Bhagoji was a sort of attendant (personal companion) to Baba, engaged in regular service to him. He was the first to enter the mosque in the early morning, and every day he used to massage first Baba's right arm and then his body. Then he would light a chillim and the two of them would share it. Bhagoji also had the privilege of carrying the umbrella for Baba when he went to Lendi.
When Bhagoji came in contact with Baba he had black leprosy so outwardly he looked, miserable and unfortunate. He was indeed very fortunate to do seva and be with Baba constantly.
Once when Baba thrust his hand into the dhuni (the sacred fire) and was badly burnt (thus saving the life of a devotees' baby), Bhagoji was allowed to clean and dress the wound with a bandage. Even though Baba lived for a further eight years after the incident, Bhagoji would daily continue the ritual of bandaging Baba's arm long after it had healed.
His elder brother Raguji says, “Once Bhagoji was suffering from high fever and he was at deaths door and Baba came to our home. He branded Bhagoji with a hot iron rod on his back and temples and he recovered soon after” It is said that once Baba asked Bhagoji to ask for a boon, of being cured of his Leprosy, however Bhagoji said, “Baba I am not concerned about my physical appearance, or my disease. But I would like you to me this wish, which is that I be allowed to be with you at all times and that I be allowed to come to the Dwarka Mai whenever I wish” and Baba granted him the wish.
Thus Bhagoji was the first person to enter the Dwarka Mai early in the morning when Baba sat in front of the Dhuni, and massage Baba’s burnt hand. After doing his seva he would prepare Baba’s chillum for Him and they would smoke it together. And only after Bhagoji left would the other devotees be allowed to come up. This seva he did without fail every day till 1918.
Bhagoji had the good fortune of holding the ornamental umbrella for Baba when Baba went to Lendi Baugh. Thus Baba immortalized him because he is seen in the photograph behind Baba holding the umbrella. And when the devotee sees that photo years later they will remember him.
Bhagoji's house, known as Shinde Wada, is just behind Laxmibai's house. This house is on the right hand side of the "Palkhi Road". It is close to the corner where the palanquin turns while going towards Tajim Khan's darga. The compound of Shinde Wada lies on the righ hand side behind a solid old wooden door.
There are many lesson to be learnt from the life of this remarkable devotee. Bhagoji had transcended body consciousness. He was the least concerned about how he looked he had lost most of the fingers of his hand, and also a part of his nose, and the nose is a prominent feature of the face. Although his body oozed pus and blood, that was fowl smelling he was not unconcerned about the sneers and disgusted looks that the others gave him, nor did the unkind words of people have an effect on him. This is the state of complete "Stitha Pragjna" (equanimity). He was determined to do seva for his Sadguru come what may and he persevered. Never once did he fail to come to massage Baba’s burnt hand regardless of the bitter cold or torrential rain. This is “Druda Buddhi”. In the Nava Vidha Bhakti, Bhagoji is an apt example of “Daasya” or all kinds of seva to the Sadguru. Bhagoji had surrendered totally at his Sadguru’s feet and thus he was able to soak up Baba’s divine energy by being in His Divine presence, and also being able to touch Him and Baba transferred His divine energy to Bhagoji Shinde’s very soul.
(Source: Holy Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 7, Baba's Anurag by Vinny Chitluri)
No comments:
Post a Comment