Bhagavan’s Grace

Guru Mantra

Unless the Sadguru bestows a holy mantra that leads to the direct experience of Self-Realization, everything else is of little value. The absence of such a mantra weighed heavily on the devotee’s mind. Despite receiving many blessings and spiritual experiences by the grace of Bhagavan Nityananda, which strengthened his faith, he felt that without receiving the ‘Guru Mantra’ directly from his lips, all other experiences were incomplete. This inner restlessness stayed with him for days and nights, as he longed for that sacred initiation.

Although he was a devotee of Shri Vitthal and had been chanting the ‘Ram Krishna Hari’ mantra—the same mantra that granted the experience of God-realization to the great saint Shri Tukaram Maharaj—he did not attain such an experience. This reminded him of what another revered saint, Shri Purandardas, had said: “How can you progress on the spiritual path unless you receive a mantra directly from the Sadguru?” These thoughts consumed him, and he worried deeply about his spiritual progress without the ‘Guru Mantra’.

Amidst this inner turmoil, one morning, Bhagavan Nityananda appeared in his dream. He called out to him, “Wake up, wake up,” and then, leaning close to his ear, chanted “Om, Om, Om” three times before giving him a new mantra. Although he was a devotee of Shri Vitthal, the new mantra included the name of Lord Shiva alongside Shri Vitthal. When he woke up, he could feel the vibrations of the mantra resonating within him. His whole being was immersed in bliss.

That same morning, he went to Ganeshpuri to offer his gratitude to Bhagavan Nityananda. He was fortunate to have His darshan. When their eyes met, He confirmed his experience with a simple gesture – the chinmaya mudra and a kind smile. The devotee left with his heart full of contentment. As he continued to chant the mantra, he felt a deep connection to it. It awakened a distant memory as if he had been chanting this mantra in some forgotten past. This sacred mantra brought a new consciousness into his mind, leading to many divine experiences. He was drenched in a bliss that words cannot describe.

Shri Tukaram Maharaj had unwavering faith in the mantra given to him by his Guru in a dream, and with the same firm faith, The devotee began to mentally repeat the mantra given to him. Since then, his mind has undergone a profound transformation. No matter where he was, the mantra repeats itself in his mind, as if he had rediscovered an old and faithful companion. All of this has come through the grace of the Sadguru. Many times, just by remembering Bhagavan, his heart was filled with tremendous Bhavana (an indescribable joy).

The Bhavana that this devotee felt could potentially refer to various spiritual emotions or states of consciousness that arise from the grace of the Sadguru, especially after receiving a transformative mantra. The Bhavana that arise within such circumstances is described in most scriptures, based on spiritual traditions like Bhakti Yoga, Vedanta, and other Hindu paths.  These feelings could represent elevated spiritual states:

Gratitude (Kritajna) – A profound sense of thankfulness for the grace and blessings of the Sadguru.

Devotion (Bhakti) – An unwavering love and surrender to the Guru and the Divine.

Humility (Vinaya) – The recognition of one’s smallness in the presence of the Infinite and the Guru.

Peace (Shanti) – A deep inner tranquility and serenity, free from worldly distractions.

Joy (Ananda) – A blissful joy that arises from connection with the Divine, beyond material pleasure.

Compassion (Karuna) – A feeling of empathy and love for all beings, recognizing the Divine in everyone.

Faith (Shraddha) – A steadfast trust in the teachings of the Guru and the ultimate path.

Renunciation (Vairagya) – A sense of detachment from material desires, recognizing the impermanence of worldly things.

These feelings reflect heightened spiritual awareness and transformation, often experienced as divine grace after deep spiritual encounters like receiving a mantra from the Guru. Each of these Bhav is essential for progressing on the spiritual path.

Driving away the colony of snakes

On another occasion, three businessmen visited Ganeshpuri with the daughter of one of them. They offered their respects to Bhagavan Nityananda, who was sitting in His usual place in the old Ashram – Vaikuntha. He asked them to stay the night, and they agreed. That afternoon, the daughter wished to go into the jungle at the foot of the hill for her ablutions. As she was about to leave, Bhagavan stopped her, saying, “Don’t go alone.” Taking a stick, He accompanied her.

When they reached a rocky area deep in the jungle, they encountered hundreds of serpents, forming a web-like mass. Bhagavan Nityananda brandished His stick and shouted, “Go away! Go away! Go away!” Instantly, the serpents dispersed without harming anyone. He told the girl, “Now you may go,” and returned to the ashram. This was just as Sant Tukaram said “Jete jato tethe tu majhya sangati, chalivisi hathi dharuniya” – wherever I go, You accompany me, walking along with me holding my hand.

Sadbhavana

In 1958, a devotee planned to shift to a new rented house. To ward off any evil spirit or negativity in a house people often conduct rituals which include reading the scriptures over a scheduled number of days. Seven days before Ramnavami, this devotee took to reading the Adhyatma Ramayan by Shri Devasthali, with the intent of completing the seven-day saptaha at his newly rented house. However, as fate would have it, the house wasn’t ready. The day before Ramnavami, he went to check on the progress, only to realize it would take months before it would be complete. Disheartened, he returned home, yet he completed the Ramayan reading as planned, but in the existing house.

On the morning of Ramnavami, he had a dream in which he saw Bhagavan Nityananda seated in padmasana (lotus posture), His left hand resting on His thigh, while He moved Hiss right hand over the left. He called to this devotee. Upon waking, he immediately went to Ganeshpuri. On the way, he met a friend who invited him to come along for Bhagavan’s darshan. To his astonishment, when they arrived, the friend led him straight to Bhagavan, who was resting on His side. As soon as Baba saw him, He sat up in lotus posture, moving His right hand over His left thigh—exactly as this devotee had seen in his dream. He smiled warmly, looking at him, and he was overwhelmed with joy. In that bliss, he sat at His feet for a long time. Bhagavan asked him a few general questions, gave him a few instructions, and allowed him to leave. He said only, “Sadbhavana thev” (Maintain pure feelings).

As he returned home, he carried with him the bliss of that divine encounter, marvelling at how a Siddha, even in silence, continued to help his devotees. He felt ashamed of his worries and anxieties from the day before. Bhagavan’s mere glance had transformed his mind into a state of pure joy. What more could one ask for?

From that day he began to reflect on the words of Bhagavan, – Sadbhavana and practice it in his life.

Sadbhavana (सद्भावना) is a Sanskrit term that means “goodwill” or “noble feelings.” It combines two words: “Sad“ (सत्), meaning good, true, or virtuous, and “Bhavana“ (भावना), meaning feeling or sentiment. Together, Sadbhavana refers to the cultivation of pure, positive, and compassionate intentions toward others, embodying kindness, understanding, and harmony. In spiritual or moral contexts, Sadbhavana represents a mindset or an attitude of goodwill towards all beings, transcending divisions such as race, religion, or social standing. It is an essential quality in fostering peace, mutual respect, and cooperation within a community or even at a global level.