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{{short description|Indian yoga guru and philosopher}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Vethathiri Maharishi
| image = 2347 - 24 x 30 C (1).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Vethathiri Maharishi
| birth_date = 14 August 1911
| birth_place = [[Guduvancheri]], [[Madras Presidency]] (now [[Tamil Nadu]]), India
| birth_name =
| other_names = ''Pāmara makkaḷil tattuvañāṉi'' (Common Man's Philosopher) <br/> ''Aruṭtantai'' (Divine Father)
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2006|3|28|1911|8|14}}
| death_place = [[Coimbatore]], Tamil Nadu, India
| parents = Varadappan <br/> Chinnammal
| spouse = Logambal
| known_for = [[Siddha Yoga]] <br/> [[Kundalini Yoga|Simplified Kundalini Yoga]]
| honors =
| works =
| signature =
| website = {{URL|vethathiri.edu.in}}
}}

'''Vethathiri Maharishi''' (14 August 1911 – 28 March 2006) was an Indian [[Modern yoga gurus|yoga guru]], [[philosopher]] and spiritual leader.<ref name="The Hindu"/><ref name="DNA"/><ref name="NIE"/><ref>{{cite book|title=The Malaysian Indian Journey|year=2010|page=220|isbn=978-9-834-43800-5|publisher=University of California}}</ref><ref name="Aiya">{{cite book|title=Science of Yoga – A Comprehensive Approach|author=P.K.Aiyasamy|year=2019|isbn=978-1-684-66531-0|publisher= Notion Press}}</ref> He founded the World Community Service Centre (WCSC) in [[Chennai]] and established the Temple of Consciousness (''Arivu Thirukkoil'') at [[Aliyar]] near [[Coimbatore]]. He promoted the practice of [[yoga]] and [[meditation]] as a means of achieving spiritual awareness and thereby the development of mankind for the furtherance of human brotherhood and world peace. He evolved a simplified [[Kundalini Yoga]] combining yoga with meditation, simple exercises, and traditional medicinal practices which enabled him to teach it to the common people.

== Early life and family ==
Vethathiri was born into a Mudaliar [[Tamil people|Tamil]] family on August 14, 1911, in [[Guduvancheri]] near [[Madras]] in the [[Madras Presidency]] (now part of [[Chengalpattu district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]).<ref name="HT">{{cite news|url=https://tamil.hindustantimes.com/astrology/vethathiri-maharishi-memorial-day-vethathiri-maharishi-philosopher-of-ordinary-people-131679916374792.html|title=Vethathiri Maharishi Memorial Day: Vethathiri Maharishi, Philosopher Of Ordinary People|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=28 March 2023|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> He was the eighth child of his parents Varadappan and Chinnammal, who were [[weaving|weavers]].<ref name="DNA">{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/features/west-speaking-language-maharishi-gravity-2507028|title=West speaking the language of Maharishi on gravity|date=19 November 2019|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref> In 1916, he was enrolled for schooling at the age of five but had to drop out of school due to the poor economic situation of the family and extreme poverty.<ref name="DNA"/><ref name="HT"/>

At the age of 12, he met A. Balakrishna, who introduced him to spirituality, [[Advaita]] philosophy and devotion to God. He moved to Madras after accepting a job at a private company. There he met S. Krishna Rao, who trained him in traditional [[Siddha]] and [[Ayurveda]] medicine. Vethathiri passed the Ayurvedacharya examination conducted by the Government Medical Council to qualify as a physician and served as an aide during the [[Second World War]].<ref name="HT"/> He met seer Paranjyothi, who initiated him into [[Kundalini Yoga]] and taught him philosophy and meditation techniques.<ref>{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhXxzI6wG_s|title=Vethathri received Deekhsa from Paranjyoti mahan|work=Vethathiriya Channel|via=[[YouTube]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

At the age of 23, he married Logambal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/now-a-day-for-wives/articleshow/15850834.cms|title=A day for wives|work=Mumbai Times|date=11 September 2008|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> He engaged in multiple businesses till his late 30s and worked as a clerk with the [[India Post|postal department]] before embarking on a spiritual life.<ref name="HT" />

== Spiritual life and yoga ==
While studying scriptures and reflecting on the concept of self-realization over the years, Vethathiri was inspired by [[Ramalinga Swamigal]], after which he became more deeply involved in spirituality.<ref name="Aiya"/><ref name="TNIE"/> He investigated social injustices, which motivated him towards a moral life with charity to share one's possessions equitably with others.<ref name="DNA"/><ref name="HT"/> He preached attaining a state of knowledge through self-realization and peaceful living.<ref name="IRJT"/>

Vethathri practiced [[Kundalini Yoga]] and developed a Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY), combining it with [[kayakalpa]] and simple exercises to teach it to the general public.<ref name="NIE">{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/Oct/08/rangarajapuram-sky-yoga-trust-30-years-of-yoga-and-service-1882405.html|title=Rangarajapuram Sky Yoga Trust: 30 years of yoga and service|newspaper=New Indian Express|date=8 October 2018|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="WCSC" /> In 1958, he founded the World Community Service Centre (WCSC) in [[Chennai]].<ref name="WCSC">{{cite web|url=http://www.yogaiya.in/project/wcsc-world-community-service-centre/|title=World Community Service Centre|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Indian Yoga Association}}</ref> The WCSC was established as a non-profit, non-religious and philanthropic organization and has an ECOSOC consultative status with the [[United Nations]]. The organization operates meditation centers internationally and teaches his practices.<ref name="WCSC" /> [[S. K. M. Maeilanandhan]] serves as the President of the WCSC since 1997 and was awarded the civilian honour of the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contributions to social service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WCSC President |url=https://www.vethathiri.edu.in/pages/wcsc-president |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Vethathiri Maharishi Simplified Kundalini Yoga |language=en}}</ref>

In 1984, he established ''Arivu Thirukkoil'' (Temple of Consciousness) at [[Aliyar]] in [[Coimbatore district]] which became the center of his teaching and practices during the later part of his life.<ref name="Aiya" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forestsclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/FormA/Justification/12112412261220IQEQ3Justification.pdf|title=Justification of buildings|work=Department of Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forestsclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/FormA/Justification/511121233127U1A1Ujustificationofproject-pipeline.pdf|title=Project Justification|work=Department of Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

== Teachings ==
[[File:Vethathiri Maharishi 2010 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|A commemorative stamp released by [[India Post]] in 2010]]

Vethathiri taught that "Individual Peace leads to World Peace" and emphasized that world peace is possible only when individuals live peacefully in co-existence. He believed that peace percolates to one's immediate family and society, and eventually to the whole world.<ref name="DNA"/><ref name="WCSC"/> He gave 14 practical points to achieve this goal, collectively termed as ''Vethathiriam''. He integrated scientific practices with spirituality and medicine. He was referred to by followers as ''pāmara makkaḷil tattuvañāṉi'', a Tamil phrase translated as "the Common Man’s Philosopher".<ref name="WCSC"/>

He taught that the fundamental cause of human misery is the lack of self-awareness and awareness about the relationship with others. He emphasized education as a basis for physical and mental maturity. According to Vethathiri, introspection leads to self-awareness, and yoga practices help in develop the necessary strength and character to attain it.<ref>{{cite book|title=Strategies for Management in Modern Era|author1=G. Vani|author2=M. Ganesh Babu|author3=N. Panchanatham|author4=P. Nagarjuna|isbn=978-9-385-64004-9|publisher=Archers & Elevators Publishing House|pages=140–155}}</ref> He notes that Universe is made up of space which evolves consistently with various objects in it made up of smaller particles. According to Vethathiri, time, matter, and energy are manifestations of space and [[gravity]] itself is a manifestation of compression of particles within space.<ref>{{cite book|title=Physics Redefined: Beginning from the Beginning|author1=Alagar Ramanujam|author2=Vijay Arora|year=2021|isbn=978-1-639-04791-8|publisher=Notion Press}}</ref>

== Death ==
Vethathri Maharishi died on 28 March 2006 after a brief illness followed by a [[heart attack]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-vedathri-maharishi-passes-away-1020589|title=Vedathri Maharishi passes away|work=Daily News and Analysis|date=28 March 2006|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

