0TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING MODERN RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR

MOVEMENTS IN INDIA

TOPIC :Guru Movements: Special Study of the following Gurus-

a. Shirdi Bai Baba Tradition with special reference to

Sathya Sai Baba.
b. Maharshi Mahesh Yogi and Transcendental Meditation.

SUBMITTED TO : Rev. Lalhlimpuia

SYBMITTED BY : Lalnunsangi Roll No.-14 B.D-IV

H.Lalramliani Roll No.- 15 B.D-IV

Introduction.

In ancient India, the knowledge was passed on through oral teachings from guru to the
learner as the learner lived at the home of his guru and served him with obedience and
devotion. The guru was the founder of sects, the living embodiment of the spiritual truth
professed by the sect and the pupil offered willing service and obedience to the guru.1

1. Shirdi Bai Baba Tradition with special reference to Sathya Sai Baba.
Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi was the third child of a boatman, Ganga Bhavadia, who lived in
Patri, a village near Manmad, on the banks of a river there. His mother’s name was
Devagiriamma. His mother and father was a devotees of Goddess pArvathi and
Eeswara. And luckily, lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi visited his mother and bless
her. And Shirdi was died in the year of 1918 in Maharashtra. He was claimed himself
as Allah.2 From about 1910-1918 he was actually worshipped as God by many.
Saitya Sai Baba claimed himself to be the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi who
accepts the value of the Hindu Scriptures and teaches that God is ultimately
Nirguna(without attributes) and Saguna( With Attributes). 3 He is popular for his
miracles such as materialization of objects, healing of the sick, knowing the thoughts
of devotees and multiplying food.4 He began claiming to be an avatar(incarnation.

1
Moanungsang, Towards Understanding Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India (Delhi:
Christian World Imprints,2021),211.
2
V.K Gokak, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba: The Man and the Avatar ( New Delhi: Abhinav
Publications,1983),61.
3
Moanungsang, Towards Understanding Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India…213.
4
Mangalwadi Vishal, The World of Gurus, Revised Edition (New Delhi: Nivedit Good Books
Distributers, 1992),112.

1
 During the Dussehra festival in 1961 he claimed that he was avatar greater than Rama
anad Krishna.5
1.1. His life- A Summary.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba is one of the most revered spiritual teachers in the world. He is
also known as Sathya Sai Baba, Sai Baba, Swami, Bhagavan or simply as Baba to
millions of people in the world. His followers come from all faiths and races and meet
regularly for devotional singing, to study his teachings, and to engage in service
activities in order to practice his message of Love and Peace to unite all mankind.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born as Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23, 1926 in the
village of Puttaparthi, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India. Even as a child,
his spiritual inclination, contemplative nature and miracles set him apart from other
children of his age, and he was known as ‘Guru’ and “Brahmajnani’ (knower of
Brahman or Godhead) among his peers and others in the village. However, it was not
until October 20, 1940, the day he made the historic declaration of his Avatarhood,
(Avatar - Divinity Incarnate) that the world at large learnt of this divine phenomenon. 6
He proclaimed His message – to bring about the spiritual regeneration of humanity by
demonstrating and teaching the highest principles of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace,
Love, and Nonviolence. With that announcement, He left his childhood home and
began His mission.

1.2. Understanding of Divine and Human form.

Sathya compares the form of Avatar to a focal point wherein this colossal Divine
force can contact the human in the tiny knot of energy that is our Earth, on the
human lifetime. But, the Avatar is not limited by the constriction of bodily
confinement because he is the one with the source of all. 7 The avatar takes the
human form so that the humanity can feel kinship with the divinity. At the same
time, he rises to godly heights so that humankind also can aspire to reach god.8
Baba living form was as a living Lord, through His teachings and enjoys bliss.
Baba says, “Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema are the four most important

5
Vishal Mangalwadi, The World of Gurus (New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House,1977),151-152.
6
Sri Sathya Sai Baba- Revered Spiritual Teacher https://www.sathyasai.org/sathya-sai/life-and-legacy
(Accessed on 03-11-23)
7
Moanungsang, Towards Understanding Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India…215.
8
Sathya Sai Baba-Kalki Avatar of Vishnu during Kali
YugaAge”http://www.comicharmony.com/Av/Satya53.htm. (Accessed on 03-11-23)

2
 requirements for a man’s progress. The combination of these is love.” 9 Sathya Sai
teaches how to live a good and modest life full of humility. Baba does not say
anything new; the same doctrines which our old prophets have said are all there.
1.3. Understanding of Vedas: He interprets that Vedas contain profound,
immeasurable and infinite wisdom. Veda is breath (word) of God, which is
Akshara, the indestructible truth the symbol for the vibration that spreads and
affects the universe forever.10
1.4. Understanding the nature of the World: He believes that the world is
divine. The world is the manifestation of Prapancha five elements, namely- earth,
fire, water, air and ether and the five principles, namely- prana (life breath, vital
energy), apana (downward air), vyana ( the vital air that is diffused throughout the
body), udana ( breath that moves upward from the throat) and samana ( digestive
air). They form the basis from the entire world.11
1.5. Understanding the nature of God: He believed that Brahman is Nirguna in
its essential nature but the Saguna aspect of Brahman is for those who are
spiritually immature to reach the Nirguna Brahman. God is one, present in
everyone so unity is seen in creation. God is eternal and is always concerned
about the welfare of the devotees bestowing pure and unsullied bliss.12
2. Sathya Baba Movement.
The followers of Satya Sai Baba claim satya to be a purna avatar of Shiva and Shakti
as predicted in the Bhagavad Gita worshipping him as a God through devotional
songs bhajans and service seva. It is officially known as Sathya Sai Organization.
The number of adherents is estimated between 6 and million. 13 They provide free
schools and healthcare for the poorest districts in India, encourage education of
women stressing on equality and respect for all life. 14 This movement has provided
water systems and healthcare to many neglected areas. They give free educational
institutions and organize charitable projects. He performs miracles to attract people
and then to transform them spiritually.
3. Maharshi Mahesh Yogi and Transcendental Meditation
9
Satya Pal Ruhela and Duane Robinson,eds., Sai Baba and His Message(U.P: Vikas Publishing
House,1982),251.
10
Moanungsang, Towards Understanding Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India…215.
11
Moanungsang, Towards Understanding Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India…215.
12
Moanungsang, Towards Understanding Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India…215.
13
Moanungsang, Towards Understanding Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India…220.
14
Aruna Chandaraju, “ Where service comes first” Deccan Herald, 17 January 2006,5. “Satya Sai Baba
Movement” http//www.satya saibaba movement-wikipedia for free encyclopedia.mht.(17 January 2024).

3
Maharshi Mahesh Yogi describes himself to west as an Indian “Monk”. He is the founder of
the spiritual regeneration movement and other allied organization for the propagation of his
meditation technique called transcendental meditation. Since the late 1770s he has become a
leading “guru” in India and also particularly in the western world. Maharishi’s teaching is
twofold: Practical and theoretical. The practical aspect is the technique of transcendental
meditation and the theoretical aspect is the philosophy behind it.

4. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi- Biographical

Early life and latter part: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was on 12th January 1918 in India. His
original name was Mahes Prasad Varma and he came from an upper- caste family, Kayastha
caste.15

In 1991, he began suffering from kidney and pancreas failure and on 12 th January
2008 on his 90th birthday, he stepped down from his officials duties in the movement. He
declared his work in the world to be over saying that he now going to be silent. On 5 th
February 2008, he died peacefully in the small town of Netherland.16

Education and career: According to his own account, Maharishi studied physics and
chemistry at the University of Allahabad before joining Sankaraya as a brahmacarin. After
finishing his academic studies, he decided to look for deeper meaning in life. The next
thirteen years (1941-1953) he sought enlightenment under his guru Swami Brahmananda
Saraswati, who was then the Shankaracharya i.e. the spiritual leader of Jyothir math located
in the Indian Himalayas.17

5. History of Transcendental

His guru Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, known as Guru De (Divine teacher), his master for
thirteen years and before he death he asked Mahesh Yogi to evolve as simple form of
mediation which anyone could practice. Mahesh Yogi obeyed this charge and hid himself in
the Himalayas for two years. When he emerged, he started the Transcendental Meditation
Movement. It was in 1956 that he took the title Maharishi (great seer).18

15
James Lewis, odd Gods, New Religion and the Cult Controversy, ( USA: Prometheus Books, 20010,
230- 233.
16
M. L. Ahuja, Gurus: Ancient, Medieval and Modern (New Delhi: Rupa. Co, 2009), 203.
17
Aleyamma Zachariah, Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India ( Delhi: Kalpaz
Publication. 2009), 85 Hereafter cited as Zachariah, Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India…
18
Zachariah, Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India..., 85.

