Shri Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon
Gajanan - The Phenomenon! (Birth : 23rd Feb. 1878- Death : September 8, 1910)A Banyan tree in old Shegaon. Two youngsters noticed a peculiar personality strongly built. Fair in complexion. Young in age. Peculiar calmness and satisfaction on face. Searching rice particles on the patrawalies. And chanting Gan Gan Ganat Bote. No effect on face of scorching heat of summer noon time. That was the first appearance of Gajanan Maharaj in tiny Shegaon Town. The personality was so impressive that the tow youngsters, Bankatlal and Damodar were attracted to the charm, And then began the legendary life; his legendary charisma!
It is said that he was the Awatara of Samarth Ramdasa of Sajjangarh. Devotees used to offer him rich food, clothes, ornaments etc. But he used throw away all there. He used to lie anywhere, eat anything, wear any piece of cloth or nothing at all.He used to keep away from the worldly things. But though he tried to the people that he is in same, he has no literary knowledge, and so on. it is amply proved that - he was Bedshastree Sampnna, he was perfect in Yogashastra and that he had done Tapascharya, and he even knew the language (or psychology) of animals and birds. That's why Mahan Yogies, learned people and famous personalities used to come to see him. It is not denying the fact that he was with Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak at Shivjayanti meeting at Akola, and that also on dias, alongwith Annasaheb Patwardhan, Dadasaheb Khaparde, Damble, Kolhatkar, Bhave, Desai etc.
He with Lokmanya Tilak and Dadasaheb Khaprde of Amravati went to have the Darshana of Prabhu Ramchandra at famous Ram Mandir of Akola. Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati also visited Shegaon to meet Gajanan Maharaj. So many people of education and status used to visit Shegaon. Gajanan Mahraj was Siddhayogi He has done so many unusual things which were called chamatkaras. He has famed odd behaving animals. He had ordered birds like crows to behave properly. He had brought water to waterless well; cured the sick, helped the helpless, showed right path to those who wanted and what not? He had gives people advice to his devotees. He could read the mind of his Bhakta. Those who came to see him with some purpose in mind, always went home satisfied. It is sad (and said rightly) that there was always peace and satisfaction around his stature. His eyes could give proper direction to the erring. He was thoroughly a 'faith heater' a psychiatric in today's language. That's why he is worshipped in every house in Vidarbha, Maharashtra and nearly states. In Vidarbha without showing (giving) him Naivedhya nobody take one's meal. Because of the immense good done to the devotees. He had become a legendary phenomenon. There are hundreds & Thousand of Temples in all the parts of Maharashtra as well as outside Maharashtra of his name. That's why Shegaon of Shri Gajanan Maharaj is called "Bhu-Vaikenth", "The Abode of Bhagwan Shri Vishnu on earth". In short he was a Rishi guiding the disciples, he was a yogi taking care of disciples, he was a Siddha doing good of the disciples, he was Vedandti correcting the Pandits & Kirtankaras, and he was Guru-Acharya showing the real path to the disciples. And yet he tied to keep alert of all of this, all through his life. So he has become the Daivat of Vidarbha, and Shegaon has become the Pandharpur of Vidarbha.
He himself advised his disciples to make a Trust. And a Trust, "Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan" was established in 1908. After so many things for the betterment of his devotees. Gajanan Maharaj on his own decided to take the leave from this world. He took this decision in front of Shri Vitthala at Pandharpur at the time of Ashadhi Ekadashi in 1910. He told so to his Bhaktas. They became shocked, They cried wept, They opposed, tried to pursue - But He was firm; firm as a rock of course he advised all of them, pursuedd to be calm, have confidence and give him permission. He even told them the date of his Maha Nirvana and the place for his Samadhi. (Nearly One Month Before). And the day was Bhadrapada Shuddha Panchami i.e. Rishi Panchami Shake 1832 (Guruwar) i.e. 8th Sept. 1910 (Thursday). It was the darkest morning in Shegaon and its vicinity! It was allover. Thousands of Bhaktas, male-female, old and young gathered. No words to describe their grief. All men-women -children-animals-birds all were weeping-crying-in their hears. And Their Beloved? He was calm and the usual smile on his face ! All his innumerable disciples or devotees suppose that their Daivat Sadguru Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj is still alive and guides and helps them. They tell their experiences of his helps and blessings. That's why the flow of thousands of devotees to Shegaon!.
Sai Baba of Shirdi and Gajanan Maharaj- their spiritual relationship
Saibaba of Shirdi is a very much revered saint. His fame has crossed international boundaries . Anyone who would look at him would know for certain that Saibaba's attitude was that of an equanimity. Saibaba and Shri Gajanan Maharaj knew each other. It is said that Saibaba was in a mourning on the day Gajanan Maharaj had left his body. Late Shri Dadasaheb Khaparde had told that Saibaba wept profusely on the day Gajanan Maharaj breathed his last. "My life-breath is leaving me--- a great part of my soul is giving up my body." These were the words of sorrow uttered by Saibaba. It is said that the work of Gajanan Maharaj devolved on Saibaba and the latter had taken responsibility of looking after all those who were near Maharaj. Sai Baba is supposed to have shaved off his head in mourning on the day Maharaj attained Mahasamadhi on 8-9-1910.
