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Book Review : Neem Karoli Baba - Vishnu Ratna

 

Recently, while reading through the book on Swami Vivekananda, for some unknown reason, I got an urge to read about Neem Karoli Baba. Unaware of any specific book, I ordered 2 books on the great saint viz., a famous book by a foreign author and this book. I was expecting to learn more about the life, times and miracles of the divine soul. However, this book gave a very different reading experience. The author claims that this book was written from his own experiences about searching for Baba and ultimately receiving his blessings. The personal life of author is shared quite publicly which makes one appreciate the honesty of the author & sets up a lot of expectations from the book at the onset.  Neem Karoli Baba’s influence on Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg piqued the intrigue much more to delve deeper into the book.

Neem Karoli Baba was born in modern UP and is considered as an incarnation of Hanuman in modern times. A person whose motto was very simple “Aao, Kaao, Jaao” (Come, Eat, Go) and recommended chanting of “Sita Ram, Sita Ram”.  He was dead against religious conversions (similar to H. H. Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi III Swami).  Baba’s initial life and Siddhi Ma’s contributions are detailed quite well in the initial chapter.

The disappointment with the book starts at this juncture. The author takes a complete detour into explaining the nuances and intricacies of Spirituality and Sanatana Dharma. To a large extent, this book could serve as an introduction to our rich and ancient tradition that is the very fabric of this divine land. However, the author chooses to draw parallels with other religions (both born in Bharatha Varsha and ones that have migrated from western lands). Specifically, the author repeatedly draws parallels with Christianity and Bible. Quite frankly, one can’t truly appreciate the point being made by the author.

There are many statements that are straight off judgemental. For example, “Ram Charit Manas got recognition because it was written in Avadhi, but Krishna’s Bhagwad Gita didn’t get acceptance because its written in Sanskrit” or “Priests became middlemen between God and Devotee”. Personally, I would rather have the reader make their own conclusions based on the fact, rather than shoving down some opinions. During the early life of the author, he was a follower of Osho. In a latter phase of the book, there is a paragraph that appeared to be more a personal peeve than being a factual account (though what the author says may be true).

On the bright side, the pictures in the book are high class quality ones, even though they are in Monochrome.

I am quite disappointed with the book. I wouldn’t recommend the same.

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