Spirituality or religious actions have grown in popularity amongst Indians in the current state of affairs as a result of people are living in a more worrying ambiance than they have ever been. In India, there are numerous religious Gurus who teach people how to live happily and healthily, as well as how to live a stress-free life. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 famous spiritual gurus of India.
1.Shri Shri Ravi Shankar
He is one of India’s and the world’s most well-known spiritual leaders. He founded the “Art of Living” non-profit organization to help people who are economically and socially disadvantaged. He is also known for founding the International Association For Human Values, which aims to promote global values among people of all races, nationalities, and religions. Spirituality, he believes, is the only way to magnify basic values and make human life more satisfying. Love should be extended to everyone, regardless of their religion, race, culture, ethnicity, or other conscious creatures such as animals.
His ambition is to create a world in which people are happy with themselves and with one another. His teachings are primarily concerned with spiritual development rather than religious ideologies.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read:20 Best Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Quotes About The Art Of Living
2.BK Shivani
Sister Shivani is her popular moniker. Because of her strong motivational courses and seminars, she is a teacher at the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University and one of the famous spiritual gurus of India. Her show first aired on the Aastha channel in 2007, and she has steadily grown in popularity since then. Shivani, on the other hand, does not come from a religious family and works as an electronic engineer. She is married and runs a software company.
She believes that materialistic fulfillment is insufficient, prompting her to seek answers to life’s deeper questions, which she found through meditation. She encourages her followers to do the same in order to help them become more self-aware.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
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3. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
Sadhguru was born in Mysore to his mother Sushila and doctor Vasudev. He began taking yoga classes and practicing yoga on a regular basis when he was very young. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. Many famous people have questioned him, and he has always responded with an apt and descriptive response.
He is one of the famous spiritual gurus of India among the youth due to his charming personality and modern way of delivering thoughts. His charisma is such that even those who have never been interested in yoga or spiritual practices become enthralled by them after listening to him.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read:20 Best Sadhguru Quotes That Will Awaken You Spiritually
4. Osho
Osho was born in 1931 in Central India. While a student at the University of Saugar, he experienced the divine experience of Samadhi at the age of 21. All of his previous spiritual experiences and philosophical knowledge led him to develop a unique way of thinking that combined both subjects while teaching, and he quickly gained a large following.
Osho had a unique spirituality that considered each human to be a divine form and that god is present in everything, and he never believed in any single religion. One of Osho’s unique teachings is a type of medication in which a person must engage in physical activity before meditating.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read: 20 Osho Quotes That Can Transform Your Life
5. Dalai Lama
The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born as Lhamo Thondup and later renamed Tenzin Gyatso. He is Tibet’s spiritual leader of the highest order. He attempted but failed to organize several protests against the Chinese communist party in order to establish Tibetan autonomy. In 1989, the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize.
He has visited a number of cities around the world to promote Buddhist teachings in schools, colleges, and other institutions. He has given several seminar lectures to teach the fundamentals of Buddhism.Buddhism is a religious philosophy that rejects the worship of deities and idols in favor of spiritual practices aimed at alleviating suffering and leading the soul to Nirvana. Life is not perfect, according to Buddhism, but by practicing ethical conduct and discipline, one can lessen the suffering caused by negative emotions. Suffering is the only thing that all living creatures have in common, so we should continue to treat everyone with kindness.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
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6.Swami Gyanvatsal
He is another one of the famous spiritual gurus of India who motivate his followers through spiritualism. He is a Swami Narayan Mandir of Akshardham. He founded the Swami Narayan Sanstha, which is run entirely by volunteers and promotes spiritual growth through Hindu ideologies such as unity, nonviolence, selflessness, good karma, and self-belief.
He believes that one of the most important characteristics in a human being is ethics, and he always encourages his audience to follow the Dharma. It is impossible to be peaceful without also being ethical. Morality is a crucial component of spirituality. He has discussed a variety of topics, including stress management, depression, and even more contemporary topics such as how to be a good boss.
Source: Wikifeed
7.Sadhvi Ritambhara
Sadhvi Ritambhara was said to have attained Nirvana when she married at the age of 16. She is now regarded as one of the famous spiritual gurus of India. She is a political activist as well as a religious preacher. She is best known for her beautiful and fluent renditions of Hindu scriptures such as Ram Katha, which she has performed all over the world. She is the founder of Param Shakti Peeth, a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers that assists people while also encouraging women to be more devotional. She belongs to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
Image Source: Sadhvi Ritambhara on Facebook
8.Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
He went on a quest for deeper meaning in life soon after finishing his education. Under the guidance of Gurudev, he began practicing yoga and meditation on a regular basis. After his teacher died, he began teaching meditation and yoga.
He used to teach a form of meditation known as Transcendental Meditation. It is a technique in which a person closes their eyes for 20 minutes and mentally repeats hymns. This meditation technique assisted people in reaching a deep state of relaxation and consciousness, removing stress and other negative emotions that people encounter on a daily basis. Today, this technique is well-known throughout the world, and many psychologists recommend it as a form of therapy for better mental health.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
9.Mata Amritanandamayi
Her adoring fans refer to her as Amma. Amma has earned the moniker “Hugging Saint” for her ability to give unconditional love to everyone she meets through her motherly and affectionate hugs. In 1953, she was born in Parayakadavu, Kerala, in a fishing community. She didn’t have the opportunity to study the scriptures or receive a proper formal education because she grew up in a poor family. Instead, she devoted the majority of her time to caring for her family. She was a devotee of Lord Krishna and is said to have attained spiritual awakening through his worship.Many people were drawn to her spirituality and her love for everyone, which led to the establishment of Mata Amritanandamai Math.
Source: Wikipedia
10.Paramhansa Yogananda
In 1893, he was born in Gorakhpur. Yoganand developed an interest in religion and regularly practiced meditation. He visited several saints across Bengal in search of a teacher who could discipline him, as he was always eager to learn more about the scriptures.
He felt compelled to share his knowledge and spiritual practice with the rest of the world in 1920, so he traveled to the United States and began cheating yoga. He began an official tour in 1924, during which he gave lectures to people about the ideals of Vedanta in a way that was understandable to modern people. He founded the “Self Realization Fellowship,” an organization that still promotes yoga and spirituality among modern people.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read: 20 Quotes From Autobiography Of A Yogi By Paramahansa Yogananda
11. Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa is, without a doubt, the greatest human being who has ever lived. In October 2003, Pope John Paul II beatified her. She had only one goal in life: to help the poor, the destitute, the needy, and everyone else who was marginalized by society.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Also read:
12.Baba Ramdev
Baba Ramdev, also known as Swami Ramdev, is a world-renowned Indian yogi and Ayurveda and Yoga Guru. He is credited with popularising Yoga and Ayurveda through television shows and public events. He is thought to have touched over 10 crores (100 million) people and has a large global following.
Baba Ramdev’s life, as classic rags to riches story, inspires millions. Despite coming from a low-income family and lacking a formal education, he positively impacted the lives of millions of people through his sheer determination and hard work. Despite numerous accusations and opponents, he was able to achieve his objectives. He is undoubtedly the person to look up to and be inspired by.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
13. Sathya Sai Baba
Sathya Sai Baba, an Indian guru, and philanthropist was both a revered and divisive figure. He established the Sathya Sai Organisation, a network of free hospitals, clinics, and educational institutions, through which he established a network of free hospitals, clinics, and educational institutions. His followers were convinced of his supposed omnipotence and omniscience. He has been accused of sexual abuse, money laundering, and fraud by his critics.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
14. Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo was an Indian nationalist, philosopher, poet, yogi, and teacher. Before becoming a spiritual reformer and focusing on spiritual evolution and human progress, he was one of the most influential leaders of the Indian independence movement. He is credited with establishing the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, which still serves spiritual seekers from all over the world.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
15. Ramana Maharshi
Ramana Maharshi, an Indian Hindu sage, fled to Arunachala, a sacred mountain in Tamil Nadu, when he was 16, and stayed there for the rest of his life. Instead of studying scriptures, as proposed by the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, he promoted vichara, or self-inquiry, as the primary means of self-realization.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
A guru is a “teacher, spiritual guide, or godman,” according to the dictionary. We hope you have found a new meaning in your life after going through some of the inspiring stories of the famous spiritual gurus of India. Let us know which one of them inspired you the most.
FAQs
Who is No 1 guru in world? ›
Dalai Lama
Now at age 83 years, he is recognized as one of the world's most powerful and influential spiritual gurus. From human rights to peace and nonviolence, the Dalai Lama offers insights for all spiritual people.
1. Shri Shri Ravi Shankar. He is one of the most famous spiritual leaders in India and over the world.
Who is the first guru of India? ›1. Guru Nanak (1469-1539) The Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and was the first of the human Sikh gurus.
Who is the spiritual leader of India? ›Sri Sri Ravishankar. He is among the most revered spiritual leaders in India and all over the world. He started the non-profit organisation “Art of Living”, intending to help those people who are socially and economically behind.
Who are the 4 religious leaders? ›- Buddhism: the Buddha (Gautama Buddha) The 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) ...
- Islam: Muhammad (Muhammad ibn Abdullāh)
- Judaism: Moses - prophet.
- Catholicism: Pope Francis.
- Christianity (also Protestantism): Jesus of Nazareth. Martin Luther. ...
- Mormonism (LDS): Joseph Smith, Jr. Brigham Young. ...
- Scientology: L.
Matsyendranatha, also called Minanatha, (flourished 10th century?, India), first guru (spiritual teacher) of the Nathas, a popular Indian religious movement combining elements of Shaivism, Buddhism, and Hatha Yoga, a form of yoga that stresses breath control and physical postures.
What is an Indian guru called? ›The Guru (teacher) Shishya (disciple) parampara or guru parampara, occurs where the knowledge (in any field) is passed down through the succeeding generations. It is the traditional, residential form of education, where the Shishya remains and learns with his Guru as a family member.
What is a Hindu guru called? ›guru, (Sanskrit: “venerable”) in Hinduism, a personal spiritual teacher or guide. From at least the mid-1st millennium bce, when the Upanishads (speculative commentaries on the Vedas, the revealed scriptures of Hinduism) were composed, India has stressed the importance of the tutorial method in religious instruction.
What is a spiritual teacher? ›spiritual teacher. A person with the role and responsibility to teach a human being or universal being what is accurate and specific to know, learn and understand on a spiritual level to contribute to their soul agreement, soul purpose or spiritual evolution.
Who is real guru? ›The true Guru is God on earth: he is His vehicle, His mouth, His arms, His heart, His blessing. The reason for it is that he is nothing: only a pure window for God's transforming light.
Who was the last guru? ›
The 10th and last Guru, Gobind Singh, before his death (1708) declared the end of the succession of personal Gurus.
Who is a true guru? ›A sage with such attributes can fit the description of a true Guru. He is always absorbed in the Self and remains in constant remembrance of the Supreme. He is satisfied in every circumstance and participates in holy congregations.
Who is religion leader? ›Religious Leader means an individual who is associated with, and is an authorized representative of, a religious organization or association or a religious corporation sole, including a member of clergy, a minister, a pastor, a priest, a rabbi, an imam, or a spiritual advisor.
Who are the spiritual leaders of Hinduism? ›Swamis fulfill an essential role in Hindu society and serve as the spiritual and religious leader and minister of his or her Hindu temple or organization.
What religion is most popular? ›| Religion | Adherents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Christianity | 2.382 billion | 31.11% |
| Islam | 1.907 billion | 24.9% |
| Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist | 1.193 billion | 15.58% |
| Hinduism | 1.161 billion | 15.16% |
| Brahma | |
|---|---|
| God of Creation Epitome of knowledge and the Vedas; Creator of the Universe | |
| Member of Trimurti | |
| A roundel with a depiction of Brahma, 19th century | |
| Other names | Svayambhu, Virinchi, Prajapati |
| No. | Name | Mother |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Guru Har Rai Ji | Mata Nihal Kaur |
| 8 | Guru Har Krishan Ji | Mata Krishan Kaur |
| 9 | Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji | Mata Nanaki |
| 10 | Guru Gobind Singh Ji | Mata Gujri |
Several Hindu female gurus have a high-profile existence as spiritual leaders who frequently travel across the globe for sessions with their numerous devotees; examples include Anandmurti Gurumaa, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda of Siddha Yoga, Karunamayi Ma, and Mata Amritanandamayi (Ammachi).
Who started religion? ›| Founder Name | Religious tradition founded | Life of founder |
|---|---|---|
| Ajita Kesakambali | Charvaka | 6th century BC |
| Mahavira | The final (24th) tirthankara in Jainism | 599 BC – 527 BC |
| Gautama Buddha | Buddhism | 563 BC – 483 BC |
| Confucius | Confucianism | 551 BC – 479 BC |
The world's faithful account for 83% of the global population; the great majority of these fall under twelve classical religions--Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism.
How many religions are in the world? ›
It may surprise you to know that there are over 4,000 recognized religions in the world. These religions consist of churches, congregations, faith groups, tribes, cultures, and movements. Even though there are so many, three-quarters of the world's population practice one of the five major religions.
