Prahlad Jani
Encyclopedia
Prahlad Jani, also known as "Mataji", is an Indian sadhu
(born Chunriwala Mataji, August 13, 1929 in Charada, Mehsana
district). He claims to have lived without food and water
since 1940, and says that the goddess Amba
sustains him.
district. According to Jani, he left his home in Rajasthan
at the age of seven, and went to live in the jungle.
At the age of 11, Jani underwent a religious experience and became a follower of the Hindu goddess Amba
. From this time, he has chosen to dress as a female devotee of Amba, wearing a red sari
-like garment, jewellery and crimson flowers in his shoulder-length hair. Jani is commonly known as Mataji
("[a manifestation of] The Great Mother
"). Jani believes that the goddess provides him a liquid sustenance or water, which drops down through a hole in his palate
, allowing him to live without food or water.
Since the 1970s, Jani has been living as a hermit
in a cave in the rainforest near to the Gujarati temple of Ambaji
, awakening at 4am each day and spending most of his time meditating
.
, a neurologist at the Sterling Hospitals
in Ahmedabad
, India, who studies people claiming exceptional spiritual abilities (see Hira Ratan Manek). In 2010, the study was led by Dr. G Ilavazhagan of DIPAS, DRDO, and a panel of specialists from different medical disciplines. In both cases the investigators confirmed Jani's ability to survive healthily without food and water during the testing periods, although as of 2010, none of Shah's investigations into such abilities had been discussed in a scientific journal. When questioned six days into the 2010 experiment, the DRDO spokesperson announced that the study's findings would be "confidential" until results were established, and a further official press release by the team stated that any inside analysis information may be disclosed only at the discretion of the principal investigator, DIPAS. Uninvolved doctors and other critics have questioned the validity of the studies and observed that although people can survive for days without food or water, it is not possible to survive for years.
, Ahmedabad, India observed Jani for ten days. He stayed in a sealed room and was given only 100 milliliters of water to use as mouthwash each day. Doctors say that he passed no urine
or stool
during the observation, but that urine appeared to form in the bladder. A hospital spokesperson said that Jani was physically normal, but noted that a hole in the palate was an abnormal condition. The fact that Jani's weight dropped slightly during the 10 days has cast some doubt on his claim to go indefinitely without food.
and a team of 35 researchers from the Indian Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences
(DIPAS), as well as other organizations. The director of DIPAS said that the results of the observations could "tremendously benefit mankind", as well as "soldiers, victims of calamities and astronauts", all of whom may have to survive without food or water for long spells. The tests were again conducted at Sterling Hospitals
. Professor Anil Gupta of SRISTI, involved in monitoring the tests, described the team as being "intrigued" by Jani's kriya
s apparently allowing him to control his body's physiological functions.
The team studied Jani with daily clinical examinations, blood tests, and scans. Round-the-clock surveillance was reportedly followed using multiple CCTV cameras and personal observation. The researchers say that Jani was taken out of the sealed room for tests and exposure to sun under continuous video recording. According to the researchers, Jani's only contact with any form of fluid was said to be during gargling and occasional bathing starting from the 5th day of observation, and the toilet in Jani's room was sealed to test his claim that he did not need to urinate or defecate.
After fifteen days of observation during which he reportedly did not eat, drink or go to the toilet, all medical tests on Jani were reported as normal and researchers described him as being in better health than someone half his age. The doctors reported that although the amount of liquid in Jani's bladder fluctuated and that Jani appeared "able to generate urine in his bladder", he did not pass urine. Based on Jani's reported levels of leptin
and ghrelin
, two appetite-related hormones, DRDO researchers posited that Jani may be demonstrating an extreme form of adaptation to starvation and water restriction.
In an update, DIPAS has stated that further studies are being conducted to get answers to questions such as how metabolic waste material is eliminated from his body, from where he gets his energy for sustenance, and how he maintains his hydration status.
It has been declared that further observations of Jani are planned.
, dismissed the observation results as "impossible", observing that the bodies of profoundly malnourished people quickly consume their own body's resources, resulting in liver failure
, tachycardia
and heart strain. A spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association
remarked that the human body could survive on water alone, although not healthily, and that a person could not expect to meet their body's vitamin and mineral requirements without ingesting food. Nutrition researcher Peter Clifton also disagrees with study results. He accused the research team of "cheating" by allowing Jani to gargle and bathe, stating that a human of average weight would die after "15 to 20 days" without water. People who avoid food and water to emulate mystical figures often die. Sanal Edamaruku
characterized the experiment as a farce for allowing Jani to move out of the CCTV cameras' field of view, claiming that video footage showed Jani was allowed to receive devotees and to leave the sealed test room for sunbathing. Edamaruku also said that the gargling and bathing activities were insufficiently monitored, and that he was denied access to the site where the tests were conducted in both 2003 and 2010. He accuses Jani of having "influential protectors" responsible for denying Edamaruku permission to inspect the project during its operation, despite having been invited to join the test during a live television broadcast. The Indian Rationalist Association stated that individuals making similar claims in the past have been exposed as frauds.
In September 2010, Dr Shah announced that scientists from Austria and Germany had offered to visit India to carry out further research on Jani, and scientists from the United States had also offered to join the research. Jani has expressed interest in cooperating in further investigations.
).
In October 2010, the Italian television station Rai 2 broadcast a program named "Voyager" which presented an extensive report on Prahlad Jani and the tests.
As reported by DNA India, on 18th October 2011 Jani was a param pujya in a large shobha yatra
performed near Gandhinagar (1000 paath
s of goddess Durga were chanted).
Sadhu
In Hinduism, sādhu denotes an ascetic, wandering monk. Although the vast majority of sādhus are yogīs, not all yogīs are sādhus. The sādhu is solely dedicated to achieving mokṣa , the fourth and final aśrama , through meditation and contemplation of brahman...
(born Chunriwala Mataji, August 13, 1929 in Charada, Mehsana
Mehsana
Mahesana is a city and municipality in Mehsana district, in the Indian state of Gujarat.-City and surrounding area:Situated near Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Mehsana is one of the largest cities in North Gujarat; followed by Patan and Palanpur. A number of primary industries including dairy, oil...
district). He claims to have lived without food and water
Inedia
Inedia is the alleged ability to live without food. The word was first used to describe a fast-based lifestyle within Catholic tradition, which holds that certain saints were able to survive for extended periods of time without food or drink other than the Eucharist.Breatharianism is a related...
since 1940, and says that the goddess Amba
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
sustains him.
Early life
Born with the name Chunriwala Mataji, Jani grew up in Charada village in MehsanaMehsana
Mahesana is a city and municipality in Mehsana district, in the Indian state of Gujarat.-City and surrounding area:Situated near Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Mehsana is one of the largest cities in North Gujarat; followed by Patan and Palanpur. A number of primary industries including dairy, oil...
district. According to Jani, he left his home in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
at the age of seven, and went to live in the jungle.
At the age of 11, Jani underwent a religious experience and became a follower of the Hindu goddess Amba
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
. From this time, he has chosen to dress as a female devotee of Amba, wearing a red sari
Sari
A sari or sareeThe name of the garment in various regional languages include: , , , , , , , , , , , , , is a strip of unstitched cloth, worn by females, ranging from four to nine metres in length that is draped over the body in various styles. It is popular in India, Bangladesh, Nepal,...
-like garment, jewellery and crimson flowers in his shoulder-length hair. Jani is commonly known as Mataji
Mataji
-Etymology:"Mātā" is the Hindi word for "mother" and the "-jī" suffix is an honorific suffix used to indicate respect.-Use:"Mataji" is a respectful term used to address an older woman in Indian culture, particularly if she is unknown to the speaker. Another term that is used is "auntie"."Mataji"...
("[a manifestation of] The Great Mother
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
"). Jani believes that the goddess provides him a liquid sustenance or water, which drops down through a hole in his palate
Palate
The palate is the roof of the mouth in humans and other mammals. It separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. A similar structure is found in crocodilians, but, in most other tetrapods, the oral and nasal cavities are not truly separate. The palate is divided into two parts, the anterior...
, allowing him to live without food or water.
Since the 1970s, Jani has been living as a hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
in a cave in the rainforest near to the Gujarati temple of Ambaji
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
, awakening at 4am each day and spending most of his time meditating
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
.
Investigations
Two observation studies of Jani have been conducted, one in 2003 and one in 2010, both involving Sudhir ShahSudhir Shah
Sudhir V. Shah, is a Professor and Head department of Neurology; at KM school of PG medicine and research, Sheth V. S. General Hospital, Ahmedabad, Honorary Neurologist to H. E...
