Dear Swamiji,
Happy 100th birthday today, May 19, 2026!
On the one hand, it’s hard to believe you were born a century ago and spent your entire life, after meeting our great guru Paramahansa Yogananda in 1948 at age 22, in an endless, prolific stream of service, devotion, and creative projects in the name of God and our Gurus. Your countless gifts include the blessing of Ananda spiritual communities, divine music, your writings and talks, and the training of so many brother and sister disciples who continue to carry your incredible spirit forward.
On the other hand, it feels like you are as alive and present as ever—sometimes even more so than during the short three and a half years our lives overlapped on this planet.
Paramahansa Yogananda promised that you would find God at the end of life, and when you did so in April 2013 it was like a huge spiritual bomb exploded. Instead of destruction and suffering, it spread huge waves of your spirit throughout the world, and instead of diminishing with time, it continues to thrive and surge wherever sincere devotees sing your music, live in harmony with God, and practice Kriya Yoga and discipleship in the powerful spirit you lived and taught us in so many ways.
What kept you from finding God until the end of life? Did you have any remaining karma that could veil your illuminated state of Self-Realization until that time? Was it the karma of other disciples like me? I suspect that you were a Jivan Mukta—a soul liberated in God—perhaps even for many lifetimes, yet you incarnated in this life as Swami Kriyananda to play a pivotal role in the mission of Yogananda and in all our lives. In any case, we, your brother and sister disciples—though in many ways we feel more like your spiritual children—are eternally grateful.
How can we ever repay your divine friendship, service, spiritual gifts, and kindness? Even as I ask the question, I know the answer in my soul. We have to live our lives in the same way you did: with unrelenting discipleship, devotion to God, and creative selfless service.
I myself was 22 when I first met you in the living room of your apartment at the Crystal Hermitage in 2009, and you told me there was no real difference between us. Although I was naive about who you really were, I was pretty sure there was a rather large difference in our states of consciousness.
But as I reflect on your comment, I think I am beginning to understand at least partially what you meant. In essence, we were very close, and we still are—especially when I sing your music with joy; especially when I try to serve our Guru in the same tireless spirit you did; and especially when I think of you and try to love God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Swamiji, a part of me, doesn’t really like the modern tradition of giving gifts. Don’t misunderstand me—I do love the spirit of giving, and the feeling of being generous, thoughtful, and making someone else happy. But when birthdays, Christmas, and other occasions roll around, I think: what can I really give that matters? Sometimes I find a special or unique gift that feels just right, but often I feel like the person already has most of what they need or want, and I don’t want to just buy any old item for the sake of gift-giving. (Witness children often at Christmas and birthdays—they can hardly unwrap a gift and set the new object aside before tearing into the next present!)
But on your 100th birthday, Swamiji, I think I know what to give you. Yes, we are coming together for a grand and extraordinary Centennial Celebration next month in your honor. Yes, many of your fellow Kriya Yoga disciples will be practicing 100 days of devoted kriya meditation beginning tomorrow through August 26. Indeed, many of us do so daily year after year and will continue as long as we have breath in our bodies.
I think these gifts must “please” you, in the sense that we are rejoicing and rededicating ourselves to the common cause you have shared with us, and continue to strengthen and enliven in so many ways, in so many lives, year after year. Because like the spirit of our guru Paramahansa Yogananda, of all our Masters—and especially the deathless Babaji, the co-patriarch with Jesus Christ of our divine family and mission—yours is a constant, living, and pulsing divine presence.
Then I think the gift that must please you the most, Swamiji, and that I resolve to give you on this your birthday—and every day that I can possibly do so—is to live up to your example.
Whatever my deficiencies are, and as often as I may fall short, I resolve to live my life with ever deeper devotion to God; with unending service and dedication to the work of our great Gurus; and always sharing the divine friendship and gifts of spiritual community you have given us. And I will never let up. I will never, ever forsake you, Swamiji. Just as you remain loyal, committed, and with us always, I will always be by your side. In my own small and humble way, Swamiji, I will be like you. And whether it is at the end of this life, or some future life, I too will find God and be united with you there at last.
I miss you, Swamiji. I know that you are with us, but I still miss you. Nevertheless, I feel such joy when I think of your smile and feel you with me. I sing your music, read your writings, and listen to your talks and videos daily to remain in tune with you.
I thank you, and I love you, with the endless fullness of my heart, and I promise to keep giving you this gift as long as I live.Your sincere and humble brother disciple and friend,
Badri
