Shirdi Sai Baba Diary by Shri G S KHAPARDE -Shirdi Sai online books

1912 February 11 Sunday
Shirdi

By the time I finished my prayer this morning, I found Mr Gadre up & sat talking with him. He got permission to return & went back to Nasik. We saw Sayin Saheb go out & held our Panchadasi class with Upasani, Bapusaheb Jog, Mrs L Kaulgi. Mr Lele who is Revenue Inspector of Nasik District also attended the class. He appears a very nice man & Sayin Maharaj likes him much. I went to the Masjid as usual after Sayin Baba returned & found many men sitting there. They were mostly strangers. Among them was one of Akola Police who on seeing me, said that he had resigned his post and had taken service with Govind Rao Deshmukh Barrister of Nagpur. After the midday Arti & meal I lay down for a while & then attended the Puran of Ramayan by Mr Dixit. Later on we went to see Sayin Baba at his evening stroll & meeting Mr.Lelé there, stood talking with him. In the evening there was the Wada Arti & later on the Sheja Arti, Bhishmas recital of Bhagavat & Mr Dixit Ramayan. Shivanand Shastri did not get permission today to return.

1912 February 12 Monday
Shirdi

I got up early & attended the Kakad Arti. Later on we held our Panchadasi class, & saw Sayin Baba go out. The midday Arti passed as usual. I spoke to Bapusaheb Jog to ask Dada Kelkar if reading in the afternoon from 5 to 6 would suit him. Bapusaheb Jog forgot to ask him. In the afternoon Mr Dixit read Ramayan as usual. As I descended the stairs after it, Shivanand Shastri who is still here, drew my attention to a man who has come here &shows signs of being in a frenzy. The man moved his hands & feet, glared about, threw shoes at us. I called Mr Dixit. At one time we thought him drunk. Later on it appeared, he only pretended to have got into a religious frenzy to gain consequence. I took him to Sayin Baba who ordered him out. Mr Sané the father of the Mamledar of Kopargaon came today & sat talking with us for sometime. He is a very nice gentleman of the old type & said that he saw me first at Dhulia during the Provincial Conference of 1908. After the wada arti there was Bhishma ’s Bhajan. I may mention that after the midday arti I invited two men to breakfast. One was from Pauwel & the other from Dharna Jari. They appeared religiously inclined & poor. Before Puran at night We went to the Shimant Pujana ceremony in connection with the wedding of the daughter of the local school master. Then we had Mr Dixits Ramayan.

1912 February 13 Tuesday
Shirdi

I was very late in getting up this morning. So all my usual programme was correspondingly thrown forward. After prayer I, Upasani, Bapusaheb Jog & Mrs Laxmibai Kaulgi held our Panchadasi class and finished the second chapter. Then we saw Sayin Saheb go out and went to the wedding of the daughter of the local school master. His house is small and the people here would not oblige him by letting him put up a Mandap. So we sat in the Govt Chavadhi, smoking with Fakir Baba who was very pleasant. The wedding was celebrated later than what we thought it would be. Thence we went to the Masjid. Sayin Baba was in a pleased mood and the midday Arti passed off as usual. After it we returned and had our mid-day meal. My wife, Bhishma & Bandu fasted on account of Ekadasi. I lay down for a while &then sat reading. Mr Dixit went as usual to the Masjid after the midday meal & Sayin Maharaj told him to rest a while. So he returned and lay down & did not get up till about 5 P.M. We should have begun our Parmamrit class then for the benefit of Dada Kelkar but that he had to go out on some urgent business. So Mr Dixit read Ramayan instead & then we went to the Masjid. Sayin Maharaj gave me Udi as soon as I step in. So I exclaimed that it was telling me to go away. Thereupon he said “who tells you to go? Sit down.” Then he sat talking pleasantly and said that the cow now possessed by Mr Dixit belonged originally to Mahalsapati. Then it went to Aurangabad then to Jalna & has now come back as the property of Mr Dixit. “God knows whose property it is.” Looking at me he said “nobody who has firm faith in god, wants for any thing.” My wife & others were there. We all saw him at his evening stroll Then there was the Wada Arti & later on Sheja Arti. At night Bhishma had his Bhajan & Mr Dixit read Ramayan. Sayin Baba today both after the mid-day arti & after the Sheja Arti told me to go to Wada specially calling me by name.

1912 February 14 Wednesday
Shirdi

I got up early, attended the Kakad Arti & was very much struck by the fact that Sayin Baba, on leaving the Chavadhi made passes with his short stick towards the East, north & South. Then he proceeded with hard words as usual. We held our Panchadasi class as usual, saw Sayin Baba go out and later on went to the Masjid as usual. Sayin Baba told two stories. One was that there was a traveller who was accosted in the morning by a demon (Rakshasa). The traveller looked upon it as a bad omen, but on proceeding further met two wells the sweet water of which slaked his thirst. When he felt hungry, he met a husbandman who on the suggestion of his wife, supplied food. He saw a field ripe with corn & wished to have Hurda. The owner of the field gave it to him. So the traveller felt happy & proceeded merrily smoking. In the forest through which he was passing he met a tiger, lost courage & hid himself in a cave. The tiger was very big & wandered about him. Sayin Baba happened to be passing that way instilled courage into the traveller, got him out & put him on his way saying “the tiger would not hurt unless you hurt him some way. ”The other story was that Sayin Baba had four brothers, one of whom used to go out, beg & bring cooked food, bread & corn. His wife used to give out just enough for their father & mother but starved all the brothers. Sayin Baba then got a contract, brought the money home & every one was supplied with food including the well-to-do brother. Later on the brother got leprosy. Every one shunned him. The father turned him out. Then Sayin Baba used to feed him & see to his comfort. Ultimately the brother died. The midday Arti passed off as usual & after it we had our food & I had some rest. Shivanand Shastri, & Thakur of Vijayadurga went away today. The Vyaki of the local master invited all to a meal today. I declined but all others went. Sayin Baba, at the evening stroll asked why I did not go & I told him the truth, that I could not manage two meals in the course of one afternoon. Sayin Baba looked immersed in care, gazed steadily at the East & West, & Dismissed us all with the usual words “Go the Wada.” At night Bhishma had his Bhajan and Mr Dixit read Ramayan.

1912 February 15 Thursday
Shirdi

I got up as usual prayed, and held our Panchadasi class with Upasani Shastri, Bapusaheb Jog & Mrs Laxmi Bai Kaulgi. We saw Sayin Saheb go out and continued our class. After it I went to the Masjid as usual & sat listening to what Sayin Saheb was saying. He was in a pleased mood & said that he had laboured very hard, had gone without food for months, fed on leaves of “Kula Takala ” Nimb, and other trees. He said God was very good to him, for, life never became extinct though all flesh got wasted & bones appeared to be in danger of crumbling away. The midday Arti passed off as usual & after it we returned for our meals. My wife & others wished to go to Kopargaon tomorrow for Shivaratri. Sayin Saheb thought it unnecessary, but they persisted and ultimately got a permission in a way. Today after the afternoon Puran, we held a class for Parmamrit for the benefit of Dada Kelkar. We did not progress much as it was the first day. We saw Sayin Maharaj at his evening stroll, and then after the Wada Arti, attended the Sheja Arti. Balasaheb Bhate attended it. He used to hold the Peacock tail before it came to me. So I tendered it back to him. I got a fan instead. Balasaheb Bhate has made considerable progress.

1912 February 16 Friday
Shirdi

I attended the Kakad Arti. Sayin Saheb exhibited great grace accompanied by hard words. We held our Panchadasi class in the morning after prayer. My wife & others could not go to Kopargaon as they could not get a cart. We saw Sayin Baba go out. Mr Morgaonkar has come & distributed a translation of Para-Puja. There is a Shastri from Kalyan -Bhivandi. He is staying with Bapusaheb Jog and is a very quiet nice man. We fasted today on account of Shivaratri. There was the afternoon Puran of Dixit & after it we held our Paramamrit class & made good progress. We saw Sayin Saheb at mid-day arti & also at the evening stroll. He was in a very pleased mood. After the Wada Arti, there was Puran & Bhajan as usual.

1912 February 17 Saturday
Shirdi

I got up early in the morning, prayed and held our usual Panchadasi class with Upasani, Bapusaheb Jog, Kunté Shastri of Kalyan, & Moregaonkar. We finished the third chapter today. We saw Sayin Maharaj go out & again after he returned. He was in very pleasant mood &made jokes. The midday arti passed off as usual & after it we had our food. Mr Dixit is thinking of going to Nagpur for the moruj of his son. He wishes to take with him as many from here as he can, but everything depends on the orders which Sayin Saheb gives. In the afternoon there was Dixits Ramayan & then we held our Parmamrit class, & made good progress. Later on we saw Sayin Maharaj at his stroll, then there was the Wada Arti & Sheja-Arti. At the latter the big fan came to me. On our return Kunté Shastri of Kalyan did Kirtan. He told the story of Uttargograhana. He is an old man & considering his age which is 80 years, his powers of endurance, his energy and all else is very praiseworthy & remarkable. Mr Dixit had his Ramayana & Bhishma read Bhagavat.

1912 February 18 Sunday
Shirdi

Madhavarao Deshpande woke me up in the morning & after prayers attended the Kakad Arti. Sayin Saheb took it very cooly and hard words said as usual after it, were of a very mild character. Mr Dixit is thinking of going to Nagpur for the thread ceremony of his son. He asked Sayin Baba to let me go with him & got an evasive reply. I feel almost sure that I shall not be permitted to go. My wife is very anxious to go. While I was in our Panchadasi class with Upasani Shastri, Bapusaheb Jog, & others, Mr Nanasaheb Chandorkar came & sat with Mr Dixit. I met him when I went to see Sayin Saheb after our class. Sayin Saheb was talking with him in the usual way, about Teli, Waman Tatya, Appa Kotya, etc. The midday Arti passed off as usual except that towards the end of it Sayin Baba got a bit impatient and told people to clear out fast. I had my food with Mr Dixit in company with Nanasaheb Chandodkar & I asked the latter to resume his conversation with me which was broken off when he was here on a short visit. He said the matter was in the hands of Sayin Baba. He has brought with him, artificial garden with a big moon, such as we have on marriage occasions. It was ordered by Radha Krishna Bai. I lay down for a while. Then Nanasaheb went away about 4 P.M. & Mr Dixit read Ramayan. Later on we held our Paramrit class & after it went to see Sayin Saheb at his evening stroll. The “moon ” was lit & shed very splendid light. My wife renewed her request about returning to Amravati & was as usual given an evasive reply by Sayin Saheb. After the Wada Arti Mr Dixit read Ramayan & Bhishma had his Bhajan. We finished early to admit Mr Dixit & Madhavarao Deshpande making preparations to depart tomorrow early in the morning.

1912 February 19 Monday
Shirdi

Mr Dixit, his wife, Madhavarao Deshpande, Hiralal & others went away this morning. The Dixits went to Nagpur for the ninnja of their son Babu. Madhavarao went to Harda for a similar ceremony in a friends house. After prayer we held our Panchadasi class. Morgaonkar said that he lost his watch & chain. They were both valuable being of gold. They were searched for in vain. We saw Sayin Saheb go out & again after he returned. The midday Arti passed off as usual except that there were two Chamars instead of only one. Balasaheb Bhate worshipped & wished to stay for the Arti but Sayin Baba ordered him home. After food I lay down for a while and then We continued our Panchadasi class, with our usual members. Later on Dada Kelkar Bala Shimpi & others came. We saw Sayin Maharaj at his evening stroll, & after the Wada Arti attended the Sheja Arti when the artificial gardens and moon were used for the first time. They looked very nice & attracted a large crowd. Sayin Saheb did not appear to dislike them. I think the moon is helpful. Bhishma read Bhagavat and ten Samasa of Dasabodha tonight. Mr Nate kar alias Hamsa writes to me today to say that I ought to return to Amravati by the end of this month.

1912 February 20 Tuesday
Shirdi

We attended the Kakad Arti & the remarkable part of it was that Sayin Saheb left the chavadhi and entered the Masjid without saying a single word except “God is the greatest of all ”. After prayer I, Upasani, Bapusaheb Jog, Bhishma and Mrs Laxmi Bai Kaulgi held our Panchadasi class. When I went to the Masjid after Sayin Saheb returned from his morning walked, he said he wished to get the Masjid rebuilt. He said there was enough money for it & went on talking about it. Some Baroda ladies of the Shirke family have come here. They attended the mid-day Arti. It passed off as usual. Radha Krishna Bai had the eggs of ostrich. Ostrich hung up where Sayin Saheb sits and he had them pulled down & thrown away. We continued our Panchadasi class in the afternoon & I went to the Masjid about 6 P.M. Sayin Saheb told two stories of which, do what I like, I can not recall the first. I asked my wife & all others present & they also forget which is wonderful. The other story was that there was an old women living with her son. He used to assist in the disposal of the dead bury, bury of every body in the village & got remuneration for it. There prevailed a sort of plague & many died. So his emoluments were great. Allah met her one day & told her not to profit by the trade of her son. She spoke about it to her son but the latter paid no attention & eventually died. The old woman then maintained herself by spinning cotton. Allah told her to go to the house of the relations of her husband but she declined to do so. One day some Brahmans came to purchase cotton from her, spied out all the details of her house and broke into it at night. One of the burglars stood naked before her. She told him to run away, as the townspeople would murder him for his crime. So the man ran away. Eventually the old woman died & was born as a daughter of the burglar. I was not quite sure that I understand the story quite right. We saw Sayin Saheb at his evening stroll & at night, after the Wada Arti Bhishma read Bhagavat & Das Bodha.

1912 February 21 Wednesday
Shirdi

I got up as usual but my prayers were disturbed by the noise which Devaji whom we call Sakshatkaribwa made. I managed to control my mind and finished my prayers. Later we saw Sayin Maharaj go out & held our Panchadasi class. After it I went to the Masjid and saw Sayin Baba being served by the Baroda ladies of the Shirke family. A dancing woman of Bombay arrived today & sang a few songs in the Masjid. She says she is a pupil of BalKrishna Bwa. Sayin Baba heard her songs. Then the midday Arti passed off as usual. Sayin Baba was in a very good mood. After midday meal I lay down for a while and then continued our Panchadasi class with our usual members. About sunset I went to see Sayin Baba at his evening stroll, and again after Wada Arti, for the Sheja Arti. The procession & other arrangements were very grand today. The Bhajan was with cymbals & all. The Bombay dancing girl gave a few songs in the Masjid also after the Sheja Arti. At night Bhishma read Bhagavat & Dasbodh.

1912 February 22 Thursday
Shirdi

This morning there was Kakad Arti & we all attended it. The ladies of the Shirke family went away soon after the arti with their attendants. The Bombay dancing girl also went away with her men. She said she wished to go to Amravati. We held our Panchadasi class. After it I learnt that my wife had a dream this morning that Sayin Baba sent her a message by Bandu to go away today before 9 A.M. Sayin Baba also asked Dada Kelkar & Bala Shimpi whether I was talking of going away. There is note from Natekar (Hamsa) that I would be permitted to return to Amravati about the end of this month. All this raised the hopes of my wife but at the mid-day Arti time there was no mention of the matter made by Sayin Baba. Madhavarao Deshpande returned in time for the midday arti from Harda. His wife & children also came from Ahmednagar. After the midday meal I lay down for a while &then continued our Panchadasi class till nearly nightfall when I hastened to the Masjid saw Sayin Saheb & took Udi. At night Bhishma read Das Bodh &Bhagavat & had Bhajan. Mr Balasaheb Bhate, Mr Bapusaheb Abkari Inspector & some children of the latter came to see me at night and we sat talking for sometime on the usual subject of the wonders daily worked by Sayin Baba. Madhavarao Deshpande was also present then.

1912 February 23 Friday
Shirdi

I got up as usual, prayed & in the morning held the Panchadasi class. Besides our usual members, a lady from Nasik by name Mrs Sundarabai was present. We saw Sayin Baba go out & again at the Masjid after he returned to the Masjid. He told me a story, how when he was young, he went out one morning &suddenly became a girl & continued to be so, for sometime. He did not give many details. The midday Arti passed off as usual. Many people came to worship today. After the midday meal I lay down for a while &then continued our Panchadasi class. Madharao asked Sayin Baba today about my return and got a reply to the effect that times being very unfavourable to me, I would have to remain her a few months more. In the evening we went to see Sayin Baba at the evening stroll & then after the Wada Arti, there was Sheja Arti and later on Bhishma read Bhagavat & Das Bodh.

1912 February 24 Saturday
Shirdi

I attended the Kakad Arti & then held our Panchadasi class. We saw Sayin Maharaj go out & later on attended the Masjid for the midday Arti. Everything went off very much as usual, & after the midday meal I lay down for a while. Mr Sané Mamledar of Kopargaon and Mr Nanasaheb Revenue Inspector came with Balasaheb Bhate & sat talking for sometime. After they went away we continued our Panchadasi class but the progress was very slow. We saw Sayin Baba at his evening stroll and in the evening the Nasik ladies assisted in the Bhajan after the Wada Arti. They have good voices but they appear to be very weak &can make no sustained effort.

1912 February 25 Sunday
Shirdi

I got up early,prayed, & saw Mr Madhavarao Deshpande leave Shirdi for Nagpur. From there he will go to Gwalior for the wedding of Nanasaheb Chandorkar ’s son & will return by stages, seeing Benares, Allahabad, Gya Mathura & other holy places on the way. We held our Panchadasi class but Upasani was feeling unwell, so our progress was slow. We attended the midday Arti, and after the midday meal, resumed our Panchadasi class & made some progress. In the evening, after the Wada Arti, we attended the Sheja Arti, and after it Bhishma read Dasabodh.

1912 February 26 Monday
Shirdi

I attended the Kakad Arti. Sayin Baba went to the Masjid without saying much. The Nasik ladies went away this morning. Then we held our class & saw Sayin Baba go out, & again after he returned to the Masjid. He told a story about his brother having misbehaved once & being out casted in consequence. Sayin Baba looked after him & eventually had him readmitted to the caste. The midday Arti passed off as usual & after the midday meal I lay down for a while & then We continued our Panchadasi class. One Mr Datar has come from Poona with his son who appears to be a pleader. They are staying in the hall. We attended the Masjid to see Sayin Saheb at the stroll. After the Wada Arti, there was Bhagavat & Dasbodh & Bhajan in which Mrs Kaulgi and Sonubai assisted.

1912 February 27 Tuesday
Shirdi

I got up as usual, prayed and held our Panchadasi class. For once we missed Sayin Baba going out & were not able to see him till he was on his way back. When I went to the Masjid about 11.15 A.m. Sayin Baba said that he Walked through a field in which there were very big parrots. The parrots were not scared away by his presence and he stood long admiring their size & colour. The midday Arti passed off as usual &after meal, I lay down for a while and then resumed our Panchadasi class till nearly nightfall when we went to see Sayin Maharaj at his evening stroll. At night there was the Wada Arti &then the Sheja-Arti. Bhishma read Bhagavat and Dasbodh.

1912 February 28 Wednesday
Shirdi

I attended the Kakad Arti & was on my return praying when Dhonde Baba arrived from Poona. He returned recently from Burmah and I sat talking with him about the health of my friend Tilak and the state of his mind. It is as good as it can be under the circumstances. He wishes me to return to my practice at the bar but that depends upon what Sayin Saheb orders. We held our Panchadasi class and Mr Balasaheb Bhate attended it. We saw Sayin Saheb go out & later on I went to the Masjid after he returned. He asked me if Jivamuni would pay. I could not make out what Jivamuni meant but replied that Jivamuni would if ordered. He said Jivamuni would not. He gave me a lot of fruits & sweets. The midday Arti passed off as usual. Today was Ekadasi & nobody except myself & Raghunath had a breakfast or the midday meal. Dhonde Baba also fasted. He returned to Poona about 4 P.M. with Bhau son of Dada Kelkar. We then continued our Panchadasi class & in the evening went to see Sayin Maharaj at his stroll. He was in a very pleased mood walked light, made jokes & so on. After the Wada Arti Bhishma read Bhagavat & Dasbodh.

1912 February 29 Thursday
Shirdi

I prayed in the morning and held our usual Panchadasi class. While we were at it Sayin Baba passed through and we saw him near the Sathé Wada. He appeared very much tired. I saw him again after he returned and he appeared to be in a very placid mood. He said that Balasaheb Bhate was a Khatu, that his wife was a “Saliu ” i..e. weaver & that his son Babu was also a Sali. Sayin Saheb said further that Wassudeo Kaka, was a Rajput in his former birth and bore the name of Jaising, that he was fond of meat & that Sayin Saheb & others used to make him very angry by asking him if he wanted the head of a goat, that this Jaising had three sons who served in the army and a daughter who turned out bad, became the keep of a Barwar, bore children by him and died thus. The midday Arti passed off as usual except that Waman Tatya who came after it & wished to worship got a good harvest of hard words. After the midday meal I lay down for a while & then we continued our Panchadasi class till evening when we went to see Sayin Saheb at his stroll. After the wada Arti I went to the Masjid to attend the procession to Chavadhi & the Sheja Arti there. Sayin Saheb exhibited an angry mood, abused those that had got on to the roof of the Masjid for lighting lamps, and at the time when the procession started he threw his stick at Mrs Tai Jog the wife of Bapusaheb. At the Chavadhi I thought he would beat Bapusaheb Jog for he approached the latter held his hands and demanded why arti was done, but after a while he beat Bala Simpi with his stick and later on TrimbakRao whom he calls Maruti. Bala Simpi ran away but TrimbakRao received the blow standing and prostrated himself before Sayin Saheb. I think he received a full measure of favour and got ahead by at least a stage. Sayin Saheb was talking loudly when we returned. I sat talking with Balasaheb Bhate. Bhishma read Bhagavat & Dasbodh.

1912 March 1 Friday
Shirdi

I attended the Kakad Arti &then after prayer held our Panchadasi class but both Bapusaheb Jog & Upasani delayed as they got themselves shaved & we could not actually begin until Sayin Baba went out & we saw him near the Sathe Wada. When we did actually begin we made progress. I went to Masjid about 11 A.m. and Sayin Baba seemed to be in a very good mood but looked very much tired. Trimbak Rao came very much near to abusing Fakir Baba for what appeared to me to be a very trifling matter. The midday arti passed off as usual. Sayin Baba remembered Mr Dixit, Nanasaheb Chandorkar & Sathe. After meals we continued our Panchadasi class & made good progress. We saw Sayin Baba at his evening stroll & at night there was Bhagavat & Dasabodha read by Bhishma. He also did the Bhajan and Bala Saheb Bhaté attended. A Teli living opposite to us died in the evening. His wife Sattrabai & daughter Gopi used to work as our domestic servants.

1912 March 2 Saturday
Shirdi

I prayed & held our Panchadasi class in the morning. During it we saw Sayin Maharaj go out. When I went to the Masjid about 11 A.m. he said he was ill & complained of pain in the abdomen. There was a band which played today before the Masjid. It was engaged by a Marwadi for a wedding in his house The midday Arti passed off as usual. Today was Holi. So I invited Bhai, Keshava & Devaji to the midday meal. We had it in a sumptuous style. After it I lay down for a while & then continuing our Panchadasi class we finished The Tripti Deep and commenced Kutastha deep. We saw Sayin Maharaj at the evening stroll & after the Wada Arti, again at the Sheja Arti which passed off with great ease, Sayin Baba being in very good humour. Bhishma read Bhagavat & Dasabodh at night. Balasaheb Bhate came for Dasbodh.

1912 March 3 Sunday
Shirdi

I attended the Kakad Arti & Sayin Baba looked pleased and passed into the Masjid without any hard words. Abdulla in trying to remove a hanging lamp by accident, left it so as to drop to the ground & get shattered. I thought this might anger Sayin Baba but it did not. He took no notice of it. We held our Panchadasi class & sat in my room as it was very windy in the verandah. We saw Sayin Baba go out & again after he returned. He said that in a former birth I was with him for two or three years, and went into royal service though there was enough at home to live in comfort. I wished to learn further particulars but Sayin Saheb would not communicate them. The midday Arti passed off as usual and after the midday meal I lay down for sometime & then continued our Panchadasi class. In the evening we saw Sayin Saheb go out for his stroll and at night Bhishma had his Bhajan after the Wada Arti. Today one Dr.Ranadé practising at Dhulia has come. He says he is related to the Ranade who used to live opposite to Baba Maharaj. He adds that he met me at Sinhagad. There is also a Bombay gentleman Palsé by caste who says he visited me at Amravati, some years ago.

1912 March 4 Monday
Shirdi

I got up early in the morning, prayed and held our Panchadasi class. We saw Sayin Baba go out and about 11 A.m. I went to the Masjid as usual. Sayin Baba was in a very good mood & sat talking, but he told no story worth recording. The midday Arti passed off as usual. My wife was late in going to worship Sayin Saheb, but he very kindly desisted from his meal & let her worship him. In the afternoon we continued our Panchadasi class till dark when we went to see Sayin Baba at his stroll. After the Wada Arti there was the Sheja Arti. There was more music than usual & Sayin Baba was very quiet all through. At night Bhishma read Bhagavat & Dasabodh. Mr Balasaheb Bhaté was present during the reading of the latter.

1912 March 5 Tuesday
Shirdi

I got up so early that I was able to finish my prayer attend to my morning calls & lie down for about an hour before it was time for Kakad Arti. I attended it & then held our Panchadasi class but I felt unwell & we could make no progress. My stomach would appear to be out of order & I had two motions. We saw Sayin Saheb go out & then went to the Masjid when he returned. He did not talk much & the Midday Arti passed off without any incident. After meal I lay down & slept long. Mr Bapusaheb Jog went with Balasaheb Bhaté to Kopargaon to get their pensions & there was therefore no class in the afternoon. I was also not well & had motions. I went to see Sayin Maharaj at his evening stroll & on my return felt so sleepy that I lay down, while yet Bhishma was reading Dasbodh.

1912 March 6 Wednesday
Shirdi

I slept very sound last night & felt correspondingly better in the morning. After finishing my prayer, we held our Panchadasi class & during it saw Sayin Saheb go out. We finished the Kutashtha deep & began the Dhyanasdipa. After the class I went to the Masjid as usual and Sayin Baba happened to be in a very good mood. So I sat serving him. He said he felt as if tied at the waist, chest & near the neck, that he thought Nagavdi leaves were put on his eyes, & on opening them to find out what the matter was, he was surprised to see something which he could not understand. He caught a leg of it & then it lay down. He tried to light his fire but the fuel being not quite dry would not ignite. He thought he saw four dead bodies removed and could not understand whose they were. Sayin Saheb kept on speaking in the same strain saying that his left upper & lower jaws were very painful and that he could not even drink water. The midday Arti passed off as usual & after the meal I lay down for a while and then sat reading Vakyavritti. Later on we continued our Panchadasi class, till dark & then Saw Sayin Saheb at his stroll. After the Wada Arti there was the Sheja Arti. The circle of lamp-jets could not be carried in the procession as usual & as placed in the little room where Sayin Saheb sleeps. It caused considerable inconvenience & I do not think Sayin Saheb liked it. At night Bhishma read Bhagavat & Dasabodha. Balasaheb Bhaté attended the reading of the latter.

1912 March 7 Thursday
Shirdi

I attended the Kakad Arti. Sayin Maharaj was in a very pleased mood & danced as he left the Chavadhi & went towards the Masjid. We held our Panchadasi class & saw Sayin Baba going our during it. I went to the Masjid after the class. There was a large crowd. It gradually thinned. The midday Arti passed off as usual & after the meal I lay down for a while. Bandoa want to Rahata for the weekly Bazar. In the afternoon we continued our Panchadasi class. I did the reading and finished the Dhyanadeepa. Then I went to see the Sayin Saheb at his stroll. He was in a pleased mood. I returned at Sunset. At night there was the Wada Arti, & Bhishma read Bhagavat, Dasbodh and then did Bhajan during which he sang some verses from Geeta & Panchadasi of Baba Garde. Mr Balasaheb Bhate was present during the recital of the latter.

