Monday, June 19, 2017
Sri Gajanan Maharaj
Sri Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon
Shegaon in vidarbha region of Maharashtra has been a sacred confluence of three rivers , verily a powerhouse , symbolising the Ganges as Affluence, the Yamuna as Courteousness and Saraswati as Virtuousness due to the very auspicious presence of the great Saint Sri Gajanan Maharaj. That is the reason of Shegaon being a pilgrim place now. It is indeed a heaven on Earth, a University of Satsanga, a Siddhapeeth by virtue of innumerable Saints and Sages having visited the place and indeed Pandharpur itself, by virtue of incessant Namasmarana taking place all the time. “Samasta Lola Sukhino Bhavantu” as Swami exhorts us to pray, is being practiced here verbatim !
It is said that Sri Gajanan Maharaj was first seen in Shegaon on 23 February 1878 ( Magh Vadya 7 Shakay 1800) at mid noon. He led innumerable people on to path of Devotion and Action (Bhakti and Karma) by virtue of His Divine powers and umpteen miracles. He never wore any clothes, being a Digambar Sadhu. He was quite young when first seen. He would hardly ever speak to anyone and if ever He spoke it was in Telugu. It seems He would sing various Bhajans in different musical notes; however His favourite ones would be “Gani Gana Ganaat Botay” or “Chandan Chaval Bel Ki Patiya” and while singing thus He would beat his fingers vigorously as beats. He was perhaps initiated into Yoga by Sri Narasimha Maharaj and later continued His Yoga Sadhana; He acquired definite mystique powers undoubtedly.
His overall behaviour perhaps looked erratic and wanton. Traditional Yogamarga postulates three types of tendencies, which are insolent (Unmatta), devilish (Pishaccha) and childlike (Bala). Perhaps the third one was more apparent in his day to day life. And therefore his devotees or people around would protect and look after Him religiously.
As said earlier, innumerable miracles took place while He was alive, be it saving individuals from imminent calamities or warning them beforehand . In fact, many unexplained miracles do happen even now. However, the only motive behind those is to lead mankind on to the Royal road of honesty, integrity, hard work, unsullied devotion and right conduct.
Sri Gajanan Maharaj laid down His mortal body on 8 September 1910. A beautiful Samadhi Mandir was erected later and the Sansthan undertakes multifarious humanitarian activities now.
We bow down and prostrate at the lotus feet of Sri Gajanan Maharaj.
Jai Sairam
