Bhola has held his arm in the air for the last twelve years in his search for God.
While this Sadhu eats, sleeps, prays and meditates, his arm remains held aloft in the air.
He is one of the last "ek-bahu Naga babas" - there are only 3 or 4 of these Sadhus left in India - performing this disfiguring tapasya (austerity).
His arm is beginning to whither and his nails have grown into huge curls but the joints have not yet locked. Eventually the muscles will atrophy and he will be disabled permanently. This does not deter Bhola Baba in his quest. Already his disciple in the Avahana Akhara (Sadhu sect) prepares his food and performs any other task Bhola's voluntary disability prevents him from doing.
He is a Shaivaite, and so is devoted to Lord Shiva, and performs this penance as he believes that spiritual action is stronger than speech.
While this Sadhu eats, sleeps, prays and meditates, his arm remains held aloft in the air.
He is one of the last "ek-bahu Naga babas" - there are only 3 or 4 of these Sadhus left in India - performing this disfiguring tapasya (austerity).
His arm is beginning to whither and his nails have grown into huge curls but the joints have not yet locked. Eventually the muscles will atrophy and he will be disabled permanently. This does not deter Bhola Baba in his quest. Already his disciple in the Avahana Akhara (Sadhu sect) prepares his food and performs any other task Bhola's voluntary disability prevents him from doing.
He is a Shaivaite, and so is devoted to Lord Shiva, and performs this penance as he believes that spiritual action is stronger than speech.
