The book Deva Bhumi tells stories of the magical land in the foothills of the Himalayas that has produced a disproportionate number of enlightened beings—not just teachers and saints, but siddhas—beings who are so perfected that people need only be in their presence to receive the benefits of the teachings. A siddha exists beyond the laws of nature, permanently in a state of non-duality.
They say that for every one thousand saints there is only one siddha, and yet so many of these people seem to have sprung forth from the tiny Kumaon region of Northern India. One of the most well-known of these siddhas was Neem Karoli Baba, or Maharajji, as his devotees call him. He is the teacher or guru of well-known figures including Ram Dass, Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Dr. Larry Brilliant, and others. When these seekers arrived in India, Deva Bhumi author K.K. Sah introduced them to Maharajji and served as their translator and beloved guide.
K.K. Sah was sprung from his mother’s womb directly onto the spiritual path. His family is from this region, and they have been in the company of siddhas for generations. The history of these enlightened beings, like Sombari Baba and Hairakhan Baba, is contained not in books, but in the stories told by the people who lived among them from generation to generation—until now.
In Deva Bhumi, K.K. Sah has masterfully assembled stories about these Kumaon teachers including Neem Karoli Baba. The tales here are essential reading for anyone interested in the rich history of devotional yoga and Hindu spirituality because K.K. Sah successfully communicates the experience of what it is like to be in the presence of the siddhas. It is as though their energy and teachings—known as their darshan—is transmitted through these pages. For more information, visit Love Serve Remember.
