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Gurus: Stories of India's Leading Babas
India’s godmen are famous and enigmatic. Certainly among its most colourful cultural products. Technology and markets have transformed the generic family advisor and the village baba, projecting him into high-flying rockstardom. They have money. Their own TV channels. They are brands with deep influence on electoral politics and markets. They comprise entire corporations and economies. They can own islands as well as the hearts and lives of their numerous followers.
Who are these godmen in real lives? Ambassadors of the divine? Do they embody wisdom or just an unusual job description? Seasoned journalist, Bhavdeep Kang presents an up-close account of India’s best-known gurus. From the Beatles-inspiring Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to the hugging guru, Mata Amritanandamayi. The political maverick Baba Ramdev, the metrosexual Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, and the dashing, science-fiction loving Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev.
Who are these godmen in real lives? Ambassadors of the divine? Do they embody wisdom or just an unusual job description? Seasoned journalist, Bhavdeep Kang presents an up-close account of India’s best-known gurus. From the Beatles-inspiring Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to the hugging guru, Mata Amritanandamayi. The political maverick Baba Ramdev, the metrosexual Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, and the dashing, science-fiction loving Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev.
- GenresSpirituality
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2016
16 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 24, 2018
This book is written to make sure that nobody could say that India's Gurus, Baba's or Sadhus are great. Writer worked hard to call them money minded.
Even he included Chandraswami and the man who used by Indira Gandhi to fulfil her physical needs among those Guru's.
Shame...
Even he included Chandraswami and the man who used by Indira Gandhi to fulfil her physical needs among those Guru's.
Shame...
February 6, 2017
It gives a brief insight into the lives of 10 gurus who have influenced indian politics in past or present, the personalties picked by the writer make the book a interesting read , though the writer appears to be too judgemental and negatively biased to all of them
June 27, 2016
I am disgusted with the short-sighted portrayal of Maharishi as if meeting the Beatles was the most significant event of his life. He was a lion of a man. While there is Reference to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Deepak Chopra being associated with Maharishi the author forgot to mention that Jaggi Vasudev is a disciple of Rishi Prabhakar who was Maharishi's disciple too - same lineage, just one step down. I wonder if this omission was intentional considering the poor light in which Maharishi's work to re-establish spiritual wisdom has been presented while the mystic Jaggi Vasudev is all mysteriously hunky dory. Dear Ms.Kang, what did you really want to achieve??
July 24, 2018
Shame...This book is written to malign great Indian spiritual heritage.
January 17, 2017
Find the review here:
http://critiquedontcriticize.blogspot...
http://www.freepressjournal.in/book-r...
In the author’s own words: “This book is not a piece of investigative journalism; definitely not an exercise in PR. This book neither debunks nor celebrates the subjects. Also, it isn’t a collection of thumbnail biographies. Nor is it a work of scholarship. It is not, even remotely, a philosophical study, a sociological commentary or a psychological analysis. It is a peek at the men (and woman) behind the guru personas.” She has based their profiles on subjective impressions, interviews and research (a lot of it), viewing them from as many angles as possible. However, her reporter’s instincts couldn’t be sublimated at all times and she has analysed and even criticised the gurus’ statements or actions. In the entire process of scurrying in and out of ashrams and meeting devotees to cover varied angles, she found herself grouping them into three categories: the revelationists, the quondam skeptics and the seekers.
India is a land of diversity with almost equal weightage given to doctors, teachers, babas and yogis. While skeptics would question the importance given to certain babas who according to them are fooling around and minting money with their convoluted tips and advises to the needy, there’s no doubting the fact that they have an important place in our society. If it wasn’t so, these yogis wouldn’t have made a mark and considered worthy enough to write a book on – in all their established eccentricities.
A journalist with over 30 years of experience, it is no surprise that Bhavdeep managed to pull off a book on some of the gurus who have grabbed international headlines and who surprise people and make them wonder about their journeys from obscurity to fame, the clout they carry and the enigma surrounding them.
Her witty writing style made sure that this book remained a page-turner until the very end. If it weren’t for her writing, this could have been a very dry read.
