1. Swami Yogananda was a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, the 19th-century mystic.
22 Facts About Swami Yogananda
1. 2.
Swami Yogananda took his formal initiation from Sarada Devi, the "holy mother" of Ramakrishna paramhansa Order and spiritual consort of Ramakrishna.
3.
Swami Yogananda belonged to the family of Sabarna Roy Choudhury, an aristocratic family of erstwhile Bengal.
4.
Swami Yogananda had a very short life, but he played a very important role during the formative years of Ramakrishna Mission.
5.
Swami Yogananda was a dedicated and devoted attendant to Sarada Devi during her stay in Calcutta after Ramakrishna paramhangsha's death.
6.
Swami Yogananda was one of the disciples whom Ramakrishna paramhangsha referred to as "Iswarakoti" or the "ever perfect soul".
7.
Swami Yogananda was simple in his habit and did not hanker after any luxury.
8.
Swami Yogananda spent much of his time in meditation and worship.
9.
Swami Yogananda was then studying for his school-leaving examination, then under the University of Calcutta.
10.
Swami Yogananda accompanied Sarada Devi to Puri along with Swami Brahmananda and looked after her when she stayed in various places in Calcutta, from 1888 to 1899.
11.
Yogin took the monastic vow along with his other brother disciples under the leadership of Swami Vivekananda in 1887, and took the name "Swami Yogananda", signifying his love for contemplation and meditation.
12.
Swami Yogananda traveled to Varanasi in 1891 and stayed in a solitary garden house, living an austere life.
13.
Swami Yogananda's health broke down with the severe strain of the austerities and spiritual practices, and he came back to Calcutta, to the newly formed Baranagar Math.
14.
Swami Yogananda was at this stage permanently sick, suffering from stomach related ailments.
15.
Swami Yogananda stayed in the house of Balaram Bose, a householder devotee, and he was engaged to serve the holy mother devotedly when she was staying in the same house in Calcutta.
16.
Swami Yogananda was elected as the vice-president of the Ramakrishna Mission upon its formation in 1897, and he successfully steered the organisation through its formative years.
17.
In 1898 Swami Yogananda organised the birthday anniversary of Ramakrishna in the newly formed Belur Math.
18.
Swami Yogananda served as the office bearer till his death in 1899.
19.
Swami Yogananda was the first to pass away among the direct monastic disciples of Ramakrishna and Sarada Devi.
20.
Swami Yogananda was often direct with his criticisms, and in this matter he did not even spare Vivekananda.
21.
Swami Yogananda's contention was that the energy of a monk should be spent wholly for the perusal of spiritual practices.
22.
Swami Yogananda respected and admired Sarada Devi, whom he served devotedly whenever she was in Calcutta.