‘Propagation of Agnihotra in each and every household is the true form of Satya Dharma’ said Mahanubhav Shri Madhavji Potdar in 1963. Shri Potdarsaheb was born on 1st October, 1915 in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. Father Shri Govindrao and Mother Smt. Radhabai Potdar’s second progeny came to be distinguishedly known by the name of Madhavji. Endowed with remarkable genius and great intelligence this bright child had established his distinguished identity in childhood itself. His academic education was completed in 1937. In that year Madhavji passed his B.Com. examination in First Class securing First position in the merit list of Lucknow University. He was awarded a Gold medal for this feat.

On job front he worked for various companies and finally came to Bhopal in 1948 to work as the General Manager of Straw Products Limited. He worked here on this position for six years. While working here he earned a distinguished recognition for himself by becoming the most loved manager of all the workers of the Mill. He was like God of them. They worshipped him. ‘Saheb’ had a compassion filled mind. More than caring for his own privileges he passionately strived for getting others their rightful dues. ‘Saheb’s’ lavish life-style, aristocratic way of living was of the quality about which a common man longingly dreams. He was an expert in management techniques and hence was a consultant to many companies. His administrative abilities and skills were lauded everywhere. In life Potdarsaheb had everything – money, name and success but still he was not a self-centered person. His attitude was always that of a very charitable person who was ever ready to help the needy. Humanity was the greatest religion for him. He never believed in so-called religious ceremonies and connected rituals and therefore always kept himself away from such things. In the year 1954, at the age of 39 years, a very powerful change took place in the life of the most honest, truth-abiding and kind hearted Potdarsaheb.

It so happened that ‘Saheb’ left the lucrative job and decided to start his own business. Incidentally in mid-May, 1954 he happened to meet Shri Gajanan Maharaj Rajimwale of Akkalkot, which is in Solapur district of Maharashtra. This meeting happened to cause such a deep impact on ‘Saheb’s’ mind that he became Shreeji’s follower for life. After staying for a week in Akkalkot he returned to Bhopal and established his new business in the name and style of Potdar Agencies Private Limited.

The business was growing profitably and also rising ‘Sahab’s’ faith, devotion and love for Shreeji. Consequently this resulted in Shreeji taking him as his disciple by initiating him in June, 1957. Here onwards began the period of observing rigorons spiritual disciplines and penances.

‘Saheb’ being in the habit of doing any work whole-heartedly, totally concentrating the mind on the accepted job at hand and, therefore, soon he became fully and sincerely engrossed in the adopted spiritual disciplines. Under the guidance of his Sadguru he wrote some books like ‘Akkalkot Swami Parichay’ in Hindi and Shreeji’s Sanskrit composition ‘Sapta-shloki’s’ Hindi translation with elucidation and also some others. As a consequence of doing the Hindi translation of ‘Sapta-shloki’ he could perceive the importance of Vedas and also felt a growing fascination for them. In reality, however, all throughout his life, at no time, forget about studying them, ‘Saheb’ had never even seen the books of Vedas.

On the basis of his own experiences ‘Saheb’ wrote a book in English – ‘In Search of Hapiness’. After going through it Shree told him to get the book printed. Accordingly on his 44th birthday, on 1st October, 1959 ‘Saheb’ presented his printed book to Shreeji. Soon hereafter, following Shreeji’s command, on the Vijayadashmi day of 11th October, 1959, in Shree’s presence and while offering oblations of water on the sacred ‘Paduka’s’ of Shree, Saheb took the vow “I will do the resuscitating work of Vedas with single minded devotion.”

Fifteen years ago, on the same lunar day of Vijayadashmi a similar vow was taken by Shreeji but in Potdarsahaeb’s vow the words “do-work of” and “with single minded devotion” were the only additions. Potdarsaheb had to do the practical work in the field to implement Shree’s vow into practice. The next fifteen years of his life were spent in fulfilment of this vow while facing tremendous hardships, making sacrifices at various stages, enduring everything as part of the rigorous penance. This period of 15 years depicted ‘Saheb’s’ life as a true propagater of religion, its each and every atom showing only unflinching faith, single minded devotion. During this testing period the kind of life ‘Saheb’ lived and whatever he did to further the cause is singularly remarkable. No family man could have shown such courage.

