How a disciple met his Guru.

On February 9, 1956 His Holiness (H.H.) Bhaktaraj Maharaj (Baba) met His Guru, H. H. Anantanand Saish for the first time. Hence, February 9 is celebrated as the day of manifestation of H. H. Anantanand Saish (in Baba’s life).

Baba had deep devotion unto Saibaba of Shirdi (a town in Maharashtra, India where Saibaba lived, imparting Spirituality to the world). During this meeting, H. H. Anantanand Saish made Baba realize that He (H. H. Saish) was no different than Saibaba of Shirdi. Let us read about this meeting:

Baba’s previous name was Mr. Dinkar Kasrekar. February 9, 1956 was the anniversary of Baba’s business, ‘Sunanda Pharmacy’ in Indore (India). On that day, Dinkar decided to feed the focus of His devotion, Shirdi’s Saibaba Himself. Dinkar was not satisfied with merely offering Holy sacrament unto a picture of Saibaba as he always did. Having the belief that Saibaba was Muslim, Dinkar resolved to offer food to a fakir (Muslim ascetic). So, he requested a fakir, who replied that he was not a Muslim. Upon this, Dinkar related everything to a Muslim Holy man (called a Pirbaba), who lived nearby. The Muslim holy man too declined the feast, saying that he was fasting.

However, seeing the determination of Dinkar and his friend, Haribhau, to offer Holy sacrament unto a Muslim Holy man, the Pirbaba told them:

“The One you want is sitting in the Palival caravanserai (Dharmashala). Go there. Hold on to the Feet of the old gentleman you will see lying in a corner there. He is the real Sai (Savior). In fact, He has come there only for you. If He partakes the Holy sacrament, your resolve (sankalpa) will be fulfilled. He is a renunciant. He will not speak, but you do no let go of His Feet. Tell Him about your resolve. Then watch what happens.”

Upon this, the two friends returned home joyfully. On the same day, Dinkar and Haribhau went to Palival caravanserai and upon recognizing the old renunciant, Dinkar told Him about his resolve. The renunciant replied, “I am a renunciant; I eat only once a day. I have already eaten today.” Hearing this, the two friends started pleading to the renunciant and He kept declining. This continued for a while. Finally, when the renunciant agreed to partake the Holy sacrament, the two friends were overcome with joy.

Then as H. H. Anantanand Saish (the renunciant) started inquiring about ‘who gave them His whereabouts’, etc., Dinkar’s spiritual emotion (ashtasattvik bhav) was awakened. Embracing H. H. Saish’s Feet, he started crying. H. H. Saish said, “Why do you cry? Dinu*, I have come for you. Everything will be alright.” Here H. H. Saish gave a glimpse (spiritual experience) of His Sainthood by addressing Dinkar as ‘Dinu’ without knowing his name.

Later H. H. Saish gave further spiritual experience about His oneness with Shirdi Saibaba by partaking only Saibaba’s favorite food items, the ones that were those made out of chickpea flour. When H. H. Saish finished His meal, Dinkar was once again overcome with spiritual emotion. His wakeful state started leaving him. Seeing this, H. H. Saish said, “Why do you cry? Go, everything has been given to you. All will be as per your wish. Do not worry in the least.” Then Dinkar and Haribhau returned home.

They mixed all the leftovers from H. H. Saish’s plate and distributed it as Holy sacrament (prasad) to everyone at home. Dinkar drank the water from washing the plate as Holy nectar. From that moment on, Dinkar was completely immersed in spiritual Bliss.

On February 15, within just six days of this meeting, Dinkar received the Gurumantra** from H. H. Anantanand Saish. Further, pleased with Dinkar’s devotion, the very next day H. H. Saish renamed him as ‘Bhaktaraj’ (king of devotees).

An example of the surrender and heartfelt prayer needed to develop such devotion:

[Based on Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj Charitra (autobiography) compiled by H. H. Dr. Jayant Athavale and Dr. (Mrs.) Kunda Athavale.]

* Affectionate way of addressing Dinkar

** A special mantra imparted by the Guru to the disciple to bring about the disciple’s further spiritual progress. It indicates the seeker’s progress to disciple-hood and acquiring the Guru’s grace.