Meher Bābā
Meher Bābā was a universal spiritual teacher who declared himself the Avatar (divine incarnation) of the age. He kept absolute silence from 1925 until his death in 1969, communicating through an alphabet board and hand gestures.
Life/History
Born Merwan Sheriar Irani in Pune to a Zoroastrian family, he began a seven-year period of spiritual transformation at age 19, with encounters with Hazrat Babajan, Upasni Maharaj, Sai Baba of Shirdi, Tajuddin Baba, and Narayan Maharaj. He declared his mission in 1925 and took a vow of silence that he maintained for 44 years until his death on 31 January 1969, communicating first through an alphabet board and, by 1954, entirely through hand gestures using an interpreter.
Teachings/Contributions
Despite his silence, Meher Bābā communicated extensively through discourses and messages, dictated by gesture. He said he was the Avatar — the reincarnation of Muhammad, Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Rama, and Zoroaster — and taught that the goal of all beings was to become conscious of their own divinity and realize the oneness of God. His map of consciousness has been described as “a unique amalgam of Sufi, Vedic, and Yogic terminology.”
Legacy
Meher Bābā’s legacy continues through the Meher Baba Association and the various trusts and institutions established in his name. His tomb at Meherabad in Maharashtra is a major pilgrimage site. His teachings continue to inspire a worldwide community of followers who see him as the universal teacher for the modern age.
Verification notes
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).