Only Ram

Neem Karoli Baba

By: Sripad Jagannatha Das

Narrated by: Sripad Jagannatha Das

Neem Karoli Baba or Maharaj-ji—was a guru, mystic, and devotee of Lord Hanuman. He is the spiritual master of a number of prominent Americans who traveled to India in the 1960s and 70s, including spiritual teachers Ram Dass, Bhagavan Das, and musicians Krishna Das and Jai Uttal. Maharaji was a lifelong adept of bhakti-yoga and encouraged service to others (seva) as the highest form of unconditional devotion to God.

He has been known by different names, through the years. 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.

Maharaj-ji’s teachings were simple and universal. He often said, “Sub Ek”—All is One. He taught us to “love everyone, serve everyone, remember God, and tell the truth.” Strongly connected to Hanuman, Maharaj-ji taught in a non-traditional way that reflected the bhakti path of the heart. Here is the essence of his remarkable life and teachings

Dr. Richard Alpert, a former Harvard professor became the much-beloved spiritual teacher Baba Ram Das. His '70s iconic book, Be Here Now, turned on a generation to the deep, nonsectarian spirituality within us all. Krishna Das is an American vocalist known for performing Vedic devotional music known as kirtan. Bhagavan Das is an American yogi who lived in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. He is a bhakti yogi, kirtan singer, spiritual teacher, and writer. Baba Hari Dass practiced continual silence since 1952. This is the true story of each of the spiritual "Gang of four" and their master and deep inspiration Neem Karol Baba.

©2023 Sripad Jagannatha Das (P)2023 Icon Audio Arts