Shri Advocate Parulekar

Shri Dinkar Mukund Parulekar was an Advocate at, the High Court, Bombay. He was indeed a great devotee and one of the first devotees who documented Baba’s Leela, teachings, and divine experiences of Baba’s devotee. It was in March 1961 that he published the book ‘Tujha Visara Na Vavha’ – May I Never Forget You or Lest I Forget You. He was thus lucky to write about Bhagavan Nityananda and offer his book at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan Nityananda. There is a picture taken by Shri M. D. Suvarna showing Baba holding this book. Shri Parulekar had done an exhaustive study of Baba, His Teachings, His Leela, and His Grace experienced by various devotees. Shri Parulekar was a close family friend, and used to often visit us. When he visited us, there was an exchange of our experience of Bhagavan’s grace. I share below whatever my family knew about him.

The Search for a Sadguru

Shri Parulekar was educated, a thinker, a Sadhak, and a good writer and poet.  In 1948-49, he had just given the final examination in Law from Bombay University. Before he embarked on his professional journey, he wished to get the blessings of a Guru. For him, it was an important junction in his life when he was moving from being a student to a professional lawyer. He came from a religious family and their Aradhya Devata was Lord Vittal of Pandharpur. They followed the traditional way of worshipping gods but he wished to have something which would spiritually evolve him. India had attained its independence just a decade ago.

Yet there were challenges and uncertainty in the lives of young youth like him. He approached his parents and elders to learn how to remain unaffected by the vagaries of life and maintain a balance between Parmarth and Prapancha. He wanted to be the best in his profession and give the best of services in his chosen field of Law. However, the fear of uncertainty and the challenges made him concerned about leading a noble life. His parents and others advised him that he has to find a Sadguru and seek his blessings to overcome this dilemma. He thus embarked on the search for a Sadguru.

There were so many gurus in the society that the young Parulekar was very confused as to how to find a true Sadguru. He approached several people for help but none of the gurus that he met made him feel that he could get connected. Finally, somebody informed him that a great sage lived in Ganeshpuri who was acknowledged by many as an Evolved Being. Hearing this, one day the young Parulekar travelled to Ganeshpuri in search of this sage. They told him that this sage was an emissary of the God who has arrived in Ganeshpuri for the upliftment of the souls drowning in the darkness of ignorance. He bestowed his grace and guided them onto the path of truth, justice, and righteousness.

Shri Parulekar felt a strong urge to go to Ganeshpuri and have Darshan of the sage. After a tiring journey and sweating profusely, he reached Ganeshpuri around noon. He reached Ganeshpuri to find that it was nothing but a jungle, cut off from the rest of the world, isolated with no proper lodging and boarding arrangements. There was wild growth all around with grass growing as high as four to five feet, wild shrubs and thorns, boulders and potholes. On his way, he asked people he met “Where does Swami Nityananda be found?” There was no sight of any sprawling Ashram anywhere. He wondered how it was possible that a saint of the stature described by those who recommended Swami Nityananda as a Sadguru, did not have a large ashram.  It was not till he met a couple of South Indians that got some direction. They told him in half Hindi, half Tulu “There you see the dome of Shiva Temple. Near that there is Kund. Next to the temple, you shall find Vaikuntha Ashram where Swami lives.”Finding himself close to meeting his prospective Sadguru, Shri Parulekar’s heart started beating rapidly. His joy knew no bounds.

Shri Parulekar reached the Vaikuntha Ashram where he found a hall and a few rooms which appeared to have no windows to let in sunlight. They were dark inside. He carefully walked inside hoping to find someone. He entered very cautiously the hall which in the dark appeared to be a long tunnel. Suddenly a tall figure wearing nothing but a white loincloth and holding a long stick appeared from nowhere. He seemed to be very angry and roared “Go away from here. Why have you come here? There is nothing for you.” He began wielding the stick. Surprised by this sudden strange welcome, Shri Parulekar was thoroughly shaken. He began to shiver and stagger looking at the dark figure. He somehow managed to take the support of the wall and looked around to find a way to escape from being beaten. He thought “What kind of Saint is this? A devotee is coming from a long distance without any expectation for worldly gains but purely in search of knowledge. If he is not able to appreciate this and take me in his fold, what type of saint is he? How can I take him to be my Sadguru who cannot recognize a descent seeker?” Being a college-educated youth, Shri Parulekar did not have any idea of how some Guru test their devotees and that they have a strange way of bestowing grace. But something within him told him that he must not move out of the Ashram. He decided not to leave and simply sat on the ground with a firm determination that he would not move until he was taken in his fold. The angry and fierce-looking person simply ignored him and began angrily pacing up and down the hall continuing to wield the stick in his hand. Soon the anger evaporated and he started to smile and talk to himself which Shri Parulekar could not understand. He continued to pace up and down the hall as if there was no one in the vicinity.

From the corner where he was sitting, Shri Parulekar was watching closely this strange sight. This monk did not show that he was conscious of his body and had any connection to the outside world. He appeared to be fearless, powerful, self-absorbed, tall, and robust. After some time, he slowed down his pace of walking moved to the far end of the hall and sat on the steps of a room. Shri Parulekar who watched the strange behavior suddenly experienced great peace and bliss just by looking at the figure. Suddenly, the monk addressed him in broken Marathi “Have you taken a bath in the Kund? Did you go to Vajreshwari and have Darshan of Vajrabai before you came here?”

Shri Parulekar realized that he must not have followed to norms for having Swami’s Darshan. He got up from the place where he was sitting and prostrated at Baba and quietly left to have a bath in Kunda.

 

After his bath, he took a Tanga–horse carriage to take him to Vajreshwari and back.

At Vajreshwari, he had Darshan of Vajreshwaridevi and came back to Ganeshpuri.

He went inside the Vaikuntha Ashram and took his place quietly in the corner. Baba looked at him and began to speak “The water in Kuna is heated because of deposits of Ghandhak – Sulfur in the earth. This water has medicinal properties and can cure arthritis and various skin diseases. These Kunds is Kotiteerth.” Seeing Baba appearing more pleasant and approachable, Shri Parulekar moved close to where Baba was sitting. He goes to look at Baba very closely. He found love flowing from the eyes of Baba. The person that he saw a few hours ago was missing and instead, a motherly figure was sitting in front of him. Shri Parulekar was mesmerized by the beautiful and pleasing hallow around Baba. Both remained silent for some time.

Shri Parulekar was basking in the divine light of Baba when suddenly Baba asked him “Where have you come from? What do you do?” Without waiting to hear the answer, Baba continued raising the stick that He was still holding in His hand “Now leave immediately. Go do your duty.” Shri Parulekar immediately stood up and prostrated at His Feet and with mixed feelings of fear, concern, and expectations said “I am shortly beginning my practice as an Advocate. I have come for your blessings and guidance to begin my life.”

Baba’s Guidance

Upon his return, Shri Parulekar noticed a remarkable transformation in Baba’s presence. The once-fierce figure now exuded maternal love and divine radiance. As they sat in silence, Baba imparted profound guidance:

  • “Nirmal Man” (Pure Mind)
  • “Nischal Man” (Steady Mind)
  • “Vishal Man” (Expansive Mind)
  • “Sudha Bhavana” (Pure Intentions)
  • “Vivek and Buddhi” (Wisdom and Intelligence)

Baba emphasized the qualities essential for Shri Parulekar’s dual roles as a righteous advocate and spiritual seeker. His parting words, “Now go and do your duty,” resonated deeply, inspiring Shri Parulekar to integrate spiritual values into his professional life.

He paused and looked at Shri Parulekar way a father sees off his son embarking to start his life “Keep Sudha Bhavana. Develop your mind and develop your brainpower. Apply Vivek and Buddhi in your actions. Have Sadbhavan and Smirti.”

Shri Parulekar remained grounded for some time, fully drenched under Baba’s love. Not a word was spoken. Then Baba said lovingly raising the stick as if in benediction “Now go away. Go and do your duty.” Shri Parulekar tightly closed his eyes as if he wanted to lock the loving words and divine figure of Bhagavan Nityananda deep inside his being. He moved respectfully backwards and made his way out of the Ashram.

Shri Parulekar walked up to the main road and caught the bus for Bhivandi. He sat silently in the bus while the divine figure of Baba was still moving before his eyes and His words were still heard in his ears. He began to introspect and think deeply about what Baba gave to him as ‘Bhod’. Baba told him to sublime his mind until it became pure, steady, and all-pervasive. For that, Baba asked him to work on his mind so that it did not waver under worldly pressures and attractions. If he introspects and develops his brain then he can have control over his mind. Whenever he had to make a decision, he had to use his Vivek –Conscience, and Buddhi –Intelligence. He should treat all equally without discrimination. He should have a strong memory and be so alert that he should not fall prey to temptations. Be pure and righteous towards all. Baba thus guided him on how an Advocate should be. Any advocate who is committed to getting justice should have these qualities to give service to society. Shri Parulekar adhered to what Baba asked him to follow in doing his duty as an advocate while still pursuing a spiritual path. He thus lived all his life with Bhagavan Nityananda. Thus Shri Parulekar found his Lord Vitthal.

A Life Transformed

Shri Parulekar thus began his career with the blessings of Baba and His guidance. Every day he used to pray to Bhagavan Nityananda and contemplate what He had said to him so that His words became a guiding force for him. He gained the name as a lawyer and progressed in his life. He felt Baba’s presence every moment of his life and strongly believed that it was only Baba who guided him through many difficulties and that His supreme power was leading him to spiritual growth.

