Maha Nirvan – Final Emanicipation From The Matter And Reunion with The Supreme Spirit
Shree Digambardas Maharaj went to visit the United States of America in 1987. Most probably, after this trip, he might have seriously decided to leave this world. Maharaj had established a large institution which he maintained & preserved successfully for many years with his far-sightedness. He kept minute attention on all detailed facts related to the institution. Maharaj was conscious that one day or the other, he would have to depart from this institution. It was not practical for him to permenantly stay in this world and from that point of view he had started his search for a competent successor from the very beginning.
Maharaj had an honest disciple who was blessed with a son and his name was suggested by Maharaj himself. Probably due to his past virtuousness or due to the benefit of getting the blessings of Maharaj, this boy experienced the divine sight at a very young age. In fact, he was so blessed that he had the benefit of seeing God with his open eyes. Maharaj arranged for his stay at the temple to enable him to make suitable progress. Maharaj provided him the guidance required but he was also being tested to confirm his strength. But due to his misfortune he could not stand these tests. His dishonesty was eventually exposed. He frequently lied and cheated but he did not realize that it was really impossible to behave dishonestly with Maharaj. It was obvious that Maharaj immediately noted the restlessness of his mind!
Once he could complete some task that Maharaj had asked him to do. When Maharaj enquired, he replied with hesitation, which was definitely rude. Any wise person who knew the greatness of Maharaj would never attempt to show such rudeness. But he did and one day, Maharaj was really enraged. He told me “Ashok, I am physically tired now. So I want you to slap him on his face!” Hesitatantly, I gave him a small stroke on his cheek. Maharaj said “You have compassion in your mind, therefore you just pretended of slapping him! Go and bring my stick!”
It was a cane stick that Maharaj owned, which was 1.0″ in diameter and 4.0 feet long. In other cases, the person would have fallen to the feet of Maharaj and requested for forgiveness with just one stroke of this cane from Maharaj. But even after 4-5 strokes, the boy stood straight and suddenly caught hold of the canestick. At that very moment, Maharaj released the canestick and told me, “Summon his father right now! There is no use of this boy for me.” And thus, severely disappointing Maharaj, the boy went back to his own house after this incident.
Maharaj had carefully drafted a plan to ensure that his descendent does not have any obstacles in the management of his institution. There were only few people who had given a continuous service to the institution. Most of the people that served at the temple, had left at some point or the other due to some misunderstandings or anger. But once they realized their mistakes, they had come back to Maharaj. Maharaj always welcomed them and forgave but the stain of disloyalty was splattered no matter how small. Even Parasubhau Padhye or people like Marathe Guruji had distanced themselves for some time. But Ved Moorthy Sapre Guruji was one such person who always supported Maharaj.
Just like me, Vishwanath Shivram Vaze, Promod Karkare, Apte and Sirpotdar stayed at the temple to render their services. Sometimes Maharaj joked humorously, “Oh, arenít we staying in a crematary! All these ghosts have assembled here.” I would then softly reply saying that this is the temple of Baba but Maharaj would not let go of his point. He would try to convince me, “Well, since the funeral rites of Baba (Sadguru Shree baba Maharaj) have been performed on this land, is it not a crematory? Who resides in the crematory – Ghosts, right? Look at these people who are currently present at the temple! Pramod, Anna Sirpotdar, Vaze each one of them bearing five to six ghosts on their bodies! Just see how Pramod is glaring at me right now? See how he is stomping his feet forcefully. He looks like he is chanting softly, but in reality he is muttering abuses for me. All this is due to the influence of the ghost that has taken over his body. I have put him at the service of Baba to get liberated from the influence of that ghost!”
Vaze and Pramod were tasked in turns to take care of the Temple, clean the bedding of Shree Sadguru Baba Maharaj, removing the stale flowers and the offerings to the deities, ensure that the oil-lamp lighted infront of the deities was active throughout the day and at night, dust the temple inside and out, then wipe the floors three times in a day etc. They were also responsible for dusting and wiping Maharajís room, the ladies room, arranging Maharajís clothes in the bathroom for use after bath, ensuring there is sufficient warm water for bath based on the climate, massaging Maharajís legs when required and so on. Maharaj had allotted the morning ëAartií routine for Shree Sadguru Baba Maharaj to Vaze Kaka along with Guruji. At times, Vaze kaka would stare angrily at the idol of Shree Baba and make strange gestures. He was possessed by an evil spirit. Sometimes Maharaj had to physicall punish him in order to get rid of this evil spirit.
Everyday after the evening ëAartií at the temple, there is a practice of reciting ëPanchpadií(a metrical piece of five hymns), before the idol. Similarly, there is a practice of reading religious books depending on the occasion in the chronical of Shree Swami Samarth along
with any other occasions; the books read would be epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata and reciting of any eight hymns. This ëPanchpadiíwas usually recited immediately after the ëAartií and before the meals or after the meals. Maharaj recited the ëPanchpadií and Pramod, myself etc would repeat the same. Sometimes Vazekaka recited íPanchpadií but he ould twist his face while reciting. Pramod was very ignorant when it came to rhythm and Maharaj was trying to teach him but it was all in vain. Once Maharaj saw him making faces at him and immediately gave him a blessing of his strong clapping of hands. Even now we can see that mark on Pramodís head.
Once Maharaj was deep in emotions when reciting the hymn that described the appearance of Shree Swami samarth.
“This form is very beautiful |
Appearance very attractive |”
According to Maharaj this description belonged to Shree Akkalkot Swamiji. My eyes were unconsciously focused on Maharaj. So Maharaj stopped in the middle of his recitation and said, “Swamiji Maharaj is
present before me in the form of Shree Sadguru Baba Maharaj. You should keep your eyes on him. Why are you looking at me?” And then he looked at me cheerfully with a pleasant smile on his face.
There were many at the temple that were serving for many years, but Vazekaka was there even before I joined the temple. Maharaj maintained a proper assessment of every person. When he had decided that I will be his descendent to manage the Temple activities, he gently distanced Vazekaka for some minor reasons. When I look back now, I feel he might have done this just to avoid any future hassles for me – though Vazekaka was at the temple for more years than me, he might have come short of understanding why I was chosen even when he was senior to me. I think that this was the reason Maharaj distanced him for a few days in case Vazekaka objected to my selection or he might have objected me in every matter due to his seniority. Maharaj skillfully planned for everything, so that no time will be wasted on the struggle within his own people and neither should he be spending any time or energy solving their problems.
