Biography of a Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda and the Origins of Modern Yoga

94 Biography of a Yogi

rather than mystical. Indeed, young Sri Yukteswar never did hold much regard
for yogic superpowers:

Whenever he heard about some great yogi and his powers, he would

visit him. Naturally, he became curious about all yogis. But Priyanath

had the conviction that whatever he heard about the mystic powers of

certain yogis was not true. In most cases, he thought these were fantastic

stories and rumors spread by devotees who hoped to raise the status,

name and fame of their Master. Priyanath commented on several occa-

sions that the exhibition by a yogi of yogic powers “cut his figure short”

in society. He said, “It is true that even impossible things are made pos-

sible by the grace of the Lord through yogic powers, but it is not wise

to speak about these happenings or manifestations without fully under-

standing their deeper implications. To discuss these things emotionally

spoils the atmosphere of seriousness, which results in developing dis-

respect.” Priyanath repeatedly warned that one should not be tempted

by this cheap way of gaining popularity. Whenever he heard about the

extraordinary feats of some yogis, he decided to test their powers. He

would use all types of tests.^8

These “tests” included things such as hiding under the bed of a Yogi who was
purported to levitate at night. The Yogi never did become airborne, and Sri
Yukteswar, understandably bored, revealed himself by inquiring from underneath
the bed when this feat might finally transpire, at which point his presence was
blamed for the deficient quality of the Yogi’s samādhi that evening.
Aside from his myth- busting fascination with Yogis, in his early years Sri
Yukteswar is never described as possessing any extraordinary spiritual thirst. His
wife died due to illness, though it is not known in what year. Their only daughter
died a few years later, and Sri Yukteswar was left with no living blood relatives,
except his granddaughter, who was married soon thereafter, and his mother, with
whom he maintained a distant relationship. His introduction to Lahiri Mahasaya
appears to have been prompted by sheer curiosity, perhaps the same inclination
that had driven him to seek out Yogis in his younger days. Nevertheless, in 1883
he received Kriya Yoga initiation in Benares and acknowledged Lahiri Mahasaya
as his guru. Following this event, Sri Yukteswar is said to have traveled widely
to study with different masters and adepts. A  particularly memorable episode
recounted by him involved an observation of a particular “aboriginal Master’s”
sādhana that “required a fullmoon night to practice and spiritually dance in a
very secret way.”^9 Witnessing a group of male and female disciples gathered to
dance the rāsa līlā,^10 Sri Yukteswar was profoundly touched by the purity of their