Satsang LAXMAN MAMA KULKARNI

Satsang LAXMAN MAMA KULKARNI
LAXMAN MAMA KULKARNI
Laxmanrao Kulkarni Ratnaparkhi was maternal uncle of Madhavrao Deshpande. He
was a resident of Shirdi itself. He was an orthodox Brahmin. He used to
follow the laws of touchability and religious rites very rigorously.
As Laxmanrao was the maternal uncle of Madhavrao, he was known as ‘Laxman
Mama’ in the village. He was the Vatandar Kulkarni and Gram Joshi of Shirdi
Village.
While the devotees were experiencing Baba’s miracles, Laxmanrao maintained a
distance from such things. He not only had no faith in Baba, but he was a
very staunch opponent of Him.
An unlearned person is likely to fall into prey to bad ompany and habits. He
may listen only to his ego and have belief only in himself. Gradually, he
starts thinking that he is bigger than God. To bring such a person to the
proper path, Bhagvant gives him certain jolts. The person starts coming back
to his senses. Then, the Almighty enters his inner soul and gives him
deliverance.
It so happened with Laxmanrao. The great egoist fell ill with an incurable
disease. His sufferings knew no limits in spite of the various remedies he
tried. Ultimately - as a last resort - he came to Baba’s Masjid.
Baba looked at him with tranquil eyes, moved his hand over Laxmanrao’s body
and said, “Go ! Allah will set things right.”
There was a miraculous change in Laxmanrao from the time he stepped into the
Masjid. On top of it, he had the blessings of Baba. From that moment, he
became a devotee of Baba.
On another occasion, Baba took a test of Laxmanrao.
Bappaji was the only son of Laxmanrao. When he was young, he ailed from some
incurable disease. But, now Laxmanrao had faith in Baba. Therefore, along
with other medial remedies, everyday he started bringing Udi from Baba’s own
hands and giving through water to Bappaji.
However, there came a time, when people felt that the body is going to be
lost for ever. Laxmanrao rushed to the Masjid. He prostrated hemself at Baba
’s Feet and cried, “Baba, save my son ! Oh, my God, I bow before you.”
But, suddenly, Baba shouted at him, ‘‘Go away !’’ He even started showering
abuses. Laxmanrao got scared. He was unable to understand Baba’s strange
behaviour.
In reality, now Laxmanrao had started believing in Baba. However, his old
traits had not been completely eradicated. Some of his ego was still
lingering. A few questions and doubts used to crop up in his mind - time and
again.
With a heavy heart, Laxmanrao returned home. And after some time, Baba got
up from His place. He came down the steps of the Masjid and straight away
went to Laxmanrao’s home. With love and affection, He moved His hand over
Bappaji’s body and immediately turned back. From that moment, Bappaji got
relief.
Now Laxmanrao began believing that Baba is God Incarnat. He decided that in
his every deed he will remember Baba.
Early every morning, Laxmanrao used to complete the rituals of Snan-sandhya
and then came to the Masjid to avail Baba’s Darshan. He used to wash Baba’s
Feet (Pad-prakshalan), used anoint Gandha Akshata, draw a Tilak, place
flowers and Tulsi leaves, offer Dhoop - Deep -Naivedya and Dakshina.
Thereafter, he used to prostrate himself before Baba and take His blessings.
He used to distribute Prasad amongst those present. And then, he used to
proceed to perform Pooja of other Gods and Goddesses of the village. This
was his daily routine and he adhered to it till the end. With great
devotion, he served Baba.
After the demise of Baba’s loved devotee Megha, it was Bapusaheb Jog who
used to perform Baba’s Pooja at all times. In the afternoon of 15th October,
1918 - on the auspicious day of Dassera - Baba took Maha-nirvan. On the same
night, He appeared in the dream of Laxmanrao and told him, “Bapusaab will
not come to perform my Kakad Aarati. He thinks, I am dead. But, I am alive.
You come and perform my Kakad Aarati.”
There was havoc after the Maha-nirvan of Baba. Everyone was moved with deep
grief. On that night, Baba’s mortal body was placed in Masjid itself. Next
day, it was moved to Butti Wada. Therefore, as instructed by Baba in the
dream, Laxmanrao arrived at the Masjid with full preparations for performing
Pooja. He prostrated before Baba, removed the cloth covering the face and
took the last Darshan, and proceeded to perform Pooja. Many - who were
present experienced Baba’s hands moving at that time.
Time and again, Laxman Mama’s eyes were getting filled up with tears. His
body was trembling. In that state, he opened Baba’s closed fist, placed Vida
Dakshina, covered the body and departed from there.
Thereafter, the noon Aarati was performed by Bapusaheb Jog and in the
evening Baba’s body was brought to Butti Wada...
This was the way in which Baba showered His blessings upon Laxman Mama. Baba
entered Mama’s dream and made him perform the Aarati.
After Laxman Mama’s demise, his only son Bappaji became Vatandar Kulkarni
and Gram Joshi of Shirdi Village. Bappaji was fortunate enough to be around
Baba for close to twelve years when Baba was Dehdhari.
Bappaji said that Baba believed in reincarnation of man.
In the year 1917, Lokmanya Tilak had come to Shirdi and offered coconut and
garland to Baba. Baba returned the coconut as a Prasad to Tilak. Bappaji was
present in the Masjid at that time.
Bappaji was a good Keertankar. He was well read as far as religious books
are concerned.
(Source Sai Leela Magazine March April 2007)