about dmoz | help

Top: Society: Religion_and_Spirituality: Hinduism: Gurus_and_Saints

In Hinduism, the saints are the medium through which God reveals himself. These are the blessed ones & set an example for the world to follow.They are called Sadhus, Swamis, Saints, God men, God women, modern Avatar or Sant.

Adi Sankaracharya

Adi Sankaracharya the ninth century Saint is the founder of the Advaita philosophy of Hinduism. He also united the six religions of Souryam, Saktham, Vaishnavam, Saivam, Ganapathyam and Kowmaram and called it Shanmadham (six religions) that is the foundation of Hinduism.

Since there have been many Sankaracharyas after him he is called Adi Sankaracharya to distinguish him from the rest.

Anandamoyi Ma

Anandamayi Maa [1896 - 1981] was a holy woman from Bengal without formal religious training or initiation whose status was based entirely on her ecstatic states. She did not have an outer guru, though she did hear voices that told her what religious and meditative practices to perform. She emphasized the importance of detachment from the world and religious devotion. She influenced the spirituality of thousands of people who came to see her throughout her long life.

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in July of 1966.

His Divine Grace introduced the Vedic system of primary and secondary education in the West by founding the gurukula school in Dallas, Texas. Since then his disciples have established similar schools throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

Lord Swaminarayan

Lord Swaminarayan was born on 2nd April 1781. At the age of about eleven he left home to travel through the forests doing penance and granting souls salvation irrespective of their sins, caste or creed. Swaminarayan Bhagwan, his own name given by himself to his devotees, nourished a group of completely devoted saints and devotees that changed the world around them and instilled a sense of devotion and right conduct in the society.

Maa Jaya Sati Bhagavati

Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati is an American-born spiritual teacher. She is widely known for her compassionate work, serving those who are suffering, people living with AIDS, the homeless, the poor, and anyone in need. She is most passionate about the importance of service in spiritual life.

Maharshi Mahesh Yogi

Maharshi Mahesh Yogi the founder of Transcendental Meditation, is widely regarded as the foremost scientist in the field of consciousness.

Mata Amritanandamayi

Her name is Mata Amritanandamayi, which translates into "Mother of Immortal Bliss", but to millions around the world she is known as "Amma" (mother) or "Ammachi" (beloved mother). She is considered a living Saint. Born in Kerala, India in 1953 as the daughter of a fisherman, Amma has heeded the call to help others since childhood.

Meher Baba

Avatar Meher Baba (1894 - 1969) was born in Poona, India, into a Zoroastrian family. He became well known in the West during the 1960's by opposing the use of LSD and other drugs in the quest for spiritual experiences. In the last years he largely withdrew from public life and intensified his work in seclusion, announcing in the fall of 1968 that his work was completed 100% to his satisfaction.

Mira Bai

Mira was a Sixteenth century queen of Rajasthan who is known for her devotion to Lord Krishna. There are so many stories about Mira Bai that it is very difficult to tell the facts of her life from legend. Mira is known for the many bhajans that she left behind. These bhajans are in praise of Lord Krishna and held in high esteem for their high literary value and devotion.

Ramana Maharshi

A sage without the least touch of worldliness, a saint of matchless purity, a witness to the eternal truth of Vedanta.

Sadhu Vaswani

To many thousands around the world, Sadhu T.L. Vaswani (1879 - 1966) is a name synonymous with reverence for all life. Indeed, he was the living embodiment of an unsullied love that knew no bounds, an all-embracing love that included all mankind, animals and all creation.

The mission established by him continues the tradition of service to humanity.

Sai Baba of Shirdi

Sai (means "Saint" in Persian) was incidentally and instantaneously coined by Bhagat Mhalsapati when he accosted a handsome young fakir circa 1858 AD. The divine role of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba in the present embodiment covered a period of about 64 years between 1854, when he made his first appearance in Shirdi, and 1918 when he left his body. However, sixty years of stay at Shirdi on his second appearance between 1858 and 1918 manifested the depth and expansiveness of his unique role. Sai Baba of Shirdi was unique, in that, he lived his message through the essence of his being, his life and relationship with the common man, was his teaching.

Sathya Sai Baba

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is a very renowned spiritual teacher residing in Puttaparthi in the state of Andhrapradesh, INDIA. He is claimed to be the reincarnation of the Sai Baba of Shirdi and is expected to be reborn as Prema Sai Baba in the future. His teachings, generally apply to people of all faiths and is believed to be a Divine Incarnation by his devotees.

Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo [1872 - 1950] was a poet, freedom fighter and a Yogi. His poem Savitri is the longest poem in English literature. His yoga is unique, the aim being "the realization of human unity through the awakening in all and the manifestation by all of the inner Divinity, which is One�"

Sri Bangaru Adigalar

Shri Bangaaru Adigalaar fondly called as 'AMMA' meaning mother in Tamil language is considered to be the very personification of the Mother Adhiparasakthi.

Sri Chinmoy

Sri Chinmoy is a spiritual teacher who is trying to inspire and serve mankind with his soulful offerings - his prayers and meditations, literary, musical and artistic works.

