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| [[image:jani.jpg|Prahlad Jani|thumb]] | | [[image:jani.jpg|Prahlad Jani|thumb]] |
| [[image:Jani2.jpg|thumb]] | | [[image:Jani2.jpg|thumb]] |
− | '''Prahlad Jani''' (Jay Ambe Prahaladbhai Maganlal Jani, real name Chunriwala Mataji, called by aderents also "Mataji" or "goddess", born August 13, 1929) is an indian fakir and Jainism-follower from Gujarat who claims that he did not eat usual food or drink since he was eight years old, (meaning since 74 years in relation to today, 2010). Claims of this sort are known as [[Inedia]]. Jani himself believes in a miraculous gift of indian goddess Amba Mata, and that a mysterious fluid called "Amrit"-nectar may feed him through a "hole" in his palate. | + | '''Prahlad Jani''' (Jay Ambe Prahaladbhai Maganlal Jani, real name Chunriwala Mataji; also called "Mataji" or "goddess" by adherents, born August 13, 1929) is an Indian fakir and Jainism follower from Gujarat who claims to not drink or eat usual food since he was eight years old, (i.e for 74 years in 2010). Claims of this sort are known as [[Inedia]]. Jani himself believes in a miraculous gift of the Indian goddess Amba Mata, and that a mysterious fluid called "Amrit nectar" may feed him through a "hole" in his palate. |
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− | In june 2006 the "Discovery Channel" aired a documentary about Jani and attracted international attention and interest in his case. Jani’s case was also made public through indian neurologist and jainism-follower [[Sudhir V. Shah]] of Ahmedabad who made two examinations of his abilities in 2003 and 2010. The results of these examinations were interpreted by Shah in favor of an own private hypothesis that the abilities of Jani were „scientifically not explainable“ and as an endorsement of his hypothesis about a possible autotrophic nutrition (photoautotrophism) in man, known only for plants and algae and not in men. Shah does not exclude the possibility of a cosmic energy feeding Prahlad Jani. | + | In June 2006 the "Discovery Channel" aired a documentary about Jani and attracted international attention and interest in his case. Jani's case was also made public through Indian neurologist and Jainism follower [[Sudhir V. Shah]] of Ahmedabad, who made two examinations of his abilities in 2003 and 2010. The results of these examinations were interpreted by Shah in favor of an own private hypothesis that the abilities of Jani were „scientifically not explainable“ and as an endorsement of his hypothesis about a possible autotrophic nutrition (photoautotrophism) in man, known only for plants and algae but not for humans. Shah does not exclude the possibility of a cosmic energy feeding Prahlad Jani. |
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− | No scientific publication is known so far in scientific databases in relation to the experiment in 2003. And data for the experiment in 2010 are only preliminary. The only source of data are statements of the collaborating physicians in press conferences, divulgated in many newspaper articles and TV-broadcasts worldwide. Another source is the private homepage of neurologist Sudhir Shah. | + | No scientific publication is known so far in scientific databases in relation to the experiment in 2003. Data for the experiment in 2010 are only preliminary. The only source of data are statements of the collaborating physicians in press conferences, divulged in many newspaper articles and TV broadcasts worldwide. Another source is the private homepage of neurologist Sudhir Shah. |
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− | The ''Indian Rationalist Association'' (IRA) described Jani as a "village fraud". This indian association was able to bust several similar "wonder" in relation to supposed inedia. | + | The ''Indian Rationalist Association'' (IRA) described Jani as a "village fraud". This Indian association was able to bust several similar "wonder" in relation to supposed inedia. |
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− | ==biographic data== | + | ==Biographic Data== |
− | There is not very much known about Jani/Mataji, and sources are limited to his own entourage.
| + | Little is known about Jani/Mataji and sources are limited to his own entourage. |
− | Jani/Mataji was born the day 13 of august 1929 in the indian village of Charada (or ''Charod'') in Mehsana-district / Gujarat. According to a legend, he left his home when he was seven years old and wandered around. When he was eleven years old (or according to other sources at the age of eight years), he made some sort of „supernatural experience“ that changed his life completely. According to that legend he lost every desire for eating or drinking and had since then no defecation and eliminated no more urine. He was also never ill, but was recovered for unknown reason in 1942 in a Jaslok-Hospital (obviously without his consent) where he stayed 45 days. Always according to this legend, he stopped speaking and did not talk for 45 years (Maunbrat practice).
