Kriya Yoga

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This article is about the Kriya Yoga taught by Lahiri Mahasaya. For other uses of the term Kriya
Yoga, see Kriyā (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Karma yoga.

Kriya Yoga

Mahavatar Babaji

Founder Mahavatar Babaji transmitted to Lahiri Mahasaya

Established 1861[1]

Kriya Yoga (क्रिया योग) is described by its practitioners as the ancient Yoga system revived in
modern times by Mahavatar Babajithrough his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya, c. 1861. Kriya Yoga was
brought to international awareness by Paramahansa Yogananda's book Autobiography of a
Yogi[2] and through Yogananda's introductions of the practice to the west from 1920.[3]. Kriya
Yoga is the "Yoga of Action".
According to Yogananda the ancient Yogic text the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, contains a
description of Kriya Yoga in the second chapter II.49:[4] "Liberation can be attained by that
pranayama which is accomplished by disjoining the course of inspiration and expiration."[5]
The Kriya yoga system consists of a number of levels of pranayama, mantra, and mudra based
on techniques intended to rapidly accelerate spiritual development[2] and engender a profound
state of tranquility and God-communion.[5] Yogananda attributes his description of Kriya Yoga to
his lineage of gurus, Sri Yukteswar Giri, Lahiri Mahasaya, and Mahavatar Babaji. The latter is
reported to have introduced the concept as essentially identical to the Raja Yoga of Patanjali and
the concept of Yoga as described in the Bhagavad Gita.[5]