“Who is helping you, don’t forger them,
Who is loving you, don’t hate them,
Who is hoping you, don’t cheat them”.
– Swami Vivekananda.

Arrest asaram bapu & narayan to save hindus

http://www.slavecult.com

Poonam Vrat is the dhoong by which he seduces people to come to him every month. otehrwsie they will go to hell

Clouded in controversy
Uday Mahurkar
July 24, 2008
http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=&id=11915&Itemid=1&sectionid=&completeview=1

India’s spiritual arena is getting as murky as its political one. The latest manifestation of this was the mysterious death of two students in godman Asaram Bapu’s ashram in Ahmedabad.

Following allegations that the mysterious deaths of the boys were related to tantric rituals, Bapu’s followers went on a rampage after they were beaten up by angry locals.

They attacked journalists and burnt vehicles. Even in the past, Bapu has been known to draw controversies. His rags to riches story is also questionable and fodder for debate.

From a mechanic at a cycle shop in Ahmedabad four decades ago to a spiritual guru with two crore followers and an empire worth Rs 5,000 crore, the rise of Asaram Bapu alias Asumal Thaumal Harpalani, 68, has been truly meteoric.

He may rank a few rungs lower than other gurus when it comes to scriptures, but his wealth surpasses that of many of his contemporaries.

His empire includes hundreds of acres of land in prime locations in India’s major cities, a flourishing business of over two dozen products that includes a clutch of ayurvedic medicines, incense sticks, soaps and shampoos besides spiritual magazines that net crores of rupees for him annually.

Bapu controls his country-wide empire through 400-odd trusts, of which two main ones-Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram Trust and Sant Shri Asaramji Mahila Utthan Trust- are based in Ahmedabad.

Asaram Bapu with his followers
Fear and violence have been Bapu’s hallmark, as the attack on reporters and others displayed. His diktat is enforced by his sadhaks (disciples), some of whom have also borne the brunt of his ire when they dared speak against some questionable activities in the ashram. They were terrorised and beaten up by their own fellowmen.
The latest to be hunted out of the Ahmedabad ashram is Dinesh Bhagchandani, 32, Bapu’s former driver and man Friday. He was charged with “indecent behaviour” with a sadhika (female disciple), an allegation his friends deny. Fearing for his life, Bhagchandani has fled Ahmedabad.

More than the fear factor is the money power the guru commands. Most of the controversies involving him relate to land deals across the country involving the ashram, which has 100 major centres located on huge tracts of land besides 1,200 satsang kendras.

One of the newest imbroglio involves over 30 acres of land in Surat worth around Rs 125 crore. Bapu’s disciples have encroached upon a part of government land on the banks of the Tapi river.

The original owner from whom the Government had bought the land has moved the court pleading that if the Government’s objective of making an embankment was not accomplished and someone else is the current owner, the land should be returned to him. Incidentally, land grabbing is one of the more serious charges that Bapu faces.

Another huge chunk of agriculture land bought five years ago by Bapu and his family members—his wife Lakshmiben, son Narayan, daughter Bharati and daughter-in-law Shilpa—in Pedmala in Sabarkantha district is also entangled in a legal wrangle.

A protest against the boys’ deaths
A local whistle blower, Ramesh Choksi, has complained to the district collector that the deal is illegal because Bapu and his family members bought the land by posing as farmers (only a farmer can buy agricultural land in Gujarat, according to the law).
Choksi alleged that Bapu and his family had manipulated records to declare themselves as farmers. The collector has held Choksi’s charges to be true.

Says Choksi, “A look at the land-related court cases in which Bapu and his followers are involved across the country would show that they are one of the biggest land grabbers in India. The Government should blacklist them and seize all their lands.

“Even Bapu’s 15-acre Ahmedabad ashram is clouded in controversy because the gurukul building on its premises is illegal. Not just that, the ashram land at Karol Bagh in Delhi and the 25-acre proposed ashram in Rajokri village near Delhi are also wrapped in court cases. We have had a very bad experience from Bapu’s disciples,” says Ohmvir Singh Chauhan, thakur of Panched near Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh.

According to Chauhan, in the early ’90s Bapu’s disciples encroached upon 26 acres of his family estate. This led to a court battle, but in the end the family had to sell the estate to the followers because it didn’t have the stomach to take on Bapu’s aggressive disciples.

Bapu’s business empire rests on the sale of over two dozen products across his satsang centres and other facilities. Insiders allege that ashram authorities manipulate records to avoid paying taxes.

The magazines—Rushiprasad, a monthly in several languages, and the fortnightly Lok Kalyan Setu, sell 14 lakh copies every month, netting around Rs 7.50 crore annually.

But the bigger grossers are the 50-odd satsang discourses Bapu delivers to his followers. Each two or three-day discourse nets Rs 1 crore via sales of associated products and what he gets from the organisers.

The biggest money spinners, however, are the three to four annual Gurupurnima functions during which Bapu receives donations running into crores of rupees.

The godman’s beginnings were humble. A non-matriculate, Bapu was born in Birani village near Nawabshah in Pakistan’s Sindh province before Partition forced his father Thaumal to flee to Ahmedabad when Bapu was seven years old.

In his 20s, he tried to seek the blessings of Leelashah Baba, who died in 1973. His ashram is in Adipur in Kutch. Says Hemant Kumar Tolani, Leelashah Baba’s disciple, “Asaram Bapu claims to be a disciple of Leelashah Baba. But the fact is that the baba never accepted him because he had severe reservations about him.”

Bapu’s ability to draw followers lies in a book called Panchamrut, a compilation of five major chapters based on Bapu’s speeches.

In one of the discourses called ‘Gurubhakti’, the book exhorts his followers to never question the guru, whether he is right or wrong.

The book compares the guru to Lord Shiva, with the threat that terrible curses would befall a disciple if he ever tries to undercut the guru or question his edict. Not stopping at that, it urges disciples to turn violent against the guru’s critics, going to the extent of even cutting off the dissidents’ tongue.

Says a former disciple of Bapu who deserted him on finding out his questionable activities: “The aim of the literature is to brainwash people so that they follow Bapu blindly and without reason.”

Another follower who parted ways with Bapu says, “His entire training process for his followers and disciples is designed to create an indelible impression in their minds that he is a divine being and therefore infallible and has to be followed by them in whatever he does, whether it is right or wrong.”

A series of well-managed pro-poor and impressive programmes, however, tend to cover up his controversial side, Bapu organises well publicised welfare programmes.

His ashrams run medical services, distribute free food grain among the poor, who form the bulk of his followers. His anti-addiction programme is also another big draw.

Not surprisingly, Bapu avoids the media when it comes to questions about the controversies. Uday Sanghani, the ashram’s spokesman, counters the charges on the godman’s behalf.

“These empty allegations about illicit land deals, money-making and violence by Bapu and his followers are a creation of those who have not been able to stomach Bapu’s rise and his acceptability among the masses as a spiritual master,” he says.

“These people are finding newer and newer ways of upsetting Bapu’s applecart. But Bapu is undisturbed by their antics as his mission is that of awakening the people at the spiritual level,” Sanghani adds.

With the controversy involving suspicious deaths and attacks on the media, the man behind the “saint” may finally be revealed.

UNHOLY ROW

Violence hits the streets as Asaram Bapu’s disciples and locals go on a rampage after charges of human sacrifices.

Last week when Praful Vaghela broke his fast at the insistence of Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the state Government heaved a sigh of relief.

Vaghela had been on an eight-day-long fast to demand justice and a CBI probe for the deaths of his son Abhishek, 9, and nephew Dipesh, 10. He alleges that the boys were killed by tantriks in a human sacrifice at Asaram Bapu’s ashram in Ahmedabad.

