Swami Balendu in a cave - Really??

Swami Balendu talks a lot about being in an underground cave for 3 years and 108 days. There are videos on youtube and many posts on his bog and writings by visitors and friends about his transformation in the cave.

Now lets explore this a bit realistically-

What is a cave-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave - A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness.

Dictionary – A naturally occurring underground hollow or passage, especially one with an opening to the surface of the Earth

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/archaelogy/news-indias-incredible-cave-temples

So being in a cave in India means that you live in very tough conditions trying to realize the purpose of your life away from the world as a renunciate.

Now look at this video

You would notice that there is no cave or any underground space but It is a room they constructed in the back of the house with a bathroom and toilet plus a window for fresh food everyday. I wonder what else went on during those days, only thing that we see is his dreadlocks which can happen anywhere. One more thing you would notice is a flash of Indian movie actor in the midst of it which I think could have been photoshopped very easily.

This video has no volume for whatever reasons. The room does not even look the same. God only knows whats happening there.

Now this is the most interesting one-  It could be a wedding video made to look different. See the switch at 1:58-2:01 quickly the background changes to a different part and everybody disappears. Only two construction people remain. Where did the crying and celebrating people go? Maybe the show was over so they went home. Amusing.

The truth is that there was never a cave, or isolation the way it has been portrayed and videos put together. It is just to entice Western people to believe that Balendu is a yogi who attained some kind of realization.

This is directly from his blog – see for yourself.

Swami Balendu often spent times of silence (Maun) in forests or in the Himalayan mountains. He retreated into silence for weeks and even months but realized that the senses of sight and hearing could still distract his mind. He had the wish to be fully alone with his God, without hearing or seeing anybody to be able to deepen his Mantra meditation. This is how he decided to build an underground cave on the land of his Ashram in 1997. He entered the cave on the 10th September 1997 to spend the following three years and 108 days fully isolated from the outside world. The entrance was sealed with bricks so that he would not be disturbed in his meditation. The cave was equipped with a toilet and bathroom facilities and he slept on a mat on the floor.