Kalki Bhagawan

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Sri Bhagawan
Sri Bhagavan.jpg
Born
Vijaykumar Naidu

(1949-03-07) 7 March 1949 (age 76)
Natham, Madras State, India (present-day Tamil Nadu)
NationalityIndian
Other namesSri Bhagavan, Amma Bhagwan (as a couple)
Alma materDG Vaishnav College, Chennai
Known forOneness
Spouse(s)
Padmavathi
(
m. 1977)

Sri Bhagawan (born 7 March 1949 as Vijay Kumar Naidu), popularly known as Kalki Bhagavan, is a spiritual teacher from India.[1][2] He is the founder of a spiritual organization called Oneness.[3] which has its headquarters in Varadaiahpalem, Tirupati district in Andhra Pradesh.[4]

Spiritual programs[edit]

Programs in India[edit]

Jeev ashram School located in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh was founded by Sri Bhagavan, in July 1984 to provide an alternative form of education. The school's early benefactor was Dr. N. Sivakamu, a close associate of J. Krishnamurti.[5] The land for the school was taken on a lease, with the support provided by Hari Khoday, an Indian philanthropist. As director of the school, Sri Bhagavan's focus was to develop an environment for children to truly flower and discover themselves. The school had 180 residential students and 200 day students from nearby villages.[6] It was at this school that his spiritual work began. In the summer of 1989, one of the students reported a mystical experience of divine silence. Soon, many other students reported similar experiences, and they were also able to pass their experiences to one another. During these experiences, children had vision of various Gods and would converse with them. Sri Bhagavan explained that the children had got in touch with Antaryamin, the inner guide who dwells in your heart that guides all beings towards greater truth.[6] In 1991, Sri Bhagawan decided to close the school and start the spiritual work for the larger community. The school was closed a few years later in 1994, after the senior students had all graduated from high school and the remaining students were moved to other schools.[6]

Once the decision was made to close Jeevashram School, work started in developing the spiritual programs for the public.[6] The principal of the Jeevashram School with a small group of teachers started the spiritual programs for public. The workshops were conducted as residential retreat programs conducted over 7 days or 21 days. The workshop focused on helping the participant accept themselves as they are,[7] and connect with their own inner divine self the Antaryamin.[7] Students also reported various spiritual experiences including mystical visions of their own personal God riding a white horse, similar to the Kalki form of Vishnu from traditional Hindu beliefs.[8][9] Based on this shared spiritual experiences, the students and public would address Sri Bhagavan with the title "Kalki".[8]

A second campus was set up in 1992 near Chennai city a place called Somangalam. In 1994, the campus of Jeevashram School was renamed as Satyaloka. Advance retreat programs for public were conducted at this campus. By 1995, Sri Bhagavan's workshops were being conducted in all major cities in India. In 1995, the first major public event was held at Chennai city, attracting more than 100,000 students from across India. In 1999, the work on building the Oneness University[10] at Varadaiahpalem, Chittoor district Andhra Pradesh India started. Oneness University, located 70 km from Chennai, is accessible by the National Highway 5 and is on Tirupati Road leading to the ancient temple town of Kalahasthi. In 2000, the first campus was completed and Sri Bhagavan and his team of teachers moved to the campus. Over the next few years, various campuses, including the Oneness Temple in 2008[11] were built.

International programs[edit]

In 1998, the first course specifically made for Westerners were held, with 40 participants from Russia, USA and Scandinavia.[12] In January 2004, the first 3 weeks courses[12] for international students was started.[10] Starting from these courses, the participants were initiated to give deeksha to others.[12]

The headquarters and main campus for the movement is in Varadaiahpalem, Andhra Pradesh, India, which houses the Oneness Temple. The movement aimed "To create oneness for all for lasting spiritual transformation"[13] using the rite of deeksha.

