Swami Nithyananda

For other uses, see Nityananda (disambiguation).
Swami Nithyananda
Born (1978-01-01) 1 January 1978 or (1977-03-13) 13 March 1977
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India[1][2]
Nationality Indian
Titles/honours Mahamandaleshwar of Nirvani Akhada[3]
Founder of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam
Philosophy Advaita Vedanta
Quotation I am not here to say I am God—Aham Brahmasmi. I am here to prove that you are God—Tat Tvam Asi.

Swami Nithyananda is a spiritual guru[4] and Mahamandaleshwar of Maha Nirvani Akhada.[3] He is also the founder of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam headquartered in Bengaluru, India.[5] His organization spans 50 countries with 10 million followers worldwide.[6]

Biography

Early life

He was born with the name Rajasekaran on 1 January 1978 in Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu.[1] His date of birth according to the US visa issued to him from the US Consulate in Chennai in 2003, was 13 March 1977.[1] He was the second child of Arunachalam and Lokanayaki.[1] Nithyananda claims to remember his birth: "It was neither dark nor light-filled; an indeterminate color covered planet Earth. Suddenly a bright and brilliant light appeared from a region, which I now see as Southern India. I entered into that light in the form of a brilliant meteor. The very next sight that I perceived with my inner eye was Arunachala, and I knew that I had assumed the body once more; I had entered the womb of my mother. It was a conscious birth. I entered into the body at 11:45 pm. I took a muhurta, which is a period of about 45 minutes in the Hindu system of time measurement, to settle into the body."[7]

Nithyananda Biography

Nithyananda says that when he was around 9 years old he regularly met Arunagiri Yogiswara, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, at his Samadhi within the premises of Arunachala temple at Tiruvannamalai and that they talked for hours day after day. According to Nithyananda, Arunagiri eventually told him, "Dear one, you and I are one. We can never get separated. But the play is over. You will not miss me any longer. We are one" and the form of Arunagiri Yogiswara merged into his body and disappeared.

According to Nithyananda when he was about 12 years old a meditation technique given to him by Annamalai Swamigal resulted in his "awaken[ing] to the realization that I was one with the whole of Existence and everything was I!" Nithyananda says that the effects of this experience, that he now calls satori, lasted for about three days and was the beginning of a new phase of spiritual development in his life. He says that it has enabled him to see all around him whenever he wishes.[8]

Name change

According to Nityananda, he changed his name from Rajashekar after a mystical experience in which Mahavatar Babaji appeared to him in a darshan and gave him the name Nityananda.[9] Responding to the question, "who called you Paramahamsa?", (a Sanskrit religio-theological title of honour applied to Hindu spiritual teachers of lofty status who are regarded as having attained enlightenment), Nityananda said "The Mahavatar Babaji in his mystical darshan".[9]

Teachings and Meditation Programs

Nithyananda's teachings are based on the advaita vedanta, bhakti, yoga, meditation and kriyas.[10] His discourses on Indian scriptures include Shiva Sutras, Jain Sutras Brahma Sutras, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads.

Nithyananda conducts meditation programs spanning 1 to 21-days.[11] His discourses are available through live internet video streaming, through Nithyananda TV and also broadcast by selected television companies.

eN education

Nithyananda's organisation includes a number of "Enlightening Nithyanandam based Spiritual Education" (eNBSE) programs and schools with the stated mission "To create a quantum intelligent civilization based on consciousness, compassion, creativity and confidence in at least 10 million children".[12]

Nithyananda Gurukul

Nithyananda Gurukul is a residential school within the ashram in Bidadi. According to nithyananda.org, the curriculum includes "standard academics", "brain yoga for balanced neurological growth", "Vedic mathematics", an "Emphasis on Ecological awareness and connection with the planet that sustains us" and an "Awareness of beauty cultivated through creative performing and graphic arts".[13]

In October 2013, the school was accused of rights violations and running the gurukul without any accreditation. The district administration was asked by the women and child welfare department of the state government to rescue the children after a complaint that the ashram was violating rights. Following notices issued by the administration, the ashram had written to the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) expressing willingness to produce the children before it or the Ramanagaram child welfare committee (CWC).[14]

Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam

Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam Worldwide

Nithyananda established an Ashram at Bidadi, near Bangalore on 1 January 2003 called Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, with the stated mission of reviving Vedic tradition and sharing his enlightenment experience. The ashram offers programs on meditation, yoga and healing which are often conducted by Nithyananda.

The ashram has been involved in a number of social initiatives including disaster relief activities for hurricane Thane,[15] relief work during the floods in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in 2009,[16] donations for victims of fire accident at the fireworks factory in Sivakasi in 2009[17] and deaths of pilgrims at Amarnath in 2012.

Finance and management

In December 2010, India Today reported that police planned to conduct an investigation into the wealth of Nithyananda and the ashram.[18] He was alleged to have accumulated ₹1400 million (~ US$ 23 million) in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.[18] Nithyananda's younger brother manages his finances and those of the ashrams outside India as well as the Nithyananda Imports and Exports business.[18] In June 2012, India Today reported that Nithyananda "heads 20 foreign trusts and nine Indian trusts that call themselves charitable institutions and pay no taxes".[19] It described his website, www.nithyananda.org, as "a full-fledged e-commerce site" and said that the Karnataka Police and district administration are not "willing to put a figure to Nithyananda's wealth yet".[19]

Controversy

Sun TV scandal

A video that apparently showed Nithyananda engaging in sexual acts with women, allegedly Tamil film actress Ranjitha, was broadcast on the Tamil television channel Sun News on 2 March 2010.[20][21][22] This incident also resulted in protests outside the ashram during which a fire broke out. While the channels stand by their claim that the film clip is original, Nithyananda and his followers claim the video was faked by using actors and deliberate blurring and obscuring of faces with the intent to deceive the viewer regarding the actors. On 4 March, Nithyananda made an application to a civil court in Chennai, seeking an injunction blocking further broadcasting of the video material.[23] Responding to the media reports, Nithyananada said that he was in a "state of samadhi" (trance) when the video was made and that the tape had been "misinterpreted, morphed and manipulated" during an interview with Times Now on 13 March 2010.[24][25] In another follow-up interview to Outlook magazine, he claimed that an earlier mutation had rendered him incapable of sex.[26] After release of the video, Bidadi police registered cases under Indian Penal Code sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural sex), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 506 (threat to life) and 420 (cheating).[27][28]

After evading summons for 49 days, Nithyananda was arrested on 21 April 2010 in Arki in Himachal Pradesh by Bangalore Police with the help of the police of Himachal[29] and the interrogation was done in Bangalore by the CID of the Bangalore Police.[30] On 11 June 2010 Nithyananda was granted bail, and was released from judicial custody after 52 days in Ramanagaram sub-jail. In October 2010, the releaser of the video who worked as Nithyananda's driver was charged by Bidadi police under several sections of the IPC with accusations of defaming Nithyananda through distributing the video.[31] Subsequently, in July 2011, Nithyananda's ashram filed a complaint against Sun TV Network, claiming they were the agents behind what the ashram alleged was a morphed video and the repeated telecasting of it.[32] Both Nithyananda and the actress had insisted that the video was morphed, a claim that was later supported by a confession by the ex-COO of Sun TV. Sun TV had released the fake video on YouTube.[6][33]

In February 2013, the High Court of Karnataka quashed two FIRs against Nithyananda, one pertaining to his activities at the ashram and the other over alleged assault on a pro-Kannada leader[34]

In September 2013, Broadcast Content Complaints Council (BCCC) directed the channel ‘Star Vijay’ to apologise to Ranjitha Menon for telecast of a defamatory program showing "morphed" video. She had filed a writ petition before the HC of Karnataka which had forwarded the case to BCCC. The channel was asked to run a scroll featuring the apology every two hours on its channel for seven days starting September 9. This judgement set precedent for other channels which were involved in similar activity.[35]

Rajiv Malhotra a Hindu activist pointed it out in his blog that the chronology of events that took place was very strange and abnormal: First the allegations against Swami Nithyananda were made solely by media, before any charges had been filed by authorities. Then the police wanted to gather evidence to substantiate the charges and started placing advertisements on TV asking for victims to come forth and approach the police with complaints. Police phone numbers were displayed on TV ads round the clock for people to call. Interestingly, nobody came forth despite massive solicitation by the police and media. It was strange that the allegations were being repeated as though the matter was settled, even before the police had formal complaints from any victims,and even before the evidence was available.[36]

