Breatharian monk Prahlad Jani remained enigma till the end

For eight decades of his life, popular breatharian monk Prahlad Jani, aka Chunri wale Mataji, remained a mystery for scientists and common people alike. His claim to fame was the ability to survive without a morsel of food or drop of water. On Monday, when he passed away, that mystery remained unsolved.

Jani was 90 at the time of his death. It is reported that in past 80 years, besides not eating or drinking anything, he had not even passed urine or stool. Despite several studies on him, doctors and researchers could not understand the physiology of his body. He was referred to as 'breatharian' monk for his ability to survive only on air. Delhi-based Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) and Defence Research and Development Organisation studied him, keeping him under CCTV surveillance.

He was tested for Covid as he had developed cough and cold, but he tested negative. Barring weakness, he had no physical ailment. He will be given 'samadhi' on Thursday, where his relatives and a few followers will be allowed.

Dr Sudhir Shah, consulting neuro physician and head of the team of doctors that conducted research on him twice, said, "His bladder had urine, but it was absorbed and may be recycled in the body. We found out that he did not eat nor drink during the time (of observation). If someone doesn't pass urine for four days, the kidneys fail. If he is not put on dialysis on the fifth day, he dies. But nothing happened to Mataji." "I never heard of him getting sick in his entire life," he said.

Inputs by Niyati Rana