Shiridi Sai Baba Bhaktas - Balkrishna Viswanath Dev

 

 Balkrishna Viswanath Dev

(He wrote several articles under the pseudonym, “Babache Bal”, meaning “child of Baba” & also composed an Arati Song on Baba & the index as 53 chapter in Hemadpant's "Sri Sai Satcharita". He gave lot of details to B.V.Narasimha Swamiji about Jamner Miracle of Minatai & also about interpretation of Verse 34 in Bhagwatgita to Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He also did lot of research about Baba's philosophy & published many articles, including the one on the significance of Baba's Dakshina. After retirement, he did service to Baba for as many years as 35 years.) 

Balkrishna Viswanath Dev alias Balasaheb Dev or B.V.Dev was Mamlatdar, Dahanu and first visited Shirdi in1910. He consulted Nanasaheb Chandorkar, Deputy Collector about Baba and then visited Shirdi and had darshan of Baba. He also knew that Dixit, an ankita devotee, was blindly obeying Baba and had full faith in him and was made to read Eknath and other religious books by staying alone in Shirdi for his spiritual development.

Dev was in the habit of reading religious and spiritual books, mainly in Marathi and had his own way of viewing the spiritual matters. He had good command in Marathi and Sanskrit languages. He was reading Eknath and Jnaneswari (religious books) and was making progress in spiritual pursuit. But Jnaneswari is considered as a “pothi”, a famous religious book, used for daily parayana (reading daily chapter after chapter) for spiritual attainment. But in his case, he had difficulties in doing parayana and understanding Jnaneswari and was puzzled and disgusted and he also felt that there must be some reason for his facing the difficulties. He could read daily one chapter of the Bhagawad-Gita, but when he took up Jnaneswari in hand, some difficulties cropped up and he was precluded from reading it. He took three months leave and went to Shirdi for this purpose. While he could read the other books with ease,  he was unable to read Jnaneswari and whenever he took up reading it, some evil or stray thoughts came crowding up in his mind which resulted in stopping his effort.  Despite many attempts, he was unable to read even a few lines in the book. So, he resolved in his mind that when Baba would create love for the book, then only he could be in a position to read it. In the month of February 1914, he went with his family to Shirdi and met one Balakram and enquired how Balakram got Baba’s Grace. Balakram said that he would tell Baba every thing after noon arati and wait for his blessings. Hence Dev went to Baba and Baba asked dakshina which he gave. After every body left the masjid, then Baba sent word for Dev who came near Baba and then Baba said, “You stole away my rags without my knowledge”. But Dev denied. Then Baba became furious and hurled all abuses at him and told him to go to the wada. Dev went to wada and met Balakram and Jog and told them what all had happened in the masjid.. Baba then called all the three and when they came to Baba, Baba said that his words might have hurt the feelings of Dev and then asked Dev to go to wada and start reading Jnaneswari and that while reading, explain the portion to others with devotion. Baba also said that he was ready to give him the golden embroidered shella and questioned him as to why Dev was going to others to steal rags. This implied that Dev asking Balakram constituted stealing rags, when Baba himself was ready to help him straightaway and hence Baba scolded him. Dev then understood the entire matter and was very happy. At that time Jog asked him, whether he was reading Jnaneswari daily.  Dev replied that though he was desirous of reading it, but he was not successful and that only when Baba would order him to read it, he would commence.    Jog then advised him to take a copy of the book and present it to Baba, and start reading after it was consecrated and returned by Baba.  Dev replied that he did not want to resort to this approach, as Baba knew his mind very well. Then Dev went to Baba and offered dakshina.  Baba asked him to go on reading the Pothi daily by sitting in the wada with devotion.  He again prostrated himself before Baba and said that he surrendered himself to Baba and that he should be treated as a child and be helped in his reading. On 2nd April, 1914, on Thursday morning Baba appeared to him in a dream.  Baba sat on the upper floor and asked him, whether he understood the Pothi.  "No", was the answer from Dev.  Baba said, "Then, when are you going to understand?".  Dev burst into tears and said, "unlessYou, shower Your Grace, the reading is a mere burden, and the understanding is still more difficult".  Baba then asked him to read slowly and asked him to start reading from Adhyatma Ramayana. Then the dream was over and Dev woke up and felt extremely happy.

Baba asked for dakshina from him and he gave Baba four sovereigns. But Baba said, 'I have received one'. He told Baba “Baba, I have given you four”. Baba did not deny having received four; but however Baba kept on saying that still he got one only from Dev. When Dev said that he could not understand the meaning of Baba’s words, then Baba said, “You will come to understand it”. The obvious interpretation for this cryptic statement was, that though (he felt) he gave four, Baba received only one, indicating that he had to surrender all the four Antahkaranas (not four sovereigns representing money) to Baba to achieve spiritual progress fully and attain supreme bliss.

Later, when he was traveling by train, a young fakir came to his compartment and asked him for something and he gave him one pice. But he wanted four. Then he gave him a four-anna coin. He then said that he had got one only. Again he met an old sadhu and he wanted something and he gave him one coin. But he again wanted four—all these relating to four Antahkaranas. Then Dev must have understood.

Dev made enquiries with several devotees about Baba’s miracles and the relevant instances and published extensively in the Sai Leela magazines and did a wonderful service in propagating the leelas of Baba. Some of these leelas were not mentioned in Shri Sai Satcharita as these instances were not made known to Hemadpant, who wrote Shri Sai Satcharita. In one instance about the installation of Padukas under the neem tree, he contacted Sagun Meru Naik another devotee of Baba. Meru Naik was managing the worship of the Padukas and was offering naivedya there and was also running a small hotel in Shirdi for the benefit of the visitors who were coming for Baba’s darshan. In 1912 a devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj by name Krishnaji wanted to go to Akkalkot to have darshan of the Padukas of Akkalkot Maharaj. But he got a dream in which Akkalkot Maharaj appeared and said that he need not visit Akkalkot and that he could visit Shirdi which was his resting place during those days. Then he changed his mind and visited Shirdi and had darshan of Baba and stayed there for six months. He also got Padukas of Baba prepared at Bombay with the assistance of Dr. Ramarao Kothare. And when the Padukas arrived in Shirdi, they were taken in a procession to Baba who consecrated them by his touch and then they got the Padukas installed under the neem tree in Gurusthan with the relevant ceremonies under the aegis of Dada Kelkar and Upasani Baba and arrangements were also made for regular worship of the Padukas.

He surrendered to Baba more and more and derived much improvement in his spiritual pursuit. He did lot of research about Baba and Baba's thinking and teachings. He wrote several articles about Baba. Once he wrote, saying that if Baba was considered as an incarnation of Lord Krishna, then Madhavrao Deshpande alias Shama must be regarded as Arjun and that was the relationship that was existing between Baba and Shama.
He also started spreading Baba’s mission and miracles by writing several articles in the Sai Lila Masik which was the official publication of the Shirdi Sai Sansthan, of which he was a member. He used to release all the articles under the pseudonym, “Babache Bal”, meaning “child of Baba”. He also composed brilliant verses and released them in Sai Lila Masik. After Baba's Mahasamadhi, he did lot of service through the Sansthan. He also did research in all the matters connected with Baba and published several articles about Baba in Sai Lila Masik under the above pen name, "Babache Bal". As a Trustee, he did exemplary service in the name of Baba till his last moment. He was a sturdy man and took active interest in promoting the development of the Sansthan. He had assisted several people in knowing about Baba and Baba’s life and mission and helped them in becoming Sai bhaktas with utmost faith. After Nanasaheb Chandorkar, he will come next in spreading the massages and mission of Baba and propagating about Baba across all the people, near and far.

A karanam (village official) working under Dev knew that Dev was having very good faith in Baba who was a divine saint and then he wanted to get Baba’s guidance in an important personal issue for him and his family. The karanam had his own Guru who asked him to get a new image and install it in the place of the old image and celebrate the installation on a grand scale. The karanam had some doubts whether he could do like that and when Baba was consulted, Baba was against the installation of a new image. The karanam enquired further from Baba as to what would happen if the new image was installed. Then instead of giving a direct response, Baba narrated a story. Once one person and his friend had gone out to buy an animal, but the person told his friend not to buy the animal. Inspite of this, his friend bought the animal and brought it to the village and immediately plague broke out in the village due to the arrival of the animal. But the karanam, however, followed the advice of his Guru and brought in the new image and at once an epidemic broke out in the village and karanam’s wife was attacked first. Then the karanam approached his Guru for his help in controlling the epidemic and to save his wife. But his Guru wanted half of karanam’s property to be given to his Guru. Then karanam understood fully the views of his Guru and then approached Dev who advised him to remove the new idol and install the old idol. The karanam did accordingly and the karanam and his family became alright with the Grace of Baba through the advice of Dev.

He also wrote in Sai Leela magazines about different ways and the significance of Baba collecting dakshina. As mentioned in the magazine, Baba did not ask dakshina from all the visiting devotees. If someone gave dakshina without being asked, he sometimes accepted it and at other times he refused it. He asked it from certain devotees only. He never demanded it from those devotees who thought in their minds that Baba should ask them. If anybody offered it against his wish, he never touched it. He asked for different amounts from the devotees depending on their wish and devotion. He never asked all the rich or all the poor. Baba never got angry with those who did not pay dakshina. If any dakshina was sent through some visiting friend who forgot about it, Baba used to remind him about it and made him pay. On some occasions, Baba used to return some portion from the collected dakshina to the same donor to preserve it and keep it in his shrine for worship. This procedure benefited the donor-devotee immensely. Sometimes, Baba used to ask higher amount of dakshina from some devotees than what they originally intended to give and if they had no money, Baba asked them to get or borrow from others perhaps to reduce their pride. From some others, Baba demanded repeatedly dakshina three or four times a day. Out of the amount collected as dakshina, Baba used to spend very little for buying Chillum (for clay pipe) and fuel for the dhuni and the remaining amount was distributed by Baba to various persons daily.

He wrote several articles on Baba and released them in the magazine, Sai Lila Masik and all those articles throw lot of light about Baba. And these articles are more comprehensive and authentic.
There were Ramnavami and Urs celebrations annually in Shirdi. All the paraphernalia for the celebrations of the festivals were brought by various rich devotees at the instance of Radhakrishnamai, another resident devotee in Shirdi. Baba, now and then, used to get wild and rebuked those who brought such costly articles. However in order not to displease the devotees, Baba used to allow the use of costly items in the celebrations. Once Baba said to Nanasaheb that all the property of Baba consisted of one koupin, one piece of cloth, one kafni, another cloth covering the body and a tinpot for begging.

Dev tried to learn asanas from a Hatayogi. Then Baba appeared in his dream and told him to discontinue those asanas. He stopped those asanas. Baba also taught him in the same dream as to how to sit in a Sukhasana which he followed.

An index giving the contents of all the Chapters, though promised by Hemadpant, could not be traced out. This index was later composed by Dev and added as Chapter 53 in the Marathi version of Shri Sai Satcharita. He had also composed an arti song on Baba which was included in the booklet of arti songs, “Shri Sainath Sagunopasana”.

He also collected from Bapurao Chandorkar, second son of Nanasaheb Chandorkar about the details of Baba explaining and interpreting the verse No.34 in Chapter 4 in the Bhagwat Gita to Nanasaheb Chandorkar and about Baba’s timely help, unasked for, to Mainatai, the eldest daughter of Nanasaheb and wrote extensively and minutely about these miracles in Sai Leela magazines. It was through his efforts that these miracles came to be known to all of us. He also gave these details to B.V.Narasimhaswamiji when he was interviewed by Narasimhaswamiji in 1936.

He completed his full period of service even with an extension of three months; but still he wanted further extension of one year. Baba appeared in a dream in one night and told him that he was looking into his accounts. Surprisingly, the Collector also recommended his extension and he got one year extension with Baba’s Grace. He retired in 1911 and went to Baba and tried to do Pada Pooja at the instance of Dixit. However Baba stopped him and said. “You need not worship. You have given me Dakshina. That is enough”. He passed away peacefully, blessed by Baba, in 1946. After retirement, he served Baba for as many years as 35 years.  Just like Dev, his son by name S.B.Dev was also a Trustee of the Sansthan for some time and did similar services in propagating about Baba.

