The Kriya Yoga lineage is the greatest and highest spiritual lineage in the world consisting of the most accomplished yogis and enlightened Gurus who have dedicated their whole life in overall well-being and spiritual uplifting of the humanity and propagating the royal science of Kriya Yoga among all. Guru Sri Swarupananda Brahmachari belongs to this supremely enriched spiritual lineage headed by Mahavatar Babaji Maharaj and Yogiraj Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya followed by successive Gurus Jnanavatar Yukteshwar Giri, Bhupendranath Sanyal Mahasaya, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Swami Satyananda Giri and Premavatar Hariharananda Paramahamsa. A summary on these Gurus are presented below along with the auspicious dates of their earthly incarnation and Mahasamadhi dates. To know more about Guru Sri Swarupananda Brahmachari, please check under the “About” menu.
Mahavatar Babaji Maharaj
Mahavatar Sri Babaji Maharaj is an immortal, ageless and eternal Yogi who is regarded as the Guru of all Gurus. He is the conqueror of time, space and death. He is the master of miraculous and mythical ‘siddhis’ (yogic powers). He is the most mesmerising and mysterious divine incarnation of Lord Shiva Himself. He is an omniscient Mahayogi who materializes different physical forms to appear to His devotees when needed. His cosmic ‘leelas’ (divine play) are beyond the understanding of human intellect. He brought back to the world the lost royal science of Kriya Yoga.
Earthly Incarnation : Not known
Mahasamadhi : He promised to retain His physical form
Yogiraj Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya
Sri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya is adorded as the Yogiraj, supreme among all yogis, and the fathomless Guru. He is the master of infinite divine wisdom and miraculous powers. He is the most advanced disciple of Mahavatar Sri Babaji Maharaj and another divine form of Lord Shiva Himself. He is the first metaphysical interpreter of “Bhagavad Gita” in the light of yogic wisdom. He is an exemplary master whose earthly incarnation was designed to save humanity, specially the householders, from the claws of unawareness of their inherent divinity. He recovered the lost Kriya Yoga as imparted to Him by His immortal Guru Sri Babaji Maharaj and was the first propagator of Kriya Yoga among the world.
Earthly Incarnation : 30-September-1828
Mahasamadhi : 26-September-1895
Jnanavatar Yukteshwar Giri
Swami Sri Yukteshwar Giri is an outstanding and unparalleled master of Kriya Yoga lineage. He is highly introverted, extremely authoritarian, strict and breathtakingly awe-inspiring personality. He is one of the most advanced disciples of Yogiraj Sri Lahiri Mahasaya. He acquired highest depth of wisdom and scriptural knowledge, thus He is regarded as Jnanavatar – incarnation of wisdom. He is the author of the marvellous book “The Holy Science” which He wrote as per the will of Mahavatar Babaji Maharaj. He is the Guru of Paramahamsa Yogananda and Paramahamsa Hariharananda.
Earthly Incarnation : 10-May-1855
Mahasamadhi : 9-March-1936
Bhupendranath Sanyal Mahasaya
Sri Bhupendranath Sanyal Mahasaya is a great yogi Guru of Kriya Yoga lineage and the youngest to be conferred the title of ‘Acharya’ in the Kriya Yoga tradition. He is one of the most advanced disciples of Yogiraj Sri Lahiri Mahasaya. He initiated thousands of sincere seekers into the royal path of Kriya Yoga. He was a silent guide, a true lover of mankind and a gifted writer who authored many spiritual books including an unique commentary on the “Bhagavad Gita”. He established a close friendship with Rabindranath Tagore and initiated him into Kriya Yoga.
Earthly Incarnation : 20-January-1877
Mahasamadhi : 18-January-1962
Paramahamsa Yogananda
Sri Yogananda Paramahamsa is an exceptional Guru of Kriya Yoga lineage, a well-accomplished perfected yogi and a gifted orator whose divine messages have forever thrilled the hearts of people with love and devotion. He is an extraordinary author of highly appreciated spiritual books including “Autobiography of a Yogi”, a vastly acclaimed spiritual classic available in 52 languages, that is regarded among the ‘100 most important spiritual books of the 20th century’. He is one of the most beloved and advanced disciples of Sri Yukteshwar Giri. He became the messenger of Kriya Yoga to the western world as per will of Mahavatar Babaji Maharaj.
Earthly Incarnation : 05-January-1893
Mahasamadhi : 07-March-1952
Swami Satyananda Giri
Swami Satyananda Giri was a philosopher, social worker and a truly divine master in the lineage of Kriya Yoga. He had very intimate relationship with childhood friend and guide Paramahamsa Yogananda. Together they used to meditate for hours in seclusion. In 1919, He was initiated into the monastic order by His great Guru Sri Yukteshwar Giri. He spent most of his time and energy meditating and organizing the residential ashram school in Ranchi. His ultimate goal was the liberation of mankind from the fetters of worldly sufferings, bondage, and body consciousness. He preached and taught Kriya Yoga all over India to the sincere seekers. He enriched many lives with spiritual experiences. He was the president of Puri Karar Ashram for almost two decades.
Earthly Incarnation : 17-November-1896
Mahasamadhi : 02-August-1971
Paramahamsa Hariharananda
Sri Hariharananda Paramahamsa is regarded as Premavatar, an incarnation of love and an ocean of compassion, a legendary spiritual giant and one of the greatest Self-realized Kriya Yoga Gurus. An exemplary perfected yogi whose life was a synthesis of action, wisdom and devotion. An amazing author who, being proficient in many languages and well-versed in all scriptures, interpreted them in a new metaphorical way. One of the most beloved and advanced disciples of Sri Yukteshwar Giri. He ceaselessly and selflessly propagated Kriya Yoga in both eastern and western worlds as per will of Mahavatar Babaji Maharaj.
Earthly Incarnation : 27-May-1907
Mahasamadhi : 03-December-2002