Yukteswar giri biography books

Indian yogi and guru

Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri (also written Sriyuktesvara, Sri Yukteshwar) (Devanagari: श्रीयुक्तेश्वर गिरि) (10 May 1855 – 9 March 1936) is the monastic name of Priya Nath Karar (also spelled as Priya Nath Karada^[1] and Preonath Karar^[2]), an Indian monk and yogi, and the guru of Paramahansa Yogananda and Swami Satyananda Giri.

Born in Serampore, West Bengal, Sri Yukteswar was a Kriya yogi, a Jyotishi (Vedic astrologer), a scholar of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, an educator, author, and astronomer.^[3] He was a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya of Varanasi and a member of the Giri branch of the Swami order.

As a guru, he had two ashrams, one in Serampore and another in Puri, Odisha, between which he alternated his residence throughout the year as he trained disciples.^[4]

Described by Tibetologist W.Y. Evans-Wentz as being "of gentle mien and voice, of pleasing presence," and with "