Volume 11 - Volume 11
A Sociological Study on God Men: What Draws Devotees of Various Socio-Economic Groups to Ashrams in India?
Abstract
This paper observes the increasing influence of godmen in India and the socio-economic division
among devotees that influences their decision to follow them. The study navigates through various
social spheres and predominantly focuses on lower-income groups, middle-income groups, and
upper-income groups to piece together the research paper. It focuses on in-depth interviews as a
primary source of understanding these differences and is followed by possible deductions of the same,
keeping in mind the hypothesis that there is a socio-economic divide in this seemingly secular
framework of spirituality and religion, as defined by the devotees. These interviews are narrative
analyzed to detect any recurring patterns within the economic groups and the following groups.
Constructivism as a theory is used to understand how the arguments put forward by the interviewees
are influenced by their social position in society and how they are inclined towards understanding
reality on individual terms. The study's findings prove that a possible correlation can be derived
between an individual's economic standing and expectations while following a certain godmen.
Paper Details
PaperID: 2561
Author's Name: Saikeerthi and Ramesh Menon
Volume: Volume 11
Issues: Volume 11
Keywords: Godmen, Socio-economic Division, Devotees, Spirituality, Religion.
Year: 2021
Month: August
Pages: 5267-5284