Founder of Sahaja Yoga
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
A life dedicated to Self Realisation, spiritual ascent, compassion, and the free sharing of Sahaja Yoga meditation.
Birth and Childhood
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi was born on March 21, 1923 to the Salve family in Chhindwara, India. Her parents, Prasad and Cornelia Salve, were direct descendants of the royal Shalivahana dynasty. Seeing the beauty and spotless brilliance of the child, they called her Nirmala, meaning immaculate.
Her parents played a key role in India's liberation movement. Her father was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, a member of the Constituent Assembly of India, and a scholar of many languages. Her mother was among the first Indian women to receive an honours degree in mathematics.
Fighting for India's Freedom
As a child, Shri Mataji lived with her parents in Mahatma Gandhi's ashram. Gandhi appreciated her wisdom and often sought her advice on spiritual matters. During the 1942 Quit India Movement, she participated with courage and was arrested along with other freedom fighters.
Sahaja Yoga is Born
Shri Mataji studied medicine and psychology so she could use scientific language to explain the subtle system. On 5 May 1970, at Nargol, she discovered the process of en-masse Self Realisation through which seekers could receive a direct connection with the Spirit.
Sahaja means spontaneous, and Yoga means union with the Self. Shri Mataji insisted that enlightenment cannot be bought and that Sahaja Yoga meditation must remain free for all.
Worldwide Work and Recognition
From 1970 onward, Shri Mataji travelled around the world to teach Sahaja Yoga meditation. Large numbers of people across countries, cultures, religions, and ages experienced the cool breeze of Kundalini awakening and established meditation centers worldwide.
She received recognition from institutions and civic leaders internationally for her spiritual teachings, humanitarian work, and her role in spreading a message of peace.
NGOs and Compassionate Work
Shri Mataji created institutions for human welfare, including work connected with health, music, shelter for the poor, and spiritual education. Her work joined meditation with practical compassion.