Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji and born Lakshmi Narayan Sharma, was a Hindu guru and mystic from northern India, widely regarded as a saint within the bhakti yoga tradition. Living during the early decades of the twentieth century until 1973, he came to be associated with a path of devotion centered on love of God, remembrance of the divine name, and service to others. His life unfolded largely in the context of simple ashrams and temples, especially in the Himalayan foothills and other parts of North India, which became gathering places for spiritual seekers. Although he did not emphasize formal initiation or institutional structures, many who encountered him came to regard him as their guru and spiritual guide.

At the heart of his teaching lay a profound devotion to Hanuman and the repeated remembrance of God’s name, especially “Ram,” as a direct, accessible means of approaching the divine. He encouraged selfless service (seva), truthfulness, and the cultivation of love and compassion, not as abstract ideals but as daily disciplines. His guidance often took a very simple, almost understated form, favoring direct experience and inner transformation over elaborate philosophical exposition. In this way, his presence itself became a kind of living scripture for devotees, who saw in his conduct a concrete expression of bhakti.

Neem Karoli Baba’s influence extended beyond the traditional Indian devotional milieu, reaching seekers from other cultures who were drawn to his emphasis on love, service, and remembrance of God. Some of these Western devotees later carried his teachings abroad, contributing to a wider awareness of his life and message. Despite this broader recognition, his own lifestyle remained notably unadorned and rural, marked more by quiet movement between ashrams than by public prominence. For many, his legacy continues as an invitation to embody devotion through simple living, compassionate action, and the steady repetition of the divine name.