The sacred festival of Guru Purnima, celebrated on the full moon day of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Ashadha, is being observed with deep reverence across the country. The Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, historically known as a spiritual sanctuary for revered saints and heroic figures, shares a profound connection with the late spiritual leader Shri Dev Prabhakar Shastri, affectionately known as 'Dadda Ji'. Following his demise, a temple dedicated to his memory was established in Gaur Nagar, Makronia. This year, the temple is hosting a grand five-day spiritual congregation for Guru Purnima, drawing thousands of devotees from all corners of India and abroad.
The Monumental Vision of Creating 6 Billion Shivlingas
As a rare householder saint, Dev Prabhakar Shastri dedicated his spiritual life to the welfare of humanity through the creation of clay Shivlingas, known as Parthiv Shivlingas. Over his lifetime, he successfully organized the ritualistic construction of 1.25 crore clay Shivlingas on 131 different occasions, a feat officially recognized and recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. Furthermore, five of these mega-gatherings witnessed the highest volume of Shivlinga creation, earning them distinct entries in the Golden Book of Records. Under his direct guidance and inspiration, a staggering total of approximately six billion Parthiv Shivlingas were molded by devotees. Dadda Ji firmly believed that to ensure global peace and the well-being of all living souls, there should be at least one clay Shivlinga crafted for every individual residing on Earth. Today, his spiritual family includes over 1.8 million initiated disciples spread across the country, spanning prominent politicians, celebrities, and top administrative officers. Each year during Guru Purnima, these followers travel to pay their respects at his samadhi in Katni and the memorial temple in Sagar.
Childhood Struggles and the Journey of Knowledge
Sharing details about the spiritual master's early life, Keshav Das Maharaj, the chief priest of the Dadda Ji Temple, noted that Dev Prabhakar Shastri was born on the auspicious day of Anant Chaturdashi in Kuda village of Jabalpur district. Tragedy struck early when his father, Girdhari Dutt, passed away when Dadda Ji was only eight years old. Raised single-handedly by his mother, Lalita Devi, his childhood was marked by severe financial hardships. She managed their survival by working the agricultural fields and seeking alms from the families of spiritual disciples. Despite these challenges, she prioritized his education, starting his schooling in the nearby village of Khamaria and eventually sending him to the ancient city of Kashi for higher education in Sanskrit. During his time in Kashi, he mastered the Sanskrit language and Vedic scriptures. He later became a disciple of the legendary Karpatri Maharaj, who was deeply impressed by Dadda Ji's exceptional intellect, humility, and simple approach to life.
Fostering Social Equality and Breaking Records
In 1980, Shastri Ji initiated his first grand yagna of creating 1.25 crore Parthiv Shivlingas in Jabalpur, a city often called Sanskardhani. He continued this massive spiritual campaign until his demise in 2020, completing 131 such yagnas. A defining feature of these religious assemblies was his unwavering commitment to social equality. Dadda Ji insisted that all devotees, regardless of their caste, economic background, or social status, sit together in a single row to perform the rituals and receive the sacred food offering. Through this practice, he seamlessly blended spiritual devotion with a powerful message of social harmony. A major milestone in this journey was achieved during the 104th yagna held at Rudraksh Dham Bamora in Sagar, where devotees sculpted an astonishing 139 crore clay Shivlingas within a span of just seven days, setting a world record that remains unchallenged. Dadda Ji established his primary spiritual retreat, Ghanshyam Bagh, on his own agricultural land, where his samadhi was constructed in 2020. His teachings continue to inspire millions of people from all walks of life.
