Modern saints — the 1800-2000 revival

Biography — Born to a poor brahmana family in rural Bengal. Became priest of the Kali temple at Dakshineshwar at 20. Had direct vision of Kali after extreme tapas. Subsequently practised + realised every form — Shakta, Vaishnava, Advaita, Christian, Islamic — concluding that all paths lead to the same Reality. Lived in samadhi for days at a time. Trained Narendranath Datta (Vivekananda) as his chief disciple.

Teaching — God-realisation through any sincere path. "As many faiths, so many paths." Direct vision of God is the goal — not theological speculation. Renounce kanchana (gold) and kamini (lust) as the two main obstacles. Bhakti is the most natural mode for the Kali Yuga householder.

Biography — Born into the educated Calcutta brahmo bhadralok. Met Ramakrishna at 18 and became his chief disciple. After his guru's death, walked across India as parivrajaka (wandering monk) for 5 years. Delivered the historic address at Parliament of World's Religions, Chicago (Sept 11, 1893) — beginning "Sisters and Brothers of America" — that introduced Vedanta to the West.

Teaching — Practical Vedanta — bring philosophy down to the village. Service to man = service to God. Sankalpa to "rouse India" as her contribution to the world. Each soul is potentially divine — realise this within yourself.

Biography — At age 16, while studying in school, suddenly underwent a "death experience" — an overwhelming fear of death + spontaneous realisation that the body dies but the I-feeling persists. Left home weeks later. Walked to Arunachala (his chosen Self-form) and never left. Lived in the hill caves for 23 years; then in the ashrama at its foot. Maintained mostly silence; taught through silent presence + a few key questions: "Who am I?" and "Who is it that asks this question?"

Teaching — Atma-vichara (self-inquiry). The only essential question is "Who am I?". The answer is not a thought but a direct realisation of the Self that asks. Surrender (sharanagati) and self-inquiry are the two paths — both lead to the same end.

Biography — Born in Calcutta, schooled in England (Cambridge). Returned to India + became a freedom fighter in the Bengal underground (Alipore Bomb Case). In jail (1908) had a vision of Krishna + Vivekananda; turned from politics to yoga. Settled at Pondicherry (1910), under French rule. With his collaborator The Mother (Mirra Alfassa), founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram + later Auroville.

Teaching — Integral Yoga — combining all yogas with an evolutionary aim. The next step of human evolution is to bring down "Supermind" — a level of consciousness beyond mind — into the body. Earthly life is to be divinised, not escaped.

Biography — Origins unknown. Appeared as a 16-year-old yogi in Shirdi village ~1854. Lived there for 60+ years. Wore a long kafni (Sufi robe), kept a sacred fire (dhuni) burning continuously, attracted disciples from both Hindus and Muslims. Believed by Hindus to be an avatar of Dattatreya / Shiva, by Muslims to be a Sufi pir.

Teaching — Faith (Sraddha) + Patience (Saburi). Live by these two. "Sab ka malik ek" — "the master of all is one". Sectarian boundaries dissolve in true faith.

Biography — Born to a brahmana family in Kheora village (now Bangladesh). Married at 13 but the marriage was unconsummated (she was already in samadhi). Spontaneous yogic kriyas + visions from childhood. Recognised as a jivanmukta. Travelled India teaching for 60+ years. Indira Gandhi was a devoted disciple.

Teaching — "Father, you are everywhere — yet I see you nowhere." The cosmic mother behind all manifestation. No formal teaching — taught by presence + answering questions. Loving devotion is the easiest path for women + householders.

Biography — Born in Gorakhpur. Initiated into Kriya Yoga by Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri at 17. In 1920, travelled to Boston for the Congress of Religious Liberals. Settled in the USA, founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in Los Angeles 1925. Lived in California for the next 32 years, teaching Kriya Yoga to thousands of Americans + visiting Indians.

Teaching — Kriya Yoga — a specific pranayama-meditation technique that uses breath-control to accelerate spiritual evolution. "Self-Realization" through direct experience — not belief. East-West synthesis: Yoga + Christianity's essential teaching.

Biography — Trained as a doctor in Tamil Nadu. Practised medicine in Malaysia for 10 years. Took sannyasa in 1924 at Rishikesh. Founded the Divine Life Society (1936) + Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy + Sivananda Ashram at Rishikesh. Wrote 296 books — covering Vedanta, yoga, bhakti, Ayurveda, ethics. Sometimes wrote 50+ books per year.

Teaching — Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize (the famous six-word formula). "An ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory." Integral spiritual practice combining all four yogas.