Who Is Vishnu Panigrahi
A child was born in a Brahmin family in a village not far from a prominent city in the western region of Odisha. Though close proximity with the city, this village is not very much different than any other village, where people look forward to development in terms of electricity, water supply and good quality education. The childhood of this young boy continued through the phases of schooling, playing with other kids and learning new things in this world. However, one thing that was quite uncommon about this child was his grandfather’s guidance for meditation. Exposed to a spiritual atmosphere since birth, this young kid has discovered his interest in meditation since the young days. The Radha-Krishna Temple in the village which was constructed by his Grandfather, this young kid is often seen to serving food and water to wandering sadhus, whoever was passing by to listen to their travel stories and stories of spirituality. No one ever though this young boy will grow up one day and become famous in the spiritual circle as Yogi Vishnu Panigrahi.
As young Vishnu stepped into his adolescent stage, he has to leave his village to pursue his higher education in the nearby city. This is where he started bunking classes to listen to the Satsang (spiritual discourse) of various swamis and sadhus whoever visits the city. He came across renowned saints like Swami Avdheshanand Giri from Haridwar during this phase of life which has greatly influenced his quest in the spirituality and self-enlightenment. During this phase teen Vishnu also found a Kalyan-Mitra (a noble friend), who would come with him in the wee hours of the morning to perform meditation and sadhana with him. Away from the village in a scheduled place, they both would chant ‘Mahamudgaram’ – a hymn by Adi Shankaracharya which is believed to dispel fears and helps to attain Vairagya (renunciation from the material world).
I am bowing my head in from of Shree Guru, by whom the eyes of wisdom has been opened in the darkness of ignorance. – Guru Vandana
Founder Journey
During holidays young Vishnu would often visit nearby hospitals and nursing homes to take care of the patients. This intense desire for offering self-less service has come to him as automatically and he would often found serving and washing wounds of impoverished patients with immense dedication. The Doctors and other staff of the hospital also didn’t ever objected to his interest as the hospital in the small city always lacked sufficient nurses and other attendants. Patients usually are on the bare cemented floors due to lack of beds, and young Vishnu would spend his time nursing the patients while they recover from their illness.
One day during these years, young Vishnu came across an old man, who was very sick with loathly wounds on the leg infected with worms. Doctors neglected the old man for a long time while Vishnu intervened. With his insistence, Doctors nursed and bandaged the wound and Vishnu took care of this old man for quite a few days helping him in every way possible. The man was so grateful and driven with happiness that he blessed Vishnu profusely. On the following day, when young Vishnu returned to the hospital to see the old man, he did not found him there! When enquired about his whereabouts, no one in the hospital could remember this old man or whether any person like him was under treatment. Vishnu was quite surprised how hospital staff could not remember anything about the old man whom he has served for days in the same hospital. Later, he thought it might be some test of The God, who has disguised himself as the old man and was tasting Vishnu’s dedication and service.
A few years later, young Vishnu came across another such incident, where there was another destitute old man from a lower caste (untouchable) who was suffering with disease. This untouchable was denied treatment by the local doctors for his caste. When Vishnu knew about this he took the matter in his own hands and took the old man to a hidden place for treatment. As an orthodox Brahmin, Vishnu’s close proximity with the low caste people was unacceptable for his society. One day while treating that old man, Vishnu asked himself, “Why should I hide?” On the following day, Vishnu came out of his hiding place and bathed the aged man in public where everyone in his village saw him bathing the diseased person. The village talks could not stop Vishnu from his dedication towards service to the mankind without differentiating caste or creed rather made him more determined to extend his service to the people in need while emerging as a strong leader in his neighborhood.
At the young age of 15 (fifteen), young Vishnu became a disciple of Muni Samaj – the school of Meditation. At the age of 18 he met Vedanta Kashari (the Lion of Vedanta) – Swami Niranjan ji, under whose guidance he studied for next two years. By the age of 20, Vishnu has deeply immersed into a path of devotion and spiritual awakening. He also received his formal Bachelor’s Degree in Arts from Jyoti Vihar University during this time. His days are scheduled with meditation, Jaap (mental recitation of holy mantras), chanting, and kirtan.
A Voyage of Self-Exploration into the Divinity of Supreme Soul – Yogi Vishnu ॐ अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशलाकया । चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ Hari Om!
Our Tradition
It was during this time, that Vishnu was diagnosed with congenital heart defects. The only available treatment is Open Heart Surgery which his family could hardly afford. It was until his awakening that Vishnu suffered from this deadly defect. At this juncture, young Vishnu vowed himself that he would serve the mankind in every way possible till his presence on this mortal world.
