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Neem Karoli Baba

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Neem Karoli Baba
Personal life
Born
Lakshman Narayan Sharma

c. 1900[1]
Akbarpur village, North-Western Provinces, British India[2]
(present-day Firozabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India)
Religious life
ReligionHinduism
PhilosophyBhakti yoga
Religious career
Disciples

Neem Karoli Baba (Hindi: नीम करौली बाबा, romanized: nīm karaulī bābā)[3] or Neeb Karori Baba (Hindi: नीब करौरी बाबा, romanized: nīb karaurī bābā) (c. 1900 – 11 September 1973), also known to his followers as 'Maharaj-ji', was a Hindu guru and a devotee of the Hindu deity Hanuman.[4] He is known outside India for being the spiritual master of a number of Americans who travelled to India in the 1960s and 1970s.

Biography

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Early years

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Lakshman Narayan Sharma[5] was born around 1900 in the village Akbarpur in Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India, to a wealthy Brahmin family.[1] After being married by his parents at the age of 11, he left home to become a wandering sadhu. He later returned home, at his father's request, to live a settled married life. He fathered two sons and a daughter.[6]

As Maharaj-ji

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Neem Karoli Baba, known at the time as Baba Lakshman Das (also spelled "Laxman Das"), left his home in 1958. Ram Dass tells a story that Baba Lakshman Das boarded a train without a ticket and the conductor decided to halt the train and forced him out of the train in Neem Karoli village of Farrukhabad district (U.P). After forcing Baba off the train, the conductor found that the train would not start again. After several attempts at starting the train, someone suggested to the conductor that they allow the sadhu back on to the train. Neem Karoli agreed to board the train on two conditions: 1) the railway company promise to build a station in the village of Neem Karoli (at the time the villagers had to walk many miles to the nearest station), and 2) the railway company must henceforth treat ascetics better. The officials agreed and Neem Karoli Baba boarded the train joking, "What, is it up to me to start trains?" Immediately after his boarding the train, it started, but the train drivers would not proceed unless the sadhu blessed them to move forward. Baba gave his blessings and the train proceeded. Later a train station was built in the village.[7] However, there is no factual evidence of this story being true. Baba lived in the village for a while and was named by locals.

Thereafter he wandered extensively throughout Northern India. During this time he was known under many names, including: Lakshman Das, Handi Wallah Baba, and Tikonia Walla Baba. When he did tapasya and sadhana at Vavania village of Morbi in Gujarat, he was known as Tallaiya Baba. In Vrindavan, local inhabitants addressed him by the name of Chamatkari Baba ("miracle baba").[7] During his life two main ashrams were built, at Kainchi and at Vrindavan.[1] In time, over 100 temples were constructed in his name.[1]

The Kainchi Dham ashram, where he stayed in the last decade of his life, was built in 1964 with a Hanuman temple. It started two years prior with a modest platform built for two local sadhus, Premi Baba and Sombari Maharaj to perform yagnas. Over the years the temple, situated 17 km from Nainital on the Nainital-Almora road, has become an important pilgrimage for locals, as well as spiritual seekers and devotees worldwide. Each year on June 15, the Kainchi Dham Bhandara takes place to commemorate the inauguration of the temple, a celebration that typically receives over 100,000 devotees.[8][9][10]

Death

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Neem Karoli Baba Samadhi Mandir, Vrindavan

Neem Karoli Baba died at approximately 1:15 a.m. on 11 September 1973 in a hospital at Vrindavan, India,[11][12] after slipping into a diabetic coma. He had been returning by night train to Kainchi[13] near Nainital, from Agra where he had visited a heart specialist due to experiencing pains in his chest. He and his traveling companions had disembarked at Mathura railway station where he began convulsing and requested being taken to Shri Dham Vrindavan.[14][15]

They took him to the emergency room at the hospital. In the hospital, the doctor gave him injections and placed an oxygen mask over his face. The hospital staff said that he was in a diabetic coma but that his pulse was fine. Maharajji roused and pulled the oxygen mask off his face and the blood pressure measuring band from his arm, saying, "Bekar (useless)." Maharajji asked for Ganga water. As there was none, they brought him regular water. He then repeated several times, "Jaya Jagadish Hare" ("Hail to the Lord of the Universe"), each time in a lower pitch. His face became very peaceful, and all signs of pain disappeared. He was dead.[16]

His samadhi was built within the complex of the Vrindavan ashram, which also has some of his personal belongings.

Philosophy

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Neem Karoli Baba was a lifelong adept of bhakti yoga, and encouraged service to others (seva) as the highest form of unconditional devotion to God. In the book Miracle of Love, compiled by Ram Dass, a devotee named Anjani shares the following account:

There can be no biography of him. Facts are few, stories many. He seems to have been known by different names in many parts of India, appearing and disappearing through the years. His non-Indian devotees of recent years knew him as Neem Karoli Baba, but mostly as "Maharajji". Just as he said, he was "nobody". He gave no discourses; the briefest, simplest stories were his teachings. Usually, he sat or lay on a wooden bench wrapped in a plaid blanket while a few devotees sat around him. Visitors came and went; they were given food, a few words, a nod, a pat on the head or back, and they were sent away. There was gossip and laughter for he loved to joke. Orders for running the ashram were given, usually in a piercing yell across the compound. Sometimes he sat in silence, absorbed in another world to which we could not follow, but bliss and peace poured down on us. Who he was was no more than the experience of him, the nectar of his presence, the totality of his absence, enveloping us now like his plaid blanket.[16]

Baba would say that attachment and ego are the greatest hindrances to the realisation of God and that "a learned man and a fool are alike as long as there is attachment and ego in the physical body." He would advise people to surrender to God's will above everything else so that they might develop love and faith in him and thereby be free of unnecessary worries in life.[17]

Ashrams

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Neem Karoli Baba ashrams are in Kainchi,[18] Bhumiadhar, Kakrighat, Hanumangarhi in the Kumaon Hills and Vrindavan, Rishikesh, Neem Karoli Baba Hanuman Mandir Jauanpur, New Delhi, Lucknow, Shimla, Neem Karoli village near Khimasepur in Farrukhabad, and Delhi in India.[19][20]

His ashram is also located in Taos, New Mexico, United States.[21][22]

Sri Siddhi Ma

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Siddhi Ma, revered disciple of Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj, dedicated her life to spiritual service and community upliftment. Her legacy continues to inspire countless devotees worldwide.

Siddhi Ma is a prominent figure in the spiritual lineage of Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj, renowned for her unwavering devotion and significant contributions to the community. Born in Almora, she grew up in a family with eight sisters. Siddhi Maa married Tularam Sah, a dedicated devotee of Baba Neem Karoli. Following her husband’s death, she made a profound commitment to serve Baba, ultimately sacrificing her family life to devote herself fully to spiritual pursuits.

When Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj attained Brahmaline status in 1973, Siddhi Ma was chosen as his successor, taking over the management of the Kainchi Dham temple complex. This responsibility placed her in a pivotal role within the spiritual community. Devotees regarded her with immense respect, often equating her spiritual stature to that of Baba. It is said that before becoming Brahmaline, Baba wrote a line for her, affirming her significance: "Mother, wherever you live, there will be Mangal."

Siddhi Ma regularly held darshan sessions for devotees at Kainchi Dham, typically on Saturday and Tuesday. Her presence was considered a blessing, and many devotees believed that she had inherited Baba’s supernatural powers. She was known for her compassionate nature, and her ability to alleviate the suffering of those who came to seek her blessings was widely acknowledged. She often led pilgrimages, fostering a sense of unity and community among her followers.

In 1980, Siddhi Ma established an ashram in Rishikesh, further expanding the spiritual outreach of Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj, who is associated with 108 ashrams globally. The Kainchi Dham and Taos Ashram in New Mexico, USA, are among the most significant. After her passing on December 28, 2017, at the age of 92, a grand statue of Siddhi Maa was installed at Kainchi Dham, alongside the construction of a dedicated pooja room. This serves as a focal point for devotees wishing to honor her memory. An annual bhandara is organized every year on her death anniversary, drawing countless devotees to celebrate her legacy.

Siddhi Ma’s influence extends beyond her lifetime, with stories of her grace and spiritual power continuing to inspire new generations. Her life remains a testament to devotion, compassion, and spiritual fulfillment, solidifying her place in the annals of spiritual history.[23][24][25][26]

Notable disciples

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Kainchi Dham Ashram near Nainital

Notable disciples of Neem Karoli Baba

  • Ram Dass, an influential spiritual teacher, is best known for his work on consciousness and spirituality. His transformative encounter with Neem Karoli Baba in the 1960s profoundly shaped his path. The guru's teachings on love and devotion inspired Ram Dass to share spiritual wisdom globally, bridging Eastern philosophy with Western understanding.
  • Bhagavan Das, a singer and spiritual teacher, was deeply influenced by Neem Karoli Baba in the 1970s. His experiences with the revered guru shaped his spiritual journey, leading him to share the teachings of love and devotion. Bhagavan Das has played a vital role in popularizing Baba's wisdom in the West.
  • Krishna Das, a celebrated kirtan singer, was profoundly influenced by Neem Karoli Baba during his spiritual journey in the 1970s. Under Baba's guidance, he embraced devotion and chanting as a path to spiritual awakening. Krishna Das’s music reflects Baba's teachings, fostering a deep connection to love and devotion worldwide.
  • Lama Surya Das, a prominent meditation teacher, encountered Neem Karoli Baba during his spiritual journey in India. Inspired by the guru's teachings on compassion and mindfulness, Surya Das integrates these principles into his own practice. He has played a significant role in bringing Eastern spirituality to Western audiences, honoring Baba's legacy.
  • Jai Uttal, a renowned musician and spiritual artist, was deeply influenced by Neem Karoli Baba in the 1970s. His experiences with the guru inspired him to create devotional music that blends Eastern and Western traditions. Uttal’s work celebrates the teachings of love and devotion imparted by Baba, resonating with global audiences.

Other prominent devotees

  • Dada Mukerjee, was an Indian writer and professor of Economics at Allahabad University. A devoted follower of Neem Karoli Baba, he hosted the guru at his home during winters from 1958 until Baba's Mahasamadhi in 1973. Mukerjee authored two books about Baba, sharing his experiences and stories of devotion. His writings contribute to the legacy of Neem Karoli Baba, capturing the essence of their profound relationship.
  • Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati is a revered spiritual teacher and founder of the Kashi Ashram in Florida. Known for her compassionate teachings and emphasis on unconditional love, she has inspired countless individuals on their spiritual paths. Ma Jaya's work blends Eastern wisdom with contemporary spirituality, fostering a sense of community and healing.
  • Rahul Verma a humanitarian and spiritual worker, turned to spiritual practices in search of inner peace, discovering Neem Karoli Baba's teachings during meditation in Rishikesh in 2013. This connection inspired him to embrace regular meditation, leading to transformative changes in his life, including his son Arjunuday's improved health. In 2024, he founded the NKB Divine Meditation Centre in Delhi, dedicating himself to meditation, service, and promoting love and positive change, embodying Baba's teachings.[27][28]
  • Larry Brilliant, a humanitarian and epidemiologist, along with his wife Girija, found spiritual guidance in Neem Karoli Baba during their travels in India. Baba's teachings on compassion and service profoundly influenced their life paths. Inspired by his wisdom, they dedicated themselves to humanitarian efforts, embodying the guru’s principles in their work.
  • Daniel Goleman, a prominent psychologist and author, is known for his work on emotional intelligence. His encounters with Neem Karoli Baba in the 1970s profoundly influenced his understanding of mindfulness and compassion. Goleman's experiences with the guru shaped his teachings, integrating Eastern spiritual practices into his exploration of human potential.[29]

Although Baba Hari Dass was not a disciple, he supervised ashram buildings in the Nainital area before moving to the U.S. to teach.[30][31]

In April 1974, Steve Jobs and his friend Dan Kottke traveled to India to explore Hinduism and Indian spirituality, intending to meet Neem Karoli Baba. However, they arrived to find that the guru had passed away the previous September.[32][33][34] Hollywood actress Julia Roberts was also inspired by Neem Karoli Baba; a picture of him led her to Hinduism.[35] Influenced by Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg later visited the ashram in Kainchi. Larry Brilliant took Google's Larry Page and eBay co-founder Jeffrey Skoll on a pilgrimage to the same ashram[36]

Foundations

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NKB Divine Meditation Foundation provides free guided meditation sessions based on the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba.

