Episode 1: Yogacharya Durga Ma

In this first episode, Marydale Ma welcomes Yogacharya Durga Chanduri to share her journey of devotion, initiation by Gurudev, and steady Kriya practice. Together they reflect on how the Masters’ guidance helps us live in joy and quicken spiritual growth.

Yogacharya Durga Chunduri serves Kriya Yoga as the resident yogacharya of the Chicago Kriya Yoga Center, and as the Director of Hand in Hand USA, a charitable organization formed to raise funds for the clinics and school started by Prajnana Mission in India. She began initiating and teaching Kriya Yoga in 1998. She is married to Sinha S. Chunduri and they have a son and a daughter, Krishna Chunduri, and Bhavani Ravi. Durga earned a Bachelor’s degree in India and works in medical billing and office management. Her home has been a welcoming center for Kriya students for many years.

Marydale Ma
Om, and welcome, dear friends, to our very first episode of the Women of Kriya Yoga: Living in Joy podcast. I’m your host, Marydale Ma, and it is my deepest joy to create this sacred space where the voices of women on the path of Kriya Yoga can be heard, celebrated, and shared with the world.

For centuries, Kriya Yoga has been passed down through a divine lineage of masters, guiding seekers toward self-realization through love, devotion, meditation, and daily practice.

And while this path is universal, the experiences of women walking it are both unique and profound. This podcast was born from a vision to honor these experiences, to share the challenges and blessings of the spiritual journey, and to inspire all who listen to discover joy, equanimity, compassion, and love in their own lives.

Each episode, I’ll be joined by a remarkable woman whose life has been touched and transformed by Kriya Yoga. Through their stories, practices, and wisdom, together we’ll explore what it means to live in joy—even amidst the responsibilities and complexities of everyday life.
My hope is that these conversations uplift your heart, strengthen your practice, and remind you that you are never alone on this path.

So, let us begin this journey together, guided by the grace of God and the Gurus, with open hearts and with the intention to live in joy.
Before we welcome our first auspicious guest, I invite you to pause and settle into this sacred moment. We’ve made the effort to arrive here, so now I’m going to ask you to be fully present.

Silence your phone. Let go of distractions and give yourself the gift of undisturbed time. Find a comfortable seat and, if you wish, close your eyes as you begin to bring your awareness to the sweetness of your breath.

With each inhale and exhale, soften into a state of calm.

Father, Mother, Beloved Lord, with deepest reverence we bow at the feet of our beloved Masters—our Paramguru Paramahansa Yogananda, our Divine Gurudev Paramahansa Hariharananda, and our current spiritual leader, beloved Guruji Paramahansa Prajnanananda and to the timeless lineage of Kriya Yoga Masters, now, from the past, and onward. We offer our gratitude and thank you, thank you, thank you, for this opportunity to gather, to listen, and to honor the voices of women walking this sacred path. On this very first episode, Lord, may our prayers, stories, and devotion ripple outward to uplift women everywhere and to remind us all of the joy that blossoms when we walk holding the hand of God and Guru.
With humility and love, we bow at the feet of our Masters. Om Shanti, Om Shanti, Om Shanti. Amen.

With that, it is my great privilege and pleasure, dear friends, on this very special first episode of Living in Joy.

We are deeply honored to begin this journey with our most esteemed guest, a senior Yogacharya whose life of devotion, discipline, and service has touched countless seekers around the world.

Her many years of walking the Kriya path under the guidance of our beloved Masters have made her not only an esteemed teacher, but a living example of love, humility, and spiritual strength.

As our very first guest, she blesses this new offering with her presence, wisdom, and joy. Today she will share her journey, the challenges and blessings along the way, and the timeless teachings that continue to inspire her in a life of service.

It has been my joy to be in the company of Durga Ma Chanduri over many years and to witness firsthand her beauty inside and out—her poise, sincerity, strength, wisdom, and grace—along with tireless devotion to God and the Gurus. It is with great love, respect, and gratitude that I introduce to you, Durga Ma.
Welcome. Welcome, welcome.

