…under the birth name of Manoj Panwar in a traditional family and simple farmhouse, in the village of Ailum near Shamali (previously known as Muzaffarnagar). 

The third among four children, he did not speak until the age of four causing his mother to fear that he was mute. His father, Dr. Sansar Singh Panwar, was a well known Ayurvedic doctor and spiritual practitioner. 

Dr. Panwar was particularly respected for his selfless seva to local communities, providing daily medications for the miniscule amount of two rupees per person. His mother, Sureshvati, was recognised for her wisdom and many local women would approach her for advice on womens’ health matters.

SEE IMAGE: The late Dr Sansar Singh Panwar, Yogrishi Vishvketu’s father

…catching a train, ticketless, towards a Shiva temple where his uncle, Swami Mahavir Giri, was undertaking intense spiritual practices. Upon arrival he expressed that he wanted to wear the orange clothes of a Swami. He was told he was too young, given one rupee and some sweets and brought back to his parents. 

At school, unlike his peers, he would sit silently observing his surroundings. His growingly concerned parents invited Swami Mahavir Giri to their home with the hope that his blessings would help him learn how to read and write. Swami Mahavir Giri obliged, and taught him how to do likhita japa (repeated writing of mantras) ‘Ram Ram’. The Swami ji’s blessings were fruitful, his mother soon discovered to her surprise, a mountain of notebooks all filled only with the mantra ‘Ram’.

SEE IMAGE: The late Swami Mahavir Giri, Yogrishi Vishvketu’s uncle and first inspiration

…that his maternal uncle, Swami Yogiraj (also known as Adhunik Bheem), was running a gurukul in the ancient, revered Kanvashram, he began to pester his parents to be taken there.

At the age of 8, his mother, Sureshvati, made him a challenge, “If you can keep your clothes clean and neat in a box, and wash and fold them yourself for one month, I will send you to the gurukul”. And so, shortly thereafter he was enrolled.

His parent’s contributions to the community and preservation of Ayurvedic tradition created the foundation for Yogrishi’s virtuous ideals of community, holistic living, and charity from a very young age.

SEE IMAGE: Mataji, Yogrishi Vishvketu’s mother in her younger days

…with India’s spiritual history, great sages such as Rishi Kanvar, Rishi Vishvamitra, and King Bharat lived in or practiced in this environment. Energetically charged, this was an ideal place to absorb ancient healing and consciousness-raising traditions.

The young Manoj began his spiritual journey with long days at Gurukul Mahavidyalaya Kanvashram learning meditation, chanting, Vedic fire puja, Sanskrit, Yoga, sports, and other school subjects. 

Swami Yogiraj, known as the strongest man in India during his youth, was also a renowned herb specialist, alchemist and Ayurvedic doctor. His carefully preserved knowledge of nature, herbs, Yoga, and alchemy provided a wealth of knowledge that young Manoj engaged with enthusiastically.

SEE IMAGE: Swami Yogiraj, also known as India’s strongest Adhunik Bheem

…the Aushadhalaya (Ayurvedic pharmacy), learning to pick herbs in the jungle, and helping to assess ailments and prescribe Ayurvedic remedies.

By the age of 16, he was a dedicated Karma Yogi serving and teaching the visitors to the ashram and nurturing the residents, including schoolmates, while taking care of the goshala (cow shed). 

He was given a strongly rooted foundation in wisdom and techniques, including Vedic fire rituals (Agni Hotra), Ayurveda, and Yoga and lived a dinacharya lifestyle (conscious living). He was also adept at numerous sports and Indian wrestling, which eventually led him towards undertaking university level studies in sports at CCS HAU Sports College and Yoga at university.

The Gurukul had many current-day visiting Yogis as well, who Manoj had exposure and influence from throughout his entire youth.

SEE IMAGE: Kanvashram

…brought a very different world from the quiet, spiritual disciplines and organisation of Kanvashram life for Manoj. Here, he experienced the world of material, intellectual information and connection with many different personalities. It was overwhelming, and also gave him a new, expansive outlook. 

It was at university that Manoj met his Guru, Baba Prem Nath, a deeply focused young ascetic from Rajasthan who lived on prana as his main sustenance over 12 years. While at Sports College, Baba Prem Nath anchored Manoj in the wisdom and techniques of prana. In the traditional guru-shishya approach, Baba Prem Nath would share wisdom and give homework, leading by example in his own life. He would give Manoj practices to increase his own pranic energy, both on and off the Yoga mat.

SEE IMAGE: Yogrishi Vishvketu exploring sports sciences & yoga at Sports College

…in guiding Manoj to expand on spiritual discipline and inner focus. During that time, Baba Prem Nath initiated him with the name Vishvketu meaning ‘world bridge or world flag.’ As he was nearing graduation from university, he told Vishva-ji, “You will not get a job from anyone; you will create jobs for others.” At the age of 22, this was a bit of a shock, a seemingly inauspicious blessing that took some time to understand. 

Vishva-ji continued to study Naturopathy and Yoga and eventually began his Masters degree in Yoga. This journey of study while contemplating his Guru’s guidance continued, bringing him through his PhD in Yoga. It took him years to process and understand his teacher’s words and guidance towards his soul purpose. Vishva-ji now looks back with immense gratitude for the teacher who guided him so well.

SEE IMAGE: Guru Baba Prem Nath, Nath Yogi and Vishvaji’s initiated Guru

…and acknowledgements, including receiving a University Gold medal, and gold medals in national championships in Yoga. From his studies, he developed a habit of bringing awareness and excellence to anything he undertook.

After graduation and while undertaking his PhD, Yogrishi Vishvketu moved to the renowned Yoga Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh where he continued to teach and inspire students from around the world to live the Yogic life with joy and dedication. He undertook numerous Gayatri anustanas and spent three months in silence to go within and fully understand his soul purpose. During this period he was also blessed with advanced teachings in pranayama, satkarmas, mudras, and kriyas from Swami Yogi Nath, also a Nath Yogi. 

SEE IMAGE: Yogrishi Vishvketu at Yoga Niketan Ashram teaching students traditional Shatkarmas

…and began to teach, sharing a passion for Yoga and his fun-loving nature. A core group of students from his Yoga Niketan days were there to support him and his vision in the initial days. With time, many more Akhanda Yogis and Yoginis contributed to setting the foundations for numerous projects and expanding several new initiatives.

From his many years living in sadhana and engaging in intensive Gayatri mantra anustana in Rishikesh, Yogrishi-ji was internally carrying the view of Vasudhev Kutumbhakkam – the whole world is one family. 

As a new immigrant in Canada, Vishva-ji began to teach in government offices in Ottawa, Canada’s capital. Soon there were Yoga classes taught by the “Yogi who laughs” in Transport Canada, the Public Service Commission, Immigration Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the National Research Council. 

SEE IMAGE: Yogrishi Vishvketu in Canada

…is to inspire people to connect to their true nature, which is fearless, expansive, joyful, and playful.

After many years teaching internationally, Vishva-ji co-founded Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram Trust in Tapovan, Rishikesh on Deepavali, 2007. His earlier thoughts on Vasudhev Kutumbakam (the world is one family) began to manifest in its first form – the construction of an ashram space for safe, comfortable, and undisturbed practice.

With a close-knit team of dedicated supporters including family and friends, the first two-storey building, equipped with a Yoga hall, sattvic dining facility, and small fire puja area was constructed near Laxman Jhula in Rishikesh, India. 

The space hosted Yoga teacher trainings, for dedicated Yoga practitioners, with a team of expert teachers from around the world.

SEE IMAGE: Ashram Opening Ceremony

…of sole Directorship of the Ashram, continuing to expand and manage the space with the growing Akhanda Yoga team. His engaging style of teaching and powerful practice sequences continued to spread through word of mouth. The space was extended to accommodate the growing number of Yoga teachers and dedicated spiritual practitioners who wanted to immerse themselves in a comfortable, safe space for practice. 

In 2013 Yogrishi Vishvketu also founded Sansar Gyaan Pathshala, a school for 300 underserved children in Pritamgarh, India. This was the culmination of several years of fundraising efforts, kickstarted by an inspired group of Akhanda karma Yogis in 2009. Today, the Akhanda Global Family continues to support the school through Helping Hands for India, a Canadian based charitable organization managed by a dedicated team of volunteers.

SEE IMAGE: Yogrishi Vishvketu teaching students of Sansar Gyaan Pathshala