Chapter 1           . Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21

Chapter - 19

Shri Ganeshayanamah! Jai to the giver of Joy! Jai to the Abheda! Let my head always bow before You. O Raghava! Raghupati! Please come to bless me without delay. It is not befitting for great ones to be harsh. O Ananta, please give a thought to what I say. O Jagannath, I call You most earnestly, don't disappoint this Dasganu. When Shri Maharaj was at Shegaon, one Brahmin named Kashinath Khanderao Garde came for His "Darshan." He prostrated before Shri Maharaj and was very happy to see in Him all the signs of a "Jeevan Mukta" as written by his father. He found himself very fortunate to have come from Khamgaon to see Shri Maharaj. While he was thinking so, Shri Maharaj gave him a push by an elbow and said, "Go, your desire is fulfilled. The postman is waiting for you with the telegram. Kashinath was confused, and could not understand the meaning of what Shri Maharaj said, as he had not come to ask for anything from Him. Neither could he dare to ask Shri Maharaj the meaning of what He said. With folded hands he bent before Shri Maharaj and returned to Khamgaon. At Khamgaon a postman was really waiting at his door with a telegram. Hurriedly he took the telegram and saw that it contained the news of his promotion as Munsif and he was posted to Morshi. Then he understood the meaning of the elbow-push given to him by Shri Maharaj and was surprised at the knowledge of the saint. On receiving an invitation from Shri Buty, Shri Maharaj went to Nagpur. Nagpur was once the capital place of the Bhosle's kingdom but now has lost all its grandeur. It is the result of losing independence, which has turned an owner into a beggar, and bestowed greatness on foreigners. Elephants, horses and palanquins have disappeared giving place to motors. Changing times do have such effects and nobody can be blamed for this. Shri Gopal Buty's residence was in Sitaburdi. Gopal kept Shri Maharaj in that palatial building just like enclosing a tiger in a fort. Shri Buty desired Shri Maharaj to stay with him forever. For the people from Shegaon, he appeared like Akrura taking away Shrikrishna to Mathura. Without Shri Maharaj, Shegaon became a deserted place and so, all the devotees requested Hari Patil to bring Him back to Shegaon. Shegaon without Shri Maharaj was like a body without life in it. The devotees reminded Hari Patil that he was the head of Shegaon and Buty a great "Savkar", and as such only an elephant can fight another elephant. Maruti was selected to fight Jambu Mali and Arjuna to fight with Karna. Saying so, they requested Hari Patil to go to Nagpur to bring back Shi Maharaj to Shegaon. In fact Shri Maharaj stayed unwillingly with Shri Buty just like Shrikrishna who stayed most unwillingly at Hastinapur. Shri Maharaj repeatedly asked Buty to let him go to Shegaon, but he ignored and did not allow Shri Maharaj to go to Shegaon. Though Buty was a pious and good person, he was too proud of his wealth. Along with Shri Maharaj he used to feed scores of people, and the singing of Bhajans continued through out the day. But people from Shegaon were not permitted to see Shri Maharaj Once some people from Shegaon went to bring back Shri Maharaj, but they had to return empty handed. Now it was the great devotee, Hari Patil, who along with some friends, started for Nagpur to bring back Shri Maharaj and as he was entering the train at Shegaon, Shri Maharaj said to Buty, "O Gopal, Hari Patil is coming to Nagpur, so let me go from here before he comes. When he reaches here, all the peace will be lost. Mind that he is an executive officer. Your strength is your wealth but he will take me away with his physical strength." Hari Patil arrived at Nagpur and entered Buty's house by force, pushing aside the watchman who tried to obstruct his entry. At that time Brahmins were getting ready to have their lunch at Gopal Buty’s grand residence. All of them were served food in silver plates and bowls, and had sisam wood planks to sit on. Several dishes were served to them. At the centre of these people was a raised and decorated seat on which Shri Maharaj was sitting. Such was the show of Buty's wealth. He was rightly called the Kubera of Nagpur. As Shri Maharaj saw Hari Patil in the door He got up and rushed to meet him, like a cow rushing to meet its calf. Shri Maharaj said, "O Hari, come, let us go to Shegaon. I don't want to stay here. It is good that you have come." As Shri Maharaj was going out, Gopal Buty rushed and, respectfully caught hold of His feet said, "O Maharaj, please do not reject me like this. Kindly take the meals and then go wherever You like." Then he said to Hari Patil, "Please oblige me by taking Prasad with Shri Maharaj and then go. I have understood that He won't stay here anymore. I request you to protect my prestige in the presence of these Brahmins. If Shri Maharaj leaves now without taking any food, all these Brahmins too will not eat and it will then, be a matter of great shame and condemnation for me in Nagpur." He agreed, and then Shri Maharaj, along with all the Shegaon devotees stayed and took the meals. After the meals, while the preparations were being made for the departure of Shri Maharaj, a lot of people came to take His Darshan. Janakabai, wife of Gopal Buty was a very pious lady, the Lakshmi of his house. She fell at the feet of Shri Maharaj and said that her wish was not fulfilled. Shri Maharaj understood and applying Kunku on her forehead said, "You will get one more son who will prove to be most virtuous, and in the end you will attain Moksha in the life time of your husband." Then Shri Maharaj left Sitaburdi and went to the palace of Raghuji Raje. Raghuji was the most liberal, noble and pious person and a devotee of Shri Ram. He lost the kingdom in this transient material world, but in Shri Maharaj, got the kingdom of eternal nature. He most devotedly worshipped Shri Maharaj, who then went to Ramtek and after taking the Darshan of Shri Ram returned to Shegaon along with Hari Patil. Once Shri Ranganath, the great saint of Dhar, Kalyan came to meet Shri Maharaj at Shegaon. They exchanged their views on Adhyatma in their own way, beyond the understanding of others. Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati, born at Mundgaon, and living on the bank of Krishna, was a believer in the ritualistic worship (Karma Marga). When he was to come to Shegaon, Shri Maharaj said to Balabhau, "O Bala, one of my brothers is coming tomorrow to meet me. See that he is properly respected. He is most orthodox; so keep the surrounding clean and see that there should not be even a piece of cloth lying anywhere. If he sees any dirt, he will be annoyed, and angry like Jamdagni. These Karhade Brahmin, always clean, are amongst the most learned people and will never compromise on the discipline of religious rites." This is what Shri Maharaj said to Balabhau a day prior to Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati’s visit to Shegaon. The next morning the Swamiji arrived at Shegaon. They looked at each other and smiled. Both appeared immensely happy. One was a believer in Karma, while other the king of Yoga. One was the sweet fragrance of Mogra and the other that of Rose. One was the Ganga and other the Godavari. One was the incarnation of Pashupati and other of Narayan resting on the bed of Cobra (Shesha). When Swamiji came to the Math, Shri Gajanan Maharaj was sitting on his cot and snapping his fingers. When Shri Swamiji arrived, the snapping stopped, the eyes met each other, and Swamiji sought permission, to go. Shri Maharaj said "Very good" and bent His head in consent. Swamiji went away. But Balabhau was confused and requested Shri Maharaj to remove his doubts. Bala said, “Both of You have got different spiritual ways, then how do You call him Your brother? Please enlighten me." Shri Maharaj said, "Bala you have asked a good question. There are three paths to reach God. All of them take you to the "town" of self-realization. They appear to be different and so confuse the onlooker. Rituals of "Karma Marga" are to keep clean, wear silk dhotis, not to touch anybody, offering of worship three times a day, fasting and observance of rituals in a strict disciplined manner. One who observes these things is a real learned orthodox. Any deviation or omission in this discipline will deprive him of the "Karma Marga". He has got to be careful when treading this path. He should not hurt others even by words. For those pursuing the "Bhakti Marga" their mind should be crystal clear. Even a shadow of an unclean thought will deprive him all Bhakti rahasya. Compassion, love and modesty must be his accompaniments. He should have faith in listening to scriptures and worship, and must continuously chant the name of (God) Hari. These are the requirements of the "Bhakti Marga" and the one, who practices it, will meet Shri Hari. In fact it is the easiest way of self realization but practising it is more difficult than "Karma Marga”, like trying to reach the sky which appears to be so close to our eyes. Now listen to the principles of the “Yoga Marga” The spread out of the “Yoga Marga” is far bigger than the former two, but it is within us. The person practising the “Yoga Marga” requires no paraphernalia from the outside. Whatever is in the universe can be found within ourselves, and with the help of those things within us we should follow the “Yoga Marga”. For that purpose it is necessary to know the various Asanas namely “Rechak”, “Kumbhak” the knowledge of "Ida' and "Pingala" the knowledge of veins, Dhouti and Mudra Tratak. The follower of "yoga marga" for his success should first have full knowledge of Kundalini and Sushamna. The ultimate fruit of all these paths lies in self-knowledge; but that "knowing the self" should not be without the love for it. Any act without love for it is a waste. So it is necessary to protect the "love aspect" in all these three paths to "realization". Black, fair, short, tall ugly and beautiful are the attributes to body, and it has no effect on the soul. Bodies are different but all have got the same soul. Likewise it is applicable to these three paths of Realization. Externally they have different appearances, but the ultimate goal is the same for all of them. Once they reach the goal, the different paths are forgotten. Whatever path one follows becomes important for him. Only those who fail to reach the goal fight for proving the greatness of some particular path. All the followers of these three paths, after reaching the goal become saints and then merge with each other. Vashistha, Vamdeo, Jamdagni, Atri, Parashtar and Shandilyamuni, reached their goal by the path of "Karma yoga". Vyas, Narad, Kayadhukumar, Maruti, Shabari, Akrura, Udhava, Sudama, Partha, and Vidur followed “Bhakti Yoga”. Shri Shankaracharya Guruwar, Macchindra, Gorakh and Jalander climbed the great staircase of Yoga. Vashistha, Vidur and Macchindra got the same fruit. There was no difference in their ultimate gain. The same traditions continued thereafter so, do not have any doubt about it. Shripad Vallabha protected the importance of “Karma Marga”. The great saint, Shri Narsinha Saraswati of Gangapur, did the same. Nama, Savata, Dnyaneshwar, Sena, Kanhu, Chokha Mahar and Damajipant Thanedar followed “Bhakti Marga”. Sheikh Mohammed of Shri Gonda, Anandiswami of Jalna, Devnath Maharaj of Surji, Anjangaon liked “Yoga Marga”. And now at present Vasudeo follows Karma Marga. Many others and I like Bhakti Marga. Dhondibua of Palus, Nana of Songir, and Yashwantrao of Jalna are successful in Bhakti Marga. Khalla Amma, Saibaba of Shirdi, and Gulabrao have also achieved the ultimate realisation of the self. Adkuji, the saint of Varkhed in Chandur Tahsil, saint Zingaji of Murha and Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur followed the Bhakti Marga. All these saints had different behaviours, but attained the authority to become one with the God. It is not the path that matters, but the ultimate reaching of the goal is important. We, all brother saints, have come to this world to guide the pious men to the path leading to Moksha. They may follow the path of their liking and attain Moksha. Now don't ask me anything more, nor tell anything of this to others. Let me sit peacefully under the guise of madness. Only those, having faith in me, and whom I love will get their desires fulfilled. I don't need the others. “Brahma-dnyan" (knowledge of the supreme Reality) should be told to the repentant, and not to the non-believers. To meet the God, we must be firm on our path." Hearing this advice, Balabhau was overwhelmed by love; his eyes brimmed with tears of joy. All his body shivered with extreme bliss, beyond the powers of words to describe. Balabhau quietly paid respects to the great saint of Shegaon whose incarnation was for the sole purpose of the salvation of humanity. Salubai was a sincere devotee of Shri Maharaj. Once Shri Maharaj said to her, "Salu, take flour and pulses and keep on cooking day and night. Go on feeding all those who come here; by doing so you will be loved by Narayan." That Salubai of Vaizapur is still alive at Shegaon. Pralhad Bua Joshi once had an opportunity of receiving the Blessings from Shri Maharaj but unfortunately lost it. There was one Tulsiram at Jalamb near Khamgaon. His son, Atmaram was very intelligent. He had special liking for Vedas, and so had gone to Kashi for its study. Daily bath at Bhagirathi River, food of Madhukari (Alms) and going to Guru for the studies of the Vedas was his daily routine. Contrary to this is the behaviour of the present day students, who waste their time in all types of entertainments instead of their studies. Can they gain any knowledge by such behaviour? Atmaram was not like that. He knew his responsibility well. After completing the studies, he returned home and first went to Shegaon to pay his respects to Shri Maharaj. Atmaram now knew Vedas but Shri Maharaj was the sun of knowledge. He recited Vedas along with Atmaram, and corrected him whenever necessary. It was a surprise for all to see Shri Maharaj reciting Vedas. Atmaram continued to stay with Shri Maharaj. How can a honeybee leave the honey? Daily he used to come to Shegaon from Jalamb and offer his services. So much was his devotion that when Shri Maharaj left the material world, Atmaram stayed at Shegaon only for the daily worship of the Samadhi. He did not accept any remuneration for this service, but on the contrary gave away his own property, which was a house and some land, to the trust of the temple. It is not the value of the offering one makes, but the devotion that counts. Shabari gained the grace of Shri Ram by offering jujube fruits, same thing happened here also. Swami Dattatreya Kedar, Narayan Jamkar, and Dudhahari Bua who lived on milk only, all of them had sincere devotion for Shri Maharaj. Now listen to the story of Marutipant Patwari of Morgaon Bhakre in Balap Taluka. That Marutipant had Timaji Mali in his service for protection of the crops in the field. One night, while keeping a watch on the heap of grains in the field he fell asleep. At that time some donkeys entered the field and started eating the grains. But, Maruti being a sincere devotee, Shri Maharaj had to rush and saved the grains. He suddenly appeared in the field and called Timaji to wake up. Timaji woke up and Shri Maharaj disappeared from the field. He saw the donkeys and drove them away, but then thought of his master's likely wrath due to this loss. He realised the betrayal of the trust of his master in failing to protect the grains. The donkeys consumed nearly half of the heap of grains, and he could not find any excuse for his negligence of duty. See, how the servants had a sense of responsibility in those days, as against the present day servants who never care for the interest of their masters, and over and above are arrogant and dishonest. Timaji was not like that. He was unhappy over the loss and could not find any reason to excuse himself. He decided to own up to the responsibility for the loss and beg for pardon from his master, what he was sure, would for give him. He went to his master and touching his feet said, "O Sir, my sleep has put you to a great loss. The donkeys, while I was sleeping consumed half the heap of grains. Kindly come to the field to assess the loss and then only I will feel relieved." Thereupon Maruti said that he had no time to go to the field, as he was to go to Shegaon for the Darshan of Shri Gajanan Maharaj. He however promised to visit the field on his return from there. Maruti reached Shegaon at about ten in the morning. Shri Maharaj was sitting on the Asana with Jagu Patil and Balabhau sitting near him. Seeing Maruti Shri Maharaj smilingly said, "I had to go through a lot of trouble for you last night. You become my devotee and make me do the job of a watchman by employing lazy servants and yourself sleeping comfortably at home. Maruti, last night Timaji fell asleep and several donkeys entered your fields and started eating all your grains in the field. So I woke Timaji and alerted him to protect the grains. Maruti understood, and touching Gajanan Maharaj’s feet said, "You are our sole supporter. All responsibility of a child is on the mother, and You are our mother. Whatever we possess belongs to You, and everything is in Your hands. That heap of grains is Yours. Timaji is a servant for name’s sake. You protect the whole universe from this place. A mother tolerates all the whims and fancies of her children. You, being my mother had to rush to Morgaon and save me from the incurring loss. Kindly let me receive such grace from You perpetually. Now I will go and relieve Timaji from the service." Shri Maharaj said, "No, No, don't remove Timaji from service. I know that he is really honest and felt sorry to see the donkeys eating your grains. Had he not come to you in the morning to report the loss? He even requested you to visit the field and assess the loss; but you said that you were going to Shegaon and would visit the field on return from there." Maruti was overwhelmed by the unlimited benevolence of Shri Maharaj. Nobody had told Him about the donkeys entering his field, but knew it by His omnipotence. Now listen to another story. In Shaka 1816 it happened at Balapur. Once, Shri Maharaj was happily sitting in the Veranda of Sukhlal Bansilal's house. He was completely naked, without any clothes on the body. People passing thereby were paying respects to Shri Maharaj. It was the main road in the market area and a police constable happened to go that way. His name was Narayan Asraji. As he noticed Maharaj he lost his temper and said, “This naked man is not a saint, but a hypocrit who is sitting here intentionally and so should not be ignored. Saying so, he started pouring abuses at Shri Maharaj, and further whipped Him with the cane in his hand. Marks appeared on the body of Shri Maharaj. Even so Asraji continued the whipping. Seeing this, one Shri Hundivala came forward and said, "It is not good to whip a saint, like this without any reason. God is the protector of saints. Look at the cane marks on His body and withdraw your hand. With this act you are bringing your end nearer. A sick man invites death when he over-looks the restrictions for good health. You have done the same thing today by whipping this pious man. It is still not late to beg for pardon from Shri Maharaj. But the Havaldar said, "I see no reason to beg for pardon. I know that the curse of a crow won't kill animals. This naked mean man, sitting on the main road, is uttering filthy words, and if God finds me guilty for whipping such man then it is the height of injustice." The prophecy proved true. The Havaldar and his relatives died within fortnight as a result of beating a saint. Therefore everybody should be cautious in his behaviour towards the saints till the reality is known. One time there was a Gosavi who came to the Math for the Darshan of Gajanan Maharaj. He was a pauper and did not even have sufficient clothing to cover himself up. His name was Hari Jakhade Sangamneri. He looked at Maharaj and realized that He was surrounded by all important and rich people and felt insecure as to never be able to meet with Maharaj or ask a boon from Maharaj. He had a desire that needed to be fulfilled. He lusted for a familial life and hence arrived at Shegaon to pray to Gajanan Maharaj for the same. However there was an obstacle owing to which his desire could never be fulfilled and that was that he was poverty stricken and did not have sufficient money to start a family or own a house where to keep his wife and children, now did he have any source of money like a reliable job. He thought to himself, “I get food for a day and don't know the fate of next day. Such has been my life so far. I don't have money or any property. Who will offer me a bride? O Swami Gajanan, the abode of happiness, I keenly desire to have the pleasure of a family life. Kindly fulfil it by giving me a virtuous wife from a good family and then children too." As he was thinking so, Shri Maharaj, knowing his mind, spat at him and said to Himself, "I spat at him because he has asked for worthless thing from me. People come to me for liberation from the bonds of this material world, but this Hari has asked for that worldly pleasure from me. See, how the ways of the world are. All seek material pleasure, and nobody wants to see the Almighty Hari." Then Shri Maharaj looked at Hari and said, "You will get everything that you have presently desired in your mind. You will get a wife, children and money too. Now go home and lead a happy married life, but don't forget the Almighty God." With this advice Shri Maharaj gave him some money for his marriage. Thereafter Hari Jakhadi got married and was happy. How can the words of Shri Maharaj go waste? Once, Shri Ramchandra Govind Nimonkar, an overseer, and Vasudeo Bende went to the Mukana River in the hills of Sahyadri in Igatpuri Tahsil of Nasik District. The forest over there was lush green with trees bending with the weight of fruits, and there were freely roaming wild animals. Near that Mukana River is a small stream in a narrow valley known as Kapildhara. It is believed to be a holy place and so people go there to take a bath on an auspicious day. Shri Nimonkar also went there on one such auspicious day. He had some elementary knowledge of yoga and was very keen to develop it further, and as such was enquiring of every ascetic he met at that place. They all denied possessing the knowledge of Yoga that he sought which disappointed him very much. He with folded hands, implored God to show him a person who could teach yoga to him. Suddenly, at Kapildhara, he saw a man with long arms reaching his knees, who appeared to be a sage. This tall man, with calm face, was sitting in meditation. Nimonkar prostrated before Him and waited till the evening to see Him open His eyes. But the yogi wouldn’t open His eyes or speak at all. For the whole day Nimonkar sat there without eating any food. As the evening approached, all the other ascetics at Kapildhara were returning. So Shri Nimonkar, with folded hands, implored the sage to teach him yoga. The sage gave him a picture and said, "Your wish will be fulfilled by this picture on which is written a Mantra (hymn) of sixteen words. Keep on chanting it continuously and by its power you may learn some yoga. Yoga Marga is the most difficult amongst all yogas. A small insect cannot go around Himalaya, nor can a snail climb the Meru Mountain. You may try Yoga by remaining a strict bachelor and cleaning your inner body by "Dhouti" and “Nouti”. If you do it sincerely, you shall be able to perform some Asanas. Now don't ask me any more questions, and take this Prasad.” Saying so, He gave him a red pebble, and disappeared. The same yogi met Nimonkar again on the bank of Godavari at Nasik. Nimonkar went running to Him and touching His feet, said, "Sir, You seem to be fed up with me. Last time You went away without telling me Your name and your whereabouts." Shri Maharaj said, "I told you my name by giving you a red pebble. God Ganesh from Narmada is always red but you being dull could not understand it. I am from Shegaon, and my name is Gajanan. You come with me to the house of Shri Dhumal, where we shall meet again." Saying so, Shri Maharaj disappeared and Nimonkar could not see Him. Then he went to Dhumal's house, where he was very happy to see Shri Maharaj sitting there. Mentally he bowed to Shri Maharaj and told Dhumal, everything that had happened from Kapildhara to Nasik. Shri Dhumal was very glad to hear all that, and then praised Shri Maharaj again and again for all his divine powers. He advised Nimonkar to worship that red pebble devotedly every day and perform yogasanas before it. Thus Shri Nimonkar learnt yogasanas by the grace of Shri Maharaj. Tukaram Kokate of Shegaon had the misfortune of his children dying in infancy. So he vowed to Shri Maharaj that he would give away one child to Him if his children survived. Thereupon Kokate got three children and all of them survived, but he had forgotten his vow, and one child as promised, was not given to Shri Maharaj. His elder child Narayan got ill and did not respond to any medicine. His condition was getting grave everyday. Tukaram suddenly remembered his vow, and said as soon as Narayan was cured he would be given away to Shri Maharaj. Narayan really recovered soon, and then he was given to Shri Maharaj, to serve Him, as per the vow. Narayan is still there at Shegaon, and advises the devotees, that any vow once made to Shri Maharaj must be honoured. Shri Gajanan Maharaj, along with Hari Patil, went to Pandharpur to meet God Vithal, who is the ultimate goal to reach, a Kalpataru, Kamalnabh and all in all to all the saints. He is the supporter of this universe, the virtues of whom are praised by all Vedas, Lord of Rukmini, and the One residing in the hearts of all Saints. He is full of compassion and kindness to the devotees. Shri Maharaj reached Pandharpur, took a bath in the Holy Chandrabhaga River, and went to the temple for the Darshan of Shri Panduranga. Shri Maharaj said, "O God Pandharinatha, benefactor and protector of devotees, and all powerful Rukmini Kanta, listen to my request. As per your command, I have so far lived on this earth and fulfilled the desires of all pious people. You know that my mission on the earth is now over. O Panduranga now permit me to go. God, I wish to reach Vaikunth for permanent stay at your feet, in the ensuing month of Bhadrapada." Saying so, Shri Samarth folded his hands. Tears brimmed his eyes at the thought of separation from Shree Hari. Hari Patil said with folded hands, "O Gurudeo, why these tears in Your eye? Have I hurt You in any way? Kindly tell me immediately." Shri Maharaj replied, "You may not understand it even if I tell you the reason. It is very deep knowledge, and you need not bother to know that at present I can only say that our association is coming to an end. Come on; let us go back to Shegaon. You and your descendants will never fall short of anything. After their return from Pandharpur, all the religious rituals (Mavanda) were performed, but Hari Patil was full of anxiety. He told other people about what Shri Maharaj had said of their association coming to an end. "Shravana" month passed and Shri Maharaj was getting weak every day. The "Bhadrapada" came, and now listen to what happened. On Ganesh Chathurti day Shri Maharaj said, "Now all of you should come to the Math for immersion of Ganapati. It is said in "Ganesh Purana", that an idol of earth Ganapati be made on Chathurti and after offering Puja and sweets, He should be immersed in water the following day. That day has now dawned, and it should be celebrated by immersing my earthly body in water. Don't weep at all. Do not forget that I shall ever be here to protect and guide you. I can never forget you. Shrikrishna has told Arjuna in Geeta that, this body has to be changed like clothes. Remember that all the Brahmavetta (Saints) did the same thing, i.e. they only changed the body.” Shri Maharaj passed the whole day of Chathurti in a gay mood along with Balabhau. Next day he held Balabhau's hand and made him sit beside Him. Then He said, "Don't think that I have left you, keep up your Bhakti, and never forget me. I am always here only." Saying so, that great saint stopped his breath, and pulled it up to his head by Pranayam. It was the noon of Thursday, Bhadrapada Shudha Panchami, Sadharan-nam - Sanvatsar, shak 1832. While holding up his breath, he uttered the words "Jai Gajanan." and merged himself with the Supreme Brahma at Shegaon. All his movements stopped. Looking to the "Samadhi" of Shri Maharaj all shed tears of sorrow. Then it was publicly announced in Shegaon that Shri Maharaj had attained Samadhi. With the spread of this news people started beating their chest with grief. They said, "Gone, Gone is our living God - Gone for ever. Gone is the saviour of the poor and the fallen. Gone is our nest and happiness. The wind of time has extinguished this flame of knowledge. O Gajanan, who will protect us now? Why have you left us so soon?" All the devotees of Shri Maharaj, namely Martand Patil, Hari Patil, Vishnusa, Bankatlal, Tarachand, Shripatrao Kulkarni gathered in the Math. It was the day of Panchami, and all of them decided to close Shri Maharaj in Samadhi the next day. Since Shri Maharaj was now to disappear forever, they proposed to wait till evening for the devotees to come for the last Darshan. They said that those who were fortunate would get Darshan. So the messages were sent to outside places about Shri Swamiji's Samadhi. Shri Govind Shastri Dongaonkar, a learned person, said that Shri Maharaj would keep the life flame alive in his forehead till all his affectionate devotees get Darshan. And to prove what he said Shastriji put some butter on the head of Shri Maharaj. The butter melted with the warmth in the head. It was the effect of "Yogashastra" acquired by Shri Maharaj. Shri Govind Shastri said that Shri Maharaj could live in that trance even for a year, but never-the-less, it was advisable to close him in Samadhi pit after all the devotees got His last Darshan; and all agreed to it. Bhajan was started before Shri Maharaj and about thousand people participated in it. Shri Maharaj Himself gave the message, through dreams. On that Rushi Panchami day innumerable people gathered at Shegaon for the Darshan of Shri Maharaj. A Chariot was prepared for his last journey. Many Bhajan singers reached Shegaon in procession. Ladies sprinkled cow dung mixed water on the roads, and beautiful designs of Rangoli were drawn on it. All the houses on way and roads were illuminated. The body of Shri Maharaj was put on the decorated chariot, and the procession of the last journey of Shri Maharaj started. It was going round the town throughout the night. Various music instruments were playing ahead of the procession followed by Dindis singing Bhajans and people chanting the pious name of Vithala. Tulsi, Bukka, Gulal and flowers were showered on Shri Maharaj, and prasad of sweets was distributed. Some people even showered rupees and coins on the chariot carrying Shri Maharaj. Thus the procession moved on all the streets of Shegaon and returned to the Math in the morning. The body was carried to the place of Samadhi and the last Rudrabhisheka was performed. Final Puja was offered with full rituals, and honours, and the devotees raised their voice saying, “Jai Gajanan” “Jai to Narayan in the form of man” “Jai to the giver of indestructible happiness” “Jai to the Lord of this world.” Saying so, the body with His face to north was put in the Samadhi pit. All devotees took the last Darshan shouting, "Jai Gajanan." Then the pit was filled with salt, Argaja and Abir, and with heavy hearts, devotees closed the Samadhi with a big flat stone. Shri Maharaj is still there. For ten days all were offered food daily as prasad of Shri Maharaj. Innumerable people got that prasad. The greatness and the authority of the saint are really supreme, and even an emperor is insignificant before Him. So let this Gajanan Vijay epic, narrated by Shri Dasganu, show the right path to the devotees and help them develop Hari Bhakti. "SHUBHAM BHA VA TU" Here ends the Chapter Nineteen

Chapter No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21               HOME