G S Khaparde Diary 1910 Dec. 5

[Guest guest]

1910 December 5 Monday

Manmad -Shirdi.

Last night I & my son Baba left by 10.15 P.M. train as proposed.Purandare,

Pathare, Dhaujisha, his woodman, Bapu & others came to the station to see us

off & the first two brought flowers. I slept as soon as I got into my

compartment though I was awakened often. We reached Manmad about 9 A.M. today

and stayed at the Railway station till nearly 1 P.M. I met one or two young

men, on the station staff who very kindly helped us with things. One Haripant

of Yeola also met us. In the train to Copargaon, we met an Englishman who

appeared exceptionally good mannered and obliging. We reached Copargaon station

about 2 P.M. hired two conveyances, one for things and the other for ourselves

to travel in.Bhaskar Rao assisted us with tongas and gave us guavas to eat at

his house and accompanied us to Shirdi, which we reached about 4 P.M.. We put

up in the wada built for the convenience of people by Mr Chandkar. Madhavrao

Deshpande was very obliging & helped us & treated us like guests.There are in

the Wada Tatyasaheb Nulkar with his family, Bapusaheb Jog and Babasaheb

Sahasrabuddhe.

We all went to see Sayin Maharaj soon after our arrival. He was in the masjid.

After salutations I & my son offered the fruits brought by us & gave some money

at his request. The Sayin Saheb then said that he has not been well for the last

two years & more, that he used to eat only barley cake & take a little water. He

showed his foot and pointed to a small sore, said it was the string worm, that

it was extracted but the string snapped & then it reappeared & so on.He said he

heard that it would not be well with him till he went to his native town.He said

he kept it in view but that was all, he cared more for his people than even for

his own life. He said he found no rest as people troubled him. It could not be

helped. Then he told us to withdraw which we did. Towards evening he passed by

the wada & we went & saluted him. I & Madhavrao Deshpande were together. After

we saluted he "Go to the wada & sit quiet." So I & Madhavrao returned. We all

sat talking. They have many miracles to relate. I, Baba &Babasaheb

Sahasrabuddhe had something to eat at night and after I returned to bed, a

strange thing happened. The wife of Das Ganu who has written the "Arvachim Sant

lilamrit " & known as Tai came & lay down by my side.I do not know how long she

lay like.

1910 December 6 Tuesday

Shirdi.

In the morning, the poor woman Tai was much discussed & they blamed her. I feel

pity for her insanity. I had a walk, & after bath we all saw Sayin Maharaj

going out with an embroidered big umbrella held over his head. Later on we went

to masjid.Sayin Maharaj was talking. He said speaking to himself there is no use

being threatened. It does no good.Why should we threaten?

There are very high officers of God. They are very powerful. The same thing was

repeated very often. He appeared somewhat excited. Then he got up, distributed

the food accumulated there, and after giving udi-ashes requested us to

withdraw. We did so. The midday meal was not served nearly half-past two in the

afternoon. After it we sat talking, saw Sayin Maharaj in the evening when he

came out for a walk. Later on we went to the Chavadi where Sayin Maharaj sleeps

tonight. He was accompanied by the Umbrella of State, silver stick, chavaris &

fans etc. The place was tastefully lighted. The lady who is known as Radha

Krishna came out with lights. She is related to Babasaheb Deshpande of

Ahmednagar. I saw her from a distance.Madhavrao Deshpande said he would be away

tomorrow & return the day after. He asked for & obtained Sayin Maharaja ’s

permission to go.