Dhirendra Brahmachari, a yoga teacher from Bihar, rose from a spiritual background to become one of the most influential figures in India's political circles during the 1970s.
His reportedly close relationship with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi gave him extraordinary access to power, especially during the controversial Emergency period between June 25, 1975 and March 21, 1977.
Born as Dhirendra Sharma in 1925 in Bihar's Madhubani district, Brahmachari left home at the age of 13 and travelled to Varanasi to study yoga. Under the guidance of Maharshi Kartikeya, he trained in Hatha Yoga and eventually became a respected yoga teacher. His knowledge of yoga even took him abroad. In the 1960s, he was invited to the Soviet Union to train cosmonauts in yogic techniques that could help them handle the physical and mental stress of space travel.
Rise To Power During Indira Gandhi Era
Brahmachari's life changed after he was introduced to India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru invited him to teach yoga to his daughter, Indira Gandhi. Over time, Brahmachari became Indira Gandhi's yoga mentor and developed a close relationship with her.
According to journalist Shekhar Gupta, Brahmachari was considered the "official yogi of India" during the Indira Gandhi era. His influence grew significantly during the Emergency. Many observers even compared him to Rasputin, the mystic known for influencing Russia's royal family.
Reports from that time suggested that Brahmachari played a role in advising Indira Gandhi and was involved in political decisions and appointments. Known as the "Flying Swami", he was also believed to have carried out some of the Prime Minister's instructions. His influence reportedly helped him acquire land for yoga institutes in Delhi, Mantalai and other parts of northern India.
Controversies And Later Years
After Indira Gandhi lost power in 1977, Brahmachari faced allegations of influence-peddling and legal disputes related to his ashram. When Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980, many of these controversies faded.
His influence declined during the tenure of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and he gradually faded from the political spotlight. In 1994, Dhirendra Brahmachari died at the age of 70 in a plane crash.