Autobiography of a Sadhu is the fascinating story of a young man who leaves his hometown of Beverley Hills in the late 1960s and travels to India in search of enlightenment. He finds his guru and joins an ancient tradition of sadhus – hard-core renunciate monks.

His journey is filled with magic, mystery, hardship and transformation. This is a fantastic, gripping story that is made all the more curious by being a true account. Highly recommended to anyone with an affinity for yogis and mystic India.

Rampuri is a gifted storyteller.

If you liked Autobiography of a Yogi, then you will love this.

Amazon review: 

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.

“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)

Read an excerpt from the book here.  

The author’s website.  

This book can be purchased from The Book Depository for NZ$20 including free worldwide shipping.