A Banyan tree in old Shegaon.
Two youngsters noticed a peculiar personality
strongly built. Fair in complexion. Young in age.
Peculiar calmness and satisfaction on face. Searching
rice particles on the patrawalies. And chanting
Gan Gan Ganat Bote. No effect on face of scorching
heat of summer noon time. That was the first appearance
of Gajanan Maharaj in tiny Shegaon Town. The personality
was so impressive that the tow youngsters, Bankatlal
and Damodar were attracted to the charm, And then
began the legendary life; his legendary charisma!
It is said that he was the
Awatara of Samarth Ramdasa of Sajjangarh. Devotees
used to offer him rich food, clothes, ornaments
etc. But he used throw away all there. He used
to lie anywhere, eat anything, wear any piece
of cloth or nothing at all.
He used to keep away from the worldly things.
But though he tried to the people that he is in
same, he has no literary knowledge, and so on.
it is amply proved that - he was Bedshastree Sampnna,
he was perfect in Yogashastra and that he had
done Tapascharya, and he even knew the language
(or psychology) of animals and birds. That's why
Mahan Yogies, learned people and famous personalities
used to come to see him.
It is not denying the fact that he was with Lokmanya
Bal Gangadhar Tilak at Shivjayanti meeting at
Akola, and that also on dias, alongwith Annasaheb
Patwardhan, Dadasaheb Khaparde, Damble, Kolhatkar,
Bhave, Desai etc.
He with Lokmanya Tilak and Dadasaheb Khaprde
of Amravati went to have the Darshana of Prabhu
Ramchandra at famous Ram Mandir of Akola. Shri
Vasudevanand Saraswati also visited Shegaon to
meet Gajanan Maharaj. So many people of education
and status used to visit Shegaon. Gajanan Mahraj
was Siddhayogi He has done so many unusual things
which were called chamatkaras. He has famed odd
behaving animals. He had ordered birds like crows
to behave properly. He had brought water to waterless
well; cured the sick, helped the helpless, showed
right path to those who wanted and what not? He
had gives people advice to his devotees. He could
read the mind of his Bhakta. Those who came to
see him with some purpose in mind, always went
home satisfied. It is sad (and said rightly) that
there was always peace and satisfaction around
his stature. His eyes could give proper direction
to the erring. He was thoroughly a 'faith heater'
a psychiatric in today's language. That's why
he is worshipped in every house in Vidarbha, Maharashtra
and nearly states. In Vidarbha without showing
(giving) him Naivedhya nobody take one's meal.
Because of the immense good done to the devotees.
He had become a legendary phenomenon. There are
hundreds & Thousand of Temples in all the parts
of Maharashtra as well as outside Maharashtra
of his name. That's why Shegaon of Shri Gajanan
Maharaj is called "Bhu-Vaikenth", "The Abode of
Bhagwan Shri Vishnu on earth". In short he was
a Rishi guiding the disciples, he was a yogi taking
care of disciples, he was a Siddha doing good
of the disciples, he was Vedandti correcting the
Pandits & Kirtankaras, and he was Guru-Acharya
showing the real path to the disciples. And yet
he tied to keep alert of all of this, all through
his life. So he has become the Daivat of Vidarbha,
and Shegaon has become the Pandharpur of Vidarbha.
He himself advised his disciples to make a Trust.
And a Trust, "Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan" was established
in 1908. After so many things for the betterment
of his devotees. Gajanan Maharaj on his own decided
to take the leave from this world. He took this
decision in front of Shri Vitthala at Pandharpur
at the time of Ashadhi Ekadashi in 1910. He told
so to his Bhaktas. They became shocked, They cried
wept, They opposed, tried to pursue - But He was
firm; firm as a rock of course he advised all
of them, pursuedd to be calm, have confidence
and give him permission. He even told them the
date of his Maha Nirvana and the place for his
Samadhi. (Nearly One Month Before). And the day
was Bhadrapada Shuddha Panchami i.e. Rishi Panchami
Shake 1832 (Guruwar) i.e. 8th Sept. 1910 (Thursday).
It was the darkest morning in Shegaon and its
vicinity! It was allover. Thousands of Bhaktas,
male-female, old and young gathered. No words
to describe their grief. All men-women -children-animals-birds
all were weeping-crying-in their hears. And Their
Beloved? He was calm and the usual smile on his
face ! All his innumerable disciples or devotees
suppose that their Daivat Sadguru Shri Sant Gajanan
Maharaj is still alive and guides and helps them.
They tell their experiences of his helps and blessings.
That's why the flow of thousands of devotees to
Shegaon!.
Literature
on Gajanan Maharaj
So many articles are published
on Maharaj in almost all the news papers
Many books on his life are
wirtten out of which one "Shri Gajanan Darshan"
is written by famous Marathi writer Shri B.D.Kher.
Thousands of Songs, Abhangas,
Bharudas, Poems of different Chhandas and Vruttas
are written on him- In rural areas the men-
women sing the songs very devotionally while
working in fields.
Many temples are built, on
his name.
Many Bhajans Mandalies are
established on his name all over Maharashtra
and outs side.
Thousands of cassettes of
different singers are sold daily; the cassettes
describing his Lela's and Aratis, Bhupalis and
Lokgeeta-Prakaras.
Songs sung by Swar Samradnyani
Lata Mangeshkar and her Sister Usha Mangeshkar
is a treat hear.
A documentary on the Life
and teachings of Gajanan Maharaj and the History
of Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan is seen by at-most
all the population of Maharashtra and nearly
areas.
A play named 'Shegaonche
Shri Gajanan Maharaj", is also being shown to
all over maharashtra (under the direction of
Shri Kumar Sen Samarth.)
A full length cinema was
also prepared by some private company; [the
name being Shegaonche Shri Gajanan Maharaj".]
The main and authentic Granth
of course is 'Shri Gajanan Vijay" by Dasganu
Maharaj published by Sansthan itself. Lacks
of copies are sold so far. The Granth is translated
in English-Gujrathi-Hind-Kanadi-Telugu.
