@e any other group of inNuisitiHe tourists7 Ce Cal@ed around the huge and an>ient >ity of 'ondon.
The
folloCing day , Cas inHited to address a large meeting in CaJton all7 at Chi>h , Cas introdu>ed to the
'ondon audien>e by #ir Fran>is Younghusband. !ur party spent a pleasant day as guests of #ir arry
'auder
at his estate in #>otland. &e soon >rossed the English Channel to the >ontinent7 for , Canted to ma@e a
spe>ial
pilgrimage to .aHaria. This Could be my only >han>e7 , felt7 to Hisit the great Catholi> mysti>7 Therese
%eumann of $onnersreuth.
Years earlier , had read an amaIing a>>ount of Therese. ,nformation giHen in the arti>le Cas as folloCsA
Q1S Therese7 born in 10907 had been inFured in an a>>ident at the age of tCentyK she be>ame blind and
paralyIed.
Q2S #he mira>ulously regained her sight in 192+ through prayers to #t. Teresa7 2The 'ittle FloCer.3
'ater
Therese %eumann"s limbs Cere instantaneously healed.
Q+S From 192+ onCard7 Therese has abstained >ompletely from food and drin@7 eJ>ept for the daily
sCalloCing of one small >onse>rated Cafer.
CAPTER +9. TERE#E %EU*A%%7 TE CAT!',C #T,)*AT,#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
Q/S The stigmata7 or sa>red Counds of Christ7 appeared in 1924 on Therese"s head7 breast7 hands7 and
feet. !n
Friday of eHery Cee@ thereafter7 she has passed through the Passion of Christ7 suffering in her oCn
body all
his histori> agonies.
Q1S $noCing ordinarily only the simple )erman of her Hillage7 during her Friday tran>es Therese utters
phrases Chi>h s>holars haHe identified as an>ient Aramai>. At appropriate times in her Hision7 she
spea@s
ebreC or )ree@.
Q4S .y e>>lesiasti>al permission7 Therese has seHeral times been under >lose s>ientifi> obserHation. (r.
FritI
)erli>@7 editor of a Protestant )erman neCspaper7 Cent to $onnersreuth to 2eJpose the Catholi>
fraud73 but
ended up by reHerently Criting her biography. LF%+9;2M
As alCays7 Chether in East or &est7 , Cas eager to meet a saint. , reFoi>ed as our little party entered7 on
8uly
14th7 the Nuaint Hillage of $onnersreuth. The .aHarian peasants eJhibited liHely interest in our Ford
automobile Qbrought Cith us from Ameri>aS and its assorted group;an Ameri>an young man7 an elderly
lady7
and an oliHe;hued !riental Cith long hair tu>@ed under his >oat >ollar.
Therese"s little >ottage7 >lean and neat7 Cith geraniums blooming by a primitiHe Cell7 Cas alasO silently
>losed.
The neighbors7 and eHen the Hillage postman Cho passed by7 >ould giHe us no information. Rain began
to fallK
my >ompanions suggested that Ce leaHe.
2%o73 , said stubbornly7 2, Cill stay here until , find some >lue leading to Therese.3
TCo hours later Ce Cere still sitting in our >ar amidst the dismal rain. 2'ord73 , sighed >omplainingly7
2Chy
didst Thou lead me here if she has disappearedP3
An English;spea@ing man halted beside us7 politely offering his aid.
2, don"t @noC for >ertain Chere Therese is73 he said7 2but she often Hisits at the home of Professor
&urI7 a
seminary master of Ei>hstatt7 eighty miles from here.3
The folloCing morning our party motored to the Nuiet Hillage of Ei>hstatt7 narroCly lined Cith
>obblestoned
streets. (r. &urI greeted us >ordially at his homeK 2Yes7 Therese is here.3 e sent her Cord of the
Hisitors. A
messenger soon appeared Cith her reply.
2Though the bishop has as@ed me to see no one Cithout his permission7 , Cill re>eiHe the man of )od
from
,ndia.3
(eeply tou>hed at these Cords7 , folloCed (r. &urI upstairs to the sitting room. Therese entered
immediately7
radiating an aura of pea>e and Foy. #he Core a bla>@ goCn and spotless Chite head dress. Although her
age
Cas thirty;seHen at this time7 she seemed mu>h younger7 possessing indeed a >hildli@e freshness and
>harm.
ealthy7 Cell;formed7 rosy;>hee@ed7 and >heerful7 this is the saint that does not eatO
Therese greeted me Cith a Hery gentle handsha@ing. &e both beamed in silent >ommunion7 ea>h
@noCing the
other to be a loHer of )od.
(r. &urI @indly offered to serHe as interpreter. As Ce seated ourselHes7 , noti>ed that Therese Cas
glan>ing at
me Cith naiHe >uriosityK eHidently indus had been rare in .aHaria.
2(on"t you eat anythingP3 , Canted to hear the ansCer from her oCn lips.
CAPTER +9. TERE#E %EU*A%%7 TE CAT!',C #T,)*AT,#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2%o7 eJ>ept a >onse>rated ri>e;flour Cafer7 on>e eHery morning at siJ o">lo>@.3
2oC large is the CaferP3
2,t is paper;thin7 the siIe of a small >oin.3 #he added7 2, ta@e it for sa>ramental reasonsK if it is
un>onse>rated7
, am unable to sCalloC it.3
2Certainly you >ould not haHe liHed on that7 for tCelHe Chole yearsP3
2, liHe by )od"s light.3 oC simple her reply7 hoC EinsteinianO
2, see you realiIe that energy floCs to your body from the ether7 sun7 and air.3
A sCift smile bro@e oHer her fa>e. 2, am so happy to @noC you understand hoC , liHe.3
2Your sa>red life is a daily demonstration of the truth uttered by ChristA "*an shall not liHe by bread
alone7 but
by eHery Cord that pro>eedeth out of the mouth of )od."2 LF%+9;+M
Again she shoCed Foy at my eJplanation. 2,t is indeed so. !ne of the reasons , am here on earth today
is to
proHe that man >an liHe by )od"s inHisible light7 and not by food only.3
2Can you tea>h others hoC to liHe Cithout foodP3
#he appeared a trifle sho>@ed. 2, >annot do thatK )od does not Cish it.3
As my gaIe fell on her strong7 gra>eful hands7 Therese shoCed me a little7 sNuare7 freshly healed
Cound on
ea>h of her palms. !n the ba>@ of ea>h hand7 she pointed out a smaller7 >res>ent;shaped Cound7 freshly
healed. Ea>h Cound Cent straight through the hand. The sight brought to my mind distin>t re>olle>tion
of the
large sNuare iron nails Cith >res>ent;tipped ends7 still used in the !rient7 but Chi>h , do not re>all
haHing seen
in the &est.
The saint told me something of her Cee@ly tran>es. 2As a helpless onloo@er7 , obserHe the Chole
Passion of
Christ.3 Ea>h Cee@7 from Thursday midnight until Friday afternoon at one o">lo>@7 her Counds open
and
bleedK she loses ten pounds of her ordinary 121;pound Ceight. #uffering intensely in her sympatheti>
loHe7
Therese yet loo@s forCard Foyously to these Cee@ly Hisions of her 'ord.
, realiIed at on>e that her strange life is intended by )od to reassure all Christians of the histori>al
authenti>ity of 8esus" life and >ru>ifiJion as re>orded in the %eC Testament7 and to dramati>ally display
the
eHer;liHing bond betCeen the )alilean *aster and his deHotees.
Professor &urI related some of his eJperien>es Cith the saint.
2#eHeral of us7 in>luding Therese7 often traHel for days on sight;seeing trips throughout )ermany73 he
told
me. 2,t is a stri@ing >ontrast;Chile Ce haHe three meals a day7 Therese eats nothing. #he remains as
fresh as a
rose7 untou>hed by the fatigue Chi>h the trips >ause us. As Ce groC hungry and hunt for Cayside inns7
she
laughs merrily.3
The professor added some interesting physiologi>al detailsA 2.e>ause Therese ta@es no food7 her
stoma>h has
shrun@. #he has no eJ>retions7 but her perspiration glands fun>tionK her s@in is alCays soft and firm.3
At the time of parting7 , eJpressed to Therese my desire to be present at her tran>e.
CAPTER +9. TERE#E %EU*A%%7 TE CAT!',C #T,)*AT,#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Yes7 please >ome to $onnersreuth neJt Friday73 she said gra>iously. 2The bishop Cill giHe you a
permit. ,
am Hery happy you sought me out in Ei>hstatt.3
Therese shoo@ hands gently7 many times7 and Cal@ed Cith our party to the gate. *r. &right turned on
the
automobile radioK the saint eJamined it Cith little enthusiasti> >hu>@les. #u>h a large >roCd of
youngsters
gathered that Therese retreated into the house. &e saC her at a CindoC7 Chere she peered at us7
>hildli@e7
CaHing her hand.
From a >onHersation the neJt day Cith tCo of Therese"s brothers7 Hery @ind and amiable7 Ce learned
that the
saint sleeps only one or tCo hours at night. ,n spite of the many Counds in her body7 she is a>tiHe and
full of
energy. #he loHes birds7 loo@s after an aNuarium of fish7 and Cor@s often in her garden. er
>orresponden>e is
largeK Catholi> deHotees Crite her for prayers and healing blessings. *any see@ers haHe been >ured
through
her of serious diseases.
er brother Ferdinand7 about tCenty;three7 eJplained that Therese has the poCer7 through prayer7 of
Cor@ing
out on her oCn body the ailments of others. The saint"s abstinen>e from food dates from a time Chen
she
prayed that the throat disease of a young man of her parish7 then preparing to enter holy orders7 be
transferred
to her oCn throat.
!n Thursday afternoon our party droHe to the home of the bishop7 Cho loo@ed at my floCing lo>@s
Cith some
surprise. e readily Crote out the ne>essary permit. There Cas no feeK the rule made by the Chur>h is
simply
to prote>t Therese from the onrush of >asual tourists7 Cho in preHious years had flo>@ed on Fridays by
the
thousands.
&e arriHed Friday morning about nine;thirty in $onnersreuth. , noti>ed that Therese"s little >ottage
possesses
a spe>ial glass;roofed se>tion to afford her plenty of light. &e Cere glad to see the doors no longer
>losed7
but Cide;open in hospitable >heer. There Cas a line of about tCenty Hisitors7 armed Cith their permits.
*any
had >ome from great distan>es to HieC the mysti> tran>e.
Therese had passed my first test at the professor"s house by her intuitiHe @noCledge that , Canted to see
her
for spiritual reasons7 and not Fust to satisfy a passing >uriosity.
*y se>ond test Cas >onne>ted Cith the fa>t that7 Fust before , Cent upstairs to her room7 , put myself
into a
yogi> tran>e state in order to be one Cith her in telepathi> and teleHisi> rapport. , entered her >hamber7
filled
Cith HisitorsK she Cas lying in a Chite robe on the bed. &ith *r. &right folloCing >losely behind me7 ,
halted
Fust inside the threshold7 aCestru>@ at a strange and most frightful spe>ta>le.
E,llustrationA TERE#E %EU*A%%7 Famous Catholi> #tigmatist Cho inspired my 19+1 pilgrimage to
$onnersreuth7 .aHaria=see neumann.FpgG
.lood floCed thinly and >ontinuously in an in>h;Cide stream from Therese"s loCer eyelids. er gaIe
Cas
fo>used upCard on the spiritual eye Cithin the >entral forehead. The >loth Crapped around her head
Cas
dren>hed in blood from the stigmata Counds of the >roCn of thorns. The Chite garment Cas redly
splot>hed
oHer her heart from the Cound in her side at the spot Chere Christ"s body7 long ages ago7 had suffered
the final
indignity of the soldier"s spear;thrust.
Therese"s hands Cere eJtended in a gesture maternal7 pleadingK her fa>e Core an eJpression both
tortured and
diHine. #he appeared thinner7 >hanged in many subtle as Cell as outCard Cays. *urmuring Cords in a
foreign
tongue7 she spo@e Cith slightly NuiHering lips to persons Hisible before her inner sight.
CAPTER +9. TERE#E %EU*A%%7 TE CAT!',C #T,)*AT,#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
As , Cas in attunement Cith her7 , began to see the s>enes of her Hision. #he Cas Cat>hing 8esus as he
>arried
the >ross amidst the Feering multitude. LF%+9;/M #uddenly she lifted her head in >onsternationA the
'ord had
fallen under the >ruel Ceight. The Hision disappeared. ,n the eJhaustion of ferHid pity7 Therese san@
heaHily
against her pilloC.
At this moment , heard a loud thud behind me. Turning my head for a se>ond7 , saC tCo men >arrying
out a
prostrate body. .ut be>ause , Cas >oming out of the deep super>ons>ious state7 , did not immediately
re>ogniIe the fallen person. Again , fiJed my eyes on Therese"s fa>e7 deathly pale under the riHulets of
blood7
but noC >alm7 radiating purity and holiness. , glan>ed behind me later and saC *r. &right standing
Cith his
hand against his >hee@7 from Chi>h blood Cas tri>@ling.
2(i>@73 , inNuired anJiously7 2Cere you the one Cho fellP3
2Yes7 , fainted at the terrifying spe>ta>le.3
2&ell73 , said >onsolingly7 2you are braHe to return and loo@ upon the sight again.3
Remembering the patiently Caiting line of pilgrims7 *r. &right and , silently bade fareCell to Therese
and
left her sa>red presen>e. LF%+9;1M
The folloCing day our little group motored south7 than@ful that Ce Cere not dependent on trains7 but
>ould
stop the Ford ChereHer Ce >hose throughout the >ountryside. &e enFoyed eHery minute of a tour
through
)ermany7 olland7 Fran>e7 and the #Ciss Alps. ,n ,taly Ce made a spe>ial trip to Assisi to honor the
apostle
of humility7 #t. Fran>is. The European tour ended in )ree>e7 Chere Ce HieCed the Athenian temples7
and saC
the prison in Chi>h the gentle #o>rates LF%+9;4M had drun@ his death potion. !ne is filled Cith
admiration
for the artistry Cith Chi>h the )ree@s haHe eHeryChere Crought their Hery fan>ies in alabaster.
&e too@ ship oHer the sunny *editerranean7 disembar@ing at Palestine. &andering day after day oHer
the
oly 'and7 , Cas more than eHer >onHin>ed of the Halue of pilgrimage. The spirit of Christ is all;
perHasiHe in
PalestineK , Cal@ed reHerently by his side at .ethlehem7 )ethsemane7 CalHary7 the holy *ount of
!liHes7 and
by the RiHer 8ordan and the #ea of )alilee.
!ur little party Hisited the .irth *anger7 8oseph"s >arpenter shop7 the tomb of 'aIarus7 the house of
*artha
and *ary7 the hall of the 'ast #upper. AntiNuity unfoldedK s>ene by s>ene7 , saC the diHine drama that
Christ
on>e played for the ages.
!n to Egypt7 Cith its modern Cairo and an>ient pyramids. Then a boat doCn the narroC Red #ea7 oHer
the
Hasty Arabian #eaK lo7 ,ndiaO
LF%+9;1M The remar@able in>lusion here of a >omplete date is due to the fa>t that my se>retary7 *r.
&right7
@ept a traHel diary.
LF%+9;2M !ther boo@s on her life are TERE#E %EU*A%%A A #T,)*AT,#T !F !UR (AY7 and
FURTER CR!%,C'E# !F TERE#E %EU*A%%7 both by Friedri>h Ritter Hon 'ama
Q*ilCau@eeA
.ru>e Pub. Co.S.
LF%+9;+M *ATTE& /A/. *an"s body battery is not sustained by gross food QbreadS alone7 but by the
Hibratory >osmi> energy QCord7 or AU*S. The inHisible poCer floCs into the human body through the
gate of
the medulla oblongata. This siJth bodily >enter is lo>ated at the ba>@ of the ne>@ at the top of the fiHe
spinal
CA$RA# Q#ans@rit for 2CheelsT or >enters of radiating for>eS. The medulla is the prin>ipal entran>e
for the
body"s supply of uniHersal life for>e QAU*S7 and is dire>tly >onne>ted Cith man"s poCer of Cill7
>on>entrated
CAPTER +9. TERE#E %EU*A%%7 TE CAT!',C #T,)*AT,#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
in the seHenth or Christ Cons>iousness >enter Q$UTA#TAS in the third eye betCeen the eyebroCs.
Cosmi>
energy is then stored up in the brain as a reserHoir of infinite potentialities7 poeti>ally mentioned in the
6E(A# as the 2thousand;petaled lotus of light.3 The .ible inHariably refers to AU* as the 2oly
)host3 or
inHisible life for>e Chi>h diHinely upholds all >reation. 2&hatP @noC ye not that your body is the
temple of
the oly )host Chi>h is in you7 Chi>h ye haHe of )od7 and ye are not your oCnP3;, C!R,%T,A%#
4A19.
LF%+9;/M (uring the hours pre>eding my arriHal7 Therese had already passed through many Hisions of
the
>losing days in Christ"s life. er entran>ement usually starts Cith s>enes of the eHents Chi>h folloCed
the 'ast
#upper. er Hisions end Cith 8esus" death on the >ross or7 o>>asionally7 Cith his entombment.
LF%+9;1M Therese has surHiHed the %aIi perse>ution7 and is still present in $onnersreuth7 a>>ording to
19/1
Ameri>an neCs dispat>hes from )ermany.
LF%+9;4M A passage in Eusebius relates an interesting en>ounter betCeen #o>rates and a indu sage.
The
passage runsA 2AristoJenus7 the musi>ian7 tells the folloCing story about the ,ndians. !ne of these men
met
#o>rates at Athens7 and as@ed him Chat Cas the s>ope of his philosophy. "An inNuiry into human
phenomena7"
replied #o>rates. At this the ,ndian burst out laughing. "oC >an a man inNuire into human phenomena7"
he
said7 "Chen he is ignorant of diHine onesP"2 The AristoJenus mentioned Cas a pupil of Aristotle7 and a
noted
Criter on harmoni>s. is date is ++- ..C.
CAPTER /-. , RETUR% T! ,%(,A
)ratefully , Cas inhaling the blessed air of ,ndia. !ur boat RA8PUTA%A do>@ed on August 227 19+1
in the
huge harbor of .ombay. EHen this7 my first day off the ship7 Cas a foretaste of the year ahead;tCelHe
months
of >easeless a>tiHity. Friends had gathered at the do>@ Cith garlands and greetingsK soon7 at our suite in
the TaF
*ahal otel7 there Cas a stream of reporters and photographers.
.ombay Cas a >ity neC to meK , found it energeti>ally modern7 Cith many innoHations from the &est.
Palms
line the spa>ious bouleHardsK magnifi>ent state stru>tures Hie for interest Cith an>ient temples. 6ery
little time
Cas giHen to sight;seeing7 hoCeHerK , Cas impatient7 eager to see my beloHed guru and other dear ones.
Consigning the Ford to a baggage >ar7 our party Cas soon speeding eastCard by train toCard Cal>utta.
LF%/-;1M
!ur arriHal at oCrah #tation found su>h an immense >roCd assembled to greet us that for aChile Ce
Cere
unable to dismount from the train. The young *aharaFa of $asimbaIar and my brother .ishnu headed
the
re>eption >ommitteeK , Cas unprepared for the Carmth and magnitude of our Cel>ome.
Pre>eded by a line of automobiles and motor>y>les7 and amidst the Foyous sound of drums and >on>h
shells7
*iss .let>h7 *r. &right7 and myself7 floCer;garlanded from head to foot7 droHe sloCly to my father"s
home.
*y aged parent embra>ed me as one returning from the deadK long Ce gaIed on ea>h other7 spee>hless
Cith
Foy. .rothers and sisters7 un>les7 aunts7 and >ousins7 students and friends of years long past Cere
grouped
around me7 not a dry eye among us. Passed noC into the ar>hiHes of memory7 the s>ene of loHing
reunion
HiHidly endures7 unforgettable in my heart.
As for my meeting Cith #ri Yu@tesCar7 Cords fail meK let the folloCing des>ription from my se>retary
suffi>e.
2Today7 filled Cith the highest anti>ipations7 , droHe YoganandaFi from Cal>utta to #erampore73 *r.
&right
re>orded in his traHel diary. 2&e passed by Nuaint shops7 one of them the faHorite eating haunt of
YoganandaFi
during his >ollege days7 and finally entered a narroC7 Called lane. A sudden left turn7 and there before
us
toCered the simple but inspiring tCo;story ashram7 its #panish;style bal>ony Futting from the upper
floor.
CAPTER /-. , RETUR% T! ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
The perHasiHe impression Cas that of pea>eful solitude.
2,n graHe humility , Cal@ed behind YoganandaFi into the >ourtyard Cithin the hermitage Calls. earts
beating
fast7 Ce pro>eeded up some old >ement steps7 trod7 no doubt7 by myriads of truth;see@ers. The tension
greC
@eener and @eener as on Ce strode. .efore us7 near the head of the stairs7 Nuietly appeared the )reat
!ne7
#Cami #ri Yu@tesCarFi7 standing in the noble pose of a sage.
2*y heart heaHed and sCelled as , felt myself blessed by the priHilege of being in his sublime presen>e.
Tears
blurred my eager sight Chen YoganandaFi dropped to his @nees7 and Cith boCed head offered his soul"s
gratitude and greeting7 tou>hing Cith his hand his guru"s feet and then7 in humble obeisan>e7 his oCn
head. e
rose then and Cas embra>ed on both sides of the bosom by #ri Yu@tesCarFi.
2%o Cords passed at the beginning7 but the most intense feeling Cas eJpressed in the mute phrases of
the soul.
oC their eyes spar@led and Cere fired Cith the Carmth of reneCed soul;unionO A tender Hibration
surged
through the Nuiet patio7 and eHen the sun eluded the >louds to add a sudden blaIe of glory.
2!n bended @nee before the master , gaHe my oCn uneJpressed loHe and than@s7 tou>hing his feet7
>alloused
by time and serHi>e7 and re>eiHing his blessing. , stood then and fa>ed tCo beautiful deep eyes
smouldering
Cith introspe>tion7 yet radiant Cith Foy. &e entered his sitting room7 Chose Chole side opened to the
outer
bal>ony first seen from the street. The master bra>ed himself against a Corn daHenport7 sitting on a
>oHered
mattress on the >ement floor. YoganandaFi and , sat near the guru"s feet7 Cith orange;>olored pilloCs to
lean
against and ease our positions on the straC mat.
2, tried and tried to penetrate the .engali >onHersation betCeen the tCo #CamiFis;for English7 ,
dis>oHered7 is
null and Hoid Chen they are together7 although #CamiFi *aharaF7 as the great guru is >alled by others7
>an and
often does spea@ it. .ut , per>eiHed the saintliness of the )reat !ne through his heart;Carming smile
and
tCin@ling eyes. !ne Nuality easily dis>ernible in his merry7 serious >onHersation is a de>ided
positiHeness in
statement;the mar@ of a Cise man7 Cho @noCs he @noCs7 be>ause he @noCs )od. is great Cisdom7
strength
of purpose7 and determination are apparent in eHery Cay.
2#tudying him reHerently from time to time7 , noted that he is of large7 athleti> stature7 hardened by the
trials
and sa>rifi>es of renun>iation. is poise is maFesti>. A de>idedly sloping forehead7 as if see@ing the
heaHens7
dominates his diHine >ountenan>e. e has a rather large and homely nose7 Cith Chi>h he amuses
himself in
idle moments7 flipping and Ciggling it Cith his fingers7 li@e a >hild. is poCerful dar@ eyes are haloed
by an
ethereal blue ring. is hair7 parted in the middle7 begins as silHer and >hanges to strea@s of silHery;gold
and
silHery;bla>@7 ending in ringlets at his shoulders. is beard and mousta>he are s>ant or thinned out7 yet
seem
to enhan>e his features and7 li@e his >hara>ter7 are deep and light at the same time.
2e has a FoHial and rolli>@ing laugh Chi>h >omes from deep in his >hest7 >ausing him to sha@e and
NuiHer
throughout his body;Hery >heerful and sin>ere. is fa>e and stature are stri@ing in their poCer7 as are
his
mus>ular fingers. e moHes Cith a dignified tread and ere>t posture.
2e Cas >lad simply in the >ommon (!T, and shirt7 both on>e dyed a strong o>her >olor7 but noC a
faded
orange.
2)lan>ing about7 , obserHed that this rather dilapidated room suggested the oCner"s non;atta>hment to
material >omforts. The Ceather;stained Chite Calls of the long >hamber Cere strea@ed Cith fading blue
plaster. At one end of the room hung a pi>ture of 'ahiri *ahasaya7 garlanded in simple deHotion. There
Cas
also an old pi>ture shoCing YoganandaFi as he had first arriHed in .oston7 standing Cith the other
delegates to
the Congress of Religions.
CAPTER /-. , RETUR% T! ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
2, noted a Nuaint >on>urren>e of modernity and antiNuation. A huge7 >ut;glass7 >andle;light >handelier
Cas
>oHered Cith >obCebs through disuse7 and on the Call Cas a bright7 up;to;date >alendar. The Chole
room
emanated a fragran>e of pea>e and >almness. .eyond the bal>ony , >ould see >o>onut trees toCering
oHer the
hermitage in silent prote>tion.
2,t is interesting to obserHe that the master has merely to >lap his hands together and7 before finishing7
he is
serHed or attended by some small dis>iple. ,n>identally7 , am mu>h attra>ted to one of them;a thin lad7
named
Prafulla7 LF%/-;2M Cith long bla>@ hair to his shoulders7 a most penetrating pair of spar@ling bla>@
eyes7 and
a heaHenly smileK his eyes tCin@le7 as the >orners of his mouth rise7 li@e the stars and the >res>ent moon
appearing at tCilight.
2#Cami #ri Yu@tesCarFi"s Foy is obHiously intense at the return of his "produ>t" Qand he seems to be
someChat
inNuisitiHe about the "produ>t"s produ>t"S. oCeHer7 predominan>e of the Cisdom;aspe>t in the )reat
!ne"s
nature hinders his outCard eJpression of feeling.
2YoganandaFi presented him Cith some gifts7 as is the >ustom Chen the dis>iple returns to his guru. &e
sat
doCn later to a simple but Cell;>oo@ed meal. All the dishes Cere Hegetable and ri>e >ombinations. #ri
Yu@tesCarFi Cas pleased at my use of a number of ,ndian >ustoms7 "finger;eating" for eJample.
2After seHeral hours of flying .engali phrases and the eJ>hange of Carm smiles and Foyful glan>es7 Ce
paid
obeisan>e at his feet7 bade adieu Cith a PR!%A*7 LF%/-;+M and departed for Cal>utta Cith an
eHerlasting
memory of a sa>red meeting and greeting. Although , Crite >hiefly of my eJternal impressions of him7
yet ,
Cas alCays >ons>ious of the true basis of the saint;his spiritual glory. , felt his poCer7 and shall >arry
that
feeling as my diHine blessing.3
From Ameri>a7 Europe7 and Palestine , had brought many presents for #ri Yu@tesCar. e re>eiHed them
smilingly7 but Cithout remar@. For my oCn use7 , had bought in )ermany a >ombination umbrella;
>ane. ,n
,ndia , de>ided to giHe the >ane to *aster.
2This gift , appre>iate indeedO3 *y guru"s eyes Cere turned on me Cith affe>tionate understanding as
he made
the unConted >omment. From all the presents7 it Cas the >ane that he singled out to display to Hisitors.
2*aster7 please permit me to get a neC >arpet for the sitting room.3 , had noti>ed that #ri Yu@tesCar"s
tiger
s@in Cas pla>ed oHer a torn rug.
2(o so if it pleases you.3 *y guru"s Hoi>e Cas not enthusiasti>. 2.ehold7 my tiger mat is ni>e and
>leanK , am
monar>h in my oCn little @ingdom. .eyond it is the Hast Corld7 interested only in eJternals.3
As he uttered these Cords , felt the years roll ba>@K on>e again , am a young dis>iple7 purified in the
daily fires
of >hastisementO
As soon as , >ould tear myself aCay from #erampore and Cal>utta7 , set out7 Cith *r. &right7 for
Ran>hi.
&hat a Cel>ome there7 a Heritable oHationO Tears stood in my eyes as , embra>ed the selfless tea>hers
Cho
had @ept the banner of the s>hool flying during my fifteen years" absen>e. The bright fa>es and happy
smiles
of the residential and day students Cere ample testimony to the Corth of their many;sided s>hool and
yoga
training.
Yet7 alasO the Ran>hi institution Cas in dire finan>ial diffi>ulties. #ir *anindra Chandra %undy7 the old
*aharaFa Chose $asimbaIar Pala>e had been >onHerted into the >entral s>hool building7 and Cho had
made
many prin>ely donations Cas noC dead. *any free7 beneHolent features of the s>hool Cere noC
seriously
endangered for la>@ of suffi>ient publi> support.
CAPTER /-. , RETUR% T! ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
, had not spent years in Ameri>a Cithout learning some of its pra>ti>al Cisdom7 its undaunted spirit
before
obsta>les. For one Cee@ , remained in Ran>hi7 Crestling Cith >riti>al problems. Then >ame interHieCs
in
Cal>utta Cith prominent leaders and edu>ators7 a long tal@ Cith the young *aharaFa of $asimbaIar7 a
finan>ial appeal to my father7 and loO the sha@y foundations of Ran>hi began to be righted. *any
donations
in>luding one huge >he>@ arriHed in the ni>@ of time from my Ameri>an students.
&ithin a feC months after my arriHal in ,ndia7 , had the Foy of seeing the Ran>hi s>hool legally
in>orporated.
*y lifelong dream of a permanently endoCed yoga edu>ational >enter stood fulfilled. That Hision had
guided
me in the humble beginnings in 1915 Cith a group of seHen boys.
,n the de>ade sin>e 19+17 Ran>hi has enlarged its s>ope far beyond the boys" s>hool. &idespread
humanitarian
a>tiHities are noC >arried on there in the #hyama Charan 'ahiri *ahasaya *ission.
The s>hool7 or Yogoda #at;#anga .rahma>harya 6idyalaya7 >ondu>ts outdoor >lasses in grammar and
high
s>hool subFe>ts. The residential students and day s>holars also re>eiHe Ho>ational training of some @ind.
The
boys themselHes regulate most of their a>tiHities through autonomous >ommittees. 6ery early in my
>areer as
an edu>ator , dis>oHered that boys Cho impishly delight in outCitting a tea>her Cill >heerfully a>>ept
dis>iplinary rules that are set by their felloC students. %eHer a model pupil myself7 , had a ready
sympathy for
all boyish pran@s and problems.
#ports and games are en>ouragedK the fields resound Cith ho>@ey and football pra>ti>e. Ran>hi students
often
Cin the >up at >ompetitiHe eHents. The outdoor gymnasium is @noCn far and Cide. *us>le re>harging
through
Cill poCer is the Y!)!(A featureA mental dire>tion of life energy to any part of the body. The boys
are also
taught A#A%A# QposturesS7 sCord and 'AT, Qsti>@S play7 and FuFitsu. The Yogoda ealth EJhibitions
at the
Ran>hi 6,(YA'AYA haHe been attended by thousands.
,nstru>tion in primary subFe>ts is giHen in indi to the $!'#7 #A%TA'#7 and *U%(A#7 aboriginal
tribes of
the proHin>e. Classes for girls only haHe been organiIed in near;by Hillages.
The uniNue feature at Ran>hi is the initiation into $R,YA Y!)A. The boys daily pra>ti>e their spiritual
eJer>ises7 engage in ),TA >hanting7 and are taught by pre>ept and eJample the Hirtues of simpli>ity7
self;sa>rifi>e7 honor7 and truth. EHil is pointed out to them as being that Chi>h produ>es miseryK good
as those
a>tions Chi>h result in true happiness. EHil may be >ompared to poisoned honey7 tempting but laden
Cith
death.
!Her>oming restlessness of body and mind by >on>entration te>hniNues has a>hieHed astonishing
resultsA it is
no noHelty at Ran>hi to see an appealing little figure7 aged nine or ten years7 sitting for an hour or more
in
unbro@en poise7 the unCin@ing gaIe dire>ted to the spiritual eye. !ften the pi>ture of these Ran>hi
students
has returned to my mind7 as , obserHed >ollegians oHer the Corld Cho are hardly able to sit still through
one
>lass period. LF%/-;/M
Ran>hi lies 2--- feet aboHe sea leHelK the >limate is mild and eNuable. The tCenty;fiHe a>re site7 by a
large
bathing pond7 in>ludes one of the finest or>hards in ,ndia;fiHe hundred fruit trees;mango7 guaHa7 lit>hi7
Fa>@fruit7 date. The boys groC their oCn Hegetables7 and spin at their CAR$A#.
A guest house is hospitably open for &estern Hisitors. The Ran>hi library >ontains numerous
magaIines7 and
about a thousand Holumes in English and .engali7 donations from the &est and the East. There is a
>olle>tion
of the s>riptures of the Corld. A Cell;>lassified museum displays ar>heologi>al7 geologi>al7 and
anthropologi>al eJhibitsK trophies7 to a great eJtent7 of my Canderings oHer the 'ord"s Haried earth.
CAPTER /-. , RETUR% T! ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
The >haritable hospital and dispensary of the 'ahiri *ahasaya *ission7 Cith many outdoor bran>hes in
distant
Hillages7 haHe already ministered to 11-7--- of ,ndia"s poor. The Ran>hi students are trained in first aid7
and
haHe giHen praiseCorthy serHi>e to their proHin>e at tragi> times of flood or famine.
,n the or>hard stands a #hiHa temple7 Cith a statue of the blessed master7 'ahiri *ahasaya. (aily
prayers and
s>ripture >lasses are held in the garden under the mango boCers.
.ran>h high s>hools7 Cith the residential and yoga features of Ran>hi7 haHe been opened and are noC
flourishing. These are the Yogoda #at;#anga 6idyapith Q#>hoolS for .oys7 at 'a@shmanpur in .iharK
and the
Yogoda #at;#anga igh #>hool and hermitage at EFmali>ha@ in *idnapore.
A stately Yogoda *ath Cas dedi>ated in 19+9 at (a@shinesCar7 dire>tly on the )anges. !nly a feC
miles
north of Cal>utta7 the neC hermitage affords a haHen of pea>e for >ity dCellers. #uitable
a>>ommodations are
aHailable for &estern guests7 and parti>ularly for those see@ers Cho are intensely dedi>ating their liHes
to
spiritual realiIation. The a>tiHities of the Yogoda *ath in>lude a fortnightly mailing of #elf;RealiIation
FelloCship tea>hings to students in Harious parts of ,ndia.
,t is needless to say that all these edu>ational and humanitarian a>tiHities haHe reNuired the self;
sa>rifi>ing
serHi>e and deHotion of many tea>hers and Cor@ers. , do not list their names here7 be>ause they are so
numerousK but in my heart ea>h one has a lustrous ni>he. ,nspired by the ideals of 'ahiri *ahasaya7
these
tea>hers haHe abandoned promising Corldly goals to serHe humbly7 to giHe greatly.
*r. &right formed many fast friendships Cith Ran>hi boysK >lad in a simple (!T,7 he liHed for
aChile
among them. At Ran>hi7 Cal>utta7 #erampore7 eHeryChere he Cent7 my se>retary7 Cho has a HiHid gift
of
des>ription7 hauled out his traHel diary to re>ord his adHentures. !ne eHening , as@ed him a Nuestion.
2(i>@7 Chat is your impression of ,ndiaP3
2Pea>e73 he said thoughtfully. 2The ra>ial aura is pea>e.3
LF%/-;1M &e bro@e our Fourney in Central ProHin>es7 halfCay a>ross the >ontinent7 to see *ahatma
)andhi
at &ardha. Those days are des>ribed in >hapter //.
LF%/-;2M Prafulla Cas the lad Cho had been present Cith *aster Chen a >obra approa>hed Qsee page
114S.
LF%/-;+M 'iterally7 2holy name73 a Cord of greeting among indus7 a>>ompanied by palm;folded
hands
lifted from the heart to the forehead in salutation. A PR!%A* in ,ndia ta@es the pla>e of the &estern
greeting by handsha@ing.
LF%/-;/M *ental training through >ertain >on>entration te>hniNues has produ>ed in ea>h ,ndian
generation
men of prodigious memory. #ir T. 6iFayaraghaHa>hari7 in the ,%(U#TA% T,*E#7 has des>ribed the
tests
put to the modern professional 2memory men3 of *adras. 2These men73 he Crote7 2Cere unusually
learned in
#ans@rit literature. #eated in the midst of a large audien>e7 they Cere eNual to the tests that seHeral
members
of the audien>e simultaneously put them to. The test Could be li@e thisA one person Could start ringing
a bell7
the number of rings haHing to be >ounted by the "memory man." A se>ond person Could di>tate from a
paper a
long eJer>ise in arithmeti>7 inHolHing addition7 subtra>tion7 multipli>ation7 and diHision. A third Could
go on
re>iting from the RA*AYA%A or the *AA.ARATA a long series of poems7 Chi>h had to be
reprodu>edK a fourth Could set problems in Hersifi>ation Chi>h reNuired the >omposition of Herses in
proper
meter on a giHen subFe>t7 ea>h line to end in a spe>ified Cord7 a fifth man Could >arry on Cith a siJth a
theologi>al disputation7 the eJa>t language of Chi>h had to be Nuoted in the pre>ise order in Chi>h the
disputants >ondu>ted it7 and a seHenth man Cas all the Chile turning a Cheel7 the number of reHolutions
of
CAPTER /-. , RETUR% T! ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
Chi>h had to be >ounted. The memory eJpert had simultaneously to do all these feats purely by mental
pro>esses7 as he Cas alloCed no paper and pen>il. The strain on the fa>ulties must haHe been terrifi>.
!rdinarily men in un>ons>ious enHy are apt to depre>iate su>h efforts by affe>ting to belieHe that they
inHolHe
only the eJer>ise of the loCer fun>tionings of the brain. ,t is not7 hoCeHer7 a pure Nuestion of memory.
The
greater fa>tor is the immense >on>entration of mind.3
CAPTER /1. A% ,(Y' ,% #!UT ,%(,A
2You are the first &esterner7 (i>@7 eHer to enter that shrine. *any others haHe tried in Hain.3
At my Cords *r. &right loo@ed startled7 then pleased. &e had Fust left the beautiful Chamundi Temple
in the
hills oHerloo@ing *ysore in southern ,ndia. There Ce had boCed before the gold and silHer altars of the
)oddess Chamundi7 patron deity of the family of the reigning maharaFa.
2As a souHenir of the uniNue honor73 *r. &right said7 >arefully stoCing aCay a feC blessed rose petals7
2,
Cill alCays preserHe this floCer7 sprin@led by the priest Cith rose Cater.3
*y >ompanion and , LF%/1;1M Cere spending the month of %oHember7 19+17 as guests of the #tate of
*ysore. The *aharaFa7 .. #ri $rishnaraFa &adiyar ,67 is a model prin>e Cith intelligent deHotion to
his
people. A pious indu7 the *aharaFa has empoCered a *ohammedan7 the able *irIa ,smail7 as his
(eCan or
Premier. Popular representation is giHen to the seHen million inhabitants of *ysore in both an
Assembly and a
'egislatiHe Coun>il.
The heir to the *aharaFa7 .. the YuHaraFa7 #ir #ri $rishna %arasingharaF &adiyar7 had inHited my
se>retary
and me to Hisit his enlightened and progressiHe realm. (uring the past fortnight , had addressed
thousands of
*ysore >itiIens and students7 at the ToCn all7 the *aharaFah"s College7 the UniHersity *edi>al
#>hoolK and
three mass meetings in .angalore7 at the %ational igh #>hool7 the ,ntermediate College7 and the
Chetty
ToCn all Chere oHer three thousand persons had assembled. &hether the eager listeners had been
able to
>redit the gloCing pi>ture , dreC of Ameri>a7 , @noC notK but the applause had alCays been loudest
Chen ,
spo@e of the mutual benefits that >ould floC from eJ>hange of the best features in East and &est.
*r. &right and , Cere noC relaJing in the tropi>al pea>e. is traHel diary giHes the folloCing a>>ount
of his
impressions of *ysoreA
2.rilliantly green ri>e fields7 Haried by tasseled sugar >ane pat>hes7 nestle at the prote>tiHe foot of
ro>@y
hills;hills dotting the emerald panorama li@e eJ>res>en>es of bla>@ stone;and the play of >olors is
enhan>ed
by the sudden and dramati> disappearan>e of the sun as it see@s rest behind the solemn hills.
2*any rapturous moments haHe been spent in gaIing7 almost absent;mindedly7 at the eHer;>hanging
>anHas
of )od stret>hed a>ross the firmament7 for is tou>h alone is able to produ>e >olors that Hibrate Cith
the
freshness of life. That youth of >olors is lost Chen man tries to imitate Cith mere pigments7 for the
'ord
resorts to a more simple and effe>tiHe medium;oils that are neither oils nor pigments7 but mere rays of
light.
e tosses a splash of light here7 and it refle>ts redK e CaHes the brush again and it blends gradually
into
orange and goldK then Cith a pier>ing thrust e stabs the >louds Cith a strea@ of purple that leaHes a
ringlet or
fringe of red ooIing out of the Cound in the >loudsK and so7 on and on7 e plays7 night and morning
ali@e7
eHer;>hanging7 eHer;neC7 eHer;freshK no patterns7 no dupli>ates7 no >olors Fust the same. The beauty of
the
,ndian >hange in day to night is beyond >ompare elseChereK often the s@y loo@s as if )od had ta@en all
the
>olors in is @it and giHen them one mighty @aleidos>opi> toss into the heaHens.
2, must relate the splendor of a tCilight Hisit to the huge $rishnaraFa #agar (am7 LF%/1;2M >onstru>ted
tCelHe miles outside of *ysore. YoganandaFi and , boarded a small bus and7 Cith a small boy as
offi>ial
CAPTER /1. A% ,(Y' ,% #!UT ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
>ran@er or battery substitute7 started off oHer a smooth dirt road7 Fust as the sun Cas setting on the
horiIon and
sNuashing li@e an oHerripe tomato.
2!ur Fourney led past the omnipresent sNuare ri>e fields7 through a line of >omforting banyan trees7 in
betCeen a groHe of toCering >o>onut palms7 Cith Hegetation nearly as thi>@ as in a Fungle7 and finally7
approa>hing the >rest of a hill7 Ce >ame fa>e;to;fa>e Cith an immense artifi>ial la@e7 refle>ting the stars
and
fringe of palms and other trees7 surrounded by loHely terra>ed gardens and a roC of ele>tri> lights on
the brin@
of the dam;and beloC it our eyes met a daIIling spe>ta>le of >olored beams playing on geyserli@e
fountains7
li@e so many streams of brilliant in@ pouring forth;gorgeously blue Caterfalls7 arresting red >atara>ts7
green
and yelloC sprays7 elephants spouting Cater7 a miniature of the Chi>ago &orld"s Fair7 and yet modernly
outstanding in this an>ient land of paddy fields and simple people7 Cho haHe giHen us su>h a loHing
Cel>ome
that , fear it Cill ta@e more than my strength to bring YoganandaFi ba>@ to Ameri>a.
2Another rare priHilege;my first elephant ride. Yesterday the YuHaraFa inHited us to his summer pala>e
to
enFoy a ride on one of his elephants7 an enormous beast. , mounted a ladder proHided to >limb aloft to
the
!&(A or saddle7 Chi>h is sil@;>ushioned and boJli@eK and then for a rolling7 tossing7 sCaying7 and
heaHing doCn into a gully7 too mu>h thrilled to Corry or eJ>laim7 but hanging on for dear lifeO3
#outhern ,ndia7 ri>h Cith histori>al and ar>haeologi>al remains7 is a land of definite and yet indefinable
>harm. To the north of *ysore is the largest natiHe state in ,ndia7 yderabad7 a pi>turesNue plateau >ut
by the
mighty )odaHari RiHer. .road fertile plains7 the loHely %ilgiris or 2.lue *ountains73 other regions
Cith
barren hills of limestone or granite. yderabad history is a long7 >olorful story7 starting three thousand
years
ago under the Andhra @ings7 and >ontinuing under indu dynasties until A.(. 129/7 Chen it passed to a
line
of *oslem rulers Cho reign to this day.
The most breath;ta@ing display of ar>hite>ture7 s>ulpture7 and painting in all ,ndia is found at
yderabad in
the an>ient ro>@;s>ulptured >aHes of Ellora and AFanta. The $ailasa at Ellora7 a huge monolithi>
temple7
possesses >arHed figures of gods7 men7 and beasts in the stupendous proportions of a *i>helangelo.
AFanta is
the site of fiHe >athedrals and tCenty;fiHe monasteries7 all ro>@ eJ>aHations maintained by tremendous
fres>oed pillars on Chi>h artists and s>ulptors haHe immortaliIed their genius.
yderabad City is gra>ed by the !smania UniHersity and by the imposing *e>>a *asFid *osNue7
Chere ten
thousand *ohammedans may assemble for prayer.
*ysore #tate too is a s>eni> Conderland7 three thousand feet aboHe sea leHel7 abounding in dense
tropi>al
forests7 the home of Cild elephants7 bison7 bears7 panthers7 and tigers. ,ts tCo >hief >ities7 .angalore
and
*ysore7 are >lean7 attra>tiHe7 Cith many par@s and publi> gardens.
indu ar>hite>ture and s>ulpture a>hieHed their highest perfe>tion in *ysore under the patronage of
indu
@ings from the eleHenth to the fifteenth >enturies. The temple at .elur7 an eleHenth;>entury masterpie>e
>ompleted during the reign of $ing 6ishnuHardhana7 is unsurpassed in the Corld for its deli>a>y of
detail and
eJuberant imagery.
The ro>@ pillars found in northern *ysore date from the third >entury ..C.7 illuminating the memory of
$ing
Aso@a. e su>>eeded to the throne of the *aurya dynasty then preHailingK his empire in>luded nearly
all of
modern ,ndia7 Afghanistan7 and .alu>histan. This illustrious emperor7 >onsidered eHen by &estern
historians
to haHe been an in>omparable ruler7 has left the folloCing Cisdom on a ro>@ memorialA
This religious ins>ription has been engraHed in order that our sons and grandsons may not thin@ a neC
>onNuest is ne>essaryK that they may not thin@ >onNuest by the sCord deserHes the name of >onNuestK
that they
may see in it nothing but destru>tion and Hiolen>eK that they may >onsider nothing as true >onNuest
saHe the
CAPTER /1. A% ,(Y' ,% #!UT ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
>onNuest of religion. #u>h >onNuests haHe Halue in this Corld and in the neJt.
E,llustrationA *y >ompanions and , pose before the 2dream in marble73 the TaF *ahal at Agra.=see
taF.FpgG
Aso@a Cas a grandson of the formidable Chandragupta *aurya Q@noCn to the )ree@s as #andro>ottusS7
Cho
in his youth had met AleJander the )reat. 'ater Chandragupta destroyed the *a>edonian garrisons left
in
,ndia7 defeated the inHading )ree@ army of #eleu>us in the PunFab7 and then re>eiHed at his Patna >ourt
the
elleni> ambassador *egasthenes.
,ntensely interesting stories haHe been minutely re>orded by )ree@ historians and others Cho
a>>ompanied or
folloCed after AleJander in his eJpedition to ,ndia. The narratiHes of Arrian7 (iodoros7 Plutar>h7 and
#trabo
the geographer haHe been translated by (r. 8. &. *"Crindle LF%/1;+M to throC a shaft of light on
an>ient
,ndia. The most admirable feature of AleJander"s unsu>>essful inHasion Cas the deep interest he
displayed in
indu philosophy and in the yogis and holy men Chom he en>ountered from time to time and Chose
so>iety
he eagerly sought. #hortly after the )ree@ Carrior had arriHed in TaJila in northern ,ndia7 he sent a
messenger7
!nesi@ritos7 a dis>iple of the elleni> s>hool of (iogenes7 to fet>h an ,ndian tea>her7 (andamis7 a great
sannyasi of TaJila.
2ail to thee7 ! tea>her of .rahminsO3 !nesi@ritos said after see@ing out (andamis in his forest retreat.
2The
son of the mighty )od <eus7 being AleJander Cho is the #oHereign 'ord of all men7 as@s you to go to
him7
and if you >omply7 he Cill reCard you Cith great gifts7 but if you refuse7 he Cill >ut off your headO3
The yogi re>eiHed this fairly >ompulsiHe inHitation >almly7 and 2did not so mu>h as lift up his head
from his
>ou>h of leaHes.3
2, also am a son of <eus7 if AleJander be su>h73 he >ommented. 2, Cant nothing that is AleJander"s7 for
, am
>ontent Cith Chat , haHe7 Chile , see that he Canders Cith his men oHer sea and land for no adHantage7
and is
neHer >oming to an end of his Canderings.
2)o and tell AleJander that )od the #upreme $ing is neHer the Author of insolent Crong7 but is the
Creator
of light7 of pea>e7 of life7 of Cater7 of the body of man and of soulsK e re>eiHes all men Chen death
sets them
free7 being in no Cay subFe>t to eHil disease. e alone is the )od of my homage7 Cho abhors slaughter
and
instigates no Cars.
2AleJander is no god7 sin>e he must taste of death73 >ontinued the sage in Nuiet s>orn. 2oC >an su>h
as he be
the Corld"s master7 Chen he has not yet seated himself on a throne of inner uniHersal dominionP %either
as yet
has he entered liHing into ades7 nor does he @noC the >ourse of the sun through the >entral regions of
the
earth7 Chile the nations on its boundaries haHe not so mu>h as heard his nameO3
After this >hastisement7 surely the most >austi> eHer sent to assault the ears of the 2'ord of the &orld73
the
sage added ironi>ally7 2,f AleJander"s present dominions be not >apa>ious enough for his desires7 let
him
>ross the )anges RiHerK there he Cill find a region able to sustain all his men7 if the >ountry on this side
be too
narroC to hold him. LF%/1;/M
2$noC this7 hoCeHer7 that Chat AleJander offers and the gifts he promises are things to me utterly
uselessK
the things , priIe and find of real use and Corth are these leaHes Chi>h are my house7 these blooming
plants
Chi>h supply me Cith daily food7 and the Cater Chi>h is my drin@K Chile all other possessions Chi>h
are
amassed Cith anJious >are are Cont to proHe ruinous to those Cho gather them7 and >ause only sorroC
and
HeJation7 Cith Chi>h eHery poor mortal is fully fraught. As for me7 , lie upon the forest leaHes7 and
haHing
nothing Chi>h reNuires guarding7 >lose my eyes in tranNuil slumberK Chereas had , anything to guard7
that
Could banish sleep. The earth supplies me Cith eHerything7 eHen as a mother her >hild Cith mil@. , go
CAPTER /1. A% ,(Y' ,% #!UT ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
ChereHer , please7 and there are no >ares Cith Chi>h , am for>ed to >umber myself.
2#hould AleJander >ut off my head7 he >annot also destroy my soul. *y head alone7 then silent7 Cill
remain7
leaHing the body li@e a torn garment upon the earth7 Chen>e also it Cas ta@en. , then7 be>oming #pirit7
shall
as>end to my )od7 Cho en>losed us all in flesh and left us upon earth to proHe Chether7 Chen here
beloC7 Ce
shall liHe obedient to is ordinan>es and Cho also Cill reNuire of us all7 Chen Ce depart hen>e to is
presen>e7 an a>>ount of our life7 sin>e e is 8udge of all proud CrongdoingK for the groans of the
oppressed
be>ome the punishment of the oppressor.
2'et AleJander then terrify Cith these threats those Cho Cish for Cealth and Cho dread death7 for
against us
these Ceapons are both ali@e poCerlessK the .rahmins neither loHe gold nor fear death. )o then and tell
AleJander thisA (andamis has no need of aught that is yours7 and therefore Cill not go to you7 and if
you Cant
anything from (andamis7 >ome you to him.3
&ith >lose attention AleJander re>eiHed through !nesi@ritos the message from the yogi7 and 2felt a
stronger
desire than eHer to see (andamis Cho7 though old and na@ed7 Cas the only antagonist in Chom he7 the
>onNueror of many nations7 had met more than his mat>h.3
AleJander inHited to TaJila a number of .rahmin as>eti>s noted for their s@ill in ansCering
philosophi>al
Nuestions Cith pithy Cisdom. An a>>ount of the Herbal s@irmish is giHen by Plutar>hK AleJander
himself
framed all the Nuestions.
2&hi>h be the more numerous7 the liHing or the deadP3
2The liHing7 for the dead are not.3
2&hi>h breeds the larger animals7 the sea or the landP3
2The land7 for the sea is only a part of land.3
2&hi>h is the >leHerest of beastsP3
2That one Cith Chi>h man is not yet a>Nuainted.3 Q*an fears the un@noCn.S
2&hi>h eJisted first7 the day or the nightP3
2The day Cas first by one day.3 This reply >aused AleJander to betray surpriseK the .rahmin addedA
2,mpossible Nuestions reNuire impossible ansCers.3
2oC best may a man ma@e himself beloHedP3
2A man Cill be beloHed if7 possessed Cith great poCer7 he still does not ma@e himself feared.3
2oC may a man be>ome a godP3 LF%/1;1M
2.y doing that Chi>h it is impossible for a man to do.3
2&hi>h is stronger7 life or deathP3
2'ife7 be>ause it bears so many eHils.3
CAPTER /1. A% ,(Y' ,% #!UT ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
AleJander su>>eeded in ta@ing out of ,ndia7 as his tea>her7 a true yogi. This man Cas #Cami #phines7
>alled
2$alanos3 by the )ree@s be>ause the saint7 a deHotee of )od in the form of $ali7 greeted eHeryone by
pronoun>ing er auspi>ious name.
$alanos a>>ompanied AleJander to Persia. !n a stated day7 at #usa in Persia7 $alanos gaHe up his aged
body
by entering a funeral pyre in HieC of the Chole *a>edonian army. The historians re>ord the
astonishment of
the soldiers Cho obserHed that the yogi had no fear of pain or death7 and Cho neHer on>e moHed from
his
position as he Cas >onsumed in the flames. .efore leaHing for his >remation7 $alanos had embra>ed all
his
>lose >ompanions7 but refrained from bidding fareCell to AleJander7 to Chom the indu sage had
merely
remar@edA
2, shall see you shortly in .abylon.3
AleJander left Persia7 and died a year later in .abylon. is ,ndian guru"s Cords had been his Cay of
saying he
Could be present Cith AleJander in life and death.
The )ree@ historians haHe left us many HiHid and inspiring pi>tures of ,ndian so>iety. indu laC7 Arrian
tells
us7 prote>ts the people and 2ordains that no one among them shall7 under any >ir>umstan>es7 be a slaHe
but
that7 enFoying freedom themselHes7 they shall respe>t the eNual right to it Chi>h all possess. For those7
they
thought7 Cho haHe learned neither to domineer oHer nor >ringe to others Cill attain the life best adapted
for all
Hi>issitudes of lot.3 LF%/1;4M
2The ,ndians73 runs another teJt7 2neither put out money at usury7 nor @noC hoC to borroC. ,t is
>ontrary to
established usage for an ,ndian either to do or suffer a Crong7 and therefore they neither ma@e >ontra>ts
nor
reNuire se>urities.3 ealing7 Ce are told7 Cas by simple and natural means. 2Cures are effe>ted rather
by
regulating diet than by the use of medi>ines. The remedies most esteemed are ointments and plasters.
All
others are >onsidered to be in great measure perni>ious.3 Engagement in Car Cas restri>ted to the
$#ATR,YA# or Carrior >aste. 2%or Could an enemy >oming upon a husbandman at his Cor@ on his
land7
do him any harm7 for men of this >lass being regarded as publi> benefa>tors7 are prote>ted from all
inFury. The
land thus remaining unraHaged and produ>ing heaHy >rops7 supplies the inhabitants Cith the reNuisites
to
ma@e life enFoyable.3 LF%/1;5M
The Emperor Chandragupta Cho in +-1 ..C. had defeated AleJander"s general7 #eleu>us7 de>ided
seHen years
later to hand oHer the reins of ,ndia"s goHernment to his son. TraHeling to #outh ,ndia7 Chandragupta
spent the
last tCelHe years of his life as a penniless as>eti>7 see@ing self;realiIation in a ro>@y >aHe at
#raHanabelagola7
noC honored as a *ysore shrine. %ear;by stands the Corld"s largest statue7 >arHed out of an immense
boulder
by the 8ains in A.(. 90+ to honor the saint ComatesCara.
The ubiNuitous religious shrines of *ysore are a >onstant reminder of the many great saints of #outh
,ndia.
!ne of these masters7 ThayumanaHar7 has left us the folloCing >hallenging poemA
You >an >ontrol a mad elephantK
You >an shut the mouth of the bear and the tigerK
You >an ride a lionK
You >an play Cith the >obraK
.y al>hemy you >an e@e out your liHelihoodK
You >an Cander through the uniHerse in>ognitoK
You >an ma@e Hassals of the godsK
You >an be eHer youthfulK
You >an Cal@ on Cater and liHe in fireK
.ut >ontrol of the mind is better and more diffi>ult.
CAPTER /1. A% ,(Y' ,% #!UT ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
,n the beautiful and fertile #tate of TraHan>ore in the eJtreme south of ,ndia7 Chere traffi> is >onHeyed
oHer
riHers and >anals7 the *aharaFa assumes eHery year a hereditary obligation to eJpiate the sin in>urred
by Cars
and the anneJation in the distant past of seHeral petty states to TraHan>ore. For fifty;siJ days annually
the
*aharaFa Hisits the temple thri>e daily to hear 6edi> hymns and re>itationsK the eJpiation >eremony
ends Cith
the 'A$#A(,PA* or illumination of the temple by a hundred thousand lights.
The great indu laCgiHer *anu LF%/1;0M has outlined the duties of a @ing. 2e should shoCer
amenities
li@e ,ndra Qlord of the godsSK >olle>t taJes gently and imper>eptibly as the sun obtains Hapor from
CaterK enter
into the life of his subFe>ts as the Cind goes eHeryChereK mete out eHen Fusti>e to all li@e Yama Qgod of
deathSK
bind transgressors in a noose li@e 6aruna Q6edi> deity of s@y and CindSK please all li@e the moon7 burn
up
Hi>ious enemies li@e the god of fireK and support all li@e the earth goddess.
2,n Car a @ing should not fight Cith poisonous or fiery Ceapons nor @ill Cea@ or unready or
Ceaponless foes
or men Cho are in fear or Cho pray for prote>tion or Cho run aCay. &ar should be resorted to only as a
last
resort. Results are alCays doubtful in Car.3
*adras Presiden>y on the southeast >oast of ,ndia >ontains the flat7 spa>ious7 sea;girt >ity of *adras7
and
ConFeeHeram7 the )olden City7 >apital site of the PallaHa dynasty Chose @ings ruled during the early
>enturies
of the Christian era. ,n modern *adras Presiden>y the nonHiolent ideals of *ahatma )andhi haHe
made great
headCayK the Chite distinguishing 2)andhi >aps3 are seen eHeryChere. ,n the south generally the
*ahatma
has effe>ted many important temple reforms for 2untou>hables3 as Cell as >aste;system reforms.
The origin of the >aste system7 formulated by the great legislator *anu7 Cas admirable. e saC >learly
that
men are distinguished by natural eHolution into four great >lassesA those >apable of offering serHi>e to
so>iety
through their bodily labor Q#U(RA#SK those Cho serHe through mentality7 s@ill7 agri>ulture7 trade7
>ommer>e7
business life in general Q6A,#YA#SK those Chose talents are administratiHe7 eJe>utiHe7 and prote>tiHe;
rulers
and Carriors Q$#ATR,YA#SK those of >ontemplatiHe nature7 spiritually inspired and inspiring
Q.RA*,%#S. 2%either birth nor sa>raments nor study nor an>estry >an de>ide Chether a person is
tCi>e;born Qi.e.7 a .RA*,%SK3 the *AA.ARATA de>lares7 2>hara>ter and >ondu>t only >an
de>ide.3
LF%/1;9M *anu instru>ted so>iety to shoC respe>t to its members insofar as they possessed Cisdom7
Hirtue7
age7 @inship or7 lastly7 Cealth. Ri>hes in 6edi> ,ndia Cere alCays despised if they Cere hoarded or
unaHailable for >haritable purposes. Ungenerous men of great Cealth Cere assigned a loC ran@ in
so>iety.
#erious eHils arose Chen the >aste system be>ame hardened through the >enturies into a hereditary
halter.
#o>ial reformers li@e )andhi and the members of Hery numerous so>ieties in ,ndia today are ma@ing
sloC but
sure progress in restoring the an>ient Halues of >aste7 based solely on natural Nualifi>ation and not on
birth.
EHery nation on earth has its oCn distin>tiHe misery;produ>ing @arma to deal Cith and remoHeK ,ndia7
too7
Cith her Hersatile and inHulnerable spirit7 shall proHe herself eNual to the tas@ of >aste;reformation.
#o entran>ing is southern ,ndia that *r. &right and , yearned to prolong our idyl. .ut time7 in its
immemorial
rudeness7 dealt us no >ourteous eJtensions. , Cas s>heduled soon to address the >on>luding session of
the
,ndian Philosophi>al Congress at Cal>utta UniHersity. At the end of the Hisit to *ysore7 , enFoyed a tal@
Cith
#ir C. 6. Raman7 president of the ,ndian A>ademy of #>ien>es. This brilliant indu physi>ist Cas
aCarded the
%obel PriIe in 19+- for his important dis>oHery in the diffusion of light;the 2Raman Effe>t3 noC
@noCn to
eHery s>hoolboy.
&aHing a relu>tant fareCell to a >roCd of *adras students and friends7 *r. &right and , set out for the
north.
!n the Cay Ce stopped before a little shrine sa>red to the memory of #adasiHa .rahman7 LF%/1;1-M in
Chose eighteenth;>entury life story mira>les >luster thi>@ly. A larger #adasiHa shrine at %erur7 ere>ted
by the
RaFa of Pudu@@ottai7 is a pilgrimage spot Chi>h has Citnessed numerous diHine healings.
CAPTER /1. A% ,(Y' ,% #!UT ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
*any Nuaint stories of #adasiHa7 a loHable and fully;illumined master7 are still >urrent among the #outh
,ndian Hillagers. ,mmersed one day in #A*A(, on the ban@ of the $aHeri RiHer7 #adasiHa Cas seen
to be
>arried aCay by a sudden flood. &ee@s later he Cas found buried deep beneath a mound of earth. As
the
Hillagers" shoHels stru>@ his body7 the saint rose and Cal@ed bris@ly aCay.
#adasiHa neHer spo@e a Cord or Core a >loth. !ne morning the nude yogi un>eremoniously entered the
tent of
a *ohammedan >hieftain. is ladies s>reamed in alarmK the Carrior dealt a saHage sCord thrust at
#adasiHa7
Chose arm Cas seHered. The master departed un>on>ernedly. !Her>ome by remorse7 the *ohammedan
pi>@ed up the arm from the floor and folloCed #adasiHa. The yogi Nuietly inserted his arm into the
bleeding
stump. &hen the Carrior humbly as@ed for some spiritual instru>tion7 #adasiHa Crote Cith his finger
on the
sandsA
2(o not do Chat you Cant7 and then you may do Chat you li@e.3
The *ohammedan Cas uplifted to an eJalted state of mind7 and understood the saint"s paradoJi>al
adHi>e to
be a guide to soul freedom through mastery of the ego.
The Hillage >hildren on>e eJpressed a desire in #adasiHa"s presen>e to see the *adura religious festiHal7
11-
miles aCay. The yogi indi>ated to the little ones that they should tou>h his body. 'oO instantly the
Chole
group Cas transported to *adura. The >hildren Candered happily among the thousands of pilgrims. ,n
a feC
hours the yogi brought his small >harges home by his simple mode of transportation. The astonished
parents
heard the HiHid tales of the pro>ession of images7 and noted that seHeral >hildren Cere >arrying bags of
*adura sCeets.
An in>redulous youth derided the saint and the story. The folloCing morning he approa>hed #adasiHa.
2*aster73 he said s>ornfully7 2Chy don"t you ta@e me to the festiHal7 eHen as you did yesterday for the
other
>hildrenP3
#adasiHa >ompliedK the boy immediately found himself among the distant >ity throng. .ut alasO Chere
Cas the
saint Chen the youth Canted to leaHeP The Ceary boy rea>hed his home by the an>ient and prosai>
method of
foot lo>omotion.
LF%/1;1M *iss .let>h7 unable to maintain the a>tiHe pa>e set by *r. &right and myself7 remained
happily
Cith my relatiHes in Cal>utta.
LF%/1;2M This dam7 a huge hydro;ele>tri> installation7 lights *ysore City and giHes poCer to fa>tories
for
sil@s7 soaps7 and sandalCood oil. The sandalCood souHenirs from *ysore possess a delightful
fragran>e
Chi>h time does not eJhaustK a slight pinpri>@ reHiHes the odor. *ysore boasts some of the largest
pioneer
industrial underta@ings in ,ndia7 in>luding the $olar )old *ines7 the *ysore #ugar Fa>tory7 the huge
iron and
steel Cor@s at .hadraHati7 and the >heap and effi>ient *ysore #tate RailCay Chi>h >oHers many of the
state"s
+-7--- sNuare miles.
The *aharaFa and YuHaraFa Cho Cere my hosts in *ysore in 19+1 haHe both re>ently died. The son of
the
YuHaraFa7 the present *aharaFa7 is an enterprising ruler7 and has added to *ysore"s industries a large
airplane
fa>tory.
LF%/1;+M #iJ Holumes on A%C,E%T ,%(,A QCal>utta7 1059S.
LF%/1;1M %either AleJander nor any of his generals eHer >rossed the )anges. Finding determined
resistan>e
in the northCest7 the *a>edonian army refused to penetrate fartherK AleJander Cas for>ed to leaHe
,ndia and
CAPTER /1. A% ,(Y' ,% #!UT ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
see@ his >onNuests in Persia.
LF%/1;1M From this Nuestion Ce may surmise that the 2#on of <eusT had an o>>asional doubt that he
had
already attained perfe>tion.
LF%/1;4M All )ree@ obserHers >omment on the la>@ of slaHery in ,ndia7 a feature at >omplete Harian>e
Cith
the stru>ture of elleni> so>iety.
LF%/1;5M CREAT,6E ,%(,A by Prof. .enoy $umar #ar@ar giHes a >omprehensiHe pi>ture of ,ndia"s
an>ient and modern a>hieHements and distin>tiHe Halues in e>onomi>s7 politi>al s>ien>e7 literature7 art7
and
so>ial philosophy. Q'ahoreA *otilal .anarsi (ass7 Publishers7 19+57 51/ pp.7 R1.--.S
Another re>ommended Holume is ,%(,A% CU'TURE TR!U) TE A)E#7 by #. 6. 6enatesHara
Q%eC
Yor@A 'ongmans7 )reen WCo.7 R1.--S.
LF%/1;0M *anu is the uniHersal laCgiHerK not alone for indu so>iety7 but for the Corld. All systems
of Cise
so>ial regulations and eHen Fusti>e are patterned after *anu. %ietIs>he has paid the folloCing tributeA
2, @noC
of no boo@ in Chi>h so many deli>ate and @indly things are said to Coman as in the 'A&.!!$ !F
*A%UK
those old graybeards and saints haHe a manner of being gallant to Comen Chi>h perhaps >annot be
surpassed .
. . an in>omparably intelle>tual and superior Cor@ . . . replete Cith noble Halues7 it is filled Cith a
feeling of
perfe>tion7 Cith a saying of yea to life7 and a triumphant sense of Cell;being in regard to itself and to
lifeK the
sun shines upon the Chole boo@.3
LF%/1;9M 2,n>lusion in one of these four >astes originally depended not on a man"s birth but on his
natural
>apa>ities as demonstrated by the goal in life he ele>ted to a>hieHe73 an arti>le in EA#T;&E#T for
8anuary7
19+17 tells us. 2This goal >ould be Q1S $A*A7 desire7 a>tiHity of the life of the senses Q#U(RA stageS7
Q2S
ARTA7 gain7 fulfilling but >ontrolling the desires Q6A,#YA stageS7 Q+S (AR*A7 self;dis>ipline7 the
life
of responsibility and right a>tion Q$#ATR,YA stageS7 Q/S *!$#A7 liberation7 the life of spirituality
and
religious tea>hing Q.RA*,% stageS. These four >astes render serHi>e to humanity by Q1S body7 Q2S
mind7 Q+S
Cill poCer7 Q/S #pirit.
2These four stages haHe their >orresponden>e in the eternal )U%A# or Nualities of nature7 TA*A#7
RA8A#7
and #ATT6AA obstru>tion7 a>tiHity7 and eJpansionK or7 mass7 energy7 and intelligen>e. The four natural
>astes
are mar@ed by the )U%A# as Q1S TA*A# Qignoran>eS7 Q2S TA*A#;RA8A# QmiJture of ignoran>e and
a>tiHityS7 Q+S RA8A#;#ATT6A QmiJture of right a>tiHity and enlightenmentS7 Q/S #ATT6A
QenlightenmentS.
Thus has nature mar@ed eHery man Cith his >aste7 by the predominan>e in himself of one7 or the
miJture of
tCo7 of the )U%A#. !f >ourse eHery human being has all three )U%A# in Harying proportions. The
guru Cill
be able rightly to determine a man"s >aste or eHolutionary status.
2To a >ertain eJtent7 all ra>es and nations obserHe in pra>ti>e7 if not in theory7 the features of >aste.
&here
there is great li>ense or so;>alled liberty7 parti>ularly in intermarriage betCeen eJtremes in the natural
>astes7
the ra>e dCindles aCay and be>omes eJtin>t. The PURA%A #A*,TA >ompares the offspring of su>h
unions to barren hybrids7 li@e the mule Chi>h is in>apable of propagation of its oCn spe>ies. Artifi>ial
spe>ies
are eHentually eJterminated. istory offers abundant proof of numerous great ra>es Chi>h no longer
haHe any
liHing representatiHes. The >aste system of ,ndia is >redited by her most profound thin@ers Cith being
the
>he>@ or preHentiHe against li>ense Chi>h has preserHed the purity of the ra>e and brought it safely
through
millenniums of Hi>issitudes7 Chile other ra>es haHe Hanished in obliHion.3
LF%/1;1-M is full title Cas #ri #adasiHendra #arasCati #Cami. The illustrious su>>essor in the formal
#han@ara line7 8agadguru #ri #han@ara>harya of #ringeri *ath7 Crote an inspiring !(E dedi>ated to
#adasiHa. EA#T;&E#T for 8uly7 19/27 >arried an arti>le on #adasiHa"s life.
CAPTER /1. A% ,(Y' ,% #!UT ,%(,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU
2)uruFi7 , am glad to find you alone this morning.3 , had Fust arriHed at the #erampore hermitage7
>arrying a
fragrant burden of fruit and roses. #ri Yu@tesCar glan>ed at me mee@ly.
2&hat is your NuestionP3 *aster loo@ed about the room as though he Cere see@ing es>ape.
2)uruFi7 , >ame to you as a high;s>hool youthK noC , am a groCn man7 eHen Cith a gray hair or tCo.
Though
you haHe shoCered me Cith silent affe>tion from the first hour to this7 do you realiIe that on>e only7 on
the
day of meeting7 haHe you eHer said7 ", loHe you"P3 , loo@ed at him pleadingly.
*aster loCered his gaIe. 2Yogananda7 must , bring out into the >old realms of spee>h the Carm
sentiments
best guarded by the Cordless heartP3
2)uruFi7 , @noC you loHe me7 but my mortal ears a>he to hear you say so.3
2.e it as you Cish. (uring my married life , often yearned for a son7 to train in the yogi> path. .ut
Chen you
>ame into my life7 , Cas >ontentK in you , haHe found my son.3 TCo >lear teardrops stood in #ri
Yu@tesCar"s
eyes. 2Yogananda7 , loHe you alCays.3
2Your ansCer is my passport to heaHen.3 , felt a Ceight lift from my heart7 dissolHed foreHer at his
Cords.
!ften had , Condered at his silen>e. RealiIing that he Cas unemotional and self;>ontained7 yet
sometimes ,
feared , had been unsu>>essful in fully satisfying him. is Cas a strange nature7 neHer utterly to be
@noCnK a
nature deep and still7 unfathomable to the outer Corld7 Chose Halues he had long trans>ended.
A feC days later7 Chen , spo@e before a huge audien>e at Albert all in Cal>utta7 #ri Yu@tesCar
>onsented to
sit beside me on the platform7 Cith the *aharaFa of #antosh and the *ayor of Cal>utta. Though *aster
made
no remar@ to me7 , glan>ed at him from time to time during my address7 and thought , dete>ted a
pleased
tCin@le in his eyes.
Then >ame a tal@ before the alumni of #erampore College. As , gaIed upon my old >lassmates7 and as
they
gaIed on their oCn 2*ad *on@73 tears of Foy shoCed unashamedly. *y silHer;tongued professor of
philosophy7 (r. )hoshal7 >ame forCard to greet me7 all our past misunderstandings dissolHed by the
al>hemist
Time.
A &inter #olsti>e FestiHal Cas >elebrated at the end of (e>ember in the #erampore hermitage. As
alCays7 #ri
Yu@tesCar"s dis>iples gathered from far and near. (eHotional #A%$,RTA%#7 solos in the ne>tar;sCeet
Hoi>e
of $risto;da7 a feast serHed by young dis>iples7 *aster"s profoundly moHing dis>ourse under the stars in
the
thronged >ourtyard of the ashram;memories7 memoriesO 8oyous festiHals of years long pastO Tonight7
hoCeHer7 there Cas to be a neC feature.
2Yogananda7 please address the assemblage;in English.3 *aster"s eyes Cere tCin@ling as he made this
doubly
unusual reNuestK Cas he thin@ing of the shipboard predi>ament that had pre>eded my first le>ture in
EnglishP ,
told the story to my audien>e of brother dis>iples7 ending Cith a ferHent tribute to our guru.
2is omnipresent guidan>e Cas Cith me not alone on the o>ean steamer73 , >on>luded7 2but daily
throughout
my fifteen years in the Hast and hospitable land of Ameri>a.3
After the guests had departed7 #ri Yu@tesCar >alled me to the same bedroom Chere;on>e only7 after a
festiHal
of my early years;, had been permitted to sleep on his Cooden bed. Tonight my guru Cas sitting there
Nuietly7
a semi>ir>le of dis>iples at his feet. e smiled as , Nui>@ly entered the room.
CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Yogananda7 are you leaHing noC for Cal>uttaP Please return here tomorroC. , haHe >ertain things to
tell
you.3
The neJt afternoon7 Cith a feC simple Cords of blessing7 #ri Yu@tesCar bestoCed on me the further
monasti>
title of PARA*A%#A. LF%/2;1M
2,t noC formally supersedes your former title of #&A*,73 he said as , @nelt before him. &ith a silent
>hu>@le
, thought of the struggle Chi>h my Ameri>an students Could undergo oHer the pronun>iation of
PARA*A%#A8,. LF%/2;2M
2*y tas@ on earth is noC finishedK you must >arry on.3 *aster spo@e Nuietly7 his eyes >alm and gentle.
*y
heart Cas palpitating in fear.
2Please send someone to ta@e >harge of our ashram at Puri73 #ri Yu@tesCar Cent on. 2, leaHe
eHerything in
your hands. You Cill be able to su>>essfully sail the boat of your life and that of the organiIation to the
diHine
shores.3
,n tears7 , Cas embra>ing his feetK he rose and blessed me endearingly.
The folloCing day , summoned from Ran>hi a dis>iple7 #Cami #ebananda7 and sent him to Puri to
assume the
hermitage duties. LF%/2;+M 'ater my guru dis>ussed Cith me the legal details of settling his estateK he
Cas
anJious to preHent the possibility of litigation by relatiHes7 after his death7 for possession of his tCo
hermitages and other properties7 Chi>h he Cished to be deeded oHer solely for >haritable purposes.
2Arrangements Cere re>ently made for *aster to Hisit $idderpore7 LF%/2;/M but he failed to go.3
Amulaya
.abu7 a brother dis>iple7 made this remar@ to me one afternoonK , felt a >old CaHe of premonition. To
my
pressing inNuiries7 #ri Yu@tesCar only replied7 2, shall go to $idderpore no more.3 For a moment7
*aster
trembled li@e a frightened >hild.
Q2Atta>hment to bodily residen>e7 springing up of its oCn nature Ei.e.7 arising from immemorial roots7
past
eJperien>es of deathG73 PatanFali Crote7 LF%/2;1M 2is present in slight degree eHen in great saints.3 ,n
some
of his dis>ourses on death7 my guru had been Cont to addA 28ust as a long;>aged bird hesitates to leaHe
its
a>>ustomed home Chen the door is opened.3S
2)uruFi73 , entreated him Cith a sob7 2don"t say thatO %eHer utter those Cords to meO3
#ri Yu@tesCar"s fa>e relaJed in a pea>eful smile. Though nearing his eighty;first birthday7 he loo@ed
Cell and
strong.
.as@ing day by day in the sunshine of my guru"s loHe7 unspo@en but @eenly felt7 , banished from my
>ons>ious mind the Harious hints he had giHen of his approa>hing passing.
2#ir7 the $U*.A *E'A is >onHening this month at Allahabad.3 , shoCed *aster the *E'A dates in
a
.engali almana>. LF%/2;4M
2(o you really Cant to goP3
%ot sensing #ri Yu@tesCar"s relu>tan>e to haHe me leaHe him7 , Cent on7 2!n>e you beheld the blessed
sight
of .abaFi at an Allahabad $U*.A. Perhaps this time , shall be fortunate enough to see him.3
2, do not thin@ you Cill meet him there.3 *y guru then fell into silen>e7 not Cishing to obstru>t my
plans.
CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU
Autobiography of a Yogi
&hen , set out for Allahabad the folloCing day Cith a small group7 *aster blessed me Nuietly in his
usual
manner. Apparently , Cas remaining obliHious to impli>ations in #ri Yu@tesCar"s attitude be>ause the
'ord
Cished to spare me the eJperien>e of being for>ed7 helplessly7 to Citness my guru"s passing. ,t has
alCays
happened in my life that7 at the death of those dearly beloHed by me7 )od has >ompassionately
arranged that ,
be distant from the s>ene. LF%/2;5M
!ur party rea>hed the $U*.A *E'A on 8anuary 2+7 19+4. The surging >roCd of nearly tCo million
persons Cas an impressiHe sight7 eHen an oHerChelming one. The pe>uliar genius of the ,ndian people
is the
reHeren>e innate in eHen the loCliest peasant for the Corth of the #pirit7 and for the mon@s and sadhus
Cho
haHe forsa@en Corldly ties to see@ a diHiner an>horage. ,mposters and hypo>rites there are indeed7 but
,ndia
respe>ts all for the sa@e of the feC Cho illumine the Chole land Cith supernal blessings. &esterners
Cho Cere
HieCing the Hast spe>ta>le had a uniNue opportunity to feel the pulse of the land7 the spiritual ardor to
Chi>h
,ndia oCes her Nuen>hless Hitality before the bloCs of time.
E,llustrationA The Coman yogi7 #han@ari *ai 8ieC7 only liHing dis>iple of the great Trailanga #Cami.
The
turbaned figure seated dire>tly beside her is #Cami .enoyananda7 a dire>tor of our Ran>hi yoga s>hool
for
boys in .ihar. The pi>ture Cas ta@en at the ardCar $umbha *ela in 19+0K the Coman saint Cas then
112
years old.=see maFieC.FpgG
E,llustrationA $rishnananda7 at the 19+4 Allahabad $umbha *ela7 Cith his tame Hegetarian lioness.=
see
lion.FpgG
E,llustrationA #e>ond;floor dining patio of #ri Yu@tesCar"s #erampore hermitage. , am seated Qin >enterS
at my
guru"s feet.=see serampore.FpgG
The first day Cas spent by our group in sheer staring. ere Cere >ountless bathers7 dipping in the holy
riHer
for remission of sinsK there Ce saC solemn rituals of CorshipK yonder Cere deHotional offerings being
streCn
at the dusty feet of saintsK a turn of our heads7 and a line of elephants7 >aparisoned horses and sloC;
pa>ed
RaFputana >amels filed by7 or a Nuaint religious parade of na@ed sadhus7 CaHing s>epters of gold and
silHer7 or
flags and streamers of sil@en HelHet.
An>horites Cearing only loin>loths sat Nuietly in little groups7 their bodies besmeared Cith the ashes
that
prote>t them from the heat and >old. The spiritual eye Cas HiHidly represented on their foreheads by a
single
spot of sandalCood paste. #haHen;headed sCamis appeared by the thousands7 o>her;robed and >arrying
their
bamboo staff and begging boCl. Their fa>es beamed Cith the renun>iate"s pea>e as they Cal@ed about
or held
philosophi>al dis>ussions Cith dis>iples.
ere and there under the trees7 around huge piles of burning logs7 Cere pi>turesNue sadhus7 LF%/2;0M
their
hair braided and massed in >oils on top of their heads. #ome Core beards seHeral feet in length7 >urled
and tied
in a @not. They meditated Nuietly7 or eJtended their hands in blessing to the passing throng;beggars7
maharaFas on elephants7 Comen in multi>olored #AR,#=their bangles and an@lets tin@ling7 FA$,R#
Cith
thin arms held grotesNuely aloft7 .RA*ACAR,# >arrying meditation elboC;props7 humble sages
Chose
solemnity hid an inner bliss. igh aboHe the din Ce heard the >easeless summons of the temple bells.
!n our se>ond *E'A day my >ompanions and , entered Harious ashrams and temporary huts7 offering
PR!%A*# to saintly personages. &e re>eiHed the blessing of the leader of the ),R, bran>h of the
#Cami
!rder;a thin7 as>eti>al mon@ Cith eyes of smiling fire. !ur neJt Hisit too@ us to a hermitage Chose guru
had
obserHed for the past nine years the HoCs of silen>e and a stri>t fruitarian diet. !n the >entral dais in the
ashram hall sat a blind sadhu7 Pragla Cha@shu7 profoundly learned in the #A#TRA# and highly
reHered by
all se>ts.
CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU
Autobiography of a Yogi
After , had giHen a brief dis>ourse in indi on 6E(A%TA7 our group left the pea>eful hermitage to
greet a
near;by sCami7 $rishnananda7 a handsome mon@ Cith rosy >hee@s and impressiHe shoulders. Re>lining
near
him Cas a tame lioness. #u>>umbing to the mon@"s spiritual >harm=not7 , am sure7 to his poCerful
physiNueO;the Fungle animal refuses all meat in faHor of ri>e and mil@. The sCami has taught the
taCny;haired beast to utter 2AU*3 in a deep7 attra>tiHe groCl;a >at deHoteeO
!ur neJt en>ounter7 an interHieC Cith a learned young sadhu7 is Cell des>ribed in *r. &right"s
spar@ling
traHel diary.
2&e rode in the Ford a>ross the Hery loC )anges on a >rea@ing pontoon bridge7 >raCling sna@eli@e
through
the >roCds and oHer narroC7 tCisting lanes7 passing the site on the riHer ban@ Chi>h YoganandaFi
pointed out
to me as the meeting pla>e of .abaFi and #ri Yu@tesCarFi. Alighting from the >ar a short time later7 Ce
Cal@ed
some distan>e through the thi>@ening smo@e of the sadhus" fires and oHer the slippery sands to rea>h a
>luster
of tiny7 Hery modest mud;and;straC huts. &e halted in front of one of these insignifi>ant temporary
dCellings7 Cith a pygmy doorless entran>e7 the shelter of $ara Patri7 a young Candering sadhu noted
for his
eJ>eptional intelligen>e. There he sat7 >ross;legged on a pile of straC7 his only >oHering;and
in>identally his
only possession;being an o>her >loth draped oHer his shoulders.
2Truly a diHine fa>e smiled at us after Ce had >raCled on all fours into the hut and PR!%A*E( at the
feet of
this enlightened soul7 Chile the @erosene lantern at the entran>e fli>@ered Ceird7 dan>ing shadoCs on
the
that>hed Calls. is fa>e7 espe>ially his eyes and perfe>t teeth7 beamed and glistened. Although , Cas
puIIled
by the indi7 his eJpressions Cere Hery reHealingK he Cas full of enthusiasm7 loHe7 spiritual glory. %o
one
>ould be mista@en as to his greatness.
2,magine the happy life of one unatta>hed to the material CorldK free of the >lothing problemK free of
food
>raHing7 neHer begging7 neHer tou>hing >oo@ed food eJ>ept on alternate days7 neHer >arrying a begging
boClK
free of all money entanglements7 neHer handling money7 neHer storing things aCay7 alCays trusting in
)odK
free of transportation Corries7 neHer riding in Hehi>les7 but alCays Cal@ing on the ban@s of the sa>red
riHersK
neHer remaining in one pla>e longer than a Cee@ in order to aHoid any groCth of atta>hment.
2#u>h a modest soulO unusually learned in the 6E(A#7 and possessing an *.A. degree and the title of
#A#TR, Qmaster of s>ripturesS from .enares UniHersity. A sublime feeling perHaded me as , sat at his
feetK
it all seemed to be an ansCer to my desire to see the real7 the an>ient ,ndia7 for he is a true
representatiHe of
this land of spiritual giants.3
, Nuestioned $ara Patri about his Candering life. 2(on"t you haHe any eJtra >lothes for CinterP3
2%o7 this is enough.3
2(o you >arry any boo@sP3
2%o7 , tea>h from memory those people Cho Cish to hear me.3
2&hat else do you doP3
2, roam by the )anges.3
At these Nuiet Cords7 , Cas oHerpoCered by a yearning for the simpli>ity of his life. , remembered
Ameri>a7
and all the responsibilities that lay on my shoulders.
2%o7 Yogananda73 , thought7 sadly for a moment7 2in this life roaming by the )anges is not for you.3
CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU
Autobiography of a Yogi
After the sadhu had told me a feC of his spiritual realiIations7 , shot an abrupt Nuestion.
2Are you giHing these des>riptions from s>riptural lore7 or from inCard eJperien>eP3
2alf from boo@ learning73 he ansCered Cith a straightforCard smile7 2and half from eJperien>e.3
&e sat happily aChile in meditatiHe silen>e. After Ce had left his sa>red presen>e7 , said to *r. &right7
2e is
a @ing sitting on a throne of golden straC.3
&e had our dinner that night on the *E'A grounds under the stars7 eating from leaf plates pinned
together
Cith sti>@s. (ishCashings in ,ndia are redu>ed to a minimumO
TCo more days of the fas>inating $U*.AK then northCest along the 8umna ban@s to Agra. !n>e
again ,
gaIed on the TaF *ahalK in memory 8itendra stood by my side7 aCed by the dream in marble. Then on
to the
.rindaban ashram of #Cami $eshabananda.
*y obFe>t in see@ing out $eshabananda Cas >onne>ted Cith this boo@. , had neHer forgotten #ri
Yu@tesCar"s
reNuest that , Crite the life of 'ahiri *ahasaya. (uring my stay in ,ndia , Cas ta@ing eHery opportunity
of
>onta>ting dire>t dis>iples and relatiHes of the YogaHatar. Re>ording their >onHersations in Holuminous
notes7
, Herified fa>ts and dates7 and >olle>ted photographs7 old letters7 and do>uments. *y 'ahiri *ahasaya
portfolio began to sCellK , realiIed Cith dismay that ahead of me lay arduous labors in authorship. ,
prayed
that , might be eNual to my role as biographer of the >olossal guru. #eHeral of his dis>iples feared that
in a
Critten a>>ount their master might be belittled or misinterpreted.
2!ne >an hardly do Fusti>e in >old Cords to the life of a diHine in>arnation73 Pan>hanon .hatta>harya
had
on>e remar@ed to me.
!ther >lose dis>iples Cere similarly satisfied to @eep the YogaHatar hidden in their hearts as the
deathless
pre>eptor. %eHertheless7 mindful of 'ahiri *ahasaya"s predi>tion about his biography7 , spared no effort
to
se>ure and substantiate the fa>ts of his outCard life.
#Cami $eshabananda greeted our party Carmly at .rindaban in his $atayani Peith Ashram7 an
imposing
bri>@ building Cith massiHe bla>@ pillars7 set in a beautiful garden. e ushered us at on>e into a sitting
room
adorned Cith an enlargement of 'ahiri *ahasaya"s pi>ture. The sCami Cas approa>hing the age of
ninety7 but
his mus>ular body radiated strength and health. &ith long hair and a snoC;Chite beard7 eyes tCin@ling
Cith
Foy7 he Cas a Heritable patriar>hal embodiment. , informed him that , Canted to mention his name in
my boo@
on ,ndia"s masters.
2Please tell me about your earlier life.3 , smiled entreatinglyK great yogis are often un>ommuni>atiHe.
$eshabananda made a gesture of humility. 2There is little of eJternal moment. Pra>ti>ally my Chole
life has
been spent in the imalayan solitudes7 traHeling on foot from one Nuiet >aHe to another. For a Chile ,
maintained a small ashram outside ardCar7 surrounded on all sides by a groHe of tall trees. ,t Cas a
pea>eful
spot little Hisited by traHelers7 oCing to the ubiNuitous presen>e of >obras.3 $eshabananda >hu>@led.
2'ater a
)anges flood Cashed aCay the hermitage and >obras ali@e. *y dis>iples then helped me to build this
.rindaban ashram.3
!ne of our party as@ed the sCami hoC he had prote>ted himself against the imalayan tigers. LF%/2;
9M
$eshabananda shoo@ his head. 2,n those high spiritual altitudes73 he said7 2Cild beasts seldom molest
the
yogis. !n>e in the Fungle , en>ountered a tiger fa>e;to;fa>e. At my sudden eFa>ulation7 the animal Cas
CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU
Autobiography of a Yogi
transfiJed as though turned to stone.3 Again the sCami >hu>@led at his memories.
2!>>asionally , left my se>lusion to Hisit my guru in .enares. e used to Fo@e Cith me oHer my
>easeless
traHels in the imalayan Cilderness.
2"You haHe the mar@ of Canderlust on your foot7" he told me on>e. ", am glad that the sa>red imalayas
are
eJtensiHe enough to engross you."
2*any times73 $eshabananda Cent on7 2both before and after his passing7 'ahiri *ahasaya has
appeared
bodily before me. For him no imalayan height is ina>>essibleO3
TCo hours later he led us to a dining patio. , sighed in silent dismay. Another fifteen;>ourse mealO 'ess
than
a year of ,ndian hospitality7 and , had gained fifty poundsO Yet it Could haHe been >onsidered the height
of
rudeness to refuse any of the dishes7 >arefully prepared for the endless banNuets in my honor. ,n ,ndia
QnoChere else7 alasOS a Cell;padded sCami is >onsidered a delightful sight. LF%/2;1-M
E,llustrationA *r. &right7 myself7 *iss .let>h=in Egypt=see >amel.FpgG
E,llustrationA Rabindranath Tagore7 inspired poet of .engal7 and %obel PriIeman in literature=see
tagore.FpgG
E,llustrationA *r. &right and , pose Cith the Henerable #Cami $eshabananda and a dis>iple at the
stately
hermitage in .rindaban=see @eshabananda.FpgG
After dinner7 $eshabananda led me to a se>luded noo@.
2Your arriHal is not uneJpe>ted73 he said. 2, haHe a message for you.3
, Cas surprisedK no one had @noCn of my plan to Hisit $eshabananda.
2&hile roaming last year in the northern imalayas near .adrinarayan73 the sCami >ontinued7 2, lost
my Cay.
#helter appeared in a spa>ious >aHe7 Chi>h Cas empty7 though the embers of a fire gloCed in a hole in
the
ro>@y floor. &ondering about the o>>upant of this lonely retreat7 , sat near the fire7 my gaIe fiJed on
the sunlit
entran>e to the >aHe.
2"$eshabananda7 , am glad you are here." These Cords >ame from behind me. , turned7 startled7 and Cas
daIIled to behold .abaFiO The great guru had materialiIed himself in a re>ess of the >aHe. !HerFoyed to
see
him again after many years7 , prostrated myself at his holy feet.
2", >alled you here7" .abaFi Cent on. "That is Chy you lost your Cay and Cere led to my temporary
abode in
this >aHe. ,t is a long time sin>e our last meetingK , am pleased to greet you on>e more."
2The deathless master blessed me Cith some Cords of spiritual help7 then addedA ", giHe you a message
for
Yogananda. e Cill pay you a Hisit on his return to ,ndia. *any matters >onne>ted Cith his guru and
Cith the
surHiHing dis>iples of 'ahiri Cill @eep Yogananda fully o>>upied. Tell him7 then7 that , Con"t see him
this
time7 as he is eagerly hopingK but , shall see him on some other o>>asion."2
, Cas deeply tou>hed to re>eiHe from $eshabananda"s lips this >onsoling promise from .abaFi. A
>ertain hurt
in my heart HanishedK , grieHed no longer that7 eHen as #ri Yu@tesCar had hinted7 .abaFi did not appear
at the
$U*.A *E'A.
CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU
Autobiography of a Yogi
#pending one night as guests of the ashram7 our party set out the folloCing afternoon for Cal>utta.
Riding
oHer a bridge of the 8umna RiHer7 Ce enFoyed a magnifi>ent HieC of the s@yline of .rindaban Fust as
the sun
set fire to the s@y;a Heritable furna>e of 6ul>an in >olor7 refle>ted beloC us in the still Caters.
The 8umna bea>h is halloCed by memories of the >hild #ri $rishna. ere he engaged Cith inno>ent
sCeetness
in his ','A# QplaysS Cith the )!P,# QmaidsS7 eJemplifying the supernal loHe Chi>h eHer eJists
betCeen a
diHine in>arnation and his deHotees. The life of 'ord $rishna has been misunderstood by many &estern
>ommentators. #>riptural allegory is baffling to literal minds. A hilarious blunder by a translator Cill
illustrate
this point. The story >on>erns an inspired medieHal saint7 the >obbler RaHidas7 Cho sang in the simple
terms
of his oCn trade of the spiritual glory hidden in all man@indA
Under the Hast Hault of blue
'iHes the diHinity >lothed in hide.
!ne turns aside to hide a smile on hearing the pedestrian interpretation giHen to RaHidas" poem by a
&estern
CriterA
2e afterCards built a hut7 set up in it an idol Chi>h he made from a hide7 and applied himself to its
Corship.3
RaHidas Cas a brother dis>iple of the great $abir. !ne of RaHidas" eJalted >helas Cas the Rani of
Chitor. #he
inHited a large number of .rahmins to a feast in honor of her tea>her7 but they refused to eat Cith a
loCly
>obbler. As they sat doCn in dignified aloofness to eat their oCn un>ontaminated meal7 loO ea>h
.rahmin
found at his side the form of RaHidas. This mass Hision a>>omplished a Cidespread spiritual reHiHal in
Chitor.
,n a feC days our little group rea>hed Cal>utta. Eager to see #ri Yu@tesCar7 , Cas disappointed to hear
that he
had left #erampore and Cas noC in Puri7 about three hundred miles to the south.
2Come to Puri ashram at on>e.3 This telegram Cas sent on *ar>h 0th by a brother dis>iple to Atul
Chandra
Roy ChoCdhry7 one of *aster"s >helas in Cal>utta. %eCs of the message rea>hed my earsK anguished at
its
impli>ations7 , dropped to my @nees and implored )od that my guru"s life be spared. As , Cas about to
leaHe
Father"s home for the train7 a diHine Hoi>e spo@e Cithin.
2(o not go to Puri tonight. Thy prayer >annot he granted.3
2'ord73 , said7 grief;stri>@en7 2Thou dost not Cish to engage Cith me in a "tug of Car" at Puri7 Chere
Thou
Cilt haHe to deny my in>essant prayers for *aster"s life. *ust he7 then7 depart for higher duties at Thy
behestP3
,n obedien>e to the inCard >ommand7 , did not leaHe that night for Puri. The folloCing eHening , set
out for
the trainK on the Cay7 at seHen o">lo>@7 a bla>@ astral >loud suddenly >oHered the s@y. LF%/2;11M 'ater7
Chile
the train roared toCard Puri7 a Hision of #ri Yu@tesCar appeared before me. e Cas sitting7 Hery graHe
of
>ountenan>e7 Cith a light on ea>h side.
2,s it all oHerP3 , lifted my arms besee>hingly.
e nodded7 then sloCly Hanished.
As , stood on the Puri train platform the folloCing morning7 still hoping against hope7 an un@noCn man
approa>hed me.
CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU
Autobiography of a Yogi
2aHe you heard that your *aster is goneP3 e left me Cithout another CordK , neHer dis>oHered Cho
he Cas
nor hoC he had @noCn Chere to find me.
#tunned7 , sCayed against the platform Call7 realiIing that in diHerse Cays my guru Cas trying to
>onHey to
me the deHastating neCs. #eething Cith rebellion7 my soul Cas li@e a Hol>ano. .y the time , rea>hed
the Puri
hermitage , Cas nearing >ollapse. The inner Hoi>e Cas tenderly repeatingA 2Colle>t yourself. .e >alm.3
, entered the ashram room Chere *aster"s body7 unimaginably lifeli@e7 Cas sitting in the lotus posture;a
pi>ture of health and loHeliness. A short time before his passing7 my guru had been slightly ill Cith
feHer7 but
before the day of his as>ension into the ,nfinite7 his body had be>ome >ompletely Cell. %o matter hoC
often ,
loo@ed at his dear form , >ould not realiIe that its life had departed. is s@in Cas smooth and softK in
his fa>e
Cas a beatifi> eJpression of tranNuillity. e had >ons>iously relinNuished his body at the hour of mysti>
summoning.
2The 'ion of .engal is goneO3 , >ried in a daIe.
, >ondu>ted the solemn rites on *ar>h 1-th. #ri Yu@tesCar Cas buried LF%/2;12M Cith the an>ient
rituals of
the sCamis in the garden of his Puri ashram. is dis>iples later arriHed from far and near to honor their
guru at
a Hernal eNuinoJ memorial serHi>e. The A*R,TA .A<AR PATR,$A7 leading neCspaper of Cal>utta7
>arried
his pi>ture and the folloCing reportA
The death .A%(ARA >eremony for #rimat #Cami #ri Yu@tesCar )iri *aharaF7 aged 017 too@ pla>e
at Puri
on *ar>h 21. *any dis>iples >ame doCn to Puri for the rites.
!ne of the greatest eJpounders of the .A)A6A( ),TA7 #Cami *aharaF Cas a great dis>iple of
YogiraF
#ri #hyama Charan 'ahiri *ahasaya of .enares. #Cami *aharaF Cas the founder of seHeral Yogoda
#at;#anga Q#elf;RealiIation FelloCshipS >enters in ,ndia7 and Cas the great inspiration behind the yoga
moHement Chi>h Cas >arried to the &est by #Cami Yogananda7 his prin>ipal dis>iple. ,t Cas #ri
Yu@tesCarFi"s propheti> poCers and deep realiIation that inspired #Cami Yogananda to >ross the o>eans
and
spread in Ameri>a the message of the masters of ,ndia.
is interpretations of the .A)A6A( ),TA and other s>riptures testify to the depth of #ri
Yu@tesCarFi"s
>ommand of the philosophy7 both Eastern and &estern7 and remain as an eye;opener for the unity
betCeen
!rient and !>>ident. As he belieHed in the unity of all religious faiths7 #ri Yu@tesCar *aharaF
established
#A(U #A.A Q#o>iety of #aintsS Cith the >ooperation of leaders of Harious se>ts and faiths7 for the
in>ul>ation of a s>ientifi> spirit in religion. At the time of his demise he nominated #Cami Yogananda
his
su>>essor as the president of #A(U #A.A.
,ndia is really poorer today by the passing of su>h a great man. *ay all fortunate enough to haHe >ome
near
him in>ul>ate in themselHes the true spirit of ,ndia"s >ulture and #A(A%A Chi>h Cas personified in
him.
, returned to Cal>utta. %ot trusting myself as yet to go to the #erampore hermitage Cith its sa>red
memories7 ,
summoned Prafulla7 #ri Yu@tesCar"s little dis>iple in #erampore7 and made arrangements for him to
enter the
Ran>hi s>hool.
2The morning you left for the Allahabad *E'A73 Prafulla told me7 2*aster dropped heaHily on the
daHenport.
2"Yogananda is goneO" he >ried. "Yogananda is goneO" e added >rypti>ally7 ", shall haHe to tell him some
other
Cay." e sat then for hours in silen>e.3
CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU
Autobiography of a Yogi
*y days Cere filled Cith le>tures7 >lasses7 interHieCs7 and reunions Cith old friends. .eneath a holloC
smile
and a life of >easeless a>tiHity7 a stream of bla>@ brooding polluted the inner riHer of bliss Chi>h for so
many
years had meandered under the sands of all my per>eptions.
2&here has that diHine sage goneP3 , >ried silently from the depths of a tormented spirit.
%o ansCer >ame.
2,t is best that *aster has >ompleted his union Cith the Cosmi> .eloHed73 my mind assured me. 2e is
eternally gloCing in the dominion of deathlessness.3
2%eHer again may you see him in the old #erampore mansion73 my heart lamented. 2%o longer may
you bring
your friends to meet him7 or proudly sayA ".ehold7 there sits ,ndia"s 8%A%A6ATARO"2
*r. &right made arrangements for our party to sail from .ombay for the &est in early 8une. After a
fortnight
in *ay of fareCell banNuets and spee>hes at Cal>utta7 *iss .let>h7 *r. &right and myself left in the
Ford for
.ombay. !n our arriHal7 the ship authorities as@ed us to >an>el our passage7 as no room >ould be found
for the
Ford7 Chi>h Ce Could need again in Europe.
2%eHer mind73 , said gloomily to *r. &right. 2, Cant to return on>e more to Puri.3 , silently added7
2'et my
tears on>e again Cater the graHe of my guru.3
LF%/2;1M 'iterally7 PARA*7 highestK A%#A7 sCan. The A%#A is represented in s>riptural lore as
the
Hehi>le of .rahma7 #upreme #piritK as the symbol of dis>rimination7 the Chite A%#A sCan is thought
of as
able to separate the true #!*A ne>tar from a miJture of mil@ and Cater. A*;#A Qpronoun>ed
!%);#AUS are tCo sa>red #ans@rit >hant Cords possessing a Hibratory >onne>tion Cith the in>oming
and
outgoing breath. AA*;#A is literally 2, am e.3
LF%/2;2M They haHe generally eHaded the diffi>ulty by addressing me as #,R.
LF%/2;+M At the Puri ashram7 #Cami #ebananda is still >ondu>ting a small7 flourishing yoga s>hool for
boys7
and meditation groups for adults. *eetings of saints and pundits >onHene there periodi>ally.
LF%/2;/M A se>tion of Cal>utta.
LF%/2;1M AP!R,#*#A ,,A9.
LF%/2;4M Religious *E'A# are mentioned in the an>ient *AA.ARATA. The Chinese traHeler
ieuen
Tsiang has left an a>>ount of a Hast $U*.A *E'A held in A.(. 4// at Allahabad. The largest
*E'A is
held eHery tCelfth yearK the neJt largest QAR(A or halfS $U*.A o>>urs eHery siJth year. #maller
*E'A# >onHene eHery third year7 attra>ting about a million deHotees. The four sa>red *E'A >ities are
Allahabad7 ardCar7 %asi@7 and UFFain.
Early Chinese traHelers haHe left us many stri@ing pi>tures of ,ndian so>iety. The Chinese priest7 Fa;
sien7
Crote an a>>ount of his eleHen years in ,ndia during the reign of Chandragupta ,, Qearly /th >enturyS.
The
Chinese author relatesA 2Throughout the >ountry no one @ills any liHing thing7 nor drin@s Cine. . . .
They do
not @eep pigs or foClK there are no dealings in >attle7 no but>hers" shops or distilleries. Rooms Cith
beds and
mattresses7 food and >lothes7 are proHided for resident and traHeling priests Cithout fail7 and this is the
same in
all pla>es. The priests o>>upy themselHes Cith beneHolent ministrations and Cith >hanting liturgiesK or
they sit
in meditation.3 Fa;sien tells us the ,ndian people Cere happy and honestK >apital punishment Cas
un@noCn.
CAPTER /2. 'A#T (AY# &,T *Y )URU
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%/2;5M , Cas not present at the deaths of my mother7 elder brother Ananta7 eldest sister Roma7
*aster7
Father7 or of seHeral >lose dis>iples.
QFather passed on at Cal>utta in 19/27 at the age of eighty;nine.S
LF%/2;0M The hundreds of thousands of ,ndian sadhus are >ontrolled by an eJe>utiHe >ommittee of
seHen
leaders7 representing seHen large se>tions of ,ndia. The present *AA*A%(A'E#&AR or president
is
8oyendra Puri. This saintly man is eJtremely reserHed7 often >onfining his spee>h to three Cords;Truth7
'oHe7
and &or@. A suffi>ient >onHersationO
LF%/2;9M There are many methods7 it appears7 for outCitting a tiger. An Australian eJplorer7 Fran>is
.irtles7
has re>ounted that he found the ,ndian Fungles 2Haried7 beautiful7 and safe.3 is safety >harm Cas
flypaper.
2EHery night , spread a Nuantity of sheets around my >amp and Cas neHer disturbed73 he eJplained.
2The
reason is psy>hologi>al. The tiger is an animal of great >ons>ious dignity. e proCls around and
>hallenges
man until he >omes to the flypaperK he then slin@s aCay. %o dignified tiger Could dare fa>e a human
being
after sNuatting doCn upon a sti>@y flypaperO3
LF%/2;1-M After , returned to Ameri>a , too@ off siJty;fiHe pounds.
LF%/2;11M #ri Yu@tesCar passed at this hour;5A-- P.*.7 *ar>h 97 19+4.
LF%/2;12M Funeral >ustoms in ,ndia reNuire >remation for householdersK sCamis and mon@s of other
orders
are not >remated7 but buried. QThere are o>>asional eJ>eptions.S The bodies of mon@s are symboli>ally
>onsidered to haHe undergone >remation in the fire of Cisdom at the time of ta@ing the monasti> HoC.
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
2'ord $rishnaO3 The glorious form of the aHatar appeared in a shimmering blaIe as , sat in my room at
the
Regent otel in .ombay. #hining oHer the roof of a high building a>ross the street7 the ineffable Hision
had
suddenly burst on my sight as , gaIed out of my long open third;story CindoC.
The diHine figure CaHed to me7 smiling and nodding in greeting. &hen , >ould not understand the eJa>t
message of 'ord $rishna7 he departed Cith a gesture of blessing. &ondrously uplifted7 , felt that some
spiritual eHent Cas presaged.
*y &estern Hoyage had7 for the time being7 been >an>elled. , Cas s>heduled for seHeral publi>
addresses in
.ombay before leaHing on a return Hisit to .engal.
#itting on my bed in the .ombay hotel at three o">lo>@ in the afternoon of 8une 197 19+4;one Cee@
after the
Hision of $rishna;, Cas roused from my meditation by a beatifi> light. .efore my open and astonished
eyes7
the Chole room Cas transformed into a strange Corld7 the sunlight transmuted into supernal splendor.
&aHes of rapture engulfed me as , beheld the flesh and blood form of #ri Yu@tesCarO
2*y sonO3 *aster spo@e tenderly7 on his fa>e an angel;beCit>hing smile.
For the first time in my life , did not @neel at his feet in greeting but instantly adHan>ed to gather him
hungrily
in my arms. *oment of momentsO The anguish of past months Cas toll , >ounted Ceightless against the
torrential bliss noC des>ending.
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
2*aster mine7 beloHed of my heart7 Chy did you leaHe meP3 , Cas in>oherent in an eJ>ess of Foy.
2&hy did
you let me go to the $U*.A *E'AP oC bitterly haHe , blamed myself for leaHing youO3
E,llustrationA $R,#%A7 A%C,E%T PR!PET !F ,%(,A7 A modern artist"s >on>eption of the diHine
tea>her Chose spiritual >ounsel in the .hagaHad )ita has be>ome the indu .ible. $rishna is portrayed
in
indu art Cith a pea>o>@ feather in his hair Qsymbol of the 'ord"s lila7 play or >reatiHe sportS7 and
>arrying a
flute7 Chose enrapturing notes aCa@en the deHotees7 one by one7 from their sleep of maya or >osmi>
delusion.=see @rishna.FpgG
2, did not Cant to interfere Cith your happy anti>ipation of seeing the pilgrimage spot Chere first , met
.abaFi. , left you only for a little ChileK am , not Cith you againP3
2.ut is it Y!U7 *aster7 the same 'ion of )odP Are you Cearing a body li@e the one , buried beneath
the >ruel
Puri sandsP3
2Yes7 my >hild7 , am the same. This is a flesh and blood body. Though , see it as ethereal7 to your sight
it is
physi>al. From the >osmi> atoms , >reated an entirely neC body7 eJa>tly li@e that >osmi>;dream
physi>al
body Chi>h you laid beneath the dream;sands at Puri in your dream;Corld. , am in truth resurre>ted;not
on
earth but on an astral planet. ,ts inhabitants are better able than earthly humanity to meet my lofty
standards.
There you and your eJalted loHed ones shall someday >ome to be Cith me.3
2(eathless guru7 tell me moreO3
*aster gaHe a Nui>@7 mirthful >hu>@le. 2Please7 dear one73 he said7 2Con"t you relaJ your hold a littleP3
2!nly a littleO3 , had been embra>ing him Cith an o>topus grip. , >ould dete>t the same faint7 fragrant7
natural
odor Chi>h had been >hara>teristi> of his body before. The thrilling tou>h of his diHine flesh still
persists
around the inner sides of my arms and in my palms CheneHer , re>all those glorious hours.
2As prophets are sent on earth to help men Cor@ out their physi>al @arma7 so , haHe been dire>ted by
)od to
serHe on an astral planet as a saHior73 #ri Yu@tesCar eJplained. 2,t is >alled ,RA%YA'!$A or
",llumined
Astral Planet." There , am aiding adHan>ed beings to rid themselHes of astral @arma and thus attain
liberation
from astral rebirths. The dCellers on iranyalo@a are highly deHeloped spirituallyK all of them had
a>Nuired7 in
their last earth;in>arnation7 the meditation;giHen poCer of >ons>iously leaHing their physi>al bodies at
death.
%o one >an enter iranyalo@a unless he has passed on earth beyond the state of #A.,$A'PA
#A*A(,
into the higher state of %,R.,$A'PA #A*A(,. LF%/+;1M
2The iranyalo@a inhabitants haHe already passed through the ordinary astral spheres7 Chere nearly all
beings
from earth must go at deathK there they Cor@ed out many seeds of their past a>tions in the astral Corlds.
%one
but adHan>ed beings >an perform su>h redemptiHe Cor@ effe>tually in the astral Corlds. Then7 in order
to free
their souls more fully from the >o>oon of @armi> tra>es lodged in their astral bodies7 these higher
beings Cere
draCn by >osmi> laC to be reborn Cith neC astral bodies on iranyalo@a7 the astral sun or heaHen7
Chere ,
haHe resurre>ted to help them. There are also highly adHan>ed beings on iranyalo@a Cho haHe >ome
from
the superior7 subtler7 >ausal Corld.3
*y mind Cas noC in su>h perfe>t attunement Cith my guru"s that he Cas >onHeying his Cord;pi>tures
to me
partly by spee>h and partly by thought;transferen>e. , Cas thus Nui>@ly re>eiHing his idea;tabloids.
2You haHe read in the s>riptures73 *aster Cent on7 2that )od en>ased the human soul su>>essiHely in
three
bodies;the idea7 or >ausal7 bodyK the subtle astral body7 seat of man"s mental and emotional naturesK and
the
gross physi>al body. !n earth a man is eNuipped Cith his physi>al senses. An astral being Cor@s Cith
his
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
>ons>iousness and feelings and a body made of lifetrons. LF%/+;2M A >ausal;bodied being remains in
the
blissful realm of ideas. *y Cor@ is Cith those astral beings Cho are preparing to enter the >ausal
Corld.3
2Adorable *aster7 please tell me more about the astral >osmos.3 Though , had slightly relaJed my
embra>e at
#ri Yu@tesCar"s reNuest7 my arms Cere still around him. Treasure beyond all treasures7 my guru Cho
had
laughed at death to rea>h meO
2There are many astral planets7 teeming Cith astral beings73 *aster began. 2The inhabitants use astral
planes7
or masses of light7 to traHel from one planet to another7 faster than ele>tri>ity and radioa>tiHe energies.
2The astral uniHerse7 made of Harious subtle Hibrations of light and >olor7 is hundreds of times larger
than the
material >osmos. The entire physi>al >reation hangs li@e a little solid bas@et under the huge luminous
balloon
of the astral sphere. 8ust as many physi>al suns and stars roam in spa>e7 so there are also >ountless
astral solar
and stellar systems. Their planets haHe astral suns and moons7 more beautiful than the physi>al ones.
The
astral luminaries resemble the aurora borealis;the sunny astral aurora being more daIIling than the
mild;rayed moon;aurora. The astral day and night are longer than those of earth.
2The astral Corld is infinitely beautiful7 >lean7 pure7 and orderly. There are no dead planets or barren
lands.
The terrestrial blemishes=Ceeds7 ba>teria7 inse>ts7 sna@es;are absent. Unli@e the Hariable >limates and
seasons of the earth7 the astral planets maintain the eHen temperature of an eternal spring7 Cith
o>>asional
luminous Chite snoC and rain of many;>olored lights. Astral planets abound in opal la@es and bright
seas and
rainboC riHers.
2The ordinary astral uniHerse;not the subtler astral heaHen of iranyalo@a;is peopled Cith millions of
astral
beings Cho haHe >ome7 more or less re>ently7 from the earth7 and also Cith myriads of fairies7
mermaids7
fishes7 animals7 goblins7 gnomes7 demigods and spirits7 all residing on different astral planets in
a>>ordan>e
Cith @armi> Nualifi>ations. 6arious spheri> mansions or Hibratory regions are proHided for good and
eHil
spirits. )ood ones >an traHel freely7 but the eHil spirits are >onfined to limited Iones. ,n the same Cay
that
human beings liHe on the surfa>e of the earth7 Corms inside the soil7 fish in Cater7 and birds in air7 so
astral
beings of different grades are assigned to suitable Hibratory Nuarters.
2Among the fallen dar@ angels eJpelled from other Corlds7 fri>tion and Car ta@e pla>e Cith lifetroni>
bombs
or mental *A%TR,C LF%/+;+M Hibratory rays. These beings dCell in the gloom;dren>hed regions of
the
loCer astral >osmos7 Cor@ing out their eHil @arma.
2,n the Hast realms aboHe the dar@ astral prison7 all is shining and beautiful. The astral >osmos is more
naturally attuned than the earth to the diHine Cill and plan of perfe>tion. EHery astral obFe>t is
manifested
primarily by the Cill of )od7 and partially by the Cill;>all of astral beings. They possess the poCer of
modifying or enhan>ing the gra>e and form of anything already >reated by the 'ord. e has giHen is
astral
>hildren the freedom and priHilege of >hanging or improHing at Cill the astral >osmos. !n earth a solid
must
be transformed into liNuid or other form through natural or >hemi>al pro>esses7 but astral solids are
>hanged
into astral liNuids7 gases7 or energy solely and instantly by the Cill of the inhabitants.
2The earth is dar@ Cith Carfare and murder in the sea7 land7 and air73 my guru >ontinued7 2but the astral
realms @noC a happy harmony and eNuality. Astral beings dematerialiIe or materialiIe their forms at
Cill.
FloCers or fish or animals >an metamorphose themselHes7 for a time7 into astral men. All astral beings
are free
to assume any form7 and >an easily >ommune together. %o fiJed7 definite7 natural laC hems them
round;any
astral tree7 for eJample7 >an be su>>essfully as@ed to produ>e an astral mango or other desired fruit7
floCer7 or
indeed any other obFe>t. Certain @armi> restri>tions are present7 but there are no distin>tions in the
astral Corld
about desirability of Harious forms. EHerything is Hibrant Cith )od"s >reatiHe light.
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
2%o one is born of ComanK offspring are materialiIed by astral beings through the help of their >osmi>
Cill
into spe>ially patterned7 astrally >ondensed forms. The re>ently physi>ally disembodied being arriHes in
an
astral family through inHitation7 draCn by similar mental and spiritual tenden>ies.
2The astral body is not subFe>t to >old or heat or other natural >onditions. The anatomy in>ludes an
astral
brain7 or the thousand;petaled lotus of light7 and siJ aCa@ened >enters in the #U#U*%A7 or astral
>erebro;spinal aJis. The heart draCs >osmi> energy as Cell as light from the astral brain7 and pumps it
to the
astral nerHes and body >ells7 or lifetrons. Astral beings >an affe>t their bodies by lifetroni> for>e or by
*A%TR,C Hibrations.
2The astral body is an eJa>t >ounterpart of the last physi>al form. Astral beings retain the same
appearan>e
Chi>h they possessed in youth in their preHious earthly soFournK o>>asionally an astral being >hooses7
li@e
myself7 to retain his old age appearan>e.3 *aster7 emanating the Hery essen>e of youth7 >hu>@led
merrily.
2Unli@e the spa>ial7 three;dimensional physi>al Corld >ogniIed only by the fiHe senses7 the astral
spheres are
Hisible to the all;in>lusiHe siJth sense;intuition73 #ri Yu@tesCar Cent on. 2.y sheer intuitional feeling7
all
astral beings see7 hear7 smell7 taste7 and tou>h. They possess three eyes7 tCo of Chi>h are partly >losed.
The
third and >hief astral eye7 Herti>ally pla>ed on the forehead7 is open. Astral beings haHe all the outer
sensory
organs;ears7 eyes7 nose7 tongue7 and s@in;but they employ the intuitional sense to eJperien>e sensations
through any part of the bodyK they >an see through the ear7 or nose7 or s@in. They are able to hear
through the
eyes or tongue7 and >an taste through the ears or s@in7 and so forth. LF%/+;/M
2*an"s physi>al body is eJposed to >ountless dangers7 and is easily hurt or maimedK the ethereal astral
body
may o>>asionally be >ut or bruised but is healed at on>e by mere Cilling.3
2)urudeHa7 are all astral persons beautifulP3
2.eauty in the astral Corld is @noCn to be a spiritual Nuality7 and not an outCard >onformation73 #ri
Yu@tesCar replied. 2Astral beings therefore atta>h little importan>e to fa>ial features. They haHe the
priHilege7
hoCeHer7 of >ostuming themselHes at Cill Cith neC7 >olorful7 astrally materialiIed bodies. 8ust as
Corldly men
don neC array for gala eHents7 so astral beings find o>>asions to bede>@ themselHes in spe>ially
designed
forms.
28oyous astral festiHities on the higher astral planets li@e iranyalo@a ta@e pla>e Chen a being is
liberated
from the astral Corld through spiritual adHan>ement7 and is therefore ready to enter the heaHen of the
>ausal
Corld. !n su>h o>>asions the ,nHisible eaHenly Father7 and the saints Cho are merged in im7
materialiIe
ThemselHes into bodies of Their oCn >hoi>e and Foin the astral >elebration. ,n order to please is
beloHed
deHotee7 the 'ord ta@es any desired form. ,f the deHotee Corshiped through deHotion7 he sees )od as
the
(iHine *other. To 8esus7 the Father;aspe>t of the ,nfinite !ne Cas appealing beyond other >on>eptions.
The
indiHiduality Cith Chi>h the Creator has endoCed ea>h of is >reatures ma@es eHery >on>eiHable and
in>on>eiHable demand on the 'ord"s HersatilityO3 *y guru and , laughed happily together.
2Friends of other liHes easily re>ogniIe one another in the astral Corld73 #ri Yu@tesCar Cent on in his
beautiful7 fluteli@e Hoi>e. 2ReFoi>ing at the immortality of friendship7 they realiIe the indestru>tibility
of loHe7
often doubted at the time of the sad7 delusiHe partings of earthly life.
2The intuition of astral beings pier>es through the Heil and obserHes human a>tiHities on earth7 but man
>annot
HieC the astral Corld unless his siJth sense is someChat deHeloped. Thousands of earth;dCellers haHe
momentarily glimpsed an astral being or an astral Corld.
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
2The adHan>ed beings on iranyalo@a remain mostly aCa@e in e>stasy during the long astral day and
night7
helping to Cor@ out intri>ate problems of >osmi> goHernment and the redemption of prodigal sons7
earthbound
souls. &hen the iranyalo@a beings sleep7 they haHe o>>asional dreamli@e astral Hisions. Their minds
are
usually engrossed in the >ons>ious state of highest %,R.,$A'PA bliss.
2,nhabitants in all parts of the astral Corlds are still subFe>t to mental agonies. The sensitiHe minds of
the
higher beings on planets li@e iranyalo@a feel @een pain if any mista@e is made in >ondu>t or
per>eption of
truth. These adHan>ed beings endeaHor to attune their eHery a>t and thought Cith the perfe>tion of
spiritual
laC.
2Communi>ation among the astral inhabitants is held entirely by astral telepathy and teleHisionK there is
none
of the >onfusion and misunderstanding of the Critten and spo@en Cord Chi>h earth;dCellers must
endure.
8ust as persons on the >inema s>reen appear to moHe and a>t through a series of light pi>tures7 and do
not
a>tually breathe7 so the astral beings Cal@ and Cor@ as intelligently guided and >oordinated images of
light7
Cithout the ne>essity of draCing poCer from oJygen. *an depends upon solids7 liNuids7 gases7 and
energy for
sustenan>eK astral beings sustain themselHes prin>ipally by >osmi> light.3
2*aster mine7 do astral beings eat anythingP3 , Cas drin@ing in his marHelous elu>idations Cith the
re>eptiHity of all my fa>ulties;mind7 heart7 soul. #uper>ons>ious per>eptions of truth are permanently
real and
>hangeless7 Chile fleeting sense eJperien>es and impressions are neHer more than temporarily or
relatiHely
true7 and soon lose in memory all their HiHidness. *y guru"s Cords Cere so penetratingly imprinted on
the
par>hment of my being that at any time7 by transferring my mind to the super>ons>ious state7 , >an
>learly
reliHe the diHine eJperien>e.
2'uminous rayli@e Hegetables abound in the astral soils73 he ansCered. 2The astral beings >onsume
Hegetables7 and drin@ a ne>tar floCing from glorious fountains of light and from astral broo@s and
riHers. 8ust
as inHisible images of persons on the earth >an be dug out of the ether and made Hisible by a teleHision
apparatus7 later being dismissed again into spa>e7 so the )od;>reated7 unseen astral blueprints of
Hegetables
and plants floating in the ether are pre>ipitated on an astral planet by the Cill of its inhabitants. ,n the
same
Cay7 from the Cildest fan>y of these beings7 Chole gardens of fragrant floCers are materialiIed7
returning
later to the etheri> inHisibility. Although dCellers on the heaHenly planets li@e iranyalo@a are almost
freed
from any ne>essity of eating7 still higher is the un>onditioned eJisten>e of almost >ompletely liberated
souls in
the >ausal Corld7 Cho eat nothing saHe the manna of bliss.
2The earth;liberated astral being meets a multitude of relatiHes7 fathers7 mothers7 CiHes7 husbands7 and
friends7 a>Nuired during different in>arnations on earth7 LF%/+;1M as they appear from time to time in
Harious
parts of the astral realms. e is therefore at a loss to understand Chom to loHe espe>iallyK he learns in
this Cay
to giHe a diHine and eNual loHe to all7 as >hildren and indiHidualiIed eJpressions of )od. Though the
outCard
appearan>e of loHed ones may haHe >hanged7 more or less a>>ording to the deHelopment of neC
Nualities in
the latest life of any parti>ular soul7 the astral being employs his unerring intuition to re>ogniIe all
those on>e
dear to him in other planes of eJisten>e7 and to Cel>ome them to their neC astral home. .e>ause eHery
atom
in >reation is ineJtinguishably doCered Cith indiHiduality7 LF%/+;4M an astral friend Cill be
re>ogniIed no
matter Chat >ostume he may don7 eHen as on earth an a>tor"s identity is dis>oHerable by >lose
obserHation
despite any disguise.
2The span of life in the astral Corld is mu>h longer than on earth. A normal adHan>ed astral being"s
aHerage
life period is from fiHe hundred to one thousand years7 measured in a>>ordan>e Cith earthly standards
of time.
As >ertain redCood trees outliHe most trees by millenniums7 or as some yogis liHe seHeral hundred
years
though most men die before the age of siJty7 so some astral beings liHe mu>h longer than the usual span
of
astral eJisten>e. 6isitors to the astral Corld dCell there for a longer or shorter period in a>>ordan>e
Cith the
Ceight of their physi>al @arma7 Chi>h draCs them ba>@ to earth Cithin a spe>ified time.
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
2The astral being does not haHe to >ontend painfully Cith death at the time of shedding his luminous
body.
*any of these beings neHertheless feel slightly nerHous at the thought of dropping their astral form for
the
subtler >ausal one. The astral Corld is free from unCilling death7 disease7 and old age. These three
dreads are
the >urse of earth7 Chere man has alloCed his >ons>iousness to identify itself almost Cholly Cith a frail
physi>al body reNuiring >onstant aid from air7 food7 and sleep in order to eJist at all.
2Physi>al death is attended by the disappearan>e of breath and the disintegration of fleshly >ells. Astral
death
>onsists of the dispersement of lifetrons7 those manifest units of energy Chi>h >onstitute the life of
astral
beings. At physi>al death a being loses his >ons>iousness of flesh and be>omes aCare of his subtle body
in the
astral Corld. EJperien>ing astral death in due time7 a being thus passes from the >ons>iousness of astral
birth
and death to that of physi>al birth and death. These re>urrent >y>les of astral and physi>al en>asement
are the
inelu>table destiny of all unenlightened beings. #>riptural definitions of heaHen and hell sometimes stir
man"s
deeper;than;sub>ons>ious memories of his long series of eJperien>es in the blithesome astral and
disappointing terrestrial Corlds.3
2.eloHed *aster73 , as@ed7 2Cill you please des>ribe more in detail the differen>e betCeen rebirth on
the earth
and in the astral and >ausal spheresP3
2*an as an indiHidualiIed soul is essentially >ausal;bodied73 my guru eJplained. 2That body is a
matriJ of
the thirty;fiHe ,(EA# reNuired by )od as the basi> or >ausal thought for>es from Chi>h e later
formed the
subtle astral body of nineteen elements and the gross physi>al body of siJteen elements.
2The nineteen elements of the astral body are mental7 emotional7 and lifetroni>. The nineteen
>omponents are
intelligen>eK egoK feelingK mind Qsense;>ons>iousnessSK fiHe instruments of $%!&'E()E7 the subtle
>ounterparts of the senses of sight7 hearing7 smell7 taste7 tou>hK fiHe instruments of ACT,!%7 the mental
>orresponden>e for the eJe>utiHe abilities to pro>reate7 eJ>rete7 tal@7 Cal@7 and eJer>ise manual s@illK
and fiHe
instruments of ',FE F!RCE7 those empoCered to perform the >rystalliIing7 assimilating7 eliminating7
metaboliIing7 and >ir>ulating fun>tions of the body. This subtle astral en>asement of nineteen elements
surHiHes the death of the physi>al body7 Chi>h is made of siJteen gross metalli> and nonmetalli>
elements.
2)od thought out different ideas Cithin imself and proFe>ted them into dreams. 'ady Cosmi> (ream
thus
sprang out de>orated in all her >olossal endless ornaments of relatiHity.
2,n thirty;fiHe thought >ategories of the >ausal body7 )od elaborated all the >ompleJities of man"s
nineteen
astral and siJteen physi>al >ounterparts. .y >ondensation of Hibratory for>es7 first subtle7 then gross7
e
produ>ed man"s astral body and finally his physi>al form. A>>ording to the laC of relatiHity7 by Chi>h
the
Prime #impli>ity has be>ome the beCildering manifold7 the >ausal >osmos and >ausal body are
different from
the astral >osmos and astral bodyK the physi>al >osmos and physi>al body are li@eCise >hara>teristi>ally
at
Harian>e Cith the other forms of >reation.
2The fleshly body is made of the fiJed7 obFe>tified dreams of the Creator. The dualities are eHer;present
on
earthA disease and health7 pain and pleasure7 loss and gain. uman beings find limitation and resistan>e
in
three;dimensional matter. &hen man"s desire to liHe is seHerely sha@en by disease or other >auses7
death
arriHesK the heaHy oHer>oat of the flesh is temporarily shed. The soul7 hoCeHer7 remains en>ased in the
astral
and >ausal bodies. LF%/+;5M The adhesiHe for>e by Chi>h all three bodies are held together is desire.
The
poCer of unfulfilled desires is the root of all man"s slaHery.
2Physi>al desires are rooted in egotism and sense pleasures. The >ompulsion or temptation of sensory
eJperien>e is more poCerful than the desire;for>e >onne>ted Cith astral atta>hments or >ausal
per>eptions.
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Astral desires >enter around enFoyment in terms of Hibration. Astral beings enFoy the ethereal musi> of
the
spheres and are entran>ed by the sight of all >reation as eJhaustless eJpressions of >hanging light. The
astral
beings also smell7 taste7 and tou>h light. Astral desires are thus >onne>ted Cith an astral being"s poCer
to
pre>ipitate all obFe>ts and eJperien>es as forms of light or as >ondensed thoughts or dreams.
2Causal desires are fulfilled by per>eption only. The nearly;free beings Cho are en>ased only in the
>ausal
body see the Chole uniHerse as realiIations of the dream;ideas of )odK they >an materialiIe anything
and
eHerything in sheer thought. Causal beings therefore >onsider the enFoyment of physi>al sensations or
astral
delights as gross and suffo>ating to the soul"s fine sensibilities. Causal beings Cor@ out their desires by
materialiIing them instantly. LF%/+;0M Those Cho find themselHes >oHered only by the deli>ate Heil of
the
>ausal body >an bring uniHerses into manifestation eHen as the Creator. .e>ause all >reation is made of
the
>osmi> dream;teJture7 the soul thinly >lothed in the >ausal has Hast realiIations of poCer.
2A soul7 being inHisible by nature7 >an be distinguished only by the presen>e of its body or bodies. The
mere
presen>e of a body signifies that its eJisten>e is made possible by unfulfilled desires. LF%/+;9M
2#o long as the soul of man is en>ased in one7 tCo7 or three body;>ontainers7 sealed tightly Cith the
>or@s of
ignoran>e and desires7 he >annot merge Cith the sea of #pirit. &hen the gross physi>al re>epta>le is
destroyed
by the hammer of death7 the other tCo >oHerings;astral and >ausal;still remain to preHent the soul from
>ons>iously Foining the !mnipresent 'ife. &hen desirelessness is attained through Cisdom7 its poCer
disintegrates the tCo remaining Hessels. The tiny human soul emerges7 free at lastK it is one Cith the
*easureless Amplitude.3
, as@ed my diHine guru to shed further light on the high and mysterious >ausal Corld.
2The >ausal Corld is indes>ribably subtle73 he replied. 2,n order to understand it7 one Could haHe to
possess
su>h tremendous poCers of >on>entration that he >ould >lose his eyes and HisualiIe the astral >osmos
and the
physi>al >osmos in all their Hastness;the luminous balloon Cith the solid bas@et;as eJisting in ideas
only. ,f
by this superhuman >on>entration one su>>eeded in >onHerting or resolHing the tCo >osmoses Cith all
their
>ompleJities into sheer ideas7 he Could then rea>h the >ausal Corld and stand on the borderline of
fusion
betCeen mind and matter. There one per>eiHes all >reated things=solids7 liNuids7 gases7 ele>tri>ity7
energy7 all
beings7 gods7 men7 animals7 plants7 ba>teria;as forms of >ons>iousness7 Fust as a man >an >lose his eyes
and
realiIe that he eJists7 eHen though his body is inHisible to his physi>al eyes and is present only as an
idea.
