Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

Shri Mataji was born on March 21, 1923 in Chindwara (a village located in the center of India) by Christian parents, it was called Nirmala, a word that in Sanskrit means pure pure pure^[4]. Shri Mataji states that her father, Prasad Rao Salve, was a direct descendant of the royal Shalivana dynasty, which reigned in the Indian province of Maharastra from 230 BC. until 230 AD.

In 1920, Prasad Rao Salve married Lady Cornelia, who had a high degree of education in Sanskrit, Urdu and Hindi. Cornelia was the first woman to obtain a degree in mathematics at Ferguson University; however, she discovered new algebraic methods of still current use. After her academic success, Shri Mataji’s mother’s priority was towards the family. He accused and raised eleven children, giving them careful and severe education and much love.^[4].

Shri Mataji Nirmala Salve shared a happy childhood with the family, in Nagpur. Although he was the youngest of his children at that time, when he was about seven years old he spent a lot of free time in Mahatma Gandhi's ashram.^[4]. She participated in all ashram activities and was often asked to choose songs for prayers. Shri Mataji states that Gandhi valued her wisdom to the point of consulting her on spiritual matters^[5].

When the time came to choose the branch of studies, young Nirmala opted for the field of medicine, focusing on his interest in anatomy and human physiology. But, like his father, his heart was completely involved in the struggle for the liberation of India; several times he ended up in prison for taking part in the fight for the liberation of India. peaceful student movements, The Quit India Movement (1942)^[6][7], and was also banned from her course of study. After the proclamation of India's Independence, Shri Mataji married the young diplomat Mr. Chandrika Prasad Srivastava^[6], 7 April 1947. He was a prominent member of the Indian Administrative Service, and soon his career in public service advanced as he became Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri.

After the wedding, Shri Mataji devoted herself completely to the family. The young couple had two daughters: Kalpana and Sadhana. When the daughters were both married, Shri Mataji's attention was focused on the welfare of society; he founded the "Youth Society" to promote the cinema of young talents, but in full respect of moral values and customs. Afterwards he also promoted the creation of a school of art and music (P.K.Salve Music and Art Academy)^[8], of a center for abandoned women (Nirmal Prem)^[9], of a hospital operating with Sahaja Yoga methods in Belapur (International Sahaja Yoga Research and Health Centre)^[10], by TEV (Theatre of Eternal Values)^[11].

Shri Mataji had a desire to find a new system to approach people from all over the world and all cultures and spread the yoga knowledge known to her, in order to allow them to achieve self-realization and their well-being.

At this time he had contacts with the well-known spiritual master Osho, but did not make a good impression.^[12]

At the dawn of May 5, 1970, Shri Mataji finally realized what could be the method: a simple practice that allows to obtain yoga spontaneously and to be able to practice it independently. In addition, a method such as to use natural elements to improve yourself and get a complete wellness^[13]. Shri Mataji then decided to name this method Saha Sahaja Sahaja Sahaja sahasa, which means Innate i.e. spontaneous.

In 1974, C.P. Srivastava was appointed Secretary General of the United Nations International Maritime Organization, a position he occupied for 17 years^[14]. Following this employment, he was awarded honors by 17 nations and was knighted in the Order of St. Michael and St. George by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.^[15] In this country, the Srivasta married people lived many years, as the central agency of the International Maritime Organization, where he worked, was in London.

Since the years80 Shri Mataji traveled to Europe, South America and North America, Asia and Oceania, allowing thousands of people to experience Sahaja Yoga. In the 1995 was invited by the Chinese government to intervene at the Fourth World Conference on Women that would take place in Beijing.^[16][17]

In recent years Shri Mataji and her husband Sir Chandrika Prasad Srivastava lived periodically in India and Italy, resided in Doria Spinola Pallavicino Castle in the mountainous country of Cabella Ligure, which she called "the perfect place to find peace." Shri Mataji died on 23 February 2011 at the Montallegro Clinic in Genoa: the family did not reveal the causes of death. His body was transported and buried in India, in Delhi.