Notoriety at Best – Crimes of Passion by Fraudulent Swamis!
Sanyasis are often looked at with respect and admiration for their determination to have given up the materialistic pleasures and followed the path of spirituality. But tables have turned a bit now with these swamis alleged involvement in crimes. Some such sanyasis include Swami Paramhansa Nityanand, Anup Kumar Sahay, Kripaluji Maharaj, Sant Swami Bhimanand Ji Maharaj Chitrakoot Wale, Asaram Bapu, Jayendra Saraswati, Santosh Madhavan, Premananda.
Swami Paramhansa Nityanand is supposed to have been allegedly caught in compromising position with a woman. Ideally, it is thought that he would have attained a certain level of spiritual and mortality that is different from the poor ordinary souls. But he seems to be allegedly running away from his own followers. His alleged actions bring him down to being a crook. And as per the complaint by one of his followers, he lures women by allegedly claiming to be the reincarnation of Lord Krishna. Considering that his operations are supposed to be spread over 33 centres, he seems to have the blessings of Lord Krishna for sure! Surely people should leave him alone and let him be at peace in the name of Lord Krishna!
Anup Kumar Sahay is another “Swamiji” who is allegedly running away from this world (police to be specific) with criminal cases slapped against him. A married man, he is alleged to have abducted a women. Poor man does not seem to be the swami anymore and seems like an ordinary soul bewitched by women.
Santosh Madhavan alias Amritachaitanya was on the Interpol hunt list. He was arrested in 2008 for alleged financial frauds and also charged with raping a 15 years old girl.
Jayendra Saraswati, a Shankaracharya was arrested in 2004 for an alleged murder case.
Premananda alias Trichy Sai Baba, is serving life imprisonment on charges of rape and murder.
The list does not end here. We have Kripaluji Maharaj who is supposed to be a very popular TV guru with mass followers. 63 people died in a stampede that happened because he made no arrangements to organise the event and he still escaped the criminal charges. Are these ashrams not bound to abide by the law?
Another such story is of Shiv Murti Dwivedi popularly known as Sant Swami Bhimanand Ji Maharaj Chitrakoot Wale or Ichadhari Baba. This one is for amassing crores of Rupees from alleged sex racket. More so, he seems to have a track record of being involved in all the alleged criminal acts and still he was permitted to have a free run all these years.
What is it about the human mindset that it craves for guidance of a spiritual Guru (Swamis) at most times? And among the followers of these so called swamis, majority (at least as shown on television programs) are women. What is missing in the lives of these women that it draws them to spiritual guides? It is a common notion that women are the vulnerable of the two sexes. However, this does not mean that they are not conscious even to judge the other person.
The more important question here is the so–called qualifications required to be a guru. Does it refer to only being thorough with the religious scriptures, oratory skills and clothing likewise? How do these people start having such immense following and acclaim? Is their marketing not aided by the so – called religious television channels?
It is time to call-off the bluff of these religious centres of influence and have some regulatory controls over swamis and religious gurus. There is a government control over all professions and occupations. To be a doctor, engineer, chartered accountant or an architect, one needs to have years of studies and then follow professional guidelines and discipline. So, why not in case of a guru?
However, to be a Guru or a swami, one needs no credentials or verifications or background checks. It needs to be remembered that the western world looks at India as the place where the search for self starters begins. Not having any control over activities of such ashrams and its swamis and gurus is unacceptable. Over a period of time, they become separate centres of influence that are visited by politicians, law enforcement officers and celebrities and control the collection and disbursements of crores of Rupees. Going by the reports, their turnovers (revenue collections) exceed that of many mid-sized listed businesses. It should be mandatory that the funds of these ashrams and trusts are managed by Governmental agencies and public representatives. Their lust for money after attaining so-called “enlightenment” is beyond comprehension.
But are gurus and swamis alone to be blamed for these unfortunate situations? After all, there are many who are actually (at least the ones against whom no complaints have been filed till date) involved in good deeds and causes.
First and foremost, people at large should appreciate that gurus and swamis are ordinary human souls who can be tempted by human needs. They are not supposed to live celibate and all alone through their lives. They should not have given up their materialistic lives and follow them for the right reasons.
Secondly, distinguishing between right and wrong and judging the right people from trash is important. Being cautious is the key here.
Thirdly, it should be made compulsory that anybody can do spiritual and religious preaching against prescribed religious qualifications from a recognised and regulated institution.
Fourthly, all religious centres should be checked for criminal background on an annual basis. It should be made mandatory that anybody engaged in religious preaching should display police clearance certification in a prominent place.
