Dasganu Maharaj

Part 1

Dasganu’s real name was Ganapathy Dattatreya Sahasrabuddhe. Baba used to call him “Ganu” with lot of affection. He spread Baba’s miracles and his glory in the form of Kirtanas (Poetic songs) and story telling through out the state of Maharastra in India. He is the pioneer in writing Baba’s brief biographies in his books like Bhakta Leelamrutam, Bhakta Saramrutam and Santha Kathamrutam. He wrote these books when Baba was in flesh. Some of these books were given to Shyama by Baba.

     

Dasganu's ancestors - Sahastrabuddhes were the village chiefs of in Ratnagiri district. The great grandfather of Dasganu Maharaj - Shri Appaji Narayan Sahastrabuddhe moved to Ahmednagar from Karkamb. He served as a Tahasildar and after retirement, he took renunciation (Sanyasa) and went to Kashi to leave his body at the feet of Lord Vishweshwar. He had one son by the name of Shri Eknathpant. He worked very hard and made a very good name for the family. Shri Eknathpant had four sons. His fourth son Shri Dattatreya was the father of Das Ganu Maharaj. Dattopant was not a keen student. He neither bothered to take good education nor did he try to get a government job. He stayed back in his family house and looked after the family farms and property. He was very much interested in music. He was always surrounded by a number of music lovers. He did not pay much attention to his business. He was married to Smt. Savitribai. She was from a royal family, very well cultured, intelligent and pious lady. Since her husband was a happy go lucky type of person, she spent most of her time in devotion.

In the year 1867, Smt. Savitribai gave birth to our Maharaj. After the nativity, the child would not suckle the mother and started weeping continuously. Doctors were invited but no use. The child's grandmother prayed to Lord Khandoba with tears in her eyes. These fervent prayers were answered and the child stopped crying and suckled the mother. The child was named Narayan in Akolner but when it was taken to Nagar, his grandfather saw his big belly, big ears and a Siva Lingam type projection on his temple. Grandfather spontaneously named the child Ganesh.

Ganapati was more interested in singing and street plays as he was growing up. He did not show much interest in education. He used to play female roles in these street plays. He had utmost faith in Vittal as his deity. He was fascinated with Pandharpur where his Vittal is. After his initial education he joins Police department as a Constable. He was called as constable number 808. He always dreamt about being a Sub- Inspector and wanted to write departmental exams. Nana Chandorkar was one of his higher officers. He was asked to come to see Baba by Nana sahib. He met Sai Baba in 1892 AD. Even though Dasganu was not interested to meet Baba but Baba dragged him to Shirdi. Baba wanted to bring changes in his behavior so that he can advance in spiritual life. Baba knew that Dasganu will serve him in the future. He tells him to quit street plays and resign his job as police. But Dasganu tells Baba that he will leave the job after he becomes Sub- Inspector. Then Baba tells him that is not possible and he will never become a Sub-Inspector. 

Baba changing Dasganu’s mind about quitting his job:

First incident:

Dasganu loved to go on pilgrimages. Absenting himself from his duty, he used to visit holy places without taking the permission of his superiors, which would not be easily granted. On one such occasion, he had gone to a shrine in the "Nizam's State" and was returning. His fellow constables were highly envious of him, and they wanted to catch him red handed. So, when he was returning to his place, and when he was still on the Nizam's side of the river Godavari, the envious constables were on the other side waiting to catch him. Realizing this he felt that he would surely be dismissed. So, he took up the Godavari water in both of his palms and swore by that "Ganga" water, and said, "Baba, let me escape this time I shall certainly give up my police service". Then he went back into the Nizam's State just a short distance, when lo! and behold, there was proof of Baba's Grace! A village officer came to him and told him that certain dacoits were dividing their booty secretly and all that he wanted was a police gentleman with authority to arrest them. So Dasganu went, seized the dacoits and the booty, and proudly returned to his own station on the other side of the Godavari. When questioned how he went out without permission, his reply was that he had gone there for the seizure of dacoits and property—no doubt a falsehood. Thus he not only escaped punishment, but he thought he had a very good chance of rising in his profession. With that thought uppermost in his mind, he was riding past Shirdi to go somewhere. Just as his horse came to Shirdi, and when he did not want to alight there but to pass on without seeing Baba, Baba was on the road and made him alight.

Then Baba asked, 'Arre, who is it that swore with a palmful of water in his hand, man?' Then Das Ganu's reply was, 'What of that? Baba, I am going to resign after all, after I get the Fouzdarship'. Baba said that he would see to it that he resigned, and added 'Until a peg is driven into you, (i.e. pressure becomes painful), you will not obey'.

Second incident:

The next incident was with a notorious bandit named Kana Bhil who was robbing British and native states. For three years, police were on his track but failed to catch him. Kana Bhil one day came to shoot Das Ganu for he already shot the other three policemen put up on duty to keep track of Kana Bhil. Das Ganu went and bowed before Sri Ram and prayed for life the bandit let him off with a warning that he will be watched. When Das Ganu got information regarding this bandit he informed police who surrounded the hillock where Kana Bhil was hiding but, he escaped after a severe battle in which a number of police where shot. Das Ganu got a medical certificate that he has heart disease and escaped further detective duty. Nana chandorkar helped him with this issue. Even after this he did not want to resign his job as he promised Baba.

Third incident:

This time Baba really wanted to tighten the noose. When he was the second in command at the Station, the station Officer left him in charge. And Dasganu in a lordly way wanted to enjoy his time, and went home leaving a constable in charge of the station. Just at that time, a village officer had sent up a fine collected from some person against whom a warrant had been sent for collection. That money, Rs. 32/-, was left by the constable there in charge, without any person to witness. The constable told the person (who brought the money), that the Station Officer was on leave, that no receipt would be granted then, that he might go away, and that the receipt would be sent to the village in due course. So, that person went away, and the constable swallowed up the money. Dasganu knew nothing of this incident. However, the authorities finding that Rs. 32 had not been collected sent up a second warrant for the collection of the fine. The party showed the receipt from the Village officer. The Village officer, when asked, said that he had sent the money to Dasganu’s Station, and so the enquiring officer came to the Station and asked the Station Officer who pointed out that at the particular time and date when the money came, he was on leave. Then who was in charge? Dasganu was in charge. They blamed Dasganu for this mishap. He was asked for an explanation. He said he knew nothing. But there was no escaping the fact that money had been sent that day, and was paid at the station as there was proof. Then Dasganu, finding that there was not only no chance of his getting the Sub- Inspectorship but a good chance of his getting into the jail, solemnly swore to Baba that this time he would positively quit service. He went further and mentioned his willingness to resign to the enquiry officer who, thereupon, made him pay up Rs. 32, and then discharged him, taking of course his resignation also. Thus Baba succeeded in making Dasganu quit his job, a service, which would prevent Dasganu from becoming the high spiritual personage that he was subsequently to develop into.

Then he came to Baba and said “Baba, now my wife and I are homeless and have nothing to eat”. Then Baba assured him by saying “I will always make sure that you have enough to eat and will take care off you and your family”.  Afterwards until Dasganu left his body, he never had any trouble in his life. He was able to own some fertile lands also. His wife had some mental instability and she died in 1919. He had no children.  He was modest in his life and did not run after money.

OM SAI RAM