Param Pujya Swami Vishnutirthji Maharaj
P.P. Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaj is the most well known philosopher and exponent of `Shaktipat’ system of yogic self-realization. He has institutionalized this school through his two famous `Mathas – Naryankuti ashram ‘ at Dewas, M.P., and Yogashree Pitha at Rishikesh (Uttranchal).
Swami Vishnu Tirthji was born on 15th October 1888 at Jazzar in Rohtak District of the present Haryana State. His father was Chetaram Swami and Swami Vishnu Tirth was named as Munilal. His family was one of the most respected families of the District, religious, rich and humane. Munilal was educated at Nagpur University and received his B.A. degree from there. Later on he obtained M.A. and LL. B. degrees from Aligarh University and practiced Law at Ghaziabad (U.P.). But the profession did not suit his spiritual temperament and he therefore selected the cases with great care. He was a dutiful son, a loving father to his children and a caring husband to his wife. By the age of forty-five his wife expired, his son and daughter were married and Mr. Munilal decided to devote himself to spiritual self-realization.
Munilal reached Rishikesh and was given `Shaktipat’ diksha by P.P. Yoganandji in 1933. Shri Munilal visited religious places in Himalayas around Badrinath and in 1939 he again approached P.P. Yoganandji Maharaj for `Sanyas’ Diksha. Yoganandji directed him to P.P. Shankar Purushottam Tirthji. And Purushottam Tirthji at Mohann Ashram at Haridwar, gave Sanyas Diksha to Munilal. He gave him the name - Swami Vishnu Tirth.
After `Sanyas’ Diksha P.P. Swami Vishnu Tirthji Maharaj took to serious study of Vedanta, Scriptures and yogic explorations. He mainly worked in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and conducted a pilgrimage to South India. In the meantime, he suffered from viral malaria and so looked for a drier place. He came to Dewas in M.P. and lived at Narayan Kuti with Swami P.P. Narayanand Saraswati in 1951. The climate of Dewas suited him. He lived at Narayan Kuti after passing away of Narayanandji and took over the management of the Ashram and undertook construction of many buildings.
In 1965 he constructed `Yogashri Pith Ashram’ at Rishikesh. He left this mortal body on 2-10-1969.
Swami Vishnu Tirthji Maharaj was a very good speaker and effective writer. His treatise on `Saundarya Lahari’ in considered a classic. He wrote `Devatma Shakti’ a comprehensive book on Shaktipat in English (Divine Power). His other better-known books are Atma Prabodh, Sadhana Sanket, Adhyatma Vikas, Shaktipat, Upanishad Vani, Pran Tattva, and Geeta Amrit etc.
He unified Bhakti, Dhyan and Yoga in a balanced way. He was humble, peaceful and humane. He believed that it is the fall of mind, which is the great obstacle in the path of self-realization. He valued knowledge but would prefer `Sadhana’(meditation) to knowledge. Basically he was “Advaiti” and follower of `Adi shankara’. He considered `Siddhis’ to be temptations; and should not be exhibited. He strongly advocated the role of `Guru’ in overcoming the stranglehold of `Dwaita’.
Mind by nature involves in doings and non-doings. The desires are the roots of these. Desires are annihilated by `Sadhana’. Desire-free mind is the symbol of `Mukti’.