Parampoojya Nanamaharaj Paranjape (22.07.1922 – 29.09.2013)
A Brief Life Sketch of Parampoojya Nanamaharaj Paranjape
Param Poojya Nana Maharaj was born on 22nd July, 1922 in a middle class Brahmin family at village Atavne in Ratnagiri district. From his childhood he was attracted towards spiritual life and was influenced by the philosophy and teachings of Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. After completing his education he joined Indian Army as a Civilian and had participated in the Second World War in Burma. After taking retirement from the Army he worked for Hindustan Construction Ltd. as a Draftsman for number of years and retired in the year 1980. While he was in service he used to regularly conduct discourses for his colleagues and share his spiritual experiences with them. He came in contact with Param Poojya Sri Namdev Maharaj of Kolhapur who was a disciple of Param Poojya Srikrishna Saraswati Maharaj, an incarnation of Lord Dattatraya and disciple of Sri Swami Samarth Akkalkot Maharaj, in the year 1965 at Mumbai.
Few years after retirement, Poojya Nana Maharaj settled down at Lonavala, on Pune – Mumbai Highway. The name of his house at Lonavala is “Kuber” which was suggested by Sri Swami Samarth Akkalkot Maharaj once when Nana Maharaj was in trance. Prior to that, he was residing at “Sri Akkalkot Swami Samarth Math” at Chembur (Mumbai).
Initially Nana Maharaj was a devotee of Lord Shiva and used to chant “Om Namah Shivay”. One day, Sri Swami Samarth materialized in front of Nana Maharaj and asked him, “Is there a difference between Lord Shiva & Me?”.That made him realise that his further spiritual path will now be guided by him. Thereafter Sri Swami Samarth showed him in dream an old man with a wooden stick and blazing eyes. Nana Maharaj asked Sri Swami Samarth, “Who is this person?” He said, “You will know him in two years from now and thereafter this great old man will be your Spiritual Guide.”
Exactly two years later in 1965, Nana Maharaj’s friend Mr. Dyandev Katkar invited him to his home in Kurla, Mumbai to pay respect to a disciple of Srikrishna Saraswati Maharaj. Nana Maharaj was amazed to see same figure with blazing eyes he saw two years before. He was Sri Namdev Maharaj. Immediately Namdev Maharaj said, “You have been blessed by my Guru’s Guru, Sri Swami Samarth. What more can I give you?”…………….
He told Nana Maharaj to offer food to the hungry and serve the poor and the suffering people. Five years later, when he visited Namdev Maharaj, Nana Maharaj was told to ask for anything under the sun. Nana Maharaj replied that he didn’t need anything. However, Namdev Maharaj insisted. Nana Maharaj therefore, asked for the power to remove the suffering of those who come in contact with him.” This is my Guru’s (Srikrishna Saraswati Maharaj’s) work. You will accomplish this,” said Namdev Maharaj, being extremely pleased with the request. Then on Gurudwadashi, Namdev Maharaj blessed Nana Maharaj with a special saffron robe, Chhati, and a mantra.
Nana Maharaj shared a fascinating incident of his life which tells us how he developed the immense faith in Sri Swami Samarth. In 1965, when Nana Maharaj was 45 years old, he lost his job. Nana Maharaj was disturbed that night when he saw two bright stars in the sky. In one of them he saw Lord Krishna and Radha in another Lord Krishna was laughing. Nana Maharaj asked, “I am worried about my job and how to feed my family. Why are you happily laughing?” Lord Krishna, laughed again and said, “You are chanting Radha-Krishna everyday and still you are worrying? I will take care of you.” and he uttered his immortal promise, “Ananyaschintayanto mam ye janahparyupasate, teshaamnityabhiyuktaanaamyogakshemamvahamyaham”. Nana Maharaj got a better job within eight days. From that day, Nana Maharaj stopped worrying and totally surrendered himself to Sri Swami Samarth’s Supreme will.
When a devotee’s will is aligned (surrendered) with the Supreme will, the Divine King directly orchestrates the well-being of the devotee. Nana Maharaj established Sri Swami Samarth Vishwa Kalyan Kendra (Apta Phata) for the benefit of persons looking for spiritual growth in particular and humanity in general.
Nana Maharaj’s message to those aspiring for the divine crown:
“Selfless service and love towards fellow human beings is the fastest way to the Lord. One should not neglect the ordained duties but perform the worldly responsibilities perfectly and then pursue the divine fragrance.”