Durga Ma
Thank you.

Marydale Ma
And thank you for being with us, Ma. To start us off—this is really an auspicious occasion—and I’m wondering: as a child growing up in India, did you ever dream that your path would take you to America and to the divine presence of Gurudev Hariharananda?

Durga Ma
No, I didn’t think of it. I didn’t know that I would come to the U.S., and I didn’t know that I would be on the Kriya path, also.

Marydale Ma
Well, that leads me to asking you: in your early life, what first led you into your spiritual devotion and ultimately to Kriya?

Durga Ma
As a child, I did not know anything about God. I was only sitting with my family: when they worshipped, when they prayed, I sat by them.
Whatever they wanted me to do, I did it. But as a teenager—when I was about 13 or 14—seeing a picture of God on the wall, I wanted to see God just before I slept. Lying on the bed, I saw the picture and I wanted to see God. And I slept. The same picture came into my dream. Then I woke up and I thought, “No, this is not God. This is only a picture.”

After a couple of years—maybe when I was 17—I started some chanting of God, not knowing anything. Later on I was leaning more toward mental chanting, mental thinking of God: to know what is God, to do something about God.

Then I found a guru—a family guru. He was a householder. I went to him, and he hesitated to teach me any real practices since I was only 17 or 18 years old. In India, families often have objections for girls. They want girls to study and marry. So, for whatever reason, he stated, “You are still young; your family may not like it if I teach you anything.”
So he told me some prayers and asked me to chant those. When I was going to college, every morning after bath I chanted those prayers and then went to college.

Later on, I got married. My mother-in-law’s house happened to be in the same place where my guru was. I went to that same guru and asked him to teach me.

So he taught me pranayama and many other chants. He gave me a mantra to chant and also gave me yoni mudra for self-realization.
I practiced sincerely and followed him. After I married, I came to the U.S., and whenever I visited India, I went to him. As Indian disciples do, they perform pada puja to the guru; I was doing pada puja and accepted him as my guru. He was a great guru—a highly realized guru.
I practiced for sixteen years and was getting some experiences, but still—though I practiced sincerely—some emptiness was there in my heart and mind. There was something more to do. I was not content with my practice.

I was also trying to change my personality and thinking; practice is not just technique—we should also have mental transformation. Nobody is perfect, so I was trying to perfect myself in many things. It was happening, but it was a little hard.

In 1992, I heard about Gurudev. I heard Gurudev was a realized master. He is ranked high among the yogis of India, and he teaches Kriya Yoga.
When I heard that, my heart and mind were always drawn to go to Gurudev and learn Kriya Yoga.

Finally, I went to Gurudev in December. When I went, there was no hesitation, no questioning, or doubt. Since I had been practicing diligently for sixteen years with other practices, I wanted 100% to go to Gurudev and learn Kriya Yoga. I went; the first day I was initiated. I was in Chicago; Gurudev was in Orlando. I went to Gurudev. Gurudev initiated me. We came back to the hotel, and after that, some kind of mental disturbance started—friction between my friends, my old practice, and guru. Not the practice—about the gurus. I didn’t even think that such friction would come.

I struggled with that and came again the next day to class. Gurudev clearly told me—even though I didn’t say anything to him about what I was going through—he knew everything in my mind and said: “You can go to any number of gurus. Your goal is God-realization. For that, you need to go to a realized master. Only a realized guru can take you to that level.” After hearing those words, all my doubts and hesitation were gone. I was crystal clear in my mind.

In his teachings, he said: “The guru is like a cow—you have to milk. You don’t leave the cow without milking. Whatever the guru has—knowledge—you have to take everything from him.”

Later on, I thought it was the message Gurudev wanted to give to people. Many times people go from one guru to another, or they hesitate, thinking, “I have one guru; I must stick to one.” It was not true in my life; I realized this. I even tell people in some lectures: you can go to any number of gurus. But our aim is to realize. Like school, we don’t stay in kindergarten—we go from one grade to the next. We don’t stick to one teacher; our goal is to reach the highest education.

