Amar Bharati, born in 1945, was a bank employee living with his wife and three children in New Delhi. In 1973, at the age of 28, he left his family to become a hermit dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. To demonstrate his resolve and pray for world peace, he raised his right arm and has maintained this posture for over half a century.
The first two years of this act brought considerable pain. However, the sensation of pain gradually diminished as his arm became paralyzed.
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Amar Bharati, in New Delhi, India, has held his arm aloft for 53 years in protest of war. Photo: Flickr |
Amar Bharati, in New Delhi, India, has held his arm aloft for 53 years in protest of war. Photo: Flickr
His right arm currently shows severe muscle atrophy. He has also not cut his fingernails for 53 years, allowing them to grow long and curl towards his palm. Medical experts indicate that his elbow cartilage has hardened, and any attempt to lower the arm could fracture the joint.
An acquaintance shared that "forcing his arm down would cause him significant mental distress, as he believes this gesture contributes to peace."
In previous media interviews, Amar stated, "I do not ask for much; I only wish for humanity to stop killing each other and for the entire world to live in harmony."
Though he does not seek attention, the image of his atrophied arm raised skyward has made the 81-year-old a distinctive figure in Indian cultural life. He intends to maintain this posture for the rest of his life.
Amar Bharati is not the sole individual to undertake such severe rituals. Previously, another Indian man reportedly refused to sit for over a decade in devotion to his faith, resulting in significant physical harm.
According to BBC, the deity Shiva is part of the supreme Hindu trinity, alongside Brahma (representing creation) and Vishnu (representing preservation). Shiva assumes the role of cosmic destruction for the purpose of recreation. Consequently, followers view Shiva as embodying both good and evil, unifying various contradictory elements.
By Minh Phuong (Sources: Mirror, JPost, Republicworld, Ladbible)
