J.R.D. Tata

J.R.D. Tata

Date of Birth : Jul 29, 1904
Date of Death : Nov 29, 1993
Place of Birth : Paris


Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, was born on July 29, 1904 in Paris. He was the second child of Mr Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata. He spent much of his childhood in France since his mother was French. In 1922, Tata returned to India to join the family business. He inherited most of his grandfather Jamshedji's industrial empire but first became a pioneer in aviation. He had a great personality with a charm and style of his own. After his father's death in 1926,
Tata became the director of the Board of Tata Sons Ltd. Eventually in 1938, he became the chairman of the company. Under his leadership Tata Sons expanded into one of the largest industrial empire in the country- from ironworks and steelworks into chemicals, hotels, engineering and lot of other industries. In 1945, Tata Steel promoted the Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO) with an objective to produce locomotives for the Indian Railways. Today Telco has emerged as the country's largest Commercial Vehicle producer. JRD Tata was the first Indian pilot to qualify for a British private license. He founded Tata Airlines in 1932 and by 1953, it developed and came to be known as Indian Airlines. Till 1978, Tata was the Chairman of the Indian Airlines and Air India. Tata was an early advocate of family planning and he created the Family Planning Foundation in 1971. His innovations in India's fledgling hotel and tourist industry as well as his contributions to scientific and technical research and corporate management gained public recognition from the Indian Government. He was honoured by India's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna in 1991 and United Nations Population Award in 1992. In 1991, at the age of 87, Tata retired from Tata Sons. He passed away on November 29, 1993.

Jamshedji Tata

Jamshedji Tata

Date of Birth : Mar 3, 1839
Date of Death : May 19, 1904
Place of Birth : Gujarat


Jamshedji Tata is considered to be the path-finder of modern industrial builders. He is known as the grand father of Indian Industry for his acumen and enthusiasm. Jamshedji's father Nasarvanji Tata used to trade in jute with China and Britain. He started export from India. Jamshedji started a cloth mill in Nagpur more than hundred years ago. At that time almost all the cloth used to come from England. Jamshedji Tata was the main person behind the idea to start an Iron and steel Factory. But his dreams was fulfilled by his sons, when they started the Tata Iron and Steel Factory in 1907 first three years after his death. He established the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore (IISc). Then Hydro -electric Project at Bombay is an example of his foresightedness. The Taj Hotel in Bombay was also built by Tata, which ranks as one of the best hotels in the world.

Ghanshyam Das Birla

Ghanshyam Das Birla

Date of Birth : Apr 10, 1894
Date of Death : Jan 11, 1983
Place of Birth : India


G.D. Birla was a great architect of India's industrial growth. He started his career in Calcutta at the beginning of this century. He entered the field of business during the days of the First World War and established himself after the war years. He established a cotton mill in Sabzi Mandi, Delhi followed by Keshoram Cotton
Mills and Birla Jute Mills around 1920. In 1919, with an investment of 50 lacs, the Birla Brothers Limited was formed and thereafter a mill was set up in Gwalior. In the decade of the 30's he set up Sugar and Paper mills. From 1943 to 1946, Birla Brothers ventured into the area of cars. He had also established Ruby, Asiatic Insurance Co and Inland Air Service. After independence, the Birlas expanded their business and started production in many fields. Near Mirzapur, he, in collaboration with Caesar, an American friend, set up an Aluminum Plant 'Hindalco'. He also started many educational Institutions. To his credit go many temples, planetariums and hospitals. During the decades of 70's and 80's, Birla brothers were among the topmost Industrial Houses of India. G.D. Birla award for scientific Research has been established to encourage scientists for their contribution in the various fields of scientific Research.

Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani

Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani

Date of Birth : Dec 28, 1932
Date of Death : Jul 6, 2002
Place of Birth : Gujarat


Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani, one of the leading Indian businessmen, was born on December 28, 1932 in Chorwad, Gujarat. Popularly known as Dhirubhai Ambani, he heads The Reliance Industries, India's largest private enterprise. Dhirubhai started off as a small time worker with Arab merchants in the 1950s and moved to Mumbai in 1958 to start his own business in spices. After making modest profits, he moved into textiles and opened his mill near Ahmedabad. Dhirubhai founded Reliance Industries in 1958. After that it was a saga of expansions and successes. Reliance, acknowledged as one of the best-run companies in the world has
various sectors like petrochemicals, textiles and is involved in the production of crude oil and gas, to polyester and polymer products. The companies refinery at Jamnagar accounts for over 25% of India's total refining capacity and their plant at Hazira is the biggest chemical complex in India. The company has further diversified into Telecom, Insurance and Internet Businesses, the Power Sector and so on. Now the Reliance group with over 85,000 employees provides almost 5% of the Central Government's total revenue. Dhirubhai has been one among the select Forbes billionaires and has also figured in the Sunday Times list of top 50 businessmen in Asia. His industrious nature and willingness to take on any risk has made him what he is. In 1986 after a heart attack he has handed over his empire to his two sons Anil and Mukesh. His sons are carrying

intermediate results advanced supplimentary 2008

INTERMEDIATE RESULTS ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTARY 2008 OF ANDHRAPRADESH RELEASED TODAY i.e.25 JUNE 2008 at 4.00P.M.
THE RESULTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITH THE FOLLOWING LINKS WITH ORDER OF PREFERENCE OF ACCESSIBILITY
THANK TO SELECT THIS SITE FOR RESULTS
ALL THE BEST AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RESULTS.

