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In
Sai’s Proximity –
Mrs. Mugdha
Divadkar CHANDRABHANSHETH Shri Sai Baba used to visit Dengale brothers at
Nimgaon. Similarly, He also followed a practice of visiting
Chandrabhansheth Marwari at village Rahata at a distance of
3 kilometers from Shirdi. In those days, Baba went on foot to
Rahata. He had a liking for fragrant flowers like Jaai – Jui and
Mogra. While returning from Rahata, He used to bring saplings of
these favourite flowers. The plot - where Sathe Wada was later on
built – was vacant in those days. Baba had planted a beautiful garden
at that place with His own hands. Chandrabhansheth’s Saand family, originally
belonged to Rajasthan, had now settled down in Rahata. (Reference :
Sai Baba – His Divine Glimpses by V. B. Kher). He was known there as a
rich Jamindar. He had also earned a name in business. The elder brother of Chandrabhansheth was
Ramchandra, while the younger brother was Birjichand. Ramchandrasheth
expired in 1857. Chandrabhansheth passed away on 13th December, 1911. Out of the three brothers, it was
Chandrabhansheth, who was more inclined towards Baba. Baba also became
restless, if He did not visit Rahata. Such was Baba’s love towards Chandrabhansheth,
that He had once even decided to move permanently to Rahata. For that
purpose, Chandrabhansheth had expressed his eagerness to make ‘Pawar Wada’
(owned by him) available for Baba’s stay. Later on, for some period,
Baba had stayed for sometime in Maruti temple and also in Chavadi
at Rahata. Khushalchand – son of Ramchandrasheth and nephew
of Chandrabhansheth – was only two – two and half year old, when his
father expired. After the demise of Chandrabhansheth, Baba showered same
kind of love and affection on Khushalchand. Whenever He so desired, Baba
fetched Khushalchand to Shirdi by either sending word for him or by
appearing in his dreams. While describing the affectionate relations and
meetings between Baba and Chandrabhansheth, Chiranjeev
Amolakchand alias Babu -
son of Chandrabhansheth - says : “Baba
and Khushalchand met each other at least one in every 8-10 days. If, due
to some difficulties, it was not possible for Khushalchand to come to
Shirdi, then Baba sent for a Tonga either through Tatya Kote or
some other devotee and went in it or by foot to Rahata. He first entered
Khushalchand’s garden, located at the border of the village. From
there, a message was sent to Khushalchand’s house that Baba is coming.
Then, Khushalchand, all the members of his Saand family and other
villagers used to gather together to welcome Baba. Ceremoniously Baba
was brought to Khushalchand’s house. A Pooja-Archa was
performed. Baba enquired after the family members of Khushalchand and
blessed them. If insisted upon, Baba took - at the most – milk and Roti.
After spending about 30-40 minutes in their company, Baba returned to
Shirdi in Khushalchand’s Tonga or bullock-cart or by foot.” It is true, that love and
affection for the Saand family brought Baba to Rahata. However, there
was another motive also – that of asking for Dakshina. The real reason for Dakshina
was to teach Parmartha to His devotees. He always said, “Are,
it is me, who has to grind the flour for the person, from whom I take Dakshina.” Therefore, with the welfare of His devotees in His
mind, Baba requested for Dakshina – sometimes directly,
sometimes by paying visit in their dreams or sometimes from the
devotees, who had come for His Darshan. With
reference to Dakshina, Balasaheb Dev says : For
the purpose of requesting for Dakshina, generally Baba did not go
out of Shirdi’s Dwarkamai. However, the exception was when He visited
once or twice in a year for that purpose the residences of two Marwaris
at village Rahata at a distance of four – five miles from Shirdi.
These Marwaris also responded with warm heart. They led Him by His hands
to their house, made him comfortable against bolsters and gave him Dakshina
to the best of their ability. Baba took it and placed it in His pocket.
