Narration : Dr (Mrs) Kunda Athavale
Meeting Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj in Indore and Guruprapti
Dr Athavale – my revered husband celebrated His 83rd Birthday. I was asked to write something about Him. This inspired me to pen down a few thoughts. I felt like writing particularly about His spiritual journey and the disciple-like attitude I saw in Him.
5. The journey to Indore with Param Pujya Anna Karandikar
5A. During the journey, halting at Dhule where Param Pujya Anna Karandikar took us to the homes of two devotees who had the seat of Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj, but both were away : When Param Pujya Anna Karandikar asked, “Will you come to Indore ?”, Dr Athavale immediately agreed. It was a golden opportunity to obtain knowledge from Him. As instructed, we met Him at Nashik on 20.7.1987, and began our journey. We had no idea where in Indore we were going or who we were to visit. On the way, we entered Dhule and Param Pujya Anna said, “Some devotees of Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj live here. His seat is there. Let us have its darshan”.
We first went to Mr Rausaheb Naik’s house, but he was not there. We took darshan of the seat there and went to the next place. There too, Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj’s devotee Mr Rajabhau Garud and his wife had gone to their farm, but their 2 young daughters, Seema and Padma, were home and invited us in. We took darshan of Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj’s seat, were served tea, and then we left. During our stay in Indore, we had a lot of interaction with these 2 daughters.
5B. Staying overnight at the Government Rest house at Gujri and Param Pujya Anna narrating accurate incidents from everyone’s past lives while clearing doubts on Spirituality : After leaving Dhule, we briefly halted at Dhamnod, Madhya Pradesh for tea and then took darshan of the Narmada River. As evening approached, we halted at a Government Rest house at Gujri. It was around 8 p.m. We instructed the cook to prepare dinner and sat down to chat. Param Pujya Anna answered our questions on Spirituality. A particularly noteworthy thing happened then. He described specific incidents from the past lives of all present, and they were entirely accurate. We were very surprised.
5C. Reaching Indore around 10-10.30 p.m. : We resumed our journey the next morning and reached Indore around 10-10.30 p.m. We went to Param Pujya Anna’s cousin, Dr Gokhale’s house, who had arranged our hotel stay. He had reserved rooms at Hotel Shreemaya.
6. Darshan of Param Pujya Dhandeshastri
6A. Having darshan of Param Pujya Dhandeshastri, who had a powerful personality, at a disciple’s house : The next morning, we were to accompany Dr Gokhale to meet his wife’s Guru, Param Pujya Dhandeshastri. We went to the house where Param Pujya Ramanand Maharaj used to live, to visit Mrs Gokhale, as she was undergoing treatment under Param Pujya Anna. After meeting her, we went to Param Pujya Dhandeshastri’s home at Rambagh, but He was visiting a disciple. His son was present and took us to that disciple’s house. Seeing Param Pujya Anna, Param Pujya Dhandeshastri was overjoyed. His personality was powerful and radiant.
6B. On being asked a few questions, Param Pujya Dhandeshastri said, “I know of only Ramnam; if you too chant Ramnam you will meet Shriram’ : Dr Gokhale introduced Dr Athavale to Param Pujya Dhandeshastri, and He said, “I know him. Every night he visits me”. Dr Athavale and Mr Kamalakar Desai began asking Param Pujya Dhandeshastri some questions about Spirituality. When something about Brahman was asked, He replied, “I do not know anything about Brahman and such other aspects. I only know Ramnam (Name of Shriram). There is a woman on the banks of River Narmada who chanted Ramnam 13 crore (130 million) times and had the vision of Shriram. You too chant Ramnam, and you will meet Shriram”.
6C. As Dr Athavale offered dakshina while taking leave, Param Pujya Dhandeshastri joked : While taking leave, Dr Athavale bowed at the Holy feet of Param Pujya Dhandeshastri and placed some dakshina beside Him. Picking it up and inspecting it, He said jokingly, “How will this be of help ? I want to build a palace like that of Ahilyabai Holkar (Rajamata and later the ruling Queen of Indore within the Maratha Empire).” Param Pujya Anna added, “Keep this for now. Later, he (Dr Athavale) will build the palace”. Param Pujya Dhandeshastri kept the money in His pocket.
7. The first darshan of Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj
7A. When Param Pujya Anna introduced Dr Athavale to Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj and mentioned that he had written a book on Spirituality, He said, ‘I will have to learn from him !’ : The next day, we went to Omkareshwar. On returning that night, Param Pujya Anna said, “Tomorrow, we are going to have darshan of another Saint”. We went to an Ashram near Rajendranagar and had no idea that 23.7.1987 would become the most important day of our lives.
Entering through the small gate, Param Pujya Anna’s cousin asked someone, “Where is Maharaj ?” We were directed to a small house. There we had the first darshan of Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj (fondly called Baba). Baba and Param Pujya Anna already knew each other, so Baba was overjoyed to see Him. Param Pujya Anna introduced us and we paid obeisance.
Param Pujya Anna told Baba that Dr Athavale had written a book on Spirituality. Baba exclaimed, “Oh ! Then what can I say to him ? We will have to learn from him”. At that time, none of us ignoramuses realised that we were in the presence of a living embodiment of Spirituality.
7B. Going to Ujjain the next day, and on the third morning, Param Pujya Ramanand Maharaj arrived at the Rest house with a basket of jalebis : The following morning, we took darshan of Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain and returned. On the third morning, there was a knock on our Rest house room door. When I opened it, Param Pujya Ramanand Maharaj stood there holding a basket. I invited Him in. He said, “Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj has sent jalebis (A sweet made from gram flour and sugar syrup) and has asked you to visit again”. I conveyed this message to Param Pujya Anna.
7C. Mr Kamalakar Desai receiving Gurumantra from Param Pujya Dhandeshastri : The next morning, we went to meet Param Pujya Dhandeshastri.
Once again, He had gone to a disciple’s house, so we went there. Param Pujya Anna told Mr Kamalakar Desai to go upstairs with a coconut and dakshina, and request Param Pujya Dhandeshastri to accept him at His feet. As instructed, he went upstairs while we waited below. After a short while, Param Pujya Anna said, “The work is done”. Then someone called us upstairs. Mr Kamalakar Desai had received the Gurumantra (Chant given by the Guru for a specific purpose to a disciple upon his initiation) from Param Pujya Dhandeshastri. After a short discussion, we returned to the Rest house.
8. Being blessed with Param Pujya Baba as the Guru
8A. After the darshan of Param Pujya Taranekar Maharaj, Param Pujya Baba took everyone to Param Pujya Dhandeshastri, who was overjoyed and began to dance upon seeing Him : That afternoon, we went to Param Pujya Baba’s Ashram. He was ready and waiting for us. He said, “We have to go to a couple of places”. First, we accompanied Him to Param Pujya Taranekar Maharaj and paid obeisance. We then proceeded to visit Param Pujya Dhandeshastri again. On reaching His house, we saw Him coming from the opposite direction holding the hand of one of His disciples for support.
As soon as He saw Param Pujya Baba, He held His disciple’s hand and started dancing around Param Pujya Baba, joyfully singing a Marathi song that meant, ‘Guru Bhaktaraj is my Mother, let me attain the shelter of His Holy feet !’ It felt as if this was the spiritual backdrop for the Gurumantra that we were soon to receive.
8B. Param Pujya Dhandeshastri peeling a banana, offering the fruit to Mrs Anna Karandikar and giving the peel to Param Pujya Baba, who then ate it without hesitation : Later, all of us went to Param Pujya Dhandeshastri’s residence on the first floor. We had brought bananas as Prasad. He picked up one banana, peeled it, offered the fruit to Mrs Anna Karandikar, and gave the peel to Baba, who calmly ate it without hesitation. We were left stunned at the sight.
