Sri Kalki Bhagavan the fraud of the century
Posted by foresi.
KALKI BAGWAN -
A FRAUD OF THE CENTURY
A FRAUD OF THE CENTURY
Nirad C. Chaudhuri, the well-known iconoclast of Bengal, has described India as “A continent of Circe” meaning it to be “A Land of Sorcerers” or “A Land of Lunatics”. This judgement of his could never be questioned as long as our guardians of “Secularism” and champions of “Hindutva” bow their heads before the idols of mud, wood, stone, cowdung etc., and fall at the feet of saffron – robed Sadhus, sex-manic Sanyasis, mafia – linked Mahans and power – mongering Babas for their own personal gains and fool – proof protection from evil stars, ominous planets and scheming opponents.
All steeped deep in selfish motives and self – centred interests seek help starting from the opium – smoking Sadhus and Sanyasis up to the Babas and Sankaracharyas leaving no stone unturned. They are ready to sacrifice every thing from hair to self – respect to get their wishes gratified. Tonsuring heads is no longer a shame nor receiving Kicks from the Sanyasis a disgrace provided it brings them power and fortune.
The seeds of such a culture is to be seen in the barbaric Aryan literature called “The Vedas” which are nothing but a compilation of prayer songs sung by the Aryans beseeching blessings from their gods and cursing their sworn – enemies, the Dasyus. Even though hundreds of years have elapsed and modern scientific and technological revolutions have touched new heights, the Indian Circe remains so powerful in religion, culture and tradition that the picture of India as a “Lunatic Asylum” remains unperturbed to date.
The newly created “Kalki Cult” in Tamilnadu is an outstanding example of this demoralising trait of Indian culture. This cult is the second of its kind to take root in Tamilnadu in the recent past. Some years ago one `Bangaru’ a non – descript school teacher at Melmaruvathur village near Chennai started his “Om Shakthi cult” as a soothsayer. He called himself “Amma” (Shakthi), a curious metamorphosis of a female deity with male genitals! His “Amma cult” was systematically spread as an organization blessed by men in power and pampered by doctors, lawyers, judges, officials, businessmen and their wives. Thousands of dim – witted women fell an easy prey to the cult making it a mega success in Tamilnadu. A poor teacher turned into a multi – millionaire in ho time.
Mass gatherings at various poojas, colourful processions of women in red sarees and blouses, congregational rituals like ‘homas’ and ‘Yagnas’, periodical’ ‘pada yatras’ of ‘Amma’ to various places threw a spell over the fancy – loving and weak – willed women who became ardent devotees of the hermaphrodite ‘Amma’ in ‘Bangaru Adigalar.
A similar myth – making note struck the mind of one Mr. Vijayakumar, a B.Sc. Maths graduate from Vaishnava college, Chennai, who after graduation worked in the LIC and other establishments in Chennai and Coimbatore. In 1982 when he was 34 years old, he joined hands, with his old friend Mr. Sankar, a Physics graduate from Loyala college, Chennai Who had just then returned from Germany after a research study. Now both of them started a Matriculation School at Sathyalokam in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh. Vijayakumar became the Director and Sankar the Principal of the school. Vijayakumar settled on the school campus with his wife Padmavathy and only son Krishna.
From now onwards Vijayakumar in collusion with his friend Sankar started to play his gimmicks to make himself ‘Kalki Bagwan’ the tenth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu in Kali Yug, the current era. The school was named ‘Jeevashram’. The blind belief of the Hindus as that of the Christians in Jesus Christ’s Second Coming was deftly handled by Vijayakumar & co to fool the gullible Indians both educated and uneducated. Vijayakumar attired in yellow robe covering his body and head. He called himself ‘Kalki Bagwan’ and started speaking mystically. Bewildered by his babblings and bewitched by his hypnotizing eyes behind a bushy moustache and beard, people began to throng round him begging for boons and gratification of their multi – faceted desires.
The school at Sathyalokam was closed down in 1993 and a posh ‘Kalki Ashram’ was built at Nemam village near Poonamallee. Vijayakumar’s accomplice Sankar become Bagwan’s prime disciple and was re-named ‘Sri Sankara Bagawathpade; Like Goebells he did a wonderful job in the propaganda and spread of the cult. Sri Kalki Bagwan went underground making his physical dharsan a rare commodity. Rumours of Bagwan’s omnipresence and omniscience were set afloat stories of Bagwan’s miracles were meticulously fabricated and systematically spread with authentic versions of the devotees One claimed he had a face to face talk with the Bagwan, another said his kidneys failed but with the grace of the Bagwan he got completely cured without any operation or transplantation. The third one said he lost everything in his business and became a pauper. He sent a fervent prayer to the Bagwan and all that was lost was restored to him in no time. Reports from Bangalore say that Bagwan Kalki offers his devotees ghee, milk and honey from his consecrated portraits hung in their homes. The cult caught fancy of the people like a wild – fire and Bagwan’s ashram grew rich by leaps and bounds.
Sri Kalki & co wanted to cast a wider net to catch the international market. With this idea they started to wean smart young middle – class graduates from their families, convert them into Sanyasis and send them out for propaganda work. The parents of the missing youth started complaining to the police about the whereabouts of their sons and daughters. The police have started probing the bona – fides of the ashram. However their efforts are being forestalled mainly because it is a matter of religion which our Constitution guarantees to the individuals and the youths claim they have attained majority and there is no question of kidnapping or mesmerising them.
They claim that their Cult has spread not only in the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Andhrapradesh but also in some of the northern states. They say they have their branches abroad in the U.S.A., Sweeden, Russia, Argentina and Japan.
What are the reasons behind the formidable growth of such swamis and how can we counteract their influence on the gullible public? The following are some of the techniques followed by the godmen to fleece the ignorant and keep themselves in luxury.
(1) They create an impressive look by donning colourful robes and choosing a calm place with a sylvan back ground as their ashram.
(2) They set afloat rumours about their miraculous heading powers through their agents in the garl of devotees.
(3) In the name of Dyana, Yoga, etc they offer a psychological relaxation to the stressful minds of the devotees and create an illusion of seeing God, Atman etc. in the form of light or a shock.
(4) They seek the patronage of the politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, judges etc to add credibility to their stature.
(5) They expand their clientele with the creation of a powerful band of followers, and with fraud and trickery, if need be.
Vested interests never dare to harm themselves by going against the religious sentiments of people. At times they may exhibit a preference in favour of Swamis of their own caste or creed For instance the Brahmins would invariably glorify the Sankarachariya whether he is a nitwit, stud or a deserter. The politicians would not touch Swamijis because without the blessings and support of the latter they could not remain in power for long The bureaucracy and judiciary are the puppets in the hands of the ruling party and their constancy is like that of a weathercock. The press are for sensational news to boost the sales of their papers. They play a vital role in projecting the Kumbabishekas, Aradhanas and Dharshanas and “What the stars foretell”. They keep the erring Sankaracharya in the dark and bring the anonymous non – Brahmin swamis to lime-light for criticism and condemnation.
As such it becomes the primary duty of the rationalist’s fora and social organisations like the Dravidar Kazhagam to take up cudgels against the frauds and cheats under the aegis of religion, tradition and culture. Even their endeavours would not be of much use unless people, as Periyar Ramasamy exhorted, should make use of their sixth sense of reasoning and get themselves rid of their shackles of religion, rituals, scriptures and shastras, pujas and purohits to live a pest – free life of discipline, decency and decorum.
Miracle, Mystery and Authority: The Triangle of Cult Indoctrination
Psychiatric Annals/April 1990
By John Hochman, MD
There are three forces, the only three forces capable of conquering and enslaving forever the conscience of these weak rebels in the interests of their own happiness. They are: the miracle, the mystery and authority.
F. Dostoyevsky The Brothers Karamazov
F. Dostoyevsky The Brothers Karamazov
Cults promise salvation. Instead of boredom – noble and sweeping goals. Instead of existential anxiety – structure and certainty. Instead of alienation – community. Instead of impotence – solidarity directed by all-knowing leaders.
Too good to be true? In 1978, 912 men, women and children died in the People’s Temple murder/suicides, culminating prior practice suicide drills. In 1984, the European Parliament’s Cottrell Resolution called on member states to pool information about cults as a prelude to developing “ways of ensuring the effective protection of Community citizens.” In 1987, the Israeli Knesset issued a 500-page report on cults.
Contemporary Cults: Why Now?
Cults sprout up when traditional values and structures of a society are weakened. The 1960s spawned a counterculture that romanticized drug usage, revolution in general (the sexual revolution in particular), and retreat to communes. As baby boomers entered their teens, America’s fertility rate plummeted, while the rate of divorces and adolescent suicides began to climb.
During the 1980s, the counterculture mainstreamed; drug use continued unromanticized, now at high school level. The sexual revolution became legitimized through legislation and “safe sex” education. People lost interest in family: marrying less and later, cohabiting more without marriage, and having increased out-of-wedlock births.
Western European societies with similar trends have been marked by cultic activity. West Germany is in a phase of negative population growth, and cohabitation with out-of-wedlock childbearing is up markedly in Sweden.
What Cults Want
Cults want wealth and power for the leadership, to be supplied by members. Wealth may include:
- transfer of cash, real estate, and cars,
- profits, from exploitation of members’ labor in cult-owned businesses, and
- funds raised deceptively from relatives and other non-members.
Power may include:
- manipulation of all relationships, work, or schooling to solely the needs of the cult,
- assignment of city and country of residence,
- regulation of pregnancy and sexual favors,
- behavioral/ideologic controls via group punishments, or threatened expulsions, and
- limitation of members’ opportunities to sleep, to pursue individual interests, or simply to reflect.
Leaders exhort members to proselytize; predictably, more members mean more wealth and power for the leaders.
What Cults Don’t Want
Cults are uninterested in altruism as a moral imperative. Most have self-serving moralities to benefit the organization and its leadership in particular. Individual fulfillment is irrelevant. Pseudoaltruistic activity helps image building.
Cults don’t want high overhead. Members in cult enterprises may be underpaid or unpaid, work in unsafe environments, or have no provision for medical care.
No cult wants its inner workings exposed, although sophisticated cults may curry media interest or even employ public relations consultants and ad agencies to manage their image.
Cults do not want to be called “cults.” Thus, a definition is proposed to clarify the discussion in this article.
Cults and Thought Reform: Definitions and Studies
Cults are groups using thought reform to recruit and control members, by employing the following:
- Miracle – ideology imputing miraculous power to leaders and/or activities.
- Mystery – secrecy obscuring actual beliefs and practices.
- Authority – claims on members’ time, talents, bodies, or property to meet group needs.
Thought reform is a hyperefficient indoctrination achieved when secrecy impairs indoctrinees’ awareness of what is happening to them and what they are becoming – thus, there is no full, informed consent. Brainwashing or mind control are popular terms for thought reform.
Dostoyevsky’s “Grand Inquisitor”
Dostoyevsky’s novel The Brothers Karamozov includes a chapter entitled “The Grand Inquisitor” that presents an image of mass psychological enslavement. This chapter contains a “poem” wherein Jesus returns during the Spanish Inquisition and is jailed by the Grand Inquisitor. The Inquisitor informs Jesus that mankind has been unable to tolerate freedom, thus freedom is now “ended and over for good” so that men may be “happy.”
…Today, people are more persuaded than ever that they have perfect freedom, yet they have brought their freedom to us and laid it humbly at our feet.
The “mystery” is that the Inquisitor and his company are secretly atheists with no interest in miracle at all. The Inquisition will burn Jesus too, and no one will protest, so great is its authority.
Many writers have commented on this chapter, which has been published independently of the novel. They see it as an uncanny prophecy of the totalitarianism of the 20th century.
Lifton’s Study of Thought Reform
Robert Lifton published extensive research findings on Maoist “brainwashing” following the Chinese Civil War. The Communist government interned “counterrevolutionary” citizens and non-Chinese residents in “reeducation centers.” Inmates were forced to write and rewrite autobiographies to document “crimes” of which they may or may not have yet been accused; they underwent prolonged interrogations, scrutiny by peers, work details, compulsory ideologic discussion groups, and exercise. Their conditions improved if ideologic mentors decided they sincerely adopted the “correct” viewpoints; physical discomfort and subjection to peer criticism increased if they clung to “reactionary” views. Doctrine was presented as a “sacred science” through “mystical manipulation” in a controlled, pseudo-spontaneous environment.
After emerging, many adopted the world view of their captors. They affirmed Communism with newfound shame for their prior “exploitation of the people.” However, on leaving China, most lost their enthusiasm for Communism, decided they were innocent of crimes which they had learned to feel guilty, and returned to beliefs they held prior to “reeducation.”
Heller’s Study of Thought Reform
Mikhael Heller, a Soviet émigré historian, views Communism as a mass psychology. He cites Lifton as the sole psychiatrist to have contributed in this area:
Lifton draws attention to a fact of exceptional importance: The effect of “brainwashing” and its methods is felt even by those who he calls “apparent resistors,” those who seem not to succumb to the intoxication…This intensive mentality is especially effective because it is carried out in the closed territory of a country cut off from the rest of the world by strictly-guarded frontiers…Despite the fact that according to statistics the Soviet population has become literate…propagandists and activists continue to read newspaper articles aloud at factories and offices during the lunch hour….In 1979 alone, more than 26 million lectures were given to audiences totaling 1.2 billion people. The lecturers-agitators trained in special courses at universities of Marxist Leninism and give their talks at work places and even people’s homes…Cliché-ridden remarks on the inscrutability of the Soviet Union continue to fill the pages of historical monographs and spy novels, political memoranda and economic analyses. As a rule, these studies ignore the crucial question of the formation of homo sovieticus, a new type of man who has turned the Soviet system (created for him and by him) into a phenomenon unprecedented in world history.
Heller finds psychological literature on mass indoctrination to be wanting and turns to insights from literature – Orwell, Zemyatin, and Dostoyevsky. He describes elements of the Grand Inquisitor’s trial within the Soviet state using the triad of miracle, mystery and authority:
- miracle – creating a New Main (homo societicus) based on the “science” of Marxism-Leninism (imagine the works of Lyndon Johnson being declared “scientific”),
- mystery – obsession with secrecy, limited access of forged, and significant news going unreported, and
- authority – centralized state power, with sealed borders, and almost total destruction of competing political and religious ideologies.
Heller dismisses glasnost as a political stunt to increase authority. By allowing discussion of problems, such as shortages, that are already universally known (but undiscussed because of fear), Gorbachev discredits political rivals.
Miracle, Mystery and Authority in Contemporary Cults
Miracle
The suspension of “natural and “ordinary” routines, to produce an atmosphere of awe, is implicit in the ideology of every cult. Leaders may prophesy, be masters of dematerialization, communicate with the dead, possess superhuman strength, or have unprecedented intelligence. Transformational groups imply one’s life may be completely transformed in only several days. Lyndon LaRouche’s political cult followers see him as the only leader who can unerringly understand world events and perceive hidden conspiracies. Therapists (not always licensed) who have found the ultimate theory and unfailing psychotherapy lead psychotherapy cults – a miracle, indeed!
In the 1970s, cult capitalized on the counterculture, emphasizing transcendental experiences, social action, and communal living. Today, some cults offer “instant enlightenment” while others obscure spiritual doctrine to attract the secular-minded seeking self-improvement.
Mystery
People who harbor secrets can find this exciting or gratifying, particularly if done for a “higher purpose.” Cults are riddled with secrets. Secrecy in recruiting hides unattractive aspects of cult routine. Front groups purportedly crusading against Communism or world hunger may “funnel” potential new members into a cult. Fronts may promise tutoring, drug abuse counseling, political action opportunities, or management consulting to big business or to small dental offices.
Belief systems may discourage or forbid discussion of any doubts new or old members might have. Members must keep full knowledge from the less initiated, purportedly so as not to damage their spiritual progress. Secrecy is heightened if there are real or imagined battles with nonmember “enemies.” Secrecy can hide sexual exploitation or financial excesses of the leaders. Members may fear verbalizing criticisms of the group. Thus, members spend much time living and working in close proximity, but know surprisingly little about one another’s thoughts or feelings.
Secrecy allows the moral banality of cults to fester, but cults want to maintain it at all costs. Synanon perfected the art of threatening media with libel suits to forestall all adverse publicity. Jim Jones directed his followers to relocate to Guyana after being unable to kill publication of an article entitled “Inside People’s Temple” in a regional magazine (New Magazine. August 1, 1977).