2&hateHer a human being >an do in fan>y7 a >ausal being >an do in reality. The most >olossal
imaginatiHe
human intelligen>e is able7 in mind only7 to range from one eJtreme of thought to another7 to s@ip
mentally
from planet to planet7 or tumble endlessly doCn a pit of eternity7 or soar ro>@etli@e into the galaJied
>anopy7
or s>intillate li@e a sear>hlight oHer mil@y Cays and the starry spa>es. .ut beings in the >ausal Corld
haHe a
mu>h greater freedom7 and >an effortlessly manifest their thoughts into instant obFe>tiHity7 Cithout any
material or astral obstru>tion or @armi> limitation.
2Causal beings realiIe that the physi>al >osmos is not primarily >onstru>ted of ele>trons7 nor is the
astral
>osmos basi>ally >omposed of lifetrons;both in reality are >reated from the minutest parti>les of
)od;thought7 >hopped and diHided by *AYA7 the laC of relatiHity Chi>h interHenes to apparently
separate
the %oumenon from is phenomena.
2#ouls in the >ausal Corld re>ogniIe one another as indiHidualiIed points of Foyous #piritK their
thought;things are the only obFe>ts Chi>h surround them. Causal beings see the differen>e betCeen
their
bodies and thoughts to be merely ideas. As a man7 >losing his eyes7 >an HisualiIe a daIIling Chite light
or a
faint blue haIe7 so >ausal beings by thought alone are able to see7 hear7 feel7 taste7 and tou>hK they
>reate
anything7 or dissolHe it7 by the poCer of >osmi> mind.
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
2.oth death and rebirth in the >ausal Corld are in thought. Causal;bodied beings feast only on the
ambrosia
of eternally neC @noCledge. They drin@ from the springs of pea>e7 roam on the tra>@less soil of
per>eptions7
sCim in the o>ean;endlessness of bliss. 'oO see their bright thought;bodies Ioom past trillions of
#pirit;>reated planets7 fresh bubbles of uniHerses7 Cisdom;stars7 spe>tral dreams of golden nebulae7 all
oHer
the s@iey blue bosom of ,nfinityO
2*any beings remain for thousands of years in the >ausal >osmos. .y deeper e>stasies the freed soul
then
CithdraCs itself from the little >ausal body and puts on the Hastness of the >ausal >osmos. All the
separate
eddies of ideas7 parti>ulariIed CaHes of poCer7 loHe7 Cill7 Foy7 pea>e7 intuition7 >almness7 self;>ontrol7
and
>on>entration melt into the eHer;Foyous #ea of .liss. %o longer does the soul haHe to eJperien>e its Foy
as an
indiHidualiIed CaHe of >ons>iousness7 but is merged in the !ne Cosmi> !>ean7 Cith all its CaHes;
eternal
laughter7 thrills7 throbs.
2&hen a soul is out of the >o>oon of the three bodies it es>apes foreHer from the laC of relatiHity and
be>omes
the ineffable EHer;EJistent. LF%/+;1-M .ehold the butterfly of !mnipresen>e7 its Cings et>hed Cith
stars
and moons and sunsO The soul eJpanded into #pirit remains alone in the region of lightless light7
dar@less
dar@7 thoughtless thought7 intoJi>ated Cith its e>stasy of Foy in )od"s dream of >osmi> >reation.3
2A free soulO3 , eFa>ulated in aCe.
2&hen a soul finally gets out of the three Fars of bodily delusions73 *aster >ontinued7 2it be>omes one
Cith
the ,nfinite Cithout any loss of indiHiduality. Christ had Con this final freedom eHen before he Cas
born as
8esus. ,n three stages of his past7 symboliIed in his earth;life as the three days of his eJperien>e of
death and
resurre>tion7 he had attained the poCer to fully arise in #pirit.
2The undeHeloped man must undergo >ountless earthly and astral and >ausal in>arnations in order to
emerge
from his three bodies. A master Cho a>hieHes this final freedom may ele>t to return to earth as a
prophet to
bring other human beings ba>@ to )od7 or li@e myself he may >hoose to reside in the astral >osmos.
There a
saHior assumes some of the burden of the inhabitants" @arma LF%/+;11M and thus helps them to
terminate
their >y>le of rein>arnation in the astral >osmos and go on permanently to the >ausal spheres. !r a freed
soul
may enter the >ausal Corld to aid its beings to shorten their span in the >ausal body and thus attain the
Absolute Freedom.3
2Resurre>ted !ne7 , Cant to @noC more about the @arma Chi>h for>es souls to return to the three
Corlds.3 ,
>ould listen foreHer7 , thought7 to my omnis>ient *aster. %eHer in his earth;life had , been able at one
time to
assimilate so mu>h of his Cisdom. %oC for the first time , Cas re>eiHing a >lear7 definite insight into
the
enigmati> interspa>es on the >he>@erboard of life and death.
2The physi>al @arma or desires of man must be >ompletely Cor@ed out before his permanent stay in
astral
Corlds be>omes possible73 my guru elu>idated in his thrilling Hoi>e. 2TCo @inds of beings liHe in the
astral
spheres. Those Cho still haHe earthly @arma to dispose of and Cho must therefore reinhabit a gross
physi>al
body in order to pay their @armi> debts >ould be >lassified7 after physi>al death7 as temporary Hisitors to
the
astral Corld rather than as permanent residents.
2.eings Cith unredeemed earthly @arma are not permitted after astral death to go to the high >ausal
sphere of
>osmi> ideas7 but must shuttle to and fro from the physi>al and astral Corlds only7 >ons>ious
su>>essiHely of
their physi>al body of siJteen gross elements7 and of their astral body of nineteen subtle elements. After
ea>h
loss of his physi>al body7 hoCeHer7 an undeHeloped being from the earth remains for the most part in
the deep
stupor of the death;sleep and is hardly >ons>ious of the beautiful astral sphere. After the astral rest7
su>h a
man returns to the material plane for further lessons7 gradually a>>ustoming himself7 through repeated
Fourneys7 to the Corlds of subtle astral teJture.
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
2%ormal or long;established residents of the astral uniHerse7 on the other hand7 are those Cho7 freed
foreHer
from all material longings7 need return no more to the gross Hibrations of earth. #u>h beings haHe only
astral
and >ausal @arma to Cor@ out. At astral death these beings pass to the infinitely finer and more deli>ate
>ausal
Corld. #hedding the thought;form of the >ausal body at the end of a >ertain span7 determined by >osmi>
laC7
these adHan>ed beings then return to iranyalo@a or a similar high astral planet7 reborn in a neC astral
body to
Cor@ out their unredeemed astral @arma.
2*y son7 you may noC >omprehend more fully that , am resurre>ted by diHine de>ree73 #ri Yu@tesCar
>ontinued7 2as a saHior of astrally rein>arnating souls >oming ba>@ from the >ausal sphere7 in parti>ular7
rather
than of those astral beings Cho are >oming up from the earth. Those from the earth7 if they still retain
Hestiges
of material @arma7 do not rise to the Hery high astral planets li@e iranyalo@a.
28ust as most people on earth haHe not learned through meditation;a>Nuired Hision to appre>iate the
superior
Foys and adHantages of astral life and thus7 after death7 desire to return to the limited7 imperfe>t
pleasures of
earth7 so many astral beings7 during the normal disintegration of their astral bodies7 fail to pi>ture the
adHan>ed state of spiritual Foy in the >ausal Corld and7 dCelling on thoughts of the more gross and
gaudy
astral happiness7 yearn to reHisit the astral paradise. eaHy astral @arma must be redeemed by su>h
beings
before they >an a>hieHe after astral death a permanent stay in the >ausal thought;Corld7 so thinly
partitioned
from the Creator.
2!nly Chen a being has no further desires for eJperien>es in the pleasing;to;the;eye astral >osmos7 and
>annot be tempted to go ba>@ there7 does he remain in the >ausal Corld. Completing there the Cor@ of
redeeming all >ausal @arma or seeds of past desires7 the >onfined soul thrusts out the last of the three
>or@s of
ignoran>e and7 emerging from the final Far of the >ausal body7 >ommingles Cith the Eternal.
2%oC do you understandP3 *aster smiled so en>hantinglyO
2Yes7 through your gra>e. , am spee>hless Cith Foy and gratitude.3
%eHer from song or story had , eHer re>eiHed su>h inspiring @noCledge. Though the indu s>riptures
refer to
the >ausal and astral Corlds and to man"s three bodies7 hoC remote and meaningless those pages
>ompared
Cith the Carm authenti>ity of my resurre>ted *asterO For him indeed eJisted not a single 2undis>oHer"d
>ountry from Chose bourn no traHeller returns3O
2The interpenetration of man"s three bodies is eJpressed in many Cays through his threefold nature73
my great
guru Cent on. 2,n the Ca@eful state on earth a human being is >ons>ious more or less of his three
Hehi>les.
&hen he is sensuously intent on tasting7 smelling7 tou>hing7 listening7 or seeing7 he is Cor@ing
prin>ipally
through his physi>al body. 6isualiIing or Cilling7 he is Cor@ing mainly through his astral body. is
>ausal
medium finds eJpression Chen man is thin@ing or diHing deep in introspe>tion or meditationK the
>osmi>al
thoughts of genius >ome to the man Cho habitually >onta>ts his >ausal body. ,n this sense an indiHidual
may
be >lassified broadly as "a material man7" "an energeti> man7" or "an intelle>tual man."
2A man identifies himself about siJteen hours daily Cith his physi>al Hehi>le. Then he sleepsK if he
dreams7 he
remains in his astral body7 effortlessly >reating any obFe>t eHen as do the astral beings. ,f man"s sleep be
deep
and dreamless7 for seHeral hours he is able to transfer his >ons>iousness7 or sense of ,;ness7 to the
>ausal
bodyK su>h sleep is reHiHifying. A dreamer is >onta>ting his astral and not his >ausal bodyK his sleep is
not
fully refreshing.3
, had been loHingly obserHing #ri Yu@tesCar Chile he gaHe his Condrous eJposition.
2Angeli> guru73 , said7 2your body loo@s eJa>tly as it did Chen last , Cept oHer it in the Puri ashram.3
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
2! yes7 my neC body is a perfe>t >opy of the old one. , materialiIe or dematerialiIe this form any time
at Cill7
mu>h more freNuently than , did Chile on earth. .y Nui>@ dematerialiIation7 , noC traHel instantly by
light
eJpress from planet to planet or7 indeed7 from astral to >ausal or to physi>al >osmos.3 *y diHine guru
smiled.
2Though you moHe about so fast these days7 , had no diffi>ulty in finding you at .ombayO3
2! *aster7 , Cas grieHing so deeply about your deathO3
2Ah7 Cherein did , dieP ,sn"t there some >ontradi>tionP3 #ri Yu@tesCar"s eyes Cere tCin@ling Cith loHe
and
amusement.
2You Cere only dreaming on earthK on that earth you saC my dream;body73 he Cent on. 2'ater you
buried
that dream;image. %oC my finer fleshly body;Chi>h you behold and are eHen noC embra>ing rather
>loselyO;is resurre>ted on another finer dream;planet of )od. #omeday that finer dream;body and finer
dream;planet Cill pass aCayK they too are not foreHer. All dream;bubbles must eHentually burst at a
final
Ca@eful tou>h. (ifferentiate7 my son Yogananda7 betCeen dreams and RealityO3
This idea of 6E(A%T,C LF%/+;12M resurre>tion stru>@ me Cith Conder. , Cas ashamed that , had
pitied
*aster Chen , had seen his lifeless body at Puri. , >omprehended at last that my guru had alCays been
fully
aCa@e in )od7 per>eiHing his oCn life and passing on earth7 and his present resurre>tion7 as nothing
more than
relatiHities of diHine ideas in the >osmi> dream.
2, haHe noC told you7 Yogananda7 the truths of my life7 death7 and resurre>tion. )rieHe not for meK
rather
broad>ast eHeryChere the story of my resurre>tion from the )od;dreamed earth of men to another
)od;dreamed planet of astrally garbed soulsO %eC hope Cill be infused into the hearts of misery;mad7
death;fearing dreamers of the Corld.3
2Yes7 *asterO3 oC Cillingly Could , share Cith others my Foy at his resurre>tionO
2!n earth my standards Cere un>omfortably high7 unsuited to the natures of most men. !ften , s>olded
you
more than , should haHe. You passed my testK your loHe shone through the >louds of all reprimands.3
e
added tenderly7 2, haHe also >ome today to tell youA %eHer again shall , Cear the stern gaIe of >ensure.
, shall
s>old you no more.3
oC mu>h , had missed the >hastisements of my great guruO Ea>h one had been a guardian angel of
prote>tion.
2(earest *asterO Rebu@e me a million times;do s>old me noCO3
2, shall >hide you no more.3 is diHine Hoi>e Cas graHe7 yet Cith an under>urrent of laughter. 2You and
,
shall smile together7 so long as our tCo forms appear different in the *AYA;dream of )od. Finally Ce
shall
merge as one in the Cosmi> .eloHedK our smiles shall be is smile7 our unified song of Foy Hibrating
throughout eternity to be broad>ast to )od;tuned soulsO3
#ri Yu@tesCar gaHe me light on >ertain matters Chi>h , >annot reHeal here. (uring the tCo hours that he
spent
Cith me in the .ombay hotel room he ansCered my eHery Nuestion. A number of Corld prophe>ies
uttered by
him that 8une day in 19+4 haHe already >ome to pass.
2, leaHe you noC7 beloHed oneO3 At these Cords , felt *aster melting aCay Cithin my en>ir>ling arms.
2*y >hild73 his Hoi>e rang out7 Hibrating into my Hery soul;firmament7 2CheneHer you enter the door of
%,R.,$A'PA #A*A(, and >all on me7 , shall >ome to you in flesh and blood7 eHen as today.3
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
&ith this >elestial promise #ri Yu@tesCar Hanished from my sight. A >loud;Hoi>e repeated in musi>al
thunderA 2Tell allO &hosoeHer @noCs by %,R.,$A'PA realiIation that your earth is a dream of )od
>an
>ome to the finer dream;>reated planet of iranyalo@a7 and there find me resurre>ted in a body eJa>tly
li@e
my earthly one. Yogananda7 tell allO3
)one Cas the sorroC of parting. The pity and grief for his death7 long robber of my pea>e7 noC fled in
star@
shame. .liss poured forth li@e a fountain through endless7 neCly opened soul;pores. An>iently >logged
Cith
disuse7 they noC Cidened in purity at the driHing flood of e>stasy. #ub>ons>ious thoughts and feelings
of my
past in>arnations shed their @armi> taints7 lustrously reneCed by #ri Yu@tesCar"s diHine Hisit.
,n this >hapter of my autobiography , haHe obeyed my guru"s behest and spread the glad tiding7 though
it
>onfound on>e more an in>urious generation. )roHeling7 man @noCs CellK despair is seldom alienK yet
these
are perHersities7 no part of man"s true lot. The day he Cills7 he is set on the path to freedom. Too long
has he
hear@ened to the dan@ pessimism of his 2dust;thou;art3 >ounselors7 heedless of the un>onNuerable soul.
, Cas not the only one priHileged to behold the Resurre>ted )uru.
!ne of #ri Yu@tesCar"s >helas Cas an aged Coman7 affe>tionately @noCn as *A Q*otherS7 Chose home
Cas
>lose to the Puri hermitage. *aster had often stopped to >hat Cith her during his morning Cal@. !n the
eHening of *ar>h 147 19+47 *a arriHed at the ashram and as@ed to see her guru.
2&hy7 *aster died a Cee@ agoO3 #Cami #ebananda7 noC in >harge of the Puri hermitage7 loo@ed at her
sadly.
2That"s impossibleO3 #he smiled a little. 2Perhaps you are Fust trying to prote>t the guru from insistent
HisitorsP3
2%o.3 #ebananda re>ounted details of the burial. 2Come73 he said7 2, Cill ta@e you to the front garden
to #ri
Yu@tesCarFi"s graHe.3
*a shoo@ her head. 2There is no graHe for himO This morning at ten o">lo>@ he passed in his usual Cal@
before
my doorO , tal@ed to him for seHeral minutes in the bright outdoors.
2"Come this eHening to the ashram7" he said.
2, am hereO .lessings pour on this old gray headO The deathless guru Canted me to understand in Chat
trans>endent body he had Hisited me this morningO3
The astounded #ebananda @nelt before her.
2*a73 he said7 2Chat a Ceight of grief you lift from my heartO e is risenO3
LF%/+;1M ,n #A.,$A'PA #A*A(, the deHotee has spiritually progressed to a state of inCard
diHine
union7 but >annot maintain his >osmi> >ons>iousness eJ>ept in the immobile tran>e;state. .y
>ontinuous
meditation7 he rea>hes the superior state of %,R.,$A'PA #A*A(,7 Chere he moHes freely in the
Corld
and performs his outCard duties Cithout any loss of )od;realiIation.
LF%/+;2M #ri Yu@tesCar used the Cord PRA%AK , haHe translated it as lifetrons. The indu s>riptures
refer
not only to the A%U7 2atom73 and to the PARA*A%U7 2beyond the atom73 finer ele>troni> energiesK
but also
to PRA%A7 2>reatiHe lifetroni> for>e.3 Atoms and ele>trons are blind for>esK PRA%A is inherently
intelligent.
The prani> lifetrons in the spermatoIoa and oHa7 for instan>e7 guide the embryoni> deHelopment
a>>ording to
a @armi> design.
CAPTER /+. TE RE#URRECT,!% !F #R, YU$TE#&AR
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%/+;+M AdFe>tiHe of *A%TRA7 >hanted seed;sounds dis>harged by the mental gun of
>on>entration. The
PURA%A# Qan>ient #A#TRA# or treatisesS des>ribe these *A%TR,C Cars betCeen (E6A# and
A#URA# Qgods and demonsS. An A#URA on>e tried to slay a (E6A Cith a potent >hant. .ut due to
mispronun>iation the mental bomb a>ted as a boomerang and @illed the demon.
LF%/+;/M EJamples of su>h poCers are not Canting eHen on earth7 as in the >ase of elen $eller and
other
rare beings.
LF%/+;1M 'ord .uddha Cas on>e as@ed Chy a man should loHe all persons eNually. 2.e>ause73 the
great
tea>her replied7 2in the Hery numerous and Haried lifespans of ea>h man7 eHery other being has at one
time or
another been dear to him.3
LF%/+;4M The eight elemental Nualities Chi>h enter into all >reated life7 from atom to man7 are earth7
Cater7
fire7 air7 ether7 motion7 mind7 and indiHiduality. Q.A)A6A( ),TAA 6,,A/.S
LF%/+;5M .ody signifies any soul;en>asement7 Chether gross or subtle. The three bodies are >ages for
the
.ird of Paradise.
LF%/+;0M EHen as .abaFi helped 'ahiri *ahasaya to rid himself of a sub>ons>ious desire from some
past life
for a pala>e7 as des>ribed in >hapter +/.
LF%/+;9M 2And he said unto them7 &heresoeHer the body is7 thither Cill the eagles be gathered
together.3;'U$E 15A+5. &hereHer the soul is en>ased in the physi>al body or in the astral body or in
the
>ausal body7 there the eagles of desires;Chi>h prey on human sense Cea@nesses7 or on astral and >ausal
atta>hments;Cill also gather to @eep the soul a prisoner.
LF%/+;1-M 2im that oHer>ometh Cill , ma@e a pillar in the temple of my )od7 and he shall go no
more out
Qi.e.7 shall rein>arnate no moreS. . . . To him that oHer>ometh Cill , grant to sit Cith me in my throne7
eHen as ,
also oHer>ame7 and am set doCn Cith my Father in his throne.3;RE6E'AT,!% +A127 21.
LF%/+;11M #ri Yu@tesCar Cas signifying that7 eHen as in his earthly in>arnation he had o>>asionally
assumed
the Ceight of disease to lighten his dis>iples" @arma7 so in the astral Corld his mission as a saHior
enabled him
to ta@e on >ertain astral @arma of dCellers on iranyalo@a7 and thus hasten their eHolution into the
higher
>ausal Corld.
LF%/+;12M 'ife and death as relatiHities of thought only. 6E(A%TA points out that )od is the only
RealityK
all >reation or separate eJisten>e is *AYA or illusion. This philosophy of monism re>eiHed its highest
eJpression in the UPA%,#A( >ommentaries of #han@ara.
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
2&el>ome to &ardhaO3 *ahadeH (esai7 se>retary to *ahatma )andhi7 greeted *iss .let>h7 *r.
&right7 and
myself Cith these >ordial Cords and the gift of Creaths of $A((AR Qhomespun >ottonS. !ur little
group
had Fust dismounted at the &ardha station on an early morning in August7 glad to leaHe the dust and
heat of
the train. Consigning our luggage to a bullo>@ >art7 Ce entered an open motor >ar Cith *r. (esai and
his
>ompanions7 .abasaheb (eshmu@h and (r. Pingale. A short driHe oHer the muddy >ountry roads
brought us
to *A)A%6A(,7 the ashram of ,ndia"s politi>al saint.
*r. (esai led us at on>e to the Criting room Chere7 >ross;legged7 sat *ahatma )andhi. Pen in one
hand and
a s>rap of paper in the other7 on his fa>e a Hast7 Cinning7 Carm;hearted smileO
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
Autobiography of a Yogi
2&el>omeO3 he s>ribbled in indiK it Cas a *onday7 his Cee@ly day of silen>e.
Though this Cas our first meeting7 Ce beamed on ea>h other affe>tionately. ,n 1921 *ahatma )andhi
had
honored the Ran>hi s>hool by a Hisit7 and had ins>ribed in its guest;boo@ a gra>ious tribute.
The tiny 1--;pound saint radiated physi>al7 mental7 and spiritual health. is soft broCn eyes shone
Cith
intelligen>e7 sin>erity7 and dis>riminationK this statesman has mat>hed Cits and emerged the Hi>tor in a
thousand legal7 so>ial7 and politi>al battles. %o other leader in the Corld has attained the se>ure ni>he in
the
hearts of his people that )andhi o>>upies for ,ndia"s unlettered millions. Their spontaneous tribute is
his
famous title;*AAT*A7 2great soul.3 LF%//;1M For them alone )andhi >onfines his attire to the
Cidely;>artooned loin>loth7 symbol of his oneness Cith the doCntrodden masses Cho >an afford no
more.
E,llustrationA *AAT*A )A%(,7 , enFoy a Nuiet lun>h Cith ,ndia"s politi>al saint at his hermitage in
&ardha7 August7 19+1.=see gandhi.FpgG
2The ashram residents are Cholly at your disposalK please >all on them for any serHi>e.3 &ith
>hara>teristi>
>ourtesy7 the *ahatma handed me this hastily;Critten note as *r. (esai led our party from the Criting
room
toCard the guest house.
!ur guide led us through or>hards and floCering fields to a tile;roofed building Cith latti>ed CindoCs.
A
front;yard Cell7 tCenty;fiHe feet a>ross7 Cas used7 *r. (esai said7 for Catering sto>@K near;by stood a
reHolHing >ement Cheel for threshing ri>e. Ea>h of our small bedrooms proHed to >ontain only the
irredu>ible
minimum;a bed7 handmade of rope. The ChiteCashed @it>hen boasted a fau>et in one >orner and a fire
pit for
>oo@ing in another. #imple Ar>adian sounds rea>hed our ears;the >ries of >roCs and sparroCs7 the
loCing of
>attle7 and the rap of >hisels being used to >hip stones.
!bserHing *r. &right"s traHel diary7 *r. (esai opened a page and Crote on it a list of #ATYA)RAA
LF%//;2M HoCs ta@en by all the *ahatma"s stri>t folloCers Q#ATYA)RA,#SA
2%onHiolen>eK TruthK %on;#tealingK Celiba>yK %on;PossessionK .ody;'aborK Control of the PalateK
FearlessnessK ENual Respe>t for all ReligionsK #&A(E#, Quse of home manufa>turesSK Freedom from
Untou>hability. These eleHen should be obserHed as HoCs in a spirit of humility.3
Q)andhi himself signed this page on the folloCing day7 giHing the date also;August 257 19+1.S
TCo hours after our arriHal my >ompanions and , Cere summoned to lun>h. The *ahatma Cas already
seated
under the ar>ade of the ashram por>h7 a>ross the >ourtyard from his study. About tCenty;fiHe
barefooted
#ATYA)RA,# Cere sNuatting before brass >ups and plates. A >ommunity >horus of prayerK then a
meal
serHed from large brass pots >ontaining CAPAT,# QChole;Cheat unleaHened breadS sprin@led Cith
)EEK
TA'#AR, Qboiled and di>ed HegetablesS7 and a lemon Fam.
The *ahatma ate CAPAT,#7 boiled beets7 some raC Hegetables7 and oranges. !n the side of his plate
Cas a
large lump of Hery bitter %EE* leaHes7 a notable blood >leanser. &ith his spoon he separated a portion
and
pla>ed it on my dish. , bolted it doCn Cith Cater7 remembering >hildhood days Chen *other had
for>ed me to
sCalloC the disagreeable dose. )andhi7 hoCeHer7 bit by bit Cas eating the %EE* paste Cith as mu>h
relish as
if it had been a deli>ious sCeetmeat.
,n this trifling in>ident , noted the *ahatma"s ability to deta>h his mind from the senses at Cill. ,
re>alled the
famous appende>tomy performed on him some years ago. Refusing anestheti>s7 the saint had >hatted
>heerfully Cith his dis>iples throughout the operation7 his infe>tious smile reHealing his unaCareness of
pain.
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
Autobiography of a Yogi
The afternoon brought an opportunity for a >hat Cith )andhi"s noted dis>iple7 daughter of an English
admiral7
*iss *adeleine #lade7 noC >alled *irabai. LF%//;+M er strong7 >alm fa>e lit Cith enthusiasm as she
told
me7 in flaCless indi7 of her daily a>tiHities.
2Rural re>onstru>tion Cor@ is reCardingO A group of us go eHery morning at fiHe o">lo>@ to serHe the
near;by
Hillagers and tea>h them simple hygiene. &e ma@e it a point to >lean their latrines and their mud;
that>hed
huts. The Hillagers are illiterateK they >annot be edu>ated eJ>ept by eJampleO3 #he laughed gaily.
, loo@ed in admiration at this highborn EnglishComan Chose true Christian humility enables her to do
the
s>aHengering Cor@ usually performed only by 2untou>hables.3
2, >ame to ,ndia in 192173 she told me. 2,n this land , feel that , haHe ">ome ba>@ home." %oC , Could
neHer
be Cilling to return to my old life and old interests.3
&e dis>ussed Ameri>a for aChile. 2, am alCays pleased and amaIed73 she said7 2to see the deep
interest in
spiritual subFe>ts eJhibited by the many Ameri>ans Cho Hisit ,ndia.3 LF%//;/M
*irabai"s hands Cere soon busy at the CAR$A Qspinning CheelS7 omnipresent in all the ashram
rooms and7
indeed7 due to the *ahatma7 omnipresent throughout rural ,ndia.
)andhi has sound e>onomi> and >ultural reasons for en>ouraging the reHiHal of >ottage industries7 but
he does
not >ounsel a fanati>al repudiation of all modern progress. *a>hinery7 trains7 automobiles7 the
telegraph haHe
played important parts in his oCn >olossal lifeO Fifty years of publi> serHi>e7 in prison and out7
Crestling daily
Cith pra>ti>al details and harsh realities in the politi>al Corld7 haHe only in>reased his balan>e7
open;mindedness7 sanity7 and humorous appre>iation of the Nuaint human spe>ta>le.
!ur trio enFoyed a siJ o">lo>@ supper as guests of .abasaheb (eshmu@h. The 5A-- P.*. prayer hour
found us
ba>@ at the *A)A%6A(, ashram7 >limbing to the roof Chere thirty #ATYA)RA,# Cere grouped in
a
semi>ir>le around )andhi. e Cas sNuatting on a straC mat7 an an>ient po>@et Cat>h propped up before
him.
The fading sun >ast a last gleam oHer the palms and banyansK the hum of night and the >ri>@ets had
started.
The atmosphere Cas serenity itselfK , Cas enraptured.
A solemn >hant led by *r. (esai7 Cith responses from the groupK then a ),TA reading. The *ahatma
motioned to me to giHe the >on>luding prayer. #u>h diHine unison of thought and aspirationO A memory
foreHerA the &ardha roof top meditation under the early stars.
Pun>tually at eight o">lo>@ )andhi ended his silen>e. The her>ulean labors of his life reNuire him to
apportion
his time minutely.
2&el>ome7 #CamiFiO3 The *ahatma"s greeting this time Cas not Hia paper. &e had Fust des>ended from
the
roof to his Criting room7 simply furnished Cith sNuare mats Qno >hairsS7 a loC des@ Cith boo@s7 papers7
and a
feC ordinary pens Qnot fountain pensSK a nondes>ript >lo>@ ti>@ed in a >orner. An all;perHasiHe aura of
pea>e
and deHotion. )andhi Cas bestoCing one of his >aptiHating7 >aHernous7 almost toothless smiles.
2Years ago73 he eJplained7 2, started my Cee@ly obserHan>e of a day of silen>e as a means for gaining
time to
loo@ after my >orresponden>e. .ut noC those tCenty;four hours haHe be>ome a Hital spiritual need. A
periodi>al de>ree of silen>e is not a torture but a blessing.3
, agreed Choleheartedly. LF%//;1M The *ahatma Nuestioned me about Ameri>a and EuropeK Ce
dis>ussed
,ndia and Corld >onditions.
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
Autobiography of a Yogi
2*ahadeH73 )andhi said as *r. (esai entered the room7 2please ma@e arrangements at ToCn all for
#CamiFi to spea@ there on yoga tomorroC night.3
As , Cas bidding the *ahatma good night7 he >onsiderately handed me a bottle of >itronella oil.
2The &ardha mosNuitoes don"t @noC a thing about A,*#A7 LF%//;4M #CamiFiO3 he said7 laughing.
The folloCing morning our little group brea@fasted early on a tasty Cheat porridge Cith molasses and
mil@. At
ten;thirty Ce Cere >alled to the ashram por>h for lun>h Cith )andhi and the #ATYA)RA,#. Today
the
menu in>luded broCn ri>e7 a neC sele>tion of Hegetables7 and >ardamom seeds.
%oon found me strolling about the ashram grounds7 on to the graIing land of a feC imperturbable
>oCs. The
prote>tion of >oCs is a passion Cith )andhi.
2The >oC to me means the entire sub;human Corld7 eJtending man"s sympathies beyond his oCn
spe>ies73
the *ahatma has eJplained. 2*an through the >oC is enFoined to realiIe his identity Cith all that liHes.
&hy
the an>ient rishis sele>ted the >oC for apotheosis is obHious to me. The >oC in ,ndia Cas the best
>omparisonK
she Cas the giHer of plenty. %ot only did she giHe mil@7 but she also made agri>ulture possible. The
>oC is a
poem of pityK one reads pity in the gentle animal. #he is the se>ond mother to millions of man@ind.
Prote>tion
of the >oC means prote>tion of the Chole dumb >reation of )od. The appeal of the loCer order of
>reation is
all the more for>eful be>ause it is spee>hless.3
Three daily rituals are enFoined on the orthodoJ indu. !ne is .UTA YA8%A7 an offering of food to
the
animal @ingdom. This >eremony symboliIes man"s realiIation of his obligations to less eHolHed forms
of
>reation7 instin>tiHely tied to bodily identifi>ations Chi>h also >orrode human life7 but la>@ing in that
Nuality
of liberating reason Chi>h is pe>uliar to humanity. .UTA YA8%A thus reinfor>es man"s readiness to
su>>or
the Cea@7 as he in turn is >omforted by >ountless soli>itudes of higher unseen beings. *an is also under
bond
for reFuHenating gifts of nature7 prodigal in earth7 sea7 and s@y. The eHolutionary barrier of
in>ommuni>ability
among nature7 animals7 man7 and astral angels is thus oHer>ome by offi>es of silent loHe.
The other tCo daily YA8%A# are P,TR, and %R,. P,TR, YA8%A is an offering of oblations to
an>estors7 as a
symbol of man"s a>@noCledgment of his debt to the past7 essen>e of Chose Cisdom illumines humanity
today.
%R, YA8%A is an offering of food to strangers or the poor7 symbol of the present responsibilities of
man7 his
duties to >ontemporaries.
,n the early afternoon , fulfilled a neighborly %R, YA8%A by a Hisit to )andhi"s ashram for little girls.
*r.
&right a>>ompanied me on the ten;minute driHe. Tiny young floCerli@e fa>es atop the long;stemmed
>olorful #AR,#O At the end of a brief tal@ in indi LF%//;5M Chi>h , Cas giHing outdoors7 the s@ies
unloosed
a sudden doCnpour. 'aughing7 *r. &right and , >limbed aboard the >ar and sped ba>@ to
*A)A%6A(,
amidst sheets of driHing silHer. #u>h tropi>al intensity and splashO
Reentering the guest house , Cas stru>@ aneC by the star@ simpli>ity and eHiden>es of self;sa>rifi>e
Chi>h are
eHeryChere present. The )andhi HoC of non;possession >ame early in his married life. Renoun>ing an
eJtensiHe legal pra>ti>e Chi>h had been yielding him an annual in>ome of more than R2-7---7 the
*ahatma
dispersed all his Cealth to the poor.
