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Death of a Guru: A Remarkable True Story of one Man's Search for Truth

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Last night I stayed up till 2:30 am. reading this book from cover to cover. I could not put it down.
Rabi Maharaj's autobiography is tender and poignant, yet reads like a thriller. Rabi was born into a wealthy brahmin family in Trinidad. His father was a great yogi who never said a word to anyone, not even to his wife, during his penance for 8 years. Upon his untimely death, his young son resolves to become just like him - an Ascended Master. Rabi soon loses his mother to meditation in the temples of India - another traumatic happening.

The flavour of life as an Indian boy growing up in the Carribean comes across well. The major portion of the book details Rabi's intensely focused journey as Brahmacharya to attain Mukti (Self-realisation, union with Brahman). Some of the occult details he experienced, I have also read of by other yogis. The more deeply he meditates and travels into Hinduism, the more dissatisfied he becomes. His gods Shiva and Kali seem to be threatening and unloving. After years of struggling with his thoughts, he realises that he is not Brahman - he cannot be the Creator of the Universe. As a brahmin, he despises the lower castes, especially Christians who eat the cow (a god) and do not lead good lives.

Then two life-threatening incidents happen; a snake attacks him and in danger of his life, Rabi calls on the name of Jesus; the snake flees. Some time later his appendix ruptures and he collapses; Rabi again calls upon Jesus for help. His life is saved.

After a lot of struggle, he goes to a hated christian meeting where he asks Jesus to come into his life and become his God. He meets the real Creator of the Universe who loves him so much, that He sent His Son to die for him on the cross.

It is only through faith in Jesus and in His name that we are saved from our sins and healed of our diseases. He was crucified for our sins and by the whipping he suffered, we are healed. He is the Only path to moksha. Being born as a christian does not make one into a christian. This book is about becoming a follower of Jesus Christ; not changing one's name or eating beef (things which have no effect).
Rabi's family and relatives cannot believe what has happened but after some time a number of them also find Christ. Their lives are transformed. However they are now hated by the rest of their relatives.

Contrary to what you might expect, Rabi is very respectful towards Hinduism. However he is also frank and honest.
If you are seeking after Truth, then this is a book you must not miss. It will change your life.

VIN and poojapatel, the reviewers before me, are living in a imaginary world, which only they both seem to practice. All my life, I have never yet seen a hindu reading vedas daily and living a life without idols and respecting cows. Maybe they both are hindus from Mars and not from my country India (that I love).

Poojapatel has asked for hindu scriptures. The problem with that is that Hindus do NOT read scriptures like Christians read the bible. It is unfortunate as some even do not know the names of the books in hinduism.

These verses are from the basavanna vacana, one of the scriptures sacred to the dravidian lingayat sect of the shaivite Hindu religion.

Should I revere the shastras as great ?
It extols karma !
Shall I hail the veda as great ?
It preaches animal-sacrifice !
Should I consider shruti great ?
It screams without sense !
No Lord, You are nowhere within them !
-- [ Basavanna Vacana.208 in Ling, p.110 ].

Yet, I will try to answer 3 of VIN'S points using Hindu scriptures as per poojapatel's requirement.

Point 1: As per VIN, "Hindu's worship only One God - Brahman. Brahman is the only God and all the rest are just representations" : This is utterly false. If all other Gods are representations, why do they have to fight with each other? One of the strongest theological arguments against Shiva and Vishnu being both representation of god of the same religion is that these 2 beings fought each other. The Shaivites assert that Shiva killed Vishnu, while the Vaishnavites assert that Vishnu crushed Shiva! - Here are the Scriptures > "Shiva's demon Virabhadra beheaded Vishnu. Vishnu's head was then blown into the fire" [ Linga Purana cited in Wil.p.59.n8 ]. Thus, Shiva is seen as victorious over Vishnu. The Vaishnavas claim that Vishnu took Shiva by the throat and nearly strangled him. Shiva then fled, with a black neck as the result of the thrashing (elsewhere described as being due to Shiva drinking the poison during the churning of the ocean) [ Hari Vamse cited in Wil.p.59.n8 ]. Claiming that Shiva and Vishnu are both representation of gods of the same religion is hence as nonsensical as claiming that Jesus and Satan were both gods of Christianity. Here is a quote from Rabi's book "How can Brahaman be both good and evil at the same time? It is not easy to maintain your sanity and the view that good and evil, love and hate, life and death were one reality. If good and evil were the same, then all karma was the same and nothing matterred? Why be religious?"

Point 2: As per VIN, "Hindu's do not worship the cow": Maybe in mars it is like that but not from the India that I come from.

Rig veda viii , 102, 15
"She is like the mother of the cosmic Forces, the daughter of the cosmic Matter, the sister of cosmic Energy, the centre of the ambrosia. I address to men of wisdom --kill not her, the sinless inviolate cow."

You need to read Rabi's book one more time about his encounter with his cow god. The Vedas say that the cow is holy and should be worshipped. Hindus have gone to the extent of claiming that cow dung ash has medicinal value. Even today ignorant Hindus smear their homes with cow dung. This might look bizzard but it is true (Do not believe my word - research it yourself). One erstwhile Indian Prime Minister, Morarji Desai, boasted that he was drinking eight ounces of his own urine daily in the morning in accordance with the Vedas claim that urine has medicinal value. With the same claim today I have seen many Hindus use cow's urine with medicinal value. No scientists have ever claimed that urine has any medicinal value. On the contrary it is well known fact that urine is an unwanted organic substance that the human body needs to discharge. That is what cow worship has done to India.


Point 3: As per VIN, "Hindu's do not worship idols. Idols are representative of a particular deity" : In reality, these representations becomes gods to a common Hindu. The shrines portray the divinities in sculptured images. Hindus treat these images as living human beings. Every day, for example, priests wash and dress the images and bring them food. Hindus do not consider this custom idol worship. With all thier heart, they believe the divinities are actually present in the images. Idol worship is not a hindu invention and it has been in the world right from the start. It was man's easiest alternative to find God on his own terms. In the old testament of the bible, God condemns idol worship and states that He cannot be limited to a representation of his own creation.He is beyond human comprehension. (ref Bible -Habakkuk 2:18 - "What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For the workman trusts in his own creation when he makes dumb idols"

Conclusion: I was fascinated by this book on Rabi's quest for truth. Having an Indian origin, I cannot but agree with the detailed account given on this book. With my own eyes I have seen the grip of these traditions and superstitions that have almost drained my country, other wise rich in resources and manpower. Rabi Maharaj in his book is quite honest about his deliverance from a life of ritual practices and oppression to a life of real peace and love in Christ. If you are one of those who is really confused (like me in the past) about Hindusim, all you need to do is read and reason. Do not be ignorant and listen to any false Gurus. Remember, Ignorance cannot lead to your salvation nor is an excuse. As Rabi did, you also research it yourself and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. The bible (God's word) is a good place to start.

"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." (Bible ISAIAH 1:18)

Further book recommendation: Jesus amoung other Gods - Ravi Zacharias

I enjoyed this fast moving autobiography immensely . I must stress that this book is accurate. It is written by Rabi himself. I have talked with Mr. Maharaj on the phone and know people that have known him personally, this is his story and experience. Arvind-4@msn.com has commendable national pride in India and Hindu culture, Rabi's book is not about these topics. Perhaps Arvind would find to his surprise much more agreement than he would expect were he to meet with Rabi and discuss culture and national history. Rabi has told his own journey in life, sticking to the lessons that have been most important to him. A Living relationship with the Creator God and eternal life are not tied to one culture or people, but open to all cultures and all times. I encourage you to read this book as a spiritual individual, then take its message and fullfill it within your own journey and culture. Peace to you. T.J.

This book tells it like it is. I spent 8 years practicing yoga under a guru. I've met and meditated with many a so-called "enlightened" spiritual teacher. I read this book during that time of my life and couldn't believe how accurately it described my experiences. I know from personal experience that what is told in this book is true. There is a great difference between what is taught about mysticism and the truth. (Mysticism = the teaching that one can attain union with God through spiritual contemplation and self surrender.) This book does a great job of exposing the underlying truth that most don't discover because they don't go looking for it.

When I was at university some 30+ years ago this book was on the hot list of Christian books. Typically I did not read it. Since then I have read it twice - both times it was a good read. It is a mans personal experience - to me it shows the triumph of God's grace. If you are a Christian you will find it a good read, if you are a Hindu searching you will find it hope from the dead - but you will need to search just a little bit more.

Irregardless of your background, nationality, or religious upbringing, one simple truth is crystal-clear: This book is about the the Power of God to take ANY life, and transform it!

I have personally known Rabi for over 11 years, and I know the integrity that he carries with him in what he shares.

This book is focused on the testimony of how Jesus Christ personally and powerfully changed his life, and he has been a steadfast servant of the Gospel ever since, and travels around the world to humbly share the Hope of Salvation that is within him, which is what all humanity seeks in one form or another.

This book is not about Hinduism. It is not about his Indian roots. It is about his citizenship in Heaven with a Living God, and a Living Redeemer. The knowledge of this reality comes through clearly in his testimony, in his character, and in his life as a whole. It is something he would lay his life down for, and as the beginning of the book illustrates, he came very close to that happening on the border of India and Pakistan.

Rabi offers in clear detail his struggles, his intimate thoughts, and his experiences as he wrestles with his own heritage, spiritually and otherwise, and the effect this has in his daily life. This books portrays the end result.

Rabi takes us through this process, and is transparent and vulnerable with the reader, just as if you were sitting across from him in the living room, and telling you his life story. As I said above, I personally know this man, and I have shared much personal time with him in his living room. Accordingly, I can think of no better way to share this wonderful Reality, then how he has done it through his book.

As for scholarship, Rabi can provide that as well, through the many seminars and outreaches that he gives every year. He is a wealth of information and first-hand knowledge on the subject.

Lastly, if you buy this book because you are searching to find significance and meaning for your life, Rabi's book provides you the Doorway. You will not find fanciful expositions or extensive dissertations. Instead, just like the Gospel itself, the message is simple and clear, from one who has followed a light, and exchanged it for the one True Light, Jesus Christ.

A significant warning to naive Western World thinking regarding the "innocent" world of spirit. It is a first person, well written account by one who grew up to be a Guru within the highest caste. A real page-turner that is easy reading. I highly recommend this book.

Maharaj explains his disillusionment with his religion, Hinduism. Having first hand experience from growing up from a long line of Brahmin priests, Maharaj illustrates the emptiness and vanity of Hinduism. After reaching the depths of self and realizing that he was not God after all (the ultimate goal of Hinduism), he found that peace and joy comes only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ

Great book. I recommend it to anyone interested in knowing the background of the Hindu religion and Yoga

As a lover of Indian culture and a devout Christian, I felt Maharaj's testimony was a powerful witnessing tool and a good story. It can be instrumental in evangelizing Hindus and shows a great spiritual and cultural struggle