Bhagat Mhalsapati
(May 1985)
Sai Baba damands two coins viz. Faith and
Patience from His devotees. He advocates silent Guruseva instead of
'Mantropadesh'. The lives and experiences of Sai devotees of yesterday and
today are all lessons to learn, to digest and to implement for realising Sai
within themselves.
We know that the doors of Dwarakamayi are open to one and all irrespective of caste, creed, social or spiritual status. Even dogs, and cats find their place in Sai darbar. Even a leper devotee was allowed to serve in the darbar along with others. Such is the importance of Dwarakamayi where the principle of equality was literally observed. Among the notable devotees of earlier years was Mhalsapati. We learn that Sai was addressing him as "Bhagat" while others were called by names or nick names. If we analyse the life of this Bbagat we can understand why Baba addressed him, as 'Bhagat*, Now-a-days we hear a group of devotees address another devotee as 'Bhakta Sikhamani, Chudamani' etc., etc., but we do not know whether he or she deserves this title.
Mhalsapati, whom Baba addressed as
'Bhagat', was given several first chances in the development of Sai cult. Shri
B. V. Narasimha Swamiji declared that Mhalsapati was the poineer of Sai Pooja
and the Sai movement.
He was a native of Shirdi, goldsmith by
profession. His income from the barren land of 71/2 acres or the
mud house or through profession was negligible. He had to maintain three
daughters and a son apart from his wife. He was highly religious and pious. He
was a worshipper of 'Kbandoba', (another name to Shiva) their family deity. He
used to spend his time in Khandoba worship and reading Mhalsapati puranam. He
used to be possessed by Lord Khandoba now and then. During that period
villagers used to ask him questions and got replies. He had great respect for
saintly persons.
When the young Fakir, who accompanied
Chand Patil's marriage party to Shirdi, caught the eye of Mhalsapati near
Kbandoba temple while alighting from the cart, be unintentionally addressed Him
"Ya Sai" (welcome to Sai). Thus be was given the rarest privilege of
naming our Baba as "Sai" which name has become immortal. This is the
first service rendered by him to Sai movement.
Mhalsapati was the first devotee who
realised the real worth of Sai and started His Pooji. We learn that in the
initial period Baba was considered to be a mad Fakir. But Mhalsapati continued
to realise the godliness in Baba. Shirdites could realise the greatness of Baba
only when lamps were burnt with water instead of oil. He used to apply Sandal
paste to His throat and place flowers and milk at Baba's feet. Thus he was the
"Poineer' of Sai Pooja. Of course the credit of applying Sandal paste to
Baba's forehead goes to Dr. Pandit.
Baba, Tatya and Mhalsapati used to sleep
together in the Chavadi/Dwarkamayi. Though Tatya had to discontinue this
practice after 14 years due to the demise of his father, Mhalsapati continued
till Baba's Mahasamadhi. Even on this account he was given this rare privilege
of sharing Baba's bed.
We learn from Sai Satcharita that
Mhalsapati was asked by, Baba to watch Harenama Smarana by placing his bands on
Baba's heart. Are there any devotees who got such opportunity ?
Another
important point to be noted is preserving the body of Baba for 72 hours in his
lap in the year 1886, In fact we all are indebted to Mhalsapati for this act.
Baba instructed Mhalsapati to preserve His body for 72 hours during which time
He wanted to take His prana high up and to go into samadhi. With Baba's body on
his lap, he sat for full three days guarding it. How much faith and patience
one requires to sit like tbat ?
Mhalsapati used to follow Baba on the
right side during Chavadi procession. In a way this is also a rare privilege.
That was his
spiritual life. He led a very simple
life, of course, amidst poverty.
' He did not have a share in the amount distributed among certain devotees by
Baba, out of the amount collected by Him by way of Dakshina. He did not care
for money though it was required very much by him to support his family. In
this connection it is worth quoting Baba's words, "poverty is better than
Kingship; far better than Lordship. The Lord is always brother of the
poor." Perhaps Mhalsapti wanted to be nearer to his God by not attempting
to earn money. That does not mean that he suffered. In fact he led a very
peaceful life till his end.
The soul of such a dedicated devotee left
bis body on 11-9-1922 (Ekadasbi - Monday). He was fully concious till the last
moment. While chanting Ramnam his soul merged in Sai. Readers are advised to go
through Dr. Parchure's (Executive] Editor) editorial "Khandoba Temple** of
November, 1981 issue of Shri Sai Lee la for further details.
Perhaps, Baba addressed Mbalsapati as
Bhagat for the above noble qualities of
head and heart.
Hyderabad-500873
(A. P.]