DAMUANNA – NANASAHEB RASANE
Damodar alias Damuanna Savlaram Rasane was one of the devotees of Shri Sai Baba from the very beginning.
His family was very pious. Mahipatibuva Tahrabadkar – a writer of biographies of saints – was the Guru of his grandfather while Bhanudas Maharaj was Guru of his father.
By nature, he was extremely polite. He began his business of selling bangles at Ahmednagar, when he was financially very poor and soon prospered with the business. He was broken hearted because - though he was blessed with various contentments of life – he did not have a son. As his first wife did not bear him a son, he married a second time. However, it was of no avail.
He started feeling, that to beget a son, he must serve saintly persons and get their blessings. To secure favour from various astral planets, he even turned to astrologers. He was advised that, in your Putra-sthan the evil planet Ketu has entered and therefore, the planet Guru is helpless. The result is, it is not in his fate to have a son. In the course of consulting a countless astrologers, Rasane himself earned excellent knowledge of astrology.
During this period, an acquaintance of Rasane Family Shri Govindrao Sapkar (father-in-law of Madhavrao Deshpande of Shirdi – an ardent devotee of Baba) suggested Rasane that he should seek advice and blessings of Shri Sai Baba.
Sometime soon, in 1892, Damuanna went to Nimgaon in connection with some work. There he heard more information about Sai Baba. As Nimgaon is only one-and-half miles from Shirdi, Rasane went to avail Baba’s Darshan.
Damuanna was a devotee of Shri Guru Dattatray and Shankar. He had made religious trips to various places of pilgrimage. Therefore, on having Darshan of Baba, Rasane became an ardent devotee of Him. He had gone with only one desire – that of having a son. And in the first meeting, Baba said to him, “Your desire shall be fulfilled.”
As Ahmednagar is near to Shirdi, Damusheth started frequently going there. Initially, Baba did not allow him to stay at Shirdi. However, Damuanna was incessantly thinking of Baba and seeing Him before his eyes. He was sad that Baba is not permitting him to stay longer at Shirdi.
In these circumstances, he lost his sister. He became more depressed. During the mourning period itself, Baba called him to the upper portion of the Masjid and lent him advice and condoled him. He instructed Rasane to go to Appa Kulkarni, apply Tilak of sandal and have Puran Poli. Though this is forbidden during the mourning period, Rasane – because of his steadfast devotion to Baba – followed Baba’s words.
As many as 6-7 years passed, but there were no signs that Rasane’s desire for a son will be fulfilled. It was year 1898-99. Rasane’s relatives began cajoling him to either marry a third time or adopt his brother’s son. He decided to place the dilemma directly before Baba and began his journey towards Shirdi.
At that time, a Mamledar, named Rale had sent a parcel of excellent mangoes from Goa. The parcel was sent in the name of Madhavrao Deshpande with a request to place the fruits as a gift to Baba. On opening the parcel, it revealed beautiful, sweet and fragrant mangoes. They were about 300 in numbers. Baba inspected all of them and selected eight. Placing them in Madhavrao’s hands and instructing him to keep them in Kolamba, He said, “Let these be for Damya”.
Baba was very much fond of children. Collecting them around Him, He distributed sweets and Prasad amongst them. Taking advantage of the playful relations between Baba and the kids, they used to sometimes steal articles of food. Baba also ignored such pranks.
When the parcel of mangoes arrived, as usual, several children were playing in the Masjid. The mangoes were distributed amongst them. However, seeing the mangoes kept in the Kolamba, the kids began asking for the fruits. Baba said, “Now there are no more mangoes left.” The kids pointed out the mangoes kept in the Kolamba. Baba said, “These are for my Damya.” Kids replied, “But, where is Damusheth ? He is not here.” Baba said, ‘‘Yes. That is true. But, he is on his way to Shirdi. He is coming here.”
In spite of this, seeing that Baba had gone to Lendi Baug, some of the kids stole four mangoes from the Kolamba.
Baba returned from Lendi Baug and Damuanna had arrived in Masjid to perform his Pooja !
On seeing that only four mangoes out of eight are left in the Kolamba, Baba remarked, “People have their eyes on these mangoes. But, these are not theirs. They belong to Damuanna. One should eat these mangoes and die.”
Damuanna heard these words and was amazed to hear “die”. Though he was familiar with Baba’s way of speaking, he felt hurt and his eyes welled with tears at the inauspicious word.
Mhalsapati consoled him and said, ‘‘Look at these words as a blessing. He is not talking of death of mortal body, but of evils such as Avidya, Maya, Ahankar. Damusheth, your wellbeing is in following His instructions.’’
As per Baba’s directions, Damuanna ate one mango. In a clam tone, Baba told him, ‘‘Take rest of the mangoes for your wife. With Allah’s blessings, you will bear eight children.”
After performing Pooja, Damusheth started on his return journey, but turned back and enquired, “To whom shall I give these – to the elder wife or younger wife ?” Baba replied “Younger one.”
Damusheth was totally devastated thinking that his fate has no children for him. However, a new hope rekindled in his heart hearing Baba’s words.
