Lord Dattatreya sends Vitthalnath to Narendra Nath Maharaj The idea that God Himself sends His devotee to a human Guru on Earth is something the human mind and intellect usually refuse to accept. If God can do everything Himself, why would He send His devotee to a Guru? In truth, the master of the Nath Panth is none other than Lord Dattatreya. All functioning of the Nath tradition happens under His command and supervision. The Guru who performs Panth work is personally chosen and sanctioned by Him. When God sends a devotee to such a Guru, the devotee usually has no prior idea about the Guru. Guided only by devotion, he reaches the Guru, and the Guru then protects, disciplines and transforms him through karma, bhakti and sadhana.
Not every devotee can remain inwardly connected to God at all times. Since the Nath Panth was established by the decision of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, it operates as part of the cosmic system. Thus, all types of forces—good and bad—cooperate with the Guru performing Panth work. The Guru receives assistance from all these powers.
One day, Nagnaath Shastri, disciple of Karpatri Swami, came to Akola. Many people were sitting with Narendra Nath Maharaj when an Ambassador car stopped outside. A sadhu in saffron robes, with matted hair, beard and sacred ash, appeared at the door and asked, “Maharaj, if you permit, may I come inside?” Maharaj replied, “Who are you? Come inside.”
The moment he entered and saw Maharaj, he began dancing and chanting “Datt! Datt!” Everyone was surprised. Nagnaath Shastri explained: “He is from Aansapur in Andhra Pradesh. Lord Dattatreya often manifests in him.”
Maharaj asked the sadhu, “Why have you come here?” He replied:
“I am Vitthalnath Maharaj. I built a large temple—installed Navagraha, Maruti, Mahadev and many deities. I spent 27 lakhs, yet no one comes for darshan. I prayed to my Guru. Lord Dattatreya appeared and said: ‘We are in Akola. Go there, and your work will be done.’ He showed me your house and your form.”
Before leaving the next day, Maharaj gave him vibhuti and instructed: “Sprinkle this around your temple at night. No one should enter or exit afterward. Next morning sweep and burn whatever you find.”
Vitthalnath followed the instruction. In the morning he found enchanted dolls, lemons and other items—clear signs of black magic meant to keep devotees away. When he burned them, a foul smell rose. From that very day, people began visiting the temple naturally.
Seeing this miracle, Vitthalnath requested Maharaj to visit his temple. Nagnaath Shastri told him:
“Chant Digambara Digambara Shripad Vallabh Digambara twenty-one lakh times. Then you will receive his darshan.”
Vitthalnath completed the japa. After the Kotgir Havan, the opportunity arose to go to Aansapur.
When Maharaj arrived, thousands of villagers showered flowers and welcomed him. He performed the traditional Nath aahnik. Devotees sang Telugu bhajans for five continuous hours. Through their devotion, the power of Samarth Sadguru Yogabhyānanda Vyankatanath Maharaj, working through Narendra Nath, became fully pleased. Blessings flowed; Nagnaath Shastri translated everything into Telugu.
There stood a Peepal, Neem and Audumbar tree with a south-facing Hanuman idol beneath them. Maharaj said:
“Whoever visits Hanuman here on Thursday or Saturday and expresses a wish, it will be fulfilled immediately.”
Thus Maharaj created a Kalpavriksha for the people through Panth’s divine power.
A man prayed, “If the Customs Officer releases my goods, I will offer ₹1100 to Maharaj.” At 4:30 PM the darshan ended. The man reached home at 6:30 PM. A tempo waited outside. The driver said:
“Sir, we have been waiting for an hour. The officer said at 4:30 PM, ‘Load his goods and deliver wherever he wants. Take no money.’”
Tears filled his eyes. His wish was fulfilled instantly. After unloading, he said to his wife, “I must give my promised offering. But Maharaj leaves tomorrow morning. How will I meet him?” It was raining heavily. His wife said, “Maharaj gave you a coconut. Apply turmeric and vermillion and pray. Your wish will be fulfilled.” He prayed and left.
At that moment, Maharaj was talking with Nagnaath Shastri. Every night he drank cold milk. Shrikant Shastri went to get milk with an umbrella. The road was empty under soft rain. When he returned and closed the door, Maharaj said: “Shrikant, open the door. Someone is standing outside.”
Shrikant insisted no one was there—he had just checked. But when he opened the door, the devotee stood exactly there. Shrikant was stunned. The distance from the door to Maharaj was nearly 40 feet—yet Maharaj knew. He realised Maharaj perceives everything within the minds of all.
The devotee narrated the miracle and offered ₹1100. Nagnaath Shastri witnessed all this and understood how effortlessly desires are fulfilled in Maharaj’s presence. He brought many people thereafter and began practicing sadhana. Deep inner experiences followed.
Vedacharya Lakshmikant Shastri asked Maharaj, “How long will it take for Nagnaath Shastri to attain spiritual elevation?” Maharaj said:
“If he remains constantly in satsang, he will advance in nine years.”
Lakshmikant Shastri understood the difficulty of the spiritual path. Maharaj added:
“If one serves the Guru from the beginning, advancement occurs quickly. Rituals, vows, austerities, charity, pilgrimages—none can easily grant spiritual evolution. Without the Guru, even at the end of kalpas, liberation is impossible. This is the greatness of the Guru.”
The Nath tradition showed through Narendra Nath Maharaj how one can live in the world yet walk the spiritual path. When the Guru’s grace is complete and one acts in disciplined alignment with the Panth, divine forces themselves assist the Guru’s mission.