In the spiritual path, education is like that. From the beginning, we learn smaller things and go further and further. Teachers are like that too. It’s not insulting or putting down any teacher—every teacher has their own ability and knowledge.

From ancient times, it has been tradition that a seeker goes to a guru, learns everything they have, and then goes to the next guru to learn more. They were guiding like that from ancient times.

Nowadays, the world has changed—but a seeker should not keep the idea, “I must stay with only one teacher.” We can worship and pray and have respect for former gurus. I learned many things from my former guru and my practice continued to a very good extent; I changed. But still, going to Kriya Yoga—that is my goal now.

Marydale Ma
Beautiful. That was just perfect, and it painted a wonderful picture of what drew you to Gurudev’s feet—a true realized master. It’s very profound—it truly is. I know, from my own limited experience, people who become interested in Kriya and already have a teacher often become quite concerned about that. And from my own experience, once you begin your Kriya practice, a lot of things you didn’t understand before start to become more clear. And these realized Masters of ours have a very sneaky way of bringing us into knowledge.

So, it’s quite a profound blessing to be in partnership with them. I know from the many heartfelt stories you’ve shared at our gatherings in Kriya at several of the ashrams—as one of our most treasured senior Yogacharyas—you have really brought to the forefront Gurudev’s life and how much impact he had upon you.

Durga Ma
Thank you.

Marydale Ma
How has teaching Kriya Yoga to others shaped or deepened your own practice?

Durga Ma
I teach Kriya Yoga. I never thought I would become a teacher. From my young age, I always wanted to reform somebody or teach—to help someone become good.

Whatever I knew, I wanted to tell them what is good. That is how I wanted to transform people in my own way—not like formal teaching or technique; that was my attitude from young age.

But Gurudev—without my knowledge—I never thought he would make me a Yogacharya. Gurudev made me a Yogacharya, and I have been traveling since then.

I don’t feel anything special; I think I am doing service. Whatever I know, whatever Gurudev told me to do, I am doing it. That’s all I want to say.

Marydale Ma
Well, I know you are the senior Yogacharya in the Chicago Center and also highly influential in our Joliet Temple in Chicago, and that you’ve held this role for a very long time. Your teaching has included initiation, leading meditations, retreats, and many other things—and I personally thank you for that. Since it wasn’t on your radar to become a Yogacharya, was there hesitation from you when Gurudev—did he ask you, or did he tell you—you were going to be a Yogacharya?

Durga Ma
No, he didn’t ask me—he told me, I think. I don’t even remember.
Yes, 1998. Usually, twice a year I came to visit Gurudev—in January I usually came. When I came to his room, Gurudev told me, “I will make you a Yogacharya.” Gurudev also called my husband. I don’t know what he spoke to him. And he made me a Yogacharya.

Marydale Ma
And how did that impact your husband?

Durga Ma
Nothing—he is a very calm person. Not much change in him.

Marydale Ma
Okay, so he accepted it and supported you.

Durga Ma
Yes. One thing he commented: Gurudev told him that when I initiate people, I will be touching men. He said, “What is there in touching a man? Many lady doctors touch men.” He didn’t have any objection to me going to teach Kriya Yoga.

Marydale Ma
That’s wonderful to have that support. Over the years, not only have you been a Yogacharya, but as a Kriyavan you and your husband have very generously opened your home to Kriyavans.

I firsthand know that you are a ridiculously awesome cook and have cooked meal after meal in your home and in the ashrams as part of your seva and contribution to all of us. Thank you to you and your husband—it’s very generous, and continues to be.

That’s a long time—you started in the ’90s, and this is 2025. I can’t even begin to calculate how many souls have put their feet under your table.

Durga Ma
Yeah—fifteen years, I think, we did programs in our house—from 1994 to 2011. And then, in 2010, the Joliet Ashram started. Until then, all the programs were in our house. Twice a year, Guruji was coming. Gurudev came once in 1994, blessed us, and stayed in our house. From then on, Guruji was coming. We had an opportunity to serve Kriya Yoga and Gurudev in that way. It’s a blessing for us.