After Damuanna’s wife partook the Prasad, she gave birth to eight children – for sons and four daughters. However, during the course of time, four kids soon passed away. Baba had foretold the order in which the kids will be born and in reality, it turned out to be true. Not only this, Baba had also said that, “You will have two sons first.’’
Accordingly, the first son was born in year 1900 – on 6th December, on the auspicious day of Datta Jayanti. Due to Baba’s blessings all the four sons were able bodied, intelligent, good businessmen, as well as good family men. The sons were born in a rich family and their wealth increased many-folds in later years. Baba’s words thus came out to be true.
Damuanna believed that the flag of his family fluttered (through the births of his sons) due to Baba’s blessings. Therefore, on the suggestion of Gopalrao Gund, Damuanna began the practice of hoisting a flag on the top of the Masjid. He also contributed sizable finance for the tiling of the Masjid flooring.
After hoisting of the flag, Damuanna donated food amongst the poor and needy. This event took place in the second year of the Urus.
Damuanna had prepared Naivedya and invited Baba for the meal. He knew that it was Baba’s practice not to go for meals outside the Masjid. Therefore, Damuanna requested, “Baba, please send Balaji Patil Nevaskar to have meal at my place.” As Balaji belonged to lower caste, Baba said, “You will make him sit at a far off place and shoo him away.” But, ultimately, after lot of persuasion, Baba gave his permission.
Damusheth served various preparations in a Thali and first offered it before Baba’s picture. Then, he placed a Thali for Balaji next to his own Thali and greeted Baba saying loudly “Baba, Yaa (come).” Suddenly, a huge black colored dog – covered with mud and filth – arrived there. Damusheth was going to drive him away, but he remembered Baba’s words about “shooing away”. He was now certain that Baba was trying to take his test by sending the dog. Damuanna first served food to the dog and only thereafter, others had their meals.
‘‘I will carry your burden for ever !’’
Baba had told Damuanna the names that were to be given to the first two sons and Damuanna had noted them down in his diary. One year passed thereafter and Damuanna’s first son was born. When the boy was an infant, Damuanna took him to Shirdi and placed him at Baba’s feet. He enquired, “Baba, what name shall I give him ?” Baba retorted, “Damya, did you forget, what I had told you in such a short time ? You have noted down the name on the third page of your diary. Have I not told you to name him ‘Daulatsha’ ? As instructed by Baba, Damuanna named him as ‘Daulatsha’ (Dattatray Damodar alias Nanasaheb Rasane).
After a few years thereafter, the second son ‘Tanashah’ was born.
When Daulatshah became five year old, Damusheth took him to Shirdi for Chaul Karma. Baba held the boy’s hand in His own hand and taught him to write the word ‘Hari’.
Baba also gave guidance at the time of marriage of Daulatshah alias Nanasaheb Rasane. For this boy from a rich family, several proposals were coming from well-off families. One of the proposal was from his own maternal uncle who was offering a dowry of Rs. 2-3,000. There was also a proposal from a poor family from Pandharpur. Due to financial condition, the family could offer no dowry.
Damusheth took a bunch of horoscopes to Shirdi and along with Madhavrao went to see Baba. Madhavrao showed the horoscopes to Baba and enquired, “Which proposal should they accept ?” Baba held the papers in his hands and selected the one belonging to the girl from poor family. Accordingly, Damusheth went with the alliance of his son with that girl.
The marriage was held in Pandharpur. Damusheth also invited Baba for the marriage. Baba assured him - “I am always near you. Don’t be afraid. Whenever you think of me, that every time I will be with you. Don’t forget this.” As Damushet repeatedly invited Him, Baba said, “Without Allah’s permission, I cannot do anything. I will send Shamya on my behalf.”
Madhavrao alias Shama attended the marriage at Pandharpur.
The people criticized Damusheth for foregoing such large sum of dowry and having alliance with a poor family. However, without getting attracted towards any monetary matters, Damuanna followed Baba’s instructions to the last word. Daulatshah’s family life with his wife began on the path of happiness.
Inner Kowledgeable Baba
A Mumbai Broker and a friend of Damusheth once recommended a deal to him. He said, “If you purchase cotton now for Rs. 50-60,000, after some time it will fetch you at least Rs. 1 Lakh. However, you must not delay the matter.”
Damusheth did not do anything without taking Baba’s advice. On this occasion also he wrote a letter requesting Madhavrao to seek Baba’s permission for the deal. But, Baba said, ‘‘Has he gone mad ? He thinks that with such a purchase he will reach the sky. But, tell him, not to run after Lakhs. And, what is he lacking at home that he is getting involved in such unnecessary matters ?”
Damusheth was little dejected on receiving such an answer from Baba. He decided to go to Shirdi and himself put the question to Baba. It was his practice to press Baba’s legs after going to Shirdi. While pressing Baba’s legs, an idea entered his mind – why not offer part of the profit to Baba. But, before he could utter a word, Baba retorted, “Damya, I do not want to get involved in any transactions.” Then Damusheth gave up the idea altogether.
