Our master, Shri Sainath Maharaj works in mysterious ways. Saipanth is a path which has descended as a boon for all Baba’s devotees and disciples who aspire to follow the yogic path. Shri Sainath Maharaj has chosen, Sri Ravindra Madhudi, whom Saipanthi’s fondly address as “Bhaiyya” for this divine task.
Saipanthi’s aspire to emulate, Sri Ravindra Madhudi (Bhaiyya) who they believe is an epitome of instrumental devotion.
Bhaiyya in his current incarnation was born on 21/10/1917 on a Thursday. He comes from a family of Doctors, Academicians & Law Makers. His father was a Doctor and His Mother was an entrepreneur. His Father had very little bearing on his psyche due to his sudden demise while Bhaiyya was still a young child and His Mother's upbringing with traditional values and rituals were the foundation for his deep interest in God and Spirituality.
Bhaiyya’s first major spiritual experience occurred in June 1982, just few days after the demise of this father, which drew him strongly and deeply into the fold of Shirdi Sai Baba. Bhaiyya was walking on the street in Malleshwaram, Bangalore with his Mother and Maternal Aunt, he heard a Dhoop Aarti (prayer ritual performed at dusk), which was being sung at a private residence. He was magnetically drawn to it and as he entered the house he saw that the Aarthi was being sung in praise of Shirdi Saibaba. He was mesmerised looking at statue of Baba and when he bowed down at Baba’s feet, he heard a clear voice coming from Baba – “Do not worry; henceforth I am your father.” This emphatic statement heralded a beautiful and divine relationship between the Father and son, which is basis of Bhaiyya’s life.
There was a saintly and highly evolved disciple of Baba by name Shivamma Thayee who lived in Bangalore. Bhaiyya's family often visited her and his meeting with Shivamma Thayee at a young age was a milestone in his life. She once proclaimed to Bhaiyya's mother whilst Bhaiyya was playing on her lap, that he was not her child and but has come into this world for Baba’s divine work. She also prophesied that Bhaiyya would be instrumental in building a temple of Baba in Bangalore which happened subsequently.
At this juncture, it was interesting to note that Bhaiyya spontaneously started conversing with Shirdi Sai Baba in Marathi (language spoken by Saibaba during his divine incarnation) though he was not formally taught Marathi is his whole life!
His maternal aunt, Mrs GP Indumati, Professor of Linguistics introduced Bhayya to Mahavatar Babaji at the age of 16. "Autobiography of a Yogi" was the first of the many spiritual books read by Bhaiyya during this time and he was deeply influenced by it. He was blessed with the divine vision of Mahavatar Babaji in flesh and blood during one of his meditations.
The thought in that book that the Guru will come to the seeker at the right time and draw him into his fold captured his young mind. Thereafter, he started wandering around on his quest for a Guru and in the course of it he had a spate of miraculous experiences with Hatha Yogis, Aghoras, Ananda Margis, Siddha Yogis, Natha Sampradayis and many more. These experiences not only established that Baba was true to His word and protected him as a father from any untoward incidents but also guided him to great heights on his journey of Spiritual progression. They also helped him to gather knowledge about various schools of spiritual thoughts and the affirmation that Baba was the Divine Guru whom he was seeking for his ultimate Union.
The single most important experience of Bhaiyya that fabricated the body of his Spirituality as well as his understanding and advent on the Path was his interaction with Sri Mataji Nirmala Devi who was introduced to Bhayya by another maternal aunt, Mrs G P Sathyavathy, Professor of Botany. He attended a workshop for Sahaja Yogis under the guidance of Mataji Nirmala Devi at the age of 17, wherein he was initiated into Kundalini yoga. However, all through this period of learning he could not shift his attention or focus away from Shirdi Sai Baba. The beautiful thing to observe here is how the Divine is the Doer of everything and He not only ordains but He also prepares for the path of Saipanth to be established under the Instrumental guidance of Bhaiyya.
On the concluding day of the workshop, Srimataji Nirmala Devi in her parting conversation told him that he was a Guide in the making and prophesied that he would lead a Path. She said she knew Who he was, Where he had come from, Who had sent him to her and Whom He Belonged to. By design of the Divine, she closed the curtains on his days as a Sahaja Yoga by asking him to visit Shirdi on his way back home. This incident made him realize once again, his strong spiritual Rinanubandha with Shirdi Sai Baba. This was how he was taught Kundalini yoga by Baba in order to serve the cause of Saipanth.
One day, whilst in the Dwarkamai at Shirdi , the name “Saipanth” dawned upon him and with that the understanding of the larger service for the cause of Baba. He returned from Shirdi and started working towards the establishment of “Saipanth.”
Having taken a thread from the devotion of Shri Govindrao Raghunath Dhabholkar, the basic understanding which we should draw from here is that Baba is the Doer and we are all just His Instruments. Saipanth is being established by Baba and it is His cause. Everything that is Saipanth is Baba and it is an extension of Him guiding us unto this Path to reach our Destination. Every thought, every word and every deed is His and we are just His Instruments following this Path through Instrumental Devotion. This should be the belief of every Saipanthi.
By the command of the Master, a group of six under the guidance of Bhaiyya started their journey in Saipanth. No one comes into Saipanth on their own free will and accord. They are drawn to Saipanth. Once you are a Saipanthi you will always be a Saipanthi. Saipanth is a pure Path with an integration of all elements, all thoughts and all religions. The deciphering of the Satcharita and meditation, which is a combination of all the yogic practices, is an integral aspect of Saipanth.
Bhayya considers Shri Sainath Maharaj as his Guru and father, Sri Mataji Nirmala Devi as his divine mother who guided into the path of Kundalini Yoga and Mahavatar Babaji as the guiding light and force behind the Shunya Kriya.
Sairam