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Elvis Presley's Guru Daya Mata dies At 96

According to reports, Elvis met Daya Mata, president and sanghamata of worldwide Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) headquartered in Los Angeles in 1960's. The actor kept in touch with her throughout the rest of his life. Presley often called and met her for guidance and advice.

Reports suggest that Elvis meditated with Daya Mata. He read read her book entitled "Only Love." He enjoyed spending time with her and had a feeling of peace in her presence. Presley used to call her Ma (short for mother). He also turned to her for spiritual guidance frequently.

Presley once remarked that she was like a saint. He had high respect for her and listened to her. He asked her questions like, Why did God make me Elvis Presley?

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was with a great sense of loss that we bid good-bye to Daya Mata. She was an inspiration and full of divine love who touched many lives on the spiritual journey.
Harmony of religions was very dear to her and her selfless service was exemplary.

Daya Mata (Mother of Compassion)was born Faye Wright in 1914 in Salt Lake City, USA). She held this position of spiritual and administrative head of SRF for 55 years. Public Memorial Service for her will be held on December 12 in Pasadena, California, USA.

SRF is a worldwide religious organization founded in 1920 by Paramahansa Yogananda who is known for acclaimed spiritual classic "Autobiography of a Yogi" in 1946. With Mrinalini Mata as the Vice President, it reportedly has about 600 temples, retreats, ashrams, and meditation centers worldwide and has presence in about 175 countries and lays stress on Kriya Yoga. Its sister organization Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) of India which is founded in 1917 at Dakshineswar near Kolkata.

The ideals of SRF include to disseminate among the nations a knowledge of definite scientific techniques for attaining direct personal experience of God and to reveal the complete harmony and basic oneness of original Christianity as taught by Jesus Christ.