Jaganmata Tests Narendra

Before entrusting Narendra with the responsibility of the Nath Panth, Venkatesh Nath Maharaj explained that no one receives authority to perform Guru-work unless Bhagavan Dattatreya Himself — or Jaganmata Renuka Devi — tests the disciple. Before taking samadhi, Maharaj often said: “No one receives the opportunity to serve the Panth unless Swami personally tests and approves them.”

One day, Jaganmata Renuka Devi appeared before Maharaj and spoke with him about the future leadership of the Panth. Maharaj said: “Two of my disciples appear worthy. You must examine them and decide.” Jaganmata replied: “Place your hand upon My feet and promise that you will not warn Narendra, nor assist him during the examination. We shall test him. When, how, and in what form the test will come — you will not know.”

Thus, before Guru-work is passed on, the presiding deity of the Panth conducts the examination. Spiritual work cannot be performed merely by intellect; one must possess the proper mind, discipline, purity, tendencies, and karmic maturity. For sixteen years Maharaj shaped Narendra’s inner nature. He would often say: “Child, when we carve stone, the blows are relentless. Only then does it become a deity.”

Maharaj had earlier told Narendra that only two disciples — Lila Joshi and Narendra Chaudhari — were prepared for higher work. When Narendra asked if tests had been conducted before, Maharaj said: “Yes. Three disciples were tested — Anna Kolte, Nana Untawale, and Kulkarni. All three failed.” He added that Now the decision lay with the Divine.

Narendra asked: “Who will test me? When? How?” Maharaj replied: “We do not know. The test may come while awake or in deep sleep. Tests in sleep are the hardest — the inner nature acts without intellect.”

One morning at brahma-muhurta, Narendra had a vivid dream. A radiant saint with white beard and white dhoti, holding a *kamandalu* and *trishul*, entered the neighbour’s house and performed a ritual identical to Maharaj’s worship. After finishing, he said: “Bring Narendra. I wish to give him tirtha.”

Narendra arrived and stood respectfully at the door. The saint said: “Come, child, accept the tirtha. We have come only for you.” Narendra replied sternly: “I do not want your tirtha. You are impure. Many frauds wear saffron and mislead the world. Faith in saints is falling because you do nothing. I reject your blessing.”

The saint asked: “How can you call us impure?” Narendra replied boldly. The saint thundered: “Do you know who we are?”

Narendra said: “Yes. You are Bhagavan Dattatreya, Lord of the Nath Panth, Master of the three worlds, embodiment of Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh. You alone are my chosen deity. Yet *to me*, you are impure.”

The saint asked: “What must I do to become pure in your eyes?” Narendra said: “Bathe in the waters of heaven. Then I will accept your tirtha.”

The saint asked: “Where is heaven?” Narendra replied: “In Devgaon Rangari — my Guru’s abode.”

The saint agreed to bathe if Narendra brought the water. Narendra fetched sparkling vessels of Devgaon water and bathed the saint. Then he bowed and said: “Now command me; I shall obey.”

The saint held Narendra’s hands, sat him before Him, removed His rudraksha mala, and placed it on Narendra’s neck. Then He disappeared. Narendra awoke instantly, the mala’s weight still felt though unseen.

At 8:45 a.m., a “postman” delivered an aerogram from Devgaon Rangari — then vanished. Outside, no one was visible. Narendra opened the letter; Maharaj had written the entire dream exactly as it occurred.

It stated: “Swami told us everything. The way you argued with Him resembles how Gorakhnath once argued. He is pleased with you. The mala He placed on your neck is with us. At the right time, we will give it to you.”

On 12-09-1971, Maharaj told Narendra: “From this Vijayadashami onward, every step you take will move forward. Serve with one-pointed devotion. Guru-work means living the Guru-Gita, singing the Guru’s glory, and offering yourself. You will do this.”

Narendra later reflected: “The Guru who broke my arrogance, shaped my mind, blended worldly and spiritual wisdom, taught me Vedas and tantra, awakened devotion and discrimination, and formed me as He wished — finally said:

‘If you walk, I walk. If you speak, I speak. What you do, I do. What I do, you do. You and I are one.’”

Thus began the second sacred phase of Guru-work under the direct grace of Bhagavan Dattatreya through Sadguru Venkatesh Nath Maharaj.