4
 Accordingly, the transcendental meditation movement officially began in 1957 when
Maharishi founded the spiritual Regeneration Movement. In 1972, he inaugurated a World
Plan with 2000 teachers of transcended mediation to set up his centers all over the world. It
was first taught in the 1950s and the organization was estimated to have 900, 000 participates
worldwide in 1977 and a million in 1980s.19

6. Meaning of Transcendent Mediation

Transcendental meditation is a yoga technique intended to alter one’s consciousness in order

to achieve the realization of one’s persona divinity. The word ‘transcendental’ is derived
from the word ‘transcend’ which means to ‘go beyond, rise above or be more important, or
better the limits set on us by our body and its senses. So, the term transcendental means
‘going beyond the limits of human knowledge, experience, reason’, sensations and sense
data. Transcendental meditation (TM) ‘is a method of calming the mind and becoming
relaxed by thinking deeply in silence and silently repeating a special word or sound (syllable)
or series of words (mantra) many times in a row. 20

According to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, transcendental meditation “is the most effective form
of relaxation. It not only relaxes the body and mind but also feeds them (the practitioners)
with vital energy, peace and happiness”.

7. The technique of Transcendental Meditation21

Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation technique is a simple, natural, effortless procedure

whereby the mind easily and naturally arrives at the source of thought and to silently repeat a
mantra in the head. The focus of the Transcendental Meditation technique is to settle the body
down to a state of restful alertness.

A Unique, secret mantra, the mysterious sound on which he or she will meditate is given.
These mantras are dispensed according to age pregnated with meaningful sound that ear a
relationship to their gods.

Transcendental Meditation is practised twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes in the morning and
evening while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed.

19
Wiliam Peterson, The curious New Cults in the 80s. pdf, 123.
20
https://thedailyguardian.com/maharishi- yogis-transcendental-mediation/ ( Accessed on 18 January
2023).
21
Moanungsang, Towards Understanding Modern Religious (Delhi: CWI, 2021), 222.

5
As a simple mediation technique, it helps the individual to experience less excited,
increasingly refined level of mental activity and to go beyond all excited states of the mind to
the least excited state of mental activities, called transcendental consciousness.

8. Teaching of Transcendental Meditation

8.1 Maharishi’s Psychological description of consciousness

Over the course of ten years, the progressive evolution of the experiences of the meditators
Inspired him to unfold step by step the knowledge that there are seven distinct states of
human consciousness with seven corresponding distinct worlds of experience, which include
four higher states of consciousness distinct from the three psych physiologically defined
states of walking, sleeping and dreaming. 22

The three psychologically defined states of waking, sleeping and dreaming are also regarded
as states of ignorance. The ordinary experience of human beings is confined to these three
states which succeed one another. According to Maharishi theory of human consciousness,
among the seven states of consciousness there are four higher states of consciousness distinct
from the three consciousness’s. The four high states of consciousness are defined as follows

8.1.1 Unified Field/Transcendental Consciousness, the fourth states:

During the practice of Transcendental meditation a unique state of restful alertness is

produced This state of consciousness is sensitive inner wakefulness accompanied by deep
silence and rest, a state in which all activity of feeling thinking and perceiving has come to
test, yet awareness remains wide awake with no objective content of experience. He
characterizes this state as a state of inner wakefulness with no object of thought or perception,
just pure consciousness, aware of its unbound nature23

8.1.2 Cosmic Consciousness, the fifth states

Experiencing of transcendental consciousness alternate with the ordinary waking state refine
and habituates the nervous system to sustain a state identified as cosmic consciousness. The
individual develops the ability to maintain unbound inner awareness at the deepest level of
the mind even while engaged in mental awareness at the deepest level of feeling and thinking

22
Moanungsang, Towards Understanding Modern Religious…,222.
23
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Inauguration of the Dawn of the age of Enlightenment ( Rheinweiler: MIU
press), 123.

