Neem Karoli Baba, known for his profound love and spiritual wisdom, touched the lives of thousands through his selfless service, especially through his emphasis on feeding the hungry. Through the act of feeding, he not only nourished bodies but awakened souls, guiding us to see the divine in every human being. His teachings went beyond the physical, urging us to serve others with pure love and compassion. One of the most striking expressions of Neem Karoli Baba’s love was his practice of mass feedings, or bhandaras, where food was shared with everyone—without discrimination—and miracles of abundance often unfolded.

The Miracle of Love: A Journey to Anandamayi Ma

One powerful moment that exemplifies Neem Karoli Baba’s playful yet profound devotion to feeding the hungry occurred when he journeyed to see Anandamayi Ma, a revered saint in northern India. Early one morning at his ashram, Baba mischievously declared to the gathered devotees, “You can’t feed me or take care of me. I’m going to Ma. She’ll feed me.” With those words, he set off, joyfully repeating, “She’ll feed me. I’m going to see Ma. She’ll feed me!”

Upon reaching Anandamayi Ma’s ashram, he burst into her darshan room like an eager child, his blanket flying in all directions. “Ma! Feed me. Feed me, Ma!” he exclaimed. Ma, with great joy, laughed at the sight, and a grand meal was soon prepared. In an extraordinary display of divine love, Baba and Ma served food together to the gathered devotees, teaching us that the act of feeding others is not just physical nourishment but a means of spiritual awakening. It was through such acts that Neem Karoli Baba reminded us of the divine presence in every simple offering of food.

In Baba’s eyes, no one should be turned away. “A starving person should not have to wait. Such a person should be fed when he is hungry,” he would say. His teachings were a call to action, urging us to act with urgency and compassion in the face of human suffering. True spirituality, he emphasised, is found in our service to others.

At the bhandaras, no one was excluded. The wealthy, the poor, the lepers, and beggars—everyone was welcomed. Baba’s instruction was simple but profound: feed the hungry, for in doing so, you feed the divine.

The Kumbh Mela and the Power of Service

The Kumbh Mela, a massive spiritual gathering where millions of pilgrims converge to bathe in the sacred rivers of India, served as another powerful backdrop for Neem Karoli Baba’s teachings on service. At the Kumbh Mela, Baba’s tent became a hub of activity, where devotees tirelessly prepared and served food to thousands of sadhus, saints, and seekers. For an entire month, Baba’s tent would serve between 250 to 500 people every day, and the devotion with which the food was prepared was a reflection of Baba’s deep spiritual discipline.

On one occasion, during the preparation of khichri (a simple yet nourishing dish of rice and lentils), the servers, exhausted and frustrated, began to serve only small portions to the waiting people. Baba arrived and, noticing their frustration, scolded them, saying, “You cannot serve food with anger. You must give plenty to everyone.” His words were not only about food but about the spiritual attitude with which we serve—without anger, without judgment, and with full generosity. The lesson was clear: when we serve, we must do so with a loving and open heart.

The Siddhi of Ma Annapurna: A Divine Miracle of Nourishment

One of the most extraordinary aspects of Neem Karoli Baba’s feeding practices was the miraculous abundance that would occur during times of scarcity. On several occasions, when the food supplies were low, Baba would continue to serve endless portions of food without it ever running out. This miracle was attributed to his siddhi of Annapurna, the Goddess of Grain, who is believed to govern nourishment. Baba’s power to manifest Annapurna’s grace meant that no matter how many people came, the food would remain in infinite supply.

This divine miracle was not just a display of power but an expression of Baba’s infinite love and compassion. He showed us that when we serve others selflessly, the universe itself will conspire to provide. The abundance was a reminder that love, in its purest form, can nourish all.

A Call to Serve: Feeding the Soul

Feeding others was, for Baba, not just an act of charity but a means of connecting to the divine. It transcended all boundaries of religion, status, and wealth. In every meal served, Baba imparted his deepest lesson: love is universal, service is sacred, and the divine is present in the hearts of all—especially those in need.

As we reflect on the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba and his bhandaras, let us remember that every act of feeding is not only a material gesture but a spiritual practice that connects us to the divine. In giving, in nourishing, and in loving, we find our true purpose—one meal at a time.

Ram Ram

(Source: Miracle of Love)