Coming to the subjects, she has peeked into the lives of nine gurus (The reason for number nine has also been described in the Introduction). They are: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (The Pop Guru), Dhirendra Brahmachari (Indira Gandhi’s Guru), Chandraswami (The Shaman-Shyster), Mata Amritanandamayi (The Divine Hug), Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (The Art of Selling Love), Morari Bapu (The Chronicler of Lord Rama), Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev (The Metaphysical Mystic), Baba Ramdev (The Virtual Guru), Bhaiyyuji Maharaj (The Metrosexual Seer).
India’s godmen are among its most colourful, cultural products and the cover page does justice to that fact. Attractive in red and yellow, with ‘Gurus’ emblazoned on an image of the sun, it sets the tone for the read. However, do not be mistaken by the spiritual, mystic appearance of the cover. It, in no way, professes a particular religion. So atheists and agnostics need not panic! In fact, it is a worthwhile read for all, irrespective of the religion they follow or the lack of it.
Also, there are certain habits that can amuse the reader and some values that can be imbibed from the lives of these godmen – some do not mind marketing themselves and their teachings (How else will people know where to find help?); some give lessons of following a simple lifestyle (no matter what their own realities are); some emphasise on love, brotherhood, charity and the need for empathy and compassion (heavy words for sure, but not without roots); one of them consumes food prepared with the water from the Ganges and drinks water too from there (even though I do not know how safe that is considering today’s scenario where pollution in the Ganges is topic for heated debates and discussion).
There are amazing tidbits too – of how a Godman loves science-fiction, how the Beatles inspired another – that let the reader know that even though some of them claim to have certain powers and moments of enlightenment, they are essentially human beings with considerably normal lives and interests.
There were dull moments at times when I thought why I was even reading about one of the godmen, and considering the time of reading (noon), I did skip his story, only to return and complete reading it again! I couldn’t miss out on that piece of information, after all. That’s the writer’s charm I guess.
Gurus remains an essential read for those who would not mind delving into the lives of those godmen who are sometimes simply considered to be maniacs. It covers their immense public lives and mysterious inner lives. A well-researched piece of non-fiction, it seeks to answer who these godmen are in real lives.
-Divya Nambiar
http://critiquedontcriticize.blogspot...
http://www.freepressjournal.in/book-r...
In the author’s own words: “This book is not a piece of investigative journalism; definitely not an exercise in PR. This book neither debunks nor celebrates the subjects. Also, it isn’t a collection of thumbnail biographies. Nor is it a work of scholarship. It is not, even remotely, a philosophical study, a sociological commentary or a psychological analysis. It is a peek at the men (and woman) behind the guru personas.” She has based their profiles on subjective impressions, interviews and research (a lot of it), viewing them from as many angles as possible. However, her reporter’s instincts couldn’t be sublimated at all times and she has analysed and even criticised the gurus’ statements or actions. In the entire process of scurrying in and out of ashrams and meeting devotees to cover varied angles, she found herself grouping them into three categories: the revelationists, the quondam skeptics and the seekers.
India is a land of diversity with almost equal weightage given to doctors, teachers, babas and yogis. While skeptics would question the importance given to certain babas who according to them are fooling around and minting money with their convoluted tips and advises to the needy, there’s no doubting the fact that they have an important place in our society. If it wasn’t so, these yogis wouldn’t have made a mark and considered worthy enough to write a book on – in all their established eccentricities.
A journalist with over 30 years of experience, it is no surprise that Bhavdeep managed to pull off a book on some of the gurus who have grabbed international headlines and who surprise people and make them wonder about their journeys from obscurity to fame, the clout they carry and the enigma surrounding them.
Her witty writing style made sure that this book remained a page-turner until the very end. If it weren’t for her writing, this could have been a very dry read.
Coming to the subjects, she has peeked into the lives of nine gurus (The reason for number nine has also been described in the Introduction). They are: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (The Pop Guru), Dhirendra Brahmachari (Indira Gandhi’s Guru), Chandraswami (The Shaman-Shyster), Mata Amritanandamayi (The Divine Hug), Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (The Art of Selling Love), Morari Bapu (The Chronicler of Lord Rama), Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev (The Metaphysical Mystic), Baba Ramdev (The Virtual Guru), Bhaiyyuji Maharaj (The Metrosexual Seer).
India’s godmen are among its most colourful, cultural products and the cover page does justice to that fact. Attractive in red and yellow, with ‘Gurus’ emblazoned on an image of the sun, it sets the tone for the read. However, do not be mistaken by the spiritual, mystic appearance of the cover. It, in no way, professes a particular religion. So atheists and agnostics need not panic! In fact, it is a worthwhile read for all, irrespective of the religion they follow or the lack of it.
Also, there are certain habits that can amuse the reader and some values that can be imbibed from the lives of these godmen – some do not mind marketing themselves and their teachings (How else will people know where to find help?); some give lessons of following a simple lifestyle (no matter what their own realities are); some emphasise on love, brotherhood, charity and the need for empathy and compassion (heavy words for sure, but not without roots); one of them consumes food prepared with the water from the Ganges and drinks water too from there (even though I do not know how safe that is considering today’s scenario where pollution in the Ganges is topic for heated debates and discussion).
There are amazing tidbits too – of how a Godman loves science-fiction, how the Beatles inspired another – that let the reader know that even though some of them claim to have certain powers and moments of enlightenment, they are essentially human beings with considerably normal lives and interests.
There were dull moments at times when I thought why I was even reading about one of the godmen, and considering the time of reading (noon), I did skip his story, only to return and complete reading it again! I couldn’t miss out on that piece of information, after all. That’s the writer’s charm I guess.
Gurus remains an essential read for those who would not mind delving into the lives of those godmen who are sometimes simply considered to be maniacs. It covers their immense public lives and mysterious inner lives. A well-researched piece of non-fiction, it seeks to answer who these godmen are in real lives.
-Divya Nambiar
July 22, 2024
