The Indian James Randi?
When a famous tantric guru boasted on television that he could kill another man using only his mystical powers, most viewers either gasped in awe or merely nodded unquestioningly. Sanal Edamaruku’s response was different. “Go on then — kill me,” he said.
Mr Edamaruku had been invited to the same talk show as head of the Indian Rationalists’ Association — the country’s self-appointed sceptic-in-chief. At first the holy man, Pandit Surender Sharma, was reluctant, but eventually he agreed to perform a series of rituals designed to kill Mr Edamaruku live on television. Millions tuned in as the channel cancelled scheduled programming to continue broadcasting the showdown, which can still be viewed on YouTube.
First, the master chanted mantras, then he sprinkled water on his intended victim. He brandished a knife, ruffled the sceptic’s hair and pressed his temples. But after several hours of similar antics, Mr Edamaruku was still very much alive — smiling for the cameras and taunting the furious holy man.
The last two words of that report are interesting. They are interchangeable with the word “charlatan”.
“At first the holy man, Pandit Surender Sharma, was reluctant..”
Well, that’s a relief!
I take it there’s no equivalent of ‘Thou shalt not kill, nay verily, even on a prime time tv show for entertainment purposes’ commandment in Mr Sharma’s religion..?
Nice blog, ta for link.
It would have been even funnier if SE had quietly slipped some poison into PSS’s drink and watched him keel over dead.
Hey free john, never knew you had moved, dont log in so often, although one thing to say of the show, charlatan. what a word for they would know.
I recall watching a show some time ago, some guy touring India meets an Agoni, spiritual ascetics who all the villagers go to and tell their problems. Fair does like, only this poor women who our society would put in a nut ward today was held in high esteem.
I could not help but hurt when I looked back to our true history and considered, our poor mad old sacred folk we put to death, for no other reason than being our agony aunts.