Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj : Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale’s Guru

On the Birth Anniversary of Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj, which is observed on 7th July

 Source of Inspiration for Sanatan Sanstha

Ever since Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj accepted Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale as His disciple in 1987, He blessed Him immensely at the gross as well as the subtle level. Teaching Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale through various events and the consequent spiritual progress made by Him is only by Baba’s grace. Details of their Guru-disciple relationship are provided in Sanatan’s Text Series on ‘Ideal Disciple’, ‘Guru’ and ‘Teachings of Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj’.

Baba is the source of inspiration for the mission of Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale. It is because of Baba’s resolve and blessings that the mission of Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale is spreading rapidly. Yet, people should understand the love showered by Baba on Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale, and His blessings for the mission. Some incidents are given here.

1. Baba appreciated Dr Athavale while conversing with seekers

Once Baba said, “Whatever Doctor (Dr Athavale) is doing today is the most superior of sevas. You will see that how Doctor spreads my Name and bhajans across the world. I will become world-famous.”

– Mr Shashikant Pandit (Nagpur, Maharashtra, 23.12.2013)

2. Baba’s words of praise about the spiritual authority of Dr Athavale

A. In 1989, once when I sat with others for a meal, Baba said, “Do not sit there. Sit separately. You are different from others !”

B. In 1990, as per the tradition, the night before Guru Purnima, Baba was to sing bhajans in a hall at Narsobawadi. Before singing the bhajans, Baba asked me to sit in the first row and while introducing me, He said, “Whatever I say in poetry form, he narrates in prose form”.

C. In 1991, Baba would say to others about me, “He is liberated”.

D. In 1992, upon expressing a desire to remain in the state of equanimity, Baba said to me, “Equanimity is not your destination. You have to go beyond”.

E. During the Guru Purnima of 1992, I was standing next to Baba to introduce Him to the devotees seeking His darshan. After paying obeisance to Baba, devotees would pay obeisance to me too with joined hands. I was not comfortable with this and asked them not to do so. At that time Baba said, “If they have bhav, let them pay obeisance.”

F. In November 1992, Baba said to Mr Shivaji Vatkar (of Mumbai) on 4-5 occasions, “Dr Athavale remembers His real self.”

G. In 1993, Baba said to Ms Seema Garud, one of His disciples, “People will worship Him one day”.

H. In 1994, Baba said to one of His disciples, “Only two seekers chant continuously. One is Jyoti (Inge, a German lady-seeker) and the other is Doctor (Dr Jayant Athavale) !”

I. In 1995, an astrologer came to Baba. He studied Baba’s horoscope. While introducing me to him, Baba said, “Our horoscopes are one and the same !”

J. On 15.5.1995, Baba said to me, “You are already dead (Your ego is dissolved). Any Saint you visit will say the same !”

– Dr Athavale

3. Baba commencing Dr Athavale’s mission to spread Spirituality

During Baba’s stay at Nashik in 1991, He told Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale to carry out the mission of spreading Spirituality and educating people about it under the banner of ‘Sanatan Bharatiya Sanskruti Sanstha’. In this way, Baba Himself named Sanatan and commenced the mission of Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale to spread Spirituality.

4. Blessings of Param Pujya Baba to the mission of spreading Spirituality

Baba blessed me to spread Spirituality in next few years as given ahead.

In 1992 : Spread Spirituality all over Maharashtra

In 1993 : Spread Spirituality all over Bharat

In 1995 : Spread Spirituality all over the world

A. Baba gifting His own car to Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale to spread Spirituality.

I said to Baba in 1993, “My car is old and I have no money to buy a new one; it is difficult for me to move around for spreading Spirituality”. He immediately gave me His car along with a flag on it as His blessings in 1993 and said, “Travel everywhere with this flag on the car to spread Spirituality”.

Today, this car is in Sanatan’s Ashram at Devad, Panvel.

B. Baba provided funds for spreading Spirituality to Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale, who was short of money.

After being blessed with a Guru, I used to offer some money to Baba from time to time. Yet, the bhav that everything belongs to the Guru, who am I to sacrifice, did not touch me. Later, when the number of patients reduced, my ability to offer money to Baba reduced substantially.

In January 1993, I offered Him Rs 2,000. Baba returned it and said, “I should be giving you money to spread Spirituality”. In February 1993, Baba came to Morchondi to celebrate Mahashivaratra. We could not offer Him anything at that time. On the contrary, He gave us money to fill petrol in our car and Rs 500 for our return journey. We felt bad about this. Instead of offering to the Guru, He was bearing our expenses.

We narrated our feelings to His chief disciple Param Pujya Ramanand Maharaj. He said, “Once you have placed the entire burden on the Guru, He will look after your needs !”

In the same month, we offered a small amount to Param Pujya Kane Maharaj; He also returned the money. Thus, we again perceived that all Saints are the same.

– Dr Athavale (1993)

C. Baba presented a chariot with Shrikrushna and Arjun to Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale.

On 9.2.1995, during the Amrut-mahotsav of Baba, He called Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale, Dr Pandurang Marathe and me. He told us the importance and greatness of Shrikrushna-Arjun’s relationship for nearly 45 minutes. Later, He gave a silver chariot with Shrikrushna and Arjun to Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale and said, “Keep this in the proposed office in Goa”.

– Mr Prakash Joshi (Ponda, Goa.)

(As predicted by Baba, Sanatan’s Head office as well as the Ashram are in Ponda, Goa. The silver chariot given by Baba is placed here. – Compiler)

5.‘I will manage the affairs of Sanatan’ : Baba said to Dr Athavale

In February 1995, Baba’s Amrutmahotsav was celebrated at Indore. At that time, He stood up suddenly and said to Mr Sharad Meher, “I will manage the affairs of Sanatan !”

By chanting God’s Name one obtains Anand (Bliss), and Shakti (Divine Energy) increases. When this happens, devotion and faith develop automatically. 

– Saint Bhaktaraj Mahara