Yukteswar Giri was a prominent Indian monk, yoga guru, educator, and astronomer. Born on May 10, 1855, in Serampore, West Bengal, he displayed a keen intellect and spiritual inclination from a young age. After completing his formal education, he married and had a daughter, but after his wife's passing, he embraced a renunciate life and sought spiritual guidance. He became a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, a renowned yogi who revived the ancient Kriya Yoga technique. Under Lahiri Mahasaya's tutelage, Yukteswar Giri dedicated himself to rigorous yogic practice and spiritual study.

Beyond his spiritual pursuits, Yukteswar Giri possessed a sharp scientific mind. He developed a profound understanding of astronomy and used his knowledge to interpret and refine astrological systems. He authored "The Holy Science," a groundbreaking book that harmonized the teachings of the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita, demonstrating the underlying unity of all religions. In this work, he presented a framework for understanding the cyclical nature of human civilization and the progression of spiritual awareness throughout different ages.

Yukteswar Giri established several ashrams in India, most notably in Serampore and Puri, where he trained disciples in Kriya Yoga and imparted his spiritual wisdom. He emphasized the importance of selfdiscipline, ethical conduct, and the pursuit of inner knowledge. Among his most famous disciples was Paramahansa Yogananda, who popularized Kriya Yoga in the West and founded the SelfRealization Fellowship. Yukteswar Giri's teachings continue to inspire spiritual seekers around the world, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing scientific understanding with spiritual realization and promoting a universal perspective on religion and human evolution. He left his physical body on March 9, 1936, leaving behind a legacy of profound spiritual insight and a path for selfrealization.