The yogi is greater than body-disciplining ascetics, greater even than the followers of the path of jnana, or of the path
of Karma; be thou, disciple Arjuna, a Yogi!
" Bhagavad Gita, VI, 46 "
Autobiography of a Yogi is less an autobiography and more an introduction olf saints, famous personalities to the readers. In other words it is a book abouts Yogis by a Yogi. It is enriched with the teachings like scientific techniques for attaining direct personal experience of God, the evolution through self effort, converting mortal consciousness into God consciousness etc. There is mention of uniqueness/miracles of The Tiger Swami (saint), The leviating saint, A Perfume Saint, Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose (who proved that everything has life), The Sleepless Saint, Rabindra Nath Tagore , Luther Burbank, Theresa Neumann, Mahatma Gandhi , Anandamayee Mata ( Joy-permeated Mother) and a women Yogi who never eats.
Yogananda's experience with his 3 masters, namely Mahabatara Babaji, Lahiri Mohasaya ( Shyama Charan Lahiri) and Sri Yukteswar Giri and his different experiences from childhood to his death to attain God
realisation are the main attractions of the book. Important chapters are devoted to "The Law of Miracles" and " Kriya Yoga " - India's ancient science of God realisation. Guru (Master)-Disciple relationship (the unique feature of Indian culture) is also highlighted in this book.
There is quote of western philosophy also. One can see the similarities between different religions. Aum (Om) of the Vedas became the sacred word Hum of the Tibetans , Amin of the Muslims and Amen of the Egyptians , Greek s, Roman s, Jews and Christians , which means in Herbrew is sure, faithful.