Warm Birthday Wishes from Pratyaksha2025 and all its followers and Fans to our Beloved Sadguru Shri Aniruddha Bapu
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
KARTIKI EKADASHI CELEBRATION
This is to inform that all the Shraddhavans that all would get the priviledge of offering Tulasi Patra on Trivikram at Shree Aniruddha Gurukshetram on the holy occassion of Kartiki Ekadashi on Wednesday, 17th November 2010.
The priviledge can be availed between 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Importance of Breakfast
Breakfast is considered as the most important meal of the day as it gives us the much needed energy after a night s sleep. But we often ignore it as we are in a hurry. Skipping breakfast often leads to poor concentration, irritability, low blood sugar levels and a high craving for food in midmorning or lunch. This results in overeating and weight gain. In fact it would be easier to control your weight by eating smaller meals and healthy snacks more frequently than skipping any meal.The rush hour of the morning, kids going off to school, adults running to work, the sufferer is the breakfast, often skipped, more often underrated. Breakfast should be a healthy, balanced, well rounded meal. If time is the constraint, some amount of preparing can be done in the night, to save on precious minutes in the morning. Cereals are a good idea for those who don t have the time or the energy to cook in the morning. Coupled with skimmed milk or juices, it takes care of energy, cereal goodness and all other nutrients too. In fact many ready to eat cereals are fortified with more vitamin and iron, and hence are more nutritious than any other food. To make sure that you are eating sensibly for breakfast, avoid too much sugar or caffeine preferably not more than one cup of coffee . A whole-wheat toast with eggs or low fat cheese with fresh juice or some other fruit, like a banana, and low fat milk can be a good breakfast. Eggs are an all time good idea for a healthy breakfast, more so if they are boiled or poached, hence less on oil. In India, there are variety of breakfast items available which are nutritious and provide the required amount of energy to sustain throughout the day. Breakfast foods differ from region to region. Some other options are given here- Idli and dosa made from rice and pulse, it gives good amount of energy and proteins and if had with Vegetable sambar, it contributes to vitamins and minerals. Upma there are varieties of upma prepared, most of them with semolina which is energy rich. However Upma prepared with broken wheat and vegetables is very nutritious because of its fiber content. Sandwiches prepared with vegetables/shredded chicken and brown bread is a complete breakfast food containing all the vital nutrients and of course fibre. For those people who are looking to lose weight, cheese or mayonnaise should be avoided. Bread omlet is a high protein breakfast food and very much recommended especially for children, atheletes and those who are looking to build muscles. However people with cholesterol or any heart problems should prepare the omlet only with egg white Oats with milk and fruits Oats is gaining lots of popularity these days owing to its high content of soluble fibre and its benefit in reducing cholesterol in the body. So oats with skimmed milk and fresh fruits are a very good option especially for those who are on a weight reduction diet. Stuffed parathas if prepared with less oil, parathas are very nutritious and an ideal breakfast item. The stuffing can be anything ranging from potatoes, raddish, cauliflower, sprouted green gram moong , paneer prepared from skimmed milk and so on. Corn/Rice/Wheat flakes Corn flakes are very popular breakfast item. Now a days you have variety of them availble in the market which is fortified with calcium/Iron or Vitamins. It is very nutritious when taken with skimmed milk and fresh fruits.
Transformation from Dr Aniruddha joshi to Aniruddha Bapu
An accomplished medical doctor, Mumbai-based Aniruddha Joshi is today revered by millions as the reincarnation of the Sai Baba of Shirdi. Credited with having performed many miracles, he nevertheless advocates a practical blend of spirituality and science
Digambara, Digambara, Shripad Vallabh Digambar…,” a bhajan plays on. It is 7.30 p.m. on a chilly December evening, as I wait in the compound of the New English School in Kherwadi, Bandra East, in Mumbai. People have filled the ground in front of an elaborately decorated stage; beyond, separated by a grill, the school’s lobby is packed to capacity. I am lucky to be here; many others have had to be accommodated inside the school building, and will only witness the evening’s proceedings courtesy close circuit television. Others have settled outside the compound walls, on the footpaths and in an open ground across the road, eyes glued to a big screen put up for their benefit.
Around 7.50 p.m., the excitement among the gathering is palpable. Suddenly, the blowing of a conch shell causes a stir in the crowd. All eyes expectantly turn towards the path leading to the gate. A whisper rings through the throng: “Bapu aale, Bapu aale”. A pair of turbaned, traditionally dressed musicians march stiffly blowing on tutaris (wind instrument), followed by a pair of similarly dressed sentries. Behind, walking briskly, casually waving to the crowd, in white shirt, black trousers, and leather chappals, is a fifty-something man, tall and athletic. The people in the audience bow in reverence, hands folded. He responds, arms raised in blessing. As the trademark drooping moustaches accentuate a friendly smile, his eyes twinkle; he seems to recognise many faces in the crowd, and greets some individually. For the lakhs of his devotees assembled here, he is Aniruddha Bapu, the reincarnation of the Sai Baba of Shirdi.
Born in 1956, Aniruddha Joshi studied at a school in Parel, before following in his father’s footsteps, by opting for medicine. A brilliant student and gold medallist, he gained his MD, specialising in rheumatology. A lecturer in Nair Hospital till 1985, he later started his private practice in Dadar and Parel, which he continued till 1998.
A married man with two children, Dr Joshi led a normal life, until around 1981, when he started studying ayurveda from Vaidya Antarkar and experienced a radical shift in his thinking. The doctor began to realise the superiority of this system of Indian medicine over allopathy. It also made him mull over what had gone wrong with the system. Why had ayurveda stopped progressing? Looking for answers, he had an insight into the role of spirituality in society. Social progress, he realised, was hindered as spiritual values ceased to be important.
But the transition from Dr Aniruddha Joshi to Aniruddha Bapu has an interesting story behind it. Before taking samadhi in 1918, the Sai Baba of Shirdi had given three of his personal belongings to Govind Raghunath Dabholkar (also known as Hemadpant), a close devotee of his, assuring him that he would return one day to claim these articles back. The articles, a shaligram (holy stone used in puja), a small trishul and a rosary passed on to Hemadpant’s son Gajanan Govind Dabholkar, who in his last days gave them to his son Govind Gajanan Dabholkar also known as Appa Dabholkar. This fact was, however, a closely guarded secret, known only to the family.
Sai Niwas, the ancestral home of the Dabholkars in Bandra, has always been associated with Sai Baba. The Sai puja, held here daily since 1911, draws hordes of devotees. Dr Joshi, himself a Sai bhakt, thus came first to Sai Niwas in 1993. Known then to the Dabholkars as an eminent doctor, he immediately made an impression on them by his modesty, his simple and joyful ways and his profound, yet lucid explanation of religious scriptures.
On May 27, 1996, Dr Joshi went to Sai Niwas, and asked for the articles belonging to Sai Baba. “We were stunned. We bowed in reverence as we saw him manifest in the form of Shirdi Sai Baba,” recalls Dabholkar, whose wife and children were also present to witness the event. However, they were asked to keep this encounter to themselves, till Bapu gave them permission to talk about it in 1998. “This was not the first occasion on which Bapu declared his divinity. It had been predicted to his great-grandfather that Lord Vitthala would take birth in his home and thus his family was always aware of his divine status,” maintains Dabholkar.
As word spread, believers started flocking around Aniruddha Bapu or Sadguru, as he came to be known. Today, lakhs of devotees in and outside Maharashtra and even abroad consider him to be the avatar of Mahavishnu. Nandamata, Bapu’s wife, is also worshipped as Laksmi Avatar. A former student of his, Dr Suchit Dada, is worshipped as Sheshnag avatar. Dr Dada’s clinic draws many patients seeking a cure and Bapu is supposed to work his miracles through him.
For various devotees from all walks of life, Aniruddha Bapu has proved to be a turning point in life. “It is as if a miracle has taken place in my life,” says Sandhyaveera Jaiker, who is actively involved with the movement. “I have been attending the pravachans (discourses) and taking an active part in the various socio-cultural activities. I have been exposed to a world beyond the four walls of my house. My life has taken such a turn for the better,” she exclaims.
For the Dabholkars, their devotion to Sai Baba had borne fruit. The Sadguru had once again entered the lives of the family in human form. “He is full of prem (love) and karuna (compassion) and forgives easily. He teaches that though men make mistakes, they can always be corrected. He remembers the name of every devotee he meets, even children, whom he especially loves. Not only humans, even animals are drawn towards him. Cows come to him when he calls them by name and when he talks to them they have tears in their eyes. Today we are privileged to experience God in the human form,” Dabholkar says.
Sadhanatai Upadhye retired as the head of the Marathi department in Wilson College. “When my husband died,” she recalls, “I had lost all hope. Confining myself in my house, I just used to read my books. Meeting Bapu helped me to open the windows of my heart, and I started attending his discourses and participating in his activities,” she says. “He has come to remove the decadence that has set in the world today. His manner of working is upgrading society through education and awareness. He works day and night for the people. When others see the work he is doing, they are also inspired to dedicate themselves to his service. Working for Aniruddha Bapu, I feel that I am working for society and the nation.”
In fact, Sadhanatai had been first graced with his darshan when, during her pregnancy in 1964, she used to visit the Vitthala Mandir in Wadala. There she once met a small boy with a happy smile, who gave her a peacock feather and touched her belly. A woman accompanying the boy remarked then that her baby had been blessed by Lord Vitthala himself. Years later, when he himself reminded her about the incident, she realised that the child was none other than eight-year-old Aniruddha himself.
Dabholkar has an interesting observation to make. “In the Sai Satcharita, Sai Baba has said that he would take rebirth when eight years of age. This refers to his age when the outside world would first experience his grace, just as Sadhanatai did,” he explains.
Dr Santosh Salagre, a lecturer in medicine, is also sure that Bapu has come to alleviate the ills of the world. “We see such a lot of the effects of Kaliyug today. I realised that just like Shri Ram and Shri Krishna (before him), Bapu too has taken birth to solve the problems of our world,” he says.
Dr Keshav Narsikar studied with Dr Joshi in Ruia College and later in Nair Medical College from 1972 till 1979. “He was exceptionally brilliant and could cite from any textbook, even giving cross-references off hand.
This is not possible even for an above-average student,” he recalls. “He was interested in dramatics and was famous for his excellent oratory and mimicry. Always cordial, he would go out of his way to help others. His entire outlook, even as a student, was very different,” reveals Dr Narsikar. Though clueless about Bapu’s spiritual credentials, he says: “I always respected him and found consolation in his company.” Today he has no doubt that his former classmate is indeed a Sadguru. “Thousands of people have experienced sudden transformation, some even after just one darshan. I have personally talked to many devotees and their experiences cannot be explained by material sciences,” he explains, adding that he makes it a point to regularly attend the evening discourses.
Filmmaker Shrabani Deodhar, though spiritual from a young age, “did not fancy the worship of human beings”. She went to Bapu’s programme out of curiosity while working on a TV serial about Shirdi Sai Baba. She says: “I am not from a background where I get carried away easily, but I was soothed and felt very strongly drawn to Bapu.” Suffering from health problems as a result of work pressure, she met Dr Suchit Dada at his clinic, who assured her that she would be completely cured. Thereafter she was privileged to have a personal meeting with Bapu, which she describes as an intense psychoanalytical session. “I had a lot of fear inside me, such as the fear of death that I was not even aware of. During the session all this came out as I learnt how to fight my fear-psychosis. And from there my life really took off. I feel he has come into our life in a big way. He is really our Sadguru,” she says. “The whole approach taught by him has made life so beautiful.”
However, Bapu himself has never claimed to be an avatar. In fact, he denies the new role thrust upon him, repeatedly pointing out that Sai Baba was a brahmachari, while he himself is a family man. In an interview with the Marathi weekly Lok Prabha, incidentally the first and only press interview that he agreed to, he explains the occurrence at Sai Niwas as a mere coincidence. “Being aware of the friendship between Sai Baba and Hemadpant, I had casually asked Appa Dabholkar if he had in his possession any articles given to his grandfather by Sai Baba.”
Whether an enlightened doctor preaching spiritual values or an avatar of Sai Baba, going by the phenomenal numbers that flock to his discourses held every Thursday evening, Mumbai has given itsheart to the Sadguru, who even dresses in the city’s own cosmopolitan garb.
One reason for this, according to Wing Commander (retd.) Ravindra Parasnis, is that Bapu, even before he came to be known as Sadguru, was a competent doctor with a reputation for curing many incurable conditions. Again, he has always been involved in social work and has successfully brought back people who had gone astray, such as drug addicts and alcoholics. “Also, as a guru he is great and gives practical and good advice,” he feels. Though personally not sure about his divinity as avatar of God, he says: “I definitely respect him as a guru. I have attended only a few of his pravachans, but I like what he preaches.”
Wing Commander Parasnis has a point. Instead of an abstruse philosophy that can be comprehended by few, Bapu’s teachings boil down to common sense, pure and simple. While teaching bhakti (the path of devotion), he stresses sincerity and awareness. “For naamsmaran (recitation of the name of God) any name will do, but it should be taken from the heart and with awareness,” he says. “If pressed for time, it is okay to perform puja without taking a bath, rather than not doing it at all,” he clarifies. Disapproving of those who renounce their domestic duties in the pursuit of God, he preaches that a few minutes spent daily thinking about God are sufficient.
Harking back, perhaps to his training as a doctor, Bapu strongly advocates an intelligent and scientific approach to life. This blend of spiritual wisdom and pragmatism especially appeals in today’s increasingly materialistic world with its fast-paced schedules and slackening spiritual mores, and perhaps explains the presence of a large number of youth among his devotees.
A crusader against superstition and blind faith since his medical days, another facet to Bapu is his role as a social reformer. He has often spoken about the need to eradicate social ills such as caste discrimination and the low status accorded to widows, even declaring that if Manusmriti (Manu’s laws) cannot benefit all it must be discarded. At Ramnavmi Mahotsavs organised by him, the puja is conducted by volunteers, including members of the lower castes. Widows, traditionally debarred from religious ceremonies, also take part in auspicious rites. “What Bapu preaches, he himself practises and even the last rites of his parents were conducted by volunteers from amongst his devotees,” confirms Sunil Mantri, a devotee.
Bapu exhorts his disciples to read Sai Satcharita, Sai Baba’s biography written by Hemadpant. To ensure the scientific study of this message of Sai Baba, he introduced the Panchasheel examinations: a set of five exams including practicals at the final level, held twice each year for which thousands of students appear. Dr Salagre refers to the exams as “milestones of my spiritual progress at each level”.
In 1999, Aniruddha Bapu established a gurukul at Juinagar, for the propagation of Ayurveda and Mudgal Vidya, the martial arts of ancient India. Also, the Govidyapeetham, established in Karjat, near Mumbai, aims to study the rearing and breeding of cows, combining modern veterinary science with ancient techniques.
For the establishment of ‘Ramrajya’ by year 2025, Bapu instituted the Aniruddha Samarpan Pathak and the Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Trust (SSAUT). Inspired by his words “Tu ani mi milun ashakya ase hya jagat kahihi nahi” (There is nothing that you and I together cannot achieve), volunteers involve themselves in social work including rehabilitation of leprosy patients, holding blood donation camps, working for the blind, running de-addiction centres and cleanliness and hygiene awareness. A welfare centre for earthquake victims opened in June 2001, in Kharoi village, Kutch, has a team of volunteers, including qualified medical professionals, administering treatment. As part of the rural development scheme, a few villages in Dhule, Maharashtra, have been adopted by the SSAUT.
“Bapu teaches us different responsibilities, including our social responsibility,” feels Mantri, himself a volunteer and member of the Aniruddha Samarpan Pathak. A unique ‘13-point programme’ (see box) was announced by Bapu on October 3, 2002. Its aim: to achieve ‘Samartha Bharat’, a strong and self-reliant India.
The discourse delivered, it is well past midnight as Bapu walks down the path leading to the gate. I had come here full of questions. Does God walk the earth as a man? Wear a shirt and pant? Go to medical college? I am still not sure I have the answers. But what the heck, I think. Heaven alone cannot lay claim to God. What about His work? People being taught the right path, rediscovering their spiritual selves. Volunteers committing themselves to the uplift of society. Youthful lives rescued from the clutches of drugs and alcohol. Needy students helped in their quest for education. The poor and the downtrodden given the chance of a better life. If there is God, then He is here. On earth, among us, wherever His work is done.
Digambara, Digambara, Shripad Vallabh Digambar…,” a bhajan plays on. It is 7.30 p.m. on a chilly December evening, as I wait in the compound of the New English School in Kherwadi, Bandra East, in Mumbai. People have filled the ground in front of an elaborately decorated stage; beyond, separated by a grill, the school’s lobby is packed to capacity. I am lucky to be here; many others have had to be accommodated inside the school building, and will only witness the evening’s proceedings courtesy close circuit television. Others have settled outside the compound walls, on the footpaths and in an open ground across the road, eyes glued to a big screen put up for their benefit.