#ri Yu@tesCar used to po@e gentle fun at the >ommonly inadeNuate >on>eptions of renun>iation.
2A beggar >annot renoun>e Cealth73 *aster Could say. 2,f a man lamentsA "*y business has failedK my
Cife
has left meK , Cill renoun>e all and enter a monastery7" to Chat Corldly sa>rifi>e is he referringP e did
not
renoun>e Cealth and loHeK they renoun>ed himO3
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
Autobiography of a Yogi
#aints li@e )andhi7 on the other hand7 haHe made not only tangible material sa>rifi>es7 but also the
more
diffi>ult renun>iation of selfish motiHe and priHate goal7 merging their inmost being in the stream of
humanity
as a Chole.
The *ahatma"s remar@able Cife7 $asturabai7 did not obFe>t Chen he failed to set aside any part of his
Cealth
for the use of herself and their >hildren. *arried in early youth7 )andhi and his Cife too@ the HoC of
>eliba>y
after the birth of seHeral sons. LF%//;0M A tranNuil heroine in the intense drama that has been their life
together7 $asturabai has folloCed her husband to prison7 shared his three;Cee@ fasts7 and fully borne
her
share of his endless responsibilities. #he has paid )andhi the folloCing tributeA
, than@ you for haHing had the priHilege of being your lifelong >ompanion and helpmate. , than@ you
for the
most perfe>t marriage in the Corld7 based on .RA*ACARYA Qself;>ontrolS and not on seJ. , than@
you
for haHing >onsidered me your eNual in your life Cor@ for ,ndia. , than@ you for not being one of those
husbands Cho spend their time in gambling7 ra>ing7 Comen7 Cine7 and song7 tiring of their CiHes and
>hildren
as the little boy Nui>@ly tires of his >hildhood toys. oC than@ful , am that you Cere not one of those
husbands Cho deHote their time to groCing ri>h on the eJploitation of the labor of others.
oC than@ful , am that you put )od and >ountry before bribes7 that you had the >ourage of your
>onHi>tions
and a >omplete and impli>it faith in )od. oC than@ful , am for a husband that put )od and his
>ountry
before me. , am grateful to you for your toleran>e of me and my short>omings of youth7 Chen ,
grumbled and
rebelled against the >hange you made in our mode of liHing7 from so mu>h to so little.
As a young >hild7 , liHed in your parents" homeK your mother Cas a great and good ComanK she trained
me7
taught me hoC to be a braHe7 >ourageous Cife and hoC to @eep the loHe and respe>t of her son7 my
future
husband. As the years passed and you be>ame ,ndia"s most beloHed leader7 , had none of the fears that
beset
the Cife Cho may be >ast aside Chen her husband has >limbed the ladder of su>>ess7 as so often
happens in
other >ountries. , @neC that death Could still find us husband and Cife.
For years $asturabai performed the duties of treasurer of the publi> funds Chi>h the idoliIed *ahatma
is able
to raise by the millions. There are many humorous stories in ,ndian homes to the effe>t that husbands
are
nerHous about their CiHes" Cearing any FeCelry to a )andhi meetingK the *ahatma"s magi>al tongue7
pleading
for the doCntrodden7 >harms the gold bra>elets and diamond ne>@la>es right off the arms and ne>@s of
the
Cealthy into the >olle>tion bas@etO
!ne day the publi> treasurer7 $asturabai7 >ould not a>>ount for a disbursement of four rupees. )andhi
duly
published an auditing in Chi>h he ineJorably pointed out his Cife"s four rupee dis>repan>y.
, had often told this story before >lasses of my Ameri>an students. !ne eHening a Coman in the hall
had giHen
an outraged gasp.
2*ahatma or no *ahatma73 she had >ried7 2if he Cere my husband , Could haHe giHen him a bla>@ eye
for
su>h an unne>essary publi> insultO3
After some good;humored banter had passed betCeen us on the subFe>t of Ameri>an CiHes and indu
CiHes7
, had gone on to a fuller eJplanation.
2*rs. )andhi >onsiders the *ahatma not as her husband but as her guru7 one Cho has the right to
dis>ipline
her for eHen insignifi>ant errors73 , had pointed out. 2#ometime after $asturabai had been publi>ly
rebu@ed7
)andhi Cas senten>ed to prison on a politi>al >harge. As he Cas >almly bidding fareCell to his Cife7
she fell
at his feet. "*aster7" she said humbly7 "if , haHe eHer offended you7 please forgiHe me."2 LF%//;9M
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
Autobiography of a Yogi
At three o">lo>@ that afternoon in &ardha7 , betoo@ myself7 by preHious appointment7 to the Criting
room of
the saint Cho had been able to ma@e an unflin>hing dis>iple out of his oCn Cife;rare mira>leO )andhi
loo@ed
up Cith his unforgettable smile.
2*ahatmaFi73 , said as , sNuatted beside him on the un>ushioned mat7 2please tell me your definition of
A,*#A.3
2The aHoidan>e of harm to any liHing >reature in thought or deed.3
2.eautiful idealO .ut the Corld Cill alCays as@A *ay one not @ill a >obra to prote>t a >hild7 or one"s
selfP3
2, >ould not @ill a >obra Cithout Hiolating tCo of my HoCs=fearlessness7 and non;@illing. , Could
rather try
inCardly to >alm the sna@e by Hibrations of loHe. , >annot possibly loCer my standards to suit my
>ir>umstan>es.3 &ith his amaIing >andor7 )andhi added7 2, must >onfess that , >ould not >arry on this
>onHersation Cere , fa>ed by a >obraO3
, remar@ed on seHeral Hery re>ent &estern boo@s on diet Chi>h lay on his des@.
2Yes7 diet is important in the #ATYA)RAA moHement;as eHeryChere else73 he said Cith a >hu>@le.
2.e>ause , adHo>ate >omplete >ontinen>e for #ATYA)RA,#7 , am alCays trying to find out the best
diet for
the >elibate. !ne must >onNuer the palate before he >an >ontrol the pro>reatiHe instin>t. #emi;starHation
or
unbalan>ed diets are not the ansCer. After oHer>oming the inCard )REE( for food7 a #ATYA)RA,
must
>ontinue to folloC a rational Hegetarian diet Cith all ne>essary Hitamins7 minerals7 >alories7 and so
forth. .y
inCard and outCard Cisdom in regard to eating7 the #ATYA)RA,"# seJual fluid is easily turned into
Hital
energy for the Chole body.3
The *ahatma and , >ompared our @noCledge of good meat;substitutes. 2The aHo>ado is eJ>ellent73 ,
said.
2There are numerous aHo>ado groHes near my >enter in California.3
)andhi"s fa>e lit Cith interest. 2, Conder if they Could groC in &ardhaP The #ATYA)RA,# Could
appre>iate a neC food.3
2, Cill be sure to send some aHo>ado plants from 'os Angeles to &ardha.3 LF%//;1-M , added7 2Eggs
are a
high;protein foodK are they forbidden to #ATYA)RA,#P3
2%ot unfertiliIed eggs.3 The *ahatma laughed reminis>ently. 2For years , Could not >ountenan>e their
useK
eHen noC , personally do not eat them. !ne of my daughters;in;laC Cas on>e dying of malnutritionK
her
do>tor insisted on eggs. , Could not agree7 and adHised him to giHe her some egg;substitute.
2")andhiFi7" the do>tor said7 "unfertiliIed eggs >ontain no life spermK no @illing is inHolHed."
2, then gladly gaHe permission for my daughter;in;laC to eat eggsK she Cas soon restored to health.3
!n the preHious night )andhi had eJpressed a Cish to re>eiHe the $R,YA Y!)A of 'ahiri *ahasaya. ,
Cas
tou>hed by the *ahatma"s open;mindedness and spirit of inNuiry. e is >hildli@e in his diHine Nuest7
reHealing that pure re>eptiHity Chi>h 8esus praised in >hildren7 3. . . of su>h is the @ingdom of heaHen.3
The hour for my promised instru>tion had arriHedK seHeral #ATYA)RA,# noC entered the room;*r.
(esai7 (r. Pingale7 and a feC others Cho desired the $R,YA te>hniNue.
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
Autobiography of a Yogi
, first taught the little >lass the physi>al Y!)!(A eJer>ises. The body is HisualiIed as diHided into
tCenty
partsK the Cill dire>ts energy in turn to ea>h se>tion. #oon eHeryone Cas Hibrating before me li@e a
human
motor. ,t Cas easy to obserHe the rippling effe>t on )andhi"s tCenty body parts7 at all times >ompletely
eJposed to HieCO Though Hery thin7 he is not unpleasingly soK the s@in of his body is smooth and
unCrin@led.
'ater , initiated the group into the liberating te>hniNue of $R,YA Y!)A.
The *ahatma has reHerently studied all Corld religions. The 8ain s>riptures7 the .ibli>al %eC
Testament7 and
the so>iologi>al Critings of Tolstoy LF%//;11M are the three main sour>es of )andhi"s nonHiolent
>onHi>tions. e has stated his >redo thusA
, belieHe the .ible7 the $!RA%7 and the <E%(;A6E#TA LF%//;12M to be as diHinely inspired as the
6E(A#. , belieHe in the institution of )urus7 but in this age millions must go Cithout a )uru7 be>ause
it is a
rare thing to find a >ombination of perfe>t purity and perfe>t learning. .ut one need not despair of eHer
@noCing the truth of one"s religion7 be>ause the fundamentals of induism as of eHery great religion
are
un>hangeable7 and easily understood.
, belieHe li@e eHery indu in )od and is oneness7 in rebirth and salHation. . . . , >an no more des>ribe
my
feeling for induism than for my oCn Cife. #he moHes me as no other Coman in the Corld >an. %ot
that she
has no faultsK , daresay she has many more than , see myself. .ut the feeling of an indissoluble bond is
there.
EHen so , feel for and about induism Cith all its faults and limitations. %othing delights me so mu>h
as the
musi> of the ),TA7 or the RA*AYA%A by Tulsidas. &hen , fan>ied , Cas ta@ing my last breath7 the
),TA
Cas my sola>e.
induism is not an eJ>lusiHe religion. ,n it there is room for the Corship of all the prophets of the
Corld.
LF%//;1+M ,t is not a missionary religion in the ordinary sense of the term. ,t has no doubt absorbed
many
tribes in its fold7 but this absorption has been of an eHolutionary7 imper>eptible >hara>ter. induism
tells ea>h
man to Corship )od a>>ording to his oCn faith or (AR*A7 LF%//;1/M and so liHes at pea>e Cith all
religions.
!f Christ7 )andhi has CrittenA 2, am sure that if e Cere liHing here noC among men7 e Could bless
the
liHes of many Cho perhaps haHe neHer eHen heard is name . . . Fust as it is CrittenA "%ot eHery one that
saith
unto me7 'ord7 'ord . . . but he that doeth the Cill of my Father." LF%//;11M ,n the lesson of is oCn
life7
8esus gaHe humanity the magnifi>ent purpose and the single obFe>tiHe toCard Chi>h Ce all ought to
aspire. ,
belieHe that e belongs not solely to Christianity7 but to the entire Corld7 to all lands and ra>es.3
!n my last eHening in &ardha , addressed the meeting Chi>h had been >alled by *r. (esai in ToCn
all. The
room Cas thronged to the CindoC sills Cith about /-- people assembled to hear the tal@ on yoga. ,
spo@e first
in indi7 then in English. !ur little group returned to the ashram in time for a good;night glimpse of
)andhi7
enfolded in pea>e and >orresponden>e.
%ight Cas still lingering Chen , rose at 1A-- A.*. 6illage life Cas already stirringK first a bullo>@ >art
by the
ashram gates7 then a peasant Cith his huge burden balan>ed pre>ariously on his head. After brea@fast
our trio
sought out )andhi for fareCell PR!%A*#. The saint rises at four o">lo>@ for his morning prayer.
2*ahatmaFi7 good;byO3 , @nelt to tou>h his feet. 2,ndia is safe in your @eepingO3
Years haHe rolled by sin>e the &ardha idylK the earth7 o>eans7 and s@ies haHe dar@ened Cith a Corld at
Car.
Alone among great leaders7 )andhi has offered a pra>ti>al nonHiolent alternatiHe to armed might. To
redress
grieHan>es and remoHe inFusti>es7 the *ahatma has employed nonHiolent means Chi>h again and again
haHe
proHed their effe>tiHeness. e states his do>trine in these CordsA
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
Autobiography of a Yogi
, haHe found that life persists in the midst of destru>tion. Therefore there must be a higher laC than that
of
destru>tion. !nly under that laC Could Cell;ordered so>iety be intelligible and life Corth liHing.
,f that is the laC of life Ce must Cor@ it out in daily eJisten>e. &hereHer there are Cars7 ChereHer Ce
are
>onfronted Cith an opponent7 >onNuer by loHe. , haHe found that the >ertain laC of loHe has ansCered
in my
oCn life as the laC of destru>tion has neHer done.
,n ,ndia Ce haHe had an o>ular demonstration of the operation of this laC on the Cidest s>ale possible. ,
don"t
>laim that nonHiolen>e has penetrated the +4-7---7--- people in ,ndia7 but , do >laim it has penetrated
deeper
than any other do>trine in an in>redibly short time.
,t ta@es a fairly strenuous >ourse of training to attain a mental state of nonHiolen>e. ,t is a dis>iplined
life7 li@e
the life of a soldier. The perfe>t state is rea>hed only Chen the mind7 body7 and spee>h are in proper
>oordination. EHery problem Could lend itself to solution if Ce determined to ma@e the laC of truth and
nonHiolen>e the laC of life.
8ust as a s>ientist Cill Cor@ Conders out of Harious appli>ations of the laCs of nature7 a man Cho
applies the
laCs of loHe Cith s>ientifi> pre>ision >an Cor@ greater Conders. %onHiolen>e is infinitely more
Conderful and
subtle than for>es of nature li@e7 for instan>e7 ele>tri>ity. The laC of loHe is a far greater s>ien>e than
any
modern s>ien>e.
Consulting history7 one may reasonably state that the problems of man@ind haHe not been solHed by the
use of
brute for>e. &orld &ar , produ>ed a Corld;>hilling snoCball of Car @arma that sCelled into &orld &ar
,,.
!nly the Carmth of brotherhood >an melt the present >olossal snoCball of Car @arma Chi>h may
otherCise
groC into &orld &ar ,,,. This unholy trinity Cill banish foreHer the possibility of &orld &ar ,6 by a
finality
of atomi> bombs. Use of Fungle logi> instead of human reason in settling disputes Cill restore the earth
to a
Fungle. ,f brothers not in life7 then brothers in Hiolent death.
&ar and >rime neHer pay. The billions of dollars that Cent up in the smo@e of eJplosiHe nothingness
Could
haHe been suffi>ient to haHe made a neC Corld7 one almost free from disease and >ompletely free from
poHerty. %ot an earth of fear7 >haos7 famine7 pestilen>e7 the (A%#E *ACA.RE7 but one broad land of
pea>e7
of prosperity7 and of Cidening @noCledge.
The nonHiolent Hoi>e of )andhi appeals to man"s highest >ons>ien>e. 'et nations ally themselHes no
longer
Cith death7 but Cith lifeK not Cith destru>tion7 but Cith >onstru>tionK not Cith the Annihilator7 but Cith
the
Creator.
2!ne should forgiHe7 under any inFury73 says the *AA.ARATA. 2,t hath been said that the
>ontinuation
of spe>ies is due to man"s being forgiHing. ForgiHeness is holinessK by forgiHeness the uniHerse is held
together. ForgiHeness is the might of the mightyK forgiHeness is sa>rifi>eK forgiHeness is Nuiet of mind.
ForgiHeness and gentleness are the Nualities of the self;possessed. They represent eternal Hirtue.3
%onHiolen>e is the natural outgroCth of the laC of forgiHeness and loHe. 2,f loss of life be>omes
ne>essary in
a righteous battle73 )andhi pro>laims7 2one should be prepared7 li@e 8esus7 to shed his oCn7 not others"7
blood.
EHentually there Cill be less blood spilt in the Corld.3
Epi>s shall someday be Critten on the ,ndian #ATYA)RA,# Cho Cithstood hate Cith loHe7 Hiolen>e
Cith
nonHiolen>e7 Cho alloCed themselHes to be mer>ilessly slaughtered rather than retaliate. The result on
>ertain
histori> o>>asions Cas that the armed opponents threC doCn their guns and fled7 shamed7 sha@en to
their
depths by the sight of men Cho Halued the life of another aboHe their oCn.
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
Autobiography of a Yogi
2, Could Cait7 if need be for ages73 )andhi says7 2rather than see@ the freedom of my >ountry through
bloody
means.3 %eHer does the *ahatma forget the maFesti> CarningA 2All they that ta@e the sCord shall
perish Cith
the sCord.3 LF%//;14M )andhi has CrittenA
, >all myself a nationalist7 but my nationalism is as broad as the uniHerse. ,t in>ludes in its sCeep all the
nations of the earth. LF%//;15M *y nationalism in>ludes the Cell;being of the Chole Corld. , do not
Cant
my ,ndia to rise on the ashes of other nations. , do not Cant ,ndia to eJploit a single human being. ,
Cant ,ndia
to be strong in order that she >an infe>t the other nations also Cith her strength. %ot so Cith a single
nation in
Europe todayK they do not giHe strength to the others.
President &ilson mentioned his beautiful fourteen points7 but saidA 2After all7 if this endeaHor of ours to
arriHe
at pea>e fails7 Ce haHe our armaments to fall ba>@ upon.3 , Cant to reHerse that position7 and , sayA
2!ur
armaments haHe failed already. 'et us noC be in sear>h of something neCK let us try the for>e of loHe
and )od
Chi>h is truth.3 &hen Ce haHe got that7 Ce shall Cant nothing else.
.y the *ahatma"s training of thousands of true #ATYA)RA,# Qthose Cho haHe ta@en the eleHen
rigorous
HoCs mentioned in the first part of this >hapterS7 Cho in turn spread the messageK by patiently edu>ating
the
,ndian masses to understand the spiritual and eHentually material benefits of nonHiolen>eK by arming
his
people Cith nonHiolent Ceapons=non;>ooperation Cith inFusti>e7 the Cillingness to endure indignities7
prison7 death itself rather than resort to armsK by enlisting Corld sympathy through >ountless eJamples
of
heroi> martyrdom among #ATYA)RA,#7 )andhi has dramati>ally portrayed the pra>ti>al nature of
nonHiolen>e7 its solemn poCer to settle disputes Cithout Car.
)andhi has already Con through nonHiolent means a greater number of politi>al >on>essions for his
land than
haHe eHer been Con by any leader of any >ountry eJ>ept through bullets. %onHiolent methods for
eradi>ation
of all Crongs and eHils haHe been stri@ingly applied not only in the politi>al arena but in the deli>ate
and
>ompli>ated field of ,ndian so>ial reform. )andhi and his folloCers haHe remoHed many longstanding
feuds
betCeen indus and *ohammedansK hundreds of thousands of *oslems loo@ to the *ahatma as their
leader.
The untou>hables haHe found in him their fearless and triumphant >hampion. 2,f there be a rebirth in
store for
me73 )andhi Crote7 2, Cish to be born a pariah in the midst of pariahs7 be>ause thereby , Could be able
to
render them more effe>tiHe serHi>e.3
The *ahatma is indeed a 2great soul73 but it Cas illiterate millions Cho had the dis>ernment to bestoC
the
title. This gentle prophet is honored in his oCn land. The loCly peasant has been able to rise to
)andhi"s high
>hallenge. The *ahatma Choleheartedly belieHes in the inherent nobility of man. The ineHitable
failures haHe
neHer disillusioned him. 2EHen if the opponent plays him false tCenty times73 he Crites7 2the
#ATYA)RA,
is ready to trust him the tCenty;first time7 for an impli>it trust in human nature is the Hery essen>e of
the
>reed.3 LF%//;10M
2*ahatmaFi7 you are an eJ>eptional man. You must not eJpe>t the Corld to a>t as you do.3 A >riti> on>e
made
this obserHation.
2,t is >urious hoC Ce delude ourselHes7 fan>ying that the body >an be improHed7 but that it is
impossible to
eHo@e the hidden poCers of the soul73 )andhi replied. 2, am engaged in trying to shoC that if , haHe
any of
those poCers7 , am as frail a mortal as any of us and that , neHer had anything eJtraordinary about me
nor
haHe , noC. , am a simple indiHidual liable to err li@e any other felloC mortal. , oCn7 hoCeHer7 that ,
haHe
enough humility to >onfess my errors and to retra>e my steps. , oCn that , haHe an immoHable faith in
)od
and is goodness7 and an un>onsumable passion for truth and loHe. .ut is that not Chat eHery person
has
latent in himP ,f Ce are to ma@e progress7 Ce must not repeat history but ma@e neC history. &e must
add to
the inheritan>e left by our an>estors. ,f Ce may ma@e neC dis>oHeries and inHentions in the
phenomenal
Corld7 must Ce de>lare our ban@rupt>y in the spiritual domainP ,s it impossible to multiply the
eJ>eptions so
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
Autobiography of a Yogi
as to ma@e them the ruleP *ust man alCays be brute first and man after7 if at allP3 LF%//;19M
Ameri>ans may Cell remember Cith pride the su>>essful nonHiolent eJperiment of &illiam Penn in
founding
his 15th >entury >olony in PennsylHania. There Cere 2no forts7 no soldiers7 no militia7 eHen no arms.3
Amidst
the saHage frontier Cars and the but>heries that Cent on betCeen the neC settlers and the Red ,ndians7
the
Vua@ers of PennsylHania alone remained unmolested. 2!thers Cere slainK others Cere massa>redK but
they
Cere safe. %ot a Vua@er Coman suffered assaultK not a Vua@er >hild Cas slain7 not a Vua@er man Cas
tortured.3 &hen the Vua@ers Cere finally for>ed to giHe up the goHernment of the state7 2Car bro@e out7
and
some PennsylHanians Cere @illed. .ut only three Vua@ers Cere @illed7 three Cho had so far fallen from
their
faith as to >arry Ceapons of defen>e.3
2Resort to for>e in the )reat &ar Q,S failed to bring tranNuillity73 Fran@lin (. RooseHelt has pointed out.
26i>tory and defeat Cere ali@e sterile. That lesson the Corld should haHe learned.3
2The more Ceapons of Hiolen>e7 the more misery to man@ind73 'ao;tIu taught. 2The triumph of
Hiolen>e
ends in a festiHal of mourning.3
2, am fighting for nothing less than Corld pea>e73 )andhi has de>lared. 2,f the ,ndian moHement is
>arried to
su>>ess on a nonHiolent #ATYA)RAA basis7 it Cill giHe a neC meaning to patriotism and7 if , may
say so
in all humility7 to life itself.3
.efore the &est dismisses )andhi"s program as one of an impra>ti>al dreamer7 let it first refle>t on a
definition of #ATYA)RAA by the *aster of )alileeA
2Ye haHe heard that it hath been said7 An eye for an eye7 and a tooth for a toothA but , say unto you7
That ye
resist not eHilA LF%//;2-M but ChosoeHer shall smite thee on thy right >hee@7 turn to him the other
also.3
)andhi"s epo>h has eJtended7 Cith the beautiful pre>ision of >osmi> timing7 into a >entury already
desolated
and deHastated by tCo &orld &ars. A diHine handCriting appears on the granite Call of his lifeA a
Carning
against the further shedding of blood among brothers.
*AAT*A )A%(,"# A%(&R,T,%) ,% ,%(,
E,llustration=see gandhi2.FpgG
*ahatma )andhi Hisited my high s>hool Cith yoga training at Ran>hi. e gra>iously Crote the aboHe
lines in
the Ran>hi guest;boo@. The translation isA 2This institution has deeply impressed my mind. , >herish
high
hopes that this s>hool Cill en>ourage the further pra>ti>al use of the spinning Cheel.3
Q#,)%E(S *!A%(A# )A%(, #eptember 157 1921
E,llustration=see gandhiflag.FpgG
A national flag for ,ndia Cas designed in 1921 by )andhi. The stripes are saffron7 Chite and greenK the
CAR$A Qspinning CheelS in the >enter is dar@ blue. 2The CAR$A symboliIes energy73 he Crote7
2and
reminds us that during the past eras of prosperity in ,ndia"s history7 hand spinning and other domesti>
>rafts
Cere prominent.3
LF%//;1M is family name is *ohandas $aram>hand )andhi. e neHer refers to himself as
2*ahatma.3
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%//;2M The literal translation from #ans@rit is 2holding to truth.3 #ATYA)RAA is the famous
nonHiolen>e moHement led by )andhi.
LF%//;+M False and alasO mali>ious reports Cere re>ently >ir>ulated that *iss #lade has seHered all her
ties
Cith )andhi and forsa@en her HoCs. *iss #lade7 the *ahatma"s #ATYA)RAA dis>iple for tCenty
years7
issued a signed statement to the U%,TE( PRE##7 dated (e>. 297 19/17 in Chi>h she eJplained that a
series of
baseless rumors arose after she had departed7 Cith )andhi"s blessings7 for a small site in northeastern
,ndia
near the imalayas7 for the purpose of founding there her noC;flourishing $,#A% A#RA* Q>enter
for
medi>al and agri>ultural aid to peasant farmersS. *ahatma )andhi plans to Hisit the neC ashram during
19/4.
LF%//;/M *iss #lade reminded me of another distinguished &estern Coman7 *iss *argaret &oodroC
&ilson7 eldest daughter of Ameri>a"s great president. , met her in %eC Yor@K she Cas intensely
interested in
,ndia. 'ater she Cent to Pondi>herry7 Chere she spent the last fiHe years of her life7 happily pursuing a
path of
dis>ipline at the feet of #ri Aurobindo )hosh. This sage neHer spea@sK he silently greets his dis>iples on
three
annual o>>asions only.
LF%//;1M For years in Ameri>a , had been obserHing periods of silen>e7 to the >onsternation of >allers
and
se>retaries.
LF%//;4M armlessnessK nonHiolen>eK the foundation ro>@ of )andhi"s >reed. e Cas born into a
family of
stri>t 8ains7 Cho reHere A,*#A as the root;Hirtue. 8ainism7 a se>t of induism7 Cas founded in the
4th
>entury ..C. by *ahaHira7 a >ontemporary of .uddha. *ahaHira means 2great hero3K may he loo@
doCn the
>enturies on his heroi> son )andhiO
LF%//;5M indi is the lingua fran>a for the Chole of ,ndia. An ,ndo;Aryan language based largely on
#ans@rit roots7 indi is the >hief Herna>ular of northern ,ndia. The main diale>t of &estern indi is
industani7 Critten both in the (E6A%A)AR, Q#ans@ritS >hara>ters and in Arabi> >hara>ters. ,ts
subdiale>t7
Urdu7 is spo@en by *oslems.
LF%//;0M )andhi has des>ribed his life Cith a deHastating >andor in TE #T!RY !F *Y
E:PER,*E%T#
&,T TRUT QAhmedabadA %aHaFiHan Press7 1925;297 2 Hol.S This autobiography has been
summariIed in
*AAT*A )A%(,7 ,# !&% #T!RY7 edited by C. F. AndreCs7 Cith an introdu>tion by 8ohn
aynes
olmes Q%eC Yor@A *a>millan Co.7 19+-S.
*any autobiographies replete Cith famous names and >olorful eHents are almost >ompletely silent on
any
phase of inner analysis or deHelopment. !ne lays doCn ea>h of these boo@s Cith a >ertain
dissatisfa>tion7 as
though sayingA 2ere is a man Cho @neC many notable persons7 but Cho neHer @neC himself.3 This
rea>tion
is impossible Cith )andhi"s autobiographyK he eJposes his faults and subterfuges Cith an impersonal
deHotion
to truth rare in annals of any age.
LF%//;9M $asturabai )andhi died in imprisonment at Poona on February 227 19//. The usually
unemotional
)andhi Cept silently. #hortly after her admirers had suggested a *emorial Fund in her honor7 121 la>s
of
rupees Qnearly four million dollarsS poured in from all oHer ,ndia. )andhi has arranged that the fund be
used
for Hillage Celfare Cor@ among Comen and >hildren. e reports his a>tiHities in his English Cee@ly7
AR,8A%.
LF%//;1-M , sent a shipment to &ardha7 soon after my return to Ameri>a. The plants7 alasO died on the
Cay7
unable to Cithstand the rigors of the long o>ean transportation.
LF%//;11M Thoreau7 Rus@in7 and *aIIini are three other &estern Criters Chose so>iologi>al HieCs
)andhi
has studied >arefully.
CAPTER //. &,T *AAT*A )A%(, AT &AR(A
Autobiography of a Yogi
LF%//;12M The sa>red s>ripture giHen to Persia about 1--- ..C. by <oroaster.
LF%//;1+M The uniNue feature of induism among the Corld religions is that it deriHes not from a
single
great founder but from the impersonal 6edi> s>riptures. induism thus giHes s>ope for Corshipful
in>orporation into its fold of prophets of all ages and all lands. The 6edi> s>riptures regulate not only
deHotional pra>ti>es but all important so>ial >ustoms7 in an effort to bring man"s eHery a>tion into
harmony
Cith diHine laC.
LF%//;1/M A >omprehensiHe #ans@rit Cord for laCK >onformity to laC or natural righteousnessK duty
as
inherent in the >ir>umstan>es in Chi>h a man finds himself at any giHen time. The s>riptures define
(AR*A as 2the natural uniHersal laCs Chose obserHan>e enables man to saHe himself from
degradation
and suffering.3
LF%//;11M *ATTE& 5A21.
LF%//;14M *ATTE& 24A12.
LF%//;15M 2'et not a man glory in this7 that he loHe his >ountryK 'et him rather glory in this7 that he
loHe his
@ind.3;PER#,A% PR!6ER..
LF%//;10M 2Then >ame Peter to him and said7 'ord7 hoC oft shall my brother sin against me7 and ,
forgiHe
himP till seHen timesP 8esus saith unto him7 , say not unto thee7 Until seHen timesA but7 Until seHenty
times
seHen.3;*ATTE& 10A21;22.
LF%//;19M Charles P. #teinmetI7 the great ele>tri>al engineer7 Cas on>e as@ed by *r. Roger &.
.absonA
2&hat line of resear>h Cill see the greatest deHelopment during the neJt fifty yearsP3 2, thin@ the
greatest
dis>oHery Cill be made along spiritual lines73 #teinmetI replied. 2ere is a for>e Chi>h history >learly
tea>hes
has been the greatest poCer in the deHelopment of men. Yet Ce haHe merely been playing Cith it and
haHe
neHer seriously studied it as Ce haHe the physi>al for>es. #omeday people Cill learn that material
things do
not bring happiness and are of little use in ma@ing men and Comen >reatiHe and poCerful. Then the
s>ientists
of the Corld Cill turn their laboratories oHer to the study of )od and prayer and the spiritual for>es
Chi>h as
yet haHe hardly been s>rat>hed. &hen this day >omes7 the Corld Cill see more adHan>ement in one
generation
than it has seen in the past four.3
LF%//;2-M That is7 resist not eHil Cith eHil. Q*ATTE& 1A+0;+9S
CAPTER /1. TE .E%)A', 28!Y;PER*EATE(3 *!TER
2#ir7 please do not leaHe ,ndia Cithout a glimpse of %irmala (eHi. er san>tity is intenseK she is @noCn
far
and Cide as Ananda *oyi *a Q8oy;Permeated *otherS.3 *y nie>e7 Amiyo .ose7 gaIed at me
earnestly.
2!f >ourseO , Cant Hery mu>h to see the Coman saint.3 , added7 2, haHe read of her adHan>ed state of
)od;realiIation. A little arti>le about her appeared years ago in EA#T;&E#T.3
2, haHe met her73 Amiyo Cent on. 2#he re>ently Hisited my oCn little toCn of 8amshedpur. At the
entreaty of
a dis>iple7 Ananda *oyi *a Cent to the home of a dying man. #he stood by his bedsideK as her hand
tou>hed
his forehead7 his death;rattle >eased. The disease Hanished at on>eK to the man"s glad astonishment7 he
Cas
Cell.3
A feC days later , heard that the .lissful *other Cas staying at the home of a dis>iple in the
.hoCanipur
se>tion of Cal>utta. *r. &right and , set out immediately from my father"s Cal>utta home. As the Ford
neared
CAPTER /1. TE .E%)A', 28!Y;PER*EATE(3 *!TER
Autobiography of a Yogi
the .hoCanipur house7 my >ompanion and , obserHed an unusual street s>ene.
Ananda *oyi *a Cas standing in an open;topped automobile7 blessing a throng of about one hundred
dis>iples. #he Cas eHidently on the point of departure. *r. &right par@ed the Ford some distan>e aCay7
and
a>>ompanied me on foot toCard the Nuiet assemblage. The Coman saint glan>ed in our dire>tionK she
alit from
her >ar and Cal@ed toCard us.
