The first insider account of an ancient and secretive tradition
• By the first foreigner to become a member, and later an elder, of the Juna Akhara, the oldest and largest grouping of Naga Babas
• Filled with true accounts of magic, miracles, ghosts, and austerities
• With lessons on Hindu gods, ayurveda, and Indian culture woven throughout
After traveling at age 18 from his native California to India in 1969, Rampuri was drawn to the Naga Babas, an ancient and wild order of naked yogis whom he calls the “Hell’s Angels of Indian Spirituality.” Organized into a sect by Adi Shankara in the 5th century BC, the Naga Babas see themselves as the ultimate protectors of the Sanatan Dharma, or what we call the Hindu religion. Rampuri became a disciple of a Naga Baba--a master shaman sadhu--from Rajasthan and, as foretold by astrological prophecy, soon found himself the first foreigner to become an initiate of the Juna Akhara, the oldest and largest grouping of Naga Babas with more than 50,000 sadhu members.
From drinking the “Nectar of Immortality” at the source of the Ganges River to allegations of tantric murder, this autobiography is filled with true accounts of magic, miracles, ghosts, and austerities, with lessons on Hindu gods, ayurveda, mantra, and Indian culture woven throughout. Through his journey of extremes, Rampuri takes us into the mystic heart of India.
Review
“This book will entertain and enlighten you. A bold journey that explores the true intersections of Eastern and Western thought.” (Deepak Chopra, author of The Book of Secrets)
“Rampuri’s search has carried him into the very depths of one of the great ancient wisdom lineages of India. He has gone where very few Westerners have gone.” (Krishna Das, “Chant Master of American Yoga” (New York Times))
“An authentic and fascinating account of a Western yogi who has made India his home for his body and his spirit. Autobiography of a Sadhu is bound to challenge your view of reality and the spiritual life. It is not just the story of a personal quest but of a journey beyond the Western civilization mind-set to the real India of the yogis, where the limitations of both our cultural ideas and our egos are continually exposed. An adventure into a different kind of reality.” (David Frawley, director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies and author of Yogi and Ayurveda and Yoga and the Sacred Fire)
"Personally, I found reading Autobiography of a Sadhu enlightening and educational. Knowing very little of this specific sect, I was enthralled with the mysticism. I'm grateful the author included a glossary because some of the terms used were beyond my knowledge. I certainly recommend this book to anyone willing to expand his or her knowledge of another culture." (Irene Watson, Reader Views, March 2010)
"At the end of this compelling autobiography, the author says that he hopes readers will be edified and entertained by his quest for Truth and his adventures in the Extraordinary World. We are." (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice, April 2010)
"Rampuri's account of his spiritual journey is an intentionally entertaining story with personal accounts of many fascinating characters that changed him completely. He also gives the reader valuable glimpses into authentic life in India." (Allyson Gracie, New Age Retailer, June 2010)
"Highly Recommended." (Light of Consciousness, October 2010)
"Whether he is truly a holy man or a real-life Indiana Jones, Rampuri's journey looks like a compelling read." (Whole Life Times, October 2010)
“Lovers of imagery and the sounds of words will be mesmerized by Autobiography of a Sadhu.” (CurledUpWithAGoodBook.com, April 2011)
From the Back Cover
SPIRITUALITY / MEMOIR
“This book will entertain and enlighten you. A bold journey that explores the true intersections of Eastern and Western thought.” --Deepak Chopra, author of The Book of Secrets
“Rampuri’s search has carried him into the very depths of one of the great ancient wisdom lineages of India. He has gone where very few Westerners have gone.” --Krishna Das, “Chant Master of American Yoga” (New York Times)
After traveling at age 18 from his native California to India in 1969, Rampuri was drawn to the Naga Babas, an ancient and wild order of naked yogis whom he calls the “Hell’s Angels of Indian Spirituality.” Organized into a sect by Adi Shankara in the 5th century BC, the Naga Babas see themselves as the ultimate protectors of the Sanatan Dharma, or what we call the Hindu religion. Rampuri became a disciple of a Naga Baba--a master shaman sadhu--from Rajasthan and, as foretold by astrological prophecy, soon found himself the first foreigner to become an initiate of the Juna Akhara, the oldest and largest grouping of Naga Babas with more than 50,000 sadhu members.
From drinking the “Nectar of Immortality” at the source of the Ganges River to allegations of tantric murder, this autobiography is filled with true accounts of magic, miracles, ghosts, and austerities, with lessons on Hindu gods, ayurveda, mantra, and Indian culture woven throughout. Through his journey of extremes, Rampuri takes us into the mystic heart of India.
RAMPURI is the first foreigner to be initiated into the ancient society of yogis and shamans known as the Renunciates of the Ten Names, or Sannyasis. He has been a Naga Baba since 1970. A yogi and teacher who gives workshops and retreats around the world, he established the Hari Puri Ashram, in Hardwar in northern India, in 1984, where he continues the oral tradition of his lineage. In 2004 he was admitted to the Council of Elders of Datt Akhara in Ujjain, India. He lives in India.