Around 7.50 p.m., the excitement among the gathering is palpable. Suddenly, the blowing of a conch shell causes a stir in the crowd. All eyes expectantly turn towards the path leading to the gate. A whisper rings through the throng: “Bapu aale, Bapu aale”. A pair of turbaned, traditionally dressed musicians march stiffly blowing on tutaris (wind instrument), followed by a pair of similarly dressed sentries. Behind, walking briskly, casually waving to the crowd, in white shirt, black trousers, and leather chappals, is a fifty-something man, tall and athletic. The people in the audience bow in reverence, hands folded. He responds, arms raised in blessing. As the trademark drooping moustaches accentuate a friendly smile, his eyes twinkle; he seems to recognise many faces in the crowd, and greets some individually. For the lakhs of his devotees assembled here, he is Aniruddha Bapu, the reincarnation of the Sai Baba of Shirdi.
Born in 1956, Aniruddha Joshi studied at a school in Parel, before following in his father’s footsteps, by opting for medicine. A brilliant student and gold medallist, he gained his MD, specialising in rheumatology. A lecturer in Nair Hospital till 1985, he later started his private practice in Dadar and Parel, which he continued till 1998.
A married man with two children, Dr Joshi led a normal life, until around 1981, when he started studying ayurveda from Vaidya Antarkar and experienced a radical shift in his thinking. The doctor began to realise the superiority of this system of Indian medicine over allopathy. It also made him mull over what had gone wrong with the system. Why had ayurveda stopped progressing? Looking for answers, he had an insight into the role of spirituality in society. Social progress, he realised, was hindered as spiritual values ceased to be important.
But the transition from Dr Aniruddha Joshi to Aniruddha Bapu has an interesting story behind it. Before taking samadhi in 1918, the Sai Baba of Shirdi had given three of his personal belongings to Govind Raghunath Dabholkar (also known as Hemadpant), a close devotee of his, assuring him that he would return one day to claim these articles back. The articles, a shaligram (holy stone used in puja), a small trishul and a rosary passed on to Hemadpant’s son Gajanan Govind Dabholkar, who in his last days gave them to his son Govind Gajanan Dabholkar also known as Appa Dabholkar. This fact was, however, a closely guarded secret, known only to the family.
Sai Niwas, the ancestral home of the Dabholkars in Bandra, has always been associated with Sai Baba. The Sai puja, held here daily since 1911, draws hordes of devotees. Dr Joshi, himself a Sai bhakt, thus came first to Sai Niwas in 1993. Known then to the Dabholkars as an eminent doctor, he immediately made an impression on them by his modesty, his simple and joyful ways and his profound, yet lucid explanation of religious scriptures.
On May 27, 1996, Dr Joshi went to Sai Niwas, and asked for the articles belonging to Sai Baba. “We were stunned. We bowed in reverence as we saw him manifest in the form of Shirdi Sai Baba,” recalls Dabholkar, whose wife and children were also present to witness the event. However, they were asked to keep this encounter to themselves, till Bapu gave them permission to talk about it in 1998. “This was not the first occasion on which Bapu declared his divinity. It had been predicted to his great-grandfather that Lord Vitthala would take birth in his home and thus his family was always aware of his divine status,” maintains Dabholkar.
As word spread, believers started flocking around Aniruddha Bapu or Sadguru, as he came to be known. Today, lakhs of devotees in and outside Maharashtra and even abroad consider him to be the avatar of Mahavishnu. Nandamata, Bapu’s wife, is also worshipped as Laksmi Avatar. A former student of his, Dr Suchit Dada, is worshipped as Sheshnag avatar. Dr Dada’s clinic draws many patients seeking a cure and Bapu is supposed to work his miracles through him.
For various devotees from all walks of life, Aniruddha Bapu has proved to be a turning point in life. “It is as if a miracle has taken place in my life,” says Sandhyaveera Jaiker, who is actively involved with the movement. “I have been attending the pravachans (discourses) and taking an active part in the various socio-cultural activities. I have been exposed to a world beyond the four walls of my house. My life has taken such a turn for the better,” she exclaims.
For the Dabholkars, their devotion to Sai Baba had borne fruit. The Sadguru had once again entered the lives of the family in human form. “He is full of prem (love) and karuna (compassion) and forgives easily. He teaches that though men make mistakes, they can always be corrected. He remembers the name of every devotee he meets, even children, whom he especially loves. Not only humans, even animals are drawn towards him. Cows come to him when he calls them by name and when he talks to them they have tears in their eyes. Today we are privileged to experience God in the human form,” Dabholkar says.
Sadhanatai Upadhye retired as the head of the Marathi department in Wilson College. “When my husband died,” she recalls, “I had lost all hope. Confining myself in my house, I just used to read my books. Meeting Bapu helped me to open the windows of my heart, and I started attending his discourses and participating in his activities,” she says. “He has come to remove the decadence that has set in the world today. His manner of working is upgrading society through education and awareness. He works day and night for the people. When others see the work he is doing, they are also inspired to dedicate themselves to his service. Working for Aniruddha Bapu, I feel that I am working for society and the nation.”
In fact, Sadhanatai had been first graced with his darshan when, during her pregnancy in 1964, she used to visit the Vitthala Mandir in Wadala. There she once met a small boy with a happy smile, who gave her a peacock feather and touched her belly. A woman accompanying the boy remarked then that her baby had been blessed by Lord Vitthala himself. Years later, when he himself reminded her about the incident, she realised that the child was none other than eight-year-old Aniruddha himself.
Dabholkar has an interesting observation to make. “In the Sai Satcharita, Sai Baba has said that he would take rebirth when eight years of age. This refers to his age when the outside world would first experience his grace, just as Sadhanatai did,” he explains.
Dr Santosh Salagre, a lecturer in medicine, is also sure that Bapu has come to alleviate the ills of the world. “We see such a lot of the effects of Kaliyug today. I realised that just like Shri Ram and Shri Krishna (before him), Bapu too has taken birth to solve the problems of our world,” he says.
