Goddess Annapurna Herself serves the Mahayogi

Sadguru is the Manifestation of Abundance

Once, Shri Bhaskar Shetty was distributing Sheera—a sweet dish made of semolina, sugar, and ghee—to a gathering of children. As the number of children far exceeded his expectations, he became anxious that the quantity might not be sufficient for all. Out of concern, he began serving only small portions to each child.

Bhagavan Nityananda, observing this, immediately intervened. Admonishing Bhaskaranna, He declared, “Here, there is abundance.” With both hands raised in a commanding gesture, as captured in a rare photograph, He instructed Bhaskaranna to serve generous portions to every child without hesitation or fear of shortage.

Trusting Bhagavan’s words, Bhaskaranna followed His command. To his astonishment, not only did the Sheera suffice for every child, but even after all were served in ample quantity, some remained in the vessel—a direct experience of the Guru’s divine play and boundless grace.

This remarkable moment was captured in a photograph by the late Shri M.D. Suvarna, father of Niranjan Suvarna. My father was also present, as were the parents of Smt. Purnima Rao, bearing witness to this profound lesson in faith and divine providence.

Smt Purnima Rao remembers that her family was present and she shares that Bhagavan Nityananda said in His cryptic style when He had raised His hands “Itna Denewala Bhagavan”. Bhagavan often said, “Idhar see Dene ka Nahin, Leneka”.

Bhagavan Nityananda’s statement on abundance—“Itna” (stretching his finger to indicate abundance) denewala Bhagavan—and his favorite sutra—“Idhar se dene nahin, leneka”—carry profound spiritual and practical significance. They offer insights into the way a Siddha perceives and interacts with the world.

1. “Itna (stretching his finger to indicate abundance) denewala Bhagavan”

Bhagavan Nityananda was pointing to the limitless abundance that the Divine bestows upon creation. This gesture and statement reveal a few key teachings:

a) The Universe is Overflowing with Abundance

  • Bhagavan was indicating that the Supreme Self is infinitely giving. The Divine is not a miserly force but an endless source of grace, sustenance, and blessings.

  • A true Siddha, being one with the Divine, dwells in this abundance—not in the sense of material wealth, but in the knowledge that everything required for life, sustenance, and spiritual evolution is always provided at the right time.

b) A Siddha’s Presence Attracts Divine Flow

  • Bhagavan was known to say that wherever a true Siddha lives, nature itself adjusts to provide in plenty.

  • There are stories where, after Bhagavan arrived in certain places, food, water, and prosperity seemed to flow effortlessly, benefiting the people nearby.

  • This aligns with the idea that a Siddha, being free of personal desires, becomes a conduit for Divine will. As such, wherever they reside, there is an atmosphere of divine grace, of divine abundance.

c) Detachment from ‘Want’ Leads to True Abundance

  • Bhagavan was not referring to materialistic accumulation but the idea that true prosperity is not about hoarding; rather, it is about trust in divine provision. As a Sanyasi He never provided for tomorrow.

    Bhagavan Nityananda was not referring to material accumulation but rather to the deeper truth that true prosperity lies not in hoarding, but in unwavering trust in divine provision. As a Sannyasi, He never stored anything for the future. Whatever was offered by devotees, He distributed immediately, keeping nothing for Himself. A true renunciate does not make provisions for tomorrow—he places complete faith in the Divine to provide for both himself and those under his care.

    A beautiful example of this principle was demonstrated by Swami Janananda. For over three months, there were no funds to pay the workers or grocers at Kanhangad Ashram. The Ashramites were deeply concerned, as there seemed to be no way to meet these growing expenses. Then, one day, a devotee arrived and placed ₹50,000 at Swamiji’s feet. He had earned a significant profit at fairs organized in his village and chose to offer a portion of it to the Ashram.

    With this money, Swamiji immediately cleared all outstanding dues. Some funds still remained, and the Ashramites assumed that he would set them aside for future expenses. However, to their surprise, Swamiji took the remaining money in a cloth and went to sit on the parapet near a pathway frequently used by villagers as a shortcut to the station. To every poor passerby, he handed out a portion of the money, continuing until nothing was left.

    The Ashramites watched this unfold with great anxiety, wondering how future needs would be met. But Swamiji, now free of the last rupee, simply stood up with a radiant smile. Through this act, he demonstrated an unshakable truth—the Ashram belongs to the Divine, and it is the Divine who provides. There is never a need to hoard as grace brings in abundance.

  • Many devotees noted that Bhagavan never kept anything for himself—food, clothes, or money given to him were often immediately redistributed.

  • By surrendering to the Divine and aligning oneself with the higher truth, life naturally provides all that is needed.

2. “Idhar se dene nahin, leneka” (Not to give from here, only to take)

This cryptic yet profound sutra carries layers of meaning:

a) The Guru Does Not Give Worldly Things, but the Seeker Must Take from the Guru

  • This statement is not about material charity but about spiritual wisdom.

  • The Guru, especially a Siddha like Bhagavan, does not give in a conventional sense—he does not hand out blessings or powers upon request. One must qualify to get it.

  • Instead, the seeker must take—meaning, the disciple must approach with sincerity, faith, and effort to absorb the Guru’s teachings.

b) The Guru’s Grace is Not a Transaction

A typical gaon jevan held in Ganeshpuri in early days

  • Many people approach a Guru expecting material boons. Bhagavan’s statement rejects this idea. There is no barter with Sadguru. You do not have to give to get from the Guru.

  • A true seeker comes not to receive external gifts but to absorb the wisdom, guidance, and presence of the Guru.

c) Inner Transformation Requires Effort from the Disciple

  • The phrase “lene ka” (to take) suggests that realization and wisdom are not passively given; they must be actively received.

  • The seeker must cultivate the necessary qualities—faith, devotion, surrender, and effort—to ‘take’ what the Guru offers.

  • The Guru, by his very presence, radiates knowledge and energy, but it is up to the disciple to be receptive.

3. How These Two Statements Relate

Bhagavan Nityananda’s two statements complement each other:

  1. Divine abundance is always present—for those who are attuned to it. A true Siddha does not hoard or restrict but lives in a state of overflowing grace. He does not expect from anyone. He remains a standalone and self-sustaining entity.

  2. Spiritual wealth must be actively taken—it is not something that can simply be given away like an object. The Guru’s role is not to ‘distribute’ grace arbitrarily but to make it available for the sincere seeker.

Practical Application for a Sadhaka

  • Shift from a mindset of scarcity to abundance. Trust that what is needed will always come.

  • Stop seeking material benefits from spiritual practice. Instead, focus on deep inner transformation.

  • Approach the Guru with humility and readiness to learn. Do not expect the Guru to ‘give’ enlightenment, but strive to ‘take’ the wisdom he radiates.

In essence, Bhagavan Nityananda pointed to a cosmic law: the Divine gives freely, but it is up to us to recognize, receive, and transform.

One such incidence I had heard directly heard from late Ramantha Prabhu, son of Smt Sanjeevi Prabhu, I share below.

Bhagavan’s Grace: A Manifestation of Abundance

Another remarkable incident demonstrating divine abundance occurred with Sanjeevi Laxman Prabhu. Bhagavan Nityananda instructed her to organize a Gaon Jevan—a grand Bhandara (community feast) for everyone. Huge handis (large cooking vessels) were filled with a variety of dishes, and preparations were made to serve an enormous gathering.

As the crowd swelled beyond expectation, the cooks grew anxious and informed Sanjeevi that the food might not be sufficient. Concerned, she quickly instructed Madhav Mama, the family manager, to rush to the market and arrange for more groceries.

Just as Madhav Mama was about to leave, Bhagavan called out to him in Konkani, “Madhva, kain vatah?” (Madhav, where are you going?). With folded hands, Madhav Mama replied, “Swaminoh, Samaan hadcha vatah.” (Swamiji, I am going to the market in Vajreshwari to bring more provisions for the Gaon Jevan.)

Bhagavan immediately stopped him, “Don’t go. Cook with whatever is available. There is no need to bring more groceries or vegetables.”

With that, Bhagavan Himself walked over to the handis and began stirring the food. He then instructed the volunteers to start serving the waiting crowd.

Batch after batch of men, women, and children sat for the feast—each group numbering between 50 to 100 people. Yet, each time the servers returned to the handis, they found them still full. The entire village of Ganeshpuri, along with people from neighboring villages, was fed sumptuously. Every person was served a second helping, and still, the food remained.

By evening, after serving dinner, Bhagavan instructed that the remaining food be offered to the fish in the river. Even then, the handis still had food. It was only when the last person had eaten that night that the vessels finally emptied. The handis were then washed, and everyone dispersed, carrying in their hearts the unforgettable experience of Bhagavan’s grace.

Bhagavan’s Shakti and Keerti—His divine power and glory—are beyond the limits of words or books. No matter how much one tries to contain them, they remain infinite, just like His abundance.