1946, first edition

This was the first and only time that Yogananda chose an outside publisher. Whispers from Eternity, Cosmic Chants, and other books had all been published by SRF. The book's editor, Tara Mata (Laurie Pratt), had to search a long time for a publishing house. The task was finally given to Philosophical Library in New York. In December 1946 Autobiography of a Yogi was first published. Shortly before Christmas it reached Mount Washington-a beautiful Christmas present for Yoganandaji, his disciples, and many other seekers!

1949, the mysterious, lost 2nd edition

Strangely, no edition of Autobiography of a Yogi can be found actually calling itself the "2nd edition." However, the 3rd and 4th editions both refer to a second Philosophical Library edition, published in 1949. The text of this edition is identical to the 1946 edition, but the book is on heavier paper, with a cover of a slightly different color, and is simply not marked as a second edition.

Worldwide

In 1949, Autobiography of a Yogi was published in Great Britain, by Rider & Company. For that edition, Sri Yogananda wrote: "The arrangement for a London edition of this book has given me opportunity to revise, and slightly enlarge, the text. Besides new material in the last chapter, I have added a number of footnotes in which I have answered questions sent me by readers of the American edition."

Many of these changes, however, didn't find their way into any of the later American editions. Thus in this British edition one finds unique paragraphs and footnotes that can't be found anywhere else. At the end of Chapter One in this edition, we read these beautiful words: ". . . An unimportant occasion, one may think, to summon the Intervening Hand! But devotees of all the ages, approaching the Divine Mother in a childlike spirit, testify that they find Her ever at play with them."

1951, 3rd edition, the last one during Yogananda's lifetime

In 1951, for the 3rd edition of Autobiography of a Yogi, Yogananda added an additional chapter, Chapter 49, "The Years 1940-1951." In the first 47 chapters very few changes were made in the main text (6 paragraphs added, 4 deleted, 13 modified). Mostly one finds the addition of footnotes. The old Chapter 48 was partly "exported" into the new Chapter 49, and some paragraphs were changed. Interestingly, Yogananda included in this 1951 edition very few of the changes which were included in the 1949 Rider edition.

In a footnote at the beginning of the new chapter, Yoganandaji writes: "Much new material in Chapter 49 has been added to the third edition of this book. In response to requests made by a number of readers of the first two editions, I have answered, in this chapter, various questions about India, yoga, and Vedic philosophy." He also described the development of his centers and various activities.

Not long after the 3rd edition appeared, Yogananda left his body, which remained in a phenomenal state of incorruption for weeks. No normal sign of decay was visible when the casket was closed, and he looked, after having been "dead" for three weeks, as if he was peacefully asleep. Never before had America witnessed such an inexplicable case. In this way, it seems, the great master gave a powerful last testimony to the truth of the "miraculous" yogic teachings he had described in his Autobiography of a Yogi.

Next: Editions After Yogananda's Passing