H.H SHRI MATAJI NIRMALA DEVI
H.H. SHRI MATAJI NIRMALA DEVI is the founder of Sahaja Yoga Meditation.
Founder of Sahaja Yoga
Shri Mataji wanted everyone to be able to access meditation, so that they may uncover their full potential. She knew she had to awaken the powerful, loving energy in all people. On the 5th of May in 1970 she spent a night in deep meditation and she created a method to make the spiritual knowledge from many ancient traditions accessible to everyone: Selfrealisation. Selfrealisation brings people who meditate in a spontaneous state of thoughtless awareness.
She spent 40 years, travelling all over the world to spreading the knowledge of Sahaja yoga, giving thousands of lectures. Every program was free of cost, because everyone has the right to experience Selfrealisation and meditation. Shri Mataji had developed a system through which the subtle energy Kundalini can be spontaneously awakened in each of us. An important feature of this experience is that it can be passed on from person to person, and thus to the world. At the moment there are Sahaja Yoga centres in over 100 countries worldwide.
Early Life & Freedom Struggle
Early life of H.H. Shri Mataji
Birth and Early Life
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi was born on 21 March 1923 in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, India. Her parents were Prasad and Cornelia Salve, direct descendants of the royal Shalivahana dynasty. Her lineage in fact traces back over 3000 years, rooted in the royal Indian Shalivahana dynasty.
Seeing the beauty of this child who was born with a spotless brilliance, she was named Nirmala. Nirmala means “immaculate”, meaning pure, and her honorific spiritual title translates to “Revered Mother”.
Involvement in freedom movement
At the age of only eight years, when Her parents were jailed for participating in the freedom struggle of India, she took up the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings. “The feeling that whatever our parents are doing is for our country’s freedom was so elevating… that we never even thought of little comforts that children ask for,” Shri Mataji recalled. At the age of seven, Shri Mataji spent some time with Mahatma Gandhi at his ashram. “He was a tremendous hard task master, but an extremely loving and compassionate person,” said Shri Mataji. “He always used to talk to me in a way as if I was a grandmother and he used to discuss things with me, most surprising to all others, in a way, (as if) I was wiser to everyone.
Just before India achieved independence in 1947, She married Chandrika Prasad Srivastava, a high-ranking civil servant in the Indian government. He held the post of the Joint Secretary to the Prime Minister’s office of the late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri in the years 1964-66. Afterwards he was elected for 16 consecutive years to be the Secretary General of the United Nations International Maritime Organization.
Education , Marriage, Family life
Shri Mataji have been born fully realized and her upbringing was influenced by her parents’ diverse backgrounds. Her father, Prasad Salve, was a lawyer and scholar of fourteen languages, who translated the Quran into Hindi. Her mother, Cornelia Salve, was the first woman in India to receive an honors degree in mathematics. Shri Mataji’s parents were both involved in the Indian independence movement.
Shri Mataji's childhood was dedicated to freedom struggle. She studied Medicine at the Christian Medical College in Ludhiana and at the Balakram Medical College in Lahore (Pre Independence India). In 1947, India finally became a free nation. It had been many years since Shri Mataji’s childhood discussions with Mahatma Gandhi, but not long before his last days, he asked to see Her. “I met him… immediately he recognized,” Shri Mataji recalled. “He said, ‘Meet me after prayer.’ When I met him, he said, ‘Now take to constructive work. Take to constructive work...”
Her husband was also a distinguished personality, He was awarded the prestigious Honorary KCMG by Queen Elizabeth II and honoured with “Padma Vibhushan” by Government of India for his dedicated service to the nation. Together, they had two daughters, Kalpana Srivastava and Sadhana Varma.
Recognitions
A Visionary of Infinite Compassion: H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
For those yet to encounter the life and legacy of Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, it is often a moment of profound wonder to realize that a personality of such transcendent stature has graced our time. Her presence is a gift to the modern world, yet the true depth of Her contribution to the collective well-being of humanity remains beyond measure.
Shri Mataji’s tireless humanitarian and spiritual mission has ignited a global transformation, earning the heartfelt adoration of millions who have been personally touched by Her grace. Her impact resonates far beyond individual hearts, commanding the highest respect from world leaders, prestigious educational institutions, and international governing bodies.
A two-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize and recipient of the UN Peace Medal, Her Holiness has been decorated with countless international awards and recognitions. Yet, Her greatest accolade remains the silent, spiritual awakening She has gifted to the world—a legacy of peace that continues to guide seekers across every continent.
