Despite being Parabrahman Himself, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale worships and makes seekers worship the Shabdabrahman

Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale has authored Texts that awaken pride in one’s Mother tongue/native language. He has also conducted a campaign for the purification of languages. This campaign continues even today in Marathi, Hindi and Kannada. Alongside this, He performs various satsevas such as compiling Texts, writing and compiling articles for Sanatan Prabhat Periodicals and Texts, and training seekers for these satsevas. His purpose is not just to have seekers perform gross-level satsevas, but enable them to progress towards God-realisation through these very satsevas. For this, He has undertaken immense efforts and continues to do so. Mentioned ahead are some aspects I have learnt from Him.

1. Refuting incorrect usage of words

1A. Preventing the usage of incorrect words which are becoming common in Marathi 

In 2008, the word sampatra  was frequently used in the E-mail writings of most Sanatan seekers. When a compilation was submitted to Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale for verification, He asked the seekers to find out the origin of the word sampatra. He also instructed them to trace the root of this incorrect word till the end.

At that time, the word ‘E-mail’ was commonly used in letters sent from Sanatan Ashram to its Districts. In an effort to find a Marathi equivalent, the word sampatra was coined and was being used extensively. He pointed out the mistake to the concerned seeker and instructed him to publish a note that the word sampatra is incorrect and should not be used henceforth.

1A 1. From this entire episode, I learnt that while implementing any campaign or wide-scale work, one should not apply only temporary fixes to problems. Instead, the root of the difficulty should be investigated and a permanent solution found.

1B. Conveying the seriousness of a situation through appropriate wording : Once, seekers gave an inappropriate headline to an article. Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale corrected it as follows :

1B 1. Original headline : The neglect of Purana-related importance places in India.

1B 2. Corrected headline by Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale : The inexcusable negligence of the Government towards places of Purana-related importance in India.

1B 3. The corrected headline by Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale used more appropriate words, which made the seriousness of the situation far more impactful on readers’ minds. It also conveyed who is responsible for the situation.

1C. Refuting incorrect use of spiritual words : According to a rule in Spirituality word, touch, form, taste, fragrance and their energies co-exist. If a spiritual word is used incorrectly, it becomes a serious error. Such misuse even results in unintentional sins. From the following note written by Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale, I learnt that such misuse must be refuted immediately.

A former Prime Minister of India described the Bhakra-Nangal project as a ‘modern pilgrimage site’. It is laughable that someone who does not even know the meaning of the word ‘pilgrimage’ site has the courage to speak so. Using the term ‘modern pilgrimage site’ is fundamentally incorrect. Moreover, a spiritually-insensitive individual using a spiritually pure word is a kind of insult to this word.

2. Pointing out absurd errors in the compiled writings of seekers

A. Once, while compiling the spiritual experience of a lady-seeker who was suffering from spiritual distress, I wrote – ‘The rings on her fingers fell off in her sleep at night’. Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale wrote on the file in bold – ‘Rohit, rings are worn on fingers !’, thus pointing out the mistake.

B. On another occasion, I was compiling the spiritual experience a lady- seeker had during childbirth. I gave the headline – ‘Spiritual experiences of Vishwa’s mother during Vishwa’s birth’. When this was shown to Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale for checking, He wrote in bold on the file – ‘Absurd mistake – If the child is not yet born, how can the child’s name be used ? The lady-seeker’s name should have been used in the title instead’.

C. Writing an article to provide guidance by compiling examples of incorrect words & sentence construction : Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale has pointed out many such errors to the concerned seekers from time to time. To prevent other seekers from repeating such mistakes, He instructed them to write the mistakes on a board and explain them during satsangs.

He even had seekers compile such examples into a single file. He added other examples from Marathi as well including, ‘Change in the meaning of a sentence due to misplaced single quotation marks’ and ‘nonsensical or humorous sentences caused by using two synonyms’. This compilation, titled ‘Interesting aspects of the Marathi language’, is still preserved in full – enough to write a complete Text. This guidance will benefit the future generations as well.

3. Teaching through experiments which word is more appropriate and impactful

Once, there was uncertainty whether to use bhishan apatkal or sankatkal (Marathi synonyms for ‘adverse times’) in a Text. Some seekers felt sankatkal was more appropriate and started using it. After verifying a few compilations, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale examined the meaning and context of both the words and sought opinions. He then asked a few seekers to pronounce the words and perceive what they felt. The seekers agreed that apatkal was the more appropriate word. Hence, it came into usage.

3A. From this, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale taught us that the intellect has limitations, and the science of vibrations is more important, which can be understood only through sadhana.

4. Noting new good words and sharing them with others

4A. Once, while giving a title to an article on Paratpar Guru Pande Maharaj, I thought of suffixing the word Mantramaharshi (Maharshi, meaning, great Sage of mantras) to His Name. When this compilation was submitted for verification, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale wrote – ‘I liked the word Mantramaharshi. Inform me if such good words come to your mind.’

From these incidents, I learnt that learning is a continuous process, and that I should make efforts so that everyone benefits from it.

5. Gratitude

By teaching the worship of Shabdabrahman, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale has not only helped seekers benefit, but He has also given an invaluable gift to all language purification researchers – that of God-realisation through the worship of Shabdabrahman.

– Mr Rohit Salunkhe, Ponda, Goa. (20.5.2024)