| + | He was born August 13th, 1929 in the Indian village of Charada (or ''Charod'') in Mehsana district/Gujarat. According to a legend, he left home when he was seven years old and wandered around. At age of eleven (according to other sources eight) he made some sort of „supernatural experience“ that completely changed his life. He allegedly lost every desire for eating and drinking and was not required to defecate or urinate ever since. He also was never ill, but was brought in a Jaslok hospital for unknown reasons in 1942 (obviously without his consent), where he stayed 45 days. According to this legend, he stopped speaking and did not talk for 45 years (Maunbrat practice). |
− | Jani claims to experinece every day a „Samadhi-state" filling him with light. A Amrit-nectar fluid feeds him through a hole in his palate. Accordings to Hindu-texts, this liquid is considered as „drink of gods“ enabling the drinker to become inmortal. However, a MRT-picture made in 2003 shows no such hole in his palate. (see picture) | + | Jani claims to experience a „Samadhi state" every day, filling him with light. A fluid called "Amrit nectar" feeds him through a hole in his palate. According to Hindu texts, this liquid is considered as „drink of gods“ enabling the drinker to become immortal. However, an MRT picture made in 2003 shows no such hole in his palate (see picture). |
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− | In statements found in the internet and newspaper articles, Jani seems to live in a cave. But if he lives in fact in a cave is not known for shure. In videos that can be seen on Youtube Jani is presented in a house environment, often sourrounded by followers (for instance ventilating him). Other videos show him in the „Sterling-hospital“ in Ahmedabad.
| + | Statements in the internet and newspaper articles suggest, Jani lives in a cave, but it's unclear whether this is true. In videos on YouTube Jani is presented in a house environment, often surrounded by followers (e.g. ventilating him). Other videos show him in the „Sterling hospital“ in Ahmedabad. |
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− | ==The Prahlad Jani examinations in 2003 == | + | ==Examinations in 2003 == |
| [[image:SterlingH.jpg|Sterling Hospital, Ahmedabad|thumb]] | | [[image:SterlingH.jpg|Sterling Hospital, Ahmedabad|thumb]] |
− | [[image:PrahladJani2.jpg|inside "Sterling Clinic" 2003|thumb]] | + | [[image:PrahladJani2.jpg|Inside "Sterling Clinic" 2003|thumb]] |
− | [[image:PJen.jpg|Some blood parameter during examination in november 2003 (source: Shah [http://www.sudhirneuro.org/files/mataji_case_study.pdf])|600px|thumb]] | + | [[image:PJen.jpg|Some blood parameters during examination in November 2003 (source: Shah [http://www.sudhirneuro.org/files/mataji_case_study.pdf])|600px|thumb]] |
− | [[image:Jani6.jpg|body weight (private homepage Sudhir Shah)|300px|thumb]] | + | [[image:Jani6.jpg|Body weight (private homepage Sudhir Shah)|300px|thumb]] |
− | [[image:MRT-Mataji.jpg|normal MRT without pathologic signs, excluding any "hole" in the palate|thumb]] | + | [[image:MRT-Mataji.jpg|Normal MRT without pathologic signs, excluding any "hole" in the palate|thumb]] |
| [[image:Jani5.jpg|Prahlad Jani during examination|thumb]] | | [[image:Jani5.jpg|Prahlad Jani during examination|thumb]] |
| [[image:Jani4.jpg|A picture from CCV camera|thumb]] | | [[image:Jani4.jpg|A picture from CCV camera|thumb]] |
− | The supposed extraordinary abilities and claims of this indian fakir, to live without any source of chemically bound energy and without water, were object of an examination in november 2003. Jani was examinated in the private "Sterling Hospital"<ref>Sterling Hospital, Gurukul Road, Ahmedabad</ref> in the west-indian town of Ahmedabad in Gujarat – state during a nine day period of supposed absence of food and drinking water. At the beginning, it was planned to check him over a seven day period in order to prolong the planned observation time without theratening his life, however. Sterling Hospital declined any responsability and refuted any payment in case of side effects. At the end, the state of Gujarat (the tax payers) guaranteed an insurance in case of side effects. | + | The supposed extraordinary abilities and claims of this Indian fakir, to live without any source of chemically bound energy and without water, were object of an examination in November 2003. Jani was examined in the private "Sterling Hospital"<ref>Sterling Hospital, Gurukul Road, Ahmedabad</ref> in the west Indian town of Ahmedabad in Gujarat–state during a nine day period of supposed absence of food and drinking water. At the beginning, it was planned to check him over a seven day period in order to prolong the planned observation time without threatening his life, however. Sterling Hospital declined any responsibility and refuted any payment in case of side effects. At the end, the state of Gujarat (the tax payers) guaranteed an insurance in case of side effects. |
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− | The examination started the day november 13 at 10 am and ended the day november 22 at 10 am<ref>source: private homepage Sudhir Shah</ref> (9 days) Jani was recovered in the intensive care department the first day. According to the panel of physicians performing the examination, his toilet was sealed for the next eight days and he stayed in a room with a glass door. He left that room twice per day for examinations (sonography of bladder, MRT..). | + | The examination started November 13th at 10 am and ended November 22nd at 10 am<ref>source: private homepage Sudhir Shah</ref> (9 days). Jani was recovered in the intensive care department the first day. According to the panel of physicians performing the examination, his toilet was sealed for the next eight days and he stayed in a room with a glass door. He left that room twice per day for examinations (sonography of bladder, MRT, ...). |