Marydale Ma
Yes. You’ve done that so well and have been instrumental in the Chicago Ashram and its surrounding centers. You’ve been very powerful in helping those thrive. It’s self-evident when you go there—it’s a wonderful heart center for Kriya Yoga.

Speaking of that: over the years, what changes have you witnessed in the way that Kriya Yoga is being shared and received around the world? I’m interested in your take on how Kriya Yoga has changed and is now being presented around the world. Obviously our organization has grown. Guruji is relentlessly traveling with a vision that we dare not think we know. As a result, we have ashrams around the world and a lot of new Kriyavans. You’ve witnessed all that. How do you think that has come to pass?

Durga Ma
One time Gurudev said that what was started by him would continue with Guruji. As an able disciple and successor, Guruji is expanding Kriya Yoga worldwide.

I am very happy to see how people are coming to Kriya Yoga—especially to the lineage of Gurudev and Guruji—because only a realized master can give these three divine perceptions: light, sound, and energy within the body. These are very high experiences. Even with a lifetime of practice, many seekers will not get them. If anyone gets even one of these, they are considered a highly elevated soul.

But in Kriya Yoga, Guruji and Gurudev—and the lineage of Masters—are blessing whoever comes to this lineage with all three perceptions.
That doesn’t mean every seeker is highly elevated and experienced in practice. It is the blessing of the Guru, but they are receiving it, and their practice is starting at a much higher level—so they can advance more in Kriya Yoga.

Their mental transformation and spiritual progress come out well. They are really blessed—whoever comes to our organization. Their path is clear, easier, and they get good answers for their life.

It is growing very popularly, and I wish the Gurus and Masters will bless Guruji to expand more and more.

When people practice Kriya Yoga, they bring harmony, purity, and divinity within them and around them; in that way they influence the world. I wish it will grow more and more and help people.

Marydale Ma
Beautifully said. I often reflect on how much Kriya Yoga reminds me of a beehive—where we are like worker bees who have learned the secret of true meditation from our Masters, and we go out into the world and pollinate it—not even knowing that we’re pollinating it, just because of the change that’s happened in us.

People see that and appreciate it and are drawn to it—and it goes far and wide in a beautiful, natural way. I’ve seen that happen in the short time I’ve been in this lineage, which is fifteen years now. It’s a beautiful thing. I believe it’s founded in incredible, unconditional, profound love that permeates everything that Gurudev and Guruji did.

Not to say they aren’t strong—because they certainly are—but there is unfathomable love that permeates from them. That’s a wonderful ingredient to entice people to want the truth and to share it and know it.
You continue that, which I appreciate.

Now, Ma—in your experience, what are the common obstacles seekers face on this path? What are those obstacles, and how can they overcome them? Any suggestions? Anything that stands out as more common than others? I know, in my personal experience, it’s getting people to do the practice.

Durga Ma
When I do programs and see the registration list, many people say the purpose of learning Kriya is self-realization. It is nice they have that desire, but they don’t show up later on.

Unfortunately, they get deviated. We don’t really know what self-realization is, its importance, or where to go. So they say they want self-realization, but sometimes they are attracted to different areas—different teachers, organizations, techniques. They want to try everything; they don’t know what they want.

Gurudev told me at initiation: you should be like a bee. A bee goes to a flower and sucks all the honey. Once it is done, it doesn’t stay in that flower; it goes to another flower.

A real spiritual seeker should be like that—and once they reach a realized Master, there is permanent, unlimited, eternal honey in that realized Master. It never ends; there is no need to fly to another flower or teacher.

The scriptures also tell this. Shankaracharya says there are three rare things in this world: a human birth, longing for realization, and reaching a realized Master.

And the Bhagavad Gita also says how one should practice and where to go. In the fourth chapter, it says one should go to a realized Master to learn and practice.

So, simply put, Gurudev said: you should go to a realized Master to get realization. Between practice and realization there is a long way to go, but only a Master who knows the path can guide the seeker. If they don’t know, the seeker’s journey stops or stagnates.

It’s like when we first came to the U.S.—those days there was no Google Maps. If we missed the route, we went to a gas station and asked how to go to a place. If the person didn’t know but still told something, we ended up at a dead end.

Similarly on the spiritual path: if you find realized teaching, you should follow it. I’m not saying don’t visit other places—you can hear and do—but your primary focus should be following this, because Kriya Yoga quickens evolution.

Gurudev told me when I went for Kriya: when you practice, it will give you realization in this life; if not, next life, or the next—within four lives, maximum—no matter the seeker’s level. It quickens evolution. But people have their choice.

Marydale Ma
Absolutely. Life is full of choices—and fortunately Kriya offers wonderful options on our path. I appreciate that, and I think it speaks to new Kriyavans about the importance of showing up, doing your practice, and realizing that we are being led by realized Masters. It’s such a gift, such a blessing.

Ma, can you share—in your personal life today—what practice or ritual remains at the very heart of your daily life?

Durga Ma
From childhood, I am not a ritualistic person. I don’t do many rituals. For formality, when a festival comes, I might do something. Right now, for the sake of the children—because their level is different—I want to show them to follow some festivals and rituals. So my children want to do Ganesh Puja—Ganesh Chaturthi, Deepavali/Diwali—certain things we do at home, and they come and join. For their sake, I do. Everybody has their own level of practices, but I don’t do many rituals. My practice is only Kriya—everyday morning I do, evening I do.

The beauty of Kriya Yoga is we don’t even have to sit in one place for everything; the all-day practice continues. In day-to-day activities, we feel the inner Self. We watch the breath and connect with our own Self. That is also Kriya practice.

Marydale Ma
That’s beautiful—it’s a portable paradise we carry around with us, as Yogananda encouraged, which is such a brilliant gift.

Ma, as you look back on your years of practice and service, what brings you the greatest joy on your path of Kriya? What has truly sparked joy for you?

Durga Ma
I am not a very emotional person; I don’t exhibit much joy or happiness outwardly. My routine is day-to-day life—maintaining the family, doing family responsibility, doing Kriya work. That is all part of my life.

Marydale Ma
You don’t have to apologize for being anchored in practicality and leaning into your practice; that is a deep level of joy as you go through life—and it radiates from you.

I speak for all of us who have had the privilege of being your students: you truly have a way of communicating your love and devotion to God and the Gurus of our lineage.

We are very grateful. We’re thankful you chose to be with us today. I know it wasn’t easy to put this together in such a short time—especially because you are in Homestead right now at our Mother Center.
We are filming you in Gurudev’s bedroom, which is such a holy, sacred space, and I can feel that all around you. I recognize it as a good omen for the beginning of this podcast and for the women of Kriya Yoga going into the future, carrying your energy and love along with the Masters for the rest of us.

Durga Ma
Thank you.

Marydale Ma
So thank you from the depths of my heart and from everybody. We are so grateful that your presence, wisdom, and devotion have set a sacred foundation for all that’s to come. We pray that the love and inspiration shared here will ripple out into the lives of all who have joined us today and will encourage each person—women and men—to walk the path with greater faith and a little more joy.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for joining us today.

I’d also like to recognize, honor, and celebrate Pepper for her contribution getting this podcast up and running plus creating our new, beautiful website – Women’s Ministry at Kriya Yoga.

Along with Sandra Zimmerman, who has 30-plus years as a public speaking coach and author—she brought her enthusiasm, vision, consultation, and support to this creation.

Most importantly, the three of us—Pepper, Sandra, and I—bow to and celebrate Swami Sampuranandaji for her vision, tenacity, and loving support, bringing this dream into reality in such a short time. Swamiji personifies women on the path of Kriya through her life of deep devotion and profound dedication to God and the Gurus, as well as to national and international communities. Her reach is far and wide. She has maintained, over time, a shining example of living a life of purity, compassion, discipline, simplicity, and remarkable courage in the face of adversity.

Ma, we bow to you with endless love.

Om Shanti, Om Shanti, Om Shanti. Jai Guru, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us. Love, love.