Amar Bharati was 28 years old when he made a decision that would define the rest of his life: keeping his right arm raised in the air permanently, as an act of spiritual devotion. Over 50 years later, he shows no sign of stopping.
A life changed by devotion
Bharati left behind his wife, their three children, and worldly comforts in pursuit of his spiritual path, dedicating himself entirely to the goddess Shiva. He's said his motivation comes from a desire to see less conflict in the world, expressing a wish for people, and nations, to live peacefully rather than in constant hostility.
The physical toll
The decision has had lasting physical effects. Bharati reportedly experienced significant pain during the first two years of holding his arm raised, before gradually losing sensation in it entirely as the muscle wasted away. He also hasn't cut his fingernails in that time, which have grown long enough to curl back toward his face.
Why he refuses to lower it
According to those close to him, Bharati sees his raised arm as an ongoing gesture meant to promote peace, and lowering it isn't something he's willing to do. One source has said that attempting to physically lower his hand wouldn't cause him physical pain, but a form of spiritual pain instead, given how deeply he believes the gesture itself contributes to peace in the world. At this point, it's also unclear whether Bharati could lower his arm even if he wanted to, given how long it's been held in place and the physical changes that have resulted.
Not an isolated case
Bharati isn't alone in this kind of extreme devotional practice in India. Other ascetics have taken on similarly demanding physical commitments, including one man who has reportedly not sat down in over a decade as part of his own religious devotion, with serious physical consequences of his own.
