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| founder = Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam
| founder = Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam
| website = {{URL|http://www.nithyananda.org/}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.nithyananda.org/}}
| quote = I am a virgin. I have no libido
| quote = I am not here to say I am God—[[Mahāvākyas|Aham Brahmasmi]]. I am here to prove that you are God—[[Tat Tvam Asi]].
}}
}}


'''Swami Nithyananda''' (also known as '''Paramahamsa Nithyananda''', born 1 January 1978) is a spiritual master, mystic<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nithyananda.org/certificates|title=Certificate of recognition from California State Legistlature Assembly and others|date=March 22, 2007}}</ref> and the founder of Dhyanapeetam, a worldwide movement for meditation, based in [[Bengaluru]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/26/stories/2006112602760200.htm|title=Meditation holds key to peaceful life: Paramahamsa Nithyananda |date=November 26, 2006|work=[[The Hindu]]| accessdate=11 January 2010|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> He rose to fame after his series ''Kadavai Thira, Kattru Varattum (Open the door and let the breeze in)''<ref name="Tamil seer in sex net">{{cite news|title=Tamil seer in sex net |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100304/jsp/frontpage/story_12175617.jsp|date=March 4, 2010 |work=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref>[http://books.dinamalar.com/BookView.aspx?id=3120 Kadavai Thira Kattru Varattum]</ref> was published in the widely circulated [[Tamil language|Tamil]] weekly, and due to the popularity of his spiritual healing processes. Nithyananda Swami has a huge following in southern India and his mission has branches in several countries, including the US and Europe.<ref name=bbc2010jun14>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8738719.stm|title=India holy man accused of sex scandal is freed on bail |date=June 14, 2010|work=[[news.bbc.co.uk|BBC]]}}</ref> His followers and acquaintances have included a number of high profile politicians such as [[Narendra Modi]], the chief minister of Gujarat,<ref name=toi2010mar05>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-05/vadodara/28146699_1_narendra-modi-sardar-sarovar-narmada-nigam-invitation|title=Nithyananda sting leaves Modi red-faced |date=March 5, 2010 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> and [[B. S. Yeddyurappa|B.S.Yeddyurappa]], the former chief minister of Karnataka,<ref name=it2010apr21>{{cite news| url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/On+the+run,+Swami+Nityananda+arrested+near+Shimla+hill+station/1/93931.html|title=On the run, Swami Nityananda arrested near Shimla hill station |date=April 21, 2010 |work=[[India Today]]}}</ref> and famous actors from the Indian film industry such as [[Vivek Oberoi]],<ref name=toi2009dec06>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-06/news-interviews/28107129_1_sudeep-kannada-film-vivek-oberoi|title=Vivek's Spiritual touch |date=December 6, 2009 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> [[Juhi Chawla]]<ref name=toi2011jan02>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-02/bangalore/28357630_1_juhi-chawla-bidadi-ashram-birthday-celebrations|title=Juhi Chawla at Nityananda's B-day bash |date=January 2, 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> and Ranjitha.<ref name=toi2012may15>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-15/chennai/31711096_1_ranjitha-nithyananda-saivite-mutt|title=Ranjitha sues Kanchi seer for Nithyananda jibe |date=May 15, 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> In April 2010, Nithyananda was arrested after failing to answer bail for criminal charges including rape, after an allegedly morphed video surfaced showing him in a compromising situation with a woman. Later cases that followed include charges of defamation of Tamil culture and acts to insult [[Hinduism]].<ref name="Tamil seer in sex net"/> In June 2010 he was released on bail. In 2012, Swami Nithyananda was named by [[Watkins Books|Watkins]]' ''Mind Body Spirit'' magazine as one of the 100 most spiritually influential living people in the world.<ref name="watkins2012"/> In Feb 2013, during the Maha Kumbh Mela, Swami Nithyananda was bestowed the title of Mahamandaleshwar by the Maha Nirvani Akhada one of the oldest [[Akhara|Akhada]] or apex body of Hindu saints.<ref name="mahamandaleshwar2013"/>
'''Swami Nithyananda''' (also known as '''Paramahamsa Nithyananda''', born 1 January 1978) is a spiritual master, tantric and mystic<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nithyananda.org/certificates|title=Certificate of recognition from California State Legistlature Assembly and others|date=March 22, 2007}}</ref> and the founder of Dhyanapeetam, a worldwide movement for meditation, based in [[Bengaluru]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/26/stories/2006112602760200.htm|title=Meditation holds key to peaceful life: Paramahamsa Nithyananda |date=November 26, 2006|work=[[The Hindu]]| accessdate=11 January 2010|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> He rose to fame after his series ''Kadavai Thira, Kattru Varattum (Open the door and let the breeze in)''<ref name="Tamil seer in sex net">{{cite news|title=Tamil seer in sex net |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100304/jsp/frontpage/story_12175617.jsp|date=March 4, 2010 |work=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref>[http://books.dinamalar.com/BookView.aspx?id=3120 Kadavai Thira Kattru Varattum]</ref> was published in the widely circulated [[Tamil language|Tamil]] weekly, and due to the popularity of his spiritual healing processes. Nithyananda Swami has a huge following in southern India and his mission has branches in several countries, including the US and Europe.<ref name=bbc2010jun14>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8738719.stm|title=India holy man accused of sex scandal is freed on bail |date=June 14, 2010|work=[[news.bbc.co.uk|BBC]]}}</ref> His followers and acquaintances have included a number of high profile politicians such as [[Narendra Modi]], the chief minister of Gujarat,<ref name=toi2010mar05>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-05/vadodara/28146699_1_narendra-modi-sardar-sarovar-narmada-nigam-invitation|title=Nithyananda sting leaves Modi red-faced |date=March 5, 2010 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> and [[B. S. Yeddyurappa|B.S.Yeddyurappa]], the former chief minister of Karnataka,<ref name=it2010apr21>{{cite news| url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/On+the+run,+Swami+Nityananda+arrested+near+Shimla+hill+station/1/93931.html|title=On the run, Swami Nityananda arrested near Shimla hill station |date=April 21, 2010 |work=[[India Today]]}}</ref> and famous actors from the Indian film industry such as [[Vivek Oberoi]],<ref name=toi2009dec06>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-06/news-interviews/28107129_1_sudeep-kannada-film-vivek-oberoi|title=Vivek's Spiritual touch |date=December 6, 2009 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> [[Juhi Chawla]]<ref name=toi2011jan02>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-02/bangalore/28357630_1_juhi-chawla-bidadi-ashram-birthday-celebrations|title=Juhi Chawla at Nityananda's B-day bash |date=January 2, 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> and Ranjitha.<ref name=toi2012may15>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-15/chennai/31711096_1_ranjitha-nithyananda-saivite-mutt|title=Ranjitha sues Kanchi seer for Nithyananda jibe |date=May 15, 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> In April 2010, Nithyananda was arrested after failing to answer bail for criminal charges including rape, after an allegedly morphed video surfaced showing him in a compromising situation with a woman. Later cases that followed include charges of defamation of Tamil culture and acts to insult [[Hinduism]].<ref name="Tamil seer in sex net"/> In June 2010 he was released on bail. In 2012, Swami Nithyananda was named by [[Watkins Books|Watkins]]' ''Mind Body Spirit'' magazine as one of the 100 most spiritually influential living people in the world.<ref name="watkins2012"/> In Feb 2013, during the Maha Kumbh Mela, Swami Nithyananda was bestowed the title of Mahamandaleshwar by the Maha Nirvani Akhada one of the oldest [[Akhara|Akhada]] or apex body of Hindu saints.<ref name="mahamandaleshwar2013"/>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==

Revision as of 00:48, 29 April 2013

For other uses, see Nityananda,.
Paramahamsa Nithyananda
Personal
Born
Rajasekaran

(1978-01-01) January 1, 1978 (age 46)
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India[1]
NationalityIndian
Organization
Founder ofNithyananda Dhyanapeetam
PhilosophyAdvaita Vedanta
Websitewww.nithyananda.org
Honors293rd pontiff of the Madurai Aadheenam, Top 100 spiritually influential people of 2012,[2] Mahamandaleshwar of Nirvani Akhada [3]

Swami Nithyananda (also known as Paramahamsa Nithyananda, born 1 January 1978) is a spiritual master, tantric and mystic[4] and the founder of Dhyanapeetam, a worldwide movement for meditation, based in Bengaluru, India.[5] He rose to fame after his series Kadavai Thira, Kattru Varattum (Open the door and let the breeze in)[6][7] was published in the widely circulated Tamil weekly, and due to the popularity of his spiritual healing processes. Nithyananda Swami has a huge following in southern India and his mission has branches in several countries, including the US and Europe.[8] His followers and acquaintances have included a number of high profile politicians such as Narendra Modi, the chief minister of Gujarat,[9] and B.S.Yeddyurappa, the former chief minister of Karnataka,[10] and famous actors from the Indian film industry such as Vivek Oberoi,[11] Juhi Chawla[12] and Ranjitha.[13] In April 2010, Nithyananda was arrested after failing to answer bail for criminal charges including rape, after an allegedly morphed video surfaced showing him in a compromising situation with a woman. Later cases that followed include charges of defamation of Tamil culture and acts to insult Hinduism.[6] In June 2010 he was released on bail. In 2012, Swami Nithyananda was named by Watkins' Mind Body Spirit magazine as one of the 100 most spiritually influential living people in the world.[2] In Feb 2013, during the Maha Kumbh Mela, Swami Nithyananda was bestowed the title of Mahamandaleshwar by the Maha Nirvani Akhada one of the oldest Akhada or apex body of Hindu saints.[3]