As days progressed, the mention of the future was more frequent in his talks than before. He was trying to alert his disciples with his predictions about the days to come! Some might have felt it was an exaggeration. But the genunity in his predictions is proved today and the prophecy of Maharaj gets undermined again and again. Exactly in the year 1977-78, Maharaj had mentioned that there will be a number of unnatural deaths in a single political family mainly due to politics. He also mentioned many times that the ëLanka of Ravanaí and ëDwaraka of Shree Krishnaí would emerge back up from the sea once again. He predicted that there would be severe earthquakes, and that the seas would cross their limits. He warned us that half of Mumbai would get submerged in water and the coastal towns like Guhagar and Pomendi would be overtaken by the sea. But he calmed us by saying that ëSomeshwarí Lord Shiva, would not get submerged – I am ëSomeshwarí, how can I get submerged under water! 2/3ís of this worlds population would die because of natural disasters. But people who chant the name of Shree Akkalkot Swami would survive. All the big buildings that have been built in Dervan will definitely be beneficial – when time comes, atleast 3 to 4 hundred families can easliy get shelter there.
He would warn us of many other things too – The days to come will definitely be difficult – the situation would be such that any day passed would be better than the one to come. You will see an intense shortage of water, electricity and food supply. The Government Administration will not be smooth. Mayhem will be at its peak. Women would be the most harrassed ones and it will become difficult for a respectful lady to walk freely on the streets. People will be forced to seek shelter at places like Dervan. They may have to put up tents to stay there. The value of money would decrease to an extent that you will get only a handful of grains for a bag full of money. There will be extreme shortage of everything. Only the rich would afford travel in aeroplanes and cars etc. The commoner will have nothing but a bullock-cart in his fate! Therefore, he was reminding us frequently that there was no other way out but to worship Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj.
Maharaj frequently had an interesting comment that is worth mentioning here – “When a person only gets one meal a day, but has to strive for the second one, he will remain on the right path!” This essence of life has never been mentioned in such few words by anyone else in this world. This thought is definitely in line with the thoughts of Kunti, mother of Pandavas. She had prayed Lord Krishna to grant her a boon of sufferings only.
People get intoxicated and insensitive with prosperity; there is also a possibility that they may become inactive. They will not be satisfied even after selling the last pillar of their house. Instead, like Maharaj said, if they have to strive to earn their second meal everyday, they will remain more down-to-earth and stay on the right path. When talking about how the downfall of our society had taken place,Maharaj always narrated a dictum from ëCharwakí, the head of tribe of Atheists – “One should drink ghee by taking loan”. Instead today, this society has reached a stage of drinking wine by taking loan.
Maharaj always said that a person should not be arrogant about their education, wealth, authority, beauty or any such thing. One should not be rude and must behave with compliance. A person sitting high up on the elephant canopy should always remember that the canopy could slide under the elephant any moment. Maharaj reminded us of the auspicious moment that was to be the coronation of Lord Ramchandra as the King, which had already been predicted by the great Sage Vasishtha. Instead, that moment turned into a moment that Lord Ramchandra had to let go of the throne and spend 14 years of his life in the forest. This is something that eveyone should keep in mind.
Maharaj always discouraged people from taking up business of mortgage deeds and money-lending. The eager desire for money while collecting the interest gets the curse of the needy & poor. Maharaj used to say that such curses get collected in our account, with compound interest and ultimately due to this, people have to undergo lot of sufferings especially with their children and family members. Several families have already been destroyed by such curses.
Maharaj also said that in every home there is one ëKhandyaí; Khandya is the painstaking bull who works hard on the field. It is this hard-working bull that the field is principally dependant on! In a similar manner, every house probably has such a hard-working person who manages the affairs of the remaining members of the family by pulling the weight on his neck. There hard work may or may not be appreciated or even realized by other members of the family.
Maharaj always stressed that for spiritual contemplation of a person, the housewife should be very favourable and suitable. A beautiful wife will always belong to another person. Women have two types, one literate and the second illiterate. The illiterate woman would embrace one man, at the same time give her looks to a second person and then show signs by showing four fingers of her hand to a third person for meeting at 4 Oíclock in the evening. On the other hand, the literate woman would always be virtuous, chaste and dutiful. Such a woman would even become very useful for her husband in his spiritual contemplation. Maharaj told me that I had been blessed by an extremely suitable life-partner. ëYou could continue here only because of her favourable nature! In the progress of your spiritual contemplation also there is continuation of her partnership!
As long as the man consumes food, the sexual cravings will continue to dwell in his mind. Manís sexual desires cannot be fulfilled even by selling the beams and doors of the house! Hence enjoyment is never a medicine for the sexual cravings. Only putting a restraint on the mind will these cravings be in control and for this, the blessings of a Sadguru, are extremely necessary. A Sadguru can bless you to keep your mind under control. Maharaj emphasized this advice on his devotees very often.
In Maharajís opinion, going to another manís wife was completely prohibited – in fact, he used to say that visiting a prostitute to satisfy physical needs would be more pardonable than the prior.
The population on this earth is on an increase but the quality of mankind is definitely not! A gradual decline has occurred in the quality of mankind. When speaking about this subject once, he said that the forests on earth have already been ruined; even the deposits of charcoal inside earth have been destroyed. The atoms of charcoal or the carbon help create reptiles, insects, corkroaches, houselizards and animals like frogs, tigers, lions etc. But today human beings are created by these low quality atoms and hence the good quality humans are rare in todayís world.
Even after knowing that the future was dreadful, Maharaj was never nervous or disappointed. He wanted to make an establishment of our perpetual ancient religion. His fiery love for our nation and the burning devoutness never allowed him to sit quietly. He had a very strong desire that our nation should lead the whole universe in the political and spiritual fields. There is no doubt that he completely engaged himself for this purpose.
In olden ages, the sages established new religious orders with the power of their meditation and support of incarnations like Lord Ramchandra and Lord Shree Krishna. Sadguru Shree Baba Maharaj said that Lord Shree Krishna was able to benefit only for 125 years based on the meditation carried out for 10000 years by the saints. On the strength of that accomplishment Lord Shree Krishna re-established the religion in this universe. Sadguru Shree Digambardas Maharaj believed that all the good work and meditation that our precepters did right from Lord Shripad ShreeVallabh, could help just one incarnated person to re-establish the religion for about 43 years at the least. He insisted that we work with this in view but there was no positive response from other saints and therefore, he did not pursue this matter ahead. But he told us very often that he would come again and again for the establishment of a new religious order, and to set everything right!
All his life, Maharaj faced lot of trouble from his own family members, especially those whom he had helped during difficult times and considered his own were at the top. They troubled him in various ways such as distributing disturbing notificiations, registering false complaints with the police and even presenting false cases in the court against him. But Maharaj never expressed any feeling of hatred against these people. He just dismissed the events as a ëhappeningí almost as if he was detached from all of that. He never used a tone of denial against any of them.
Maharaj believed that criticism should always be done in front of the person, while praise should never be done on the face. But what is noteworthy is that Maharaj never said anything favourable or unfavourable regarding a person that had left him or the temple. Once the person was marked as an outsider, Maharaj would never utter about or refer to that person for anything. This was a great distinguishing feature of his personality.
Regarding me, Maharaj always told people that Ashok is a selfless person. He had confidence in me that if I made a mistake and it was brought to his attention, the mistake would never happen again! Maharaj also advised them that Ashok (me) would never come in the way of oneís means of subsistence. It was possibly that he made a setting for my with the aim of emotionally preparing the people at the temple and accordingly test their actions too!
Madhavrao Kajrekar was one of the few people that Maharaj opened up to with a free heart. Maharaj always told him that, ëThe essence of my talk is properly unsterstood by Ashok. Only he has the competence to read “between the lines”. Hence only he can understand the feelings behind my actions properly.í Maharaj was very proud of my Engineering degree. He often mentioned to Madhavrao as well as other devotees that, ëOur Ashok is a number one Engineer! Listen to whatever he says!
Whenever I expressed my wish to go to Himalayas for meditation, he would shut me down by saying, ëWhere is the manliness in running away from this disorder and then trying to accomplish control of your self? If you can control your mind and become a saint while staying amongst these ailing people, only then it would be considered as a real prowess!
The great Shree Shankaracharya of Shringeri Monestery was visiting Pune. He was staying at the Narad Temple. He wanted to visit Maharaj and see the temple of Sadguru Shree BabaMaharaj. But some of the Hindu organizations from Pune talked him out of it. They threatened that there could be demonstrations outside our temple during his visit and therefore, Shree Shankaracharya left for Junnar instead. When he was in Junnar, after he finished his daily worship of the Goddess ëChandala Parameshwarií, he had a vision in his dream. In his dream, the Goddess expressed that she had no desire to continue in Junnar. In fact, she told him to take her immediately to Sadguru Shree Baba Maharaj Temple in Pune.
So, that very night, Pandit Vasantrao Gadgil called at our temple and stated that Shree Shankaracharya wanted to visit the temple of Shree Baba Maharaj. Maharaj immediately agreed and said, ëHe is welcome here!í Then Shree Shankaracharya came to the Temple late that night. Arrangements for his stay were made on the upper storey of the building. His Temple was organized for his worship in an open shed at the ground floor of the building. There was also a separate holy kitchen established just for him. Maharaj performed the rituals of washing the feet of Shree Shankaracharya, and then he worshipped the Gods. After that Shree Shankaracharya proceeded for their next destination.
With the grace of God, Maharaj was able to successfully carry out a number of Temple activities and he also performed many religious functions without any hiccups. Hence any opposition that was shown became negligent as time progressed. Those who had left Maharaj, were also not too happy in the end! None of their intentions was successful! Just like what Saint Ramdas had already said—-
“An agitation has the power no matter who does it|
But that place requires the blessing and the dwelling of God|”
Maharaj had a distinct style of gathering information on certain subjects or incidents or to examine the reaction to a certain matter. Usually he would make the person comfortable by asking them to sit infront of him, and then using small generic type questions, he would try to get information on the incident or try to see the reaction of the person. As soon as the person stopped talking, he would encourage using questions like ëWhat further?í, ëWhat else?í, ëWhat next?” and so on! Maharaj would make them talk. If there were any objections raised during the conversation, he would pose encouraging questions regarding the incident and finally collect every bit of information from the person. For any Government related work, Maharja would always send two people together at the same time. There were two reasons behind this – one was that there was always a backup person to do the job in case one was absent and the job was not pending due to someones absence; two, once they both presented the information together, the same was confirmed with them individually to ensure that all the details were collected. This was important to avoid incidents of boasting, cheating or fraud – and in most cases these would come out in the open with this approach!
Before trying to awaken the masses on a certain important topic, Maharaj would first think about the tendency of people and then assess their possible reaction. This would help him understand everyoneís thinking style and what effect any topic would have on them. This also helped him to find unexpected information that helped when he tried to awaken the people on that topic.
I remember a simple light conversation we had with him once. Maharaj was seated on his chair; Walawalkarsaheb, Shyamrao Tikekar, his family, family of Bandushet Jadhav, Banavalisaheb and I was all seated near him. There were many topics being discussed – one of them being the type of funeral ceremony a man should have after his death. We also discussed on the different religions or sects and how each one had a different way for funerals. We continued the topic to further discuss what a good type of funeral was and Maharaj was asking everyone seated there for their opinion. When it was my turn, I said,ëCremation (body incineration), which is our way of funeral is the best in all the different types.í Maharaj curiously asked, ëOn what basis did you decide that?í I said that once the body is cremated, the ashes and bones are collected and the same spot is used again. But for burial way, large cemetaries are required and this space requirement has become a huge headache for many religions. Most of the countries are undergoing this problem. Therefore, I believe that our method of cremating is the best.í After listening to me, Maharaj suddenly said that his body should be cremated too. He also stated that no sacrificial ceremonies need to be carried out.
Previously, this topic was discussed to some extent from a different perspective. The Gurukripa building construction was in progress at that time. I was working on constructing the steps for that building. Maharaj and a few others climbed up the stairs. There was a water tank in front and it was covered with a lid. Pointing his finger towards the water tank, Maharaj said, ëMy funeral should be in this location only! You should place my body in the water tank, then cover it with Camphor, Sandalwood, Sacred leaves of ëBelí tree, holy basil leaves, earth and then erect a small dome on the top!
I said, ëWhy is there a discussion on such an inauspicious subject today? Arenít we all staying in this house?í Maharaj replied, ëYes certainly!í In response, I immediately exclaimed, ëThen allow me to stay as a dog outside this house!í Maharaj did not say anything at all and the topic was closed at that point. But as a result of this discussion, I believe that Maharaj changed his thought of going into eternal trance and expressed his desire of undergoing a funeral ceremony. That day, Maharaj also asked everyone present how and in what way they expected death. I expressed my opinion that as long as I am in good health, able to work with my own hands & feet and I am not dependant on anyone, then I wish a suddent death with a heart attach or something like that! Listening to my opinion Maharaj said, “You are a fool!” I was confused, “How so? Where is the foolishness in that? What is the sense in lying on bed at the mercy of others and waiting for death? There should be no trouble for others because of our sickness!”
But Maharaj had a very different point of view on this one. He said, “Donít think like that! Look at the person lying on bed for a month or more prior to his death – his past life sketches infront of his eyes. Lying on bed, he realizes his mistakes for the first time in life because when death is near, it takes our pride down. He starts thinking a bit more realistically. He remembers of any injustice that he may have done to others, or the pain that someone had to go through due to him or someone that he might have cheated. This will mentally disturb him and give him a chance to repent his doings through this life. And then, he will pray with his whole heart and ask for forgiveness. To some extent the weight on his heart becomes light. Once you realize that it was useless to rear so much bitterness in the mind all life long, the mind is automatically freed of the weight and it feels lighter. When the mind becomes firm and unwavering, then one gets liberated from all bondages of life and death. If there is any balance remaining in the mind, then one has to take birth again. Every human is entangled in this cycle of life and death! Hence I believe that a person should face death only after lying on bed for a few days. Due to this, even if he has to take rebirth, the burden of unfulfilled wishes from the past life would not trouble him in any manner!” This was an entirely new view point we all heard from Maharaj that day.
Gradually Maharaj reduced his appearance in public events. He purposely started to avoid meeting people. If someone did come to meet him, he would behave so weird that the visitor felt that Maharaj had become forgetful or had a disorder of mind due to age! His health was not at its best either hence he wanted solitude in reality. Devotees were visiting with great expectations with particulars of their never ending household difficulties. It was impossible to stop anyone from visiting even after specifically putting up a board outside stating that Maharaj will be unable to meet anyone. But it was not only the simple household disciples, it was also the politicians, socialists and many such people that were trying to prosper with the blessings of Maharaj or by getting help from him. Deep within, it was their personal selfishness that they wanted to favor under the disguise of politics, socialism, religion etc.
Once two merchants from Chiplun came to visit and narrated that a few rich Muslim merchants were purchasing some buildings in the area, which could lead to some unrest within the Chiplun community. They further requested Maharaj to provide them some resources so they could buy those buildings instead and promised that they will return the money at some point. Maharaj gave them a few lakhs of rupees in cash and a few lakhs of rupees in cheques. They purchased the buildings but conveniently forgot that the money was to be returned. Finally, after a lot of persistence they paid back the money that was given by cheque but shamelessly informed Maharaj that they would keep the cash given by him as a favor.
There were many such people waiting to take advantage of Maharaj for their personal benefits. Once, some people from Chiplun came to Dervan at night and started narrating to Maharaj that some leader in Chiplun would be forced into prison the next day. They further added that he would be entangled in a particular court case. But Maharaj exclaimed with thunder, “Donít take me for a fool. Nothing like that will happen. I understand law and also your intentions. You have come here for money thatís all!” Immediately, the bunch withdrew from the scene and went away.
All of Maharajís dealings were open to all. Any discussion held was done face to face. There were no hidden secret discussions. One day, a couple of people came to visit Maharaj from Chiplun at 10pm. After taking coffee and some snacks they said, “We would like to have a few words with you?” Maharaj said, “Yes, speak!” At that time, I was the only one sitting there. But they looked at me, and insisted, “We would like to talk only with you” But Maharaj retorted immediately, “Ashok will remain here. If you want to talk, then please go ahead.” Ultimately they went back without saying anything.
In this manner, many different types of people came to visit Maharaj with multiple intentions not realizing how much trouble they were causing him. Finally Maharaj decided to avoid people by portraying himself as forgetful with some mental disorder. Maharaj acted in this role with such perfection that the onlookers remained spellbound and us, the insiders were laughing until we got tired.
A well-known politician-cum-lawyer came to visit Maharaj. He was a very influential person belonging to a powerful party. He had met Maharaj a number of times before. When the gentleman showed up at the temple, Maharaj was seated on a bed. As though seeing him for the first time, Maharaj asked, “Who are you?” He said “I am <".>” Maharaj said “Barve? I donít know anyone named Barve or Birve.” So the gentleman responded quickly, “I am not Barve. I am <"..>. My house is in Chiplun and I have come to meet you many times before.” As if none of the information had been received, Maharaj once again said, “I know a gentleman named Karve, but I have no acquaintance with anybody named Barve.” This went on for a short while when Maharaj suddenly said, “Oh! You were Barve, is it not? Then why did you say that you are Karve?”
This went on for nearly an hour and by then the gentleman got so much perturbed with Maharajís dialogues, that it was possible that in another hour he would have definitely started believing he was either Barve or Karve! But before he could loose his mind, he got up and left. Before leaving he said to me seriously, “Maharaj is probably forgetful now. It is but natural at this age!”
After the gentleman departed from there, Maharaj called me inside and asked “Ashok, did the lawyer leave or not? He most probably came here to extract some money from us. No matter how much money we give, it will never be enough for him.”
3 social workers from Chiplun usually came to visit and collect money. After stating their problems, they always asked for money. They would come up with some stories from Dervan, based on which they suggested that similar things could happen in Chiplun etc. Then they would continue their story by suggesting that our institution could also undergo some problems and that we need not worry since they know a certain someone in Chiplun who will set everything straight if we gave him money etc.
