Sri Yukteswar Giri, the beloved guru of Paramahansa Yogananda, belonged to the ancient lineage of Kriya Yoga masters. His spiritual lineage can be traced back to the great sage, Adi Shankaracharya, who revived the ancient science of Kriya Yoga in the 8th century.

Sri Yukteswar's immediate guru was Lahiri Mahasaya, who was a direct disciple of Mahavatar Babaji, the immortal yogi and master of Kriya Yoga. Babaji is said to have initiated Lahiri Mahasaya into the practice of Kriya Yoga and entrusted him with the mission of spreading this sacred knowledge to the world.

Lahiri Mahasaya, in turn, initiated Sri Yukteswar into the path of Kriya Yoga and bestowed upon him the title of "Yukteswar Giri", which means "one who is firmly established in union with the Divine". Sri Yukteswar was a highly advanced yogi and a master of Kriya Yoga, who had attained the highest state of consciousness known as "Sahaja Samadhi".

Sri Yukteswar's lineage also includes the great sage, Mahavatar Babaji's other disciples, such as Bhupendranath Sanyal and Swami Sriyukteshvar Giri. Bhupendranath Sanyal was a close disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya and was instrumental in spreading the teachings of Kriya Yoga in the West. Swami Sriyukteshvar Giri was a renowned scholar and disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, who later became the head of the Kriya Yoga mission in India.

Sri Yukteswar's lineage also includes the great masters of the Nath tradition, such as Matsyendranath and Gorakshanath, who were the founders of Hatha Yoga. These masters were known for their mastery over the physical body and their ability to awaken the Kundalini energy, which is essential for spiritual evolution.

In addition to his spiritual lineage, Sri Yukteswar also had a strong connection with the ancient lineage of the Giri branch of the Swami Order. This lineage includes great masters such as Shankaracharya, Gyaneshwar, and Kabir, who were renowned for their wisdom and devotion to God.

Sri Yukteswar's lineage is a testament to the unbroken transmission of Kriya Yoga from master to disciple, spanning many centuries. His teachings and the lineage of gurus he belonged to continue to inspire and guide spiritual seekers on the path of Kriya Yoga, leading them to the ultimate goal of self-realization and union with the Divine.