The only person he had shared about his meeting with Baba was his mother. On hearing him, his mother expressed her desire to have Darshan on Baba. So once again he made a trip to go to Ganeshpuri along with his mother. This time when he went, he went with greater confidence. They entered the Vaikuntha Ahram hall and went straight to where Baba was. He was sitting on a wooden bench facing away from them looking out of the window. Shri Parulekar prostrated at Him and said “I have brought my mother for your Darshan.” Without looking at them Baba asked “People come to ask for children. Does anyone come here asking for God?”

They were stunned by this question and had no immediate answer. Shri Parulekar wished to experience only God but did not say it loudly. Baba again repeated “Nirmal Man, Nischal Man, Vishal Man. This time He added one more quality to have “Dhyana –Concentration”. He then said, “Now go away.” Just then they saw a marriage procession from the village arrive to have His Darshan. They were playing loud music with drums and a local instrument like Shenai. When they reached inside, all of them bowed low to Him. The bride and bridegroom prostrated at His Feet and sought His blessings. There was a huge pile of coconuts and bananas that were lying on the ground near Him. Suddenly He turned and asked the newly wedded couple to take them. He pointed out to the pile of coconuts and bananas and said “Take them all and go.” The couple and the relatives collected them in a cloth carefully and accepted them as Prasad. They once again bowed to Him and took His leave. As they were about to turn and go Baba threw towards them a new saree and dhoti and said “Take this too and go.” Except for the pile of bananas and coconuts, there was nothing around Baba. He was sitting on a wooden bench which had nothing on it. Shri Parulekar and his mother wondered how these brand-new clothes, which were nicely wrapped and unopened, instantly appeared from nowhere. As they were wondering, He again said “Now go away from here.”

He and his mother bowed to Baba and left. On his way back home he pondered on the word Dhyana and kept on wondering how the new set of clothes appeared from nowhere. He suddenly became aware that there was a strange pull within him towards Baba. He could not get Him out of his thoughts. Whenever he was free, he thought of Baba and expanded on the attributes that Baba had mentioned to him to inculcate in his life. Now he had one more to work on Dhyana.

Shri Parulekar married Smt. Krishna Bai, another devotee of Bhagavan. Smt. Krishna Bai was from the G. S. B community living in Talmiki Wadi, Girgaon, Mumbai. She came to Baba in search of guidance on undertaking a spiritual journey. She was very beautiful and her parents were quite concerned about her desire to become a monk. They wanted her to marry and settle down. She was educated, intelligent, and had a very strong personality. Finding an eligible boy would not have posed any problem. But Krishna Bai wanted to be a monk and spent much of her time in Ganeshpuri in meditation and prayers. One day she expressed her desire to join Ramkrishna Mission. She asked Baba and He gave her permission to go and join the mission as a Sannyasin. She went to their Math and registered as a resident monk. But it so happened that as a precondition she was asked to shave her head. Krishna Bai was extraordinarily beautiful and this precondition of shaving her head did go not well with her. She left the mission and returned to her parents. Once again she came to Baba and conveyed that she had given up her idea to become a monk. Baba recommended that she should marry. Her parents were worried that having taken Sanyas Diksha, how could she now go back to Grahashram. Baba told them “She has taken only a dress of Sanyasi and has not become one. They thus set out for matchmaking but Baba recommended that she be married to advocate Shri Parulekar. Initially, they resisted as they wanted to look for a boy in their community but later they relented and the marriage took place with Baba’s blessings.

Smt. Krishna Bai led a group of devotees who were learned and intellectuals. They wrote several books on Bhagavan Nitynanada, His teaching, and Sadhana methods. Many young devotees came together and shared their experiences.

All his life Shri Dinkar Parulekar lived by the principles taught to him by Baba. In his professional and personal life, he inculcated the values of Nirmal Man, Nischal Man, Vishal Man, Sudhabhavana, and Sadbhavana.   He took time for Dhyana – meditation. The question posed by Baba “Does anybody come ‘Here’ to ask for God?” made a deep impression on his mind. He felt that this question was for him and that he should seek God and not for worldly matters. He continued his spiritual pursuit all his life. He was close to Swami Muktananda and was guided into Shaktipath. He was one of the first who wrote the biography of Bhagavan Nityananda. Tujha Visar Nah Vavha, written in 1961 and duly blessed by Bhagavan Nityananda,  is one of the source documents for aspirants who wish to learn and study the life and teachings of Bhagavan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri.

Through Baba’s grace, Shri Parulekar’s life was a harmonious blend of worldly duty and spiritual evolution. His devotion found expression in his writings, particularly Tujha Visara Na Vavha, a timeless tribute to Bhagavan Nityananda that continues to inspire devotees.

Shri Parulekar’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of surrender, steadfastness, and the guidance of a true Sadguru. His legacy as a devotee, advocate, and chronicler of Baba’s Leelas remains an enduring source of inspiration.