Windows to Grace

Five Days to Seek the Blessings of Bhagavan Nityananda

Throughout the year, there are moments when the unseen doors of the Divine seem to open a little wider, when the currents of grace flow more tangibly, and the soul feels drawn to its eternal source. For devotees of Bhagavan Nityananda, these are not merely dates on a calendar — they are sacred invitations.

Bhagavan Nityananda, the ever-compassionate Sadguru, continues to guide seekers through His silent presence and boundless benevolence. On certain auspicious days, as revealed by Shree Shaligram Swami, His Shakti manifests in a heightened, all-embracing way. These days are spiritual milestones — opportunities to dissolve obstacles, awaken inner strength, and draw closer to the Divine.

In this article, we journey through five such luminous occasions: sacred alignments in time when Bhagavan’s blessings are freely and abundantly available to all who approach Him with faith and devotion. Whether in the quiet sanctity of Ganeshpuri, the charged atmosphere of Mahul Ashram, or the humble altar of one’s own home, these moments invite us to step into the timeless, to receive, and to remember that the Guru’s grace knows no bounds. While I do this, let me first bring forth and share how the ancient Indian spiritual philosophy views human suffering.

Ādhibhautika, Ādhidaivika, and Ādhyātmika — these terms originate from ancient Indian spiritual philosophy and describe the three primary categories of suffering or hurdles that humans encounter in life.
They are explained in scriptures such as the Bhagavata Purana, Yoga Vasistha, and various Upanishads, and they remain relevant today because they encompass the full range of difficulties we encounter — from the physical to the cosmic, to the deeply personal.

  1. Ādhibhautika Hurdles – From the Physical / Material World
  • Meaning: “Bhuta” means elements or beings; “Ādhibhautika” refers to troubles that come from other living beings or the physical world.
  • Nature: These are external, tangible, and sensory challenges — things that arise from the environment or other people/creatures.
  • Examples:
    • Harm from other humans (conflict, injustice, violence, exploitation)
    • Attacks by animals, insects, or pests
    • Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, storms
    • Accidents, injuries, or physical obstacles
  • Spiritual Insight:
    These challenges test our patience, resilience, and ability to respond without hatred or revenge. In yogic understanding, they’re linked to the gross body ūla sharīra).
  1. Ādhidaivika Hurdles – From Higher Cosmic Forces
  • Meaning: “Deva” means divine being or celestial force; “Ādhidaivika” refers to troubles arising from gods, planets, or subtle energies beyond direct human control.
  • Nature: These are influences from natural laws and cosmic order that shape destiny but are not entirely visible or predictable.
  • Examples:
    • Effects of planetary positions (graha dosha, astrology-related karmic influences)
    • Seasonal changes causing disease or hardship
    • Lightning, drought, heavy rains beyond human control
    • Invisible spiritual forces or energies affecting life (both benevolent and malevolent)
  • Spiritual Insight:
    These hurdles remind us that human will is part of a larger cosmic play. They encourage surrender to divine will and balance with natural forces.
  1. Ādhyātmika Hurdles – From Within Oneself
  • Meaning: “Ātma” means self or soul; “Ādhyātmika” refers to troubles originating from the mind, body, or spiritual state of the individual.
  • Nature: These are internal struggles — mental, emotional, or spiritual — that arise from our own conditioning, ignorance, or unresolved karma.
  • Examples:
    • Mental distress: anxiety, depression, overthinking
    • Emotional pain: jealousy, anger, grief, attachment
    • Spiritual doubt, lack of purpose, restlessness
    • Physical illness caused by one’s own habits or neglect
  • Spiritual Insight:
    These are the deepest and most personal challenges because they require self-awareness and transformation to overcome. No one else can entirely remove them for us.

How These Three Work Together

  • They are not isolated — a single event can involve all three.
    Example: A disease (Ādhibhautika) may be worsened by planetary periods (Ādhidaivika) and aggravated by mental stress (Ādhyātmika).
  • In Vedanta and Yoga, the ultimate freedom (moksha) comes when one transcends all three kinds of suffering by realising the Self (Ātman) is untouched by them.

Darshan of Sadguru can mitigate the impacts of various sufferings

Shree Shaligram Swamiji often relates that Darshana and blessings of Bhagavan Nityananda can balance the Panchamahabhuta (five elements) and dissolve these three types of hurdles:

  • His energy harmonises the Ādhibhautika by creating peace in relationships and the environment.
  • His grace mitigates the Ādhidaivika by neutralising unfavourable cosmic influences.
  • His presence soothes the Ādhyātmika by stilling the restless mind and awakening inner strength.

Now, let us study five uminous occasions: sacred alignments in time when Bhagavan’s blessings are freely and abundantly available to all who approach Him with faith and devotion.

Five distinct days in a year, Shree Shaligram Swamiji has strongly recommended having the Darshan of Bhagavan Nityananda. To make our lives successful and also to ward off all hurdles that hinder our spiritual progress, we must have the Darshan of Bhagavan Nityananda on these five specific days, and this is blessed by Shree Shaligram Swamiji.

  1. Shravan Sudha Poornima – A Day of Bond, Duty, and Responsibility

Shravan Purnima, falling on the full moon day of the auspicious Shravan month, is celebrated across India in different ways, carrying layers of meaning. In many parts of the country, it is observed as Raksha Bandhan, a festival that honours the sacred bond between brother and sister. In the southern traditions, it is also the day for Upakarma — the changing of the janeu (sacred thread).

The Sacred Thread and Its Meaning

The changing of the janeu is far more than a ritual — it is a yearly renewal of commitment to the three great debts (ṛinas) that every human being is born with:

  1. Pitru Rina – Responsibility toward one’s parents and ancestors, honouring the past generation that gave us life.
  2. Rishi Rina – Responsibility toward society and the sages, contributing positively to the present generation.
  3. Deva Rina – Responsibility toward the Divine and towards knowledge, ensuring the preservation and growth of wisdom for future generations.

The janeu has three strands to symbolise these three responsibilities. Wearing it on the shoulder is a constant reminder that life is not just about self-interest — it is a sacred duty to live with accountability to the past, present, and future. In ancient days, this sacred thread was not restricted to men or a particular caste. Women, too, regardless of their varna — whether Brahmin, Vaishya, Kshatriya, or Shudra — wore it, for responsibility is universal. Over time, the practice narrowed, but its essence remains timeless.

Purity of Thought, Word, and Deed

Alongside responsibility, the janeu also signifies purity in body, mind, and speech. This tri-fold purity ensures that our responsibilities are carried out not as a burden but as a conscious and noble act. Only a responsible and pure-hearted person can perform duties — whether in worldly life or on the spiritual path — with true skill and effectiveness.

Raksha Bandhan – The Bond of Protection

On Shravan Purnima, in the festival of Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie the rakhi on the wrist of their brothers, symbolising a bond of mutual protection. This is not limited to biological siblings — a rakhi can be tied to anyone one regards as a brother. The act represents trust, care, and a vow to stand by one another in times of need.

Mind and the Moon

The timing of this festival is significant. The mind (manas) and the moon (chandra) are deeply interconnected, as the Vedas declare:

Chandrama Manaso Jata — “The moon is born from the mind.”

Just as the full moon affects the tides, it also influences the mind’s ebb and flow. On the full moon of Shravan, the mind is at its peak receptivity. Therefore, it is an ideal time to reaffirm bonds, renew responsibilities, and refocus the mind toward purity and commitment.

A Day of Renewal

Whether celebrated through Upakarma with the renewal of the sacred thread, or through Raksha Bandhan with the renewal of protective relationships, Shravan Purnima stands as a day of renewal — renewal of duties, of purity, of bonds, and of resolve to live responsibly. It reminds us that skill, ability, and spiritual growth are rooted not in privilege but in a willingness to take responsibility for ourselves and for the world around us.

Shrawan Sudha Poornima – Darshan of Bhagavan Nityananda and the Balancing of the Panchamahabhut

Thus, the full moon of Shravan Sudha Purnima is a sacred day celebrated in many traditions — as Raksha Bandhan, as the time for Upakarma, and as a day of spiritual renewal. But for devotees of the Datta lineage, this day carries a profound significance rooted in the blessings of Shri Shripad Shri Vallabha and the living presence of Bhagavan Nityananda in Ganeshpuri.

Shripad Shri Vallabha’s Divine Assurance

In the Shri Shripad Shrivallabha Charitra Amrit, Shri Shripad Swamiji recounts the divine words of Shripad Shri Vallabha:

“On the auspicious day of Shravan Shuddha Purnima, my sister Vasavi Kanyaka tied a Rakhi to me. This is a meritorious day. On this day, any devotee who comes to my presence in Pitikapuri will have great merit written in their destiny by Chitragupta. I am the authority for all these devotees. My divine actions are self-evident. How can the sun testify to itself?”

This is no ordinary promise — it is an eternal assurance that devotees who approach the Guru on this day receive divine intervention in their destiny. Just as Chitragupta, the celestial recorder of karmas, writes each soul’s account, so too does the Guru, out of boundless compassion, inscribe auspiciousness into the lives of those who come before Him with faith.

Shree Shaligram Swamiji’s Guidance for This Day

Shree Shaligram Swamiji has advised that on this full moon day, devotees should visit Ganeshpuri and take Darshana of Bhagavan Nityananda. Swamiji prostrate at His Lotus Feet, for it is here that the Panchamahabhut — the five great elements (Prithvi – earth, Jala – water, Agni – fire, Vayu – air, and Akasha – space) — manifest in harmony.

Why the Panchamahabhut Matter

The Panchamahabhut are not only the building blocks of the external world — they also constitute our body and mind.

  • When these elements are in balance, we enjoy health, clarity, and stability.
  • When they are disturbed, we face illness, agitation, and imbalance in our lives.

By having Darshan of Bhagavan Nityananda on this day, devotees invite His grace to balance these five elements within themselves. This divine alignment supports physical vitality, mental peace, and spiritual steadiness.

The Promise of Care and Protection

Shree Shaligram Swamiji echoes the assurance of Shri Shripad Shri Vallabha — that those who visit the Guru on this day and surrender at His feet will be cared for, guided, and protected. Bhagavan Nityananda’s blessings can bring about a quiet transformation, ensuring that what is essential for a healthy and harmonious life — be it material needs, inner stability, or spiritual clarity — is facilitated by His will.

A Day to Renew Body, Mind, and Spirit

Thus, Shravan Sudha Purnima becomes not just a festival of protection between siblings, but also a day of protection from within — where the Guru’s grace guards our health, destiny, and spiritual progress. Offering a coconut, receiving His Darshan, and surrendering our being to Bhagavan Nityananda on this day is to align ourselves with the cosmic balance of the Panchamahabhut, ensuring a life that is steady, pure, and prosperous.

2. Yogastami – The Day All Yogic Powers Rest at the Guru’s Feet

In the month of Bhadrapada, on the bright fortnight’s eighth day (Shukla Paksha Ashtami), a spiritually potent occasion known as Yogastami is observed. This day often aligns with Radha Ashtami, celebrating the divine birth of Goddess Radha, and with Masik Durgashtami, a monthly day of worship for Goddess Durga. While each of these festivals carries its own beauty, Yogastami holds a unique place for spiritual aspirants, especially those devoted to Bhagavan Nityananda.

Radha Ashtami – The Devotion of the Soul to the Divine

Radha Ashtami commemorates the birth of Goddess Radha, the eternal consort of Lord Krishna and embodiment of pure, selfless love. Her unwavering devotion represents the soul’s deep longing for union with the Divine. In the Braj region, devotees celebrate with kirtans, fasting, and offerings, immersing themselves in the remembrance of her divine love.

Masik Durgashtami – The Call to Inner Strength

Masik Durgashtami, observed on every lunar month’s eighth day, is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Devotees fast, offer prayers, and light lamps, invoking her protection and strength to overcome darkness and ignorance.

Yogastami – The Meeting Point of All Yogas

While Radha Ashtami awakens love and surrender, and Durgashtami invokes power and protection, Yogastami channels the essence of all spiritual paths — devotion (bhakti), wisdom (jnana), action (karma), and discipline (raja yoga) — into the lotus feet of the Guru.

According to Shree Shaligram Swamiji, on Yogastami, all Yogic energies (Yog Shakti) gather and manifest at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan Nityananda. This makes it an exceptionally auspicious time for seekers to receive his blessings.

