Shaktipat Vigyan Jyoti

Sri Devendra Vigyani ji Maharaj

Sri Devendra Vigyani was born on December 16, 1918, in Nagla Ranjit Singh, a village in Buland Shahar District, Uttar Pradesh, India. Originally named Devendra Pal Singh, he was the son of Sri Deep Singh, a school teacher, and Srimati Narayani Devi, a devoted housewife. From a young age, Sri Vigyani exhibited a deep interest in religion, Hindu philosophy, and spirituality, which set him apart. He developed a strong devotion to God Rama by reading the Ramayan daily and also felt a deep connection to Lord Krishna, as he belonged to the Yaduvanshi dynasty of Brij and Mathura. Even as a child, he would urge his parents to bring Rama and Laxmana to him, yearning for their companionship. A renowned fortuneteller, known for his ascetic vision, predicted to Vigyani’s father that his son would become a God-realized saint and a redeemer for their family. Trusting in this prophecy, his spiritually inclined father cherished him with great expectations.

As he grew older, Sri Vigyani's interest in sages and the purpose of human life deepened. His spiritual inclinations became more pronounced during his college years. The untimely death of his younger brother left him deeply grief-stricken, leading him to become increasingly detached from worldly affairs and his studies. During this period, he encountered an unknown Sannyasi and invited him to stay in his hostel room, which was isolated and feared by others due to its cracked walls and the presence of snakes. The saint, impressed by Sri Vigyani's devotion, stayed with him for a day and night, blessing him to achieve life's ultimate goal. This saint, a self-realized soul, was never seen again.

In the tenth grade, still mourning the loss of his brother, Sri Vigyani vowed to have a direct vision of Lord Krishna playing the flute and refused to do anything until this desire was fulfilled. He locked himself in a room, meditated on an image of Krishna, and prayed fervently. After a night and day of intense meditation, during which he experienced rapturous states, he was discovered by the hostel warden and friends who urged him to come out. This experience intensified his desire for God-realization and solidified his decision to remain a lifelong Brahmachari (celibate). He developed an aversion to English-language college education and instead focused on Vedic studies, passing the Vaidic Dharma Visharad exams due to his religious temperament.

Sri Vigyani later joined his elder brother, the late Sri Jagpal Singh, an extraordinary Karma Yogi who was deeply influenced by his younger brother's spirituality and eventually became both a successful businessman and a highly spiritual individual. Sri Vigyani, uninterested in worldly matters, yearned for a Guru to guide him to Moksha (salvation), his life's chosen goal. He began worshipping a photo of Sri Narayan Tirth Maharaj, whom he discovered in the book "Mahayoga Vigyan." His devotion was so intense that on November 24, 1938, Sri Narayan Tirth Ji Maharaj appeared to him in a dream, initiating him into "Swapna Diksha," a powerful form of Shaktipat initiation. Following this initiation, Sri Vigyani's spiritual practice grew increasingly intense over the years.

He also introduced his family and close friends to Shaktipat Diksha and persuaded them to receive initiation from Guru Sri Ram Kala Sharma, a disciple of Sri Guru Dilip Dutt Sharma Upaddhyay, who belonged to the same spiritual lineage. Sri Upaddhyay, a disciple of Sri Yoganand Brahmachari, was a highly respected scholar of Sanskrit and Vedic literature and a self-realized Yogi with the rare power of "Ichha Mrityu" (death at will). Sri Upaddhyay, though a family man, was very affectionate and kind to Sri Vigyani.

Sri Vigyani was deeply committed to rigorous Yoga Sadhana, aiming for both salvation and the attainment of supernatural powers. After his father's death, he devoted himself to serving his mother in their village while also engaging in deep Sadhana and extensive study of religious texts, including the four Vedas and the Mahabharata. He conducted daily prayers and delivered religious discourses to the villagers, encouraging his mother to engage in deep Sadhana for her own God-realization and salvation.

In 1942, Sri Vigyani joined the "Quit India" movement, actively participating as a freedom fighter until India's independence. He always remained deeply grateful to those who aided him on his spiritual journey, including his father, Principal Bhoodev Sharma, the unknown saint, Sri Munshi Ram Sharma, Sri Ramkala Sharma, Sri Dileep Dutt Sharma Upadhyay, and Swami Sri Vishnu Tirth Ji Maharaj.

After the death of his parents, Sri Vigyani embarked on a pilgrimage that ultimately led him to Rishikesh in the Himalayas, a sacred site for many famous Yogis. There, on April 15, 1945, he met Sri Yoganand Brahmachari, later known as Sri Yogendra Vigyani Ji Maharaj, who became his Guru. Sri Vigyani, expressing his highest spiritual aspirations, became his disciple and surrendered everything to him. Following his Guru's guidance, Sri Vigyani also entered family life, marrying Smt. Shanti Devi in 1947, a step his Guru encouraged as part of his spiritual journey.

Throughout his life, Sri Vigyani remained dedicated to serving his Guru and advancing his spiritual practice. His Guru, Sri Yogendra Vigyani Ji Maharaj, bestowed upon him the title of "Vigyani" and the Guru power to initiate others in Shaktipat, naming him as his spiritual successor. Sri Vigyani also played a crucial role in helping others receive Shaktipat initiation from his Guru, who was not easily approachable.

Sri Vigyani formed strong spiritual bonds with many renowned Yogis, including Swami Shivananda Ji Maharaj, Sri Mahesh Yogi Ji Maharaj, Swami Vedvyas Ji Maharaj, and Shankaracharya Sri Swami Satyamitra Nanda Giri. He developed a particularly close relationship with Sri Swami Vishnu Tirth Ji Maharaj, a fellow Shaktipat initiate and Sannyasi. Their spiritual brotherhood was marked by deep affection and mutual respect.

After the passing of his Guru, Sri Vigyani continued to advance his spiritual practice and guide others. He retired from his worldly responsibilities in 1992-93, planning to enter the Sannyas Ashram (renounced life) after the age of 75. However, his Guru advised him to remain in family life, emphasizing that he had already achieved the essence of being a Sannyasi. Sri Vigyani honored this advice, but he still believes that the Sannyas Ashram can offer valuable experiences of the universe and divinity.

In his later years, Sri Vigyani spent time with his eldest son in the United States, where the serene environment further deepened his spiritual practice. On November 3, 1993, he experienced self-realization, achieving the ultimate goal of human life. Even at the age of 88, Sri Vigyani remained actively engaged in spiritual endeavors, including the promotion of Shaktipat, guiding aspirants, studying scriptures, and writing. He has initiated around 70-75 disciples in Shaktipat and expressed concern about the decline and commercialization of this divine science. He wrote to senior Shaktipat Gurus in 1994, urging them to take corrective action to restore its effectiveness.

Sri Vigyani has authored several books in Hindi, including "Yogavaashisthasaar Sangrah," "Bhaagawatsaar Sangrah," "GeetaSaar Sangrah," "Parampara-utkarsha-yagna," "America-Pravas," "Pattrottar-saar-sangrah," and "Atmagyan-muktak." The English translation of "Yogavashisthasaar-Sangrah" is planned for publication on his website, along with other articles and guidance for aspirants.

In his final years, Sri Vigyani expressed his intention to live up to 100 years, as suggested in the Atharvaveda. However, he decided to leave his mortal body on the morning of September 17, 2016, at 4 a.m. His last words were chants of "Rama." Guru Mata Srimati Shanti Devi was the last person to speak with him. Before his passing, Sri Devendra Vigyani appointed Shri Nardev Kothari Ji as his successor in the Shaktipat initiation tradition.

Books by Sri Devendra Vigyaniji