8C. On Param Pujya Anna’s request, Param Pujya Baba gave the chant of Ramnam as Gurumantra on 24.7.1987 : Later, Param Pujya Anna said, “I have brought these three (Dr Athavale, Mr Vivek Warang and me) to surrender at Your feet. Please accept them”. At this, Baba feigning modesty, said something like, ‘Oh, where am I in comparison…’. At that time, Param Pujya Dhandeshastri was chanting Ramnam. Param Pujya Anna urged, “Please accept them at Your Holy feet”. Baba smiled and said, “Since Param Pujya Dhandeshastri is chanting that mantra, I will give the same to all”.
We went forward one by one, firstly, Mr Vivek Warang, then me, and finally Dr Athavale. Baba instructed us to chant Ramnam. The dakshina we offered was kept aside by Baba. Param Pujya Dhandeshastri remarked, “If You don’t want it, I will take it”, and He took it and put it in His own pocket. But before leaving, He put the same dakshina back into Baba’s pocket. Thus, on 24.7.1987, we received the Gurumantra.
8D. Having a meal at Param Pujya Baba’s Ashram and beginning the return journey the next day : The next day, Baba called us back to the Ashram and offered us a meal of dal-bati. That night, we returned to the Rest house and packed our belongings for the return journey the following day. It was night by the time we reached Nashik, so we stayed overnight at the Rest house. In the morning, we took darshan at Tryambakeshwar Temple. From there, Param Pujya Anna proceeded to Dahanu via Jawhar, while we returned to Mumbai.
9. Opportunity to be in the company of Param Pujya Baba
9A. Baba answering unasked questions in our minds
9A 1. Param Pujya Anna informed us that Param Pujya Baba has come to Pune, and we went there : After returning, Dr Athavale resumed His usual schedule of study sessions, lectures and seeing patients. His activities gradually expanded, and He began travelling to other cities for lectures as well. About a month to a month-and-a-half later, when Param Pujya Anna had gone to Pune for consultations, He learned that Baba had also come there, so He asked us to come too, and took us to meet Baba.
There were many other people present. As we were new, we sat at the back, leaning against the wall. Baba was chatting while seated on a bed. Param Pujya Anna and Mrs Karandikar sat on chairs besides Him.
9A 2. While looking at Param Pujya Baba, a thought arose in my mind, ‘Who is my true Guru, Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj or Param Pujya Dhandeshastri ? Because the mantra Param Pujya Dhandeshastri chants is the same one we received as Gurumantra’.
At that very moment, Param Pujya Baba said loudly, ‘Kundatai, Param Pujya Dhandeshastri and I are not different. The Guru Principle is the same everywhere !’ I was left speechless. I realised the immense spiritual power He possessed. From the moment He called me ‘Kundatai’, everyone began addressing me the same way. The fact that He remembered my name after just one meeting was itself a miracle for me.
9B. Visiting the Kandali Ashram with Param Pujya Anna : During the Holi period, while Param Pujya Anna was in Pune, He called and said, ‘Come immediately’. We went to Pune and He took us to Baba’s Ashram at Kandali, a remote village with agricultural lands. Baba’s land had a temple of His Family Deity Shriram, with two rooms behind it, a cowdung-coated kitchen on the right, and two small adjoining rooms. There was a courtyard in front of the temple. A stone platform was built in front for sitting. We met Baba in the hall in front of the temple. He said to Param Pujya Anna, ‘I will take them to Shirdi’. Param Pujya Anna did not say anything.
A little later, Baba instructed Mr Nana Ghalasasi, who managed the Ashram, to show us a plot of farmland named ‘22 Acres’. We went there and also met Mrs Ghalasasi, who lived in a small hut.
– Dr (Mrs) Kunda Jayant Athavale (23.4.2025)
(To be continued)
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