Written by Tatyana Povarintseva
After visiting Shirdi, our journey led us to Pune, where we found ourselves at the ashram of Mohanji. While Mohanji continued his travels and visited different people, we had the opportunity to stay with his disciples. During our stay, Mohanji recommended that we visit a small ashram in Pune – the ashram of Shankar Maharaj, a revered Master of the Datta Tradition.
Initially, I didn’t take it seriously, dismissing it as a casual suggestion. We enjoyed exploring Pune, trying out vegan restaurants, and immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere, hanging out with amazing disciples in the Puna ashram. However, we never managed to visit the ashram of Shankar Maharaj.
When we met Mohanji again, just before leaving Pune for Chennai, he asked if we had visited Shankar Maharaj’s temple. We replied “no,” and with a lighthearted tone, we added, “Well, we’ve had the privilege of staying in the most important ashram already.”
His serious gaze, devoid of a smile, made it clear that he took this matter seriously. But we already couldn’t do anything about it and had to continue our journey. I felt so stupid and regretful. I knew that every word spoken by a true Master, especially your Guruji, carries profound significance. They never speak or recommend something randomly. If they say it, it holds great meaning and importance for your spiritual growth.
Anyway, we felt that we missed the opportunity because we had to leave Pune and continue our journey to other parts of India. However, fate had other plans for us. In a couple of weeks, suddenly, a shift occurred in our plans, and we found ourselves with an extra day to spare in Pune again. It became clear that we were being granted a second chance to visit the temple.
Despite the early morning departure the next day, we caught a cab and braved the two-hour drive through heavy traffic. To be honest, I didn’t know much about Shankar Maharaj before our visit, but the little I had heard from Mohanji challenged my preconceived notions of saints. Shankar Maharaj was an eccentric Master who constantly smoked and drank alcohol, yet remained untouched by its effects. He lived in constant union with the Divine, performing miracles, guiding countless souls to self-realization and liberation. He belonged to the powerful Nath tradition. His unconventional appearance had confused many, as they couldn’t recognize the depth of his true nature.
To be honest, I was one of those people. I felt a sense of fear when I saw pictures of him. He didn’t fit the typical image of a serene spiritual teacher, especially the kind you often see nowadays, who sell spirituality based on their external appearances and captivating words. Shankar Maharaj was different. He transcended such superficiality and was meant for those who could see beyond the surface and perceive the deeper truth.
However, thanks to the guidance of Mohanji, I was open and receptive, determined to connect with the true nature of this remarkable Master.
We arrived at the small temple on the outskirts of Pune and entered its courtyard. As we prepared to make our offerings, two young men approached us with warm smiles. Their eyes reflected brightness and calmness. Through our conversation, we discovered that they were disciples of Shankar Maharaj. They were quite surprised to find out that we, as foreigners, knew about the Master and had come there to pay our respects.
We asked how they got connected to their Guru, and they surprised us with their stories. Interestingly, neither of them had ever heard of him before. Their families worshipped other Masters. However, when one of them fell ill, Shankar Maharaj began appearing in his dreams, bringing healing and guidance. The other young man also experienced the Master’s presence during challenging times. Eventually, they found out who the mysterious Master was and, along with numerous other disciples, they dedicated themselves to taking care of the temple and helping those in need as an expression of gratitude for all that the saint had done for them.
Guided by these friendly guys, we made our way to the sacred samadhi of Shankar Maharaj inside the temple. I recall a steady stream of people walking in and out, each pausing to touch the sacred samadhi before making way for those waiting behind them, ensuring a continuous flow. I followed the queue towards the samadhi.
Finally, my turn arrived. I tried to be fast not to keep people waiting. I reached out to touch the marble feet, offering my humble yet heartfelt respect and gratitude. I bowed my head, placed my hands on the stone, and the moment I touched the stone with my forehead, something extraordinary happened… I disappeared.
Surrounded by a haze of smoke, everything around me also faded away. The smoke dissipated, expanding into the vast cosmic space. I felt an indescribable freedom, detached from my physical body. There was no sense of time or space, only pure existence and an awareness of this existence. I was bathing in this state of nothingness, feeling absolute bliss and fulfillment. A state of pure being, free from any forms, limits, or thoughts. It was a moment of immensity, peace, and ultimate freedom.
The experience seemed to stretch on endlessly, but I felt that I began to return when the first thought entered my mind: “These people must have been waiting in line for so long.” But yet, in that moment, I cared for nothing and no one. All I desired was to remain there forever, unwilling to return to my limited physical form. However, I knew it wasn’t within my control. It was the grace of the saint guiding this process. I couldn’t define how long I had stood there; time became elusive, whether an hour or two, or even more.
Slowly, I opened my eyes, straightened up, and looked around. To my surprise, there was no sign of impatience or restlessness among the people behind me in line. I moved forward, creating space for others, and left the temple. None of my travel companions made any remarks, as if nothing unusual had occurred. They chatted and laughed as if I had been absent for only a moment, without even bothering to ask me anything.
I was taken aback, wondering how on earth something like that could even happen. Yet, deep within me, I knew that anything is possible in the realm of nonlinear time, in the world of the spirit, and through divine grace.
With heartfelt gratitude, I silently thanked Maharaj for this transformative experience and Mohanji for that second chance. I didn’t question why or for what purpose it happened; I simply felt deep gratitude for the profound connection with my True Self. It was like catching a glimpse of that state I had yearned for my whole life, the ultimate state that true masters are always immersed in, ignoring our expectations of what a saint should look like. I realized, who needs to impress anyone when you’re being the Universe itself?
To be continued…
Stay tuned for Part 3, where I will share my journey to the temple of another powerful master, Bhagavan Nithyananda, and the valuable lesson he taught me.
