Bhagavan Das

Virato of Virato Live radio program on The Revolution, 880 AM, enjoys a lay back rap with Bhagavan Das Saturday, November 5, 11:00 AM - Noon EST, the first American to live with the acknowledged saint Neem Karoli Baba and was the catalyst for the many westerners that followed on a similar journey to the East in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Born in America, and definitely not of Indian extraction (he was a California surfer), he spent six continuous years in India and Nepal. In fact, he was the person who introduced Dr. Richard Albert to Neem Karoli Baba, who gave Albert the name Ram Dass

While there he studied Hinduism and Buddhism, living the life of a sadhu (ascetic renunciate). During those years, he received numerous initiations and teachings from living Masters including Karmapa, Dudjom Rinpoche, Lama Kalu, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and Anandamayi Ma.

Back in America, Bhagavan Das met and began working with the likes of poet Alan Ginsburg and Zen spiritualist Alan Watts among others. He also made friends was with many in the pop music world. It was during this time that Bhagavan Das was introduced to Jimi Hendrix’s manager Michael Jeffries who arranged for him to record in the legendary Electric Ladyland studios.

Those sessions led to his first album entitled AH. AH is one of the earliest recordings in what would be known as "world music". And today, Bhagavan Das is quoted as being "the Jimi Hendrix of Kirtan masters."

Bhagavan Das has opened for The Grateful Dead, and performed with Bob Dylan, Madonna and many other musical celebrities.

If you want to feel and hear Virato chanting with this icon you need to buy the CD...