No escape route from Sanatan Ashram Ramnathi

I am deeply affected on hearing about the paralytic stroke attack on my father and want to leave Sanatan Ashram Ramnathi for a day and visit him. My rakshak, an angel in disguise advises me against doing so. What is the harm, why would Sanatan Sanstha not allow me to do so? I will come back; I want to come back. My spiritual journey has just started under the guidance of Dr Jayant Athavale. I don’t want to discontinue it.

No exit door at Sanatan Sanstha

I don’t believe that there is no exit door in Sanatan Sanstha. I have been told repeatedly that the doors of Sanatan Sanstha Ramnathi are always open, we can come anytime we want to and leave whenever we want to. Then, why does my rakshak say otherwise? Does she have any previous experience? She refuses to discuss this any further.

I need to start thinking on these lines. But my mind just does not cooperate. On one hand, I want to go immediately and inform the sanstha about the advice given by my rakshak. But, something stops me just in time. I don’t disclose anything about the conversation in the next day’s personality defect removal process. I am asked about the previous day and the reason for my actions. I cook up a story. The sadhaks don’t believe me but they don’t question me either. I can feel that they have lost a little bit of trust in me.

End of trust

Sanatan Sanstha takes some measures immediately. I am still allowed to go out but now sadhaks pick me from Sanatan Sanstha Ashram and drop me back inside it. I am not left alone for a single minute. There are other restrictions, I can feel them. I am shadowed continuously even in the Sanatan Ashram Ponda. It is not obvious but I can feel it. A sadhak always accompanies me for all the activities. I know her as she has been in the ashram for quite some years. She tries to gain my trust. She offers to share new information or help me with clothes. But, in my heart, I simply cannot trust her.

I feel all alone now. I cannot meet my rakshak even for one minute. I cannot attend any phone calls; she is always within earshot. She sleeps on the bed next to mine. I feel as if I am trapped.

Why should I feel trapped? Is it my mind that is playing tricks on me? Am I imagining thinks; searching for evil intensions where none exists?

Sanatan Sanstha is educating people on the proper Dharma, it is giving education; scientific education on Hindu Dharma, why should it restrict people leaving the organization? There is no reason to do it. I think, my mind is playing tricks on me. Perhaps, the rakshak is not a good person, she seems to have evil intensions and is trying to defame Sanatan.

I am confused. On one hand I am very much concerned about my father’s health, and on another I am worried about the sanstha.

Sanatan Sanstha and Dharma Yudh

Sanatan Sanstha says that it is engaged in Dharma Yudh for the benefit of Hindus. It wants to create a Hindu Rashtra by 2023 (some claim the year to be 2025). The sadhaks are all fed with the vision of a Hindu Rashtra. They are told about the need for this and also how it will benefit them and the rest of the world. But is it a mirage? Has the sanstha created a smokescreen to hide their other nefarious activities?

Dharma Yudh

Dharma Yudh is a fight for Dharma. A war that is to be fought with righteousness. A war that follows certain principles and rules; the main one being that an equal fight with an equal. Sanatan Sanstha has misused this word and uses it to justify the establishment of Hindu Rashtra. The definition of Hindu Rashtra is also very vague; there is no defined path for its establishment. The sanstha changes its terminology to suit its needs.

Sanatan tries to define Hindu Rashtra on one of its pages by saying that it will be guided by principles of Dharma. But these principles are not defined anywhere. It then shifts focus to spirituality and says that Hindu Rashtra will facilitate the propagation of spirituality. Most the population will practise spirituality as per the basic principles.

What are these principles? Who will define these principles? The sanstha is silent on these issues. Such topics are not discussed during any dharma sabhas or satsangs. People are discouraged in discussing them. They are given an impression that Dr Jayant Athavale will take care of everything; in short, he has nominated himself as the ruler of Hindu Rashtra. Dr Athavale also preaches media men to follow the path of Dharma. But he is silent on the definition of Dharma, he is silent on what is Sanatan Dharma, he is silent on what is Hindu Dharma. He preaches spirituality but first needs to understand it himself and practice what he preaches.

Dr Athavale is Dharma Guru

Does Dr Athavale consider himself a Dharma Guru? This impression is given every time in every satsang and every discussion. The images and audio visuals also carry the same message though they are unconscious. Unconscious messages are more powerful. Sanatan Sanstha makes good use of such unconscious messages. The impression is to associate the Guru with seva and to replace God with Guru. A seva to Guru is said to be seva to God, Hindu Dharma and Sanatan Dharma. Thus, Sanatan has managed to subconsciously associate Dr Jayant Athavale as a Dharma Guru.

I have gleaned this from my personal experiences as well as through discussions with many members of Sanatan Sanstha. I am no longer a member of this sanstha. I left it after my consciousness started biting me. Ms. Amruta Acharya has taken a bold step in writing this blog. I had to convience her a lot to share her experiences with Sanatan Sanstha. The aim was to release her pent-up feelings and also if possible to educate others.

This is a guest blog and I, Amruta Acharya have not written it.

The Journey So Far

I encounter Sanatan Sanstha

How did I encounter Sanatan Sanstha? I am a spiritual person and always believed that I had a higher purpose in life. I always felt and still feel that Hindu samaj is under attack and Hindu Dharma or Sanatan Dharma is being targeted by everyone, irrespective of caste, creed, gender or religion. I am brought up in a metro and cosmopolitan city and move to a small town after marriage. Marriage, particularly a Hindu marriage, comes with its set of restrictions.

I think I first encountered Sanatan during one of the religious gatherings. They put up their stalls at such places. I was attracted to it and I must have purchased some of their publications and products. I also must have given my contact details there.

What I remember very distinctly is their first contact. A phone call from a woman invited me to their satsang. I was expecting a hall full of people but was surprised at the very small presence. The topic is not relevant (I don’t remember it…) but I lost interest and wandered off. There was a small exhibition area and I was going through their activities and various publications. A sadhak approached me and offered to explain the mission of Sanatan Sanstha.

The Zeal of Sanatan Sanstha

He was very passionate about the sanstha and its mission and various activities. I interrupted him and commented on the small presence. This was the opening he was searching for. We are taught to take advantage of such issues. We are taught by Dr Jayant Athavale to turn our disadvantages into our advantages.

The sadhak immediately launched into a tirade against all non-believers, he said that Hindus are a divided lot, they are divided by the politicians and the media. They are not allowed to become one; because if we become one we will become the greatest strength on earth and nobody can dominate us, nobody can dictate to us. Everyone is afraid of us and they want to keep us under their feet.

True, but this was about Hindus, what about Sanatan Sanstha?

Another opening and another tirade.

He now equates Sanatan Sanstha with Hindus. Without a single pause, he continues to explain the mission of Dr Jayant Athavale. The mission is the establishment of the Hindu Rashtra by 2023 based on the principles of Sanatan Dharma. He goes on about the atrocities heaped upon Sanatan, shows me various articles in the media and explains that they are targeting Hindu Dharma and Sanatan Sanstha.

I am not very convinced but still he has managed to create a doubt in my mind. A doubt that will be explored in future by the sanstha. An opening has been made and I have been marked by them.

They say that the first impression is the last impression; I beg to differ. Impressions are created over time. Your impressions can be manipulated over time by skilled persons like Dr Jayant Athavale and his band of followers. People who have studied human psychology can manipulate people like me to meet their selfish ends.

Freedom at last

The transit and Sanatan Sanstha

Sanatan Sanstha has identified the route, has made fool proof plans and coordinated my escape. My escape from a stifling environment, from relationships that were binding me down and were not allowing me to fly away, were not allowing me to follow the spiritual path and were stopping me from going on the path of Moksha. I am free, totally free.

Why am I feeling empty inside me? Is it because of the tensions, is it because of the hunger (I have not eaten anything throughout the day) or is it the feeling of Chaitanya? Am I really free?

I reach Sanatan Sanstha ashram Devad. I am not accustomed to traveling alone but the sadhaks have told me that I have to make this journey alone. It is symbolic, very symbolic. I am touched, I have cried throughout the journey and am excited to have at last reached my destination. The Devad ashram is only a transit point, it exists to filter the essentials from the non-essentials.

I catch an auto from the bus-stop and reach the ashram. As per the instructions, I call up my husband and inform him that I am at Panvel and I am safe. Why should I tell him? I am leaving him finally. I don’t question the instructions, but the first doubt comes to my mind.

Why inform my husband?

The Sanatan Sanstha Ashram Devad is a welcome sight. I feel as if I have reached a holy place; I bow down my head and kiss the steps. Some sadhaks are loitering near the entrance. They ask my identity and immediately a couple of them take me to the main room. Others close the main gates arnd arrange themselves around it.

The first question I am asked is; have I informed my husband? Have I told him that I am at Devad ashram? Have I given a written statement at the police station? No questions about my health, if I have eaten anything, nothing? I reply to all their questions and take a look at the main room. There are several other sadhaks and all appear to be waiting for something to happen; they appear to be tense.

I am given something to eat and I retire for the night. I am accompanied by two or three female sadhaks. They too appear nervous but don’t discuss anything. We go to sleep, but I cannot sleep. I lie awake the full night thinking about my Guru, Dr Jayant Athavale and seekings his blessings.

The next morning, I again notice many sadhaks roaming around in the compound. All people appear to be tense. I have not yet switched on my mobile. Now, I am advised to do so and respond to all calls and tell everyone that I am at Sanatan Sanstha Ashram Devad.

