Satsang MRS. LAXMIBAI GANESH KHAPARDE by V.B.Kher

MRS. LAXMIBAI GANESH KHAPARDE
By V.B. Kher

Mrs. Laxmibai Ganesh Khaparde- was a devotee favoured by
Shri Sai Baba and initialed by him. The story of her rinanubandha
with Sai and her initiation at his hands is narrated in verses
139-69 of twenty-seventh canto of Shri Sai-Sat-Charita. Similarly
in verses 100 to 110 of seventh-canto the story of how Baba took
upon himself the karmic suffering of her son's infection of plague
and relieved her of all anxiety is told. We shall first narrate the
stories and then examine the references in the Shirdi Diary to
these and other incidents not touched upon in Shri Sai-Sat-Charita.
Then we shall trace an outline of her life story till her end which the
reader will find very moving. Her end was not only peaceful but she
was blessed with darshan by her Sadguru Saibaba. What higher joy
can a devotee of Sai expect? So now let us begin with her story of
rinanubandha and initiation.

"Once Dadasaheb came to Shirdi with his family and was absorbed
in the love of Baba. Khaparde was no ordinary person. He was very
learned, yet before Baba he bowed in veneration. Well versed in
English education, he enjoyed a high reputation in the Supreme
Legislative Council and the Council of State as a debater and
moved the Legislature with his eloquence. However, before Sai he
assumed silence. Baba had many devotees but no devotees except
Khaparde, Gopalrao Buti and Lax-man Krishna Nulkar remained
silent before Baba. Others spoke to Baba, some engaged in
controversies, spoke whatever came to their mind. But these three
observed total restraint. Leave aside speaking, they always assented
to what Baba said. Indescribable was their humility and their
courtesy in listening. Khaparde who expounded on the subject
matter of Vidyaranya's Panchadashi with great mastery fell silent
as soon as he came to the Musjid. Whatever may be the splendour
of speech, before pure and radiant Brahman incarnate Sai, it would
just be eclipsed.
Khaparde stayed in Shirdi for four months and his wife for seven
months and both of them became increasingly happy. His wife had
great faith in Sai and she herself would bring Naivedya in the
Musjid. She would not touch food until Baba accepted the Naivedya
and partook of it. Only thereafter she would have her meal. It so
happened once that seeing her firm devotion Baba who loved His
bhaktas dearly showed her the way. Various are the ways of gurus
for imparting instruction, but Baba's was quite distinct. He showered
grace so effortlessly that it would sink into the innermost recesses.

Once Mrs. Khaparde brought the Naivedya of a dishful of Shira-puri,
rice, dal, payasam, sandge, papad and koshimbir. As soon as her
Naivedya came, Baba eagerly got up from his seat and rolled up his
sleeves. He took his seat at the usual place of meals, pulled the dish
towards him and removed the covering with a view to commence
eating. Many were the naivedyas, and some more sumptuous than
the present one, which used to be received from other devotees but
they would remain untouched by Baba for a long time. Then why
was this lady's favoured? This is the behavior of a worldly person but
how could such considerations even touch a saint's mind? Therefore,
Madhavrao Deshpande looked askance at Baba and wanted to know
how He could make such distinctions. Madhavrao said, 'You ignore
all naivedyas, even hurl away naivedya in silver dishes but it is strange
that as soon as this lady's naivedya came you started eating. Why does
her naivedya taste so sweet to you is the great puzzle for us, Oh
Gurudeva! What is this mystery of your favouring some?' Baba replied,
'How shall I describe the excellence of this food? In one of her previous
births she was a very fat cow yielding much milk and belonged to a
merchant. Thereafter 1 lost sight of her (for some time) and in Wrth
which followed she was born to a gardener, then to a Kshatriya and
thereafter became the wife of a merchant. Later she was born in a
Brahmin family and has been sighted after a long time. Let me partake
of the food served with love happily and give her satisfaction'. So saying,
he ate heartily, washed his hands and mouth, belched contentedly and
resumed his seat. The lady then bowed to Sai and began his charan-seva.
Taking this opportunity Baba talked to her of her welfare. Baba pressed
her hands with which she was doing charan seva. Shama then observing
the service of each other by God and His devotee, said humorously,
'What a leela we witness, oh God! Seeing the mutuality of faith we are
filled with wonder.' Seeing her spirit of service Baba was pleased and
whisperd to her softly, 'Say Rajaram, Rajaram. Do this japa regularly and
constantly and you will find self-fulfilment. Your mind will be calmed
and you will derive immense benefit'. So power-packed were those words
that they pierced the heart and in a moment imparted spiritual strength.
Thus merciful Shri Samarth Sainath, the protector of the humble, satisfied
the desires of his devotees and ensured their welfare."

(Source Shirdi Dairy)
(to be contd....)