Criminal Podcast Episode Summary: "The Guru"
Criminal, hosted by Phoebe Judge and produced by the Vox Media Podcast Network, delves into the intricate and often troubling relationships between gurus and their disciples. In the episode titled "The Guru," released on June 13, 2025, Phoebe Judge engages in a poignant conversation with Shruti Swamy, exploring her personal experiences within a spiritual community led by Dr. Usharbrut Arya and the renowned yogi, Swami Rama.
Family Background and Spiritual Beginnings
Shruti Swamy recounts her upbringing in Palo Alto, California, where her parents were deeply involved in a spiritual community practicing yoga and meditation under the tutelage of Dr. Usharbrut Arya.
Shruti Swamy [01:30]: "When you go to a guru and you say, I am ready to be your disciple, this is like a lifelong commitment."
Her parents, hailing from different cultural backgrounds in India—her mother Gujarati and her father Tamilian—met at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay before relocating to Silicon Valley. Her father’s transformative encounter with Dr. Arya in 1989 sparked their deep commitment to the spiritual path guided by Swami Rama.
Phoebe Judge [03:11]: "In the spring of 1989, Shruthi's father went to a lecture in the Santa Cruz Mountains by a man named Dr. Oshabad Arya."
Encounter with Swami Rama
Dr. Arya introduced Shruti's family to Swami Rama, a highly respected yogi known for his extraordinary mind-body capabilities. Swami Rama's teachings emphasized the concept of Maya, the illusionary nature of the sensory world, aiming to lead disciples toward enlightenment by challenging their perceptions.
Shruti Swamy [01:47]: "And the guru's job is to disturb that until it breaks and until you see the true nature of the universe and then you are enlightened, just like the guru."
Shruti's father felt an immediate and profound connection with Swami Rama, leading him to embrace Swami Rama as his guru. The Swami's influence permeated the family's life, culminating in Shruti's formal initiation as his disciple at the age of nine.
Shruti Swamy [10:11]: "I just loved him so much. I just loved him. I was just an extremely attention hungry child."
Accusations and the Unraveling of Trust
In 1996, Swami Rama's untimely death marked the end of his direct influence, but shadowed allegations began to surface. Shruti was initially unaware of any misconduct; however, her father later disclosed an accusation of inappropriate behavior by Swami Rama involving a woman.
Shruti Swamy [12:26]: "I didn't make any more meaning of it."
Years later, Shruti discovered a 1990 investigative piece by Catherine Webster in Yoga Journal titled "The Case Against Swami Rama of the Himalayas," which detailed multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Swami Rama. This revelation forced Shruti to confront the dissonance between her cherished memories and the disturbing accounts of abuse.
Shruti Swamy [24:25]: "I do believe that he was a really dangerous person who harmed a lot of people. I think his teachings were really beautiful."
Catherine Webster’s Investigation
Journalist Catherine Webster's investigation unveiled a pattern of abuse, including accounts from women who were manipulated and exploited by Swami Rama. Webster's exhaustive reporting highlighted instances where Swami Rama took advantage of his spiritual authority to engage in non-consensual and coercive relationships with his disciples.
Catherine Webster [20:02]: "There were a lot, and there were a lot more that I couldn't write about because the victims were way too scared."
One of the most harrowing accounts involved a woman referred to as Rose, who was sexually assaulted by Swami Rama multiple times. Despite confronting the institute's leadership, the allegations were dismissed, and the victims were discredited.
Legal Proceedings and Aftermath
The gravity of the allegations culminated in a lawsuit against the Himalayan Institute after Swami Rama's death. The court found substantial evidence of Swami Rama's sexual misconduct, resulting in the plaintiff being awarded $1.9 million in damages.
Shruti Swamy [26:21]: "There were a lot of differences between our stories, but the similarities between them suddenly, somatically did something that all of these accounts I could hold kind of at a distance, at an intellectual remove."
Personal Reflections and Continuing Impact
Shruti grapples with the complex emotions stemming from her association with Swami Rama. While she acknowledges the beauty and depth of the teachings she received, she also recognizes the profound harm caused by the abuses perpetuated within the spiritual community.
Shruti Swamy [33:06]: "I think his teachings were really beautiful. They were from a millennia of tradition, from my culture."
She reflects on the psychological and emotional structures instilled in her during her formative years, which continue to influence her understanding and practice of yoga and meditation.
Himalayan Institute’s Stance
Despite the overwhelming evidence and legal verdict, the Himalayan Institute maintains a reverent stance towards Swami Rama, branding him as a revered spiritual leader and dismissing allegations as misconceptions.
Shruti Swamy [33:59]: "I do think his teachings were really beautiful. ... I had to break all of my beliefs."
The institute's spokesperson has attempted to contextualize and minimize the severity of the allegations, emphasizing the positive impact of Swami Rama's teachings while distancing themselves from the reported misconduct.
Conclusion
"The Guru" episode of Criminal sheds light on the dark underbelly of spiritual mentorship, illustrating how blind faith and hierarchical structures can facilitate abuse. Through Shruti Swamy's narrative, listeners gain insight into the lasting psychological impact of such experiences and the challenging journey towards healing and understanding.
Notable Quotes:
- Shruti Swamy [01:30]: "When you go to a guru and you say, I am ready to be your disciple, this is like a lifelong commitment."
- Phoebe Judge [03:11]: "In the spring of 1989, Shruthi's father went to a lecture in the Santa Cruz Mountains by a man named Dr. Oshabad Arya."
- Shruti Swamy [24:25]: "I do believe that he was a really dangerous person who harmed a lot of people."
- Catherine Webster [20:02]: "There were a lot, and there were a lot more that I couldn't write about because the victims were way too scared."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical themes and emotional depth of the episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who have not listened to it.