This cycle repeats for one complete week. There are no activities throughout the day but only counseling sessions. The police phone me up one day to gather my whereabouts. I am told to expect the call and am also told to contact one person before responding. I reply as per his instructions.

What is Sanatan Sanstha waiting for? Why am I not allowed to proceed towards Goa?

Sanatan Sanstha dictates My Personal Life

Sanatan Sanstha tries to calm waters

Sanatan Sanstha played a double role in my life. They first set my house on fire and now they try to “stop” the fire. They started the fire by making me lie to my family, by losing their trust and by making me frustrated. Just when the fire threatened to engulf my home completely, Sanatan steps in to douse the fire.

The Reconciliation Process

The sanstha lays the blame squarely on my family. They say that it has never supported me as they have a tamasic nature. They are idol worshippers but do not follow the true Sanatan Dharma as laid down by the scriptures. They show me several evidences that evil spirits have gained control of my home and my family. They show black spots on old photos, they show how idols in my home have turned black (the idols are silver idols and become black due to oxidation as per science, Sanatan Sanstha says that they become black when evil spirits are present).

They try to counsel my family. The sanstha asks them to join them and propagate Sanatan Dharma. My father-in-law is a well-known social worker. He objects and argues with them. He points out their defects and asks them to leave the house. This is shown as further proof about my family. My father-in-law is now totally against the sanstha. Sanatan suggests that I and my family separate for some time. I go to live at my parents’ house in Pune. 

My husband comes to take me back and I reluctantly agree. By this time, my parents have also turned against the Sanstha. I promise not to do anything with the sanstha.

But, why should Sanatan leave me alone? They have invested a lot in me; time and energy and I am now open to their suggestions.

They call me up repeatedly. I hide the calls from my husband and family. I go out and secretly meet them. Now, the second part of the reconciliation process happens.

My husband catches up

My husband discovers that I am still involved in Sanatan Sanstha. He tries to understand me and allows me time to adjust. The Sanstha people counsel me that my husband will not change; he does not want to change. I should look after my home as if it is part of the sanstha. I should consider my home as a Satanan Sanstha Ashram and my family members as sadhaks. I should serve them as if I am serving my Guru and the sanstha.

This has disastrous consequences. My mind refuses to accept the difference between fact and reality. I am going mad.

Dr Jayant Athavale has total control on my mind. I am a slave to Sanatan Sanstha. I cannot think of anything else. A hypnotherapist has worked his methods on me through pure psychological methods. He has not hypnotized me, he has brainwashed me.

My husband now gives me an ultimatum, either I stay with him and leave Sanatan else I leave him and align totally with the Sanstha.

Broken Dreams and Broken Relationships.

Sanatan Sanstha Interferes with My Personal Life

Sanatan Sanstha and My Personal Life

The blog is not a very structured one though I have tried to give it a definite structure. I remember some things after the next step has been published. My mind is still a jumble of disorganized thoughts and emotions. The blog is releasing my inner frustrations but I am yet to clear my mind totally, it is helping me get Sanatan Sanstha out of my system.

One important issue was touched very briefly in my earlier blog. I have talked about how the Sanstha created fissures between me and my family. How a truthful and God fearing woman started resorting to lies and untruths.

Sanatan was very devious in many such manners as well as far as my family relations were concerned. They knew that I was brought up with a traditional mindset and that I would respect my family more than others. They also knew that a metro born and brought up woman (I was born and brought up in Pune) was finding life in a small town (my husband is based at Satara) very stifling.

I had a job in Pune before marriage. I was living a carefree life with no concern about money and financial issues. My family gave me complete freedom. The shift to Satara changed everything. I lost my job and could not find another equivalent job in Satara. I tried hard and to be honest; my husband also tried to help me. The only jobs available were far below my educational standards and experience. I tried a couple of them but could never adjust.

The Family is everything

The focus then changed to the family. Living in a small town with all relatives close by increased my workload. Someone would drop in almost daily without any warning. My in-laws stayed with us and they would invite the guests to take food with us. Some of the relatives came from nearby villages and I was asked to guide them around the town and help them with the purchases. My time was never mine to spend. I had no free time. Relatives from my side of the family would always comment on my status. I felt that they were demeaning me. My husband would not understand these things. He was too simplistic, he believed that everyone had only the good of others on their mind.

A daughter was born after some years of my married life. This added to my burden. I was too overwhelmed. I thought I was drowning.

Sanatan Sanstha came to my rescue. It gave me a hand. I grasped it. I started spending my free time with them slowly at first. My in-laws gave me freedom to do as I pleased, they did not have the traditional way of thinking. They were very progressive, in fact, at one point they asked to search for in Pune and return to Satara only during holidays and weekly off.

