Satsang Sakharam Hari Alias Bapu Saheb Jog.

Satsang Sakharam Hari Alias Bapu Saheb Jog.

Sakharam Hari Alias Bapu Saheb Jog.

Baba loved him so much that when he first visited Shirdi, Baba would not allow him to return and get his belongings. Bapu Shaeb was probably born in 1856. He worked as a supervisor for the government, and in 1909 he availed of ‘retiring furlough’ and came to Shirdi with his wife. The couple had no children, and lived comfortably on their pension able income.

One of Bapu Saheb’s close relative was the famous Satpurush Vishnu Bua. Before visiting Shirdi he had visited Kabad, to pay homage to Sadhu Sakharam Maharaj. He spent some time doing Seva there. Bapu Saheb thought that he would stay for a few days in Shirdi, and then return to Kabad and spend the rest of his life doing Seva there. But Baba has other plans for him. At Shirdi he stayed in Sathe Wada. When the other devotes said something that he did not like and he said he would go to Kabad. Baba said, “Does the Wada belong to Sathe’s father? I’ll tell Dada Kelkar not to trouble you. You just stay peacefully there. Okay!” Baba spoke so sweetly that Bapu Saheb stayed on.

Bapu Saheb was a ‘Chithpavan Konkansth Brahmin,’ orthodox and strictly followed the ‘Sovale’ritual. He was righteous, honest, and straightforward in his dealings. His wife was of a similar predicament and they were’ made for each other.’ Her name was Tai and Baba called her “Aayi”. Bapu Saheb was a” Datta Upasak” [Staunch devotee and follower of Datta ritual] He silently went about doing his Sadhana. The devera [Shrine] in his room had all the Gods. It was his custom to offer a Kafni along with Naivedya to Lord Datta every Datta Jayanthi. One year while at Shirdi he had an irresistible desire to offer a Kafni to Baba on Datta Jayanthi. So, he got Bala Shimpi to stitch a Kafni. On Datta Jajanthi he took the Kafni; and after doing puja to Baba, offered the Kafni. Baba accepted the Kafni, and in turn gave him one of His Kafni as prasad. Happily he took the Kafni and preserved it. In the evening he would wear the Kafni, tie a white cloth around his head, and go for Baba’s darshan. He called it “Durbari Poshak”[Court Dress]. At other times he wore ordinary clothes.

(to be contd…..)

(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine)