Indian Saints, Mystics, Philosophers & Gurus

All of these used to be on my profile page;








Mata Amritanandamayi
Born: 1953, Kerala

Mata Amritanandamayi rose from a god-intoxicated village girl to celebrity guru.  She teaches compassion as the foundation for self-realization, believing that selfless service leads to ultimate liberation.  To her, God is the expression of Love, not Truth.  Millions respond to her and find solace in her presence.  She hugs and caresses her followers and listens to their troubles.  She says: "The language of a religion is the language of love - a language the modern world has forgotten.  Today, we know only of selfish love.  Reformation of this 'limited love' into divine love is any religion's aim.  Within the fulness of true love, blossoms the fragrant flower of compassion."





His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).  Disciple of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati who encouraged him to teach Vedic knowledge in English.  Came to the USA more or less penniless and quickly gained many devotees in the counter culture movement including celebrities such as George Harrison and Allen Ginsberg.  Krishna consciousness is practised by chanting the holy name of The Lord Krishna.  The vibrational sound of this mantra is used to free the mind.  The movement is opposed to social, religious and racist prejudice.  There are hundreds of ISKCON temples all over the world.




Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Born: 1911, Allahabad

One of the most popular and succesful gurus.  An undisputed authority on Vedic texts which he has revived and re-introduced and organised as a scientific system of consciousness.  The fundamental premise suggests that all souls rest in the ocean of knowledge and bliss and that the Maharishi's Vedic Science can bring 'Heaven on Earth' to everyone.  His trademarked system of Transcendental Meditation (TM) is the most practised self-development program in the world.  It features over 1,000 centres in more than 100 countries as well as its own universities and colleges.  The Maharishi has also been active in reviving the Vedic science of Ayurveda.





Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Born: 1874, Jaganath Puri
Died: 1937

At the age of seven he had memorised the entire Bhagavad-gita.  Founded the Bhagwat Press for publication of Krishna conscious literature.  He opened the tradition of Krishna consciousness to modern technology and the social conditions of the 20th century.  These innovations included the wearing of Western clothes and the use of car, trains and planes.  He encouraged Swami Prabhupada (Abhay Caranaravinda) to spread these ideas to the West.  Krishna consciousness became a leading force in Indian spiritual life.  The International Society for Krishna Consciousness continues to promote his work across the globe. 




Mira Alfassa "The Mother"
Born: 1878, France
Died: 1973

Her mother was Egyptian and her father was Turkish.  She had divine visions in her childhood.  She had travelled and met her collaborator and guru Sri Aurobindo in 1904.  After spending some years in Japan and China she settled in Pondicherry and created and managed the Aurobindo Ashram.  Together with Aurobindo they outlined a form of yoga called 'Consciousness Evolution' and 'Spiritual Supramental Transformation'.  This idea revolves around an advanced stage of human evolution which is seen as a transformation into a higher 'Supramental' state of existence.  The community striving for this goal is located in Auroville.




Sri Aurobindo
Born: 1872
Died: 1950

Educated in England.  Turned from militant nationalist into a mystic while in the Alipur jai.  Wrote over 60 brilliantly erudite books in four years.  It is said that these books were channelled to him and none required revision.  After that he never wrote again and rarely spoke.  Gandhi offered Aurobindo the leadership of the Congress party but Aurobindo refused to meet Gandhi.  His texts on the Vedas are considered unsurpassed.  Declaring French born Mira Alfassa (The Mother) his equal partner was a provocation to conservative India as was opening his ashram to women.  His ideas are kept alive in Auroville, a community dedicated to Human Unity.

Sri Swami Sivananda
Born: 1897, Tamraparani
Died: 1989, Shivanandanagar

He was the founder of The Divine Life Society and 'Serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realise' was his motto.  Initially he worked as a doctor in Malaya.  Went back to India and had a vision at Benares.  After a while he was initiated into Sannyas order.  Spent many years as a monk on long pilgrimages.  Sivananda founded the Society in 1936 in very humble cirscumstances.  He also promoted ayurvedic healing.  His 'Yoga of Synthesis' offers an integral development and education of all aspects of a person: 'heart, intellect, and hand'.  Sivananda toured extensively throughout India inspiring people to practise yoga and lead a 'divine' life.




Anandamayi Ma
Born: 1896, East Bengal
Died: 1982, Hardwar

As a child Ma Anandamayi showed early signs of divinity that were observed by her parents and friends.  Some believed that she is the god Shiva in human form and that her mission is to serve humanity and to illuminate and enrich the lives of human beings.  She married at an early age and her husband remained devoted to her all through her life.  As her reputation grew, she travelled extensively all over India encouraging her devotees to serve others without complaining.  She believed that all religions joined into the same path: the realisation of the Supreme.  She influenced the spirituality of many thousands of people.




