Artists / Bhagavan DasRising Star
Bhagavan Das
Kirtan artist
Bhagavan Das is the American yogi and kirtan singer who lived as a sadhu in India with Neem Karoli Baba, brought Ram Dass to his guru, and has sung kirtan in the West for decades.
- years of kirtan
- 60+
- performances to watch
- 3
- major performances
- 5
- Performs at
- Kirtan & satsang gatherings · Temple/ashram spiritual events · Workshops and bhakti yoga weekends · Spiritual events and retreats
Watch Bhagavan Das perform
The story
Bhagavan Das is an American yogi, kirtan singer and spiritual teacher whose chanting was learned at the feet of an Indian guru. In 1963, at 18, he left California and travelled alone through Europe, North Africa and the Middle East until he reached India. He says he was the first American to live in the Himalayan jungle as a hermit-sadhu.
In 1965 he met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, and lived beside him for years. Over six years as a sadhu in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka he studied Nada Yoga, the path of devotion to the inner sound current. On a pilgrimage to the Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu he met Richard Alpert and brought him to Neem Karoli Baba, who named him Ram Dass. Bhagavan Das appears in Ram Dass's 1971 book Be Here Now.
He returned to America in 1971 and carried kirtan with him. His first album, AH, came out in 1972. Later records include Now (2002), produced by Mike D of the Beastie Boys, Golden Voice, Love Songs to the Dark Lord, The Howler at Dawn and Mother Light (2014). In 1997 he published his memoir, It's Here Now (Are You?).
His kirtan is long and deeply devotional. He is a devotee of the goddess Kali, and his chants turn to the Divine Mother, Shiva, Ganesh, Hanuman and Ram. He has sung at Bhakti Fest in Joshua Tree, California, at yoga studios across the United States, and at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Today he sings and teaches with Amulya Maa. Together they offer kirtan, satsang and guided meditation. They travel far less now, and in-person events are on hold while he looks after his health, so most of their work is online.
What a kirtan with Bhagavan Das is like
A kirtan with Bhagavan Das is long, slow to build and deeply devotional. One evening he opened with a blow of the conch and a short chant to Ganesh. Then he sang in a rich, hypnotic voice while playing his trademark one-string ektara. Single chants run for a long time: that night the hall chanted Jai Ambe for 45 minutes, then Kali, Shiva and the Hanuman Chalisa. A 20-minute Sita Ram had everyone clapping and singing at the top of their lungs. Between chants he talks about devotion. His recent videos show him at home with Amulya Maa, the gourd of the ektara in his hands, the two of them singing together.
Best for
- Online satsang or community kirtanHe and Amulya Maa offer community kirtan and satsang over Zoom, in sessions of 90 minutes to three hours.
- Yoga community or teacher trainingHe has led kirtan at yoga studios for years and offers kirtan and teaching modules for yoga teacher trainings.
What makes Bhagavan Das special
“Few kirtan singers learned their chants the way he did: as a young sadhu at the feet of Neem Karoli Baba in the 1960s.”
Where Bhagavan Das has performed
- 2018Bhakti Fest 10th AnniversaryJoshua Tree, California, USA
- 2018Live kirtan at Lake AtitlanSan Marcos, Guatemala
- 2011Kirtan and workshop at YogaNow (sold out)Chicago area, USA
- 2009Bhakti FestJoshua Tree, California, USA
- 2006Kirtan with Sangita DeviAsheville, North Carolina, USA
Highlights
- Devotee of Neem Karoli Baba from 1965; studied Nada Yoga as a sadhu in India for six years
- Brought Richard Alpert to Neem Karoli Baba, who named him Ram Dass; appears in Be Here Now (1971)
- Released his first album, AH, in 1972
- Album Now (2002) produced by Mike D of the Beastie Boys
- Author of the memoir It's Here Now (Are You?) (1997)
Work & output
Booking Bhagavan Das: common questions
- Who is Bhagavan Das?
- Bhagavan Das is an American yogi, kirtan singer and spiritual teacher. He lived for six years as a sadhu in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, became a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba, and has recorded kirtan albums since AH in 1972.
- What is Bhagavan Das's connection to Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass?
- Neem Karoli Baba is Bhagavan Das's guru; he met him in 1965 and lived beside him for years. In Kathmandu he met Richard Alpert and brought him to Neem Karoli Baba, who named him Ram Dass. Bhagavan Das appears in Ram Dass's book Be Here Now.
- Is Bhagavan Das a Hare Krishna kirtan singer?
- Not in the ISKCON sense. His guru is Neem Karoli Baba, and his chants turn to the Divine Mother, Kali, Shiva, Ganesh, Hanuman and Ram, sung in the Nada Yoga style he learned as a sadhu in India.
- What are Bhagavan Das's best-known albums?
- AH, from 1972, was his first album. Now (2002) was produced by Mike D of the Beastie Boys. Golden Voice, Love Songs to the Dark Lord, The Howler at Dawn and Mother Light (2014) followed, and six releases are on Spotify.
- Can I book Bhagavan Das for a kirtan?
- In-person events with Bhagavan Das are on hold for now while he looks after his health, and he travels much less. He and Amulya Maa offer community kirtan and satsang over Zoom. Send us your date and occasion and we will ask what is possible.
- What occasions can I book Bhagavan Das for?
- Occasions Bhagavan Das performs at: kirtan & satsang gatherings, temple/ashram spiritual events, workshops and bhakti yoga weekends and spiritual events and retreats. Tell us about yours and we’ll check it suits them.
- Does Bhagavan Das perform in my city?
- Send us your city with your date and we’ll check whether Bhagavan Das can travel there.
- How much does it cost to book Bhagavan Das?
- It depends on the date, city, length and how many musicians come. Send us your occasion and we’ll tell you on WhatsApp, usually within a day.
