Some Further Changes
In the 6th edition one finds that the changes are increasing.
As an observation: Some editions of the Autobiography of a Yogi mention their changes in the publisher’s note, while others don’t: The 3rd and 7th editions contain such references; the 5th, 6th and 8th do not.
Also without mention, one observes changes in the 6th edition: About 31 text and footnote changes- nothing of great impact.
The last chapter is quite condensed: 4.5 pages in it are reduced to 1.5 page (mostly the scenic description of Lake Shrine, the “India Hall”, and Yogananda’s varied activities).
Some fun and interesting points are:
-Yogananda’s Gold Medal for humanitarian activities:
Members (before this 6th edition) were encouraged not “to isolate themselves from the community, but to lead balanced lives of meditation AND constructive outer activities.”
Interestingly, Yogananda had “SRF Gold Medals Awards for Services to Humanity”, which were given annually as rewards to humanitarians in the fields of religion, art, science, and public service. During the opening ceremonies of India House, in 1951, he presented eight of these Gold Medals. The Gold Medals displayed the symbols of “a Cross, a five-pointed star with the eye of wisdom in the center, and a lotus- its roots in the mire and its crown in the sun, a symbol of ascent from mortality to Godhood.”
– Charitable gift shops and a Welfare Fund
In the editions 3-5 one could read about welfare SRF gift shops: Renunciates sold donations made by members and friends of SRF. The proceeds of this activity were “wholly used for charitable purposes”.
There even was a “SRF Welfare Fund” to which the renunciates (receiving no salaries) donated “all gratuities”. Food, so one reads, was in this way provided “to children in India and Europe”.
– A founder
-It is interesting to read (before 1955) that Yogananda referred to Swami Premananda as “the founder of the SRF Church in Washington, D.C.”
In 1946 Yogananda even wrote: “…during a visit to his (Premananda’s) new temple,…”
This could lead to an interesting discussion: How much did Yogananda bestow authority and freedom to his various leaders (as indicated by the above words), and how much did he work with a strong hand of control?
– Yoga Asanas
During the opening ceremonies of Lake Shrine, in 1951, “the audience then witnessed a remarkable demonstration of SRF boys of scientific asanas (postures) for health of body and mind”. The asanas ended in 1955. (Also the sweet word “boys” which Yogananda sometimes used for his monks.)
-Poetry
-Two of Yogananda’s poems were deleted from this edition: “God, God, God”, and “The Soundless Roar” (the AUM-poem), which Yogananda had added to the 3rd edition.
Written lessons
Added to the last chapter were three paragraphs which explain that in the Atomic Age yoga should be taught by written lessons, such as the SRF lessons, or else the knowledge will be restricted to a chosen few. Hundreds of thousands of Kriya yogis are necessary to bring about a world of peace. And Babaji promised that he will guide all sincere Kriya yogis.
– Publisher’s note
– A new publisher’s note was printed. It adds the death of “Rajasi Janakananda”, and mentions the new president, Sister Daya.
Rajarsi, or “St. Lynn”
It broke Yogananda’s heart, so he told, that he couldn’t name his beloved disciple Rajarsi specifically in his Autobiography of a Yogi, because of business reasons. Now Rajarsi is finally mentioned with his name.
– Illustrations
28 photo changes were made (deleting, adding, cropping, other page). In this edition, Sister Daya’s photo appears, as the new SRF president. So does Rajarsi (spelled “Rajasi”) Janakananda’s photo.
– “Books by Paramhansa Yogananda”
is added, listing the Master’s various books. It lists, under “Other Books”, also “Stories of Mukunda”, which was written by Swami Kriyananda. (This entry was taken out for the 9th edition, in 1968). Other books sold were the Bhagavad Gita translation by Edwin Arnold, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and a yoga posture book, “Yoga and Health”.
– The SRF “Aims and Ideals”
They appear for the first time in this edition.
– The line of Gurus of Self-Realization Fellowship
The line now appears at the end of the book, with an explanation of how to pronounce their names: Five Gurus (without Krishna) were part of the guru-line.
The first Autobiography of a Yogi to mention Krishna as part of the guru-line is the 12th edition, which was printed in 1988. Editions 6-11 explain the line as consisting of five gurus.
Here, for fun, is an early SRF travel altar:
Next chapter: 7th edition