Satsang APPA KULKARNI

Satsang APPA KULKARNI
APPA KULKARNI
Keshav Anant alias Appa Kulkarni, a resident of Shirdi village, was a
devotee of Baba for a long time. He was a staunch proponent of truth;
but he was very egoistic. He had deep faith in Baba; but he was a
harassed man - as if the sins of his earlier birth were after him.
He was accused of misappropriation in some government matter. The
news spread very fast in the village and without verificaton of the
truth, a rumor - that Appa Kulkarni was a cheat and has swindled
money - started circulating. There was a talk that a case would be
filed against him.
The then district collector officer sent a word to Appa and called
him to give his statement. Appa got scared and started saying that
- ‘‘Now, I cannot return home.’’
Before under taking the journey, as per usual practice, he went to bow
before Baba. He prostrated before Baba and pleaded, ‘‘Baba, You are my
father and You are my mother. You know, whether the accusation is true
or false. If something happens to me, it will be You Who will be
blamed. Please, save me from this peril !’’
Hearing the utterances of Appa, Baba took pity on him. He said, ‘‘Appa,
do not fear. Presently, the district officer is at village Nevase -
the same place where Sant Dnyaneshwar wrote his treatise Dnyaneshwari
- First there, take Darshan of Mohiniraja and bow down before him !
Then go to the Saheb ! The Mohiniraja will protect you.’’
Appa did exactly what he was told. After bowing down before Mohiniraja,
he went to the Saheb’s office and wrote down his statement. After going
through it, the Saheb said, ‘‘I am convinced that you have not
defalcated money. Therefore, I am releasing you.’’
Appa danced with joy. Next day he returned to Shirdi, held on tightly
to Baba’s feet and said, ‘‘Baba, You saved my reputation. I am ever
grateful to You.’’ Baba replied, ‘‘Who am I ? This was done by the
Parameshwar. He turns impossible into possible, Appa !’’
Appa devoted his life to Baba. Baba also brought other devotees closer
through Appa. Amongst such devotees, prominent was Nanasaheb Chandorkar
- a highly learned and high ranking govt. official.
Around 1892, Nanasaheb - who was then residing at Kalyan – was appointed
as secretary to the collector of Ahmednagar. Baba called Appa and told
him, “Go, and tell that Nana that I have called him !” Appa delivered
Baba’s message to Nanasaheb.
How could believe this ? He said, “Why Baba is calling me ? And why are
you taking His name ? Tell me clearly what you want !”
Then Appa narrated the incident in detail to Nanasaheb and convinced
him that it was really Baba Who had sent the message.
(Source Sai Leela Magazine Jan Feb 2007)
Subject: Satsang APPA KULKARNI (contd....)
APPA KULKARNI
in the same year, like Nanasaheb, Baba also brought Shri Narayan Krishna
Pendse and his devout wife through Appa Kulkarni to His Darbar.
Pendse’s wife was very pious. Everyone called her ‘Maai’. Hearing about
Baba ’s reputation, she was keenly anxious to take His Darshan. But,
Pendse himself never believed in such matters. He said to her, “There
is no saint in Shirdi that you talk of. However, in a Masjid there, a
mad and pretentious Muslim Fakir sits. The villagers are crazy after
him. According to the information that I have received, this beggar
from the Masjid goes from door to door, collects alms and survives.”
However, his wife was restless. Considering her anxiety, Baba managed
a coincidence. Pendse was required to go to Shirdi for some Govt. work.
His wife accompanied him and when he proceeded for his work, she came
to the Masjid and took Baba’s Darshan. On returning home, she narrated
the incident to Pendse and said, “He is really a saint. Do not criticize
Him or blame Him. Take His Darshan and enjoy the bliss !”
Then Pendse came to the Masjid. When he came near to the steps, Baba
roared, “I am warning you. Do not come forward. I am pretentious and
mad Muslim. You are high caste Brahmin. Then why do you come to take
my Darshan ?” Pendse was stunned to hear his exact words coming out
of Baba’s mouth. He became restless to have Baba’s Darshan. He caught
hold of Appa Kulkarni and with his influence availed Baba’s Darshan.
Once, Appa was sitting with Baba in the Masjid as per his usual
practice.
While chitchatting, Baba said to him, “You see Appa, thieves are going
to visit our village today. They are not going to commit dacoity; but
they are concentrating on the main wealth. They commit their act so
fast and with such expertise that even if you are alert, you get
heated. Go and see, what precautions you can take. Because, today
they are going to raid you !”
At that time, there were signs that an epidemic of cholera was likely
to break-out. But, nobody could see it coming. Taking Baba’s words
literally, Appa started making preparations. He put guards to protect
property. It was night time and Appa started having vomits and loose
motions. His hands and legs became cold turned stiff like wood. His
pulse slowed down.
Seeing that his end is near, his wife panicked. She was sure that
soon she would become a widow. She rushed to Baba and pleaded to save
her husband. She asked for Udi. But, Baba consoled her that “One day
every living being has to face death. But, the soul lives for ever.
Take courage and face the reality.”
Hearing these words, the lady took control of herself. She went home
and after some time Appa went to his heavenly abode. Next day, 2-3
more people took ill. The villagers rushed to Baba. He said, “Totally
seven persons will die and then the disease will leave this village.”
Accordingly, seven persons passed away and the epidemic disappeared.
Appa was fortunate to have the love and affection of his Sadguru.
(Source Sai Leela Magazine)