Mejda: The Family and the Early Life of Paramahansa Yogananda

by Sananda Lal Ghosh

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 Relating many previously unpublished stories, this fascinating biography presents a fresh view of numerous incidents recounted in Autobiography of a Yogi .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.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction

328 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1980

Reviews

[Marina Quattrocchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have read "Autobiography of a Yogi" and believed as Steve Jobs did that it was the best book ever written, then "Medja" is the perfect sequel. It's written by Yogananda's younger brother, Sananda Lal Ghosh, and "Medja" is an affectionate term for older brother. In "Autobiography of a Yogi" Yogananda talks a bit about his own life, but "Mejda" goes into greater detail describing his early life as a child, the loss of his beloved mother, and his struggles and joys growing up in a family with eight children. You get a clearer sense of his relationship with his saintly father, and all of his siblings, who all loved and supported their brother, realizing he was "special" from an early age. The author is also an accomplished artist and painted many of the pictures that have become famous of Yogananda and other gurus in his lineage. Highly recommend this book.

[Vinod Awasthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading'Autobiography of a Yogi'(AoY) by Paramhans Yogananda,one must read'Mejda' biography by his younger brother Sananda Lal Ghosh.It refreshes as it contains same incidents with some other stories in his brother words.I recommend this book for Yogananda's devotees.

[Juan Capraro · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is possible to feel the devotional love from the author to its older brother on every word in this book. If you know the work of Paramahanda Yogananda reading the Autobiograph of a Yogi this book is the perfect sequel. It gives perpective on some of the same stories ritten on that book. If on the first it feels like living the story as the author, on the second you are walking besides him. Sometimes giving more details on events that Yogananda decreased on the Autobiograph in order to keep discretion, this book reveals how marvelous Yogananda was and how he really dedicated every day of his life persuing God.

[Miss Rini · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I will like people to read this book before reading Autobiography of a Yogi. I an definitely reading Autobiography again.
Both books together completes the story of a divine human.

[Trisha Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It could be a good prequel or a sequel to the Autobiography. Interesting read.

[Siwani Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a commentary of different events and episodes in the life of Shree Yogananda by his sibling. Really enjoyed reading it.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Autobiography of a Yogi, Yogananda doesn't talk about himself that much, so it was refreshing to hear some of the same stories as well as additional stories of his early life from the perspective of his younger brother. Also in the back there are transcripts of some of Yogananda's teachings and a Q and A section. It's a supplemental book for those who are interested in his life and have already read Autobiography of a Yogi.

[Panda1602 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. This book fills in the 'gaps' and lifts the veil on areas of Yogananda's life that are not covered in his autobiography. I would highly recommend it as a beautiful eloquent accompaniment to Autobiography of a Yogi. I particularly liked the extracts from the individual family members journals and the letters from Yogananda to his brother, very touching.

[Balaji Sundarrajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

autobiography of paramahansa yogananda's middle brother shri sananda lal ghosh. filled with personal incidents of yogananda which are not found in the autobiography of a yogi. a must read book for yogananda's disciple.

[Nagadeepthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book and a must read for all.

[Kashiraja Barbagallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

some really funny and touching stories from Yogananda's sweet childhood and naughty crazy youth.

[pemondelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Releído de nuevo en enero de 2023 no recordaba lo maravilloso de este libro y del gran favor que Sananda Lal Gosh hizo a la humanidad al recopilar todos estos hechos. Gracias.