Spirituality or religious actions have grown in popularity amongst Indians in the current state of affairs as a result of people are living in a more worrying ambiance than they have ever been. In India, there are numerous religious Gurus who teach people how to live happily and healthily, as well as how to live a stress-free life. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 famous spiritual gurus of India.
1.Shri Shri Ravi Shankar
He is one of India’s and the world’s most well-known spiritual leaders. He founded the “Art of Living” non-profit organization to help people who are economically and socially disadvantaged. He is also known for founding the International Association For Human Values, which aims to promote global values among people of all races, nationalities, and religions. Spirituality, he believes, is the only way to magnify basic values and make human life more satisfying. Love should be extended to everyone, regardless of their religion, race, culture, ethnicity, or other conscious creatures such as animals.
His ambition is to create a world in which people are happy with themselves and with one another. His teachings are primarily concerned with spiritual development rather than religious ideologies.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read:20 Best Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Quotes About The Art Of Living
2.BK Shivani
Sister Shivani is her popular moniker. Because of her strong motivational courses and seminars, she is a teacher at the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University and one of the famous spiritual gurus of India. Her show first aired on the Aastha channel in 2007, and she has steadily grown in popularity since then. Shivani, on the other hand, does not come from a religious family and works as an electronic engineer. She is married and runs a software company.
She believes that materialistic fulfillment is insufficient, prompting her to seek answers to life’s deeper questions, which she found through meditation. She encourages her followers to do the same in order to help them become more self-aware.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read:
3. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
Sadhguru was born in Mysore to his mother Sushila and doctor Vasudev. He began taking yoga classes and practicing yoga on a regular basis when he was very young. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. Many famous people have questioned him, and he has always responded with an apt and descriptive response.
He is one of the famous spiritual gurus of India among the youth due to his charming personality and modern way of delivering thoughts. His charisma is such that even those who have never been interested in yoga or spiritual practices become enthralled by them after listening to him.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read:20 Best Sadhguru Quotes That Will Awaken You Spiritually
4. Osho
Osho was born in 1931 in Central India. While a student at the University of Saugar, he experienced the divine experience of Samadhi at the age of 21. All of his previous spiritual experiences and philosophical knowledge led him to develop a unique way of thinking that combined both subjects while teaching, and he quickly gained a large following.
Osho had a unique spirituality that considered each human to be a divine form and that god is present in everything, and he never believed in any single religion. One of Osho’s unique teachings is a type of medication in which a person must engage in physical activity before meditating.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read: 20 Osho Quotes That Can Transform Your Life
5. Dalai Lama
The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born as Lhamo Thondup and later renamed Tenzin Gyatso. He is Tibet’s spiritual leader of the highest order. He attempted but failed to organize several protests against the Chinese communist party in order to establish Tibetan autonomy. In 1989, the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize.
He has visited a number of cities around the world to promote Buddhist teachings in schools, colleges, and other institutions. He has given several seminar lectures to teach the fundamentals of Buddhism.Buddhism is a religious philosophy that rejects the worship of deities and idols in favor of spiritual practices aimed at alleviating suffering and leading the soul to Nirvana. Life is not perfect, according to Buddhism, but by practicing ethical conduct and discipline, one can lessen the suffering caused by negative emotions. Suffering is the only thing that all living creatures have in common, so we should continue to treat everyone with kindness.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read:
6.Swami Gyanvatsal
He is another one of the famous spiritual gurus of India who motivate his followers through spiritualism. He is a Swami Narayan Mandir of Akshardham. He founded the Swami Narayan Sanstha, which is run entirely by volunteers and promotes spiritual growth through Hindu ideologies such as unity, nonviolence, selflessness, good karma, and self-belief.
He believes that one of the most important characteristics in a human being is ethics, and he always encourages his audience to follow the Dharma. It is impossible to be peaceful without also being ethical. Morality is a crucial component of spirituality. He has discussed a variety of topics, including stress management, depression, and even more contemporary topics such as how to be a good boss.
Source: Wikifeed
7.Sadhvi Ritambhara
Sadhvi Ritambhara was said to have attained Nirvana when she married at the age of 16. She is now regarded as one of the famous spiritual gurus of India. She is a political activist as well as a religious preacher. She is best known for her beautiful and fluent renditions of Hindu scriptures such as Ram Katha, which she has performed all over the world. She is the founder of Param Shakti Peeth, a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers that assists people while also encouraging women to be more devotional. She belongs to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
Image Source: Sadhvi Ritambhara on Facebook
8.Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
He went on a quest for deeper meaning in life soon after finishing his education. Under the guidance of Gurudev, he began practicing yoga and meditation on a regular basis. After his teacher died, he began teaching meditation and yoga.
He used to teach a form of meditation known as Transcendental Meditation. It is a technique in which a person closes their eyes for 20 minutes and mentally repeats hymns. This meditation technique assisted people in reaching a deep state of relaxation and consciousness, removing stress and other negative emotions that people encounter on a daily basis. Today, this technique is well-known throughout the world, and many psychologists recommend it as a form of therapy for better mental health.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
9.Mata Amritanandamayi
Her adoring fans refer to her as Amma. Amma has earned the moniker “Hugging Saint” for her ability to give unconditional love to everyone she meets through her motherly and affectionate hugs. In 1953, she was born in Parayakadavu, Kerala, in a fishing community. She didn’t have the opportunity to study the scriptures or receive a proper formal education because she grew up in a poor family. Instead, she devoted the majority of her time to caring for her family. She was a devotee of Lord Krishna and is said to have attained spiritual awakening through his worship.Many people were drawn to her spirituality and her love for everyone, which led to the establishment of Mata Amritanandamai Math.
Source: Wikipedia
10.Paramhansa Yogananda
In 1893, he was born in Gorakhpur. Yoganand developed an interest in religion and regularly practiced meditation. He visited several saints across Bengal in search of a teacher who could discipline him, as he was always eager to learn more about the scriptures.
He felt compelled to share his knowledge and spiritual practice with the rest of the world in 1920, so he traveled to the United States and began cheating yoga. He began an official tour in 1924, during which he gave lectures to people about the ideals of Vedanta in a way that was understandable to modern people. He founded the “Self Realization Fellowship,” an organization that still promotes yoga and spirituality among modern people.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read: 20 Quotes From Autobiography Of A Yogi By Paramahansa Yogananda
11. Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa is, without a doubt, the greatest human being who has ever lived. In October 2003, Pope John Paul II beatified her. She had only one goal in life: to help the poor, the destitute, the needy, and everyone else who was marginalized by society.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read:
12.Baba Ramdev
Baba Ramdev, also known as Swami Ramdev, is a world-renowned Indian yogi and Ayurveda and Yoga Guru. He is credited with popularising Yoga and Ayurveda through television shows and public events. He is thought to have touched over 10 crores (100 million) people and has a large global following.
Baba Ramdev’s life, as classic rags to riches story, inspires millions. Despite coming from a low-income family and lacking a formal education, he positively impacted the lives of millions of people through his sheer determination and hard work. Despite numerous accusations and opponents, he was able to achieve his objectives. He is undoubtedly the person to look up to and be inspired by.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
13. Sathya Sai Baba
Sathya Sai Baba, an Indian guru, and philanthropist was both a revered and divisive figure. He established the Sathya Sai Organisation, a network of free hospitals, clinics, and educational institutions, through which he established a network of free hospitals, clinics, and educational institutions. His followers were convinced of his supposed omnipotence and omniscience. He has been accused of sexual abuse, money laundering, and fraud by his critics.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
14. Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo was an Indian nationalist, philosopher, poet, yogi, and teacher. Before becoming a spiritual reformer and focusing on spiritual evolution and human progress, he was one of the most influential leaders of the Indian independence movement. He is credited with establishing the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, which still serves spiritual seekers from all over the world.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
15. Ramana Maharshi
Ramana Maharshi, an Indian Hindu sage, fled to Arunachala, a sacred mountain in Tamil Nadu, when he was 16, and stayed there for the rest of his life. Instead of studying scriptures, as proposed by the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, he promoted vichara, or self-inquiry, as the primary means of self-realization.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
A guru is a “teacher, spiritual guide, or godman,” according to the dictionary. We hope you have found a new meaning in your life after going through some of the inspiring stories of the famous spiritual gurus of India. Let us know which one of them inspired you the most.
FAQs
Who is No 1 guru in world? ›
Dalai Lama
Now at age 83 years, he is recognized as one of the world's most powerful and influential spiritual gurus. From human rights to peace and nonviolence, the Dalai Lama offers insights for all spiritual people.
Swamis fulfill an essential role in Hindu society and serve as the spiritual and religious leader and minister of his or her Hindu temple or organization.
Who was one of the greatest spiritual leaders of our country? ›President Ram Nath Kovind led the nation on Sunday to pay tributes to one of the greatest spiritual leaders of India -- Swami Vivekananda -- on his birth anniversary. Vivekananda's birth anniversary is observed as National Youth Day in the country. Kovind tweeted: "Homage to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary.
