From Osho to Swami Vivekananda – Real names of spiritual leaders

Throughout history, numerous spiritual teachers are known to the world by honorific titles, spiritual names, or identified titles instead of the titles of birth. This goes to inform that the titles signify transformation, renunciation, enlightenment, and the like. The knowledge of the correct titles of spiritual teachers shall help to understand not just the deep significance of these teachers as spiritual authorities but also as human beings with a spiritual path of their own.

The spiritual teacher famous under the name Osho was born as Rajneesh Chandra Mohan Jain. Many do not know his real name and refer to him as Osho. He has won hearts with his philosophical ideas and wisdom. As he has been active in his life, he has taken many names in turn but later settled on “Osho,” which is associated with expanded consciousness.

The religious leader of Tibetan Buddhism, internationally recognized as the “Dalai Lama,” was born as “Lhamo Thondup” and later changed his name to “Tenzin Gyatso.” The “Dalai Lama” translates as “Ocean of Wisdom” and is the name of the religious leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The name symbolically reveals the identity of the individual as well as the lineage he represents as the religious leader of the particular faith. The name was given as an honor.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a great spiritual reformer and Bhakti order saint, was born as Vishvambhar Mishra. However, he is also referred to as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in a later period. This is applicable as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu symbolizes godly consciousness and enlightenment in his name.

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born as Nanak in the year 1469. The name “Guru,” which means ‘teacher’ or ‘guide,’ was given to him as he evolved as a religious Guru. His preachings were those of attachment to one God, equality, and selfless service. These three principles comprise the philosophy of Sikhism.

One of India’s best spiritual emissaries was none other than Swami Vivekananda, who was originally named Narendranath Datta and was born in 1863. It was after becoming a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna that his spiritual title was changed to Vivekananda, which represents wisdom and discrimination. It marked the shift from a seeker to a spiritual teacher who was committed to serving humanity.

The founder of Buddhism is referred to as Gautama Buddha. However, he is believed to have been born as Siddhartha Gautama in the 6th century BCE. “Siddhartha” is a name that defines one as a “goal achiever.” After he achieved enlightenment, he is referred to as “Buddha,” which is identified as “the awakened one.”

‘Neem Karoli Baba’, the saint worshipped by devotees in both India and the West, was actually ‘Lakshman Das Maharaj’. This was the spiritual name given to him as he was associated with the village ‘Neem Karoli’. He is widely loved and praised by people from across the world.

Sri Ramakrishna, a saint from the 19th century, was born as Gadadhar Chattopadhyay. His holy name is closely associated with love, devotion, and realization of God. The name is defined by his devotion to Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, two of the most important deities in Hindu mythology.