Hare Krishna Ghosh, the only living son of Paramhansa Yogananda’s brother, Sananda Lal Ghosh, was born in Calcutta at 4 Garpar Road, where Yogananda lived from the time he was 12 until he met his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar. After ten years of training in his guru’s hermitage, Yogananda left India for America in 1920 to begin his life’s mission: demonstrating to truth seekers around the world the essential oneness of the religions of East and West.
In 1935 Yogananda returned to India to be reunited for a time with his guru, his beloved father and other family members, and his friends and disciples. It was during this visit that Hare Krishna, age 15, met him for the first time. That meeting, and the subsequent months spent with the master, changed Hare Krishna’s life forever.
We met Hare Krishna and his wife, Anjali, on our first pilgrimage to India in 1986, when they graciously hosted us in their home. It was our pleasure then also to meet their son, Somnath, and their daughter, Papia, both of whom are married and have children of their own. On first entering the house where our guru lived and where, he later stated, “I found God,” we could feel his vibrations everywhere – as a small boy running up and down the staircases, laughing and playing pranks on his sisters and brothers; as a young man diving deeper and deeper into God-communion; as an avatar for this age.
For any of you who find yourselves longing to go to India to experience Yogananda’s presence there, we highly recommend that you go to Hare Krishna’s home at 4 Garpar Road. Their doors are always open: for meditating in Yogananda’s attic room, talking with the family, or just quietly soaking in the spiritual vibrations that are felt throughout the house.
In the following pages Hare Krishna has very beautifully described many of his experiences with Yogananda, in his unique relationship to him as uncle and guru. We hope that you will find the same inspiration and joy we have felt in reading these glimpses into Yogananda’s life, and into the deep effect he had on all those around him.
—Durga and Vidura Smallen
Ananda World Brotherhood Village
September 1, 1995
Dedication
I dedicate this book to my beloved wife and divine friend Anjali Ghosh, who left her body September 12, 1995, just as the book was going to print. She is with Guruji now as he has always been in her heart.
—Hare Krishna Ghosh