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{{short description|Indian spiritual teacher}}
[[Image:The World Savior.jpg|thumb|right|Free public event in New York]]
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{{Use Indian English|date=November 2019}}
'''Nirmala Srivastava''' (more widely known as '''Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi''') is the founder of [[Sahaja Yoga]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox person
⚫
| name = Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
| image = Shri Mataji Nirmala Shrivastava.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1923|03|21}}
| birth_place = [[Chhindwara]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2011|02|23|1923|03|21}}
| death_place = [[Genoa]], Italy
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Chandrika Prasad Srivastava]]|1947}}
| known_for = [[Sahaja Yoga]]
| website = http://www.sahajayoga.org/
}}
'''Nirmala Srivastava''' (née '''Nirmala Salve'''; 21 March 1923{{snd}}23 February 2011), also known as '''Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi''', was the founder and [[Modern yoga gurus|guru]]<ref name="Lewis Tollefsen 2016">{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=James R. |last2=Tollefsen |first2=Inga B. |title=The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements: Volume II |date=2016 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780190466190 |page=293 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HZdHDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA293 |quote=A few female gurus have gained international recognition... Sahaja Yoga's guru, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi.}}</ref> of [[Sahaja Yoga]], a [[new religious movement]].<ref name=be-advisory>{{cite web |title=Advies van het Informatie- en Adviescentrum inzake de Schadelijke Sektarische Organisaties (IACSSO) over Sahaja Yoga |publisher={{Ill|IACASSO|nl|Informatie- en Adviescentrum inzake schadelijke sektarische organisaties}} |language=nl |date=7 March 2005 |url=https://www.iacsso.be/publicatiesadvies050307.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Abgrall |first=Jean-Marie |title=Soul Snatchers: The Mechanics of Cults |publisher=Algora Publishing |year=2000 |author-link=Jean-Marie Abgrall |isbn=978-1-892941-04-6 |pages=139–144}}</ref> She claimed to have been born fully realised and spent her life working for peace by developing and promoting a simple technique through which people can achieve their self-realization.<ref name="Wayne Dyer The Power of Intention">Wayne Dyer, "The power of intention" "She is the primordial mother", p56-57, Hay House, 2004</ref><ref name = "IndianExpress250211">{{cite news |work=[[Indian Express]] |title=Sahaja Yoga founder Nirmala Devi is dead |agency=Express News Service |date=25 February 2011 |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sahaja-yoga-founder-nirmala-devi-is-dead/754645/ |access-date=24 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227021237/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sahaja-yoga-founder-nirmala-devi-is-dead/754645 |archive-date=27 February 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


==Biography==
==Early life==


Born in [[Chhindwara]], Madhya Pradesh, [[India]] to a [[Hindu]] father and a Christian mother Prasad and Cornelia Salve, her parents named her Nirmala, which means "immaculate".<ref name="Salve2">H.P. Salve, ''My memoirs'' (New Delhi: LET, 2000), chapter 1</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Origin and meaning of the name Nirmala|url=http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/meaning_of_Nirmala.html|access-date=1 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715044230/http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/meaning_of_Nirmala.html|archive-date=15 July 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{Verify source|date=June 2011}}</ref> She said that she was born [[self-realization|self-realised]].<ref name="whois" /> Her father, a scholar of fourteen languages, translated the [[Quran]] into [[Marathi language|Marathi]], and her mother was the first woman in India to receive an honours degree in mathematics.<ref name = "IndianExpress250211"/> Shri Mataji descended from the royal [[Satavahana|Shalivahana/Satavahana]] dynasty.<ref name="whois">{{Cite web |url=http://shrimataji.org/site/life/shri-mataji-family.html |title=Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi's Family and Heritage |access-date=13 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206211710/http://shrimataji.org/site/life/shri-mataji-family.html |archive-date=6 December 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The former union minister N.K.P. Salve was her brother and the lawyer Harish Salve is her nephew. The Salve surname is one of several in the [[Maratha clan system#Salvi, Satavahanas, Andhras|Satavahana Maratha clan]].{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Nirmala Srivastava was born on [[March 21]], [[1923]] in [[Chindawara]], [[India]] to [[Christian]] parents, Prasad and Cornelia Salve. She says that she is descended from the royal [[Satavahana|Shalivahana/Satavahana]] dynasty.<ref name="whois">[http://www.sahajayoga.net/learn-sahaja-yoga-who-is-shri-mataji.html Who is Shri Mataji?]</ref> The Salve surname is one of a number included in the [[Maratha_clan_system#Salvi.2C_Satavahanas.2C_Andhras|Satavahana Maratha clan]]. Her parents named her Nirmala, which means "immaculate." <ref name="Salve">H.P.Salve, ''My memoirs'' (New Delhi: LET, 2000), chapter 1</ref> She says that she was born [[self-realization|self-realised]].<ref name="whois" />


Shri Mataji passed Her childhood years in the family house in Nagpur.<ref name="bio">[http://www.shrimataji.net/albums/biography/ShriMatajiNirmalaDevi-SelectedBiography_files/frame.htm Biography at shrimataji.net]</ref> In her youth Nirmala Srivastava stayed in the ashram of [[Mahatma Gandhi]]<ref name="Salve2">H.P.Salve, ''My memoirs'' (New Delhi: LET, 2000), chapter 1</ref>. Like her parents, she was involved in the Indian independence movement;<ref name="Salve2">H.P.Salve, ''My memoirs'' (New Delhi: LET, 2000), chapters 3 and 4</ref> as a young woman she was a youth leader, and participated in the [[Quit India Movement]].<ref name="Salve3">H.P.Salve, ''My memoirs'' (New Delhi: LET, 2000), chapter 4</ref> <ref name="The Hindu">A message for one and all, ''The Hindu'', April 7, 2003 [http://www.hinduonnet.com/mp/2003/04/07/stories/2003040700860400.htm]</ref> She also studies at the Christian Medical College in Ludhiana and the Balakram Medical College in Lahore.<ref name="bio" />
She passed her childhood years in the family house in Nagpur.<ref name="bio">[http://www.shrimataji.net/albums/biography/ShriMatajiNirmalaDevi-SelectedBiography_files/frame.htm Biography at shrimataji.net] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504041003/http://www.shrimataji.net/albums/biography/ShriMatajiNirmalaDevi-SelectedBiography_files/frame.htm |date=4 May 2006 }}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=June 2011}} In her youth she stayed in the [[ashram]] of [[Mahatma Gandhi]].<ref name="Salve2"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://shrimataji.org/site/life/biography-from-nirmala-srivastava-to-shri-mataji/childhood.html |title=Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi - Childhood |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114001031/http://shrimataji.org/site/life/biography-from-nirmala-srivastava-to-shri-mataji/childhood.html |archive-date=14 January 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Like her parents, she was involved with the [[History of the Republic of India|struggle for Indian independence]] and, as a youth leader when a young woman, was jailed for participating in the [[Quit India Movement]] in 1942.<ref name="Salve2"/><ref name="Salve3">H.P. Salve, ''My memoirs'' (New Delhi: LET, 2000), chapter 4</ref><ref name="The Hindu">{{Cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/04/07/stories/2003040700860400.htm |title=A message for one and all, ''The Hindu'', 7 April 2003 |access-date=6 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108134808/http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/04/07/stories/2003040700860400.htm |archive-date=8 November 2012 |url-status=dead |work=[[The Hindu]] |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Taking responsibility for her younger siblings and living a spartan lifestyle during this period infused the feeling of self-sacrifice for the wider good.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://shrimataji.org/site/life/biography-from-nirmala-srivastava-to-shri-mataji/shri-mataji-college-years.html |title=Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi - College Years |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114000418/http://shrimataji.org/site/life/biography-from-nirmala-srivastava-to-shri-mataji/shri-mataji-college-years.html |archive-date=14 January 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> She studied at the [[Christian Medical College Ludhiana|Christian Medical College]] in [[Ludhiana]] and the Balakram Medical College in [[Lahore]].<ref name="bio" />


Shortly before India achieved independence in 1947, Nirmala married [[Chandrika Prasad Srivastava]].<ref name="Salve3">H.P.Salve, ''My memoirs'' (New Delhi: LET, 2000), pp92-94</ref> They have two daughters, Kalpana Srivastava<ref>[http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1018&doc_id=4971 Portraits of former IMO Secretaries-General unveiled]</ref> and Sadhana Varma<ref>[http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/2881690017/fossilien-21 Ascent to the Divine: Himalaya Kailasa-Manasarovar in Scripture, Art and Thought]</ref>. In 1961, Nirmala Srivastava launched the ‘Youth Society for Films’ to infuse national, social and moral values in youth. She was also a member of the Film Censor Board.<ref name="bio" />
Shortly before India achieved independence in 1947, Shri Mataji married [[Chandrika Prasad Srivastava]],<ref name="Salve3"/> a high-ranking [[Indian Civil Service|Indian civil servant]] who later served Prime Minister [[Lal Bahadur Shastri]] as Joint Secretary, and was bestowed an [[Honorary knighthood#Honorary awards|honorary KCMG]] by [[Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burkespeerage.com/familyhomepage.aspx?FID=0&FN=SRIVASTAVA |title=Burke's Peerage |publisher=Burkespeerage.com |date=8 July 1920 |access-date=26 November 2011}}</ref> They had two daughters, Kalpana Srivastava<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1018&doc_id=4971 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222005627/http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1018&doc_id=4971 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2007 |title=Portraits of former IMO Secretaries-General unveiled |publisher=Imo.org |date=21 June 2005 |access-date=26 November 2011 }}</ref> and Sadhana Varma.<ref>Rommel Varma; Sadhana Varma. ''Ascent to the Divine: Himalaya Kailasa-Manasarovar in Scripture, Art and Thought'' {{ISBN|978-2-88169-001-3}}</ref> In 1961, Nirmala Srivastava launched the "Youth Society for Films" to infuse national, social and moral values in young people. She was also a member of the [[Central Board of Film Certification]].{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}


