In Sai’s Proximity

–        Mrs. Mugdha Diwadkar

Preamble

Shri Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj is worshipped all over the world as a divine personality - by devotees belonging to different religions, castes and nationalities, speaking varied languages. This great eminent personage and angelic incarnation had amazing Godly powers and His life’s accomplishments are vast. It is not possible for us mere mortals to take a review of the same.

Studies about Sai Baba point out that He was possibly born in Shake (Hindu year) 1760 (1838 English year).

From time to time, attempts have been made to find out the roots and past history of this divine personality. A few attempts yielded some information, while in majority of cases, people had to remain satisfied with mere guess-work. Several things had to be left unknown. Even today, the persons conducting research are still attempting to unearth the facts about the past life of Sai Baba.

It is felt, that one should respect the wishes of Sai Baba and let His past remain shrouded in mystery.

Instead, an attempt could be made to find out how He was perceived by the men and women living in His time and around Him. In this series of articles, an effort is made to trace information about these people who were fortunate enough to see Sai Baba, experience the shower of His blessings and teachings through miracles, love and affection.

Sai Baba was first sited under a Neem tree in Shirdi around the year 1854. At that time, He had just entered His youth. At the outset, His fair complexion, sharp features, tall body attracted many of the villagers to Him.

In the whole of Shirdi, it was mother of Nana and Bala Chopdar who first spotted Sai Baba sitting beneath the Neem tree. Like other villagers, this elderly woman was also curious about this young Boy.

This incident as narrated by her and mentioned in SHRI SAI-SAT-CHARITA is

“In the initial period, every one was amazed by the magnetic personality of Baba. Let it be day or night, harsh sunlight or heavy rains, Baba was always alone sitting in the open under the Neem tree. He rarely talked to anyone. Because of this, hardly any information was known about Him – Who was He ? Who were His parents ? Where from He came ? All these and similar other questions remained unanswered. And this deepened the mystery surrounding the Baba.

Villagers belived that sometimes the Spirit of God Khandoba possessed the bodies of a few devotees. Villagers, who were curious to know more about this Boy (Baba), asked questions to few such ‘spirited’ devotees. The God responded by saying ‘Bring pick-axes and dig at such and such place. You will know the origins of this Boy’. As instructed by the God, the ground below the Neem tree was dug open. A layer of bricks was revealed. Underneath was a grinding stone. When it was moved away, below it was found to be a wooden seat in the shape of mouth of a cow. It was surrounded by prayer beads with light from oil lamp in each four corners shining brightly.

The villagers asked repeated probing questions about this to Baba. He replied in a jestful manner :- ‘This is the place of My Guru ! It is a sacred place for Me. Preserve it in the state in which it is. Burn ood (incense) at this place on every Thursday and Friday. It will be beneficial to you all.’ ”

It was under this Neem tree that Baba performed tapascharya for 12 years. Due to this sadhana performed at such a young age, there was uniqueness in His behaviour. The villagers were now getting convinced that this was no ordinary human being.

Slowly the word about Baba’s fame started spreading in and around Shirdi. People started forming ques to get the darshan of Baba. Prior to this, Baba’s devotees were mainly the ordinary villagers from Shirdi – farmers, ladies, children, goldsmiths, tailors, carpenters and the like.

Several residents of Shirdi were getting convinced about the extra-ordinary personality of Baba. Chief amongst them were – Shreemant Ganpat Kote Patil, his wife Bayajabai, his son Tatya Kote Patil, Mhalsapati Sonar (goldsmith), Kashiram Shimpi (tailor), Appa Jagale, Appa Bhilla, Kashinath, Daji Kote Patil, Ganpatrao Patil Gayke, Waman Mankojirao Gondkar, Vitthal Gondkar, Dagdubhau Kalu Gayke, Bhagchand Marwadi, Nandram Shivram Marwadi, Kondajibhai Musalman, Balaji Bapuji Jagtap, Appaji Kote Patil (father of Bayaji Kote Patil), Santaji Bhivsan Shelke Patil, Gabaji Sutar (carpenter), Bappaji Kulkarni, Salubai Shelke and others.

However, the several people were still opposed to Baba particularly belong to Teli, Wani, Bhat-Bhikshuk communities and having orthodox set of mind. Outwardly, Baba’s behaviour was eccentric and due to this those opposed to Him called Him a ‘Mad Fakir.’ Over the passage of time, as they experienced the truth themselves, they also realized the greatness of Baba.

Bayajabai

The first person to comprehend the divine nature of Baba’s personality were Ganpatrao  Kote Patil and his wife Bayajabai Kote Patil from Shirdi. By nature, this couple was extremely pious, helping and religious. They always accorded due respect to any virtuous persons visiting Shirdi – touched their feet and looked after their needs.

This Boy, Who had renounced the worldly pleasures and had a radiating personality, was the subject of curiosity of the entire Shirdi village. It was but natural that the eyes of the Patil couple fell on the Boy and they were overcome with paternal feelings of love and affection for Him. Bayajabai felt that her fondness for the Boy was pulling her towards Him. Those were the days when a group of powerful villagers were very strongly opposed to Baba. Under such circumstances, this Kote Patil couple got devoted to Baba from His first darshan and it continued till their last breaths ! They loved Baba as their own son. When majority of the populace was dismissing Baba as a mere ‘mad man’, Bayajabai gave Him the warmth of her love and affection.

The detailed description of happenings, when the Kote Patil couple went to take Baba’s  darshan for the first time, have been described by Shri Pandurang B. Kavade in his book titled ‘SHRI SAI MAHARAJ YANCHE CHARITRA’ (Life of Shri Sai Maharaj).

“As soon as Bayajabai came for His darshan, Maharaj immediately arose and stood up. He expectantly looked at Bayajabai like long lost calf looks at his mother. It was as if, in this birth, Baba was confirming their relation since their previous births. Some time lapsed in this state. The Maharaj spontaneously uttered ‘Mami’ (Aunty). This loving call and the child age of Maharaj, opened the floodgates of Bayajabai’s heart. Her motherly instincts were aroused. Since the time of this incident till the time Bayajabai was alive, Maharaj looked upon her as a mother.”

Shri Kavade further adds -

“It is only Maharaj Who knows as what Bayajabai appeared to Him during the first meeting ! Because till that time it was His vow to renounce the worldly relations between human beings and treat all the mankind with an equal and same view point. This vow was easily broken in case of Bayajabai. She imprisoned this great soul in the bonds of motherly love.”

In Shri Kavade’s opinion :-

“There were few apparent reasons because of which Baba made Shirdi His permanent residence. Chief among these reasons appears to be the love of Maharaj as a son for Bayajabai and her affection for Maharaj as a ‘mother’.”

Whatever it may be. But it is true that Baba had given Bayajabai the place of mother. No one else had the power to convince Baba against His wishes. Baba used to set aside His own pride and chit chatted with Bayajabai. He answered her questions very lovingly.

From the very beginning Bayajabai was regularly sending bhakaris/rotis to Baba. She used to trace Baba by going through the various routes of the forest. She used to feed Him with her own hands. During the life time of Bayajabai and even after her passing away, a single day did not pass without Baba eating bhakari/roti from the Kote Patil household. Similarly, Bayajabai did not have her meals till she had fed Baba. After her demise, her son continued the tradition.

Written proof of this has been provided by Bayajabai’s son and Baba’s favourite devotee Tatya Kote Patil. On 25th December 1915, he has written :-

“I am Tatya Ganpat Kote Patil, resident of Shirdi. On request I am furnishing the following information in the presence of Diwan Bahadur Shri Sai Abad Sansthan.

I have been staying at Shirdi. Since my birth, I have been brought up by Shri Samartha Sai Baba. My both parents have been always in the service of Shri Samartha. We have always treated Shri Samartha as an elderly person from our household and as our family deity. Till some 12 years ago, Shri Samartha did not accept alms /dakshina from anyone. He used to manage His livelihood by asking for bhiksha at certain houses only.

