ATULIT BAL DHAM

।। HARI OM ।।

In this today’s world i.e. Kaliyug, the deteriorating human values, increasing violence, torture, corruption, untruthfulness, immorality and the dominance and rule of the six vices of the mind has resulted in harassment and victimization of the society. To come out of this vicious cycle, eternal strength and peace are required. And to obtain this, the need of the hour is Seva done from the bottom of the heart and selfless, dispassionate Bhakti. As told by Param Pujya Bapu, Juinagar’s Panchapurushartha Shaktipeeth (Abode of Energy/Power) , the installation of the Dharmachakra, Govidyapeetham at Kothimbe, and the “ATULIT BAL DHAM” Shaktipeeth at Ratnagiri is the prelude to Ramraajya (Rule of Ram) which will arrive in the year 2025.

The wish of Parmeshwar stands between Sankalp (Resolve) and Siddhi (Divine Power). But where the Sanklap itself is Godly, there, does not remain any such thing as a separate wish. Because here, Sankalp itself is Siddhi. The ideal example is ‘Atulit Bal Dham’. The convergence of incomparable strength, purity/sacredness and beauty is a Triveni Sangam, which is the holy abode of Shri Jagadamba Herself. Goddess Jagadamba dwells in the form of the Digvijay Ishtika (The Brick of Universal Conquest), and the land where this Shaktipeeth has been installed belongs to Mahashesh Himself. Each place in this Dham is of exceptional importance.

On 6th June 2001, at 3.30 a.m, i.e. the time of Brahmamuhurta, Sadguru Shri Aniruddha Bapu came in the dream of this superlative devotee Shri Bhai Bhingarde. While talking to Bhai, He manifested as Shri Krishna. After giving darshan (divine vision) in person as Shri Krishna, at the next instant He manifested as Shri Dattaguru, Bhai was astonished and looked at the three headed Shri Dattaguru in wonder. And while he was doing so, Shri Dattaguru took out the Padukas from the shoulder bag and gave it to him saying, “Install these at Karjat” and then Shri Dattaguru blessed Bhai and said, “Whosoever will sit in front of these Padukas, and ask for any wish, it shall be fulfilled.” After this Shri Dattaguru applied Ashtagandha on Bhai’s forehead and Shri Dattaguru disappeared from the dream. At that very moment, Bhai woke up from his sleep and rushed towards the main door of his house, as he had an inexplicable feeling that someone was waiting outside the door. The moment he opened the door, what did he see! A Sadhu Maharaj was standing in front of the door. The Sadhu handed over the Padukas & Ishtika and blessed him. And in a few seconds the Sadhu Maharaj dissapeared. The Ashtagandha applied by Shri Dattaguru on Bhai’s forehead in his dream was still there when he woke up. Innumerable bhaktas rushed to see this Ashtagandha which was applied by Shri Dattaguru in Bhai’s sleep. These two objects were named as Digvijay Paduka and Digvijay Ishtika.

Out of these, the Digvijay Ishtika was ceremoniously installed at Atulit Bal Dham. Ishtika means Isht i.e. only that which is appropriate shall be done and fulfilled. This Ishtika is Digvijayi i.e. universal conqueror and whoever shall stand in front of it and ask for fulfillment of his wishes with a pure heart he shall be certainly granted his wish.

GABHARA

This promise has been by given P.P. Bapu, Himself. This means there is so much strength in Bhakti that whoever does Bhakti with heartfelt love and pure affection he obtains Digvijay. This Ishtika is Sakshat (in person) Jagatmata, Jagdamba Herself. This is divine seat of Anantha. Once they arrive here they do not even remember their pain & suffering anymore.No more worries remain.

This edifice of Atulit Bal Dham has been completely erected thru ‘Shramadaan’ (donation of labour).With the name of Bapu on the lips and labour by hands, hundreds of Bapu bhaktas erected this 2 storeyed beautiful edifice in a total of 14 months, that too, without the hiring of any contractual or professional services. Each floor has a 6000 sq.ft. hall.

FIRST FLOOR

And the Sanctum Sanctorum is on the ground floor, where the Digvijay Ishtika has been installed on July 10, 2003 (Ashadhi Ekadashi). This can be called a spontaneously accomplished work, because once P.P. Bapu resolved to do it, even large obstacles were overcome easily. Thus, with the Shramadaan of all the people, and Shri Bhai Bhingarde’s untiring efforts and backing, this edifice of Atulit Bal Dham was built. Many people, young and old, male and female, rich and poor all worked equally in an atmosphere of camaraderie and in the spirit of service There have been many instances of persons getting rid of their diseases and illnesses while doing Shramadaan here.

The architect, the engineer, the electrician, the carpenter, the painter, the horticulturist themselves were Bapu bhaktas and volunteers, and in this respect, Atulit Bal Dham is unique and unparalleled. This Dham built on the foundation of P.P. Bapu’s, Nandamaai’s and Suchitdada’s blessings, Bhai’s guidance, the untiring efforts of the volunteers and bhaktas, and the good wishes of lakhs of bhaktas together, takes pride in flaunting itself as the Shaktipeeth of the whole world.

Kshemakumbh

There are three other places in this Atulit Bal Dham, which are of extraordinary importance. One is the Kshemakumbh. Kshemakumbh is not just a well, but a holy place in itself. The manifestation of this Kshemakumbh is a remarkable incident. When the construction of Atulit Bal Dham was going on, requirement of water was huge. All this water had to be procured. Hence, the necessity of digging up a well arose. Even after digging down 55 to 60 feet, there was no trace of water. The cost of purchased water, plus the digging, it looked like a waste of time and energy! Therefore, at night, Bhai sat down at the place of digging to do japa (chanting). That evening only, Bhai had spoken to P.P. Suchitdada about the well.

KSHEMKUMBH

When the Japa was going on, suddenly, a big cobra came to the dug up spot and raised its hood. He made namaskar (obeisance) from the bottom of the heart, and the cobra went away with the same suddenness that it had come. The next morning, everybody noticed that water had sprung up at the dug up spot. Bhai could understand what had happened! The second day, P.P. Suchitdada came and looked into the well and offered a flower into it. The flower of Blessings which Suchitdada offered, has bestowed the attribute of holiness to the whole well. The land of Atulit Bal Dham is the land of Shesha. ‘Kshema’ is another name of Shesha, hence this well was named as ‘Kshemakumbh’. When the water of the well was tested by the Water Department, it was certified to be of the highest quality. Many bhaktas take home this water as ‘Tirtha’ (Holy water). The water from this Kshemakumbha is used for the garden, vegetable patch etc. of Atulit Bal Dham. Yet, till date, this Kshemakumbh is always completely full.

Audumbar

AUDUMBAR

The place in front of this ‘Kshemakumbh’ is Saint Namdev Maharaj’s Audumbar tree. During the inauguration, the ‘Choodamani’ was installed. ‘Choodamani’ means the younger brother of ‘Ishtika’. Nandaai’s younger brother means Suchitdada. The installation has been done in the form of Choodamani, and here we can do ‘Deepadaan’ or donate candle lights. ‘Sudeepdaan’, Deepdaan was given importance in our ancient cultures, too. There are 5 types of Sudeep – Icchapurti – for fulfillment of our wishes; Peedanaashak – to destroy our pains and sufferings; Baadhaanivaarak – which destroys any obstacles; ‘Darshandeep’- The most important for vibrations of our Sadguru which are invaluable, and Janmadin Sudeep – to be lit on our birthdays.

Tulsi Vrindavan

TULSI VRINDAVAN

The next place is the Tulasi Vrindavan in front of the entrance, the place of Saint Janaabai. When we make pradakshinas (circumambulate) around the Audumbar tree, i.e. the place of Namdev Maharaj, we experience distinct waves of joy in our hearts. Similarly at the Tulsi Vrindavan i.e. Saint Janabai’s place, we get a feeling of happiness. In both these places, the bhaktas can sense the presence of these Great Saints’ Nirgun state, in a heightened state of devotion. In these surroundings, organized cultivation of trees of Muchkund, Kadamba, Neem etc. has been made. Different vegetables too are grown on a small scale. Here, a cow named Maauli also resides with her calf. The dormitory near the entrance of the Dham is very distinctive. Efforts have been made to conserve our ancient culture here. The flour mill, the mortar & pestle etc. have been used. Accommodation facilities are also available for the outstation Bhaktas.

