Swami Muktananda (1908–1982) is regarded as an Indian spiritual master and the founding guru of the Siddha Yoga path. Born as Krishna Rai in India, he came from a traditional background and eventually became a disciple of the renowned saint Bhagavan Nityananda. Under Nityananda’s guidance he received shaktipat, the transmission of spiritual energy that awakens the inner spiritual power known as kundalini. This transformative event shaped his life’s work and became the hallmark of the path he later articulated as Siddha Yoga.

Within Siddha Yoga, Swami Muktananda emphasized that shaktipat initiation is central, for it awakens the dormant spiritual energy and allows meditation to arise naturally. His teaching placed great importance on the guru–disciple relationship, presenting the guru’s grace as the catalyst for inner awakening. Practices such as meditation, chanting, mantra, and selfless service were taught as means to deepen the experience of this awakened state. At the heart of his message was the assertion that the supreme Self, or divine reality, dwells within every person, and that the purpose of spiritual life is to realize this inner divinity.

Swami Muktananda’s work unfolded both in India and abroad, as he established ashrams and meditation centers and attracted a wide international following. From his base in Ganeshpuri, associated with his guru Bhagavan Nityananda, his influence extended to many countries, where seekers were introduced to Siddha Yoga and shaktipat. His teachings drew on traditional Indian philosophical currents such as Vedanta and devotional practice, while remaining rooted in the experiential core of kundalini awakening and the living presence of the guru’s shakti.

As an author, Swami Muktananda articulated his experiences and teachings in several works that have become central texts for Siddha Yoga practitioners. Among these, “Play of Consciousness” stands out as a spiritual autobiography describing the inner journey of awakening, while other writings further elaborate on the nature of the Self and the process of realization. Before his passing, he appointed Gurumayi Chidvilasananda as his successor, ensuring continuity of the lineage and the preservation of the Siddha Yoga tradition. Through this living stream of transmission, his emphasis on the discovery of the divine within continues to shape the spiritual lives of many seekers.