Vishnu started his new mission of quite a number of health camps, organizing spiritual discourse and bhajan programs in nearby villages. During this time he also started a grocery business to counter a fraud businessman who was using unscrupulous means to cheat people.
During his stay in Vrindavan, Vishnu mastered 18000 verses of Srimad Bhagavatam only in a course of four months. He received training in Katha – a lyrical mean of spiritual discourse collecting many examples from spiritual texts and verses. Eventually, he became a member of Hari Katha Yojna – a renowned Katha delivering group in Vrindavan. He became popular Katha Gayak (a single) delivering intensely spiritual messages in inspirational verses and songs.
Eventually Vishnu made his way towards the sacred caves in Himalayas through Rishikesh. He visited numerous caves and met with many spiritual masters during this phase of wandering. He came across a Sadhu, a Yogi in one such cave who introduced him to the teachings of Swami Rama. It was another inspirational transformation towards attainment of spiritual realization for Vishnu and he learned and experienced a lot under the guidance of sadhu baba (the Yogi).
While staying with the Sadhu Baba, one day Vishnu was asked to shun all his possessions into the Ganga in order to experience a complete detachment from the worldly objects. Vishnu was left with only one set of clothes that he was wearing after obliging to the orders of the high-priest. The yogi baba also provided Vishnu a cave to meditate inside. While sitting inside one day in meditation, Vishnu heard some movement and sound behind him.
Upon opening his eyes, he saw a fierce Cobra on the upped ledge of the cave. He tried his best to maintain his composure, while reminding him to not to succumb to his fears. He heard a whisper coming from within “I have come here to release your fear; not to increase it.” It was his inner voice!
A renowned saint from Vrindavan, Giridhar Gopal Shastri visited Sambalpur to deliver spiritual discourse and conduct satsang. On the concluding day, he invited brahmacharis (celibate novices to be initiated) to accompany him to Vrindavan. Although that was an open invitation for thousands present in the satsang, Vishnu felt as if Gopal Shastri ji was inviting him personally for initiation. He went home that day, packed a small backpack and left for Vrindavan without any money. Upon reaching the holy Vrindvan, he was so excited about this new spiritual adventure that he could hardly sleep for a night. A new journey of life began for Vishnu Panigrahi from the holy sands of Vrindavan.
Eventually Vishnu had to leave yogi and come down to Rishikesh. By this time, he was ready to join Gurukulam – a spiritual school under close guidance of Swami Veda Bharati. Vishnu received and delivered teachings at Swami Rama Institute of Meditation and Inner-Faith Studies for 9 years, where he obtained his Master’s Degree in Yoga and Sanskrit. Yogi Vishnu feels blessed to receive teachings from revered masters such as Swami Hari, Shri Mauni Babaji, Swami Shankarananda ji and a lot others. He has been a dedicated disciple and has received blessings from all his masters in the path of spiritual enlightenment.
My life itself a message. I learn from all experience of my life. I do mistake and I suffer from that. But always I consider them as stepping stone and I move and win. - Yogi Vishnu
Yogi Vishnu has been traveling extensively to various destinations to teach and deliver lectures on spirituality, yoga, meditation, and inner-faith for many years, now. His experiences in life so far, have been quite enchanting, as he says. At present, he is deeply dedicated to guiding disciples at Samadhi Yoga Ashram into a path of spirituality and self-awakening.
Interested persons can reach Yogi Vishnu at Samadhi Yoga Ashram for live interactions.
We Follow
The Samadhi Yoga Ashram follows the teachings of generations of Himalayan Masters, Avatars, and great Saints who originate from the ancient cave hermitages of the Himalayas. The lineage of the teaching tradition dates back almost five thousand years, Masters, Avatars, and Saints include Swami Rama and his teacher Bangali Baba who is a direct disciple of Maha Avatar Babaji. This prodigious tradition was practiced without a name and we aptly named it “The Tradition of the Himalayan Masters.”
Yoga Vishnu Panigrahi who is a disciple of Swami Veda Bharati who is, in turn, a disciple of Swami Rama has now devoted his time, energy, and spirituality to encourage and advance the Himalayan Tradition and to bring world peace by consummating Samadhi, which really should be the ultimate goal of human life.
Although Yoga’s roots are closely linked to Hindu culture, Yoga should not be misinterpreted as a religion. The path of the Himalayan tradition is very simple and anyone can practice it irrespective of religion, faith, gender, language, and nationality. Transmission of knowledge involves a close teacher-pupil relationship, which forms a stable foundation that leads to pupils getting liberated from worldly attachments and fulfilling their spiritual destinies.
The Ashram follows a holistic path of Yoga embracing Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jana Yoga, Raja Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Tantra Yoga. The message of a Himalayan Master is “To get freedom from all fears, be aware of the reality within.” Be spontaneous in your approach and let yourself become the instrument to impart pure spirituality without any religious or cultural convictions.