Accusations by Arathi Rao

Arathi Rao, a former follower of Nithyananda, gave a detailed account of her five-year experience with the guru. She alleged that Nithyananda repeatedly raped her and threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed it to anybody. Arathi also claimed that it was she who had secretly filmed Nithyananda's sex tapes with a Tamil actress.[37] The ashram held a press conference which ended abruptly, the devotees and some journalists had heated arguments and they even exchanged blows. Later, activists of the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Vedike stormed the ashram to protest against the alleged attack on the media.[38] Karnataka Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda ordered the police to arrest the guru and seal his ashram.[39] On 13 June, Nithyananda surrendered himself before a court in Ramanagaram. He was released on bail the next day and the ashram was unsealed a few days later.[40][41] In August 2012, after failing to appear for a court-directed sexual potency test, passports of Nithyananda and 30 of his associates were seized at Delhi Airport.[42] Following this event, widespread resentment of Nithyanandas was reported at Madhurai Adheenam by various section of the media.[43] On 6 August 2014 the United States District Court Southern District of Ohio issued a judgment against Mrs. Aarthi S. Rao and in favor of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam of Columbus in Delaware, Ohio (NDC) (Case No. 2:13-CV-00526) fining her nearly half a million dollar for false public statements.[44]

On 5 August 2014 the Supreme Court of India stayed order on medical test of Nithyananda. The case has been pending since 2010 in Ramanagaram Court. The bench expressed its displeasure, at the speed with which the investigation was proceeding.[45] On September 3, 2014 the Supreme Court of India ruled that Nithyananda will take potency test.[46] In a separate case, Mr. Vinay Bharadwaj filed against Sri Nithyananda Swami and several U.S. non-profits but this was dismissed in favor of Sri Nithyananda Swami and the other defendants (Case No. CIVRS 1013793) by the US Appellate Court who also denied any and all appeals by Mr. Bharadwaj on this matter.[47]

Potency tests

On November 27, 2014, reports of the potency tests that were conducted on Nityananda were released to the media. The reports pointed to Nithyananda's vascular impotency,[48] and hypogonadism but claimed that he is a physically healthy male with no signs of being incapable of having sex.[49][50][51]

Nithyanada's council and followers found this self-contradictory, as at one point the report clearly indicates vascular impotency and at the same time claims of finding no signs of being impotent. They interpreted these reports as claiming that he was incapable of sex,[48] also pointing to his hypogonadism that resulted in him having 12.50 mg/dl of testosterone, which is 5 per cent of lowest level in adult males (aged 31–49) which is 249 mg/dl, and is also 16 per cent lesser than the lower limit of testosterone observed in healthy adult women.[49][50][52][53] These claims have been countered by the mainstream media, as the reports indicated that the low testosterone levels could be a result of outside factors.[50][51] The media however did not give any counter argument on vascular impotency. Nithyananda refused an intracavernosal injection, which might have been useful in determining the reason for vascular impotency claiming the possibility of a cardiac arrest.[50] Additionally, medical practitioners explained that potency tests are not fool proof and are violation of the dignity of a person.[54]

Mahamandelshwar, Madurai Adheenam and other controversies

In June 2012, a political party Hindu Makkal Katchi in Tamil Nadu, filed a petition in Madurai court against Nithyanada alleging misuse of Madhurai Adheenam mutt for practicing immoral activities and for serving holy water laced with drugs.[55] On 12 October 2012, Arunagirinatha Desikar, the 292nd head of Madurai Adheenam mutt, who had earlier anointed Nithyananda as his successor in April 2011, an appointment widely condemned at the time by Hindu religious bodies and the government, sacked him after pressure mounted from the state government and other Hindu religious and charitable organisations.[56] Following this decision, Sri Arunagirinathar sought police protection, citing threats to life from Nithyananda disciples.[56] In another related incident, pursuing eye witness accounts alleging widespread usage of tiger pelts and elephant tusks within the ashram, Madurai police opened cases against Nithyananda under the Wildlife Protection Act.[57] Eventually these charges had been dropped.[6]

In February 2013, Nithyananda was conferred the title of Mahamandaleshwar of the Mahanirvani akhara during the Kumbh Mela in Prayag. The event was a closed ceremony and the Deccan Herald described it as "clandestine". The appointment met with protests from some other akharas and saints as traditionally the Mahakumbh officials are invited as are other akharas. Narendra Giri, the mahant of Niranjani akhara, was quoted as saying "Though it is the prerogative of the akharas to confer the title of Mahamandaleshwar, one has to see whether the person is fit for the same. The title is given to the saints, who have selflessly served the mankind. Nityananda does not deserve the title." Although later during Nasik Kumbh Mela 2015 Narendra Giri changed his statement, lauding and praising Nithyananda, saying, “Swamiji is the backbone of Hinduism! Nithyananda Swami has not only done the work of Hinduism here, but he has taken the respect and honor of Hinduism all over the world. A human being cannot go forward or achieve big things in his life without tests and without hard work. Swamiji was put under so many attacks, but still he is untouched and is established in enlightenment. One day Paramahamsa Nithyananda is going to be the Guru for the whole world!”[58] Ravi Shankar had criticised the conferment. The Mahanirvani akhara defended its action. Mahant Ravindra Puri was quoted as saying "Nityananda may have been facing charges, but it is his personal life and we have nothing to do with that. We should keep in mind that the charges have not yet been proved."[59][60]

