Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was an Indian spiritual leader and the founder of Transcendental Meditation. He was born as Mahesh Prasad Varma on January 12, 1918, in a small village in Madhya Pradesh, India. From a young age, he showed a deep interest in spirituality and spent much of his time studying Hindu scriptures and practicing meditation.

After completing his education in physics at Allahabad University, Maharishi became a disciple of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, the Shankaracharya (spiritual leader) of Jyotir Math, one of the four main monasteries of the Shankaracharya tradition in India. Under Swami Brahmananda's guidance, Maharishi deepened his understanding of meditation and began teaching it to others.

In 1955, Maharishi founded the Spiritual Regeneration Movement in Madras, India, with the aim of reviving the ancient Vedic tradition of meditation and making it accessible to people from all backgrounds. He then traveled to the United States in 1959 to spread his teachings to the Western world.

Maharishi's teachings centered around the practice of Transcendental Meditation, which he described as a simple, natural and effortless technique for achieving inner peace and self-realization. He emphasized the importance of regular meditation for improving physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Over the years, Maharishi gained widespread recognition and became known as the "guru of the Beatles" after the famous band studied and practiced Transcendental Meditation under his guidance. He also established the Maharishi International University (now known as Maharishi University of Management) in Iowa, USA, in 1973, which focused on incorporating meditation into all aspects of education.

Maharishi's teachings and techniques were not limited to individuals, but also extended to creating world peace through group meditation. He believed that by achieving inner peace and harmony, individuals could contribute to creating a more peaceful and harmonious world.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi passed away on February 5, 2008, at the age of 91. However, his teachings and legacy continue to live on through the millions of people who have learned and practiced Transcendental Meditation. He will always be remembered as a spiritual leader who brought the ancient practice of meditation to the modern world and inspired countless individuals to find inner peace and happiness.