前阵儿有个新闻，说在印度北方邦有个大师布道，组织者准备了一个可以容纳8万人的场子，结果来了25万人。布道结束，大师准备坐车离开的时候，教众一拥而上，哄抢大师踩过的泥土。这引发了踩踏事件，夺走121人的生命，几乎全是妇孺。
我搜索了一下这个叫Bhole Baba的大师，他当了18年的警察，2000年离职成为一个全职guru（大师）。他留起长发，穿上白袍，逐渐拥有了信众，甚至组织起一支私人护卫队。他打着反对歧视的旗号，吸引了很多低种姓的达利特支持者，同时也反对酗酒和家暴。令人困惑的是，他还反对迷信，又要求信徒无条件信奉自己，甚至有传闻说他曾经试图“复活”一个女孩。从惨案现场情况来看，他的信众对他是相当迷信。他拥有多处静修所（ashrams），因为信徒众多，可以左右选票，在当地政坛也很活跃。
在印度，类似的大师还有很多，其中一些影响力远超Bhole Baba。理论上，根深蒂固的印度教传统，落后的教育水平，匮乏的物质生活，都可能是滋润“大师文化”土壤的养料。可是，大师们的信众中也不乏遍布全世界受过高等教育的精英。我认识个把爱好“灵修”的朋友，但一个大师也没见过。为了满足好奇心，就找了本书看一看，书名叫《Gurus: Stories of India's Leading Babas》。是的，在印度大师也叫“爸爸（Baba）。
书里介绍了9个有影响力的大师，活跃时间从上世纪五六十年代到今天。这些大师大多走冥想灵修路线，不大宣传自己拥有显而易见的超自然力量。但是，作为大师必须有些异于常人之处，前世记忆，喜马拉雅洞穴苦修，天启时刻，读心术，甚至毗湿奴上身之类的故事也不罕见。早期一位大师的训练班教授舞空术，我很多年前看过一个纪录片，几个小孩盘着腿，在一个铺满垫子的房间里蹦来蹦去，非常好笑，应该就是这个流派的弟子在练功。
显然，仅靠这些易于戳穿的招数难于获得海量信徒，高端的大师们善于整理出虚幻飘渺的理论，留下空间，让有慧根的追随者自行脑补神迹，自称被大师碰触之后，瞬间销业、祛病、静心、启蒙、皈依的信徒大有人在。
在印度地区，据说过去每个村里都有个guru，大概介于部落萨满和智慧老人之间的存在，村民们去找guru解决各种各样的实际问题。这种需求今天依然普遍存在。在发生踩踏事件的集会里，多数信众揣着找工作、嫁女儿、消灾治病的愿望来接受布道，她们把大师的照片镶在项链里，常年佩戴，辟邪祈福。
广泛的民间基础让政客们对大师另眼相看，政府重要人物的背书又成为有力的宣传，大师的影响力在正反馈下可以迅速膨胀。另外，电视和网络宣传成为关键的技术手段，作者甚至把大师们类比成”大众传媒时代的耶稣“。书中介绍的大师里，有两位就是依靠在电视台的瑜伽节目迅速飙红。
有的大师还可以直接打通上层路线，八十年代女总理Indira Gandhi有个”御用“瑜伽大师，甚至曾经传出绯闻。另一个擅长表演读心术的大师，牵扯进了谋杀Indira Gandhi儿子Rajiv Gandhi的事件。其他几位和莫迪以及人民党过从甚密。
大师们的影响力远不仅限于印度，他们早就走出了亚洲，在欧美得到大量拥趸。瑜伽、冥想、断食、灵修，这些今天都市人的流行生活元素，多来自早年印度大师们的成功营销。从“超觉静坐“到“淨化呼吸瑜珈”，大师们把修炼方法概念化，课程化，进而产业化。
有些大师不满足于停在“玄学”领域，开始挑战现代科学，吸引了一些大学里脑神经、物理等学科的学者。他们开讲座，举办学术会议，发表学术论文，甚至开办大学，试图给灵修打上科学的标签。
虽然在科学领域的成功有限，大师们在当代生活的影响力与日俱增。他们反对消费主义和快速的生活节奏，强调消除抑郁和紧张的负面情绪，向内修行出静心和喜乐，宣传同自然母亲建立连接，重建有道德感的灵性生活。这些理念精准击中了自由左派的兴奋点。从The Beatles开始，欧美流行文化界拥抱了来自东方的古老智慧。
于是，成千上万的瑜伽中心在全球遍地开花。在印度本土，大师们建起了占地广阔的静修处，接纳来自世界各地的信徒朝圣和修行，有的静修处里还建起了学校和医院。大师们依靠自己的人脉和影响力经营了一系列慈善事业，与此相伴的，是他们蓬勃发展的商业帝国。巡回，开班，周边，成为大师变现的常规操作。有的人开办药厂，贩卖号称包治百病的印度传统草药。最夸张的一个大师竟然干起了倒卖军火的生意。和政府官员的良好关系，让他们合法或非法地逃掉大量税款。很多大师就此过上了奢华的生活。
整本书看下来，印度大师们的形象并没有很糟糕。除了某些大师静修院里，那些身穿统一浅黄色制服，面露飘忽诡异微笑的信徒，让我想起《周处除三害》以外，并没有太浓厚的邪教气质。其中还有很多正面价值：慈善，非暴力，推崇个人的平和和幸福感。
无论如何，我对这些大师们的好感度有限，尤其那些宣传印度草药包治百病的，给女总理当宠臣谋利的，表演读心术故弄玄虚的，拥抱所有人传递爱和正能量的。在这些人之外，一个讲罗摩衍那史诗故事的老头似乎更有趣一些，搜了段视频，但完全听不懂他在说什么。
至于冥想灵修本身，作者的问题也是我的疑问：is it anything more than putting the body in a state of relaxation?