However, ‘Saheb’ had made up his mind for total sacrifice and proved the word ‘Sacrifice’ meaningful. After taking the vow, on Shree’s command, ‘Saheb’ had gone on an all India propagation tour. During the five tours in five months, from 4th November, 1959 to 23rd March, 1960, he had propagated every where the message of Satya Dharma through his book ‘In Search of Happiness’. Later, Shree said that through the medium of these tours an important work of giving the divine message to all the four directions has been accomplished by Potdarsaheb, other than Potdarsaheb nobody else could have fulfilled this task.

Agnihotra had not come into prevalence as yet. Though ‘Saheb‘had written about it in his book ‘In Search of Happiness’ but he had not outlined the process of its practice. He had only highlighted its importance and giving its history had actually challenged the scientific fraternity to undertake research to know the effects of yagnyas. Meanwhile, circumstances forced him to close down his business in August, 1961. With business gone income from practical sources came to a naught and now started the days of penury and miserable conditions. As it happens in such conditions, name and honour in society were lost and so also all the relatives and relationships. Now, here was standing with his vow a solitary man empty handed but standing valiantly and fearlessly with the resolve to fulfill it, come what may.

In such circumstances came Agnihotra into existence in the sphere of ‘Saheb’s’ work. Though facing various odds his mind used to be constantly busy in contemplation. He had to propagate the five pathways of Satya Dharma viz. Yagnya, Daan, Tapa, Karma and Swadhyaya. The question he faced was which one to preach first and which one in the last and who would be able to practice all the five?

In reply to all these questions came the answer – Agnihotra. He realised that Agnihotra was easy to explain, getting its practice started too was not difficult and through its positive support it was possible the observance of other paths of this Dharma would gradually come into practice. After meditating for months over the matter he had come to the decision of introducing Agnihotra. No sooner the decision was arrived there came to meet him Shri Hiralal Sharma of Bairagarh, Bhopal. On Sharmaji’s showing keen interest in ‘Saheb’s’ work through him he got started on 22nd February ,1963, the first morning - evening Agnihotra of two oblations. Thus 22nd February 1963 became the historical day when the first Agnihotra in the world was started. After this Saheb wrote an article on Agnihotra in March, 1963. During the year 1963, on the request of an institution named ‘Seekers of Happiness’ in Pune, Saheb had periodically sent 13 articles on Satya Dharma. Amongst these the second article was on

Agnihotra. In 1964 these articles were printed in the form of a book and this book was given the name of ‘Dharamapath’.
Sahab has dedicated this book –

“ To the humanity as a whole
with sincere feelings for the redress
of all unhappiness and troubles,
which human beings suffer.”

Saheb firmly believed that for all the problems and difficulties in life there is only one remedy and that is Agnihotra and hence he had dedicated Agnihotra to the populace. The preceptor, the preacher of Agnihotra is Saheb and Saheb alone. In 1962, two books were written by him. These were ‘Math, Mandir, Masjid, Gurudwara’ in Hindi verse and The Last Step in English prose. By 1966 about 8-10 Agnihotra had already started in India. There were 2-3 regular Agnihotra practitioners in Pune, 2 in Mumbai and 3-4 in Bhopal. In the month of March, 1966 Saheb had to leave Bhopal.

He came to Ujjain. His family was with him. In the six member family the youngest member was only 4 years old. Difficulties continued to haunt him here in Ujjain too and yet passing through all odds Sahab started propagation work from 15th Februar, 1968. Almighty’s work do not require superficial means. Sahab’s propagation work kept spreading on the strength of his unflinching faith and it continued growing with positive results. Staying for two years in Ujjain Sahab returned to headquarter in Bhopal and untiringly worked very hard for the next 4 years. Meanwhile in 1971 he established ‘Panchratna Goshala’, a cow-pen, to facilitate easy availability of cow-dung cakes and cow’s pure ghee necessary for performing Agnihotra.

In 1972 the mission mouth-piece, monthly ‘Dharmasoorya’ magazine was started and in 1973 Sahab successfully organised a ‘Manav Dharma Sammelan’. In January 1974 arranging a meeting of all the Pracharaks (propagators) spread all over India. He gave useful and effective directions for future course of action. With astonishing speed and planning for doing all this he fade farewell to the world on 9th June, 1974. Out of 58 years of his life he lived 15 years soulfully for us all. Lived for the re-establishment of Satya Dharma, a life which was full of unimaginable hardships. The member of practising Agnihotra had reached upto 5000 and there were hundreds of volunteer pracharaks actively working in the field. Sahab had become fully assured that now this work can not be stopped even if attempted by anybody.

A kindly Saheb was an easygoing, very simple person and hence he faced deceit many times in life. As a ‘Pracharak’, propagator of Satya Dharma he worked selflessly for the welfare of the people without ever longing for name or fame. Not only this, the knowledge he attained through his own hard labour, sacrifices and penances all of that he handed over, delegated to the populace. This is why it becomes our moral responsibility to always remember him and his sacrifices. All over the world wherever Agnihotra is practised at all such places Saheb and Shreeji should be remembered alongwith Agnihotra.This Master–Disciple pair has rejuvenated the Vedas. Today Agnihotra is practised by millions of people and tomorrow this figure is going to be in billions. We have to keep in our memory the sacrifices Saheb has made for our sake otherwise it would seem that we too have deceived him. We are the people and people’s intention itself is divine intention. With benevolent grace whatever Saheb has given to us we are and would always remain thankful to him for it.

Sahab’s biography ‘Mahanubhav ka Adbhut Darshan’ is written by Jayant Potdar, Sahab himself has written ‘Paramsadguru’, Nalini Madhavji has authored ‘Sahab’. These books aptly narrate Sahab’s struggles and shows how, inspite of facing various odds, he worked for the rejuvenation of Agnihotra. However, today even ten percent of the Agnihotris do not know that their ‘Deity’ is Paramsadguru Shreeji and their ‘Ideal’ is ‘ShriSahab’. In this world whosoever is practising Agnihotra at whatever place he or she is fundamentally the follower of Sahab only. Ungreatefulness is inhuman. Therefore we should be greatful to Sahab who made many sacrifices and gave us Agnihotra. We should always remember this.

The astounding work of the rejuvenation of Satya Dharma done by Saheb is greatly lauded and approved by Shree. ‘The Master’s following utterances from time to time clearly indicate his love and the esteem in which he held Potdarsaheb.

Thus spake ‘Shree’ about ‘Sahab’ (Mahanubhav Madhavswami Potdar Sahab)

“Immediately on reading this book (translation) our heart was filled with abounding pleasure. This is a priceless book.” – ( Sapta-Shloki – April, 1959)

“Nowadays Potdarsahab sees before his eyes, 24 hours of the day, everyday, sometimes Lord Ganesha, at times somebody else, sometimes some god or on occasions some saint. This visual experience goes on uninterruptedly even when he is eating, drinking, walking or sitting. However, this is ‘deceiving state’ (‘Bhramak Avastha’). After this will follow ‘uncertain (or doubtful) state’ (‘Sandehatmak Avastha’) and then, finally, ‘self-realization’ (‘Atma-sakshatkar’).-” (June - 1959)

“It is a good book and complete in itself. ” -- (In Search of Happiness - 1959)

“Like the Almighty is complete in itself similarly this book too is complete in itself. You have neither to delete nor to add even a single word in whatever you have already written in it. So complete a book you have brought duly written from Bhopal itself.” - (In Search of Happiness - 1959)

