Jaggi Vasudev, popularly known as Sadhguru, is a breath of fresh air among spiritual gurus. Seeing him in sunglasses and a cowboy hat alongside famous YouTubers like Logan Paul offers a unique perspective on spirituality. He has followers both in India and abroad, with notable supporters including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Sadhguru discusses topics like inner engineering and the complexities of relationships. His foundation, Isha Foundation, even offers paid medical consultations. Despite his popularity, Sadhguru’s political stances have sparked controversy, especially when he supported the government during nationwide protests against the CAA. Accusations against him range from involvement in his wife’s death to illegal land grabs and coercing people to stay at his ashram, with some labeling him as a proponent of soft Hindutva or an opportunist exploiting spirituality for personal gain.
Born on September 3, 1957, in a Telugu family, Jaggi Vasudev’s father was an eye specialist. He completed his education in English literature at Mysore University and initially ventured into poultry farming. According to author Arundhati Subrahmanyam, Jaggi was not spiritual or religious during his youth, preferring English films and National Geographic over temples. However, a transformative experience on September 23, 1982, atop the Chamundi Hills led him to feel a profound sense of unity with everything around him, marking the beginning of his spiritual journey.
He began teaching yoga in 1983 and developed the Isha Yoga program after learning from his guru, Rishi Prabhakar. Jaggi married Vijaya Kumari in 1984, but her untimely death in 1997 raised suspicions. While some claimed she was murdered, others, including Sadhguru, referred to her death as “mahasamadhi,” a term for a yogic state of transcendence.
Since its inception in 1992, Isha Foundation has faced scrutiny. Recently, a retired professor accused the foundation of coercing his daughters into becoming monks. However, the daughters denied any coercion in court, complicating the accusations. The foundation has also faced criticism for illegal construction on protected land and for its environmental practices. Allegations of tax evasion and discrepancies in financial records further fuel controversy, with claims that the foundation misrepresents its income sources to evade taxes.
Sadhguru’s political statements, particularly regarding temple management and government actions, have often aligned with the ruling party’s ideologies, leading to accusations of opportunism. His comments on various issues, including support for controversial legislation, have drawn both praise and criticism.
The controversies surrounding Jaggi Vasudev highlight a complex figure whose journey from a skeptical youth to a prominent spiritual leader is intertwined with allegations and political dynamics. The public’s perception of him continues to evolve amid the ongoing debates about his teachings and practices.
