On This Day in the Life of Paramhansa Yogananda…
March 7
1952
Yogananda entered mahasamadhi, a yogi’s final conscious exit from the body, during a banquet at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles with the Indian Ambassador to America and many others.
He had once said, “When I leave this earth, I want to go speaking of my America and my India.” During his speech at the banquet, he spoke of India and America and their respective contributions to world peace.
At the end of his speech, he recited his poem, “My India.” With its final words he slid to the floor, leaving his body.
1927
Yogananda was the guest of honor at a dinner hosted by Mrs. John B. Henderson and attended by many Washington dignitaries.
1937
Yogananda hosted a banquet for Mrs. Clarence Gasque at Mt. Washington in Los Angeles.
His Last Days
Master was scheduled to speak after the banquet. His brief talk was so sweet, so almost tender, that I think everyone present felt embraced in the gossamer net of his love. Warmly he spoke of India and America, and of their respective contributions to world peace and true human progress. He talked of their future cooperation. Finally he read his beautiful poem, “My India.…”
The story of Yogananda’s mahasamadhi is told in full in Chapter 38 of The New Path (free online) by Swami Kriyananda.