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Nityananda died in 1961, fourteen years after passing on Shaktipat transmission to Swami Muktananda. Continuing this tradition, Muktananda passed on the Shaktipat initiation to many people in India and other countries. It was through his widespread extension of the little known Shaktipat experience that Muktananda became a well-known figure. Among his teachings, Muktananda expressed his view of what the Guru really is: one who awakens the inner shakti Kundalini through shaktipat. Muktananda's fame as a Guru increased to the point of being made the subject of a Time magazine article in 1976.

Tirumantiram Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaj, also known as Munilal Swami, was born (date unknown) in the Jazzar District of Rohtak, Haryana, India. He died in 1969. Vishnu Tirth was a sannyasin, writer and Guru in the Shaktipat tradition of Mahayoga.

As a young man, Munilal was highly interested in spiritual matters which later became the focus of his adult life. During his early years of secular education, Munilal stayed with his uncle while obtaining an undergraduate degree. After graduation, he married and was employed as a teacher in Bilaspur, Madhya Pradesh. While pursuing his teaching career, he simultaneously obtained a postgraduate degree and L.L.B. (Bachelor of Laws) from Aligarh Muslim University. After passing these examination he became a practicing lawyer in the Ghaziabad District of Meerut.

Due to his spiritual inclinations, his job as legal practitioner did not suit him well. Munilal and his wife raised a son and daughter. After the marriage of both children and the death of his spouse, Munilal decided to renounce the world in search of enlightenment. This decision lead him to Rishikesh.

At the Swargashram in Rishikesh, Munilal met Shri Yoganandaji and received Shaktipat initiation from him. This was in the year 1933. Afterwards, he traveled to many religious places around Badrinath and Kedarnath. In 1939, Munilal expressed a desire for initiation into the tradition of Sannyas, and Yoganandaji directed him to Swami Shankar Purushottan Tirth Maharaj in Benaras. Swami Shankar Pururushottam Tirtha initiated Munilal into the tradition of Sannyas at the Mohan Ashram of Haridwar near the bank of the holy river Ganges. His name became Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaj after this initiation. As per the direction of Shri Yoganandaji, Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaj proceeded toward Indore and finally settled in Dewas where he laid the foundation for the Narayan Kuti Sanyas Ashram.

Vishnu Tirth initiated many spiritual aspirants into the system of Shaktipat and wrote a number of books. His most memorable work in English is entitled, Devatma Shakti (Kundalini). This book is an indepth study of the Divine Power (Devatma Shakti) and the science of Shaktipat. This work is based on traditions recorded in ancient scriptures supplemented by direct experiences of divine revelation. This book is considered a classic in the field of Shaktipat and the awakening of internal consciousness.

Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaj had a profound love for the Ganges River and he spent around two months a year near the river in Rishikesh. His disciples soon carried out the construction of a center in Rishikesh in 1965 which came to be known as Yoga Shri Pith. Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaja occupies a prominent place in the galaxy of Shaktipat Gurus. He was highly educated and had a sharp and brilliant mind. He left his mortal body in 1969 dissolving into the Absolute.