Yogananda's 'Autobiography of a Yogi' a spiritual gem: Kriyananda

Paramhansa Yogananda, whose “Autobiography of a Yogi” is considered a spiritual gem, was India’s greatest gift to the West, Ananda Sangha founder Swami Kriyananda said Thursday.

The 85-year-old America-born Kriyananda, who became a devotee of Yogananda at age 22, made the comment while releasing his biography of Yogananda at the Siri Fort Auditorium here in Delhi.

The India-born Yogananda made the US his home in 1920 and went on to spread Kriya Yoga and meditation among Americans before passing away in 1952, six years after writing his autobiography.

Kriyananda, who moved to India in 2003, is the founder of Ananda Sangha, which disseminates Yogananda's teachings. The group counts thousands of members worldwide. He has also written over 100 books, some of which have been translated into 27 languages. He has composed over 400 pieces of music, several of which have won international awards.

Speaking also on the occasion, DR Kaarthikeyan, a former director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), said the biography of Yogananda may become “as popular as the 'Autobiography of a Yogi'.”

“The book was born of firsthand knowledge,” he said. “In other words, it contains solid facts, not fulsome praise."