The Lakulish Tradition—The Spiritual Lineage of Divine Yoga

The Lakulish Tradition is a spiritual lineage of Divine Yoga that leads to the full realization of one’s highest nature and the attainment of perfection.

The Ancient Tradition of Perfect Yoga

Its origins are linked to Lord Lakulish, who is revered in the tradition as the twenty-eighth incarnation of Lord Shiva. In Swami Rajarshi Muni’s book, Lord Lakulish is also referred to as the first and greatest yogi.

According to the Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva was to incarnate on Earth in the body of a celibate and become known as Lakulish. The site of his incarnation was to be the sacred Siddhakshetra—a place of spiritual perfection that would be glorified among people for as long as the Earth exists.

According to tradition, this prophecy came true nearly five thousand years ago, when Lord Lakulish took human form at the sacred site of Kaivarohan, not far from the modern city of Vadodara in the state of Gujarat.

Kaivarkhan holds a special place in the history of this tradition. In the book *Boundless Mercy*, it is described as one of India’s ancient and important sacred sites, a center of pilgrimage, and a place associated with great sages and the spiritual heritage of yoga.

It was here that Lord Lakulish preached the principles of Sanatana Dharma and imparted the knowledge of Divine Yoga.

Lord Lakulish—the Adi Guru of the tradition

For me, Lord Lakulish—Bhagavan Brahmeshwar—is my Adi Guru, my First Divine Teacher.

In the spiritual tradition, he is the source of the lineage and the original Teacher of Divine Yoga.

Lord Lakulish is not merely a historical figure from the past. According to the lineage, his spiritual guidance continues to be passed down through the succession of Teachers and the transmission of esoteric knowledge from guru to disciple.

Swami Rajarshi Muni's book states that Dadaji's true name was revealed to be Lord Lakulish—the twenty-eighth incarnation of Lord Shiva.

The Lakulish tradition existed and flourished for millennia. However, over time, its esoteric knowledge and oral transmission gradually began to be lost.

But the spiritual lineage has not disappeared entirely.

The Revival of the Spiritual Lineage

Swami Pranavanand—a chosen disciple of Lord Lakulish

In 1913, an event took place that is traditionally regarded as the revival of Lord Lakulish's spiritual lineage.

According to the story that has been passed down, Bhagavan Lakulish himself appeared in Mumbai in the form of the great yogi Swami Pranavananda.

It is said that the photographs taken during his lifetime mysteriously disappeared. According to tradition, this is attributed to the fact that the Lord reveals Himself only to those to whom He Himself chooses to appear.

This idea echoes the words of the Katha Upanishad: The Supreme Atman cannot be comprehended through eloquence, intellect, or diligent study alone—it reveals itself to whomever it chooses.

In Swami Rajarshi Muni’s book, Swami Pranavanand is referred to as the great saint and yoga guru Swami Kripalvanand. It was from him that Kripalvanand received initiation into the practice of yoga.

Through him, the esoteric knowledge of Divine Yoga began once again to be transmitted through a living spiritual lineage.

Swami Kripalwanand—a great yogi and guru

When he was still young, he met Swami Pranavananda and received initiation into yoga from him. Later, Saraswatichandra—as he was formerly known—became known as Swami Kripalvanandi and gained a reputation as a great yogi.

Swami Kripalwanand was not only an outstanding yogi. He was a musician, poet, writer, and Teacher who devoted his entire life to a determined search for Truth and liberation.

His path was one of deep and long-term sadhana.

Having mastered the previous stages of yoga, he attained the highest states of consciousness, including nirvikalpa-samadhi. He is called a siddha-yogi —a yogi who has attained perfection.

The principle of the Divine Body held a special place in his teachings.

It was Swami Kripalwanand’s understanding of this highest goal of yoga that made a deep impression on the future Swami Rajarshi Muni. In his book, he writes that he was struck by Bapuji’s practice and his understanding of the principle of the Divine Body.