==Sahaja Yoga==
Srivasta visited a meditation camp in [[Nargol]] presided over by [[Rajneesh|Acharya Rajneesh]] (later known as [[Osho]]).<ref>[http://www.meditate4free.co.uk/shri_m_Ghandi.htm About Shri Mataji] Canadian website. "She eventually consented to visit a seminar of a professor of philosophy called [[Rajneesh]], in [[Nargol]] on May 4th, 1970."</ref> According to a later statement, she "was shocked to see him loot people under the guise of spirituality".<ref>[http://www.meditate4free.co.uk/shri_m_Ghandi.htm About Shri Mataji] Canadian website.</ref> Judith Coney writes that in a video of the [[Rajneesh]] meditation camp, Nirmala Srivastava can be seen 'smiling beatifically'.<ref>Coney, Judith (1999) ''Sahaja Yoga: Socializing Processes in a South Asian New Religious Movement'', (London: Curzon Press) ISBN 0-7007-1061-2 p 220</ref> <!--AwaitingDiscussion A relevant clip of the video [http://www.swami.de/rising_e.htm] can be seen [http://www.freewebtown.com/sahaja-yoga/tssy/compressed.mpeg here]. --> [http://www.sudhirkakar.com/sudhir.htm Sudhir Kakar] wrote that Nirmala Srivastava was "closely associated" with [[Rajneesh]] in her "apprenticeship years".<ref>Kakar, Sudhir (1984) ''Shamans, Mystics and Doctors: A Psychological Inquiry into India and Its Healing Traditions'', ISBN 0-226-42279-8 p 202 "A demonic guru such as Rajneesh (with whom Mataji in her apprenticeship years was once closely associated) can turn the chakra toward the left side"</ref> Nirmala Srivastava herself said that [[Rajneesh]] was 'very much after' her, and said that she had also visited [[Muktananda]].<ref>Mathur, Rakesh (1990) [http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/1990/10/1990-10-03.shtml "The Russians' Love for Yoga"] ''Hinduism Today'' Vol 12(10) p7 "I went to see Swami Muktananda and all of them. I went to see this Rajneesh, who was very much after me."</ref>
{{main|Sahaja Yoga}}
[[File:HH Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi.jpg|thumb|Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi temple in [[Naddi]]]]


Nirmala Srivastava founded Sahaja Yoga in 1970.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Encyclopedia of Religion |publisher=Macmillan Reference USA [Imprint] |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-02-865997-8 |editor-last=Jones |editor-first=Lindsey |edition=2nd |location=Detroit }}</ref><!-- pull in paragraphs from lede of main article -->{{Excerpt|Sahaja Yoga|paragraphs=2,3|hat=no}}
She says that while in [[Nargol]], on [[May 5]] [[1970]], she witnessed the rising of the Primiordial Kundalini. Later Nirmala Srivastava described the experience as follows: "I saw my kundalini rising very fast like a telescope opening out and it was a beautiful color that you see when the iron is heated up, a red rose color, but extremely cooling and soothing." <ref name="Advent1">Gregoire de Kalbermatten, ''The Advent'' (daisyamerica: 2003)</ref> She has stated that the potential for all humanity to gain spiritual self awareness was realized at this time, which she characterizes as a "historical process of en-masse self-realization and inner transformation". Soon after she founded [[Sahaja Yoga]] in [[Bombay]]. She has proclaimed that she is the complete<ref>http://www.tnsahaj.org/AdiSakthiByThirumoolar.htm</ref>incarnation of the [[Shakti|Adi Shakti]], and is worshiped as such.<ref>[http://www.sahajayoga.org/swan/view/swan_338_2005.asp Invitation to Shri Adi Shakti Puja 2005]</ref>


==Later work==
In 1972 Nirmala Srivastava sailed to the U.S. and warned against false gurus.<ref name="bio" /> In 1974 [[Chandrika Prasad Srivastava]] was elected to serve as the Secretary-General of the [[International Maritime Organization]] (IMO), a [[United Nations]] agency based in London, serving a record 4 successive 4-year terms as Secretary-General from 1974 to 1989. Nirmala Srivastava worked on seven London [[hippy|hippies]] who became the first Western Sahaja Yogis.<ref name="bio" /> By 1979 Nirmala Srivastava was declaring herself before Western Sahaja Yogis to be the complete incarnation of the Adi (Primordial) [[Shakti]] or [[Holy Spirit]].<ref>Guru Puja. 2 December 1979. Dollis Hill Ashram, London, UK "But today it is the day I declare I am the One who have to save the humanity. I declare I am the One who is Adi Shakti [Holy Spirit] - who is the Mother of all Mothers, who is the Primordial Mother, the Shakti [power] of the Desire of God - who has incarnated on this Earth to give meaning to itself, to this creation, to human beings, and I am sure that through My Love and Patience and My Powers I am going to achieve it. I was the One who was born again and again. But now I have come in My complete Form and with complete Powers."</ref> In 1980 Nirmala Srivastava first toured Europe spreading Sahaja Yoga and in 1981 she toured Malaysia, Australia and North America - many other countries were to follow.<ref name="bio" /> In 1989, after the lifting of the Iron Curtain, Nirmala Srivastava began visiting Eastern Europe where Sahaja Yoga spread quickly. <ref name="bio" />
[[File:Nirmala Srivastava.jpg|thumb|Nirmala Srivastava in 2011]]


In 2003 a charity house for the rehabilitation of destitute women was set up in Delhi (the ''Vishwa Nirmala Prem Ashram'').<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/A-New-Childhood/articleshow/457754.cms |title=A New Childhood |author=Arshiya Khanna |date=16 November 2006 |access-date=4 November 2007 |format=Editorial |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018233831/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-11-16/edit-page/27827906_1_girls-drunken-man-mother |archive-date=18 October 2012 |url-status=live |work=[[The Times of India]] |df=dmy-all }}</ref> She set up the ''Shri P.K. Salve Kala Pratishthan'' in Nagpur as an international music school in the same year, to promote classical music and fine art.<ref name = "IndianExpress250211"/><ref>{{cite web|title =Shri P.K. Salve Kala Pratishthan|publisher =PKS Academy|url =http://www.pksacademy.com/about.htm|access-date =25 February 2011|url-status =dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110715091513/http://www.pksacademy.com/about.htm|archive-date =15 July 2011|df =dmy-all}}</ref>
From 1970 to 2004, during her travels, Nirmala Srivastava gave numerous public lectures, [[pujas]], and interviews to newspapers, television and radio. In 2004 the official website of Sahaja Yoga announced that Nirmala Srivastava had completed her work. <ref name="SWAN">[http://www.sahajayoga.org/swan/view/swan_247_2004.asp We Want The World To Know...] "Shri Mataji has completed Her work"</ref> As of 2007, she continues to be worshipped at [[pujas]].<ref>[http://www.sahajayoga.org/swan/view/swan_614_2007.asp Puja Dates for 2007]</ref>
<!-- Hide pending content/sources==International honours==
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{{refimprove|talk=y|date=November 2007}}


Until 2004, during her travels, she gave numerous public lectures, [[Puja (Hinduism)|pujas]], and interviews to newspapers, television and radio. In 2004 her official website announced that she had completed her work and Sahaja Yoga centers exist in almost every country of the world.<ref name="SWAN">[http://www.sahajayoga.org/swan/view/swan_247_2004.asp We want the world to know...] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204211013/http://www.sahajayoga.org/swan/view/swan_247_2004.asp |date=4 February 2012 }} "Shri Mataji has completed her work"</ref> She continued to give talks to her devotees<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shrimataji.org/india2007/story/226#more |title=Sunday 23rd March. ''You have to forgive'' – Easter puja talk |publisher=Shrimataji.org |access-date=26 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002161134/http://www.shrimataji.org/india2007/story/226#more |archive-date=2 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and allowed them to offer her [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]].<ref>[http://www.shrimataji.org/italy2008/story/241#more Shri Mataji allowed to offer her puja on the occasion of Buddha Purnima] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720154748/http://www.shrimataji.org/italy2008/story/241 |date=20 July 2008 }} (20 May 2008)</ref>{{Better source needed|date=June 2011}}
In 1995, Nirmala Srivastava was an official guest of the Chinese government{{fact|date=December 2007}} when she was invited to [http://www.sahajayoga.org.hk/talk_UN_Beijing95e.htm|speak] at the [[Fourth World Conference on Women]] in [[Beijing]][http://www.sahajayoga.org/quotesandtalks/beijing.asp]. Official documents do not mention Nirmala Srivastava by name, but list Sahaja Yoga International as one of the 2100 NGOs in attendance.[http://www.un.org/documents/ecosoc/cn6/1996/reporten/e1996-26annx.htm] Also in 1995, Nirmala Srivastava was awarded an honorary doctorate in Cognitive and Parapsychological Sciences by the [http://www.ueb.ro/ Ecological University of Bucharest], Romania.[http://www.sahajayoga.org.br/awards.txt]-->


She spoke on several occasions about the harms of drinking alcohol<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shrimataji.org/italy2008/story/242 |title=Saturday 17th May. ''Will power and the menace called alcohol'' |publisher=Shrimataji.org |access-date=26 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002161225/http://www.shrimataji.org/italy2008/story/242 |archive-date=2 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and that many people were cured from addiction when they got their self realization through Sahaja Yoga.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sahajayogaportal.org/en/stop-drinking-with-yoga.html|title = Stop Drinking with Yoga}}</ref>
==2007 Indian flag apology==


