Yogananda Sanga: As I have Seen and Understood Him

Although Yoganandaji's biography is published in Bengali and English, there is still no book like Yogananda Sanga, with its accurate and informative narrative writing. Who other than Swami Satyanandaji would know more about Paramahamsa Yoganandaji? In this book, a brief and precise picture of the life of both Swamijis with many incidents is presented. Besides establishing, organising, and managing ashrams and schools, they both followed their spiritual practice with faith and sincerity. What type of discipline and will power could make all this practice possible? A burning desire for God-realization manifested in these two from their childhood. Their childhood, youth, adolescence, and adulthood were spent in such close intimacy that reminiscence of only one without the other seemed impossible.
This book sheds light on the brief history of Satsang Sabha, which was founded by Swami Shriyukteshwarji; the establishment of Ranchi Brahmacharya Vidyalaya and Sevayatan; as well as information and an introduction to the silent seeker, Hamsa Swami Kevalananda Maharaj (Shastri Mahasaya), a close associate and disciple of Yogiraj Shri Shri Lahiri Baba, as well as many other spiritual masters.

Our spiritual journey is inspired by the lives of the great masters Their trials, struggles, hardships, and difficulties, and ultimately their success, through patience and perseverance, open our eyes. Their lives are revealed through biographies, autobiographies, or reminiscences of their near and dear ones Autobiography of a Yogi, authored by Paramahamsa Yoganandaji, is a spiritual classic that has inspired millions of sincere seekers to develop their spiritual pursuit and experience more joy in day to day living.
Acharya Swami Satyananda Giri was the childhood companion of Yoganandaji. This book is a brief reflection of the friendship, love, and oneness of these two beautiful souls. Swami Satyanandaji wrote this book as a series of articles to be printed in Satsanga Varta, which was later printed as a book in Bengali. This book was out of print for a long time. Now, after a quarter of a century, the second reprint is available in Bengali. With the loving request of Swami Virajanandaji, the current president of Sevayatan Satsanga Mission, Jhargram, Bengal, this rendering in English has been completed. His encouragement, inspiration, and support made this work possible. He has graciously given permission of copyright for this publication.
We hope this book will shed light on the lives and missions of these great souls, and will inspire spiritual development for all who read it.

Through the blessings of the gurus, Yogananda Sanga (Association with Yogananda), written in Bengali by Acharya Srimat Swami Satyananda Giri Maharaj, is now published as this book. This text was first published serially from 1962 to 1966 in Satsang Varta (a quarterly journal published in Bengali by the Sevayatam Satsang Mission, based in Jhargram, Medinipur, Bengal). It is published here as Swamiji Maharaj wrote. Some years after he finished this writing, he expressed his desire to write more. But it is our misfortune that he could not begin this work again because he became ill. We all are deprived of knowing more from him.
Although Yoganandaji's biography is published in Bengali and English, there is still no book like Yogananda Sanga, with its accurate and informative narrative writing. Who other than Swamiji would know more about Yoganandaji? In this book, a brief and precise picture of the life of both Swamijis with many incidents is presented. Besides establishing, organising, and managing ashrams and schools, they both followed their spiritual practice with faith and sincerity. What type of discipline and will power could make all this practice possible? A burning desire for God-realization manifested in these two from their childhood. Their childhood, youth, adolescence, and adulthood were spent in such close intimacy that reminiscence of only one without the other seemed impossible.
This book sheds light on the brief history of Satsang Sabha, later known as Yogoda Satsang, which was founded by Swami Shriyukteshwarji, the establishment of Ranchi Brahmacharya Vidyalaya and Sevayatan, as well as information and an introduction to the silent seeker, Hamsa Swami Kevalananda Maharaj (Shastri Mahasaya), a close associate and disciple of Yogiraj Shri Shri Lahiri Baba, as well as many other spiritual masters.
I hope this life story will provide inspiration and encouragement to travellers treading the spiritual path.