Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the Masters of the Tradition, Part 1

What keeps a body of knowledge alive across thousands of years without losing its purity?

In this first part of a two-part series, Thom traces the Guru Parampara, the lineage of the Shankaracharya tradition, from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Guru Deva back through Vyasa, Shankara, and the ancient masters who carried Vedic knowledge forward.

Along the way, he explores why preserving the purity of the teaching matters just as much as sharing it.

This series also serves as a fitting prelude to upcoming Guru Purnima celebrations for 2026. You can find out more about Guru Purnima events near you by following this link: https://thomknoles.com/guru-purnima-2026/

Listen to or watch this episode to explore the tradition, the terminology, and the living provenance behind Vedic Meditation.

Episode Highlights
[00:45] How This Knowledge Arrived Here

[04:02] Reading the Lineage in Stone

[05:56] Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Guru Deva

[08:39] From Gaudapadacharya to Vyasa

[10:57] The Meaning of 1008

[13:00] The Lineage Before Vyasa

[16:08] What Guru Parampara Means

[18:47] Becoming an Initiator

[20:51] Why Thom Wears a Silk Dhoti

[23:55] The Meaning of Jai Guru Deva

[27:36] Why Guru Purnima Matters