Swami Yogananda (Yogin Maharaj)
Encyclopedia
Swami Yogananda was a direct monastic disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the 19th century saint and mystic, although he took his formal initiation from Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi , born Saradamani Mukhopadhyaya , was the wife and spiritual counterpart of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a nineteenth century mystic of Bengal. Sarada Devi is also reverentially addressed as the Holy Mother by the followers of the Ramakrishna monastic order...

, the holy mother of Ramakrishna Order
Ramakrishna Order
The Ramakrishna Order is the monastic organization founded by Sri Ramakrishna and his disciple Swami Vivekananda. It encompasses the twin organizations Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, both headquartered at Belur Math near Kolkata, India....

 and spiritual consort of Ramakrishna. He was the first vice president of Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are twin organizations which form the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as Ramakrishna Movement or Vedanta Movement. The Ramakrishna Mission is a philanthropic, volunteer organization founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on...

. He belonged to the family of Sabarna Roy Choudhury
Sabarna Roy Choudhury
Sabarna Ray Chaudhury family were the Zamindar of the Kolkata area, prior to the arrival of the British. On November 10, 1698, they transferred, by lease, their rights over the three villages – Sutanuti, Kalikata and Gobindapur - to the East India Company...

, an aristocratic family of erstwhile Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...

. He had a short life but he played a very important role during the formative years of Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are twin organizations which form the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as Ramakrishna Movement or Vedanta Movement. The Ramakrishna Mission is a philanthropic, volunteer organization founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on...

. He was also a dedicated and devoted attendant to Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi , born Saradamani Mukhopadhyaya , was the wife and spiritual counterpart of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a nineteenth century mystic of Bengal. Sarada Devi is also reverentially addressed as the Holy Mother by the followers of the Ramakrishna monastic order...

 during her stay in Calcutta after Sri Ramakrishna's death. He was one of the disciples whom Sri Ramakrishna referred to as "Iswarakoti" or the "ever perfect soul" Monastic Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna

Pre Monastic Life

Yogindranath Roy Choudhury was the eldest son of Navin Chandra Choudhury and was born near Dakshineswar
Dakshineswar
Dakshineswar is a town in Barrackpore subdivision of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal.-History:In 1847, Rani Rashmoni of Bengal began the construction of the famous Dakshineswar Kali Temple. Rani, who was a rich and pious widow of colonial Bengal had a divine revelation ordering her to...

 village on 30th March, 1861. Navin Chandra was a poor descendant of the local aristocrat Sabarna Roy Choudhury
Sabarna Roy Choudhury
Sabarna Ray Chaudhury family were the Zamindar of the Kolkata area, prior to the arrival of the British. On November 10, 1698, they transferred, by lease, their rights over the three villages – Sutanuti, Kalikata and Gobindapur - to the East India Company...

 family, the family which once owned the present metropolis of Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...

 and its adjoins. Savarna Roy Choudhuri
Yogindranath was contemplative in nature from his childhood.He was simple in his habit and did not hanker after any luxury. He spent much of his time in meditation and worship. The disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, publisher Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, page 108
Yogin met Sri Ramakrishna when he was seventeen years of age. He was then studying for his school leaving examination. Sri Ramakrishna recognized the spiritual potentiality of Yogin and asked him to come more often which impacted his studies and made his parents, who had high aspirations about him, concerned. In order to financially help his parents he went to Kanpur in search of job as one of his relatives stayed there. However he was unsuccessful in getting employment and instead devoted his time to a contemplative life. He shunned the company of people. Therefore his parents decided to marry him off, in order that he might resume the life of a householder and take more responsibility. Ibid. page 111

Influence of Sri Ramakrishna

After his marriage Yogin met Sri Ramakrishna again when the later called him and he once again began to frequent Dakshineswar
Dakshineswar
Dakshineswar is a town in Barrackpore subdivision of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal.-History:In 1847, Rani Rashmoni of Bengal began the construction of the famous Dakshineswar Kali Temple. Rani, who was a rich and pious widow of colonial Bengal had a divine revelation ordering her to...

 to further his spiritual aspirations. Even after his marriage Yogin was indifferent to worldly affairs and hence that became the prime focus of the teaching of Sri Ramakrishna towards him. Once when Yogin bought a faulty cooking pan from market by trusting the shopkeeper, he was severely reprimanded by his master. Another time Sri Ramakrishna rebuked him when he heard that Yogin had not protested against a group of fellow passengers on a boat when they maligned Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Ramakrishna Leela Prasanga, by Swami Saradananda, volume 2, Udbodhan publishers On another occasion he asked Yogin to return the goods bought from a shop which had given him lesser quantity. This was a part of Sri Ramakrishna's method to develop his disciples holistically, as he often said, A man may aspire to be religious, but he need not be a fool The disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, publisher Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, page 114
Yogin also tested Sri Ramakrishna in his own way as he was critical and analytical in nature but every time he was proved wrong and these incidents finally established his unwaivering faith on his master. Ibid. page 116 Afterwards when Sri Ramakrishna was ill, he was one of the regular attendants by his bedside.

