All about Jaya Kishori, the spiritual preacher under fire for carrying Dior Book Tote worth over ₹2 lakh

A person posted a video of her on X, writing: “She claims to live in a कुटिया (hut) and says she has no property or money. She preaches that people should not chase after money and instead invest their time in the worship of God. But in this video, she is seen carrying a Dior bag worth ₹2 lakhs.”

Do you know who she is?

She is Jaya Kishori, a spiritual preacher.

She claims to live in a कुटिया (hut) and says she has no property or money.

She preaches that people should not chase after money and instead invest their time in the worship of God.

But in this video, she is… pic.twitter.com/BxD9Nyu7v6

— Dr Nimo Yadav Commentary (@niiravmodi) October 27, 2024

Some people came to her defence as well. A person wrote, “Show me at least one clip where she is talking about not to be materialistic. Stop claiming false excuses.”

Social media users have also highlighted other luxury possessions, including a Rolex watch she has been seen wearing in various appearances.

Who is Jaya Kishori?

Born as Jaya Sharma on July 13, 1995, in Kolkata, Jaya Kishori’s journey into spirituality began remarkably early. She claims to have started her spiritual path at the age of seven, growing up in an environment steeped in religious values and stories of the divine. This early exposure shaped her worldview and eventually led her to become one of India’s prominent young spiritual orators.

In a candid conversation with Ek Kahani podcast, Kishori revealed that her entry into the spiritual field wasn’t a calculated career move but rather an organic progression. “I used to enjoy stories of God, and I loved singing bhajans. That’s how it started,” she shared. “You begin casually — you attend an event and sing a couple of bhajans, and it goes on like that. Without realising it, things got serious.”

 

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A post shared by Jaya Sharma (@iamjayakishori)

Mission and message

Kishori’s discourse centres on instilling faith and positivity among those lacking confidence in themselves and their surroundings. Her teachings particularly emphasise the importance of family values and proper parenting, which she believes are crucial for developing competent and morally upright individuals. Her approach combines teachings from the Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, personal life experiences, family teachings, and wisdom from various sources.

Breaking stereotypes

Speaking to Ek Kahani podcast, Kishori addressed one of the major misconceptions about spiritual leaders: “People think we’re not normal. They’re curious about what we eat, how we live at home.” She shared an amusing anecdote about being watched while playing badminton, highlighting the public’s fascination with spiritual leaders’ everyday activities. “We’re exactly like you. We live with our families the same way you do,” she emphasised.

Rise to prominence

Today, Kishori commands a massive following across various platforms. Her YouTube channel boasts 3.61 million subscribers, while her Instagram and Facebook accounts have amassed 12.3 million and 8.9 million followers respectively. Her popularity extends beyond traditional religious discourse — she regularly appears on podcasts discussing spirituality, religion, life-coaching, and personal relationships.

Her bhajans, including popular renditions like ‘Shiv Stotra’, ‘Mere Kanha’, and ‘Sajan Mero Girdhari’, have garnered widespread appreciation.

 

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Recognition and achievements

Despite her young age, Kishori has accumulated numerous accolades. Notable among these is the ‘Adarsh Yuwa Adhyatmik Guru Puruskar,’ awarded by RSS Chief Shri Mohan Bhagwat in 2016. Her recent recognitions include ‘Iconic Woman Motivational Speaker of the year 2021’ at the Iconic Gold Awards and ‘Best Spiritual Influencer’ at the Lokmat Digital Influencer Awards 2021. In May 2022, she received the ‘Most Inspiring Woman of the Year (Spiritual)’ at the Global Excellence Awards. Her impact was recently recognised with the National Creators Award for social change in March 2024, presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.