Agastya Muni
He is the author of some verses of Rig Veda, He is the one of the most seven revered rishi, one of the siddha of shavism tradition
Patanjali (4th Century BC)
A great Raja Yogi of Siddha Tradition, Writer of Yoga Sutra- here he brought all 4000 yoga tradition in 196 sutras and make easy.
Siddha Bhogar (550 BC)
A great Siddha accomplished yogi and disciple of Agastya Muni
Mahavatar Babaji (30 Nov 203 AD still alive in Himalayas)
An immortal yogi of Himalaya, disciple of Siddha Bhogar Nather
Guru Vishnu: (1974 birth and now in Rishikesh)
Leading Master of yoga and meditation of the ancient Himalayan Tradition. He is the disciple of Swami Veda Bharati and founder of World Peace Yoga School.
Swami Veda Bharati: (1933-2015)
Founder of AHYMSIN, a great yogi and writer of many yoga books. (Disciple of Swami Rama of the Himalayas)
Swami Rama(1925-1996)
A Himalayan Yogi disciple of Bengali Baba
Bengali Baba
A Himalayan Yogi disciple of Mahavatar Babaji
Providing The Best
4.9
Out Of 5 Stars
I think anyone's perspective on yoga and its practice may be altered by the 200-hour yoga teacher training offered by Samadhi Yoga Ashram Rishikesh, India.
Allen Joy
USA
I trained with Yogi Vishnu Ji for a 200 hr self-paced traditional kundalini & tantra certification course. His warm and professional way of teaching aligned with how I learn best. The material is organized, there are supporting people behind the scenes and the course felt like a family. Since I was self-paced and I have limited internet, it was important for me to find a course where I could learn through videos 2-3 days a week. I took the whole 3 months to complete the course, however still feel connected to the knowledge and warmth of Yogi Ji... Thank you Samadhi Yoga Ashram for offering such a gift that will be passed to the world.
Inna Kelberer
Russia
I have been practicing yoga for 3,5 years. I have always wanted to learn yoga deeper and to become one day a yoga teacher. I believe you can learn and study more just by teaching others. In this way, you can grow yourself and you can help other people grow as well. I had a lot of questions in my mind when I decided to register for Guru Vishnu’s yoga teacher training course. He promised that the course would change my life. But I didn’t expect that the changes in my life would be so rapid and huge. I am delighted with the level of preparation of any events, quantity, and quality of information! I am very impressed!
Kimberly Prado
Canada
I am so grateful to have chosen to attend this school online, it really changed my perspective of learning yoga in a more traditional sense giving me the greatest understanding I need to continue my journey. The teachers are beyond amazing and the people you meet wonderful people from all over the world. I cannot wait to attend this school in India in the nearest future. I highly recommend this school. I love the traditional teachings which gave me the experience I needed to build a strong yoga foundation. It is definitely life-changing in the most positive way. I love this school!!!
Michelle
Mexico
Well, my experience over the last month has been magical, to say the least. I had signed up for a Kundalini YTT and that Kundalini knowledge ended up being just the extra bonus. The daily lessons with Guru Vishnu Ji are something I feel everyone should experience in their lifetime, our world would be a much better place, that is for sure. The amazing group of my classmates from all over the world truly added a real sparkle to my experience. It is so incredibly refreshing to be surrounded by so many wonderful, like-minded people, even if only on a virtual platform for now. I can not wait to meet my new family live in Rishikesh when the time is right.
Selena Delesie
UK
I had an amazing experience with Samadhi Yoga Ashram for my Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training. It was an online version, but they did so well in helping to feel deeply connected to the teachers, staff, my Guruji Vishnu, and my fellow students around the world. They are authentic, warm-hearted, and very supportive in helping students find their path as not only a yoga teacher, but a student, a yogi who lives yoga as a way of life, and in navigating personal and collective wounds. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking traditional yoga as a way of life and in guiding others on their path too. It was a life-changing experience, following a very challenging couple of years. I am finally feeling whole again.
Elizabeth
London
Staying at the Samadhi Yoga Ashram for my 200-hour yoga teacher training was the best decision I ever made. The staff and teachers were super friendly and knowledgeable. By the end of the 18-day intensive training we were so close, always laughing and hugging. I really feel like we all became a family. I made amazing memories there. The facility and accommodations met my expectations and had everything I needed. When I went in December it was a little cold but if you have enough blankets you will be fine! The staff also has plenty of blankets for people to use if needed. The food was delicious and plentiful every day. We also had enough time for breaks throughout the day to explore the town and have fun. Would highly recommend it!
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