The Spiritual Journey of Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Jayant Athavale – 4, Narration : Dr (Mrs) Kunda Athavale

1. Disciple Dr Athavale showing Param Pujya Baba the display boards prepared for spreading Spirituality

Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj, who renounced His body in 1995, advised Dr Athavale to establish a Spiritual Organisation in 1991

Param Pujya Baba with His disciples – Dr Jayant Athavale and Dr Kunda Athavale

|| Hari Om Tat Sat ||
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. – Dr (Mrs) Kunda Athavale

10. Dr Athavale expressing a desire to donate his clinic premises, but Param Pujya Baba advising him to donate a quarter of his Thursday’s income

Once, when Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj (Fondly called Baba) visited Mumbai, Dr Athavale said to Him, “As Gurudakshina (A disciple’s offering to the Guru after completion of formal education, which is a time honoured tradition in India), the only thing I have to offer You is my clinic premises. I surrender it to You”.

To this, Param Pujya Baba responded, “What is yours is already mine, and what is mine I have allowed you to use – so you continue using it”.

Yet, Dr Athavale insisted, “Please accept the clinic premises”. Finally, Param Pujya Baba said, “Alright, let us do this instead – every Thursday, divide the day’s income into four parts. One for Me, one for you, one for Dr (Mrs) Kundatai, and the fourth for the maintenance of the clinic”. Dr Athavale agreed to this.

Usually, on Thursdays, apart from one or two new patients and a few regular ones, most visitors would come for spiritual guidance instead of medical treatment, and no fees was charged by us. As a result, Thursday’s income would generally be lower than on other days.

Interestingly, after Param Pujya Baba advised that a share of Thursday’s earnings be set aside for Him, the number of patients on Thursdays began to increase significantly. Consequently, whenever we went to meet Param Pujya Baba, we were able to offer Him an appropriate dakshina (Monetary offering).

Disciple Dr Athavale – ever ready and happy to serve Param Pujya Baba in a bhav-enriched manner

11. Param Pujya Baba advising Dr Athavale to establish a spiritual organisation to spread Spirituality

11A. Param Pujya Baba advised Dr Athavale to establish a spiritual organisation named ‘Sanatan Bharatiya Sanskruti Sanstha’, beautifully explaining how an ideal organisation dedicated to the spread of Spirituality should function : On 1.8.1991, while staying at Mr Girish Dixit’s residence in Nashik, Dr Athavale’s efforts to introduce Spirituality to the masses were being discussed. At that time, Param Pujya Baba advised Dr Athavale to establish an organisation devoted to Spirituality, and offered a beautiful explanation on how an ideal organisation dedicated to spreading Spirituality should function. He talked about a 3-tier system (Note) for seekers and explained in detail how seekers’ progress can be ensured step-by-step on this Path. Param Pujya Baba even decided on the name of the organisation – ‘Sanatan Bharatiya Sanskruti Sanstha’, and asked Mr Manohar Ketkar, who was sitting nearby, to repeat the name thrice.

Thus, on 1.8.1991, Sanatan Bharatiya Sanskruti Sanstha was established. Param Pujya Baba also advised that this Sanstha be registered with the Charity Commissioner in Mumbai. The Commissioner at the time was a devotee of Param Pujya Baba, who gave his address and phone number and instructed Dr Athavale to go and meet him.

(Note : The 3-tier system is as follows :

1. According to Param Pujya Baba, it is not appropriate to immediately bind a new seeker with strict ‘Yam-Niyama’ (The five moral virtues and five rules). Not everyone can bear such rigour early on in their spiritual journey. In the initial stage, they should be given freedom and be allowed to continue living as usual.

2. Once they are settled in the initial stage, certain specific restrictions should gradually be introduced, so that they develop the habit of living a disciplined life.

3. Eventually, in the third stage, they should be encouraged to follow all the rules and disciplines necessary for a spiritual life.)

11B. Meeting the Charity Commissioner in Mumbai and establishing the Trust : After reaching Mumbai, we met the Commissioner. He was kind enough to explain the entire registration process in detail. In addition, he guided us on framing the Trust’s constitution, objectives, and also explained how the functioning of the Trust should be. Thus, the Trust was established. Thereafter, Sanatan Bharatiya Sanskruti Sanstha’s mission gained momentum, and many individuals were connected with the organisation.

11C. The obstacles faced due to truck drivers’ strike while celebrating Param Pujya Baba’s Guru Purnima in 1992 under the banner of Sanatan Bharatiya Sanskruti Sanstha, and how everything was managed, and the event turned out to be a success  :  In 1992, Sanatan Bharatiya Sanskruti Sanstha decided to celebrate Param Pujya Baba’s Guru Purnima in Mumbai at the Andhra Samaj Hall in Matunga. All preparations began in full swing. However, just a week before the Guru Purnima, we faced a major obstacle. The truck drivers’ union called a strike, completely halting the supply of goods into Mumbai. This led to a severe shortage of many essential goods.

1. With just a couple of days left for the event, it did not seem that the strike would be called off any time soon. We humbly requested devotees to contribute whatever food items they could – sugar, tea, and other items.

2. We needed laddus for the event, and thus, additional sugar was needed. Fortunately, a devotee of Param Pujya Baba worked with a wholesale merchant at the Vashi market. We sought his help, and procured 50 kgs sugar.

3. Since Mr Chhanda Dixit was to come from Nashik, we requested him to bring as much vegetables as he could from the market there.

4. There were no flowers for decoration. Fortunately, we were able to secure a bundle of aboli flower garlands from the Crawford Market in Mumbai. Seekers did their best to decorate the stage with that bundle.

5. Mrs Shobha Pradhan made an oil portrait of Param Pujya Baba’s Guru – Param Pujya Anantanand Saish, which greatly enhanced the beauty and sanctity of the event. Param Pujya Baba was delighted to see His Sadguru’s portrait.

Thus, despite all odds, the Guru Purnima celebration concluded smoothly. Subsequently, Sanatan Bharatiya Sanskruti Sanstha celebrated Guru Purnima in Goa (in 1993) and Kudal, in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra (in 1995). The Guru Purnima celebration in Goa was truly remarkable.

Disciple Dr Athavale walking alongside Param Pujya Baba

Quotes of Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj on Chanting and Worldly life

1. It is said that chanting is the only way to progress spiritually in Kaliyuga. Fall madly in love with chanting because God’s Name itself is everything. Why is so much importance given to chanting ? God’s Name was there before we were born and will remain even after our death, meaning, it is eternal.

Even though Jnanyoga (Path of knowledge), Karmaoga (Path of Action) and Bhakti (Path of devotion)are different, chanting is the basis of all the three. It is through God’s Name only that a seeker following Jnanyoga acquires knowledge. When a Yogi goes on chanting, his mind becomes steady and he attains Samadhi (A super-conscious state).

2. Take care that during your work you do not forget God, because if He abandons you, you will not be able to take a single step without falling or tumbling.

3. We should behave like a guest in this world. We should always remember that we are guests and that we have to return to our eternal home.

4. You are already free and you are His servant. You will realize this if you refrain from living a selfish life – engaged in sensuous pleasures.

11D. Expansion of Sanatan Sanstha’s sphere of activities : During this period, Dr Athavale also commenced his tours across India. Sanatan Sanstha’s activities were rapidly expanding, with numerous sub-centres being established in various regions. Growing number of individuals became actively involved in its mission. The Balsanskar (Moral education) classes for children and the study sessions were flourishing.

11E. Param Pujya Baba’s final illness and the conclusion of a vibrant era enriched with Chaitanya (Divine consciousness)

11E 1. Param Pujya Baba’s illness began after the Guru Purnima at Kudal : In 1995, Guru Purnima was celebrated in Kudal. Soon after, Param Pujya Baba’s health began to deteriorate, and He was unable to even sit for the Padyapuja (Ritualistic worship of the Guru’s Holy feet). From Kudal, He proceeded to Audumbar, in Sangli, Maharashtra, and then returned to Indore. Later, during Diwali, He called us to Kandali; however, even at that time, He was unwell.

11E 2. Param Pujya Baba had to undergo surgery to remove a blood clot in the artery of His left leg; however, He did not recover from it, and in the early hours of 17.11.1995, He merged into the Infinite : In November, Param Pujya Baba travelled to Goa for Mr Ghanekar’s daughter’s wedding. From there, He proceeded to Mumbai, which turned out to be His final visit to the city. After returning to Indore, a blood clot developed in the artery of His left leg, requiring Him to be urgently admitted to hospital. We were immediately called to Indore. The day after our arrival, He underwent surgery; however, He did not recover.

In the early hours of  17.11.1995, Param Pujya Baba merged into the Infinite and renounced His body. With this, a radiant, Chaitanya-enriched, and vibrant era in our lives came to an end.

Param Pujya Baba’s Priti and abundant blessings on Dr Athavale

A. Param Pujya Baba had already foretold Dr Athavale’s future mission. Once, when we were in Visakhapatnam with Him, He interrupted the photographer who was busy taking photos, made us sit at His feet, and had our photo taken. At that moment, He said, “The entire world should know that you are My disciples !” You are indeed witnessing how this has come true today. 

B. On one occasion, someone, out of jealousy, began to speak ill of disciple Dr Athavale. When Param Pujya Baba came to know of this, He was furiousand said to Ms Seema Garud (Baba’s disciple), “I will see to it that he (Dr Athavale) is worshipped by devotees !” And that indeed has come true. – Dr (Mrs) Kunda Athavale (29.4.2025)  

Prayer : There is no doubt that the establishment and flourishing of the Sanstha is a result of Param Pujya Baba’s grace and blessings. I humbly pray at the Holy feet of God – May His benevolent gaze remain upon us always.

– Dr (Mrs) Kunda Athavale (29.4.2025)

(Article concluded)

Note : 

Individual spiritual experiences of seekers published here are according to the Principle – ‘Where there is bhav (Spiritual emotion), there is God’. It is not that every individual will have similar experiences.

‘Subtle’ is that which is beyond the comprehension of the five sense organs, mind and intellect. People who have progressed spiritually can perceive the subtle vibrations. Various Scriptures contain reference to subtle knowledge.

The entire world should know that you (Dr Jayant & Dr Kunda Athavale) are My disciples ! : Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj