In Sai’s Proximity

–        Mrs. Mugdha Divadkar

LAXMAN MAMA KULKARNI

Laxmanrao Kulkarni Ratnaparkhi was maternal uncle of Madhavrao Deshpande. He was a resident of Shirdi itself. He was an orthodox Brahmin. He used to follow the laws of touchability and religious rites very rigorously.

As Laxmanrao was the maternal uncle of Madhavrao, he was known as ‘Laxman Mama’ in the village. He was the Vatandar Kulkarni and Gram Joshi of Shirdi Village.

While the devotees were experiencing Baba’s miracles, Laxmanrao maintained a distance from such things. He not only had no faith in Baba, but he was a very staunch opponent of Him.

An unlearned person is likely to fall into prey to bad ompany and habits. He may listen only to his ego and have belief only in himself. Gradually, he starts thinking that he is bigger than God. To bring such a person to the proper path, Bhagvant gives him certain jolts. The person starts coming back to his senses. Then, the Almighty enters his inner soul and gives him deliverance.

It so happened with Laxmanrao. The great egoist fell ill with an incurable disease. His sufferings knew no limits in spite of the various remedies he tried. Ultimately - as a last resort - he came to Baba’s Masjid.

Baba looked at him with tranquil eyes, moved his hand over Laxmanrao’s body and said, “Go ! Allah will set things right.”

There was a miraculous change in Laxmanrao from the time he stepped into the Masjid. On top of it, he had the blessings of Baba. From that moment, he became a devotee of Baba.

On another occasion, Baba took a test of Laxmanrao.

Bappaji was the only son of Laxmanrao. When he was young, he ailed from some incurable disease. But, now Laxmanrao had faith in Baba. Therefore, along with other medial remedies, everyday he started bringing Udi from Baba’s own hands and giving through water to Bappaji.

However, there came a time, when people felt that the body is going to be lost for ever. Laxmanrao rushed to the Masjid. He prostrated hemself at Baba’s Feet and cried, “Baba, save my son ! Oh, my God, I bow before you.”

But, suddenly, Baba shouted at him, ‘‘Go away !’’ He even started showering abuses. Laxmanrao got scared. He was unable to understand Baba’s strange behaviour.

In reality, now Laxmanrao had started believing in Baba. However, his old traits had not been completely eradicated. Some of his ego was still lingering. A few questions and doubts used to crop up in his mind - time and again.

With a heavy heart, Laxmanrao returned home. And after some time, Baba got up from His place. He came down the steps of the Masjid and straight away went to Laxmanrao’s home. With love and affection, He moved His hand over Bappaji’s body and immediately turned back. From that moment, Bappaji got relief.

Now Laxmanrao began believing that Baba is God Incarnat. He decided that in his every deed he will remember Baba.

Early every morning, Laxmanrao used to complete the rituals of Snan-sandhya and then came to the Masjid to avail Baba’s Darshan. He used to wash Baba’s Feet (Pad-prakshalan), used anoint Gandha Akshata, draw a Tilak, place flowers and Tulsi leaves, offer Dhoop - Deep -Naivedya and Dakshina. Thereafter, he used to prostrate himself before Baba and take His blessings. He used to distribute Prasad amongst those present. And then, he used to proceed to perform Pooja of other Gods and Goddesses of the village. This was his daily routine and he adhered to it till the end. With great devotion, he served Baba.

After the demise of Baba’s loved devotee Megha, it was Bapusaheb Jog who used to perform Baba’s Pooja at all times. In the afternoon of 15th October, 1918 - on the auspicious day of Dassera - Baba took Maha-nirvan. On the same night, He appeared in the dream of Laxmanrao and told him, “Bapusaab will not come to perform my Kakad Aarati. He thinks, I am dead. But, I am alive. You come and perform my Kakad Aarati.”

There was havoc after the Maha-nirvan of Baba. Everyone was moved with deep grief. On that night, Baba’s mortal body was placed in Masjid itself. Next day, it was moved to Butti Wada. Therefore, as instructed by Baba in the dream, Laxmanrao arrived at the Masjid with full preparations for performing Pooja. He prostrated before Baba, removed the cloth covering the face and took the last Darshan, and proceeded to perform Pooja. Many - who were present experienced Baba’s hands moving at that time.

Time and again, Laxman Mama’s eyes were getting filled up with tears. His body was trembling. In that state, he opened Baba’s closed fist, placed Vida Dakshina, covered the body and departed from there.

Thereafter, the noon Aarati was performed by Bapusaheb Jog and in the evening Baba’s body was brought to Butti Wada...

This was the way in which Baba showered His blessings upon Laxman Mama. Baba entered Mama’s dream and made him perform the Aarati.

After Laxman Mama’s demise, his only son Bappaji became Vatandar Kulkarni and Gram Joshi of Shirdi Village. Bappaji was fortunate enough to be around Baba for close to twelve years when Baba was Dehdhari.

Bappaji said that Baba believed in reincarnation of man.

In the year 1917, Lokmanya Tilak had come to Shirdi and offered coconut and garland to Baba. Baba returned the coconut as a Prasad to Tilak. Bappaji was present in the Masjid at that time.

Bappaji was a good Keertankar. He was well read as far as religious books are concerned.

MAHADU PHASALE

Mahadu Phassle was a old Sevekari of Baba. His real name was ‘Madhav’; but in Shirdi, he was known as ‘Mahadu’. Since his childhood, he developed an attraction towards Baba. As a young man, he served and stayed with Baba. From morning till night, he was always ever willing to serve Baba.

He used to do a lot of chores - sweeping the Masjid, cleaning the mat on which Baba sat, fill-up water in the tub kept near the steps, draw lukewarm water for Baba’s bath, anxiously wait for Baba to finish His bath and then wipe His body, clean the Hundis (lamps) kept in the Masjid and Chavadi, help Abdulbaba in lighting up the lamps, look after Baba’s horse, etc.

There was a room, adjoining the Dhuni, which was used for storing fire-wood. Baba had -with His own hands - constructed almost three-fourths of one wall of that room. At that time, Mahadu had assisted Baba by making mixture of mud. Baba had stacked the bricks and then plastered the wall with the mud.

At the time of Baba’s mortal end, Mahadu handed over the Chillum and Satka used by Baba to Bapusaheb Jog. Bapusaheb had kept both these articles in his Pooja Ghar. Later on, when Bapusaheb shifted his residence to Upasani Ashram at Sakori, he took these sacred articles with him. In due course of time, these articles have been preserved in the Sai Sansthan.

This is a story of 1936. Baba's Muslim devotee Chhotekhan and Mahadu Phasale were sleeping in the Masjid. Chhotekhan heard Baba's voice saying, “Are Mahadu, get up ! I have to pass urine”. But, Mahadu was fast asleep and could not get up. Next day morning, it was observed that at the place, where Baba used to sit, there was a poodle of water and a sweet fragrance was emanating from it.                                

     (contd.)

– Translated from original Marathi into

English by Sudhir

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