Awards and honours

Nithyananda at Kumbh Mela

Works

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Nithyananda may have forged birth documents". Deccan Herald. 24 March 2010.
  2. ↑ About the Master and Mission (Self Published)
  3. 1 2 Sanjay Pandey, Lucknow, 13 February 2013, DHNS: (13 February 2013). "Nithyananda feted at Mahakumbh". Deccanherald.com. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  4. ↑ Beary, Habib (13 June 2012). "BBC News – India police quiz guru Nithyananda over assault claims". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "Meditation holds key to peaceful life: Paramahamsa Nithyananda". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 26 November 2006. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 "Medical tests exonerate Nithyananda of rape charge?". dnaindia. 15 Oct 2014.
  7. ↑ Nithyananda-Vol-1.
  8. ↑ "Nithyananda's Enlightenment Experience at the foothills of Arunachala – Inner Awakening Dec 2009". LifeBlissFoundation. 2009.
  9. 1 2 Deepak Thimaya (2 July 2012). "The Unexpurgated Nithyananda Interview". Outlook (magazine).
  10. ↑ Nithya Kriyas for Diseases and Disorders
  11. ↑ Kalpataru: Manifest your destiny
  12. ↑ "About Us: eN Education: Enlightening Nithyanandam based Spiritual Education ( eNBSE)". nithyananda.org.
  13. ↑ "Nithyananda Gurukul". nithyananda.org.
  14. ↑ "Nithyananda ashram produces 88 students before child welfare panel". Indian Express. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  15. ↑ Thane Cyclone Relief Works
  16. ↑ Flood Relief Charitable Services by Nithyananda Global Initiatives
  17. ↑ Nithyananda Pledges 5 Million Rupees To Sivakasi Fire Accident Relief
  18. 1 2 3 Nirmala Ravindran; Lakshmi Subramanian (11 December 2010). "Swami Nithyananda: Sex and the single Swami". India Today.
  19. 1 2 "Godman is Grounded". India Today. 16 June 2012.
  20. ↑ Jacob Copeman, Aya Ikegame, ed. (2012). The Guru in South Asia: New Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Routledge. pp. 20–21. ISBN 9780415510196.
  21. ↑ "India sex scandal guru arrested". BBC News. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  22. ↑ "Nithyananda statement differs from Ranjitha story". Deccanherald.com. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  23. ↑ "TV footage sets angry mob on Nithyananda ashram". Chennai, India: The Hindu online. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  24. ↑ "I was in a trance when video was recorded: Swami Nithyananda". The Times of India. 14 March 2010.
  25. ↑ "The guru, the sex tape and an unholy row". The Independent. 1 April 2010.
  26. ↑ "I Am Not Capable of These Alleged Acts". Outlookindia. 2 July 2012.
  27. ↑ "Nithyananda aide held in solan". Liable IPC Cases. TOI. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
  28. ↑ "Nithyananda rearrested, sent to judicial custody – Times of India". Times of India. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  29. ↑ "'Sex Swami' Nithyananda arrested in Himachal". Cities, Stories. NDTV. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  30. ↑ "Breaking News: I'm not a man, Nityananda told CID sleuths". The Times of India. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  31. ↑ "Defamation case filed against Swami's ex-driver". The Deccan Chronicle. 3 October 2010. Archived from the original on 27 December 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  32. ↑ "Nithyananda ashram files complaint against Kalanidhi Maran". The Economic Times. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  33. ↑ "Nithyananda Video is Fake: Sun TV COO Hansraj Saxena Confesses". Retrieved 18 Feb 2016.
  34. ↑ "HC quashes two FIRs against Nityananda". Bangalore, India. deccanherald. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  35. ↑ "Channel ordered to apologise to Ranjitha". The New Indian Express. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  36. ↑ "Swami Nithyananda – Persecution 2.0: My Views on Swami Nithyananda’s Case". Rajiv Malhotra | Infinity Foundation. Rajiv Malhotra. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  37. ↑ "Condoms, drugs and secret contracts... the story of why Nithyananda is in trouble". India Today. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  38. ↑ Special Correspondent (9 June 2012). "Nithyananda ashram tense following clashes". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  39. ↑ "BBC News – Nithyananda's Karnataka 'sex scandal centre' is sealed". Bbc.co.uk. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  40. ↑ "Nithyananda ashram unsealed by Bangalore police". Bangalore, India. ndtv.com. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  41. ↑ "Nithyananda surrenders in court near Bangalore". NDTV. 13 June 2012.
  42. ↑ "Nithyananda disciples among 35 arrested". Times of India. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  43. ↑ "Godman passport seized". Deccan Chronicle. 3 August 2012.
  44. ↑ "Nearly Half a Million Dollar Judgment in Favor of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam of Ohio Issued by U.S. Federal Court". Prweb. 16 August 2014.
  45. ↑ "Supreme Court stays order on medical test of Nithyananda". dnaindia. 5 August 2014.
  46. ↑ "'Sex Swami' Nithyananda Will Take Potency Test, Rules Supreme Court". NDTV. 3 September 2014.
  47. ↑ "U.S. Court of Appeals of the State of Washington denies appeal of convicted child rapist Vinay K. Bhardwaj". NithyanandaSangha. 30 October 2014.
  48. 1 2 "CID submits potency test report to court". Times of India. 3 August 2012.
  49. 1 2 "Bengaluru: Medical test indicates Nithyananda is man". Daiji World. 27 Nov 2014.
  50. 1 2 3 4 "Bengaluru: Medical reports prove Nithyananda’s potency, confirm him as a man". Deccan Chronicle. 27 Nov 2014.
  51. 1 2 "Nithyananda isn't Impotent: Medical Report". AP Today. 27 Nov 2014.
  52. ↑ "Testosterone, Free & Total - Female or Children". May 2015.
  53. ↑ MedlinePlus Encyclopedia Testosterone
  54. ↑ "All that you wanted to know about the potency test and were afraid to ask". thenewsminute. 27 November 2014.
  55. ↑ "TN Police Books Nityananda For 'Serving Drug-laced Holy Water to Devotees". International Business Times. 23 June 2012.
  56. 1 2 "Nithyananda sacked as successor of Madurai Mutt head". Hindustan Times. 20 October 2012.
  57. ↑ "More trouble for swami Nithyananda : Raids at Madurai Aadheenam". TOI. 27 June 2012.
  58. ↑ Nithyananda (2015-10-22), Paramahamsa Nithyananda backbone of Sanatan Dharma; Narendragiriji, Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, retrieved 2016-02-20
  59. 1 2 "Swami Nithyananda earns another title at Mahakumbh". Lucknow, India: India Today. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  60. ↑ "Nithyananda feted at Mahakumbh". Deccan Herald. 13 February 2013.
  61. ↑ "Hindu University in US expands Vedic base". Rediff News. 20 November 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  62. ↑ "Institutions that may be operating illegally in South Carolina Or operating illegally elsewhere and enrolling residents of South Carolina (updated 03/04/2014)" (PDF). South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  63. ↑ Watkins' Spiritual 100 List for 2012, Mind Body Spirit, Feb 2012

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Swami Nithyananda.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, May 01, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.