55. BABA TESTED DAS GANU AND FULFILLED HIS DESIRE

[Guest guest]

Shri Das Ganu's Guru Shri Vaman Sastri Islampur was once told Das Ganu that

he was going to Kashi for attaining his last end and that thereafter he

should consider Shri Sai Baba as his Guru as Shri Sai Baba and himself were

not different. Shri Das Ganu first came to Shirdi in 1896 and took darshan

of Baba on frequent instigation of Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He was not a man to

believe on ones words. He will test every thing and believe himself. Baba

once told to Nana that Nana should offer meals and Ganu should invite all

for meals. This denotes that Ganu was a good writer. Even when Baba was in

anger, Ganu used to go and take darshan of Baba. Once Baba told Ganu, "we

should not serve under anybody and polish their boots'’ Ganu replied as

there was no other go for him, he was in the post of a police constable and

that he wrote the test for the post of Police Sub-Inspector. Baba again told

him "what is the use of passing Sub-Inspectors' test and that would you

satify if the job comes to you”. You should leave your job and the Almighty

will look after you." Nanasaheb Chandorkar also asked Das Ganu to give up

his job and obey Baba's instructions. Ganu left off going to Shirdi. Once

it so happened that he has to pass through Shirdi. Baba Himself gone

and met him and told him to give up the job. Even-then, he simply

bowed to Baba and went away. Once for writing Narasimha Swamy and

Meerabai Charitra, he came to Newasa without leave. At that time, a

dacoity appeared near Newasa, Sathegaom and Balgaom and by killing a

Marwari, stolen away property worth about Rs. 80,000/-. When this was

occurred, Ganu was a Head constable and he was not in head quarters.

His Police Sub-Inspector Mr. Warden an European asked others about Ganu

and on whose permission he was gone ? and when he was gone. His

Assistant a Muslim told the Sub-Inspector that Ganu gone to Belapur side

and his horse was with Kulkarni of Nippani Vadagaom. When the Kulkarni was

enquired, he told that Ganu was in debt to him and that is why he kept his

bourse with him. After hearing this, they went away. After Ganu

returned from Newasa the Kulkarni told Ganu about the matter and that his

Sub-Inspector was very angry with him. On hearing this Ganu went away

with the horse to Vadagaom and remembered Baba's word and realised that

these troubles were due to only for the disregard of Baba’s words. He came

to Godavari river and on pledging on Ganga water prayed to Baba that he

would give up the job, if Baba averted the said trouble. On his

journey to Vadagaom, Ganu missed the way and gone to Badaton and Bameton.

These Villages were under the Mhoguls and the dacoity in question vvas

done only by the hunters there and the decoities lit fire for warding off

cold and telling about their bold deed in the decoity and for the partition

of the property. After hearing their words, Ganu went near them as

a traveller to warm himself in their fire and told them that his calf

was lost and that he wanted to stay with them. The decoities told Ganu

to report to Amina there. Ganu asked them to show the Amina and for

that he would pay something to them. They shown Amina to him.

Ganu told Amina all about the decoities and with his help, Ganu was able

to catch all the decoities with all the properties. Amina went to

Mr. Warden and told him that Ganu captured all the decoities with

properties and that he was on the way. He was first enraged and later

felt glad that Ganu done a brilliant work, and recommended for his promotion

as Sub-Inspector. He went to Shirdi after this incident. Baba

reminded him of his vow in Godavari river and asked him to give up his

job. As he was once has to bear punishment for which he was really

not responsible, he gone to Shirdi requested Baba that if this trouble was

over, he would give up the job. Baba settled the affair. Ganu offered

his resignation. Mr. Warden told Ganu not to resign the job. As

Ganu was stubborn, Mr, Warden received his resignation. Ganu gone to

Shirdi and asked Baba what he has to do ? Baba asked him to go to

Nanded. Ganu went to Nanded and got the title of "Sant Kavi Das Ganu

Maharaj" in lieu of his previous occupation and name as Head constable

Ganesh Dattatreya Sahasra-budhe. This is only due to Baba's grace-

Surrender Shri Sai Completely / Stupendous Delectation and Deliverance be

there !!

 

( Adopted from AMBROSIA IN SHIRDI by Ramalingaswamy, Life Member of Shri

Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi at Munja Baba Sthan, Shirdi)

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