One day, these 3 social workers came to Pune with a similar plan in their minds. But as soon as Maharaj saw them, he said, “Welcome, I was waiting for you! Just now my father came to visit and said, “Oh! Vithoba today is a lunar day; you should be conducting a ceremony in memory of my death. How did you forget that? Now at least feed these three Brahmins.” Then Maharaj turned to me and said, “Ashok, keep the plates ready. Give each of these Brahmins Rs.101/- as gift on this religious occasion and also publish this in the Chiplun newspaper. My father visited me and personally reminded me to perform his death ceremony! Where do we find such a miracle in todayís world?”
Maharaj talked about offering food in memory of the dear departed and related topics for nearly 3 – 4 hours. The three social workers were served a meal usually made for the death ceremoney. In fact, at the end, Maharaj even offered prayers and said, ëIt was worth acceptable when found tasty but it was worth abandoning when found not interesting!
The 3 men became so confused that they were just not getting an opportunity to talk. And in between the conversation, Maharaj was also telling other people that these three were learned Brahmins but they only ate food prepared for the death ceremonies. They never take any other food and hence when they get hungry they come here to the temple. They should be satisfied. Then Maharaj would narrate the entire story all over again to anyone new coming to the temple. This went on for a long time and the three men were not able to eat or talk! There was a feeling that they had lost their acquaintance. Even if they tried to speak a single word, Maharaj would shut them down saying, “Dervan? Which Dervan? What are you talking about? Today is the day to perform the death ceremony for my father. You are the learned Brahmins who accept the food prepared for such occasions only then why are you bringing up such irrelevant topics. Instead, it will be better if you utter some Mantras from the Vedas!” So no matter how hard they tried, Maharaj would bring them back to the topic of his fathers death ceremony.
Literally confused, the trio went back to Chiplun. As soon as they left, Maharaj asked, “Did the three demons leave? They will not dare to come back here atleast until I am alive.” And like he said, as long as Maharaj lived, the trio did not show up again.
Maharajís health condition was slowly deteriorating. He was diabetic already, and later started having constipation problems. He had this problem before too. He treated himself with a herbal pill named ëEchhavedií, which eased his constipation. Once when he was about to take the pill, Bandushet Jadhav and Prasad Tendulkar came to meet him. Maharaj asked them if they wanted to try it too. Both of them immediately replied, “What will one pill do to us? Give us 2 pills each!” Later that night, they were both making trips to the washroom from 3am to 10am in the morning. Later, when Maharaj heard about this, he gave them some ghee-sugar and only then they both felt relieved.
During his last days, Maharaj had stopped taking that medication too. Therefore, from time to time we had to call Dr. Achyut Joshi and give a suppository. After a few days Maharaj told me that he cannot afford the doctors expenses, “If you can give me the suppository then I will take it.” I warned him that I had not learnt this science so if I make a mistake, he would have to undergo more trouble. Even then he insisted that I give him the suppository. So, from then onwards, I gave him the suppository. Usually after giving the suppository, it was necessary to give him a clean bath. But sometimes, he would refuse to take the suppository. Infact, once he refused to take one consecutively for 13-14 days, which also resulted into high fever. I was unable to tolerate his condition, so I finally called Dr. Joshi late that night at 11pm. Dr. Achyut Joshi immediately came over but Maharaj was constantly complaining that he did not want to take the suppositories. But when Dr. Joshi came, we just chatted with Maharaj until 2 – 2:30am on various topics. Dr. Joshi talked as if nothing was wrong. Then he slowly convinced and took Maharaj to the washroom. I stood in front on Maharaj and embraced him tightly so the doctor could clean his bowels. He scratched me and pinched me. Then angrily blasted on me, “You are showing a lot of courgae today because of my weakness. Five years back, would you have dared to touch my body? You are fully aware what I would have done to you!”.
And there was definitely truth in what he was saying. I was always afraid of touching him. In fact, I was scared of touching such a sacred body. His body always emitted a pleasant fragrance. In fact, during his last sickness, he was unable to take a bath sometimes for 2-3 days in a row; even then his face looked fresh as ever. Nobody could tell that he had not bathed for such a long time.
Dr.Joshi completed his work and Maharaj felt better. We then gave him a bath. His temperature also started to drop down. Once we set him back on his bed, Dr. Joshi asked, “What shall we do now?”. Maharaj immediately replied, “Let us take some tea and biscuits.” By the time we had finished the tea and biscuits, Maharaj had forgotten all about the incident and started to talk happily. Dr. Joshi then bowed and rendered obeisance to Maharaj before taking his leave.
Dr. Achyut Joshi was a favoured doctor by Maharaj. When Maharaj initially suffered from diabetes, he was being treated by a well-known doctor named Chandrashekhar Joshi. His son, Dr.Achyut Joshi had just completed his Masters in Medicine and was trying to start his own practice in Pune. Dr.Chandrashekhar Joshi then decided to send his son for Maharajís checkup instead of coming himself. In the beginning, Maharaj did not give too much importance to Dr. Achyut Joshi. Dr.Achyut Joshi at first felt that he was wasting his time idling at the temple waiting for Maharaj. At the same time, he feared that he could loose his patients who were waiting for him back in the clinic. It wasnít too long before he realized that he would not suffer any loss even if he sat at the temple for 8 hours straight! His patients waited for him and never left. Soon, he established a close relationship with Maharaj. During his US trip, Maharaj intentionally took Dr. Achyut Joshi along with him. Dr. Joshi has an acute sense of diagnosis and therefore, if any sick person comes to the temple, we always send them to Dr. Joshi and they were definitely cured.
As days passed, Maharaj had reduced his food intake; sometimes he liked to eat himself with a spoot and sometimes, Madhav fed him. Once he had some rice leftover in his plate, which was unusual of Maharaj. He then said to us, “You are all little children, each one of you can take a little bit of the rice as blessings!” So that day, Madhav and a few of us were lucky to be blessed with his leftovers.
During his sickness, I burned incense-sticks in front of all the gods. After 3-4 days, Maharaj asked me “You were burning incense in front of all Gods, then why not me? Am I also not God?” The truth is, I had made up my mind from the very first day itself to burn incense infront of Maharaj. But I was afraid that if he gets angry on my actions, then it will unnecessarily trouble him, so I avoided it completely. Once he gave me his permission, I always burned incense infront of him; he would sit calmly looking at me and then ask, “Is it over?”
Sometimes, we would take Maharaj for a drive to the airport in the evening. They were the days when airforce had just bought the new ëMIG -29í planes. The demonstrations were held between 7pm to 10 pm and Maharaj used to get very delighted watching these demonstrations. But one day Maharaj said, “Today, let us go to Katraj!” After going up to Katraj, he said,”Let us keep going ahead.” So we went to Poladpur. After Poladpur, he said “Now let us go to Dervan.” That night we all reached Dervan. It was the day before ëShiv Jayantií, the birth anniversary Shivaji Maharaj. When we started from the temple that evening, we had little idea that we will be going all the way upto Dervan. I had no money in my pocket while Baburao was in his pyjamas. He was covering his body with dhottee and shirt! I had the same minimal clothes. Maharaj was also wearing just a short and shirt, but he probably had a desire to meet his devotees. He was totally engrossed in the festival and even danced happily. I still have some of the pictures that were taken during the unexpected trip. After staying there for 2-3 days, we returned back to Pune. Due to elections in the region, the procession was held within the temple premises. That day Maharaj had foreseen that Dervan will become a big and famous place in the near future. “You will all witness the change! Each one of you belonging to this place will enjoy like little ëBalgopalsí- but I will not be there to witness it”
Whenever Maharaj said something like this, my eyes would automatically fill with tears. He was trying to push all his responsibilities on to my shoulders. He said that Shree Beedkar Maharaj and Baba Maharaj were the witnesses! But I had no wish to live without Maharaj! In real sense he was my care-taker. He had detected my latent qualities and given me an opportunity to express them; he developed and molded me! I was concerned about my existence after Maharaj. Who would take notice of me? I had an engineering degree, so of course I would be able to earn some 5-7thousand rupees! But was this livelihood only my lifeís objective? If so, then for the last thirteen years, why was I staying here at the temple leaving my parents, wife, children and my household? What would happen to me after Maharaj? I used to weep within taking shelter somewhere. The very thought of separation of Maharaj was making me sleepless at nights.
Maharaj called me one day and started consoling me. He said, “One who gets embodied in human form has to renounce it one day. This is inevitable. Who has continued in this world without renouncing this human form? Even the Gods had to give away their human forms? They had to follow the rule too. What is the point in preserving my body after death? Death is a journey from infinite to infinite. This is one station in that journey. Just like a passenger traveling from here to Mumbai, would get off at Talegaon and then go ahead. None of you should mourn for me when I leave this world! You watch, none of you will even feel the grief! That is because, even though I leave this body after death, my soul will continue to be here. Be sure of this! You will experience this and then you will never feel separation from me at all. I will remain here only. Make an idol for me and then adorn it with a golden crown. Cover it with diamonds and rubies!! This place will become really big one day! You do not realize the true greatness of Shree Baba Maharaj – it is so great that this place is guarded by Shree Hanuman, the devotee of Lord Rama who will be personally guard this place for 24 hours. In the future, this place will receive unprecedented importance. People from all over the world will visit to take the blessings of Sadguru Shree Baba Maharaj. People will be in queues right from the station up to the Temple to take the blessings. You will have to meet all those who come here. There wonít be enough hours in the day for you! Sometimes you will be meeting your colleagues at eleven Oíclock in the night!”
The devotion towards Maharaj and the pangs of separation were not allowing me to think sensibly. Maharajís health was slowly declining and he had started complaining pretty frequently that due to his inability to carry out any work, it would be better for him to leave his physical body. But he said that Goddess Durga was not giving him permission until now since it was the Goddess that always told him to carry out some or the other activities. Due to some incomprehensible reasons it was not possible for him to leave his body when he really wanted to.
As his health deteriorated, he set restrictions on the number of festivals at the temple. It all started on the auspicious day of his motherís death anniversary. Sapre Guruji, the spiritual instructor at the temple went to invite Maharaj for the offerings. Initially, Maharaj said, ëYes, I will certainly come!í But after a short while, Maharaj said, ëGuruji, we should impose a restraint on everything here. In future we will not perform any such functions at all!
Sapre Guruji-the spiritual instructor went to ask Maharaj if he would join them for the ëKirtaní (religious songs) during the birth anniversary celebration of Sadguru Shree BabaMaharaj. Maharaj initially said he will join but later began asking who had initiated this festival! For what purpose was it being done? What activities were being organized etc. Soon, that celebration was put at halt and then slowly most of the celebrations/festivities were cancelled. It was very stressful for me to watch all this but I had no other choice than to be a mere audience since there was nothing I could do. To witness such a painful change also proved to be a test in itself for me! And then it was the day when he took my big test! When Maharaj decided to give up his body he had abandoned all his clothes also. We used to prepare his bed by spreading a soft mattress on the bed, then covering it with waxed cloth and a bedsheet. After realizing he had a urinal accident, one of us would wake him up and change the bedsheet. Then we would clean his whole body with hot water and then sprinkle some cosmetic powder on his body. This was a necessary precaution to prevent him from getting bed-sores.
Once Madhav woke up at 4 am in the morning and observed that Maharaj had another urine accident. The bedsheet was completely wet. It was the month of December in 1988, and it was very very cold. Maharaj was not wearing a single piece of choth neither did he have a blanket on his body. Madhav requested Maharaj to wake up and appealed to Maharaj, ëI would change your bedsheet, and then clean your body; after that, you can go back to bed.í But Maharaj was just not ready to listen. Finally when he could not convince Maharaj until 7 – 7.30am, and confused with all the questions, Madhav really got oppressed. He came to the point of bursting into tears. At that time, I was sitting on a bench outside. Madhav told me that Maharaj was not listening to him at all. He told me to give it a try since Maharaj might listen to me. I went inside and tried to convince him many different ways until 10 am. Then I intentionally showed some disappointment as though I was fed up serving him when he was being too stubborn and that we were getting tired of that. Maharaj angrily responded, ëGo away from here!í But then immediately said, ëGo away from here but not out of the gate! Go outside and sit on the bench.í I promptly went and sat outside on the bench. He then called me after 15-20 minutes and said, ëWhat did you want?í I said,ëYour bed has become wet. There is no blanket on your body. It is too cold and you could fall sick with pneumonia. You may get a bed-sore. If you can get up for two minutes, we will quickly change the bedsheet, clean your body and then you can take rest.This is my only request to you.
