The inseparable bond between Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale and seekers !
Once, a lady seeker was narrating her dream to Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale. In the dream, she saw that Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale had left her. Before she could finish her sentence, Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale said, “I never leave my seekers”. He then repeated the sentence 2-3 times until their conversation was over.
- Once, after seeing off a Saint who had come to meet Him, Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale was going back to His room. At that time, some seekers waved to Him. Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale said to them, “Why are you saying goodbye to me ? I am there where seekers are”. The seekers are everything to Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale. He once said – ‘Amongst all flowers, I love ‘the seeker flower’ the most’.
- ‘I am shouldering the responsibility of all seekers and their family members’.
– Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale (During a guidance meeting with seekers at a temple in Sawantwadi, Maharashtra.)
1. Seekers of all ages and levels have the protective umbrella of His grace
Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale’s protective umbrella of grace is on all seekers, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, young and old. I have experienced this myself. He helps everyone as per their needs. He tells seekers the spiritual remedies such as chanting etc. to overcome spiritual distress. A seeker who is always under the protective umbrella of His grace is always happy.
– Mr. Prakash Marathe, Ramnathi, Goa.
2. Celebrating moments of joy of seekers
2A. Giving a seeker her favourite sari on her first birthday in the Ashram : Ms. Kanakmahalakshmi in the Ashram likes to wear a sari; but she did not have one. When Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale heard this, He immediately asked the seekers to give her a sari. A few days later, her birthday was to be celebrated for the first time in the Ashram.
Then, Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale said, “Today is Kanakmahalakshmi’s birthday ! Let’s gift her a sari. She doesn’t have a sari. She can select a sari of the colour she likes. She will get a sari for her first birthday in the Ashram !”
– Ms. Vaibhavi Sunil Bhovar (Age 16) (23.6.2013)
In this way, the birthdays of all seekers in the Ashram are celebrated. On a seeker’s birthday, his/her name is written on the board in the dining room of the Ashram and words of greetings written. Therefore, all seekers know about the seeker’s birthday. The seekers who perform seva with that seeker make a nice greeting card. In this way, the seeker’s birthday is celebrated with great joy.
2B. After auspicious rituals such as a wedding ceremony or Maujibandhan (The ritual of thread ceremony) Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale meets the newlyweds, their families and blesses them. When initiating a new phase of life, seekers cherish these invaluable blessings of the Guru in the temple of their hearts.
3. Sending Prasad with a seeker for everyone
3A. Giving Prasad to seekers as per their liking : When a seeker is going home, Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale asks to give some Prasad to seekers. He gives seekers their favourite Prasad considering their age. He also inquires if the seeker likes sweet or spicy items. He inquires about seekers who are suffering from spiritual distress, and sends them Prasad. He asks the seeker going home (from the Ashram) to give Prasad to his family members as well as to the local Saints and Dharmabhimanis (Devout followers of Dharma). Not only this, He unfailingly asks to send Prasad to the seekers in the village of that seeker.
– Mr. Prakash Marathe, Ramnathi, Goa.
Sometime in the year when seekers residing outside the Ashram or seekers in Prasar (Spread of Spirituality) seva come to the Ashram, Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale has taught us to prepare different food items according to their likes ! He has special appreciation for seekers who go to various States and do Dharmaseva (Serving Dharma).
Only He can give love that close family members cannot ! Words are unable to express incidents that reflect His Priti. O’ Guru, how is it possible to express gratitude ? We humbly pray to You to keep us in the bondage of Your Priti and give us a place at Your feet !
 Unparalleled teachings of Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale of page
Due to the teachings of Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale, all seekers in Sanatan’s Ashrams take care of the sick and elderly seekers with utmost affection. All care is taken to provide them with medical facilities and food according to their diet, etc. If a sick seeker is bedridden, going to see him and encouraging him by talking about the various aspects of spiritual practice, providing him with Spiritual texts for reading, etc. is also done. A few years ago, Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale said that Sanatan Sanstha will also establish Vanprasthashram (A retirement home; Third among the four stages of life, that of a retired householder) in the near future. Seekers who have performed spiritual practice for God-realisation throughout their life do not rejoice in worldly pleasures even in old age. The intent is to provide such seekers with an environment conducive for spiritual practice. Truly this love is unparalleled ! |
| Many Saints will renounce their bodies before the adverse times commence on Earth. However, I will be with you till the very end; meaning, till the normal times commence (Till the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is established) !
– Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale |