The extraordinary Biography of Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale

The rising Sun dispels darkness, and the rising Moon brings joy. On 6th May 1942, time gave birth to a great individual. Like the Sun, this great being Incarnated to destroy the darkness of unrighteousness and to establish Sanatan Dharmarajya (The Divine Rule or the ‘Hindu Rashtra’). Like the Moon, He Incarnated to shower seekers and devotees with the delightful grace of the Guru and to grant them Moksha (Final Liberation).

We present here an excerpt from the Biography of that great being – Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Jayant Balaji Athavale (addressed respectfully as ‘Gurudev’). The co-Compiler of this Biography is Sanatan’s Saint – Pujya Sandeep Gajanan Alshi. The prime objective of this Biography is that humankind should understand Gurudev’s greatness, perform sadhana (Spiritual practice) according to His guidance, and experience Anand (Bliss).

This Biography is presently available in Marathi, Hindi and Kannada.

In this Article, we will look at the creation of Gurukrupayoga (Path of Guru’s grace) for rapid God-realisation.

The creation of Gurukrupayoga for rapid God-realisation

In 1994, while at the Ashram in Indore, Param Pujya Baba (Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj) said, “Among all Paths of Yoga, Bhaktiyoga is superior.” With respectful boldness, Dr Jayant Athavale replied, “No Baba, Gurukrupayoga is superior !” Hearing this, Param Pujya Baba was overjoyed and said, “What you said is absolutely right !”

The creation of this Path of Yoga – one that strengthens a seeker’s foundation not only in the present lifetime but across many births, is a milestone in the life of Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale (Gurudev).

The importance of Gurukrupayoga

Regardless of the Path of sadhana (Spiritual practice), God-realisation is not possible without the Guru’s grace. Hence, the proverb,‘गुरुकृपा हि केवलं शिष्यपरममङ्गलम् ।’(Gurukrupa hi kevalam, shishya param mangalam)’ – ‘Only by the Guru’s grace can a disciple attain ultimate welfare’. The union of the soul (seeker) with Shiva (God) through the medium of the Guru’s grace is called Gurukrupayoga. To be blessed with a Guru at the earliest, and for the continuous flow of the Guru’s grace, Gurudev has propounded the simple Path of ‘Gurukrupayoga’.

The core tenet of Gurukrupayoga is : There are as many temperaments as there are people, and corresponding number of Paths of sadhana.

Every individual differs in nature and spiritual eligibility. Therefore, there are multiple Paths to God-realisation. When one seeker follows a Path suited to his nature and capability, progress towards God-realisation is accelerated. Today, thousands of seekers in Sanatan Sanstha are performing sadhana as per their temperament under the single, unifying umbrella of Gurukrupayoga.

The main guiding Principles of Gurukrupayoga

Most people do not know the fundamental principles of sadhana, and so their entire life may be spent in some wrong practice. To prevent this, Gurudev outlined ten principles of Gurukrupayoga :

1. Sadhana aligned with the temperament and ability

2. Progressing from many to one

3. Progressing from the gross to the subtle dimension

4. Sadhana according to the spiritual level

5. Sadhana according to one’s Varna (Class)

6. Sadhana according to one’s Ashram (Stage of life)

7. Sadhana according to the current era

8. The nirgun (Non-materialised) is superior to the sagun (Materialised), but for sadhana, sagun worship is superior to nirgun worship

9. Sadhana according to established Principles

10. Devotion to the Principle, not to the individual

Types of sadhana in Gurukrupayoga

According to Gurukrupayoga there are two types of sadhana – Vyashti sadhana (Efforts for individual spiritual progress) and samashti sadhana (Efforts for spreading Spirituality in society). As per the present times, vyashti sadhana is 35% important, while samashti sadhana is 65% important.

Components of vyashti and samashti sadhana

1. Components of vyashti sadhana : Depending on one’s innate devotion, bhav, interest in sadhana, and spiritual yearning, several of these can be practiced simultaneously.

1. Namajapa (Chanting God’s Name)

2. Efforts to awaken devotion and bhav

3. Satsang (Sattvik [Spiritually pure] environment)

4. Satseva (Serving the God Principle)

5. Efforts for removal of personality defects and inculcation of virtues

6. Efforts for ego removal

7. Sacrifice of body-mind-wealth for the spiritual cause

8. Priti (Spiritual love devoid of expectations)

2. Components of samashti sadhana :

1. Spreading Spirituality (Spread of Dharma)

2. Protecting the Nation and bringing about awakening on Dharma

3. Uniting Hindus

4. Establishing the ‘Hindu Rashtra’

Unique features of Gurukrupayoga

1. An all-encompassing Path of sadhana : ‘Gurukrupayoga is an easy and inclusive Path to God-realisation that integrates Bhaktiyoga, Jnanyoga, Karmayoga, amongst others. Due to the all-inclusive nature of Gurukrupayoga, it can be followed by seekers of any sect or tradition or Path of sadhana for rapid spiritual progress.

Path of Yoga	Proportion (%)
1. Bhaktiyoga	40
2. Jnanyoga	30
3. Karmayoga	20
4. Others	10
Total	100

2. A Path without the tradition of Gurumantra : ‘I have not given a Gurumantra to any seeker following Gurukrupayoga; yet, seekers are progressing spiritually. Some have even reached the level of Guru. Why is this so ?

A. Receiving a Gurumantra means receiving initiation (known as diksha) from the Guru, which is essentially following the sadhana prescribed by the Guru. In Gurukrupayoga, the vyashti and samashti sadhana advised are themselves the sadhana advised by the Guru as per the times. Performing these invokes the Guru’s grace, which is being experienced by many seekers.

B. Though the word mantra is a part of the term ‘Gurumantra’, in reality the Guru prescribes which Name the disciple should chant. The core tenet of Gurukrupayoga is – ‘There are as many temperaments as there are people and Paths of sadhana’, with individual spiritual progress being the focal point.

Seekers are advised different chants depending on their individual spiritual needs such as their temperament, the distress caused to them by negative energies, and the spiritual strength they require to perform their
samashti sadhana. Since this is conducive to their spiritual progress, a separate Gurumantra is not required.

C. Gurukrupayoga teaches that instead of merely becoming a disciple who has received a Gurumantra, it is far better to become a disciple who deeply understands the Guru’s intent and serves Him accordingly. Thus, seekers do not remain bound to the Gurumantra.’ (Visit : https://sanatanprabhat.org/english/153081.html)

3. The process of personality defects and ego removal : This unique method taught in Gurukrupayoga ensures that whichever Path of sadhana is followed, it becomes effective and leads to rapid spiritual progress.’

– Dr Jayant Athavale (6.4.2017)

(For more on Gurukrupayoga, please visit : Sanatan.org/en/a/92665.html)

Gurukrupayoga strengthens a seeker’s foundation not only in the present lifetime but across many births !