CLICK BELOW LINKS

www.aarvy.com

www.manabadi.co.im

www.schools9.com

www.examresults.net

www.manabadi.com

www.indiaresults.com

www.ushasri.org

www.bharatstudents.com

www.studentwala.com

www.rediff.com

Azim Hasham Premji

Azim Hasham Premji

Date of Birth : Jul 24, 1945

Place of Birth : Bombay


Azim Hasham Premji, founder of Wipro Limited, India's biggest and most competitive IT company based in Bangalore, was born on July 24th 1945 in Bombay. Premji was forced to leave his studies in computer science from Stanford University, California, USA at the age of 21 to take over the family business of vegetable oils when his father M.H. Premji, suddenly passed away in 1966. He has since after a gap of over thirty years completed his degree in Electrical Engineering. The Amalner-based vanaspathi manufacturing company, the Western India Vegetable Product later became Wipro Products Ltd, Wipro Technologies and Wipro Corporation. Under Premji's leadership Wipro embarked on an ambitious phase of expansion and diversification. The Company began manufacturing light bulbs with General Electric and other consumer products including soaps, baby care products, shampoos, powder etc. In 1975, Wipro Fluid Power business unit manufacturing hydraulic cylinders and truck tippers was started. But Premji's ambitions did not stop there. In the 1980s Wipro entered the IT field, taking advantage of the expulsion of IBM from the Indian market in 1975. Thus, Wipro became involved in manufacturing computer hardware, software development and related items, under a special license from Sentinel. As a result, the $1.5 million company in hydrogenated cooking fats grew within a few years to a $662 million diversified, integrated corporation in services, medical systems, technology products and consumer items with offices worldwide. The company's IT division became the world's first to win SEI CMM level 5 and PCMM Level 5 (People Capability Maturity Model) certification, the latest in quality standards. Wipro works with leading global companies, such as Alcatel, Nokia, Cisco and Nortel and has a joint venture in Medical Systems with General Electric company.
Premji's story of success and prominence clearly shows how determination and perseverance, when coupled with knowledge, clear vision and proper planning, enable one to reach the peak of success and leadership. A straight forward person, he doesn't believe in resorting to bribery or corruption to get things done and associates quality with integrity. He leads a quiet life with his wife Yasmin Premji who had worked for 'Inside Outside' (editorial) in Mumbai and his two sons in a simple, but elegant villa in Bangalore. The elder son, Rishad, works in the USA for GE and the younger one, Tariq, has co-founded a dotcom and works from Bangalore. Mr. Premji who holds 78% stakes in the company does not believe in naming one of his sons as his successor just for the norms.

Over the years, Azim Premji has been privileged with many honors and accolades. He was chosen as the Business India's 'Businessman of the Year 2000', He was named by Fortune (August 2003) as one of the 25 most powerful business leaders outside the US, Forbes (March 2003) listed him as one of ten people globally, Business Week featured (October 2003) him on their cover with the sobriquet 'India's tech king'. The Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education have both conferred honorary doctorates on him. He is also a member of the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee for Information Technology in India. In the year 2001, Premji established Azim Premji Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with a vision of influencing the lives of millions of children in India by facilitating the universalisation of elementary education. The foundation works closely with the state governments of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh etc and the programs cover over 5000 rural schools. Premji contributes the financial resources for the foundation.

FREE SOFT WARE DOWNLOADS

anti-virous
anti spy
media players
browsers
ccleaner
net work soft wares
many more free downlodable soft wares


to get all the above simply



CLICK HERE






1

Vishwamitra

Vishwamitra

About Vishwamitra
Rishi Vishwamitra is considered to be one of the most revered rishis (sages) of the ancient India. As per the holy Puranas, there have been only 24 Rishis in India who have the Gayatri Mantra. It is believed that Sage Vishwamitra is the first saint of the 24 saints, and Sage Yajnavalkya the last. He also claims the distinction of being the author of the majority portion of the Mandala 3 of the Rig-Veda. Read on to explore the biography of Sage Vishwamitra further…

Early Life
Rishi Vishwamitra was born as 'Kaushika' and was the great-grandson of a great sage king, known as Kusha. He was born to Gadhi, one of the four sons of Kusha. Like every other prince, Kaushika also succeeded his father to the throne of his kingdom.

Meeting Sage Vasishta
While on a tour of his kingdom, Kaushika came across the hermitage of the great sage, Vasishta, along with his army. The peace and the solitude surrounding the hermitage impressed him deeply and he entered inside. There, he and his army were well received and served a splendid feast. Surprised at the welcome received by him, Kaushika asked sage Vasishta that how he managed to feed such a large army.

The sage replied that the food was provided to him by his calf, Nandini, gifted to him by Lord Indra himself. Kaushika offered the sage a large amount of wealth in return of the calf. However, the sage declined the offer. Enraged at the refusal of sage Vasishta, he ordered his army to forcefully take the calf to his kingdom. The sage used his yogic powers to bring forth a huge militia of fierce warriors, who defeated the army of Kaushika. Kaushika was captured and brought before the sage, who pardoned him.

Renunciation
The above mentioned incident deeply affected Kaushika and made him realize that power of penance was greater than that of physical strength. He relinquished his throne and began his journey to become a sage, greater than even Vasishta. After undergoing intense meditation and severe asceticism, he was bestowed with the title of Brahmarishi by Lord Brahma himself. He was given the name of 'Vishwamitra' (friend of all).

Legends surrounding Vishwamitra
It is said that Sage Vishwamitra created a parallel heaven, known as Trishanku Swarga, for King Trishanku. It is also believed that in the great epic Ramayana, Vishvamitra was born as Lakshmana, the brother of Lord Rama. He gave his brothers the knowledge of the Devastras (celestial weaponry), trained them in advanced religion and taught them how to kill powerful demons.

Valmiki

Valmiki

About Valmiki Maharishi (the great sage) claims the distinction of being the author of the holy epic 'Ramayana', consisting of 24,000 verses. He is also believed to be the author of Yoga Vasistha, a text that elaborates on a range of philosophical issues. Written approximately 500 years ago, it was taught to Lord Rama when He lost all the hopes in life. Read on this biography to know more about Maharishi Valmiki and his life history. Early Life Maharishi Valmiki was born as Ratnakara to sage Prachetasa. At a very young age, Ratnakara went into the forest and got lost. A hunter, who was passing by, saw Ratnakara and took him under his own care. Under the love and care of his foster parents, Ratnakara forgot his original parents. Under his father's guidance, Ratnakara turned out to be an excellent hunter. As he approached marriageable age, Ratnakara was married to a beautiful girl from hunter's family. Turning into a Robber As his family grew larger, Ratnakara found it next to impossible to feed them. As a result, he took to robbery and began looting people passing from one village to another. Meeting with Narada and Transformation One day, the great sage Narada, while passing through the jungle, was attacked by Ratnakara. As Narada played his Veena and sang praises of the Lord, he saw a transformation coming over Ratnakara. Then, he asked Ratnakara whether the family, for whom he was robbing others, will partake in his sins also. Ratnakara went to ask the same question to his family and on being refused by all his family members, he went back to sage Narada. Narada taught him the sacred name of 'Rama' and asked him to sit in meditation, chanting the name of Rama, till the time Narada came back. Ratnakara followed the instructions and kept sitting in a meditative posture for years, during which his body got completely covered by an anthill. At last, Narada came to see him and removed all the anthills from his body. Then, he told Ratnakara that his tapasya (meditation) paid off and the God was pleased with him. Ratnakara was bestowed with the honor of a Brahmarshi and given the name of Valmiki, since he was reborn from the Valmika (the ant-hill). Sage Valmiki founded his ashram at the banks of River Ganga. Receiving Lord Rama One day, Valmiki had the fortuity of receiving Lord Rama, His wife Sita and brother Lakshman at his ashram. On Valmiki's suggestion, Lord Rama built his hut on Chitrakuta hill, near the ashram. Writing Ramayana Narada visited Maharishi Valmiki in his ashram once and there, he narrated the story of Lord Rama. Thereafter he received a vision from Brahma in which the Lord instructed him to write Ramayana in slokas, which the sage readily followed.

Tukaram

Tukaram

About Sant Tukaram Tukaram was one of the greatest poet saints ever born in India. It is quite renowned for his contribution to the Bhakti Movement of Maharashtra. Read this biography further to know more about the Sant Tukaram. Early Life The exact records related to the life history of Tukaram are not available. So, there is a little disagreement regarding his exact birthdate. It is considered to be one of the four - 1568 AD, 1577 AD, 1608 AD or 1598 AD. He was born in Dehu, near the Pune city to a trader father. He was married twice. His first wife died of starvation, during a period of severe famine. While, his second wife constantly nagged him for not being able to properly support his family. Enlightenment Tortured by the death of his first wife, the constant nagging of the second and the failure in his spiritual quest, Tukaram went into a severe depression. By the age of twenty-one, he had lost all the hopes in life and was at the threshold of death. At this point of time, he had a dream, in which one Babaji Chaitanya initiated him into the spiritual path. That particular moment changed his destiny and he started his journey as one of the best poet saints of the country. Teachings of Sant Tukaram • An individual should make God the center of his universe. Serving others and loving others is the best way through which we can find Him. • For the attainment of sadhana, an individual needs to have faith in his/her destiny. • It is not necessary to renounce the world and lead the life of an ascetic in order to be one with God. Spirituality does not require elaborate rituals. • Nama Japa (reciting the name of Lord) is the most important privilege of being a devotee. • Siddhis serve as impediments in the attainment of genuine sadhana (meditation). • Traditions prevent an individual from budding in the love of God. One has to sidestep the usual customs to achieve the same.

Swami Yogeshwaranand Saraswati

Swami Yogeshwaranand Saraswati

About Swami Yogeshwaranand Saraswati Swami Yogeshwaranand Saraswati was counted amongst the most popular as well as most learned Yogis of the 20th century. His life, which was spent mostly in the Himalayas, is the perfect example of extreme renunciation and asceticism. Yogeshwaranand devoted himself completely towards the realization of the soul and God. He was a major proponent of yoga and aimed at reviving the ancient science. With this biography, you will be able to know more about Swami Yogeshwaranand Paramahansa. His Life History Swami Yogeshwaranand Saraswati was born as Brahmachari Vyas Dev ji, to extremely rich parents. However, he left his home at the tender age of twelve, in search of knowledge and self-realization. His entire youth was spent in studying Sanskrit language and mastering the scriptural knowledge. Some time later, he went to the Himalayas and practiced the most difficult tapasya and yogic sadhana. All the while, he was in the search of a guru, who could help him in attaining his goal. In the process, he came across Yogi Paramananda Avadhoot, a great ascetic who helped him in perfecting shunya (void) samadhi. However, his search for a real guru ended when he met Avadhoot Swami Atmanand ji in a cave near Gangotri (in Himalayas). From Atmanand ji, he got to learn Samprajnata samadhi and awareness of various processes of nature in the state of samadhi, the ultimate divine knowledge. Throughout his life, he kept meeting great ascetics, learned from them and attained higher stages in yoga and meditation. Some of the Samadhis of Swami Yogeshwaranand Saraswati lasted for several weeks. In the end, he used to wake up with advanced knowledge of self-realization, origin & conclusion of cosmos and the objective of human existence. Throughout his life, he imparted his knowledge to people belonging to different faiths as well as different countries. Swami Yogeshwaranand Paramahansa also traveled abroad to spread knowledge. He breathed his last on 23rd April 1985, at the age of ninety-nine.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

About Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, or Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois, counts amongst the world-renowned yoga teachers of India. A student of Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, he is currently teaching at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute of Mysore, founded by him. His yoga shala attracts thousands of foreign students every year. Let us move on further to explore the complete biography of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

His Life History
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois was born as Krishna on 26th July 1915 in the village of Kowshika, situated near Hassan city of Karnataka. It was at the age of twelve years that Krishna realized his aim in life. In his twelfth year i.e., 1927, he attended a lecture and demonstration given by S. T. Krishnamacharya in the Hassan city. Pattabhi Jois got so impressed by the lecture that, on the very next day, he became Krishnamacharya's student and continued his study for the next twenty-five years.

In the year 1929, Jois ran away from his home and went to Mysore, in order to study Sanskrit. By coincidence, Krishnamacharya also left Hassan to teach somewhere else. Somehow, he also made his way to Mysore and met Jois once again after a gap of two years. During this time, Krishnamacharya had cured Maharaja of Mysore, Krishna Rajendra Wodeyar, of a very seriously illness. As an expression of his gratitude, the Maharaja had established a Yoga shala for him on the palace grounds.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois remained with his Guru until 1941, when he left for Madras. However, Jois continued staying in Mysore afterwards and married a young woman named Savitramma (popularly known as Amma), with whom he fell in love. The marriage took place in June 1937 and they were later blessed with three children Saraswati, Manju and Ramesh. In 1948, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois managed to buy a home in a section of town, called Lakshmipuram, with the help of his students.

After buying the house, he established the 'Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute' there. Jois taught yoga at the Sanskrit College for a number of years and became a professor in 1956. In 1958, he started writing Yoga Mala, which was published in India in 1962. The first English version of the book came out in 1999. Even today, Jois teaches yoga, with his daughter Saraswati and his grandson Sharath, at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, which is now located in the neighborhood of Gokulum.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

About Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is a world-renowned mystic and yogi of Indian origin. The founder of Isha Yoga as well as of Isha Foundation, he is also a very famous poet. His aim in life is to help people in manifesting their own spirituality. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has several yoga centers, set up in the various cities of India as well as the United States. He was a delegate to the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit and even participated at the World Economic Forum in 2006 & 2007. Read this biography to know more about the guru.

His Life History
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev was born in Mysore city of India, to a physician father. Right from childhood, Vasudev was quite different from the others. At the tender age of thirteen years, he started yogic practices, like Pranayams and Asanas, under the guidance of Shree Raghavendra Rao (Malladihalli Swami). He completed his graduation from the Mysore University of Karnataka. When Vasudev was twenty-five years old, he witnessed an unusual incident that led him away from the material things in life and towards renunciation.

One afternoon, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev went to the Chamundi hills and sat on a rock with his eyes wide open. Suddenly, he had an out of body experience. He felt as if he was not in his body anymore, rather spread out everywhere, in the rocks, in the trees, in the earth. By the time he came back to his senses, it was already evening. In the days that followed, Vasudev experienced the same situated again, a number of times. Whenever, he underwent such an experience, he went without food and sleep for the next three or four days.

This episode entirely changed his way of life. Jaggi Vasudev decided to dedicate his entire life to the sharing of those experiences. In the year 1992, the guru and his followers founded the Isha Yoga Center and Ashram. It is situated at the foothills of the sacred Velliangiri Mountains at Poondi, near Coimbatore. The center is spread over an area of 50 acres and houses a massive 13 ft Dhyanalingam, a meditation shrine. There is also a multi-religious temple inside the complex, which was completed in 1999.

It is said that the Dhyanalingam has curative powers and bestows well being and prosperity. Since it is a meditation shrine, it is believed to be reservoir of energies from the people who have meditated there. People can sit inside the Dhyanalingam and meditate for as much time as they want. Isha Yoga Center also houses the Isha Foundation. Started by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the foundation administers more than 25 yoga centers, a medical center and an orphanage in India, apart from three yoga centers in the United States.

Isha Yoga
Isha Yoga is basically a form of science, which is subtle yet very powerful. It is based on the principle in which the body is believed to be the temple of the spirit. At the same time, good health is considered as fundamental to physical as well as spiritual development. The main aim of Isha Yoga is to cultivate and promote best possible health, along with peace and calmness. It intends to assist the natural process of unfolding in each and every person. The inner chemistry of a person is changed to release the physical, mental and emotional blocks.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

About Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Swami Satyananda Saraswati belonged to the Dashnami lineage of Adi Shankaracharya. He is one of the members of the tribe of Swamis who are called for the order of "Saraswati". In the other words, he is one of the sanyasi-scholars, who live the life of a Brahmin and believe in both knowledge and devotion. Paramahamsa Satyananda Saraswati is one of the most famous Yoga Gurus, not only in India, but also in the West. Get to know more about the guru with this biography.

His Life History
Swami Satyananda Saraswati was born in the year 1923, in Almora town of Uttar Pradesh. At the tender age of six, Satyananda started having spontaneous psychic and spiritual experiences. During such events, he used to become completely unaware of his body for quite a long time. By the time he reached fifteen years of age, Satyananda started practicing Kundalini Yoga. In another two years, he began asking complex questions like 'what is the difference between perception and experience?'

At nineteen years, he decided to find a Guru who would guide him towards the highest state of consciousness and left his house in this pursuit. It was in the year 1943 that he met Yoga Master Swami Sivananda Saraswati in Rishikesh city of Uttar Pradesh and his search came to an end. He stayed with the Guru for a period of three years. Thereafter, he was initiated by Sivananda Saraswati into the Dashnami order, as a Poorna as well as a Paramahamsa Sanyasi. He was then given the name of 'Swami Satyananda Saraswati'.

Paramahamsa Satyananda completed his initial sanyas training of twelve years in the year 1956. This was followed by his initiation into Kriya Yoga, again by Swami Sivananda. Thereafter, he began to practice Parivrajaka (Mendicant) stage of sanyasa. During this period, Swami Satyananda Saraswati traveled all over the Indian subcontinent. This travel helped him in meeting numerous saints of that time as well as knowing the needs of the society. Swamiji spent years in seclusion, practicing and perfecting his Yoga Sadhana.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati went on his first World Tour in 1968, under the guidance of his Guru. This was followed by several international and national tours, to promote the teaching of yoga. In July 1963, after Swami Sivananda Saraswati passed away, Swami Satyananda established the headquarters of his mission in Munger city of Bihar. In the subsequent years, he set up the Bihar School of Yoga, International Yoga Fellowship Movement, Sivananda Math and the Yoga Research Foundation.

Recognition
In 1973, Paramahamsa Satyananda Saraswati was recognized as an Adept (God realized Yogi). The International Yoga Convention was held to commemorate the Sanyasa Golden Jubilee renunciation of Swami Sivananda. It was here that the renowned saints and sages of India accepted him as one of the principal experts in the filed of esoteric knowledge as well as the leading proponent of Yoga.

In the years that he devoted to Yoga teaching, Swami Satyananda Saraswati mastered over eighty masterful Yoga texts. He renounced teaching, in 1988, to take up the lifestyle of a Paramahamsa. After settling in the small village of Rikhia, he has been leading a life of meditative seclusion. Today, he involved in the practice of the severest of the Vedic Sadhanas, such as the Panch Agni Sadhana. He still meets people once in a year, for few weeks, to share his radiance of truth with them.

Works
• Founded 'Sri Panch Dashnam Paramahamsa Alakh Bara' at Rikhia (1900)
• Inaugurated 'Raj Sooya Yajna', an ancient Vedic ceremony (2001)

Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda

About Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda was the disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa. He founded the Ramakrishna mission to spread the teachings of his Guru throughout the world. One of the most famous and influential spiritual leaders of India, he sought to promote the philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga. Swami Vivekananda was the first spiritual leader of India who introduced Hinduism, Yoga and Vedanta at the World's Parliament of Religions. Read this biography further to know more about Swami Vivekananda, his teachings and his life history.

Early Life
Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Dutta in Calcutta (now Kolkata), in the year 1863. Even as a child, Narendra showed a high level of intelligence and a deep inclination towards meditation. He joined Presidency College of Calcutta in 1879 for one year and then entered Scottish Church College to study philosophy. By this time, Narendra started questioning God and His presence. He also became a part of the Brahmo Samaj, a religious movement. Unsatisfied with only congregational prayers and devotional songs, he started looking elsewhere to find answers to his questions.

Meeting Ramakrishna and Renunciation
His search led Narendra towards Ramakrishna, whom he met in November 1881. After testing Ramakrishna to his maximum limit, Narendra accepted him wholeheartedly as his Guru. He remained with Ramakrishna for a period of five years. After the death of his Guru, Narendra took his vows as a monk, renounced the world and became Swami Vivekananda. In July 1890, Narendra started his journey as a wanderer, roaming around the country promoting the teachings of his Guru.

Ramakrishna Mission
Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission to spread the teachings of his Guru, Ramakrishna, far and wide. He left for the holy abode in 1902, at the Belur Math, near Calcutta.

Swami Vivekananda Teachings
• Each individual is himself responsible for making or breaking his life. He should concentrate on his goal and should not rest until it is achieved.
• God in Nirankar (formless), with attributes.
• God is one and different religions serve as a path towards the same God.
• God is present in every living being and he, who serves others, serves God.
• Human being should strive towards truth, purity, sincerity, morals and unselfishness.
• The quintessence of every religion is to make people realize the highest spiritual truth.
• To be good and to do good is the main aim of every individual.

Surdas

Surdas

About Surdas
Surdas is one of the people who had great influence on the cultural heritage of India. He was a poet, a saint and a musician and played all the parts with the same finesse. Since there are no authentic records on the life of Surdas, his biography comes up as a combination of facts and fiction.

Early Life
There is a little disagreement regarding the exact birth date of Surdas, some scholars believe it to be 1478 AD, while others believe it to be 1479 AD. Same is the case of the year of his death, it is either considered to be 1581 AD or 1584 AD. As per the limited authentic life history of Surdas, it is said that he lived in Braj, near Mathura. Surdas was born blind and because of this, he was neglected by his family. As a result, he left his home at tender age of six.

Meeting Shri Vallabharacharya
In the eighteenth year of his life, Surdas went to Gau Ghat, a sacred bathing spot on the embankments of Yamuna River. It was here that he came across Shri Vallabharacharya, the great saint-savant. Vallabharacharya advised Surdas to sing Bhagvat Lila, the Creative Play of the Lord and introduced him to the secrets of contemplative devotion. From this time onwards, Surdas never looked back on the path of spirituality. Surdas spent the last years of his life in Braj, the place of his birth.

Literary Works of Surdas
The work of Surdas mainly consists of the following three compilations.

Sur-Saravali
Sur-Saravali, based on the festival of Holi, originally consisted of hundred verses. In this poem, he tried to create a theory of Genesis, with Lord Krishna as the Creator.

Sahitya-Lahiri
Sahitya-Lahiri is mainly associated with Bhakti (devotion) towards the Supreme Lord.

Sur-Sagar
Sur-Sagar is considered to be the magnum opus of Surdas. The poem has been woven around the life of Lord Krishna. It originally contained 100,000 poems or songs, out of which only 8000 have survived the travails of time.

Philosophy of Surdas
The Bhakti movement that was widely prevalent in India at the time of Surdas deeply affected him. He propagated the Shuddhadvaita school of Vaishnavism. It makes use of the spiritual metaphor of the Radha-Krishna Lila, derived from earlier saints.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

About Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a famous spiritual leader of India. He is credited with being the initiator of a foundation, known as the Art of Living Foundation. His aim in life is to teach people cope up with the stresses of everyday life and be at peace with themselves. He is also the founder of a number of charitable organizations, like the International Association for Human Values. Read this biography on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar further, to know more about him and his life history.

His Life
Sri Sri Ravishankar was born in 1956 in the southern part of India. It is said that at the tender age of four, he could recite parts of the scared Bhagwad Gita. By time he was 17 years old, he had already attained an advanced degree in Modern Physics. Some time later, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Kuvempu University of India. Other than that, there is very little information on the childhood and the early life of Sri Sri Ravishankar.

Receiving Enlightenment
It is believed that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar received Enlightenment in the year 1982. He had retreated into silence and on the tenth day of his silence, he became Enlightened. Enlightenment also bestowed Ravi Shankar with the technique of Sudarshan Kriya, a rhythmic breathing exercise.

Establishing Art of Living Foundation
In 1982, the year he received Enlightenment, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar established the Art of Living Foundation. Thorough this foundation, he promoted the Sudarshan Kriya. Today, his foundation is considered to be one of the largest volunteer-based educational and humanitarian organizations in the world. In 1997, he founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), along with Dalai Lama and a number of other people.

Philosophy of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar teaches people to replace hatred and suffering with love and wisdom. He spreads the message of universal love, peace and brotherhood throughout the world. He aims at promoting spirituality amongst people and making them realize that there is goodness in every individual. He advises people to accept as well as respect each other.

Swami Sivananda

Swami Sivananda

About Swami Sivananda
Swami Sivananda was a responsible for promoting the philosophy of Yoga and Vedanta amongst the people of India as well as the world. He was also the founder of the Divine Life Society, apart from being the author of more than 200 books, on Yoga, Vedanta, etc. read on this biography to know more about Swami Sivananda and his life history.

His Early Life
Swami Sivananda was born as Kuppuswamy on 8th September 1887, in Pattamadai, Tamil Nadu. The third son of his parents, Kuppuswamy displayed great intelligence right from his childhood. While completing his medical studied from Tanjore, he started a medical journal called Ambrosia. After graduating in medicine, he started practicing in Malaysia for a prod of ten years. He always used to treat the poor people free of cost.

As time passed, he started feeling that medicine cured a person only at a superficial level, without even touching their soul. People are affected by problems only at a physical level, but also at the spiritual level. His spiritual quest made him leave Malaysia in 1923 and come back to India.

Meeting Swami Vishwananda Saraswati and Initiation
After coming to India, Kuppuswamy started visiting various pilgrimage destinations. He met Swami Vishwananda Saraswati in Rishikesh in 1924 and took him as his Guru. Vishwananda initiated him into sanyas (asceticism) and gave the name of Swami Sivananda. However, Swami Vishnudevananda, the Mahant of Sri Kailas Ashram, performed the rest of the Viraja Homa ceremonies later. In 1927, Sivananda started a charitable dispensary at Lakshmanjula, where he treated pilgrims, holy men and the poor. Swami Sivananda left the world on 14 July 1963, on the bank of Ganges, in Shivanandanagar.

Foundations set up by Swami Sivananda
• Divine Life Society (1936)
• Sivananda Ayurvedic Pharmacy (1945)
• All-world Religions Federation (1945)
• All-world Sadhus Federation (1947)
• Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy (1948)
Swami Sivananda Yoga
Sivananda Yoga is a type of Hatha Yoga, which lays stress on asanas (postures), savasana (relaxation), pranayama (proper breathing), diet (vegetarian) and Vedanta and dhyana (positive thinking and meditation).

Shri Yogendra

Shri Yogendra

About Shri Yogendra Shri Yogendra was the founder of 'The Yoga Institute' situated in Santa Cruz, Mumbai. A firm believer of yoga, he founded the institute to promote the science of Yoga throughout the world. He was also credited with the revival of the classical yoga ideals. Read this biography further to know more about Shri Yogananda.

His Life
The life history of Sri Yogendra tells us that he was born on 18th November 1897. When his met Guru Paramahamsa Madhavadasaji, he was still in college. The meeting with Paramahamsa Madhavadasaji made Yogendra a devoted believer of Yoga. He joined Paramahamsa Madhavadasaji's ashram in Malsar city of Gujrat and started studying Yoga sincerely. After completing his training, he decided to leave the ashram, in order to propagate the benefits of Yoga amongst the masses. Shri Yogendra left the world in 1989, passing on his legacy to his son, Dr. Jayadev.

Establishment of 'The Yoga Institute'
Shri Yogendra was also a brilliant poet. Mr. Masani, an influential person from Mumbai, once came across is poetry. Impressed with Shri Yogendra, he invited him to his home in Versova, Mumbai. Mr. Masani offered him his own house as an ashram. This laid the foundation of The Yoga Institute of Mumbai.

About The Yoga Institute
One of the oldest organized Yoga enters in the world, The Yoga Institute of Mumbai is a non-profit organization. It aims at helping people in physical, moral and psychic development, with yoga as an aid.

Shirdi Sai Baba

Shirdi Sai Baba

About Sai Baba
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba is considered to be the epitome of spiritual enlightenment and religious harmony. One of the greatest saints ever born in India, He is believed to be a manifestation of God. His main aim in life was to make people realize the eternal truth "Sabka Malik Ek" (One God governs all). He always preached people to follow the path of Shraddha (devotion) and Saburi (patience). Read this biography further to know about the life history of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba.

His Life
No authentic information is available about the birth and the early life of Sri Sai Baba. It is believed that He was born to Hindu parents, but raised by a Muslim couple. The only records that are available are from the time He made His appearance in Shirdi, a small town near Nashik city of Maharashtra. It is said that He was first seen in Shirdi, sitting in a meditative posture under a Neem tree. The radiance on the face of the young boy, along with the intense meditation He was undergoing, attracted the villagers towards him.

It is said that Sri Sai Baba left Shirdi after a period of three years and came back when He was twenty years old, accompanying a marriage party. In Shirdi, He mostly stayed in an abandoned mosque, situated in the outskirts of the village. Later, the mosque came to be known as 'Dwarikamai'. With time, Sai Baba came to be known in places far away from Shirdi. This time, Baba remained in Shirdi for a period of sixty years. It was in Shirdi only that He attained Maha Samadhi (salvation) in 1918.

Mission of Shri Sai Baba
The main aim of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba was to spread the feeling of unity and brotherhood throughout the world. He preached that there is only one God, who is the master of all the human beings. God loves each and every person, irrespective of his/her vices or virtues. Similarly, we should also love each other, irrespective of the religion, caste, creed, etc.

Sai Baba Incarnations
Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi is considered to be an incarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba. It is belived that Sai Baba will reincarnate himself again in the world for the third and final time, in the form of Prema Sai Baba.

Sathya Sai Baba

Sathya Sai Baba

About Sathya Sai Baba
A great spiritual leader, Sri Sathya Sai Baba preaches the path of spirituality to one and all. His main aim in life is to serve the mankind and provide tem with proper guidance, towards which He has been working since the age of 14 years. Devotees from far and wide visit Sathya Sai Baba Ashram, situated at Puttaparthi, to seek His blessings. Read on this biography of Sri Sathya Sai Baba to know about His life history.

His Life
Shri Satya Sai Baba was born as Sathyanarayana Raju in the small village of Puttaparthi, in Andhra Pradesh. Raju completed Elementary School at Bukkapatnam and then joined the high school at Uravakonda. At Uravakonda, He claimed of being bitten by a scorpion, which nobody could find. As a result of this incident, he went into deep coma. After he came out from coma, Raju started behaving in a strange manner, not eating food, reciting ancient shalokas, etc. Finally, at the age of fourteen, he realized His true calling in life and renounced the world.

Sathya Sai Baba Ashram Puttaparthi
Puttaparthi claims the distinction of housing the main ashram of Sathya Sai Baba. It is known by the name of Prasanthi Nilayam and was inaugurated by the Baba in the year 1950, on his 25th birthday.

Teachings of Shri Satya Sai Baba
The summary of the main teachings of Baba is given below…
• The devotion of a person towards a particular religion is more important the religion itself.
• No religion is superior and no religion is inferior. We should respect the religions of one other.
• The country in which you stay should be respected and honored.
• There is only one God in this world, His names may be different.
• The service towards the poor, the needy and the sick should be without expectation of any return.
• Truth, divine love, right conduct, good behavior, peace and non-violence are the values to be followed in everyday life.

Ramdev Baba

Ramdev Baba

About Ramdev Baba
Baba Ramdev is a renowned Yoga teacher. Through the medium of television, he has taken the art of yoga to each and every household far and wide. He is the host of a program named 'Divya Yog' that airs on Aastha TV everyday, at 5 am in the morning. People from different parts of the country watch this program and have started doing yoga from the comforts of their home.

Early Life
Swami Ramdev was born as Ramkishan Yadav in the Mahendragarh district of Haryana. After studying at school till the eight standard, he joined a yogic monastery (gurukul) in Khanpur village. There, he started learning the techniques of Yoga, along with the Sanskrit language.

Renunciation
After completing his period of study at the Gurukul, Baba Ram Dev renounced the world and entered into Sanyas (monastic living). It was then that he assumed the name of Ramdev. He went to Jind district and joined the Kalva gurukul. There, he started teaching Yoga to the villagers across Haryana. It is believed that some time later, he traveled to the Himalayas, spending a number of years there. Thereafter, he went to Haridwar and till date, the city serves as his base.

Initiation into Ascetic Order
Swami Ramdev was initiated into the ascetic order by Swami Shankerdevji Maharaj. After his initiation, he joined the order of swamis and started studying the ancient Indian scriptures. At the same time, he also practiced intense self-discipline and meditation.

Divya Yoga Mandir Trust
As a promotional vehicle for Yoga, Baba Ram Dev established the Divya Yoga Mandir Trust in 1995. In this project, he was accompanied by Acharya Karamveer and Acharya Balkrishna. The headquarters of the trust are at the Kripalu Bagh Ashram of Haridwar. Baba Ramdev teaches yoga mainly at this ashram.

Baba Ram Dev Yoga
Baba Ramdev teaches Pranayama, a form of Yoga. The program consists of six breathing exercises, practiced in the following sequence…
• Bhastrika Pranayama
• Kapal Bhati Pranayama
• Bahaya Pranayama
• Anulom Vilom Pranayama
• Bhramri Pranayama
• Udgeeth Pranayama

Ramakrishna Paramahansa

Ramakrishna Paramahansa

About Ramakrishna
Ramakrishna was one of the greatest religious leaders ever born in India. He believed that every individual must have only one aim in life i.e., the realization of the Ultimate Reality. To achieve this aim, one of the preconditions is the purity of mind. He also played a significant role in the Bengal Renaissance of the 19th century. His disciple, Swami Vivekanada, founded the Rama Krishna Mission after his demise, to propagate his teachings throughout the world. Read on the biography further to know more about Sri Ramakrishna.

His Life
As per his life history, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa was born as Gadadhar Chattopadhyay in the year 1836. When the time came for Gadadhar to be ritually initiated as a Brahmin, he declared that he would take his first arms not from a Brahmin, but a certain low-caste woman of the village. No amount of persuasion could make him budge from his stand. Finally, Ramkumar, the elder brother of Ramakrishna, gave in to his wishes. After the passing away of his father, Ramkumar took the position of a priest in the Dakshineswar Temple. The same position was later occupied by Rama Krishna, after the retirement of his brother.

Initiation
A wandering monk, known as Totapuri, initiated Ramakrishna in the Advaita Vedanta. The initiation took place in the city of Dakshineswar. It is said that after being initiated by Totapuri, Rama Krishna remained in a state of absolute meditation, for a period of approximately six months.

Marriage and Later Life
Ramakrishna married Sarada, when she was only five years old. His wife, Sarada became his first disciple. After the passing away of Ramakrishna, Sarada became a religious leader in her own right. With time, Ramakrishna came to be known as Ramakrishna Paramahansa. He developed throat cancer in the later years of his life and breathed his last on16 August, 1886.

Rama Krishna Mission
Swami Vivekananda, a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, founded the Rama Krishna Mission to promote the teachings of his Guru. Headquartered at the Ramakrishna Ashram of Belur, the mission aims at helping people in attaining salvation.

Teachings of Ramakrishna
Ramakrishna believed and taught that…
• All living beings are divine.
• Human beings are equal and there is oneness of existence.
• The main obstructions in the attainment of salvation are lust and greed.
• There is only one God.
• The main aim of each and every human being is to become one with God.

Pandurang Shastri Athavale

Pandurang Shastri Athavale

Pandurang Shastri Athavale, popularly known as Dada, is a philosopher cum social reformer. He is credited with being the founder of the Swadhyay Movement. Not present in the world anymore, Pandurang Shastri Vaijnath Athavale was known for giving extremely moving discourses on Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. Infact, he tried to motivate his followers to spread the thoughts of Geeta in the society. Given below is the complete biography of Pandurang Shastri Athavale

His Life History
Pandurang Shastri Athavale was born on 19th October 1920, in the Roha village near Mumbai city. His grandfather was Laxman Rao, a renowned scholar and Brahmin who was involved in the spread of Bhagavad Gita amongst the Dalits. Pandurang grew up watching his grandfather go to the Dalit area and then take a bath after coming back home. Surprised by this act, he asked Laxman "If in the Bhagavad Gita the Lord exclaims that God exists within all human hearts, then how can anyone, including the so-called 'untouchables', be considered inferior to anyone else?"

After that, he made a vow to himself that he would always try to see the God within others. Hence, he became the proponent of the concept of "In-dwelling God". By the age of 22 years, Pandurang Shastri Athavale started giving discourses at the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Pathshala, a school that was set up by his father. In the year 1954, he attended the Second World Religions Conference, which was held in Japan. At the conference, he delivered a speech on the concepts of Vedic ideals as well as the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

Even though most of the people rebuffed his views; there was one person who was very impressed with him. He was Dr. Wilson Compton, who then offered Pandurang a post in the USA to spread his ideas and views. However, Pandurang politely turned down the offer. He then devoted himself in establishing a model community, through the spread of Vedic thoughts and message of the Bhagavad Gita. Thus was born the Swadhyay (meaning 'self study') Movement, which spread the message of the holy book not only in India, but the whole world.

The family members of the Swadhyay Pariwar are called 'Swadhyayees' and include people from the upper as well as the lower classes. The Swadhyayees who spread the ideas of Athavale throughout the country are known as "Krutisheels' or the people of action. Pandurang Shastri Athavale also founded an institute, known as Tatvagyan Vidhyapeeth, where young people study and learn his views and ideas. Pandurang left for the holy abode on 25th October 2003, in Mumbai. His adopted daughter, Jayshree Talwalkar, is carrying on his work today.

Recognition
• Ramon Magsaysay Award in Manila, Philippines (1996) - for community leadership
• Templeton Prize in Westminster Abbey, London (1997)
• Padma Vibhushan (1998) - for his efforts towards social reform

Patanjali

Patanjali

About Patanjali
It is believed that Maharishi Patanjali was the avatar of Adi Shesha - the Infinite Cosmic Serpent upon whom Lord Vishnu rests. He is considered to be the compiler of the Yoga Sutras, along with being the author of a commentary on Panini's Ashtadhyayi, known as Mahabhasya. He is also supposed to be the writer of a work on the ancient Indian medicine system, Ayurveda. Read on this biography further to know more about Maharishi Patanjali and his philosophy.

His Life
The life history of Patanjali is full of legends and contradictions. There are no authentic records regarding his birth. As per one legend, he fell (pata) into the hands (anjali) of a woman, thus giving him the name Patanjali.

Patanjali Yoga Sutras
It is said that once, while watching a dance by Lord Shiva, Adi Shesha found it unbearable to support the weight of Lord Vishnu. Amazed at this, he asked Lord Vishnu the reason for the same. Lord Vishnu said that this was because of his harmony with Lord Shiva's energy state, owing to the practice of Yoga. Realizing the value and benefits of Yoga, Adi Shesha decided to be born amongst humans as 'Patanjali', to teach them the great art.

Yoga Sutras are considered to serve as the basis of the yogic techniques. Maharishi Patanjali, "The Father of Yoga", compiled 195 sutras, which serve as a framework for integrating Yoga into the daily routine and leading an ethical life. The exact date of the compilation of the Yoga Sutras is not known. However, it is believed that they were written somewhere around 200 BC. The core of Patanjali's teachings lies in the eightfold path of yoga. The path shows the way to live a better life through yoga.

Paramahansa Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda

About Paramahansa Yogananda
Guru Paramahansa Yogananda was one of the distinguished yogis of India. He was the one responsible for taking the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga to the western countries. He was also the author of a very renowned book 'Autobiography of a Yogi', which has introduced people time and again to the timeless wisdom of India. Read on to explore the biography of Guru Paramhansa Yogananda further…

Early Life
One can easily know about the life history of Paramahamsa Yogananda in his book 'The Autobiography of a Yogi'. He was born as Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, into a Bengali family. From a very young age, Mukunda demonstrated great awareness about the spiritual realm. His youth was mostly spent in finding a guru (teacher), who could provide him with guidance and correctly direct him towards the path of spirituality.

Meeting Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri
The search of Paramhansa Yogananda came to an end when he met Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. At that point of time, he was only seventeen years of age. Thereafter, he completed his Intermediate (in Arts) from the Scottish Church College, Calcutta and did his graduation (in religious studies) from the Serampore College, Calcutta University.

Joining the Monastic Swami Order
In 1915, Paramahansa Yogananda formally joined the monastic Swami Order by taking his vows. He, thus, became 'Swami Yogananda Giri'. Paramhansa started his journey in the world of spirituality by establishing a boy's school, Dihika, in a remote hamlet of Bengal. The school got relocated to Ranchi a year later and today it is known as Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, the Indian branch of Yogananda's American organization.

Other Events in the Life of Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramhansa visited USA in 1920 as an Indian delegate, to attend the International Congress of Religious Liberals, being held in Boston. In the same year, he established Self-Realization Fellowship, a vehicle for preaching Yoga and meditation worldwide. He spent the next few years abroad, teaching Yoga and its philosophy. In 1925, he set up the headquarters of the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles. In 1935, he came to India and established Yogoda Satsanga of India. He also visited Mahatma Gandhi and a number of famous personalities during that time. He went back to USA the next year and it was there that he completed his journey in this world, in the year 1952.

Autobiography of a Yogi
Paramahamsa Yogananda wrote his own life story by the name of 'Autobiography of a Yogi', in the year 1946. It served as a major vehicle for the introduction and promotion of meditation and yoga in the western countries. Till date, it has been translated into almost 18 languages and still counts amongst the bestsellers. In the book, Yogananda has tried to explain certain verses and events of the

Osho Rajneesh

Osho Rajneesh

About Osho Rajneesh
Osho was one of the most renowned as well as most controversial spiritual leaders of his times. During the 1970s and 1980s, he was known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Later, he changed his name to 'Osho'. He was the founder of Osho movement, a controversial spiritual and philosophical movement.

Early Life
Osho, also known as the Zen Master, was born as Rajneesh Chandra Mohan Jain on 11th December 1931, in Narsinghpur District of Madhya Pradesh. Even though he was born to parents of Jain religion, he never adhered to any particular religious faith in his lifetime. Throughout hid childhood, Osho came across as a highly intellectual, but rebellious student. One of the major influences in his life were his grandfather and grandmother, with whom he spent the first seven years of his life.

Receiving Enlightenment
As per Osho, he received enlightenment in the year 1953, at the age of 21. Thereafter, he finished his graduation and post graduation in Philosophy from D. N. Jain College, Saugar University. For a few years, he taught philosophy, first at Raipur Sanskrit College, and then, at Jabalpur University. During that time, he traveled throughout the country, giving lectures on socialism and Gandhi. The first meditation camp was organized by Osho in 1964. In 1966, he quit his job as a professor and then onwards, started his journey as one of the greatest spiritual leaders of India.

Establishment of Osho Foundation
The followers and disciples of Osho established a foundation in his name, in the year 1969. The headquarters of the foundation was set up on the ground floor of a building in Mumbai. Later, due to space constraints and the bad weather of Mumbai, the headquarters were shifted to the Koregaon Park, Pune. The ashram is today known as Osho International Meditation Resort.

Period of Public Silence
After giving discourses on a daily basis for a period of almost 15 years, Osho went into a three-and-a-half-year period of public silence in the year 1981. During that period, his discourses were replaced by satsangs (silent sitting, with some readings from his works and music). The public silence came to an end in 1984 and he resumed his daily discourses once again.

The Last World Tour
In 1985-86, Osho went on a world tour to spread the understanding of spirituality. After being refused by a number of countries, he came back to India in 1986. From 1987, he again started giving discourses at his ashram in Pune. Osho forfeited the name of 'Bhagwan Rajneesh' in the year 1989 and took the name of Osho. Osho breathed his last in 1990, at the age of 58.

Zen Master Osho
Osho is also known as the Zen (concentration) Master as he managed to attain a very high level of meditative trance.

Osho Philosophy
As per Osho, there is nothing more valuable or precious in this world than love, meditation and laughter. Enlightenment the normal state in which a human being lives. It is because of being bounded in the emotional ties that he fails to recognize this state. Meditation is not something that needs to be taught, it is the state of just being.

Osho Dham
Osho Dham at Pune is known as Osho International Meditation Resort. People from various parts of the country as well as the world come to this ashram or dham to learn meditation or even just relax and rejuvenate.

Nammalwar

Nammalwar

About Nammalwar
Nammalwar was a Tamil Poet, regarded as one of the twelve Alwars in India. He is quite renowned for his beautiful hymns dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The main aim of Nammalwar's life was to serve the Lord, love Him, praise him and surrender to Him. Even though he was originally from southernmost part of India, he won the hearts of people throughout the country with his beautiful poems.

Early life
Nammalwar was born in Thirukkurugoor (near Thirunelveli) in the Pandaya dynasty of Tamil Nadu. There is a little disagreement as to his birth date. Tradition gives the date as 3102 B.C. (i.e., the beginning of the Kali Yuga), but scholars believe the date to be 880-930 A.D. It is said that as a child, Namalwar never cried, suckled or responded to external stimuli. After seeing this condition of their child, his parents left him at the feet of Lord Vishnu's statue. It is said that, he got up, sat in the lotus position and started to meditate. From then onwards, began the journey of Nammalwar on the path of spirituality.

The End of a Long Samadhi
Nammalwar remained in a meditative state for as long as 16 years. A Tamil poet and scholar, Maturakavi, managed to draw out Nammalwar from his Samadhi by asking him a question. Thereafter, he took Maturakavi as his first disciple. He taught him about the secret doctrines of Vaishnavism. Unable to resist the urge of praising God, he composed a thousand hymns admiring Lord Vishnu then and there only.

His Poems
The subject matter of all the poems written by Nammalwar is "the Lord, the soul, the means, the end, and the impediments to spirituality". The following poems of Nammalwar count amongst his most renowned ones…

Thiru-Viruttam
Thiru-Viruttam, a poem of stanzas, comes up as the essence of Rig Veda. It describes the event of 'falling in love with the Supreme being' and symbolizes 'Bridal Mysticism'.

Thiru-Asiriyam
Thiru-Asiriyam comprises of seven sections or seven poems, of unequal length, within itself. Made up of 71 lines, it describes the beauty of the lord with the help of the most beautiful words one can imagine.

Periya Thiruvandadi
Constituting the quintessence of Atharva Veda, Periya Thiruvandadi has 87 lyrical stanzas.

Thiruvaimozhi
Thiruvaimozhi literally means the 'Divine words'. Considered as the masterpiece of Nammalwar, it comprises of 1102 four lined verses.