Maharaj said, ëIs that all? You have not told me this since morning! You wasted a lot of time saying something or the other. I will get up now!í I immediately called Madhav and Mone there. The bedsheet was changed and I cleaned Maharaj before applying powder to the whole body; he then sat on the bed. Maharaj then looked at me and asked, ëAre you satisfied now!í When I said ëYesí, he said, ëNow what next?í I replied, ëLet us take some tea and biscuitsí. After drinking his tea, he retired saying he would like to take rest. He also asked me to go back to the bench!
The day passed by peacefully. Later that evening, we chatted with Maharaj until 11:30pm after dinner. When Maharaj told me to go to bed, I set my mat near the glamorous fig-tree and went to sleep. Deep into the night, I felt somebody holding my shoulders and calling me ëAshok, Ashokí. Startled, I woke up and saw Maharaj standing in front of me in a perfectly illuminating form! I was struggling to get up when Maharaj asked me, ëDo I trouble you?í Without delaying even for a moment, I replied, ëNo, not at all! Who said that?í Maharaj cheerfully smiled at my response and with a calm blissful expression, he suddenly disappeared.
Just a momentary play! Whatever happened – whether true or false, it was confusing since everything took place so rapidly. But I believe that was my final test. He appeared in front and tested me while I was in my deep sleep – but Maharaj dwelled deep in my heart and therefore, I believe he himself made me give him the right answer! In the morning, when I went to take his blessings before starting my daily activities, Maharaj told me, ëEverything has been done! Now whenever I personally tell you, only then you do the work!”. 2 to 3 months before he abandoned his body, Maharaj called me, ëYour original house is at Khanu. You should repair the house and I personally feel that it should be preserved up to hundred years. Funds will become available for that purpose.í I had been to Khanu in 1996-97. Prior to that, I had gone to stay there when I was ten years old. I went to Khanu exactly after forty-three years. I had no intentions of living in the ancestral house and that was not even possible now. But that wish made by Maharaj was completed. Our house in Khanu was re-built using new styles but by preserving its original form. Maharaj used to visit the Gangeshwar Temple in Khanu during 1951-54 for meditation. Maharaj asked Vikas Walawalkar to complete the restoration of the temple in Khanu. The memories of Maharaj were held high in a magnificent form at Khanu. With inspiration from Maharaj, while the renovations were in progress at Khanu, I requested Vijay P Joshi, to write the history of our ancestors and even that task got completed, without any hurdles. I believe that I got this opportunity to serve my land and my family due to the blessings of Maharaj.
During his last few days, Maharaj had started to play a strange game!
Occasionally when a new subject/topic was brought up, he would get very delighted at the topic and then start acting it. Once when he woke up, he said, ëOh! What is this? Who brought me to this school today? Which school is this? Who is the Headmaster of this school? Where are the teachers? Why are the kids being so noisy?
Then Madhav had to respond, ëThere is a principal, Mr. Ashok Joshi. They say he is very strict. He can run the school properly!í “Then call him” – That would become the entry point for me, Principal Joshi! After initial acquaintances, Maharaj would start asking me questions, “Your school appears to be good! Children are getting educated properly. Is it not?”. Discussions on the topics of School, Education would go on until late afternoon! No other topic could be discussed that day besides School. Personally, Maharaj would not come out of this drama until ll pm that night and neither would he allow us to relax in our roles.
One fine morning, he woke up and started the act. “Why am I alone in Ward number 9. Where did other patients go? Did all of them get discharged? If that is the case, why should I stay alone here? Who is the Chief Doctor in this clinic?” And ofcourse, then I (hurriedly) make my entry into the ward scene as chief, Dr. Ashok Joshi. I check his pulse, and the act goes on!
Once Mrs.Kondakar woke me up late at night around 2am. She told me that Maharaj was calling me. As soon as Maharaj saw me, he said, ëAre you building a house in the sea? Are you mad? Wouldnít that house sink into the sea? Or did you not find a place anywhere on land? You should have told me, I would have definitely given you one!”
Maharaj was talking as if we were on a ship and wandering in the sea. The act kept on until 4 am in the morning, and I could not control my sleep anymore. So I decided to leave from the scene. Maharaj immediately asked, “Where are you going?” I said, “I am not getting much sleep here. So I will go to the seashore and try to get some sleep there.” Had I not given him an excuse related to his act, he would have instantly spanked me with a stick saying, “Are you talking against me?” Hence it was in my own benefit to play the part and say that I will go sleep on the seashore. But as I was leaving, Maharaj asked, “How will you go?”. Ofcourse, I had to have an appropriate answer. So I said, “I will check if I can get a boat!” He was satisfied with the answer, “Alright. You can go! But I will not go from here. How can I? I am the Master of this house; I am the captain! The captain would sink with the ship but not give up! Now you can go.” Finally, I went and slept. Around 6 am, I slowly peeked in, but the sea was still not calm!
In a similar context, Maharaj used to ask Sapre Guruji, “Where did you start the Vedic school? I would also like to learn the Vedas (sacred writings of Hindus)! To what extent have you been educated? Whom did you learn from? Someone has started a Vedic school even in Dervan!”. In each one of these acts, there was definitely the advantage of an accurate acting! Each gesture appeared to be real. The person infront would be totally confused not knowing what is real and what is not!
Maharaj used to ask Bhau Kajarekar, “How can you be here? When I had gone to Dervan in the morning, I saw you taking a meal there. I see you here now. How did you manage to come so quickly? Do you possess two forms with the same features?”
The whole day would be gone in these acts. Nobody was able to reply these distinct questions. Everyone was getting confused and kept searching blindly, as though personally entrapped in a network of facts!
The name ëDigambardasí means a devotee of Lord Dattatreya. But in person, Maharaj himself was Lord Dattateya. In the last year or so, he had totally abandoned his clothes. He used to stay in naked condition. He would go for walks 2-3 times a day in the temple, but in the same state. Sometimes, he would stand at the temple entrance, holding the gate and watch the traffic on the road for about half-half hour. As he reduced his food intake, his constitution had become weak. But while walking he would not allow anybody to hold his hand or give him support. He used to say that he would not lose his own independence. Hence Madhav, Khushiram and myself, we would walk alongside with him.
