Satsang Bala Krishna Keshev Vaidya alias Dada Maharaj Paatgaonkar.

Satsang Bala Krishna Keshev Vaidya alias Dada Maharaj Paatgaonkar. (contd....)

Vishnu Ghati was a devotee of Dada Maharaj. He lived in a small village called Mutata , which was in Vijay Durg. Every Thursday he visited Patgaon, after taking darshan of Maharaj, he would invite him to his home. And every time Maharaj would say he would come. But it never came to pass. This went on for a long time. One Thursday Vishnu Ghate after darshan said “Maharaj tell me for sure whether you will visit my home or not? Let me know one way or the other.” Maharaj said “I will surely visit your home in 15 days. In the meantime you go to Shirdi” So Vishnu Ghate made all arrangements and went to take permission from Dada Maharaj. Dada Maharaj while sending him off gave him two packets of peda. Maharaj said “Give the larger packet of Pedas to Baba, and the smaller packet you and your family share. Also do not keep all your money in one pocket. For if it’s stolen you will loose all your money.” Vishnu said “Alright” and left.

He went home to pack his bags; in the excitement he packed the smaller Peda packet in the baggage. Then he distributed the larger packet of Pedas to all the members of his family. It would take him days to reach Shirdi, so he placed his money in the various pockets, as advised by Dada Maharaj. Then he reached Mumbai and forgot what Maharaj had advised, and placed all his money in one pocket.

Upon reaching Shirdi he went to the Dwarakamai for Baba’s darshan. There was a large gathering of devotees around Baba. Nonetheless he managed to go to the Sanctum Sanctorum. After doing Namaskar to Baba he handed the packet of Pedas to Him. Baba took the packet and looked at it from every side, and then in anger He shouted, “Arre You ate up My packet of Pedas which was larger of the two. Now you are trying to palm off this packet on Me?”

A volley of abuses followed this, then Baba said “Rascal do I owe anything to your father? Why do you keep calling Me to your home? Do you think I have nothing else to do? Remember this if you ever call Me again to your house then! If you want you come here! You need to be taught a lesson.” Then Baba took the money that he had in his pocket, which in fact was all the money he had.

Then Baba said, “You don’t know how great My Bala is! He is Shankar. He is Dutta. He is your only refuge. Now go tomorrow.”

Vishnu trembled with fear he wondered how Baba knew that he had asked Dada Maharaj to visit his home! In a flash he realized that that though Dada lived far away, yet Baba and he were in communication. And he, Vishnu was just a puppet whose stings were in Dada’s hands. He also got an insight of Babas Omnipresence.

He fell at Baba’s feet and begged to be forgiven saying “Baba I am your child, have mercy on me. You are my mother, so give me refuge at Your feet”. Hearing his piteous cry Baba’s heart melted and He stroked his back and hugged him. And asked him to sit in the Sabha Mandap, Vishnu got up and sat against the wall of the Sabha Mandap. His stomach started rumbling with hunger, and he had no money. While leaving Mumbai he had put all his money in one pocket; forgetting the advice given by Dada. He was in a fix he knew no one here, and he had no money even to buy a return ticket.

Just then a well-dressed gentleman came and sat next to him and casually conversed with him. Vishnu was surprised when he said that he was going to Mumbai so Vishnu should accompany him. Then he said, “ Now lets go have lunch. Then we will rest and leave for Mumbai in the morning.” He took care of Vishnu’s every need and was a gracious host. The next morning they left for Mumbai. At Mumbai Vishnu was surprised that his gracious host was lost in the crowd. Vishnu stayed in Mumbai for two days then returned home.

The day after he reached home he went to Patgaon. He took darshan of Dada Maharaj and fell at his feet. And said “Maharaj if you wanted to teach me a lesson, why couldn’t you have taught it to me here.” Dada Maharaj replied “Only a goldsmith should pierce the ear” Thus Vishnu realized how much regard Maharaj had for Baba. He remained devoted to both of them.

In 1941 on the 6th of Kartik Month Dada Maharaj took Samadhi.

(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine)