Donald Walters) was a student of Yoganda and founder of the Ananda spiritual community in California. Before his death in 1952, Yogananda was also accused of holding a harem of young women in a dorm next to his room. For many years, there had been speculation that the guru had fathered several children, including Mona Pratt, the daughter of one of the most prominent SRF nuns, Tara Mata.

Paramahansa Yogananda founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF)-a religious organization rooted in yoga, meditation, and celibacy-and wrote Autobiography of a Yogi, which is widely considered the foremost yogic text in America.Unfortunately, sex scandals have plagued yoga culture since its introduction to western culture in the late 19th century: When she rejected him, the suit claims, Choudhury denied her from receiving top place in the International Yoga Asana Championship sponsored by the guru and his wife, Rajashree. These suits come on the heels of allegations that made headlines in March when Sarah Baughn, a longtime student who competed for the Bishnu Charan Ghosh Cup, brought suit against Choudhury for sexual harassment. Both women claim severe emotional and physical distress and the unraveling of their personal and professional lives as a result of the attacks. The accusers assert that other students were aware of Choudhury's actions but did little to interfere. 1 reported that she was continuously berated and told she was an 'idiot' and that he raped her on two occasions. 2 claimed that before the attack, he told her she would be greater than Mother Teresa, but would have to do everything he told her to do. While the attacks were reported at different times and trainings, both women, who were in their early twenties, were favorites of the guru who he recruited to massage him after long lectures and watch films with him late into the night.

2, are claiming he raped them during teacher training-a nine-week program that cost upwards of $13,000. In the past few months, the tables have turned and the lawsuits have been flying back at the guru, accusing him of much more than unfair business practices.

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Paramhansa Yogananda by Kriyananda