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1954 – 5th edition

The Autobiography of a Yogi in SRF’s care

In late 1953 SRF bought the copyrights of the Autobiography of a Yogi, and from then on printed and sold it.

In this 5th edition one finds only a few changes. Still it is interesting to look at them: Since they are the very first ones made after Yogananda’s passing, they would presumably be on top of the list of changes desired by Yogananda. Surprisingly, one finds (comparison by hand, not computer) only four changes of footnotes (two deleted and two added), which are not all that earth-shaking: Concerning yoga postures, Yogananda’s school, and information about the Bhagavad Gita.

Apart from these four footnotes, one finds some other changes:

– Publisher’s note

This 5th edition carries a new publisher’s note. It mentions that SRF bought the rights to Yogananda’s autobiography; the passing of Yogananda and his phenomenal after-death state; Yogananda’s founding of SRF/YSS to spread kriya yoga world-wide; Rajasi Janakananda as the new president; and Yogananda’s remaining spiritual presence.

Editorial page

The Autobiography of a Yogi, as one reads, is still marching forward mightily to conquer the planet: By now it has reached the Arabic world: One finds Arabic added to the languages, as well as Portugese.

To the frontispiece one finds Yogananda’s dates of birth and death added.

– In Memoriam

The tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, “In Memoriam”, with which Yoganada had ended his book, is moved to the chapter on Gandhi.

The national flag, which was designed by Gandhi, bearing a spinning wheel, which symbolizes energy, is now deleted. (Maybe because there is already a long description of the flag of India in the book, and two Indian flags seemed excessive?)

Gandhi’s handwriting, too, is deleted, but reappears in the 6th edition.

– Illustrations

One finds 27 illustration changes: Photos cropped; moved; added to other photos; deleted photos; added photos.

Lahiri Mahasaya now appears with his chest dressed (a painting, even though Yogananda writes that his “photograph is reproduced in this book”). Lahiri’s original miraculous photo reappears in the SRF-1998 edition, with the explanation why the painting was used: Yogananda later designated it as the formal portrait of Lahiri for SRF publications; and that it hangs in Yogananda’s Mount Washington sitting room (once bare-chested, as one smilingly notes in the book “Paramahansa Yogananda- In Memoriam”. Only recently, and amusingly, that offending bare-belly-painting in Yogananda’s headquarters was finally replaced. Now, to the nun’s contentment, Lahiri is properly dressed.)

As a total sidelight to this study (please forgive): In earlier editions (1-4), a group photo with Yogananda could be seen. It also showed Tulsi Bose, who was Yogananda’s dearest boyhood friend. For Yogananda devotees, Tulsi’s house in Kolkata (Calcutta) alone makes a pilgrimage to India worthwhile: there you can meditate in the early satsang room (Swami Kebalananda used to come), where the young Yogananda levitated, meditate on a bed on which Yogananda slept, and hold items he used in your hands. It is only a short walk away from Yogananda’s boyhood home on 4 Garpar Road. Just ask there for directions.

Next chapter: 6th edition

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