Sri Guruji
Born: 1926, Haryana
Died: 1994, Delhi

Guruji was the first Jain monk to leave India and carry the message of non-violence to the world.  He founded the World Fellowship of Religions in 1950.  He said: 'Dissolve yourself.'  You are not body.  Body is composed of elements. - You are not thought. - All thoughts are coming from outside. - You are divine soul. - You are divine soul. - You are eternal. - You are immortal. - You are the source of wisdom. - You are the source of bliss. - You have absolute perception, knowledge, conduct.  You have infinite energy. - You are the ocean of energy. - You are the ocean of love. - Dissolve yourself.




Guru Maharaji
(Prem Pal Singh Rawat)
Born: 1957, Hardwar

His father founded the Divine Light Mission in the 1920s.  After his father's death, Guru Maharaji took over at the age of 8.  He called himself 'the perfect master.'  Travelled to the US and started the American DLM in Colorado.  The movement grew world-wide but lost many followers after financial controversies.  Guru Maharaji married an American.  As a result his mother returned to India.  In 1983 the ashrams were closed and DLM became 'Elan Vital'.  Guru Maharaji teaches 'Knowledge Meditation' which focuses on the individual experience.  'God is within you, the divinity is within, as the power that gives your existence.




Sri Chinmoy
Chinmoy Kumar Ghose
Born: 1931, Bangladesh

Entered Aurobindo Ashram and spend twenty years there.  Travelled to New York and founded the first Sri Chinmoy Centre in 1967.  Today there are Sri Chinmoy Centres in 50 countries, providing a place for meditation classes and athletic events.  Sri Chinmoy emphasises meditation, world peace, world co-operation, international harmony and personal harmony.  He founded the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team which organizes approximately 500 races around the world each year.  Sri Chinmoy also promotes himself as a prolific writer of poetry, musician, painter and a friend and confidant of many powerful people in politics and world affairs.




Bhagwan Rajneesh - Osho
Born: 1931 in Kuchwara, India
Died: 1990 in Poona, India

Professor of Philosophy, declares his enlightenment in 1960.  Opens first ashram in Bombay (1970).  Moves to Oregon, USA from 1981 to 1985 and then to Poona.  Believes that different people need different methods to find inner peace.  Human beings are reflections of God and their behaviour is corrupted by social and personal repression.  A large range of techniques, including chanting, dancing, primal screaming, various meditations and free love are used to overcome this repression and release the ego from attachments that stand in the way of enlightenment.




Ramana Maharshi
Born: 1879, Tamilnadu, India
Died: April, 1950, Tiruvannamalai

Ramana went through an experience of altered consciousness in which he seems to have left his physical body.  Following his intuition he travelled to Tiruvannamalai at the age of 17 and spent ten years in silence and meditation.  Became famous as teacher.  His central investigation is into the question 'Who am I?'.  Recommends renunciation and nonattachment.  Only someone who is nonattached to mental and physical pleasures can ultimately experience a state of oneness with the self and the universe.  Today Ramana is still regarded as one of the ten great spiritual souls of the 19th century.




Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Born: 1836, near Calcutta
Died: 1886

Seer and sage of 19th century.  Experienced extreme God-consciousness.  Believed that the revelation of God is continuous and everywhere.  He warned that diminishing God-consciousness results in dogma and materialism leading to oppression.  Ramakrishna's radiant personality drew people from all over the world from all faiths and races.  His personal radiance generated a sense of connection between the religions promoting harmony and tolerance.  He held that religions are not contradictory but complementary and all of them lead to the same goal.  He said: "As many faiths, so many paths."




Meher Baba
Born: 1894, Pune, India
Died: January 31, 1969

Baba's followers believed him to be an 'Avatar' a manifestation of God in human form.  He believed that materialism leads to diminishing appreciation of cosmic understanding and a separation of humans and the Divine.  He encouraged followers to maintain their original religious beliefs and said that he belonged to no religion and yet every religion.  His message was one of Divine Love.  "If we understand and feel that the greatest act of devotion and worship to God is not to hurt or harm any of his beings, we are loving God."  Achieved great popularity in the West and his tomb near Ahmednagar remains a place of worship.




Jiddu Krishnamurti
Born: 1895, South India
Died: 1986, California

Krishnamurti insisted all his life that he was no guru and did not want followers.  He said: "Friend, do not concern yourself with who I am; you will never know.  I do not want you to accept anything I say.  I do now want anything from any of you; I do not desire popularity; I do not want your flattery, your following.  Because I am in love with life, I do not want anything.  These questions are not of very great importance; what is of importance is the fact that you obey and allow your judgment to be perverted by authority.  Your judgment, your mind, your affection, your life are being perverted by things which have no value, and herein lies my sorrow."




Swami Chinmayananda
Born: 1916 in Ernakulam, Kerala
Died: 1993, California

One of the great sages of modern times.  After an active life as a student and a term of  imprisonment for political activities he rediscovered his own Hindu religion.  He spent many years studying the great Indian master scriptures and felt his mission in life was re-introduce the rich and forgotten Vedantic philosophy.  He sensed that India, after independence, was drifting away from the principles of ancient Vedic wisdom.  He said: "I want to convert Hindus to Hinduism."  He faced much political and conservative opposition.  For 42 years his travels took him all over India and the world.  Wherever he went he spread joy and inspiration.




