Mejda: The Family and the Early Life of Paramahansa Yogananda [Hardcover]

Sananda Lal Ghosh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1980

Mejda is a delightful and absorbing life portrait of this beloved world teacher. Written from the author's unique perspective as the younger brother of Paramahansa Yogananda, whom he affectionately called Mejda - the Bengali term for one's second eldest brother - it provides an intimate account of the early years of one of the great spiritual leaders of our time. For the millions of readers whose lives have been touched by Yogananda's spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, this book can open a new window on his astonishing life.

Relating many previously unpublished stories, this fascinating biography presents a fresh view of numerous incidents recounted in Autobiography of a Yogi. As Sananda Lal Ghosh explains, Paramahansaji was naturally reticent about referring to his own spiritual attainments when writing his autobiography. Mejda offers a vivid, firsthand chronicle of his remarkable years in India.

From this engrossing narrative a new portrait emerges of "the Father of Yoga in the West" - a radiant spiritual personality whose life was an inspiring testament to the ageless truth and vitality of India's universal science of God-realization.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sananda Lal Ghosh (1898 - 1979) was the brother and childhood companion of Paramahansa Yogananda. His deep religious interests and creative spirit found many-sided expression as an artist, photographer, mechanic, architect, musician, and finally as an author. In the late 1950s he painted a portrait of the famous Nobel-prizewinning poet, Rabindranath Tagore, which received worldwide acclaim. Over the years he produced hundreds, perhaps thousands, of photo-portraits of his revered brother for disciples throughout the world. In the same tireless spirit of dedication he worked on the manuscript of this book, which was completed shortly before his passing in 1979.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: Self-Realization Fellowship (December 1, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876122659
• ISBN-13: 978-0876122655
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Simply Could Not put this book down! Fascinating!, August 5, 2001

By 

Frater V "The Truth is Absolutely Not Absolut... (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mejda: The Family and the Early Life of Paramahansa Yogananda (Hardcover)

I found this book to be very Enlightening, due to the fact that I have always been taught that Yoga and "Eastern Philosophy" are Negative in nature, in the Spiritual sense. However, I have always Admired great men like Gandhi and Deepak Chopra.

I have felt, for a long while, a strong desire to understand the Philosophy of Gandhi & Deepak Chopra. Recently, the opportunity arose for me to begin practicing Yoga & work my way up to Kriya. So, as with all things, I wanted to read back-ground information. The wonderful Kriya gentleman I met sent me this book and I devoured it in two days--despite all the foreign words and names, which I wanted to ingest fully and not skim-over. This gentleman also strongly recommended "Autobiography of a Yogi," by Paramahansa Yogananda--which I have ordered from Amazon.com.

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of "Autobiography....." because this story Captivated me! I felt very in-tune with the young "Mejda" who evolved into a great Yogi, who spread the Light of Yoga teachings to the West.

I know, from studying occult works, that Yoga & Eastern Philosophy was not always well-accepted in America. However, "Mejda" did a wonderful job of Educating Americans and set-up 70 Yoga centers in the world. He must have been an Amazing man.

I am very-much looking forward to my journey in Yoga & I strongly recommend these books to anyone involved with Yoga & Eastern thought. I am beginning to understand Hinduism.

This book is very well-written and you will find yourself glued to it. My eyes were riveted to the pages, until I finished reading the last page.

I am ever-indebted to the gentleman who sent me this book, for opening my eyes to the Wisdom of Yoga. I recently discovered that the West's early antagonism against Yoga came strictly from personal animosity against people like Mdme. Blavatsky, by other organizations. I have concluded that the Negative attitudes toward Yoga and Eastern thought, by Westeners is due to Ignorance of the truth--not any valid argument against the system of thought.

Make sure you buy the Autobiography, because this story is one you will not want to end !

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GLIMPSES OF THE SACRED FAMILY..., July 5, 1998

By 

Fred Parente (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mejda: The Family and the Early Life of Paramahansa Yogananda (Hardcover)

"MEJDA" is a most fascinating study of the early life and experiences of one of the world's great modern prophets. We are so often at a loss to know the many intimate and amazing details about these sacred lives. This unique biography not only gives us inspirational insights on Yogananda's formative years, but also serves as a major study of how this great yogi so intently, lovingly, and single-mindedly sought Self-Realization as a youth. It clearly demonstrates the subtle influence of the divine in our lives. Leaving little doubt as to the authenticity and timeliness of His divine mission, which is being substantiated by it's great success and influence in the spirirtual lives of so many persons.

The author, a sibling of Yogananda, stands as one of many witnessess to the many miraculous happenings through the Masters outstanding life's work. This testimony should be read by anyone who may find the amazing encounters and stories in the classic "AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI" difficult to believe. Paramahansa Yogananda established the Self-Realization Fellowship to be the Authorized publisher of His writings and the teacher of Babaji's sacred Kriya Yoga.

Contents: Father's Humble Beginnings......Mejda's Birth and Boyhood in Gorakpur......Mejda at Lahore.......Our Mother.......Family Life after Mothers Death......Our Days in Bareilly......Early Years in Calcutta......Mejda Explores the Realms of Mind and Spirit.......Mejda's Guru and College Years......Sannyas and a Worldwide Mission......Return to India........The Last Years and an Ongoing Mission.......Biographical Notes....

Also Recommended: In The Sanctary of the Soul.......Only Love...........Finding the Joy Within You......The Divine Romance.......Man's Eternal Quest.....The Scienc of religion....Journey to Self-Realization..etc.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ON THE CUTTING EDGE..., April 30, 2000

By 

Bill Butler "Bill Butler" (Tarzana, Ca. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mejda: The Family and the Early Life of Paramahansa Yogananda (Hardcover)

This is a biography of Yogananda by one of his youngest brothers. Don't expect Yogananda to be like he was in his autobiography. I would advise you to please read the autobiography first. Mukunda (Yogananda) could be trying, to say the least. All this energy would culminate in his Worldwide Mission to bring yoga to the entire world. But let us face facts. He did have a temper in the early days. He would spend time in graveyards practicing tantric yoga! This brought a lot of dismay to his father who had to take a firm but gentle hand with him. He would frequently hypnotize the author until his father finally put a stop to it. Yes, he was a tiger. But a benevolent one. He was determined to find God as described in his classic autobiography. But I don't think he was ever secure until he found his Guru, Sri Yukteswar. This work also corresponds with the biography. In that work, a chapter is written on how Yogananda simply insisted on going to the Himalayas despite his

Guru's admonitions. So this biography simply highlights this man's life from an outsider's view. It is a very wonderful book about a simply wonderful man. But read the autobiography first in order not to get any false notions.