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| Book's on Shri Shirdi Sai Baba - 013 |
Shirdiche Sai Baba
Dr. Keshav Bhagwant Gawankar
About Book
We are very glad to introduce another great book Shirdi Che Sai Baba
(English) originally written by Dr. Keshav Bhagwant Gawankar in
Marathi and translated into English by Mrs. Sangeeta Joshi. It is a
must read book for those who wish to know about Lord Sai Baba very
closely and in detail. It has been translated into Gujarati too and
it is available for sale too.
Dr. Annasaheb Keshav Gawankar
was inspired by the famous Palaye-Shashtri, to render discourses and
perform Kirtans. One day Shashtri told him, "As you have
mastered the art of Kirtan, you can also write biography of Sai Baba
in an interesting way".
In 1964, one day, Dr. Annasaheb
retired from the day's word and went to bed as usual. He was fast
asleep. After midnight his sleep was interrupted and he was in a
half-awake-state. He clearly heard Sai baba say to him, "Come
on, get up and start writing My stories." Dr. Annasaheb was
quite sure that it was Baba's voice. He immediately rose from the
bed. After a sincere prayer to Baba he started writing the biography
of Baba. He noted the time. It was 1:30 am (after midnight). He went
into a trance and started writing and did not stop till 10:00 O'clock
in the morning. During that short span of time he had completed many
chapters of this book "Shirdi Che Sai Baba". Originally the
book was in Marathi.
Sai Baba got this 'Seva' (service) done
by Dr. Annasaheb. The biography was completed in due course. But
Annsaheb was worried about its publication. He had no funds for
spending on it. Sai Baba is still alive in "Sanjivan Samadhi"
and he obviates the difficulties of His devotees. One day Shri
Ramanlal Patel came to Dr. KB.Gawankar (Annasaheb), and offered him
Rs. 4000/- for the publication of the book. Shortly thereafter, it
was published and was quickly soldou at the hands of devotees (First
Marathi Edition was published in 1966). After about forty year, by
the tireless efforts of his son Dr. Sainath Keshav Gawankar, the
second edition was published in 2006.
About Author
In 1918 Keshav with his parents and aunty
visited Shirdi with a packet of pedhas as fulfillment of a vow taken
five years before. There Baba blessed Keshav. He gripped the tuft of
his hair and placed his head on His own toes. Then He asked for two
paise from Keshav. It was a mock give-and-take. These two paise were
faith and patience. He then removed His 'Kafni' and gave it to Keshav
as a gift which is still preserved in his residence at Kurla. Baba
then through dreams introduced him to his Moksha Guru Dr. Trimbak
Vitthal Samant of Kurla, also known as Bhau Samant.
Under his
guru's guidance he enriched his spiritual life and at the same time
discharged righteously his household duties. He was himself a saint.
To the many who knew him, he was a source of strength and solace.
From a politician to a policeman, rich and poor were treated alike,
with warmeth and affection, when they came to him with their
problems. To him every individual was a temple of God. Their problems
got solved and always his predictions came true because of the
guidance of Lord Sai Baba before Whom he presented their problems.
Being thus in constant communion with Sai Baba, he eradicated the
mental pain and physical infirmities of his devotees who came for his
advice and sought his blessings. To a few of his deserving devotees
he gave mantras for Naam Japa, thereby advancing their spiritual
progress. It was during his tenure as the president of the Shirdi
Sansthan that Sai baba's statue was installed in the main Samadhi
Mandir.
He was also the editor of 'SAI LEELA' magazine. he
was also the author of other two books in Marathi namely "SHILADHI"
(Shirdi) and "Sai Baba Hach Chamatkar" (Sai Baba, A
Miracle)
He visited Shirdi very frequently and stayed at
Shama's house. During his stay, Shama use to narrate many incidents
regarding Baba's miracles and other episodes in his day-to-day
interaction with Sai Baba. Here, it should be noted that Madhavrao
Deshpande alias Shama was to Lord Sai Baba, as Arjuna was to Lord
Krishna. Also, Dr. Annasaheb Keshav Gawankar has included in this
Book, many such narrations of other first-ranking devotees of Sai
Baba with whom he was fortunate enough to interact.
On going
through the various chapters of ths Book the reader will get a deeper
insight in Sai Baba's daily routine, His code of conduct, words of
eternal wisdom and also the innumerable Leelas or Miracles Baba
performed. Even today, lakhs of His devotees are experiencing His
presence and they have realised that, "Sai Baba is truly a
Helping Hand, To the most needy and a troubled man".
Contents