Thereafter, He made enquiries about all and sundry and then returned to
Shirdi. When Baba embarked on His return journey, the villagers of
Shirdi took and brought Him back in a procession. Once, I was fortunate
– with Baba’s blessings – to be able to witness one such
procession. I greatly
appreciated the good fortune of the Marwari duo.” Wamanrao Prangovind Patel alias Sai Sharananand had
the good fortune of being near Sai and he has narrated, how He toiled
for His devotees through Dakshina. “Once,
after the mid-day Aarati, Baba went to Rahata. On knowing this,
Bapusaheb Jog enquired, whether I would like to go there. I agreed and
the three of us - Bapusaheb, his wife and myself – embarked on the
journey in a bullock-cart. On the village border, about a thousand
people had gathered to avail of Baba’s Darshan. They started
following Baba. In Khushalchand’s Wada, Baba settled down on
the mattress and rested against bolster. Kakasaheb and others were
sitting in front of Him. Khushalchand welcomed Him, placed a plate
filled with fruits and performed Pooja-Archa. After spending
sometime in small talk and taking Dakshina, Baba started on His
return journey. Leaving
Khushalchand’s house, Baba crossed the river and went to the spot,
where the bullock-cart was kept. Thereafter, He came to Shirdi in the
bullock-cart with Kakasaheb Dixit and Wamanrao Narvekar. Later
on, it was learnt that the real purpose of His visit was to obtain a
loan for Wamanrao Narvekar from Khushalbhau.” Saand family’s business was carried under the
name and style of ‘Shivram Ramchandra Saand & Co.’ and continued
up to 1928. They had plots of lands at several places totalling about
2,000 acres. They also had handloom factories at Ahmednagar and Bambori
and godowns at Ahmednagar. Their money-lending business was well
established at Gunjbazar and Ahmednagar. The hundi business was
going very well at Selu and Jalana in Marathwada and some areas of
Nizam’s Hyderabad. It will not be incorrect to
say that Baba made use of the wealth of Saand brothers for the welfare
of His devotees. And therefore, Baba sometimes acted in this manner –
as stated above in the case of Wamanrao Narvekar. Three days prior to proceeding on His last journey,
Baba had visited Khushalchand. Exactly a month after Baba’s Maha-samadhi,
on 15th November 1918, Khushalchand
placed his body and soul at the feet of Baba. After Baba’s Maha-samadhi, the devotees
were divided into two groups – one advocated that as per Baba’s
wishes His body should be placed in the Wada, while the second
group vehemently stated that the mortal body should be placed in an open
ground and a grave should be built. Khushalchand belonged to the latter
group. However, ultimately the events took place as desired by the
Almighty. GOPALRAO
GUND He was the Circle Inspector at Kopargaon. He got
attracted towards Baba because of a desire to have a son. Like Nanasaheb
Dengale, he also had a religious bent of mind and both had close contact
with each other. On Nanasaheb’s advice Gopalrao went for Baba’s Darshan. Gopalrao had three marriages. However, none of the
wives had succeeded in giving him a son. With Baba’s blessings a son
was delivered in Gopalrao’s house. To express his joy and gratitude on
the occasion, Gopalrao expressed his desire to repair and renovate the
dilapidated Masjid. For that purpose, he started gathering stones
and other materials. However, Baba had planned to assign this work to
another personality – Nanasaheb Chandorkar. Therefore, He did not
grant permission to Gopalrao. Baba, then instructed Gopalrao to use the materials
for the renovation and reconstruction of Shani Mandir and temples
in surrounding areas. Gopalrao was overjoyed. He immediately executed
work as per Baba’s instructions and not only renovated, but enlarged
the Shani Mandir. He also repaired the Guru Samadhi Sthan,
located under the Neem tree, under which Baba used to sit. Gopalrao believed that he had a son through
Baba’s blessings. To celebrate the occasion, he wanted to arrange a
fair (a Hindu Yatra or a Muslim Urus). He placed his idea
before Dada Kote, Tatya Kote, Madhavrao Deshpande and others – who
immediately supported it. Baba also gave His permission. It was necessary to obtain permission from the
District Collector for the fair. While these people were making efforts
for the permission, the Kulkarni of Shirdi opposed the proposal and
succeeded in obtaining order prohibiting the Yatra. However, as
the occasion had blessings of Baba, the villagers once again made
attempts to secure the permission with renewed vigor. Their efforts bore
fruits and as per Baba’s instructions, from Shake 1896, a Yatra
began to be held on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. Thus, Gopalrao was instrumental in establishing the
practice of Ram Navami Yatra. Tatya Patil looked after the
arrangements of the Yatra. Later on, Damuanna Kasar was similarly blessed with
a son after a long wait. Gopalrao advised Kasar to tie a Flag to the
spiral top of the Masjid. Kasar placed the idea before Nanasaheb
Nimonkar, who approved it. Accordingly, he hoisted a Flag. Till today, on the day of Ram Navami, two new Flags
are brought after Bhajan - Pujan, Wajantri - Taasha
(a kind of musical band) in a ceremonious procession and hoisted and
tied to the spiral top of the Masjid. Damuanna Kasar’s Flag is
simple one. The other Flag, bearing golden embroidery, is of Nanasaheb
Nimonkar. These are made ready at the residence of Kondaji Sutar and
then hoisted upon the Masjid. After his demise, Gopalrao donated his stone house
to Shirdi Sansthan. (contd.) – Translated
from original Marathi into English
by Sudhir |
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