On the occasion of Prakatdin of Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj (Vasant Panchami – 2nd February 2025)

Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj

Subtle analysis of a bhajan programme presented by devotees of Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj in Sanatan’s Ashram at Ramnathi

On 10.3.2023, devotees of Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj sang bhajans in Sanatan Ashram in Goa. Here is a subtle analysis of this programme that God got done through me.

1. Subtle existence of Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj and H.H. Ramanand Maharaj perceived on the dais

During the bhajan programme, a large photo of Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj (referred to as ‘Baba’ ahead) was placed in the middle of the dais and the devotees sitting on either side were singing bhajans. Looking at this photo, I subtly perceived that it has come alive and that Baba is breathing. I thought of the reason for this. Then, I saw in the subtle that Baba is sitting on the throne and seated at His feet is His successor H.H. Ramanand Maharaj. In this regard, God said, ‘Just as Deity Hanuman appears in the subtle (Note 1) wherever there is a bhav-enriched narration of Shriram’s life, similarly, wherever Baba’s bhajans are sung passionately, His subtle existence and also of His successor H.H. Ramanand Maharaj, who has merged with His bhajans, are present. This is the spiritual experience of this aspect.

Note 1 – It is a belief that Deity Hanuman is subtly present wherever Shriram’s life-story is narrated.

2. Chaitanya (Divine consciousness) emitting from the bhajans was reaching the higher Swargalok

While the devotees were singing bhajans, I was getting different spiritual experiences such as awakening of my bhav (Spiritual emotion), commencement of chanting of God’s  Name, going into a meditative state. It is not the first time that a bhajan programme had been organised in Ramnathi Ashram; however, never before had I perceived the effect at the subtle level to such a great extent.

When I tried to subtly find the extent of Chaitanya emitting from the bhajans, I realised that its starting point is beyond Swargalok (Heaven) upto the higher Swargalok. I asked God the reason and He said, ‘Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj has taught Spirituality to His devotees through the medium of His spiritual bhajans’.

The word ‘bhajan’ is made up ‘bhaj’ (Devotion) + ‘man’ (Mind). Mere vocalis-ing of bhajans does not amount to sadhana (Spiritual practice); instead, 2 hours of bhajan singing and then keeping the mind in the bhajan of God, meaning communion with God, for the next 22 hours of the day, is termed ‘spiritual bhajan’.

By travelling to villages and through the medium of His bhajans, Baba taught spiritual bhajans to society. His devotees are trying to act according to His teachings. The effect of the bhajans sung by His devotees is being felt at the subtle level to a much greater extent when compared with bhajans sung by other groups.

3. Spiritual experiences of subtle smell, subtle taste, etc. while listening to the bhajans sung by devotees 

While listening to the bhajans presented by the devotees, sometimes I would get a subtle smell, sometimes a sweet taste would form in my mouth, and intermittently I would hear subtle sounds. When I asked God for the reason, He said, ‘Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj has written bhajans that teach vyashti and samashti sadhana (Spiritual practice for spread of Spirituality). When devotees sing bhajans that teach vyashti sadhana (Individual spiritual practice), such as ‘Eka tuze Nama shastrancha adhar (O’ God ! Your Name is the basis of understanding the Scriptures), one gets the spiritual experiences associated with the Pruthvitattva (Absolute Earth Principle) such as getting subtle smell, subtle taste. Whereas, when a bhajan that teaches samashti sadhana is being sung, such as ‘Bholaji, tumne kaisi dhuni ye ramai ? (Bholaji, what kind of sound do you make ?)’, one gets the spiritual experience associated with Akashtattva (Absolute Ether Principle) such as hearing subtle sounds.

4. Hearing from within the names of the eight aspects of sadhana according to Gurukrupayoga

When Baba’s devotees were singing, during each bhajan I would hear from within the name of one of the aspects of the 8-fold sadhana according to Gurukrupayoga. When I asked God the reason, He said, ‘The ongoing bhajan programme at Ramnathi Ashram is happening as per God’s will. Through these bhajans, Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj Himself is guiding the devotees in vyashti and samashti sadhana. Gurukrupayoga propounded by Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale explains these very teachings to society in a simple language. This aspect will become clear from the following analysis.

4A. Namjap  : ‘Brahmanandam Paramsukhadam Kevalam Jnanamurtim l Dwandvatitam Gaganasadrusham Tattva-masyadilakshyam ll Ekam Nityam Vimala-machalam Sarvadhisakshibhutam l Bhavatitam Trigunarahitam Sadgurum Tam Namami ll’

(I prostrate before that Guru, the Bliss of Brahman, the bestower of Supreme happiness, who is Knowledge Absolute, transcending the pairs of opposites, expansive like the sky, the goal indicated by the great sayings like ‘Thou art That’, the one eternal, pure, unchanging, the witness of functions of the intellect, who is above all Bhavas [Mental conditions] and the three Gunas [Sattva, Raja and Tama]. Salutations to that Holy Guru.)

After this prayer, the devotees sang Baba’s bhajan ‘Eka Tujhe Naam Shastancha adhar.’ In this bhajan, Baba has explained the importance of chanting. Gurukrupayoga also advocates the sadhana of chanting.

4B. Awakening of bhav : Through the bhajan titled, ‘Vandu Ya Nikhil Brahma Avadhuta (Obeisance to the All-pervasive Supreme God),  Baba has taught how to have gratitude towards the Divine Principle concealed in living beings. Gurukrupayoga teaches various ways to awaken bhav such as performing day-to-day chores in a bhav-enriched manner, having bhav towards inanimate objects. Thus, it teaches how to see divinity in living beings and have bhav towards them.

4C. Removal of personality defects and ego : Through bhajans such as, ‘Lajata patit Mhanavita…’ and ‘Lutaoji dil ko Prabhu ke charanon mein…’, Baba has taught devotees and seekers how to strive for the elimination of personality defects. In Gurukrupayoga, priority is given to the removal of personality defects and ego.

4D. Samashti sadhana : The unique feature of Gurukrupayoga is that it teaches samashti sadhana. The seed of this samashti sadhana is hidden in many bhajans composed by Baba; for example, ‘Bholaji tumne kaisi dhuni ye ramai. Uthoji Prabhu kaisi dhuni ye ramai.’ Through this bhajan, Baba has taught samashti sadhana, wherein He is invoking Deity Shiva to awaken from His meditative state. The reason for this is that at a time when unrighteousness prevails on earth and Dharma begins to disappear, devotees are not expected to perform only vyashti sadhana such as chanting, singing bhajans and meditation. Vyashti sadhana does help devotees develop some spiritual ability to participate in the mission of establishing a Dharma-based Government. They should not just look at the plight of Nation & Dharma, but should try with God’s support to overcome it. This is called samashti sadhana. In Satyayug, Tretayug and Dwaparyug, various Sages, meaning the samashti Saints, prayed to God to Incarnate and despite intense opposition, made efforts to protect Dharma themselves. Similarly, in this bhajan, Baba is praying to Deity Shiva to awaken from His meditative state and perform samashti work.

Baba has taught vyashti and samashti sadhana through His bhajans. Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale is giving the same teaching in prose form through various Texts so that mankind understands it in a simple language.

5. Seeing that Baba has placed His hand on the head of Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale subtly

Devotees sang the bhajan ‘Soniyachya shimpalyata ghavala ha Chintamani’. As soon as this bhajan started, I entered a meditative state and saw Baba blessing Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale by placing His hand on His head. While listening to the line, ‘Kotisurya Prakashacha, Deep Pajalila’, my mind started chanting ‘Gratitude, gratitude…’. When I asked God the reason for these spiritual experiences, He said, ‘The teachings of the Guru are priceless. Only one who is a disciple from within understands the true teachings of the Guru and practices them out of gratitude towards Him. The Guru’s grace is bestowed upon the disciple who practices them in such a grateful manner. Baba had ordered Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale to write Texts on and spread Spirituality. As per this order, even though His physical condition is not good, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale is constantly striving to write Texts and spread Spirituality; therefore, pleased with Him, Baba placed His hand on His head, meaning, blessed Him.

