Khaparde -1

The divine Sai Satcharita gives lots of details about Baba. Shirdi diary by Khaparde is a great blessing for Sai devotees. He depicted the daily routine of Sri Sai, his mercy, love, and humor, compassion towards his devotees and how he protected the devotees. Some of the parables that Baba used and the stories that were told by Baba were portrayed as they were given by Sai. Khaparde had good grasp of Sanskrit and English languages. He was the right hand person for the great freedom fighter Lokamanya Balaganghadhar Tilak. Mr. Khaparde formulated some of the strategies in the freedom fight. He also assisted Mr. Tilak with his Law profession by fighting against British Courts. When he heard about Baba, came to Shirdi and stayed under Baba’s protection for few months as they were trying to arrest him with charges of sedition. This proved that Baba protected his devotees from any difficulties.

Sri Khaparde’s full name is Sri Ganesh Sri Krishna Khaparde. He was born on August 27^th 1854 in a village called Ingroli. That used to be in the province of Berar. He was named after Lord Ganesh as he was born on Vinayaka Chaviti day. This Berar province once was under Nizam rulers, later merged in to Maharashtra. His father’s name was Sri Krishna Narahari.

His education took place in Nagpur and Amaravati.  Ganesh had his primary and secondary education in Nagpur and Amraoti. He failed twice in Matriculation because he was more interested in study of subjects and books other than those prescribed in the curriculum. Besides, he was weak in mathematics. After matriculating in 1872, he joined the Elphinstone College in Bombay. He was a favorite student of Dr. Ramakrishna Bhandarkar who was the Professor of Sanskrit. Ganesh had studied Sanskrit extensively in a traditional manner under a shastri during his childhood at Akola and had, therefore, an excellent grounding in the subject. Professor Wordsworth who taught him English was the grandson of William Wordsworth, the famous nature-poet of the English language. Under these two professors he acquired a sound knowledge of these two languages. In fact his knowledge of Sanskrit was so good that he was selected unanimously to debate in Sanskrit with Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, when the latter visited the Elphinstone College. No wonder that Ganesh was complimented by the Swami himself on his high standard of performance.

He became first a junior fellow and then a senior fellow in the Elphinstone College and in these capacities assisted in teaching Sanskrit and English. Sri Khaparde majored in law in 1884 and soon commenced his legal practice. After an early stint commenced as a munsiff between 1885 and 1889, he returned to the bar and soon established a name as a leading lawyer. From 1890, he started participating in public life and became the President of the District Council in 1890. His income used to be almost 90,000 rupees to 100,000 rupees in those days. That too there was no income tax. It could have been lot of money in those days.

Sri Ganesh Khaparde had 3 sons. He enjoyed writing diaries and his diaries were preserved by the Indian Government in national archives. Baba used to call him Dadasaheb or Sirkar.  His wife followed him and she was known to worship Baba with lots of love. Her name is Laxmibai Khaparde. Even though she did not have higher education, she was very righteous. She knew most of the Indian scriptures including Ramayana, Mahabharata, Pandava pratapa, Siva leela amrut and other kirtankars. Their house used to have at least 50 people at a given time. The household included Khaparde’s 3 sons, their wives, 3 other families that they support two cooks along with their families, two clerks, workers for horses, two bullock cart drivers and some poor students.

Laxmi Bai used to take care of this big family.  She treated everyone equally. She loved everyone. Even though she had this many workers in the family, she used to cook herself and feed the children by herself. Once a student called Nilkari who got a boil on his thigh and developed high fever was hospitalized.  Laxmibai would carry the food for him to the hospital and would feed him.  His sickness extended over a period of two months. He was grateful to Laxmibai all his life and would say, “Laxmibai did all for me what my own mother would not have done and but for her kindness I would have died.” There are a number of such examples. She never said no to anyone. Khaprde got married at a young age. He studied law after he got married. His father worked as Thahasildar. This family remained very righteous in spite of their wealth.

Khaparde’s freedom fight:

He was a good orator. He gravitated more towards Tilak’s principles. They become best friends and Khaparde became the right hand person for Bala Ganghadhar Tilak. On June 24^th 1908 British government arrested Tilak. He was prisoned for 6 years for sedition. Then Khaparde went to London to fight an appeal. He stays there for almost 2 years. He spends his own money up to 200000 rupees. He used to mingle with great leaders like Lala Lajapati rai, and Bipin Chandra pal in National congress. He handled all the activities in secrecy. He attended a conference as a member of Joint parliamentary committee. He worked at different levels in the freedom movement and became the key person behind all Tilak’s strategies.

