Who was Neem Karoli Baba? Neem Karoli Baba, also known affectionately as Maharajji among his devotees, is one of those luminaries whose stories of divine intervention transcend borders. With followers around the globe, his influence is said to touch even the lives of tech giants such as Apple’s Steve Jobs and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.
A Divine Visit
Our story begins with an elderly couple living modestly in Fatehgarh. They were devout followers of Neem Karoli Baba and held deep reverence for him. One day, unexpected but lovingly, Baba announced his intention to stay the night at their humble abode. The couple, although thrilled by the blessing of his presence, were inwardly anxious about their ability to host such a revered figure.
Despite their meager means, they managed to prepare a meal for Baba and offered him a charpai (cot) with a simple blanket for the night. The couple themselves slept on the floor by his side, wrapped in gratitude and devotion rather than comfort.
The Night of Anomaly
In the stillness of the night, the couple was awakened by the sounds of Baba groaning as if in pain. Yet, he seemed to be enveloped in a profound engagement beyond their understanding. Even through this visible discomfort, he remained under his blanket, as if shielded by a force unseen to mortal eyes.
When dawn approached, Baba, with an enigmatic smile, handed over the blanket to them with a simple instruction—”Take this to the river and let it flow, without unraveling it.” Though puzzled by its newfound weight, heavier than they recalled, the couple obliged, entrusting it to the waters of the Ganges without question. Soon after, Baba departed for destinations unknown.
The Soldier’s Tale
Roughly a month later, the couple’s son, who served in the British Army during World War II, returned home. Stationed in Burma (now Myanmar) at the time of Baba’s visit, he recounted a nightmarish ordeal of warfare. His unit had been ambushed, and while the enemy’s bullets claimed the lives of his comrades, he miraculously survived without a single injury.
Astoundingly, he described a strange experience of feeling an invisible shield that fended off barrages of bullets, saving his life during the fateful night—the very night Baba had stayed with his parents.
Understanding the Divine Protection
The pieces of a larger puzzle began to fit together for the couple. Baba’s apparent suffering was not for himself but for their son’s deliverance. The mysterious weight of the blanket—they now realized—held the burden of bullets diverted from their beloved child. In reverence and awe, they clutched this moment as evidence of Baba’s divine compassion.
This account, like many others surrounding Neem Karoli Baba, continues to draw devotees to the Kainchi Dham Ashram, where they often offer blankets to honor the miraculous protection Baba once provided. Although life is full of uncertainties, stories like these—where faith meets divine intervention—serve as comforting reminders of the possibilities that lie beyond human comprehension.
Disclaimer: The information above is rooted in traditional beliefs and stories shared among faithful devotees, and has been shared for informational purposes. Individual beliefs and interpretations may vary.
