Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale – Ideal in all respects !

Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale’s elder brother and a famous paediatrician, (Late) Sadguru (Dr.)Vasant Balaji Athavale (Fondly called Appakaka), wrote a lot about Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale before renouncing His body.

A Holy text compiled by Him has also been published. In this Holy text, He has described the virtues of Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale. We pray that, may His description of Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale’s virtues that reveal how He is ideal in all respects, be an inspiring and guiding force on the occasion of His birthday !

1. Ideal son

Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale is an ideal son, just as Deity Shriram was. He called His parents to stay in Sanatan’s Sevakendra at Mumbai in the last 15 years of their lives and served them with complete devotion. After Sanatan’s activities increased, He took the help of seekers to serve His parents.

2. Ideal brother

Though a Paratpar Guru, He takes care of the entire family and His elder brothers with affection, love and respect. Though I am the eldest among the siblings, I value His support. Two of us (brothers) are elder to Him and we look to Him for support. Whatever and whenever we need something, He makes it a point to send someone to help.

2A. Making excellent arrangements for the brothers to reside in the Ashram

He allocates a room to His brothers during their stay in the Ashram and personally looks after their comfort and requirements.

2B. Helping the brothers in all respects

Should one of us face a problem, with the help of seekers, He arranges for our meals and residence. If we ask Him for help during some crises, He helps and guides us overcome the crises.

2C. Once in a while (but with regularity), He sends sweets to all the brothers

3. Ideal father

Everybody knows Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale does not have children. Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj had blessed Him, ‘You will have many children’. Now, He has many children in the form of seekers. Everybody is seeing that Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale cares for the seekers with love, affection and intimacy. He has set an example of how an ideal father should behave.

4. Ideal head of the family (Taking care of all
the relatives even after reaching the stage of a Paratpar Guru)

Even after reaching the stage of a Paratpar Guru, He takes care of His brothers, family members and relatives in an ideal manner. Given ahead are some examples.

4A. Paying obeisance to the elders respectfully

Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale has two elder brothers. Their spiritual level is less, and yet, right from the beginning, whenever He meets them or their wives, He pays obeisance by bowing respectfully. Even after having reached the stage of a Paratpar Guru, He pays obeisance with the same respect.

4B. Whenever family members talk to Him
on the mobile, He advises them about spiritual progress

He obviously thinks that all His family members should perform spiritual practice and progress spiritually; hence, whenever they talk to Him on the mobile, He advises them on spiritual as well as other aspects.

4C. Ideal in behaving with the family members

All the family members have immense respect for Him. They feel that He is the pillar of their strength. Most Saints have neglected their family upon reaching Sainthood; however, Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale has set standards about how Saints and Gurus should behave with their family members.

(‘I do not have children. Now, there many boys and girls in the age group of 8 to 15, who do not call me Param Pujya [His Holiness – This is how most seekers address Him] but call me Baba [This is how father is addressed in Marathi]. Children in the age group of 2 to 5 cannot utter the word ‘Ajoba [Grandfather]’. Instead, they call me ‘Aba’. Thus, God has given me the opportunity to experience not only all types of relationships but various kinds of associated Anand (Bliss) as well; hence, I have a feeling of gratitude unto God.’ – Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Jayant Athavale [27.11.2012])

5. Ideal disciple

Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale has set standards about serving the Guru from His own example. For understanding this aspect, study Sanatan’s Holy text – Disciple. He never preached what He did not follow. It is always the other way around. He first practices an aspect and then preaches. From 1983 to 1986, because of His intense yearning to understand Spirituality, He would meet Saints and Gurus. In 1987, He was blessed with a Guru and He immediately offered the Guru His body, mind and wealth. Then, Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj (His Guru) said to Him, “Doctor, you have offered me your body, mind and wealth. I shall give you knowledge, devotion and renunciation”. Just two years later, meaning, in 1989, the Guru asked Him to give the ‘Name (Name-chant)’ to others, effectively meaning, indicated indirectly that He has attained the stage of a Guru. Subsequently, He even reached the stage of Paratpar Guru.