Sri Mataji Nirmala Devi

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi born in Chindawara, India is known by the multitudes as the revered Mother who was born with her complete Self Realization.

She discovered a historical process of en-masse Self Realisation through which thousands of people could get this connection to their Spirit and thereby their inner transformation. Sahaja (=Spontaneous) Yoga (=Union with the Self) was born.

Sri Narayana Guru

Sri Narayana Guru (1854 - 1928) the social reformer Saint from Kerala is famous for his doctrine of "One Caste, One Religion, and One God." His teachings have attracted followers form all over the world. His teachings brought about a revolutionary change in the social fabric of Kerala.

There are now millions of followers of his teachings all over the world.

Sri Raghavendra

Raghavendra Theertha the patron Hindu saint at Mantralayam is verily the wishing tree, divine jewel all in one, fulfilling the righteous desires to all those deserving souls, who visit Mantralayam and pray for his benevolence.

Sri Raghavendra is a proponent of Madhva's philosophy Dvaita. He also gives  importance to correct knowledge or understanding of God and has a great affection  for seekers of knowledge. He has written numerous works, elaborating on several aspects of Dvaita.

Information about Sri Raghavendra.

Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sharada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda

Sri Ramakrishna also known as Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Sri Ramakrishna Deb

India, with her wealth of spiritual tradition, has produced many spiritual giants. One of the greatest was Ramakrishna (1836-1886). His life was a testament to truth, universality, love and purity. Sri Ramakrishna, who was born in 1836 and passed away in 1886, represents the very core of the spiritual realizations of the seers and sages of India. His whole life was literally an uninterrupted contemplation of God. He reached a depth of God-consciousness that transcends all time and place and has a universal appeal. Seekers of God of all religions feel irresistibly drawn to his life and teachings. 1836-1886]

Sri Sarada Devi also known as Maa Sharada Devi [1853-1920]

As the consecrated wife and spiritual companion of Sri Ramakrishna and a spiritual teacher and luminary in Her own right, Sri Sarada Devi, known worldwide as the Holy Mother, is a unique phenomenon in the realm of sacred beings.

Swami Vivekananda [1863-1902]

The valiant monk who proclaimed in America the greatness of Hinduism and of Indian culture at a time when the West regarded India as a land of barbarians. The beloved disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he was the living embodiment of sacrifice, dedicated his life to the country, and yearned for the progress of the poor, the helpless and the downtrodden. He was the great thinker and mighty man of action whose ringing words galvanized the slumbering Indians.

These three Saints are grouped together as they are the Ramakrishna Family and most of the web sites dealing with one of them have also information about the other two.

Sri Ramanujacharya

Sri Ramanuja Acharya (1017 - 1137)is known as the greatest exponent of Visistadvaita Vedanta. He is the author of Sri Bhashya and Vedarthasangraha.

Sri Shivabalayogi Maharaj

Shri Shivabalayogi Maharaj is a yogi who attained God-realization through meditation in samadhi for twelve years.

Sri Viswayogi Viswamji Maharaj

Viswayogi Viswamji is a Saint from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. After 21 years of rigorous penance, mortification of body with celibacy, he attained siddatwa. He has taken the charge of a teacher of the universe i.e. VISWA GURU. He is considered as the Avatar of Lord Dattatreya.

Swami Chinmayananda

Swami Chinmayananda (1916 - 1993), founder of Chinmaya Mission, taught the logic of spirituality, while emphasizing the balance of head and heart. He was a great Gnani who carved for us the ideal model of Karma Yogi sweetened with endless Bhakti.

Swami Dayananda Saraswati

The founder of the Arya Samaj. The great sage who sought to restore to Hinduism its natural radiance and wisdom. A fearless reformer.

Swami Nityananda

Swami Nityananda (about 1896 - 1961) is renowned in western and southern India as one of the great modern saints. Also known as Bade Baba (elder Baba), Bhagawan was a Janma Siddha, a born Siddha or perfected yogi.

Swami Ongaranandha

Sri La Sri Ongaranandha Swamigal considered a living saint has his ashram in Pondicherry. He advocates the path of meditation for a healthy, happy and fruitful life. Swamiji's "Vettaveli Dhyanam" (literally translated means Meditation in Open space) is for the cleansing of the mind and body. He has organised mass meditation programmes in the beaches of Pondicherry and Chennai.

His disciples conduct Meditation programmes on every full Moon day in various prominent centres in Tamil Nadu.

Swami Rama

Sites about Swami Rama.

Swami Sivananda

Swami Sivananda (1887 - 1963), one of the greatest Yoga masters of the 20th century, is the inspiration behind the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. The disciples trained by him and the books written by him continue to carry the torch of spiritual wisdom to all corners of the globe in ever-increasing measure.

Yogi Ramsuratkumar

Sri Yogi Ramsuratkumar (1918 - 2001 ) popularly known as Vishiri Samiyar( saint with the fan ) lived in Thiruvannamalai. He continues to guide the devotees by giving them the necessary strength to see him within and without everywhere.

• Open Directory Society: Religion and Spirituality: People: Spiritual Personalities

Copyright © 1998-2007 Netscape