To all dear devotees of Shri Sai
My most Humble Salutations.
'Om Sai Ram'
I am new to this forum, so I am not sure if I am posting this question at the right place. Kindly forgive me for that.
It is said that to understand the life of Shri Sai , it is good, if not essential , to peep into the lives of the devotees
who lived with and served Him, devoting their entire lives at His divine feet. I bow down before their devotion and
incomparable fortune.
The list of such blessed souls comprises of men and women with distinguished and enviable personalities blessed with the
highest of virtues.
However, this post is dedicated to Shamya or Madhavrao Deshpandeji , one of the closest devotees of Sai Baba.
My doubt here is that I am largely unable to understand the character of Shamya and the nature of his devotion to Shri
Sai.
And before going any further, I would like to clarify that I in no way, either intentionally or unintentionally, mean to
disrespect this great devotee of Baba, but am just asking out of ignorance with the belief that knowing about Baba's Nandi will be equivalent to asking Baba itself , so kindly don't take any offence.
Different sources of literature offer different and often conflicting viewpoints about Shamya , right from his date of
birth.
While most books mention that he attained Samadhi at the age of 80, the interview with his son Shri Uddhav Rao Deshpande states that his father crossed 100 years of age. Similarly, about his family life, it is stated that he was married twice , but there is no clarification on whether it was due to death of first wife, 'SavitriBai' or for some other reason. Also his parent's death , especially the mother's death which ultimately led him to Shri Kakaji Vaidya of Vani , some 30 years later, was it during the time Baba was already present in Shirdi and a strong bond of love had been formed between them or before that?
Also , Baba always referred to Madhavrao ji as Shama or Shamya or Maza Shamya , but why? Why was he nicknamed thus? Baba often gave nicknames to his devotees Langda Kaka, Gondmukhya , etc. , but most of them were based on certain characteristics of the devotees or were premonitory in nature , predicting certain events in their life.... But what was 'Shyama' name based on? Many books explain the significance of the word Shyam but most of them are afterthoughts. Citing what characteristic of Madhavrao did Baba name him Shyama?
Now, coming to the nature of Shama's relationship with Baba.. It is often stated as a playful and informal sort of
relationship that existed between Baba and Shyama.
While some books state that this was due to the highest stages of devotion reached by Shyamaji while others state that it was mere ignorance of Baba's real form and a result of over-familiarity with His physical form.
Some describe his devotion as Sakhya Bhav but even among that there are stark contrasts between other historical examples of friend devotees and Baba and Shamya's relationship.
Some say that it was Dasya Bhav but then Shama often questioned Baba's ways .
And again I state that I am not questioning it but just attempting to understand for while reading about their
conversations and interactions, my heart overflows with joy.
Also it is said that Shyama used to often get angry with Baba, one example is stated in Khaparde diary where something
along the lines happens by not attending Baba's Kakad Aarti. Did Baba always cajole and pacify him like he did to Tatya?
Is it true that Baba used to become impatient by Shamya's long periods of absence from Shirdi even though he Himself sent him away to begin with. Like shown in the serial by Shri Ramanand Sagar was Shama always reluctant to leave Baba and go elsewhere while it was Baba who sent him to varied places?
In general what was so special about Shamya that Baba found him fit to represent Himself through him over and above other , maybe more learned and well read devotees? What were his special characteristics that made Baba hold him so dear to his own heart so as to honour his word even above his own?
Ok now I am just rambling , so I will end this post , with just this last quotation,
"Shri Suman Sundar, a learned scholar of that time, writes - “Amongst His ‘devotee family’ Baba had allotted two major
duties to two of His disciples - Madhavrao Balwantrao Deshpande was the Vichar (thoughts), while Nanasaheb Chandorkar was the Vivek (conscience).”
What does this imply??
"Om Sai Ram"
Topic: Unable to understand the life of Shri Madhavrao (Read 3875 times)