Our Guru

Life History

Shri Vethathiri Maharishi was born in 1911 in the village of Guduvancheri, 30 km south of Chennai, India, into an indigent weaver’s family.

After spending several years in various minor employments, he established a textile concern that grew to employ over 2000 workers on a profit sharing basis that would be thought progressive even today.

Although constantly busy with family and business matters, he always found time to pursue his deep desire to achieve self-realization and realization of Truth. Several years of intense meditation and introspection brought him full enlightenment at the age of thirty five.

Early life

After spending several years in various minor employments, he established a textile concern that grew to employ over 2,000 workers on a profit-sharing basis.

Maharishi regularly participated in intense meditation and introspection, which he claims brought him full enlightenment at the age of thirty five.

Maharishi Young age

At the age of fifty, he closed his commercial ventures and devoted himself solely to spiritual service. However, he remained a “householder”, i.e. he did not break his family ties or take vows of renunciation, but rather lived in the indigenous Siddha tradition, maintaining family ties.

Maharishi with Arulannai Logambal

Traveling around the world

Between 1972–1993, he visited the USA, Europe, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Mexico. On 9th January 1975 Vethathiri Maharishi’s gave immortal speech at the United Nations Organization, New York, U.S.A.

Maharishi’s interview

Maharishi at Japan airport

Maharishi at NASA

Maharishi with Koreans

Spiritual Leader

At the age of fifty he closed his commercial ventures and devoted himself solely to spiritual service so as to guide sincere spiritual aspirants by transmitting and sharing with them his experiences and revelations of Truth.

Even though his life has long been dedicated spiritual and social service he has remained a “householder”, i.e. he has not broken his family ties and taken vows of renunciation, but rather lived in the indigenous Siddha tradition, maintaining family ties and fulfilling his duties.

Maharishi’s teaching

Vethathiri’s science of living (Vethathiriyam)

Vethathiri’s lifetime works are called Vethathiriyam, which literally translates as a roadmap to the mountain of knowledge. He claimed that a deep understanding of nature is essential for living in harmony with the law of nature, while balancing material well-being with spiritual progress.

Vethathiri Maharishi’s claimed to synthesize a complete science of living for the betterment of humanity through: Simplified Kundalini Yoga meditation, Physical Exercises, Kaya Kalpa Yoga and Introspections.

Author / Writer

From his enlightenment till today, Shri Vethathiri Maharishi has received knowledge of the origin and functions of the cosmos and all aspects of life, as Nature revealed to his inner vision.

During these years he has spontaneously written over 2000 poems on philosophical subjects. He remains dedicated to serving his fellow beings by conveying his understanding of universe and the One Supreme Power through his speeches and writings.

• He wrote about 80 books, many of which became academic textbooks.
• In the Indian Philosophical tradition, his philosophy corresponds to pure advice.
• Wrote over 2000 poems on philosophical subjects.
• Authored about 80 books in Tamil and English.
• In the Indian Philosophical tradition, his philosophy corresponds to pure advaita; it may be called pantheistic monism.
• His language and attitudes are contemporary, non-sectarian and non-dogmatic. As of date, he has authored about 70 books in Tamil and English.

Model of the Universe

Shri Vethathiri Maharishi gives us a comprehensive and integrated revelation of the existence and functions of the One Reality; his exposition from the origin of the cosmos to the observed natural phenomena comprises the Vethathiriyan Model of the Universe.

With this comprehensive view, science and religion are reconciled and unified, to their mutual enhancement and completion.

By integrating science and religion, global harmony and peace will follow, based on universal understanding of One Truth, and reverence and respect for all its manifestations.

Organizations

In 1958 Shri Vethathiri Maharishi founded the World Community Service Centre (WCSC), a non-profit registered society with a view to work towards World Peace through individual peace.

As of today, more than 200 trusts and about 1000 meditation centers have been registered and affiliated to WCSC in India, and thousands of people have benefited physically, mentally, socially and spiritually from the teachings and practices.

Kaya Kalpa Research Foundation

In 1984 he founded the “Vethathiri Maharishi Yoga and Kaya Kalpa Research Foundation” based in Aliyar, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu in the name of Arutperunjothi Nagar.

This is located on Pollachi-Valparai Highway SH-78, next to Azhiyar Dam and State Transportation buses are available to Arutperunjothi Nagar from Pollachi.

Kayakalpa Yoga

Temple of Consciousness

Facilities are provided for large groups to stay and undergo SKY courses of several days in duration. The Temple of Consciousness is the centerpiece of the campus.

In 1998 the Brain Trust was established to bring together intellectuals of various fields to discuss the issues facing mankind and work towards solutions for bringing about peace and harmony to the individual and to the world at large.

Vethathiri Maharishi died on 28 March 2006 in Coimbatore. His embalmed body is now located in Mani Mandapam inside the World Community Service Center, Arutperunjothi Nagar, Azhiyar, Pollachi