PANCHAMUKHI SADGURU SHRI  PANT MAHARAJ

AS A HOUSEHOLDER, A FAMILY MAN AND A STRICT DISCIPLIRIAN

The activities of Datta as a house holder almost started as early as 1872 when he came to Belgaum for secondary education. Poor financial condition of the family compelled him to stay in a very small room of 8 ft. by 10 ft. in area and all alone without any financial help from family. Datta made up his mind; come what may; to continue his education with all the hardships. He used to cook and wash utensils himself. He used to give tuitions to meet out his financial needs. But, he continued his education. The student’s stage had this household burden and obligation.

In 1875 when Datta was 20 years old, he was blessed by great Balmukunda Balavdhoot and was made the future successor of Avadhoot sampradaya on Ashvin dwadashi tithi.

The severe famine hit Belgaum and surrounding area in 1876-77. Datta’s family at Balekundri also was affected and their condition was pitiable.

Once Datta and Gurubandhu Hanamantrao at Balekundri decided to go away somewhere far from this set up. They started at 4 a.m. early morning to run away from the household. At that time Balappa stood before them and said, “What are you both up to ? Do you want to run away from family and household ? Look at me. I am in the family - worldly life. You too should be in the worldly life and progress for the divinity. What is seen is the Sadguru manifestation. If you leave the objective life, you are leaving the Sadguru, Sadguru’s love and devotion. Many trivial things happen and many incidents occur, difficulties and obstacles crop up. To run away from these and worldly life is not the solution. One who cannot adjust and stays in the family or society, cannot be happy even in the lone forest. So, be in the world, be in the family, face the consequences and be bold and tough enough to get on.” This eventually made Datta to remain as householder.

Another one incident can be narrated here. After knowing that Balappa is away, some of Gurubandhus of Datta with utter envy decided to visit all of a sudden. They were 25 to 30 in number. They started from Karadeguddi and their main intention was to humiliate Datta to the maximum. They came. Datta was shocked. In the room there was no ration even for 2 people. How to make arrangement of food to these 25 to 30 Gurubandhus. Datta was preflexed. At that time Balavadhoot appeared and said, “Why are you so much worried ? They are all your Gurubandhus only. Just check up, whether you have money in your box.” Datta obediently looked and for a surprise he could get one rupee coin. That’s it. Balappa said, “Go and get rice and dal and everything will be okay.” Datta brought the ration, Balappa made amti and bhaat. Datta served them all. Balappa was constantly preaching them and the ordeal got over after each and everyone finished eating food and they were happy. This happened so peacefully only due to the blessings of Balappa.

This was the second step in the householder’s journey of Datta. Balappa practiced as he preached, and Datta followed the same, called his brother Gopalrao and cousin brother Nana when he got teacher’s job. Seeing the depleted condition of his so called box which was half broken and was without lock, Gopalrao jockingly said, “There is no lock to your safe vault.” Datta also in the same joyous mood, said, “Gopal, there is no lock for my family life, as well as my spiritual life.” He entrusted full responsibility to Gopalrao. Once Gopalrao found that there was no money and no grains at home. Datta had gone to school for morning session. Both Gopalrao and Nana ran to him and told him the problem. Datta was not all disturbed and told them, “Are, don’t worry. My Balappa will make some arrangement.” At that time only, one boy came and requested teacher to enroll him and paid quarter of a rupee. Datta looking at them, both gave quarter of a rupee and said, “Now at least arrangement is over. Let us see.” Difficulties and problems were many; but Datta faced them with utter determination and not bogged out. He continued his march with same vigour and dedication. In 1881 Vamanrao, Shankarrao came for education. Datta now could afford to take a bigger accommodation in Mr. Gokak’s compound. Datta nearing to 25 years of age had no plan, no thought of getting married. His main concern and intention was to educate all his brothers and make suitable provision for his sisters too.

In the year 1882 Vaishakha month Shripadmama of Daddi, decided to give his daughter in marriage to Datta. When his relatives heard this, many remarked with contempt “giving daughter to that poor one is as good as pushing her in the well.” But, Shripadmama had a great admiration and concern for Datta. He decided with one definite thought in his mind that even if he had to
part half of his roti (bhakari) to Datta, he would
do so. He made it very clear to Datta’s
father Ramachandrapant and grandfather Balakrishnapant and proposed Yamunakka’s marriage definitely to Datta. He even promised and assured them that he would take full responsibility of all the marriage expenses, arrangement and everything of the proposed marriage. Finally, on 18-4-1882, Vaishakha vadya one, Datta’s marriage solemnized at Raibaug with Yamunakka.

During marriage time only, Datta’s grandfather Balakrishnapant was falsely trapped in some court case. So, grandfather and many relatives did not attend Datta’s marriage. Even himself being Avadhoot panthi and Sthita Prajnya (stable mind), thought, marriage as a duty only. He said in

Verse No. 793 –    For fun married the bride

                              Former pure bachelor with pride

Datta himself describes his marriage ceremony in his words in

Verse No. 1367 –  Marriage solemnized myself with me

                              Arrange a function such               not seen as be

                              Bride me and

                              bridegroom be

                              So the auspicious muhurta time as well be

Thus, in 1882 Mahalaxmi Mata Annapurna Sow. Yamunakka stepped in Datta’s household. She took over complete charge of the household, in a sense she participated in all the activities. She helped Datta’s brothers and other household members. Pant wada had become almost a Gurukul and Annachhatra for many. With so many inmates staying and studying it was necessary or the household to take care of them. With Yamunakka there, ever-ready the things moved very smoothly. As Datta called his brothers to stay with him for education, same way he helped his sisters in one way or the other. Many of his cousins and children of his sisters started staying in Pant wada.

In 1884 Datta shifted to a bigger accommodation. In the year 1886 Datta’s father left for heavenly abode. Literally entire household responsibility fell on Datta. He was just 31 years old. It was a big household; but with the help of his brothers he managed it well. Datta had that real adoration and respect for elders and all his family members and relatives. Datta’s daily routine was unique and very rigid. He followed that routine and practiced very regularly and punctually. He used to get up at 5 a.m., managed to fill water from the well, get water heated ready for bath to the inmates, students and household members. Regular physical exercise was a must for each and everyone. Datta himself was very agile and active. He used to do suryanamaskar, yogasana and used to teach and guide the inmates. Datta made certain activities compulsory at home, such as washing one’s own clothes, sandhyavandana, Devpooja, and namasmarana after bath in the morning. This rigid programme was applicable to each and every member of the household. There was no discrimination, no deviation, no concession, no escape from the rules and regulations. If someone did not follow or made mistake then that person was punished.

Datta’s nature was very soft, simple and humble. He often said, “Good thought and deeds are the basics of life. Society with good and pure characters will get peace and happiness and society too will be stable. One has to abide by social obligations and commitments.”

Datta, a very kind hearted person, but strict, not to accept any nonsense. He was very firm and strict disciplinarian. At one instance he asked one inmate to leave the household and go away due to his indecent behaviour. At one stage he said, “The aspirants of Datta to be of good character, virtuous and also to be with good moral and stout. Datta was embodiment of truth; Satyameva Jayate was his prime doctrine. Truth is Dharma. As per him, “There is no religion in the universe without truth.” By the side of the coach, where he used to relax, placards with slogan “Truth is Dharma” were hung on the wall for everyone to read and follow. At one incident, when someone tried to complain ridiculing others, he said, “My ears become deaf by the revile of the others and act of blemish. My all disciples, devotees are clever, strong, with pure mind and with intension of doing good and pious work only.” He wanted his devotees and disciples to be strong physically, as well as mentally. He never liked them to be weak, helpless, vulnerable and miserable.

Datta never liked tamasha, lavani all such sensual feats. There were incidents, when the household members did attend one without Datta’s knowledge, he felt so much disturbed and sad. He said, “I have lost. I have not been a good teacher to mould my own household members with character. It is better for me to leave all this and go away from here. I deserve that punishment.”

The impact of this true statement was so much that everyone took a firm oath and they all practiced it. Datta by nature was a very joyous person. He could enact and illustrate few mind, catching incidents from Saubhadra, Shakuntal, Parijatak dramas. He could sing the songs of these dramas. He with his very touching, soothing, melodious and sweet voice could do it effectively. He had good knowledge of music and rhythm and equally excellent in composing the bhajan.

Pant (Datta) had greatest respect and admiration for the woman folk. In one incident the guard did not allow Mrs. Mangeshkar to come up and touch Pant’s feet. When he came to know this he strictly ordered Ramrao Kamtunkar not to come up at all.

A very well to do devotee, had no regard for his family and always discarded and kept them away. Datta, when he happened to go to his village, told him, “I will come to your place only if your wife will cook and serve the food.” The devotee had to agree and the function and lunch went smoothly. The devotee could really understood the worth of his wife and adored her from then onwards.

Another young married lady was reluctant to go to her inlaw’s place. Pant made her to understand and transformed her and she went to her own house joyously.

Pant had a greatest respect and adoration for great noble people. He really welcomed Mathadheesh Swami Shankaracharya of Sankeshwar, greeted him and made arrangement for his comforts. He met the great Swami Vivekananda with intense admiration and both had a discussion for few hours.

In Pant wada everyone was equal. No distinction or no discrimination of high, low, strong, weak, rich or poor. No differential treatment ever and also never to anyone. Real affection, love, respect to each other, sharing of love, free and pious mind and thought was dominated in Datta’s household.

The household was run with pure, well laid thoughts and everyone followed the rules and regulations. Datta’s household became a shelter for many distressed, orphan, helpless and poor ones. They all came with intention to get educated. His household welcomed them all with open arms and provided food, clothing, shelter and education, affectionately and lovingly.

From 1884 to 1905 no one had to go back with despair from his household. Everyone was treated as a honoured guest. In the family there used to be minimum 25 to 30 people for lunch and dinner. This number went on increasing. The food was served with concern and personal touch, with no discrimination, such as some type of food to Datta (Pant) and other type of food to others. Pant used to eat a normal simple food, such as bhaji, bhakari and doodh-bhaat and he could finish his food very quickly. The complete management and get going of the family and the household was looked after by his brothers. The kitchen, the cooking and serving the food was under the able care of Matoshri and Annapurna Sow. Yamunakka. Datta used to hand over full month’s salary to his brothers without fail and never interfered in their routine or way of working. But, even his brothers or wife or anyother never did anything without the consent of Datta. They all followed, what he indicated and directed.

Pant had executed some rigid rules and regulations for all to follow for the sake of better working of the big household. Pant himself followed a timely routine daily. After finishing the morning usual work, he used to take lunch at 10 a.m., be ready to go to school prior to 11 a.m. to reach school in time. He always preferred to wear clean dhoti (dhotar), long loose shirt, jacket, Parsi fashion coat, silken embroidered loose cloth piece over the shoulder, white cloth bordered with gold thread work around his head; shoes with stockings for the feet, an umbrella or a long stick in the hand. He maintained a good physique and was always active in work. He kept busy himself and involved.

Pant (Datta) had too much regard and affection for his brothers. By 1894 Vamanrao, Gopalrao, Shankarrao, Narasinharao and all had completed education and were almost settled in life. Pant exclaims - “Those who are decent and well behaved are always liked by others.” His household which was a real Gurukul had the treasure of such beings. When Datta saw that some people had became proud after learning English, he pointed out - “Look at my Gopal, Vaman, Shankar and Narasinha, all have completed higher education; but how simple and submissive are they. I feel this is the blessings of Sadguru only.” There was immense love among all the brothers. He said in verse No. 2581 –

What can I say

of my brothers’ love

That pronounces the true

love serenity all above !!

When Pant saw that Govindrao had no interest in learning English; but he had a very melodious voice, he advised his brother, “If you can’t learn English, you take up singing Datta bhajan.”

When his brothers got fully educated, he ardently and respectfully wrote a letter to his Shripadmama in 1901 saying - “As an elderly parent you have looked after all of us. The seed of love and affection rooted in by you and with your blessing grown to a huge tree. Balekundrikar family was condoned by rest of others. You only came to the rescue and helped at each an every step and stage. Now, the family has outgrown with your compassionate attitude and blessing of Lord Dattatreya and Sadguru Balapaa. I and all my brothers are indebted to you and to your family and we are all ever grateful to you. Our only Dharma is to remember you and what all you have done to us.” This virtue of Shri Pant Maharaj is self explanatory to vouch for his immense greatness and nobility.

One Gangadharbhat Joshi was completely enslaved by drug addiction in Daddi. Suddenly, one day he got an awakening call to go to Belgaum and stay in Pant wada. He was blessed by Shri Pant Maharaj in 1882. He came to Belgaum and was cured. He was given a noble duty to be with Shri Vamanrao, who was a magistrate at that time in Nasik. When Vamanrao expired and his wife also soon after, his youngest daughter, named Anusuya, was hardly 2 years old and this Gangadharbhataji looked after the orphan Anusuya.

Like Shri Pant, the Pant household had became a guiding force to many.

