Shri Advocate Parulekar
Shri Advocate Dinkar Mukund Parulekar
A Seeker, Devotee, and Documentarian of Bhagavan Nityananda’s Grace
Shri Dinkar Mukund Parulekar, a practising Advocate at the High Court in Bombay, was not only an accomplished legal professional but also a deep and dedicated spiritual aspirant. Known for his refined intellect and sincere devotion, Shri Parulekar occupies a special place among the early chroniclers of Bhagavan Nityananda’s divine life. He was among the first to compile and document the mystical experiences, teachings, and transformative Leelas of Bhagavan’s devotees into a written form. His literary devotion culminated in the heartfelt offering of the book ‘Tujha Visara Na Vavha’ (translated as May I Never Forget You or Lest I Forget You) in March 1961.
The book, a labour of love and reverence, was personally placed at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan Nityananda—an act symbolic of total surrender and divine offering. A rare and significant moment in spiritual history was captured by the eminent photographer Shri M. D. Suvarna: Bhagavan Nityananda Himself holding this sacred book, acknowledging the bhakti and effort of Shri Parulekar. This picture continues to serve as a silent testimony of the blessed interaction between the devotee and the Divine.
Shri Parulekar’s relationship with Bhagavan was not simply that of reverence from afar—he was a sincere seeker who undertook an exhaustive study of Baba’s Leela, the mystic experiences of His devotees, and the subtle layers of His teachings. Through conversations, observations, and lived experiences, he compiled these into a work that has inspired many devotees on the path of Guru Krupa Yoga.
Our family had the privilege of knowing Shri Parulekar personally. He was a close friend and would often visit us. During these visits, he and my family would exchange heartfelt discussions and reflections on their experiences of Bhagavan’s grace. These conversations, charged with devotion, inquiry, and awe, formed an intimate spiritual circle of remembrance and gratitude to the Sadguru.
The Search for a Sadguru
Shri Parulekar’s spiritual journey was earnest and introspective. He was not only educated but also contemplative, a man of refined sensibility who merged intellectual discipline with a longing for the Divine. Around 1948–49, just after appearing for his final examination in Law from Bombay University, he found himself at a pivotal crossroads. He was on the threshold of beginning his professional career as a lawyer—a moment of significant personal transformation.
At this juncture, a deep inner call stirred within him: before stepping into the world of law and responsibility, he felt an intense urge to seek the blessings and guidance of a true Guru—a Sadguru who could offer not just worldly advice but spiritual anchorage. Coming from a devout family that worshipped Lord Vittal of Pandharpur as their Aradhya Devata (Chosen Deity), his upbringing was steeped in traditional devotion and religious discipline. However, his heart longed for a more direct and transformative spiritual experience—something that could take him beyond rituals and immerse him in the mystery of Divine Presence.
This was also a time when India had freshly emerged from the yoke of colonialism and was undergoing a cultural, social, and spiritual reawakening. Many young seekers of that era—educated yet spiritually thirsty—were exploring paths of inner discovery. Shri Parulekar, too, was among those inwardly inspired by this wave of transformation. His quest eventually led him to the divine presence of Bhagavan Nityananda—a presence that needed no words, no explanations, only inner readiness.
Bhagavan Nityananda’s silent transmission, unconditional love, and mysterious ways answered Shri Parulekar’s innermost yearning. From that point onward, his life became a living sadhana—a quiet expression of bhakti through thought, word, and deed. His writing, especially Tujha Visara Na Vavha, is not just a record of Baba’s leelas but a map of a seeker’s journey from search to surrender, from doubt to devotion.
The First Encounter: Fire at the Threshold
Driven by a growing inner compulsion that defied logic, Shri Parulekar felt an irresistible urge to visit Ganeshpuri—a name that had suddenly become luminous in his inner world. He had heard whispers of a great sage, Bhagavan Nityananda, whose silence spoke volumes and whose presence transformed lives. Acting on faith alone, he set out on this journey, unaware that it would mark the beginning of a lifelong spiritual metamorphosis.
The journey to Ganeshpuri in those days was far from easy. There were no paved roads, no modern conveniences. The land was largely wild, untamed, and unwelcoming to the unprepared traveller. After a long, exhausting ride and soaked in sweat under the unforgiving midday sun, he finally arrived at Ganeshpuri. But what he found took him by surprise.
This “Ganeshpuri” was no spiritual township. It was a remote jungle, isolated from the rhythms of the world. There were no signs of hospitality—no resting places, no ashram gates, no welcome archways. Instead, there was wilderness: tall grasses growing four to five feet high, thorny shrubs clawing at passersby, jagged boulders, and pothole-ridden paths. The air hung heavy with heat and silence.
He asked whoever he came across, “Where does Swami Nityananda reside?” Most villagers simply gestured vaguely, unable to give clear directions. Shri Parulekar was puzzled—how could a saint spoken of so highly, one whose greatness had been extolled to him by many, live in such obscurity without even a proper ashram?
Just when frustration was beginning to take hold, he met a group of South Indian laborers. In a mix of broken Hindi and Tulu, they offered a clue:
“See that dome? Shiva Mandir. Nearby, there’s a Kund. Close to it is Vaikuntha Ashram—Swami stays there.”
The moment he heard these words, something within him stirred. The stillness broke into motion. His pulse quickened. There was a flutter of anticipation in his chest. Could this be the place? The long-awaited moment of meeting his Sadguru suddenly felt imminent. He began walking toward the Shiva temple, eyes scanning for signs of the mysterious Swami.
What he found was a modest structure—Vaikuntha Ashram. It was not an imposing temple nor a palatial hermitage. It was a simple hall with a few dark rooms attached. The windows, if any, were shuttered or absent. Light barely entered. The place felt more like a cavern than a dwelling. With cautious steps and beating heart, Shri Parulekar entered the dim hall, unsure of what—or whom—he might find.
From the corner of the dimly lit hall where he had seated himself resolutely, Shri Parulekar watched the unfolding scene with a blend of trepidation and wonder. The figure pacing before him—this towering, almost primal monk—seemed untouched by the world around him. He walked with the detachment of someone completely immersed in an inner world, a being utterly disconnected from physicality or the norms of ordinary human interaction. He neither acknowledged the presence of Shri Parulekar nor appeared to be aware of anything beyond his own rhythmic pacing and sporadic utterances.
Despite the fear that had initially gripped him, Shri Parulekar found himself slowly entranced. The longer he gazed at this mysterious yogi, the more his agitation began to melt. A subtle shift occurred within him—a wave of inexplicable calm began to arise. The tumult of thoughts, doubts, and physical exhaustion from the journey seemed to dissolve into a tranquil stillness. There was something magnetic about the presence of the monk—fearless and powerful, yes, but also luminous, absorbed, and aloof in the way that only one who has gone beyond the ego can be.
Eventually, the monk slowed his pace. His footfalls, once brisk and determined, now softened. He walked to the far end of the hall and sat on the steps leading to a small, shadowed room. In the gentle hush that followed, Shri Parulekar’s gaze remained fixed on him. Then, as if breaking through an invisible veil, the monk suddenly spoke.
In broken Marathi, with a tone that carried neither welcome nor hostility, he asked,
“Kundāt snān kela ka? Vajreshwarīlā darshan ghetlās ka?”(“Have you bathed in the Kund? Did you go to Vajreshwari and have the Darshan of Vajrabai before coming here?”)
The unexpected question struck Shri Parulekar like a revelation. It became clear that, in his eagerness to meet the great saint, he had overlooked the sacred protocols of approaching a divine presence. He had come unprepared, spiritually unripe for the encounter. He rose immediately, prostrated before Baba without a word, and quietly left the Ashram to fulfil what now seemed to be a necessary inner and outer purification.
