Sakharam Hari Alias Bapu Saheb Jog.

[Guest guest]

Bapu Saheb was a kind and gentle man, but because of his position of

power, and his dealings with the labor force he looked stern. But he did

have a quick temper. Baba, slowly but surely changed this. He lived

frugally and had quite a bit of money saved. Baba knew that he was

egoistic about his wealth. So on the pretext of Dakshina Baba kept

demanding Dakshina again and again from him till he was depleted of all

his savings. Bapu Saheb learned a valuable lesson. His routine every

month was to collect his pension from Kopergaon, pay his dues to the

shopkeepers, and what ever remained he would place before Baba. Baba

trusted him immensely and would often give His money to him, for

safekeeping. Bapu Saheb would keep the money safely, and was constantly

aware of Baba's money. When the need arose Baba would ask him to buy

this or that from it. Baba would often give him Rs100, and a few days

latter jokingly say " Bapu Saheb I gave you Rs 125 a few days ago. Go and

fetch it. " Bapu Saheb would tell Baba that He had given him only Rs100.

This happened a few times, and Bapu Saheb indignantly said " Baba I don't

want to be involved with Your money business. Keep Your money with

someone else " Baba would then pacify him saying " Bapu Saheb don't get

angry! I made a mistake, it was Rs 100 okay " Once a devotee gave Baba a

guinea. Baba gave to Bapu Shaeb and said, " What is this? " He told Baba

that it was a guinea or equivalent to 15 Rs. Baba said, " it is worth 30

Rs you keep it and give Me 30 Rs " .

Bapu Saheb looked after Baba's affairs, after Megha's death on 19.1.

1912, he was given the honour of performing Baba's Aarati till Baba's

Niryan in 1918. All the Seva that Megha used to perform fell on Bapu

Saheb's shoulders. Like Baba's Aarati in Dwarakamai, evening Aarati in

Sathe Wada, Aarati in Dixit Wada, and Guru Paduka Sthan. Bapu Saheb took

his duties very seriously usually there were a substantial number of

devotees present for the Aarati. However if there were a few or none at

all, it did not bother Jog, he conducted the Aarati with devotion and

zeal. The couple led a life of austerity; they were up at the crack of

dawn. After bathing in cold water, they performed 'puja' to their

household deities. Followed by religious rituals, and reading of the

Pothi, then they went to the Dwarakamai for Baba's darshan. Bapu Saheb

stayed at Baba's side doing all the chores required. Tai went home,

prepared the prasad for the Aarati and looked after the innumerable

guests that Baba sent.

Tai was the epitome of " Bhakti " . She was intensely devoted to Baba. Her

love for her 'Guru' was so passionate that after Baba's Niryan she lost

self control. She wandered the streets of Shirdi aimlessly, as if

searching for her Guru. She had a vacant look on her face, oblivious of

her surroundings. So desolate was she that she died two months later.

Once Bapu Saheb asked Baba, as to when He would give him Sanyas. Baba

replied, " As soon as you are free of your worldly responsibilities " Thus

Bapu Saheb was now free. He stayed on at Shirdi for a few years and

looked after Baba's Samadhi. After Kaka Saheb Dixit's death the other

devotees left Shirdi. Being quite alone he decided to go to Sakori.

There he wore a Kafni, and took Sanyas. His decision to go to Sakori is

perplexing, as he and Upasani never had a cordial relationship. Once he

dragged Upasani and brought him to Dwarakamai. Then he proceeded to tell

Baba about the disagreement and asked Baba to be the judge. Never the

less at Sakori he attended to Upasani with the same devotion, as he had

for Baba.

As he had died a Sanyasi, his Samadhi lies in front of the Upasani

Ashram in Sakori.

 

(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine)