Why Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Rarely Acknowledges His Gurus, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Gurudev Brahmanand Saraswati

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.

Conclusion

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.

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All Sector Leaders, One Fund - Bandhan Mutual Fund Launches Industry-First Offering

 

Mumbai, September 02, 2025: Bandhan Mutual Fund announces the launch of the Bandhan BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund, India's first index fund to provide investors exclusive access to sector leaders across the economy. The open-ended scheme will track the BSE India Sector Leaders Index, which identifies the top three companies by market capitalisation from each of the 21 sectors within the BSE 500 Index. The New Fund Offer (NFO) will open on 3 September 2025 and close on 17 September 2025. Investments in the Bandhan BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund can be made through licensed mutual fund distributors, financial advisors, online platforms, or directly at https://bandhanmutual.com/nfo/bandhan-bse-india-sector-leaders-index-fund/.

 

Commenting on the launch, Vishal Kapoor, CEO, Bandhan AMC said, "India's capital markets are undergoing rapid transformation, with established sectors evolving and newer industries emerging as growth drivers. In this backdrop, sector leaders have shown resilience through cycles, lower risk of disruption, and an ability to drive long-term value. With the launch of the Bandhan BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund, we are proud to introduce India's first offering that gives investors simple, broad-based access to proven leaders powering the country's growth story."

 

The BSE India Sector Leaders Index is a thematic index that tracks the top 3 companies from each sector of the BSE 500 Index based on Total Market Capitalization. While the BSE Sector Leaders Index draws from 500 stocks, it is largely large-cap heavy. Historically, the strategy has delivered broad market-like returns with lower volatility. Diversification and market-cap weighting help avoid extreme single-stock bets, enabling potential stability.

 

About Bandhan AMC Limited

Established in 2000, Bandhan AMC Limited is focused on helping savers become investors and create wealth. Bandhan AMC Limited serves its investors through a slew of prudently constructed investment products across Mutual Funds, Alternatives and Portfolio Management Services (PMS), managed by a seasoned investment team, with the aim to provide performance consistent with the product's well-defined objectives. With an on-the-ground presence in over 100 cities, the fund house caters to investors in over 790 cities and towns across the country, serving over three and a half million folios representing institutions, corporates, family offices, and individual clients. 

Vadodara's Marutidham Society Suffers Filthy Water Crisis: Residents Rage as Corporation and BJP Disappear

Vadodara, September 2, 2025: Water issues are escalating in Vadodara city, and one prominent example is the plight of Marutidham Society. Residents here have been tormented by contaminated and dirty water for the past one and a half months. The society is encircled by illegal hospitals, and a majority of its residents are loyal BJP voters, yet no resolution has come from BJP leaders or the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC). This situation has become a stark symbol of the city's water quality woes and political indifference.

Marutidham Society is located in a Vadodara neighborhood where residents are receiving filthy and polluted drinking water. According to locals, the water has a strange odor and visible particles. This has led to rising health issues among children and the elderly, such as stomach pains, skin diseases, and other illnesses. One resident said, "We've complained to the corporation multiple times, but no one listens. Corporation officials visited one and a half months ago, but there's been no action since."

The presence of illegal hospitals around the society is exacerbating the problem. Waste and wastewater from these hospitals are contaminating the water lines. Residents claim these hospitals operate in defiance of the law, increasing environmental and health risks in the surrounding area. In a city like Vadodara, where water problems frequently make headlines, this scenario is alarming. For instance, other parts of the city have also seen complaints about contaminated water, such as protests in the Nagarwada area over polluted supplies.

The issue becomes even more bizarre when it's revealed that most residents of Marutidham Society are staunch supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). They voted for the BJP in recent elections and have repeatedly informed party leaders about their problems. However, local BJP leaders and the corporation—which is under BJP control—have provided no assistance. One resident remarked, "We're BJP voters, but our condition is dire. Where has the party vanished? They make promises during elections, but disappear when issues arise." The Vadodara Municipal Corporation is governed by the BJP, and water problems arise frequently there, such as when a corporator publicly bathed in protest. Despite this, the failure to resolve such local issues symbolizes political neglect.

Water quality and distribution problems in Vadodara are not new. Over the past few years, contaminated water complaints have surfaced in various city areas. The Congress party has also protested against the VMC, stating that water shortages and polluted distribution are harassing people. Even some BJP corporators have expressed frustration with their own party's administration over water issues, such as one who threatened to make officials drink the contaminated water. But in societies like Marutidham, the problem is more acute due to surrounding illegal constructions and hospitals, which heighten environmental risks.

Residents are now preparing for protests and legal action. They say that if no solution comes from the corporation and BJP, they will go to court. This isn't just a water issue—it's about political accountability and public health. In a developed city like Vadodara, such a situation is shameful and demands immediate resolution.

For more information on this issue, contact local authorities and register your complaints. If such problems persist, they will impact the city's development.