प्रत्येकाने आपापली परिस्थिती ओळखून, आपल्यावरील विविध जबाबदार्यांची, आपल्या कर्तव्याची जाणीव ठेवून, अत्यंत दक्षतेने वागून अभ्युदय व निःश्रेयसाची प्राप्ती करून घ्यावी.
Shri Datta Premlahari (Gatha)
This book containing 2730 verses in Marathi Language and 27 verses in Kannada Language is the Geeta (most sacred literature) for Disciples of Shri Pant Sampraday. Shri Pant Maharaj used to sit for Bhajana, when these lyrics came out of his mouth. These are spontaneous outbursts of the fountains of self realisation and love for the Sadguru - and not artificial constructions of poetry. Shri Pants' verses are but Shri Pant's own Self. Ranging from verses of 3-4 stanzas to up to verses of 27 stanzas, the verses relate to a number topics. The topics include: (a) Praise of Sadguru Balavdhoota; (b) Explanations of Sadguru's blessings; (c) Avadhoot Sampradaya; (d) Self realisation; (e) Omnipresence of God; (f) Guidance for carrying out mundane duties; (g) Guidance in difficulties; (h) Importance of reciting Lord's name; (I) Yogic experiences; (j) Devotion to Dattatreya; (k) Myth of human birth and the like. Shri Datta Premlahari true to its name depicts waves of the ocean of love within Shri Pant Maharaj. He tells us - (1) Yoga that does not lead to peace is a myth; (2) Riches without devotion; (3) Knowledge without experience / realisation is futile; (4) Sadguru is supreme; (5) We shall love his feet, stay there, submit ourselves and be one with Sadguru. Singing / listening of these verses gives one sublime pleasure. A pleasure that can not be explained. One must experience it himself, and after that there will be no going back
Bhaktalap
This is a long essay written by Shri Pant Maharaj. Shri Pant Maharaj's Guru Balavadhoot enlightened him and after a few years went to Shrishailam Pilgrimage for final Abode. He ordered Shri Pant Maharaj to extend the Avadhoot Sampraday (way of worship). Shri Pant Maharaj could not forget his Guru and remembered him every moment. In this essay in the form of an open letter written to his Guru, Shri Pant Maharaj narrates his own state after departure of Shri Balavadhoot. Shri Pant Maharaj recounts - (1) How he got blessings of Guru; (2) How he got company of Saint Kallappa; (3) How he continued afterwards; (4) How he came out of difficulties and expanded the Sampraday a, etc. Shri Pant Maharaj has taken a path of self criticism and explains how the Guru could take him to the path he treaded. He gives full credit to Guru for his achievements. The essay is very lucid and full of love for Guru. He explains Maya (illusion) and how one finds the Creator's hand in every thing around us. He has fully submitted to Sadguru and says "He wants to - Act on orders of Sadguru, on the path shown by Sadguru, thinking of Sadguru, praising Sadguru, singing prayers for Sadguru, in the Act of Sadguru, and ultimately becoming one with Sadguru". He requests the Sadguru to fulfill this desire. In the process, Shri Pant Maharaj quarrels with, criticizes, questions Sadguru like a child to mother and finally explains how he became one with Sadguru. The essay shows that it is written by a person of Self Realised Authority. The essay is a guide to devotees of all faiths and while reading the essay one does an introspection and purifies ones own self. As Shri Pant Maharaj rightly points out in the Essay it is a medicine to be accompanied with normal precautions that gives one eternal peace and full satisfaction of freedom from births and deaths.
