Godman (Hindu ascetic)

Godman is a colloquial term used in India for a type of charismatic guru. They usually have a high-profile presence, and are capable of attracting attention and support from large sections of the society. Godmen also sometimes claim to possess paranormal powers, such as the ability to heal, the ability to see or influence future events, and the ability to read minds.

The origin of godmen and their popularity today can be traced back to guru-shishya tradition of Hinduism. Godmen are revered as special human beings and often worshipped by their followers. Some godmen come from established schools of spirituality, but often they don't belong to any religious order. In Hinduism there is no centrally established religious authority, so people tend to follow such charismatic personalities. These gurus tend to live in their own ashrams. Many of these godmen acknowledge having had a guru themselves, as per the guru-shishya tradition. In recent years, many godmen have gained followers outside of India, which has increased their fame and wealth.

Satya Sai Baba (1926–2011) was a notable godman with a very large following. He was known for his miracles like materialising sacred ash (vibhuti), and other objects like watches and jewels. He was also involved in charitable works, which include a hospital and a university.

There are also female gurus who are considered divine and are revered by their followers. Some of them are spouses and collaborators of notable gurus, examples of such include Sarada Devi (1853–1920) and Mirra Alfassa (1878–1973). Other female gurus who are considered to be divine or saintly by their followers are Anandamayi Ma (1896–1982), Mata Amritanandamayi (1953–), and Mother Meera (1960–).

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