Nanavalli (d.1918)
Nanavalli was a unique and intriguing Sai Baba devotee, who called himself the
"General of Sai Baba's army". His background and history are shrouded
in as much mystery as Sai Baba's, and he was notorious for his erratic and
eccentric behaviour. Some people were afraid of this man - not only would he
carry snakes in his pockets and scorpions in his mouth, but he would violently
abuse and attack certain people for no apparent reason. Others felt him to be a
mahatma, with an outstanding love for Sai Baba. His appearance was wild and
dishevelled - sometimes he went naked and sometimes he dressed in old sacking.
If we investigate the life of Nanavalli, we uncover a tale of touching and
inspiring devotion, and a model of vairagya (dispassion).
Nanavalli's samadhi
Accounts of Nanavalli's background
vary. One says that he was a Brahmin by birth and another that he was born into
a Muslim family. Some-times he wore the clothes of a Muslim fakir, and at
others those of a Hindu sadhu. Thus again like Baba, his religious roots were
ambiguous. However, both versions agree that as a small boy Nanavalli served in
a Muslim dargah and came to attend Baba upon divine inspiration. Nobody knows
when he came to Shirdi, but some say he was already there when Baba arrived
with the wedding party. Upon seeing Baba, Nanavalli greeted him affectionately,
"Oh, Uncle, you have come!" Thereafter, he always addressed Baba as
"Mama" or Uncle.
Nanavalli was content to see Baba
only occasionally and from a distance, but his emotion for Baba was such that
he felt all glory and greatness should be Baba's and that none should accrue to
himself. He used to say, "My duty is only to protect my uncle."
Nanavalli could not bear immorality
or hypocrisy. He seemed to know devotees' inner thoughts and target them
accordingly. He would sometimes wait outside Baba's mosque and beat up certain
individuals. Though people would rush to Baba and complain, Baba would never
reprimand Nanavalli, but simply warn them to be careful of him.
H. V. Sathe was a prominent devotee
with a prestigious job in the colonial government. For some reason, he was
particularly harassed by Nanavalli. During the Chavadi processions, Sathe had
the privilege of carrying a sort of regal sceptre and walking in front of Baba.
On one such occasion Nanavalli attacked Sathe on the back of the neck with a
piece of broken glass. Another time, when Sathe was about to go to the mosque
to worship Baba, his father-in-law rushed in and begged him not to, as
Nanavalli was waiting there with an axe threatening to kill him. Sathe was so
afraid that he fled Shirdi without seeing Baba or getting his permission to
leave. That was in 1916 and he never came back to Shirdi again while Baba was
alive.3
As Sai Baba's fame grew, he was
worshipped with increasing pomp and splendour. One day Nanavalli strolled into
the mosque, which was crowded with visitors, and to the horror and
mortification of those present, demanded of Baba, "Please get up. I want
to sit there!" Baba immediately rose from his seat, saying, "Please
sit." Nanavalli took his place. The devotees were appalled at his audacity
and wanted to drag him away, but when they saw Baba's expression - calm and
happy - they desisted. After a few moments Nanavalli exclaimed,
"Shabash!" ("Good, well done!"), prostrated before Baba and
danced ecstatically before leaving. Some say that Nanavalli wished to test the
object of his adoration to see if any egoism had crept in, but others believe
that he harboured no such doubts and simply wanted to demonstrate Baba's purity
and detachment. Baba did not comment on the incident and none dared to ask him
about it.
Nanavalli's attachment to Baba was
so great that he used to say, "If Baba goes, I'll not be around for
long." Sure enough, when Baba passed away Nanavalli rushed to Dwarkamai
crying, "Uncle, without you how can I live? I am coming with you!"
With that, he went to the Hanuman Mandir. There he wept grievously and took no
food. Thirteen days later Nanavalli too passed away.
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