Till I was a small child, whenever needed, my parents used to provide for His needs. Since the time I attained manhood, I have been doing so after my father’s demise. As the days passed, the sadhana of Shri became more intense. The number of devotees also increased substantially. From time to time, I have been financing the required expenditure. I have been incurring the expenditure assuming that I am the son of Shri Samartha. Day by day the expenses have been rising and now they have increased to daily about Rs. 75 to Rs. 125. I have been meeting all this expenditure mainly from the dakshina being received by Shri and balance from my own assets. My present state is hundred times better than the state in which I was earlier. This is due to Shri Samartha’s blessings.”

At the end of this statement, the signature of Late Tatya Kote Patil appears and is witnessed by prominent persons of Shirdi such as Ramchandra Dada Kote Patil, Bayajabai Appaji Kote, Pandurang Bhikaji Shelke and Sakharam Mahadu Kote Patil. Further, it is stated that at this event Rao Bahadur Hari Vinayak Sathe, Dr. Pillay, Chinchanikar and others were respected devotees of Baba were also present.

Later on, after Baba settled down in the Masjid, He started going out for bhiksha / alms.  On some days, He used to go 4-5 times to Bayajabai for bhiksha. However, Bayajabai never sent Him back empty handed. On the contrary, Bayajabai used to invite Him inside her home. Very rarely Baba entered their home. Bayajabai always coaxed Him to have His meals in her house. On such occasions, Rambhabai (Tatyaba’s wife and Bayajabai’s daughter-in-law) served the food. She stood in a corner and listened to their conversation between Baba and Bayajabai. In this regard, Rambhabai states -

“Their conversation was full of love and affection - as if it is a conversation between a mother and her son. Before starting the meals, Baba used to inquire whether they have prepared any non-vegetarian food. Because, for about 40 years, He had not even touched non-vegetarian food. Bayajabai also used to invite Baba for meals only when she had prepared only vegetarian food. Baba used to have bhakari, pithale, onions, chillies, pickles etc. He did not have any other item even if coaxed by Bayajabai. On some occasions, He used to have little milk.

Bayajabai was curious about Baba’s earlier years. She used to ask several questions about it. But Baba did not give any clue about the matter. Bayajabai used to repeatedly insist ‘Bring the members of Your family at least once. Or give us their whereabouts and we will bring them.’ But Baba did not make even a passing mention of region, caste, parents or acquaintances. If asked ‘Where from did you come ?’ His answer was ‘From far-far away !’ I have heard this type of conversation between the two on several occasions.”

Rambhabai further adds -

“Even after Shri Baba took Samadhi, every morning and evening, the naivedya of bhakari is sent from our home. Even on auspicious days it is naivedya of bhakari only. Baba never left it untouched. He at least tasted some portion of it.”

Even today, no one from Bayajabai’s household touches any food, till naivedya is first offered to Baba.

As her end came nearer, Bayajabai became bed-ridden. At that time, on one or two occasions, Baba came to their house and gave some advice.

At the time of her death, Bayajabai was around 75 years of age. Her funeral procession was progressing by the usual rout. At that time, Baba sent a message, saying that it should be taken to Dwarkamai. As the procession was passing, Baba stood on the foundation of Dwarkamai and lamented in resonant voice..... “Oh ! My Kote’s mother is going away. My aunt has gone.”

The entire village was shaken up by this vibrant cry.

Several generations of Bayajabai’s family were rich. Therefore, Baba asked them to perform the rites of 13th day on a grand scale. Thousands of poor people were given food on that day.

Baba had asked His ardent devotee Megha to perform Gayatri - Purascharan. On 3rd January 1912, the rites were completed and meals were served to some Brahmins. On the same day evening, Ganpatrao Kote Patil (husband of Bayajabai and father of Tatya) passed away.

– Translated from original Marathi

into English by Sudhir

    

¨ÉÖJÉ{ÉÞ¹`öõ