Sanyasi Charanashrit
Master of Swara Yoga · Author · Teacher
Sanyasi Charanashrit
Sannyasi Charanashrit takes you to the heart of inner experience through an esoteric journey — Swara Yoga, the yoga of your very breath.
A Divine Encounter
Swara Yoga is the yoga of your very breath. It is not to be confused with Pranayama, which works with the regulation and extension of the breath. Swara Yoga works with something far subtler — the flow of prana through the left and right nostrils as it mirrors the cosmic rhythms of sun, moon, day, night, and season. It is an ancient and almost forgotten tradition of Tantra, preserved through an unbroken chain of living masters.
This sacred knowledge became available to seekers in modern times largely because of the tireless work of living masters like Paramahamsa Satyananda. The tradition holds that initiation into Swara Yoga must be given on a one-to-one basis, by direct transmission from teacher to student — a flame kindled from an already-burning flame.
At the age of 28, Kishor (as Charanashrit was then known) found himself in the precincts of the famous Shiva Temple in Deoghar, Jharkhand — approximately 8 kilometres from the tapo bhoomi of Paramahamsa Satyananda himself. It was a place charged with centuries of tapas, resonant with the presence of Shiva.
Under the shade of a tree sat a Sadhu — ash-smeared from head to foot, body lean and austere, hair matted in long natural locks, exuding an unearthly stillness. The Sadhu held in his hand a copy of the Shiva Swarodaya in Hindi and pressed it gently into Kishor's hands.
It was the go-dhuli hour — the auspicious twilight moment when the cows return home, kicking up golden dust, and the sky turns a deep saffron. Of all hours, the go-dhuli is considered most sacred by the Shaiva tradition, and this was a Monday — the day of Lord Shiva himself.
A statement that speaks of lives beyond this one.
With those three words the universe shifted. The Sadhu then sat with Kishor for half an hour and initiated him into Swara Yoga — imparting the essence of the practice, giving him a specific sadhana to carry forward. As the twilight deepened, the Sadhu said simply: "Come after three days."
Three days later, Kishor returned to the same spot beneath the same tree. The Sadhu was not there. He waited. He asked those nearby. No one had seen such a man. He never came — and he was never seen again.
In the silence of that absence, a recognition arose: the ash-smeared ascetic, the matted hair, the sacred go-dhuli hour of Monday the 12th of July 1993 — it had been Lord Shiva himself. The tradition holds that Shiva appears to the deserving seeker in human form and initiates them directly. What was given in half an hour under that tree was a transmission from the source of Swara Yoga itself.
"Long matted hair, ash-smeared body, the most auspicious twilight hour of a Monday — it was Lord Shiva himself who placed the knowledge of Swara Yoga back into Kishor's hands on 12th July 1993."
— The Story of Charanashrit's InitiationEducation & Ongoing Mission
Following the divine initiation, Kishor devoted himself to intensive research and sadhana in Swara Yoga. His path led him to the Bihar School of Yoga, where he was formally initiated into Karma Sannyasa by Paramahamsa Niranjananandji. It was at this initiation that he received the name Charanashrit — one who takes refuge at the feet (of the Guru and of the Divine).
He went on to graduate from Bihar Yoga Bharati, the world's first university dedicated entirely to Yoga — located in Munger, Bihar, at the ashram founded by Paramahamsa Satyananda. The academic and experiential training deepened his understanding and gave rigorous form to what had been received through direct transmission.
Today, Sanyasi Charanashrit teaches Swara Yoga at Atma Darshan Yogashram in Bangalore, India, sharing this rare knowledge with all who come seeking the ancient science of breath and consciousness. His work — through this website, through books, and through direct teaching — aims to bring the living tradition of Swara Yoga back into the hands of sincere seekers.
Key Milestones
At the Shiva Temple precincts in Deoghar, Jharkhand — 8 km from the tapo bhoomi of Paramahamsa Satyananda — an ash-smeared Sadhu under a tree handed Kishor a copy of the Shiva Swarodaya and initiated him for half an hour, giving him sadhana to practice. Three days later the Sadhu was gone — it was Lord Shiva himself.
Years of dedicated sadhana based on the initiation received, deepening the understanding of Swara theory — tithis, nadis, panchatattvas — through direct experience and systematic study of the traditional texts.
Initiated into Karma Sannyasa by Paramahamsa Niranjananandji of the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger. Kishor received the sannyasa name Charanashrit — one who takes refuge at the Guru's feet.
Graduated from Bihar Yoga Bharati — established by Paramahamsa Satyananda and the first university in the world dedicated exclusively to Yoga. Academic training in Yoga philosophy, tantra, and the applied sciences of Swara.
Sanyasi Charanashrit continues to teach Swara Yoga, sharing the living tradition through classes, books, and this website — making the ancient science of breath accessible to sincere seekers everywhere.
Explore the Teaching
Read the interview with Swami Charanashrit Giri, explore the Shiva Swarodaya, or begin your daily Swara Sadhana — the breath is always with you.