== Bibliography ==
Vethathri has written more than 75 books mostly in [[Tamil language]] and later translated into others.<ref name="Aiya"/> Most of the books are on the subjects of world peace, virtues to be followed in life and practice of [[Yoga]] and meditation. He ran a monthly journal titled ''Arivoli'' for more than 35 years.<ref name="Aiya"/> Notable works include ''Gnana Kalanjiyam'' (Encyclopedia of knowledge), published in two volumes and contains 1854 songs.<ref name="IRJT">{{cite journal|url=https://irjt.iorpress.org/index.php/irjt/article/view/115|title=Individual Human Life Morality of Vethathiri Maharishi|volume=3|journal=International Research Journal of Tamil|issue=1|year=2021|author=Sivanantham D|pages=56–65 |doi=10.34256/irjt2117|doi-access=free}}</ref> Other notable works include:<ref>{{cite book|title=Yoga: An Annotated Bibliography of Works in English, 1981-2005|author=Daren Callahan|year=2015|isbn=978-1-476-60702-3|publisher=McFarland Publishers|page=234}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of American Religions|author=J. Gordon Melton|year=2003|publisher=Gale|page=1045}}</ref>
Original from: the University of Michigan
* {{cite book|title=The story of my life|publisher=Vethathiri publications|year=1982|author=Vethathiri}}
* {{cite book|title=Sex and spiritual development|publisher=Vethathiri publications|year=1982|author=Vethathiri}}
* {{cite book|title=Simplified physical exercises|publisher=Vethathiri publications|year=1983|author=Vethathiri}}
* {{cite book|title=Physical exercises for health and longetivity|publisher=Vethathiri publications|year=1983|author=Vethathiri}}
* {{cite book|title=Yoga for modern age|publisher=Vethathiri publications|year=1983|author=Vethathiri}}
* {{cite book|title=Karma Yoga for holistic unity|publisher=Vethathiri publications|year=1983|author=Vethathiri}}
* {{cite book|title=Kayakalpa Yoga to maintain health, youthfulness and longetivity|publisher=Vethathiri Maharishi Kundalini Yoga and Kayakalpa Research Foundation|year=1990|author=Vethathiri}}
* {{cite book|title=Journey of Consciousness: A Complete, Powerful, and Unique Synthesis of Revealed Yogic Truth Explicating Simplified Kundalini Yoga and Karma Yoga as a Simple, Systematic, and Scientific Path to Enable Modern Man to Achieve a Harmonious Life and Self-realization|author1=Vethathiri|author2=Thomas Fitzgerald|publisher=Macmillan India|year=1992|isbn=978-0-333-92629-1}}

== In popular culture==
In 2010, [[India Post]] released a commemorative stamp honoring Vethathiri Maharishi on his hundredth birth anniversary.<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Maharishis-centenary-celebration/article16131943.ece|title=Maharishi Centenary celebration|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=14 August 2010|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="TNIE">{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2010/Aug/15/exercise-properly-live-longer-says-mk-178271.html|title=Exercise properly, live longer, says MK|date=16 May 2012|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Stamp-on-Vethathiri-Maharishi-released/article16132075.ece|title=Stamp on Vethathiri Maharishi released|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=14 August 2010|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

Former President of India [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] appreciated Maharishi's contributions and was quoted as saying that "VETHATHIRI Maharishi enlightened thousands and thousands of people with the light of consciousness."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Read & listen to what popular personalities say about SKY Yoga |url=https://www.kundaliniyoga.edu.in/s/pages/whatpeoplesay |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210114327/https://www.kundaliniyoga.edu.in/s/pages/whatpeoplesay |archive-date=2024-12-10 |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=www.kundaliniyoga.edu.in |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=DF4d3bjNXbKXWb_J&v=vjHi8rX80vo&feature=youtu.be |title=APJ Abdul Kalam Speech about SKY Yoga and Vethathiri Maharishi @tamilyogakalai |date=2021-10-15 |last=Tamil Yoga Kalai |access-date=2025-02-24 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Modern yoga gurus}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|India|Hinduism|Society|Philosophy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maharishi, Vethathiri}}
[[Category:1911 births]]
[[Category:2006 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian nonviolence advocates]]
[[Category:21st-century Hindu religious leaders]]
[[Category:Hindu mystics]]
[[Category:Indian Hindu spiritual teachers]]
[[Category:Indian spiritual writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian philosophers]]
[[Category:Modern Indian yoga gurus]]

Vethathiri Maharishi - Revision history

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