Bhagavan Nityananda’s Blessings Upon Our Family: A Legacy of the Saguna Suvarna Paduka and His Sacred Presence

Tulas Amma, a dedicated devotee, rapidly advanced on her spiritual path and became a guiding force for many householder women seeking to balance Parmarth (spiritual pursuits) and Prapanch (worldly duties). Recognizing their need for a dedicated space for Satsang and spiritual gatherings, she prayed to Bhagavan Nityananda, requesting permission to establish a Math. However, Bhagavan, aware of the challenges of managing an ashram, initially discouraged her. He likened the responsibility to “having lice in one’s head and scratching it with both hands,” emphasizing that such an endeavour could distract from her renunciation as a Sannyasin.

But Tulas Amma persisted, explaining that privacy was essential for women like her to conduct their spiritual practices, especially within the bounds of societal norms. Seeing her earnest dedication, Bhagavan relented, permitting her to establish a Math at Managuuda in Mangalore.

As her Math took shape, Tulas Amma commissioned a goldsmith to create two sets of golden Paduka (holy footprints) along with a golden throne for them, a silver throne, and various silver vessels for pooja. Each set was placed in a metallic bag, and she brought them to Bhagavan, who then resided in Brahmawar or Padubidri. With profound reverence, she placed both bags at His Feet. Bhagavan, in turn, blessed the offerings and returned one bag to her, instructing her to install these Paduka in her Math.

Sometime later, my father, Raghunath Shenoy, visited Bhagavan for darshan. Bhagavan gave him the second bag Tulas Amma had offered, blessing my father with these sacred Paduka. My father waited for any specific instructions, but Bhagavan did not say anything regarding the Paduka’s purpose. This was around 1938-39, just before the outbreak of World War II. With no directive from Bhagavan, my family kept the Paduka in safe custody, honoring his silence and awaiting his guidance.

On one Deepawali, my grandmother felt inspired to open the bag and perform pooja to the Saguna Suvarna Paduka. From that day forward, it became a family tradition to worship the Paduka every Deepawali. The custom continued when my parents moved to Mumbai, with my mother faithfully carrying on this sacred practice.

Then, in 1960, on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, a remarkable event occurred. Shri M.D. Suvarna, a close devotee, arrived at our home carrying a life-size black-and-white photograph of Bhagavan Nityananda. This picture had been created for Kanhangad Ashram, but Shri Suvarna had first taken it to Ganeshpuri for Bhagavan’s blessings. For a few days, it remained before Bhagavan, absorbing his presence.  Shri Suvarna was brought to my house as he knew that we often visited Kanhangad as my mother’s father was from that place. Knowing what it takes to keep a lifesize picture of a saint, we kept it in our drawing room. When my father asked Bhagavan’s permission to take the photo to Kanhangad, Bhagavan admonished him and did not permit the photograph to be taken to Kanhangad. Four different devotees, including Swami Mukatananda, volunteered to take the photo to Kanhangad, but for some reason or other, they failed.

Bhagavan Nityananda seemed to “refuse” to leave our home. My mother decided then to honour this divine choice, installing the photograph permanently with a heartfelt request that Bhagavan reside with us as a cherished family member. Until then, the picture had been respectfully placed in a corner; now, it was given a place of honour, becoming a central part of our spiritual life with a condition that He would be treated as one of our family members.

When Deepawali arrived, we noticed the Saguna Suvarna Paduka and the photograph complemented each other beautifully, as if divinely matched. Since then, every Deepawali, we have continued the ritual of worshiping both the life-size photograph of Bhagavan and the golden Paduka. Darshan of these Paduka is a sacred event, extended only to close gurubandhus by invitation.

Thus, Bhagavan Nityananda came to stay with the Shenoys who were directly blessed for five generations. Through this tradition, we feel the presence of Bhagavan not merely as a revered image or symbol but as a living member of our household, gracing us with his benevolent presence and protection.

Darshan of the Paduka and picture is only during Deepavali and by invitation only.