2Father7 you haHe >omeO3 &ith these ferHent Cords she put her arm around my ne>@ and her head on
my
shoulder. *r. &right7 to Chom , had Fust remar@ed that , did not @noC the saint7 Cas hugely enFoying
this
eJtraordinary demonstration of Cel>ome. The eyes of the one hundred >helas Cere also fiJed Cith
some
surprise on the affe>tionate tableau.
, had instantly seen that the saint Cas in a high state of #A*A(,. Utterly obliHious to her outCard
garb as a
Coman7 she @neC herself as the >hangeless soulK from that plane she Cas Foyously greeting another
deHotee of
)od. #he led me by the hand into her automobile.
2Ananda *oyi *a7 , am delaying your FourneyO3 , protested.
2Father7 , am meeting you for the first time in this life7 after agesO3 she said. 2Please do not leaHe yet.3
&e sat together in the rear seats of the >ar. The .lissful *other soon entered the immobile e>stati>
state. er
beautiful eyes glan>ed heaHenCard and7 half;opened7 be>ame stilled7 gaIing into the near;far inner
Elysium.
The dis>iples >hanted gentlyA 26i>tory to *other (iHineO3
, had found many men of )od;realiIation in ,ndia7 but neHer before had , met su>h an eJalted Coman
saint.
er gentle fa>e Cas burnished Cith the ineffable Foy that had giHen her the name of .lissful *other.
'ong
bla>@ tresses lay loosely behind her unHeiled head. A red dot of sandalCood paste on her forehead
symboliIed
the spiritual eye7 eHer open Cithin her. Tiny fa>e7 tiny hands7 tiny feet;a >ontrast to her spiritual
magnitudeO
, put some Nuestions to a near;by Coman >hela Chile Ananda *oyi *a remained entran>ed.
2The .lissful *other traHels Cidely in ,ndiaK in many parts she has hundreds of dis>iples73 the >hela
told me.
2er >ourageous efforts haHe brought about many desirable so>ial reforms. Although a .rahmin7 the
saint
re>ogniIes no >aste distin>tions. LF%/1;1M A group of us alCays traHel Cith her7 loo@ing after her
>omforts.
&e haHe to mother herK she ta@es no noti>e of her body. ,f no one gaHe her food7 she Could not eat7 or
ma@e
any inNuiries. EHen Chen meals are pla>ed before her7 she does not tou>h them. To preHent her
disappearan>e
from this Corld7 Ce dis>iples feed her Cith our oCn hands. For days together she often stays in the
diHine
tran>e7 s>ar>ely breathing7 her eyes unCin@ing. !ne of her >hief dis>iples is her husband. *any years
ago7
soon after their marriage7 he too@ the HoC of silen>e.3
The >hela pointed to a broad;shouldered7 fine;featured man Cith long hair and hoary beard. e Cas
standing
Nuietly in the midst of the gathering7 his hands folded in a dis>iple"s reHerential attitude.
Refreshed by her dip in the ,nfinite7 Ananda *oyi *a Cas noC fo>using her >ons>iousness on the
material
Corld.
2Father7 please tell me Chere you stay.3 er Hoi>e Cas >lear and melodious.
2At present7 in Cal>utta or Ran>hiK but soon , shall be returning to Ameri>a.3
2Ameri>aP3
CAPTER /1. TE .E%)A', 28!Y;PER*EATE(3 *!TER
Autobiography of a Yogi
2Yes. An ,ndian Coman saint Could be sin>erely appre>iated there by spiritual see@ers. &ould you li@e
to
goP3
2,f Father >an ta@e me7 , Cill go.3
This reply >aused her near;by dis>iples to start in alarm.
2TCenty or more of us alCays traHel Cith the .lissful *other73 one of them told me firmly. 2&e >ould
not
liHe Cithout her. &hereHer she goes7 Ce must go.3
Relu>tantly , abandoned the plan7 as possessing an impra>ti>al feature of spontaneous enlargementO
2Please >ome at least to Ran>hi7 Cith your dis>iples73 , said on ta@ing leaHe of the saint. 2As a diHine
>hild
yourself7 you Cill enFoy the little ones in my s>hool.3
2&heneHer Father ta@es me7 , Cill gladly go.3
A short time later the Ran>hi 6,(YA'AYA Cas in gala array for the saint"s promised Hisit. The
youngsters
loo@ed forCard to any day of festiHity;no lessons7 hours of musi>7 and a feast for the >limaJO
26i>toryO Ananda *oyi *a7 @i FaiO3 This reiterated >hant from s>ores of enthusiasti> little throats
greeted the
saint"s party as it entered the s>hool gates. #hoCers of marigolds7 tin@le of >ymbals7 lusty bloCing of
>on>h
shells and beat of the *R,(A%)A drumO The .lissful *other Candered smilingly oHer the sunny
6,(YA'AYA grounds7 eHer >arrying Cithin her the portable paradise.
2,t is beautiful here73 Ananda *oyi *a said gra>iously as , led her into the main building. #he seated
herself
Cith a >hildli@e smile by my side. The >losest of dear friends7 she made one feel7 yet an aura of
remoteness
Cas eHer around her;the paradoJi>al isolation of !mnipresen>e.
2Please tell me something of your life.3
2Father @noCs all about itK Chy repeat itP3 #he eHidently felt that the fa>tual history of one short
in>arnation
Cas beneath noti>e.
, laughed7 gently repeating my Nuestion.
2Father7 there is little to tell.3 #he spread her gra>eful hands in a depre>atory gesture. 2*y
>ons>iousness has
neHer asso>iated itself Cith this temporary body. .efore , >ame on this earth7 Father7 ", Cas the same."
As a
little girl7 ", Cas the same." , greC into Comanhood7 but still ", Cas the same." &hen the family in Chi>h
, had
been born made arrangements to haHe this body married7 ", Cas the same." And Chen7 passion;drun@7
my
husband >ame to me and murmured endearing Cords7 lightly tou>hing my body7 he re>eiHed a Hiolent
sho>@7
as if stru>@ by lightning7 for eHen then ", Cas the same."
2*y husband @nelt before me7 folded his hands7 and implored my pardon.
2"*other7" he said7 "be>ause , haHe dese>rated your bodily temple by tou>hing it Cith the thought of
lust;not
@noCing that Cithin it dCelt not my Cife but the (iHine *other;, ta@e this solemn HoCA , shall be your
dis>iple7 a >elibate folloCer7 eHer >aring for you in silen>e as a serHant7 neHer spea@ing to anyone again
as
long as , liHe. *ay , thus atone for the sin , haHe today >ommitted against you7 my guru."
CAPTER /1. TE .E%)A', 28!Y;PER*EATE(3 *!TER
Autobiography of a Yogi
2EHen Chen , Nuietly a>>epted this proposal of my husband"s7 ", Cas the same." And7 Father7 in front of
you
noC7 ", am the same." EHer afterCard7 though the dan>e of >reation >hange around me in the hall of
eternity7 ",
shall be the same."2
Ananda *oyi *a san@ into a deep meditatiHe state. er form Cas statue;stillK she had fled to her eHer;
>alling
@ingdom. The dar@ pools of her eyes appeared lifeless and glassy. This eJpression is often present
Chen saints
remoHe their >ons>iousness from the physi>al body7 Chi>h is then hardly more than a pie>e of soulless
>lay.
&e sat together for an hour in the e>stati> tran>e. #he returned to this Corld Cith a gay little laugh.
2Please7 Ananda *oyi *a73 , said7 2>ome Cith me to the garden. *r. &right Cill ta@e some pi>tures.3
2!f >ourse7 Father. Your Cill is my Cill.3 er glorious eyes retained the un>hanging diHine luster as
she
posed for many photographs.
Time for the feastO Ananda *oyi *a sNuatted on her blan@et;seat7 a dis>iple at her elboC to feed her.
'i@e an
infant7 the saint obediently sCalloCed the food after the >hela had brought it to her lips. ,t Cas plain
that the
.lissful *other did not re>ogniIe any differen>e betCeen >urries and sCeetmeatsO
As dus@ approa>hed7 the saint left Cith her party amidst a shoCer of rose petals7 her hands raised in
blessing
on the little lads. Their fa>es shone Cith the affe>tion she had effortlessly aCa@ened.
2Thou shalt loHe the 'ord thy )od Cith all thy heart7 and Cith all thy soul7 and Cith all thy mind7 and
Cith all
thy strengthA3 Christ has pro>laimed7 2this is the first >ommandment.3 LF%/1;2M
Casting aside eHery inferior atta>hment7 Ananda *oyi *a offers her sole allegian>e to the 'ord. %ot by
the
hairsplitting distin>tions of s>holars but by the sure logi> of faith7 the >hildli@e saint has solHed the only
problem in human life;establishment of unity Cith )od. *an has forgotten this star@ simpli>ity7 noC
befogged by a million issues. Refusing a monotheisti> loHe to )od7 the nations disguise their infidelity
by
pun>tilious respe>t before the outCard shrines of >harity. These humanitarian gestures are Hirtuous7
be>ause
for a moment they diHert man"s attention from himself7 but they do not free him from his single
responsibility
in life7 referred to by 8esus as the first >ommandment. The uplifting obligation to loHe )od is assumed
Cith
man"s first breath of an air freely bestoCed by his only .enefa>tor.
!n one other o>>asion after her Ran>hi Hisit , had opportunity to see Ananda *oyi *a. #he stood
among her
dis>iples some months later on the #erampore station platform7 Caiting for the train.
2Father7 , am going to the imalayas73 she told me. 2)enerous dis>iples haHe built me a hermitage in
(ehra
(un.3
As she boarded the train7 , marHeled to see that Chether amidst a >roCd7 on a train7 feasting7 or sitting
in
silen>e7 her eyes neHer loo@ed aCay from )od. &ithin me , still hear her Hoi>e7 an e>ho of measureless
sCeetnessA
2.ehold7 noC and alCays one Cith the Eternal7 ", am eHer the same."2
LF%/1;1M , find some further fa>ts of Ananda *oyi *a"s life7 printed in EA#T;&E#T. The saint Cas
born
in 109+ at (a>>a in >entral .engal. ,lliterate7 she has yet stunned the intelle>tuals by her Cisdom. er
Herses
in #ans@rit haHe filled s>holars Cith Conderment. #he has brought >onsolation to bereaHed persons7 and
effe>ted mira>ulous >ures7 by her mere presen>e.
LF%/1;2M *AR$ 12A+-.
CAPTER /1. TE .E%)A', 28!Y;PER*EATE(3 *!TER
Autobiography of a Yogi
CAPTER /4. TE &!*A% Y!), &! %E6ER EAT#
2#ir7 Chither are Ce bound this morningP3 *r. &right Cas driHing the FordK he too@ his eyes off the
road long
enough to gaIe at me Cith a Nuestioning tCin@le. From day to day he seldom @neC Chat part of .engal
he
Could be dis>oHering neJt.
2)od Cilling73 , replied deHoutly7 2Ce are on our Cay to see an eighth Conder of the Corld;a Coman
saint
Chose diet is thin airO3
2Repetition of Conders;after Therese %eumann.3 .ut *r. &right laughed eagerly Fust the sameK he
eHen
a>>elerated the speed of the >ar. *ore eJtraordinary grist for his traHel diaryO %ot one of an aHerage
tourist7
thatO
The Ran>hi s>hool had Fust been left behind usK Ce had risen before the sun. .esides my se>retary and
myself7
three .engali friends Cere in the party. &e dran@ in the eJhilarating air7 the natural Cine of the
morning. !ur
driHer guided the >ar Carily among the early peasants and the tCo;Cheeled >arts7 sloCly draCn by
yo@ed7
hump;shouldered bullo>@s7 in>lined to dispute the road Cith a hon@ing interloper.
2#ir7 Ce Could li@e to @noC more of the fasting saint.3
2er name is )iri .ala73 , informed my >ompanions. 2, first heard about her years ago from a s>holarly
gentleman7 #thiti 'al %undy. e often >ame to the )urpar Road home to tutor my brother .ishnu.3
2", @noC )iri .ala Cell7" #thiti .abu told me. "#he employs a >ertain yoga te>hniNue Chi>h enables her
to liHe
Cithout eating. , Cas her >lose neighbor in %aCabganF near ,>hapur. LF%/4;1M , made it a point to
Cat>h her
>loselyK neHer did , find eHiden>e that she Cas ta@ing either food or drin@. *y interest finally mounted
so high
that , approa>hed the *aharaFa of .urdCan LF%/4;2M and as@ed him to >ondu>t an inHestigation.
Astounded
at the story7 he inHited her to his pala>e. #he agreed to a test and liHed for tCo months lo>@ed up in a
small
se>tion of his home. 'ater she returned for a pala>e Hisit of tCenty daysK and then for a third test of
fifteen
days. The *aharaFa himself told me that these three rigorous s>rutinies had >onHin>ed him beyond
doubt of
her non;eating state."
2This story of #thiti .abu"s has remained in my mind for oHer tCenty;fiHe years73 , >on>luded.
2#ometimes in
Ameri>a , Condered if the riHer of time Could not sCalloC the Y!),%, LF%/4;+M before , >ould meet
her.
#he must be Nuite aged noC. , do not eHen @noC Chere7 or if7 she liHes. .ut in a feC hours Ce shall
rea>h
PuruliaK her brother has a home there.3
.y ten;thirty our little group Cas >onHersing Cith the brother7 'ambadar (ey7 a laCyer of Purulia.
2Yes7 my sister is liHing. #he sometimes stays Cith me here7 but at present she is at our family home in
.iur.3
'ambadar .abu glan>ed doubtfully at the Ford. 2, hardly thin@7 #CamiFi7 that any automobile has eHer
penetrated into the interior as far as .iur. ,t might be best if you all resign yourselHes to the an>ient Folt
of the
bullo>@ >artO3
As one Hoi>e our party pledged loyalty to the Pride of (etroit.
2The Ford >omes from Ameri>a73 , told the laCyer. 2,t Could be a shame to depriHe it of an opportunity
to get
a>Nuainted Cith the heart of .engalO3
2*ay )anesh LF%/4;/M go Cith youO3 'ambadar .abu said7 laughing. e added >ourteously7 2,f you
eHer
get there7 , am sure )iri .ala Cill be glad to see you. #he is approa>hing her seHenties7 but >ontinues in
CAPTER /4. TE &!*A% Y!), &! %E6ER EAT#
Autobiography of a Yogi
eJ>ellent health.3
2Please tell me7 sir7 if it is absolutely true that she eats nothingP3 , loo@ed dire>tly into his eyes7 those
telltale
CindoCs of the mind.
E,llustrationA ),R, .A'A7 This great Coman yogi has not ta@en food or drin@ sin>e 100-. , am pi>tured
Cith
her7 in 19+47 at her home in the isolated .engal Hillage of .iur. er non;eating state has been
rigorously
inHestigated by the *aharaFa of .urdCan. #he employs a >ertain yoga te>hniNue to re>harge her body
Cith
>osmi> energy from the ether7 sun7 and air.=see giribala.FpgG
2,t is true.3 is gaIe Cas open and honorable. 2,n more than fiHe de>ades , haHe neHer seen her eat a
morsel.
,f the Corld suddenly >ame to an end7 , >ould not be more astonished than by the sight of my sister"s
ta@ing
foodO3
&e >hu>@led together oHer the improbability of these tCo >osmi> eHents.
2)iri .ala has neHer sought an ina>>essible solitude for her yoga pra>ti>es73 'ambadar .abu Cent on.
2#he
has liHed her entire life surrounded by her family and friends. They are all Cell a>>ustomed noC to her
strange
state. %ot one of them Cho Could not be stupefied if )iri .ala suddenly de>ided to eat anythingO #ister
is
naturally retiring7 as befits a indu CidoC7 but our little >ir>le in Purulia and in .iur all @noC that she
is
literally an "eJ>eptional" Coman.3
The brother"s sin>erity Cas manifest. !ur little party than@ed him Carmly and set out toCard .iur. &e
stopped at a street shop for >urry and 'UC,#7 attra>ting a sCarm of ur>hins Cho gathered round to
Cat>h
*r. &right eating Cith his fingers in the simple indu manner. LF%/4;1M earty appetites >aused us to
fortify ourselHes against an afternoon Chi>h7 un@noCn at the moment7 Cas to proHe fairly laborious.
!ur Cay noC led east through sun;ba@ed ri>e fields into the .urdCan se>tion of .engal. !n through
roads
lined Cith dense HegetationK the songs of the *AY%A# and the stripe;throated .U'.U'# streamed
out from
trees Cith huge7 umbrellali@e bran>hes. A bullo>@ >art noC and then7 the R,%,7 R,%,7 *A%8U7
*A%8U
sNuea@ of its aJle and iron;shod Cooden Cheels >ontrasting sharply in mind Cith the #&,#7 #&,#
of auto
tires oHer the aristo>rati> asphalt of the >ities.
2(i>@7 haltO3 *y sudden reNuest brought a Folting protest from the Ford. 2That oHerburdened mango
tree is
fairly shouting an inHitationO3
The fiHe of us dashed li@e >hildren to the mango;streCn earthK the tree had beneHolently shed its fruits
as they
had ripened.
2Full many a mango is born to lie unseen73 , paraphrased7 2and Caste its sCeetness on the stony
ground.3
2%othing li@e this in Ameri>a7 #CamiFi7 ehP3 laughed #ailesh *aIumdar7 one of my .engali students.
2%o73 , admitted7 >oHered Cith mango Fui>e and >ontentment. 2oC , haHe missed this fruit in the
&estO A
indu"s heaHen Cithout mangoes is in>on>eiHableO3
, pi>@ed up a ro>@ and doCned a proud beauty hidden on the highest limb.
2(i>@73 , as@ed betCeen bites of ambrosia7 Carm Cith the tropi>al sun7 2are all the >ameras in the >arP3
2Yes7 sirK in the baggage >ompartment.3
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Autobiography of a Yogi
2,f )iri .ala proHes to be a true saint7 , Cant to Crite about her in the &est. A indu Y!),%, Cith
su>h
inspiring poCers should not liHe and die un@noCn;li@e most of these mangoes.3
alf an hour later , Cas still strolling in the sylHan pea>e.
2#ir73 *r. &right remar@ed7 2Ce should rea>h )iri .ala before the sun sets7 to haHe enough light for
photographs.3 e added Cith a grin7 2The &esterners are a s@epti>al lotK Ce >an"t eJpe>t them to
belieHe in
the lady Cithout any pi>turesO3
This bit of Cisdom Cas indisputableK , turned my ba>@ on temptation and reentered the >ar.
2You are right7 (i>@73 , sighed as Ce sped along7 2, sa>rifi>e the mango paradise on the altar of
&estern
realism. Photographs Ce must haHeO3
The road be>ame more and more si>@lyA Crin@les of ruts7 boils of hardened >lay7 the sad infirmities of
old
ageO !ur group dismounted o>>asionally to alloC *r. &right to more easily maneuHer the Ford7 Chi>h
the
four of us pushed from behind.
2'ambadar .abu spo@e truly73 #ailesh a>@noCledged. 2The >ar is not >arrying usK Ce are >arrying the
>arO3
!ur >limb;in7 >limb;out auto tedium Cas beguiled eHer and anon by the appearan>e of a Hillage7 ea>h
one a
s>ene of Nuaint simpli>ity.
2!ur Cay tCisted and turned through groHes of palms among an>ient7 unspoiled Hillages nestling in the
forest
shade73 *r. &right has re>orded in his traHel diary7 under date of *ay 17 19+4. 26ery fas>inating are
these
>lusters of that>hed mud huts7 de>orated Cith one of the names of )od on the doorK many small7 na@ed
>hildren inno>ently playing about7 pausing to stare or run Cildly from this big7 bla>@7 bullo>@less
>arriage
tearing madly through their Hillage. The Comen merely peep from the shadoCs7 Chile the men laIily
loll
beneath the trees along the roadside7 >urious beneath their non>halan>e. ,n one pla>e7 all the Hillagers
Cere
gaily bathing in the large tan@ Qin their garments7 >hanging by draping dry >loths around their bodies7
dropping the Cet onesS. &omen bearing Cater to their homes7 in huge brass Fars.
2The road led us a merry >hase oHer mount and ridgeK Ce boun>ed and tossed7 dipped into small
streams7
detoured around an unfinished >auseCay7 slithered a>ross dry7 sandy riHer beds and finally7 about 1A--
P.*.7
Ce Cere >lose to our destination7 .iur. This minute Hillage in the interior of .an@ura (istri>t7 hidden in
the
prote>tion of dense foliage7 is unapproa>hable by traHelers during the rainy season7 Chen the streams
are
raging torrents and the roads serpentli@e spit the mud;Henom.
2As@ing for a guide among a group of Corshipers on their Cay home from a temple prayer Qout in the
lonely
fieldS7 Ce Cere besieged by a doIen s>antily >lad lads Cho >lambered on the sides of the >ar7 eager to
>ondu>t
us to )iri .ala.
2The road led toCard a groHe of date palms sheltering a group of mud huts7 but before Ce had rea>hed
it7 the
Ford Cas momentarily tipped at a dangerous angle7 tossed up and dropped doCn. The narroC trail led
around
trees and tan@7 oHer ridges7 into holes and deep ruts. The >ar be>ame an>hored on a >lump of bushes7
then
grounded on a hillo>@7 reNuiring a lift of earth >lodsK on Ce pro>eeded7 sloCly and >arefullyK suddenly
the Cay
Cas stopped by a mass of brush in the middle of the >art tra>@7 ne>essitating a detour doCn a
pre>ipitous ledge
into a dry tan@7 res>ue from Chi>h demanded some s>raping7 adIing7 and shoHeling. Again and again
the road
seemed impassable7 but the pilgrimage must go onK obliging lads fet>hed spades and demolished the
obsta>les
Qshades of )aneshOS Chile hundreds of >hildren and parents stared.
CAPTER /4. TE &!*A% Y!), &! %E6ER EAT#
Autobiography of a Yogi
2#oon Ce Cere threading our Cay along the tCo ruts of antiNuity7 Comen gaIing Cide;eyed from their
hut
doors7 men trailing alongside and behind us7 >hildren s>ampering to sCell the pro>ession. !urs Cas
perhaps
the first auto to traHerse these roadsK the "bullo>@ >art union" must be omnipotent hereO &hat a sensation
Ce
>reated;a group piloted by an Ameri>an and pioneering in a snorting >ar right into their hamlet fastness7
inHading the an>ient priHa>y and san>tityO
2alting by a narroC lane Ce found ourselHes Cithin a hundred feet of )iri .ala"s an>estral home. &e
felt the
thrill of fulfillment after the long road struggle >roCned by a rough finish. &e approa>hed a large7
tCo;storied building of bri>@ and plaster7 dominating the surrounding adobe hutsK the house Cas under
the
pro>ess of repair7 for around it Cas the >hara>teristi>ally tropi>al frameCor@ of bamboos.
2&ith feHerish anti>ipation and suppressed reFoi>ing Ce stood before the open doors of the one blessed
by the
'ord"s "hungerless" tou>h. Constantly agape Cere the Hillagers7 young and old7 bare and dressed7 Comen
aloof
someChat but inNuisitiHe too7 men and boys unabashedly at our heels as they gaIed on this
unpre>edented
spe>ta>le.
2#oon a short figure >ame into HieC in the doorCay;)iri .alaO #he Cas sCathed in a >loth of dull7
goldish
sil@K in typi>ally ,ndian fashion7 she dreC forCard modestly and hesitatingly7 peering slightly from
beneath
the upper fold of her #&A(E#, >loth. er eyes glistened li@e smouldering embers in the shadoC of
her
head pie>eK Ce Cere enamored by a most beneHolent and @indly fa>e7 a fa>e of realiIation and
understanding7
free from the taint of earthly atta>hment.
2*ee@ly she approa>hed and silently assented to our snapping a number of pi>tures Cith our "still" and
"moHie"
>ameras. LF%/4;4M Patiently and shyly she endured our photo te>hniNues of posture adFustment and
light
arrangement. Finally Ce had re>orded for posterity many photographs of the only Coman in the Corld
Cho is
@noCn to haHe liHed Cithout food or drin@ for oHer fifty years. QTherese %eumann7 of >ourse7 has fasted
sin>e
192+.S *ost motherly Cas )iri .ala"s eJpression as she stood before us7 >ompletely >oHered in the
loose;floCing >loth7 nothing of her body Hisible but her fa>e Cith its doCn>ast eyes7 her hands7 and her
tiny
feet. A fa>e of rare pea>e and inno>ent poise;a Cide7 >hildli@e7 NuiHering lip7 a feminine nose7 narroC7
spar@ling eyes7 and a Cistful smile.3
*r. &right"s impression of )iri .ala Cas shared by myselfK spirituality enfolded her li@e her gently
shining
Heil. #he PR!%A*E( before me in the >ustomary gesture of greeting from a householder to a mon@.
er
simple >harm and Nuiet smile gaHe us a Cel>ome beyond that of honeyed oratoryK forgotten Cas our
diffi>ult7
dusty trip.
The little saint seated herself >ross;legged on the Herandah. Though bearing the s>ars of age7 she Cas
not
ema>iatedK her oliHe;>olored s@in had remained >lear and healthy in tone.
2*other73 , said in .engali7 2for oHer tCenty;fiHe years , haHe thought eagerly of this Hery pilgrimageO
,
heard about your sa>red life from #thiti 'al %undy .abu.3
#he nodded in a>@noCledgment. 2Yes7 my good neighbor in %aCabganF.3
2(uring those years , haHe >rossed the o>eans7 but , neHer forgot my early plan to someday see you.
The
sublime drama that you are here playing so in>onspi>uously should be blaIoned before a Corld that has
long
forgotten the inner food diHine.3
The saint lifted her eyes for a minute7 smiling Cith serene interest.
2.aba Qhonored fatherS @noCs best73 she ansCered mee@ly.
CAPTER /4. TE &!*A% Y!), &! %E6ER EAT#
Autobiography of a Yogi
, Cas happy that she had ta@en no offenseK one neHer @noCs hoC great yogis or yoginis Cill rea>t to the
thought of publi>ity. They shun it7 as a rule7 Cishing to pursue in silen>e the profound soul resear>h. An
inner
san>tion >omes to them Chen the proper time arriHes to display their liHes openly for the benefit of
see@ing
minds.
2*other73 , Cent on7 2please forgiHe me7 then7 for burdening you Cith many Nuestions. $indly ansCer
only
those that please youK , shall understand your silen>e7 also.3
#he spread her hands in a gra>ious gesture. 2, am glad to reply7 insofar as an insignifi>ant person li@e
myself
>an giHe satisfa>tory ansCers.3
2!h7 no7 not insignifi>antO3 , protested sin>erely. 2You are a great soul.3
2, am the humble serHant of all.3 #he added Nuaintly7 2, loHe to >oo@ and feed people.3
A strange pastime7 , thought7 for a non;eating saintO
2Tell me7 *other7 from your oCn lips;do you liHe Cithout foodP3
2That is true.3 #he Cas silent for a feC momentsK her neJt remar@ shoCed that she had been struggling
Cith
mental arithmeti>. 2From the age of tCelHe years four months doCn to my present age of siJty;eight=
a
period of oHer fifty;siJ years=, haHe not eaten food or ta@en liNuids.3
2Are you neHer tempted to eatP3
2,f , felt a >raHing for food7 , Could haHe to eat.3 #imply yet regally she stated this aJiomati> truth7 one
@noCn too Cell by a Corld reHolHing around three meals a dayO
2.ut you do eat somethingO3 *y tone held a note of remonstran>e.
2!f >ourseO3 #he smiled in sCift understanding.
2Your nourishment deriHes from the finer energies of the air and sunlight7 LF%/4;5M and from the
>osmi>
poCer Chi>h re>harges your body through the medulla oblongata.3
2.aba @noCs.3 Again she a>Nuies>ed7 her manner soothing and unemphati>.
2*other7 please tell me about your early life. ,t holds a deep interest for all of ,ndia7 and eHen for our
brothers
and sisters beyond the seas.3
)iri .ala put aside her habitual reserHe7 relaJing into a >onHersational mood.
2#o be it.3 er Hoi>e Cas loC and firm. 2, Cas born in these forest regions. *y >hildhood Cas
unremar@able
saHe that , Cas possessed by an insatiable appetite. , had been betrothed in early years.
2"Child7" my mother often Carned me7 "try to >ontrol your greed. &hen the time >omes for you to liHe
among
strangers in your husband"s family7 Chat Cill they thin@ of you if your days are spent in nothing but
eatingP"
2The >alamity she had foreseen >ame to pass. , Cas only tCelHe Chen , Foined my husband"s people in
%aCabganF. *y mother;in;laC shamed me morning7 noon7 and night about my gluttonous habits. er
s>oldings Cere a blessing in disguise7 hoCeHerK they roused my dormant spiritual tenden>ies. !ne
morning
CAPTER /4. TE &!*A% Y!), &! %E6ER EAT#
Autobiography of a Yogi
her ridi>ule Cas mer>iless.
2", shall soon proHe to you7" , said7 stung to the Nui>@7 "that , shall neHer tou>h food again as long as ,
liHe."
2*y mother;in;laC laughed in derision. "#oO" she said7 "hoC >an you liHe Cithout eating7 Chen you
>annot
liHe Cithout oHereatingP"
2This remar@ Cas unansCerableO Yet an iron resolution s>affolded my spirit. ,n a se>luded spot , sought
my
eaHenly Father.
2"'ord7" , prayed in>essantly7 "please send me a guru7 one Cho >an tea>h me to liHe by Thy light and not
by
food."
2A diHine e>stasy fell oHer me. 'ed by a beatifi> spell7 , set out for the %aCabganF )AT on the
)anges. !n
the Cay , en>ountered the priest of my husband"s family.
2"6enerable sir7" , said trustingly7 "@indly tell me hoC to liHe Cithout eating."
2e stared at me Cithout reply. Finally he spo@e in a >onsoling manner. "Child7" he said7 ">ome to the
temple
this eHeningK , Cill >ondu>t a spe>ial 6E(,C >eremony for you."
2This Hague ansCer Cas not the one , Cas see@ingK , >ontinued toCard the )AT. The morning sun
pier>ed
the CatersK , purified myself in the )anges7 as though for a sa>red initiation. As , left the riHer ban@7 my
Cet
>loth around me7 in the broad glare of day my master materialiIed himself before meO
2"(ear little one7" he said in a Hoi>e of loHing >ompassion7 ", am the guru sent here by )od to fulfill
your
urgent prayer. e Cas deeply tou>hed by its Hery unusual natureO From today you shall liHe by the
astral light7
your bodily atoms fed from the infinite >urrent."2
)iri .ala fell into silen>e. , too@ *r. &right"s pen>il and pad and translated into English a feC items for
his
information.
The saint resumed the tale7 her gentle Hoi>e barely audible. 2The )AT Cas deserted7 but my guru >ast
round
us an aura of guarding light7 that no stray bathers later disturb us. e initiated me into a $R,A
te>hniNue
Chi>h frees the body from dependen>e on the gross food of mortals. The te>hniNue in>ludes the use of
a
>ertain *A%TRA LF%/4;0M and a breathing eJer>ise more diffi>ult than the aHerage person >ould
perform.
%o medi>ine or magi> is inHolHedK nothing beyond the $R,A.3
,n the manner of the Ameri>an neCspaper reporter7 Cho had un@noCingly taught me his pro>edure7 ,
Nuestioned )iri .ala on many matters Chi>h , thought Could be of interest to the Corld. #he gaHe me7
bit by
bit7 the folloCing informationA
2, haHe neHer had any >hildrenK many years ago , be>ame a CidoC. , sleep Hery little7 as sleep and
Ca@ing are
the same to me. , meditate at night7 attending to my domesti> duties in the daytime. , slightly feel the
>hange
in >limate from season to season. , haHe neHer been si>@ or eJperien>ed any disease. , feel only slight
pain
Chen a>>identally inFured. , haHe no bodily eJ>retions. , >an >ontrol my heart and breathing. , often see
my
guru as Cell as other great souls7 in Hision.3
2*other73 , as@ed7 2Chy don"t you tea>h others the method of liHing Cithout foodP3
*y ambitious hopes for the Corld"s starHing millions Cere nipped in the bud.
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Autobiography of a Yogi
2%o.3 #he shoo@ her head. 2, Cas stri>tly >ommanded by my guru not to diHulge the se>ret. ,t is not his
Cish
to tamper Cith )od"s drama of >reation. The farmers Could not than@ me if , taught many people to
liHe
Cithout eatingO The lus>ious fruits Could lie uselessly on the ground. ,t appears that misery7 starHation7
and
disease are Chips of our @arma Chi>h ultimately driHe us to see@ the true meaning of life.3
2*other73 , said sloCly7 2Chat is the use of your haHing been singled out to liHe Cithout eatingP3
2To proHe that man is #pirit.3 er fa>e lit Cith Cisdom. 2To demonstrate that by diHine adHan>ement
he >an
gradually learn to liHe by the Eternal 'ight and not by food.3
The saint san@ into a deep meditatiHe state. er gaIe Cas dire>ted inCardK the gentle depths of her eyes
be>ame eJpressionless. #he gaHe a >ertain sigh7 the prelude to the e>stati> breathless tran>e. For a time
she
had fled to the Nuestionless realm7 the heaHen of inner Foy.
The tropi>al dar@ness had fallen. The light of a small @erosene lamp fli>@ered fitfully oHer the fa>es of
a s>ore
of Hillagers sNuatting silently in the shadoCs. The darting gloCCorms and distant oil lanterns of the
huts CoHe
bright eerie patterns into the HelHet night. ,t Cas the painful hour of partingK a sloC7 tedious Fourney lay
before
our little party.
2)iri .ala73 , said as the saint opened her eyes7 2please giHe me a @eepsa@e;a strip of one of your
#AR,#.3
#he soon returned Cith a pie>e of .enares sil@7 eJtending it in her hand as she suddenly prostrated
herself on
the ground.
2*other73 , said reHerently7 2rather let me tou>h your oCn blessed feetO3
LF%/4;1M ,n northern .engal.
LF%/4;2M . . #ir .iFay Chand *ahtab7 noC dead. is family doubtless possesses some re>ord of the
*aharaFa"s three inHestigations of )iri .ala.
LF%/4;+M &oman yogi.
LF%/4;/M 2RemoHer of !bsta>les73 the god of good fortune.
LF%/4;1M #ri Yu@tesCar used to sayA 2The 'ord has giHen us the fruits of the good earth. &e li@e to see
our
food7 to smell it7 to taste it=the indu li@es also to tou>h itO3 !ne does not mind EAR,%) it7 either7
if no
one else is present at the mealO
LF%/4;4M *r. &right also too@ moHing pi>tures of #ri Yu@tesCar during his last &inter #olsti>e
FestiHal in
#erampore.
LF%/4;5M 2&hat Ce eat is radiationK our food is so mu>h Nuanta of energy73 (r. )eorge &. Crile of
CleHeland told a gathering of medi>al men on *ay 157 19++ in *emphis. 2This all;important radiation7
Chi>h releases ele>tri>al >urrents for the body"s ele>tri>al >ir>uit7 the nerHous system7 is giHen to food
by the
sun"s rays. Atoms7 (r. Crile says7 are solar systems. Atoms are the Hehi>les that are filled Cith solar
radian>e
as so many >oiled springs. These >ountless atomfuls of energy are ta@en in as food. !n>e in the human
body7
these tense Hehi>les7 the atoms7 are dis>harged in the body"s protoplasm7 the radian>e furnishing neC
>hemi>al
energy7 neC ele>tri>al >urrents. "Your body is made up of su>h atoms7" (r. Crile said. "They are your
mus>les7
brains7 and sensory organs7 su>h as the eyes and ears."2
CAPTER /4. TE &!*A% Y!), &! %E6ER EAT#
Autobiography of a Yogi
#omeday s>ientists Cill dis>oHer hoC man >an liHe dire>tly on solar energy. 2Chlorophyll is the only
substan>e @noCn in nature that somehoC possesses the poCer to a>t as a "sunlight trap7"2 &illiam '.
'auren>e
Crites in the %E& Y!R$ T,*E#. 2,t ">at>hes" the energy of sunlight and stores it in the plant. &ithout
this
no life >ould eJist. &e obtain the energy Ce need for liHing from the solar energy stored in the plant;
food Ce
eat or in the flesh of the animals that eat the plants. The energy Ce obtain from >oal or oil is solar
energy
trapped by the >hlorophyll in plant life millions of years ago. &e liHe by the sun through the agen>y of
>hlorophyll.3
LF%/4;0M Potent Hibratory >hant. The literal translation of #ans@rit *A%TRA is 2instrument of
thought73
signifying the ideal7 inaudible sounds Chi>h represent one aspe>t of >reationK Chen Ho>aliIed as
syllables7 a
*A%TRA >onstitutes a uniHersal terminology. The infinite poCers of sound deriHe from AU*7 the
2&ord3
or >reatiHe hum of the Cosmi> *otor.
CAPTER /5. , RETUR% T! TE &E#T
2, haHe giHen many yoga lessons in ,ndia and Ameri>aK but , must >onfess that7 as a indu7 , am
unusually
happy to be >ondu>ting a >lass for English students.3
*y 'ondon >lass members laughed appre>iatiHelyK no politi>al turmoils eHer disturbed our yoga pea>e.
,ndia Cas noC a halloCed memory. ,t is #eptember7 19+4K , am in England to fulfill a promise7 giHen
siJteen
months earlier7 to le>ture again in 'ondon.
England7 too7 is re>eptiHe to the timeless yoga message. Reporters and neCsreel >ameramen sCarmed
oHer my
Nuarters at )rosHenor ouse. The .ritish %ational Coun>il of the &orld FelloCship of Faiths organiIed
a
meeting on #eptember 29th at &hitefield"s Congregational Chur>h Chere , addressed the audien>e on
the
Ceighty subFe>t of 2oC Faith in FelloCship may #aHe CiHiliIation.3 The eight o">lo>@ le>tures at
CaJton
all attra>ted su>h >roCds that on tCo nights the oHerfloC Caited in &indsor ouse auditorium for my
se>ond tal@ at nine;thirty. Yoga >lasses during the folloCing Cee@s greC so large that *r. &right Cas
obliged to arrange a transfer to another hall.
The English tena>ity has admirable eJpression in a spiritual relationship. The 'ondon yoga students
loyally
organiIed themselHes7 after my departure7 into a #elf;RealiIation FelloCship >enter7 holding their
meditation
meetings Cee@ly throughout the bitter Car years.
Unforgettable Cee@s in EnglandK days of sight;seeing in 'ondon7 then oHer the beautiful >ountryside.
*r.
&right and , summoned the trusty Ford to Hisit the birthpla>es and tombs of the great poets and heroes
of
.ritish history.
!ur little party sailed from #outhampton for Ameri>a in late !>tober on the .RE*E%. The maFesti>
#tatue of
'iberty in %eC Yor@ harbor brought a Foyous emotional gulp not only to the throats of *iss .let>h and
*r.
&right7 but to my oCn.
The Ford7 a bit battered from struggles Cith an>ient soils7 Cas still puissantK it noC too@ in its stride the
trans>ontinental trip to California. ,n late 19+47 loO *ount &ashington.
The year;end holidays are >elebrated annually at the 'os Angeles >enter Cith an eight;hour group
meditation
on (e>ember 2/th Q#piritual ChristmasS7 folloCed the neJt day by a banNuet Q#o>ial ChristmasS. The
festiHities this year Cere augmented by the presen>e of dear friends and students from distant >ities
Cho had
arriHed to Cel>ome home the three Corld traHelers.
CAPTER /5. , RETUR% T! TE &E#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
The Christmas (ay feast in>luded deli>a>ies brought fifteen thousand miles for this glad o>>asionA
)UCC,
mushrooms from $ashmir7 >anned RA#A)U''A and mango pulp7 PAPAR bis>uits7 and an oil of the
,ndian
$E!RA floCer Chi>h flaHored our i>e >ream. The eHening found us grouped around a huge spar@ling
Christmas tree7 the near;by firepla>e >ra>@ling Cith logs of aromati> >ypress.
)ift;timeO Presents from the earth"s far >orners;Palestine7 Egypt7 ,ndia7 England7 Fran>e7 ,taly. oC
laboriously had *r. &right >ounted the trun@s at ea>h foreign Fun>tion7 that no pilfering hand re>eiHe
the
treasures intended for loHed ones in Ameri>aO PlaNues of the sa>red oliHe tree from the oly 'and7
deli>ate
la>es and embroideries from .elgium and olland7 Persian >arpets7 finely CoHen $ashmiri shaCls7
eHerlastingly fragrant sandalCood trays from *ysore7 #hiHa 2bull"s eyeT stones from Central ProHin>es7
old
,ndian >oins of dynasties long fled7 beFeCeled Hases and >ups7 miniatures7 tapestries7 temple in>ense
and
perfumes7 #&A(E#, >otton prints7 la>Nuer Cor@7 *ysore iHory >arHings7 Persian slippers Cith their
inNuisitiHe long toe7 Nuaint old illuminated manus>ripts7 HelHets7 bro>ades7 )andhi >aps7 potteries7 tiles7
brassCor@7 prayer rugs;booty of three >ontinentsO
!ne by one , distributed the gaily Crapped pa>@ages from the immense pile under the tree.
2#ister )yanamataO3 , handed a long boJ to the saintly Ameri>an lady of sCeet Hisage and deep
realiIation
Cho7 during my absen>e7 had been in >harge at *t. &ashington. From the paper tissues she lifted a
#AR, of
golden .enares sil@.
2Than@ you7 sirK it brings the pageant of ,ndia before my eyes.3
2*r. (i>@insonO3 The neJt par>el >ontained a gift Chi>h , had bought in a Cal>utta baIaar. 2*r.
(i>@inson
Cill li@e this73 , had thought at the time. A dearly beloHed dis>iple7 *r. (i>@inson had been present at
eHery
Christmas festiHity sin>e the 1921 founding of *t. &ashington. At this eleHenth annual >elebration7 he
Cas
standing before me7 untying the ribbons of his sNuare little pa>@age.
2The silHer >upO3 #truggling Cith emotion7 he stared at the present7 a tall drin@ing >up. e seated
himself
some distan>e aCay7 apparently in a daIe. , smiled at him affe>tionately before resuming my role as
#anta
Claus.
The eFa>ulatory eHening >losed Cith a prayer to the )iHer of all giftsK then a group singing of Christmas
>arols.
*r. (i>@inson and , Cere >hatting together sometime later.
2#ir73 he said7 2please let me than@ you noC for the silHer >up. , >ould not find any Cords on Christmas
night.3
2, brought the gift espe>ially for you.3
2For forty;three years , haHe been Caiting for that silHer >upO ,t is a long story7 one , haHe @ept hidden
Cithin
me.3 *r. (i>@inson loo@ed at me shyly. 2The beginning Cas dramati>A , Cas droCning. *y older
brother had
playfully pushed me into a fifteen;foot pool in a small toCn in %ebras@a. , Cas only fiHe years old then.
As ,
Cas about to sin@ for the se>ond time under the Cater7 a daIIling multi>olored light appeared7 filling all
spa>e.
,n the midst Cas the figure of a man Cith tranNuil eyes and a reassuring smile. *y body Cas sin@ing
for the
third time Chen one of my brother"s >ompanions bent a tall slender CilloC tree in su>h a loC dip that ,
>ould
grasp it Cith my desperate fingers. The boys lifted me to the ban@ and su>>essfully gaHe me first;aid
treatment.
CAPTER /5. , RETUR% T! TE &E#T
Autobiography of a Yogi
2TCelHe years later7 a youth of seHenteen7 , Hisited Chi>ago Cith my mother. ,t Cas 109+K the great
&orld
Parliament of Religions Cas in session. *other and , Cere Cal@ing doCn a main street7 Chen again ,
saC the
mighty flash of light. A feC pa>es aCay7 strolling leisurely along7 Cas the same man , had seen years
before
in Hision. e approa>hed a large auditorium and Hanished Cithin the door.
E,llustrationA *r. E. E. (i>@inson of 'os AngelesK he sought a silHer >up=see di>@inson.FpgG
E,llustrationA #ri Yu@tesCar and myself in Cal>utta7 19+1. e is >arrying the gift umbrella;>ane=see
gurus.FpgG
E,llustrationA A group of Ran>hi students and tea>hers pose Cith the Henerable *aharaFa of $asimbaIar
Qat
>enter7 in ChiteS. ,n 1910 he gaHe his $asimbaIar Pala>e and tCenty;fiHe a>res in Ran>hi as a
permanent site
for my yoga s>hool for boys.=see tea>hers.FpgG
2"*other7" , >ried7 "that Cas the man Cho appeared at the time , Cas droCningO"
2#he and , hastened into the buildingK the man Cas seated on a le>ture platform. &e soon learned that
he Cas
#Cami 6iHe@ananda of ,ndia. LF%/5;1M After he had giHen a soul;stirring tal@7 , Cent forCard to meet
him.
e smiled on me gra>iously7 as though Ce Cere old friends. , Cas so young that , did not @noC hoC to
giHe
eJpression to my feelings7 but in my heart , Cas hoping that he Could offer to be my tea>her. e read
my
thought.
2"%o7 my son7 , am not your guru." 6iHe@ananda gaIed Cith his beautiful7 pier>ing eyes deep into my
oCn.
"Your tea>her Cill >ome later. e Cill giHe you a silHer >up." After a little pause7 he added7 smiling7 "e
Cill
pour out to you more blessings than you are noC able to hold."
2, left Chi>ago in a feC days73 *r. (i>@inson Cent on7 2and neHer saC the great 6iHe@ananda again.
.ut
eHery Cord he had uttered Cas indelibly Critten on my inmost >ons>iousness. Years passedK no tea>her
appeared. !ne night in 1921 , prayed deeply that the 'ord Could send me my guru. A feC hours later7 ,
Cas
aCa@ened from sleep by soft strains of melody. A band of >elestial beings7 >arrying flutes and other
instruments7 >ame before my HieC. After filling the air Cith glorious musi>7 the angels sloCly Hanished.
2The neJt eHening , attended7 for the first time7 one of your le>tures here in 'os Angeles7 and @neC
then that
my prayer had been granted.3
&e smiled at ea>h other in silen>e.
2For eleHen years noC , haHe been your $R,YA Y!)A dis>iple73 *r. (i>@inson >ontinued.
2#ometimes ,
Condered about the silHer >upK , had almost persuaded myself that 6iHe@ananda"s Cords Cere only
metaphori>al. .ut on Christmas night7 as you handed me the sNuare boJ by the tree7 , saC7 for the third
time in
my life7 the same daIIling flash of light. ,n another minute , Cas gaIing on my guru"s gift Chi>h
6iHe@ananda
had foreseen for me forty;three years earlier;a silHer >upO3
LF%/5;1M The >hief dis>iple of the Christli@e master #ri Rama@rishna.
CAPTER /0. AT E%C,%,TA# ,% CA',F!R%,A
2A surprise7 sirO (uring your absen>e abroad Ce haHe had this En>initas hermitage builtK it is a
"Cel>ome;home" giftO3 #ister )yanamata smilingly led me through a gate and up a tree;shaded Cal@.
CAPTER /0. AT E%C,%,TA# ,% CA',F!R%,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
, saC a building Futting out li@e a great Chite o>ean liner toCard the blue brine. First spee>hlessly7 then
Cith
2!h"sO3 and 2Ah"sO37 finally Cith man"s insuffi>ient Ho>abulary of Foy and gratitude7 , eJamined the
ashram;siJteen unusually large rooms7 ea>h one >harmingly appointed.
The stately >entral hall7 Cith immense >eiling;high CindoCs7 loo@s out on a united altar of grass7
o>ean7
s@y;a symphony in emerald7 opal7 sapphire. A mantle oHer the hall"s huge firepla>e holds the framed
li@eness
of 'ahiri *ahasaya7 smiling his blessing oHer this far Pa>ifi> heaHen.
(ire>tly beloC the hall7 built into the Hery bluff7 tCo solitary meditation >aHes >onfront the infinities of
s@y
and sea. 6erandahs7 sun;bathing noo@s7 a>res of or>hard7 a eu>alypti groHe7 flagstone paths leading
through
roses and lilies to Nuiet arbors7 a long flight of stairs ending on an isolated bea>h and the Hast CatersO
&as
dream eHer more >on>reteP
2*ay the good and heroi> and bountiful souls of the saints >ome here73 reads 2A Prayer for a
(Celling73 from
the <E%(;A6E#TA7 fastened on one of the hermitage doors7 2and may they go hand in hand Cith us7
giHing
the healing Hirtues of their blessed gifts as Cidespread as the earth7 as far;flung as the riHers7 as
high;rea>hing as the sun7 for the furtheran>e of better men7 for the in>rease of abundan>e and glory.
2*ay obedien>e >onNuer disobedien>e Cithin this houseK may pea>e triumph here oHer dis>ordK free;
hearted
giHing oHer aHari>e7 truthful spee>h oHer de>eit7 reHeren>e oHer >ontempt. That our minds be delighted7
and
our souls uplifted7 let our bodies be glorified as CellK and ! 'ight (iHine7 may Ce see Thee7 and may
Ce7
approa>hing7 >ome round about Thee7 and attain unto Thine entire >ompanionshipO3
E,llustrationA En>initas7 California7 oHerloo@ing the Pa>ifi>. *ain building and part of the grounds of
the
#elf;RealiIation FelloCship=see en>initas.FpgG
This #elf;RealiIation FelloCship ashram had been made possible through the generosity of a feC
Ameri>an
dis>iples7 Ameri>an businessmen of endless responsibilities Cho yet find time daily for their $R,YA
Y!)A.
%ot a Cord of the hermitage >onstru>tion had been alloCed to rea>h me during my stay in ,ndia and
Europe.
Astonishment7 delightO
(uring my earlier years in Ameri>a , had >ombed the >oast of California in Nuest of a small site for a
seaside
ashramK CheneHer , had found a suitable lo>ation7 some obsta>le had inHariably arisen to thCart me.
)aIing
noC oHer the broad a>res of En>initas7 LF%/0;1M humbly , saC the effortless fulfillment of #ri
Yu@tesCar"s
long;ago prophe>yA 2a hermitage by the o>ean.3
A feC months later7 Easter of 19+57 , >ondu>ted on the smooth laCns at En>initas the first of many
#unrise
#erHi>es. 'i@e the magi of old7 seHeral hundred students gaIed in deHotional aCe at the daily mira>le7
the
early solar fire rite in the eastern s@y. To the Cest lay the ineJhaustible Pa>ifi>7 booming its solemn
praiseK in
the distan>e7 a tiny Chite sailing boat7 and the lonely flight of a seagull. 2Christ7 thou art risenO3 %ot
alone
Cith the Hernal sun7 but in the eternal daCn of #piritO
*any happy months sped byK in the pea>e of perfe>t beauty , Cas able to >omplete at the hermitage a
long;proFe>ted Cor@7 C!#*,C CA%T#. , set to English Cords and &estern musi>al notation about
forty
songs7 some original7 others my adaptations of an>ient melodies. ,n>luded Cere the #han@ara >hant7
2%o
.irth7 %o (eath3K tCo faHorites of #ri Yu@tesCar"sA 2&a@e7 Yet &a@e7 ! my #aintO3 and 2(esire7 my
)reat
Enemy3K the hoary #ans@rit 2ymn to .rahma3K old .engali songs7 2&hat 'ightning FlashO3 and
2They aHe
eard Thy %ame3K Tagore"s 2&ho is in my TempleP3K and a number of my >ompositionsA 2, &ill be
Thine
AlCays73 2,n the 'and .eyond my (reams73 2Come !ut of the #ilent #@y73 2'isten to my #oul Call73
2,n the
Temple of #ilen>e73 and 2Thou Art my 'ife.3
CAPTER /0. AT E%C,%,TA# ,% CA',F!R%,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
For a prefa>e to the songboo@ , re>ounted my first outstanding eJperien>e Cith the re>eptiHity of
&esterners
to the Nuaintly deHotional airs of the East. The o>>asion had been a publi> le>tureK the time7 April 107
1924K
the pla>e7 Carnegie all in %eC Yor@.
2*r. unsi>@er73 , had >onfided to an Ameri>an student7 2, am planning to as@ the audien>e to sing an
an>ient
indu >hant7 "! )od .eautifulO"2
2#ir73 *r. unsi>@er had protested7 2these !riental songs are alien to Ameri>an understanding. &hat a
shame
if the le>ture Cere to be marred by a >ommentary of oHerripe tomatoesO3
, had laughingly disagreed. 2*usi> is a uniHersal language. Ameri>ans Cill not fail to feel the soul;
aspiration
in this lofty >hant.3 LF%/0;2M
(uring the le>ture *r. unsi>@er had sat behind me on the platform7 probably fearing for my safety.
is
doubts Cere groundlessK not only had there been an absen>e of unCel>ome Hegetables7 but for one hour
and
tCenty;fiHe minutes the strains of 2! )od .eautifulO3 had sounded uninterruptedly from three
thousand
throats. .lase" no longer7 dear %eC Yor@ersK your hearts had soared out in a simple paean of reFoi>ingO
(iHine
healings had ta@en pla>e that eHening among the deHotees >hanting Cith loHe the 'ord"s blessed name.
The se>luded life of a literary minstrel Cas not my role for long. #oon , Cas diHiding eHery fortnight
betCeen
'os Angeles and En>initas. #unday serHi>es7 >lasses7 le>tures before >lubs and >olleges7 interHieCs
Cith
students7 >easeless streams of >orresponden>e7 arti>les for EA#T;&E#T7 dire>tion of a>tiHities in ,ndia
and
numerous small >enters in Ameri>an >ities. *u>h time Cas giHen7 also7 to the arrangement of $R,YA
and
other #elf;RealiIation FelloCship tea>hings into a series of studies for the distant yoga see@ers Chose
Ieal
re>ogniIed no limitation of spa>e.
8oyous dedi>ation of a #elf;RealiIation Chur>h of All Religions too@ pla>e in 19+0 at &ashington7
(.C. #et
amidst lands>aped grounds7 the stately >hur>h stands in a se>tion of the >ity aptly >alled 2Friendship
eights.3
The &ashington leader is #Cami Premananda7 edu>ated at the Ran>hi s>hool and Cal>utta UniHersity. ,
had
summoned him in 1920 to assume leadership of the &ashington #elf;RealiIation FelloCship >enter.
2Premananda73 , told him during a Hisit to his neC temple7 2this Eastern headNuarters is a memorial in
stone to
your tireless deHotion. ere in the nation"s >apital you haHe held aloft the light of 'ahiri *ahasaya"s
ideals.3
Premananda a>>ompanied me from &ashington for a brief Hisit to the #elf;RealiIation FelloCship
>enter in
.oston. &hat Foy to see again the $R,YA Y!)A band Cho had remained steadfast sin>e 192-O The
.oston
leader7 (r. *. &. 'eCis7 lodged my >ompanion and myself in a modern7 artisti>ally de>orated suite.
2#ir73 (r. 'eCis said to me7 smiling7 2during your early years in Ameri>a you stayed in this >ity in a
single
room7 Cithout bath. , Canted you to @noC that .oston possesses some luJurious apartmentsO3
The shadoCs of approa>hing >arnage Cere lengthening oHer the CorldK already the a>ute ear might hear
the
frightful drums of Car. (uring interHieCs Cith thousands in California7 and through a Corld;Cide
>orresponden>e7 , found that men and Comen Cere deeply sear>hing their heartsK the tragi> outer
inse>urity
had emphasiIed need for the Eternal An>horage.
2&e haHe indeed learned the Halue of meditation73 the leader of the 'ondon #elf;RealiIation
FelloCship
>enter Crote me in 19/17 2and @noC that nothing >an disturb our inner pea>e. ,n the last feC Cee@s
during the
meetings Ce haHe heard air;raid Carnings and listened to the eJplosion of delayed;a>tion bombs7 but
our
students still gather and thoroughly enFoy our beautiful serHi>e.3
CAPTER /0. AT E%C,%,TA# ,% CA',F!R%,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
Another letter rea>hed me from Car;torn England Fust before Ameri>a entered the >onfli>t. ,n nobly
patheti>
Cords7 (r. '. Cranmer .yng7 noted editor of TE &,#(!* !F TE EA#T #ER,E#7 CroteA
2&hen , read EA#T;&E#T , realiIed hoC far apart Ce seemed to be7 apparently liHing in tCo different
Corlds. .eauty7 order7 >alm7 and pea>e >ome to me from 'os Angeles7 sailing into port as a Hessel laden
Cith
the blessings and >omfort of the oly )rail to a beleaguered >ity.
2, see as in a dream your palm tree groHe7 and the temple at En>initas Cith its o>ean stret>hes and
mountain
HieCs7 and aboHe all its felloCship of spiritually minded men and Comen7 a >ommunity >omprehended
in
unity7 absorbed in >reatiHe Cor@7 and replenished in >ontemplation. ,t is the Corld of my oCn Hision7 in
the
ma@ing of Chi>h , hoped to bear my little part7 and noC . . .
2Perhaps in the body , shall neHer rea>h your golden shores nor Corship in your temple. .ut it is
something
and more7 to haHe had the Hision and @noC that in the midst of Car there is still a pea>e that abides in
your
harbors and among your hills. )reetings to all the FelloCship from a >ommon soldier7 Critten on the
Cat>htoCer Caiting for the daCn.3
The Car years brought a spiritual aCa@ening among men Chose diHersions had neHer before in>luded a
study
of the %eC Testament. !ne sCeet distillment from the bitter herbs of CarO To satisfy a groCing need7
an
inspiring little #elf;RealiIation Chur>h of All Religions Cas built and dedi>ated in 19/2 at ollyCood.
The
site fa>es !liHe ill and the distant 'os Angeles Planetarium. The >hur>h7 finished in blue7 Chite7 and
gold7 is
refle>ted amidst the Cater hya>inths in a large pool. The gardens are gay Cith floCers7 a feC startled
stone
deer7 a stained;glass pergola7 and a Nuaint Cishing Cell. ThroCn in Cith the pennies and the
@aleidos>opi>
Cishes of man has been many a pure aspiration for the sole treasure of #piritO A uniHersal benignity
floCs
from small ni>hes Cith statues of 'ahiri *ahasaya and #ri Yu@tesCar7 and of $rishna7 .uddha7
Confu>ius7 #t.
Fran>is7 and a beautiful mother;of;pearl reprodu>tion of Christ at the 'ast #upper.
Another #elf;RealiIation Chur>h of All Religions Cas founded in 19/+ at #an (iego. A Nuiet hilltop
temple7
it stands in a sloping Halley of eu>alypti7 oHerloo@ing spar@ling #an (iego .ay.
#itting one eHening in this tranNuil haHen7 , Cas pouring out my heart in song. Under my fingers Cas
the
sCeet;toned organ of the >hur>h7 on my lips the yearning plaint of an an>ient .engali deHotee Cho had
sear>hed for eternal sola>eA
,n this Corld7 *other7 none >an loHe meK
,n this Corld they do not @noC loHe diHine.
&here is there pure loHing loHeP
&here is there truly loHing TheeP
There my heart longs to be.
*y >ompanion in the >hapel7 (r. 'loyd $ennell7 the #an (iego >enter leader7 Cas smiling a little at the
Cords
of the song.
2Tell me truly7 ParamhansaFi7 has it been Corth itP3 e gaIed at me Cith an earnest sin>erity. ,
understood his
la>oni> NuestionA 2aHe you been happy in Ameri>aP &hat about the disillusionments7 the hearta>hes7
the
>enter leaders Cho >ould not lead7 the students Cho >ould not be taughtP3
2.lessed is the man Chom the 'ord doth test7 (o>torO e has remembered noC and then to put a
burden on
meO3 , thought7 then7 of all the faithful ones7 of the loHe and deHotion and understanding that lay in the
heart
of Ameri>a. &ith sloC emphasis , Cent on7 2.ut my ansCer isA Yes7 a thousand times yesO ,t has been
Corth;ChileK it has been a >onstant inspiration7 more than eHer , dreamed7 to see &est and East brought
CAPTER /0. AT E%C,%,TA# ,% CA',F!R%,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
>loser in the only lasting bond7 the spiritualO3
#ilently , added a prayerA 2*ay .abaFi and #ri Yu@tesCarFi feel that , haHe done my part7 not
disappointing
the high hope in Chi>h they sent me forth.3
, turned again to the organK this time my song Cas tinged Cith a martial HalorA
The grinding Cheel of Time doth mar
Full many a life of moon and star
And many a brightly smiling morn=
.ut still my soul is mar>hing onO
(ar@ness7 death7 and failures HiedK
To blo>@ my path they fier>ely triedK
*y fight Cith Fealous %ature"s strong=
.ut still my soul is mar>hing onO
%eC Year"s Cee@ of 19/1 found me at Cor@ in my En>initas study7 reHising the manus>ript of this
boo@.
2ParamhansaFi7 please >ome outdoors.3 (r. 'eCis7 on a Hisit from .oston7 smiled at me pleadingly
from
outside my CindoC. #oon Ce Cere strolling in the sunshine. *y >ompanion pointed to neC toCers in
pro>ess
of >onstru>tion along the edge of the FelloCship property adFoining the >oast highCay.
2#ir7 , see many improHements here sin>e my last Hisit.3 (r. 'eCis >omes tCi>e annually from .oston
to
En>initas.
2Yes7 (o>tor7 a proFe>t , haHe long >onsidered is beginning to ta@e definite form. ,n these beautiful
surroundings , haHe started a miniature Corld >olony. .rotherhood is an ideal better understood by
eJample
than pre>eptO A small harmonious group here may inspire other ideal >ommunities oHer the earth.3
2A splendid idea7 sirO The >olony Cill surely be a su>>ess if eHeryone sin>erely does his partO3
2"&orld" is a large term7 but man must enlarge his allegian>e7 >onsidering himself in the light of a Corld
>itiIen73 , >ontinued. 2A person Cho truly feelsA "The Corld is my homelandK it is my Ameri>a7 my
,ndia7 my
Philippines7 my England7 my Afri>a7" Cill neHer la>@ s>ope for a useful and happy life. is natural lo>al
pride
Cill @noC limitless eJpansionK he Cill be in tou>h Cith >reatiHe uniHersal >urrents.3
(r. 'eCis and , halted aboHe the lotus pool near the hermitage. .eloC us lay the illimitable Pa>ifi>.
2These same Caters brea@ eNually on the >oasts of &est and East7 in California and China.3 *y
>ompanion
threC a little stone into the first of the o>eani> seHenty million sNuare miles. 2En>initas is a symboli>
spot for
a Corld >olony.3
2That is true7 (o>tor. &e shall arrange here for many >onferen>es and Congresses of Religion7 inHiting
delegates from all lands. Flags of the nations Cill hang in our halls. (iminutiHe temples Cill be built
oHer the
grounds7 dedi>ated to the Corld"s prin>ipal religions.
2As soon as possible73 , Cent on7 2, plan to open a Yoga ,nstitute here. The blessed role of $R,YA
Y!)A in
the &est has hardly more than Fust begun. *ay all men >ome to @noC that there is a definite7 s>ientifi>
te>hniNue of self;realiIation for the oHer>oming of all human miseryO3
CAPTER /0. AT E%C,%,TA# ,% CA',F!R%,A
Autobiography of a Yogi
E,llustrationA #pea@ers at a 19/1 ,nterra>ial *eeting in #an Fran>is>o during the >onHening of the Pea>e
Conferen>e. Q'eft to rightS (r. *ane>@ An@lesaria7 8ohn Cohee7 myself7 ugh E. *a>.eth7 6in>e *.
ToCnsend7 8r.7 Ri>hard .. *oore=see sanfr.FpgG
E,llustrationA The #elf;RealiIation Chur>h of All Religions in &ashington7 (.C.7 Chose leader7 #Cami
Premananda7 is here pi>tured Cith me=see premananda.FpgG
E,llustrationA *y Henerable father7 seated in the tranNuil lotus posture7 Cal>utta7 19+4=see father2.FpgG
Far into the night my dear friend;the first $R,YA Y!), in Ameri>a=dis>ussed Cith me the need for
Corld
>olonies founded on a spiritual basis. The ills attributed to an anthropomorphi> abstra>tion >alled
2so>iety3
may be laid more realisti>ally at the door of EHeryman. Utopia must spring in the priHate bosom before
it >an
floCer in >iHi> Hirtue. *an is a soul7 not an institutionK his inner reforms alone >an lend permanen>e to
outer
ones. .y stress on spiritual Halues7 self;realiIation7 a >olony eJemplifying Corld brotherhood is
empoCered
to send inspiring Hibrations far beyond its lo>ale.
August 117 19/17 >lose of )lobal &ar ,,O End of a CorldK daCn of an enigmati> Atomi> AgeO The
hermitage
residents gathered in the main hall for a prayer of than@sgiHing. 2eaHenly Father7 may neHer it be
againO Thy
>hildren go hen>eforth as brothersO3
)one Cas the tension of Car yearsK our spirits purred in the sun of pea>e. , gaIed happily at ea>h of my
Ameri>an >omrades.
2'ord73 , thought gratefully7 2Thou hast giHen this mon@ a large familyO3
LF%/0;1M A small toCn on Coast ighCay 1-17 En>initas is 1-- miles south of 'os Angeles7 and 21
miles
north of #an (iego.
LF%/0;2M , translate here the Cords of )uru %ana@"s songA
! )od beautifulO ! )od beautifulO
,n the forest7 Thou art green7
,n the mountain7 Thou art high7
,n the riHer7 Thou art restless7
,n the o>ean7 Thou art graHeO
To the serHi>eful7 Thou art serHi>e7
To the loHer7 Thou art loHe7
To the sorroCful7 Thou art sympathy7
To the yogi7 Thou art blissO
! )od beautifulO ! )od beautifulO
At Thy feet7 ! , do boCO
CAPTER /0. AT E%C,%,TA# ,% CA',F!R%,A