我搜索了一下这个叫Bhole Baba的大师，他当了18年的警察，2000年离职成为一个全职guru（大师）。他留起长发，穿上白袍，逐渐拥有了信众，甚至组织起一支私人护卫队。他打着反对歧视的旗号，吸引了很多低种姓的达利特支持者，同时也反对酗酒和家暴。令人困惑的是，他还反对迷信，又要求信徒无条件信奉自己，甚至有传闻说他曾经试图“复活”一个女孩。从惨案现场情况来看，他的信众对他是相当迷信。他拥有多处静修所（ashrams），因为信徒众多，可以左右选票，在当地政坛也很活跃。
在印度，类似的大师还有很多，其中一些影响力远超Bhole Baba。理论上，根深蒂固的印度教传统，落后的教育水平，匮乏的物质生活，都可能是滋润“大师文化”土壤的养料。可是，大师们的信众中也不乏遍布全世界受过高等教育的精英。我认识个把爱好“灵修”的朋友，但一个大师也没见过。为了满足好奇心，就找了本书看一看，书名叫《Gurus: Stories of India's Leading Babas》。是的，在印度大师也叫“爸爸（Baba）。
书里介绍了9个有影响力的大师，活跃时间从上世纪五六十年代到今天。这些大师大多走冥想灵修路线，不大宣传自己拥有显而易见的超自然力量。但是，作为大师必须有些异于常人之处，前世记忆，喜马拉雅洞穴苦修，天启时刻，读心术，甚至毗湿奴上身之类的故事也不罕见。早期一位大师的训练班教授舞空术，我很多年前看过一个纪录片，几个小孩盘着腿，在一个铺满垫子的房间里蹦来蹦去，非常好笑，应该就是这个流派的弟子在练功。
显然，仅靠这些易于戳穿的招数难于获得海量信徒，高端的大师们善于整理出虚幻飘渺的理论，留下空间，让有慧根的追随者自行脑补神迹，自称被大师碰触之后，瞬间销业、祛病、静心、启蒙、皈依的信徒大有人在。
在印度地区，据说过去每个村里都有个guru，大概介于部落萨满和智慧老人之间的存在，村民们去找guru解决各种各样的实际问题。这种需求今天依然普遍存在。在发生踩踏事件的集会里，多数信众揣着找工作、嫁女儿、消灾治病的愿望来接受布道，她们把大师的照片镶在项链里，常年佩戴，辟邪祈福。
广泛的民间基础让政客们对大师另眼相看，政府重要人物的背书又成为有力的宣传，大师的影响力在正反馈下可以迅速膨胀。另外，电视和网络宣传成为关键的技术手段，作者甚至把大师们类比成”大众传媒时代的耶稣“。书中介绍的大师里，有两位就是依靠在电视台的瑜伽节目迅速飙红。
有的大师还可以直接打通上层路线，八十年代女总理Indira Gandhi有个”御用“瑜伽大师，甚至曾经传出绯闻。另一个擅长表演读心术的大师，牵扯进了谋杀Indira Gandhi儿子Rajiv Gandhi的事件。其他几位和莫迪以及人民党过从甚密。
大师们的影响力远不仅限于印度，他们早就走出了亚洲，在欧美得到大量拥趸。瑜伽、冥想、断食、灵修，这些今天都市人的流行生活元素，多来自早年印度大师们的成功营销。从“超觉静坐“到“淨化呼吸瑜珈”，大师们把修炼方法概念化，课程化，进而产业化。
有些大师不满足于停在“玄学”领域，开始挑战现代科学，吸引了一些大学里脑神经、物理等学科的学者。他们开讲座，举办学术会议，发表学术论文，甚至开办大学，试图给灵修打上科学的标签。
虽然在科学领域的成功有限，大师们在当代生活的影响力与日俱增。他们反对消费主义和快速的生活节奏，强调消除抑郁和紧张的负面情绪，向内修行出静心和喜乐，宣传同自然母亲建立连接，重建有道德感的灵性生活。这些理念精准击中了自由左派的兴奋点。从The Beatles开始，欧美流行文化界拥抱了来自东方的古老智慧。
于是，成千上万的瑜伽中心在全球遍地开花。在印度本土，大师们建起了占地广阔的静修处，接纳来自世界各地的信徒朝圣和修行，有的静修处里还建起了学校和医院。大师们依靠自己的人脉和影响力经营了一系列慈善事业，与此相伴的，是他们蓬勃发展的商业帝国。巡回，开班，周边，成为大师变现的常规操作。有的人开办药厂，贩卖号称包治百病的印度传统草药。最夸张的一个大师竟然干起了倒卖军火的生意。和政府官员的良好关系，让他们合法或非法地逃掉大量税款。很多大师就此过上了奢华的生活。
整本书看下来，印度大师们的形象并没有很糟糕。除了某些大师静修院里，那些身穿统一浅黄色制服，面露飘忽诡异微笑的信徒，让我想起《周处除三害》以外，并没有太浓厚的邪教气质。其中还有很多正面价值：慈善，非暴力，推崇个人的平和和幸福感。
无论如何，我对这些大师们的好感度有限，尤其那些宣传印度草药包治百病的，给女总理当宠臣谋利的，表演读心术故弄玄虚的，拥抱所有人传递爱和正能量的。在这些人之外，一个讲罗摩衍那史诗故事的老头似乎更有趣一些，搜了段视频，但完全听不懂他在说什么。
至于冥想灵修本身，作者的问题也是我的疑问：is it anything more than putting the body in a state of relaxation?