Description:
The first insider account of an ancient and secretive tradition
• By the first foreigner to become a member, and later an elder, of the Juna Akhara, the oldest and largest grouping of Naga Babas
• Filled with true accounts of magic, miracles, ghosts, and austerities
• With lessons on Hindu gods, ayurveda, and Indian culture woven throughout
After traveling at age 18 from his native California to India in 1969, Rampuri was drawn to the Naga Babas, an ancient and wild order of naked yogis whom he calls the “Hell’s Angels of Indian Spirituality.” Organized into a sect by Adi Shankara in the 5th century BC, the Naga Babas see themselves as the ultimate protectors of the Sanatan Dharma, or what we call the Hindu religion. Rampuri became a disciple of a Naga Baba--a master shaman sadhu--from Rajasthan and, as foretold by astrological prophecy, soon found himself the first foreigner to become an initiate of the Juna Akhara, the oldest and largest grouping of Naga Babas with more than 50,000 sadhu members.
From drinking the “Nectar of Immortality” at the source of the Ganges River to allegations of tantric murder, this autobiography is filled with true accounts of magic, miracles, ghosts, and austerities, with lessons on Hindu gods, ayurveda, mantra, and Indian culture woven throughout. Through his journey of extremes, Rampuri takes us into the mystic heart of India.
Review
“This book will entertain and enlighten you. A bold journey that explores the true intersections of Eastern and Western thought.” (Deepak Chopra, author of The Book of Secrets)
“Rampuri’s search has carried him into the very depths of one of the great ancient wisdom lineages of India. He has gone where very few Westerners have gone.” (Krishna Das, “Chant Master of American Yoga” (New York Times))
“An authentic and fascinating account of a Western yogi who has made India his home for his body and his spirit. Autobiography of a Sadhu is bound to challenge your view of reality and the spiritual life. It is not just the story of a personal quest but of a journey beyond the Western civilization mind-set to the real India of the yogis, where the limitations of both our cultural ideas and our egos are continually exposed. An adventure into a different kind of reality.” (David Frawley, director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies and author of Yogi and Ayurveda and Yoga and the Sacred Fire)
"Personally, I found reading Autobiography of a Sadhu enlightening and educational. Knowing very little of this specific sect, I was enthralled with the mysticism. I'm grateful the author included a glossary because some of the terms used were beyond my knowledge. I certainly recommend this book to anyone willing to expand his or her knowledge of another culture." (Irene Watson, Reader Views, March 2010)
"At the end of this compelling autobiography, the author says that he hopes readers will be edified and entertained by his quest for Truth and his adventures in the Extraordinary World. We are." (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice, April 2010)
"Rampuri's account of his spiritual journey is an intentionally entertaining story with personal accounts of many fascinating characters that changed him completely. He also gives the reader valuable glimpses into authentic life in India." (Allyson Gracie, New Age Retailer, June 2010)
"Highly Recommended." (Light of Consciousness, October 2010)
"Whether he is truly a holy man or a real-life Indiana Jones, Rampuri's journey looks like a compelling read." (Whole Life Times, October 2010)
“Lovers of imagery and the sounds of words will be mesmerized by Autobiography of a Sadhu.” (CurledUpWithAGoodBook.com, April 2011)
From the Back Cover
SPIRITUALITY / MEMOIR
“This book will entertain and enlighten you. A bold journey that explores the true intersections of Eastern and Western thought.”
--Deepak Chopra, author of The Book of Secrets
“Rampuri’s search has carried him into the very depths of one of the great ancient wisdom lineages of India. He has gone where very few Westerners have gone.”
--Krishna Das, “Chant Master of American Yoga” (New York Times)
After traveling at age 18 from his native California to India in 1969, Rampuri was drawn to the Naga Babas, an ancient and wild order of naked yogis whom he calls the “Hell’s Angels of Indian Spirituality.” Organized into a sect by Adi Shankara in the 5th century BC, the Naga Babas see themselves as the ultimate protectors of the Sanatan Dharma, or what we call the Hindu religion. Rampuri became a disciple of a Naga Baba--a master shaman sadhu--from Rajasthan and, as foretold by astrological prophecy, soon found himself the first foreigner to become an initiate of the Juna Akhara, the oldest and largest grouping of Naga Babas with more than 50,000 sadhu members.
From drinking the “Nectar of Immortality” at the source of the Ganges River to allegations of tantric murder, this autobiography is filled with true accounts of magic, miracles, ghosts, and austerities, with lessons on Hindu gods, ayurveda, mantra, and Indian culture woven throughout. Through his journey of extremes, Rampuri takes us into the mystic heart of India.
RAMPURI is the first foreigner to be initiated into the ancient society of yogis and shamans known as the Renunciates of the Ten Names, or Sannyasis. He has been a Naga Baba since 1970. A yogi and teacher who gives workshops and retreats around the world, he established the Hari Puri Ashram, in Hardwar in northern India, in 1984, where he continues the oral tradition of his lineage. In 2004 he was admitted to the Council of Elders of Datt Akhara in Ujjain, India. He lives in India.