Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami ( January 5 , 1927 -- 2001 ) , known as Gurudeva by his followers , was a Hindu leader and author . He was born in Oakland , California . Sivaya Subramuniyaswami ( 1927 â `` 2001 ) , also known as Gurudeva by his followers , was born in Oakland , California , on January 5 , 1927 , and adopted Saivism as a young man .