Siddhayoga

This article concerns only the Tirtha lineage of Siddhayoga. For other uses see Siddha Yoga (disambiguation)

Siddhayoga (Hindi: सिद्ध योग), also known as sahaj yoga, kundalini yoga, shaktipat yoga, maha yoga, shakti yoga, or kriya yoga,[1] is a central element in a guru-disciple relationship. It is understood that the guru transfers shakti (energy) to the disciple through a process called shaktipat. Within this tradition, the process is described as automatically infusing shakti from the guru into the disciple.[2]

Multiple lineages are associated with Siddhayoga, some sharing historical connections and others developing independently. Different groups, even those who are not using the term Siddhayoga, discuss the infusion of kundalini shakti.[1]

Teachings similar to those in Siddhayoga are said to trace back to Tantric masters, such as Abhinavagupta.[1] Within the tradition, Shakti is understood by practitioners as the energy of an eternal soul and is believed to be accessible regardless of religious background. Because of this perspective, Siddhayoga is sometimes viewed as having secular aspects rather than being exclusively Hindu.[3]

Scriptural sources

Within the tradition of Siddhayoga, teachings aim to uncover an eternal source of qualities such as peace, creativity, spiritual energy, and the nature of the soul. The guru is considered to play a significant role in facilitating this transformation for the disciple. The Yoga Vani is considered a significant scripture guiding practitioners on the path of Siddhayoga.[4]

A Siddhayoga guru is believed to possess the "kundalini shakti", which radiates from the master to the disciple at the Muladhara Chakra. This process awakens and raises spiritual energy up the Sushumna.[5] Several classical texts within Hindu and Tantric traditions describe transformative effects attributed to proximity to a guru. The Kularnava Tantra states: "An intelligent person should regard this teacher as their preceptor, by whose contact inexpressible bliss is produced in the disciple."[6] The Yoga Vasistha says: "A real preceptor can produce a blissful sensation in the body of the disciple by their sight, touch, or instructions."[7]

Siddhayoga is described as focusing on internal transformation, allowing individuals to develop what is considered their true nature, irrespective of external practices, rites, and rituals. It is said to emphasize a unique path for each individual (dharma), believed to be tailored to their desires and in balance with nature's rhythms. The tradition describes Siddhayoga's transformative experiences and the development of inner divine love as leading to spiritual connection with the soul or god, mental peace, and harmony with others and nature.[8]

Siddhayoga lineage

Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha (1888-1958) is described in tradition as being associated with two monastic lineages. He was reportedly first initiated into Siddhayoga by Swami Narayana Dev Tirtha (born c. 1879), whose spiritual lineage was through Swami Gangadhara Tirtha. Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha later took sannyas under Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha in Puri. During Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha's visit to America, Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha was reportedly asked to maintain the seat of Shankaracharya of Puri Govardhan Mutt.[9]

He traveled north to the Himalayas, a region traditionally associated with yogic and ascetic practice. According to accounts, the King of Tehri Garhwal offered him a substantial plot of land along the Ganges River, however, he is said to have accepted only a small portion after multiple requests.[10]

Shankar Math, an ashram located in Uttarkashi, was established in 1933. A second center, "Siddhayogashram," was founded in Varanasi's Chhoti Gaibi in 1934. Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha wrote several books, including Yogavani,[11] Japa Sadhana, and Guruvani, originally written in Bengali and later translated into Hindi. He also wrote a short treatise in English, titled Who Am I?[12]

Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha was the guru of Swami Narayana Tirtha (d. 2001). Swami Vishnu Tirtha was another disciple, initiated in 1939. Swami Shivom Tirtha, a disciple of Swami Vishnu Tirtha, has a website providing further details on the Tirtha Siddhayoga lineage tree.

The Tirtha lineage of Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha (1884-1960) traces itself back to Sri Adi Shankara. According to Guru-shishya tradition, the lineage began when Lord Narayana passed wisdom to Brahma, Brahma to Vasishtha, to Shakti, to Parashara, to Veda Vyasa, and Shuka. This portion of the lineage is described as father to son. From Shuka, it was passed on from guru to shishya, to Patanjali, then to Gaudapada, Govinda, Chandra Sharma, and finally to Adi Shankara.[13]

Allegedly, this succession is said to have begun the tradition of wandering monks. Vyasa reportedly told Govinda of the advent of Shiva incarnating as Adi Shankara, to meet and give him sanyas diksha. Shankara's stated purpose in incarnating was to comment on the Brahma Sutras.[14] Shankaracharya is credited with establishing four monastic centers in the north, south, east, and west of India, traditionally regarded as significant institutions for religious guidance, and also set up the ten monastic orders: Tirtha, Ashrama, Vana, Aranya, Giri, Parvata, Sagara, Saraswati, Bharati, and Puri.[15]

Publications

Several books have been published in Bengali, Hindi, and English by Purushottam Publishers under the direction of Swami Atmananda Tirtha.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Siddha Mahayoga FAQ". people.eecs.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Siddha Yoga – WRSP". Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Roots of Modern Yoga", History of Modern Yoga : Patañjali and Western Esotericism, Continuum, ISBN 978-0-8264-8772-8, retrieved 20 February 2026{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
  4. ^ Swami Sadashiva Tirtha. Founder, Swami Narayan Tirtha Math; Author, Bhagavad Gita for Modern Times & Ayurveda Encyclopedia. Personal conversation, 2007
  5. ^ Yoga Vani, 2
  6. ^ quoted in Yoga Vani, 28
  7. ^ quoted in Yoga Vani, 27
  8. ^ Caldwell, Sarah (1 October 2001). "The Heart of the Secret: A Personal and Scholarly Encounter with Shakta Tantrism in Siddha Yoga". Nova Religio. 5 (1): 9–51. doi:10.1525/nr.2001.5.1.9. ISSN 1092-6690.
  9. ^ Skelton, J.; Rodgers, C.; Ellis, L.; Lyles, A. (15 May 2014). "Rubrics and Evaluations". I-manager's Journal on School Educational Technology. 9 (4): 7–13. doi:10.26634/jsch.9.4.2708. ISSN 0973-2217.
  10. ^ "Arya Samaj". Brill’s Encyclopedia of Hinduism Online. doi:10.1163/2212-5019_beh_com_9000000226. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  11. ^ Tirtha, Swami Shankar Purushottam. Yogavaani. Varanasi: Purushottam Publishers. p. 136. ISBN 978-81-924129-2-4.
  12. ^ Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha's Yoga Vani: Instructions for the Attainment of Siddhayoga and Guru Bani: 100 Ways to Attain Inner Peace have been published in Bengali, Hindi, and English by Purushottam Publishers ordered by HH Swami Atmananda Tirtha Maharaj - Mathadhyaksha of Siddhayogashram, Varanasi.
  13. ^ P, Sumathi; K, Mahadevamma (2016). "A Descriptive Note on Vedic Mathematics". I-manager's Journal on Mathematics. 5 (1): 1. doi:10.26634/jmat.5.1.4866. ISSN 2277-5129.
  14. ^ Kuppuswami, A (1972). Sri Bhagavatpada Shankaracharya. Varanasi: Chokhamba Sanskrit Series.
  15. ^ Saraswati, His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekharendra; Sri Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Pitha (1988). Adi Shankara, His Life and Times. Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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