1912 March 8 Friday
Shirdi

In the morning Bhishma & Bandu got up early & had a musical prayer. It was very helpful. I prayed & then we had our Panchadasi class. We saw Sayin Maharaj go out and later on I went to the Masjid. Sayin Maharaj very kindly called me by name and as soon as I sat down, he commenced a tale of his having had four brothers. He said he was very young and very intelligent. He used to play at his house which was very big and also at the Ashid Khana which was close by. Near it used to sit a very old man who would not go into either the Masjid or the Ashuskhana, saying that the place where he lay was his. His people did not wish it but Sayin Baba used to go to the Asher Khana also & approved of the programme carried out there. The old man turned out to be his mother’s father & Sayin Baba always carried to him a bread & something to eat it with. The old man was a leper, lost his fingers & toes and daily grew worse, until at last he refused food & died. Sayin Baba played near him, did not suspect that death was so near, & talked about it to his mother who went to see her father. When Sayin Baba went, he found the old man gone & his body converted into rice. Nobody would take charge of the clothes of the old man. Later on the rice disappeared, & the old man was born again but associated with mangs. Sayin Baba gave him food & then the old man was born a third time as the son of Kondaji. The boy played with Sayin Baba & died a few months ago. At the midday Arti Sayin Baba approached me & touched my left arm, and held his hand waist high, just as we do to indicate a young man. With the other hand he made a sign as we do to indicate a man passing away. He made a sign with his eyes. I did not understand the whole & puzzled over it all day. In the afternoon we continued our Panchadasi class, finished Natyadeepa & began Brahmanand. We saw Sayin Baba at his stroll & after the Wada Arti, attended the Sheja Arti. Bhishma finished Bhagavat at night & read Dasbodh. Balasaheb Bhaté came to it.

1912 March 9 Saturday
Shirdi

In the morning I attended the Kakad Arti. Sayin Saheb appeared to be in very good mood. He blessed as usual by saying that God was higher than all. Then he passed away into the Masjid. I returned, prayed and was making ready for the Panchadasi class when Dhanjisha arrived from Bombay. He brought very good fruit for Sayin Saheb. We sat talking, saw Sayin Saheb as he went out. We held our class, but did not make much progress. I went to Masjid as usual. Sayin Saheb told the history of two sparrows that were sitting in the niche on the southern side of the “Nimbar ”. He said the sparrows built their nest there & used to sit as they were sitting at the moment. Death overtook them. It came in the form of a serpent which crawled round the “nimbara ” & swallowed them up. The sparrows are born again now & have built their nest again exactly where it was before & are sitting once more as they used to do. He said he never touched them, nor ever speak to them. He accepted Dhanjisha ’s Puja & allowed the garland to remain on him much longer than he ever does. He liked the flowers & ate a few grapes. Dhanjisha is of course staying with me. After meals I lay down for a while and then we held our class or rather continued it. We enjoyed the portion very much. At sunset we went & saw Sayin Maharaj at his stroll. He was in a pleased mood but said that he did not care for buntings, but he wanted men. At night Bhishma read “Swamibhava Dinkar ” & Dasbodh. Balasaheb Bhaté also came. There was also Bhajan.

1912 March 10 Sunday
Shirdi

I got up early in the morning, prayed and held our Panchadasi class as usual. Mr Waman Rao Pitale whose father served at Baroda, went away today with his wife, after a stay of a day & requested me particularly to be mentioned to Mr Dixit on the return of the latter. We saw Sayin Baba go out & I went to the Masjid on his return. He addressed me by name &said that his father was very rich, had money buried in all imaginable places. Once he had a little difference with his father when he was very young &went away to a place. It was a broad & thick cactus hedge and he found a large treasure underground there. Sayin Saheb sat on it & became converted into a big cobra. He sat on for sometime & then felt inclined to go away. So he moved away to a neighbouring village and on the way regained his human form. Then he went to a lane where they killed men. He wandered there but was left unhurt. Then he went about begging and brought all the treasure trove in. The midday Arti passed off as usual and when I was returning he said “Look here, he careful. Some guests will come; do not admit them ” all which meant that I shall have some disturbing influences & I should withstand them. After the midday meal I lay down for a while & then got a letter from Annasaheb Mutalik saying that Uma has become a lady. here is the religious and the social ceremony to be performed which means expense. Narayan Kamaukar writes from Amravati to say that they are all very hard pressed for money on all sides.So I understood the necessity of the warning given by Sayin Saheb. In the afternoon we continued our class and towards evening went to see Sayin Saheb at his stroll. At night there was the Wada Arti &then Sheja Arti. The circle of fire fell & broke today. Balasaheb Bhaté came at night as usual.

1912 March 11 Monday
Shirdi

The Kakad Arti is done in a musical way and the lamps are waived by all. This morning the Kakad Arti was done in this way. Sayin Baba appeared very much pleased, used no hard words & said that his father & mother were there. He also told us to go to Wada. On my return I prayed & held our Panchadasi class. The midday Arti passed off as usual & I lay down after meal and in the afternoon continued our Panchadasi class. Towards evening we saw Sayin Saheb at his stroll. He was in a pleased mood. There was the Wada Arti & Bhishma read Swamjibhava Dirkai & Dasbodha and there was Bhajan afterwards.

1912 March 12 Tuesday
Shirdi

As I finished my prayer in the morning, news came that Nanasaheb Chandorkar was to arrive today. We held our Panchadasi class & finished the work today. We had two pomogranades in honour of finishing the book. We saw Sayin Maharaj go out. I went to see him after he returned to the Masjid. As I sat down Sayin Saheb said “People are very ignorant. When they do not see my physical body they think I am absent.” He then said that he thought of Pimpalgaon this morning Pimpalgaon this morning,, then met four men from it &they followed him to the Masjid. The conversation somehow turned to tokens connected with weddings & Sayin Saheb pointing to the new wall that is being built said that there used to be a passage there & a nim tree. An old man sat there & he was very pious. He had come from Jalna & did not care to return for over twelve years though his brother & family suffered very much during his absence. At last he was prevailed upon to return. He did so on horse-back & Sayin Saheb accompanied him in a cart. Arrived at Jalna, the old man stayed with his wife & four grown up sons that he had, & then suddenly decided to marry the daughter of his brother.

The wedding took place, though every one laughed it to scorn. The bride was very young. At last she grew up, & the old man had a son by her. Then the old man died when his son grew to six years of age. The boy was poisoned by Biradars. The young widow & bereaved mother spent a chaste life, never remarried &eventually died. The boy was born again as Babu & died and is now born again in Bombay. Such is the artistic work of God. During the midday arti, Nanasaheb Chandorkar ’s family arrived & he followed soon after. He had a feast & all in the two Wadas were invited. It was nearly 5 P.M. when we finished. Baba Palekar came with Nanasaheb. He came from Amravati & is staying with me. I naturally sat talking with him. My people are very badly off. I attended the evening stroll of Sayin Saheb. Mr Nanasaheb Chandorkar went with his family after the Wada Arti. After seeing him off I &Balasaheb Bhaté attended the Sheja Arti at the Chavadhi. We at night a Haridas who happened to be here did kirtan telling a tale of telling a tale. The Haridas is from Bhusaval.

1912 March 13 Wednesday
Shirdi

I attended the Kakad Arti &Sayin Saheb appeared very much pleased. Mr Dixit returned about 9 A.m. He has come alone leaving his wife behind. We sat talking &could not hold our Panchadasi class. Strangely enough I felt sleepy &lay down. We saw Sayin Maharaj go out and saw him later at the Masjid. He told a long story which in substance was that an old Patil used to visit him, that four and afterwards as many as twelve Govindas (detectives)used to watch him that the old man & the Govindas had hard words, and once had a had a serious scuffle. Sayin Saheb favoured the old man, visited him in his field & on one occasion hit the Govindas when they attacked him. At last the old man was moved to a large town for being dealt with, that Sayin Saheb intervened & got him released. Baba Palekar got permission to take me away, tomorrow or Nu day after. We held our class in the afternoon & saw Sayin Saheb at his evening stroll. At night there was Ramayan, Swamibhave Dinkar,& Bhajan.

1912 March 14 Thursday
Shirdi

I got up early, prayed and held our Panchadasi class. We revised a few of the earlier verses of the first Viveka. We saw Sayin Saheb go out and I went later to the Masjid on his return. Baba Palekar went before & obtained permission for me to return to Amravati, tomorrow. The exact hour of starting appears unsettled. The midday Arti passed off as usual and after the midday meal I lay down for sometime. From Satara has come a Shastri to formally announce the news of the puberty of L.Sanshagyavati Uma. He also Saw Sayin Saheb. In the afternoon we continued our class and towards evening saw Sayin Maharaj at his stroll. At night there was the Wada Arti & later on the Shej Arti. I attended both. Then Bhishma read a little of Swanubhava Dinakar & Dasabodh.

1912 March 15 Friday
Shirdi-Bhusaval

I got up early in the morning, prayed and attended the Kakad Arti. Sayin Baba got up pleased &passed to the Masjid with good .The Rohila was today in a belicose mood & I heard afterwards that he beat and broke the of Butya. I went to Masjid with Baba Palekar & Mr Dixit. Sayin Baba was pacifying the Rohilla & Butya. After he sat in his usual place Dixit moved about my permission to return to Amravati & it was granted. So I returned & told my wife to make ready for my departure. She will stay on with Bhishma & Bandu a few days longer at Shirdi. I held the Panchadasi class &finished the first chapter of it. Then I attended the midday Arti which passed off as usual. Mr Chandodkar arrived before it & naturally attended. I had my meals in company with Dixit, Chandodkar &others. After the meal I went with Palekar and met Sayin Saheb near the gate of the village. At his bidding we ran & brought the Udi and took it from him. He told us to start at once blessing our journey with the words “Allah Bhala Karega ”. So I hastily said goodbye to Bhate, Joshi, Dada Kelkar, Mr Chandodkar, Upasani, Durgabau. Mrs Kaulgi, & Bapusaheb caught me up soon. Balaram & young Dixit as well as Ramchandra were there. Bhai & Keshava could not be found. We i.e. I & Palekar left by tonga, reached Kopargaon at about 4 P.M. or a little later & sat on the platform till 7 P.M. Many visitors of Shirdi including Navalkar & Dr Ujinky turned up there & we sat talking. We left by the train which leaves about 7 P.M. & reached Manmad. There the N.W. passenger was waiting. So I got into it telling Palekar to take tickets & get in. The train started soon & I discovered afterwards that he did not get in There was a Traffic Inspector in my compartment. I told him all. He advised me to go on to Bhushaval & wait for Palekar there. So I did. I am now waiting & have neither a ticket nor a single pie. The Traffic Inspector is a good man but he got down at Jalgaon. I met Mr Devalé who is a ticket collector here. He advised me to wait either on the platform or in the train for Nagpur which is ready formed. I decided to do the latter.