, a neurologist at the Sterling Hospitals
Sterling Hospitals
Sterling Hospitals, is one of the largest hospital chains in Gujarat, considered to be the leading one by the levels of independent certification, facilities and equipment, as well as size and capacities...
in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
, India, who studies people claiming exceptional spiritual abilities (see Hira Ratan Manek). In 2010, the study was led by Dr. G Ilavazhagan of DIPAS, DRDO, and a panel of specialists from different medical disciplines. In both cases the investigators confirmed Jani's ability to survive healthily without food and water during the testing periods, although as of 2010, none of Shah's investigations into such abilities had been discussed in a scientific journal. When questioned six days into the 2010 experiment, the DRDO spokesperson announced that the study's findings would be "confidential" until results were established, and a further official press release by the team stated that any inside analysis information may be disclosed only at the discretion of the principal investigator, DIPAS. Uninvolved doctors and other critics have questioned the validity of the studies and observed that although people can survive for days without food or water, it is not possible to survive for years.
2003 tests
In 2003, Sudhir Shah and other physicians at Sterling HospitalsSterling Hospitals
Sterling Hospitals, is one of the largest hospital chains in Gujarat, considered to be the leading one by the levels of independent certification, facilities and equipment, as well as size and capacities...
, Ahmedabad, India observed Jani for ten days. He stayed in a sealed room and was given only 100 milliliters of water to use as mouthwash each day. Doctors say that he passed no urine
Urine
Urine is a typically sterile liquid by-product of the body that is secreted by the kidneys through a process called urination and excreted through the urethra. Cellular metabolism generates numerous by-products, many rich in nitrogen, that require elimination from the bloodstream...
or stool
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
during the observation, but that urine appeared to form in the bladder. A hospital spokesperson said that Jani was physically normal, but noted that a hole in the palate was an abnormal condition. The fact that Jani's weight dropped slightly during the 10 days has cast some doubt on his claim to go indefinitely without food.
2010 tests
From April 22 until May 6, 2010, Prahlad Jani was again observed and tested by Sudhir ShahSudhir Shah
Sudhir V. Shah, is a Professor and Head department of Neurology; at KM school of PG medicine and research, Sheth V. S. General Hospital, Ahmedabad, Honorary Neurologist to H. E...
and a team of 35 researchers from the Indian Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences
The Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences is an Indian defense laboratory of the Defence Research & Development Organization . Located in Delhi, it conducts physiological and biomedical research to improve human performance in extremes environments and wartime environments. DIPAS is...
(DIPAS), as well as other organizations. The director of DIPAS said that the results of the observations could "tremendously benefit mankind", as well as "soldiers, victims of calamities and astronauts", all of whom may have to survive without food or water for long spells. The tests were again conducted at Sterling Hospitals
Sterling Hospitals
Sterling Hospitals, is one of the largest hospital chains in Gujarat, considered to be the leading one by the levels of independent certification, facilities and equipment, as well as size and capacities...
. Professor Anil Gupta of SRISTI, involved in monitoring the tests, described the team as being "intrigued" by Jani's kriya
Kriya
Kriya most commonly refers to a "completed action", technique or practice within a yoga discipline meant to achieve a specific result. Types of kriya may vary widely between different schools of yoga. Another meaning of Kriya is the outward physical manifestations of awakened kundalini...
s apparently allowing him to control his body's physiological functions.
The team studied Jani with daily clinical examinations, blood tests, and scans. Round-the-clock surveillance was reportedly followed using multiple CCTV cameras and personal observation. The researchers say that Jani was taken out of the sealed room for tests and exposure to sun under continuous video recording. According to the researchers, Jani's only contact with any form of fluid was said to be during gargling and occasional bathing starting from the 5th day of observation, and the toilet in Jani's room was sealed to test his claim that he did not need to urinate or defecate.
After fifteen days of observation during which he reportedly did not eat, drink or go to the toilet, all medical tests on Jani were reported as normal and researchers described him as being in better health than someone half his age. The doctors reported that although the amount of liquid in Jani's bladder fluctuated and that Jani appeared "able to generate urine in his bladder", he did not pass urine. Based on Jani's reported levels of leptin
Leptin
Leptin is a 16 kDa protein hormone that plays a key role in regulating energy intake and energy expenditure, including appetite and metabolism. It is one of the most important adipose derived hormones...
and ghrelin
Ghrelin
Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide and hormone that is produced mainly by P/D1 cells lining the fundus of the human stomach and epsilon cells of the pancreas that stimulates hunger. Ghrelin levels increase before meals and decrease after meals. It is considered the counterpart of the hormone...
, two appetite-related hormones, DRDO researchers posited that Jani may be demonstrating an extreme form of adaptation to starvation and water restriction.
In an update, DIPAS has stated that further studies are being conducted to get answers to questions such as how metabolic waste material is eliminated from his body, from where he gets his energy for sustenance, and how he maintains his hydration status.
It has been declared that further observations of Jani are planned.
Reactions
Dr. Michael Van Rooyen, director of the Harvard Humanitarian InitiativeHarvard Humanitarian Initiative
The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative is an interfaculty Harvard University initiative dedicated to advancing research, practice, and policy in the field of humanitarian assistance...
, dismissed the observation results as "impossible", observing that the bodies of profoundly malnourished people quickly consume their own body's resources, resulting in liver failure
Liver failure
Acute liver failure is the appearance of severe complications rapidly after the first signs of liver disease , and indicates that the liver has sustained severe damage . The complications are hepatic encephalopathy and impaired protein synthesis...
, tachycardia
Tachycardia
Tachycardia comes from the Greek words tachys and kardia . Tachycardia typically refers to a heart rate that exceeds the normal range for a resting heart rate...
and heart strain. A spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association
American Dietetic Association
The American Dietetic Association is the United States' largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, with nearly 72,000 members. The American Dietetic Association is officially changing its name to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The announcement was made Saturday, September...
remarked that the human body could survive on water alone, although not healthily, and that a person could not expect to meet their body's vitamin and mineral requirements without ingesting food. Nutrition researcher Peter Clifton also disagrees with study results. He accused the research team of "cheating" by allowing Jani to gargle and bathe, stating that a human of average weight would die after "15 to 20 days" without water. People who avoid food and water to emulate mystical figures often die. Sanal Edamaruku
Sanal Edamaruku
Sanal Joseph Edamaruku is the founder-president of Rationalist International. He is also the president of the Indian Rationalist Association. He is the editor of the internet publication Rationalist International, author of 25 books and numerous articles....
characterized the experiment as a farce for allowing Jani to move out of the CCTV cameras' field of view, claiming that video footage showed Jani was allowed to receive devotees and to leave the sealed test room for sunbathing. Edamaruku also said that the gargling and bathing activities were insufficiently monitored, and that he was denied access to the site where the tests were conducted in both 2003 and 2010. He accuses Jani of having "influential protectors" responsible for denying Edamaruku permission to inspect the project during its operation, despite having been invited to join the test during a live television broadcast. The Indian Rationalist Association stated that individuals making similar claims in the past have been exposed as frauds.
In September 2010, Dr Shah announced that scientists from Austria and Germany had offered to visit India to carry out further research on Jani, and scientists from the United States had also offered to join the research. Jani has expressed interest in cooperating in further investigations.
Television, video and public appearances
In 2006, The Discovery Channel aired a documentary called "The Boy with Divine Powers" featuring a five minute interview with Jani and Shah. In 2010, the Independent Television Network (ITN) posted an article and video featuring Prahlad Jani, commenting on the 2010 tests. In 2010 Prahlad Jani was featured in an Austrian documentary "Am Anfang war das Licht" (English title In the Beginning There Was LightIn the Beginning There Was Light
In the Beginning There Was Light is a documentary film by Austrian director P. A. Straubinger on the subject of inedia. Straubinger visits several people who supposedly nourish themselves with "light" and tries to find possible explanations on how inedia might work. P. A. Straubinger worked on...
).
In October 2010, the Italian television station Rai 2 broadcast a program named "Voyager" which presented an extensive report on Prahlad Jani and the tests.
As reported by DNA India, on 18th October 2011 Jani was a param pujya in a large shobha yatra
Yatra
' , in Hinduism and other Indian religions, generally means pilgrimage to holy places such as confluences of sacred rivers, places associated with Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and other sacred pilgrimage sites. Tīrtha-yātrā refers to a pilgrimage to a holy site, and is...
performed near Gandhinagar (1000 paath
Paath
Paath or Path, from the Sanskrit patha which means reading or recitation, is, in the religious context, reading or recitation of the holy texts. In Sikhism, it implies daily repetition of scriptural texts from the Guru Granth Sahib.-Background:...
s of goddess Durga were chanted).