Sakharam Hari Alias Bapu Saheb Jog.

[Guest guest]

Sakharam Hari Alias Bapu Saheb Jog.

 

Baba loved him so much that when he first visited Shirdi, Baba would not

allow him to return and get his belongings. Bapu Shaeb was probably born

in 1856. He worked as a supervisor for the government, and in 1909 he

availed of 'retiring furlough' and came to Shirdi with his wife. The

couple had no children, and lived comfortably on their pension able

income.

One of Bapu Saheb's close relative was the famous Satpurush

Vishnu Bua. Before visiting Shirdi he had visited Kabad, to pay homage

to Sadhu Sakharam Maharaj. He spent some time doing Seva there. Bapu

Saheb thought that he would stay for a few days in Shirdi, and then

return to Kabad and spend the rest of his life doing Seva there. But

Baba has other plans for him. At Shirdi he stayed in Sathe Wada. When

the other devotes said something that he did not like and he said he

would go to Kabad. Baba said, " Does the Wada belong to Sathe's father?

I'll tell Dada Kelkar not to trouble you. You just stay peacefully

there. Okay! " Baba spoke so sweetly that Bapu Saheb stayed on.

Bapu Saheb was a 'Chithpavan Konkansth Brahmin,' orthodox and strictly

followed the 'Sovale'ritual. He was righteous, honest, and

straightforward in his dealings. His wife was of a similar predicament

and they were' made for each other.' Her name was Tai and Baba called

her " Aayi " . Bapu Saheb was a " Datta Upasak " [staunch devotee and

follower of Datta ritual] He silently went about doing his Sadhana. The

devera [shrine] in his room had all the Gods. It was his custom to offer

a Kafni along with Naivedya to Lord Datta every Datta Jayanthi. One year

while at Shirdi he had an irresistible desire to offer a Kafni to Baba

on Datta Jayanthi. So, he got Bala Shimpi to stitch a Kafni. On Datta

Jajanthi he took the Kafni; and after doing puja to Baba, offered the

Kafni. Baba accepted the Kafni, and in turn gave him one of His Kafni as

prasad. Happily he took the Kafni and preserved it. In the evening he

would wear the Kafni, tie a white cloth around his head, and go for

Baba's darshan. He called it " Durbari Poshak " [Court Dress]. At other

times he wore ordinary clothes.

(to be contd...)

 

(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine)