Hanuman Ansh: saint linked to Apple, Google, FB

Hanuman Ansh: A Saint Linked to Technology Giants

The 2026 box-office hit Hanuman Ansh, a film about Neem Karoli Baba, has surpassed Rs 50 crore in India, defying expectations with its modest launch. This film has sparked renewed interest in the Indian saint, whose followers include notable figures from the American tech world. Steve Jobs, Larry Page, and Jeffrey Skoll are among those reported to have visited Neem Karoli Baba's ashram in Kainchi Dham.

The story of Neem Karoli Baba's impact on America begins with Richard Alpert, a Harvard psychologist who traveled to India in 1967 and met the saint. Alpert, who later became known as Ram Dass, adopted the name given by Neem Karoli Baba. Ram Dass' account reveals that he spent minimal time in Neem Karoli Baba's physical presence, yet he regarded the guru as central to his subsequent work.

Ram Dass' influence on spiritual culture in America is significant. His 1971 book, Be Here Now, combined autobiography, spiritual instruction, and practical guidance on meditation and yoga. This book became a counterculture classic, introducing Hindu spirituality to millions of Western readers.

The connection between Neem Karoli Baba and Silicon Valley is less well-known but equally important. Steve Jobs, Larry Page, and Jeffrey Skoll are among the technology figures linked to the saint. Steve Jobs' journey to India was spurred by his search for spiritual direction and his encounter with Neem Karoli Baba's teachings. However, the meeting with the guru never materialized before Neem Karoli Baba's death in 1973.

Jobs' India trip had a profound impact on his worldview, shaping his approach to intuition and experiential knowledge in work and life.

Larry Brilliant, a physician and lifelong friend of Jobs, was another key figure connecting the world of Neem Karoli Baba to Silicon Valley. Brilliant, a devotee of the saint, was encouraged by Baba to work with the UN on the smallpox epidemic. This connection between the spiritual world and the technological revolution is a testament to the enduring influence of Neem Karoli Baba's teachings.