“In the present day world this is a matchless book. ‘In Search of Happiness’ is an upto-date New Testament with the Almighty.” - (In Search of Happiness - 1959)

“Now you should reach this book in every nook and corner of the country by travelling yourself. You can tell people that every word in this book is your own experience.” (In Search of Happiness - 1959)

“On this coming Vijaya Dashmi Day (also known as Dussehra, a festival which was falling this year on 11th October, 1959) if you so desire take the vow to do this work in the words we will tell you. Today we will let you know the words of the vow after which you will be given three days time to think over. Then if your mind is firm about it, observe the vow of silence from the morning of 10th of this month (which was a ‘Navmi’ – ninth day according to Indian almanac and one day prior to Vijaya Dashmi). On the 11th (Vijaya Dashmi Day) break the silence by uttering the words of the vow while offering oblations of water on our ‘Padukas’ (wooden slippers) which are kept in a wooden box. Note this well that whatever we can do so can our ‘Padukas’. Also keep this in mind that once you take the vow it will be effective like hard cementing (or like carving on the stone). This is not an ordinary vow but for fulfilling it all the necessary means and strength will be provided to you.”

- The words of Potdarsaheb’s Vow were:-
“Today, this Sunday, on the auspicious and holy occasion of Vijaya Dashmi I am making this volition of Guru–Dakshina. Let all Seers, Gods and ancestors be witness and extend all help. I will do resuscitating work of the Vedas with single minded devotion.” - (In Search of Happiness - 1959)

“This morning at 3 O’clock our meeting took place. Lord Parshuram, Shree Swami Samarth (Lord Dattatreya) and ourselves were together. We told them that Potdarsaheb is observing silence today. Upon this they said,” Good, from now on will start ’Krita-yuga’. – (10th October,1959 )

“You are free to take your own decisions about the course of your All-India tours and the manner in which you would like to do the propagation work.” - (In Search of Happiness–10th Oct., 1959)

“ Be sincere and dutiful Messenger of Peace. Victory everywhere” – (2nd November, 1959)

“You already possess all the necessary means and the strength, and these have been delegated to you also, for accomplishing the promised task. In this respect you are totally self-sufficient. There is no need for you to seek permission at any time. You are fully perfect in this regard.” – (November, 1959)

“When we say rest it should not be taken to mean spreading of a bed and going to sleep on it. When we say rest it means that you should do ‘Charvit - Charvan’ (Chewing of the chewed) of the following four sentences –

	“I have come to complete the task which remained incomplete during the Buddha incarnation.”
	“I will resuscitate the Vedas.”
	“I will do resuscitating work of the Vedas with single minded devotion.”
	“Now will start ‘Krita-yuga’.”

When Potdarsaheb asked “which work had remained incomplete during the Buddha incarnation ?”
Shree said,”The same has been clarified in the second sentence. The third sentence is your own vow and the fourth is the prediction made to us on the day you observed the vow of silence.” -(January, 1960)

“All the gods are gratified on seeing your conquest in all the directions. Though an important part of the cause that is to be accomplished by you has certainly been fulfilled by these tours the work, however, is not complete yet. Now for your future programme, you have to choose a linguistic province from amongst the provinces reorganised in India on the basis of the language. This province can be of any language where, from place to place, you have to propagate this religion (Satya Sanatan Dharma) my means of lecturers, discourses and publicity. This is to be done with this aim that each and every resident of this province becomes your follower. You have to keep on working until the fulfillment of this objective.” – (March - 1960)

“Whatever amount of problems you might be feeling you are facing this and this type of work you have done previously also, not once but on many occasions. Know this for certain. Using you as an instrument it is, in fact, we who are doing the work. The message that we have come to give to the world for that we have chosen you as our Messenger. And verily this has already been shown to you in the very first vision you had.” – (March - 1960)

