In a not-too-shocking turn of events in 2008, a tantric guru failed to kill Sanal Edamaruku of the Indian Rationalist Association on live television using only his mystical powers.

Edamaraku challenged the guru to demonstrate his powers on him after hearing the guru’s boasts of being able to kill a man in three minutes using only black magic. The guru obliged. TV ratings went through the roof as India waited to see what would happen.

Pandit Surender Sharma tried several techniques including chanting mantras, sprinkling water on his intended victim, ruffling his hair, and waving a knife around. None of these worked, and two hours later, the guru was forced to admit defeat.

The guru said Edamaruku must be under the protection of a very powerful god, to which Edmarku replied that he was an atheist.

The story is recounted in full on the Rationalist International website, and you can see the ‘tantra challenge’ on YouTube.

Sanal Edamaraku remains a busy man exposing India’s wide variety of gurus and fakirs, including one guru having been arrested over prostitution, one who kidnapped a female follower, and one who had been involved in a sex tape scandal.