The readers can use the material for their information / welfare at their discretion and we are not responsible in any correctness / whatsoever in this regard. The article is not meant for any commercial use. There is no copy right for this article and this article is placed in the public domain for wider publicity. Any review / comments / suggestions to improve the contents in the article are welcome for initiating any suitable rectification / modification / addition.

Om Sai Ram...

Shiridi Sai Baba Bhaktas - ANNA CHINCHNIKAR

ANNA CHINCHNIKAR

ANNA   CHINCHNIKAR [Alias   DAMODAR   GHANSHYAM   BABARE] 

(He won a civil suit & got money. He used the money for the renovation of Chavadi in memory of Anna Chinchnikar & his wife, Lakshmibai).   

Damodar Ghanshyam Babare came from the village Chinchani in Thana district. Hence, every body started calling him as Anna Chinchanikar. He and his wife, Laxmi Bai came and were living in Shirdi in the service of Baba and were devoted to Baba. For many years they did selfless service not expecting or asking any favours from Baba. Anna Chinchanikar was a simple and rough but straightforward person. He cared for nobody, always spoke plainly and carried all dealings in cash. Though he looked outwardly harsh and uncompromising, he was a good natured, frank and fair person. So Baba loved him.

A civil suit regarding his lands was then in progress at Dhanu. Anna Chinchanikar was anxious about the civil suit and asked, time and again, Baba about the outcome. Baba always used to say "Allah Bhala Karega". A famous lawyer, Achyut Narayan Khare, was handling the civil suit. Once someone wrote to Anna saying that he had lost the case. Anna ran to Kaka Dixit and informed him and then both of them went to Baba in the masjid. As they were entering the masjid, Baba shouted "This old man has no faith in Me, throw away that letter". Later the lawyer informed Anna that he had won the case and a sum of Rs.1,800/- along with the court costs was awarded to him. Then Anna and Kaka went to Baba with the letter Baba immediately said "Have you got faith in Me now?" Anna placed the letter at Baba's feet and said "Baba this is all yours, I do not want it". But, Baba refused to accept the money saying that he was a fakir. Still Anna begged Baba to accept it. While the conversation was going on for some time,. Kaka intervened and suggested that the sum could be used for renovating the Chavadi and that it should be named after Anna and his wife Lakshmi Bai. Renovation was taken up and completed. The sitting platform along the outside of the front wall were added later.

One day Shama asked Baba that why Baba had not blessed this couple with a son, while other devotees were blessed and their wishes were fulfilled. Baba smiled and said "Has it happened so, that whenever anybody has asked me for any thing, I have not given to him "?. Baba being Antaryami saw that the son, would only continue the name of Anna for one generation, while Baba wanted Anna's name to last for a very very long time. .

One day in the afternoon, Anna, while standing, was shampooing the left arm of Baba which was resting on the railing. On Baba’s right side, one aged widow named Venubai Koujalgi alias Laxmibai Koujalgi whom Baba used to call mother, was serving Baba by kneading Baba’s abdomen. Venubai Koujalgi was called by others as Mavsibai who was an elderly woman of pure heart but humorous now and then and was staying with her relative, Radhakrishnamai. She clasped the fingers of both her hands round the trunk of Baba and was pressing Baba's abdomen from one side to another.. She was doing this with so much force that Baba’s back and abdomen became flat and Baba stomach was moving from one side to another. Anna on the other side was standing steady but in the process Mavsibai's face was moving up and down with her movements. At one point of time, it so happened that her face came very close to Anna's face. Perhaps in the lighter vein, she said – “Oh, this Anna is a lewd [bad] fellow, he wants to kiss me. Even being so old with grey hair he feels no shame in kissing me”. These words enraged Anna and he pulled up his sleeves and said “you say that I am an old bad fellow, am I quite a fool? It is you that have picked up a quarrel and are quarreling with me”. All the persons, present in the masjid were enjoying these humorous quarrel between them. But Baba, who loved both of them equally and wanted to pacify them. Baba then said very skillfully and lovingly, “Oh Anna, why are you unnecessarily raising this hue and cry? I do not understand what harm or impropriety is there, when the mother is kissed?" Hearing these words of Baba, both of them became calm and satisfied but all the persons present laughed happily and enjoyed Baba's witty repartee.

                       Inside Chavadi: There is a large portrait of Baba kept inside the chavadi.

                                                              Large Portrait of Baba:

The above large portrait of Baba kept inside Chavadi was painted by Ambaram residing in Nausari in Gujarat after Baba had given him darshan in a dream in 1953. At that time, Ambaram was only eighteen years old. Ambaram painted this portrait based on his dream vision of Baba. The Nausari villagers were very happy at Baba’s painting done by Ambaram. The residents of Nausari village collected donations and got the portrait framed and brought it to Shirdi and handed it over to the Sansthan. This portrait was first proposed to be kept in the Samadhi Mandir. But as the marble statue of Baba was being sculpted by blessed B.V. Talim at that time, this portrait was placed in the Chavadi.in the place where Baba used to sit during Sej (night) arati and Kakad (early morning) Arati in Chavadi. The marble statue sculpted by blessed Talim was installed in the Samadhi Mandir in 1954 at the hands of Swami Sai Sharananandaji (Wamanrao Patel) on the Vijayadasimi day.

On entering the south facing chavadi, one can see the above plaque on which was inscribed “ Shri Sai Nath Babanchi Lakshmi Bai Damodar Babre, Chinchanikar Chavadi Saka 1859”. Baba being Antaryami saw that the son would only continue the name of Anna for one generation. While Baba wanted Anna’s name to last for a very very long time. Thus whoever visits Shirdi and Chavadi, seeing the plaque, remembers Anna Chinchnikar and his wife, Lakshmi Bai and this will continue for ever, as per the desire of Baba.

The readers can use the material for their information / welfare at their discretion and we are not responsible in any correctness / whatsoever in this regard. The article is not meant for any commercial use. There is no copy right for this article and this article is placed in the public domain for wider publicity. Any review / comments / suggestions to improve the contents in the article are welcome for initiating any suitable rectification / modification / addition.

Om Sai Ram...

Shiridi Sai Baba Bhaktas - Lakshmibai Shinde

Lakshmibai Shinde

(She served Baba for about 45 years. At the time of  his Mahasamadhi,  Baba  gave  her  9  silver coins  of  British Era, representing  9  types  of devotion to God.)

Lakshmibai Shinde was a well to do woman. Her full name is Lakshmibai Tukaram Shinde. Bhagoji Shinde was her husband’s uncle. She used to prepare food for Baba every day. She had, during her entire life time, served Baba during day and night with utmost devotion and unswerving faith. Baba used to address her as “Laxmi Ma”. She was allowed access into the masjid at all times including nights, similar to the privilege granted to Mhalasapati and Tatya Patil. She was the only woman who was allowed to go into the masjid when the curtain was down (in those days the curtain acted as a door and covered the upper portion of the masjid) and at that time no body was allowed inside the masjid.

Once, in the evening, as usual Baba was reclining against the wall and chatting with Tatya Patil. Laxmibai came there and bowed down before him. Baba said, “Laxmibai ! I am very hungry.”  Laxmibai rushed to her home and gladly prepared rotis etc. immediately and brought that hot food to Baba. Baba picked up the plate of the hot food and placed it before a hungry dog. Laxmibai was surprised to see this. She immediately said, “Baba, I hurriedly cooked the food for you; but you gave it to the dog. You did not even taste a morsel.” Baba replied, “Laxmibai, there is God in every being. If your food enters any mouth that is hungry, be assured that it has fallen into my own mouth.” Thus, Baba indicated to Laxmibai that feeding any hungry animal was feeding him. From that day onwards, Laxmibai started bringing rotis etc. for Baba. She mixed it with milk and with great love brought it to Baba. Baba on his part also waited for her rotis to come and did not touch any other food before her food arrived. On some occasions, the food from her would come late even though everyone in the masjid would be feeling very hungry. But, still Baba would not start his meals till Laxmibai’s food arrived. After some period, Baba started demanding kheer (sweet) made from Shevaya from her. After Laxmibai brought such type of kheer, Baba would ask her to sit by his side. He then used to taste a little and was sending the remaining food to Radhakrishnamai . She served Baba for about 45 years. Baba used to give her daily four rupees.

Laxmibai brought meal for Baba, which was his last supper on 15^th October, 1918. Lakshmibai Shinde was one of the seven devotees who were present with Baba in the masjid when Baba passed away into Mahasamadhi. Baba gave her first five silver coins and then four silver coins, total 9 (nine) silver coins of British Era. All were very much surprised to know as to how Baba got those silver coins of British Era and how he preserved them. They knew that Baba did not keep any thing with him. Thus as to how and from where Baba had got these 9 silver coins, had become a mystery. Some people felt that those nine coins would symbolize the nine forms of devotion and others viewed them as the nine characteristics of a good disciple.

 

When Baba’s Marble Statue, sculpted by B.V.Talim, the celebrated sculptor of Bombay, was brought to Shirdi before installation, Laxmibai Shinde was one of the few living devotees who saw the Statue of Baba and expressed happily that the Statue looked like Baba exactly and felt that Baba came back to Shirdi in the form of Life-Like Statue. She was also lucky to observe the installation ceremony of Baba’s Statue at the hands of Sri Sai Sharananandji in the Samadhi Mandir on 7^th Oct, 1954, the Vijayadasami day, exactly 36 years after Baba’s Mahasamadhi.

She lived for 115 years upto 1963 and passed away on 2^nd June, 1963 which was an Ekadasi day. The nine coins were kept with the statue of Laxmibai in the small house which is open to the public for darshan.

The house with her Samadhi in front, is located a few metres near the Chavadi. In 1963, Laxmibai handed over these divine coins to her daughter-in-law, Sonubai who performed puja for these coins from the year 1963 to 1984 in the house. Later these coins were handed over to her son. Afterwards the coins were handed over to her fifth generation of descendants. Thus the coins are moving from one generation to another and her descendants are keeping them as a treasure. All the family members from generation to generation, were happy and did not have any financial problems and on the other hand they were financially well off through Baba’s Grace.

Even now Laxmibai Shinde’s descendants have preserved these 9 coins very carefully and they shine now in the same way as they were when Baba had given them to Laxmibai. It was a fact that when Baba had come to Shirdi for the first time, it was Laxmibai only who had offered food to Baba. Baba had given the coins to Laxmibai perhaps in recognition of her sincere service and unswerving devotion and faith. Now many devotees visit their house for the darshan of these 9 blessed coins and it is believed that just by the mere darshan of these 9 coins, one’s problems get solved. Baba perhaps preserved these coins and gave to ankita devotee, Lakshmibai Shinde before he went to Mahasamadhi. Such was her devotion towards Baba.

The readers can use the material for their information / welfare at their discretion and we are not responsible in any correctness / whatsoever in this regard. The article is not meant for any commercial use. There is no copy right for this article and this article is placed in the public domain for wider publicity. Any review / comments / suggestions to improve the contents in the article are welcome for initiating any suitable rectification / modification / addition.

Om Sai Ram...

Shiridi Sai Baba Bhaktas - Justice M. B. REGE

Justice M. B. REGE

Justice Rege introduced Justice P.R.Avaste to B.V.Narasimha Swami in 1936 who, accompanied by Justice Avaste,  visited all the ardent devotees of Baba who were then living at that time and collected first hand information  directly in person about Baba and published books, containing their experiences with Baba, resulting in wider publicity. Justice Rege was indirectly instrumental for this wonderful publicity.

Justice M.B.Rege had some visions in 1910 at the age of 21 years and in one vision he felt that he was moving in some strange way. It was like levitation in the air. In the vision he was carried to a village where he found some one there and asked him what village that was. He said it was Shirdi and then he asked that person, "Is there any person named 'Sai Baba' here?". "Yes" he answered, "come and see". Then in the vision Rege was taken to a masjid and there he saw Sai Baba who was seated with legs outstretched and then Rege went and reverently placed his head on Baba’s feet. Then Baba got up and said, "Do you take my darshan? I am your debtor, I must take your darshan," and Baba placed his head on Rege’s feet. Then they parted. All this happened in the vision. This had happened in 1910.

These visions impressed Rege greatly. Before that time Rege had seen a picture of Sai Baba in the usual seated posture and he knew nothing more about Baba. He did not then know that Baba often sat with both legs outstretched. Some time later, Rege started on his first visit to Baba in Shirdi, and tried to verify his visions and to see if Sai Baba was his destined Guru as indicated in the vision.