Dr Keshav Narsikar studied with Dr Joshi in Ruia College and later in Nair Medical College from 1972 till 1979. “He was exceptionally brilliant and could cite from any textbook, even giving cross-references off hand.
This is not possible even for an above-average student,” he recalls. “He was interested in dramatics and was famous for his excellent oratory and mimicry. Always cordial, he would go out of his way to help others. His entire outlook, even as a student, was very different,” reveals Dr Narsikar. Though clueless about Bapu’s spiritual credentials, he says: “I always respected him and found consolation in his company.” Today he has no doubt that his former classmate is indeed a Sadguru. “Thousands of people have experienced sudden transformation, some even after just one darshan. I have personally talked to many devotees and their experiences cannot be explained by material sciences,” he explains, adding that he makes it a point to regularly attend the evening discourses.
Filmmaker Shrabani Deodhar, though spiritual from a young age, “did not fancy the worship of human beings”. She went to Bapu’s programme out of curiosity while working on a TV serial about Shirdi Sai Baba. She says: “I am not from a background where I get carried away easily, but I was soothed and felt very strongly drawn to Bapu.” Suffering from health problems as a result of work pressure, she met Dr Suchit Dada at his clinic, who assured her that she would be completely cured. Thereafter she was privileged to have a personal meeting with Bapu, which she describes as an intense psychoanalytical session. “I had a lot of fear inside me, such as the fear of death that I was not even aware of. During the session all this came out as I learnt how to fight my fear-psychosis. And from there my life really took off. I feel he has come into our life in a big way. He is really our Sadguru,” she says. “The whole approach taught by him has made life so beautiful.”
However, Bapu himself has never claimed to be an avatar. In fact, he denies the new role thrust upon him, repeatedly pointing out that Sai Baba was a brahmachari, while he himself is a family man. In an interview with the Marathi weekly Lok Prabha, incidentally the first and only press interview that he agreed to, he explains the occurrence at Sai Niwas as a mere coincidence. “Being aware of the friendship between Sai Baba and Hemadpant, I had casually asked Appa Dabholkar if he had in his possession any articles given to his grandfather by Sai Baba.”
Whether an enlightened doctor preaching spiritual values or an avatar of Sai Baba, going by the phenomenal numbers that flock to his discourses held every Thursday evening, Mumbai has given itsheart to the Sadguru, who even dresses in the city’s own cosmopolitan garb.
One reason for this, according to Wing Commander (retd.) Ravindra Parasnis, is that Bapu, even before he came to be known as Sadguru, was a competent doctor with a reputation for curing many incurable conditions. Again, he has always been involved in social work and has successfully brought back people who had gone astray, such as drug addicts and alcoholics. “Also, as a guru he is great and gives practical and good advice,” he feels. Though personally not sure about his divinity as avatar of God, he says: “I definitely respect him as a guru. I have attended only a few of his pravachans, but I like what he preaches.”
Wing Commander Parasnis has a point. Instead of an abstruse philosophy that can be comprehended by few, Bapu’s teachings boil down to common sense, pure and simple. While teaching bhakti (the path of devotion), he stresses sincerity and awareness. “For naamsmaran (recitation of the name of God) any name will do, but it should be taken from the heart and with awareness,” he says. “If pressed for time, it is okay to perform puja without taking a bath, rather than not doing it at all,” he clarifies. Disapproving of those who renounce their domestic duties in the pursuit of God, he preaches that a few minutes spent daily thinking about God are sufficient.
Harking back, perhaps to his training as a doctor, Bapu strongly advocates an intelligent and scientific approach to life. This blend of spiritual wisdom and pragmatism especially appeals in today’s increasingly materialistic world with its fast-paced schedules and slackening spiritual mores, and perhaps explains the presence of a large number of youth among his devotees.
A crusader against superstition and blind faith since his medical days, another facet to Bapu is his role as a social reformer. He has often spoken about the need to eradicate social ills such as caste discrimination and the low status accorded to widows, even declaring that if Manusmriti (Manu’s laws) cannot benefit all it must be discarded. At Ramnavmi Mahotsavs organised by him, the puja is conducted by volunteers, including members of the lower castes. Widows, traditionally debarred from religious ceremonies, also take part in auspicious rites. “What Bapu preaches, he himself practises and even the last rites of his parents were conducted by volunteers from amongst his devotees,” confirms Sunil Mantri, a devotee.
Bapu exhorts his disciples to read Sai Satcharita, Sai Baba’s biography written by Hemadpant. To ensure the scientific study of this message of Sai Baba, he introduced the Panchasheel examinations: a set of five exams including practicals at the final level, held twice each year for which thousands of students appear. Dr Salagre refers to the exams as “milestones of my spiritual progress at each level”.
In 1999, Aniruddha Bapu established a gurukul at Juinagar, for the propagation of Ayurveda and Mudgal Vidya, the martial arts of ancient India. Also, the Govidyapeetham, established in Karjat, near Mumbai, aims to study the rearing and breeding of cows, combining modern veterinary science with ancient techniques.
For the establishment of ‘Ramrajya’ by year 2025, Bapu instituted the Aniruddha Samarpan Pathak and the Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Trust (SSAUT). Inspired by his words “Tu ani mi milun ashakya ase hya jagat kahihi nahi” (There is nothing that you and I together cannot achieve), volunteers involve themselves in social work including rehabilitation of leprosy patients, holding blood donation camps, working for the blind, running de-addiction centres and cleanliness and hygiene awareness. A welfare centre for earthquake victims opened in June 2001, in Kharoi village, Kutch, has a team of volunteers, including qualified medical professionals, administering treatment. As part of the rural development scheme, a few villages in Dhule, Maharashtra, have been adopted by the SSAUT.
