Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramhansa Yogananda-Summary-Chapter I

 

Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramhansa Yogananda-Summary-Chapter I

Summary of Chapter 1: My Parents and Early Life

India’s Spiritual Tradition and the Guru–Disciple Ideal

In the opening chapter of Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramhansa Yogananda introduces the reader to the spiritual background of India, his parents, and the extraordinary experiences of his childhood that shaped his lifelong quest for God. The chapter blends personal memory with philosophical reflection and sets the foundation for the spiritual journey narrated in the book.

Introduction: Spiritual Background of the Autobiography

Yogananda begins by describing a key feature of Indian culture: the search for ultimate truth and the sacred disciple–guru relationship. He explains that India’s true wealth lies not in material achievements but in her great spiritual masters, who appear in every age to preserve divine wisdom. These saints protect the spiritual heritage of India just as ancient civilizations like Babylon and Egypt failed to protect theirs. From the very beginning, Yogananda presents his life as inseparably connected with this timeless spiritual tradition.

3. Memories of Past Life and the Immortality of the Soul

He then recounts his earliest memories, which are unusual because they include vivid recollections of a previous life. He remembers himself as a yogi meditating in the Himalayan mountains. These memories convince him that human existence is not limited to one physical body or one lifetime. He argues that if human beings were only physical bodies, identity would end at death. However, the teachings of saints and prophets affirm that the soul is eternal and only temporarily connected to the body. Yogananda states that many yogis retain awareness even through death and rebirth, and his own early memories support this belief.

4. Inner Life, Struggles, and Awareness of Infancy

The author also recalls the frustrations of infancy. He vividly remembers the humiliation of being unable to walk, speak freely, or express his strong emotions. This inner struggle led him to spontaneous prayer, even before he had learned any formal religious practice. Though surrounded by confusion and multiple inner voices, he gradually learned the Bengali language spoken in his household. These reflections challenge the common belief that infants have no inner life, suggesting instead that even a child’s mind is vast and complex.

Alongside these struggles, Yogananda recalls tender memories of his mother’s affection and the joy of his early achievements, such as learning to speak and walk. These small victories, though often forgotten in adulthood, form the foundation of confidence and self-awareness. He also notes that clear memories of infancy are not as rare as commonly believed, as he later encountered many people across different countries who remembered their early childhood vividly.

5. Birth, Family Background, and Early Childhood Environment

Yogananda was born in the last decade of the nineteenth century in Gorakhpur, in northeastern India. His family consisted of eight children—four boys and four girls—and he was the fourth child and second son. His parents, Bhagabati Charan Ghosh and his mother, were Bengalis belonging to the Kshatriya caste. Both parents possessed saintly qualities and lived a life of discipline, simplicity, and spiritual values.

The relationship between his parents was calm, dignified, and deeply harmonious. Their love was never openly sentimental, yet it provided a stable emotional centre for the entire family. His father was serious, disciplined, and guided mainly by intellect. He was an excellent mathematician and logician and maintained a certain emotional distance that inspired respect in his children. His mother, in contrast, ruled through love and compassion. She taught her children not through strict discipline but through affection and moral example. After her death, Yogananda noticed that his father began to show greater tenderness, as if his mother’s loving spirit lived on in him.

 From an early age, Yogananda was introduced to India’s great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. His mother used stories from these scriptures to teach moral lessons and maintain discipline. Thus, religious instruction and daily life were closely connected in the household.

Every afternoon, the children were carefully dressed to welcome their father home from work, reflecting the respect shown to him. He held a high position in the Bengal-Nagpur Railway, similar to that of a vice-president, and his work required frequent transfers, causing the family to live in several cities.

6. Saintly Parents and a Harmonious Home

 One notable contrast between Yogananda’s parents was their approach to charity. His mother was extraordinarily generous and often gave freely to the poor without considering financial limits. His father, though kind, believed in moderation and careful budgeting. A memorable incident illustrates this difference: when his mother wished to give ten rupees to a needy woman, his father initially objected, suggesting one rupee was enough. He explained how he had once been denied even a single rupee during his own time of hardship. His mother, however, argued that refusing help would cause the woman lifelong pain, just as the denial had hurt him. Touched by her logic and compassion, his father agreed. This incident highlights the balance of reason and love that characterized their marriage.

Despite occasional differences, their relationship was remarkably peaceful. The only conflict Yogananda ever witnessed ended quickly through wise mediation by a relative. This reinforced the image of his parents as spiritually mature individuals.

His father lived an austere life. He avoided luxuries, entertainment, and personal indulgence, preferring spiritual study and meditation. He read the Bhagavad Gita regularly, wore old clothes until they were unusable, and used public transport even when his sons owned cars. He had no interest in accumulating wealth. After retiring, it was discovered that the railway company owed him a large sum in unpaid bonuses. When he finally received the money, he remained completely indifferent, teaching his children that true peace comes from even-mindedness, not material gain.

Both parents were disciples of the great yogi Lahiri Mahasaya. Yogananda narrates the remarkable story of how his father met this spiritual master. His father initially mocked an employee, Abinash Babu, for wanting leave to visit his guru. However, in a miraculous event, Lahiri Mahasaya appeared physically in a field and rebuked Yogananda’s father for his harshness. This supernatural encounter transformed his father’s life. Soon afterward, both parents travelled to Benares and were initiated into Kriya Yoga by Lahiri Mahasaya.

7. Contrasting Parental Influences: Discipline and Love

 Although Lahiri Mahasaya passed away shortly after Yogananda’s birth, his presence deeply influenced the family. His photograph was worshipped daily, and Yogananda felt a living spiritual connection with him. As he grew older, he often saw the guru’s image come alive during meditation and experienced his guidance inwardly. This relationship taught Yogananda that a true guru transcends physical presence.  surpass 

One of the most significant events of his childhood was his miraculous recovery from Asiatic cholera at the age of eight. When doctors gave up hope, his mother urged him to pray to Lahiri Mahasaya’s photograph. As he gazed at it, he saw a blinding light fill the room, and he was instantly healed. Both mother and son witnessed this divine light, strengthening Yogananda’s faith in the guru’s power.

 The chapter also recounts the unusual story of Lahiri Mahasaya’s photograph, which resisted being captured on camera until the guru consciously allowed it. This incident reinforces the idea that spiritual masters exist beyond physical laws.

Yogananda describes another powerful spiritual vision in which he saw Himalayan yogis and experienced divine light, hearing God identify Himself as “Light.” This experience left him with an unshakable desire to seek God and realize divine joy.

Finally, the chapter includes two childhood incidents demonstrating the power of will and prayer. In one, Yogananda unintentionally caused physical boils through strong verbal suggestion, teaching him the responsibility of speech. In another, he successfully prayed to the Divine Mother Kali to obtain two kites, convincing his sister of the power of sincere devotion.

The chapter concludes by firmly establishing Yogananda’s belief in God’s living presence, the power of faith, and the spiritual destiny that would guide his life. His early years, filled with divine experiences, saintly influences, and moral lessons, clearly foreshadow his future role as a great spiritual teacher.