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In
Sai’s Proximity –
Mrs. Mugdha Divadkar Ramgeerbua Gosavi (Translated
from an article in Marathi, first published in Saileela January -
February 2005) Ramgeerbua
Gosavi - a Param Bhakta of Shri Sai Baba - was one of those fortune
souls who were blessed to live in the times of Sai Baba and experience
His Sagun
Avatar. Ramgeerbua
was originally a resident of Shirdi. His birth must have taken place
between the years 1856 and 1860. The house in which he stayed belonged
to his maternal grandmother. He grew up in the same house since his
childhood. Therefore, throughout his life, he had the privilege of being
near Sai Baba. Ramgeerbua
led a Shuddha Jeevan. He had no family or children. He lived like Sanyasi and roamed as he wished. Baba
had lovingly named him ‘Bapugeer’.
Most people from Shirdi knew him as Bapugeer. He
came to know about a lot of aspects Sai Baba’s life from the residents
of Shirdi and also got information confirmed independently. Ramgeerbua
shared most of his information with Shri Narisimha Swami. Thus several
facets of Baba’s life came to light when Narasimha Swami asked
Ramgeerbua questions on the subject. Chandbhai
of Dhoopkhed village had himself narrated to Ramgeerbua the story of how
Baba helped him in finding his lost mare and bow Baba first arrived in
Shirdi along with a marriage procession. Some
of the other incidents conveyed by Ramgeerbua are as follows :– After
making His first appearance in Shirdi, Baba disappeared after some time.
He then arrived again in Shirdi after a lapse of three years. Bapugeer
recounted that according to the villagers, when Baba returned to Shirdi,
He had kept His hair long up to His waist. He wore a green Kafni
an Topi. He carried in His hand Satka, Chillum and a match
box. Readers
may recall an incident where Baba had lost a wrestling bout to one
Mohiddin. His nephew used to practice black magic at Belapur. He started
performing his mumbo-jumbo in Shirdi against the wishes of Baba. Baba
had a sight with the magician and left Shirdi in anger. He started
saying in a jungle about 2 miles away from Shirdi. The villagers used to
visit Him there; but He would abuse them and drive them away. Several
times, Baba used to spend days there without food and water. Baba
had started a beautiful garden on the waste land behind the Masjid.
On occasions, he used to go to meet Khushalchand Marwadi at Rahata.
While returning from there on foot, Baba brought with Him saplings of
flowers such as Zendu, Jaal, Jui etc. He planted them with His
own hands. For watering the garden, Baba used the earthen pots freshly
made by Waman Tatya. Once,
Gangageer Maharaj of Puntamba had came to Shirdi. He saw Sai Baba
watering the plants and said to Nanasaheb Dengale and others who were
present, “He is a jewel ! Though today you seen Him watering the
plants, He is no common person,” Bapugeerbua had heard this incident
from some senior citizens of Shirdi. At
that time, there was brook near the border of Shirdi and there was a Babhool
tree whose one of the branches had got bent towards the ground. It
was Baba’s practice to sit under this branch. Later on, He moved and
started sitting under a Nimb tree in the village. Thereafter, He
lived permanently in the Masjid till the end. Once,
a Muslim boy climbed on the Nimb tree and fell down. Baba sensed
this incident while sitting in the Masjid and shouted loudly, “Are,
the thieves will kill that boy !” At that time, Bapugeer was
with Baba. Baba uttered these words and the nes of the boy having died
came to the Masjid. Once,
Baba saw in his vision that a bale of hay belonging to Bhagchand Marwadi
had caught fire. Baba immediately said to Bhagchand to run and
extinguish the fire. After sometime, He Himself also went there, made
some gestures with His hands and the fire ceased immediately. Another
interesting episode took place in the year 1903-04. Mainatai –
daughter of Nanasaheb Chandorkar – was pregnant and facing sever
difficulties in delivering the child. The pains were unbearable. Exactly
at that time, Ramgeerbua was sitting on journey towards his native place
in Khandesh. It was the practice of citizens of Shirdi to seek
permission of SHri Sai Baba while setting foot for any important work.
Accordingly, Ramgeerbua arrived in the Masjid to seek Baba’s Udi
and blessings for his journey. Baba said “Bapugeer, definitely go to
your native place. But before that, go to Jamner and enquire about Nana
and his family’s well-being.” Then Baba asked Madhavrao Deshpande to
give Ramgeerbua “Aarati Sai Baba” (written by Madhavrao Adkar)
and a packet of Udi. He added, “Give this Aarati and Udi
to Nanasaheb and then proceed on your journey to your native place.” Ramgeerbua
was surprised with this task. He asked Baba, “Baba, I have only two
rupees in my pocket. How can I travel in this meager amount to Jamner ?”
Baba smiled and said, “Everything
will be managed !” After
receiving Baba’s blessings, Ramgeerbua commenced his journey. Catching
the evening train, he reached Manmad by 7.30. From there he arrived in
Jalgaon by 3 a.m. By now, he had already spent 1 Rupee and 14 Annas.
He had now with him only 2 Annas. It was clearl that he will have
to walk all the way to Jamner. As he was worrying about his, a sepy
approached him and asked, “Who is Bapugeer of Shirdi ?” The
introductions over, the sepoy said, “Shri Chandorkar has sent me to
bring you. Be quick and sit in the Tonga, They are waiting for
us.” His
worries over, Ramgeerbua became happy. The sepoy was a smart man. He had
kept a beard and a mustache. He was dressed immaculately with shoes. he
was driving the Tonga with efficiency and speed. Around 3.15 a.m.
he stoped the Tonga at a stream near village Waghur. He watered
the horse and said, “Let us eat something and then proceed on our
journey.” As
his appearance resembled a Muslim. Bua asked him about his caste. He
replied, “I am a Hindu Garewal Kshatriya Putra. I am a Rajput.
Nana has given these food articles for you.” With
his mind set at rest, Ramgeerbua shared food with him. Early morning
they reached Jamner. As soon as they entered the city, Nanasaheb’s
office could be seen at a distance. The horses rested for a while.
Ramgeerbua also went to a roadside to relieve himself. When he returned,
there was no sign of the Tonga as well as the sepoy. The place
was empty. Ramgeerbua was confused. He went to the office. There he came
to know that Nanasaheb is at home. He searched for the house to meet
Nanasaheb. Here,
as his daugher’s health was critical, Nanasaheb had began holy rites
of Navachandi Havan, Saptashati Path etc. Bapugeerbua placed the
the Aarati and packet of Udi on Nana’s hands. Tears
welled in his eyes seeing this Leela of Shri Sai Baba. He called
his wife and told her to mix the Udi with water and feed to
Mainatai. He himself began reciting the Aarati. The moment the Udi
was fed, Mainatai got relieved and delivered the child. Ramgeerbua
asked Nana, “Where is the Tonga that you had sent ? And, I
don’t see the sepoy anywhere.” Nanasaheb was surprised. He said,
“No one knew that you were coming. How can I send a Tonga ?” Ramgeerbua
narrated all the details to Nanasaheb and to here that Leela, everybody
got mere studned. (contd.) – Translated from original Marathi into English
by Sudhir
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