Los Angeles Times (1886-Current File); May 21, 1974; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Los Angeles Times (1881 - 1986) pg. 2

16-Year-Old Guru Maharaj Ji Weds His Blonde Secretary, 24

DENVER (AP) - Guru Maharaj Ji, the 16-year-old "perfect master" who claims six million followers, has married his 24-year-old secretary after receiving special permission from a juvenile court judge.

Barry Ollman, a spokesman for the short, cherubic guru, said about 50 persons attended the nondenominational wedding Monday night. Maharaj Ji is spiritual leader of the Divine Light Mission. He says his purpose is to bring world peace by imparting "the knowledge," which his followers say cannot be adequately described in words. The guru wore a dark tuxedo to the wedding. The bride, Marolyn Lois Johnson, wore a white and red gown.

Maharaj J1, who has recently begun sporting a sparse mustache, met his blonde bride about a year ago. Ollman said her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Johnson, traveled to the ceremony from their home in San Diego.

Ollman described the bride as "a very beautiful, humble person." Other devotees said she played the role of a stewardess in a film made for the mission entitled "Who is Maharaji?"

"It's all happened so fast," Ollman said. "We're all spinning …

The wedding was followed by an elaborate reception at the guru's $80,000 house in a fashionable Denver neighborhood, Ollman said the part included music and "Christmas lights" adorning the house. A huge cabin cruiser mounted on a trailer and decorated with yellow ribbons - apparently a gift to the guru - remained on the lawn this afternoon. A silver Maserati sports car was parked in the driveway, "Just Married" written in whitewash on the car windows.

Majaraj Ji needed an order from Juvenile Court Judge Morris E. Cole to be married without parential per- Colorado law requires men to be 18 to be married without parental permission. The guru's father is dead and his mother lives in India.

Maharaj Ji claims more than 30,000 followers in the United States and 6 million worldwide. The Divine Light Mission, which is the guru's spiritual organization, is based in Denver.

Born in India, the Maharaj Ji reigns over a million-dollar business - missionary corporation that includes activities such as film production, educational projects and the Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Janitorial Service.

Prem Rawat's "Knowledge" has three parts: regularly listening to his speeches, doing voluntary work for organisations serving him or donating money and daily meditation correctly practicing the four techniques he recommends. The techniques are so simple it's hard to see how they could be practiced incorrectly. First technique ("Divine Light") involves sticking your thumb and middle finger on your eyeballs (NB: with eyes closed) and your index finger between your eyebrows. Second technique: ("Heavenly Music") poking your thumbs into your ears and listening. Third technique: ("Holy Name") thinking about your breathing (NB: continue to breathe). Fourth technique: ("Nectar") curling your tongue backwards and tasting. Rawat's father taught slightly different techniques but either way it's difficult to see how these could produce the benefits claimed for them especially as Rawat claims His Knowledge is the only method of attaining real happiness and love in this life.