The Maharaj of Mumbai

EVEN if you’ve never heard of Bhayyu Maharaj, you couldn’t have missed him in the Siyaram Suitings ad. Clean-shaven, stylishly coi...

EVEN if you’ve never heard of Bhayyu Maharaj, you couldn’t have missed him in the Siyaram Suitings ad. Clean-shaven, stylishly coiffed, trendily attired, technically savvy, speedfreak, he is also the spiritual force who guides 250 out of Maharashtra’s 288 MLAs, and 40 out of its 78 MLCs.

Meet 33-year-old Udaysinh Deshmukh, better known as Bhayyu Maharaj. Almost every politician disciple of his visited his Indore ashram during the recent political crisis. He has inspired loyalists to switch over from the ‘‘inaccessible’’ Satya Sai Baba, but more than that, it was his prediction of the political crisis almost two months before it happened that has clinched it for his following.

An abbreviated checklist:

VILASRAO DESHMUKH
Chief Minister

Spiritual Guru: Satya Sai Baba, Bhayyu Maharaj

First Touch: Was introduced to the Baba by Opposition leader Shivraj Patil a decade ago. Met Bhayyu Maharaj eight years ago through ‘‘political friends’’, and has consulted him since before all important decisions.

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n Impact: While the Baba has provided ‘‘mental peace’’ and ‘‘strength’’, the Maharaj has helped build character and outlook, enhanced personal life and career and channelised energies positively.

In Return: Has sanctioned land for two Satya Sai Baba ashrams and started welfare work of Maharaj’s Shridatt Charitable Trust in Latur.

HARSHAVARDHAN PATIL
Minister for Marketing

Spiritual Guru: Bhayyu Maharaj

First Touch: Met the Maharaj in 1995 ‘‘before launching my Independent campaign for an Assembly seat. I followed what he said, and have won all subsequent elections’’. Meets him four times a year and talks regularly on the phone

Impact: ‘‘I’ve become a more responsible citizen and owe the development of my personality and character to him.’’

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In Return: Set up the Suryoday Ashram in home constituency Indapur (Pune); the region is home to 5,000-odd Maharaj disciples. The Surya Mandir project, propagating Sun worship, will incorporate a meditation hall, herbal medicine bank, residential camps etc

ANIL DESHMUKH

Minister for Food & Drug Administration

Spiritual Guru: Bhayyu Maharaj, Satya Sai Baba

First Touch: Was introduced to Bhayyu Maharaj by the CM two years ago. Met Satya Sai Baba four years ago during a visit to Puttaparti. ‘‘Sai Baba narrated my entire past life in sequence, while with Maharaj — a distant relative — I felt this communication of energy. I have total faith in both of them.’’

Impact: Wears an S-shaped gold and diamond ring gifted by Satya Sai Baba and Spatik beads given by Bhayyu Maharaj. While the Baba has helped him ‘‘gain mental peace, relieve tensions and guided me on the right path’’, the Maharaj’s speciality are political and social matters. ‘‘I visit the Maharaj at least thrice a year and talk to him regularly on the phone. I follow his advice to the last letter. He has helped in my career and my character, made me more responsible and broadened my outlook on life. Because of them, I believe in supernatural powers.’’

DIGVIJAY KHANVILKAR
Minister for Public Health & Medical Education

Guru: Bhayyu Maharaj

First Touch: Met him at the residence of mutual relatives; the Maharaj is a cousin.

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Impact: ‘‘I was very impressed the first time we met. What he said seemed so relevant. Constant interaction has helped enhance my personal life and career. Bhayyu is very down-to-earth. His vision has no equal. He is not a magician and never claims to have such powers. Yes, you need a spiritual Guru because in this chaos he points out the direction.’’

33 and on a spiritual high

Of him, disciple MLC Ranjeet Deshmukh says, ‘‘If you see him you, you will feel like winking at him. He’s so good looking.’’ But the man who guides Maharashtra’s most powerful says he is planning to give up ‘‘all this’’ and go back to agriculture. An interview:

How did you become such a phenomenon?
BM: My teachings are (more) acceptable because I speak the common man’s language.

How did you get enlightened?
BM: I was a successful model. I had reached a point when I was lost. Enlightenment has to be experienced.

Why do so many politicians come to you?
BM: I am (more) relevant to them. I do not aspire to be God and my vision is different. My discourses on national consciousness appeal to them. I sensitise politicians to the three aspects of development — education, health, religion.

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Have your guru-shishya relationships helped promote your social work?
BM: I am disillusioned with the system. They leave all charged after meeting me but often it does not translate into action. I am planning to give all this up and go back to agriculture.

Considering the gurudakshina, what are your assets?
BM: I have declared every rupee. I only have a 2,400 sq ft ashram at Indore built with a loan from the Housing Board. I only accept donations of school stationery and scholarships.

All your politician disciples wear gold rings you’ve given them…
BM: I do not believe in symbols. I believe in the worship of earth, my country, my mother, religion and cow. I do not distribute gold rings.

Did you tell chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh that he will complete his full tenure in the chair?
BM: Main antaryaami nahi hoon. Karya is very important. I have answered the chief minister’s questions and advised him to concentrate on solving the problems of the people.

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