Das Ganu By R. S. Gavankar

[Guest guest]

The other lesson, which Shri Baba wanted to bring home to Das Ganu, was that

wisdom was not confined to celebrities; it could as well come from an

uncouth, illiterate person like the maid-servant, who was as much the

handiwork of God as a socialised celebrity like Shri Baba Himself.

The seed of spiritual life was planted by Shri Baba in Das Ganu and with

Baba's blessing, it sprouted into a full-blown flower. Otherwise, service in

the Police Deparment and his love of Tamasha, an erotic dramatization of

rural life, ran counter to the germination of spiritual growth. Shri Baba's

blessings carried Das Ganu on the crest of a wave of popularity and he

became a missionary to spread Shri Baba's message amongst the masses, who

were steeped in ignorance, intolerance, superstitions and all sorts of

preconceived ideas of life.

 

As was the vogue then, Das Ganu, Kirtankar, was, in the early years dressed

in a long flowing gown, a dhoti underneath, an uttariya flung across his

shoulders and a red turban on his head. Shri Baba assigned to him the fourth

Ramnavmi celebrations at Shirdi. The first three celebrations had been

carried out without the participation of Das Ganu. The fourth and all

subsequent celebrations, till His demise, were the handiwork of Das Ganu.

When Das Ganu first participated in the fourth celebration, be was dressed

as was his vogue. Before starting the Kirtan, he went to Shri Baba for His

blessings Shri Baba sarcastically remarked that he looked like a bride groom

in his habiliments. Baba asked him why he came dressed in this fashion. He

explained the purpose. Shri Baba ordered him to take down the accouterments

which Das Ganu quietly did and placed them at Shri Baba's feet. Shri Baba,

simultaneously, reminded him of the tradition of Narada Muni, who strolled

the three worlds for his Sankirtans bare-bodied, only in a loin cloth. Ever

afterwards, in all weather, Das Ganu performed his Kirtans bare-bodied. He

never accepted even a farthing for his Kirtans. Shri Baba's advice and

admonition stuck to him through his lifetime. What a transformation!

 

On the next morning, very early, when Shri Baba took His Mahasamadai, Shri

Baba appeared in a dream to Das Ganu, who was then camping at Pandharpur,

and told him that His Masjid was in ruins, He was harassed by the oil

merchants and grocers at Shirdi and that He was leaving Shirdi for good.

Shri Baba then requested him to repair to Shirdi instantly and place

plentiful flowers on Him as His last wish.

 

(to be contd...)

By R. S. Gavankar

Bombay-400052

 

 

 

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