Finally, for all poor souls who need and seek guidance, here is the golden rule that will help them through their lives. “Do good karma and do good to all! You will not need any guru or swami to guide you through your life. Your soul would be at peace anyway!
these so called swamijis should be kicked out and killed in public for committing brutal crimes!
Definitely ghor kalyug!!!
But who is to blame for this nonsense in the first place? General public at large. Why should they trust anybody just on hearsay and facevalue without checking into background of a person?
party, general public is responsible…these fake people should not be given importance at all. We should all keep in mind that we can’t find God in human beings!
@Shyamolee – In human beings or otherwise? Does God exist beyond the fact that we cannot explain nature? Interesting point for another debate. But really it is this inability to explain the invisible entity called God that these so called Godmen take advatange of..
Actually who bothers to get into the background of these so called swamis. These kind of activities goes on hearsay only. I would suggest that believe in your one god n just chuck out this nonsense from our society. They are totally fake. I just fail to understand that how can a normal person could judge your life & predict your future. Arey bhai, why don’t they do it for themselves or for their kids. Why don’t they get richer by predicting their future. Are they more stronger than GOD?
I leave it to people’s conscience…but i personally do not believe that God can exist in something around us…there is an unseen power though!! I didn’t want to hurt some people’s feelings and their beliefs…
The glamourisation of the Gurus via different media has added to sorry state of affairs.
As it is we are a nation led by all sorts of superstitions & blind faiths & over that we have these Babas, who talk of guiding our souls on the pathway to peace, despite the fact that most of them would not really have a decent / normal track record of their own lives be it in terms of family life / education / social life.
Why do we make our own fool through their hands I really fail to comprehend.
We go to 10 showrooms when we go shopping for apparel , we ask ten questions on color, qulity , price even for a petty purchase , but we shut our eyes when we have to choose a guide? why?
we cross question poor sales men a hundred things when we but a policy or open an account or even go for grocery shopping, we even do a background check for our maids n helper staff, but the spiritual credentials of the so called gurus are never screened ??? when will we learn to stop doing this to our own poor souls?I wonder!!
Many causes come together for all this nonsense. Depression, Mass hypnotism, Marketing (in a negative way), Illiteracy, Unemployment (in case of thousands of volentiers), weak law and order and so on.. Unfortunately in India, these causes and many such more come together, and these babas take advantage of the same..
These so called cheaters are a victim of vanity. Yes General public is to be blamed here but not entirely. People should be more careful when choosing a guru. It’s best to stay away form ashrams in this present age of hypocrisy. Doing selfless service is way better than going with these Pariahs. Beware! God cannot be found on the road, he is not so cheap.
The Signs of the Koli Age
“Those who are known as twice-born (Brahmins) are devoid of the Vedas, narrow-minded and always engaged in the service of the Sudras (low-born castes); they are fond of carnal desires, seller ofreligion , seller of the Vedas, untouchable and seller of juices; they sell meat, are cruel, engaged in sexual gratification and gratification of their appetite, attached to others’ wives, drunk and producer of cross-breeds; have a low life-span, mix with lowly people and consider their brother-in-law as the only friend. They like constant confrontation and are fond of argument, discontent, fond of jewellery, hair and style. The wealthy are respected as high-born and Brahmins are respected only if they are lenders; Men are merciful only when they are unable to harm others; express displeasure towards the poor; talk excessively to express erudition and carry outreligious work to be famous; Monks are attached to homes in this Koli Age and the homeless are devoid of any morality; Men of this age deride their teachers, display falsereligious affinity but tricks the good people; Sudras in Koli are always engaged in taking over others’ possessions; in Koli, marriage takes place simply because the man and the woman agree to do so; Men engages in friendship with the crooked and show magnanimity while returning favours; Men are considered pious only if they are wealthy and treat only far-away waters (lands) as places of pilgrimage; Men are considered Brahmins simply because they have the sacred thread around their body and as explorers, simply because they have a stick in their hand; the Earth becomes infertile, rivers hit the banks, wives take pleasure in speaking like prostitutes and their minds are not attracted towards their husbands; Brahmins become greedy for others’ food, the low-born castes are not averse to becoming priests, wives mix freely even after they become widows; the clouds release rain irregularly, the land becomes infertile, the kings kill their subjects, the people are burdened with taxes; they survive by eating honey, meat, fruits and roots; in the first quarter of the Koli Age, people deride God; in the second quarter, people do not even pronounce God’s name; in the third quarter, men become cross-breeds; in the fourth quarter, men become the same (uniform) breed; nothing called race exists anymore; they forget God and pious works become extinct.