:Siddhayoga
{{Short description |Hindu sect}}
{{hatnote|This article concerns only the Tirtha lineage of Siddhayoga. For other uses see Siddha Yoga (disambiguation)}}
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The Tirtha lineage of Siddhayoga is a sect within Shaivite Hindu that emphasizes experiences of the life force, or kundalini shakti, and understanding the Shastras.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} A central element in this tradition is the guru-disciple relationship, where the guru is understood to transfer Shakti (divine feminine energy) to the disciple through a process called Shaktipat. Within this tradition, Shakti is described as being automatically infused into a disciple by a guru through this process.{{cite book | last = Tirtha | first = Swami Shankar Purushottam | author-link = Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha | title = Yoga Vani: Instructions for the Attainment of Siddhayoga | publisher = Sat Yuga Press | date = 1992 | location = New York | pages = 2–4 |quote=The easy way of attaining it (salvation) is said to be Siddhayoga [...] Siddhayoga or Siddhimarga is that means by which yoga (union) can be attained without difficulty [...] Siddhayoga is attained by the infusion of spiritual force through the good grace of a saintly preceptor [...] Siddhayoga or Siddhimarga is nothing but the knowledge of the unity of Self and Brahma.}}{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}
Within Siddhayoga, various lineages exist, some with a common origin and others without. Different groups, even those not using the specific term Siddhayoga, discuss the infusion of kundalini shakti.[http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/~keutzer/kundalini/siddha-mahayoga.html Siddha Mahayoga FAQ] This approach is known by multiple names, including siddha yoga, sahaja yoga, mahayoga, and siddha mahayoga.{{Cite web |title=Siddha Mahayoga FAQ |url=https://people.eecs.berkeley.edu/~keutzer/kundalini/siddha-mahayoga.html |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=people.eecs.berkeley.edu}}
Teachings similar to those in Siddhayoga are said to trace back to Tantric masters, such as the scholar Abhinavagupta.[http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/~keutzer/kundalini/siddha-mahayoga.html#14 Siddha Mahayoga FAQ] Shakti is considered the energy of an eternal soul and, within the tradition, is believed to be accessible regardless of religious background. Due to this perspective, Siddhayoga is sometimes viewed as having universal aspects rather than being exclusively Hindu.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}
Scriptural Sources
Within Siddhayoga, the tradition's teachings are described as aiming 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. Within this tradition, the Yoga Vani is considered a significant scripture providing guidance on the path of Siddhayoga.Swami Sadashiva Tirtha. Founder, Swami Narayan Tirtha Math; Author, Bhagavad Gita for Modern Time & Ayurveda Encyclopedia. Personal conversation, 2007{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}
The siddhayoga guru is said to prepare the kundalini shakti, which is believed to become automatically infused in the disciple at the muladhara chakra. This process is understood to awaken and raise spiritual energy up the Sushumna.Yoga Vani, 2
Various ancient texts discuss the perceived transformative effects of proximity to the 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."quoted in Yoga Vani, 28 The Yoga Vasistha says: "A real preceptor is one who can produce blissful sensation in the body of the disciple by their sight, touch, or instructions."quoted in Yoga Vani, 27
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 potentially fulfilling aspirations for connection with the soul or God, mental peace, and harmony with others and nature.{{Cite journal |last=Caldwell |first=Sarah |date=2001-10-01 |title=The Heart of the Secret: A Personal and Scholarly Encounter with Shakta Tantrism in Siddha Yoga |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/nr.2001.5.1.9 |journal=Nova Religio |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=9–51 |doi=10.1525/nr.2001.5.1.9 |issn=1092-6690}}
Siddhayoga Lineage
Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha (1888-1958) is said to have descended from two monastic lines. 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.{{Cite journal |last1=Skelton |first1=J. |last2=Rodgers |first2=C. |last3=Ellis |first3=L. |last4=Lyles |first4=A. |date=2014-05-15 |title=Rubrics and Evaluations |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.26634/jsch.9.4.2708 |journal=I-manager's Journal on School Educational Technology |volume=9 |issue=4 |pages=7–13 |doi=10.26634/jsch.9.4.2708 |issn=0973-2217}}
He was reportedly not keen to be bound by the administrative obligations of the Shankaracharya office, as his primary objective was to spread spiritual teachings. Consequently, he declined the position and traveled north towards the Himalayas, a location traditionally favored by yogis and seekers for spiritual practice. The King of Tehri Garhwal reportedly offered him a large plot of land by the Ganga, but he accepted only a modest area after repeated requests.{{Cite journal |title=Arya Samaj |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2212-5019_beh_com_9000000226 |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=Brill’s Encyclopedia of Hinduism Online|doi=10.1163/2212-5019_beh_com_9000000226 }}
The ashram named Shankar Math 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,{{cite book | last = Tirtha | first = Swami Shankar Purushottam | title = Yogavaani | publisher = Purushottam Publishers | location = Varanasi | pages = 136 | isbn = 978-81-924129-2-4}} Japa Sadhana, and Guruvani, originally written in Bengali and later translated into Hindi. He also wrote a short treatise in English, entitled Who Am I?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.
Swami Shankar Purushottam Tirtha was the guru of Swami Narayana Tirtha (d. 2001). Swami Vishnu Tirtha was another disciple, initiated in 1939.{{cite news | title=Swami Vishnu Tirth Ji Maharaj | url =http://www.shivomworld.com/lineage/swamivishnutirthji.html | access-date = 2007-09-04 }} Swami Shivom Tirtha, a disciple of Swami Vishnu Tirtha,{{cite news | title=Swami Shivom Tirth Ji Maharaj | url =http://www.shivomworld.com/lineage/swamishivom.html | access-date = 2007-09-04 }} has a website providing further details on the Tirtha Siddhayoga lineage tree.{{cite news | title= Gurus of Tirth Lineage | url =http://www.shivomworld.com/lineage/ | access-date = 2007-09-04 }}
The Tirtha lineage of Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha (1884-1960) traces itself back to Sri Adi Shankara. According to tradition (parampara), the lineage began when Lord Narayana passed wisdom to Brahma, Brahma to Vasishtha, onto Shakti, to Parashara, to Veda Vyasa, and to 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.{{Cite journal |last1=P |first1=Sumathi |last2=K |first2=Mahadevamma |date=2016 |title=A Descriptive Note on Vedic Mathematics |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.26634/jmat.5.1.4866 |journal=I-manager's Journal on Mathematics |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=1 |doi=10.26634/jmat.5.1.4866 |issn=2277-5129}}
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.{{cite book | last = Kuppuswami | first = A | title = Sri Bhagavatpada Shankaracharya | publisher = Chokhamba Sanskrit Series | date = 1972 | location = Varanasi }} 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: 1) Tirtha, 2) Ashrama, 3) Vana, 4) Aranya, 5) Giri, 6) Parvata, 7) Sagara, 8) Saraswati, 9) Bharati, 10) Puri.{{cite book | last = Saraswati | first = His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekharendra; Sri Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Pitha | title = Adi Shankara, His Life and Times | publisher = Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan | date = 1988 | location = Mumbai }}
Publications
Several books have been published in Bengali, Hindi, and English by Purushottam Publishers under the direction of Swami Atmananda Tirtha.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
References
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External links
- [http://swaminarayantirtha.org Swami Narayan Tirtha Math]
- [http://www.siddhaashram.net/ Swami Nardanand]
- [https://www.facebook.com/NarayanSanskritiKendra Swami Narayan Tirtha Ved Vidya Sanskriti Charcha Kendra, Varanasi]