Neem Karoli Baba also known as Neeb Karori Baba or Maharaj-ji, was a revered Hindu saint and spiritual leader, known for his teachings of love, compassion, and devotion to God.
He became famous not only in India but also internationally, especially after attracting followers from the West, including spiritual seekers such as **Ram Dass** (formerly Richard Alpert) and **Steve Jobs**.
### Early Life
Neem Karoli Baba was born around 1900 in the village of Akbarpur in Uttar Pradesh, India. His birth name was **Lakshmi Narayan Sharma**. He married at an early age and lived a simple family life before renouncing worldly bonds and adopting the life of a wandering sadhu (holy man) in search of spiritual knowledge.
### Spiritual Journey
The specifics of his early spiritual life are unclear, as he rarely spoke about his life or experiences. However, it is widely accepted that Neem Karoli Baba roamed around India for years, visiting various holy places, engaging in intense spiritual practice and providing guidance to those who wished to seek knowledge from him.
A famous story is about his divine powers as a saint. It is said that once, while travelling in a train without a ticket, he was asked by the conductor to get off. He did so, but mysteriously, the train could not start after that. The officials realised that they had made a mistake by asking a holy man to leave and requested him to return. On his return, the train started moving. This incident happened near the village of **Neeb Karori** (near Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh), which led to him being known as **Neem Karoli Baba**.
### Teachings and Philosophy
Neem Karoli Baba's teachings were simple but profound, revolving around love, service and devotion. His famous saying, "Love all, serve all, remember God," sums up his philosophy. He encouraged his devotees to live a life of selfless service and love towards all beings.
Although he was a devotee of **Lord Hanuman**, Maharaj Ji did not preach any one religious belief or path. Instead, he guided his followers to realize the divinity within themselves through service, love and devotion. His humble nature, selflessness and ability to go beyond ego connected deeply with those around him.
### Ashrams
Neem Karoli Baba established several ashrams (spiritual centers), the most famous of which are:
1. Kainchi Dham (Uttarakhand)
2. Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh)
3. Hanuman Garh (Himachal Pradesh)
The Kainchi Dham Ashram near Nainital in Uttarakhand is particularly significant, as it became a spiritual hub for many Western devotees who came seeking spiritual enlightenment during the 1960s and 1970s.
### Influence on the West
Neem Karoli Baba is best known in the West for his influence on people such as Ram Dass (formerly a Harvard professor), who wrote the seminal spiritual book Be Here Now after meeting Maharaj-ji. Ram Dass credited Neem Karoli Baba with completely transforming his life and introducing him to the path of devotion and selfless service.
Other famous Western devotees include:
- **Steve Jobs**: Co-founder of Apple, who traveled to India in search of spiritual enlightenment. Although he did not meet Neem Karoli Baba in person (as Baba had passed away by then), his visit to Kainchi Dham deeply affected him.
- **Julia Roberts**: Famous Hollywood actress who publicly explained how her devotion to Hinduism began after learning about Neem Karoli Baba.
- **Mark Zuckerberg**: Co-founder of Facebook, who visited Neem Karoli Baba's ashram at Steve Jobs' suggestion during a difficult phase in his life.
### Miracles and healing powers
Many stories are told by his devotees about Neem Karoli Baba's miraculous powers. He is said to have the ability to heal the sick, read minds, and be in more than one place at the same time (bi-location). He rarely performed miracles openly, but those who spent time around him often spoke of feeling an intense spiritual presence and divine grace.
One of his most famous stories is his deep connection with Lord Hanuman, the monkey god of the Ramayana. Baba was considered by many to be an incarnation of Hanuman and his teachings and lifestyle reflected Hanuman's ideals—selfless devotion, strength, and humility.
### Demise and legacy
Neem Karoli Baba left his body on September 11, 1973, in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Even after his demise, his influence and teachings continue to inspire people around the world. His ashrams, especially the Kainchi Dham Ashram, still attract thousands of devotees every year.