The sanstha gave me hope for a better future. It should be the golden pot at the end of the rainbow. I grasped at it. I was eager to get the golden pot before it was too late.

Sanatan Sanstha changes the rules

But after a couple of years, Sanatan Sanstha changed the game. I got so much involved that I started neglecting my family. I used to spend more time now with the sanstha both physically and mentally. My in-laws were the first to notice this.

The changes, though small in nature, were life changing ones.

Why does Sanatan Sanstha not quote scriptures

Sanatan Sanstha has its own brand of Sanatan Dharma

Sanatan Sanstha says that it is dedicated to spirituality as per Sanatan Dharma. It is engaged in the providing education on Dharma in scientific terminology. In spite of such lofty ideals, it does not quote any religious texts. There is nothing on Bhagwad Geeta, nothing on Ramayana and the website is totally silent on Ramayana, not to mention vedas and puranas. Then, which Sanatan Dharma is being taught, which Dharma is being discussed during satsangs and various dharma sabhas.

Low on content, low on quotes

Sanatan Sanstha does not quote extensively from any holy scriptures. There are hardly any detailed discussions on such scriptures during satsangs and dharma sabhas. An impression is given that these vedas and puranas have been studied extensively, however, no chapter reference is given. We are asked to purchase required holy texts by ourselves; there is no library in the kendra. But, there is a huge stock of Sanatan’s publications. We are told that they will provide us with all the required information. We will get complete education through them as they are based on the holy texts; they are based on the principles of Sanatan Dharma.

The publications (the sanstha claims that there are more than 200 such publications, all written in easy to understand language and with scientific explanations). They say that these publications have been translated into 14 languages and more than 7 lakh copies have been sold. The main page has a link to “Treasure of Holy Texts”, however, it is not operational. Are there really any such discussions on holy texts? Have these been read and understood by any sadhak? Does Sanatan Sanstha provide for a healthy discussion among sadhaks? Are these holy texts explained to sadhaks by the saints?

The answer to all this is a big NO.

The brand Dr Jayant Athavale

Instead of quotations and explanations, the publications are full of quotes by Dr Jayant Athavale. Explanations and references to holy texts are very vague. However, it is always mentioned that Guru has studied these scriptures, understood them and is presenting them in a simplified manner so we can understand them. There were times when I would not agree with the explanation, I needed more information or explanation; my logic of understanding them was different. I was asked to do naamjap and focus on my Guru. This would help me to understand. This was because of my ego; my ego was saying that I knew more about spirituality than my Guru and Sanatan Sanstha.

It is quite obvious that Dr Jayant Athavale is trying to build an empire through a band of loyal followers. The spiritual upliftment and spiritual knowledge feed to us has his stamp on it. He is using psychology to undermine our thinking powers. He is trying to control our minds through actions. This is not hypnotism; it is mind control; pure and simple.

But, now I am far gone to understand these things. I have transformed myself into a zombie under control of Sanatan Sanstha.

Sanatan Sanstha Creates Fissures

My family and Sanatan Sanstha

Sanatan Sanstha has succeeded in creating fissures in my family. I have started lying to my husband out rightly. I have learnt to justify this flagrant violation of the trust by thinking that the outcome justifies all lies. My husband notices the changes happening in me. He is worried, confused and also feels betrayed. He opposes the sanstha. He tries to counsel me many times. But I am smarter than he thinks I am. I know that I cannot win any argument with him as he is logically correct. But, I have a smart bomb on my side; it has been given by the sanstha. They have identified a key weakness in my husband. He used to get angry when during arguments I used to walk out of the room. It was as if I rejected his arguments and him. They coached me to use this weakness to make him angry. They said that this proved that he was against Hindu Dharma; he was against   Sanatan Dharma. He was a nastik, he did not believe in God. I fell for this psychological trick.

Broken Dreams and Broken Relationships.

I used the smart bombs very effectively. Little did I realise that I was destroying the relationship. Little did I realise that Sanatan Sanstha was controlling my mind and using it against my family.

My loving husband; my biggest enemy

Our relationship started rapidly deteriorating. My husband always used to accompany me everywhere, I used to call him my driver and he never minded it. He used to praise me in front of all his friends; used to praise my nature and spiritual affinity. He used to drive me to all my functions. We used to go on long drives whenever I was in the mood. We had our fights; most couples do fight.

Sanatan Sanstha changed the relationship forever (I still hope it is not forever – he is even today my pillar of strength though we are divorced). They drove the cracks in deeper and deeper and made them wider and wider. We lost trust of each other, any small issue became a full-blown fight. I would not budge from my stand and would leave the room just to spite him and he would blow his fuse. I started neglecting the house and avoiding household chores. My darling daughter, already with learning disabilities, was deeply affected.