Biography

Nithyananda was born as Rajasekaran in January 1978[14] in the spiritual town of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. From an early age, he had experimented with Yoga, Vedanta, Siddha, Tantra and other eastern metaphysical concepts taught by his mentors Raghupati Yogi,[14] Kuppammal, Annamalai Swami and others.[1]

In 2003 he began an ashram or spiritual centre, Dhyanapeetam, in Bidadi near the city of Bengaluru in south India and the US branch named the Life Bliss Foundation, headquartered in Los Angeles.[9]

Teachings

Swami Nithyananda's teachings are aligned with the Advaitic school of thought of Sri Adi Shankara. He defines living enlightenment in terms of living a conflict-free life.[15] He is known for his spiritual discourses[10] and has given teachings on scriptures such as the Brahma Sutras, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Shiva Sutras, Jain Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita.

Life Bliss Foundation

Swami Nithyananda has developed a range of meditation courses, catering to a cross section of people,[9] which he teaches at his centres and in public programmes. He has followers across the world and runs a number of ashrams in India and abroad.[16] The mission claims to run more than 1000 spiritual centres and temples worldwide with the main ones being in Bidadi, Thiruvannamalai and Los Angeles. Since 2003, Nithyananda's following has grown rapidly, mainly in south India and the US.[8] At the time of his arrest, NDTV speculated that he had about two million followers worldwide.

Awards and honours

Swami Nityananda banner in Bangalore in 2008.
  • In 2007, he was elected chairman of the Hindu University of America, also known as the International Vedic Hindu University, an institution in the U.S. state of Florida.[17]
  • In 2012, Paramahamsa Nithyananda featured in the Watkins' list of the top 100 most spiritually influential living people in the world.[2]
  • In April 2012 appointed 293rd head of Madurai Adheenam. In October 2012 removed as head, after widespread protests against him.
  • In Feb 2013 during the Maha Kumbh Mela, Swami Nithyananda was bestowed the title of Mahamandaleshwar by the Maha Nirvani Akhada [3]

Controversy

See also: Nityananda sex scandal

A video that claimed to show Nithyananada hugging and kissing a sari-clad woman on his bed, allegedly Tamil film actress Ranjitha,[18] was broadcast on the Tamil television channel Sun News on 2 March 2010. After release of the video, Bidadi police registered cases under various IPC sections including -376 (rape), -377 (unnatural sex), -120B (criminal conspiracy), -506 (threat to life) and -420 (cheating).[19] Later cases that followed include charges of defamation of Tamil culture and acts to insult Hinduism.[6]. 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 Dhyanapeetam's website insists that the videos are morphed and defamatory in nature. Zee News later listed this episode in the top five sex-scandals in India.[20] Other television channels, including NDTV, have cited volunteers who have reported on rampant abuse of alcohol and sex at Nithyananda's Bidadi ashram.[21] On March 4, Nithyananda made an application to a civil court in Chennai, seeking an injunction blocking further broadcasting of the video material.[22]

After evading summons for 49 days, Nithyananda was arrested on April 21, 2010 in Arki in Himachal Pradesh by Bangalore Police with the help of the police of Himachal[23] and the interrogation was done in Bangalore by the CID of the Bangalore Police.[24] 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.[25][26] 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.[27]

On 5 June 2012, an American NRI woman accused Nithyananda of sexual harassment.[28] The ashram held a press conference, and there was an attack on the ashram workers by the reporter of the media house Suvarna News. A few hours later there was an attack on the ashram by a local group. For reasons unclear, the Karnataka chief minister announced the cancellation of Nithyananda's bail and ordered the ashram sealed. On June 13, 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.[28][29] On February 2013, the High Court of Karnataka squashed both FIRs against Nithyananda by the Police and by local group.[30]

After allegations were levied by a US-based male disciple of sodomy and homsexual acts, additional cases were registered against Nithyananda for unnatural sex acts (IPC section 377).[31] The same case in the US was, however, dismissed by the State of California as baseless.

