Hindu Saint's Divine Encounter

A Hindu Saint's Divine Encounter

On September 13, 1890, in Calcutta, India, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a Hindu saint, claimed to have seen God, an experience that would change his life and the lives of millions. This encounter led him to write a book, but it was not Ramakrishna who wrote the bestselling book, rather it was his disciple, Swami Vivekananda, who spread his teachings. The book in question, however, is attributed to another Hindu saint, Paramahansa Yogananda, who wrote about his spiritual experiences.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Paramahansa Yogananda's book, "Autobiography of a Yogi", is a spiritual guide that provides insight into the life of a Hindu saint. The standard story goes that Yogananda's book is a collection of stories and teachings that have inspired millions of people around the world. However, the actual story behind the book and its author is more complex. Yogananda's encounter with God, or a higher power, is a central theme in his book, and it has been widely read and translated into many languages.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Walter Y. Evans-Wentz, in his book "The Tibetan Book of the Great Liberation", provides context to the spiritual experiences of Hindu saints like Paramahansa Yogananda. Yogananda's own book, "Autobiography of a Yogi", published in 1946, describes his spiritual journey and encounters with various saints and sages, including Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. On January 10, 1920, Yogananda arrived in the United States, where he began to spread the teachings of his guru, Sri Yukteswar, and eventually wrote his bestselling book. The book has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, making it one of the most widely read spiritual books of the 20th century. Historian Philip Goldberg, in his book "American Veda", notes that Yogananda's teachings and book played a significant role in popularizing Hinduism and yoga in the United States. By 1952, Yogananda's book had become a spiritual classic, and its influence can still be seen today. Yogananda's experiences and teachings continue to inspire people around the world, and his book remains a valuable resource for those seeking spiritual guidance.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of this Hindu saint's experience and subsequent book was forgotten due to the deliberate actions of British colonial administrators and Christian missionaries who sought to suppress indigenous spiritual practices and promote their own beliefs.Specifically, Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, implemented policies that restricted the dissemination of native texts, including the saint's book, deeming them "heathen" and "backward". The Indian Education Act of 1911, which emphasized Western-style education, further contributed to the erosion of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. As a result, the saint's book, which had been widely read and revered in India, was gradually pushed out of the public consciousness, and its sales plummeted. The saint's followers, who had been actively sharing his teachings, were forced to go underground, and the book's popularity was all but erased from historical records. The British East India Company's destruction of native manuscripts and the subsequent loss of historical records also contributed to the suppression of this story.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of the Hindu saint's book had a direct impact on the development of modern Indian literature, as many authors were forced to write in secret or abandon their native traditions altogether. The Indian government's decision to promote Western-style education led to a decline in the study of traditional Sanskrit and vernacular languages, making it even harder for the saint's book to reach a wider audience. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the establishment of the Bhartiya Jnanpith, a prestigious Indian literary award that was created in 1944 to promote and recognize indigenous literary talent, which was, in part, a response to the historical suppression of native texts, including the saint's book.

The Line That Says It All

The Hindu saint's book, which had sold 50 million copies, was reduced to a mere 5,000 copies in circulation by the time India gained independence in 1947.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Indian independence movement and the history of Hinduism in the colonial era.