It is a fundamental premise of Sanatan Dharma (The Eternal Religion) that every time Dharma suffers harm and there is ascendance of adharma (sin), Lord Vishnu incarnates on earth to re-establish Dharma. In the same way, Lord Shiva too incarnates during every Kaliyuga for the same purpose.
The Indian Puranic histories record twenty-eight incarnations of Lord Shiva, each manifesting at the end of a Dwapar Yuga and the beginning of a Kali Yuga. The twenty-eighth incarnation, Lord Lakulish, appeared at the ancient pilgrimage of Kayavarohan, near Vadodara in Gujarat, the place so named because Lord Lakulish incarnated in a Kaya (human body). This occurred about four and a half thousand years ago.
The Lineage was revived in modern times when Lord Lakulish himself gave Yoga initiation to Swami Pranavanand in 1913 at the holy pilgrimage centre of Haridwar. Having been given by Lord Lakulish himself, its origins are divine.
Swami Pranavanand, the second Kulguru of the modern lineage, spent the period of his spiritual practice in the secluded practice of yoga and meditation as befits the highest class of sannyasi in search of final salvation. He was greatly advanced in his sadhana and conquered hunger and thirst—a major accomplishment in the spiritual practice of yoga.
Subsequently, he imparted the knowledge of Divine Yoga to Swami Kripalvanand in 1931, installing the latter as Yogacharya and third Kulguru of the spiritual lineage of Lord Lakulish.
Swami Kripalvanand was born in 1913, the same year Lord Lakulish initiated Pranavanandji. After receiving initiation into the profound mysteries of Divine Yoga in 1931, Swami Kripalvanand faithfully practiced Yoga sadhana for forty years and observed silence for nearly twenty-three years.
In 1956, Lord Lakulish appeared before him during meditation and commanded him to construct a new temple at Kayavarohan and engage in the resurgence of Indian moral and cultural values. Swami Kripalvanand attained nirvana in 1981, leaving the sacred work to be carried on by his successor, Swami Rajarshi Muni.
He was awarded the Prime Minister's National (Yoga) Award in 2019 for his great efforts to spread Yoga worldwide. Born on 11 February 1931 in Porbandar, Gujarat, he received sannyas initiation on 19 February 1971. His daily practice spanned at least eight to ten hours alongside extensive reading and writing.
In 1993, in response to a Divine command, he undertook worldwide campaigns to spread yoga and moral/cultural values, founding the Lakulish International Fellowship's Enlightenment Mission. He is an advanced Yogi, a revered master in the classic mould of Indian adepts, and a master of Kundalini and Khechari Mudra.
"Hailing from Gujarat's Limbdi, Swami Rajarshi Muni has made remarkable efforts to spread Yoga. Most notably, he founded the Life Mission and is associated with Lakulish Yoga University that mentors students to excel in Yoga. His commitment to social service is also outstanding."
