Paramahansa Yogananda Family Tree: The Story Behind Autobiography of a Yogi

Mukunda Lal Ghosh, known as Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952), born 5 January 1893 in Gorakhpur, United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh), India, and died 7 March 1952 in Los Angeles, California, USA, was an Indian Hindu yogi who introduced yoga and meditation to the American West — founded Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) 1920 and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India 1917; author of Autobiography of a Yogi (1946) — sold 4M+ copies in 50+ languages; taught Kriya Yoga; first Indian to be officially received by a US President (Coolidge 1927).

The Family's Roots: A Bengali Kayastha Family

The Ghosh family is Bengali Kayastha — highly educated caste; father worked for Bengal-Nagpur Railway.

His Parents

Father: Bhagabati Charan Ghosh (d. 1942) — Bengal-Nagpur Railway Vice President.

Mother: Gyana Prabha Ghosh (d. 1904) — Yogananda's mother; died when he was 11.

His Siblings (8 total; Yogananda was 4th)

Ananta Lal Ghosh — elder brother.

Uma Ghosh — elder sister.

Roma Ghosh — elder sister.

Bishnu Charan Ghosh, b. 1903 — younger brother; legendary physical culturist/bodybuilder; teacher of Bikram Choudhury.

Nalini Ghosh — younger sister.

Sananda Lal Ghosh — younger brother; SRF monk.

Thamu Ghosh — younger sister.

The Yogananda Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Bhagabati Charan Ghosh (d. 1942) — Railway VP.

Mother: Gyana Prabha Ghosh (d. 1904).

Siblings: Ananta; Roma; Uma; Bishnu Charan (b. 1903); Nalini; Sananda Lal; Thamu.

Marital Status: Celibate monk; no children.

Paramahansa Yogananda:

  • Born 5 January 1893, Gorakhpur
  • Family in various railway postings; educated in Calcutta
  • Guru: Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri (1910) — himself a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya
  • Ordained monk: 1915 (in Puri, Swami Yukteswar's ashram)
  • Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) founded: 1917 (Ranchi)
  • Traveled to US: 1920 (invited to International Congress of Religious Liberals, Boston)
  • Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) founded: 1920
  • Mount Washington estate (LA): from 1925 — SRF HQ
  • First Indian to be received at White House: 1927 (Coolidge)
  • Autobiography of a Yogi published: 1946
  • Died: 7 March 1952, LA — spoke his final words at a Biltmore Hotel banquet honoring Ambassador Binay Ranjan Sen

What the Yogananda Family Story Teaches Us

A Bengal-Nagpur Railway VP father. A mother lost when Yogananda was 11. 7 siblings — including a legendary Indian bodybuilder brother. Celibate life dedicated to spiritual mission. A book (Autobiography of a Yogi) that has sold 4M+ copies globally.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Yogananda story carries the same lesson. Some careers cross Gorakhpur to Los Angeles and open a new spiritual bridge between India and the West.

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