Why Darshan of Bhagavan Nityananda on Yogastami?

Shree Shaligram Swamiji explains that taking Darshan of Bhagavan Nityananda on this day removes obstacles from a seeker’s spiritual journey.

  • For beginners, it clears the path, removing the subtle “stoppers” that cause spiritual stagnation.
  • For advanced aspirants, it deepens their meditation and accelerates inner transformation.

Just as the river, upon meeting the ocean, loses its individuality and becomes vast, so too does the seeker’s scattered energy unite with the infinite when surrendering to the Guru on Yogastami.

Dhulivandan, celebrated the day after Holi, is a day steeped in symbolism — the dust (dhuli) and salutation (vandan) represent humility, surrender, and cleansing. According to Shree Shaligram Swamiji, this is a profoundly significant occasion for removing the three primary categories of hurdles in a human being’s life, as described in our ancient spiritual tradition:

  1. Ādhibhautika Hurdles – troubles caused by other living beings and the material environment: conflicts, harm from others, natural calamities, and accidents.
  2. Ādhidaivika Hurdles – troubles arising from cosmic forces: planetary influences, seasonal extremes, and unseen divine energies.
  3. Ādhyātmika Hurdles – troubles that arise from within: physical illness due to one’s own habits, mental agitation, emotional pain, and spiritual doubts.

These threefold sufferings often entangle the devotee’s path, creating pain, misfortune, and stagnation.

Shree Shaligram Swamiji prescribes a sacred act for Dhulivandan to dissolve these obstacles:
On the eve of Holi (Poornima), bring a coconut home. On Dhulivandan day, wave it in a circular motion from head to foot around each family member and the home, symbolically drawing out all negative energies, hurdles, and doshas. Then, with deep faith, offer this coconut at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan Nityananda. This offering is not to be brought back as prasad — it is a complete surrender of the problem into His care.

When done with sincerity, Bhagavan Nityananda’s grace works on every level — harmonising the elements to remove Ādhibhautika disturbances, neutralising unfavourable Ādhidaivika influences, and bringing stillness to the Ādhyātmika turmoil within. Thus, Dhulivandan becomes not just a festival ritual, but a potent moment of spiritual renewal and divine intervention.

How Devotees Observe Yogastami

For those who can travel:

  • Visit Ganeshpuri, the sacred site of Bhagavan Nityananda’s Samadhi.
  • Offer flowers, incense, or a coconut at his shrine.
  • Sit in silence before his image, allowing his grace to work inwardly.

For those who cannot travel:

  • Meditate at home before his photograph or at your home altar.
  • Chant his name or recite verses that connect your mind with his presence.
  • Read spiritual texts such as Chidakasha Gita or other Guru teachings.
  • Offer food, fruits, or sweets as naivedya and then partake as prasad.

The Deeper Significance

Yogastami is not simply about ritual; it is about alignment. On this day, the spiritual currents are exceptionally strong — devotion from Radha Ashtami, strength from Durgashtami, and union from Yogastami — all converge. By turning towards the Guru, the seeker aligns with these currents, enabling both inner purification and outer blessings.

Shree Shaligram Swamiji assures that those who approach Bhagavan Nityananda with sincerity on this day will find their path cleared, their mind steadied, and their heart strengthened. This grace not only supports spiritual progress but also brings stability and balance in worldly life.

In Essence

Yogastami is a divine reminder that all yogas — whether of devotion, knowledge, discipline, or action — find their fulfilment at the feet of the Guru. On this day, Bhagavan Nityananda silently bestows the strength, clarity, and protection needed for the seeker to progress steadily toward liberation.

3. Narak Chaturdashi – The Day Light Defeated Darkness

Narak Chaturdashi, also known as Choti Diwali, is the second day of the five-day festival of Diwali. It falls on the 14th day (Chaturdashi) of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashwin (Amanta tradition) or Kartika (Purnimanta tradition). More than just a date in the calendar, it is a day steeped in spiritual symbolism — a celebration of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and higher consciousness over base tendencies.

The Legend of Narakasura’s Fall

According to Hindu mythology, on this day Lord Krishna, along with his consort Satyabhama, slew the tyrannical demon Narakasura. Born of divine lineage — the son of Lord Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) incarnation — Naraka initially had great potential. But over time, corrupted by the influence of his friend and general Mura, Naraka descended into cruelty, conquering kingdoms and tormenting people.

Krishna first defeated Mura in battle, earning the title Murari (“slayer of Mura”). With Mura gone, Naraka was vulnerable. In his final moments, Naraka experienced a profound realisation:

“You are not killing me, Krishna — you are destroying the darkness I have gathered. This is a blessing. Let the world celebrate this day as the death of negativity and the dawn of light.”

Thus, Narak Chaturdashi became a festival of cleansing — a reminder that even in our own lives, we can choose to destroy the inner darkness we have accumulated and invite light to guide us.

The Spiritual Lesson

Naraka’s story is not just about a battle between a demon and a deity. It is a mirror to our own choices. Naraka and Krishna were both made of the same essence, yet Naraka turned himself into a demon through greed and cruelty, while Krishna shaped himself into the divine.

The lesson is clear:

  • We can either discipline ourselves into higher states of being,
  • Or we can wait until life disciplines us — often painfully.

Diwali reminds us to choose conscious transformation before circumstances force it upon us.

The Ritual of Abhyang Snan

Central to Narak Chaturdashi is the Abhyang Snan, a ritual oil bath that purifies body and soul. The scriptures say that one who performs Abhyang Snan on this day is freed from sins, protected from negative forces, and spared the torments of hell (Narak).

How it is performed:

  1. Application of Ubtan – Before sunrise, a herbal paste (Ubtan) made of sesame oil, fragrant herbs, and special ingredients is applied to the body. This draws out toxins and negative energy.
  2. Timing the Bath – The bath is taken while the Chaturdashi Tithi is prevailing, ideally before sunrise but after moonrise, aligning with auspicious planetary energies.
  3. Prayers to Lord Krishna – After the bath, devotees offer prayers to Krishna, seeking his blessings for protection, purity, and light in life.
  4. Lighting Lamps – In some traditions, oil lamps are lit outside homes to ward off evil and invite auspiciousness — a symbolic victory of light over darkness.

Why It Is Called Choti Diwali

Narak Chaturdashi precedes the main Diwali day of Lakshmi Puja. The Abhyang Snan is both a physical purification and a spiritual preparation for welcoming Goddess Lakshmi, the bringer of prosperity, the following evening.

A Deeper Reflection

The slaying of Narakasura is not just a historical or mythological event. It is an inner process that we must undertake again and again. Every day we choose whether to accumulate bitterness, greed, and anger — or compassion, wisdom, and light.

Diwali, and especially Narak Chaturdashi, stands as a luminous reminder:

  • Burn the darkness before it consumes you.
  • Choose self-mastery over self-destruction.
  • Light up your life before life forces you to.

When the oil lamp is lit on Narak Chaturdashi, it is more than a tradition — it is a vow to keep the inner flame alive, to remain vigilant against the shadows within, and to walk in the light.

Narak Chaturdashi – Shree Shaligram Swami’s Guidance on Bhagavan’s Darshan on that day

Shree Shaligram Swami often emphasised that Narak Chaturdashi was an especially auspicious day to have the Darshan of Bhagavan Nityananda. While Narak Chaturdashi is known in the wider Hindu tradition as a day of cleansing and triumph over darkness, Shaligram Swami revealed its deeper, practical significance for a devotee’s life. 

He would say that for living in this world, we require not only spiritual strength but also the basic essentials that sustain life — food, shelter, clothing, health, supportive relationships, and, in the worldly sense, the means to acquire them: wealth and money. On Narak Chaturdashi, the divine forces are especially active in removing obstacles that prevent abundance and well-being.

Receiving Bhagavan Nityananda’s Darshan on this day, according to Shaligram Swami, acts as a direct invocation of His grace in all aspects of life. Bhagavan, being the embodiment of Purna Krupa (complete grace), does not merely provide in a material sense; He aligns the devotee’s life so that all essentials — material, emotional, and spiritual — flow naturally and harmoniously.

Just as the Abhyang Snan on Narak Chaturdashi cleanses the body and prepares it for Diwali’s blessings, Darshan of Bhagavan Nityananda cleanses the devotee’s inner being and prepares them to receive His protection and provision throughout the year. Shaligram Swami assured that those who come before Bhagavan on this day with sincerity will find that their needs are met in unexpected ways, for He knows far better than we do what is truly essential for our well-being.

Thus, for a devotee, Narak Chaturdashi is not only about celebrating the destruction of darkness in the mythic past — it is about securing the grace that sustains the light in one’s own life.

4. 30th November – The Divine Birthday of Bhagavan Nityananda at Mahul

For devotees of Bhagavan Nityananda, 30th November is not just a date on the calendar — it is a living, breathing day of grace, a spiritual gateway when his all-pervading Shakti is felt in its most tangible and blissful form.

On this day, at the Mahul Ashram, the ever-present but usually subtle radiance of Bhagavan Nityananda’s presence becomes fully manifest, vibrant, and freely available to all who come with faith. It is as if the hidden ocean of his compassion rises in a great tide, touching every heart without condition or limitation.

Why This Day Is So Powerful

Shree Shaligram Swamiji teaches that on 30th November, Bhagavan Nityananda is Pramodit — filled with divine joy. His cosmic benevolence is at its peak, and he looks upon each devotee with extreme love, tenderness, and parental care.

While Bhagavan Nityananda is beyond birth and death, this earthly commemoration of his appearance is a day when the spiritual sun shines with full brilliance at Mahul. Just as the rising sun needs no effort to spread light, Bhagavan’s blessings on this day need no elaborate prayers — they flow unasked and unconditional.

The Darshana at Mahul

On this birthday, the Mahul Ashram becomes a kshetra of heightened spiritual energy:

  • The air feels charged with peace and subtle joy, making meditation effortless.
  • The mind grows still without struggle, as if held gently in the Guru’s presence.
  • Devotees feel seen and heard in the innermost chambers of their being, even without speaking a word.

Swamiji emphasises that even a single Darshana of Bhagavan Nityananda on this day can plant the seed of blessings that unfold throughout the year — bringing harmony, removing obstacles, and awakening deeper spiritual awareness.

How to Receive the Full Blessings

Devotees are encouraged to:

  1. Arrive early at Mahul, entering the Ashram with a heart cleansed of worries and full of gratitude. Attend the Paduka Abhishek, Aarti and Bhajan.
  2. Sit quietly before his image, letting the mind dissolve in the stillness.
  3. Offer something — flowers, fruit, or a simple coconut — as an expression of surrender.
  4. Spend time in seva (selfless service) or satsang, for on this day, service becomes a direct channel for receiving grace. One can offer to serve the devotees in Bhandara
  5. In Bhandara, have the Prasad of rice, sambhar and Payasam

“The blessings that flow on 30th November are not a reward, but a gift — they are Bhagavan’s nature. The only preparation needed is an open heart.”

The Inner Meaning of This Day

  • Mahul Ashram as the Spiritual Womb – Just as a child is nurtured in the womb before birth, devotees are spiritually nurtured in the Mahul Ashram’s energy on this day.
  • Pramodit Bhagavan – The joy of the Guru is the strength of the disciple. When the Guru is in divine bliss, the disciple’s path becomes light-filled and smooth.
  • Unconditional Grace – Unlike other days when effort and discipline prepare us for blessings, on this day grace descends without condition, like rain on all fields alike.

In the annual cycle of a devotee’s spiritual journey, 30th November stands as a golden day, where one can drink deeply from the well of Bhagavan Nityananda’s compassion. Those who make the pilgrimage to Mahul with sincerity find that this single day’s Darshana carries them through all challenges, reminding them that the Guru’s presence is never absent — it simply shines most brilliantly on this day.

5. Dhulivandan – Salutation in the Dust of Holi

The day after Holi, known in Maharashtra as Dhulivandan (or Dhulwad), carries both ancient mythological depth and practical spiritual significance. While in many states this day is celebrated with vibrant colours, in Maharashtra tradition it was originally marked more simply — with ash, mud, or sacred dust — symbolising humility, purity, and the dissolving of ego into the elements.

The very word Dhulivandan comes from Dhuli (dust) and Vandan (salutation), meaning “saluting with dust.” In its essence, it reminds us that no matter how high we rise in life, we ultimately return to dust — and that bowing in humility brings divine grace.

Puranic Roots

  1. Lord Shiva and Kamadeva

One of the most widely told stories behind Dhulivandan is that of Kamadeva’s sacrifice.
When the demon Tarakasura could only be destroyed by a son of Lord Shiva, the gods needed to awaken Shiva’s interest in marriage. They sent Kamadeva, the god of love, to break Shiva’s meditation. Kamadeva’s arrow succeeded in stirring affection towards Parvati, but Shiva realized this external influence and, in anger, opened his third eye — reducing Kamadeva to ashes.

Kamadeva was later promised rebirth as the son of Krishna and Rukmini in Dwapara Yuga. Dhulivandan thus commemorates the ashes of Kamadeva — not as an end, but as a transformation, where even destruction can lead to renewal.

  1. Radha and Krishna

Another tender story comes from Vrindavan’s playful legends. When Krishna, dark in complexion, felt teased by Radha’s fairness, Mother Yashoda advised him to colour Radha’s face so they would look alike. In early traditions, this colouring may have been with ash or natural dust, not the synthetic powders common today. This playful smearing symbolised love that transcends appearances — a key theme in Holi and Dhulivandan.

  1. Holi and the Triumph of Good over Evil

In the broader Holi celebration, the burning of Holika represents the victory of devotion (Prahlada’s faith in Vishnu) over arrogance and evil (Hiranyakashipu’s tyranny). Dhulivandan, coming the next day, is the gentle aftermath — when the fire has cooled to dust, reminding devotees that after the fiercest trials, life returns to peace.

Shree Shaligram Swamiji’s Teaching on Dhulivandan

For devotees of Bhagavan Nityananda, Dhulivandan is not only a festive occasion — it is a day of cleansing life’s unseen obstacles.
According to Shree Shaligram Swamiji, life’s difficulties often come from deep-seated causes like vastu dosha, pitru dosha, karmic blocks, or subtle negative influences. Dhulivandan provides a sacred opportunity to remove these hindrances through a coconut offering ritual performed with faith.

The Dhulivandan Darshana Ritual

  1. On Holi Poornima (the night before): Bring a fresh coconut into your home.
  2. On Dhulivandan morning: Hold the coconut and wave it in a circular motion from head to foot for each family member, and also around the house — as if drawing all problems, pain, and blocks into it.
  3. Offering: Place the coconut at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan Nityananda — ideally at his temple or Samadhi, but if not possible, at your home altar with his image.
  4. Faith: Perform this with deep trust, visualising every difficulty being absorbed into the coconut and taken away by the Guru’s grace.
  5. Important: Never bring the coconut back home as prasad — it has absorbed the negativity and should be left entirely at the Guru’s feet.

Swamiji assures that when done sincerely, this ritual helps remove pain, suffering, and karmic hindrances — allowing the devotee’s path to open and life to flow smoothly.

Deeper Spiritual Meaning

Dhulivandan’s use of dust and ash is deeply symbolic:

  • Dust represents humility, the dissolving of pride before the Divine.
  • Ash is a reminder of impermanence — that everything material will one day return to the elements.
  • Offering the coconut at the Guru’s feet represents complete surrender — giving up both our problems and our ego.

Through Bhagavan Nityananda’s Darshana on this day, devotees are bathed not in colored powders, but in the colorless radiance of the Guru’s grace, which penetrates deeper than any external celebration.

In the vast cycle of time, these five sacred days shine like beacons — reminders that the Divine is never distant. Bhagavan Nityananda, in His infinite compassion, offers these windows for His devotees to step beyond the weight of worldly burdens and taste the freedom of the Spirit. Each darshan is not merely an act of seeing but of being seen, known, and embraced by the Eternal. To approach Him on these days is to let the soul be bathed in grace, to let the heart be rekindled with devotion, and to remember that in the Guru’s presence, all is well, and all is possible.

Acknowledgement

We got to know about these five important days from Mrs. Ujwal Kunte. In her book, Anubhutimala, she has shared her spiritual journey and the guidance she received from Shree Keshav Apte, also lovingly called Appa. Appa Apte was a close devotee of Bhagavan Nityananda and Shree Shaligram Swamiji.