Influence of Sarada Devi

After the passing away of Sri Ramakrishna, Yogin accompanied the widow Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi , born Saradamani Mukhopadhyaya , was the wife and spiritual counterpart of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a nineteenth century mystic of Bengal. Sarada Devi is also reverentially addressed as the Holy Mother by the followers of the Ramakrishna monastic order...

, the holy mother and spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna, to Vrindaban. There he was initiated by her in Kalababu's Kunja, an ashrama established by Balaram Bose
Balaram Bose
Balaram Bose was one of the prominent householder disciples of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He was the son of Radhamohan Bose. He is often referred in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. Ramakrishna often visited his house and participated in Kirtana and other devotional functions...

, a householder devotee of Sri Ramakrishna, and thus he became the first disciple of Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi , born Saradamani Mukhopadhyaya , was the wife and spiritual counterpart of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a nineteenth century mystic of Bengal. Sarada Devi is also reverentially addressed as the Holy Mother by the followers of the Ramakrishna monastic order...

. After coming back to Bengal he became an attendant to the holy mother and her women disciples including Yogin Ma
Yogin Ma
Yogindra Mohini Biswas or Yogin Ma as she was popularly called, was a foremost woman disciple of Sri Sarada Devi, holy mother of the Ramakrishna order and the spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna....

 and Golap Ma. He accompanied Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi , born Saradamani Mukhopadhyaya , was the wife and spiritual counterpart of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a nineteenth century mystic of Bengal. Sarada Devi is also reverentially addressed as the Holy Mother by the followers of the Ramakrishna monastic order...

 to Puri
Puri
Puri is district headquarter, a city situated about south of state capital Bhubaneswar, on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal in the Indian state of Orissa. It is also known as Jagannath Puri after the Jagannath Temple . It is a holy city of the Hindus as a part of the Char Dham pilgrimages...

 along with Swami Brahmananda and looked after her when she stayed in various places in Calcutta, from 1888 to 1899. Sarada Devi used to call her affectionately as "Chhele Yogen" or the "boy Yogen". Gospel of the Holy Mother

Monastic Life

Yogin took the monastic vow along with his other brother disciples under the leadership of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...

 in 1887, and took the name Swami Yogananda ( Yoga - communion (with God), ananda - bliss), signifying his love for contemplation and meditation. He travelled to Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...

 in 1891 and stayed in a solitary gareden house, living an austere life. His 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. The disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, published by Advaita Ashram, Mayawati, page 119 He was at this stage permanently sick, suffering from stomach related ailments. He stayed in the house of Balaram Bose
Balaram Bose
Balaram Bose was one of the prominent householder disciples of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He was the son of Radhamohan Bose. He is often referred in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. Ramakrishna often visited his house and participated in Kirtana and other devotional functions...

, a householder devotee, and he was engaged to serve the holy mother devoutedly when she was staying in the same house in Calcutta. At this stage he inducted quite a few young men to the Ramakrishna order and attracted many others to the ideology.

Activities and Organizational Skills

Swami Yogananda was the first to organize the public celebration of Sri Ramakrishna's birthday anniversary on a large scale in Dakshineswar
Dakshineswar
Dakshineswar is a town in Barrackpore subdivision of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal.-History:In 1847, Rani Rashmoni of Bengal began the construction of the famous Dakshineswar Kali Temple. Rani, who was a rich and pious widow of colonial Bengal had a divine revelation ordering her to...

 temple premises. Swami Yogananda was also instrumental in providing a grand reception to Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...

 when he returned to Calcutta in 1897. On both occasions he influenced many young men and organized and coordinated the activities. Ibid., page 120
Swami Yogananda was elected as the vice president of the Ramakrishna Mission upon its formation in 1897 and he successfully steered the organization through its formative years. In 1898 Swami Yogananda organized the birthday anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna in the newly formed Belur Math
Belur Math
' or Belur Mutt is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda, a chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. It is located on the west bank of Hooghly River, Belur, West Bengal, India and is one of the significant institutions in Calcutta...

. He served as the office bearer till his death in 1899.

Death

Swami Yogananda passed away on 28th March, 1899 after prolonged illness. He was the first to pass away among the direct monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna and Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi , born Saradamani Mukhopadhyaya , was the wife and spiritual counterpart of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a nineteenth century mystic of Bengal. Sarada Devi is also reverentially addressed as the Holy Mother by the followers of the Ramakrishna monastic order...

. Sister Nivedita
Sister Nivedita
- A benediction to Sister Nivedita by Swami Vivekananda Sister Nivedita ; ; , born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble, was a Scots-Irish social worker, author, teacher and disciple of Swami Vivekananda. She met Vivekananda in 1895 in London and travelled to Calcutta, India in 1898...

 was one of the witnesses to his death and she had described the moments of his passing away in one of her letters to Josephine Macleod. During his last days he was nursed by Yogin Ma
Yogin Ma
Yogindra Mohini Biswas or Yogin Ma as she was popularly called, was a foremost woman disciple of Sri Sarada Devi, holy mother of the Ramakrishna order and the spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna....

 and his death affected Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi , born Saradamani Mukhopadhyaya , was the wife and spiritual counterpart of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a nineteenth century mystic of Bengal. Sarada Devi is also reverentially addressed as the Holy Mother by the followers of the Ramakrishna monastic order...

.

Character and Legacy

Yogin Maharaj, although he was soft spoken and gentle, was strong and independent minded. He was often direct with his criticisms and in this matter he did not even spare Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...

. When the latter introduced the ideology of selfless philanthropic work, Swami Yogananda objected to the concept because according to him it was not in tune with the idelogy put forward by Sri Ramakrishna. His contention was that the energy of a monk should be spent wholly for the persual of spiritual practices. Swami Yogananda, RMIC However he had a deep bond of love and respect for his leader and hence these incidents never became a bone of contention. He had a very strong respect and admiration for Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi
Sarada Devi , born Saradamani Mukhopadhyaya , was the wife and spiritual counterpart of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a nineteenth century mystic of Bengal. Sarada Devi is also reverentially addressed as the Holy Mother by the followers of the Ramakrishna monastic order...

 whom he served devotedly whenever she was in Calcutta. Despite his preference for a contemplative life, he had great organizational skills. Thus he formed a deep impression on many young generation monks of the Ramakrishna order.

See also

  • Swami Advaitananda (Buro Gopal)
    Swami Advaitananda (Buro Gopal)
    Swami Advaitananda, one of the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, the mystic saint from Bengal in late nineteenth century, was also known as Buro Gopal or the aged Gopal. He was senior to Sri Ramakrishna in age and took monastic vows at an advanced age...

  • Swami Turiyananda (Hari Maharaj)
    Swami Turiyananda (Hari Maharaj)
    You are Hari-das, the servant of Hari . Is it possible for you to exist without remembering the Lord? -- Sri Ramakrishna to HarinathHe is a Yogi according to the Gita -- Sri Ramakrishna...

  • Swami Ramakrishnananda
    Swami Ramakrishnananda
    Swami Ramakrishnananda is one of 16 apostles or direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna* Pre-monastic name : Shashi Bhushan Chakravarty* Date of Birth : 13 July 1863* Place of Birth : Ichapur in Hooghly district, West Bengal...

  • Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj)
    Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj)
    Swami Saradananda, born as Sarat Chandra Chakravarty in 1865, was one of the direct monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna and was the first Secretary of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, a post which he held till his death in 1927...

  • Swami Adbhutananda
    Swami Adbhutananda
    Swami Adbhutananda , born Rakhturam, was a direct monastic disciple of Ramakrishna, a mystic of nineteenth century Bengal. He is familiarly known as Latu Maharaj among the followers of Ramakrishna. Swami Adbhutananda was the first monastic disciple to come to Ramakrishna...

  • Swami Brahmananda
  • Swami Niranjananda (Niranjan Maharaj)
  • Swami Abhedananda
    Swami Abhedananda
    Swami Abhedananda was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, who Swami Vivekananda sent to the West to head the Vedanta Society, New York in 1897, and spread the message of Vedanta, a theme on which he authored several books through his life, and subsequently founded the Ramakrishna Vedanta Math,...

  • Swami Vijnanananda
  • Swami Subodhananda
    Swami Subodhananda
    Swami Subodhananda , born as Subodh Chandra Ghosh, was a direct monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the 19th century saint and mystic from India. Being youngest of all direct monastic disciples, he was affectionately known by his brother monks, whose leader was Swami Vivekananda, as "Khoka"...

  • Swami Nirmalananda
    Swami Nirmalananda
    Swami Nirmalananda, born as Tulasi Charan Dutta in Calcutta, was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the 19th century mystic and saint from India, and Swami Vivekananda, the great philosopher monk from India who established the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission...

  • Baburam Maharaj (Swami Premananda)
    Baburam Maharaj (Swami Premananda)
    Baburam Maharaj was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the 19th century saint and mystic from Bengal, India. He was born in Antpur in the Hoogly district of Bengal in the year 1861. Baburam, as he was called in his pre monastic days, was also related to Balaram Bose, a leading householder...

  • Swami Akhandananda
  • Swami Trigunatitananda
    Swami Trigunatitananda
    Swami Trigunatitananda, premonastic name Sarada Prasanna Mitra, was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the 19th century Indian mystic and saint. He established the monthly Bengali magazine Udbodhan of Ramakrishna Math and later at the behest of Swami Vivekananda, he went to America in 1902 and...

  • Swami Shivananda
  • Swami Vijnanananda

External links

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