Rege went to Shirdi and when Rege went to Sai Baba in the masjid, there were many other people with Baba. He went and prostrated, placing his head on Baba’s feet. Baba then said, "What! Do you worship a man?" At once Rege retreated some distance and sat in the masjid. It was true that his scholastic pursuits made him not to worship any human being-which Baba knew. And immediately he thought that Baba was hitting at him for visiting Baba with such thinking in his mind. As he was deeply shocked, he continued to sit in the masjid for some more time. Then all persons had cleared off, leaving Baba alone in the masjid. It was believed that none should go to Baba at that time in the afternoon when Baba was alone for fear of any serious harm as a penalty for the entry at an odd hour. But he wanted to go near Baba unmindful of any consequences. When he was slightly away, Baba gently beckoned to him to come near. Thus encouraged he went and placed his head on Baba’s feet. Baba at once hugged him, asked him to sit nearby and Baba also said to him: "You are my child. When others, i.e. strangers are in the company, we keep the children off". Then Rege felt extremely happy and understood satisfactorily the earlier happening. Then Baba told him to go and put up with Ramakrishnamai and he went and stayed there.

Whenever he visited Shirdi, he was always staying in the residence of Radhakrishnamai. Radhakrishnamai was a noble and affectionate person and he was treating her as his mother and she was also treating him as her son. She used to get some bread/roti from Baba as prasad - on which alone she was living and Baba used to send her an additional roti for Rege whenever he was there. Her devotion to Baba was very intense. She was living only for Baba and wanted to carry out as per Baba’s directions.

Rege was of the view that he progressed in his spiritual pursuits by Baba’s instructions and guidance through Radhakrishnamai. For achieving spiritual progress, Rege and Radhakrishnamai thought that japa only was the best method and also they decided that they should use only Saibaba’s name in the japa. Both performed japa on the first day. Later in the day, Baba sent word for him and when he came to the masjid, Baba asked him what was going on in the cottage of Radhakrishnamai. "Japa". He said, "Of what name?" Baba asked. "Of my God", He replied. "What is your God?" Baba enquired. Then he simply replied, "You know it," and then Baba smiled and said, "That is right". Thus Rege started achieving spiritual progress through Japa which Baba approved and was started through Radhakrishnamai.

He intently meditated on Baba and had Baba's vision during meditation. He was not in the habit of studying even Gita upto that time and did not pay much attention to any spiritual study in his earlier days. Baba said to Rege, “You are alright. Do not read books, but keep me in your heart. …..”. Rege was therefore concentrating always on Baba with intense devotion and love. .

During the Guru Poornima time in 1912, he went to Shirdi and observed that each devotee at Manmad was having a basket full of flower garlands meant for Baba and he immediately thought that he had forgotten carrying a garland to Shirdi. He then went to Shirdi and in the masjid, he found that Baba was fully covered with several garlands and he was under a heavy weight of flower garlands and he felt sorry for having not brought any garland and like this he thought internally. Then Baba lifted up a bundle of the garlands with his hand and said to Rege, "All these are yours". Rege was surprised at Baba’s kindness and all pervasiveness.

Again he visited Shirdi in the same year, 1912 and he took with him Rs.100. When he visited Baba, Baba asked him Rs.40 as dakshina which he readily gave. After some time, Baba again asked him another Rs.40 which was also given with equal readiness. Once again, Baba asked him the balance of Rs.20 as dakshina which was also given without any hesitation. Actually, he was very happy for having given the entire amount he was having and he did not have any pie left with him. Then Baba again sent word for him and when he came to the masjid, Baba again asked Rege for dakshina. At this stage he said that he had no money to offer to Baba. Then Baba asked him to go to some other persons and get money from them and also suggested to him to go to Shama and get the money.. He went to Shama and told him what took place in the masjid and asked him for money. He then said that Rege did not understand Baba correctly and also said "Does Baba care a rap for your rupees? " Shama also said, "No, what he wants is your mind and heart, your time and soul to be devoted to him. That is his meaning". Rege went back and told Baba what Shama had said. Then Baba smiled and said, "Go to Dixit and ask him" to give money. He then went to Dixit and told him what Baba had advised him. He then replied that Baba's direction to him had to be understood in the circumstances as a lesson meant for Rege--that Rege should not feel absence of money or the begging for money as an embarrassment or for anything else as a humiliation and that Rege should not treat himself as above the level of begging. Rege again went back to the masjid and informed Baba what all Dixit said. Baba again smiled and then asked him to go to Nanasaheb Chandorkar and ask him for a loan. He went to Khandoba's temple where Nanasaheb Chandorkar was reading some religious books under the guidance of .Upasani Sastri and told Nanasaheb what all had happened in the masjid and finally requested him to give a loan. But, Nanasaheb, instead of giving money, showed his worldly wisdom and said that he knew how delicate the situation was when Baba asked for dakshina when there was no money to be given to Baba. Nanasaheb advised him to follow his way of handling such situations. He continued saying that whenever Nana used to go to Shirdi, he would start with certain money with him and leave a half at Kopergaon with some one as a reserve and that it would be painful to say 'No' when Baba was asking for money. Nana also said that he would give money on Baba asking for dakshina and that in case the money with him was exhausted and in case of further need, he would be drawing on the reserve by sending some one to Kopargaon. Nana finally advised Rege to follow his example. Rege went back to the masjid and told Baba what Nana said and advised. Immediately Baba sent word for Nanasaheb and when he came Baba asked him for dakshina of Rs.40. He paid it happily and went away. Again he sent word for Nana and asked for another Rs.40 which was also paid by Nana. Again Baba got Nana in the masjid and received as dakshina the last amount available with Nana. Immediately Nana sent some one to Kopergaon for getting his reserve amount. 

But Baba immediately asked Nana to give further amount as dakshina and at this stage Nana felt humiliated for saying that he did not have money. The lesson that was taught to all of them, was that it was wrong on the part of any body to think that any one could supply all that Baba might ask for. Thus Baba made Rege understand how different people interpreted Baba’s demand for dakshina. The real purpose of Baba's demand of dakshina was not what Shama, Dixit or Nana felt it was but the purpose was only to teach lessons of humility. Baba really cared nothing for money or for presents. What he really wanted was unswerving and wholehearted love towards Baba. Baba knew Rege’s views, but wanted Rege to understand the views of others in this regard.

