Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) was founded more than one hundred years ago in 1917 by Paramahansa Yogananda. In 1920, he carried India's sacred, soul-liberating science of Raja Yoga to the West where, in Los Angeles, California (U.S.A.), he established the international headquarters of his work, Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF).

Paramahansa Yogananda founded YSS/SRF for the purpose of fostering a spirit of greater understanding and goodwill among the diverse peoples and religions of our global family by demonstrating the underlying unity of all humankind under the one God, and to provide peoples of all nations-irrespective of nationality, race, and religion-with definite scientific Raja Yoga techniques of meditation that lead to realization of one's full potential and the divinity of the human spirit. Now, more than ever, his far-reaching vision for the spiritual progress of humanity is recognized and reverenced by millions all over the world.

Regarded as the "father of Yoga in the West." Paramahansa Yogananda left an indelible impression on the spiritual landscape of the world. His YSS/SRF organization has made far-reaching contributions to the spread of the ancient science of yoga and meditation by creating a greater awareness and appreciation in the West of India's spiritual wisdom-introducing hundreds of thousands to the universally applicable methods of Kriya Yoga.

Among the tributes that have been paid to Paramahansa Yoganandaji over the years is the following from the late Shankaracharya of Kanchipuram, His Holiness Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati (1894-1994): "I met Paramahansa Yogananda in Calcutta in 1935. I have been following the accounts of his activities in America ever since. As a bright light shining in the midst of darkness, so was Yogananda's presence in this world. Such a great soul comes on earth only rarely, when there is a real need among men."

YSS/SRF is committed to disseminating among the nations a knowledge of definite scientific techniques for attaining direct personal experience of God; to revealing the complete harmony and basic oneness of the world's true religions; to liberating man from his threefold suffering: physical disease, mental inharmonies, and spiritual ignorance; to helping humanity overcome evil by good, sorrow by joy, cruelty by kindness, and ignorance by wisdom; to advocating cultural and spiritual understanding between East and West; and to serving humankind as one's larger Self.

It is my privilege and joy to present to you this pictorial history, which gives highlights of Paramahansa Yogananda's life and work.