Sunday, May 22, 2011

Pujya Shri Rang Avadhoot Maharaj, Nareshwar Gujarat India

This blog is created to collect and discuss the information available about Pujya Shri Rang Avadhoot Maharaj, Nareshwar, Gujarat, India. 
Link to web site: 

http://www.rangavadhoot.org

Shri Rang Avadhoot Maharaj (Pujya Bapji)





Pujya Rukmani Ba (Pujya Bapji's Mother) and Pujya Bapji

Pujya Rangavadhoot Maharaj (Pujya Bapji) was born in Godhra, Gujarat, India on Monday, the 21st November (Hindu calendar – 9th day of the month Kartika, Vikram Samvat 1955)  as Panduranga, another name of Lord Vitthala in a very religious Brahmin family known and respected for learning, selflessness and integrity. Pujya Bapjis's father name was Vitthalapanta and mother's name was Rukmini.  Rukmani gave a birth to Panduranga (also known as Babu) on a auspicious data, Akshaya Navami in a small dark room of the Vitthala temple. Panduranga had another brother, Narayana.

Childhood & Education
When Panduranga was five years old, his father Vitthalapanta fell prey to the epidemic of plague. In his very early part of childhood, the young Panduranga was indoctrinated into devotion and recital of the name of God Rama.  Panduranga was a born commander and none with lack of agility could stand by him. Panduranga received his elementary education at schools in Godhra. He was his teacher’s favorite, and maintained first or second rank in his studies. 


Meeting his Guru
Panduranga and his brother Narayana were initiated into the ritual of becoming a 'dvija' (twice-born). A t early age, Panduranga was initiated into spiritual education.  At the age of eight, Panduranga had his sacred thread ceremony. After ceremony, Panduranga visited his spiritual guide and Master, Sri Vasudevananda Sarasvati Swami Maharaj (Pujya Swamiji).  This visit established a spiritual awakening and initiation in young Panduranga. Pujya Bapji considered Pujya Swaminji as his guru.

Following Gandhiji and Freedom Struggle 
Panduranga loved his country and his patriotism was evident since his college days.  Panduranga joined Mahatama Gandhiji’s freedom struggle.  Panduranga sacrificed his bright future for India’s freedom. .Panduranga met Gandhiji several times.  During this period, Panduranga received Master of Language degree from Gujarat Vidyapitha, Gujarat, India.
Teaching

After his graduation, Panduranga began to teach at a National school. He also wrote and published two books of Sanskrit grammar.  His reputation spread as a scholar of Sanskrit as well as a good teacher.


Centering In Nareshwar
During 1925, Panduranga was looking for a lonely place to stay. On the 4th December, 1925 in he bitter cold of the fourth day of dark fortnight in the month of Magasara v.s. 1982 (Hindu calendar), Panduranga started to stay in small hut in place known as Nareshwar.  Nareshwar village was located in the jungle and on the bank of holy river Narmada.  Basically, Nareshwar was a cremation ground for seven surrounding hamlets or villages. It was a dense forest, where serpents, scorpions, big black ants moved freely. Panduranga met number of saints before moving to Nareshwar. He scrupulously put into practice whatever advice he received from saints. At Nareshwar, Panduranga used to get up very early in the auspicious wee hours of the morning and take bath with the potful of water brought from the river Narmada. His daily routine included mediation, reading, basking in the sun during day and talking to the stars at night. In Nareshwar and surrounding villages, Panduranga was known as Ranga Avadhuta (Pujya Bapji). 


Writing of Sri Gurulilamrta and Datta Bawni

As per instruction from Pujya Swamiji, Pujya Bapji started composing and writing the book called ‘Sri Gurulilamrta’.  Pujya Bapji also wrote  ‘Dattabawni’. The ‘Dattabawni’, a Divine Hymn of 52 lines, glorifying Lord Datta, is recited in many of families around the globe. 
Neem Tree – A Tree of Enlightenment
While staying in Nareshwar, Pujya Bapji many times sat under Neem tree and discussed religion, spirituality and other related subject matter with devotees. He will also mediate under the Neem tree.  The leaves of Neem tree have bitter taste. But because of Pujya bapji’s presence, the leaves of this particular Neem tree are sweet. 

Pujya Bapji in Haridvara

Pujya Bapji left for Haridvara after raising the memorial for his mother at Nareshwar.  He never returned from Haridvara.  He uttered “Aum” three times and breathed his last on the last day, the darkest one, of Kartik in V.S. 2025 (Hindu calendar). He left his physical body and his soul merged with the eternal one. He passed away on the 19th November 1968 in Haridvara and was cremated on 21st November, 1968, at midnight in Narehswar. This day also happened to be his birthday. 

9 comments:

  1. Shree Gurudev Datta !!!

    We chant Shree DattaBawani in Marathi daily 2 times. But we would to know the meaning of DattaBawani in Marathi. Its humble request you to publish Marathi meaning of DattaBawani.

    Avdhoot Chintan Shree Gurudev Datta !!!

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  2. Guru deco datta

    Let me try to find Marathi Datt Bawni

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  3. Guru Devo Datta

    Please do Google search for "Datta Bawni Marathi" and you have plenty of hits. Please let me know else I shall work more and try to find out for you.

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  4. Dear admin,
    Gurudev dutt . Very good work done by you .we do highly appreciate you for your noble work to introduce bapji in such a nice manner

    ReplyDelete
  5. anek rupe e j abhang bhajata nade na maya RANG...........

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  6. VERY VERY SPIRITUAL POWER GURU OF WORLD PUJYA BAPJI

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  7. 🙏🙏🙏 Sri Rang Avdhut Bapji is very nicely and deeply described in this script 👌👌👌

    ReplyDelete