Bhaktaraj Maharaj

Bhaktarāj Maharaj of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India was a Hindu saint in the tradition of Bhakti. He spread the message of Bhakti through his Bhajans (devotional songs) and by remembering the name of Almighty or Guru (Naamsmaran). He was a devotee of Sai Baba of Shirdi who came to him in the name and form of Anantananda Saish.

The name Bhaktaraj means King amongst the Devotees. This name was conferred on him by his Sadguru as a token of grace and love. He therefore remained a devotee always and forever. The main quality of Baba (Bhaktarāj Maharaj) was his loving nature. He attracted thousands by his divine love and Bhajans and led them towards the highest goal of humanity.

Teachings

The main essence of his teaching was to "Experience bliss through the spiritual practice of chanting the name of God, singing holy songs, service by seeing all in form of God or Sadguru himself, sacrifice, unconditional love for others". Many of his teachings were compiled by Jayant Bālājī Athavale and Kunda Jayant Āthavale in their book "The Teachings of Saint Bhaktarāj".

Characteristics

Apart from his loving nature, his main and striking characteristics can be succinctly summed up as:

1. Devotion to Guru (Bhakti)
2. Singing of holy Songs (Bhajans)
3. Festivals of serving food (Bhandara)
4. Travel (Bhraman)

Ashrams

The official trust of Bhaktaraj Maharaj runs two ashram in Madhya Pradesh and two more in Maharashtra.

1. Bhaktvatsalya Ashram, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
2. Sadguru Seva Sadan, Mortakka, Khandwa District, Madhya Pradesh
3. Shri Bhaktaraj Maharaj Samadhi Mandir, Kandali, Pune District, Maharashtra
4. Morchundi Ashram, Morchundi, Thane District, Maharashtra

Homage by other saints

Bhaktaraj Maharaj was described by many saints of high spiritual level as:

1. A saint of the highest spiritual level - Anna Karandikar, Dahanu.
2. He is the limit of spiritual progress - Kane Maharaj, Kolhapur
3. Bhaktaraj Maharaj's Ashram is a spiritual heaven - Mounibaba, Narayangaon.
4. He is Rooh (pure spirit) - M.Bapu, Palej

Sanatan Sanstha

The Sanatan Sanstha was founded in 1990 by Jayant Balaji Athavale with the blessings of Bhaktaraj Maharaj, based on scientific outlook on spirituality. The main aim of the organization is to present spirituality in a scientific language for the curious (jidnyasu) and to guide seekers.
In 2008 five members of the Sanatan Sanstha and the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) were charged with involvement in bombing attempts to show protest against the defamation of Hindu deities in a play entitled "Amhi Panchpute". The Sanatan Sanstha denied any organisational responsibility or link to the blasts in a press conference. “We cannot deny their association with us but we had nothing to do with the blast. Sanatan Sanstha will never support such violent acts,” stated Abhay Vartak, the organisation’s spokesperson. “Our protests have always been peaceful, through dialogue,” said Uday Dhuri, the Mumbai chapter coordinator of HJS.

External links

1. "H. H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj – A glimpse of divinity" (Official site of Shri Bhaktaraj Maharaj)
2. "Our Sadguru : H. H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj" (Official site of Sanatan Society for Scientific Spiritualism)
3. Catalogued works Library of Congress

See Also

1. Baba At a Glance: (video) showing Bhaktaraj Maharaj at a glance
2. Showers of Piousness in Vizag: (video) showing Bhaktaraj Maharaj's relation with Vishakhapattanam/Vizag