In this YouTube video, Paul Mason—biographer known for his work on Transcendental Meditation (TM) and related figures—speaks about his research and insights. The talk, moderated by Roland Hartman, centers on Guru Dev, also known as Swami Brahmanandanda Saraswati, a highly revered Shankaracharya. Mason delves into Guru Dev’s biography, his significant role in revitalizing Hinduism, and his connection to the early days of TM through his student, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The discussion also touches upon the historical and political context of India during Guru Dev’s time, aiming to illuminate the life and influence of this pivotal spiritual figure for an audience interested in the origins of TM and Indian spiritual traditions.
Review of Paul Mason’s Talk on Guru Dev (6th April 2025)
This briefing summarizes the main themes and important information presented by Paul Mason in his talk “Who was Guru Dev?”. Mason, author of biographies on yogis and the Beatles’ connection to meditation, delves into the life and significance of Swami Brahmanandanda Saraswati, commonly known as Guru Dev, the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math and the spiritual teacher of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The talk explores Guru Dev’s identity, his role in revitalizing Hinduism, his influence on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and his broader impact on the introduction of meditation to the West. Mason emphasizes the historical context and often dispels common misconceptions surrounding Guru Dev.
Paul Mason’s Personal Journey to India and Encounter with Meditation:
- Mason describes his “spiritual dissatisfaction” in 1970s Britain as his primary motivation for traveling to India at the age of 18. He hitchhiked across Europe and Asia with his girlfriend.
- His initial interest was in meeting a philosopher he’d heard about (Maharishi), driven by philosophical questions rather than an intention to learn meditation.
- Despite initial disinterest, he was persuaded by Europeans at Maharishi’s academy to learn to meditate, which he found “rather effective.”
- The experience of meditation under the influence of the “mysterious man” in the initiation portrait (Guru Dev) led to a profound personal shift, dissolving his spiritual dissatisfaction. He describes it as “letting go of being the thinker and just disappeared into that silence and that totality.” This experience became the “underpinning” of his life.
The Mystery and Misinformation Surrounding Guru Dev’s Identity:
- Mason highlights the lack of readily available information and the presence of misinformation about Guru Dev, even within the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement. He states, “even within the TM movement one was not encouraged to ask questions and one wasn’t given really any decent answers about anything uh even to this day.”
- He clarifies that the iconic portrait used at TM initiations was painted in 1956 by MTV Acharia based on earlier photographs.
- Mason reveals Guru Dev’s birth name as Swami Brahmanandanda Saraswati and his birth date as December 21, 1871 (Vikram calendar 1928), contesting later incorrect dates.
- He underscores that his motivation for writing about Guru Dev stemmed from this “mysteriousness” and the lack of accurate information, aligning with his childhood interests in “detection and also for archaeology.”
Guru Dev’s Significance as the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math:
- Mason explains the prestigious and powerful position of the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, comparing it to “the highest position in the Hindu faith.”
- He recounts the story of how Swami Brahmanandanda Saraswati was initially offered the position in 1908 but did not accept it immediately.
- The Shankaracharya is described as embodying the teachings and personality of the first Shankaracharya, Adi Shankara, who is considered an “avatar,” a living incarnation of Lord Shiva. Therefore, Guru Dev’s teachings were not presented as his own original philosophy but as an articulation of Adi Shankara’s wisdom. Mason quotes, “He did not come over saying something fresh and original.”
Guru Dev’s Role in Revitalizing Hinduism and Promoting Unity:
- Mason emphasizes Guru Dev’s “breadth of vision” in encouraging Hindus to embrace their diverse beliefs while recognizing the underlying unity of “the one pervasive being Paramatma.” This mirrored the work of Adi Shankara in reconciling different Hindu traditions.
- He highlights Guru Dev’s traditionalism, but in the context of Adi Shankara’s teachings, contrasting it with the “lazy fair society” of the modern West.
The Relationship Between Guru Dev and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi:
- Mason clarifies that Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (then Mahesh Shrivastava) met Guru Dev about a year before the latter became Shankaracharya. Guru Dev initially advised Mahesh to continue his schooling.
- He details how Mahesh later became devoted to Guru Dev, serving as an attendant (“kinka” meaning servant or slave) in the ashram for five years before becoming his secretary and publicist.
- Mason stresses Mahesh’s crucial role in disseminating Guru Dev’s teachings through newspapers, pamphlets, and books: “at least 90% of it came from from Mahesh.”
Guru Dev’s Political Involvement and Social Influence:
- Mason discusses Guru Dev’s active role in Indian society, including hosting meetings and advocating for the rights of Indians. He presided over sessions of the Hindu Law Committee.
- He highlights the Mahayagas (large-scale Vedic ceremonies) stimulated by Guru Dev, aiming to promote a “Vedic lifestyle.”
- Mason clarifies that the famous Mahayagya for world peace in 1944 was organized by Swami Karpatri, Guru Dev’s principal disciple and intended successor, not by Guru Dev or Maharishi.
- He mentions Guru Dev’s meeting with Mahatma Gandhi and his support for peaceful resistance and his opposition to violence.
Guru Dev’s Indirect Role in Bringing Meditation to the West:
- Mason argues that Guru Dev “brought meditation to Indians” by making it accessible to ordinary working people through initiations and guidance.
- Through his student Brahmachari Mahesh (Maharishi), Guru Dev indirectly “brought meditation to westerners.”
- He emphasizes that Guru Dev’s portrayal of meditation was “very very different” from traditional contemplative practices, focusing on a technique for “letting go” and achieving inner silence (“samadi” – reconciling differences, “nirvana” – liberation). Mason calls him “the godfather of meditation” in this new context.
The Concept of “Guru” and Guru Dev’s Perspective:
- Mason reflects on the relatively recent introduction of the “guru culture” in the West.
- He highlights Guru Dev’s view that only “austy” (believing) people need a guru, while “nasty” (non-believing) people do not.
- Interestingly, Guru Dev himself was not fixated on the idea of a single “soul guru” and suggested that one could learn from multiple teachers throughout life.
Guru Dev’s Views on Travel and the West:
- Mason addresses the question of whether Guru Dev could have traveled to the West, noting the traditional Hindu prohibition against crossing water (“samudra yatra”) which could lead to loss of caste status.
- However, he clarifies that Guru Dev did travel within India by train and even airplane, suggesting he was not strictly against modern technology when necessary.
- Guru Dev’s perception was that Hinduism was the “light of religion” and other religions were offshoots, thus he saw no need to leave India to spread his teachings.
The Importance of Community and Shared Exploration:
- In his concluding remarks, Mason emphasizes the value of community (“satsang” – good company) for meditators to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. He envisions these gatherings as a “cosmic coffee bar” for shared exploration and support.