Authority
A leader’s allegedly immense intellectual, spiritual, or even physical powers may rationalize whims and doctrines to hold sway over followers. While many leaders are intelligent and articulate, often their biographies and abilities are puffed up.
Public corporal punishment (particularly of children), humiliation, and confession may become routine. A few groups have applied terrorism against nonmembers, which serves to remind members that leadership means business. If members have previously lost contact with family and prior friends, threats of expulsion or shunning may be powerful.
Cult ideology may attribute all individual suffering to misapplication, misunderstanding, or even casual doubting of the group’s unfailing teachings; Lifton calls this “doctrine over person.”
The Presence of One or Two Elements
Miracle
Fortune tellers and Horoscope purveyors. Fortune tellers and horoscope purveyors simply advise and do not try to control the lives of their clients.
Spiritual dabblers. Spiritual dabblers invoke magic rituals, attempting to control the environment. Some band together to swap spiritual books or study crystals, but without authoritarian structure or secrecy.
Mystery
Secret societies. These groups contain private rites; prestige in the groups’ hierarchy is not accompanied by control over lives of subordinates.
Professional magicians. Magicians guard their secrets, which produce feats of incredible skill, but not “miracles.”
Authority
Military organizations. These groups inform recruits that they will undergo strenuous basic training; for example, prior to being indoctrinated into the Marines, recruits know they will undergo strenuous exercise, get little sleep, and receive verbal abuse.
Psychiatric hospitals. These organizations may temporarily treat patients involuntarily; this is documented and done under supervision of civil authorities.
Miracle and Authority
High-intensity religious sects/subgroups. These groups are sometimes perceived as bizarre, fanatic, or “cultish” because authoritarian encouragement to hold group norms results in behavior very different from secular norms. Members may engage in frequent prayer, atypical dress and diet, altered states of consciousness, homage to a living leader, or live in separatist communities. However, these groups lack the secrecy of cults – potential members or the curious may freely learn about doctrines and practices; new members are not encouraged to break ties with families or to disappear with no forwarding address. Also, leaders derive little material and no sexual benefit from members’ activities.
Authoritarian Islamic states. These groups make no effort to hide their reliance on their interpretation of the Koran, thus no deception is involved.
Liberal churches and synagogues. These groups invoke lower levels of miracle and authority, making a greater appeal to conscience and encouraging members to participate in fellowship and social action.
Self-help groups. These groups teach of “a higher power” but confine their authority to helping members control binges. Members study the founders’ lives as positive role models, not as miracle men. Some members attend open meetings frequently, even daily; however, this is not required.
Mystery and Authority
Convert political corruption. Covert political corruption can be flushed out when secrecy is broken by media scrutiny or whistle blowers.
Authoritarian dictatorships. This type of dictatorship lacks a cosmic ideology and thus tolerates independent intellectual and religious activities – as long as they do not directly challenge the regime’s power.
Organized criminal bands. These groups rationalize their conduct without resorting to a transcendental belief system. Thus, some drug baron terrorists and sophisticated juvenile gang members may aspire to “going legitimate” when they accumulate enough wealth. By contrast, cults may engage in criminal activity for a “higher purpose” and may mold idealists into breaking the law in the name of “transcendental trickery” or “heavenly deception.”
Miracle and Mystery
Faith healers. Faith healers exhort, conjure, or simply defraud. Many ride a circuit soliciting small contributions from many passive spectators. However, some establish cult-like organizations promoting long-term dependency on expensive “alternative treatments,” and frighten followers from seeking conventional medical care.
Televangelist para-churches. These groups use mass media, religious sentimentality, and purported healings to inveigle legions of followers to give money, sometimes in good-sized chunks. The Jim and Tammy Bakker ministry fraudulently amassed a fortune. This type of group is primarily interested in obtaining contributions.
The Triad in action: The People’s Temple
Miracle.
The People’s Temple started as a Christian church but evolved into exclusive worship of Jim Jones. His status as a font of miracles rested on charisma, verbal skills, ingenuity, and lack of integrity – qualities of high-functioning sociopaths. Spies and informers supported an illusion that he had supernatural knowledge of followers’ personal lives. He relied on special effects to diagnose and then “cure cancer.” Isolated in the Guyana jungle, with no one to contradict him, he posed as the repository of wisdom to save followers from a hostile world.