Journalists protest attacks by Bapu�s followers
For almost a week, citizens, political parties, leftist organisations, social groups and common citizens had led violent protests on the streets of Ahmedabad. They torched vehicles and clashed with Bapu’s followers in a burst of frenzy whipped by public revulsion against the godman.
On July 3, the two boys had gone missing from the ashram, where they were studying. Two days later, their bodies were found in the dry bed of the Sabarmati river by locals.

One of the corpses had body parts missing, a possible indication that they had been killed in a human sacrifice as crucial body parts of children are normally used by tantriks in their rituals. The other body’s ears had been eaten away by dogs. Bapu’s initial silence over the issue only inflamed passions of local residents.

Then came the police statement that the deaths had occurred due to drowning and that the bodies had been eaten by dogs, which only added fuel to the already simmering dissent.

Bapu’s initial silence and his belated statement that there was an attempt by his enemies to create a wedge between the people and the Sant Samaj only caused further provocation.

The last straw was when rioters attacked Bapu’s followers, who retaliated by beating up journalists and residents around the ashram who had been supporting the protests.

The post-mortem report has not provided a clear reason for the deaths of the boys. It revealed that the sternum and liver of one of the boys was missing. The state Government has promised Vaghela an impartial probe.

“If I don’t get justice, I will renew my demand for a CBI probe,” says Vaghela. Till then, the suspicions and ugly rumours swirling around the ashram will continue to grow.

This post is concluding part of my earlier post about Asaram Bapu. Lot of his followers is asking my why did I leave him. Here, I will tell you my story. Please visit the link below to see my earlier post on same subject and related comments.

http://gesturegraphics.wordpress.com/2008/08/06/serial-murders-in-asaram-ashram-and-controversies-related-to-him-confession-of-a-ex-disciple/

My earlier post about Asaram disturbed ardent followers of him and I understand and respect their feelings. I would like to clarify that my purpose was not to hurt anybody’s sentimets and I wrote this personal blog just about my own experiences. If others are having a good experience with him and they are enjoying his company, I do  not tell them to follow my views.

I also want to tell these followers if you consider him and his son as God then why you become restless when you read one or two article against him? Your Guru has lacks of followers and if one of them like me do not agree with you, take it easy , my friend! I hope that these are not your most hidden insecurities. 

As the time changes , everything changes. Rule of Jungle is not allowed anymore in this world so show me some patience and tolerance as I do in my writhing. Give rest to your conspiracy theories, there is no money , no foreign hand behind my article. As one follower said this article is all about my frustation. True friend, this is all about the frustration of the years, efforts and energy I wasted.

The fact is that I was also like you few years back and it was hard for me to hear the criticism of Asaram but I never choose to respond in violent manner as you people do.

Somebody cursed me that these are my bad deeds in past who forced me to leave Asaram but I do not want to talk about what I do not know. I am a man with brains which God has given to me as precious gift. How long  I could ignore what I see and hear? Sorry friends, I am not as good Guru Bhakt ( great disciple) as you. I already read in Ramkrishna Paramhans’s book that if you choose a wrong Guru, you should be ready to bear all his deeds.

OK, I would like to share with you what incidents forced me to leave Asaram as my Guru.

 During listening to his discourse about some incidents, I felt it many times that what he , his son and other are talking is not true as I already had my own studies of scriptures and books. For example this one incident Mr. Kuldeep Bhardwaj wrote in comments of earlier post. He wrote that Vivekanada once drank spit, saliva, sputum of Ramkrishna Pramhansa to prove his devotion (Guru Bhakti). This is no true .  I have read “Ramkrishna Leelamrita” and “Ramkrisna Leela Prasang” , ” Vivekanada Literature” and other books related to his life not once but at least 50 times. I have never gone through an incident like this while reading these books. This is blatant lie. Vivekanda was most logical and  strong willed person of his time, he always had freedom to speak freely in front of Ramkrishna and was never afraid to speak his mind even if it means to contradict his guru. But Ramkrshna never threatened him that it will be bad if you open your mouth in front of his guru. The fact is that when “Ramkrishna” was on his death-bed, Vivekanda doubted him if he really is the supreme soul. Ramkrishna immediately looked into his eyes and told him that he should not doubt. ” One who came as Ram and Krishna before, comes as “Ramkrishna” this time. And this is not by the logic of Vedant.”

My friend the purpose of a Guru is to clear doubts of his disciples. If somebody says that do not doubt on what you see and hear and if you are doing so, you are insulting your analyzing and logical power which is given to you by GOD.

I request you to read some of Ramkrisna- Vivekanada stories published from Ramkrishna Mission to know more about their Guru- disciple relationship.

Yeah, when we are talking about Ramkrishna Mission , I would like to speak one more doubt which troubled me for years as Asaram disciple.

When Vivekanada became successful and got an opportunity to do something good for this world, he created an organization and named it ” Ramkrishna Mission”.  Asaram insists his followers to worship  theirs Guru ( Himself ) but he never built an Ashram on the name of his guru ” Shri Lilashah Mahraj ji”. All his Ashrams are called ”Asaram Ashram” not ” Leela Shah Maharaj Ashram” .

In fact, I got a chance to visit the Ashram of ” Leelashah Mahraj” . This Ashram is in Nainital near Hanumangarhi Neeb Karori Baba’s Ashram. I saw that Master Leelashah’s ashram was in pathetic condition. 

I do not want to comment further. 

One more reason for my doubt was told to me by his ardent follower at my local place who donated his precious land to Asaram. I also contributed in his efforts with my articles in daily newspaper “Dainik Jagran”  but when the Ashram was built with money donated by followers, poor fellow was kicked out from there. He told me that he was threatened by the Ashram’s manager that he should not be seen nearby the Ashram. The follower who had considered him as his God once was shattered. If you want, I will give you the name of person and place for further clarification. 

Last blow on my faith was  posters of  not so classic movie I saw in my city in year 2004. The movie was called ” Kalyug 5000″ and Bapu was there on the posters with the words, ” Everybody should  see this movie”.

I thought what the hell ???? ” What my Greatest God, my Guru, Absolute soul and Greatest truth is endorsing a C grade movie? Enough is enough. I quit, Guruji”

When I read the story of great saints like Shrdi Sai Baba, Swami Samarth, Ramkrishna, I realize that they all lived a simple life with least facilities. Their fame spread like  the smell of beautiful flower which is a natural process. It was never an organized movement like we see here.

In one of his Meditation camp in Ahemdabad in !997, he declared that he is even bigger than any incarnation because he is absolute soul. I wonder if he can make this claim so confidently after deaths of innocent children in his own Ashram. Where was his powers when his own followers and their children were having threat on their lives?

( I again clarify that this post is all about my personal experiences and  beliefs. If one choose to disagree, I understand but filthy , abusive and threatening laguage is simply not allowed)

I am proud to be an Indian.  I am proud because I know the fact that India is a land of sacred saints and have a great cultural and spiritual heritage. India is a country who discovered some of the basic mathematical, scientific and medical facts thousand years ago and told the world  the  meaning of society and culture.  This land is birthplace of many philosophies and spiritual teachings.

But yes, I also understand that being proud on something which happened thousand years back and facing the fact of today is two distinctly different issues. Blind faith and empty proud lead one to destruction and India need to see the reality of today. We can not hide behind our faith and run away from truth. Truth is God, even greater than God and truth must prevail on cost of anything.

