Devotee biography

Megha

Simple illiterate Brahmin cook of Rao Bahadur H. V. Sathe. Refused at first to bow to a "Muslim Baba"; eventually came to see Baba as Shiva incarnate. Walked koss for bela leaves; bathed Baba with Gomati water on Sankranti (Baba's head drenched, body dry). At his death in 1912 Baba walked with the funeral procession, showered flowers, wept.

Background

Simple, illiterate, of Viramgaon. A Brahmin cook in the employ of Rao Bahadur H. V. Sathe. A Shiva-devotee who chanted continuously "Namah Shivaya" — the five-syllabled mantra — but did not know the Sandhya or the Gayatri. Sathe taught him both, told him Sai Baba of Shirdi was the embodied form of Shiva, and sent him. (Ch. 28)

The Refusal

At Broach Railway Station Megha learnt Baba was a Muslim. His orthodox mind was perturbed at bowing to a Muslim. He begged Sathe to recall him. Sathe insisted; gave him a letter to Dada Kelkar. At the masjid Baba was indignant: "Kick out the rascal! You are a high-caste Brahmin and I am a low Moslem; you will lose your caste by coming here. So get away." Megha trembled — Baba had read his mind. He went home; thence to Tryambak for a year and a half; returned at Dada Kelkar's intercession.

Daily Worship

Megha came to see Baba as Shiva incarnate. He walked miles each day for bela leaves (the leaf used in Shiva worship); worshipped every village god first, then came to the masjid, saluted Baba's gadi, worshipped Baba, shampooed his legs, and drank the Tirth (washings) of Baba's feet. Once, when he came without worshipping Khandoba because the temple door had been closed, Baba refused his worship: "The door was open then. Go." Megha went, found it open, completed Khandoba's worship, returned.

The Gomati Bath (Makar-Sankranti)

Megha walked eight koss to bring Ganges-equivalent Gomati water for Baba's bath. Baba consented to a single pour on his head: "Oh Megha, do at least this favour; head is the most important organ of the body; pour the water over that only." Overwhelmed with love, Megha cried "Har Gange!" and emptied the whole pot over Baba's body. When he looked: Baba's head was drenched but the body was completely dry.

The Trident and Pindi

After twelve months of daily Arati, Baba appeared in pre-dawn vision and threw Akshata: "Megha, draw a Trident." The next day a Ramadasi from Poona arrived with a Pindi (Shiva image). Kakasaheb Dixit simultaneously saw a Pindi in mental vision. Baba then installed the Pindi beside Megha's worship-picture. Baba on the nature of his own coming and going: "I require no door to enter. I have no form nor any extension; I always live everywhere. I carry on, as a wirepuller, all the actions of the man who trusts Me and merges in Me."

Death (1912)

After many years of regular morning and evening Arati, Megha passed away in 1912. The villagers followed the funeral procession. Baba walked with them, showered flowers on Megha's body. After the obsequies, tears flowed from Baba's eyes. Like an ordinary mortal, Baba was overcome with grief and sorrow. Baba passed his hand over the corpse: "This was a true devotee of Mine." Baba ordered the customary Brahmin funeral-dinner at his own expense; Kakasaheb Dixit carried out the order. (Ch. 28, Ch. 31)