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Born in India in 1957, the guru Prem Rawat (known also as Maharaji, an honorary title given to him in India) started speaking to audiences at the age of six. He was the fourth son of the 'satguru' (true guru), who had a large following in northern India. His father died in 1966, and Maharaji at the age of eight, became the new satguru and took over his father's following. He then started presenting his message of peace throughout the Indian subcontinent. At thirteen, he was invited to speak in London and Los Angeles.
Since then, he claims to have presented his message to more than 5.5 million people in over 250 cities and 50 countries around the world.
Maharaji claims he teaches a way to meditate and to go within oneself, which he calls "Knowledge". According to practitioners of this "Knowledge", it is the way to inner peace. It is believed to be the tool for enjoyment of the gift of life.
The movement that he founded is called the Divine Light Mission. Later the Divine Light Mission's ashrams were dismantled with Maharaji remaining the head of the movement but which was then renamed Elan Vital. The followers of Maharaji are called Premies.
The dissemination of his message, which is made available in more than 88 countries and 70 languages, is entirely supported by voluntary contributions and the sale of related materials.
Prem Rawat's elder brother Satpal also claimed ownership of their father's Divine Light Mission which led to a protracted legal challenge in India. Satpal won ownership of all the Indian Divine Light Mission assets whilst Prem Rawat retained ownership of the assets of Divine Light Mission (renamed Elan Vital) elsewhere. Satpal positions himself in essentially the same manner as his brother, that of being the Satguru (true guru).
Within the United States, Elan Vital is a "Registered Church" and accordingly is able to take advantage of the favorable tax regimes that apply to such entities.
External Link
- [http://maharaji.net/ Maharaji's own web site
- The Prem Rawat foundation
- [http://www.whatpeoplesay.org/
- For an up-to-date blog of Maharaji's activities around the world
- Response of followers who see outspoken ex-members as a "hate group"