Satsang Laxman Krishanji Nulkar

Satsang Laxman Krishanji Nulkar

“A star has fallen behind the Masjid”said Baba when Tatya Saheb died. This speaks volumes of love and respect that Baba had for this great devotee. Baba lovingly called him “Tatyaba:’ or ‘Mathara’. Tatya Saheb had a habit of writing about his visits to Shirdi to Nana Saheb Chandorkar. From these letters it is very evident of the deep Rinanubandh that existed between them. Tatya Saheb hailed from Jalgaon; he studied in Pune, worked in Pandharpur, retired and spent the last years at Baba’s feet in Shirdi.

He writes on Friday” I went to Dwarakamai. Baba was sitting with Amirbhai. Sai was smoking the ‘chillum’. He said “Hey desi tambako kadu laagthe’[This indigenous tobacco is bitter “] I had recently gotten excellent Egyptian tobacco for my pipe and had thought would Sai accept some of it. So I said I’d fetch some for Him. Sai saw it and praised it. Amirbhai hastily filled the ‘chillum’. Then Sai took a few puffs. He returned the tin saying “It will be useful for Mhatara. The indigenous tobacco is good for us:’

That very day Tatya Saheb “proposed to get some mango juice made for Baba’s naivedya from the delectable mangoes from Bombay ; but only a few were left. I was praying that that there would be mangoes coming for sale. Shortly there after Shyama comes and says “Baba said “Hey bhag Shyama Shambar ambe ghavya aani pushkal raas kadave aani khub khaava” [‘Look here Shyama, a 100 mangoes should be taken and plenty of juice prepared and eaten to full satisfaction’] In a few minutes a man with a basket of mangoes came along I bought them and had plenty of juice. That Sunday I thought our mangoes were over. But wished and hoped that in the straw one stray mango would be found to send with the naivedya. I asked my wife and she said at the bottom were 4 good ones and 4 rotten ones. So I took out 2 of the best ones to be kept in the naivedya dish. Within 2 minutes Appa Kote came and said Baba wanted 2 mangoes. You can imagine how glad I was. I told Appa to bring back one slice from Baba’s left over. ButAppa forgot. Baba cut one mango and ate it. Then He cut slices from the 2nd one; gave some slices to Shyama and others. Taking the last slice He said “Aapan sagale khatho thya Matharala ekh phank nako kare Shyama [We are eating the mangoes! Shouldn’t that old man get at least one slice. Give this one to him] Then Appa remembered my message and TatyaSaheb continued.

On another visit Tatya Saheb took shira for offering, Baba accepted it. A basket of mangos were placed before Him; He said “Mhataraya la aasu dey kahi udhya khaaeyel ‘kahi parva khaaeyel’ [Keep it for Mhatara. He can eat some tomorrow and some the day after] so the basket was put away. When Sai went to the new Chavadi where we were going to stay. Sai said “Stay at the Wada [Sahebs Dharamshala] He actually took us there. There horses had been tied. The kitchen was just being completed and a lot of mud and debris was lying abou.t Sai said “This is a nice snug and protected place; do you like it?” I said yes we would stay here. Then we came out when Sai said “No Don’t stay here, stay in the new Chavadi! Tomorrow if you like you may go to the Wada” We had reached the new Chavadi and Sai had almost reached the Masjid. When He returned and said in a whisper “Its damp in the Wada so stay in the Chavadi” This letter shows how much Baba cared for Tatya Saheb s comfort.

(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine)