The book takes the form of six essays covering the life and teachings of Shri Govindananda Bharati, known at the time of his death as the Shivapuri Baba. The first chapter describes his origins from his birth in 1826 in Kerala, his religious training and preparation and his 40 year circumambulation of the world, meeting all the major world leaders of his day, and his forty year retirement in a forest hut outside Kathmandu. Subsequent chapters, describe his practical teachings, which are so simply explained and so universal that they will always be relevant to seekers. Ancient teachings are presented in a modern interpretation. The Shivapuri Baba himself described his teachings as «the Bhagavad Gita brought up to date’. The final chapter presents a revolutionary world view which reveals an immense wisdom and understanding of human destiny, presented in a form that all can appreciate. The Shivapuri Baba left this life in January of 1963, and at that time few knew of him, and nothing at all had been written about him. The present book was the first public account of the saint, appearing in 1965.