July 31, 2019
Classic and contemporary
While meticulously describing the gurus in detail the writer has used forgotten to be sarcastic, question with logic overall the journalistic touch with out personal impression and the attempt to present as a matter of fact is what impressed me the most
While meticulously describing the gurus in detail the writer has used forgotten to be sarcastic, question with logic overall the journalistic touch with out personal impression and the attempt to present as a matter of fact is what impressed me the most
June 17, 2020
A peek into the drama of the divinities, India's godmen - the gurus, babas, sanyasis and swamis, who promise to ease your burdens here on earth...their immense public lives, their mysterious inner lives...Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Dhirendra Brahmachari, Chandraswami, Mata Amritanandamayi, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Morari Bapu, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Baba Ramdev and Bhaiyyuji Maharaj!
October 24, 2021
A fast-paced summary of the life-times - deeds - misdeeds of nine of India's well known babas. Nearly everything here is in the public domain, but it is summarised well.
Perhaps a book the reminds us, that more likely than not, all godmen are here for power and wealth.
They completely lack empath and all they care about is themselves.
A book that can be breezed through in a day.
Perhaps a book the reminds us, that more likely than not, all godmen are here for power and wealth.
They completely lack empath and all they care about is themselves.
A book that can be breezed through in a day.
April 3, 2024
Brief synopsis of 9 gurus that have captivated the imagination of this country. It is a quick read ,but lacks the punch to get more juice out of each gurus' story. All of them have been there even before I came into this world, so i was keen to know their journey in depth and lot of insights that are not available over the internet. Sadly this is were the book felt short.
September 20, 2018
Short Introduction to the Indian gurus
A balanced view on the life of Indian gurus. Would have loved it even more if the darker side of these gurus had been more elaborated. As they say, consider a holy man guilty until proven innocent.
A balanced view on the life of Indian gurus. Would have loved it even more if the darker side of these gurus had been more elaborated. As they say, consider a holy man guilty until proven innocent.
February 26, 2025
absolute trash. writer seems to have formed opinions first and written the book later. writer has cleverly mixed the fake god men with couple of actual spiritual leaders. would be fun to know how this idiot votes and who commissioned him/her to write this trash
February 29, 2020
This book did what the author aimed to do: give a brief overview of some of the most popular gurus in India.
A quick and easy read.
A quick and easy read.
October 2, 2022
Very well written and a page turner. Hindi translation could have been better.
August 8, 2019
I bought this book in Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela in January 2019. I was delighted to discover this book. I wanted to know more about the world of gurus, baba, Sâdhus who 'sell hope'
Kang manages to provide an analytical framework written in simple and direct prose that does not make it sound opinionated.
The structure of the story is a little rigid with each description of the gurus: a detailed personal biography followed by the actuality of the spiritual guide. It's not a big deal for me, what I prefer is information.
For an Indian reader, Ramdev's story is largely familiar to those who followed his meteoric rise to become the greatest yoga guru in India thanks to Astha TV. But in Europe, no one knows this man.
An European will certainly be satisfied with this book, which will open his eyes to this distant world of charismatic and business-wise gurus. But...
What is missing from this book is a lexicon of Hindi words used by the author. The book would gain in clarity and as an ambassador of Indian culture. Fortunately, there is Wikipedia to inform me about "siddhis", "brahacharis" or "sandhyavandanam".
Kang manages to provide an analytical framework written in simple and direct prose that does not make it sound opinionated.
The structure of the story is a little rigid with each description of the gurus: a detailed personal biography followed by the actuality of the spiritual guide. It's not a big deal for me, what I prefer is information.
For an Indian reader, Ramdev's story is largely familiar to those who followed his meteoric rise to become the greatest yoga guru in India thanks to Astha TV. But in Europe, no one knows this man.
An European will certainly be satisfied with this book, which will open his eyes to this distant world of charismatic and business-wise gurus. But...
What is missing from this book is a lexicon of Hindi words used by the author. The book would gain in clarity and as an ambassador of Indian culture. Fortunately, there is Wikipedia to inform me about "siddhis", "brahacharis" or "sandhyavandanam".
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