Academics get a reputation by being cited by other academics. It's essential to pursue it if you want to make a living.
Same for spiritual/yoga teachers - you cite other teachers to give yourself credentials.
When Rawat was 'Guru Maharaj Ji' he did it too, I remember at the Alexander Palace event there were larger than life size portraits of past perfect masters lining the length of the hall.
There was Buddha, Jesus, Guru Nanak.. I'm pretty sure Mahomet and Krishna were included.
Putting yourself up as the living perfect master, I guess you can only gain credentials by aligning yourself with very large dead ones.
