Vethathiri

Apostle of Simplified Kundalini Yoga

Vethathiri Maharishi was born on 14th August 1911 in Guduvancherry, a small village near Chennai, to Varadhappan and Chinnammal. Though he did not receive formal schooling, his intense passion for learning led him to educate himself from a very young age.

Early Life and Quest for Knowledge

To support himself, Vethathiri worked as an apprentice weaver and later became proficient in alternative systems of medicine such as Siddha, Ayurveda, and Homeopathy. He also served as a government employee and went on to become a successful master-weaver, owning nearly a thousand looms and heading a flourishing textile firm. However, when material prosperity declined, he remained serene and turned inward in search of deeper truths.

The fluctuations in his material life made him realize the transient nature of worldly wealth and inspired him to empathize with human suffering. Questions about God, the origin of man, life-energy, and poverty deeply intrigued him and propelled him into years of study, contemplation, and meditation.

Spiritual Philosophy and Yoga

Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Siddha saints such as Thirumoolar, Thiruvalluvar, Thayumanavar, and Vallalar, he formulated a comprehensive “science of living.” He simplified traditional yoga practices into accessible methods including physical exercises, Kayakalpa, Kundalini Yoga, meditation, and introspection, integrating ethics and metaphysics into daily life.

World Community Service Centre

Based on his philosophy, he founded the World Community Service Centre (WCSC), headquartered in Chennai. The organization has established more than 1,500 meditation centres in India and abroad.

The WCSC conducts a specialized course titled “Yoga for Holistic Health” covering physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being. In collaboration with five universities in Tamil Nadu, it offers diploma, degree, postgraduate diploma, and postgraduate degree programmes under the banner of Yoga for Human Excellence (YHE).

Global Outreach and Literary Contributions

Vethathiri Maharishi travelled extensively to countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, spreading his teachings worldwide. On 9 January 1975, he was invited to the United Nations to deliver a lecture on the “Value of Yoga and Meditation.”

A prolific writer, he authored around 70 books and composed nearly 2,000 poems in Tamil, along with several works in English.

He passed away on 28th March 2006 at the age of 95, leaving behind a rich spiritual legacy that continues to influence seekers across the globe.

Commemorative Stamp

In recognition of his immense contribution to yoga, meditation, and spiritual philosophy, India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Thathuvagnani Vethathiri Maharishi, celebrating his lifelong mission of guiding humanity toward holistic living and inner peace.