Upvas

Kakasaheb Karkhanis* used to do upvas* on Monday, because that was his father’s last desire, not for meditational reason. Gurudev asked him, “Does your meditation get better on Monday because of upvas?” “No, infact I cant do good name due to staying hungry” replied kakasaheb. Gurudev used to tell, for good name to happen, eat one meal a day.

* Kakasaheb Karkhanis – A very senior disciple of Gurudev.

* upvas- starving for meditation. It is believed that if one eats little food, he can do meditation better.

Sadguru reads minds…

We all know that even if we do not tell our wish to Sadguru, He Himself understands it and fulfills it. Sharakka* had gotten this Anubhav several times.

Once Gurudev instructed to give the bell for the sitting*. Sharakka was late to go for the sitting. Till then, Gurudev had removed his chappals outside the sitting room and had already gone in. Sharakka thought, “Gurudev does not allow touching his feet, so why shouldn’t I do Namaskara by touching his chappals.” She did just this, and she felt happy.

The next day, Sharakka thought, “Even today I should get to do Namaskara by touching Gurudev’s chappals.” Immediately after the bell for sitting rang, Sharakka rushed towards the sitting room. But Gurudev had not arrived still, he came later. Sharakka thought, “Oh! Why did I come early, if I would have come a little later, I would have gotten to touch Gurudev’s chappals.” After a while, it started raining. Gurudev said, “Oh! My chappals will get wet in the rain. Can someone bring them inside?” Sharakka was sitting just next to the door. She quickly got up and got Gurudev’s chappals inside. She felt very happy.

The next day Sharakka thought, “I got to touch Gurudev’s chappals for two consecutive days. How nice will it be if I could touch his chappals even today!” Sharakka went a little late, after the bell for the sitting was given. But till then Gurudev was already sitting inside the sitting room and his chappals were also not seen outside. Gurudev had removed them inside the room, so that the do not get wet in the rain. Sharakka went and sat for the sitting. After the sitting, Gurudev said, “Can anyone give me the chappals in that window?” Sharakka was sitting exactly below the window, where Gurudev had removed his chappals. She hastily got up and handed over Gurudev’s chappals to him. She was obliged by this blissful experience and overwhelmed by Gurudev’s grace.

Gurudev read Sharakka’s mind and fulfilled her wish, even without she telling it to him. Sadguru understands our spiritual urge that is “Kutasthatil Bhaav”.

|| RAJADHIRAJ SADGURUNATH MAHARAJ KI JAY ||

*Sharakka- One of Gurudev’s very senior disciples

* Sitting- Sittings were spiritual sessions, which Gurudev used to conduct many times. All sadhaks (disciples) used to gather in the sitting room and share their experiences with Gurudev. Padas (devotional songs) were sung to increase bhaav(love towards God). Gurudev would guide the disciples in apt words and continue his meditation all through the sitting.

Attainment of God is the fruitfulness of Life

Gurudev once said, “Man should have some aim in life. Someone’s aim might be gaining knowledge; someone’s might be earning money. Someone’s might be business, job or something else; there could be many several different aims. But these are all perishable ones. Aim should be such that there can be no greater one after that. That is Bhagvant (God). There will be many difficulties in attainment of God. They should not paid heed to. For example, Sant Tukaram- His Prapanch* was zero. Poverty at home. Samarth Ramdas- Unmarried. Sant Eknath- Prapanch Parmarth*, both well.”

But still all their aims were the same- The Attainment of God. They all gave importance to that aim.

*Prapanch-  Daily routine, worldly needs

*Parmarth- The path of attainment of God.

Sadguru uplifts all disciples

Apan tarel nave te naval

Kule uddharil sarvanchi to

Once Gurudev was sitting for Nem* in his room. His servant was sitting outside the room. After some time the servant fell asleep and he started snoring. Gurudev got disturbed and told him not to sleep, as his snoring was disturbing Him and He went inside the room again. After sometime again the same incident occurred. Gurudev came out and asked the servant to sit inside the room with Himself.

The servant sat for Nem in front of Gurudev. In a moment he saw two big lamps lit on either sides of Gurudev. In actual fact, there were no lamps, but due to Sadguru’s grace, the servant also had this Anubhav*.

|| RAJADHIRAJ SADGURUNATH MAHARAJ KI JAY ||

*Nem- reciting God’s name silently, with closed eyes; meditation

*Anubhav- Spiritual experience

A person without Parmarth is a begger

A person without Parmarth is a begger

Once Gurudev was traveling in his car. That time he showed a bungalow of a rich man and said, “If Nem* does not take place here, then what is the use of this big bungalow?”

Nem* – Meditation, Chanting the name of God

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Swarupi rahne ha swadharma

Performing Namsmaran* is the real Dharma. Other rituals are of no use. There is an abhang which says “Naam fukaache fukaache” (God’s name needs no value) But its not so.

*Namsmaran - Meditation, Chanting the name of God

*abhang – devotional verses.

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The quality of a good sadhak (devotee)

“A good sadhak can see vastu* on the jyot (light) of camphor during aarti*. Such a sadhak attentively watches the jyot only; He will not watch anywhere else. “ said Gurudev once in some reference.

*vastu- image of God.

*aarti – verses composed in the praise of God.

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Wherever I go, God is with me

Gurudev used to ride his bicycle very fast. He used to say, “Watching how Rup* travels fast with the speed of the bicycle is real fun.”

*Rup- image of God.