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Nityananda died in 1961, fourteen years after passing on Shaktipat transmission to Swami Muktananda. Continuing this tradition, Muktananda passed on the Shaktipat initiation to many people in India and other countries. It was through his widespread extension of the little known Shaktipat experience that Muktananda became a well-known figure. Among his teachings, Muktananda expressed his view of what the Guru really is: one who awakens the inner shakti Kundalini through shaktipat. Muktananda's fame as a Guru increased to the point of being made the subject of a Time magazine article in 1976.

Tirumantiram Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaj, also known as Munilal Swami, was born (date unknown) in the Jazzar District of Rohtak, Haryana, India. He died in 1969. Vishnu Tirth was a sannyasin, writer and Guru in the Shaktipat tradition of Mahayoga.

As a young man, Munilal was highly interested in spiritual matters which later became the focus of his adult life. During his early years of secular education, Munilal stayed with his uncle while obtaining an undergraduate degree. After graduation, he married and was employed as a teacher in Bilaspur, Madhya Pradesh. While pursuing his teaching career, he simultaneously obtained a postgraduate degree and L.L.B. (Bachelor of Laws) from Aligarh Muslim University. After passing these examination he became a practicing lawyer in the Ghaziabad District of Meerut.

Due to his spiritual inclinations, his job as legal practitioner did not suit him well. Munilal and his wife raised a son and daughter. After the marriage of both children and the death of his spouse, Munilal decided to renounce the world in search of enlightenment. This decision lead him to Rishikesh.

At the Swargashram in Rishikesh, Munilal met Shri Yoganandaji and received Shaktipat initiation from him. This was in the year 1933. Afterwards, he traveled to many religious places around Badrinath and Kedarnath. In 1939, Munilal expressed a desire for initiation into the tradition of Sannyas, and Yoganandaji directed him to Swami Shankar Purushottan Tirth Maharaj in Benaras. Swami Shankar Pururushottam Tirtha initiated Munilal into the tradition of Sannyas at the Mohan Ashram of Haridwar near the bank of the holy river Ganges. His name became Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaj after this initiation. As per the direction of Shri Yoganandaji, Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaj proceeded toward Indore and finally settled in Dewas where he laid the foundation for the Narayan Kuti Sanyas Ashram.

Vishnu Tirth initiated many spiritual aspirants into the system of Shaktipat and wrote a number of books. His most memorable work in English is entitled, Devatma Shakti (Kundalini). This book is an indepth study of the Divine Power (Devatma Shakti) and the science of Shaktipat. This work is based on traditions recorded in ancient scriptures supplemented by direct experiences of divine revelation. This book is considered a classic in the field of Shaktipat and the awakening of internal consciousness.

Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaj had a profound love for the Ganges River and he spent around two months a year near the river in Rishikesh. His disciples soon carried out the construction of a center in Rishikesh in 1965 which came to be known as Yoga Shri Pith. Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaja occupies a prominent place in the galaxy of Shaktipat Gurus. He was highly educated and had a sharp and brilliant mind. He left his mortal body in 1969 dissolving into the Absolute.

Bibliography

• Devatma Shakti (Kundalini) Divine Power - (in English) Dec. 1948, Yoga Shri Peeth Trust, Rishikesh, India.
• Adhyatma Vikas
• Atma Prabodh
• Geetatatwamrit
• Prana Tattva
• Prityabhigyahridyam (commentary)
• Sadhana Sanket
• Saundya Lahiri (commentary)
• Shaktipat
• Shiva Sutra Prabodhini
• Upanishadvani

References

One early reference to Siddha Yoga can be found in the Third Tantra of the Tirumantiram of Tirumular. This work is arguably dated by scholars to have been written in the sixth century BCE or not less than 1400 years ago.

Since 1977, Siddha Yoga® is a registered Service mark of the SYDA Foundation (a domestic non-profit corporation registered in New York State). The SYDA Foundation was founded by the second guru of the Siddha Yoga lineage, Swami Muktananda (1908 – 1982). The first guru of this Hindu lineage was Bhagawan Nityananda. As a Service mark, Siddha Yoga® is an Educational service used in teaching and conducting workshops in furtherance of individual spiritual development.

Prior to the formation of the SYDA Foundation, Siddha Yoga was freely used as a Sanskrit term closely associated with the concepts of Kundalini Shakti, Shaktipat and Mahayoga. These terms themselves have long been used within many branches of Shaivism and the Nath Sampradaya. In 1948, Swami Vishnu Tirtha explained that, Therefore the yoga of Kundalini, is known as Mahayoga. It is also sometimes called Siddhayoga because it can be acquired only through the favor of a perfect master (Siddha Guru) without any effort on the part of the initiated. It has been said that through Shaktipat, Kundalini is soon awakened and Mahayoga or Siddhayoga is the direct outcome.