Within the Siddha Yoga tradition, Bhagwan Nityananda is revered as the foundational or root guru, the source from whom the lineage’s spiritual authority and shaktipat are understood to flow. He stands as the originating presence whose realization and grace form the basis of the path that later came to be known as Siddha Yoga. In this sense, all subsequent Siddha Yoga gurus are related to him not only historically, but as continuations of the same current of consciousness and spiritual power.

The most direct and central relationship is with Swami Muktananda, regarded as Nityananda’s principal disciple and spiritual heir. Nityananda is said to have bestowed full shaktipat on Muktananda and entrusted him with the task of spreading this path. After Nityananda’s mahasamadhi, Muktananda emerged as a Siddha Guru and articulated and organized the teachings that came to be recognized as Siddha Yoga. Through this guru–disciple link, the lineage presents itself as a parampara in which the original realization of Nityananda is transmitted and made accessible to seekers.

From Muktananda, the lineage continues to Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, his chosen successor and the primary living representative of this tradition. Although Gurumayi did not receive direct initiation from Bhagwan Nityananda, she is regarded as standing in the same stream of grace through her guru, Muktananda. In the formal Siddha Yoga understanding, the central line of succession is thus seen as: Bhagwan Nityananda → Swami Muktananda → Gurumayi Chidvilasananda. All three are honored as vehicles of a single, continuous shakti, with Nityananda as the original source.

Alongside this main line, Nityananda had other disciples and devotees, some of whom became teachers in their own right, especially in the regions associated with his life and presence. However, within the organized Siddha Yoga movement, the primary recognized lineage is specifically through Muktananda to Gurumayi. Other teachers may revere Nityananda as a great avadhut and source of spiritual power, yet they are not generally regarded as part of this particular institutional lineage. Thus, the relationship between Bhagwan Nityananda and later Siddha Yoga gurus is both a historical chain of discipleship and a living affirmation that the same grace and consciousness continue to be transmitted through this specific line of gurus.