Anna Hazare the Indian social reformer, states "All over India, oneness is the only University providing the values which have not been provided by any other University".[14][15] Ervin Laszlo of the Budapest Club, avers that the 'Oneness experience' are as real as any human sense perceptions of light, colour and sound, but conveyed via different neural process within the brain.[16]

In 2006, Tony Robbins, the well known American businessman and coach, discovered meditation through his visit to Oneness University, and has since incorporated teachings of Sri Bhagavan as part of his own programs.[17] In 2009, about 600 delegates from India and 36 others converged at Sri Bhagavan's Oneness University campus for the international convention of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. This program was attended by various well-known figures, such as Ashok Singhal, Praveen Togadia, and Giriraj Kishore.[18][19] Well-known visitors to Sri Bhagavan's Oneness University campus include Bollywood stars Shilpa Shetty,[20] Manisha Koirala,[21] Manisha Koirala states, "I go away to Oneness University in Chennai – I gain clarity and get a sense of bliss.[22][23] Hrithik Roshan,[24] Rakesh Roshan[25] designer Donna Karan,[26] Deff Leppard musician Rick Allen,[26][27] NBA coach Pat Riley,[26] spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.[28][29] In 2011 he was included in Watkins Mind Body Spirit list of influential spiritual leaders for that year.[30]

O&O Academy[edit]

Over the years, Kalki Bhagavan's Oneness movement has called itself various names including the Foundation for World Awakening, Golden Age Foundation, Bhagavad Dharma, Kalki Dharma, Oneness University and Living in Joy Foundation.[31]

In 2017, the Oneness organization was handed over to Kalki Bhagavan's son, NKV Krishna and daughter-in-law Preetha Krishna.[32] They have merged it with their own One World Academy to form 'O&O Academy'.[32] During 2019, NKV Krishna and Preetha Krishna published a book together, called The Four Sacred Secrets, writing under the names 'Krishnaji' and 'Preethaji'.[33] In January 2020, NKV Krishna was interviewed by Nick Duerden of the British edition of GQ magazine.[34] In the interview, NKV Krishna claimed to be a guru with 10 million followers in India.[34] Krishna told the interviewer that his father saw otherworldly visions, including “...a gigantic golden orb of light provoking him to chant and meditate for the liberation of humankind”, and that he has inherited those visions.[34]

Early Life and Family[edit]

Bhagavan was born on 7 March 1949 in Natham Village, Gudiyatham Town, Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, to Smt. Vaidarbhi Amma and Sri Varadarajulu. His father was the head of the accounts department of Indian Railways and his mother was a simple village woman. In 1955, when Bhagavan was six years of age, the family moved to Chennai. There, he attended Don Bosco School in Chennai. Later, he graduated from DG Vaishnav College in Chennai, majoring in mathematics.[35] After completing college, he began working as an office clerk for Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).[12]

Bhagavan married Smt. Padmavathi on 9 June 1977. This was an arranged marriage following the prevalent customary practice in India for marriages decided by elders in the family.[6] Padmavathi, who is addressed as Amma by their students, takes an interest and participation in building the spiritual organization Oneness.[6]. Kalki Bhagavan's wife 'Padmavathi' is also addressed 'Amma' (meaning 'mother'). Kalki Bhagavan and his wife together are known by their followers as Amma Bhagavan.[31]

At an early age, Bhagavan was introduced to the philosophy of Jiddu Krishnamurti by his childhood friend R. Sankar. This drew him to the Theosophical Society in Chennai, to which he was a frequent visitor.[12]

Bhagavan's immediate family includes his wife Padmavati, his son NKV Krishna, and daughter-in-law Preetha.

