Kumar Swami

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Kumar Swami
File:Brahmrishi Shree Kumar Swami Ji.jpg
Personal
Born (1954-01-22) 22 January 1954 (age 70)
Religion Hinduism
Nationality Indian
Founder of Bhagwan Shree Lakshmi Narayan Dham
Philosophy
Religious career
Website www.cosmicgrace.org [archive]

Kumar Swami (born 22 January 1954),[1] known to his followers as Gurudev, is a spiritual leader from India. He claims to be a scholar of classical Ayurveda[2], an Indian system of alternative medicine and is also the founder of the spiritual organization Bhagwan Shree Lakshmi Narayan Dham. He travels to hold interfaith conventions both in India and abroad.

Early life[edit]

Kumar Swami was born on 22 January 1954 into a peasant family in Karanpur, Rajasthan.[3] He did not earn the moniker Swami until later in life. He was spiritual as a child. Following his father's death, poverty struck his family and they struggled to make ends meet. According to his own account, it was an intense phase of his life wherein, being the eldest child, the responsibility of taking care of the family fell on his shoulders at an early age.[4]

After his marriage, he sought a variety of learned Gurus, including Jiddu Krishnamurti, Osho, and Baba Hardev Singh, among others.[3]

Philanthropy and other activities[edit]

Bhagwan Shree Lakshmi Narayan Dham is a non-profit organization founded by Kumar Swami in 2002.[4] The organization is reported to have more than 310 million followers worldwide.[5] It organizes interfaith conventions called 'Prabhu Kripa Dukh Nivaran Samagam' where disciples come to obtain 'Beej Mantras'.[6][7] A Langar, a free communal meal with religious underpinnings, is also available during the course of the two-day convention.[8] These conventions are reported to be attended by tens of thousands of people as well as watched by millions on television.[2]

The disciples also participate in blood donation camps.[9]

Clean Yamuna Drive[edit]

The devotees of Bhagwan Shree Lakshmi Narayan Dham carried out a peace march in July, 2012 in New Delhi up to Prime Minister's Office, prompting the government to take requisite actions in accordance with its Yamuna Action Plan to clean the river Yamuna so that its water could be made potable.[10]

The organization's drive was also supported by Malik Obama, former US President Barack Obama's half brother.[11] He traveled to India to meet Kumar Swami at one of his conventions in Mathura.[11]

Philosophy[edit]

Although a follower of Sanatana dharma, Kumar Swami holds sacred scriptures of all religions in high esteem. In his words, all religious scriptures are powerful, self-sufficient and complete[12] and his ideology is to always follow the path foretold in scriptures by ancient rishis and saints.

In his religious discourses, he explains that all scriptures have intrinsic knowledge which can be utilized to gain benefits in life. He says that after discovering this knowledge and benefiting from it personally, he is now giving it to everyone in a simple practicable form in the form of 'Beej Mantras' which, according to him, are the crux of all religions.[3][13] As explained by him, these mantras have been taken from sacred books of all religions, including Vedas, Devi Mahatmya, Bible, Quran, Guru Granth Sahib and others. He holds conventions for followers where he provides them Beej Mantras.[14]

Ayurvedic medicine[edit]

Dandruff fungal infection treatment[edit]

Kumar Swami has worked with dandruff, a common fungal infection afflicting the scalp. According to him, Ayurveda categorizes dandruff as a dangerous skin disease which must not be ignored. In accordance with these principles, he has developed an alternative treatment which, he claims, is an effective cure for dandruff.[15]

In October 2017, he was awarded the Guinness World Record for most people washing hair simultaneously as a part of dandruff treatment at one of his conventions in Mumbai.[16][17]

Diagnosis by voice[edit]

Kumar Swami claims to diagnose diseases by listening to a person's voice in accordance with Ayurvedic principles. In an interview with BBC Asian Network, he listened to voice of callers and provided them some diagnostic details.[18]

Reception[edit]

He was invited to deliver the invocation at the opening of the New York State Senate session on April 27, 2011. The then New York State Senator Jack Martins passed a resolution proclaiming April 29, 2011 as "Brahmrishi Shri Kumar Swami Day" in State of New York.[5] Kumar Swami also delivered an invocation at beginning of Senate session on May 2, 2011.[19] The Senate passed a legislative resolution to honor him, citing him as 'an inspiration behind medical research being done to bridge the gap between the Eastern and Western medicine'.[2] He is reported as the first spiritual leader from India to receive such an honor in the US.[20][1]