Utsavs (festivities) celebrated at Atulit Bal Dham and the Seva work

Every year, 6th June is celebrated as the Day of Manifestation of the Digvijay Ishtika. Only on this day of the whole year, the Ishtika (Brick) is brought out of the Sanctum Sanctorum and is worshipped at the hands of Mr. & Mrs. Vijaysinh Bhingarde. And this brick is kept for the entire day for Darshan. This is one of the three main annual Utsavs (festivities) celebrated at Atulit Bal Dham. On this day, the jap ‘Jai Jai Rama Krishna Hari’ is chanted by the rotation method and a Satsang is held. The second Utsav is celebrated on Aniruddha Pournima. On this day the program is: Chanting of Aniruddha Kavach 12 times, P.P.Bapu’s jap 108 times, Ghorkasthoddharana Stotra 24 times and then ‘Satsang’. The 3rd Utsav is ‘Hanuman Jayanti’, i.e. the worship of Ashwattha Hanumant Idol and Panchakumbhabhishek . And for the entire day, the mantra ‘Om Shri Ramadootaya, Hanumantaaya Mahaapraanaaya Mahaabalaaya Namo Namah’ is chanted and abhishek is offered by the bhaktas and Satsang is held. Thrice a year, the Ramaraksha is read & recited 108 times, i.e. on the days of Ram Navami, Ashadhi Ekadashi and Dassera. From dawn at 5.00 am, 3 persons can continuously recite it without any break.

ENTRANCE GATE

In the month of Shravan, every evening, daily, the Ghorkasthodharan Stotra is recited 108 times. Out of these festivals, only the Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on the first floor. For this special decoration with Sugarcane is made. All saints have told in one voice that the seva (service) of the diseased & suffering people is the real seva of God. By doing seva of these unfortunate people, the destined troubles to be faced by me are definitely lessened. We got this golden opportunity due to the 13 point program by P.P. Bapu. In this, mainly, spinning yarn, making quilts in the ‘Warmth of Love’ project, ‘Old is Gold’ project etc. are implemented at Atulit Bal Dham. In this Dham, various classes for self-enhanancement like Balopasana, Dhyanvarga (Meditation classes), Language classes, Computer classes, Suryanamaskar workshops etc. are held regularly. This Dham is a workshop. Here we have prepared Vermicompost; there are 2 pits in the premises for such purposes. Till date, 3 tonnes of vermicompost have been prepared. The cultivation of rice, vegetables, etc. takes place here and this too, by the ‘Shramadaan’ of all the bhaktas & volunteers. Paper bags are made from ‘Raddi’ old newspapers etc. Also the Eco-friendly Ganapati (Ganesh Idols)-a boon for the environment, are made here. These are also made by the Bhaktas and the volunteers only. Saplings for Tree Plantation are prepared here; and Tree Plantation is done on the premises too. On the top most floor, Blood Donation camps are held too. The practical exams of the Panchsheel examination are held here.

This place is the home of Maauli (the cow) and Bandya-Gundya (her calves). Because of this, we get Darshan of the Gomaata (Mother cow) effortlessly. There is a dormitory and a restroom on the premises which have been constructed in a distinctive manner. The tiled roof, the floors coated with cowdung wash, the small loft, the swing, the bathing vessel, the smaller vessels made up of copper and brass, the flour handmill, the mortar and pestle, the black blanket, the pegs on the wall, the little windows and the corner stone, all these give us a sense of belonging, an experience of being in our native homes and reminds us of our roots in ancient culture. Next to this is the goat shed.

The whole premises is covered by green lawns. We can see flowers of various colours and decorative plants which are looked after by the volunteers. On both the sides, there are coconut trees lined up. At different places, water troughs have been made for storing water. Then there are mango trees on these lawns, too. There are three Dhyan Kutir (Place of Meditation) in the outer surroundings of the premises.

GREEN LAWNS

Such is this Atulit Bal Dham. It is Atulit (Incomparable) , exactly as its name denotes. And sacred vibrations are transmitted continuously from this place i.e. from it’s each item, each object and every grain of its soil. When we go there, not only do these vibrations purify our inner-self, but the special relationship of indebtedness that binds us to this place becomes clearer and clearer. Each bhakta who comes here becomes a waarkari, and this Dham becomes Pandharpur for him. Just as Vithal adorns Himself with the Ishtika, the soul adorns itself with Bhakti, and the Inner-Self becomes the sandy banks of the Chandrabhaga river. The ‘Mana’ (Mind) turns into Naamdev (chanting of the ‘name’) and the flow of Pure Love of Janaabai, makes the Chandrabhaga of the Inner- self overflow its banks to prove witness to that play.

खेळ मांडियेला वाळवंटी ठायी
नाचती वैष्णव भाई रे ।।

‘Khel Mandiyela Walawanti Thaai
Naachati Vaishnav Bhai Re’