Blessings from Sadguru (Preceptor)
Shree Maharaj had deep attachment towards his Sadguru Shree Baba Maharaj. For Shree Maharaj, Shree Baba Maharaj was everything in all the ways. Shree Maharaj desired that he should render maximum service to his Sadguru and leave this mundane world prior to his Sadguru Shree Baba Maharaj. Hence Shree Maharaj used to come to Pune. Very often to take the blessings from Shree Baba Maharaj.
As per the first plan, Shree Baba Maharaj was to lay down his mortal body on 31st July 1953 and he had personally told Shree Maharaj about this three years back. On 4th July 1953, Shree Maharaj came to Pune. After realising that his Sadguru Shree Baba Maharaj was going to lay down his mortal body on 31st July 1953, Shree Maharaj was extremely pained. For nearly seven days, Shree Sadguru Baba Maharaj and Shree Maharaj were having a debate with due love, for cancellation of the plan of laying down his mortal body by Shree Baba Maharaj. After realising that Shree Baba Maharaj is not ready to cancel his plan, Shree Maharaj alongwith some fellow disciples started fasting in the Math of Shree Beedkar Maharaj. Shree Maharaj decided to lay down his mortal body earlier to that of Shree Baba Maharaj and he obtained the necessary permission from Shree Beedkar Maharaj.
Sadguru Shree Baba Maharaj was all in all to Shree Maharaj and the very thought of the separation from his Sadguru Shree Baba Maharaj, forced Shree Maharaj to lay down his mortal body.
Shree Baba Maharaj realised that his disciple Shree Maharaj had been affected seriously and hence decided to postpone his plan of laying down his mortal body. He said “You want me to wait OK. Then tell me as to how long I will have to wait ?” He asked Shree Maharaj. By this kind perception of Shree Baba Maharaj Shree Maharaj felt an uncommon happiness and suddenly said “kindly wait for one year” After stating these words, Shree Maharaj suddenly felt restlessness, as to why he had asked for only one year.
Shree Baba Maharaj said “Be it so ! As per your wish, I will wait for one year. But now you will have to continue in this world for carrying out my works on my behalf”
“Yes I shall stay ” Shree Maharaj agreed. This way Shree Baba Maharaj, by his love, bound Shree Maharaj with the promise for the welfare of public as well as this world.
The day 24th July 1953 was the happiest day for Shree Maharaj. Shree Baba Maharaj told Shree Maharaj to take golden ring with serpent head and the silver ring from the index finger worn by Shree Baba Maharaj. Shree Maharaj beseeched Shree Baba Maharaj ” Even if, as per your orders, I remove the rings from your fingers, it will still be a theft. You are omniscient (all knowing). You are gracious enough. By knowing the devotion of this boy, you yourself can kindly put the rings in my finger”
Shree Baba Maharaj understood the good intentions of Shree Maharaj and put the serpent headed golden ring and silver ring personally in the finger of right hand of Shree Maharaj and said “I have put back the rings of the Guru (preceptor) in the finger of my Guru only” (the rings of his Guru Shree Beedkar Maharaj were returned to Shree Beedkar Maharaj reborn as Shree Maharaj) From that moment onwards, Shree Maharaj attained Shree Baba Maharaj consciousness internally and externally same year, as per the orders of Shree Baba Maharaj , Shree Maharaj brought new wooden sandals (khadava) for Shree Baba Maharaj on a Guru Poornima day (full moon day of Ashadha or July month) . Shree Baba Maharaj wore those sandals (khadava) for about 15-20 minutes and kept them separately and got them worshipped by Shree Maharaj in a Shodashopachan method (sixteen ways of doing homage to a deity or Guru). At that time, Shree Maharaj lost his awareness and in a semi conscious state, he completed the worship of Shree Baba Maharaj.
Shree Baba Maharaj blessed Shree Maharaj. Shree Baba Maharaj took out the rose flower garland from his neck and put the same around the neck of Shree Maharaj. In addition, Shree Baba Maharaj also gave his personal rosary (of beads), the photo of himself alongwith his wife (Sou.Ayisahbeb) and his wooden sandals to Shree Maharaj. He also embraced affectionately Shree Maharaj and said ” Vithoba from this moment I have taken your ego. Henceforth, you will not do any thing, as I will be doing everything on your behalf. You go anywhere in this world even America or England, anywhere I shall be there behind you and supporting you. In future, you will be looking after this Math (Temple) when you come across shrine (fertile land), drop a seed in my name (You give spiritual initiation to a right person in my name)”.
As above, Shree Maharaj blessed Shree Maharaj completely. This moment was the greatest in the of Shree Maharaj.
After this, Shree Baba Maharaj advised Shree Maharaj to remain in Ratnagiri till further orders.