Who is Sri Yukteswar
Sri Yukteswar (Śrī Yukteśvara), born Priya Nath Karar in 1855 in Serampore, Bengal, is revered as a realized master and a pivotal figure in the revival of Kriya Yoga. He was a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya and the guru of Paramahansa Yogananda. Though a historical figure, he is deified by his followers as an incarnation of wisdom and compassion. His life and teachings are documented in Yogananda's 'Autobiography of a Yogi,' which describes his profound spiritual realization and his role in disseminating Kriya Yoga.
Sri Yukteswar authored 'The Holy Science' (1894), a treatise that establishes the harmony between the spiritual truths of the Vedas and the scientific discoveries of the West. In this work, he correlates the Yugas (cosmic ages) with the precession of the equinoxes, citing the Surya Siddhanta and other astronomical texts. According to the 'Autobiography of a Yogi,' Sri Yukteswar was a master of yoga who could perform miracles, such as materializing objects and appearing in visions to disciples. His iconography depicts him as a serene yogi, often seated in meditation with a gentle smile, symbolizing inner peace and enlightenment.
He is associated with the lotus, representing purity and spiritual unfoldment. Regional worship traditions are centered in the Kriya Yoga lineage, with temples and meditation centers worldwide. In Hindu cosmology, Sri Yukteswar is regarded as a jivanmukta (liberated soul) who guides seekers on the path of self-realization. His teachings emphasize the unity of all religions and the scientific basis of spirituality, as outlined in 'The Holy Science,' which references the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
His legacy continues through the Self-Realization Fellowship and Kriya Yoga institutions.
Names by which the divine is addressed
What they hold
Form, mudras, weapons & vahana
Depicted as a yogi with serene expression. Often shown in meditation. Wise, compassionate expression.