First meeting with Sai:

Dadasaheb came to Shirdi on five occasions.   His first visit was on 5^th of December 1910. They stayed in Sathe wada. He stayed there for 7 days during the first visit.

He wrote about this incident in his diary as follows.

Last night I & my son Baba left by 10.15 P.M. train as proposed. Purandare, Pathare, Dhaujisha, his woodman, Bapu & others came to the station to see us off & the first two brought flowers. I slept as soon as I got into my compartment though I was awakened often. We reached Manmad about 9 A.M. today and stayed at the Railway station till nearly 1 P.M. I met one or two young men, on the station staff who very kindly helped us with things. One Haripant of Yeola also met us. In the train to Copargaon, we met an Englishman who appeared exceptionally good mannered and obliging. We reached Copargaon station about 2 P.M. hired two conveyances, one for things and the other for ourselves to travel in. Bhaskar Rao assisted us with tongas and gave us guavas to eat at his house and accompanied us to Shirdi, which we reached about 4 P.M.. We put up in the wada built for the convenience of people by Mr Chandkar. Madhavrao Deshpande was very obliging & helped us & treated us like guests. There are in the Wada  Tatyasaheb Nulkar with his family, Bapusaheb Jog and Babasaheb Sahasrabuddhe.
We all went to see Sayin Maharaj soon after our arrival. He was in the Masjid. After salutations I & my son offered the fruits brought by us & gave some money at his request. The Sayin Saheb then said that he has not been well for the last two years & more, that he used to eat only barley cake & take a little water. He showed his foot and pointed to a small sore, said it was the string worm, that it was extracted but the string snapped & then it reappeared & so on. He said he heard that it would not be well with him till he went to his native town. He said he kept it in view but that was all, he cared more for his people than even for his own life. He said he found no rest as people troubled him. It could not be helped. Then he told us to withdraw which we did. Towards evening he passed by the wada & we went & saluted him. I & Madhavrao Deshpande were together. After we saluted Baba said, “Go to the wada & sit quiet.” So I & Madhavrao returned. We all sat talking. They have many miracles to relate. I, Baba & Babasaheb Sahasrabuddhe had something to eat at night and after I returned to bed, a strange thing happened. The wife of Das Ganu who has written the “Arvachim Sant lilamrit ” & known as Tai came & lay down by my side. I do not know how long she lay like. 

He wrote about his first meeting with Baba in his diary. When we read his diary, we feel like we are in that situation and we are watching Sai. He described Sai’s words, his mannerisms as it is. He presented Baba’s stories and his parables as they were told. He stayed in Shirdi from December 5^th 1910 to December 12^th 1910 for 7 days. Then he took permission from Baba and left Shirdi. Baba spoke in parables and gave some direct teachings. We will examine some of these here.

Once Baba said, “I was here thousands years ago.” Then Sayin Maharaj turned to me & started on apparently a new track. He said “This world is funny. All are my subjects. I look upon all equally, but some have become thieves and what can I do for them? People, who are themselves very near death, desire & make preparations for the death of others. They offended me a great deal. They hurt me a good deal but I said nothing. I kept quiet. God is very great & has his officers everywhere. They are all powerful. One must be content with the state in which God keeps him. But I am very powerful. I was here eight or ten thousand years ago.”

Khaparde wrote about Baba’s affection in his diary dated December 9^th 1910 as follows.I & my son intended going away today. In the morning, after prayer when we went as usual to see Sayin Maharaj, he asked my son if he intended going away & added that we may go away. We thought the necessary permission had been granted & made ready to start. My son packed all things, & engaged a spring cart & another to carry our things, & in the afternoon went to formally see the Sayin Maharaj before actually starting. On seeing me, Sayinsaheb said “Do you really intend going?” I replied “I wish to go but not if you do not permit.” He said “Then you may go tomorrow or the day after. This is our house. The Wada is our house & why anybody be afraid while I am here. This is our house & you should look upon it as your own house.” I agreed to stay & countermanded all arrangements for departure. We sat down talking. Sayin Maharaj was in a very pleasant mood, & said many pleasant things but I am afraid, I did not understand him. Next day morning after prayer, I told my son Baba never to mention anything about our going away to Sayin Maharaj. He knows all & would know when to send us away.

This was the description of his first visit to Shirdi. He related to us so many details through his diary.

OM SAI RAM!