After returning to the United States, Ram Dass and Larry Brilliant founded the Seva Foundation, an international health organization based in Berkeley, California. Steve Jobs, a friend of Brilliant, also funded the organization.[37] It is committed to applying the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba toward preventing and treating blindness.

In the late 2000s another Foundation evolved, the 'Love Serve Remember Foundation', whose purpose is to preserve and continue the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba.[38]

In 2024, Indian humanitarian and spiritual worker Rahul Verma, a devoted follower of Neem Karoli Baba, founded the NKB Divine Meditation Foundation, offering free guided meditation sessions based on the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba to help individuals connect with their inner peace and holistic well-being.[27][39]

Documentary

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The 2021 documentary Windfall of Grace offers an engaging blend of narratives from simple, rustic Indian devotees juxtaposed with narratives of renowned American devotees. These expressions seek to bring out not just the contrasts but also the similarities between the two by way of their overwhelming love and surrender for Neem Karoli Baba. Their individual encounters with Baba sparked dramatic shifts in their life's purpose along with their spiritual path and practice.[40]

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  • Neem Karoli Baba sculpture in Ram Dass library
    Neem Karoli Baba sculpture in Ram Dass library

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Constance Jones; James D. Ryan (2006). Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Infobase Publishing. p. 310. ISBN 978-0-8160-7564-5.
  2. ^ "Akbarpur Maharaj ji birthplace". Maharaj Love.
  3. ^ "सुर्खियों में आया बाबा नीब करौरी का आश्रम". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 1 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  4. ^ Swami Chidananda. "Baba Neem Karoli: A Wonder Mystic of Northern India". Divine Life Society. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  5. ^ The Encyclopedic Sourcebook of New Age Religions. United States: Prometheus. 2004. p. 142.
  6. ^ "10 facts to know about Neem Karoli Baba". 1 October 2015.
  7. ^ a b Ram Dass (1995). Miracle of Love: Stories about Neem Karoli Baba. Hanuman Foundation. ISBN 1-887474-00-5.
  8. ^ "Devotees throng Kainchi Dham fair". The Times of India. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  9. ^ "10 facts to know about Neem Karoli Baba". India TV News. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  10. ^ "One 'Mark' who stayed two nights". The Telegraph. 30 September 2015. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  11. ^ "My mystical experience at Neem Karoli Baba's Kainchai Dham ashram!". www.speakingtree.in. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  12. ^ Aymard, Orianne (2014). When a Goddess Dies: Worshipping Ma Anandamayi after Her Death. Oxford University Press. p. 257. ISBN 9780199368617.
  13. ^ Jones, Constance; Ryan, James D. (2006). Encyclopedia of Hinduism. p. 310. ISBN 0816075646.
  14. ^ "The Divine Reality - Sri Baba Neeb Karori Ji Maharaj (Neem Karoli Baba) 9788190310505". dokumen.pub. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  15. ^ Geraghty, Anne (28 November 2014). Death, the Last God: A Modern Book of the Dead. John Hunt Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78279-708-1.
  16. ^ a b Ram Dass (1995). Miracle of Love: Stories about Neem Karoli Baba. Hanuman Foundation. ISBN 1-887474-00-5 [1]
  17. ^ "The Divine Reality". Krishna Das Music. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  18. ^ 29°25′19″N 79°30′45″E / 29.4220°N 79.5125°E / 29.4220; 79.5125 Kainchi Dham
  19. ^ Neem Karoli Baba, Maharajji.love (October 2023). "Places, Ashrams and Temples". www.Maharajji.love. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  20. ^ Chardham Yatra, Chardham Tour (October 2023). "Kainchi Dham - New Spiritual Abode in Nainital". Chardham Yatra. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  21. ^ nkbashram.org, Neem Karoli Baba (October 2023). "Maharajji's ashram in India". www.nkbashram.org. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  22. ^ Library, Beezone (October 2023). "Neem Karoli Baba Temple – Taos, New Mexico – A History". Beezone Library. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Honoring Sri Siddhi Ma". nkbashram.org. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  24. ^ "Sri Siddhi Ma". newstodaynetwork.com/. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  25. ^ Prasada, Jaya (2022). Sri Siddhi Ma: The Story of Neem Karoli Baba's Spiritual Legacy. Penguin Books India PVT, Limited. ISBN 978-0-14-345783-1. Retrieved 10 October 2024. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  26. ^ Prasada, Jaya (2022). Sri Siddhi Ma The Story of Neem Karoli Baba's Spiritual Legacy by Jaya Prasada. Penguin. ISBN 9780143457831.
  27. ^ a b "An ode to Neem Karoli Baba: Delhi gets a new meditation centre in Greater Kailash". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  28. ^ "मानवीय सेवा और आध्यात्मिकता के संगम है राहुल वर्मा, नीम करौली बाबा के अनुयायी और संदेशों के प्रणेता". Dainik Jagran. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Krishna Das : Songwriter Interviews". Song facts. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  30. ^ Jones, Constance A.; D. Ryan, James (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism. New York: Infobase Publishing. pp. Baba Hari Dass. ISBN 978-0-8160-5458-9.
  31. ^ Mukerjee, Sudhir Dada (2012) [1996]. The Near and The Dear. Santa Fe, NM: Hanuman Foundation. pp. 221–2. ISBN 978-1-887474-02-3.
  32. ^ "Steve Jobs, a Hindu holy man, and the Apple logo". abc.net.au. 4 April 2013.
  33. ^ "Sought 'enlightenment' in India". The Times of India. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  34. ^ "Steve Jobs, a Hindu holy man, and the Apple logo". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 April 2013.
  35. ^ "Julia Roberts' Journey in 'Eat Pray Love'". ABC News. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  36. ^ Gowen, Annie (31 October 2015). "Inside the Indian temple that draws America's tech titans" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  37. ^ Anthony Imbimbo (2009). Steve Jobs: The Brilliant Mind Behind Apple. Gareth Stevens. p. 43. ISBN 978-1-4339-0060-0.
  38. ^ "Love Serve Remember Foundation - Ram Dass". Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  39. ^ "NKB Divine Meditation Foundation". Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  40. ^ krishnadas.com, Krishna Das (24 October 2023). "Windfall of Grace". krishnadas.com. Retrieved 24 October 2023.

Bibliography

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  • Bhagavan Das (1997). It's Here Now (Are You?). Broadway. ISBN 0-7679-0009-X.
  • Hanuman Foundation (1980). Neem Karoli Baba. Hanuman Foundation.
  • Keshav Das, ed. (2011). Barefoot in the Heart: Remembering Neem Karoli Baba. Sensitive Skin Books. ISBN 978-0-9839271-2-9.
  • Krishna Das (2010). Chants of a Lifetime: Searching for a Heart of Gold. Hay House, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4019-2022-7.
  • Markus, Parvati (October 1996). Love Everyone: The Transcendent Wisdom of Neem Karoli Baba and His Devotees. Hanuman Foundation. ISBN 1-887474-02-1.
  • Pande, Ravi Prakash (2015). Divine Reality: Shri Baba Neem Karoli Baba. HarperOne. ISBN 978-0062342997.
  • Mukerjee, Dada (2001). By His Grace: A Devotee's Story. Hanuman Foundation. ISBN 0-9628878-7-0.
  • Mukerjee, Dada (2001). The Near and the Dear: Stories Neeb Karori Ji Maharaj. Shri Kainchi Hanuman Mandir Ashram.
  • Ram Dass (1971). Be Here Now. Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-54305-2.
  • Ram Dass (1995). Miracle of Love: Stories about Neem Karoli Baba. Hanuman Foundation. ISBN 1887474005.
  • Ransom, Jai Ram (2014). It All Abides in Love: Maharaji Neem Karoli Baba. Taos Music and Art, Inc. ISBN 9780990718222.
  • Prasada, Jaya (2022). Sri Siddhi Ma The Story of Neem Karoli Baba's Spiritual Legacy. India Penguin. ISBN 9780143457831.
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