Reviving “True” Hinduism through Yoga: Swami Nithyananda and the Pursuit of Authority

Nithyananda, one of the most notorious Hindu gurus of recent decades, is a self-proclaimed “Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism”, leader of the “Hindu nation” Kailasa, known as much for his claims to be a “living avatar” of Shiva and to possess supernatural powers as for extravagant pseudo-scientific theories. After facing multiple rape, embezzlement, and kidnapping charges, Nithyananda fled India in 2019 and to this day remains in an unknown location. Hyper actively spreading his teachings on the Internet but at the same time consistently absent from physical reality, he is probably the first truly “digital guru” in history. Initiated by a Nāth teacher from his native Tiruvannamalai, Nithyananda bases his yoga on the “six-limbed yoga of Sadashiva”. While putting emphasis on the authenticity of his teachings, supposedly validated by personal experience, he also stresses its conformity with the Vedas, Shaivite and haṭhayoga scriptures. The purpose of “Nithyananda yoga”, which is deemed a fully scientific method, is defined as advancing humanity to a new level of (spiritual) evolution. Nithyananda's yoga teachings are inscribed in a wider strategy of reviving “original” Hinduism which the guru considers in decline and globally persecuted by “deep state media”. This strategy is part of an aggressive agenda of authority building that Nithyananda pursues using digital media. In my paper I will try to provide a preliminary glimpse into Nithyananda's yoga “system” and its premises, as well as sketch possible conceptual frameworks that would allow us to explore more deeply his adaptation of various yoga teachings employed to create infallible authority and a god-like image.