Swami Vivekanand
Born: 1863, Calcutta
Died: July 4, 1902

During his short life Swami Vivekanand travelled India and the world tirelessly.  His mission was to promote peace and tolerance based on the spiritual foundation of the Vedantic Oneness of existence.  He lectured in America, Japan and Europe.  He wrote books, composed poetry and guided those who came to him for instruction.  He founded the Ramakrishna Order of monks, still an important religious organisation in India.  "The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian.  Each must assimilate the spirit of other religions and yet preserve their own individuality and follow their own law of growth."




Sathya Sai Baba
Born: 1926, Andhra Pradesh

Prominent spiritual leader who seems to posses the ability to 'materialise' things out of seemingly thin air.  People are drawn to his joyous, radiant personality.  He has dedicated his life to the service of humanity and encourages life to the service of humanity and encourages his followers to observe the universal values of truth, right conduct, universal love and non-violence.  He has established universities, hospitals and charities and there are over 6000 nonsectarian Sai Baba Centres in 130 countries of the world.  "There is only one religion, the religion of love.  There is only one language, the language of the heart.  There is only one race, the race of humanity."




Poonjaji
Born: 1910, Punjab
Died: 1997, Lucknow

Poonjaji said: "Where there is more than a handful of people gathered, you can be sure that the purity has been lost."  He spent his life promoting freedom and peace.  He felt that divinity rests within the individual and that all the great questions of life would be answered and true fulfillment gained once the 'Buddha within' was realised.  Poonjaji became very popular in the 1980s and always made himself available to all who were seeking spiritual awakening.  "Let there be Peace and Love among all beings of the Universe.  Let there be Peace Let there be Peace: Om Shanti Shanti Shanti."




Bhagwan Nityananda
Born: about 1896
Died: 1961

"The heart is the hub of all sacred places; go there and roam."  One of the great modern saints.  People came from all over to India to see him at his ashram in Ganeshpuri.  He taught that enlightenment comes when the individual soul merges with divine consciousness.  Nityananda spoke very little.  He did not consider it necessary.  Thousands of people experienced a profound connection just in his presence.  He said: Self-realisation can be achieved by the practice of Siddha Yoga: "Honor your Self,  Worship your Self, Meditate on your Self, God dwells within you as you."




Swami Muktananda
Born: 1908
Died: 1982

Muktananda's spiritual journey began when he received initiation from Bhagwan Nityananda who transferred his powers to Muktananda and encouraged him to spread the teaching.  He introduced Siddha Yoga meditation, a method of self-realisation to the West.  He established hundreds of meditation centres and many ashrams around the world.  He also founded the Siddha Yoga Foundation in the United States.  Thus he planted the idea of the path to liberation on a large scale.  He was deeply loved and revered and had the ability to give people who came into his presence a direct and personal experience of inner Truth.




Sri Sri Ravishankar
Born: 1956

Celebrity guru who lives life by example.  "You believe what you don't know;  I don't believe in God.  God is the very core of your being, it is like peeling an onion and reaching that central nothingness, which is God.  The whole is God."  Said to be born a Divine Child.  Has attracted a growing interest world-wide through his Art of Living courses based on his Sudarshan Kriya method of meditation that also brings many practical benefits in everyday living.  His innovative programs have been acknowledged by the United Nations and his work has brought actual improvements in areas such as prison reform and education.




Swami Ramdev

In 1995, Baba Ramdev joined the order of swamis after being initiated into the ascetic order by Swami Shankerdevji Maharaj.
While training to be a Swami, Baba Ramdev spent many years undertaking an intense and thorough study of ancient Indian scriptures.

The Pranayam program as taught by Swami Ramdev[2] consists of the following six key breathing exercises (in sequence):

1. Bhastrika Pranayam
2. Kapal Bhati Pranayam
3. Baahya Pranayam
4. Anulom Vilom Pranayam
5. Bhramri Pranayam
6. Udgeeth Pranayam

Paramhansa Yogananda
Born: January 5, 1893, Gorakhpur, India
Died: March 7, 1952, Los Angeles, California USA

Paramahansa Yogananda was born Mukunda Lal Ghosh on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur, India, into a devout and well-to-do Bengali family. From his earliest years, it was evident to those around him that the depth of his awareness and experience of the spiritual was far beyond the ordinary. In his youth he sought out many of India's sages and saints, hoping to find an illumined teacher to guide him in his spiritual quest.

online version





Robert Nesta Marley
Born: February 6, 1945, Nine Miles, Saint Anne, Jamaica
Died: May 11, 1981, Miami, Florida, USA

Robert Nesta Marley, OM (February 6, 1945 - May 11, 1981), better known as Bob Marley, was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is the most widely known performer of reggae music, and is famous for having popularized the genre outside Jamaica. A faithful Rastafari, Marley is regarded by many as a prophet of the religion,^[1] as well as one of the greatest songwriters of all time.^[2]
BOB MARLEY worked tirelessly in spreading reggae music
and the message of rastafari worldwide. Through his work,
he gave the world profound and beautiful music.