‘One who possesses greatness faces severe ordeals’ – Perfectly exemplified by Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil

Despite coming from an elite family, accepting Ashram life naturally and rigorously practising the Ego-removal process

Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil

– Mr Yogesh Jaltare (Group Editor, Sanatan Prabhat Periodicals, 19.11.2024)

There will hardly be any seeker who does not know the greatness of Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil – one of the two Spiritual Heirs of Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale. We often read in Sanatan Prabhat about Her extraordinary attributes, Her Divine qualities, and hear about Her glory from some seekers. What She has attained is not a miracle achieved in a moment. As the Maharshis have said in the Jeevanadipattis, although She is an Incarnation, Her spiritual authority has been obtained after enduring immense hardships. Perhaps only a few seekers know this in-depth. I consider it my fortune that I had the opportunity to perform satseva with Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil at a very early period. I have seen with my own eyes, and also experienced the efforts She has undertaken to reach this level of divinity. I am presenting here a few points regarding the Ego-removal process She implemented, the dreadful attacks of negative energies She endured, and the ceaseless, day-and-night satseva She performed. This will certainly help us recognise the Divine qualities in Her and awaken a feeling of gratitude unto Her. – Mr Yogesh Jaltare

1. Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale guiding seekers to observe their face in the mirror to study how much ego is felt within : Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil came from an elite family; yet, when She came to reside at Sukhsagar (A house from where Sanatan Ashram functioned in Ponda, Goa), She accepted Ashram life naturally. At that time, the present method of conducting review satsangs, and implementing the process for removal of Personality defects and Ego, did not exist. Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale would directly tell seekers to observe their own face in the mirror, study how much ego they felt within, compare themselves with seekers who had no ego, and make efforts to become like them. Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil too was taught in the same way. Due to Her preparedness, She accepted it easily and obeyed the Guru.

2. Efforts made by Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil while practising the Ego-removal process : The very beginning of implementing the Ego-removal process in Ashram life started with Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil. Under the guidance of Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale, She was the first to practise this process in a systematic manner; later, it was implemented in society in the same way. She endured great hardships throughout. She would minutely observe Her own actions so that personality defects reduce and qualities develop. She would observe inappropriate thoughts crossing her mind and promptly take appropriate action. If an inappropriate thought arose, She would immediately pray for forgiveness. She practised this process effortlessly. Based on Her efforts, the first Text on this subject (Spiritual Practice for Ego removal) was written.

From this example, it becomes evident that the spiritual authority She has attained did not come effortlessly; rather, She made rigorous efforts for it.

The process of obtaining subtle knowledge and the dreadful attacks of negative energies

1. Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale asking various questions, and Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil obtaining subtle knowledge, typing and compiling it, and even doing final proofreading : To provide subtle knowledge to society, Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil worked tirelessly, day and night. There would almost be a competition of questions and answers between Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale and Her. As many and as swiftly Gurudev asked questions, She would obtain answers with the same pace and enthusiasm. She would lose track of day and night while doing this. Initially, She did not know typing; yet She learnt typing, compilation, and proofreading, and directly began giving the final compiled version of the subtle knowledge.

2. Since many secrets of negative energies were being exposed due to the subtle knowledge, they carried out dreadful attacks on Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil : While obtaining such extraordinary knowledge, many secrets of negative energies were being exposed. Consequently, dreadful attacks would take place on Her. As a result, She had to endure many distresses such as extreme heat in Her body, swelling on the body, eyes becoming red, experiencing burning sensation, and so on.

A powerful negative energy attempting to pull Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil’s subtle body out of Her gross body, but She was saved by the grace of Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale

Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil meditating (Year 2010)

During 2003-2004, spiritual remedies were being performed in Sanatan’s Miraj Ashram (in Maharashtra) for seekers who were suffering from spiritual distress. At that time, a lady-seeker was suffering from severe distress caused by negative energies. Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil happened to visit the Ashram to perform spiritual remedies. The lady-seeker afflicted by negative energies told Her, “I will give you knowledge about the Ragas (Compilations of Indian classical music) of higher subtle regions”. She then sat in front of Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil, entered into a meditative state, and told Her to meditate as well.

Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil narrates the distress experienced by Her during meditation – “I sat for meditation and began experiencing severe distress. There was tremendous pressure on my head, which kept increasing. I could not breathe, and I began to suffocate. I felt as if my life was being pulled from the navel and rising towards the throat. In great agony I called out to Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale, and within moments I could breathe again and gradually became normal. Later, I narrated everything to Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale. He said, “The negative energy was trying to pull your subtle body out of your gross body. That is why you experienced this distress. Negative energies pull the subtle body out, gain control over it, and use it for their vested interests”. Only due to His grace did this attempt of the negative energy fail, and He saved my life”.

Being able to perform ceaseless satseva due to strong willpower and unshakeable faith in the Guru

When Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil was performing the satseva of obtaining subtle knowledge, remedies such as collective chanting and praying in the presence of Saints or evolved seekers were performed day and night for seekers who were suffering from spiritual distress.

At that time, Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil was the only one who could precisely say if a seeker’s spiritual distress had increased or reduced. Besides this, there were spiritual analysis and the task of obtaining knowledge. Because of Her strong willpower and unshakeable faith in the Guru, She could perform this satseva ceaselessly, day and night.

Protection granted to Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil from life-threatening dangers due to the grace of Saints

According to Yogatadnya Param Pujya Dadaji Vaishampayan, a major life-threatening calamity was to befall Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil in 2014; however, due to the grace and blessings of Saints, the calamity was averted. Just as Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale faced many Mahamrutyuyogas (Almost certain possibility of untimely death as per horoscope) and overcame them through the grace of Saints, Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil too endured many life-threatening distresses during Her period of sadhana; yet, by the grace of Saints, those dangers were averted.

Giving loving support and guidance in sadhana to seekers suffering from spiritual distress

Seekers who were facing different types of spiritual distress would feel dejected and thoughts of giving up sadhana would arise. Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Gadgil interacted closely with all such seekers. With great love She conducted collective satsangs for them, encouraged them to speak, understood their distress, and helped them spiritually at their level. Even today, despite Her high spiritual authority, She speaks and behaves with great closeness with seekers. As a result, seekers feel that She is a pillar of strength for them.

– Mr Yogesh Jaltare (Group Editor, Sanatan Prabhat Periodicals, 19.11.2024)

Purity of the mind makes a person free from stress and helps him reach God more quickly ! – Shrichitshakti (Mrs) Anjali Gadgil