SHRI PANT'S TALKS (VOL. 7 & 8)
Shri Pant Maharaj was working as a teacher. Everyday after his return from school a number of disciples and other people of Belgaum used to assemble at his house for their doubts, problems, etc. Shri Pant Maharaj used to guide them. A few such discourses were noted down by one Mr. Nagarkatti. These volumes contain the resumes of such talks which is called as Paragas (Pollens). Unlike his verses - which were his own prayers containing his experiences - The talks are his discussions with and explanations to disciples. They are quite useful to all of us treading the devotional path. The talks relate to a number of topics, such as - (1) How to make mind stable; (2) How to do away with fear of death; (3) How to worship; (4) What is Avadhoot Sampradaya; (5) How it is different from and superior to Vedic Sampradaya; (6) Nine forms of devotion; (7) How one should behave; (8) Criticism of hypocracy; (9) Futility of bookish knowledge; (10) Importance of experience/realisation and the like. The talks are frank, personal, and Shri Pant Maharaj has explained things on the level of disciples and reflect. His love towards Sadguru and disciplines. His experience and his depth of knowledge. He says "Call me your friend, your brother,your mother / father. Don't call me Lord. In these talks Shri Pant Maharaj has explained the glorious oneness of God and all the beings to the disciples in simplified beautiful fluent words. The explanation is in kind words akin to a Grandpa or elderly person in the house talking to other members of the family. Shri Pant Maharaj is himself talking to us through these volumes and one must experience this bounty
SHRI PANT'S LETTERS
This book is a collection of letters written by Shri Pant Maharaj to different disciples between 1880 A.D. to 1905 A.D. The letters contain guidance, removes doubts and gives solutions to disciples during difficulties. The letters show us heart of Shri Pant Maharaj. As one reads these letters one finds that, he loved his disciples like children, nurtured them, disciplined them, removed fear from them and gave courage to them, and made them mingle with the universal self. The letters are warm and personal suiting different occasions, a right help during difficulties. They insist the universal truths like Tatwamsi - You are that (God), Sarvam Khalu Idam Bramha - All this is but Bramha. They discuss principles. They direct one to remove egos, avoid worrying, increase righteousness, submit to Sadguru, and a number of topics encompassing the whole of Vedas / Upanishadas. If one reads these letters putting ones own name at salutation of these letters, one feels Shri Pant Maharaj is talking to him and is removing ones own doubts. The book is a useful guidance tool for disciples
PREMTARANG & BODHANAND GUTIKA
This book contains two essays written by Shri Pant Maharaj having above titles. (a) Premtarang: Shri Pant Maharaj's intimate companion (Disciple of Shri. Balavadhoot) Shri Parashuram & Shri Pant Maharaj's Disciple Shri Gangaram went to Pune for Higher Education. While they were going Shri Pant Maharaj gave them this essay to be preserved by them as a tool for ready guidance at all times. The Essay makes one Brood on questions like Who we are?, Who is God ?, How to become free from the Cycle of Birth & Death ?. It explains need to submit to Sadguru, Futility of life, How one should Renounce Body, Mind & Wealth etc. It guides us on how we can convert our life into worship of God and gain salvation. How devotion means longing to immerse in ones own self and so on. The essay is an example of Shri Pant Maharaj's unmatched love for his disciples, and his devotion to his Guru Balavadhoot. Shri Pant Maharaj tells Parashuram & Gangaram and all of us in his inimitable style that, "This (The Essay) is fountain head of love, bunch of experience, light of knowledge, key of self realisation, stick to fend off dogs of three types of troubles / worries and a lunch of curd - rice to be eaten with water of love during travel to reach the Banks of this Sea of life". Empowered with this sword we can face any difficulties inlife. (b) Bodhanand Gutika : This essay is a vivid journey in Yoga and pranayam exercises explained in simple terms based on his experience by Shri Pant Maharaj. He gives his definitions of Eight Yogas - Yam, Niyam, Asanas, Pranayam, Pratyahar, Dhyan, Dharana & Samadhi. He explains how one should get eternal peace through Tarak Yoga and practice Amanask Yoga and Dhyan Yoga to ultimately reach Sahaj Samadhi. Shri Pant Maharaj acknowledges credit of experiences of Saint Kallappa. He cautions us to give this capsule of Joy of Knowledge (Bodhanand Gutika) only to those who have desire for Yoga & Pranayam. Finally, he declares that only that Yoga which enjoins us to Sadguru (self) is true Yoga and that all other exercises are myths.
ATMAJYOTI, ANUBHAWALLI & BRAMHOPADESH
These are three essays of Shri Pant Maharaj written between 1885-1886 narrating his experiences of self realisation. (a) Atmajyoti : In this essay, Shri Pant Maharaj presents joys and deliciousness of his self realised state bestowed upon him by Sadguru Balavadhoot. He explains how like Arjuna in Mahabharata and Uddhava in Bhagavatam Sadguru Balavadhoot gave him glimpse of Vishwarupa of God. (Presence of God in every living and non living being). He discusses Human body, The Universe, Life and Death and guides us to Parmarth (ultimate truth). (b) Anubhavvalli : Anubhav is experience and Valli is creeper. This book explaining the self realised state of Shri Pant Maharaj is in the form of questions and answers. In this Shri Pant Maharaj starts by seeking permission to Sadguru to narrate his experience and after getting permission explains his experiences, (Anubhavas) in a love filled language, which we are fortunate to read. (c) Bramhopadesh : This is a third essay in the series, explaining Brahman & Atman scientifically in line with Vedas & Upanishadas. He tell us "Knowledge of self is biggest Gain and that forgetting ones' Self is biggest Loss'. He explains Shivratri is the Prayer of Omni present Sadguru Shiva and is the only way to get fulfillment of Human Life. The topics of all these essays are Bramhan & Atman and are not easy to understand. However, Shri Pant Maharaj assures that the Sadguru himself will bless us and help us know the topic while we are reading these essays.
BHAKTODGAR OR PREMBHET
Shri Pant Maharaj started blessing disciples and extending the Sampraday as per order of his Sadguru Shri Balavadhoot since 1887. He blessed a number of disciples and had himself reached the stage of an Avadhoot and become ripe with Self Realisation. This essay is written by Shri Pant Maharaj in 1901, 24 years after this event. The essay is in the form of a story of a devotee who wants to attain self realisation. If he follows Karm Marg (working with a view that sincere work itself is Worship) the fruits are indefinite and can not satisfy him. Following Yoga also will not satisfy him. ... Therefore he approaches Sadguru Balavadhoot to get salvation in this life itself. Shri Balavadhoot makes him sit in his front, worships the disciple, salutes the disciple, enlightens & blesses the disciple and makes the disciple one with Himself. In the course of the essay Shri Pant Maharaj tells us not to expose this sacred treasure of Avadhoot Sampraday, however, he asks us not to shy away from giving it to a Right Person. He commands us to free the number of persons immersed in clay of doubts and worries by sharing with them the joy we have received experienced from him (Shri Pant Maharaj). However as per him, while doing so we should not assume for ourselves the seat of Sadguru and should explain his teachings to people without differentiation like Clouds giving rains to one and all.
BHAGWAT GEETA SAR
This extract of Bhagwat Geeta was written by Shri Pant Maharaj on lsc September, 1892 when he had lost his only son. The extract is brief and it tells us how Lord Krishna has enlightened the World through this Geeta making Arjuna as an object. Shri Pant Maharaj has made notes as under - Arjuna did not want to fight his own elderly relatives and respected people 'and that was the reason Lord Krishna had to tell him Geeta. First he told Arjuna Sankhya Thought (Renouncing all desires). Then he guides Arjuna on the path of knowledge Dnyan Marg and so on. Finally the Lord told Arjuna "Sarva Dharman Parityajya Mamekam Sharanam Vraj" - Leave every thing and submit to me. Embraced Arjuna and enlightened Arjuna about the Ultimate Truth. At this moment having been freed from delusion / ignorance and recollecting memory of self "Nashto Moham Smrutir Labdhwa " Arjuna is ready to do anything that Lord Krishna orders him to do...... Shri Pant Maharaj in this short extract has proven that Avadhoot teaching and Geeta are one and the same.
BALBODHAMRUTSAR
Shri Balavadhoot, Shri Pant Maharaj 's Sadguru had composed many verses. Amongst them "Muknag Beku, Janroli Janagirbeku" (One should not talk much, be silent and still behave as a Realised Person in Society) was liked by Shri Pant Maharaj. Shri Pant Maharaj explains the meaning of this verse in this book in such a way that from same words / lines the meaning / advise to be taken by different stages of disciples - like Ordinary devotees, Sincere followers (Sadhaka), people interested in Salvation, Student of Yoga & Sankhya thought and Realised People - are different. However all of them, get the same satisfaction and derive the same pleasure. The Book is helpful as a skilled guide, a light illuminating hurdles and loopholes, warning signal and principles giving strength to crippled and courage to men in despair enabling them to attain Realisation by doing away ego. Shri Pant Maharaj in this book says with humility, "This thought of Balavadhoot is written by me at the behest of Balavadhoot and you readers too are but Balavadhoot, keep on blessing me and allow me to retire to my mother Balavadhoot."
PARAMANUBHAV PRAKASH
Shri Pant Maharaj has clarified the questions of his colleague & disciple of Balavadhoot, Shri Gopal Bhagojikop in this book. The book gives the light of his experience of Ultimate Truth to all of us in an even manner. The book touches the arduous topics like - (1) Independence of soul; (2) Non duality of Soul; (3) Sorrow / happiness etc. are all illusory You yourself are Your God; (4) Study of Yoga; (5) Eight stages of Yoga; (6) Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Hathyoga, Rajyoga; (7) Shivyoga, i.e. worship of Sadguru, Recognition of Bramhan, Full devotion, good behaviour; (8) You are The God - Tatvamasi. One should follow the path shown in this book to be able to reach the goal of Tatvamasi given in this book.
DATTAPREMLAHARI VOL. 1 (PART 1 & 2)
These two books are published in 1980 by Pant Wangmaya Prakashan Mandal and they feed us an invaluable Feast of all best available Dishes of Shri Pant Maharaj's literature which were not published so far. Shri Pant Maharaj was a great admirer of Saint Dnyaneshwar and his treatise named Amrutanubhav. Shri Pant Maharaj said "If one wants to know Saint Dnyaneshwar, he has only to understand Amrutanubhav. The book is so important that there is not a single step beyond it in study of Eternal Truth -Paramarth." Shri Pant Maharaj started systematic study of Amrutanubhav in May, 1894 which continued up to 1898. In fact he had translated 6-7 chapters of Amrutanubhav in simple Marathi which unfortunately were later not traced. The volumes contain - (1) Meanings of difficult words in Amrutanubhav given by Shri Pant Maharaj reading which we come to know Shri Pant's own self and oneness with Saint Dnyaneshwar; (2) Notes based on Nityanand Dipika of Shiv -Kalyan on Amrutanubhav; (3) Shri Pant Maharaj's own thinking on a number of topics of Philosophy giving new definitions and throwing light on those things. Shri Pant Maharaj's says, "At his (The all encompassing Lord) feet the whole universe is forever enjoying festival of self joy". On 11th November, 1898 he observes, "The exclusive knowledge received with extreme blessings from Balavadhoot is offered in return by humble Datta (Shri Pant) at the feet of superior Lord Shiv Dattavadhoot and has redeemed the debt of knowledge. Now I am wholly for love of disciples.
SHRI PANT'S ESSAYS
Apart from the different Long Essays of Shri Pant, which are available as separate books referred to above, Shri Pant had written a number of essays on varied topics. These essays are published in two volumes. The essays expressing the experienced knowledge of Shri Pant Maharaj are written with an object of enlightening we the disciples. Some essays criticise our irregular behaviour being distracted from pathway shown by Shri Pant Maharaj. Some give new meaning to religious festivals performed by us. Some essays discuss philosophy of Avadhoot Sampraday / Upanishadas / behaviourial principles / devotion, etc. There are 133 essays and they are published two volumes. By reading and pondering on these essays Reader will understand Shri Pant Maharaj. Rader's heart knots will be loosened (HRIDAY GRANTH CHED) and he will travel with joy in the Sky of Self Realisation. A study of all this literature convinces us on what one of his disciple had said, "There is no parallel to Shri Pant Maharaj the innocent, faultless, non tricky, statue of Pure Love, who was a staunch disciple, a Sadguru removing all our doubts with his courageous teachings, a Sadguru giving whole heart to the disciple without with holding anything as secret and respecting the disciple as his Sadguru and one guaranteeing the experience of salvation in this very life by reflecting his own experiences
