Daulat Giri Ji Maharaj has not sat down for five years, a feat that has left his lower limbs in a gruesome and medically precarious state. The monk, who abandoned his university education to pursue a life of extreme spiritual sacrifice, is currently five years into a 12-year vow. He intends to remain upright for another seven years, despite the alarming physical toll his commitment has already exacted.
Maharaj is a member of the Khareshwari, a sect of “Standing Babas” who believe that refusing to sit or lie down helps cleanse the soul and brings them into greater alignment with the goddess Shiva. In their theology, Shiva is the destroyer of the universe whose actions pave the way for rebirth and creation. The monk views his physical agony as a necessary component of the spiritual enlightenment he seeks.
The reality of his endeavor, however, is a physical nightmare. Maharaj’s legs have become severely swollen and blackened, a condition that has drawn significant concern from medical professionals. To prevent himself from collapsing, the monk utilizes a system of harnesses and swings that keep him upright even when his strength fails.
Experts have pointed out that his body is suffering from the severe consequences of prolonged orthostatic pressure. When a person remains standing for extended periods without movement, the veins in the legs struggle to overcome gravity to return blood to the heart. Because the calf muscles are not performing the pumping action required for circulation, blood pools in the lower extremities.
Medical observers have warned that this process leads to significant pain and swelling, which can quickly evolve into life-threatening complications such as deep vein thrombosis. Despite these warnings and the visible degradation of his skin and limbs, Maharaj remains committed to his original timeline. Supported by a group of volunteers, he continues to endure the chronic swelling, determined to finish his remaining seven years of penance.