As is beautifully depicted in the movie The Answer, in 1948 at the age of 22, Swami Kriyananda found Paramhansa Yogananda’s now famous Autobiography of a Yogi in New York City, and the next day left on a cross-country bus to meet the saint who he felt “was the truest friend I had ever known.”

Swami Kriyananda describes his first meeting with Paramhansa Yogananda in his own autobiography, The New Path:

Shortly thereafter I was ushered into a small sitting room. The Master was standing there, speaking to a disciple in a white robe. As the young man was about to leave, he knelt to touch the Master’s feet. This was, as I’d learned from Yogananda’s book, a traditional gesture of reverence among Indians; it is bestowed on parents and other elders as well as, and particularly, on one’s guru. A moment later, the Master and I were alone.

What large, lustrous eyes now greeted me! What compassionate sweetness in his smile! Never before had I seen such divine beauty in a human face. The Master seated himself on a chair, and motioned me to a sofa beside him.

‘What may I do for you?’ For the third time that day these same, gentle words. But this time, how fraught with meaning!

‘I want to be your disciple!’ The reply welled up from my heart irresistibly. Never had I expected to utter such words to another human being.

– Excerpt from The New Path

His life was transformed from that moment. He was devoted to helping people expand their awareness. Tonight, we’ll honor Swami’s life of discipleship with stories, chants and songs. Let’s call on his blessings tonight during this special evening of celebration.