During Decí88 to Janí89, the winter was pretty hard. The temperatures had come down to 5-7 degrees celcius. While walking with him in the morning, we ourselves were hesitating because we were all coverd with a sweater or muffler, but Maharaj would walk without any clothes. If I tried to convince him to wear something, or suggest that he atleast put a shawl on, he would retort back saying, “Are you feeling ashamed of my nakedness?”
Even at night, he did not cover himself with a blanket. Once Shyamrao Tikekar tried to put a blanket, but Maharaj asked him the same question he had asked me. Finally, as suggested by Walawalkarsaheb, we installed a heater. So at night around 11-11.30pm, when Maharaj ordered us to go sleep, we used to slowly start the heater before leaving. But later in the night, Maharaj used to shut down the heater too. In fact, sometimes he would even abondon his bed and sleep on the floor. Maharaj had demonstrated in real, the actual state of disembodiment!
Towards the end, Maharaj had reduced his food and water intake to a large extent. I started getting worried about it and thought that a shot of Vitamin B-complex could give him some energy. Soon, I realized that thinking of anything in this manner was my own foolishness. Yet, I made the suggestion to Dr. Achyut Joshi; he told me that he will consult with Maharaj before doing so. Accordingly, Madhav, Doctor and I went to Maharaj with my suggestion. Surprisingly, he even gave us the permission to do so.
After taking the B-Complex shot, Maharaj went and sat exactly on the border of his bed. Half his body was on the bed and the other half remained outside! He sat in that position continuously for 48 hours. The daily routine was on as usual without any trouble. But Madhav and I were wide awake in anxiety that he should not fall down. We took turns to keep an eye on Maharaj. He quit that position only when the effect of the medication receded. Having learned the lesson, we never raised the topic of giving him a boost ever after that!
Even though we know in advance of the unavoidable, we feel it will not happen now and that mentally we feel it could happen anytime later. And the same finally happened on 21st of May, 1989. It was Sunday, VaishakhVadya Pratipada, year 1911 as per the Hindu calendar; Maharaj left his body around 2pm in the afternoon.
But I had no freedom to get afflicted with pain and neither was there any time for that. Maharaj had told me many times that even though he abandoned his physical form, we will experience that he is still with us. I had full faith in his words. As per hindu traditions, there is an offering of food to the spirits on the 10th day after death. It is believed that the spirits come to saviour the meal in the form of crows. If the meal is not touched by the crow there is a belief that there is some unfulfilled wish of the soul. So on the 10th day after Maharajís death, when the crow did not touch the offering, Maharajís relatives became very worried. But I firmly told his relatives that these customs were irrelevant and meaningless in the case of Maharaj. He had merely given up his old and decayed clothes (body) and remained with us in the form of a spirit. In fact, he would continue to remain here since he had already promised so to his devotees.
S.D. Joshi, son-in-law of Nana Bhave, the nephew of Maharaj, was an I.A.S. Officer. At that time, he was the District Officer of Aurangabad. I called him and delivered the news that Maharaj had abandoned his physical form and as per his last wish he had the desire to be cremated within the temple complex. There were residential buildings in the neighbourhood. Hence we needed to request the permission of the Police Commissioner before completing the funeral rites. S.D. Joshi accordingly agreed to speak to the Police Commissioner. Later in the evening, Walawalkarsaheb, Phatarpekarsaheb, the Additional Chief-Secretary, Bajeerao saheb, Banavalisaheb and myself, we all went to meet In-Charge Police Commissioner, A.M. Roy. When we told him the reason for our visit, he said S.D.Joshi had already called him. The Police Commissioner further told us to prepare the petition as required by rules. His assistant told us that his ësahebí, Mr Roy was ready to leave since 5 Oíclock but he would always come upto his vehicle and then return back to his seat. He was probably expecting us! Then we prepared the petition and submitted it to him at 7 Oíclock. He said that as it was Sunday, his written order would be made available on Monday, the next day only. But he further added that there was no objection for us to carry out the funeral rites.
At 8pm, an inspector from Deccan Gymkhana Police station came to the temple to supervise and gave his okay for the funeral. Later, we also received the official permit from a Sub-Inspector, who came and gave the permit with the signature of Police Commissioner. When Mulekaka went to the Municipal Corporation, they told him that the permission had already been given by the Police, so there was no need for their permission. So, they gave him the clearance and we all systematically completed the sacred rites of the funeral ceremoney as preplanned by Majaraj himself. There were about 500-600 devotees present at the temple. Imagining the capacity of Maharaj, this attendance was comparatively less. I believe atleast 5 to 6 thousand families were blessed by Maharaj in the last number of years. He had helped them during their most difficult times. He had shared their sufferings, as well as their happiness. He took care for their upliftment – where had all these people gone? Where was the society for whom Maharaj had strived strenuously to make it strong, happy and prosperous!
Maharaj often exclaimed that he would take birth again and again to establish a new religious order in this country and for the people who needed him most. But did these people had any regard for the brother that had gone away?
After the funeral rites were completed, we realized that people were on empty stomach for the past two days. So, I told Balasaheb Kajarekar to prepare ëKhichidií, a combined dish of lentils and rice. People were tired and hungry to an extent that the foold prepared for 400-500 people vanished in the first sitting of 200 people. They then made some more rice and other items and served the rest of the crowd. Even we all temple servants took our meals. About 50-60 people stayed at the temple. Everyone else went back home.
Once everything was over, I took a mat and pillow, spread it near the funeral pile and went to sleep. It was approximately 2am in the night. I instantly fell asleep. In fact, I had never ever experienced such quiet and sound sleep before or even after that. I was rather surprised at myself – how could I sleep so soundly after the departure of my Sadguru! But actually where had he gone? He was here – right here only. And with that faith I can definitely have a quiet and sound sleep!
At 6 am in the morning, the sounds of the conch echoed the temple premises and awakened me. It was time for chanting. A new day had just dawned in the Temple!
“This is offered at the lotus feet of my Sadguru”