Before Samadhi, Vyankatanath Tested Narendra

This incident occurred in November 1992. One day Maharaj sent me a letter calling me urgently to Devgaon. The letter simply said: “Come immediately.” I went to Devgaon for Maharaj’s darshan as soon as I received the letter. When a quiet moment arose, it was just the two of us. Maharaj was sitting on the floor of the upper hall in front of the deity. I bowed and sat near him. He looked at me intently and suddenly asked a question that shook me completely: “Child… should I take Samadhi?” Hearing this, I was utterly shaken. I had never imagined such a question. My mind froze — no words, no thoughts, only confusion. Maharaj repeated the question. I surrendered completely, placed my head on his feet and said: “Maharaj, forgive me… I understand nothing. I don’t know what to say.”

He replied, “You do not understand — that is true for you. But do you believe I do not know whom I should ask and why?” Again I bowed at his feet. Then he instructed: “Look directly into my eyes. Answer only after looking into my eyes.” A Guru does not leave until the disciple responds. Still no words came. He insisted: “You must answer.” Finally, after trying to avoid answering, I said: “Maharaj, forgive me… your body has been worn out carrying the burden of divine work. Considering everything, if I must answer, I feel the time has come, and taking Samadhi may be appropriate. But please forgive me — I have no right to say such words!” Maharaj said: “You have spoken correctly. Do not worry. Continue the sadhana I have given you. Begin the preparations for our Samadhi. Everything will unfold properly.”

I returned to Akola. Fifteen days later another letter came. I rushed again to Devgaon. Maharaj asked: “Child, you agreed to perform the anushthan. Why have you not begun?” I replied: “Maharaj, like Abhimanyu, I know how to enter but not how to exit. I don’t know what to do.” Maharaj said: “Our decision will not change. We will take care of everything. You are only the instrument. Go now and begin the anushthan immediately.” I placed my hand on his feet and took an oath to continue Guru–work sincerely. He blessed me: “Whenever you feel the intense need for my presence, spread the mat and call me. I will stand before you in physical form. Do not fear anything.” I have experienced this many times: Maharaj appearing physically whenever guidance was needed.

Before leaving Devgaon, Maharaj showed me his Pauchi — a golden circular box containing the Navagraha. He performed Rudra-abhishek and other rituals on it daily and never ate without worshipping it. He said: “Child, I have not been able to worship the Pauchi for 8–10 days. My body no longer allows me to.” I asked: “If you permit, may I take the Pauchi to Akola and worship it there?” He was delighted: “Ask my mother. If she agrees, take it immediately.” She agreed, and thus for the first time in his lifetime, the Pauchi left his possession and came into mine. After four or five days, Maharaj’s son-in-law and younger son arrived and asked for it back. I returned it respectfully but said: “The power and radiance of this Pauchi will remain here.” Later, by Guru’s grace, a new Pauchi was consecrated.

Fifteen days later Maharaj told me: “The anushthan you are performing is too intense. Make it milder. Do not fear. In four months, everything will happen naturally while you are at home. Do not go anywhere. People will come to you. Continue Guru-work.” I returned to Akola. One day I received a call from Padmakar Chorghade, a disciple of Mangalnath, who said: “Your Guru is extremely unwell. He may have left the body! Do something!” I replied calmly: “I already know. I am doing exactly what Maharaj commanded.” As foretold by Maharaj, on Mahashivaratri, around noon, he ended his divine mission. I learned of it three days later and went to Devgaon. Mangalnath Maharaj asked: “Father used to tell different things to different disciples. You were close to him. What instructions did he give you?” I replied: “Whatever unfolds, we shall accept as his will.” He said all rituals would be performed in Nashik and requested that I not attend. I respected his wish. Everything happened exactly as Maharaj had foreseen.

In 1975, Maharaj had told me: “When I take Samadhi, both you and Leela Joshi will suffer terrible spiritual impact. But I will arrange everything so that nothing harms you.” Indeed, we were not present at the time of Samadhi, and due to his earlier preparation, nothing harmful occurred.

Maharaj repeatedly taught:

• * Life is for karma — do it sincerely.
• * Do not blame circumstances.
• * Read sacred texts daily — Dasbodh, Dnyaneshwari, Tukaram’s abhangas, Bhagavata.
• * Perform daily japa and sadhana like meals — twice a day.
• * Visit sacred places during Ashadhi and Kartiki.
• * Serve your Guru at least twice a year.
• * Celebrate divine festivals joyfully.
• * Donate part of your earnings for dharma and ancestors.
• * Practise discipline in food, sleep, and lifestyle.
• * Perform charity like annadan once a year.
• * Use mantra, tantra, havan, and sadhana to energize karma.
• * During eclipses, meditate — it purifies karma.

He also taught Narendra:

• * How to change events in a person’s life.
• * How to use vibhuti for healing.
• * How to integrate worldly and spiritual knowledge.
• * How to take divine qualities from various deities.
• * How to prepare for Guru-work and uplift seekers.

Maharaj was the 15th Nath in the unbroken Nath tradition, active from 1936 to 1993 — 57 years of ceaseless work. To have reached his feet is the greatest blessing of my life.