== Honors and recognition ==
In 2007, two images showing the Indian national flag at the feet of Niramala Srivastava were circulated on the social network [[Orkut]].
* Italy, 1986. Declared "Personality of the Year" by the Italian Government.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rome|first1=Marcus|title=Yogi shared teachings at no cost|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/yogi-shared-teachings-at-no-cost-20110520-1ewo1.html |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=21 May 2011 |access-date=19 Nov 2019 |ref=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202065059/http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/yogi-shared-teachings-at-no-cost-20110520-1ewo1.html|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* New York, 1990–1994. Invited by the United Nations for four consecutive years to speak about means to achieve world peace.<ref name="A Selection of Awards and Recognitions">{{cite web|title=A Selection of Awards and Recognitions|url=http://shrimataji.org/site/life/awards-and-recognition.html|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330195304/http://shrimataji.org/site/life/awards-and-recognition.html|archive-date=30 March 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* St. Peterburg, Russia, 1993. Appointed as honorary member of the Petrovskaya Academy of Art and Science.<ref>{{cite web|title=International Scientific Conference, St. Peterburg|date=14 September 1994 |url=https://www.amruta.org/1994/09/14/medical-conference-in-st-petersburg-1994/|access-date=2 March 2017|location=00:15:46|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207031239/https://www.amruta.org/1994/09/14/medical-conference-in-st-petersburg-1994/|archive-date=7 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* Romania, 1995. Awarded honorary doctorate in cognitive science by the Ecological University Bucharest.<ref>{{cite web|title=Medical Conference, Ecological University of Bucharest|date=2 August 1995 |url=https://www.amruta.org/1995/08/02/medical-conference-at-ecological-university-of-bucharest-1995/|access-date=2 March 2017|location=55:17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207112955/https://www.amruta.org/1995/08/02/medical-conference-at-ecological-university-of-bucharest-1995/|archive-date=7 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* China, 1995. Official guest of the Chinese Government to speak at the United Nations International Women's Conference.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fourth World Conference On Women, Beijing, China|date=13 September 1995 |url=https://www.amruta.org/1995/09/13/conference-on-women-in-beijing-1995/|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207031349/https://www.amruta.org/1995/09/13/conference-on-women-in-beijing-1995/|archive-date=7 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* Pune, India, 1996. On the occasion of the 700th Anniversary of Saint Gyaneshwara, she addressed the "World Philosophers Meet '96 - A Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy" at Maharashtra Institute of Technology.<ref>{{cite web|title=Public Program at Maharashtra Institute of Technology|date=25 November 1996 |url=https://www.amruta.org/1996/11/25/pp-on-the-700th-birthday-of-shri-gyaneshwara-1996/|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207031412/https://www.amruta.org/1996/11/25/pp-on-the-700th-birthday-of-shri-gyaneshwara-1996/|archive-date=7 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* London, 1997. Claes Nobel, grandnephew of [[Alfred Nobel]], chairman of United Earth, honoured her life and work in a public speech at the Royal Albert Hall.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tribute To Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi By Claes Nobel|date=3 July 1997 |url=https://www.amruta.org/1997/07/03/public-program-tribute-to-shri-mataji-nirmala-devi-by-claes-nobel-royal-albert-hall-london/|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110035516/http://www.amruta.org/1997/07/03/public-program-tribute-to-shri-mataji-nirmala-devi-by-claes-nobel-royal-albert-hall-london/|archive-date=10 January 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* A road in Navi Mumbai, near the Sahaja Yoga Health and Research Center, was named in her honor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Awards and Achievements|url=http://www.sahajayogahealthcentre.org/awards-and-achievments.html|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201132827/http://sahajayogahealthcentre.org/awards-and-achievments.html|archive-date=1 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* Cabella Ligure, Italy, 2006. She was awarded honorary Italian citizenship.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cittadinanza onoraria, Il Secolo XIX|date=25 February 2011|url=http://www.ilsecoloxix.it/p/basso_piemonte/2011/02/25/AOJ2KW-cabella_addio_santona.shtml|publisher=Il Secolo XIX|access-date=2 March 2017|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207032009/http://www.ilsecoloxix.it/p/basso_piemonte/2011/02/25/AOJ2KW-cabella_addio_santona.shtml|archive-date=7 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* Cabella Ligure, Italy, 2009. [[Bhajan Sopori]] and his son [[Abhay Sopori]] composed the [[Raga|raag]] ''Nirmalkauns'' in her honour.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nirmalkauns (Pandit Bhajan Abhay Sopori) in honor of Shri Mataji|website = [[YouTube]]| date=19 September 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lCWb-ZSSp0|access-date=3 March 2017|location=0:14-3:03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208024013/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lCWb-ZSSp0|archive-date=8 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


==See also==
Later, Rajendra Kumar, a trustee of Sahaja Yoga Trust issued an apology on behalf of Nirmala Devi stating that the Sahaja Yogis have the "highest and deepest respect" for the National Flag. The apology further stated<ref>[http://in.news.yahoo.com/070305/139/6cu4y.html Mata Nirmala Devi's Sahaj Yoga Trust apologizes over disrespect to tricolour]</ref>:
*[[List of messiah claimants]]
{{cquote|Possibly, at an Independence Day function held abroad, some foreigner Sahaja Yogi brought our Flag and without meaning any disrespect, kept it on the ground. The Flag was respectfully removed immediately on being noticed. Shri Mataji NirmalaDevi asks us all to respect National Flags of all countries. This unintended but serious mistake is greatly regretted. Not even the slightest disrespect to our National Flag will ever be tolerated. To all those whose feelings have been hurt by this wholly unintended and unfortunate error, we express the assurance that we fully share their anguish and we extend our deeply felt and sincerest regrets and unqualified apologies.}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
* Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi, ''Meta Modern Era'' (New Delhi: Ritana Books, 1997) ISBN 81-852-500-19
* Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi, ''Meta modern era'' (New Delhi: Ritana Books, 1997) {{ISBN|81-86650-05-9}}
* Pullar, Philippa (1984) ''The Shortest Journey'', ISBN 0-04-291018-8
* Pullar, Philippa (1984) ''The shortest journey'', {{ISBN|0-04-291018-8}}
* Kakar, Sudhir (1984) ''Shamans, Mystics and Doctors: A Psychological Inquiry into India and Its Healing Traditions'', ISBN 0-226-42279-8
* Kakar, Sudhir (1984) ''Shamans, mystics and doctors: a psychological inquiry into India and its healing traditions'', {{ISBN|0-226-42279-8}}
* Coney, Judith (1999) ''Sahaja Yoga: Socializing Processes in a South Asian New Religious Movement'', (London: Curzon Press) ISBN 0-7007-1061-2
* Coney, Judith (1999) ''Sahaja yoga: socializing processes in a South Asian new religious movement'', (London: Curzon Press) {{ISBN|0-7007-1061-2}}
* H.P.Salve [Nirmala Srivastava's brother], ''My memoirs'' (New Delhi: LET Books, 2000)
* H.P. Salve [her brother], ''My memoirs'' (New Delhi: LET Books, 2000)
* Gregoire de Kalbermatten, ''The Advent'' (Bombay, 1979: reprint: New York: daisyamerica, 2002) ISBN 1-932496-00-X
* Gregoire de Kalbermatten, ''The advent'' (Bombay, 1979: reprint: New York: daisyamerica, 2002) {{ISBN|1-932406-00-X}}
* Gregoire de Kalbermatten, ''The Third Advent'' (New York: daisyamerica, 2003; Melbourne: Penguin Australia, 2004; Delhi: Penguin India, 2004) ISBN 1-932406-07-7
* Gregoire de Kalbermatten, ''The third advent'' (New York: daisyamerica, 2003; Melbourne: Penguin Australia, 2004; Delhi: Penguin India, 2004) {{ISBN|1-932406-07-7}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{wikiquote inline}}
* [http://www.sahajayoga.org/shrimataji/ Official website of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, founder of Sahaja Yoga]
* {{official website|http://www.shrimataji.org/}}
* [http://www.shrimataji.net/albums/biography/ShriMatajiNirmalaDevi-SelectedBiography_files/frame.htm Biographical Timeline]

* [http://www.nirmaladevi-film.de/movie.html Freedom and Liberation - a film about Shri Mataji by Carolin Dassel, 2006] 4 short clips from film
{{Modern yoga gurus}}
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/10_09_01/wednesday/info3.shtml BBC Radio 4 interview with Shri Mataji and her critics]

* [http://www.rickross.com/reference/shahaja/shahaja1.html "Shri who must be obeyed"] ''[[The Independent]]'', [[July 13]] [[2001]]
{{Authority control}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Srivastava, Nirmala}}
[[Category:1923 births]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2011 deaths]]
[[Category:Sahaja Yoga]]
[[Category:Sahaja Yoga]]
[[Category:Spiritual teachers]]
[[Category:Indian spiritual teachers]]
[[Category:Yogis]]
[[Category:Founders of new religious movements]]
[[Category:Indian_spiritual_writers]]
[[Category:Indian spiritual writers]]
[[Category:People from Chhindwara]]

[[Category:Deified women]]
[[de:Nirmala Srivastava]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educators]]
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[[Category:20th-century Indian women educators]]
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[[it:Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi]]
[[Category:Female religious leaders]]
[[lt:Šri Matadži Nirmala Devi]]
[[Category:Indian yoga teachers]]
[[nl:Nirmala Srivastava]]
[[Category:Scholars from Madhya Pradesh]]
[[pt:Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women educational theorists]]
[[ro:Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educational theorists]]
[[Category:Women educators from Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Educators from Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]
[[Category:Modern yoga gurus]]

Latest revision as of 09:30, 20 December 2024

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
Born(1923-03-21)21 March 1923
Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, India
Died23 February 2011(2011-02-23) (aged 87)
Genoa, Italy
Known forSahaja Yoga
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1947)​
Websitehttp://www.sahajayoga.org/

Nirmala Srivastava (née Nirmala Salve; 21 March 1923 – 23 February 2011), also known as Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, was the founder and guru[1] of Sahaja Yoga, a new religious movement.[2][3] She claimed to have been born fully realised and spent her life working for peace by developing and promoting a simple technique through which people can achieve their self-realization.[4][5]

Early life

[edit]

Born in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, India to a Hindu father and a Christian mother Prasad and Cornelia Salve, her parents named her Nirmala, which means "immaculate".[6][7] She said that she was born self-realised.[8] Her father, a scholar of fourteen languages, translated the Quran into Marathi, and her mother was the first woman in India to receive an honours degree in mathematics.[5] Shri Mataji descended from the royal Shalivahana/Satavahana dynasty.[8] The former union minister N.K.P. Salve was her brother and the lawyer Harish Salve is her nephew. The Salve surname is one of several in the Satavahana Maratha clan.[citation needed]

She passed her childhood years in the family house in Nagpur.[9][better source needed] In her youth she stayed in the ashram of Mahatma Gandhi.[6][10] Like her parents, she was involved with the struggle for Indian independence and, as a youth leader when a young woman, was jailed for participating in the Quit India Movement in 1942.[6][11][12] Taking responsibility for her younger siblings and living a spartan lifestyle during this period infused the feeling of self-sacrifice for the wider good.[13] She studied at the Christian Medical College in Ludhiana and the Balakram Medical College in Lahore.[9]

Shortly before India achieved independence in 1947, Shri Mataji married Chandrika Prasad Srivastava,[11] a high-ranking Indian civil servant who later served Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri as Joint Secretary, and was bestowed an honorary KCMG by Elizabeth II.[14] They had two daughters, Kalpana Srivastava[15] and Sadhana Varma.[16] In 1961, Nirmala Srivastava launched the "Youth Society for Films" to infuse national, social and moral values in young people. She was also a member of the Central Board of Film Certification.[citation needed]

Sahaja Yoga

[edit]
Main article: Sahaja Yoga
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi temple in Naddi

Nirmala Srivastava founded Sahaja Yoga in 1970.[17]

Sahaja Yoga (सहज योग) is a religion founded in 1970 by Nirmala Srivastava (1923–2011).[18] Nirmala Srivastava is known as Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi (trans: Revered Immaculate Mother) or simply as "Mother" by her followers, who are called Sahaja yogis.[19][20]

Practitioners believe that during meditation they experience a state of self-realization produced by kundalini awakening, and that this is accompanied by the experience of thoughtless awareness or mental silence.[21]

Later work

[edit]
Nirmala Srivastava in 2011

In 2003 a charity house for the rehabilitation of destitute women was set up in Delhi (the Vishwa Nirmala Prem Ashram).[22] She set up the Shri P.K. Salve Kala Pratishthan in Nagpur as an international music school in the same year, to promote classical music and fine art.[5][23]

Until 2004, during her travels, she gave numerous public lectures, pujas, and interviews to newspapers, television and radio. In 2004 her official website announced that she had completed her work and Sahaja Yoga centers exist in almost every country of the world.[24] She continued to give talks to her devotees[25] and allowed them to offer her puja.[26][better source needed]

She spoke on several occasions about the harms of drinking alcohol[27] and that many people were cured from addiction when they got their self realization through Sahaja Yoga.[28]

