Manokranti = Bare Ass Propaganda

(I am writing this with extreme respect for meditation and yoga)

Last week, some lucky people of Kathmandu witnessed a glorious farce in front of the Gorkhapatra Corporation, New Road where a bunch of Manokranti followers stripped naked and protested against the Nepali media for not publishing news about their numerous – what they claimed as – “incredible feats”.

They were holding placards written “Stop Yellow Journalism”, “where is the news about world cycle tour”, “where is the news about underground meditation”, “where is the news about walking on the fire”, “where is the news about 12 hours continuous speech”, “where is the news of Manokrantiversity” and also demanded “National acknowledgement/approval for Manokranti Philosophy” among others.

I do not care who this character “Dr. Yogi Vikashananda” is – nor do I care what his “vision”, “teaching” and “philosophy” are. I have nothing against his personal life and activities. He is entitled to his freedom of speech, opinion and pursuit. I do not care what his definition of “manokranti” (translation = revolution of self) is, nor do I care what they do inside their Manokranti Matrix Gurukul.

But some questions immediately popped up inside my mind – is the self-proclaimed “Dr. Yogi Vikashananda” successful in making a positive impact on the society? Are the hordes of his followers able to transcend their materialistic desires into something pure, simple, humane and spiritual?

However, the answers to the above questions are irrelevant because what we have witnessed is a plain ridiculous drama – a farce to get a “cheap publicity”.

The incident was an extremely outrageous and self-indulgent childish act which “Dr. Yogi Vikashananda” himself must have approved. (Reason – they are his followers and followers do not act unless their master says so). If the organization (Manokranti Matrix Gurukul) had been established for a “noble cause”, why were the swami/guru and the followers concerned about the “worldly” media and media coverage? It is best for them to carry on their stuff their own way, isn’t it?

However, they were out “naked” and shouting and sloganeering and blocking traffic. We never see any Osho-fans shouting on the roads, we never see any Jesus-fan creating drama in the streets, we never see Buddhist-fans stripping in public just to get “published” in newspapers. (By the way, my total respect to those monks in Burma who had courage and selfless motivation to defy the junta and come to the streets for democracy and freedom.)

But those “Manokranti yoddha” (Manokranti Warriors – as they like to call themselves) came out “naked” to the street demanding their publicity. This is the extremity of hypocrisy! (pakhandi-paan ko paraakastha)

So, why this urgency of “publicity” – we did this, we did that, we walked on fire, we meditated underground, we can talk longer for 12 hours, blah blah and freaking blah. (What a bunch of whiners!)

What is the single reason to run after “publicity” when, instead, they should be least bothered about it?

Philosophers do not care what the world talks about; sages do not worry about the TV ratings and popularity contest. That’s for the Beauty Contest participants and Miss Nepal to worry about. True artists and musicians do not harass the FM stations for not playing their music. True gurus walk on their own path and leave a trail for others to be inspired and motivate, they do not “force others to get influenced”. They do not paint their “inverted question” symbols on the street walls. (Leave that to the Maoists.)

In his “selfless philosophical path”, when did “Dr. Yogi Vikashananda” start nurturing the vision of “grand publicity and popularity” through daily newspaper?

Like I said, I do not care about his philosophy (Let’s change ourselves to change the world) and teachings, but it is evident through this publicity stunt that all he and his followers desire are recognition and popularity in the society. “Desire to be famous” has now engulfed the so called “selfless sage”. He, his teachings (whatever that was) and his followers have become completely blind in their quest for “popularity”.

Did he suddenly realize that “Ramdev” got extremely popular through television channels and his own shows got slumped just after a few episodes?

If these guys turn the pages of dictionary, they would find an appropriate phrase for them – that is “pathetic losers”.

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With due credits, below are the pictures taken from the site www.enasha.com, photographed by Kabindra Man Shakya. Thanks for unveiling the “true” purpose of their Manokranti.