Saint Bhaktaraj Maharajs blessings are always with Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale.

A disciple can never repay the debt of the grace bestowed upon him by the Guru. Practicing the teachings of the Guru and propagating them in society is true gratitude of a disciple towards his Guru. Since Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale acts with such supreme gratitude, the Divine changes described in the bhajan by Baba have taken place in His body.

The bhajan ‘Soniyachya shimpalyata ghavala ha Chintamani’ written by Baba is a compilation of spiritual experiences obtained during the mission performed after enlightenment. One of these Divine spiritual experiences has been mentioned by Baba in the line ‘Antahakaran Samputat Harihar Sathavila, Kriyabhav sthiravala shabda ha budala.’ Here ‘Kriyabhav sthiravala’ means that since the mission of Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale after enlightenment is going on, He does not perform any action Himself. ‘Shabda ha budala’, means that His work is beyond words.

Since the disciple Dr Athavale is performing the sadhana advised by His Guru Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj with an emotion replete with gratitude, the Divine changes have taken place in Him as told by the Guru Himself through the bhajan. Therefore, while listening to the line, ‘Kotisurya prakashacha deep pajalila.’ I started chanting ‘Gratitude, gratitude…’.

6. Perceiving the vibrations of knowledge, devotion and detachment 

While listening to the complete programme of bhajans, I occasionally perceived the vibrations of knowledge, devotion and detachment. When I asked God for the reason, He said, ‘Since Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj is a Saint of the highest order, the bhajans written by Him contain the actual teachings of knowledge, devotion, detachment, the essence of the Vedas, along with that of vyashti and samashti sadhana. By practicing the teachings of vyashti sadhana, H.H. Ramanand Maharaj became a Guru, while by practicing the teachings of vyashti and samashti sadhana, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale became a samashti Saint. Thus, both the disciples reached a high level in Spirituality. If instead of singing Baba’s bhajans just for the pleasure of singing, all the devotees understand their essence and practice accordingly, everyone will progress spiritually rapidly.

7. Gratitude

If we were to try and describe Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj, we might say ‘Ekmevadvitiya (The One and Only)’ and ‘Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati (Has not happened in the past and will not happen in the future either)’.

Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj is a jewel among Saints. It is rare to find the company of such a great Saint who had the knowledge of the past, present and future. The wonderful bhajans that Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj has composed is in effect the grace He has bestowed upon His devotees everywhere. The essence of the Shrimadbhagwadgeeta, Ramayan, Mahabharat and Vedas is concealed in these bhajans.

I pray sincerely at the Holy feet of Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj – ‘May the vyashti and samashti sadhana advised by Him through the bhajans be performed by all of us – devotees and seekers – and may we progress spiritually rapidly !’

– Mr Nishad Deshmukh

(Knowledge obtained from the subtle dimension*) (Mr Deshmukh is at the spiritual level of 63%), Sanatan Ashram, Ramnathi, Goa. (15.3.2023, 4.45 p.m. to 6.37 p.m. and 9.15 p.m. to 10.45 p.m.)

Subtle : The gross (physical) aspects of an individual are the five sense organs – the nose, ears, eyes, tongue and skin. These five senses, beyond the mind and intellect, are ‘subtle’. These ‘subtle’ sensations are felt by some people who have advanced in their spiritual practice. Various Scriptures contain references to subtle knowledge.

One who is a disciple from within understands the true teachings of the Guru and practices them out of gratitude towards Him !

Practicing the teachings of the Guru and propagating them in society is true gratitude of a disciple towards his Guru !