Honors and recognition

[edit]
  • Italy, 1986. Declared "Personality of the Year" by the Italian Government.[29]
  • New York, 1990–1994. Invited by the United Nations for four consecutive years to speak about means to achieve world peace.[30]
  • St. Peterburg, Russia, 1993. Appointed as honorary member of the Petrovskaya Academy of Art and Science.[31]
  • Romania, 1995. Awarded honorary doctorate in cognitive science by the Ecological University Bucharest.[32]
  • China, 1995. Official guest of the Chinese Government to speak at the United Nations International Women's Conference.[33]
  • Pune, India, 1996. On the occasion of the 700th Anniversary of Saint Gyaneshwara, she addressed the "World Philosophers Meet '96 - A Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy" at Maharashtra Institute of Technology.[34]
  • London, 1997. Claes Nobel, grandnephew of Alfred Nobel, chairman of United Earth, honoured her life and work in a public speech at the Royal Albert Hall.[35]
  • A road in Navi Mumbai, near the Sahaja Yoga Health and Research Center, was named in her honor.[36]
  • Cabella Ligure, Italy, 2006. She was awarded honorary Italian citizenship.[37]
  • Cabella Ligure, Italy, 2009. Bhajan Sopori and his son Abhay Sopori composed the raag Nirmalkauns in her honour.[38]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lewis, James R.; Tollefsen, Inga B. (2016). The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements: Volume II. Oxford University Press. p. 293. ISBN 9780190466190. A few female gurus have gained international recognition... Sahaja Yoga's guru, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi.
  2. ^ "Advies van het Informatie- en Adviescentrum inzake de Schadelijke Sektarische Organisaties (IACSSO) over Sahaja Yoga" (in Dutch). IACASSO [nl]. 7 March 2005.
  3. ^ Abgrall, Jean-Marie (2000). Soul Snatchers: The Mechanics of Cults. Algora Publishing. pp. 139–144. ISBN 978-1-892941-04-6.
  4. ^ Wayne Dyer, "The power of intention" "She is the primordial mother", p56-57, Hay House, 2004
  5. ^ a b c "Sahaja Yoga founder Nirmala Devi is dead". Indian Express. Express News Service. 25 February 2011. Archived from the original on 27 February 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  6. ^ a b c H.P. Salve, My memoirs (New Delhi: LET, 2000), chapter 1
  7. ^ "Origin and meaning of the name Nirmala". Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011.[verification needed]
  8. ^ a b "Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi's Family and Heritage". Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  9. ^ a b Biography at shrimataji.net Archived 4 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi - Childhood". Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  11. ^ a b H.P. Salve, My memoirs (New Delhi: LET, 2000), chapter 4
  12. ^ "A message for one and all, The Hindu, 7 April 2003". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  13. ^ "Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi - College Years". Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  14. ^ "Burke's Peerage". Burkespeerage.com. 8 July 1920. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  15. ^ "Portraits of former IMO Secretaries-General unveiled". Imo.org. 21 June 2005. Archived from the original on 22 February 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  16. ^ Rommel Varma; Sadhana Varma. Ascent to the Divine: Himalaya Kailasa-Manasarovar in Scripture, Art and Thought ISBN 978-2-88169-001-3
  17. ^ Jones, Lindsey, ed. (2005). Encyclopedia of Religion (2nd ed.). Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA [Imprint]. ISBN 978-0-02-865997-8.
  18. ^ Jones, Lindsey, ed. (2005). Encyclopedia of Religion (2nd ed.). Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA [Imprint]. ISBN 978-0-02-865997-8.
  19. ^ Coney, Judith (1999). Sahaja Yoga: Socializing Processes in a South Asian New Movement. Richmond: Curzon Press. ISBN 0-7007-1061-2.
  20. ^ "Sahaja Yoga founder Nirmala Devi is dead". The Indian Express. Express News Service. 25 February 2011. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017.
  21. ^ Srivastava, Nirmala (1989). Sahaja Yoga Book One (2nd ed.). Australia: Nirmala Yoga.[non-primary source needed][page needed]
  22. ^ Arshiya Khanna (16 November 2006). "A New Childhood" (Editorial). The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2007.
  23. ^ "Shri P.K. Salve Kala Pratishthan". PKS Academy. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
  24. ^ We want the world to know... Archived 4 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine "Shri Mataji has completed her work"
  25. ^ "Sunday 23rd March. You have to forgive – Easter puja talk". Shrimataji.org. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  26. ^ Shri Mataji allowed to offer her puja on the occasion of Buddha Purnima Archived 20 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine (20 May 2008)
  27. ^ "Saturday 17th May. Will power and the menace called alcohol". Shrimataji.org. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  28. ^ "Stop Drinking with Yoga".
  29. ^ Rome, Marcus (21 May 2011). "Yogi shared teachings at no cost". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  30. ^ "A Selection of Awards and Recognitions". Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  31. ^ "International Scientific Conference, St. Peterburg". 00:15:46. 14 September 1994. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  32. ^ "Medical Conference, Ecological University of Bucharest". 55:17. 2 August 1995. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  33. ^ "Fourth World Conference On Women, Beijing, China". 13 September 1995. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  34. ^ "Public Program at Maharashtra Institute of Technology". 25 November 1996. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  35. ^ "Tribute To Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi By Claes Nobel". 3 July 1997. Archived from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  36. ^ "Awards and Achievements". Archived from the original on 1 February 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  37. ^ "Cittadinanza onoraria, Il Secolo XIX" (in Italian). Il Secolo XIX. 25 February 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  38. ^ "Nirmalkauns (Pandit Bhajan Abhay Sopori) in honor of Shri Mataji". YouTube. 0:14-3:03. 19 September 2013. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi, Meta modern era (New Delhi: Ritana Books, 1997) ISBN 81-86650-05-9
  • Pullar, Philippa (1984) The shortest journey, ISBN 0-04-291018-8
  • Kakar, Sudhir (1984) Shamans, mystics and doctors: a psychological inquiry into India and its healing traditions, ISBN 0-226-42279-8
  • Coney, Judith (1999) Sahaja yoga: socializing processes in a South Asian new religious movement, (London: Curzon Press) ISBN 0-7007-1061-2
  • H.P. Salve [her brother], My memoirs (New Delhi: LET Books, 2000)
  • Gregoire de Kalbermatten, The advent (Bombay, 1979: reprint: New York: daisyamerica, 2002) ISBN 1-932406-00-X
  • Gregoire de Kalbermatten, The third advent (New York: daisyamerica, 2003; Melbourne: Penguin Australia, 2004; Delhi: Penguin India, 2004) ISBN 1-932406-07-7
[edit]
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