A few selection of Awards and Recognition
Shri Mataji has been recognized worldwide by several prestigious institutions for her selfless work and for the remarkable results of her spiritual teachings through Sahaja Yoga, a few of which are listed below.
Italy, 1986
Declared ‘Personality of the Year’ by the Italian Government.
Moscow, Russia, 1989
Following Shri Mataji’s meeting with the USSR Minister of Health, Sahaja Yoga was granted full government sponsorship, including funding for scientific research.
New York, 1990-1994
Invited by the United Nations for four consecutive years to speak about the ways and means to achieve world peace.
St. Petersburg, Russia, 1993
Appointed as Honorary Member of the Petrovskaya Academy of Art and Science. In the history of the Academy only twelve people have been granted this honour, Einstein being one of them. Shri Mataji inaugurated the first International Conference on Medicine and Self-Knowledge, which became an annual event at the Academy thereafter.
Brazil, 1994
The mayor of Brazilia welcomed Shri Mataji at the airport, presented her with the key to the city and sponsored all of her programs.
New York, 1994
September 26 proclaimed ‘Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day’. Police escort was offered for a welcoming parade honouring Shri Mataji and celebrating her association with Mahatma Gandhi.
1994: Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Romania, 1995: Awarded Honorary Doctorate in Cognitive Science by Prof D. Drimer, head of the Ecological University Bucharest.
Sydney, Australia, 1995: The Mayor of Sydney officially welcomes Shri Mataji during Her visit to Australia.
Beijing, China, 1995: Official guest of the Chinese Government to speak at the United Nations International Women’s Conference.
India, 1995: The Indian Government has granted Shri Mataji a one hour prime time television series, broadcast nationally.
Sophia, Bulgaria, July 26, 1995: General Secretary of the international ‘Ecoforum for Peace’ expressed appreciation to Shri Mataji and wished realization of Her goals and ideals.
1996: Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
France, May 2, 1996: International Award ‘La Pléiade’.
India, 1997: The ‘Unity International Peace Award’ by the Unity International Foundations. Shri Mataji’s name included to the List of The Greatest People of The Planet for her fundamental contribution to the scientific and spiritual development.
London, UK, 1997: Tribute to Shri Mataji at the Royal Albert Hall by Claes Nobel (Chairman of United Earth Organization and grandnephew of Alfred Nobel, creator of the Nobel Foundation). In his admiration speech Mr. Nobel acknowledged: “Shri Mataji’s discovery brings genuine hope to humanity”.
Delhi, India, 1998: Greetings from the President and Prime-Minister of India on Shri Mataji’s 75th Birthday.
India, 1998: A road in Navi Mumbai got named as the H.H. Shri Nirmala Devi Marg.
Pune, India, 2001:Manav Ratna Award in recognition of Shri Mataji’s selfless work for all humanity.
Moscow, Russia, 2003: Sahaja Yoga awarded “Best diagnosis and therapies of regenerative medicine 2003” by the Ministry of Health of Russia.
Cabella Ligure, Italy, 2006: Awarded Honorary Citizenship of Italy by the local assembly for the Municipal Office of Cabella Ligure, Alessenandria Italy.
New Delhi, India, 2024: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Shri Nitin Gadkari, released the ₹100 commemorative coin to mark the Birth Centenary of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi today, October 14, 2024, at the National Museum Auditorium, Janpath, New Delhi.
Her Legacy
Transformation – From Individual To Universal
H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi’s legacy is a living journey of transformation, guiding millions toward a deeper connection with their true selves. Through her blessing of Self-Realization, she awakened the Kundalini—the primordial motherly energy within—allowing us to move beyond our mortal limits and experience the vastness of universal consciousness. In this gentle awakening, one naturally finds a state of thoughtless awareness, where the mind becomes still, and the heart enters a deep, meditative peace.
This gift of transformation is meant to be shared; those who have been touched by her grace can help others light their own inner lamps. This ripple effect of spiritual awakening is perhaps her most profound contribution to humanity.
Her vision has blossomed into a global sanctuary:
A World Without Borders: Sahaja Yoga has spread across more than 120 countries, with thousands of centers offering meditation freely to all.
Eternal Wisdom: Her teachings are preserved in over 3,000 recorded speeches, providing a digital library of timeless guidance for generations to come.
Compassionate Infrastructure: While she established schools, health centers, arts academies, and homes for the destitute, her true legacy remains the inner change she sparked in people.
Ultimately, Shri Mataji envisioned a world united by the Power of Love. She gifted us a universal family where a flow of brotherhood and sisterhood transcends all continents, weaving humanity together in a tapestry of divine peace and collective harmony.
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