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− | One of the participating physicians was the Ahmedabad neurologist Sudhir V. Shah, who examinated several similar cases in the past: Ellen Greve (Jasmuheen)<ref>according statement on private homepage Sudhir Shah</ref> and Colcata engineer Hira Ratan Manek. Nothing is known about the Shah’s examination in case of Greve/Jasmuheen. Ellen Greve claimed also „not to eat“, but she was seen several times eating and closed associates of her confim it. A test performed together with Australian TV failed after five days of starvation and had to be stopped by the physician present. Hira Ratan Manek also claims never to eat. He is travelling around the word and stays often for a longer period in Canada and USA where he sells DVS and offers speaches about his „inedia“. Manek seems to live from his earnings around his supposed inedia. However, like Jasmuheen, Manek has been seen several times eating and was successfully filmed when he visited an Indian restaurant in San Francisco, a behaviour clearly betraying his followers believing in his inedia. Neurologist Shah, who examinated Manek, declared that he checked Maneks abilities and found no explanation for his supposed inedia. There is no examination known of Sudhir Shah showing anything elese than a „success“ of inedia or „unexplainable facts“. Both, Hira Ratan Manek and Jani are followers of indian jainism. The indian jain monk Sri Sahaj Muni Maharaj claims also, that he did not eat over a period of one year (in 1995, according to other sources only 211 days). Fastings are an important issue in jainism. | + | One of the participating physicians was the Ahmedabad neurologist Sudhir V. Shah, who examined several similar cases in the past: Ellen Greve (Jasmuheen)<ref>according statement on private homepage Sudhir Shah</ref> and Colcata engineer Hira Ratan Manek. Nothing is known about Shah's examination of Greve/Jasmuheen. Ellen Greve also claimed „not to eat“, but she was seen several times eating and close associates of her confirm this. A test performed together with Australian TV failed after five days of starvation and had to be stopped by the physician present. Hira Ratan Manek also claims never to eat. He is traveling around the world and often stays for a longer period in Canada and USA where he sells DVDs and offers speeches about his „inedia“. Manek seems to live from his earnings around his supposed inedia. However, like Jasmuheen, Manek has been seen several times eating and was successfully filmed when he visited an Indian restaurant in San Francisco, a behaviour clearly betraying his followers believing in his inedia. Neurologist Shah, who examinated Manek, declared that he checked Maneks abilities and found no explanation for his supposed inedia. There is no examination known of Sudhir Shah showing anything else than a „success“ of inedia or „unexplainable facts“. Both, Hira Ratan Manek and Jani are followers of Indian Jainism. The Indian jain monk Sri Sahaj Muni Maharaj also claims, that he did not eat over a period of one year (in 1995, according to other sources only 211 days). Fastings are an important issue in Jainism. |
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− | According to the examinating group of physicians, Jani could not eat or drink during that period and he had no defecation and passed no urine. Some urine was sonografically found to be produced in his bladder (about 0,1 litres, but when Jani was informed abou that circumstance, the urine diappeared later). On a MRT-picture, some stool can be seen. Some of the results of the examination remain secret. So nothing was told to the public about his body weight. Also, at least one blood sugar measurement has been erased from a (private) webpage showing the blood values of Jani / Mataji. | + | According to the examinating group of physicians, Jani could not eat or drink during that period and he had no defecation and passed no urine. Some urine was sonographically found to be produced in his bladder (about 0.1 litres, but when Jani was informed about it, the urine disappeared later). On an MRT picture, some stool can be seen. Some of the results of the examination remain secret. So nothing was told to the public about his body weight. Also, at least one blood sugar measurement has been erased from a (private) webpage showing the blood values of Jani / Mataji. |
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| According to private Webpages reporting about this 2003 examination, Prahlad Jani showed signs of a „healthy man“, with the exeption of a hearing loss. At an unknown date in proximity of the november 2003 examination, his heart rate was between 42-46 beats / minute, blood pressure was 114/80 mmHg (other source 110/60) and breathing frequency was 12-16 /min. Radiology showed stool gas in the gut. Some urine was also found in his bladder, that vanished later miraculously. | | According to private Webpages reporting about this 2003 examination, Prahlad Jani showed signs of a „healthy man“, with the exeption of a hearing loss. At an unknown date in proximity of the november 2003 examination, his heart rate was between 42-46 beats / minute, blood pressure was 114/80 mmHg (other source 110/60) and breathing frequency was 12-16 /min. Radiology showed stool gas in the gut. Some urine was also found in his bladder, that vanished later miraculously. |