Swami Vivekananda, the architect of Indian renaissance, was a common man . Similarly Swami Chinmayananda, the founder of Chinmaya Mission, was a seer of eminence. In recent times Sri Sri Ravishankar, the globally respected creator of the highly effective Art of Living, never claims that he is a guru ( teacher).J. Krishnamoorthy, the great philosopher and educator, whose speeches mesmerised millions refused to be a guru.
In contrast to these great Indians, there are many Godmen and Godwomen, who parade as Gods and Goddesses with Indian spiritual brand. Their evolution is in stages. First the claim of a divine vision: in psychological terms an imagination or hallucination. The news gets wide circulation and the supporters discover miracles from the person: healing or creation of some article from nowhere.
Interested media popularise the vision and miracle. Devotees flow and the place of residence becomes an ashram or mutt. A GOD OR GODDESS IS BORN. Devotees from far and near throng round the clock and long queues for a sight, touch, or hug become a routine. International devotees converge from different parts of the globe. High security cover from the police follows. Ashrams spring up in different countries. The God or Goddess starts making regular global spiritual tours to bless men, women and children there. High profile marketing strategies project the image of the person in larger than life terms. Liberal donations, gifts and offerings in gold pour in from the rich, the corrupt, the taxevader, the guilty ,the sinner as well as from the gullible and global devotees for hospitals, educational institutions, and community service. Daily prayers and poojas as in temples crown the godman or godwoman as GOD OR GODDESS. The evolution is complete.
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