PANCHAMUKHI SADGURU

SHRI PANT MAHARAJ

AS A STUDENT

In Balekundri there was no school. Datta at the age of 8 years had to go to Daddi for primary education. Thread ceremony of Datta was done at this time only. The primary education at Daddi was in Kanadda medium in the small school. There was impact of Das Sahitya and Sampradaya influenced by Kannada language on the young mind of Datta could be experienced. At home His maternal uncle Shripadpantmama, with whatever Marathi language he knew, read, slowly tried to narrate the important sequences and stories from Ramayan and Mahabharat. Shripadpantmama many times read Harivijay, Bhaktivijay, Jnaneshwari texts and explained to the ardent Datta.

Along with knowledge from the epics Datta had opportunity to know the culture of a big household, the dignified manners, the mode of living in righteous way. The environment in Shripadpantmama’s household moulded Datta to learn fundamentals of ordained life.

At this tender age, Shri Gurucharitra - Shri Dattabhakti, aradhana, bhajan and pooja with ritual worship - all firmly rooted in the mind of Datta. Many times Shripadpantmama, narrated the incidents stressing the basic points. The valour of Shri Ram, the Karmayoga - the doctrine of Shri Krishna, along with lucid shloka from Jnaneshwari toned Datta with divinity. His father Sri Ramachandrapant and grandfather Shri Balakrishnapant used to bring books like Gurucharitra, Datta-mahatmya which made Datta to know Datta Sampradaya. Shripadmama regularly narrated the teachings and life of Shripadvallabha, Shri Narasinha Saraswati - the basics of selfless love, seva, the essence of brotherhood - which all in a way carried Datta safely on the right path at this stage of a student’s life only.

On weekly holidays Datta along with his classmates and neighbours used to move in the nearby forest Nandikatti and play, tipri, hututu. Datta was not just a bookworm. He played almost all the games in style and with enthusiasm. He, a born leader, could gather His friends and often narrate the chivalry of Shri Ram, the sharp intellectual acts of Shri Krishna, and the devotion and dedication of noble saints and seers. He told them, they listened. The years from 1864 to 1872 were spent so pleasently in Daddi under loving care of Bahinamavashi, Sundermavashi and Godamavashi.

In the years He stayed in Daddi an incident worth to be noted is this. While playing in the nearby forest, some of His friends came running and took Datta to the small river bank where one lady was staring at the water and was crying. On enquiring the lady told that her husband had drowned in the river while taking bath. Datta stared at the water and told that lady, “Your husband is alive and will return after 8 days.” As He forecasted, after 8 days that lady’s husband came back alive and told his wife, “One young Boy of 12 years came to my rescue when I was drowning and saved my life.” When that man saw Datta he immediately said, “This is the same Boy who came to my rescue and lifted me from the water.” This incident conveys the spiritual content in Datta exhibited at that tender age.

For His secondary education in English He had to move to Belgaum. In the year 1872 Datta enrolled His name in London Mission School at Belgaum. His father Shri Ramachandrapant made temporary arrangement of a small room for Datta to stay. At the starting His father used to help Him financially; but due to some problems His father could not help Him further. But Datta did not loose His courage. He decided - come what may - I will work hard, I will study and will complete My matriculation. He had to cook, wash utensils, give tutions to manage Himself in Belgaum. Datta was lucky to have guidance from a very able teacher Mr. R. G. Khot. At this time Datta passed 1st standard and was in 2nd standard.

Mr. R. G. Khot could readily make out a good and brilliant student in Datta. He liked Datta. Datta respected the noble teacher and used to help him in daily routine at his home as he was bachelor. Khot teacher took special personal interest in Datta and taught Him a lot of literature and many specific things from English language. He taught and Datta learnt. The blessed stage of Guru Shishya Sampradaya in full swing continued.

One basic change in the life of Datta when He started learning English language. At that time the impact of English language on the mind of people was very much. The British rule and adequate patronage for the English language by the Government made it more agreeable to people. Khot teacher taught Datta English language, not only the grammer but also the beauty and worth of English language. By and large Datta read many excellent works of W. Shakespeare and Milton - the great literary geniuses.

Datta’s mind basically accepted and respected Christ, Christianity - the brotherhood and compassion attitude towards all, irrespective of cast, creed or social status of the people. Datta being a good student could complete home-work and study. He could guide and help His class-mates. He being a born leader could gather the class-mates and teach them. He could get a wider opening to express Himself. Knowingly or unknowingly all this lead to the making up of a ideal teacher of future.

Datta was good as a excellent student in the school and favourite disciple to Khot  teacher and a guide, a companion to His fellow mates. Engaged Himself after the school hours to solve the difficulties of His classmates and giving tutions to few to earn as a honest means of livlihood. In the year 1874 the constant coaching of Khot teacher continued and Datta passed 2nd, 3rd standards and was promoted to 4th standard in the same year.

In the year 1875 the golden year in the life of Datta - the realisation of truth, grace of the Supreme - all happened suddenly. He met the great perceptor Shri Balmukunda by a very strange and memorable incident.

Prior to 1875 Datta’s cousin Ganapatrao Marihaalkar had become an ardent devotee of Shri Balmukund Avadhoot. He praised often Balappa - citing certain incidents. Datta never liked it. Datta did call Balappa lunatic, hypocratic and ascetic. The repeated appreciation of Balappa by Ganu did not impress Him at all. Once Ganu showed the collection of poems of Balappa and Datta tore off the pages and in anger broke the Ektari too. Further He wrote a letter cautioning Ganu and advised him not to get carried away by such persons but to control himself. Ganu did not dare to show the letter to Balappa when he was asked by him. But Balappa insisted and was forced to read out the letter. Balappa listened and said,‘‘The one who has written this will not survive.’’ Ganu in deep agony pleaded, ‘‘Guruvarya, please do not curse Him as He is my cousin.’’ Balappa smilingly said, ‘‘Are what I meant is ‘I’ of Him the ego, self pride won’t be there anymore. He is my favourite disciple. I am waiting for Him only all these years.’’ This was somewhere in January 1875. In May or June approximately a letter from Ganu and message from Balappa made Datta unstable. Prior to this for few months Datta suffered from acute stomach pain and was not all that well for a quite a long time. The vibhuti and teertha sent by Balappa and direction to do namasmarana, really eased the pain and in a short time He felt better and was ultimately cured.

The uneasiness haunted day in and day out and all the time He felt overwhelming urge to see the lunatic, mad person Balappa. Unknowingly a deep adherence and devotion towards Balappa started taking shape in Him. Becoming well Datta decided to see Balappa. So He went to Virupaksha Girmaji at Kardeguddi. In His mind there was a constant tumult questioning Him repeatedly, ‘‘What a way You abused ? What will happen now ? Will he get very angry ? Will he allow Me to see him ?  Will he see Me ? Will he pardon Me ?’’ Datta was too much worried. But the noble soul overlooked and with good intension and compassion sent vibhuti, teertha and a direction to do namasmarana and stood by Datta. Datta felt shaky to ask forgiveness from him. Balappa Himself came to see Datta. Datta bit embarrassed and feeling defident and with fear hid Himself in the stable covering Himself with dry grass. Balappa reaching Him lovingly said, ‘‘Oh ! My eternal Child, my Son, enough now. Come out. Get up. I am waiting for You for a very very long time.’’ Balappa holding Datta close to him in deep embrace asked, ‘‘Why are You getting scared or afraid of coming to me, my divine Child ?’’ In that dismay Datta fell at the feet of Balappa. At that very moment all His fear, doubts, haunting thoughts cleared and with no debate or enquiry or incusitive anxious logical questions - He submitted Himself to Balappa.

The Guru met the disciple and Shishya met His Guru - a spiritual, divine union and on Guru Dwadashi Ashvin month. In 1875, in a graceful way secretely Balappa preached and blessed Datta imparting eternal from time immemorial knowledge of Avadhoot Sampradaya and gave diksha.

In verse no. 2725 Pant says - ‘‘Brahmananda Paramadvaita Shuddha Buddha Sadguru.’’

In adoration Pant has said -  ‘‘Any other thing you want - you may get some or other time but to get Sadguru is not easy - until it is the will of the Supreme - one will not get if you place the grace of Sadguru darshan in one pan of the balance and whole of cosmos or universe in the other pan - the pan of Sadguru darshan does not move a bit. Sadguru darshan is a blessed event or a day in the endless yuga (era) - many life’s sacred gift. A uttarayana of the sun and the opening of the gate of heaven and liberation or mukti. It is an wonderful amalgamation of all sanctity of pilgrimage, all sadhana, all rituals, all yajna and upasana. In a moment only Sadguru yoga (Sadguru entity) becomes fruitful.’’ In verse no. 986 Sampradaya Sadgurucha ! bahu paramparecha ! (Sadguru tradition is ancient).

This event ultimately changed and transformed Datta. After Sadguru - anugraha (blessing) His life style changed. Datta was hardly 20 years old and was in 5th standard. Balappa had strictly instructed not to leave education under any circumstances. ‘‘Let it be all on me. I will be at Your call. I will be always with You.’’ Balavadhoota frequently visited Belgaum and many others Bhagoji Kopp, Gumaste, Venkatesh, Parshuram became disciples of Balappa. Balappa did bless them and showed the ultimate path of devotion. During holidays Balappa as a practice took Datta to Deshnoor and Kardeguddi and taught Him Yoga sadhana, Guru bhakti, the fundamentals of Avadhoot Sampradaya, Advait philosophy and the solemn truth. “Visualise me everywhere” - ‘‘Sarvatra mama pashya’’. He even imparted Sankhya and Taraka doctrines to young Datta.

In the year 1876-77 the severe famine really worsened the family set up and goings at Balekundri. It was difficult for them to help Datta - as they had the responsibility of maintaining the farmers and other house-hold servants. At that time Datta got help from Ramachandra Sunthankar and advocate Athavale. Datta managed well, giving tutions and maintaining Himself, adjusting to the calamities. In 1877 Datta passed public service examination which pleased Balappa very much. In 1877 Balappa decided to go on pilgrimage to Shri Shailya, to see and worship his ardent Giri Mallikarjun Dev. While going Balappa placed his blessed hand on Datta’s head and said, ‘‘I am blessing You the divine power of Brahmaswaroopa and I am giving you the complete rights of Avadhoot Sampradaya. You are the one to pursue and propagate the Avadhoot Sampradaya further. You will be the successor of mine.’’

In 1878 Datta took a teacher’s job in a Marathi school with salary of Rs. 6 per month as He did not pass matriculation. In 1880 He appeared once again for matriculation examination and with complete concentration as well as hard work he passed matriculation. He decided not to go in for higher studies knowing the financial conditions of His family. Thus came the end of Datta’s student’s life.

– Naresh Dharwadkar

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            All of us know that the recitation of the Ishta Devata’s name, praying, doing Arati and paying tribute to the Ishta Devata, in correct and clear words, on fully understanding the meaning of the words, gives the desired results.

            I hope that the devotees who read these books and adopt the right code of conduct will be immensely benefitted, as Madhavrao Deshpande and Nanasaheb Chandorkar were.           

– Abstract from the ‘Foreword to the Second Revised Edition’

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