6
along with all experiences of daily activity and sleep”. The individual attains complete inner
freedom and the individual self no longer overshadow the underlying unified field."24

8.1.3 Refined Cosmic Consciousness, the sixth State

It is the continued refinement of perceptual and effective processes which result in the ability
to appreciate the finest manifest level of subjection and objective experienced It is the state of
enlightenment with deeper appreciation of the profound harmony and grandeur of creation".25

8.1.4 Unity Consciousness, the seventh state

In this highest stage, the absolute status of self-referral has been gained and every object of
perception is in terms of the unbounded self. Thus, the infinite self-referral nature of the
cosmic psyche has been extended to encompass the external as well as the internal fields of
life.26

9. Practice of Transcendental Meditation

A puja ceremony is arranged in which the picture of Mahesh Yogi's Guru Swami
Brahmananda Saraswati is honored. The teacher recites some Sanskrit prayers including the
one which Maharishi wrote. It is offered as a prayer of worship to many Gurus in the tradition
of Advaita Vedanta. These prayers are intended to make the devotee passive. Then a secret
Mantra is given to the devotee which has to be repeated slowly in the devotees mind with the
eye closed. The disciples are asked to meditate first and the mantra and then he/she will
become conscious of the power of the mantra. Thus, a devotee will reach the state of
transcendental consciousness. This meditation is only for 20 minutes and after meditation, a
devotee is supposed to have two hours of personal instruction under a teacher for three
successive days. Then for the next month there are checking sessions once a week. Then for
the first year there is a tune up session. Those who special interest can take advance courses
in subsequent years. It should be noted that Maharishi's philosophical position is the re-
interpretation of Advaita in modern terms According to him, liberation can be attained by
practicing Transcendental Meditation.27

10. Advantage of Transcendental Meditation:

24
Moanungsang, Towards Understanding Modern Religious…,224
25
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Science of Being and the art of Living (New York: Signet, 1966), 424.
26
Moanungsang, Towards Understanding Modern Religious…,225
27
John V. Matthew, Modern Religious and secular Movements ( Kolkata: SEPTRE, 2013), 75.

7
Maharishi and his followers were convinced that Transcendental Meditation can deal with
fundamental problems of life and this meditation gives solution to eradicate all sufferings
they advertise TM in a very attractive and appealing manner such as

i) Through TM a devotee increases his/her consciousness, creativity and intelligence

ii) Mahesh Yogi claims that TM is a medicine which helps to solve all human problems
dealing with mind and body. A person removes all tensions, worries and other sickness

iii) It increases happiness, reduces stress, increases intelligence, improves memory and
health, reduces high blood pressure, improves relationship among fellow human being

iv) One is assured that he need not change his religious beliefs in order to practice TM.28

CONCLUSION

The Transcendental Meditation technique and Rajneesh’s perspective share a community in

not requiring specific belief or lifestyles changes. Rajneesdh rejects religious intolerance,
emphasizing the importance of transcending labels like Hindu, Muslim, or Christian to
embrace a shared humanity. Both movements move beyond their original religious
foundations, aiming it into a universal and comprehensive movement to tauch more mases
and gain a great number of recognition into the world.

28
Zachariah, Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India…, 244.

8
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Books
Ahuja, M. L. Gurus: Ancient, Medieval and Modern. New Delhi: Rupa. Co, 2009.
Gokak, V.K. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba: The Man and the Avatar. New Delhi: Abhinav
Publications, 1983.
Lewis, James. odd Gods, New Religion and the Cult Controversy. USA: Prometheus Books,
2010.
Mahesh Yogi, Maharishi. Science of Being and the art of Living. New York: Signet, 1966.
Matthew, John V. Modern Religious and secular Movements. Kolkata: SEPTRE, 2013.
Mahesh Yogi, Maharishi. Inauguration of the Dawn of the age of Enlightenment.
Rheinweiler: MIU press. Mangalwadi, Vishal. The World of Gurus. New Delhi: Vikas
Publishing House,1977.
Ruhela, Satya Pal and Duane Robinson,eds., Sai Baba and His Message. U.P: Vikas
Publishing House, 1982.
Zachariah, Aleyamma. Modern Religious and Secular Movements in India. Delhi: Kalpaz
Publication. 2009.
Vishal, Mangalwadi. The World of Gurus, Revised Edition.New Delhi: Nivedit Good Books
Distributers, 1992.
Internet sources
Wiliam Peterson, The curious New Cults in the 80s. pdf, 123.
https://thedailyguardian.com/maharishi- yogis-transcendental-mediation/ ( 18 January 2023).
Aruna Chandaraju, “Where service comes first” Deccan Herald, 17 January 2006, 5. “Satya
Sai Baba Movement” http//www.satya saibaba movement-wikipedia for free
encyclopedia.mht.(17 January 2024).
Sathya Sai Baba-Kalki Avatar of Vishnu during Kali
YugaAge”http://www.comicharmony.com/Av/Satya53.htm. (Accessed on 03-11-23)