Brahma Kumaris
Brahma Kumaris (ब्रह्मा कुमारीज) — meaning “Daughters of Brahma” — is a spiritual movement founded in Hyderabad, Sindh (now Pakistan) in 1937 by Dada Lekhraj (later known as Brahma Baba). The organization teaches a form of meditation called Rājayoga (Royal Yoga) and presents a unique cosmological narrative involving the soul’s journey through a 5,000-year cycle of time.
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) operates more than 8,000 centres in over 110 countries, offering free meditation and spiritual development programs. The organization is notable for its emphasis on female leadership, its distinctive understanding of reincarnation, and its teachings on the nature of the soul and the role of the Supreme Being.
Origins
Dada Lekhraj (1876–1969), a successful jeweler in Hyderabad, experienced a series of divine visions beginning in 1936, in which he saw himself as the soul Brahma and received teachings from the Supreme Being (Shiva). He established the Om Mandali group in Hyderabad, which attracted women from the local Hindu community who became the first students and teachers of the movement.
The group relocated to Karachi after partition in 1947 and later to Mount Abu, Rajasthan, where the organization’s global headquarters, the Brahma Kumaris Shantivan Campus, is located. The organization adopted its current name in the 1950s and began expanding internationally in the 1970s.
Core teachings
The Brahma Kumaris teach that the soul is an eternal, conscious entity distinct from the physical body, and that the Supreme Being (Shiva) is the ultimate source of spiritual knowledge and power. The tradition presents a unique cosmology in which the world undergoes a 5,000-year cycle, with the current material age (Kali Yuga) being replaced by a spiritual age (Sat Yuga or “Golden Age”).
The teachings emphasize the transformation of consciousness through Rājayoga meditation, which involves connecting the soul with the Supreme Being to receive spiritual power and purify the mind. The organization teaches that individuals can become “deities” (perfect beings) by practicing meditation and maintaining pure thoughts.
Key practices
The central practice is Rājayoga meditation, which involves sitting quietly, disconnecting the soul from the physical body, and connecting it with the Supreme Being (visualized as a point of light). The meditation is typically practiced for one to two hours daily, with morning and evening sessions.
Other practices include the study of Murlis (spiritual teachings received from the Supreme Being through Brahma), Murli classes (group study sessions), and Yagya (spiritual service). The organization also promotes vegetarianism, celibacy (for full-time students), and the practice of positive thinking and self-reflection.
Modern status
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University operates more than 8,000 centres in over 110 countries, with over one million members worldwide. The organization has established educational institutions, hospitals, and service projects, and has participated in interfaith dialogue and social service initiatives. The Shantivan campus in Mount Abu hosts major international conferences and retreats.
The organization has been recognized by the United Nations and various governments for its contributions to peace and spiritual development. It continues to grow globally, with a particular emphasis on youth education and women’s empowerment. Academic study of the movement’s history and theology has increased since the 1990s.
Verification notes
- The Brahma Kumaris organization’s global reach and institutional statistics are documented by the organization and independent sources.
- The Murlis (spiritual teachings) are compiled and distributed by the organization, forming the basis of its theological framework.
- The movement’s history from Hyderabad to Mount Abu is documented in biographical and historical sources.
- The organization’s United Nations consultative status is publicly recorded.
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).