The Last Days before the Mahasamadhi of Bhagavan Nityananda (Part 1)

Shri Madhav Hegde (Engineer Hegde) at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan Nityananda

The Treasure That Could Not Tempt a Devotee

As we approach the sacred Punyatithi of Bhagavan Nityananda—8th August according to the English calendar and 10th August according to the lunar tithi—we remember not only His Mahasamadhi but also the extraordinary events that unfolded during His final days in Ganeshpuri. They reveal that even as His physical body grew frail, His divine play continued unabated, imparting profound spiritual lessons to those around Him.

One such incident took place at Tungareshwar, a serene hill shrine situated about 20 kilometres from Ganeshpuri.

Rising to an elevation of approximately 2,177 feet, Tungareshwar is among the highest plateaus in the Vasai region. Pilgrims and trekkers begin the ascent from the forest checkpost near the highway junction. The three-kilometre trek, crossing two streams before reaching the ancient Shiva temple, is both physically refreshing and spiritually uplifting. The temple, constructed in accordance with the principles of Vastu Shastra and adorned with sacred geometric motifs, is believed to radiate powerful spiritual vibrations.

Tungareshwar

According to the Puranas, this is the very place where Bhagavan Parashurama slew the demon Tunga, from whom the hill derives its name. Tradition also associates the region with Adi Shankaracharya, who is believed to have meditated in this sacred landscape near ancient Sopara.

Just fifteen days before His Mahasamadhi, Bhagavan shifted from Kailash Bhuvan to the Bangalorewala Building. Though visibly unwell, He repeatedly expressed His wish to return to Kanhangad. Out of deep concern for His health, however, the devotees gently prevailed upon Him to remain in Ganeshpuri.

Around this time, Shri Laxman Shah Khoday arrived from Bangalore. Bhagavan even asked him whether he would take Him to Bangalore, for Shri Khoday had already built a residence there in anticipation of Baba’s visit. It was from the Bangalorewala Building that Bhagavan observed His final Guru Purnima on 27th July 1961, while devotees lovingly ensured that He was not disturbed.

One rainy night, barely five to seven days before His Mahasamadhi, Shri Madhav Hegde was attending upon Baba.

Without warning, Bhagavan rose from His bed and walked to the southern window. Pointing towards the distant silhouette of the Tungareshwar hills, He beckoned Madhav near. Holding his thumb firmly, Bhagavan instantly transported both of them—not through any visible journey, but by His inscrutable Yogic power—to the edge of a reservoir at Tungareshwar.

Beneath the still waters, Baba revealed an astonishing sight.

Massive slabs of gold and ancient copper vessels overflowing with gold coins lay hidden beneath the reservoir, untouched for more than a thousand years.

Turning to Madhav Hegde, Baba asked simply,

“Do you want them?”

Madhav’s reply came without a moment’s hesitation.

“My Deva, what shall I do with all this? It has no value for me. I want only You.”

The answer delighted Bhagavan.

Once again taking hold of Madhav’s thumb, He instantly brought him back to the Bangalorewala Building in Ganeshpuri.

For Shri Madhav Hegde, however, the incident remained a lifelong mystery.

He would often say,

“I do not know why Baba showed me that hidden treasure. Along with it, He revealed to me the secret method by which it could be reached. Without that knowledge, no one can ever discover or recover it.”

He never regarded the treasure as personal wealth.

Rather, he believed that Bhagavan had entrusted him with a sacred responsibility.

“If ever a person truly authorised by Baba appears,” he would say, “one who is completely free from selfish motive and wishes to use it solely for the welfare of humanity, I shall gladly reveal the method.”

Such was his reverence for the Guru’s trust.

Even in the final years of his life, Shri Madhav Hegde reflected upon this mysterious episode.

“Perhaps,” he would say with quiet humility, “I may have to take another birth to fulfil the purpose for which Baba revealed this secret.”

With Shri Madhav Hegde’s passing, the extraordinary Yogic knowledge entrusted to him by Bhagavan—the healing of incurable diseases, the restoration of life, mastery over the forces of nature, and the secret of the hidden treasure of Tungareshwar—passed into silence.

But perhaps that was never the true treasure.

The true treasure was revealed in a single sentence spoken by a devotee whose heart had become richer than all the gold beneath the mountain:

“My Deva, I want only You.”

In that one reply lies the essence of the Guru-disciple relationship.

Bhagavan did not reveal the gold to enrich Madhav Hegde.

He revealed it to reveal Madhav Hegde.

For the greatest wealth is not what lies hidden beneath the earth.

It is the heart that seeks nothing but the Guru.

Om Namo Bhagavate Nityanandaya.

Myself with Shri Madhav Hegde