In the global discourse on dharma, several voices from diverse corners of the world passionately champion India, celebrate its vibrant culture, and uphold the principles of truth, all while safeguarding the essence of Sanatan dharma. Among these, Maria Wirth emerges as a distinctive individual who genuinely articulates her pro-India and pro-Hindu perspectives across various platforms.
Early Life
Maria’s journey began in a German Catholic family, where she was raised in the Christian faith. In one of her interviews with Shefali Vaidya, she relives her childhood, recounting how she was brainwashed into believing the Christian dogma and how the Church controlled the worldview of young Christians in Germany in the 50s.[1] Growing up in a conservative household during an era marked by significant scientific strides, Maria had recurring dreams of news anchors proclaiming the discovery of scientific proof for the existence of God. Reflecting on the dogmatic beliefs inherent in Christianity, she recalls grappling with the paradox of a punitive God who, at the age of nine, she believed would condemn her to hell for missing Sunday Mass. The looming fear of hellfire intensified if she were to meet her demise before confessing to the priest.
The turning point arrived when Maria’s sister, influenced by her atheist husband, renounced their shared religion. This pivotal incident prompted Maria to confront uncomfortable questions about religion, particularly the notion of a jealous and vindictive God condemning non-Christians to hell. Drawing parallels with Voltaire’s struggles to introduce secularism, Maria delved into a deeper exploration of the societal impact of religious beliefs.
Over time, Maria distanced herself from attending Mass, eliciting a shocked reaction from her mother, who expressed concerns about her daughter’s potential descent into hell. Maria’s academic pursuits at Hamburg University exposed her to the changing attitudes of her peers. Influenced by the evolving times, many began exploring transcendental meditation and Buddhism, shedding the religious beliefs they once held in their youth.[2]
On the Path of Dharma
In April 1980, Wirth embarked on a transformative journey into the depths of Indic philosophies during her sojourn in India en route to Australia. Her quest led her to the Ardha Kumbha Mela at Haridwar, a sacred congregation where she found herself in the divine presence of Maa Amritanandmayee and Devraha Baba.[3] Later, in 1985, she was in Varanasi when she interacted with a few local boys who asked if she knew the legend of Prabhu Shri Ram. As she sought to understand the mystery of the land over time, in 1986, she experienced the Ram Leela enacted in Varanasi over 30 evenings. Following this, she wrote an elaborate article for a German magazine, attempting to educate them about the chronicles of ‘Prince Rama,’ who was revered as divine in the holy land of Bharat.[4]
Fast forward to 1985 in Varanasi, where Wirth engaged in profound conversations with local youths eager to share the timeless legend of Prabhu Shri Ram. Delving deeper into the mystique of the land, her intellectual curiosity was further stoked in 1986 when she witnessed the grand spectacle of Ram Leela, a theatrical depiction spanning over 30 enchanting evenings in the sacred city.
In the spirit of cultural exchange, Wirth felt compelled to enlighten her German audience about the ethereal chronicles of ‘Prince Rama,’ revered as divine in the sacred tapestry of Bharat. Her eloquent article, penned for a German magazine, served as a bridge between worlds, weaving together the rich cultural fabric of India with the eager minds of her international readers.
Her transformative journey continued as she explored the southern tip of India, Kanyakumari, where she delved into the profound teachings of advaita as elucidated by Swami Vivekananda in his seminal work, Gyana Yoga. In her blog, she reflects on the awakening that transpired, unraveling the layers of self-discovery as she absorbed the essence of oneness and spiritual wisdom.[5]
In the early months of 2018, Wirth penned her first book, “Thank You, India: A German Woman’s Journey to the Wisdom of Yoga.” This captivating work delves into her spiritual immersion in India, unfolding the layers of self-discovery within the rich vaults of ancient wisdom.
Following this introspective journey, Wirth co-authored her second book alongside General GD Bakshi, exploring the Sindhu Sarasvati Civilization. Together, they unravel the historical treasures of an ancient civilization that once thrived along sacred rivers.
Known for her prolific writing, Wirth contributes to various Indic digital publications. Her articles span topics ranging from religion to the defense and advocacy of Sanatan Dharma, offering an intellectual exploration of India’s cultural heritage and spiritual essence.[6]
Advocacy For Hindu Dharma
Maria stands as a staunch advocate for Hindu perspectives, championing the scientific underpinnings of Sanatan Dharma. She passionately emphasizes the scientific outlook that perceives all existence as a manifestation of energy. In her advocacy, Maria encourages the Hindu community to refrain from asserting the equality of all religions, asserting that the tenets of Islam and Christianity fundamentally differ from the diverse spectrum of Indian religions.[7]
Firm in her belief, Maria contends that atheists are collaborating with other religious groups to undermine Sanatan Dharma and its followers. She has been a vocal opponent of hate preachers like Zakir Naik and had drafted an open letter to him challenging his concept of God and his preaching that consistently labels Hindus to be sent to hellfire for just being themselves.[8] With a keen eye on global issues, Maria responded swiftly when a British MP labeled Hindus as terrorists in a tweet. She promptly communicated with the United Nations, shedding light on the rising tide of Hinduphobic attacks against Hindus.
In her communication to the UN, Maria not only sought acknowledgment but also urged the international body to take steps to curb derogatory labels such as “idol worshippers,” “Kafir,” and “Heathens” assigned by other religions. Her proactive stance underscores a commitment to fostering understanding and respect between different faiths on the global stage.[9]
In her thought-provoking blog, Maria delves into the intriguing rise of German scientists and raises a compelling inquiry. She points to the historical fact that in 1903, the Wright brothers achieved a mere 12-second flight covering a distance of only 38 meters. Maria questions how, within a few decades, the German air force boasted fighter jets in the 1930s and even developed ballistic missiles that not only targeted London but ventured into space, reaching altitudes exceeding 80 km.
Maria sheds light on a fascinating missionary pursuit for ancient Indian manuscripts, a quest shared by German scientists of the time. She contends that, despite their openness about their admiration for India, scientists such as Einstein selectively praised India, falling short of acknowledging the profound scientific insights drawn from ancient Indian sources.
The narrative takes an intriguing turn as Maria asserts that luminaries like Heisenberg and Weizaecker were involved in nuclear weapons research, while Wernher von Braun dedicated his expertise to missile development for Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Maria suggests that these scientists sought the assistance of Indian Brahmins in deciphering rahasya mantras, which played a pivotal role in Missile Technology.
Maria challenges historical narratives, urging a deeper examination of the interplay between scientific advancements, ancient wisdom, and the collaborations that shaped the trajectory of technology in the 20th century.[10]
In fact, Maria Wirth is one of those dharmic voices that even question their own gurus for their intriguing silence on the major flaws of the Abrahamic religions.[11] At the same time, she supports vocal dharmic gurus like Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of Bageshwar Dham as powerful and influential voices of dharma.[12]
Maria Wirth is one dharma warrior whose simple interpretation of the truth of life can provoke deep dharmic thinking in our minds. She can be followed on social media, such as Facebook, X, and Instagram. On YouTube, she has been in conversation with several popular Indic channels like Sangam Talks, Citti Media, Center for Indic Studies, Sattology, The Jaipur Dialogues, and the Festival of Bharat. Maria’s thoughts can also be found on her blog, where she writes on provocative dharmic topics like questioning non-vegetarians for their amnesia of animal suffering.[13]
Maria Wirth’s journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of questioning dogma, embracing diversity, and navigating the complex intersection between spirituality and societal norms. Her genuine exploration of faith and the broader human experience resonates across cultural and geographical boundaries.
Citations
[1] Maria Wirth interviewed by Shefali Vaidya https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mtt7A_7pFZk
[2] Science and religion https://mariawirth.com/science-and-religion/
[3] Ramlila in Varanasi – A German traveler’s first experience of the grand event 36 years ago; https://organiser.org/2022/10/06/95963/bharat/ramlila-in-varanasi-a-germans-first-experience-of-the-grand-event-36-years-ago/https://organiser.org/2022/10/06/95963/bharat/ramlila-in-varanasi-a-germans-first-experience-of-the-grand-event-36-years-ago/
[4] Maria Wirth recounts her first experience of Ram Lila in Varanasi; https://organiser.org/2022/10/06/95963/bharat/ramlila-in-varanasi-a-germans-first-experience-of-the-grand-event-36-years-ago/
[5] Discovering Advaita in the book Gyana yoga by Swami Vivekananda https://mariawirth.com/thank-you-swami-vivekananda/
[6] Maria Wirth books https://garudabooks.com/maria-wirth
[7] Calls for eradication of Sanatan dharma is war on Hindus https://mariawirth.com/is-this-a-declaration-of-war-on-hindus-and
[8] Maria Wirth open letter to Zakir Naik https://www.thehinduportal.com/2019/05/an-open-letter-by-maria-wirth-to-zakir.html#google_vignette
[9] Maria Wirth writes to the UN to stop abuse of Hindus https://organiser.org/2021/12/28/15210/bharat/stop-abuse-of-hindus-by-christianity-and-islam-as-idol-worshippers-heathens-and-kafirs-maria-wirth-writes-to-the-united-nations/
[10] The influence of India https://mariawirth.com/indian-influence-on-german-scientists/
[11] Why Hindu gurus must question abrahamic religions https://mariawirth.com/are-hindu-gurus-too-naive-about-christianity-and-islam/
[12] Maria Wirth on Dhirendra Shashtri of Bageshwar Dham https://mariawirth.com/dhirendra-krishna-shastri-of-bageshwar-dham-is-a-powerful-voice-for-hindu-india/
[13] Amnesia of meat eaters https://mariawirth.com/amnesia-of-animal-eaters/