Dharmabhaskar Sadgurudas Maharaj of Nagpur passes away

‘Dharmabhaskar’ Sadgurudas Maharaj

Nagpur – The spiritual pillar of the Guru Mandir Parivar, ‘Dharmabhaskar’ Sadgurudas Maharaj, also known as the renowned narrator of Shivkatha Vijaykumar Deshmukh (aged 84), passed away on 11 February. Through his biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj titled ‘Shakkarte Shivray’, he performed the invaluable service of bringing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s thoughts and deeds to the masses. Through the Guru Mandir Parivar, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to spiritual work. He is survived by his son Ajay, three daughters—Neeta Katekar, Pragya Phadnis, and Varsha Velankiwar—grandchildren, and a large community of devotees.

He began his mission related to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the age of 19. He organised fort tours for thousands of Chhatrapati Shivaji enthusiasts. He was the founder of the Chhatrapati Seva Pratishthan. Through his own research, he established 19 February 1630, as the birth date of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which was later accepted by the government. Deshmukh undertook tireless efforts for this cause.

Reverential tribute at the Holy feet of Dharmabhaskar Sadgurudas Maharaj, Historian of Chhatrapati Shivaji and spiritually realised Saint

Satchidananda Parabrahma Dr. Athwale

Dharmabhaskar Sadgurudas Maharaj (formerly Vijaykumar Deshmukh) was not merely a historian but a spiritually elevated Saint with profound authority in spirituality. It was due to his spiritual stature that the divine task of presenting the authentic and inspiring biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to society was accomplished through him. I still vividly remember my meeting with Sadgurudas Maharaj in Nagpur in July 2001. I had gone to stay for two days in the Jayaprakash Nagar area of Nagpur. I learnt that Maharaj also resided in the same locality. Since I had already heard of his fame as the author of the radiant biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I had a strong desire to meet him.

However, after I arrived in Nagpur, Maharaj himself came to the place where I was staying to meet me. I was deeply moved by the humility of such a great personality.

Sadgurudas Maharaj, who possessed an extremely gentle and humble personality, gifted me his luminous book Shakkarte Shivray and affectionately invited me to visit the nearby “Guru Mandir.” I could not disregard his pure affection. Because of his extraordinary love, both I and the Sanatan Sanstha became permanently connected with him.

The next day, I had the opportunity to visit Guru Mandir. The temple, established through Sadgurudas Maharaj’s Datta worship and spiritual austerities, was truly a living, spiritually vibrant pilgrimage centre for devotees. Observing the purity, deep humility, and immense devotion to the Guru among every devotee present there filled my heart with emotion.

Sadgurudas Maharaj always showed fatherly affection toward Sanatan Sanstha and its seekers. Though he is no longer physically present among us, I firmly believe that his divine consciousness and blessings will continue to energise all devotees and seekers everywhere in the mission of establishing Dharma.

— Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Jayant Athavale, Founder, Sanatan Sanstha (21.2.2026)