Ananda Marga was founded by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, known spiritually as Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti. He established the organization in Jamalpur, Bihar, presenting it as a yoga-based movement with both social and spiritual aims. Within the tradition, Sarkar is regarded not merely as an organizer but as the central spiritual guide, a modern Tantric master who systematized practices for contemporary seekers. His role is understood as that of the guru who gives form and structure to a very ancient current of spiritual discipline.

Regarding its spiritual lineage, Ananda Marga situates itself within the broad stream of Indian Tantra. It is described as continuing and reviving Tantric yoga traditions, particularly those associated with Shaiva and Shakta currents. Rather than emphasizing a long, traceable chain of human teachers, the movement presents its transmission as flowing directly through Sarkar from an ancient Tantric source. In this way, its lineage is framed less as a conventional historical succession and more as a re-manifestation of an old Tantric wisdom adapted for a new age.