Rabi Maharaj
Encyclopedia
Rabi Maharaj is Trinidad
ian-born bestselling India
n author. He is descendant of a long line of Brahmin
priests and gurus from the holy city of Varanasi
(Banaras) in Uttar Pradesh
, India
. During his adult life, he converted to Christianity
, and authored the book Death of a Guru. The book has been translated into over 60 languages. Including Spanish and Italian.
, he went on a search for truth and eventually found Jesus
Christ. Still embracing his Indian roots, Maharaj kept his great respect for the Indian culture and the rich heritage from which he came. After pre-medical studies in London, he received theological training at London School of Theology (formerly London Bible College), and then began charity work.
Maharaj trained his children to embrace what he believed to be the positive aspects of their Indian heritage, including arts, dance, food, and familial values. Leading by example, he also taught them the importance of compassion and justice as he worked for positive changes on issues such as the plight of the Dalits (untouchables; outcasts), and the equal value of all people regardless of caste
, gender, or religion. Maharaj has since spoken at thousands of colleges, universities, seminars and churches worldwide. He goes back to India on a regular basis to do developmental charity work.
Death of a Guru was first published by A. J. Holman Co. in 1977. Later it was published by Harvest House. The book has been translated into over sixty languages worldwide. One reader summarizes the book-content as follows:
"Rabi was born into a wealthy Brahmin family in Trinidad. His father was a great yogi who never said a word to anyone, not even to his wife, during his penance for 8 years. Upon his untimely death, his young son resolves to become just like him - an Ascended Master. Rabi soon loses his mother to meditation
in the temples of India... The flavor of life as an Indian boy growing up in the Caribbean comes across well. The major portion of the book details Rabi's intensely focused journey as Brahmacharya to attain Mukti (Self-realization, union with Brahman). Some of the occult details he experienced, I have also read of by other yogis. The more deeply he meditates and travels into Hinduism
, the more dissatisfied he becomes. His gods Shiva
and Kali
seem to be threatening and unloving.
After years of struggling with his thoughts, he realizes that he is not Brahman - he cannot be the Creator of the Universe.
As a Brahman
, he despises the lower castes, especially Christians who eat the cow (a god) and do not lead good lives. Then two life-threatening incidents happen; a snake attacks him and in danger of his life, Rabi calls on the name of Jesus; the snake flees. Some time later his appendix ruptures and he collapses. Rabi again calls upon Jesus for help and his life is saved.
After a lot of struggle, he goes to a hated Christian meeting where he asks Jesus to come into his life and become his God. He meets the Creator of the Universe who loves him so much, that He sent His Son to die for him on the cross. Contrary to what you might expect, Rabi is very respectful towards Hinduism
. However he is also frank and honest."
, preached in thousands of churches, university campuses, and auditoriums all over the world. He also worked to rehabilitate drug addicts in Europe
in the 1970s. He is founder of East-West Ministries .
"Death of a Guru" from Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bookSearch/results.asp?ATH=Rabi+Maharaj
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
ian-born bestselling India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n author. He is descendant of a long line of Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
priests and gurus from the holy city of Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
(Banaras) in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. During his adult life, he converted to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, and authored the book Death of a Guru. The book has been translated into over 60 languages. Including Spanish and Italian.
Biography
Maharaj grew up in a Hindu community in Trinidad and Tobago. Trained as a holy YogiYogi
A Yogi is a practitioner of Yoga. The word is also used to refer to ascetic practitioners of meditation in a number of South Asian Religions including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.-Etymology:...
, he went on a search for truth and eventually found Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
Christ. Still embracing his Indian roots, Maharaj kept his great respect for the Indian culture and the rich heritage from which he came. After pre-medical studies in London, he received theological training at London School of Theology (formerly London Bible College), and then began charity work.
Maharaj trained his children to embrace what he believed to be the positive aspects of their Indian heritage, including arts, dance, food, and familial values. Leading by example, he also taught them the importance of compassion and justice as he worked for positive changes on issues such as the plight of the Dalits (untouchables; outcasts), and the equal value of all people regardless of caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
, gender, or religion. Maharaj has since spoken at thousands of colleges, universities, seminars and churches worldwide. He goes back to India on a regular basis to do developmental charity work.
Maharaj's Book
Maharaj wrote the story of his search for truth in his book Death of a Guru.Death of a Guru was first published by A. J. Holman Co. in 1977. Later it was published by Harvest House. The book has been translated into over sixty languages worldwide. One reader summarizes the book-content as follows:
"Rabi was born into a wealthy Brahmin family in Trinidad. His father was a great yogi who never said a word to anyone, not even to his wife, during his penance for 8 years. Upon his untimely death, his young son resolves to become just like him - an Ascended Master. Rabi soon loses his mother to meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
in the temples of India... The flavor of life as an Indian boy growing up in the Caribbean comes across well. The major portion of the book details Rabi's intensely focused journey as Brahmacharya to attain Mukti (Self-realization, union with Brahman). Some of the occult details he experienced, I have also read of by other yogis. The more deeply he meditates and travels into Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, the more dissatisfied he becomes. His gods Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
and Kali
Kali
' , also known as ' , is the Hindu goddess associated with power, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" . Hence, Kāli is...
seem to be threatening and unloving.
After years of struggling with his thoughts, he realizes that he is not Brahman - he cannot be the Creator of the Universe.
As a Brahman
Brahman
In Hinduism, Brahman is the one supreme, universal Spirit that is the origin and support of the phenomenal universe. Brahman is sometimes referred to as the Absolute or Godhead which is the Divine Ground of all being...
, he despises the lower castes, especially Christians who eat the cow (a god) and do not lead good lives. Then two life-threatening incidents happen; a snake attacks him and in danger of his life, Rabi calls on the name of Jesus; the snake flees. Some time later his appendix ruptures and he collapses. Rabi again calls upon Jesus for help and his life is saved.
After a lot of struggle, he goes to a hated Christian meeting where he asks Jesus to come into his life and become his God. He meets the Creator of the Universe who loves him so much, that He sent His Son to die for him on the cross. Contrary to what you might expect, Rabi is very respectful towards Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
. However he is also frank and honest."
Maharaj's Work
Maharaj has worked with Billy GrahamBilly Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
, preached in thousands of churches, university campuses, and auditoriums all over the world. He also worked to rehabilitate drug addicts in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in the 1970s. He is founder of East-West Ministries .
Lectures and Broadcasts
Maharaj's most popular lecture topics have included "Encounters with the Supernatural" and "Krishna, Buddha, Mohammad, or Christ?". His other speaking topics have included, "Sexual Mysticism", "Yoga and Meditation in the West", and "Death of a Guru: A Search for Truth". Maharaj has appeared in several documentaries including the Mystics and Gods of the New Age.External links
More on Rabi Maharaj's story: http://www.leaderu.com/wri/pages/maharaj.html"Death of a Guru" from Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bookSearch/results.asp?ATH=Rabi+Maharaj