But I was not bothered. Sanatan was inside my head; Sanatan Sanstha had taken control of my life. I was a puppet in their hands, to be used as they deemed fit.

Broken dreams and Broken Relationships.

How can you save Sanatan Sanstha?

• ·         The first step in Sanatan Sanstha’s inoculation campaign is to identify gullible people like me. People who has a holier than thou approach towards themselves – like me. I was so full of myself, so taken up by my vision of the world and my exalted position in it. They start slow. The first step is to attract spiritual persons or people with a spiritual bend of mind. We attend satsangs and are told to pray for the well-being of the nation.
• ·         The second step is now to reinforce this bond. They concentrate on Hindu Dharma or Sanatan Dharma. The attacks on Hindus are highlighted. The situation in the country and the prosecution of Hindus are discussed. Followers are encouraged to speak about the atrocities. Their website is full of such articles. I remember once when riding my two-wheeler, I dashed against a person from another community and he abused me. I spoke about this in one of the satsangs and the other sadhaks treated this as an attacked on a poor Hindu woman. I also started believing this.
• ·         Sanatan Sanstha knows that the bond is still weak. They now concentrate on my mind. They talk about the guru and gurushisha parampara. The importance of guru for spiritual upliftment is stressed repeatedly. “Saints” now join in for the discourses. The header of the main page of the website shows an image of a discipline offering respects to his guru.
• ·         I am asked to do naamjap, the sanstha says that naamjap – taking the name of Gods is different from meditation. Naamjap yields results. I believe them. Today, I know that meditation and naamjap are same as per Hindu Shastra; as per Hindu Dhrama. Sanatan wants to differentiate itself and hence shows that both are different.
• ·         Stickers with Gods and Goddesses’ names are purchased by me. I stick them all around my home. I think of the sanstha all throughout the day. This leads to the first conflict with my husband. Broken Dreams and Broken Relationships. A crack is formed; waiting to be exploited.
• ·         My family, my home, my fort no longer appeal to me. I think Sanatan Sanstha, I dream about my Guru and all my actions are dictated by the sanstha.
• ·         The focus now shifts from attacks on Hindu Dharma to attacks on Sanatan Sanstha. I am asked to do naamjap at different times. Someone phones me and informs me that evil spirits will be attacking the sanstha at a particular time. I can save the sanstha through my bhakti. I have done naamjap several times during nights, waking up at 2 am, 3 am or even not sleeping throughout the night. I became so habituated that I used to get up at 4 a.m. to do naamjap for many years.

The sanstha has gained control of my mind. I am no longer thinking rationally. I am their slave. I am a sadhak. I belong to Santan Sanstha.

Sanatan Sanstha – Propagating Myths

Mythological Santan Sanstha

Sanatan Sanstha has propagated several myths, all aimed at creating a distinct image about it. They use all resources at their hand. They produce newsletters – Sanatan Prabhat, Weeklies, fortnightlies, and monthlies. These are available in different languages – Marathi is the main language, but these are available in Hindi, Gujarati as well as Kannada. They conduct satsangs at all their kendras and upkendras. These are spread across mainly Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Gujarat. Satsangs are a good medium to propagate myths, Santan Sanstha has a docile and captive audience. They also conduct sabhas, dharmavargs and balsanskar vargs. They have a good presence across social media, they are on FaceBook, they are on Twitter and other social platforms. Their sadhaks – followers, write several blogs, they use their own Facebook and Twitter accounts to promote the sanstha.

Why are myths important to Sanatan Sanstha?

Sanatan Sanstha projects a bigger image than the reality through myths. It has created an Aura around itself; a sort of a halo under which many non-religious activities can flourish. A sanstha can operate only if it gets financial support. Dr. Jayant Athavale knows this, his spiritual aim is to create a name for himself. He wants his name to be written in history books, possible only through financial backing. Possible only if he can build an army of followers.

The second myth is about spirituality. The sanstha wants to show that it is providing spiritual education. It has been established to show the path for spiritual upliftment. Such lofty ideals, such lofty objectives. Their activities; their website, the satsangs, the dharmavargs and the periodicals propagate this myth. This provides them with a steady flow of manpower – in terms of followers, financial backing – donations, advertisements, government aid.

The third myth and equally important is that they are the underdogs. We, Hindus, get united when we see Hindu institutions being attacked. We rally ourselves behind such an organization; that time we do not look at the faces behind the veil. This is important to bind the sadhaks to a common cause and equally important to bind in such a manner that they stick together. Sanatan Sanstha uses the tag of attacks to rally their forces behind them. Do they lead from the front? No, not at all, the guru; Dr. Jayant Athavale remains behind the veil, behind the protective cover. The sadhaks are in the forefront. They carry the baton; the guru wants only the fruits.

The fourth myth is about invincibility. They cannot be touched by anybody. To the followers – sadhaks; they say that the guru is protecting them (Should it not be GOD? For the sanstha, the guru is everything). Any small incident is blown out of proportion. They hold demonstrations in front of police stations and hold dharnas. They give memorandum to the police, the collector and any other politician and publish the photos and articles in media as well as their website.

Sanatan Sanstha creates an impact:

There are several such myths. I have taken only those that were used to influence me and to convince me that Sanatan Sanstha is under attack. Yes, you are right. The focus has now shifted from attacks on Hindu Dharma to attacks on Sanatan Sanstha. This is drilled into my mind, the sanstha is under attack.

Do something to save it. You can do something to save it. You can save Sanatan Sanstha.

Sanatan Sanstha – All attacking a poor underdog

A so called spiritual organisation; Sanatan Sanstha, appeared to be harmless, everyone was attacking this underdog. In fact, their preaching appealed to my spiritual nature. I was drawn to them, I was attracted to them, I felt that I belonged there. They could do no wrong, they were right. Yet, people were opposing them, day in and day out. Why was this sanstha so hated? Dr. Jayant Athavale only had the good of people on his mind yet people and media were out to malign him. Why do good people have to suffer?

Yes, I am talking about a tactic of Sanatan Sanstha. We all have protective feelings, we like to protect the underdogs, the people who are innocent but are being prosecuted. Have you ever observed a pack of dogs? They all attack the weakest one. This dog is defenceless; it is not even harming anyone. It is sitting silently on one side, minding its own business. Yet, other dogs harass it, attack it and prosecute it. Just for the fun of it, so that they get a few pleasurable moments. This dog is called an underdog. We, human beings, also do the same thing.

Is Sanatan Sanstha really an underdog?

Sanatan Sanstha projects an image of being an underdog. This was drummed into my mind in countless ways, day in and day out. Till any negative reference to Sanatan Sanstha made me think of only the underdog.

It started with very small things. The initial references were attacks on Hindu Dharma and the Hindu way of life. It can be seen everywhere. Hindutva is on the rise and people oppose even small things. Most of such protests are needed, we are being prosecuted. All our festivals are being administered. During Holi, we are told not to burn wood as trees are cut and pollution increases. During Rang Panchami, we are told about the harmful effects of colours and the wastage of water. Even during Diwali, we are advised that bursting of crackers leads to noise and air pollution and lakhs of rupees are spent on a few seconds of enjoyment.

Sanatan Sanstha highlights these issues on a larger platform and then turns our attention towards persecution of the sanstha. Let us look at some of these issues:

1.       Their main ashram is at Ramnathi, Ponda, Goa. The locals; villagers staying there, have been protesting about Sanatan Sanstha for quite some years. The sanstha says that these people hate the sanstha, they should visit the ashram as people from across the world are flocking to the ashram.

2.       There is already a movement to ban Sanatan Sanstha. Several political parties are seeking a ban, Congress and AAP are supporting the ban. The matter has been taken up by the Bombay High Court and they are asking both Central and State governments to place on record the various communications. Sanatan Sanstha says that these are misguided people.

3.       Incidents like incessant honking outside the Ashram premises are made out to as attempt to harass it. Inmates living there are always warned that they may be attacked, though no such incident took place during my stay there.

4.       There are 28 pages of search results on Sanatan Sanstha’s website if we search for “harassment of Sanatan Sanstha”. With 10 articles per search page, there are more than 280 articles on this topic alone.

5.       All their satsangs and dharmavarg sabhas have this common topic and incidents on such issues are highlighted.

The mentality is to project Sanatan Sanstha as an underdog. Why should a spiritual organization be so bothered about this? Are they hiding something; are they afraid of something? Why are they spending more time defending themselves than in the pursuit of spirituality?

Why does Sanatan Sanstha follow you?

Sanatan Sanstha enters your mind

The slow burning candle technique uses another strategy, one perfected by Sanatan Sanstha. They need to control your mind as well as your body. I am attracted by the sanstha and its preaching, I feel attracted and attached to them. The next step by Dr. Jayant Athavale is to reinforce these feelings and imprint them strongly in my mind. Again, the start is slow, remember time is on their side.

They have these harmless slips of paper with the names of Gods and Goddesses. I am told to stick them on all the walls of my home and look at them while doing everyday chores. Very harmless but very effective. Dr. Athavale has not missed a single trick in human psychology. He is really an expert in this field. He should use such knowledge for the good of people, instead he is misusing it on people like me and destroying our lives. Broken Dreams and Broken Relationships. What did he attain by breaking my life, my home, my peace of mind?

Why did he break me?

Slips of paper to slip in your mind

Yes, that is right. I purchased these slips of paper and stuck them all across my home. Their cost was very small I thought and the amount was insignificant. These slips of paper were everywhere, in all rooms except washrooms. I always looked at them throughout the day and whenever I used to look at them, I used to think of Sanatan Sanstha, Dr. Jayant Athavale and the sadhaks.

Mind control, nothing but pure mind control.

I had the first serious difference of opinion with my husband. He objected to them, he said that they spoilt the look of the home. It made him feel awkward. He asked me to remove them. I felt bad, very bad. My husband could not even tolerate such small things; he could not even understand me and did not even try to understand me? How could I call him a life partner?

I ran to Sanatan Sanstha and asked for their advice. I still remember the day, the time and the conversation. A senior person, we called them saints -  Sanatan Sanstha has already many saints, more than 60, advised me. She told me very strongly that the small and insignificant slips were already doing their work.

Tamasic forces at work

The saint -  I will not name her, said that they were attacking the tamasic nature of my husband. He was a tamasic person though on the face of it, he was also into spirituality and appeared to be religious minded. The names were creating an Aura around my home. However, my husband will not understand. As he is my husband, I should respect him and try to explain their importance to him. He will understand; he should understand. The other sadhaks now played their role. They said that how could my husband object to such small things; their husbands never objected, they supported them.

Sanatan Sanstha had opened a crack in my relationship with my husband. They would now work on making it deeper and deeper.

Broken Dreams and Broken Relationships.

Lies lies and more lies

Broken Dreams and Broken Relationships

This is the start of the end. Lies lead to mistrust. Mistrust in the persons who love you the most. People who really care about you. Mistrust leads to broken dreams and broken relationships. This is the beginning of the end. Sanatan Sanstha knows this, understands this, and most of all wants this. There is nothing spiritual about this, nothing religious about this, there is no linkage between Sanatan Dharma or Hindu Dharma. It is all about mind control.

Human beings are social animals, right. They want the company of others, others who are like them, who think like them, who act like them. The social acceptance theory comes into play. I started seeking others like me. More importantly, I left those who were not like me. It started with my friend circle. I saw them as inferior beings, engaged in futile pursuits. I was a superior being. I lost contact with them, I broke contact with them. My closest friends, some of them so close that they knew all about me. I did not keep in touch.

I had a friend, she was facing a crisis in her life, I went to her and told her to embrace Sanatan Sanstha. She was shocked, her husband had just died and she was worried about making ends meet, and I was advising her to leave everything behind. I was so inconsiderate. Today, she is helping me to live again, helping me to come to terms with life and to start a new life. She did, she fought against odds, she took risks. She is my helping hand, my guiding star.

Lying is a sin:

All religions including Sanatan Dharma or Hindu Dharma teaches us that lying is a sin. Yudhishthira, the Dharmaraj, uttered just one lie in his lifetime and still he had to offer penance before he got an entry in the Heaven. He had performed innumerable good deeds and accumulated good karma. Yet Sanatan Sanstha directly or indirectly motivates its sadhaks to tell lies or to speak untruths. Spiritual upliftment should start with honesty and truthfulness, the sanstha on the face of it, shows that it does not support such misdemeanors. Then why does it motivate people to speak lies? It is not only about mind control. They tell people like me that whatever you do in the sanstha, it is acceptable if it is for the good of the sanstha. The guru; HH Dr. Jayant Athavale is there to protect you.

Nobody can share one’s sins. Remember the story about Maharishi Valmiki? Maharishi Valmiki was a notorious bandit, he used to rob innocent people of their wealth. Once a saint asked him the reason for such evil deeds. Valmiki replied that he robbed so that he could feed his family. The saint then asked him whether his sins would also be shared by his family? Valmiki decided to ask them and was very much surprised by the answer. His family out rightly rejected him and told him that they would not share his sins. He realized his mistake and changed his path and took to spiritual pursuits and became the great Maharishi Valmiki.

Lying is a sin, no matter what is the outcome. And yes, nobody can share your sins, you have to carry the burden yourself. Even Sanatan Sanstha cannot change this, this is as per Sanatan Dharma. 

Sanatan Sanstha is not Sanatan Dharma. It can never become one, it can never come close to the Eternal Truth.

Attack against Hindu Dharma and Sanatan Sanstha

Evil spirits attacking us

The die is cast; the actors are ready and the main character is me. Sanatan Sanstha has identified a gullible candidate. I start believing that everyone is attacking Hindu Dharma, everyone is after Sanatan Dharma. Small incidents; say a person attacked in a remote place, is made out to be a part of a conspiracy. I do not question them, others in the group do not question them.  Their newsletters are full of such stories. This is spiritual human psychology at its play, the one propagated by Dr. Jayant Athavale. Who are they? You may question them; they will tell you THEY are everyone who does not believe in Sanatan Sanstha. They are evil spirits; evil spirits that chase you when you try to do meditation - they call it Naamjap, evil spirits chase you when you go about your daily work. These evil spirits try to disturb you because they know you are doing something good. I used to yawn when meditating, I was told that this is again the work of evil spirits, they are trying to disturb you, do not get disturbed, our guru; Dr. Jayant Athavale, will protect you.

Santan Sanstha and Social Acceptance theory:

There is a concept in psychology, it is called the social acceptance theory. We look around us before deciding on a course of action. If others are doing something, we tend to follow them, even if we know it is wrong. The scientific reasoning is too detailed to be understood. But Sanatan Sanstha uses this theory in captivating their audience. All of us – the seekers as we were called, used to be asked about our thoughts while doing naamjap. Some of the experiences, there were always a couple of them during all discussions, were out of the world and all were focussed around Dr. Jayant Athavale. A sadhak would say that she felt that Guruji (he is referred as ParamPujya – PP in short) came on a garuda and took her away so she could fly away from her troubles. Others would not join in with more and more outrageous stories. Initially, I would give a lame story and everyone would give me a black eye, but through experience and with a need to belong to this group, I also concocted such experiences.

I started lying. The main point is that I started telling lies.

Lying is Good if the objective is good:

This is the mantra of Sanatan Sanstha, if you lie for doing work of the sanstha, it is not a lie. Nothing bad will happen. Dr. Jayant Athavale is there to protect you.

Broken dreams and broken relationships. 

I started lying to my family. Small lies, insignificant lies, needless lies. An important laxman rekha was crossed, the sanstha made me cross the rekha. The explanation to justify such lies was also implanted in my mind. Remember auto-suggestion therapy. Slowly and steadily, I was made to change my beliefs. Till this time, I never used to tell lies to my husband. Now, I lied to him because I felt that he was opposing me, he was part of the evil system, Sanatan Sanstha made a devil out of me. I broke the trust of my family, not once, not twice but repeatedly. Day in and day out.

The evil spirits had taken control, Sanatan Sanstha had taken control of my mind. All in the name of spirituality, all in the name of God.

The slow burning candle

Sanatan Sanstha and its long-term goal

Burn them on both sides, this is the strategy of Sanatan Sanstha. It has time on its side and hence it starts slowly and steadily. A perfect way to ensure that the results are permanent, or rather, long lasting. This is a two-fold strategy, attract people towards the Sanstha on one part and create differences in their personal life. At a point in time, the person in question – that’s me, will see only one way out of the situation that is created and run away to one of the ashrams. Broken dreams and broken relationships. 

Done very subtly and with extreme finesse, I did not realise what was happening. How did my loving family suddenly change colours and started opposing me? Why and when did they become demons and evil spirits?

Now I realise, they did not change, they remained the same. Became more confused and concerned about me. The change happened in me, I was changed by Sanatan Sanstha. It did not happen overnight, took some years to happen. But the effect was so deep, I thought that the world was against me, against my guru – yes, the one and only one Dr. Jayant Balaji Athavale; a hypnotherapist par excellence, against Sanatan Sanstha and also against Hindu Dharma. My mind was being manipulated by them, they had gained control of my mind to such an extent that I was brainwashed, a zombie. Ready to do what they wanted, when they wanted and in the manner that they wanted.

I should have heeded the warning signals, I should have listened to my parents, my in-laws and my husband. My daughter also tried to tell me, she has learning disabilities but apart from them she is very sensitive and loves me with her heart, her pure heart.

Slow and steady:

Slow poison is said to be the most dangerous. We do not realise that we are being poisoned, we may even drink it thinking that it is nectar. Sanatan Sanstha dishes out such type of slow poison. I drank it thinking that it was nectar.

The start is slow. They talk about Hindu Dharma – Sanatan Dharma. 

Get the link, the name is the key. They associate Sanatan Dharma with Sanatan Sanstha. Only the name is common, calling somebody Krishna does not make him Shri Krishna, does it...

They talk about the need to defend Hindu Dhrama from attacks taking place from all sides. 99% Hindus will agree to this, Sanatan Sanstha is aware of it. They publish daily articles in their dailies, weeklies and monthly newsletters. It is published very prominently on their website. They repeat it every day during their satsangs and dharmavargs. Topics are all generalised. A small attack is given communal feel. Issues like Kashmir are touched upon. They do not go into any deep details, they don’t have such details. They raise an issue for the sake of it. They don’t allow any questions to be asked, they cannot be questioned, they are above questioning. 

They are the Sanatan Sanstha, they are Sanatan Dharma they cannot be questioned. If I question them, I am not a true Hindu.

The die is cast.