Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ,,,, came and went.......

[pradeep pradeep]

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is widely regarded as the foremost scientist in the field of consciousness, and considered to be the greatest teacher in the world today. Maharishi has completely restored the thousands of years-old scattered Vedic Literature for the total significance of its theory and practice, and has organized it in the form of a complete science of consciousness.

Maharishi's Vedic Science and Technology unfolds the full potential of Natural Law in human consciousness as the basis of improving all areas of life.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (born between 1911 and 1918, Jabalpur, India, possibly on 12 January; died February 5, 2008, Vlodrop, Netherlands), founded and developed the Transcendental Meditation technique and related programs and initiatives, including schools and a university with campuses in the United States and China.

He was born in India. Various years are given for his birth: most frequently 1911, 1917, and 1918, and some sources state he was born on January 12 but others say his date of birth is unknown.

Around 1939 he became a disciple of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati who, from 1941 to 1953, was the Shankaracharya (spiritual leader) of Jyotir Math, located in the Indian Himalayas. Maharishi credits the Shankaracharya with inspiring his teachings. Since his first global tour in 1958, Maharishi's techniques for human development have been taught worldwide. He continued to focus on making all aspects of the Vedic Literature widely available. He became well-known in the Western world due to The Beatles having visited him in 1968. Starting in 1990, Maharishi coordinated his global activities from his residence in Vlodrop, the Netherlands.On January 11, 2008, he announced his retirement from all administrative activities and went into Mauna (spiritual silence). He declared: "Invincibility is irreversibly established in the world. My work is done. My designated duty to Guru Dev is fulfilled."  On February 5th, the Maharishi passed away, alert, in yoga posture.

Thousands bid farewell to Maharishi

Mahesh Yogi Cremated With State Honours At Sangam; Nephew Lights Pyre

Allahabad: Amid chanting of Vedic hymns, the mortal remains of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation movement, were consigned to flames at the Arail ashram on Monday.
    The funeral pyre was lit at 12.40 pm by Maharishi's maternal nephew Girish Verma on a specially erected platform over a mound overlooking the Sangam -the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythological Saraswati - where a dip, according to Hindu belief, washes away a lifetime's sins.
    Maharishi's successor Tony Nader, 35 Rajas and a number of VIPs, including his disciple Sri Sri Ravi Shankar were present.
    Mahesh Yogi's relatives and disciples placed his body on a high pyre made of mango and sandalwood logs. One relative put ''Gangajal'' in his mouth. Other family members, including his 97-year-old brother and a number of nephews, placed sandalwood logs over the body that was smeared with sandalwood and vermilion paste.
    The final journey of Maharishi towards a platform especially constructed for the funeral pyre started around 11 am. The body reached the cremation site at 11.50 am. A human chain of Maharishi's disciples was formed along the one kilometre route, who raised the slogan, "Ek do teen char, Maharishiji ki jayjaykaar.''
    Amid chanting of 'Sri Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram' and 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna', over 40,000 of Maharishi's followers thronged the ashram for a last glimpse of their guru. Women devotees from various countries wore white silk sarees and the vast campus was flooded with yellow flags symbolising Maharishi's empire.
    As the body reached the cremation site at 11.50 am, rose petals were showered from a chopper. The Rajas, who had their first tryst with Indian soil, were covered with dust after the chopper flew past.
    The cremation site was designed under guidance of I K Hotman, Vastu and architectural expert from the US, and the guru's body was placed on the ground where dignitaries, including Maharajadhiraj Raja Ram (Dr Nader) and 35 other Rajas paid floral tributes. Tributes were also paid by Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Vasudevanand Saraswati, Ashok Singhal, district officials and the city mayor.
    Sri Sri Ravi Shankar offered a rose garland and a vessel full of pure ghee, while Vasudevanand, chief patron of Transcendental Meditation organisation, offered the first log of sandalwood into the pyre.
    Separate seating arrangements were made for foreign and Indian disciples. A guard of honour was also given to the departed Yogi. It took over one hour for the body to turn to ashes and the 'parikrama' was performed at 1.45 pm.
    The remains would be picked on Tuesday and the ashes would be immersed in Sangam on Wednesday. The Shashtodhasi ceremony would take place on February 21.