Rege’s father-in-law was also a devotee of Baba. In 1914 Rege’s third daughter was to be married and an invitation was sent to Baba.   Baba also sent a reply, saying that he would attend. As the marriage ceremony was going on, the postman delivered a letter from Baba along with a packet of udi. The udi was meant to be applied to the foreheads of the bride and bridegroom. Just about the same time, a fakir came and asked Rege’s father-in-law for a dakshina.  As he was busy with the function he did not pay attention to the strange visitor. Later it occurred to him that the fakir might be Baba himself. After knowing, Rege said that if indeed the visitor was Baba himself, he should confirm it by appearing again. The very next day, the same fakir again appeared and asked for dakshina  which Rege gave happily. 
 

During Ramanavami celebrations in 1915, before going to Shirdi, Rege went into the Indore cloth bazaar and bought a fine lace-embroidered muslin cloth of the Dacca type with lace border all around and he wanted to present it to Baba. It was a very nice cloth and could be folded into a small packet. He took it with him to Shirdi and kept it inside his shirt. Devotees usually would go and present Baba with cloth which would be returned to the devotees with Baba's blessings—which was the usual practice. But Rege decided in his mind that if Baba really cared for his love, Baba should receive the cloth and should not return the same to him but retain it for his use. When the devotees went and presented their clothes, they were placed on Baba and were returned at the end to the concerned devotees. In order to avoid the cloth being returned, Rege had taken his small packet and when he bowed to Baba, he tactfully pushed the packet under Baba’s seat. All clothes presented, were returned and no body noticed what was beneath the seat of Baba. Baba then got up and said "Clear off all that lies on the gadi/seat and dust it". When the gadi was removed, there was the small muslin packet below the gadi. Baba picked it up and said, "Hello, What is this? Muslin!" and spread it out and said, "I am not going to return this. This is mine". He then put it round his neck and said to Rege, "Don't I look nice in this?". Rege felt immensely happy as his cloth was accepted and retained by Baba for his use. .

He had gone to Shirdi and was staying as usual in the cottage of Radhakrishnamai. In the afternoon, when Baba was alone, he sent word for him and after every body left the masjid, Baba asked him to sit nearby and said "The key of my treasury is now placed in your hands. Ask anything you want, e.g., Rs.5 or Rs. 100 a month, or what you like and I will give it to you". Rege felt at once that this was a temptation and declined to ask for any favour. He also felt that Baba knew what was good for him and that it was for Baba to decide and give. Baba then insisted on his asking. Then Rege said, "Is it agreed Baba, that you will grant anything I ask for?" "Yes" was his answer. "Then Baba," Rege asked, "I want this, in this and in any future birth that may befall on me you should never part from me. You should always be with me.'' And Baba patted him happily and said, "Yes I shall be with you, inside you, and outside you, whatever you may be or do." Rege was extremely happy and felt that Baba was always with him. .

Many years later, he lost a child in a building which had numerous occupants and his wife was greatly depressed. Rege assured her that Baba did only what was good for them and had taken away that child and so they should not lament. Then Baba appeared to him and said, "Do you want me or the dead child? Choose. You cannot have both. If you want me to revive the child, I will; but then you will have me no more with you. If you do not want revival, you will have many children in due course." He had no hesitation in telling Baba that he wanted Baba. "Then do not grieve", Baba said and vanished. Thus Baba was encouraging him on all occasions by his presence. .

His methods of help were different for different people and depended on the need of the devotee concerned and the attendant circumstances. Baba had helped Rege in several ways and also given him valuable advice in all the situations.

During 1923, he went to Nagpur to have darshan of Hazrat Baba Tajuddin Aulia of Nagpur.  This Baba was   one of the most outstanding mystics during that time. He was worshiped by both the Hindus and Muslims and others for his highly amazing spiritual powers and for bestowal of benedictions to all the suffering humanity. His reputation had spread to far off places as the greatest Sufi Saint. It was very difficult to have darshan of Tajuddin Baba.  Rege observed that a large crowd was waiting for the darshan of Tajuddin Baba. As Rege had to catch a train that evening, so he wanted to wait till 3-00 PM on that day. And miraculously, some one came out just before 3-00 PM and told Rege that Tajuddin Baba wanted to see him. Thus he had darshan of Tejuddin Baba who also blessed him. Rege felt that this rare happening took place at the eleventh hour due to Sai Baba's Grace.

Baba continued to help and guide Rege even after Baba’s Mahasamadhi. Rege regarded Baba representing also the spirit of Sri Ramakrishna Pramahamsa and in this connection, it is worth mentioning an instance of Baba’s help, confirming such a perception of identity. In 1928, he went to Dakshineswar to see the places and things of interest and engaged the services of a guide to see the temples. The guide showed him the Kali Idol that Paramahamsa worshipped as also other images. But Rege was anxious to see the tiny image of Ramlal that played as a living boy with Paramahamsa, and expressed his desire to the guide to show that tiny image. Then the guide took him to a temple and showed him a huge image and said that was Ramlal. But Rege said it could not be the same as Rege had thoroughly read the life history of Paramahamsa.  

At the same time, a priest suddenly appeared before Rege and enquired if he was from Deccan. Rege replied affirmatively and then the priest said that he would show him all the images at a very close distance and explain every thing with full details. Then the priest wanted Rege to visit all the temples again and he would not expect any money from Rege. The priest also said that he had been instructed in a dream in the previous night that a devotee from Deccan would be visiting on the next day and that he should take him to all the temples and show the images and help him to worship them. Then the priest took Rege inside each temple and also to the sanctum sanctorum of the temples and also permitted Rege to touch the images and worship as he liked. Then the priest said that he would also show Ramlal to Rege. Rege said that he had been shown a huge figure as Ramlal by his guide. The priest said that the guide deceived him. The priest then took up the tiny image of Ramlal that Paramahamsa had played with and placed it on the lap of Rege. Thus the desire of Rege was fulfilled beyond all his expectations by the Grace of Baba who was no other than Ramakrishna.

B.V.Narasimhaswamiji who was in search of a real saint, came to Shirdi after he was convinced that Sai Baba was a real saint, nay a walking God in Shirdi. He was invited by Rege who introduced him to Justice P.R.Avaste. Accompanied by Justice Avaste, he along with Narasimhaswami, visited all the ardent devotees of Baba who were then living at that time and thus facilitated collection of first hand information from them directly in person. And then Narasimhaswami published books containing their experiences with Baba. Swami also founded the 'Sai Sudha' magazine and was responsible for starting All India Sai Samaj in Madras. Though Swami did not visit Shirdi when Baba was in mortal coil, he did lot of service in propagating the mission, messages and miracles of Baba across India, mainly in the South and was also instrumental in making Baba known across India and also abroad and by any reckoning he was a very highly-placed and very important devotee of Baba. After rendering service to Baba till his last moment, Narasimha Swamiji passed away in 1956. After 10 years, Rege unveiled the Swami's portrait in the Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi in 1966 so that Narasimha Swamiji became forever as one of Shirdi Sai Baba's dedicated disciples, even though he never met Baba personally. Rege was a direct and blessed disciple of Shirdi Sai Baba and was associated with Baba on several occasions. He passed away on 30th Oct, 1968 and was a great ankita bhakta of Baba.

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Om Sai Ram...

Shiridi Sai Baba Bhaktas - Prof G. G. NARKE

Prof  G.  G.  NARKE

 

Prof  G.  G.  NARKE., M.A.(Cal), M.Sc(Manch)

Professor of Geology & Chemistry in College of Engineering, Deccan Gymkhana, age 53, Brahmin, Poona.

  

(Narke was a learned person and could examine any matter critically. He was noted for his intellectual perspicacity and opined that Baba was operating in other worlds too, in an invisible form. He also said that Baba was frequently talking of his travels with an invisible body across great distances of space and time. Narke knew that Baba is a God and not a Satpurusha. Narke also said that Baba controlled the destinies of the departed souls.)

Ganesh Govind Narke or G.G.Narke studied M.A. in 1905 and in 1907-09 he was at Calcutta and was trained in Geological Survey Department as a scholar. He was sent in 1909 as a State Scholar from Govt. of India to Manchester where he stayed for three years till 1912 and secured M.Sc. in Geology and Mining. He came back to India in August 1912. He was the son-in-law of Booty, the staunch devotee of Baba. His wife, his mother and Booty were visiting frequently Shirdi and some times they were staying in Shirdi. They wrote to him to visit Shirdi and pay his respects to Sai Baba. He wrote back to them and informed that he would go, if Baba wanted him. Booty then approached Baba and with Baba’s permission, wrote to him that Baba wanted him to visit Shirdi. Then Narke went to Shirdi in April 1913 and paid his respects to Baba. He also observed that Baba was very kind to his wife, his mother and Booty. When Shama took Narke and introduced him for the first time to Baba. Baba replied, "You introduce him to me! I have known him for thirty generations". What wonderful knowledge of the past that Baba was having After going to Shirdi, Narke was convinced with the supernatural powers of Baba and started serving Baba just like his mother and Booty. His early surroundings were also responsible for developing his faith in Sai Baba. Booty, his father-in-law, his wife and his mother were all great devotees of Sai Baba and worshipped him as God-Incarnate. Narke was in the habit of reading Jnaneswari and other works which deal with greatness of Satpurushas.

Once at Arati time, Narke observed that Baba was angry and fumed and was cursing without any valid apparent reason. So Narke doubted whether Baba was a mad man and a thought developed in his mind. On the same day in the afternoon, when Narke was massaging Baba’s legs, Baba gently stroked Narke’s head and said, “I am not mad”. Narke was surprised at this remark and concluded that Baba knew every thought that was crossing in every mind and that he was convinced that Baba was God beyond doubt..

In the year 1916, Shirdi was under the grip of  severe plague-epidemic and the havoc it was creating. As a result of the ravaging epidemic, every body was gripped with fear of death and Narke was also afraid of fear of death. He was thinking that if he stayed in Shirdi he would have to face death. At this stage, Sai Baba called Narke and gave some money and asked him to go and bring sweetmeat from Rangarao’s shop for Prasad to Baba. In Shirdi, there were not many shops of sweetmeat and Narke knew this and was also aware of Rangarao’s shop as he was living in Shirdi for a considerable length of time. It was evening, when Narke reached the shop he saw that the shutter of the shop was half closed as Rangarao, the vendor of the shop was dead and the dead body was lying on the floor and Rangrao’s wife Sitabai was crying. Narke observed the situation and was in a fix as to what to do. He was in a dilemma that on one hand a dead body was lying in the shop and the death was due to plague and on other hand Baba had strictly asked him to get the sweets from Rangarao’s shop. Narke, being highly qualified with high analytical thinking, thought that there must be some special reason in Baba’s sending him to Rangarao’s shop. Narke picked up courage and then asked for sweetmeat from Rangrao’s wife. She pointed to the cupboard and said, “You yourself take sweetmeat from the cupboard” . Narke took the sweetmeat and kept the money aside and came to the masjid and placed the sweets on the  Holy Feet of Baba. Baba then distributed the sweetmeat among the devotees present in the masjid. Then Baba said to Narke, “Do you think that by living in Shirdi you will die and if you leave Shirdi will you be saved? This is your delusion. This masjid will save the one whose death has not come and the one whose death is definite, will die”. Thus the fear of Narke was totally destroyed by Baba in a practical way.

Narke also observed that Bhagoji Shinde, leper devotee of Baba was daily changing in the morning the bandage on the burnt hand of Baba and was also massaging daily Baba’s legs. On Baba’s instructions, the leper devotee was taking the udhi from the dhuni and was giving it as prasad to the devotees and was also putting udhi into the mouths of sick people. Even though a leper was doing all these things, no harm had happened to any devotee. All these things were known to Narke.

Once Baba told Narke in 1913 itself that Booty, his father-in-law would construct a Dagdiwada (a stone edifice) in Shirdi and that Narke would be in charge of that building. Booty actually started constructing the Butiwada from 1915 and it was completed only in 1918. As told by Baba, Narke was one of the Trustees in charge of the building.

Narke was not employed for a considerable length of time and in this background whenever he went to the masjid, Baba used to ask him on several occasions for dakshina of fifteen rupees which was a considerable amount in those days. Though Booty, his father-in-law was very rich, Narke, because of his self respect, did not ask him any single penny which Baba knew. On all occasions when Baba asked for dakshina he could not reply any thing except listening silently to Baba. Narke was a learned person and could examine matters critically. He knew that Baba was omniscient and was fully aware of his unemployment. Even then, Baba was asking for dakshina frequently. Then he thought that there must be an inner meaning behind Baba asking for dakshina of fifteen rupees every time and wanted to find out the underlying meaning. One day after picking up courage when Baba was alone in the masjid after noon meals, Narke asked Baba, “Baba, you know that I am unemployed from a long time and you ask for dakshina of fifteen rupees from me, I don’t understand the reason behind this”. Baba said, “Oh son, do you think that I need this money made of gold and silver? What will I do with such money? You read Yog Vashishta daily, so inculcate Fifteen teachings from the chapter which you are reading right now. Practise those fifteen teachings and they will help you in your good and bad times. I don’t require any material money from you.”

On one day in 1914, Baba was distributing kapnis to Thosar, Bapusaheb Jog and Vamanrao Patel because Baba knew that these devotees would take to sanyas in near future. Narke was present at that time and thought within himself, “If Baba gives me kapni, I will leave this worldly affairs at this very moment”. Narke also stretched his hand to receive kapni, but Baba spoke in sweet words, saying, “What can I do if this fakir of masjid does not allow me to give you kapni”. Baba was fully aware that asceticism was not suitable for Narke and that even if he was unhappy at that time, Baba knew that his future was going to be bright and he had a different mission to carry out.

Narke continuously tried for jobs while staying in Shirdi. He stayed in Shirdi for as long as 13 months without any job. Once it so happened that interview calls from Burma and Kolkatta came simultaneously. When enquired, Baba said, “You go to Burma-Poona”. Baba used to add suffix Poona after every city’s name which he recommended. Narke was not mentally prepared to go to Burma as well as Kolkatta, so he declined both the offers. In that way years passed away. After some time, Narke got an interview call from university of Banaras, but Baba said to him, “There is no need to go to Banaras, you go to Poona”. Narke said, “Baba, there are no colleges and universities of geology in Poona”. But he did not get any answer from Baba for his statement. However Baba was uttering Poona frequently.

In the year 1916 he returned to Shirdi after a long spell of absence and enquired on arrival who were doing what service to Baba. Narke was told Vaman Rao Patel, a qualified advocate,. was doing the service of begging food in the village on behalf of Baba and Narke felt a bit jealous and thought in his mind. "If that is so why should I not be given that work", This idea crossed in his mind but he did not express. It was then Darshan time in the masjid and Narke had no time to change his dress which was in full suit and he went in his full suit, boot, trousers, coat and hat, to the masjid. At that time Baba was requested three times for permission to send Vaman Rao Patel for begging. Suddenly Baba pointed to Narke and said "Let this man go and beg for food with that bowl to-day". He then went in full suit that day and begged food on behalf of Baba. Later for as long as four months, he went on begging at noon on behalf of Baba in his ordinary dress and he was the only person who went on begging for such a long period. . People could not understand why he was chosen for this work. But since he had that desire, Baba knew his thought in his innermost mind and gave him the opportunity of serving Baba in that way. This honour of begging for food on his behalf at noon time was reserved by Baba for a select few.

At last in the year 1917, Department of Geology was started in Poona University. Narke read the classified advertisement in the newspaper and applied for professor’s position as per Baba’s permission and was selected for the position even when tough competition was there. Then he was appointed in 1918 as Professor of Geology and Mining on a handsome salary and with the money thus earned, he purchased a bungalow and lived happily with his wife and children (four sons). Now the mystery of suffix of “Poona” in Baba’s words, was understood by Narke and he got a practical example of Baba’s all pervasiveness. Narke knew that Baba is a God and not a Satpurusha. Narke also said that Baba controlled the destinies of the departed souls.

Among all the devotees of Baba, Narke was the only person who was highly qualified and was endowed with quizzical eye and questioning mind. He was also noted for his intellectual perspicacity. He had also the opportunity of observing Baba from close quarters and understood Baba very well. He was interviewed by Narasimha Swamiji in 1936 to know about his experiences of Baba and about the nature and powers of Baba from such a highly qualified person and devotee of Baba as Narke. Narke said that Baba told him about the details of his previous four lives and that Baba told this in the masjid in the presence of several people. But all others could not understand as these details referred to Narke only but others treated it as irrelevant talk. He also said that Baba had the peculiar art of giving information esoteric to particular individuals in the midst of a group in a way that the concerned persons only would be in a position to understand it and not others. Narke told Narasimha Swamiji that Baba was operating not only in this world but also in other worlds and that he was operating in an invisible form. He also said that Baba was frequently talking of his travels with an invisible body across great distances of space and time. In the mornings, Baba used to sit near the dhuni and would often make several signs as if telling some thing to others or commanding others for certain things to do and would also say to others in the masjid to what distant places he went previous night and what he had done in those places and some of these were verified and found correct.

Those who had slept by his side either in the masjid or in the chavadi, would know that Baba’s physical body only was present in the masjid/chavadi, but he was actually operating during the nights elsewhere in an invisible form. Narke also said that Baba was controlling the destinies of departed souls. Such were the great powers of Baba which Narke understood very well and which were brought on record for the benefit of all, in the interview with Swamiji.

The compiler has written the article under Saibaba's afflatus-divine inspiration after referring to the universally available material traceable to several common sources existing everywhere containing facts, ideas and incidents about Saibaba and the compiler expresses thanks to the writers concerned in this regard. An attempt has been made in this article to collect the information about the years of happening of certain important events and  of miracles, in a chronological order but it is really difficult to know these details precisely for want of historical details in certain instances despite a serious attempt to collect them. The information compiled in this article is based on the compiler’s best knowledge gathered from several sources and the compiler has brought out the article with expressions of his own. The readers can use the material for their information/welfare at their discretion and the compiler is not responsible in any manner whatsoever in this regard. While every attempt has been made to collect the details accurately, the compiler is not responsible for the correctness of the details. 

The readers can use the material for their information / welfare at their discretion and we are not responsible in any correctness / whatsoever in this regard. The article is not meant for any commercial use. There is no copy right for this article and this article is placed in the public domain for wider publicity. Any review / comments / suggestions to improve the contents in the article are welcome for initiating any suitable rectification / modification / addition.

Om Sai Ram...