మాధవరావు దేశ్పాండే (శ్యామా) జననం వృత్తి వివరాలు
Madhavrao Deshpande (Shyama)
Introduction
and Birth details:
Madhavrao deserves special place among the devotees of
Sri Sai Baba. Baba himself reiterated this several times. Once Baba told him
that their relationship is for 72 lives. Baba used to send Shyama as his
representative whenever people requested him to attend any major household
functions. Such is the importance of Madhavrao Deshpande. He had utmost faith
in Baba. His faith was undisturbed even in the mist of adversity. When he was
bitten by a snake and about to die even then his faith towards Baba was indescribable.
He is the perfect example and lived the life of Shradda and Sabhuri. We are
really blessed to learn about such a person and Baba’s blessings will be always
with us.
Madhavrao Deshpande might have born around 1860. Sai
named him as Shyama. He was born in Nimon village of Ahamadnagar district. He
grew up there until age2. His father got married three times without any
children. Then he gets married to sister of one by name Laxman Kulkarni in
Shirdi village. Then he had 3 boys. Shyama was the oldest. His 2 brothers were
Kashinath and Bapaji Balwant, By age 3, Shyama’s father moved his family to
Shirdi.
Shyama had his elementary education in Marathi school. He finished 6th
grade. He joins as a teacher in the same school later. He reportedly did not learn
either Sanskrit or English. Being a village teacher he was well respected. In
those days teachers were respected really well. This school was next to
Dwarakamai. At that time the masjid was dilapidated. One of the Circle
Inspector donated the rooms for the school. Later years Radhakrishna Aai used
to live there. After that this became the place for Baba’s Horse Shyamasundar.
Pujyasri B V Narasimha Swami ji interviewed Shyama in
1938 and gave us some details. Shyama was probably approaching 80 years of age
at that time. Through Sai leela magazine, khaparde dairy and other sources gave
us lot of details about Madhavrao Deshpande.
Shyama did not realize the greatness of Baba for several years. Shyama
while working as a school teacher, sometimes used to sleep in the school.
Through the window of the school he used to observe Baba’s routine. Baba
sometimes used to sit in Marurhi Temple near the masjid. He used to go for
Bikshaw (Alms). Some times Shyama heard different languages from the Dwarakamai
such as Hindi, Urdu, Persian, English and Marathi. Baba was observed to be
alone during those times. At times he used to dance with bells in his legs and
sing songs in a rhythmic way. He showed all kinds of talents. He used to use 2
earthen pots to water the plants. This was his routine as described by Shyama.
Shyama’s
family details:
Madhavrao got married twice. His first wife
was Savitribai. He had one son, Eknathpant, from her. Madhavrao’s second wife
was Dwarkabai. They had two sons - Jagannathpant and Uddhavrao and a daughter
– Babitai. Uddavrao was the only one who frequently accompanied his father to
visit Baba. Baba also loved Uddavrao very much and used to give sweets and
other food items. He did not want to go to school even at the age of 6. Shyama
was worried that he was not showing interest in studies. One day he ran after
him to discipline and Uddavrao ran to Baba. Baba told Shyama that he will take
care of him and not to worry. As promised, Uddavrao later worked as a Priest
for Shirdi Sansthan for number of years. There was no mention of other kids in
relation to Sai. Madhavrao was tall, well-built and very healthy. His
complexion was wheatish. Up to the age of 72, he did not suffer from any
ailments. He did not suffer even from simple maladies like fever or head-ache.
Shyama’s
Work details:
After completing his education, he taught in
the village Marathi school, as an Assistant Teacher, for a few years. Nana
Ratna Parkhe was his Headmaster and superior. One Laxman Master was another
teacher above him. When Madhavrao started working in the school, his age was
about 14-15. Madhavrao worked as a teacher for five or six years. He gave up
that place, when he was transferred from Shirdi.
After resigning the teacher
job, till the end of his life, he worked as a village doctor. He used to give
medicines after taking Baba’s name. Madhavrao was an expert at diagnosing
various diseases and knowing properties of various medicines. He was also very
good at diagnosing the ailment by merely feeling the pulse. He had gained the
knowledge on his own and did not learn it from anyone. He carried a stock of
Indian and foreign medicines. He could earn some money by practicing medicines.
He used to mix Baba’s Udi in the medicines. Besides, he also used to refer to
books on Ayurveda from time to time. He used medicines manufactured in the
factories. He also prepared some of the medicines himself.
Madhavrao had some
income from a piece of land at village Nimon as well as from his medical
practice. He did not use any of the medicines for himself. He always relied on
Baba for every ailment. After a while, he started taking care of visitors who
came to see Baba. He helped them in arranging lodging and communicated their
needs to Baba. In this way he worked relentlessly all his life in serving Baba.
Everyone gave similar kind of respect as they used to give Baba.
OM SAI RAM!
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