Yukteswar

Sri Yukteswar Giri, commonly known as Sri Yukteswar, was an Indian yogi and teacher who played a significant role in the modern revival and transmission of Kriya Yoga. Born Priya Nath Karar in 1855 in Serampore, Bengal Presidency (present-day West Bengal), he pursued study in Sanskrit and traditional sciences and embraced a spiritual path from an early age.

Yukteswar became a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, a central figure in the revival of Kriya Yoga in 19th-century India. He established a lasting ashram tradition and dedicated himself to rigorous spiritual practice, meditation, and discipline. His approach combined ascetic discipline with scholarly study of philosophy, scripture, and cosmology.

Among his literary contributions, The Holy Science (1894) is his best-known work. It presents a synthesis of Hindu and Christian thought, aiming to show the unity of science and religion. The text explores cosmic cycles, spiritual evolution, and practical methods for self-realization, reflecting Yukteswar’s interest in reconciling esoteric wisdom with rational inquiry.

Yukteswar is widely remembered as the guru and mentor of Paramahansa Yogananda, who later popularized yoga in the West. In Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi, Yukteswar is portrayed as a strict but compassionate teacher who imparted Kriya Yoga initiation and spiritual guidance that influenced generations of seekers.

He died in 1936, leaving a legacy that helped shape the modern understanding and transmission of Kriya Yoga and the broader yoga tradition. His teachings continue to be studied by students of yoga and spiritual philosophy.