Gratified is that Guru and gratified are His disciples. Just as Sant Tukaram Maharaj has said in the couplets 1 and 3 of the Abhang 517 of ‘Tukaram Gatha’, Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj also would have said, ‘Bless me O’ God with one disciple who is a Brahmadnyani (has the knowledge of Brahman – God Principle), is capable and whose fame is spread across the universe’.

If a Guru is able to mould even one disciple who can flutter the flag of the Guru’s virtues, mission, success and fame, His life is accomplished. Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale made His Guru accomplish His mission.

5A. Not allowing anyone to pay obeisance to Him

Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale does not allow anyone to pay obeisance by placing their heads on His feet. He tells those who want to – “I am a disciple of Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj; hence, do not pay obeisance to me. Pay obeisance to Saint Bhaktaraj Maharaj or Shrikrushna”.

6. Ideal Guru

6A. An ideal Guru who has proved the words of Sant Tukaram Maharaj

Sant Tukaram Maharaj has described the signs of a Guru in one of His Abhangs thus – ‘He who ensures quick spiritual progress of His disciple like Himself, is a Guru.’

Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale is unmatched in bringing Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s words to reality.

6B. He is the Guru to many Saints

Some Saints such as H.H. Das Maharaj (Known as H.H. Raghuveer Maharaj earlier) from Sindhudurga (Maharashtra) consider Him as their Guru.

6C. A Guru who teaches God-realisation through the medium of Art

Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale also advises seekers on how to progress spiritually through the medium of Art-forms such as drawing, sculpture, dance, music etc.

6D. A Guru who does not allow seekers
to become subjective (emotionally attached out
of respect) about Himself, but makes them have faith in God

In 2008, some seekers were chanting ‘Param Pujya Doctor’ instead of the prescribed Name. When Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale learnt about this, He advised them to immediately stop chanting it and instead, asked them to commence chanting ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya I’. He has never advised anyone to chant His Name. Many Saints advise their disciples to chant their names.

6E. Having the ability to instate a disciple as the Guru
without having given him a Gurumantra (A Name of Deity
or a chant advised by a Guru to His disciple for his spiritual progress)

Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale has never given anyone a Gurumantra. There are some Saints who take money to give a Gurumantra; however, Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale has lifted some seekers to the level of a Guru without giving them any Gurumantra.

6F. Capability to guide the jivas even in superior regions

He is qualified to guide jivas (Embodied souls)not only in the earth region, but also in Maharlok, Janalok, Tapolok etc.

6G. Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale strives to
take all the seekers to the stage of nirgun (Non-materialised)

His primary intention is the emancipation of every individual who comes in His contact. He always contemplates on how an activist will progress to become a seeker, a seeker to become a disciple, a disciple to become a Saint, a Saint to become a Guru and a Guru to become a Paratpar Guru. For Him, becoming a Saint is not enough.
He advises Saints every day and thus, guides them to attain the nirgun state. It is difficult to find Gurus who guide Saints. There are no limitations to His mission as a Guru, there is no end. Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale has prayed for the benefit of the entire world – ‘May the seekers not get entrapped in Maharlok, Janalok, Tapolok till they attain the nirgun state; instead, may they complete utmost spiritual practice while still on the earth and progress spiritually’.

6H. Jagadguru

The purpose of the Holy texts written by Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale is to achieve the welfare of the entire human race and establish world-peace; hence, He is the only one who is eligible for the title of a Jagadguru (Guru of the entire world).

 Importance of seekership !

Unless we develop seekership qualities in ourselves, we will not be able to develop seekers. If at all we make an attempt to do so, they will merely become workers.

– Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale (5.9.2008)

The purpose of the Holy texts written by Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale is to achieve the welfare of the entire human race; hence, He is the only one who is eligible for the title of a Jagadguru !

Source : Daily Sanatan Prabhat