On October 12, 2012, Sri Arunagirinathar, the 292nd head of Madurai Adheenam, who had earlier anointed Nithyananda as his successor to the mutt[clarification needed] in April 2011, sacked him after pressure mounted from the state government and other Hindu religious and charitable organisations against his appointment. Following this decision, Sri Arunagirinathar sought police protection, citing threats to life from Nithyananda disciples.[32]

Works

  • Nithyananda, Paramahamsa (2008). Living enlightenment. Life Bliss Foundation. ISBN 978-1-60607-048-2. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Nithyananda, Paramahamsa (2008). Guaranteed Solutions for Lust, Fear, Worry ... Life Bliss Foundation. ISBN 978-1-60607-031-4. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Nithyananda, Paramahamsa (2004). Meditation is for You: An Introduction to the Science and Art of Meditation. Life Bliss Foundation. ISBN 978-81-902437-4-2. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Nithyananda, Paramahamsa (2004). Open the door... let the breeze in!. Life Bliss Foundation. ISBN 978-81-902437-1-1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

References

  1. ^ a b About the Master and Mission (Self Published)
  2. ^ a b c Watkins' Spiritual 100 List for 2012, Mind Body Spirit, Feb 2012
  3. ^ a b c "Swami Nithyananda earns another title at Mahakumbh". Lucknow, India: India Today. Feb 13, 2013. Retrieved Feb 14, 2013.
  4. ^ "Certificate of recognition from California State Legistlature Assembly and others". March 22, 2007.
  5. ^ "Meditation holds key to peaceful life: Paramahamsa Nithyananda". The Hindu. Chennai, India. November 26, 2006. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  6. ^ a b c "Tamil seer in sex net". The Telegraph. March 4, 2010.
  7. ^ Kadavai Thira Kattru Varattum
  8. ^ a b "India holy man accused of sex scandal is freed on bail". BBC. June 14, 2010.
  9. ^ a b c "Nithyananda sting leaves Modi red-faced". The Times of India. March 5, 2010. Cite error: The named reference "toi2010mar05" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  10. ^ a b "On the run, Swami Nityananda arrested near Shimla hill station". India Today. April 21, 2010.
  11. ^ "Vivek's Spiritual touch". The Times of India. December 6, 2009.
  12. ^ "Juhi Chawla at Nityananda's B-day bash". The Times of India. January 2, 2011.
  13. ^ "Ranjitha sues Kanchi seer for Nithyananda jibe". The Times of India. May 15, 2012.
  14. ^ a b "On the run, Swami Nityananda arrested near Shimla hill station". India Today. April 21, 2010.
  15. ^ Nithyananda (2008), Living Enlightenment, Lifebliss Foundation, ISBN 978-1-60607-048-2
  16. ^ "Now, sex slur on south Indian swami". India Today. March 4, 2010.
  17. ^ "Hindu University in US expands Vedic base". Rediff News. November 20, 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  18. ^ "Questions over Sun TV "expose" of Swami Nithyananda" The South Asian Times, March 6–12, 2010.
  19. ^ "Nithyananda aide held in solan". Liable IPC Cases. TOI. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  20. ^ {{|http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/weekend/top-5-sex-scandals_swami-nityananda_205.html}}
  21. ^ "Alcohol, sex rampant at Nithyananda's ashram, says Bangalore techie". NDTV. 8 Dec 2010.
  22. ^ "TV footage sets angry mob on Nithyananda ashram". Chennai, India: The Hindu online. March 4, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
  23. ^ "'Sex Swami' Nithyananda arrested in Himachal". Cities, Stories. NDTV. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  24. ^ "Breaking News: I'm not a man, Nityananda told CID sleuths". The Times of India. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  25. ^ "Defamation case filed against Swami's ex-driver". The Deccan Chronicle. October 3, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  26. ^ Defamation case filed against Swami’s ex-driver
  27. ^ "Nithyananda ashram files complaint against Kalanidhi Maran". The Economic Times. July 7, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  28. ^ a b "Nithyananda ashram unsealed by Bangalore police". Bangalore, India. ndtv.com. 19 June 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  29. ^ "Nithyananda surrenders in court near Bangalore". NDTV. June 13, 2012.
  30. ^ "HC quashes two FIRs against Nityananda". Bangalore, India. deccanherald. 25 Feb 2013. Retrieved Feb 26, 2013.
  31. ^ "Swami Nithyananda also had sexual relations with a man". DailyBhaskar. 26 March 2012.
  32. ^ "Nithyananda sacked as successor of Madurai Mutt head". Hindustan Times. 20 October 2012.

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