There are probably very few people who would not have heard or seen the world-acclaimed spiritual classic- Autobiography of a Yogi by Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, at least sometime in their life. It has an almost ubiquitous presence in book stalls, libraries, homes and public areas. The cover of the book is imposing, with the picture of Paramahansaji, instantly drawing the onlookers with his magnetic eyes. Published in 1946, this book has been serving as the ambassador, voice and living presence of Paramahansa Yoganandaji ever since. He founded his world-wide spiritual organization with headquarters in India and in America by the names: Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) and Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), respectively; and many of its members have found their way to joining this path, through this book.
It has been read by millions of people and has touched and inspired innumerable hearts. In fact, this book has introduced thousands upon thousands of people to spirituality. As one reviewer of this book wrote: “We must credit this important biography with the power to bring about a spiritual revolution.” And that revolution is happening – one reader at a time.
It is interesting how this book brought many well-known figures into its fold and has uplifted them spiritually. For example, The Beatles, Virat Kholi, Film Star Rajinikanth, Pandit Ravi Shankar and our own Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ramnath Kovind are among those who have read and appreciated this book. Steve Jobs read this book “as a teenager, then re-read it every year.” Before his death, he had arranged that all those who came to attend his memorial service be given a gift. And that gift was a copy of the Autobiography of a Yogi!
On March 7, 2017, Sri Narendra Modi released a special stamp to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. On that occasion, referring to the Autobiography of a Yogi, Sri Modi said: “95% of the population of the world can read the book in their own mother tongue. What could be the reason for that person to feel like translating this book into his own mother tongue to make it available to others? It is the result of the experience of this spiritual consciousness that every person thinks he should share some ‘Prasad’ with others. When we go to a temple and receive even a little Prasad, we share little portions of this Prasad with as many people as possible once we return home. When we are continually distributing this book written by Yoganandai, we are experiencing an inner spiritual happiness.”
It is true that after it was first published in English in 1946, translations of this book in different languages kept being published over the years.
And today, this book has been translated into 15 Indian languages and 53 other languages spoken in different parts of the world. So much so that 95% of the population of the world can now read this book in their own mother tongue.
Not only in different languages, the book is now available in different formats also; as a printed book, as a digital eBook, and even as an audiobook.
In 2019, the Government of India decided to honour the 125th birth anniversary of Paramahansa Yoganandaji by initiating several projects to spread his message of Yoga all over India. One of these projects was to provide funding for the publication of the audiobook of five language editions of the book in Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu. These audiobooks are available for free download from www.yssofindia.org.
This book is not only read by those interested in spirituality and saints, but is also being used in many colleges and universities all over the world for such courses ranging from Eastern Philosophy and religion to English literature, psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, and even business management. It is obvious that the spiritual principles expounded in this book are finding a much wider application – not only to understand metaphysical concepts but also to answer day-to-day mundane problems of physical existence.
In addition, many spiritual organisations, even those not connected to the yogic tradition, recommend this book to their followers to introduce them to spirituality and the metaphysical realms.
Such has been the influence of this book that has the power to bring a spiritual revolution.
Today Autobiography of a Yogi is acclaimed as one of the most influential spiritual books in modern times. In 1999 it was selected as one of the “100 best spiritual books of the Century”by a panel of authors and scholars.
Inherent in the celebration of 75 years of this spiritual classic, is the victory of Truth over Untruth, of light over darkness, and of the immortal soul over the perishable body. And as years go by, this light of Truth will ignite the lamps of wisdom in the hearts of millions, and lead them on the path to immortality. The best way to celebrate this book is to read it. And if you have already read it, then reread it.
Worldwide Acclaim—Prominent people of the literary and press world have given their first impressions of this book, in the following words:
After the book was published, it received worldwide acclaim. Some of the reviews:
“There has been nothing before, written in English or any other language, like this presentation of Yoga.” — Columbia University Press
“Yogananda’s Autobiography is rather an autobiography of the soul than of the body.”
— Newsweek
"Autobiography of a Yogi is regarded as an Upanishad of the new age....It has satisfied the spiritual thirst of hundreds of thousands of truth-seekers throughout the world. We in India have watched with wonder and fascination the phenomenal spread of the popularity of this book about India's saints and philosophy. We have felt great satisfaction and pride that the immortal nectar of India's Sanatana Dharma, the eternal laws of truth, has been stored in the golden chalice of Autobiography of a Yogi."
—Dr. Ashutosh Das, M.A., Ph.D., D.Litt., Professor, Calcutta University
"Autobiography of a Yogi is justifiably celebrated as one of the most entertaining and enlightening spiritual books ever written."
—Tom Butler-Bowdon, Author, 50 Spiritual Classics: Timeless Wisdom from 50 Great Books of Inner Discovery, Enlightenment & Purpose
"Among the thousands of books that are published each year, there are those that entertain, those that instruct, those that edify. A reader can consider himself fortunate if he finds one that does all three. Autobiography of a Yogi is rarer still — it is a book that opens windows of the mind and spirit."— India Journal