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SHRI
SAILEELA
JANUARY- FEBUARY2005
IS BABA LIVING
AND HELPING NOW ?
DEVOTEES EXPERIENCES AFTER
BABA’S
MAHASAMADHI ON 15th OCTOBER, 1918 from book entitled ‘AMBROSIA IN SHIRDI’ written by Shri Ramalingam
Swami, inspired by SHri Sivanesan Swamiji of Shirdi
(Contd. from July-August, 2004 issue)
75.
Baba converTed Shri Keshav Rao Pradhan, a sceptic into a
believer who built His temple at Bhivpuri (Ukrool).....
Bhivpuri is a
station on the Mumbai-Pune railway line, about 5 miles from Karjat
towards Mumbai. This station is mainly built to facilitate the
industrial concern of the Tatas, situated on a hill nearby; but it
has assumed importance on quite a different count.
More than fifty
years ago, Shri Keshav Rao Pradhan had a house on a small piece of
cultivated land at Ukrool village on the eastern side of Bhivpuri
railway station. Shri Pradhan had a touring job and
Nasik,
Manmad, Daund and other such places were on his itinerary.
Naturally he used to hear much about Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi. But
he was a non-believer.
On one
occasion, however, one of his friends nearby compelled him with
love to accompany him to Shirdi. Both of them went there and
stayed for a couple of days. When Shri Pradhan saw Shri Sai Baba
and witnessed His greatness, it made such an import on his mind
that his sceptism was replaced by complete devotion and faith.
Thence forward
Shri Pradhan made it a point to go to Shirdi often, for the
darshan of Shri Sai Baba. Everytime he got an interview with
Baba. He entreated Him to come to Ukrool. After listening to his
often repeated request, Shri Sai Baba one day picked up one of His
replicas given to Him by a devotee and handed it over to Shri
Pradhan saying, “Go to your own place, erect a temple of this and
don’t return here again. Be gone.” This happened in the year 1916.
Even then Shri Pradhan revisited Shirdi once; but venerable Shri
Sai Baba remembered him and asked him to quit forthwith. “When I
have come to your house, why are you here ? Your own place is
Shirdi for you now !” were His words of advice.
Though the
replica was with him, Shri Pradhan was not satisfied with the
promise “I have come to your house”. He was somewhat sad.
A few days
later he ceremoniously erected a temple near his house in Ukrool
and established the replica with due consecration. The observing
of daily worship and offerings began. Occasionally some functions
were performed at the new temple. The temple was located amidst
beautiful surroundings with big trees all around. It was a very
quiet place, suitable for the saintly Sai Baba. Nobody disturbed
the peace and silence by night.
It so happened
that after the temple was built, even though nobody was around,
the sound of the temple door being opened could be heard after
mid-night and Sai Baba could be seen going about the precincts of
the temple, sometimes resting under a tree. At about 3 a.m. Sai
Baba would return to the temple and close the door behind Him. The
sound of the door closing would also be audible. This was seen and
heard not only by Shri Pradhan and his family members but also by
the guests at his house. This was sufficient proof for Shri
Pradhan to make him a devotee of Shri Sai Baba and thence forward
he spent his time, energy and money in Baba’s service.
Verily, this
was Brahman embodied visiting Pradhan’s house and there was
no other desire left in his mind except to be united with his
beloved Baba. Shri Pradhan spent thousands of rupees and built the
shrine room, the spacious meeting hall, a wide verandah and the
guest house.
Shri Sai Baba
went into Mahasamadhi at Shirdi in 1918; but this did not
mean a break in the happiness of enjoying His company for Shri
Pradhan, as Baba’s immortal spirit was always present with him.
In 1924, Shri
Pradhan’s daughter was given in marriage to Shri V. A. Gupta of
Dadar, Mumbai. Shri Gupta was a pious gentleman. The new
relationship deepened with faith and he developed a keen interest
in the maintenance of the temple at Bhivpuri (Ukrool). He took
part zealously in the various religious functions. Shri Gupta’s
influence infused devotion towards Shri Sai Baba amongst the minds
of many of his friends and the number of devotees visiting
Bhivpuri Sai temple increased steadily.
Shri Gupta had
the opportunity to visit Shirdi in 1936. The grandeur of the
Samadhi Mandir, the magnificence of the daily worship and the
great congregation of devotees from all parts of the country
coming daily and on special occasions sent a thrill through the
heart of Shri Gupta. With folded hands and in all humility, he
prayed to Shri Sai Baba. “Oh Baba ! When can such a grand temple
come up at Your Bhivpuri ? After all, it all depends on Your
will.” The call of the devotee was heard by Shri Sai Baba, and the
Bhivpuri Sai temple got more and more famous from that day.
In 1939, Shri
Pradhan expired, leaving the responsibility of the temple to his
sons and son-in-law. In the same year, with the help of friends
they formed an institution by the name of Shri Sadguru Sainath
Seva Sansthan, with seven trustees. Besides Shri G. K. Deshmukh
and Shri A. K. Wani, officers of the Hindusthan Construction Co.
also take great interest in its activities. As more and more
people experience Baba’s benevolent existence, the pilgrims
increased in number and the facilities at the temple became
inadequate to accommodate them. Renovation was therefore
undertaken. But though the brick work was completed, the
construction work was not possible due to lack of funds and
material.
Late Shri Narayan Purohit started a parayan
(continuous reading) of Baba’s Satcharita as a prayer to Shri Sai
Baba to complete the work. After 3-4 days, he saw Shri Sai Baba in
a dream wandering about
and asking persistently “Where is my dhuni ?
If there is no dhuni, how can this be Shirdi ? How will the
temple be complete ?” Sai Baba was angry and throwing stones
everywhere. He thus appeared for two consecutive nights and Shri
Purohit was taken aghast. He went to Dadar and narrated the entire
dream to Shri Gupta. Shri Gupta came to Bhivpuri with other
committee members and by the system of lots, ascertained the wish
of Shri Sai Baba, who gave a positive indication to start the
dhuni. A place was fixed for the dhuni and it was duly
constructed in the size 8’ x 4’.
Shri A. R.
Walawalkar, grandson of late Shri Dabholkar, the author of Baba’s
original Satcharita in Marathi lit the dhuni for the first
time on 7-4-1949, Ramnavami, at about 10 a.m. Shri Walawalkar also
stayed at Bhivpuri under the directions of Shri Sai Baba received
by him at Shirdi in a dream. Shri Kunaresan, who met the committee
members on one occasion kindly bore all the expenses for the roof
and other structures around the dhuni. This dhuni is
continuously burning. The expenses were first borne by Shri Chavan
from Dombivli but are now taken care of by the donations received.
Various
important functions are held and there are special functions on
Ramnavami and Samadhi day. Prof. D. D. Parchure offers his
services in the form of kirtans on these two occasions.
Many great personalities have visited this temple and helped it
financially. They have made good suggestions for its improvements.
The interest and enthusiasm of all these people deserve the
sincere appreciation of the trustees.
Such is the
wonderful story of the Bhivpuri Sai temple, the story of how Shri
Sai Baba kept His promise and came to stay at Bhivpuri also. This
place is now a living centre of the spiritual influence of Shri
Sai Baba and it is no wonder that people who visit it once, come
here to have darshan of Shri Sai Baba again and again with
renewed devotion.
– Jyoti
Ranjan
URL:http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org
E-mail :
saibaba_anr@sancharnet.in
E-mail : saidadar@bom3.vsnl.net.in
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