“Bapu teaches us different responsibilities, including our social responsibility,” feels Mantri, himself a volunteer and member of the Aniruddha Samarpan Pathak. A unique ‘13-point programme’ (see box) was announced by Bapu on October 3, 2002. Its aim: to achieve ‘Samartha Bharat’, a strong and self-reliant India.
The discourse delivered, it is well past midnight as Bapu walks down the path leading to the gate. I had come here full of questions. Does God walk the earth as a man? Wear a shirt and pant? Go to medical college? I am still not sure I have the answers. But what the heck, I think. Heaven alone cannot lay claim to God. What about His work? People being taught the right path, rediscovering their spiritual selves. Volunteers committing themselves to the uplift of society. Youthful lives rescued from the clutches of drugs and alcohol. Needy students helped in their quest for education. The poor and the downtrodden given the chance of a better life. If there is God, then He is here. On earth, among us, wherever His work is done.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Physical Fitness Curbs Frequency and Severity of Colds, Study Finds
The US researchers base their findings on 1,000 adults up to the age of 85 whose respiratory health was tracked for 12 weeks during the autumn and winter of 2008.
Six out of 10 participants were women, and four out of 10 were aged between 18 and 39; 40% were middle aged, and one in four were aged 60 and older.
All the participants reported back on how frequently they took aerobic exercise and rated their fitness levels using a validated 10 point scoring system. They were also asked about lifestyle, diet and recent stressful events, as these can all affect immune system response.
The number of days with cold symptoms varied considerably between winter and autumn, with an average of 13 days in the winter and 8 days in the autumn.
Being older, male, and married, seemed to reduce the frequency of colds, but after taking account of other influential factors, the most significant factors were perceived fitness and the amount of exercise taken.
The number of days with symptoms among those who said they were physically active on five or more days of the week and felt fit was almost half (43% to 46% less) that of those who exercised on only one or fewer days of the week.
The severity of symptoms fell by 41% among those who felt the fittest and by 31% among those who were the most active.
In the US, an average adult can expect to have a cold two to four times a year, while children can catch between half a dozen and 10 colds a year, on average, all of which costs the US economy around $40 billion dollars.
Bouts of exercise spark a temporary rise in immune system cells circulating around the body, say the authors. Although these levels fall back within a few hours, each bout is likely to enhance surveillance of harmful viruses and bacteria, so reducing the number and severity of infections, such as the common cold.
Six out of 10 participants were women, and four out of 10 were aged between 18 and 39; 40% were middle aged, and one in four were aged 60 and older.
All the participants reported back on how frequently they took aerobic exercise and rated their fitness levels using a validated 10 point scoring system. They were also asked about lifestyle, diet and recent stressful events, as these can all affect immune system response.
The number of days with cold symptoms varied considerably between winter and autumn, with an average of 13 days in the winter and 8 days in the autumn.
Being older, male, and married, seemed to reduce the frequency of colds, but after taking account of other influential factors, the most significant factors were perceived fitness and the amount of exercise taken.
The number of days with symptoms among those who said they were physically active on five or more days of the week and felt fit was almost half (43% to 46% less) that of those who exercised on only one or fewer days of the week.
The severity of symptoms fell by 41% among those who felt the fittest and by 31% among those who were the most active.
In the US, an average adult can expect to have a cold two to four times a year, while children can catch between half a dozen and 10 colds a year, on average, all of which costs the US economy around $40 billion dollars.
Bouts of exercise spark a temporary rise in immune system cells circulating around the body, say the authors. Although these levels fall back within a few hours, each bout is likely to enhance surveillance of harmful viruses and bacteria, so reducing the number and severity of infections, such as the common cold.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
वरदचंडिका प्रसन्न उस्तव
मे महिन्याची सुट्टी आली की,लोकाना वेध लागतात ते गावी जायचे किवा ह्या सुट्टीत काय करायचे आणि त्यानुसार त्या त्या माणसांची प्लॅनिंग चालू होते. पण आम्हा बापू भक्ताना उस्तुक्ता लागून असते ती येणार्या मे महिन्यात आम्हाला आमचे परम पुज्य अनिरुद्ध बापू काय देणार आहेत त्याची आणि हो आम्हा बापूभक्ताना आमचे परम पुज्य अनिरुद्धा बापूच सगळ देत असतात आणि देणारही आहेत.
परम पुज्य अनिरुद्ध बापूनी मे महिन्यात वरदचंडिका प्रसन्न उस्तवाचे आयोजन केले आहे.
वरदचंडिका प्रसन्न उस्तव
तारीख:- 8 मे 2011 - 17 मे 2011 या 10 दिवसांच्या कालावधीत खालील address वर होईल.
स्थळ :- हरीगुरूग्राम,
आइस न्यू इंग्लीश सेकेंडरी स्कूल,
बान्द्रा ईस्ट, मुंबई .
वरदचंडिका प्रसन्न उस्तवात आपण काय करायचे, हा उस्तव आपल्या भूतकाळसाठी, भविष्यासाठी, धर्मासाठी, राष्ट्रासाठी आणि आपल्यातल्या चुकीचा मी निघण्यासाठी , आपल्या परम पुज्य अनिरुद्ध बापूनी, परम पुज्य नंदा आईने आणि परम पुज्य सुचित दादानी आणला आहे.
वरदचंडिका प्रसन्न उस्तवा संबंधी आणखी सविस्तर माहिती आपल्याला स्वतः परम
पुज्य अनिरुद्ध बापू देणार आहेत. या सबंधीचे प्रवचन खाली दिलेल्या दिवशी होणार आहे.
तारीख:- 21 October 2010
वेळ:- संध्याकाळी 7 - रात्री 10.
स्थळ:- हरीगुरूग्राम,
आइस न्यू इंग्लीश सेकेंडरी स्कूल,
बान्द्रा ईस्ट, मुंबई .
Friday, November 5, 2010
History Of Diwali
One of the most joyful and beautiful festivals to be celebrated on the Indian subcontinent is Diwali, the festival of lights. The very word Diwali conjures up the image of winking lights and flickering diyas. Not to forget the gorgeous array of sparkling colours emitted by the firecrackers that seem to awaken the night sky
Coming close on the heels of Dussehra, Diwali is celebrated on the last day of the Gujarati calendar year, and generally comes in the months of October or November, on the English calendar. It is one of the most important Indian festivals and is celebrated on a mass scale by Indians not only in India, but also all over the world.
The Story Behind Diwali
It is believed that on this day Lord Rama, along with his consort Sita and loyal brother Lakshman was returning to his hometown Ayodhya after 14 long years of exile in the forest. He had just finished battling and overcoming the fierce demon king of Ceylon, Ravana, who had abducted Sita. In this battle he was ably helped by Lord Hanuman and his army of monkeys as well as an army of courageous bears.
The people of Ayodhya lit lamps in every home to welcome their true King as well as celebrate his victory over Ravana and also the safe return of their Queen Sita. They danced and made merry and lit firecrackers to express their joy over his return. And as a mark of respect and worship the festivities continue every year till this today.
As another lesser-known story goes, Lord Krishna had battled a demon called Narakasura and emerged victorious. The people of the city were overjoyed and welcomed Krishna back with lamps in their hands.
Since Rama and Krishna are two of the most popular gods in the Hindu lore, it is only logical that Diwali is celebrated with such pomp and glory.
How is Diwali Celebrated?
According to an ancient myth, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth travels through all our homes on Diwali night and stops to bless the homes that are shiny and sparkling clean. So as this festival approaches, all houses go through a thorough spring-cleaning in anticipation of her wealth and blessings. She will be greeted by a beautiful gaily painted Rangoli on the threshold of each home while inside too she is welcomed by an array of sparklers and little earthen lamps that light up and considerably brighten the atmosphere.
The actual festivities start from Dhanteras, which is celebrated two days before Diwali. Everybody goes out of their way to make big purchases and buy new clothes and jewellery. This is because this day is considered auspicious for wealth, and it is said that if you buy any silver or gold on this day, you will be lucky throughout the year. The goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this day through a Lakshmipujan, which is performed not only in the homes but in shops and offices as well.
But what would Diwali be without a burst of firecrackers and lights? The sound and light show starts at least a week prior to the actual festival and continues way into the New Year. Of course it reaches a crescendo on the day of Diwali itself, a day when people dress up in their best new clothes and go visiting each other, their relatives and friends with boxes of dry fruits and sweets and loads of love in their huge generous hearts
Coming close on the heels of Dussehra, Diwali is celebrated on the last day of the Gujarati calendar year, and generally comes in the months of October or November, on the English calendar. It is one of the most important Indian festivals and is celebrated on a mass scale by Indians not only in India, but also all over the world.
The Story Behind Diwali
It is believed that on this day Lord Rama, along with his consort Sita and loyal brother Lakshman was returning to his hometown Ayodhya after 14 long years of exile in the forest. He had just finished battling and overcoming the fierce demon king of Ceylon, Ravana, who had abducted Sita. In this battle he was ably helped by Lord Hanuman and his army of monkeys as well as an army of courageous bears.
The people of Ayodhya lit lamps in every home to welcome their true King as well as celebrate his victory over Ravana and also the safe return of their Queen Sita. They danced and made merry and lit firecrackers to express their joy over his return. And as a mark of respect and worship the festivities continue every year till this today.
As another lesser-known story goes, Lord Krishna had battled a demon called Narakasura and emerged victorious. The people of the city were overjoyed and welcomed Krishna back with lamps in their hands.
Since Rama and Krishna are two of the most popular gods in the Hindu lore, it is only logical that Diwali is celebrated with such pomp and glory.
How is Diwali Celebrated?
According to an ancient myth, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth travels through all our homes on Diwali night and stops to bless the homes that are shiny and sparkling clean. So as this festival approaches, all houses go through a thorough spring-cleaning in anticipation of her wealth and blessings. She will be greeted by a beautiful gaily painted Rangoli on the threshold of each home while inside too she is welcomed by an array of sparklers and little earthen lamps that light up and considerably brighten the atmosphere.
The actual festivities start from Dhanteras, which is celebrated two days before Diwali. Everybody goes out of their way to make big purchases and buy new clothes and jewellery. This is because this day is considered auspicious for wealth, and it is said that if you buy any silver or gold on this day, you will be lucky throughout the year. The goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this day through a Lakshmipujan, which is performed not only in the homes but in shops and offices as well.
But what would Diwali be without a burst of firecrackers and lights? The sound and light show starts at least a week prior to the actual festival and continues way into the New Year. Of course it reaches a crescendo on the day of Diwali itself, a day when people dress up in their best new clothes and go visiting each other, their relatives and friends with boxes of dry fruits and sweets and loads of love in their huge generous hearts
Deepwali Celebrations
The festival of Diwali (also called as Deepavali) epitomizes prosperity, happiness and lights. This is the only day in the entire Hindu calendar when a new moon day is celebrated as a festival. On the day of Diwali though the sky is devoid of moon and its light but still the entire atmosphere is always enlighten and filled with lights of different colours and shades and filled with joy, crackers and sweet smell of foodstuffs.
Our P. P. Nandai is the Goddess that precides over this entire festival inform of Goddess Mahalaxmi. She has described to us the ways in which we should perform poojan on days of Padwa and Laxmi Poojan to make them more sactious and meaning.
Poojan to be Performed on the Day of Padwa
Shraddhavans should get up early in the morning and in the wee hours should perform the below described ritual.
* We should clean our house with broom and collect the waste on a cardboard.
* After this we should enlighten a light made from dough in which we should use ghee as fuel.
*We should then place a sweet (foodstuff) on the cardboard.
* We should then take this cardboard (with all the stuffs on it) around our entire house.
* One person should follow this person who is carrying cardboard with a plate which should be beaten to produce sound.
* We should place our old broom outside our house in a corner.
* We should then place this cardboard besides this broom.
* We should then join our hands and pray saying the following words "ईडा, पीडा टलो, बळीचे राज्ययेवो" ("Let all the unholy come to end and let there be rule of King Bali").
Poojan to be Performed on the Day of Laxmi Poojan
* We should keep 5 fruits & a mixture of coriander seeds and jaggery as holy offering (Prasad).
* We should keep a new broom on the starting line of our house (उंबरठा) and offer kumkum and turmeric powder (haldi) to it and offer the following prayer " हे लक्ष्मीमाते - नंदामाते, तू नेहमी माझ्या चुका दाखव. आईच्या मायेने माझ्या अंगावरून हात फिरव. बहिणीसारखे वाटेतील काटे काढ, पापणिच्या केसासारखा माझ्या मनातील व घरातील कचरा काढ आणि माझ्या घरात नंदामाते मते तू सतत वावरत रहा ही तुझ्या चरणी प्रार्थना." ("Oh Goddess Lakshmi i.e. my P. P. Nandai, You always bring my mistakes to my notice. Shower love on me like my mother. Be my sister and remove obstacles in my way. Remove dirt from my house and mind like an eyelid. And finally I pray and urge You to stay in my house for ever").
Finally wishing all the readers a very happy and prosperous new year and a happy diwali. May P.P. Bapu, P.P. Nandai and P.P. Suchitmama bless you all.
One interesting fact about Diwali which not many of us know about is Diwali is an official holiday in 9 countries which includes India, Guyana, Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago, Myanmar, Fiji, and Suriname).
Poojan to be Performed on the Day of Padwa
Shraddhavans should get up early in the morning and in the wee hours should perform the below described ritual.
* We should clean our house with broom and collect the waste on a cardboard.
* After this we should enlighten a light made from dough in which we should use ghee as fuel.
*We should then place a sweet (foodstuff) on the cardboard.
* We should then take this cardboard (with all the stuffs on it) around our entire house.
* One person should follow this person who is carrying cardboard with a plate which should be beaten to produce sound.
* We should place our old broom outside our house in a corner.
* We should then place this cardboard besides this broom.
* We should then join our hands and pray saying the following words "ईडा, पीडा टलो, बळीचे राज्ययेवो" ("Let all the unholy come to end and let there be rule of King Bali").
Poojan to be Performed on the Day of Laxmi Poojan
* We should keep 5 fruits & a mixture of coriander seeds and jaggery as holy offering (Prasad).
* We should keep a new broom on the starting line of our house (उंबरठा) and offer kumkum and turmeric powder (haldi) to it and offer the following prayer " हे लक्ष्मीमाते - नंदामाते, तू नेहमी माझ्या चुका दाखव. आईच्या मायेने माझ्या अंगावरून हात फिरव. बहिणीसारखे वाटेतील काटे काढ, पापणिच्या केसासारखा माझ्या मनातील व घरातील कचरा काढ आणि माझ्या घरात नंदामाते मते तू सतत वावरत रहा ही तुझ्या चरणी प्रार्थना." ("Oh Goddess Lakshmi i.e. my P. P. Nandai, You always bring my mistakes to my notice. Shower love on me like my mother. Be my sister and remove obstacles in my way. Remove dirt from my house and mind like an eyelid. And finally I pray and urge You to stay in my house for ever").
Finally wishing all the readers a very happy and prosperous new year and a happy diwali. May P.P. Bapu, P.P. Nandai and P.P. Suchitmama bless you all.
One interesting fact about Diwali which not many of us know about is Diwali is an official holiday in 9 countries which includes India, Guyana, Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago, Myanmar, Fiji, and Suriname).
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Shree Dhanalaxmi Utsav - Shree Yantra Pujan 2010
This is to inform all the bhaktas that the celebrations for Shree Dhanalaxmi Utsav - Shree Yantra Pujan 2010, will be celebrated on this Wednesday by Sadguru Aniruddha Upasana Foundation.
Date of Festival:
3rd November 2010
Timings of Festival:
From 9.00 am to 9.00 pm
Venue for Festival:
New English School,
(Shree Hari Guru Gram),
Bandra (East),
Mumbai 400 051.
Bhaktas are requested to carry the Shree Yantra that is installed at their homes, for it to be recharged (perform pujan) at the festival venue.Over the years Param Poojya Aniruddha Bapu, Param Poojya Nandai, Param Poojya Suchitdada along with Poojya Samirdada have graced and blessed this occasion by being personally present at the festival. Darshan facility would also be extended to all the bhaktas who would be present.
Background of Shree Yantra:
The first Shree Yantra was commissioned at Shree Kshetra Gurukul (Juinagar). The image of Shree Yantra has been placed for the benefit and darshan of the devotees over there. This Yantra was initially worshipped for 33 days at Shree Kshetra Gurukul (Juinagar).
Shree Yantra signifies the primeval energy of this universe, the Shri Shakti. The next five generations of the person taking this Shree Yantra home will receive blessings and fruits of this action. We must recognize the importance and presence of this Shree Yantra and this has been gifted to all the bhaktas and will help them right till the end of life. Every year on the day of Dhanteras (Dhanalaxmi Pujan) it is worshipped and prayed. The presence of Shri Mahalaxmi Mata (Chida-Nanda) in each devotees' house is in certainty with the installation this Shri Yantra.
Donation of Diwali Pharal:
The celebrations culminate with a grand ceremony of Maha-Aarti which is worth attending
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