At the Feet of the Lion of Bengal
Sep 26, 2025Among the sacred sites in store for us in our upcoming pilgrimage to India will be the opportunity to visit Sri Yukteswar’s Maha Mandal in Puri and the chance to walk where Paramhansa Yogananda once walked with his Guru in both Puri and Serampore ashrams where he received his spiritual training from this great Gyanavatar.
After the passing of his wife, Sri Yukteswar whom was a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, joined the swami order and converted his ancestral mansion in Serampore into a hermitage and later expanded into Puri. It was in these ashrams that the bond of guru and disciple was tested, deepened, and illumined in the light of divine truth, cutting through delusion and awakening Master to the higher truths of spirit, leaving no spared detail in preparing him for his life’s mission in the West.
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"Softer than the flower where kindness is concerned; stronger than thunder where principles are at stake."-Paramhansa Yogananda
Master often recounted that while Sri Yukteswar’s training was sometimes difficult to endure, there were also moments of deep joy, lovingly recalling evenings when Sri Yukteswar would soften with divine sweetness as he spoke of God, filling the atmosphere with a sacred peace and stillness, uplifting the disciples “beyond time and space.”
Visiting these sacred ashrams is an invitation to inwardly sit at the feet of the Guru, tuning in to his stillness and silent guidance. These Masters are not bound by time, their blessings remain ever present, radiating outward for those open to receive, allowing us to attune ourselves to Sri Yukteswar’s divine light, wisdom, and strength, renewing our own strength and dedication to our ray of light.
Sincerly,
Ananda LA Team
