Uppaluri Gopala Krishnamurthi, or UG Krishnamurti a life lived without purpose and meaning. He was a mystic who defied every convention typically associated with spirituality.
Often dubbed the “anti-guru,” he was a man whose views on enlightenment, life, and truth were a stark contrast to the traditional teachings of spiritual leaders. His disdain for the guru-disciple relationship, coupled with his unconventional views on enlightenment, made him an enigmatic figure in the world of spirituality.
Early Life and Search for Enlightenment
UG Krishna Murti was born in 1918 in the small town of Masulipatnam, India. Unlike many who fall into spirituality after a mundane start, UG was born into a deeply religious family.
His grandfather was a devout Theosophist, and UG was exposed to various spiritual philosophies from a young age. His early life was filled with a desperate search for meaning, enlightenment, and ultimate truth.
UG Krishna Murthy quest for enlightenment led him to many spiritual teachers, including Jiddu Krishnamurthi (no familial relation between Jiddu Krishnamurti UG Krishnamurti), the well-known Theosophist. He attended lectures, engaged in debates, and even pursued rigorous spiritual practices.
However, nothing seemed to satisfy his growing disillusionment with spiritual dogma and the concept of enlightenment as taught by the mystical world. His discontent reached a climax when he famously declared that all of his life’s spiritual endeavors were a “waste of time.”
UG Krishnamurthy Enlightenment: “The Calamity”
In 1967, at the age of 49, Ug Krishnamurthy underwent what he referred to as “the calamity”—a profound physiological transformation that he claimed was the real state of enlightenment. However, UG’s version of enlightenment was not the peaceful, blissful state that mystics often describe.
Instead, he spoke of it as a completely biological phenomenon, a state where the mind and body sync up in a way that strips away all illusion. This was not a state to be sought after; in UG’s view, it was an “accident,” and seeking it was futile.
He often said, “The natural state is acausal; it is not the result of anything. It is just there. You cannot do anything to reach it. No effort will take you there.” UG Krishnamurthi insisted that all spiritual efforts were counterproductive, as they only reinforced the illusion that there was something to be attained.
The Anti-Guru Stance
UG’s rejection of spiritual teachers, gurus, and seekers made him an iconoclast. He eschewed followers and claimed that he had nothing to teach.
Unlike traditional gurus, he did not advocate for meditation, prayers, or practices. He believed that gurus exploit the desires of seekers and that seeking itself was a delusion. In fact, in one of his recorded videos on Osho UG Krishnamurti ripped the guru apart by calling him a charlatan and fraud.
“There is no mind, only thoughts,” he would often say. He argued that what we experience as the “self” is a construct of conditioning, not some deeper essence.
Mahesh Bhatt UG Krishnamurti Relationship
Among UG’s many admirers was Mahesh Bhatt, the well-known Indian filmmaker. Their relationship was more than just one of follower and master; it was a deep intellectual friendship. Mahesh Bhatt found in UG Krishna Murthy a refreshing perspective on life that challenged his own beliefs about spirituality and the human condition.
Over time, Bhatt became one of UG’s closest companions, even chronicling his experiences with UG in books and interviews. In many ways, UG became a pivotal figure in Bhatt’s own personal and professional journey.
In Bhatt’s words: “UG destroyed everything I believed in. And that was his greatest gift.”
UG Krishnamurti – Enduring Impact On Seekers
The Anti-guru Mystic passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy that still baffles and fascinates those who encounter his teachings. UG Krishnamurti quotes, often sharp and direct, continue to challenge the very foundation of spiritual seeking:
- “The search ends when you realize that what you are seeking is not there.”
- “The body has no interest in enlightenment.”
For those tired of dogma and rigid spiritual systems, UG remains a beacon of radical thought. He urges us to abandon the search for transcendence and instead embrace the chaos and uncertainty of life itself.
P.S. There is no official UG Krishnamurti website. However, to find books by UG Krishnamurti, see the given link!
