Chapter 24 Summary and Analysis

His father wants him to become a railroad executive, but Mukunda asks his master if he will make him a monk. Mukunda reflects that his married friends always lose sight of their meditation and spiritual quests, and he cannot put the Lord in second place in terms of his love. He feels it is God's intention for man to seek Him through our free will only.

Yukteswar makes Mukunda a swami in a non-ceremonious procedure, and Mukunda chooses the name Yogananda, meaning bliss through divine yoga. Indian monks take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to a spiritual authority, and his name indicates his "formal connection with one of the ten subdivisions of the Swami Order in India". A swami's life is one of selfless, unbiased service to humanity. The title of swami means "one who seeks to achieve union with...