What is a spiritual master? ›According to the Ascended Master Teachings a "Master of Light", "Healer" or "Spiritual Master" is a Divine Human Being who has taken the Fifth Initiation and is thereby capable of dwelling in a 5th dimension.
Who is spiritual leader Baba? ›He was educated in Poona (Pune) and attended Deccan College there, where at the age of 19 he met an aged Muslim woman, Hazrat Babajan, the first of five “perfect masters” (spiritually enlightened, or “God-realized,” persons) who over the next seven years helped him find his own spiritual identity.
What is spiritually in religion? ›Spirituality is the broad concept of a belief in something beyond the self. It may involve religious traditions centering on the belief in a higher power, but it can also involve a holistic belief in an individual connection to others and to the world as a whole.
Who was one of the greatest spiritual leader of our country? ›President Ram Nath Kovind led the nation on Sunday to pay tributes to one of the greatest spiritual leaders of India -- Swami Vivekananda -- on his birth anniversary. Vivekananda's birth anniversary is observed as National Youth Day in the country.
How much is ramdev worth? ›Ramdev comes from the tradition of Arya Samaj. According to Forbes, His net worth stood at $2.22 billion (Rs 16,600 crore) as of October 2020.
What do Hindu sadhus do? ›Sadhus engage in a wide variety of religious practices. Some practice asceticism and solitary meditation, while others prefer group praying, chanting or meditating.
Who is the first guru? ›Guru Nanak, the first Guru, and Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, continue to feature prominently in Sikhs' experience of their religion.
Who is guru of Lord Shiva? ›...
| Dakshinamurthy | |
|---|---|
| God of Wisdom and the Arts | |
| Dakshinamurthy Shiva sculpture on the southern entrance of the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. | |
| Affiliation | Shiva (Shaivism) |
Having said that, one cannot fully appreciate the Hindu religion without recognizing the significance of the sage Veda Vyasa, who is widely revered and credited for compiling much of Hinduism's most prominent and influential spiritual texts, including the Vedas, the 18 Puranas, and the world's largest epic poem, the ...
Who started Hinduism? ›
Unlike other religions, Hinduism has no one founder but is instead a fusion of various beliefs. Around 1500 B.C., the Indo-Aryan people migrated to the Indus Valley, and their language and culture blended with that of the indigenous people living in the region.
Is guru a God? ›Brihaspati (Sanskrit: बृहस्पति, IAST: Bṛhaspati), also known as Guru, is a Hindu deity. In the ancient Vedic scriptures of Hinduism, Brihaspati is a deity associated with fire, and the word also refers to a rishi (sage) who counsels the devas (gods).
Who is a spiritual mentor? ›Spiritual Growth
A spiritual mentor is someone who cares about you and wants the best for you. They know that the most important thing in life is to have a personal relationship with Christ, so they encourage you to invest in this relationship. As a result, you can grow spiritually and become mature in your faith.
- Step 1: Become a Magus.
- Step 2: Write a Bible.
- Step 3: Start a Church. Starting a church is the best growth hacking method ever invented. ...
- Step 4: Start a War.
A spiritual coach, also called a spiritual life coach, explores the deeper connections between people and the Universe. They help others gain a new or deeper understanding of the world they live in and the energies that flow within it.
Is Krishna a guru? ›As a teacher of devotion, Sri Krishna reigns supreme as the ultimate image and guide of Divine Love, detailed in the many heart-rending stories about him. For Karma Yoga and transformative action, Krishna's counseling to Arjuna in the Gita is foundation teaching.
Who is guru according to Lord Krishna? ›In Hindu religion, Sandipani, also Sandipani Muni (Sandīpanī Muni), was the guru of Krishna. It is said that he was from modern-day Ujjain, then known as Avantika.
Is guru a person? ›In Hinduism, a guru is a personal spiritual teacher.
Who made Golden Temple? ›The fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ram Das, who had initially constructed a pool here, founded Amritsar, which houses the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib. It is here that Sage Valmiki wrote the epic, Ramayana. Rama and Sita are believed to have spent their fourteen-year exile in Amritsar, the epicenter of Sikhism.
Who founded Golden Temple? ›Sri Harmandir Sahib
Which guru birthday is today? ›
...
Guru Nanak Jayanti dates.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | November 30 | Sunday |
| 2026 | November 30 | Monday |
The guru is the embodiment of selflessness. We are able to learn what truth, dharma or righteousness, renunciation, and love mean because the guru lives those qualities. Obedience to the guru is not slavery. The guru's aim is only the salvation of the disciple.
What is guru role? ›What's the role of a guru? A guru guides the spiritual progress of their students (known as shishya). Through the guru's spiritual, psychological, and practical insight, instructions are tailored according to what they see is required for the student to learn and advance spiritually.
How many types of guru are there? ›Guru is the one who takes you towards light from dark. As per Sakand Purana, there are seven types of Guru.
Who are the spiritual leaders of Hinduism? ›Swamis fulfill an essential role in Hindu society and serve as the spiritual and religious leader and minister of his or her Hindu temple or organization.
What is an Indian guru called? ›The Guru (teacher) Shishya (disciple) parampara or guru parampara, occurs where the knowledge (in any field) is passed down through the succeeding generations. It is the traditional, residential form of education, where the Shishya remains and learns with his Guru as a family member.
Who was one of the greatest spiritual leaders of our country? ›President Ram Nath Kovind led the nation on Sunday to pay tributes to one of the greatest spiritual leaders of India -- Swami Vivekananda -- on his birth anniversary. Vivekananda's birth anniversary is observed as National Youth Day in the country. Kovind tweeted: "Homage to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary.
What is a spiritual master? ›According to the Ascended Master Teachings a "Master of Light", "Healer" or "Spiritual Master" is a Divine Human Being who has taken the Fifth Initiation and is thereby capable of dwelling in a 5th dimension.
Who is the father of Hinduism? ›| Brahma | |
|---|---|
| God of Creation Epitome of knowledge and the Vedas; Creator of the Universe | |
| Member of Trimurti | |
| A roundel with depiction of Brahma, 19th century | |
| Other names | Svayambhu, Virinchi, Prajapati |
Unlike other religions, Hinduism has no one founder but is instead a fusion of various beliefs. Around 1500 B.C., the Indo-Aryan people migrated to the Indus Valley, and their language and culture blended with that of the indigenous people living in the region.
What is Hindu priest called? ›
Introduction. Purohits are priests who lead worship services, officiate at festivals, and perform ceremonies and rituals in Hindu temples and in the homes of devotees. They are also known as temple priests and family priests; female priests are called purohitas.
Who is the first guru? ›Guru Nanak, the first Guru, and Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, continue to feature prominently in Sikhs' experience of their religion.
Who is guru of Lord Shiva? ›...
| Dakshinamurthy | |
|---|---|
| God of Wisdom and the Arts | |
| Dakshinamurthy Shiva sculpture on the southern entrance of the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. | |
| Affiliation | Shiva (Shaivism) |
The true Guru is God on earth: he is His vehicle, His mouth, His arms, His heart, His blessing. The reason for it is that he is nothing: only a pure window for God's transforming light.
Who are the 4 religious leaders? ›- Buddhism: the Buddha (Gautama Buddha) The 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) ...
- Islam: Muhammad (Muhammad ibn Abdullāh)
- Judaism: Moses - prophet.
- Catholicism: Pope Francis.
- Christianity (also Protestantism): Jesus of Nazareth. Martin Luther. ...
- Mormonism (LDS): Joseph Smith, Jr. Brigham Young. ...
- Scientology: L.
| Religion | Adherents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Christianity | 2.382 billion | 31.11% |
| Islam | 1.907 billion | 24.9% |
| Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist | 1.193 billion | 15.58% |
| Hinduism | 1.161 billion | 15.16% |
Several Hindu female gurus have a high-profile existence as spiritual leaders who frequently travel across the globe for sessions with their numerous devotees; examples include Anandmurti Gurumaa, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda of Siddha Yoga, Karunamayi Ma, and Mata Amritanandamayi (Ammachi).
Who are the masters of the 7 Rays? ›| Ray | Wisdom Master | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ray | Power of God | Master El Morya |
| 2nd ray | Wisdom of God | Kuthumi |
| 3rd ray | Love of God | Paul the Venetian |
| 4th ray | Purity of God | Serapis Bey |
How to Find a Guru? | Sadhguru - YouTube
Who is a spiritual teacher? ›Spiritual teachers fall into several subcategories: Shaykhs or Sufi teachers, Gurus (including Hindu Gurus, Sant Mat Gurus, and Sikh Gurus), Buddhist teachers, including Tibetan Lamas (which is really simply the Tibetan word for Guru), and Mahasiddhas, who may be claimed by both Buddhist and Hindu traditions.