Down at the Kund, he immersed himself in the steaming mineral-rich waters, letting the warmth seep into his bones, both soothing his body and silently preparing his mind. Afterwards, he hired a tanga—an old-fashioned horse carriage—and made his way through the dusty road to Vajreshwari. There, he had Darshan of the fierce yet benevolent Goddess Vajreshwari—Vajrabai—whose presence seemed to cleanse his heart. With a sense of reverence now kindled within him, he made his way back to Ganeshpuri, his mind calmer, his purpose clarified.
Tanga
Back inside Vaikuntha Ashram, he quietly resumed his seat in the corner, more humble, more inward.
This time, Baba looked at him with a softness that hadn’t been visible before. With no trace of anger or agitation, Baba began to speak in a gentle tone:
“The water in the Kund is warm because of the Ghandhak—sulphur—deposits under the earth. It has healing properties. It cures arthritis, skin ailments. These waters are Kotiteerth—a holy pilgrimage in itself.”
As Baba spoke, Shri Parulekar felt a magnetic pull toward him. The figure before him was no longer the wild, wrathful ascetic he had encountered earlier. The transformation was profound. Sitting before him now was a being radiating peace and maternal warmth. There was love—not merely kindness, but the unconditional, formless love of a mother—shining from Baba’s eyes.
Encouraged by the shift, Shri Parulekar moved closer, silently requesting the permission to sit close to Baba. Baba allowed him to draw near without word or gesture, and as Shri Parulekar sat at his feet, he took in every detail. The powerful frame, the radiance around him, the peace that seemed to throb through the air itself—everything now appeared different, sanctified. There was no speech between them, and yet an entire world of understanding passed in that silence.
Something deep within Shri Parulekar melted in that moment—his pride, his doubt, his intellectual rigidity. He sat still, overwhelmed by the grace and the mystery of the encounter. He realised that this was no ordinary saint. This was someone who broke seekers down, only to rebuild them inwardly, from a place of truth. The fierce outer display was only the fire that purified.
And now, the cooling balm of grace had begun to flow.
As Shri Parulekar sat quietly in the presence of this majestic, mysterious saint, a silent inner warmth enveloped him. The outer storm had passed, and he now felt as if he were basking in a sacred radiance—a light not of this world. There was no doubt in his heart: this was no ordinary monk. This was a being of immense spiritual stature, a living embodiment of divine consciousness who saw far beyond the surface of appearances.
Just as he was beginning to relax into the peace of that silence, Baba turned toward him sharply. His penetrating gaze landed directly on Shri Parulekar. With a tone that mixed command with curiosity, Baba asked,
“Kuthun aalā tu? Kāy karto?”
(“Where have you come from? What do you do?”)
But even before Shri Parulekar could open his mouth to respond, Baba raised the stick that still hadn’t left His hand—almost as if it were a sceptre of divine authority—and said with firm finality,
“Ata jā. Ja, kartavya pūrṇ kar.”
(“Now leave immediately. Go do your duty.”)
The words were sharp, direct, almost dismissive. The serenity Shri Parulekar had just tasted seemed to falter. He was caught off guard, unsure whether this meant he was being sent away for good. Was this another test? Or was the Master indeed rejecting him?
With a rush of emotion—equal parts humility, fear, confusion, and yearning—Shri Parulekar rose, bent down, and placed his forehead at Baba’s feet. Trembling slightly, he spoke from the depths of his heart:
“Baba, I am about to begin my practice as an Advocate. I have come to seek your blessings and guidance as I prepare to begin my life.”
There was a pause. Time seemed to hang still.
Then Baba’s expression changed again. The severe countenance softened. The stern mask gave way to a profound gentleness that seemed to arise from an infinite reservoir of compassion. He looked at Shri Parulekar not as a teacher to a student, but as a mother might look at a child stepping out into the world for the first time.
Baba now spoke with measured gravity, his voice low but charged with meaning:
“Kartavya kara. Punyāne kama kara. Duniya chukli ahe mhanun tu chukū naye. Vyavasāyat pāvitrate thew. Satya hech shastra ahe.”
(“Do your duty. Work with merit and righteousness. Just because the world has strayed, does not mean you should stray. Maintain purity in your profession. Truth is your only weapon.”)
These were not just words. They were upadesh—a sacred instruction, not only for Shri Parulekar, but for all who would walk the path of Dharma in a world fraught with deceit and ambition.
Baba continued,
“Āpan sādhak astān jase antarmukh rahato, tasa vyavahārik jīvanāt pan rahile pahije. Sāchā mārg kadhi sodū naye. Kartavya sodū naye. Vāsanā sodūn karma kara.”
(“Just as a seeker turns inward on the spiritual path, so too must one remain inwardly anchored while living in the world. Never abandon the path of truth. Never abandon your duty. Renounce desire, and act with detachment.”)
Shri Parulekar listened, each word falling into his heart like a seed. This was no ordinary career advice. It was a guiding light from one who could see not just the direction of a profession, but the karmic path of a soul.
He felt as though Baba had seen straight through him, to his sincerity, his longing, and his hidden fears about entering a profession that often tempted one into compromise. In those few moments, Baba had not only acknowledged his inner struggle but also offered a way to live in the world without being of it.
Baba then looked away, as if to indicate the conversation was over, not out of disregard, but as a nudge for Shri Parulekar to begin walking the path on his own feet. There was nothing more to be said. The real initiation had already happened—not with mantras, not with rituals, but with a divine look, a testing fire, and a few words of eternal wisdom.
Shri Parulekar prostrated once again. His heart was full—reverence, awe, and clarity blending in a sacred harmony. With renewed faith and inner strength, he turned to leave, carrying Baba’s blessings deep within the silence of his being.
That moment, brief as it may have seemed, had altered the entire course of his life.
Baba’s Guidance
Upon his return from Vajreshwari, having fulfilled the silent instructions given to him earlier, Shri Parulekar once again entered the sacred precincts of the Ashram. But this time, everything felt different. The earlier vision of Baba as an aloof, almost fearsome ascetic had melted away. What now emanated from Baba was an overwhelming sense of divine tenderness. The same stick that had commanded silence and distance now seemed to carry the gentleness of a mother’s touch and the protection of a father’s hand.
As Shri Parulekar sat before Him, a deep silence settled—not just in the hall, but within himself. Baba did not speak immediately, but when He finally did, His voice was soft, nurturing, yet deeply authoritative.
He looked into Shri Parulekar’s eyes as if gazing straight into his soul and said:
“Nirmal Man.” (A pure mind—untainted by ego, hatred, or selfish desires.)
“Nischal Man.” (A steady mind—unshaken by success or failure, praise or blame.)
“Vishal Man.” (An expansive mind—that holds space for all beings without judgment.)
“Sudha Bhavana.” (Pure intentions—free of cunning, rooted in love and Dharma.)
“Vivek aani Buddhi.” (Discrimination and intelligence—the compass to navigate the world righteously.)
Each word was not just an instruction—it was a seed of transformation. Baba was not merely advising; He was moulding a life, shaping a soul.
A Life Transformed
With the blessings and direct guidance of Bhagavan Nityananda, Shri Parulekar began the journey of his professional and spiritual life. Each morning, before setting out to the court, he would sit quietly and meditate on Baba’s words. They were not mere teachings to him, but living mantras—living shaktis—that gradually shaped his mind and intentions. The phrases “Nirmal Man, Nischal Man, Vishal Man, Sudha Bhavana, Vivek, Buddhi” echoed silently within him like the gentle murmur of a sacred river. As an advocate in a field known for complexity, moral dilemmas, and worldly entanglements, Baba’s words became his compass. He never made a move without contemplating their deeper significance.
Over time, he gained recognition for his integrity and deep commitment to justice. Those who approached him for legal help were often touched by his calm presence and honest approach. Yet, Shri Parulekar never attributed his progress to personal merit. He believed, with unwavering faith, that it was only Baba who carried him across life’s challenges. In court, in solitude, in the shifting tides of joy and sorrow, he felt Baba’s invisible hand guiding him, protecting him, and deepening his spiritual awareness.
Though the world saw a competent and respected lawyer, within, Shri Parulekar remained a devoted seeker, walking the path silently with his Guru’s grace as his only strength. The experience at Ganeshpuri remained sacred and private to him, so deep that he had only ever shared it with his beloved mother. Listening to her son’s account, she too yearned for Baba’s darshan. And so, a second journey to Ganeshpuri was undertaken—this time not in doubt or hesitation, but with faith glowing bright in his heart.
They arrived at Vaikuntha Ashram and quietly entered the hall where Baba was seated. This time, Shri Parulekar noticed a quiet radiance in Baba’s demeanour, as He sat facing the open window, His gaze immersed in the vast beyond. Parulekar offered full prostration and humbly said, “Baba, I have brought my mother for your darshan.”
Without turning, Baba replied in a thunderous yet serene voice:
“People come here to ask for children. Does anyone come here asking for God?”
The words stunned them. The question was direct, sharp, and unsettling. Shri Parulekar had always longed for God, not for worldly gains, but in that moment, he found no voice to articulate it. The silence that followed was filled with Baba’s divine presence.
Then, Baba spoke again:
“Nirmal Man, Nischal Man, Vishal Man.”
But this time, He added a new instruction:
“Dhyana – Concentration.”
The guidance was now complete—Baba was not merely instructing him to purify the mind and expand it, but to anchor it in stillness, to turn within, to meditate deeply. It was a call to cultivate one-pointed awareness, the key to self-realisation.
As they sat in awe, a sudden burst of celebration entered the room—a village wedding procession arrived, complete with beating drums and the lilting music of the shehnai. The newlywed couple, adorned in traditional finery, approached Baba reverently and bowed at His feet. Around Baba lay a large pile of bananas and coconuts, as if nature itself had offered them.
Without ceremony, Baba gestured to the bride and groom:
“Take them all and go.”
The villagers gathered the fruit with care, grateful for the Prasad. Just as they turned to leave, Baba threw a brand-new saree and dhoti toward them, saying:
“Take this too and go.”
What astonished everyone, including Shri Parulekar and his mother, was that there was no visible source for these fresh, neatly packed clothes. Baba sat on a bare wooden bench. There was nothing near Him. Yet, these objects appeared as if from the unseen—materialising through divine will.
Shri Parulekar’s heart stirred. Here was a Master not bound by the laws of the world. Baba, the divine alchemist, who turned the formless into form and who wrapped his teachings in simple words yet with immeasurable grace.
Once again, Baba turned to them and said,
“Now go away from here.”
Silently, they bowed and left. On their way back, Shri Parulekar was lost in contemplation. The word “Dhyana” now echoed within him like a divine bell. His rational mind kept circling back to the sudden materialisation of the saree and dhoti, but another part of him—his heart—knew that this was Baba’s play, His Leela, meant to awaken something deeper.
From that day, a quiet transformation took root. Whenever Shri Parulekar found a moment away from his legal duties, his mind would naturally gravitate toward Baba. He could no longer escape the pull. Baba’s form, Baba’s words, Baba’s silence—these became his constant companions. He began spending more time in solitude, reflecting on the divine attributes Baba had instructed him to cultivate: purity, steadiness, expansiveness, pure intention, intellect, discernment, and now deep concentration.
A new life had begun within. What was once a visit had now become an inner pilgrimage.
And through this pilgrimage, Shri Parulekar did not merely serve in the court of law—he served in the court of dharma.
He had found not just a Guru, but his Lord Vitthal—not in stone, nor in a temple, but as the living God who transformed his life from within.
There are 3 comments on this post
Very Inspire me and touching story.
Tuz visar na vhava can send me in marathi.
Thank you Archanaji for your kind response.
This book was published long back and no copies are available. If I get one, I shall give you.
In His Prem,
Gopalkrishna
So blessed Souls! Thank you Gopal Krishna Shinoy ji!
We get many answers from such great devotees' life.
🙏🏻🌺🙏🏻