Swami Madhavnath

Swami MadhavNath belonged to the Nath Sampraday, which is believed to have initiated by Adinath Shankar and then transcended to Saint Dyaneshwar, and then to Swami Swarupananda of Pawas. Swami MadhavNath (Shri Madhav Vishnu alias Balasaheb Wakade) was born on 1 Oct 1917 at Kokban in Konkan, Maharashtra.

At the age of ten, he began to study the Bhagavad Gita and soon moulded his life upon its principles. After the premature death of his father, he decided to leave his ancestral home in his native village and to come to the city of Pune. He was only seventeen then, and his migrating to a new place with almost no money and a mother and younger sister to support, showed remarkable courage and detachment. By dint of hard work he set up a cloth store. While leading the life of an ideal householder, he practised meditation and namasmaran(recalling the name of God). He made a deep study of the Dnyaneshvari and Dasabodh and attained first-hand experience of their spiritual essence.

In 1958, Swamiji began to give discourses on the Dnyaneshvari in Pune. It was in 1968, that he met his sadguru (spiritual guide), Swami Swarupananda of Pawas. In 1973, Swami Swarupananda entrusted him with the responsibility of carrying forward the spiritual tradition of the Nath Sampradaya. Swamiji then strove for the upliftment of spiritual aspirants and initiated thousands of disciples. He conducted spiritual discourses and satsangas in Pune and also all over Maharashtra. Several books, audio and video cassettes of his teachings are available.

Swamiji’s ideal life and lucid teachings removed several misconceptions regarding spirituality. He practised what he preached. His life showed that paraphernalia like long beards, beads and saffron clothing, meaningless rituals and severe penance have nothing to do with Self-realization. Swamiji logically convinced people that spirituality is absolutely necessary for happiness in one’s daily life. These teachings inspired thousands of people and especially the youth towards whom Swamiji showed intense affection. Swamiji gave them personal attention, emancipated them from all unhealthy habits and taught them to lead a more dynamic and at the same time a more mentally and spiritually calm life.

Even after his right side was paralysed in 1991, Swamiji continued to initiate disciples and deliver discourses despite his ailment. Swamiji’s magnetic personality, powerful oratory, love and compassion continued to attract several people until he laid aside his mortal body on 30 July 1996. Today Swamiji’s successor Swami Makarandanath is striving to realize his ideals.