Chhindwara shuts down over deaths in Asaram’s school

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/chhindwara-shuts-down-over-deaths-in-asarams-school/70315-3.html?from=search

Here I want to tell you a story of an ex- disciple of Asaram. It has nothing to do with mysterious deaths of children in his Ashram but still an eye- opener. Let’s hear it in his own words……

I became a formal disciple of Asaram in December, 1995. I can say that I was always spiritually curious and I do not give Asaram credit to awaken this spirituality in me. Before meeting him, I had thoroughly read about the lives and teachings of great saints like Neeb Karori Baba, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanda, Swami Sivananda , Sai Baba and Swami Samarth. 

My spritual urge was looking for someone whom I can see, meet or listen on physical level and Asaram was a complete package for people like me.

In fact, I was a quite ripe fruit who fell in the lap of Asaram after listening to his spiritual discourse which I found was a good combination of teachings of all the saints whom I already read. I thought that I also found my Guru in Asaram at physical level. This decision changed the course of my life and I wasted some important years of my life. I feel  that I am lucky one  who lost trust in his teaching in few years and re-structured my life once again but I wonder for his followers who never want to see beyond his teachings.  

I am great fan of books written by Swami Vivekanad and Paramhansa Yoganand and feel fortunate to get a chance to go through the books of these great teachers.  Though Asaram always seems to speak about God and his existence but  he manipulates these teachings to propagate his own persona and make people to believe only in his Guru which he is himself.

Asaram says that this whole world and all relations are nothing but illusion. So what a disciple should do? He should join his Guru’s ashram and start doing services for his Guru.  

True, this is something from Vedas. But the fact is that this truth which is called knowledge of ”Vedanta” is not for everyone. The great saint ” Ramkrishna Paramhansa” selected only 16 disciples to give them the knowledge of Vedanta. These disciples renounced the world and accepted the path of God and we can see  how these disciples spread his teaching all over the world. Asaram go to every city and speak about the “Vedanta knowledge” to lacks of his followers. But none of them has become a ”Swami Vivekanada”.

But yes, his own son has been graduated to call himself God. Is one not enough ???

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=uj_qx_vOWB4

I would also like to tell you what Paramhansa Yoganand ji said in this regard, ” The world and spiritualism both are important. This is duty of every human being to strike a balance between his/her worldly duties and quest of God. If you ignore one for another Mahahmaya ( the great Goddess who run this world) will punish you.

Paramhansa Yogananda Ji

Asaram’s other teaching is that Guru is greater than God so it’s ok if you worship the Guru and forget the rest. Never have a doubt on your Guru and just do not argue if he says something.

On the contrary, Ramkrishna Parmhans never tried to curb the analyzing power of their disciples and he always encouraged them to develop their own personality. He always told his disciples to keep an eye on the activities of your Guru. You must know that if his a true Guru or fake one. When Vivekanada asked Ramkrishna the question if he had ever seen the God. He replied ,” Yes and I can also show the God to you.” and He did.

How many Asaram’s disciples has seen the God ??? I didn’t. I am not sure about Asaram and others.

Asaram does not give importance to formal education and says that everybody should  learn about the God.

True, but again this is not a fact for worldly people. The most of the today’s world facilities we are enjoying are result of this formal medical, technical and other worldly education. Sant Asaram and others Guru in the same league didn’t waste their time in formal education but they extensively use today’s technology for weaving their web.

 Asaram says that sexual desires are door of hell. Even husband  and wife should  stay away from each other so they can save their magnetism and aura.

Our Vedas says that dharam, arth, kaam, moksha ( spiritualism, money, sex and salvation) are four important duties of every man in this world. I accept that a saint should stay away from money and women but  worldly people make their  world around them. These are the inspiration and reason for progress of world.

This world is also made by God. The fact is that all great saints leave a wave of great selfless work behind them to make this world a better place. Running away from this wold is no solution to anybody.

 I learned the truth hard way. Life is gift from God , we must respect it.

Neeb Karori Baba

Please visit the link below to see concluding part of this post…

http://gesturegraphics.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/asaram-ashram-kalyug-5000-and-other-controversies-related-to-him-2/