Editing Prem Rawat (section)

===1957-1970===
{{further|Hans Ji Maharaj}}
[[File:T ym2.jpg|thumb|Prem Rawat in traditional mourning clothes, speaking after the death of his father in July 1966]]
Prem Pāl Singh Rawat was born in [[Haridwar]], [[Uttarakhand]] in northern India, on 10 December 1957, the fourth and youngest son of [[guru]] [[Shri Hans Ji Maharaj|Hans Rām Singh Rawat]] and his second wife, Jagat Janani Mata Shri Rajeshwari Devi. Prem Rawat attended [[St. Joseph's Academy, Dehradun|St. Joseph's Academy]] elementary school in his hometown of [[Dehra Dun]].<ref name=Mangalwadi135-136>Mangalwadi (1992), pp. 135–136</ref> At the age of four, he began speaking at his father's meetings, and at six his father taught him the "[[techniques of Knowledge]]." His father died in 1966, and during the customary 13 days of mourning, his mother and senior officials of the organization discussed the succession. Both his mother, Mata Ji, and eldest brother, Satpal Singh Rawat (known then as Bal Bhagwan Ji, and currently as [[Satpal Maharaj]]), were suggested as successors. Before either could be nominated, however, Prem Rawat addressed the crowd of mourners, reminding them that their master was immortal and still among them.<ref name=Mangalwadi135-136 /> In response, his mother, brother and senior disciples accepted Prem Rawat as their Satguru, bowed to his feet and received his blessing.<ref name=Mangalwadi135-136 /> Previously known to his father's followers as Sant Ji, Prem Rawat now assumed the title "Guru Maharaj Ji" and was called "Balyogeshwar" by others (roughly "born saint" or "born lord of Yogis") on account of his youth and spiritual precocity.<ref name=Mangalwadi135-136 /><ref name="Aagaard1980">Aagaard (1980)</ref><ref>Fahlbusch et al. (1998), p.861</ref><ref name=Geaves2006b64>Geaves (2006b), p. 64</ref> From that time, Prem Rawat spent his weekends and school holidays traveling as his father had, addressing audiences on the subject of Knowledge and inner peace. Because of his youth, effective control of the DLM was shared by the whole family.<ref name="MeltonDLM">Melton (1986), p. 141–2</ref><ref name="EoC1998">Fahlbusch et al. (1998), p. 861</ref>

During the 1960s, Westerners in India searching for spiritual guidance met DLM members, and some became initiates or premies (from the Hindi ''prem'', meaning "love".) British initiates invited him to visit the West, and in 1969 he sent a  [[Mahatmas|Mahatma]], a close Indian student, to London on his behalf.<ref name="Geaves2006a">Geaves (2006a), pp. 44-62.</ref> In 1970, many of his new Western followers flew to India to see him. They were present at India Gate, Delhi, when, still only twelve years old, he delivered an address known as the "Peace Bomb," which marked the start of his international work.<ref name="Navbharat Times">''Navbharat Times'', 10 November 1970</ref><ref>Kranenborg (1982), p. 64</ref>

[[File:Prem Rawat with reporters in Los Angeles, 1972.jpg|thumb|left|Arriving in the US, Prem Rawat at Los Angeles Airport]]