Shri Pant when started propagating Avadhoot sampradaya he had to visit surrounding places and to meet many. He had a talk to them. In this pursuit, he found bhajan medium more appealing, effective and reaching to each and everyone. Shri Pant immensely liked to do bhajan. He had a melodious voice and basic knowledge of music. He could sing bhajan one after the other for hours together. He used to engross completely and merge in the divinity and sublime beauty of bhajan. There was no limitation of time. On many occasions Shri Pant was to be alarmed to stop the bhajan session. His mother had too much feeling of concern and she always was worried of Shri Pant, whether he had completed bhajan and gone to sleep or no; because staying awake late at night was not good for his health. Once, bhajan session was in full swing and Shri Pant completely engrossed and in ecstasy fully, was asked to stop; as it was very late at night, by his mother. So, as per mother’s order Narasinharao snatched ektari from Shri Pant’s hand saying, “Datta, enough, enough for today. It is too late and better you take rest.” Shri Pant did not get annoyed. He embraced his brother and said, “I know the concern of Matoshri and her feeling.”

Sow. Yamunakka really was a partner of Shri Pant’s material, as well as spiritual life. She was the incarnation of Mata Annapurna. She was always with Shri Pant at every step of life. As a simple householder and family man Shri Pant and Sow. Yamunakka had a yearning for children of their own. In 1891 a son was born to them; but unfortunately in 1892 the child did not survive. This really shook the couple and disturbed the Pant household. In 1902 a daughter was born to fill up the huge vaccume.

In 1890 as per the wishes of elders Shri Pant agreed to confer sannyas diksha to his grandfather Balakrishna Pant in a very ceremonial grandeur. In 1903 he decided to resign and in June he got relieved, as he had made up his mind completely to devote to Avadhoot sampradaya and propagation of it.

On 8-3-1904 Sow. Yamunakka left the mortal coil. She was not well for a long time. The demise of their son in 1892 really had shattered her and Pant too. The sudden demise of Sow. Yamunakka shook Pant literally. On the same day he praised his wife as a respect for her in Verse No. 2566 –

Pure and pious you be (Ravitanaya)

Sure connubialed, Atritanaya

For whole life endowed me,

the kith and kins

For happiness and peace in household bins

Forever with selflessness bestowed fully

For service and love to others really

Realizing Atma tatva

Releasing the one in

enlightened Jeeva satva

You remained in truth Yogini

You poured out compassion &

love as Ardhangini

You have merged with Dattatreya

a Anukampini

As per old tradition instead of pronouncing his wife’s name directly, he said the parallel word Ravitanaya and instead of referring his name, he said the parallel word Atritanaya. This shows his decency and modesty. On the same day he sang one bhajan addressing his Sadguru in Verse No. 2567 –

Completed the family life

Contemplating all in strife

Datta, You made me to cross over

Datta in appearance showed the divinity ever

The attitudes inward, outward

The transformation, objective

to spiritual ward

You favoured the visualization the essence

You unfolding the latent divinity in presence

By this he explains his secret of family life. Because, his Sadguru Balavadhoot ordered him, “To have complete experience as a family man, you have to marry and become a householder.” He married and had two children and looked after all his brothers, sisters and inmates of the household. Thus the family life of Shri Pant as such got over and finished.

The menacing plague had taken away many of his relatives and household members. This perturbed him much. Though he remained aloof he was aware of each and every act and things happening around him. At the request of Kaka Ghanekar to stay with him at Dharwad to recover, Pant made him understand by saying – “Can anyone predict, when and how the end comes ? And unfortunately if my end comes in Dharwad then my entire family will be blamed and ridiculed.”

Datta as householder individual entity did not remain after the demise of Sow. Yamunakka. Datta now remained alone as Shri Pant Maharaj only for propagation of Avadhoot sampradaya. Shri Pant a real sadguru to all.

He was an voracious reader, a talented essayist and an impressive poet. All the more a very simple and noble soul. Till his last breath he remained as a teacher, preacher guiding one and all in materialistic world, as well as in spiritual pursuit and divine progression. He always emphasized to the devotees - “Do not get scared. I will always be behind you all. Don’t ever forget me. I am there to help you all the way, whenever needed.”

This generous, lovable, affectionate noble soul upheld the embodiment of love – “Love is Truth and Truth is Sadguru”. In the year 1905, on 16th October the world lost this noble, graceful and great Sadguru.

– Naresh Dharwadkar

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