Mantle of God is not easy! Even
Buddha or Jesus knew the burden of such mantle and tried their best
to keep away from it. But in India- the land of spiritual awakening
there are few who are too eager to don these cloaks to claim the crown of God.
Many of these enlightened souls often fail so miserably exposing the
myth of ' god ' and raising the question , is there a God? or is GOD
just a fiction created by men of religion for their convenience to
control communities, races, creeds and nations through
imagination ?
Story of Bhagwan Rajneesh is one such
story of a man who tried to become God and failed. In her memoir
Don't Kill Him! ; Ma Anand Sheela once secretary (1981-85) to
Bhagwan Rajneesh aka Osho gives her side of story explaining how
Rajneesh born as an ordinary man - Chandra Mohan Jain rose to
capture the imagination of the world through his words convincing
his followers that he is a God , manipulated his followers, fell from
the grace of spiritual height, and died probably of drug abuse. Yet , this book is Book of love for her master and her lover. Book is divided into
two parts. First section narrates Sheela's resignation from
Osho's commune as a secretary and subsequent arrest by US authorities
and her time in prison on charges of fraud and treason. And the
second section tells how she came to know , fell in love with
Bhagwan, became his disciple, rose to the ranks of secretary, and a
close confidant. Later resigned from the post, as she felt man whom
she called her God let her down and disgraced her.
Genre of memoir, is susceptible to
authors perceptions of the events that are being described . In the
sense it can contain personal opinions, jealousy, unwarranted
remarks, gossips and even allegation as part of the narrative. Ma
Sheela does provide lot of insider gossip of the cult of Rajneesh. And yet her narrative has remained a calm
and dispassionate witness to her acts. Written in short and candid
manner, punctuated with short anecdotes, quoted from Osho's
discourses, book has gripping quality; a style of narrative Osho himself was adept
at.
Acharya Rajneesh, a professor of
philosophy at a collage in Madhya Pradesh came into public limelight
through his controversial lectures on sex and human
consciousness. Well versed with eastern and western philosophical
schools Acharya was against the established religions and thus set
out to establish a new order, a society based on freedom of choice
and liberty to achieve a spiritually enlightened souls - Homo Novus -
where every man is a potential Buddha. Based on this vision Archaya
set his first commune in Pune in 1974, and called his followers
sanyasins i.e. one who has renounced the world. Sanyasins wore long
flowing red gowns and malas ( bead necklace) that contained
Rajneesh's face in the pendant was the distinct sign of the Rajneesh
cult. Popularity of the Rajneesh's cult grew very quickly even among
intellectual groups and it soon became an international spiritual
cult to reckon with. With growing popularity, Rajneesh/Osho flaunted
his arrogance and wealth ( he had 96 Roll Roys and many diamond
crusted watches in his collection) aspired to build a self governed
city of Rajneeshpuram in Oregaon USA. But his organization soon came
into trouble with US authorities in 1985, who accused the Guru for
committing crimes against US citizens. Osho was deported out of US in
1986 , who then tried taking refuge in various foreign countries,
but denied entry. He returned to India and died in 1990 of heart
failure. That is the official story of Rajneesh /Osho. But every one
knew there were far more layers to this tale then what it seemed.
Who really was Man behind Bhagwan?
What were his weaknesses and his strength ? How did he acquire the
title of sex guru? How did Bhagwan manipulate media and
publicity? Why did he like expensive and luxury items like diamonds,
Rolls Roys , watches and Pens? What was the business model of the
commune and who was brain behind behind flourishing commune? Whys? Hows? Sheela
tries to attempt to explain the Man and the God she understood.
Looking back, Rajneesh pioneered a new era of god men in India. He was first to recognize that spirituality can be
sold for a profit. He was the first successful
spiritual entrepreneur who realized the potential of making wealth
through ancient wisdom. Words were his capital. And capitalism was his mantra. In chapter 13 The Exploitation of
Sanyasins, Sheela writes ,” Bhagwan was a good businessman. He knew
his products, their value and their market. He wanted to work the
ashram work that all costs were covered.. hence an entrance fee was
asked for his discourse.... In the ashram therapies began to be
offered... so visitors could pick and choose and pay for their
choice...” Today all so called 'Gurus' of India
follow his model of business in spirituality.
The hurt of being disowned by the
master whom she gave her love and life is also palpable in the last
chapters. Some where she longs for the regret Bhagwan might have had
for loosing a confidant in her. She writes ” It was very easy
to misunderstand Bhagwan . It is always really difficult to
understand a man like Him... world does not understand Him. His own people understand him even less.. That was and is his main misfortune”.. by these words somewhere she poses a doubt for herself did she ever
understand Bhagawan/ Rajneesh /Osho the man and the God she THOUGHT
she knew?.
Unable to resolve the dilemma she
faces, Ma Sheela resigns to her lover's position to make a final appeal to her readers, whoever he might
be a fake god? A man who betrayed the trust of his followers; heartless lover? perpetual lier ? whatever..
He still deserves to Live!
If you have read Osho. Then you may also like to read her story.
Don't Kill Him!
A Memoir by Ma Anand Sheela
Fingerprint Publication , New Delhi,
2012
Rs. 250
