Paramahansa Yogananda was a spiritual leader and author of the renowned book, Autobiography of a Yogi. Born in 1893 in Gorakhpur, India, he was named Mukunda Lal Ghosh by his parents. From a young age, Yogananda showed a deep interest in spirituality and would often spend hours meditating in nature.

At the age of 17, Yogananda met his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar, who would become his spiritual mentor and guide for the rest of his life. Under the guidance of his guru, Yogananda delved deeper into the teachings of yoga and meditation, and eventually became a monk in the monastic order of Swami Sri Yukteswar's guru, Lahiri Mahasaya.

In 1920, Yogananda was invited to the United States to participate in an International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston. This marked the beginning of his mission to spread the teachings of Kriya Yoga, a form of meditation and spiritual practice, to the Western world. He established the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in 1920, with the aim of helping individuals achieve inner peace and self-realization through the practice of yoga and meditation.

Yogananda's teachings were a blend of Eastern and Western philosophies, making them accessible to people from all walks of life. He emphasized the importance of balance between spiritual and material pursuits, and believed that one could achieve success and happiness in both aspects of life.

In 1946, Yogananda published his most famous work, Autobiography of a Yogi, which has been translated into over 50 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide. The book is a compilation of Yogananda's spiritual experiences and teachings, and has been hailed as a modern spiritual classic.

Yogananda's teachings and writings continue to inspire people around the world, and his legacy lives on through the Self-Realization Fellowship, which has branches in over 60 countries. He also established the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, which continues to spread his teachings in his home country.

Paramahansa Yogananda was a spiritual leader, teacher, and author who dedicated his life to spreading the message of peace, love, and self-realization. His teachings continue to impact people's lives and his legacy as a pioneer of yoga and meditation in the West remains strong.