Brahmachari, Dhirendra

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Brahmachari, Dhirendra (1925–94). Hindu guru and teacher of yoga, who exercised much influence on Indira Gandhi—he was known by those who mistrusted him as India's Rasputin. When her son, Sanjay, was killed in an air-crash, she seemed to relate to Brahmachari almost as a surrogate son. He taught her yoga and persuaded her that yoga classes should be introduced into Indian schools.