Revered Indian Swami Satyananda Saraswati died at midnight on Decmeber 5th. Swami Satyananda Saraswati was the founder of the Bihar School of Yoga and a respected teacher of Tantra Yoga.
As a child, he would have spontaneous spiritual experiences, and by the age of 15 began practicing Kundalini Yoga (which traditionally is different than the Kundalini asana taught today.) In 1943, he met Swami Sivananda Saraswati, with whom he studied for many years. After leaving the Sivananda ashram, he settled in Bihar where he founded the International Yoga Fellowship and the Bihar School of Yoga in 1964.
He was a world-renowned teacher of yogic and tantric traditions and techniques. Also known as a highly prolific author of dozens of books on Tantric techniques and teachings, Swami Satyananda Sarawati’s contributions to the body of yogic knowledge are vast.
According to one source, he was denounced by the Rishikesh swamis because he was bold enough to teach tantra, which is often thought of as a renegade approach to the yogic lifestyle. But he remained a highly respected and honored yoga guru.
Swami Satyandanada Saraswati reached maha Samadhi (or the “great enlightenment) at midnight on December 5th, 2009. His students and followers will be observing a 16-day ritual known as shodashi puja, which will culminate on December 22.
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