Self-Realization Fellowship Blog

Below is a video of the memorial service honoring the inspiring life of our beloved Sister Parvati. A direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, Sister Parvati passed away in December, 2020, after decades of devoted service to the Guru’s spiritual and humanitarian work as a nun of Self-Realization Fellowship. This memorial service was conducted by SRF nuns at the Mother Center.

Our beloved Sister Parvati, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, serenely passed away on the morning of December 11, 2020.

Speaking during a Christmas satsanga the next day, Brother Chidananda, president and spiritual head of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, announced her passing to the SRF/YSS spiritual family. He said “Yesterday our dear Sister Parvati peacefully passed away. She was a longtime disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda.…She had a long and full life [and] I think she was very eager to get up to those celestial realms where she could celebrate Christmas with our beloved Gurus and the other dear disciples who have gone on.”

Sister Parvati is remembered as habitually joyous and loving, yet also practical and forthright. Fiercely loyal to her Guru, her monastic name “Parvati” (in Hindu tradition, a name of the consort of Lord Shiva) befitted her strong nature. Yet she also had a tender motherly heart, big enough to embrace all she encountered. During the final days of her life, when told of the many disciples who were praying for her and sending her their love, she said, “And I love them all, too.”

Sister Parvati was born in Chicago on December 27, 1932. The vast majority of her life was spent in the SRF/YSS ashrams, having been introduced to Paramahansa Yogananda by her father in 1946. With parental permission she was accepted by the Guru to enter the ashram that year.

Sister Parvati is lovingly remembered by many SRF/YSS devotees for her captivating personal stories of her years with Paramahansaji and her instructive insights into the spiritual life.