In the Nath tradition, it is said that the Nath Yogis have mastery over the five great elements — Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. This means they can use any of these elements to perform the work they intend to do. If we consider the element Earth, it is spread endlessly throughout the universe. Saint Ramdas has beautifully described the nature of Earth in *Dasbodh*. Even though the soil may appear different in colour or texture — black soil, red soil, rocky soil, or marshy land — the inner flow of Earth remains the same everywhere. Just like electricity uses earth as a universal conductor, the entire ground is interconnected.
All trees, regardless of their type, draw life-energy and nourishment from the Earth. Even though trees produce different fruits, leaves, flowers, and sap, their source of life is the same Earth. Science has already acknowledged that trees are living beings. Because of this unity within the Earth element, a contact made from one tree can reach another tree anywhere on Earth, no matter how far it is. This is one of the extraordinary powers of the Nath tradition.
Mr. Sahasrabuddhe was working in Akola as the Director of Agriculture and had received blessings from Maharaj. After some time, he was transferred to Kolhapur. He did not want to leave Akola because of his connection with Maharaj, but the transfer could not be cancelled. He phoned me and said he had to leave Akola within a few days and wished to meet. When I met him, he expressed sadness that once he moved so far away, he would not be able to stay connected with Maharaj or me. I told him: “Through a tree, we will remain connected wherever you go.”
I asked him to break a small twig from the hibiscus plant in his courtyard and bring it to my house. He placed the twig in the soil at my home. I told him that if the twig sprouted new leaves within eight days, it would mean that our connection would remain alive, and we could communicate through it no matter how far he went. Before he left for Kolhapur, the twig sprouted fresh leaves. I told him: “Even if we have no physical contact, you may speak your thoughts to any tree near you, and they will reach me.”
He left for Kolhapur. Almost one and a half years passed without any communication — no letters, no calls, no messages. One day, while looking at that hibiscus plant, I suddenly felt strongly that Maharaj would soon visit Sahasrabuddhe’s home in Kolhapur, and I should also be present there. After discussing with my wife, we decided to go.
We planned to travel by Maharashtra Express without reservation, hoping that the ticket checker might allow us to board. We tried three different coaches — all ticket checkers refused. Even though many people urged us to board the almost empty train, we stuck to our decision. The train left. We then tried to go by bus, which was also fully reserved, yet we somehow got seats at the last moment. When the bus reached Aurangabad, I felt uncomfortable and decided to break the journey for the night. The next morning, we again tried for transport and miraculously got two seats in an almost empty luxury bus that was sent directly to Pune.
After reaching Pune, we planned to visit a gurubandhu for lunch before continuing to Kolhapur. To our surprise, Maharaj was already waiting for us there. He was supposed to leave for Kolhapur early that morning but, due to unknown reasons, had stayed back. He said: “Finish your meal quickly. We were waiting for you. Now we will go to Kolhapur together.”
I had not informed Maharaj about going to Kolhapur, nor did I know he had the same plan. When we reached Kolhapur and entered Sahasrabuddhe’s house, he was shocked. “How did you come here?” he asked. Maharaj replied: “You planted a hibiscus twig, didn’t you? It has done its work.” Thus, through the medium of the Earth element and the tree, our connection remained alive.
Just as contact can be made through Earth, it is also possible through Space, Water, Sun (Fire), and Air. Using these five elements for communication is completely natural in the Nath tradition. Unfortunately, many misconceptions have been spread about the Nath Panth — that it is involved in black magic or harmful spiritual practices. Because of this, common people have fear and misunderstanding.
In truth, the Nath path exists only for the upliftment and welfare of all beings. It helps devotees rise above their destiny through devotion and inner purity. All forms of energies — good and bad — are under the command of this tradition. The ruler of this path is Lord Dattatreya himself, who constantly guides and sustains it. The sacred text *Gurucharitra* is an eternal spiritual stream. As long as the age of Kali exists, this divine stream will keep flowing, creating new pathways of grace. Lord Dattatreya himself keeps this flow alive — we only have to receive it.