“You were already in the condition that is obtained by the regular practice of the first two pathways of Satya Dharma, that is, Yagnya and Daan. Hence it was not necessary for you to adopt their practice.” – (March - 1960)

Touching the subject of ‘Dvait’ and ‘Advaita’ Shree said, “These two are opinions. There are many opinions and counter opinions but the major ones are these two only. Some propound ‘Dvaita’ and some ‘Advaita’. Amongst the two ‘Dvaita’ is self explanatory, like you and me. There is nothing to be proved here. ‘Advaita’ is rather difficult to establish in words because it is a state of perception, an experience. Muhammad Paigambar has propounded faultless ‘Dvaita’ which is very right and also inherently easy. Too many opinions, Isms are existing in this world today. We embrace none. Even so, in future if somebody insists upon you that you must have one of the two you can say that your Ism is crystal clear ‘Nirmal Ishwarvad’ and your opinion is “Chaste Dvaita”. You have to say this only if you feel it is necessary otherwise your Satya Sanatan Dharma (Eternal Religion) in itself is everything. Dwelling in Dvaita and yet keeping an eye on ‘Advaita’ is a rare and difficult state in which you have been kept because using you as an instrument we have to get lot of work done through you. We have chosen you as our Messenger and hence using you, we are doing the work. Once you had requested us for initiation by ‘Tripuri’ mantra at that time also we had told you that what you already possess is nothing less powerful. Moreover, we have yet to reveal the realities concerning the many facets of life to you.” – (March - 1960)

“The time when you will be in Parshuram Kshetra and putting your hands on the holy feet of the Lord’s idol and repeating the words of your vow at that moment those feet, that is Lord Parshuram himself will be present there and you will distinctly feel his presence.“ – (March - 1960)

Telegram 1 : “Knock the door and be sure at once it is open.”

Telegram 2 : “Message of Peace may spread the atmosphere , nature may obey the law of Almighty.” – (April - 1960)

“Yes. While returning from Kashmir your car had stopped in a valley. At that time all the gods saw you on one side and the Himalayas on the other. They observed your height to be much more greater than that of the Himalayas. This was the reason for their satisfaction.” – (June - 1960)

Amongst the great people of the world who can be counted on fingertips, you are one. It is through your hands the work of putting covers over the skies is going to take place. The type of difficulties you are voicing do come when embarking upon fulfilling any great cause. Nothing new in this. In fact if you so desire you can create a new Universe. All the ‘Siddhis’ (Divine yogic powers) are always in your attendance.” – (July - 1960)

“Today very specifically we want to say that the height is greater than that of the Himalayas, not of the work but of your own person. The work is bound to be accomplished by you because this and this type of work you have done even before, done many a times.” – (July - 1960)

“If at all you want to give us something on Guru-Purnima day then give us Guru-Dakshina by three times uttering these words – “Sthitosmi gata sandeha karishye vachanam mama”. In Geeta Arjuna has said this to Lord Shri Krishna but there in place of ‘mama’ it is ‘tava’ because he had to do the work according to Shri Krishna’s commandment. In your case you have to use ‘Mama’ instead of ‘Tava’ because the work which you have to accomplish is your own commandment.” – (July - 1960)

“Selling books was not Potdarsaheb’s main task during the tours (of all India). Anyone to whom we would have assigned the work could have sold the books. On the pretext of selling books we sent Potdarsaheb to all the four directions. We wanted to give a message to these four directions (East, West, North, South). Other than Potdarsaheb nobody else could have fulfilled this task of conveying the message to all the four directions (as far as they stretched).” – (July - 1960)

“Always remember this that you are a great ‘Yuga-Pravartak’ (a great preceptor of the era)” – (September - 1960)

“Now arise” this call of the Divine Power itself establishes the purpose of your life and what is your innate work ! You can do only this ”Keet-Bhramar” ! Where you remained an insect now? Himalayas too felt ashamed on observing your height. Look thoroughly at that personality of yours from top to bottom. You were alerted quite in advance about the ‘ Doubtful State’ and that is exactly the state you are experiencing these days. But beware ! Soon this state will revert ; the Era is going to change soon.”

“Now arise” this call of the Divine Power is echoing all around the earth, sky and the nether world. Listen ! That call hearing which once you had gotten up listen to it and now arise.” – (4th December - 1960)

“You only keep walking ahead, we are there following right behind.” – (December - 1960)

“Do that (Dharma Prachar). Bring that Sun to rise on the horizon by which the hollow clouds of difficulties will move away and like heretofore you will be illumined by the dazzling bright light. By this (Dharma Prachar) your search of happiness will be complete. Your Sadguru will manifest before all. Your universally victorious religion will succeed everywhere.” – (May - 1961)

“An infinite speech of a ‘Mahanubhav’ (Magnanimous person) for the welfare of the people.” – (June - 1962)

“We desire that you should become a soldier of Potdarsaheb. March ahead taking his flag. He is an independent globe of light. Like in the sky there are many sun-like and even bigger stars but their brightness fades in front of the Sun. This is why you should get yourself merged in him (Potdarsaheb). Through life and character you should prove that you are Potdarsahab’s follower. The writing (Mahanubhavka Adbhut Darshan) which we have got done from you in it, is it possible to perceive Potdarsaheb’s personality to be something separate from us ? But look at the period after that. Now he is all powerful independent globe of Light. Remember this that ‘In Search of Happiness’ is the world’s one and only matchless publication. Also note this that it is in fact we who are working through Potdarsaheb.” – (January 1970)

“Potdarsaheb was assigned the very important task of giving the message to all the four directions. After he had done this he was told to choose a particular province and work there. Instead of lighting 4 candles in 4 corners if 4 candles are lighted at one place it becomes a place of attraction. In the same manner, instead of doing sundry work at various distant places if extensive propagation work is done in one place (province) only it gives impressive results.”

“Look at Lord Buddha – he worked in a small province. He wandered there for years. This extensive work gave very impressive results. The land then known as Magadh came to be known by the name of ‘Bihar’ because of a very large number of Vihar’s (Buddhist Temples) everywhere, that is, the whole province became a‘Vihar’ (Bihar). Likewise , we expert that Madhya Pradesh, the entire Madhya Pradesh becomes one ‘Sangharam’ (Centre of Satya Dharma). This is why Potdarsaheb has been told to work there till everyone becomes his follower. As long as this is not done Potdarsaheb will have no rest. ”

“What right you have to correct Potdarsaheb’s writing! For you, there may be grammatical mistakes in it but what we know is that whatever Potdarsaheb writes is grammer.” – (1972)

“May your conference attaining complete success enlighten the entire human race. So is the wish.” - (10th March 1973. On the occasion of Manav Dharma Sammelan)

“Your Bhopal team has brought Potdarsaheb’s voice here. In fact, in a wordly way Potdarsaheb himself has come here. After many years these precincts (of Guru Mandir Balappa Math) have heard Potdarsaheb’s voice. Now where remains Potdarsaheb, his entity is no more. In fact, he is only religion personified. Religion treads through that body. This is why all of you, his followers, should always have this feeling in mind that whatever he says, whatever he speaks that is religion and it is your prime duty to obey it dedicatedly.” – (November - 1973)

“Potdarsaheb gave ‘Dharmapaath’ (Lessons in Religion). With it he also delivered elaborative lecturers on Five Fold Path. This should not be taken to be some Shashtri’s (Religious scholar) worthless complicated arguments and inexperienced, insipid teaching. These are words of the one who has seen Satya Dharma with his own eyes. We feel happy to say this that now that time is not far off, it is exactly in the sphere of the vision – time is coming for which we are waiting. Satya Dharma will spread all over the globe. Veda ordained religion will be Universal religion.” – (17th November 1973)

“We see Sangharams (Centres of Satya Dharma) everywhere in this province.“ (Madhya Pradesh) – (May - 1976)