On his visit to the United Kingdom during UK's Interfaith week in 2011, he was invited to the House of Commons on November 15 at a private reception hosted by Stephen Timms.[7][21][22] He was presented with the 'Ambassador of Peace' award by the Universal Peace Federation organization for his human welfare activities.[21] On this occasion, he was also presented the 'Humanitarian Award' by the Asian Welfare Association as well as the 'Mahaveer Award' by the Young Indian Vegetarians Society in recognition of his vegetarian lifestyle.[23][1] November 15 is celebrated every year as "Brahmrishi Shree Kumar Swami day" in UK by his followers.[1][21]

On September 29, 2013, he was presented with a resolution on behalf of New Jersey Senate by Senator Michael J. Doherty honoring him as an 'Ambassador of Peace'.[24] On May 18, 2015, he was invited in the New Jersey Senate and a resolution was passed by the Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney in his honor. Kumar Swami also addressed the Senate post his reception.[25]

Criticism[edit]

In 2013, first information report under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code and section 7 of Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 has been lodged against Kumar Swami for his allegedly making claims of having healing powers.[26][27]

References[edit]

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Marsh, Robin. "Shree Kumar Swamiji Appointed Ambassador for Peace - Universal Peace Federation" [archive]. www.upf.org. Retrieved 22 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION welcoming and commending His Holiness Brahmrishi Shri Kumar Swami Ji upon the occasion of delivering the invocation at the opening of the session of the New York State Senate on April 27, 2011" [archive]. legislation.nysenate.gov. legislation.nysenate.gov. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Sydney April 2019" [archive]. Indus Age.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Bslnd Worldwide Website" [archive]. www.bslndusa.org. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Senator Martins Presents Proclamation in Honor of Spiritual Leader of India" [archive]. NY State Senate. 2 May 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  6. "बीज मंत्र देकर श्रद्धालुओं को कष्ट निवारण का दिखाया रास्ता" [archive] (in हिन्दी). Dainik Bhaskar. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Thousands of people attend event with Indian spiritual leader" [archive]. Harrow Times. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  8. "डीरेका में प्रभु कृपा दुख निवारण समागम आज से" [archive]. Amar Ujala. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  9. "Street play staged | Tribune India" [archive]. www.tribuneindia.com. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  10. "Bhagwan Shree Lakshami Narayan Dham ,Yamuna Purification Agitation,Purification Campaign," [archive]. www.businesswireindia.com. businesswireindia. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Obama's half-brother Malik visits India,to help clean Yamuna" [archive]. The Indian Express. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  12. "Thousands throng MA Stadium to listen religious discourses of Brahmrishi" [archive]. dailyexcelsior. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  13. "बीज मंत्रों में ब्रह्मांडीय शक्ति : कुमार स्वामी" [archive]. Amar Ujala.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  14. Excelsior, Daily (19 October 2013). "Disciples in huge number attend Samagam" [archive]. Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  15. "भारत का पुरातन विज्ञान हर रोग को दूर करने में सक्षम- महर्षि कुमार स्वामी" [archive] (in हिन्दी). Nai Dunia. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  16. "Most people washing hair simultaneously" [archive]. Guinness World Records. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  17. "ब्रह्मर्षि कुमार स्वामी ने 13 मिनट में 987 लोगों का डेंड्रफ फंगल खत्म कर बनाया गिनीज वर्ल्ड रिकाॅर्ड" [archive] (in हिन्दी). Dainik Bhaskar. 4 November 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  18. "BBC INTERVIEW" [archive]. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  19. "New York State Assembly | Michael Montesano" [archive]. nyassembly.gov. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  20. "INDIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL SPIRITUAL LEADER HONOURED AT HOUSE OF COMMONS" [archive]. Asian World News. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 Today, The Asian (16 November 2011). "Indian Spiritual Leader honoured at Houses of Commons - News" [archive]. The Asian Today Online. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  22. "South Asia Tribune weekly UK | Bashar Al Assad | Inter Services Intelligence" [archive]. Scribd. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  23. "News" [archive]. www.youngindianvegetarians.co.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  24. "Sen. Doherty Joins State's Indian-American Community in Welcoming His Holiness Brahmrishi Shri Kumar Swami Ji to NJ" [archive]. SenateNJ.com. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  25. "News 24 special coverage on His Holiness Brahmrishi Kumar Swamiji" [archive]. Retrieved 24 October 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  26. India, Press Trust of (14 June 2013). "FIR against godman for claiming healing powers" [archive]. Business Standard India. Retrieved 2 November 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  27. Jun 14, PTI | Updated:; 2013; Ist, 16:23. "FIR against godman for claiming healing powers | Lucknow News - Times of India" [archive]. The Times of India. Retrieved 2 November 2019.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>