Who are the 4 religious leaders? ›- Buddhism: the Buddha (Gautama Buddha) The 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) ...
- Islam: Muhammad (Muhammad ibn Abdullāh)
- Judaism: Moses - prophet.
- Catholicism: Pope Francis.
- Christianity (also Protestantism): Jesus of Nazareth. Martin Luther. ...
- Mormonism (LDS): Joseph Smith, Jr. Brigham Young. ...
- Scientology: L.
- A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1 September 1896 – 14 November 1977)
- Abhinavagupta (c. 950 – 1020)
- Adi Shankara (c. 788 – 820)
- Advaita Acharya (1434–1539)
- Agastyar (3rd millennium BCE)
- Akka Mahadevi (c.1130 - 1160), Kannada literature.
- Alvar Saints (700–1000)
- Anandamayi Ma (30 April 1896 - 27 August 1982)
- Shri Shri Ravi Shankar. He is one of the most famous spiritual leaders in India and over the world. ...
- BK Shivani. ...
- Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev. ...
- Osho. ...
- Dalai Lama. ...
- Swami Gyanvatsal. ...
- Sadhvi Ritambhara. ...
- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
| Religion | Adherents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Christianity | 2.382 billion | 31.11% |
| Islam | 1.907 billion | 24.9% |
| Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist | 1.193 billion | 15.58% |
| Hinduism | 1.161 billion | 15.16% |
Matsyendranatha, also called Minanatha, (flourished 10th century?, India), first guru (spiritual teacher) of the Nathas, a popular Indian religious movement combining elements of Shaivism, Buddhism, and Hatha Yoga, a form of yoga that stresses breath control and physical postures.
Who is the father of Hinduism? ›| Brahma | |
|---|---|
| God of Creation Epitome of knowledge and the Vedas; Creator of the Universe | |
| Member of Trimurti | |
| A roundel with depiction of Brahma, 19th century | |
| Other names | Svayambhu, Virinchi, Prajapati |
Unlike other religions, Hinduism has no one founder but is instead a fusion of various beliefs. Around 1500 B.C., the Indo-Aryan people migrated to the Indus Valley, and their language and culture blended with that of the indigenous people living in the region.
Who is Islam spiritual leader? ›
Imam: prayer leader; may also function as a spiritual advisor and expert in Islamic Law.
Who is a spiritual master from India? ›(1894–1969), Indian spiritual master.
Who is the greatest religious leader? ›Jesus of Nazareth
In the Western tradition, much has been written about the life of Jesus of Nazareth, a.k.a. Jesus Christ.
Several Hindu female gurus have a high-profile existence as spiritual leaders who frequently travel across the globe for sessions with their numerous devotees; examples include Anandmurti Gurumaa, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda of Siddha Yoga, Karunamayi Ma, and Mata Amritanandamayi (Ammachi).
Who started religion? ›| Founder Name | Religious tradition founded | Life of founder |
|---|---|---|
| Ajita Kesakambali | Charvaka | 6th century BC |
| Mahavira | The final (24th) tirthankara in Jainism | 599 BC – 527 BC |
| Gautama Buddha | Buddhism | 563 BC – 483 BC |
| Confucius | Confucianism | 551 BC – 479 BC |
In the next half century or so, Christianity's long reign as the world's largest religion may come to an end, according to a just-released report that builds on Pew Research Center's original population growth projections for religious groups.
What is one of the world's oldest religion? ›The word Hindu is an exonym, and while Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, many practitioners refer to their religion as Sanātana Dharma (Sanskrit: सनातन धर्म, lit.
Who is the Indian mystic? ›Sadhguru is a Yogi, Mystic and Visionary. Named one of India's 50 most influential people, Sadhguru's work has touched the lives of millions worldwide through his transformational programs.
What is a Hindu guru called? ›guru, (Sanskrit: “venerable”) in Hinduism, a personal spiritual teacher or guide. From at least the mid-1st millennium bce, when the Upanishads (speculative commentaries on the Vedas, the revealed scriptures of Hinduism) were composed, India has stressed the importance of the tutorial method in religious instruction.
Who is the best spiritual speaker in India? ›- Abdul Hakkim Azhari.
- Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar.
- Niruben Amin.
- Madhava Ashish.
What is a spiritual teacher called? ›
Spiritual teachers fall into several subcategories: Shaykhs or Sufi teachers, Gurus (including Hindu Gurus, Sant Mat Gurus, and Sikh Gurus), Buddhist teachers, including Tibetan Lamas (which is really simply the Tibetan word for Guru), and Mahasiddhas, who may be claimed by both Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
Can a person have more than one guru? ›You can have as many gurus as you like.
Which is the purest religion? ›Hinduism. According to the principle scripture of Hinduism, the Bhagavad-gītā, truth is Krishna himself. This is confirmed by Vyasa as stated in the verse, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ultimate abode, the purest, the Absolute Truth.
Which country has all religion? ›| Afghanistan | Islam (Sunni 80%, Shiite 19%), other 1% |
|---|---|
| Chile | Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, small Jewish population |
| China | Officially atheist; Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%–4%, Muslim 1%–2% (2002 est.) |
| Colombia | Roman Catholic 90% |
| Comoros | Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% |
Adiyogi transformed himself into Adi Guru. He turned south to shed his grace upon their race and the transmission of yogic science started. Because he turned south, when Shiva or the Adiyogi sits as a teacher, we call him Dakshinamurthy. The first guru was born on that day.
What is a spiritual master? ›According to the Ascended Master Teachings a "Master of Light", "Healer" or "Spiritual Master" is a Divine Human Being who has taken the Fifth Initiation and is thereby capable of dwelling in a 5th dimension.
Who is spiritual leader Baba? ›He was educated in Poona (Pune) and attended Deccan College there, where at the age of 19 he met an aged Muslim woman, Hazrat Babajan, the first of five “perfect masters” (spiritually enlightened, or “God-realized,” persons) who over the next seven years helped him find his own spiritual identity.
Which god married his own daughter? ›| Daksha | |
|---|---|
| Parents | Brahma (father) |
| Consort | Prasuti and Askini |
| Children | Daughters including Svaha, Khyati, Sati, Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kadru, Vinata, Rohini, Revati and Rati 5000 sons called Haryasvas 1000 sons called Sabalasvas |
Inanna is among the oldest deities whose names are recorded in ancient Sumer. She is listed among the earliest seven divine powers: Anu, Enlil, Enki, Ninhursag, Nanna, Utu, and Inanna.
Who is father of Shiva? ›The nineteen avatars of Lord Shiva. This avatar of Lord Shiva was born to Sage Dadhichi and his wife, Swarcha. However, he lost his parent's son after his birth. He was raised by his aunt Dadhimati.
What is the oldest god in the world? ›
Anu (Akkadian: 𒀭𒀭 ANU, from 𒀭 an “Sky”, “Heaven”) or Anum, originally An (Sumerian: 𒀭 An), was the divine personification of the sky, king of the gods, and ancestor of many of the deities in ancient Mesopotamian religion.
Which is the only Hindu country in the world? ›Nepal is the only Hindu kingdom of the world with the constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy.
Who is the mother of all religions? ›The speech of Vivekananda went on to bridge the gap between India and America as Swamiji went on to promote Hinduism as the 'mother of religions' and one that has taught the world-- tolerance.
What is the name of 12 Imams? ›The twelve Imams, and their respective lifespans, are comprised by Ali ibn Abu Talib (600-661 CE), Hasan ibn Ali (625-670 CE), Husayn ibn Ali (626-680 CE), Ali ibn Husayn (658-712 CE), Muhammad Ibn Ali (677-732 CE), Ja'far ibn Muhammad (702-765 CE), Musa ibn Ja'far (744-749 CE), Ali ibn Musa (765-817 CE), Muhammad ibn ...
What is the highest rank in Islam? ›Allamah. Allamah is an honorary and prestigious title carried by only the very highest scholars of Islamic thought, jurisprudence, and philosophy. It is used as an honorific in Sunni Islam as well as in Shia Islam. Allamah is a leader for the Islamic faith.
How long will Islam last? ›In more than 15 ahadith found in the Sahih of Imam Bukhari, Sunnan of Imam Abu Dawwud, Jamii of Imam Tirmidhi and others, the prophet (saws) said Islam has a specific lifespan on earth, these Ahadith state Allah gave Islam 1500 years then relatively soon after this He would establish the Hour, we are now in the year ...
How do you find a guru in life? ›How to Find a Guru? | Sadhguru - YouTube
What religion has a baba? ›Sai Baba of Shirdi (c. 1838? - died 15 October 1918), also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian spiritual master and fakir, considered to be a saint, revered by both Hindu and Muslim devotees during and after his lifetime.
Who is a famous religious person? ›Religious leaders from Jesus Christ, Buddha and Martin Luther to Muhammad, Billy Graham and Mother Teresa are people who have appeared in sacred texts or helped lead religious movements. These prophets, priests and preachers have profoundly shaped our view of the spiritual world.
What are the 12 major religions of the world in order? ›The world's faithful account for 83% of the global population; the great majority of these fall under twelve classical religions--Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism.
Who is head of Christianity? ›
The Bishop of St Peter's Church the Pope became the spiritual head of Christians all over the world and was acknowledged as the representative of Christ on earth.
What is female guru called? ›Female equivalent of gurus are called gurvis. The wife of the guru is the guru patni or guru ma. The guru's son is guru putra, while the guru's daughter is the guru putri.
Can a woman be a swami? ›Abhayananda claimed to be the only female swami in the entire world. There were many other Westeners who, in the first half of the century, became Hindu disciples/sannyasis/gurus: others included the Mother (b.
Where can we find gurus in India? ›- Sai Baba Ashram in Puttaparthi.
- Amma Ashram in Amritapuri, Kerala.
- Sivananda Ashram, Kerala.
- Rishikesh, Oldest Yoga Capital.
- Mysore – New Yoga Capital.
| Paramahansa Yogananda | |
|---|---|
| Founder of | Self-Realization Fellowship /Yogoda Satsanga Society of India |
| Philosophy | Kriya Yoga |
| Religious career | |
| Guru | Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri |
Guru (/ˈɡuːruː/ Sanskrit: गुरु, IAST: guru; Pali: garu) is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field.
Who is the first guru of Hindu? ›Adiyogi transformed himself into Adi Guru. He turned south to shed his grace upon their race and the transmission of yogic science started. Because he turned south, when Shiva or the Adiyogi sits as a teacher, we call him Dakshinamurthy. The first guru was born on that day.
Who is the first Sikh guru? ›A portrait of Guru Nanak (1469–1539), the first Sikh Guru.
Who is the 10 Guru of Sikh? ›The 10th Sikh Guru name is Guru Gobind Singh was the last of the human Sikh gurus. He was born in 1666 and was the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Who was last Guru of Sikh? ›The 10th and last Guru, Gobind Singh, before his death (1708) declared the end of the succession of personal Gurus.
Who Killed 10th Sikh Guru? ›
Wazir Khan sent two Pathan assassins Jamshed Khan and Wasil Beg to attack the Guru during his sleep at Nanded, the Guru's resting place. They stabbed Guru Gobind Singh in his sleep.
Who is guru of Lord Shiva? ›...
| Dakshinamurthy | |
|---|---|
| God of Wisdom and the Arts | |
| Dakshinamurthy Shiva sculpture on the southern entrance of the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. | |
| Affiliation | Shiva (Shaivism) |
The guru is not given a bigger status than God. A guru's sole role is to help you find and realize God. There are one or two Hindu sects who do take such an imbalanced approach (guru greater than God), but they are not representative of Hinduism in general.
Can I have two gurus? ›In the Vedic tradition you can have many siksha, or instructing, spiritual masters. But you can have only one diksha, or initiating, guru. Depends on whether they tell you the same thing. If they give different instructions you know one of them, or even both, are wrong.
Who is the father of Hindu? ›| Brahma | |
|---|---|
| God of Creation Epitome of knowledge and the Vedas; Creator of the Universe | |
| Member of Trimurti | |
| A roundel with a depiction of Brahma, 19th century | |
| Other names | Svayambhu, Virinchi, Prajapati |
Unlike other religions, Hinduism has no one founder but is instead a fusion of various beliefs. Around 1500 B.C., the Indo-Aryan people migrated to the Indus Valley, and their language and culture blended with that of the indigenous people living in the region.
Who wrote Vedas? ›Having said that, one cannot fully appreciate the Hindu religion without recognizing the significance of the sage Veda Vyasa, who is widely revered and credited for compiling much of Hinduism's most prominent and influential spiritual texts, including the Vedas, the 18 Puranas, and the world's largest epic poem, the ...
Are Sikhs Hindu? ›...
Comparison chart.
| Hinduism | Sikhism | |
|---|---|---|
| Followers | Hindus. | Sikhs |
The fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ram Das, who had initially constructed a pool here, founded Amritsar, which houses the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib. It is here that Sage Valmiki wrote the epic, Ramayana. Rama and Sita are believed to have spent their fourteen-year exile in Amritsar, the epicenter of Sikhism.
Who is God in Sikhism? ›The name most widely used for God by Sikhs is Waheguru , which means 'wondrous enlightener'. Sikhs believe that there is only one God, who created everything. They believe that Waheguru must remain in the mind at all times.