Shriya Sharma/Devanshi Batra, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: Abhinav Arora, a spiritual content creator from Delhi, became the center of a controversy recently. Claiming that his spiritual journey began at the age of three, Arora has emerged as one of the youngest spiritual orators in India, often sharing posts that feature him with political figures, celebrities and Bollywood stars, showcasing his growing influence. With over 950k followers on Instagram, this self-proclaimed spiritual preacher has garnered widespread admiration for his wisdom, which seems unusual for someone of his age.
India has long provided fertile ground for spiritual leaders, rooted in a deeply ingrained tradition of religious rituals and a search for divine intervention. The rise of self-styled godmen — revered by millions — is an extension of this tradition, now deeply woven into the country’s spiritual fabric. In recent years, this culture has expanded with the advent of social media, where spiritual figures are widely promoted.
As Shyam Manav, a social reformer and founder of India’s Anti-Superstition Movement, observes, “Baba culture has always been there. It is not new. It is gaining more traction now because of the increased attention the media provides to it. Television and social media together have played a significant role in the emergence and popularity of these self-styled godmen.”
Rise of Self-Styled Spiritual Leaders
In Hinduism, the religious system has historically intertwined with spirituality, rituals and the concept of salvation. The culture of ‘babas’ (godmen) has persisted, with many people believing in their healing powers and viewing them as divine messengers. Recently, however, the phenomenon of young children taking on the roles of spiritual leaders has become especially prominent, with some even being heralded as spiritual guides and gaining viral attention online.
But not everyone is convinced of the authenticity behind these young preachers. A YouTuber recently alleged that Abhinav Arora merely recites scripted lines on camera, further claiming that he has been conditioned to deliver specific messages by his parents. This sparked a broader discussion about the authenticity and motivations of self-proclaimed spiritual leaders in today’s social media-driven world.
What Attracts Followers to These Godmen
“Guruji has changed my life in many ways. I started visiting his temple back in 2013, but it was only during COVID times that I started believing in his divine powers. He guides me in the best possible direction and answers my questions in his own ways. If you are close enough to him, you would quickly notice the unique ways in which he responds,” says Tanisha Kaur, 22, a follower of Guruji.
This phenomenon gained a new wave during the pandemic. When loneliness and despair overwhelmed many, they found spiritual escape in the teachings of these babas. “While education over time satisfies material needs, people eventually start seeking spiritual fulfillment,” explains Professor Manisha T. Pandey, a sociologist at Jamia Millia Islamia. “As per Maslow Herzberg’s ‘hierarchy of needs’, after meeting basic material needs, people seek love, belonging and ultimately self-actualisation. For the latter, many turn to a baba.”
Guruji, also known as Dugri Wale Guruji or Shukrana Guruji, was believed by his followers to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. He was said to emit a divine fragrance similar to that of heavenly roses, a phenomenon still felt by his devotees today. Even after his physical departure, they claim his presence endures spiritually, blessing his followers with miraculous insights and predictions.
“We got engaged by the blessings of Guruji. Our families met on Guruji’s matrimonial app, where followers looking for life partners can connect. Our parents couldn’t find suitable partners for us, but Guruji did,” says a 25-year-old follower, who prefers to remain anonymous.
New Entrepreneurial Baba
Another trend emerging in this space is the commercialisation of spirituality. Many godmen have evolved into entrepreneurs, selling products and services under the guise of spiritual guidance. Baba Ramdev, for example, has expanded his brand to promote wellness products, which are now tax-exempt. There are now specialised gurus catering to specific audiences, with each guru targeting different social classes. “Sadhguru speaks to an educated, English-speaking upper-middle class audience, focusing on the environment,” says Pandey. “Similarly, Ravi Shankar talks about stress management, Baba Ramdev promotes yoga, and the Chinmaya Mission focuses on social upliftment.”
A Crisis of Modernisation?
“Guruji has divine powers. I have seen him save people. People literally wake up from deathbeds after receiving his ‘jal prashad’,” says Pinky, 60, a housewife and follower of Guruji.
Sociologically, this culture can be seen as a “crisis of modernisation”. According to the work of anthropologist Malinowski, “Magic will be replaced by religion and religion will be replaced by science.” However, this has not been the case. As Professor Pandey explains, “Despite science’s rationality, spirituality continues to thrive. Today, the primary aim of human beings is to attain God and salvation.”
These godmen often claim to possess supernatural powers or ‘siddhis’, which they use to heal, predict the future and perform miracles. “By working on the law of probability, predictions, and word of mouth, these otherwise ordinary people are declared to have the ability to cure diseases and perform magic,” he says.
A Growing Cult Culture
“His satsangs are so peaceful. My whole family attends, and there is no place like it, no one like him. He teaches us how to live a peaceful life and improve our conditions. He has saved me in so many ways — whether it is health, stress or financial concerns, Bapu has always shown us the light. I do not know if I would be alive today without him. He gave me hope and trust that I would be fine. He is everywhere, guiding me,” says Komal, a follower of Asaram Bapu.
“Devotees seek emotional and psychological support, which often intertwines with ideas of social mobility and upliftment amidst the inequality in society,” explains Pandey. “They want to believe in miracles, in supernatural powers, and so they take refuge in these so-called enlightened saints, who are not always as enlightened as they appear.”
The Dark Side of the Baba Culture
However, the darker side of this trend is also apparent. Asaram Bapu, a self-styled Indian spiritual guru, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018 for raping a 16-year-old girl. Despite this, he continues to maintain millions of followers worldwide.
Defending him, one anonymous follower claims, “The world tried to defame Bapu Ji, but he is innocent. All of this is a conspiracy against him. He is a divine intervention and has contributed so much to people’s lives.”
“What is also problematic is how these so-called spiritual leaders often use toxic language — misogynistic and provocative statements. In their popular satsangs, they frequently make claims that are politically incorrect and promote institutionalised patriarchy,” says Samarika Shetty, a sociology student and keen observer of the growing the baba culture.
The Unholy Alliance Between Godmen and Govts
“I have been following Radhe Maa for more than 20 years now. She is everything to me. Only those close to her can feel her aura — it is magical. Whenever I am in crisis, her presence is a divine intervention, and everything just eases out,” says Sakshi Ahuja, a devoted follower of Radhe Maa.
A popular belief among followers is that questioning a baba is akin to questioning religion itself, fostering a fear that makes it difficult for people to dare challenge such beliefs.
Radhe Maa, a controversial self-styled godwoman, has faced multiple allegations of sexual harassment, obscenity, and criminal intimidation. Despite this, her cult following is immense, and many of her followers staunchly defend her against legal charges. What is more troubling is that these godmen often enjoy significant political protection. Baba Ram Rahim, for example, has been granted parole several times despite his criminal convictions.
Pandey explains that the rise of these godmen can be partly attributed to a political nexus. “The Dera Sacha Sauda in Punjab, for instance, is frequently visited by politicians from all parties. Baba Bageshwar has also made political appearances in poll-bound states and even participated in high-profile events like the Ambani wedding,” she notes.
Manav adds, “These babas receive immense political support. They are invited on stages, encouraged by political leaders, and often endorsed publicly.”
The Way Forward
“The only solution to this crisis is mass education that fosters logical thinking and reasoning among the masses. We need to promote scientific temper and critical thinking in education,” says Shyam Manav.
Pandey further explains the concept of “culture lag,” coined by sociologist William Fielding Ogburn. She believes that while material culture—like technology — advances rapidly, non-material culture, including the ‘baba culture,’ lags behind. “This ‘cultural lag’ is a significant barrier to change, and the crisis of modernity will take time to resolve.”
In a world rapidly advancing in science and technology, the persistence of the baba culture signals deeper issues of modernity, belief, and the search for meaning in an increasingly complex society. The rise of self-styled godmen is not just a symptom of this crisis but a challenge to rational thought and societal progress. The question remains: will India outgrow the cult of godmen or continue to embrace these figures of spiritual authority?