Thanjavur Swamigal
The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism studied the Science of Siddha Vidya, the science of retaining the flow of life energy, from Thanjavur Swamigal and his own biological uncle, Kumaraswamy. Thanjavur Swamigal's guru was Paramahamsa Shivananda, who was the reviver of this great knowledge tradition.
About the Science of Siddha Vidya
Siddha Vidya is the science of using pranayama for maintaining the energy flow in an upward direction in the body and attaining the space of Oneness with Paramashiva, or superconsciousness. The practice uses several forms of pranayama and kumbhaka and deep meditation. Its origins are from Paramashiva Himself who imparted this knowledge to Parashakti and the saptarishi and eighteen siddhas.
In the twentieth century, the deep science of Siddha Vidya is revived by Paramahamsa Sivananda after it was lost for thousands of years due to genocide and the destruction of Hindu knowledge. Among his disciples was Thanjavur Swamigal, who had taught this science to Kumaraswami. Thanjavur Swamigal was also a brother disciple of Narayana Swami, who both learned the science of Siddha under Paramahamsa Shivananda.
References
His Divine Holiness mentions Paramahamsa Shivananda and his disciple Narayana Swami from the Patanjali Yoga Sutras talk on 28 February 2011 https://nithyanandapedia.org/wiki/February_28_2011
The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism learned this science under the direct tutelage of His paternal uncle and Thanjavur Swamigal in Tiruvannamalai, which is the place of The Advent of The Avatar.
Thanjavur Swamigal directly taught the Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism the Science of Siddha Vidya and initiated him into delivering this science to millions all over the world for their benefit.
Revival of Siddha Vidya
As it was started by Paramahamsa Shivananda, the revival is today continued by The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism through several of the programs, initiations and spiritual practices which are offered through KAILASA's Nithyananda Hindu University.
The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism has emphasized the power of the techniques which were designed by Paramahamsa Shivananda, specifically where they will stare into a mirror with jnananjana, the energized aushada made of ghee and cotton soot.
He brings out the powerful cognitions which is experienced when doing this technique:
"I WANT YOU TO KNOW, IN THIS PROCESS, THE POWERFUL COGNITION THEY TEACH YOU IS: WHATEVER YOU KNOW ABOUT YOU FROM THE PAST, WHATEVER YOU FEEL ABOUT YOU IN THE PRESENT, IS ALL A DELUSION. EVEN THE IDEA, ‘YOU ARE LOOKING BAD, GOOD, UGLY, BEAUTIFUL’, ALL THESE IDEAS ARE ALSO A DELUSION. WITH THIS IF YOU SIT, THE FORM IN THE MIRROR MELTS DOWN, AND THE FORM IN YOUR CHIT (CONSCIOUSNESS) MELTS DOWN. IF THE FORM IN THE CHIT MELTS DOWN, CHIT SHAKTI (CONSCIOUS POWER)" MANIFESTS.
References
- His Divine Holiness speaks on Paramahamsa Shivananda, his mastery of the Science of Siddha Vidya and the process which his disciples and followers are initiated into with the mirror. https://nithyanandapedia.org/wiki/January_08_2020