MAN “HAS NOT EATEN” FOR 70 YEARS

“BREATHARIAN” INDIAN HOLY MAN
“SURVIVES WITHOUT FOOD” FOR 70 YEARS

NEW DELHI (Sky News) - Indian doctors are studying a remarkable 83-year-old holy man who claims to have spent the last seven decades without food and water. Military medics hope the experiments on Prahlad Jani can help soldiers develop their survival strategies. The long-haired and bearded yogi is under 24-hour observation by a team of 30 doctors during three weeks of tests at a hospital in the western city of Ahmedabad. Two cameras have been set up in his room, while a mobile camera films him when he goes outside, guaranteeing round-the-clock observation. His body will be scanned and his brain and heart activity measured with electrodes. “This study may throw light on human survival without food and water,” said Dr G. Ilavazahagan, who is directing the research. “This may help in working out strategies for survival during natural calamities, extreme stressful conditions and extra-terrestrial explorations like future missions to the Moon and Mars by the human race”, he added.

Since the experiment began on April 22, Jani has neither eaten nor drunk and has not been to the toilet. The doctors are trying to understand what energy supports the yogi existence. “Prahlad Jani says he meditates to get energy. Our soldiers will not be able to meditate, but we would still like to find out more about the man and his body,” he said. Prahlad Jani, who dresses in red and wears a nose ring, grew up in Charod village in the Mehsana district in Gujarat. He claims to be a “breatharian,” someone who can live on spiritual life force. He says a goddess has blessed him when he was aged eight, and that his powers come from the goddess Ambaji who pours an elixir through a hole in his palate, which enables him to survive without sustenance.

Video about the studies being made in the Sterling Hospital at Ahmedabad.

Some of the mystic powers are: laghimā (by which one can become lighter than a feather) and mahimā (by which one can become bigger than a mountain). But in the Bhagavad-gītā it is said that the most elevated yogī is one who constantly think of the Supreme Lord within his heart and engage in His loving service.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

The mystic perfections achieved by actually successful yogīs are eight in number. ... All of the yoga-siddhis, or perfections, are material arts. For example, in one yoga-siddhi there is development of the power to become so light that one can float in the air or on water. That is also being performed by modern scientists. They are flying in the air, they are floating on the surface of the water, and they are traveling under the water. ... So actually there is no difference between mystic perfection and materialistic perfection. [...] The yoga-siddhis - aṇimā, laghimā, mahimā, prāpti, prākāmya, īśitva, vaśitva and kāmāvasāyitā - are temporary. The ultimate siddhi is to achieve the favor of Lord Viṣṇu.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
“Nectar of Devotion”
“Characteristics of Pure Devotional Service”
“The Śrīmad Bhāgavatam” - Purport in 8.13.13