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 differentiates sevas

 Sanatan Sanstha defines Seva and Sadhana

I had always assumed that sadhana and seva are different until Sanatan Sanstha started differentiating between them. Sadhana was practice or learning about religion; it entailed learning about our holy scripts. Seva, on the other hand, was more about selfless service to the society. Sanatan says that this is incorrect. Seva and sadhana are one and the same thing.

Worshiping is not important, Seva is

According to the sanstha’s philosophy and our Guru, Dr Jayant Athavale’s methods, there is no need to worship, Pooja is not that important, seva is most important and we should spend maximum time in naamjap and seva. Pooja is said to be used by lazy people. We should do sadhana. Sadhana is divided into two types:

• Vyashti Sadhana: This sadhana is done with the objective of self. Personality defect removal is termed as Vyashti Sadhana. This type of sadhana is termed as inferior by the sanstha as it is led by selfish motives.
• Samashti Sadhana: This sadhana is the true sadhana and gives superior results. We must actively propagate Dharma by holding satsangs at our home, spreading the message of Sanatan Sanstha and distributing newsletters and periodicals. We should actively search for donation givers and induce them to give as much as possible.

A question that is natural to us is that why should Samashti sadhana be given more importance. There are no quotes from scriptures or holy books. This is true because Sanatan Sanstha says so, no questions asked.

Samashti Sadhana and Sanatan Sanstha

Samashti seva means propagating the message of Dr Jayant Athavale, plain and simple. It involves meeting people and converting them to Sanatan. It involves collecting donations. It involves selling the sanstha’s products. Now I realise why this is important to Sanatan, why it is given more importance. Holding rallies, selling periodicals or collecting donations does not lead to spiritual growth. All religions, including Sanatan Dharma, says that we should pray to the respective Gods to seek their blessings and get spiritual knowledge.

Hindu Dharma has four margs (paths) to attain Mooksha, they are

• Bhakti Marg: Through chanting the name of God, performing Pooja and other stipulated rituals with a clean body and mind.
• Jnana Marg: Through study of scriptures and vedas.
• Karma Marg: Performing one’s duties and responsibilities without any selfish motive.
• Dhyana Marg: Through trance like state, doing continuous meditation.

Sanatan Sanstha does not talk of any of these, they have a different method, they are diverting from Hinduism. Their brand of spiritualism is different; they have their own terminology. They stress that only samashti sadhana is needed. They are trying to establish their own brand of Sanatan Dharma; one defined by them and to be followed exclusively by their followers. No questions asked…

This becomes evident to outsiders and that is why they do not support the sanstha. They oppose the sanstha. Sanatan Sanstha also believes in blind faith and superstition. It tries to practice black magic. It tries to control the minds of its followers.

This is why others are unhappy with it.

But, I am on the path of Anand, Bliss as defined by Sanatan Sanstha. I have no control on myself; neither in mind or body or spirit.