Sant Tukaram ji For four years, he managed the responsibility of house and business successfully. First his mother and father died and then elder brother’s wife died. After the death of his wife, elder brother Savji who was already disinterested became an ascetic and he left the house and went for pilgrimage. Now, even Tukaram’s heart broke and he lost all enthusiasm in the household. With this, the business became slow and taking advantage of this, the debtors stopped returning his money and the creditors kept asking him for money. This way, the business got affected and the time for bankruptcy came. Around two times, his in-laws helped him but once the business was affected it never came back on track. All his efforts did not pay off. To add to his misery, Pune regions had a severe famine. Many people died fluttering without food and water. Seeing all these, Tukaram’s mind filled with sorrow. Just then, his troubles reached its pinnacle. His first wife died and then, his son. But after all these difficulties, Tukaram came out as an image of asceticism. He handed over his younger brother his share and became engrossed in singing bhajans and praying. After great difficulties, Sant Tukaram’s mind and heart became absorbed in reciting the Lord’s name forever. By the grace of God, whenever he used to sit down for kirtan with people, he used to start saying Abhang Vani on its own. Seeing the greatest sense in his creations, great Saints and Brahmins respected him and started bowing to him. With the fame of Sant Tukaram, many people were upset. Of this, one Brahmin who was a great scholar of Vedas, felt very bad that a person like Tukaram of the other caste sings Abhangs and all the castes including Brahmins believe him and respect him.That is why he told a hakim (a learned man) to order Tukaram to leave Dehu and go away. At this, Tukaram went to Rameshwar Bhatt and told him, “The Abhangs which I say are said by the orders of Lord Pandurang. You are a Brahmin; with your orders I will stop creating Abhangs but what about those Abhangs which are already made and which are kept written?” at this the Pandit asked him to throw away those Abhangs in the river. On the second day of dark fortnight of Chaitra month in Samvat (the year of Vikram era) 1706, Shri Tukaramji left for heavenly abode. No one saw his dead body, actually he did not die. Lord personally took him to Vaikuntha along with his physical body. This way, after going to Vaikunthdham, Shri Tukaram appeared in front of his devotees. There are many monuments of Tukaram Maharaj in Dehu and Lohgaon. His Abhang –Vani is a precious and eternal religious asset. Shri Tukaram lives within his devotees through his Abhangs. Shri Tukaram said, “There cannot be anything pure in his world that is created by the Creator. Just like water in ice and yarn in cloth, God is contained in this whole universe and that is why to consider anything impure in this world is an insult to God.” Sant Tukaram also said, “Where there is a meeting of God, saints and prayers, there is the real Triveni Sangam. According to him, even Brahma cannot describe the happiness of Satsang. Source: sagarworld

Shri Neem Karoli Baba The Establishment of Ashrams Maharaj-ji established numerous ashrams across India, with the most prominent being Kainchi Dham near Nainital. These ashrams served as centers for spiritual growth, meditation, and selfless service. The serene ambiance and the spiritual energy of these places attracted devotees seeking solace and enlightenment.Kainchi Dham, in particular, became a spiritual hub where Maharaj-ji met countless devotees and imparted his teachings. It remains a sacred site visited by thousands annually, including renowned personalities like Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and Julia Roberts, who credit their spiritual journeys to Maharaj-ji’s blessings. Teachings of Neem Karoli Baba Neem Karoli Baba’s teachings were simple yet profound, rooted in universal truths that resonate with people from all walks of life. Here are some core principles: Love and Compassion: Maharaj-ji often emphasized the power of unconditional love and compassion. He believed that loving others selflessly was the highest form of worship. Service to Humanity: He advocated for seva (selfless service) as a path to spiritual growth. Serving others with humility and without expectation was a recurring theme in his guidance. Faith and Devotion: Maharaj-ji inspired his devotees to cultivate unwavering faith in God and practice devotion through simple acts of prayer, meditation, and surrender. Simplicity: He lived an austere life, teaching that spiritual fulfillment does not require material wealth but a pure heart and a simple approach to life. Miracles and Divine Acts Neem Karoli Baba was renowned for performing miracles that strengthened the faith of his followers. From healing the sick to appearing in multiple places simultaneously, his divine acts were a testament to his spiritual powers. However, Maharaj-ji often downplayed these occurrences, redirecting attention to the importance of spiritual practice and love. Neem Karoli Baba’s influence extended far beyond India, touching the lives of global icons. Steve Jobs visited Kainchi Dham in the 1970s, seeking spiritual guidance during a challenging phase in his life. Inspired by the teachings of Maharaj-ji, Jobs later recommended the journey to Mark Zuckerberg, who visited the ashram before the significant growth of Facebook. Actress Julia Roberts also embraced Maharaj-ji’s philosophy after reading about him, finding profound inspiration in his teachings on love and devotion. Neem Karoli Baba left his mortal body in 1973, yet his presence continues to be felt by devotees worldwide. His teachings are preserved in the hearts of his followers and through the ongoing activities of the ashrams he established. Books like Miracle of Love by Ram Dass, one of Maharaj-ji’s closest disciples, serve as timeless tributes, capturing his essence and wisdom. The life and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba remain a beacon of divine wisdom, offering solace and inspiration in a chaotic world. His emphasis on love, service, and devotion transcends religious and cultural boundaries, uniting people in the pursuit of spiritual growth. For those who seek guidance on the path of love and selflessness, Maharaj-ji’s teachings provide an eternal source of light and peace. Source: kainchidham tours,

Shri Vallabhacharya Vallabhacharya aced all the religious scriptures like Vedas, Puranas, Smriti, Tantra and various other religious philosophies like yoga, Buddhism, Jainism and so on, at a tender age of 11. At the same age, he set out for a Bharat Parikarma, visiting remote villages, only wearing a dhoti and upvastra and offering seva to Thakorji – a form of Lord Krishna. At age 12, Mahaprabhuji reached Jagannath Puri, where the king had held a debate over four religious questions for Pandits and Acharyas. The questions included – Which is the best scripture? Who is the supreme of all gods? Which is a best mantra? And what is the best duty to perform. Most scholarly Pandits present were stumped by the questions. Unable to find answers, king turned to Mahaprabhuji, who answered all questions. Yet feeling challenged, other Pandits mocked him saying they would accept the answers if Lord Jagannath himself answered these questions, He wrote them on a piece of paper and closed the doors of the temple after placing the paper in front of the Lord Jagannath’s idol. When the doors opened the following day, the king found the same answers on the piece of paper stating that Gita is the best scripture, Lord Krishna is the supreme god, Krishna mantra is the best mantra and service to Lord Krishna is the best duty. Another victory was at the debate of Vijaynagar, where king Krushnadevray summoned his court and Pandits to delve on the opting dualism and non-dualism. Vallabhacharya was bestowed the title of ‘Jagadguru’ after establishing ‘Shuddhadvaita Bhramavad Philosophy’. During his entire lifetime he wrote many literary works including ‘Shodash Granth’ – 16 individual granths. He undertook the arduous task of familiarising people with Gita. He is said to have undertaken 3 Bharat Parikarmas and offered discourses on Bhagvad Gita at 84 locations. These locations are now popular pilgrim places amongst Vaishanavas known as ‘Chauraisi Ghat’. Devoting his entire life to Lord Krishna, he narrated epics like Madhurakshtam and Yamnashtak which are jewels of praises and prayers for Krishna and Yamunaji. Vallabhacharya laid a cornerstone for Vaishnav Sampraday and its philosophy as a way of life, with his continuous efforts to lead people to realise god by the way of spontaneous, motiveless and selfless love and devotion to Lord Krishna.

Madhavacharya Shri Madhava was very clever in reading and writing. Whatever he used to read once was not required to read it again. As soon as he completed three years, his father started educating him regularly. When he was five years old, he went along with his mother to a nearby place named Neyampalli where a scholar was lecturing. But unsatisfied with his lecture, Shri Madhava proved his explanation to be wrong and said the right meaning in front of everyone and the crowd present there was stunned with Shri Madhava’s knowledge. Once, he even surprised his father who was a great scholar by telling him the meaning of a word which even Nadillya did not know. His father was very happy with the knowledge of his son.When Shri Madhava was seven years old, after his initiation of sacred thread, he was sent to his guru to learn Ved- shastra. His guru’s name was Totantillya, who was one of the honored teachers of Vedic tradition of those times. Shri Madhava was not only clever in studies but also very good at sports. No one could beat him in sports and wrestling. Impressed with Shri Madhava’s brilliance especially in wrestling, his fellow students used to call him Bheem.Once, unhappy with him giving too much time towards sports activities, his teacher scolded him and tested him for his knowledge. But contrary to what his teacher had expected, Madhava answered each and every question so fluently that his guru was impressed with his knowledge. After this, his guru never objected to his playing sports. After being established as an Acharya, he always paid attention towards health. It is said that when he was more than forty years, to know the importance of healthy body, he had challenged his students of twenty years for wrestling and defeated each and every one of them. Once, when Acharya was going on the tour to Badrikashram, a group of robbers cornered him. He told his disciples, “This is not the time to get scared. The hands that can lift a stick can also lift an axe. One should not get scared of bad people, instead punish them.” Hearing this, the disciples pounced on to the robbers. Seeing this severe form of the saints, the robbers ran away to save their lives. Once while he was going on pilgrimage in the North, some soldiers of a Muslim King arrested him. The King asked him as to whether he was scared. Shri Acharya said, “Why should I get scared. The God that I pray is also your God. You call him Allah and I call him Narayan. This whole world is his state and all of us live in his state and I am going for pilgrimage through one of his states, then why should I get scared to go from his state?” The Muslim king was so impressed with his answer that he honored him in his assembly and donating him a big plot of land asked him to built an ashram over there and stay there. But Acharya Shri refused his proposal and went ahead on his pilgrimage. Shri Madhavacharya believed for a healthy mind; healthy body is a must. So, he always encouraged his disciples to exercise. When he was eleven years old, he expressed his wish to be an ascetic but due to his love for his son, his father did not permit him.  To stop him, his father pleaded him and bowed him at his feet. Shri Madhava just told him, “For a father to bow down at the feet of a son who is not an ascetic is not proper, but when you have already bowed, it shows that you have already accepted me as an ascetic.” When his mother told him that if he becomes an ascetic, who would take care of them in their old age, he said that he would not accept ascetism till they have a second son and then, surprisingly his parents had a second son the next year. After this incident, his parents were compelled to permit him for ascetism. The second son took care of his parent till the last day and then got consecrated by Shri Madhava. His name was “Vishnutirth”. After getting permission from his parents, Shri Madhava accepted ascetism by an Advait ascetic named Achyutpragya (also named Achyutpakshacharya, Achyutpreksha). After his consecration, his guru named him “Purnpragya”. Later, he was also named Anandtirth. But in the end, he became world famous with the name of Madhavacharya.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji His instructions to Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami, His discussions with Ramananda Raya, the debate with the Mayavadi sannyasi Prakashananda Sarasvati and the Vedanta Sutra, the discussion between Him and Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya are excellent sources through which we understand His teachings in detail. The Lord left only eight slokas of His instructions in writing, and they are known as the Siksastaka. All other literatures based on His teachings were extensively written by the Lord’s principal followers, the six Gosvamis of Vrindavana, and their followers. Lord Chaitanya’s Mission – The Universal Religion His mission was to preach the importance of chanting the holy names of the Lord in this age of Kali (quarrel). In this present age quarrels take place even over trifles, and therefore the shastras have recommended for this age a common platform for realization, namely chanting the holy names of the Lord. People can hold meetings to glorify the Lord in their respective languages and with melodious songs, and if such performances are executed in an offenseless manner, it is certain that the participants will gradually attain spiritual perfection without having to undergo more rigorous methods. At such meetings everyone, the learned and the foolish, the rich and the poor, the Hindus and the Muslims, the Englishmen and the Indians, and the chandalas and the brahmanas, can all hear the transcendental sounds and thus cleanse the dust of material association from the mirror of the heart. To confirm the Lord’s mission, all the people of the world will accept the holy name of the Lord as the common platform for the universal religion of mankind. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj encapsulates this profound philosophy in his kirtan: Mahāprabhu Chaitanya Hari avatārī, āpuna bhakti kare āpu murārī He says that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is an incarnation of Shree Krishna, who appeared as His own devotee. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was Shree Krishna embodying the divine sentiment of Radharani. Shree Chaitanya had Radharani’s complexion and the physical attributes of Lord Krishna. Radha is the epitome of Krishna-Prem. She is Krishna’s divine Energy and Her love provides divine bliss to the Lord. While Shree Krishna descended as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to disseminate pure, unadulterated devotion to God, He had other reasons to appear. He was thoroughly intrigued by the nature of Radhaji’s love for Him. Though He is the Knower of everything, He did not know the depth, nature, and ecstasy of Radha’s selfless love (nishkam prem) because He was the object of Her devotion, and that devotion resided in Her alone. Thus, if He descended imbibing the devotional sentiments of Radharani in His heart, He could experience Her bhav and relish it. Further, Shree Krishna wondered about the sweetness and happiness that Radhaji experienced in Her love for Him. And third, He wished to know, which divine qualities induced such ecstatic devotion in Her. So, Bhagavan Shree Krishna appeared in this world as Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to taste the divine love of Radharani and distribute it to all living beings. In his earthly manifestation, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu immersed Himself in divine ecstasy as an ardent devotee lost in Krishna’s glories. Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya: Transformation of a Vedic Scholar to a Bhakt.