Mystery.
Careful public relations convinced outsiders that Jones was still a Christian long after he became a self-styled demigod preaching Marxism to his flock. Members screened the curious who came to Sunday services and turned away those who asked too many questions. Nurses guarded secrets of phony healings where animal gizzards served as exorcised “cancers.” Financial workers monitored covert Swiss bank accounts. Outsiders were unaware of personal deprivations and beatings that members experienced. Jones’ vice arrest in the men’s room of a Los Angeles porn theater was covered up, and the court records disappeared. Temple members secretly migrated to Guyana. American officials who visited Jonestown saw rehearsed joy and bountiful tables; there were no newspapers, and there was only one radio under Jones’ control. Ongoing mass suicide drills were a secret.
Authority.
The family unit was undermined – children informed on their parents, parents turned children over to other families (purportedly to break down racial barriers), and Jones summoned married women to his “boudoir.” Jones became everyone’s “father.” Members typed reams of letters to politicians taking names from telephone books; politicians, fooled that Jones had an enormous following, curried favor with him, which in turn bolstered his authority over his own followers.
Synergetic Effects of the Triad in People’s Temple
People do not get up in the morning, decide to give up their independence, and lose themselves in the hypocritical intrigue of a cult. Elements of the triad, when present together, produce a synergy, each reinforcing the power of each other, to enthrall members.
Miracle Reinforces Mystery.
Members were routinely deceived for a higher purpose, doing “father’s will,” which outsiders could not be expected to understand.
Mystery Reinforces Miracle.
Jones’ nurses did not reveal special effects they used in fake cancer cures; intelligence gatherers kept their duties confidential to maintain the illusion that Jones had ESP.
Miracle Reinforces Authority.
Magic tricks reinforced Jones’ claim to special powers to guide lives of followers. He convinced followers that the CIA was obsessed with destroying his People’s Temple (because it was so extraordinary); this produced a siege mentality among members.
Authority Reinforces Miracle.
Unlike the tale of the emperor’s new clothes, outspoken children were subject to public corporal punishment. No public or private expressions of skepticism would be tolerated. Jones’ control of information in Jonestown limited followers’ reality testing.
Authority Reinforces Mystery.
Lapses of secrecy would risk punishment. Jonestown residents were forbidden to write letters or inform visitors about harsh conditions, deprivation, or suicide drills.
Mystery Reinforces Authority.
Information control safeguarded Jones’ authority. Had members felt free to talk of manipulations and duplicity they witnessed or had Jones’ arrest on a morals charge been publicized, his prestige would have been shattered.
“We are not a Cult”
No group like to be called a cult. Some groups ignore being called cults, others launch personal attacks on their critics. Some have taken a more gentle approach, explaining that they are a misunderstood new religion, as were the Christians martyred in Rome. However, early Christians fully disclosed their scriptures and practices to potential converts. When persecuted, Christians did not resort to deceptive recruiting; they temporarily practiced in secret.
Some cults suggest their unpopularity reflects nativist prejudice against minority groups. This may sometimes be true, but ignores understandable disapproval to objectionable or illegal cult activity.
Applying the definition presented in this article, a cult may function with members living in the community, wearing conventional attire, and holding down jobs. However, closer examination would show such members to be obsessively proselytizing or raising funds. They would be systematically misrepresenting the nature of their activities and their groups’ activities to nonmembers or would not be fully aware of the nature of the group to which they are devoted.
Future Trends
Cults are active throughout our “Global village,” except in static backwaters, and in Communist states which, until recently, suppressed organizations that might compete with party activity. With Communist Party power weakening in the Soviet Union and central Europe, cults that are underground may begin to openly proselytize.
As American society continues to be in ferment, cults evolve, but are not disappearing. Attention-getting activities –mass weddings and unusual costumes – are not emphasized, which has led some to erroneously conclude that cults have vanished.
Anxieties about competition in the business world may continue to encourage front groups promising to boost worker morale and productivity through special “training sessions” or “courses.” With the year 2000 not far off, millenarian cults will probably appear.
