Hagiography of a Yogi 165
personal sādhana that occasionally reached beyond the limits of social sanctions.
However, not all of his efforts were similarly self- guided. During these years,
Yogananda also sought out a number of well- known Yogis— whether as part of
his search of a spiritual guru, or to satisfy a curiosity with superhuman powers, or
most likely a good measure of both. The chapters that separate the death of his
mother from his first meeting with Sri Yukteswar are among the most colorful—
and for this reason the most popular— of the book, cataloguing a diverse roster of
Yogis and their various talents.
Having miraculously obtained his high school diploma, Yogananda even-
tually resolves to leave home to devote himself fully to his search. However, he
quickly finds himself alienated by the service- driven life of the Benares ashram to
which he escapes. As his relationship with his fellow inmates continues to degen-
erate, he discovers that the silver amulet bequeathed to him by his mother has
disappeared, as it was foretold to do once its purpose had been accomplished.
Thoroughly despondent, Yogananda locks himself in the attic to sob and pray
until some answer is granted. After several hours, a divine female voice informs
him that his guru is to arrive this very day, so when a young monk calls him down
to accompany him on an errand, Yogananda obediently ventures out. His hopes
are finally fulfilled at the marketplace, where he spots a Swami who inspires in
him a wave of preternatural recognition. Unsure, Yogananda walks on only to
feel himself magnetically drawn back to the stranger as his feet literally begin to
disobey him. They recognize each other immediately: “Gurudeva!” Yogananda
exclaims— “O my own, you have come to me!” returns Sri Yukteswar.^27
Yogananda’s search appears to have found its consummation. Guru and dis-
ciple exchange vows of unconditional love. Then, to Yogananda’s dismay, Sri
Yukteswar instructs him to return home to Calcutta and declares that he will see
Yogananda again in four weeks at his ashram in Serampore. As quickly as it was
bestowed, the guru’s affection is seemingly withdrawn as he tells Yogananda:
Now I have told my eternal affection, and have shown my happiness at
finding you— that is why you disregard my request. The next time we meet,
you will have to reawaken my interest: I won’t accept you as a disciple eas-
ily. There must be complete surrender by obedience to my strict training.^28Obstinate, Yogananda ignores Sri Yukteswar’s instructions to return to Calcutta
and instead returns to his residence to suffer three more weeks of hostility from
the residents of the ashram. He finally resolves to leave, paying a visit to his eldest
brother and the Taj Mahal in Agra and taking a short detour to Vrindavan, before
finally arriving at Sri Yukteswar’s ashram in Serampore exactly four weeks after
their first meeting.