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Nadkarni, Vithal C. (2008). "Oneness to the rescue of a world in peril". The Economic Times.
  2. ↑ "Oneness Movement – WRSP".
  3. ↑ Preethaji; Krishnaji (6 August 2019). The Four Sacred Secrets: For Love and Prosperity, A Guide to Living in a Beautiful State. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-5011-7379-0.
  4. ↑ "India: a visit to the Oneness Temple of Amma-Bhagwan". Religioscope. 13 July 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  5. ↑ Paranjape, Makarand (July 1997). "Bhagwan Kalki". Life Positive. https://www.lifepositive.com/bhagwan-kalki/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Ardagh 2008, Chapter 1,2.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Varughese, Suma. "Sri Bhagawan Kalki – The School of Enlightenment". Life Positive. http://lifepositive.com/the-school-for-enlightenment/
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "India: a visit to the Oneness Temple of Amma-Bhagwan". Religioscope. 13 July 2008.
  9. ↑ Monier Monier-Williams: Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with Special Reference to Cognate Indo-European Languages, 1889, reprinted 2003, Nataraj Books, Asian Educational Services, ISBN 81-206-0369-9
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Ardagh 2008, Chapter 2.
  11. ↑ Avadhani, Ramesh. "India: A visit to the Oneness Temple of Amma-Bhagawan". Religiscope. http://english.religion.info/2008/07/13/india-a-visit-to-the-oneness-temple-of-amma-bhagwan/
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/2077/33618/1/gupea_2077_33618_1.pdf
  13. ↑ TNN (2 February 2008). "Mumbai Inc learns about 'Oneness'". The Economic Times.(economictimes.com)
  14. ↑ "Anna Hazare Visited Oneness University". Vamsi, Amazed With Challenges And Incidents In Life. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  15. ↑ "Anna Hazare Comments on Youth Course of Oneness University". Retrieved 24 October 2019 – via YouTube.
  16. ↑ Nadkarni, Vithal. "Oneness to the rescue of a world in peril". The Economic Times. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/oneness-to-the-rescue-of-a-world-in-peril/articleshow/2732690.cms
  17. ↑ "Tony Robbins, The CEO Whisperer". Fortune. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  18. ↑ Correspondent, Special (2 January 2009). "world convention". The Hindu. [1]
  19. ↑ VHP condemns terrorism (The Hindu)
  20. ↑ "Shilpa Shetty in silent mode | The Hindu". Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  21. ↑ Varma, Lipika. "On her trip to Chennai, Manisha". Deccan Chronicle.
  22. ↑ "On her trip to Chennai, Manisha will catch up with Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam". Deccan Chronicle. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  23. ↑ "Manisha Koirala prays at Kalki Ashram". The Hindu. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  24. ↑ MumbaiSeptember 7, Mail Today; September 7, 2009UPDATED; Ist, 2009 09:05. "Hrithik off to a wellness course with his family". India Today. Retrieved 24 October 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ↑ "Hrithik & family get spiritual on dad's b'day". The Times of India.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 TNN (8 June 2008). "So, who's spiritual". The Times of India. "The Oneness University in Chennai set up by the couple Amma and Bhagwan, which has attracted international celebs like designer Donna Karan, Def Leppard musician Rick Allen and NBA coach Pat Riley"[2]
  27. ↑ "ONENESS CHANT by Lauren Monroe Allen and Rick Allen". Retrieved 24 October 2019 – via YouTube.
  28. ↑ "RAVI SHANKAR with ONENESS.MPG" – via YouTube.
  29. ↑ "Vijaykumar: From humble beginning to Godman Kalki". Outlookindia.com. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  30. ↑ Watkins Books. "100 Spiritual Power List by Watkins, 2011". Watkins Review: Mind Body Spirit 1893 UK London. Watkins Books (26). Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "India: a visit to the Oneness Temple of Amma-Bhagwan". Religioscope. 13 July 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Preethaji; Krishnaji (6 August 2019). The Four Sacred Secrets: For Love and Prosperity, A Guide to Living in a Beautiful State. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-5011-7379-0.
  33. ↑ "Publishers Weekly". publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 "Society once had religion to give it purpose. Now it has wellness coaches". British GQ. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  35. ↑ "Narayanan, Dr. Vasudha, "A 'White Paper' on Kalki Bhagavan, 29 September 2002", University of Florida, Gainesville, Montclair". msuweb.montclair.edu.
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