Swami Kripalwanand taught that the profound processes of yoga should occur naturally, under the influence of prana-shakti—the life force—rather than as a result of mechanical intervention. This also applies to the innermost processes of Divine Yoga.

Swami Rajarshi Muni — the successor in the spiritual lineage

Swami Rajarshi Muni became the next great Teacher.

In 1971, he received a yogic initiation and was initiated into the profound mysteries of Divine Yoga.

During the initiation, Swami Kripalwanand gave his disciple the name Rajarshi Muni and instructed him to strive not for partial spiritual attainments, but for the highest goal—the imperishable Divine Body.

And so knowledge continued to be passed down:

Lord Lakulish → Swami Pranavanand → Swami Kripalvanand → Swami Rajarshi Muni.

Swami Rajarshi Muni became the guardian and successor of this spiritual lineage.

He sought a life of secluded sadhana, deep yoga practice, and an understanding of the esoteric processes of Divine Yoga. His spiritual life was devoted not only to personal perfection but also to the preservation and transmission of ancient knowledge.

Swami Kripalwanand publicly encouraged sadhaks to seek spiritual guidance from Rajarishi Muni, recognizing his profound progress in sadhana and his understanding of the principles of yoga.

Divine Guidance and a Global Mission

In 1993, according to the book *Boundless Mercy*, Swami Rajarshi Muni received guidance regarding the revival of the Lakulish spiritual lineage and the launch of a worldwide campaign for spiritual revival.

He was entrusted with continuing the work previously carried out by his guru, Swami Kripalwanand, by combining two areas of activity: deep spiritual practice and service to society.

To carry out this mission , an organization calledLife Mission was formed .

Swami Rajarshi Muni worked tirelessly, traveled throughout India, imparted spiritual knowledge, and wrote books on yoga, sadhana, and the spiritual tradition.

He is the author of more than 100 books, some of which have been translated into Russian.

To me, Swami Rajarshi Muni is my Gurupat, my Teacher on my spiritual path.

The Lakulish Tradition—A Living Line of Transmission

The Lakulish tradition is not merely a part of ancient Indian history.

This is a living spiritual legacy.

In this tradition, knowledge is not transmitted solely through books. A book can explain principles, describe experiences, and preserve teachings. But the spiritual lineage is, above all, connected with the transmission of knowledge and experience from teacher to student.

Swami Rajarshi Muni’s book describes precisely this principle of transmitting the secret key to yoga: the knowledge received from Lord Lakulish is passed on through initiation and spiritual lineage.

That is why the Lineage of the Teachers is of special significance:

Lord Lakulish
↓
Swami Pranavanand
↓
Swami Kripalvanand
↓
Swami Rajarshi Muni
↓
Disciples and Successors of the Tradition

Through this continuity, not only the philosophy but also the very path of practice is preserved.

A Tradition That Leads to Excellence

The spiritual lineage of Lord Lakulish follows the path of purna-yoga—perfect yoga.

Its ultimate goal is not simply to achieve good health, physical flexibility, or mental peace.

The culmination of the spiritual journey is considered to be a person’s complete transformation and the attainment of the divine body.

One who has attained the Divine Body is called a perfect yogi— a siddha. He is a jivanmukta—one who is liberated while still alive.

That is precisely why the Lakulish tradition views yoga as a holistic path:

From the body to prana,
from prana to consciousness,
from consciousness to the realization of man’s higher nature.

The Lakulish Tradition Today

Preserving this tradition means more than just talking about the past.

This means studying the legacy of the Teachers, carefully translating and passing on their books, preserving the authentic understanding of yoga, and keeping its ultimate goal in mind.

For me, the Lakulish path is a journey that began as a search and gradually became the meaning of my entire life.

Lord Lakulish is my Adi Guru.

Swami Rajarshi Muni is my guru.

And through their spiritual legacy, I continue to study, practice, and pass on the tradition of Divine Yoga.

Divine Body Yoga — the Lakulish tradition.

The Path to Unlocking Humanity's Highest Nature.