On another occasion, he asked Baba’s permission about trading in food provisions. Baba said, “The market rates will collapse and purchase prices will be higher than the selling prices.” Damuanna told this to his business friends. They said, “Actually, the present situation is exactly opposite.”
However, during that season the rains were very good and the crop was abundant. The result was – the prices came crashing down and the hoarders lost a lot of money.
Damusheth himself narrated these stories about his business to Narsinha Swamy.
Once, Damusheth’s appeal was being heard in Mumbai High Court. The lawyer wanted him to come to Mumbai. Damusheth went to Shirdi to seek permission from Baba. However, Baba did not allow him to go to Mumbai. Not only that, He made him stay with Him. Here in Mumbai, Damusheth won the case.
When Damusheth first went to Shirdi, it was Balaji Patil of village Nevasa who used to sweep the Masjid, lit the lamps and do other such work. Damusheth obtained permission of Baba and started participating the chores.
While Baba was Dehdhari, Damuanna took his advice in person and after His Samadhi Damuanna put chits of paper with “yes” - “no” options before Baba’s photo and picked one of them treating it as Baba’s advice.
Supreme Guru - Shri Sai Baba
In the year 1926, Damusheth’s senior son – Dattatray alias Nanasaheb went to Kedgaon to avail the Darshan of Shri Narayan Maharaj. The moment Maharaj spotted him, he said, “Your Guru is Param Guru. He is several levels above me. Why did you come here ? Your fate is safe in the hands of Baba. You have chosen rightly. You go to Him and yours shall be accomplished.”
‘‘I will only fulfil wishes of my devotees !’’
Nanasaheb was childless for a long time. Earlier he lost three children due to epilepsy. His wife, therefore, tried to persuade him to get married for a second time. He was depressed and sad. He lost interest in family matters.
In such a frame of mind, once sat in front of Baba’s Samadhi in Shirdi and began pleading - “Baba, bless me either with a child or show me the path to Atma Kalyan.” While appealing thus, his eyes welled with tears. Just then he heard a faint voice from the Samadhi – “Santati Ho Jayegi (You shall be blessed with a child) !” Nanasaheb’s joy did not know any bounds. He prostrated before the Samadhi. He was amazed and ecstatic – not because he was going to be blessed with a child but with realization that his Sadguru responded to his prayers. In 1928, he bore a son.
As Nanasaheb had only one son, his father Damusheth prayed in front of the Samadhi and Nanasaheb was blessed with a second son in 1931.
Damuanna said, “I incessantly think of Baba. He sometimes gives me Darshan, sometimes even abuses me and on occasions even thrashes me. It is said that devotees of Akkalkot Swami benefited from abuses and beatings sometimes showered upon them. So is the case of Baba. Therefore, I was never hurt with his bad words or thrashings. Nor did my devotion and affection get any less.”
A theft was committed at the Ahmednagar house of Damuanna. The startling fact was it was committed by a person who served in the home for as many as 33 years. With the help of keys, he opened the cupboard and took away the box containing family ornaments. It included a very old nose-ring which is priceless for a married lady. The loss of the nose-ring hurt everyone more than anything else.
After the name of the thief was revealed, Damuanna was very much disheartened. He was unable to understand the reasons which tempted the servant to commit such a deed. In turn, the man was threatened with dire consequences and offered various enticements, but to no avail. He did not disclose anything. A police enquiry commenced. But, in his heart Damuanna repeatedly felt that the matter should not be dragged to court.
Ultimately, he sat in front of Baba’s photo and began praying. He placed the matter before Baba. Baba was his ultimate court. The very next day, the servant produced the stolen box of ornaments – intact with all its contents – before Damusheth and sought forgiveness.
Clearance of doubts
This is an event which took place sometime in 1910-11. Once, as usual, Damusheth was sitting at the feet of Baba. There, two questions going around in his mind. One was – “So many devotees come every day to Baba. Do they all benefit from coming here ?” The moment the question was formed, Baba replied, “See ! You must have observed the Mohor that a mango tree gets ? But, some of it gets drained before conversion into fruit. Even all fruits do not reach the stage of ripening. Ultimately, only mangoes become ripe.”
The second question was, “What will happen to me, when Baba is no more ?” Baba immediately replied, ‘‘Damya, whenever and wherever you think of me, I will be always there with you.”
Before his demise, Damusheth called his sons near him and earnestly told them, “From time to time my Baba has given me money – totaling now to Rs 31. Take care of them even more than your life. These are not simple Rupee coins – they are Saakshaat Kamdhenu. Make sure that nothing is left wanting in your service to Shri Sai Baba.”
Damusheth breathed his last at the ripe old age of 89 on 20th January 1941. His successive generations hold only Baba in esteem as their Param Aaradhya Daivat. The young and old from their household, even today follow Sai Baba’s teachings. As directed by Damuanna, the senior son – Nanasaheb – gave more importance to serving Sai Baba than looking after his own family. Baba also helped him in his Parmarthik progress. He spent major portion of his life in propagating the teachings of Shri Sai Baba. He was a trustee of Shirdi Sai Sansthan.
OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!