A man has caught the eye of the media after claiming he was born in the 19th century, a statement that would mean he is the oldest person to ever live if proven to be true.
According to the Indian man who showed his passport as proof of his birthdate, he was born on 8th August in 1896.
If the claims and the passport info are true, that would mean that Swami Sivananda is most likely the oldest person to ever walk the Earth.
Based in Behala, India, Swami was raised up in a temple by a spiritual guru. Throughout his life, he has refused to eat any spices or engage in sexual activities, decisions that he believes to be responsible for helping him reach such an old age.
As if having no sex and eating nothing but bland food wasn’t hard enough, the man has also dedicated thousands of hours to practicing yoga and meditation.
While Swami’s passport suggests the man is now 123 years old, we can’t be entirely sure if the information is correct, as the man’s birth records originated from the temple where he was raised – and temples are known for not being accurate 100% of the time.
In case the yoga guru is in fact 123 years old, however, that would make him the world’s oldest person ever. The current official title holder is Jeanne Calment from France who reached 122 years and 164 days.
Swami has already gotten in reach with the Guinness Book of World Records in order to have his age verified.
Speaking of his life and the virtues he swears by, the Indian man said:
“Discipline is the most important thing is life. One can conquer anything with discipline in food habits, exercise and sexual desires.
“Because I was born in poverty, I have never had great demands from life. Nowadays, people are unhappy, unhealthy and have become dishonest, which pains me a lot. I just want people to be happy, healthy and peaceful.”
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Replaced!