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Maharishi Mahesh Yogi initiated Sri Sri Ravi Shankar into spirituality. Born in 1956 in Tamil Nadu, India, Ravi Shankar (later honored as Sri Sri) showed early spiritual inclinations, reciting the Bhagavad Gita by age four and meditating frequently. His first academic teacher was Sudhakar Chaturvedi, a Vedic scholar linked to Mahatma Gandhi, but his formal entry into spiritual practice came in the mid-1970s as an apprentice under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation (TM). Under Yogi’s guidance, Shankar traveled globally, delivering talks on Vedic science, establishing TM and Ayurveda centers, and gaining hands-on experience in meditation and spiritual teaching. This apprenticeship shaped his approach, leading him to found the Art of Living Foundation in 1981 and develop Sudarshan Kriya in 1982. Reliable sources, including biographies and official accounts, confirm Yogi as the key figure in his spiritual initiation, distinguishing him from self-taught paths seen in other gurus. Yet, Sri Sri rarely mentions Maharishi or Gurudev Brahmanand Saraswati, Maharishi’s own guru, in his public discourses. This article explores possible reasons for this omission.
The Role of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Gurudev Brahmanand Saraswati
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a pivotal figure in Sri Sri’s spiritual development. As a disciple of Gurudev Brahmanand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, Maharishi inherited a lineage rooted in Advaita Vedanta. Gurudev, a revered saint, emphasized meditation and self-realization, principles Maharishi passed on to students like Ravi Shankar. Through Maharishi, Sri Sri connected to this lineage, absorbing its teachings during his formative years in the 1970s. This period of global travel and teaching under Maharishi laid the groundwork for Sri Sri’s later innovations, including Sudarshan Kriya and the Art of Living Foundation.
Reasons for the Silence
Despite this clear influence, Sri Sri seldom acknowledges Maharishi or Gurudev. Several factors may explain this. First, Sri Sri’s teachings focus on universal principles like peace and stress relief, designed to appeal to diverse audiences. By emphasizing practices like Sudarshan Kriya, he may prioritize inclusivity over specific lineage references. Second, establishing a distinct identity as a spiritual leader could explain the limited mention. While Maharishi’s guidance was crucial, Sri Sri’s unique contributions, like Art of Living, set him apart, possibly leading him to focus on his own work. Third, in Indian traditions, honoring a guru often means living their teachings rather than frequent verbal acknowledgment. Sri Sri’s global promotion of meditation and Vedic wisdom reflects Maharishi and Gurudev’s principles, serving as an implicit tribute. Fourth, organizational dynamics may play a role. After leaving the TM movement to found Art of Living, Sri Sri may have distanced his work to avoid comparisons or conflicts. Finally, cultural norms in some spiritual traditions discourage overemphasizing the guru’s name to keep the focus on the teachings themselves.
A Balanced Perspective
Sri Sri’s minimal mention of Maharishi and Gurudev does not necessarily reflect ingratitude. His work, impacting millions across 180 countries, embodies their teachings, spreading meditation and self-realization globally. However, for those studying spiritual lineages, this omission can seem notable, given Maharishi’s profound role. More explicit acknowledgment could enrich followers’ understanding of his roots and honor the legacy of both gurus.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s limited references to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Gurudev Brahmanand Saraswati likely stem from his focus on universal spirituality, desire for a distinct identity, and cultural norms. While their names are rarely mentioned, his work continues their legacy, making meditation accessible worldwide. Recognizing this balance highlights both Sri Sri’s unique contributions and the enduring influence of his gurus.
