Maharishi

Maharishi is an anglicized spelling of the Sanskrit word Maharṣi महर्षि (formed from the prefix mahā- meaning "great" and r̥ṣi meaning "seer"). Maharishi is often used as an addition to a person's name as an honorary title. The term was first seen in modern English literature in the 18th century.

Description and usage

Maharishi may refer to a Hindu, or Vedic, guru or "spiritual teacher" of "mystical knowledge". Additional meanings cited by dictionaries include: sage, poet, spiritual leader, wise man and holy man. The term became popular in English literature "sometime before 1890" and was first used in 1758.

Alternate meanings describe Maharishi as a collective name that refers to the seven rishis or saptarishis (including Maharishi Bhrigu) cited in the scriptures of Rig Veda and the Puranas, or any of the several mythological seers that are referenced in Vedic writings and associated with the seven stars of the constellation Ursa Major.

Anyone can adopt the title. According to Brewers Dictionary, outside of India, the most well known Maharishi is Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who founded Transcendental Meditation and made it available to the West.

Maharshi (film)

Maharshi (మహర్షి) is a 1988 Telugu drama film written and directed by Vamsy. The film stars Maharshi Raghava, Nishanti (Shanti Priya), and Krishna Bhagavan, with Ilaiyaraja composing music and S.P.Balasubrahmanyam as the playback singer.

Plot

Maharshi (Raghava), is a carefree college youngster from a rich family. He is well noted in the college for his arrogant behaviour, maintaining a gang of friends, teasing lecturers and beating up classmates. However, things change when he meets Suchitra (Nishanti (Shanti Priya)) in college. She loathes him owing to his rude behaviour and does not even talk to him when he approaches her. Maharshi takes a liking for her and tries to win her by approaching her parents and showing off his wealth. Suchitra turns down the offer even after her parents show interest. Maharshi then scares and turns away the prospective grooms who come to Suchitra's home.

Suchitra meets her childhood friend Tilak (Krishna Bhagavan) who is working as a police sub-inspector in the same town. Soon after she expresses her wish to marry him, more with the objective of getting rid of Maharshi. When Maharshi comes to know of this, he tries to stop the wedding but is locked up in a police station at the insistence of his own father. However, he assumes that Tilak has used his power as sub-inspector and locked him up. He tries to attack Tilak at their own home but stops when he sees Suchitra open the door. Gradually Maharshi slips into depression and is hospitalized.