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Prahlad Jani wears the dress of a devotee of the goddess Ambaji: a red sari-like garment. He has a nose ring, bangles and crimson flowers in his hair.

Prahlad Jani wears the dress of a devotee of the goddess Ambaji: a red sari-like garment. He has a nose ring, bangles and crimson flowers in his hair.

In statements found on the internet and in newspaper articles, Jani is said to live in a cave near the Ambaji temple in the state of Gujarat (about 120 kilometers north of Ahmedabad). This allegation cannot be validated, however. In videos published on YouTube, Jani regularly gets presented in a house environment, often surrounded by followers (e.g. fanning him). Other videos show him in the „Sterling hospital“ in Ahmedabad.

In statements found on the internet and in newspaper articles, Jani is said to live in a cave near the Ambaji temple in the state of Gujarat (about 120 kilometres north of Ahmedabad). This allegation cannot be validated, however. In videos published on YouTube, Jani regularly gets presented in a house environment, often surrounded by followers (e.g. fanning him). Other videos show him in the „Sterling hospital“ in Ahmedabad.

==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 parameters 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 CCTV camera|thumb]]

[[image:Jani4.jpg|Picture from CCTV camera|thumb]]

The alleged extraordinary abilities and claims of this Indian fakir of being able to live without any source of chemically bound energy and without water, were object of an examination in November 2003. No independent sceptic oberserver were allowed or invited to this experiment. <ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/may/18/prahlad-jani-india-sunshine </ref> Jani was examined in the private "Sterling Hospital"<ref>Sterling Hospital, Gurukul Road, Ahmedabad</ref> in the Western Indian town Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat during a period of nine days 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. Sterling Hospital, however, refused any responsibility and refuted any payment in case of side effects. In the end, the state of Gujarat (the tax payers) guaranteed an insurance in case of side effects.

The alleged extraordinary abilities and claims of this Indian fakir of being able to live without any source of chemically bound energy and without water, were object of an examination in November 2003. No independent sceptic observers were allowed or invited to this experiment.<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/may/18/prahlad-jani-india-sunshine</ref> Jani was examined in the private "Sterling Hospital"<ref>Sterling Hospital, Gurukul Road, Ahmedabad</ref> in the Western Indian town Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat during a period of nine days 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. Sterling Hospital, however, refused any responsibility and refuted any payment in case of side effects. In the end, the state of Gujarat (i.e. the tax payers) guaranteed an insurance in case of side effects.

The examination started November&nbsp;13th at 10&nbsp;am and ended November&nbsp;22nd at 10&nbsp;am<ref>source: private homepage Sudhir Shah</ref> (9&nbsp;days). Jani was admitted to 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 (bladder sonography, MRT, ...).

The examination started November&nbsp;13th at 10&nbsp;am and ended November&nbsp;22nd at 10&nbsp;am<ref>source: private homepage Sudhir Shah</ref> (9&nbsp;days). Jani was admitted to 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 (bladder sonography, MRT, ...).

One of the physicians participating was the Ahmedabad neurologist Sudhir&nbsp;V. Shah, who examined several similar cases in the past: Ellen Greve (Jasmuheen)<ref>according to a statement on private homepage Sudhir Shah</ref> and Colcata engineer Hira Ratan Manek. There is no information available on Shah's examination of Greve/Jasmuheen. Ellen Greve also claimed „not to eat“, but she was seen eating several times, and this is confirmed by close associates of hers. A test performed together with Australian&nbsp;TV failed after five days of fasting and had to be stopped by the physician present. Hira Ratan Manek also claims never to eat. He travels around the world and often stays in Canada and USA for longer periods. Manek apparently makes a living on an income earned by sales of DVDs and lectures on the subject of inedia. However, like Jasmuheen, Manek has been caught eating several times and even was filmed in an Indian restaurant in San Francisco, a behaviour clearly betraying his followers who believe in his inedia. Neurologist Shah, who examined Manek, declared that he checked Manek's abilities and found no explanation for his alleged inedia. All examinations done by Sudhir Shah so far resulted in nothing else but a „success“ or „inexplicable facts“. Both Hira Ratan Manek and Jani are followers of Indian Jainism (Jani: probably&nbsp;*). The Indian Jain monk Sri Sahaj Muni Maharaj also claims that he did not eat over a period of one year (in 1995; only 211&nbsp;days according to other sources). Fasting is an important issue in Jainism and it is common in India for Jains and Hindus, sometimes for up to eight days, without any adverse affects, as part of their religious worship.

One of the physicians participating was the Ahmedabad neurologist Sudhir&nbsp;V. Shah, who examined several similar cases in the past: Ellen Greve (Jasmuheen)<ref>according to a statement on private homepage Sudhir Shah</ref> and Colcata engineer Hira Ratan Manek. There is no information available on Shah's examination of Greve/Jasmuheen. Ellen Greve also claimed „not to eat“, but she was seen eating several times, and this is confirmed by close associates of hers. A test performed together with Australian&nbsp;TV failed after five days of fasting and had to be stopped by the physician present. Hira Ratan Manek also claims never to eat. He travels around the world and often stays in Canada and USA for longer periods. Manek apparently makes a living on an income earned by sales of DVDs and lectures on the subject of inedia. However, like Jasmuheen, Manek has been caught eating several times and even was filmed in an Indian restaurant in San Francisco, a behaviour clearly betraying his followers who believe in his inedia. Neurologist Shah, who examined Manek, declared that he checked Manek's abilities and found no explanation for his alleged inedia. All examinations done by Sudhir Shah so far resulted in nothing else but a „success“ or „inexplicable facts“. Both Hira Ratan Manek and Jani are followers of Indian Jainism (Jani: probably&nbsp;*). The Indian Jain monk Sri Sahaj Muni Maharaj also claims that he did not eat over a period of one year (in 1995; only 211&nbsp;days according to other sources). Fasting is an important issue in Jainism and it is common in India for Jains and Hindus, sometimes for up to eight days, without any adverse affects, as part of their religious worship.

