Four Rasayatras with the Sadguru

With the objective of enabling every seeker to imbibe this Bhakti Rasa in their own lives by accepting the guidance of such saints and exalted devotees on the path of devotion, four Rasayatras were organised under the guidance of Sadguru Shree Aniruddha.

Shraddhavans were blessed with the rare privilege of attending four Rasayatras and one Bhavayatra in the company of Sadguru Shree Aniruddha.

• They were to embark on these Rasayatras with Sadguru Shree Aniruddha to deepen and nourish their Bhakti Rasa, so that their devotion to God would continue to grow ever stronger.
• They were to undertake these sacred pilgrimages with Him to soak themselves completely in this Bhakti Rasa, to immerse themselves in it.
• They were to journey with Sadguru Shree Aniruddha to partake more and more of this Bhakti Rasa.

Under the auspices of Sai Samarth Vidnyan Prabodhini, Shraddhavans organised Rasayatras to Shirdi, Akkalkot, Dehu-Alandi, and Goa. Following the guidance of Sadguru Shree Aniruddha, they resolved to gather the Bhakti Rasa through these Rasayatras and assimilate it into their own lives.

The Sequence of the Four Rasayatras

The very name of Sai Samartha Vidnyan Prabodhini, the organisation established through the resolve and blessings of Sadguru Shree Aniruddha, indicates the sequence of the four Rasayatras.

• Sai (Shirdi): Sai signifies Shree Sainath of Shirdi.
• Samartha (Akkalkot): Samartha refers to Shree Swami Samarth of Akkalkot.
• Vidnyan (Dehu–Alandi): Vidnyan represents the spiritual legacy of great saints, Sant Shree Dnyaneshwar Maharaj of Alandi and Sant Shree Tukaram Maharaj of Dehu, beautifully expressed in the revered words, “Dnyandeve rachila paya, Tuka zhalase kalas” (“Sant Dnyaneshwar laid the foundation, and Sant Tukaram became the pinnacle.”).
• Prabodhini (Goa): Prabodhini signifies the one who imparts all the wisdom to the devotees, the Preceptor of knowledge and wisdom - Lord Shiva, 'The Mangesh' and His divine consort, Shree Shantadurga.

Following this symbolic sequence embodied in the name Sai Samarth Vidnyan Prabodhini, the four Rasayatras were organised accordingly.

Pandharpur Bhavayatra

The saints who remained forever absorbed at the lotus feet of Bhagwan Vitthal articulated the eternal truth, “Bhava Tochi Dev” i.e., God is what you feel and perceive through their sacred compositions, generously showering upon all of us the depth of their love and devotion towards God.

Following the four Rasayatras, a Bhavayatra to the sacred kshetra of Pandharpur, the holy abode of Shree Vitthal, at whose lotus feet the devotional sentiments of all these saints converge was organised under the guidance of Sadguru Shree Aniruddha.

Every particle of the sacred soil, every drop of the holy waters, and every atom of the air of Pandharpur, revered as Bhuvaikuntha, the earthly abode of Lord Vishnu is imbued with the loving devotion that saints and Warkaris have poured out at the lotus feet of Bhagwan Shree Vitthal through the ages.

It was to imbibe into their own lives the loving devotion and One-Point Loyalty exemplified by these very saints and devotees towards their beloved deity, so that they accomplish the true purpose of this human birth and, while joyfully fulfilling their worldly responsibilities, simultaneously progress on the spiritual path. To attain this very ideal, Shraddhavans undertook the Bhavayatra to Pandharpur in the company of Sadguru Shree Aniruddha.

A Rare Blessing — Journey with Sadguru Bapu

Undertaking Teerthayatras, or pilgrimages to sacred places, has been an integral part of India's spiritual tradition since ancient times. Visiting these holy kshetras is regarded as a deeply meritorious act. For a Shraddhavan, the opportunity to undertake such sacred pilgrimages in the company of the Sadguru is a blessing beyond compare.

As they participated in the four Rasayatras and the one Bhavayatra, every Shraddhavan was deeply moved by the fact that they were journeying alongside their beloved Sadguru Shree Aniruddha and that they were learning directly from Him how to imbibe Bhakti Rasa and devotion sentience into their own lives. They were engaging in Satsang with Him, performing various forms of Upasana under His guidance, and chanting sacred mantras as He lovingly led them.

Together with Him, they were singing the Abhangas of the saints and joyfully raising devotional chants. They were living, walking, and conversing with Him in these sacred kshetras, and were losing themselves in the ecstasy of devotion by singing and dancing to devotional compositions in His company.

Hemadpant writes in the Shree Sai Satcharita that “to be blessed with the company of the Sadguru is indeed a rare and great fortune.” These words were penned by the eminent Sai devotee Shri Govind Raghunath Dabholkar, who authored the Shree Sai Satcharita with the blessings and permission of Shree Sainath Himself.

गुरुनाम आणि गुरुसहवास। गुरुकृपा आणि गुरुचरणपायस। गुरुमन्त्र आणि गुरुगृहवास। महत्प्रयास प्राप्ती ही॥

Gurunam ani Gurusahavas. Gurukrupa ani Gurucharanpayas. Gurumantra ani Gurugruhavas. Mahatprayas prapti hi

The Guru's Name, the company of the Guru, the Guru's grace, the sacred water from the Guru's lotus feet, the Guru Mantra, and the privilege of dwelling in the Guru's abode—these are blessings attained only through immense merit.

Shree Sai Satcharita, Chapter 1, verse 58

'