Remembering Abhay Paranjpe
Franklin C. Nelson
Madison, Virginia USA
With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce the passing of Abhay Paranjpe.
He was a remarkable soul who dedicated his life to sharing the divine message of Agnihotra and Fivefold Path of spiritual disciplines and profoundly touched the lives of all who crossed his path.
He departed this earthly realm on 18th July, 2024 at the age of 74. He left behind a legacy of love and compassion.
Abhay Paranjpe was born to Shree Vasant and Kusum Paranjpe on 10th December, 1950 at Dadar, Mumbai. He was the epitome of a devoted son. He completed his initial studies in Mumbai and later his higher studies in Belgaum. He was a beacon of humility from the very beginning. He was a dutiful son who always honored and cherished his parents, embodying the virtues they instilled in him. As he grew, his life became a testament to the teachings of Fivefold Path and the divine message of which he so fervently believed.
Gurudev Shree Vasant later shifted to Belgaum, where Abhay completed his higher studies. Shree Vasant then met Parama Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj, the Kalki Avatar. This is when the lives of Shree Vasant and Abhay were changed.
Parama Sadguru commanded Shree Vasant to carry His blissful Message to the people of the world and start his work from the USA. He departed India on June 20th, 1972, for New York City, USA.
When Shree Vasant began this Divine work of sharing the message of Agnihotra and the Fivefold Path, slowly Abhay also entered this Divine Path. He left his job and started serving the Mission.
His life’s work began in Akkalkot when he started serving Parama Sadguru Shree Gajanan
Maharaj. He would assist Shree Vasant in his journeys across India.
Abhay was given the responsibility of Fivefold Path Mission on the command of Parama Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj. He stayed incredibly calm, no matter what the difficulty. He was always helpful and quietly patient with the curious devotees from many different countries. He had the difficult task of serving as a bridge between various cultures. He facilitated people from the West coming to India to experience the Vedic way of life. Abhay took the devotees of Parama Sadguru everywhere, translated, and answered all their
questions, all the while caring for Shree Vasant’s every need with unwavering devotion. He was
always cheerful and focused on service, a very shining example of devotion.
When Parama Sadguru left the body, Abhay shifted to Dhule. This is where future work –
Shivadham temple and Tapovan – would unfold. He was actively involved in erecting the
Shivadham Temple at Ratnapimpri, district Jalgaon, Maharashtra. Shivadham temple was
inaugurated on May 6, 1993, by Shree Vasant. Later, the Shivadham temple was handed over to the people of the village.
After a few years, Tapovan was established. Abhay participated in creating a platform where 24 hours of Om Tryambakam Yajnya were performed for 22 years, starting on 25 March 2001.
Later, his work was mainly concentrated at Maheshwar Agnihotra Kendra, which was
established in 2000. Since 2007, under the command of Shree Vasant, many ancient Vedic Yajnyas were performed at Maheshwar under the supervision of Abhay.
Abhay’s life was filled with constant travel, and he shared Agnihotra with countless people everywhere. His simple living and unwavering commitment to spreading the Divine Message earned him the admiration and respect of all who knew him.
Although, because of his work, he was not always available to his wife, Anjali, and children, he was always a pillar of support and strength for his family. He had great respect for Anjali, and together they built a home filled with understanding and spiritual enrichment. His love was not confined to words but manifested in his actions, patience, and unwavering commitment.
As a father, he guided his children with a gentle, yet firm, hand, instilling in them the virtues of kindness, humility and integrity. His children often spoke of his unending patience and ability to teach profound lessons through simple, everyday moments.
But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Abhay’s life was his boundless humanity. He had an extraordinary ability to connect with people from all walks of life, offering support, solace, and guidance whenever needed. His door was always open, his heart ever willing to help those in distress. His simple interactions made a lasting impact on everyone he encountered.
Above all, he was a great human being. His heart was a reservoir of kindness, always ready to
extend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was always soft-spoken and believed in the inherent goodness of people, and dedicated his life to serving others, regardless of their background or circumstances. His humility and generosity knew no bounds!
Whether it was a comforting word or simply a reassuring presence, Abhay had an innate ability to make everyone feel valued and loved. His life was an example of selflessness. He had the most profound impact that one person can have on the world!
Community members recall countless instances when Abhay went above and beyond to assist
those in need. His acts of kindness were not driven by obligation, but by an innate compassion and a genuine desire to make the world a better place. He believed in the goodness of people and dedicated his life to fostering that goodness, one person at a time.
His last rites, Agni Sanskar, were performed at Maheshwar Agnihtora Kendra, as he wished. The Asti Visarjan was performed in the holy Narmada River.
As we say goodbye to this extraordinary man, we find solace in knowing that his soul is now at
peace. His legacy of love and kindness will be engraved in our hearts.
We are reminded of the profound impact one individual can have on the world. His life was a
testament to the power of love, faith, and selfless service.
OM SHREE!