Satsang Bappaji Lakshman Ratna Parke

Bappaji Lakshman Ratna Parke

His forefathers were experts in evaluating precious stones and diamonds for the Peshwas hence the surname Ratna Parke. They were Brahmins and pujaris by profession. They migrated to Shirdi and made it their home. Bappaji was born in Shirdi to Laxman and Yamuna Ratna Parke in 1886. His father was the village priest and astrologer.

Since he knew Baba from child hood he had free reign of the Dwarakamai. Most of his time he spent with Baba. Baba loved him deeply, and often they would be found playing together. He started doing Baba’s seva from 1910. Bappaji went to the Marathi school and studied up to7th standard. He was very proficient in indigenous medicines. He would treat the villagers for minor illness. He lived in the very same house, that is now behind the Vithal Mandir When he was about 14years, he and his friend Bayaji used to help Baba when He bathed. They would scrub and wipe His back, ears and body.

His father was a very orthodox Brahmin, and rigid in his ways. Once Bappaji was extremely sick and at deaths door, his father ran to Baba for a cure. Baba cursed and shouted violently, a little later Baba went to his home. He laid His hand of benediction on his fore head, and he was cured. This incident further strengthened his faith and devotion. Tatya Saheb Nulkar was seriously sick with diabetic carbuncles and could not go for Baba’s darshan. He yearned to see Baba. That afternoon Bappaji went to Dwarakamai to sit and chat with Baba. A few kids were teasing Baba at that time. Just then a hawker passed by selling cloth. Bappaji looked at the beautiful pieces and asked Baba if he could buy one. Baba said “yes”. He bought a red brocade piece and tied it around his head. Baba playfully pinched his cheeks, so he took the cloth and placed it on Baba’s head Baba acted like a child and put it back on Bappajis head. This went on for some time and wonder of wonders Tatya Saheb could see this beautiful scene from Sathe Wada.

As an adolescent Bappaji would go and sit against the wall of Dwarakamai. Whenever Baba had “Handi” Annadaan waiting for prasad, he watched Baba cook “Mitha Chawal” [sweet rice] with His bare hands without a twinge of pain or a trace of burns. At other times Baba would make ‘16 padari poli.’

That is to make 16 layered rotis. Almost an impossible task. Then roast them on the Dhuni.
On the days that Baba bathed, He would ask him to bring pots of hot and cold water. Then mixing it to the right temperature He bathed. Bappaji and Bayaji would take turns to scrub Baba’s back with the bathing stone. He states that Baba wore Pitambar after His bath, and tied His Kaupin so fast that, they could not make out how He did it. Later He would change into His Kafni.

He says that Baba had about Rs 500, daily. He gave Bayaji Rs10, from which he had to purchase wood for Dhuni Maa. Ramchandra Dada got Rs 15 for sugar cane. Often Baba would say “Sab paise ke Bhai.Apna koi nahi”[Roughly Translated] “Every one belongs to wealth, We belong to no one”

On 19.5.1917 Lokmanya Tilak and Khaparde came for Baba’s darshan Bappaji was with Baba. When Baba took Maha Samadhi on 15 10.1918. He was in Dwaraka mai Baba sent the anxious and concerned home. But a few devotees stayed behind Bappaji was one of them. His father Laxman Pujaris did the Kakad Aarati the next day [Sai Satcharita # 43 ]

(Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine)