Sri Sitaram Bhatt Guruji

Shri Sitaram Bhatt of Pune was passed the Guru Gadi from his Guru Shri Acchytanandaji and was a great personality of his time. He was close to the great Sri Akalkot Swami Samaarth too.

When Shridi Sai Baba was returning after a long absence, he was troubled by his awakened Kundalini and was told to seek help from Shri Sitaram Bhatt and learn the techniques of Kundalini Yog to control his risen Kundalini energy. Shri Sitaram Bhatt was very famous and renowned in Maharashtra for his Siddhis. He was the Nyaadish of Mansa Darbar and was an Advisor to many courts of Gujarat, including Sayavji Gaekwad. Gurudev was a great scholar and his Shisyas were many and far. He advised Bal Ganagadar Tilak to initiate the Ganesh utsav which is now celebrated worldwide. This was necessary at the time due to the British Raj and by instigating this Festival, united all and helped in pushing forward the Free India campaign.

Sri Sitaram Guruji, born to Smt. Sarasvatībai and Shri Ganesh Shastri, entered this world in the home of Inamdar Shri Kolhapurkar in Pandavvadi, Wai Taluka, Satara District, on the evening of Monday, 8 January 1866 (Shaka Samvat 1787, Paush Vadi Saptamī).

Early Life and Education

Shri Sitaramjis Yajnopavit Samskaar was conducted when he was eight. Following his father's work, he moved to Karachī in 1875 and continued his education across Pune, Satara, and Karad. After high school in Pune, he studied at Fergusson, Deccan, and Balson Colleges, completing his LLB.

In 1881, Guruji married and settled in Pune, fathering four children. Diagnosed with TB in 1888 and advised it would be terminal, he embraced upasana. On a visit to the temple, he encountered Sri Achyutananda Nathaji and, falling at his lotus feet, was instructed in the daily performance of Parthiv Puja to Lord Shiva. Remarkably, he recovered fully, attributing his health to Divine grace and deepening his devotion to Sri Achyutananda Nathaji. He later began teaching at New English School, Pune.

Despite financial challenges, Shri Sitarām Guruji completed his education with resilience. His destined path, however, led him to Sadguru Sri Achyutananda Nathaji rather than a legal career.

Spiritual Awakening and Service

In 1892, on Shivaratri, Sri Achyutananda Nathaji initiated Shri Sitaram Bapu Bhatt. Appointed in 1895 as a Sanskrit teacher in 'Tharad Sansthan', Guruji also instructed senior officials' children in texts such as the Dasbodh and Gīaneśvarī. Subsequently, he was appointed as a judge in 'Mansa-Darbar'. Through Guruji’s teachings, the prince of Manasa renounced irreligious practices and embraced Sanatan Dharma, undertaking a rigorous chant of the 'Rama' mantra. Following Guruji’s advice, the prince later experienced a vision of Lord Krsna.

Contribution to Nationalism and Dharma

Under Sri Achyutananda’s guidance, Guruji engaged in the revival of Nationalism and Dharma, fostering the upasana of Ugra Devatas in the Kali Kula. Working alongside Sri Lokmanya Tilak, he promoted the public Ganesha festival in Maharashtra. His efforts earned him Purnadiksha and Samraj Diksha in both Sri and Kali Kula, establishing him as Sri Prakashananda Nath. After Guruji assumed the Guru Gadhi, Sri Achyutanandaji attained Jal Samadhi in Haridwar.

Pilgrimages and Teachings

Sri Sitaram Guruji began his Kashi Yantra in the month of Magha, visiting various sacred sites including Omkareshwar, Mahakal, and Kashi, spreading the glories of Sri Vidya. In Kashi, he supported the ashramas founded by Sri Achyutananda Nathaji, meeting with fellow devotees and providing assistance for the propagation of Dharma.

In 1899, he began a Sri Devī Bhagavat Saptah Parayana. Witnessing Divine manifestations such as fireballs merging with his text, he experienced a direct connection with the Vashinī Vag Devatas, enabling him to chant without consulting the book. During Navaratri, he received darshan of a 'Suvasinī', who would disappear after his wife performed puja.

Establishment of Guru Peeth

In Pune, Sri Guruji established the revered Srī Guru Peeth, a multistoried Ashram that became a centre of divine energy and upāsanā. Here, he introduced rituals, including the chanting of 'Jai Guru', night vigils, and Tantric practices. The Panchrangī Dhwaj, a flag of five colours, became a symbol of his power, transporting devotees into Samadhi and granting visions of their Ishta Devatas. The Ashram’s rooms were dedicated to various deities, facilitating direct communion with the Divine, for his followers. The Ashram resonated with Mantras, fostering spiritual ecstasy among the seekers.

Through Shakti sadhanas of Mahakali, Durga, and Tripura Sundarī, disciples encountered transcendental energies and received direct darśan of these Goddesses. Guruji’s fame as a Sundarī-Kali devotee spread across India, inspiring devotion and selfless service.

Legacy of Sadhana and Seva

By the early 1900s, Guruji’s influence had permeated India. His Panchrangī Dhwaj symbolised unity and spiritual power, guiding countless seekers. His guidance to Shirdi Sai Baba on Kundalinī control underscored his spiritual authority. The Vidya Mandir he established preserved esoteric knowledge and Tantric teachings, allowing disciples to awaken latent powers and experience profound unity with the cosmos.

Sri Sitaram Guruji’s dedication to Dharma extended beyond spirituality, aiming to uplift the nation and revitalise Dharma through inner and outer service. His legacy continues through his disciples, whose teachings bridge ancient wisdom with the present, fostering spiritual and societal transformation. Today, his followers maintain his teachings in temples, homes, and shrines across India, preserving the spiritual discipline and Shakti he imparted. His radiant legacy endures, a beacon of truth for all who seek the Divine.

Eternal Legacy and Lasting Impact

Sri Sitaram Guruji’s contributions to both the spiritual and social realms left an indelible mark, not only within his lifetime but through the enduring work of his disciples and followers. His teachings, grounded in Vedic principles and enriched by Tantric practices, offered seekers a holistic path that harmonised personal enlightenment with a commitment to societal welfare. The disciplines of Sadhana he instituted, such as Shakti sadhanas involving Mahakali, Durga, and Tripura Sundarī, became a blueprint for spiritual transformation that resonated beyond Pune, reaching aspirants throughout India.

In Srī Guru's Peeth, disciples across caste and creed received the blessing of direct Divine experiences, guided by Guruji’s unique ability to channel the Divine energies of his lineage. The spaces within the Ashram dedicated to individual Devatas allowed devotees to engage deeply in their personal upasana, often resulting in mystical experiences and direct Darshan. These practices not only enriched the spiritual lives of his followers but fostered an atmosphere of unity and devotion that transcended social divisions, building a community bound by shared purpose and reverence for Dharma.

Sri Sitaram Guruji’s approach to Upasana was deeply integrated with the Nationalistic spirit of his time. Alongside figures like Sri Lokmanya Tilak, he leveraged the Ganapati festival as a platform for communal worship, cultural revival, and social cohesion. This pioneering effort strengthened the social fabric of Maharashtra, inspiring future movements for Dharma and unity across India. His teachings emphasised not just individual salvation but also the upliftment of society, instilling a duty to serve the Nation and protect the Dharma.

Guruji’s legacy continued through his disciples, who carried forward his teachings in various centres of Dharma and learning. The Vidya Mandir, under his guidance, remains a cornerstone for the study and practice of Tantra and esoteric wisdom, nurturing a new generation of devotees skilled in spiritual arts and dedicated to the cosmic service Guruji envisioned. His Panchrangī Dhwaj, symbolising his boundless spiritual energy, continues to inspire devotees to pursue Unity, Love, and Liberation.

Spiritual Heritage and National Reverence

Through his life’s work, Sri Sitaram Guruji Maharaj established a path that lives on in the hearts of his followers and in the sacred spaces he helped cultivate. His unwavering devotion and commitment to Dharma forged a bridge across generations, ensuring that ancient knowledge continues to illuminate the lives of seekers today. The light he kindled in the hearts of his devotees remains a radiant beacon, guiding all who seek truth and spiritual fulfillment. His life is a testament to the profound Grace of the Divine and the enduring spirit of Hinduism, with his teachings resonating as a timeless reminder of the harmony between personal spirituality and collective service.