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 in his bladder (about 0.1&nbsp;litres, but when Jani was informed about it, the urine disappeared later). On an MRT picture, some stool can be seen. Part of the results of the examination remain secret. So e.g. no information regarding his body weight has been made public. Furthermore, at least one entry for blood sugar data was erased from a (private) website giving Jani's blood data.

According to the examining 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 in his bladder (about 0.1&nbsp;litres, but when Jani was informed about it, the urine disappeared later). On an MRT picture, some stool can be seen. Part of the results of the examination remain secret. So e.g. no information regarding his body weight has been made public. Furthermore, at least one entry for blood sugar data was erased from a (private) website giving Jani's blood data.

According to private web pages reporting the 2003 examination, Prahlad Jani showed signs of being a „healthy man“, with the exception of a hearing loss. At a point in time close to the November 2003 examination (no specific date given), his heart rate was between 42-46&nbsp;beats/minute, blood pressure was 114/80&nbsp;mmHg (110/60 according to another source), and breathing frequency was 12-16&nbsp;/min. Radiology showed stool and gas in the gut. Some urine was also found in his bladder which later vanished miraculously.

According to private web pages reporting the 2003 examination, Prahlad Jani showed signs of being a „healthy man“, with the exception of a hearing loss. At a point in time close to the November 2003 examination (no specific date given), his heart rate was between 42-46&nbsp;beats/minute, blood pressure was 114/80&nbsp;mmHg (110/60 according to another source), and breathing frequency was 12-16&nbsp;/min. Radiology showed stool and gas in the gut. Some urine was also found in his bladder which later vanished miraculously.

Instead of discussing such a fasting period as a very plausible cause of the blood values obtained, however, these are explained as ''amazing'' and declared a sort of medical miracle. In fact they show a normal behaviour of a subject, compatible with actual knowledge of physiology. Examiner Shah's words sound different: ''"We have reached a hypothesis which confirms that Jani's body has certainly undergone a biological transformation due to yogic kriyas. And he can control his inner organs' functions, which itself is intriguing."''

Instead of discussing such a fasting period as a very plausible cause of the blood values obtained, however, these are explained as ''amazing'' and declared a sort of medical miracle. In fact they show a normal behaviour of a subject, compatible with actual knowledge of physiology. Examiner Shah's words sound different: ''"We have reached a hypothesis which confirms that Jani's body has certainly undergone a biological transformation due to yogic kriyas. And he can control his inner organs' functions, which itself is intriguing."''

In April 2010, a second examination was performed over an unknown period of time (perhaps 14&nbsp;days), again at Sterling Hospital and again in co-operation with Sudhir Shah. Again, no external sceptic oberserver were allowed to participate. Psiram will update this article later, if and when any data will be made available.

In April 2010, a second examination was performed over an unknown period of time (perhaps 14&nbsp;days), again at Sterling Hospital and again in co-operation with Sudhir Shah. Again, no external sceptic observer was allowed to participate. Psiram will update this article if new data will be made available.

In fact the data obtained clearly indicate that, after a period of habitual consumption of food and water, the test person was submitted to a period of fasting, and that data changed again when fasting was broken. The data obtained are completely in agreement with the state of actual knowledge in physiology.

In fact the data obtained clearly indicate that, after a period of habitual consumption of food and water, the test person was submitted to a period of fasting, and that data changed again when fasting was broken. The data obtained are completely in agreement with the state of actual knowledge in physiology.

Humans loose water and water vapour via urine, stool, respiration and the skin (''persperatio insensibilis''). The amount lost every day is depending on temperature and activity and amounts to around 800&nbsp;ml of water. At the same time, water is built up via oxidative processes (about 300&nbsp;ml per day).

Humans loose water and water vapour via urine, stool, respiration and the skin (''persperatio insensibilis''). The amount lost every day is depending on temperature and activity and amounts to around 800&nbsp;ml of water. At the same time, water is built up via oxidative processes (about 300&nbsp;ml per day).

A healthy adult may survive around ten days without water (temperature dependent). The Guiness book of records cites a case of 18&nbsp;days without water. American coma patient Terri Schiavo died after 13&nbsp;days without water. Alaskan fire fighter Robert Bogucki survived 12&nbsp;days in an Australian desert without water until he was found by a helicopter.

A healthy adult may survive around ten days without water (temperature dependent). The Guinness book of records cites a case of 18&nbsp;days without water. American coma patient Terri Schiavo died after 13&nbsp;days without water. Alaskan fire fighter Robert Bogucki survived 12&nbsp;days in an Australian desert without water until he was found by a helicopter.

(*) [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8652837.stm] or Durga - hinduism

(*) [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8652837.stm] or Durga - hinduism

*[http://psiram.com/ge/index.php?title=Prahlad_Jani this page in German language]

*[http://psiram.com/ge/index.php?title=Prahlad_Jani this page in German language]

==blog discussions==

==Blog Discussions==

*http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/05/physiology_explains_it_all.php and [http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/04/they_arent_doing_the_right_tes.php]

*http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/05/physiology_explains_it_all.php and [http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/04/they_arent_doing_the_right_tes.php]

*http://milkmiracle.net/2010/05/14/prahlad-jani/

*http://milkmiracle.net/2010/05/14/prahlad-jani/