Author Biography
About The Author: Narvada Puri In 1969, a twenty-four year old German girl left everyone and everything behind to hitchhike to India to find meaning and purpose of life. She came with only a sleeping bag, a shawl, a flute, and a copy of the I Ching. A year later she found her Guru, a Naga Baba, living on a small island in the Ganga north of Haridwar. Her heart recognized Him immediately, and there she stayed to be reborn through strenuous spiritual austerities, serving the holy cows, meditating by the Ganga - and through the grace of her Guru. The first year she spoke no words except Om Namah Shivaya. The first ten years her body nearly died (several times), but a remarkable inner strength and absolute faith in her Guru kept her alive and on the path. Eventually, she learned Hindi and Sanskrit, married her Guru, and they had three children: Ganga, Mandakini, and Alaknanda. Her sister and Mother also came and took initiation from Babaji. Together Babaji and Mataji founded Santosh Puri Ashram. Babaji took Mahasamadhi in 2001. Now Narvada Puri and the three children run Santosh Puri Ashram, living, teaching, and doing sadhana. About Santosh Puri Ashram: Santosh Puri Ashram was founded by Baba Santosh Puri in 1978 along the Ganga, on the historical footpath from Haridwar to Badrinath. Starting from a raw piece of land, Babaji built an ashram that, in addition to the duni place and original cow spaces, now houses 25 people, plus dogs and cows, and includes a meditation hall, a dining hall, and a library. They also have gardens to grow vegetables, dal, and fruits. They even create their own biogas from the cow dung, which is used to cook tea and food in the ashram kitchen. A spiritual oasis, away from the distracting world of desires, the ashram is life in simplicity and truthfulness. Visitors can come for any of the formal courses offered year-round, or for an individualized time, just to participate in ashram life of Aarti-puja, asana, meditation, kirtan chanting, and karma yoga. Karma Yoga is an opportunity to serve and purify the mind! Visit the website for a full list of courses, celebrations, dates, and more information! www.yoganga.org