1912 March 16 Sunday
Bhusaval – Amravati

The porter got me up at 5 A.m. & on going to the platform I saw Baba Palekar come in. He told me that last night after my train left he saw the Manmad station master & explained the situation to him & pointed out how it arose through the remissness of his coaching clerk. The Station Master was a reasonable man, & at once wired at Company ’s expense to all the inspecting stations viz Bhusaval, Badnera & Amravat to pass me without any trouble. That is how every thing passed off well. Mr Devalé also came. Baba Palekar & I left by Nagpur passenger. At Shegaon I met Mr Govind Raj ’s son Baba. He is the Sub Registrar. I was sorry to learn that Mr Govind Raj is not doing well. At Akola old Mr Mahajani came into my compartment and travelled to Amravati with me. We sat talking all the way, about general matters. He was on his way to attend some committee for moral & religious instruction. At Amravati Narayan Dhamarkar & Mahadeva were at the station. On reaching home I met Durge Shastri. He is very weak &nearly blind. Then I bathed & had something to eat. I tried to lie down but felt it very hot. So I sat reading the daily papers & wrote. Kurandikar, Raghunath Rao Tikekar, Ranade, Asnare, Bhau Durani, Kaka Tarubé, Shriram Khatre, GopalRao Dole, V.K.Kalé, & others came to see me during the day & early in the evening and I sat talking with them about my stay at Shiradi, the mode of life there and the spiritual greatness of Sayin Saheb who is constantly present to my mind. We sat on the terrace for sometime. Gokhalé also came to see me. I feel tired and will retire early.

1912 March 17 Sunday
Amravati

I got up rather late in the morning and after prayer tried to resume my old life. Some clients turned up and many came to see me. I sat talking with them. I wrote a few letters. Dr. Shahani came and at my suggestion agreed to perform an operation on the left eye of Durge Joshi on Wednesday next. There is a heavy case offered at Akola. Goré also came with a Brahman from Konkan. Soon after our midday meal Mr Natekar known as Hamsa came from Akola, with Purohit. It was very kind of him to do so. He is a holy man, has practised yogic austerties and acquired higher powers.

We sat talking with him. His experiences in Himalaya are unique and I never appear to tire of hearing about them. V.K.Kale and Karandikar came to go to our Theosophic lodge but having Hamsa with me I did not go. Towards evening Hamsa went out for a little airing. He had fever & colic yesterday & the day before. He had a little of it even today. I sat upstairs talking with Bamangaonkar, Waman Rao Joshi, Bhow Durrani, Baba Palekar Shriram & others. Hamsa intends going away tomorrow.

1912 March 18 Monday

Amravati

The spiritual surroundings of Shirdi are not here and I find myself considerably inconvenienced though Hamsa is under the roof & he has a good powerful aura. I wished to get up as I used to do at Shirdi but could not and it was with great effort that I could finish my prayers before sunrise. Then I looked into today ’s appeal and dressing early & eating something went to court. I met Mr Browne near his court and going into it got time in a case to put in our written statement. Then I went to the Court of Mr Price &found him busy with a session ’s case. He could not hear the appeals so my work was finished. I went to the Bar Room & found Palekar who accompanied me to Court, there sitting. I sat talking & gave him three rupees to be made over to the secretary of the complimentary dinner to Major Morris. Tambe, Darule, & Bhide came there, also Mr Narayan Rao Ketkar. After talking with them, I returned home with Gopalrao Dole & Darule. Dole went to court with me in the earlier part of the day. On returning home I sat talking with Hamsa & the people who came to see him. He was feeling slightly unwell. Later on he felt better. Then we went to Baba Palekar ’s house where Hamsa had some milk and fruits. Thence we went to the Railway station where I saw Nabob of Deolghat, old Mr Mahajani & a number of others. Hamsa went by the evening mail to Mortugapur with Purohit. My son Baba & a few others went to Badura with Hamsa, and I returned home. I sat upstairs, talking with such as came. Kurandikar, V.K.Kale, Waman Rao Joshi, Jayarum Patil & others. Later on I received a letter from W.V.Joshi asking me to absent myself from Morris ’ party on the ground that Mr Sly & others would not like it. I do not understand the situation. It is a party by the Bar & Bench & I have every right to attend it. And does it matter if Mr Sly & others do not like it. We sat talking for a long time. Durrani, Palekar, Gokhale, Wamanrao Joshi, Jaram Patil & others.

1912 June 4 Tuesday
Amravati

In the morning I got up early, prayed &sitting in the hall hunted up authorities from the Registration Act. Mr Asga Hussain came later on & I drafted a petition for him to present at Yeotwal. After the midday meal I lay down but could not rest So I got up & sat reading. Kelkar has put in a very good protest in the Maharalta against the action of the Bombay government in demanding security from Kesari. He has given translations of the alleged offending articles. The translations admit of improvement &I thought of making the necessary amendments but for want of reference books &on account of the excessive heat of the day I put off the work to tomorrow. I had my constitutional with V.K.Kale & then sat talking with Buruangaonkar, Kesarisa and Bwaji. I have received today a letter written by Madhavarao Deshpande of Shirdi at the request of Sayin Maharaj ordering me to try and get Mr Karkhanis to take his wife back and treat her well. Sayin Maharaj says she is a very fortunate woman and her presence will do him (Karkhanis)& me good. Karkhanis not here. I shall speak to him & do my best when he returns at the end of the present vacation.

1912 June 5 Wednesday
Amravati

I got up somewhat earlier than usual, prayed and after spending sometime in walking in the verandah, sat in the hall. There were many letters to write in connection with the orders of Sayin Baba about Mrs Karkhanis. I wrote to Madhavarao Deshpandé, & Gopal Rao Joshi at Shirdi & also to Sayin Baba himself. Then I wrote to the father of Mrs Karkhanis. After the midday meal I lay down for a short while and then sat reading. I also wrote a few letters in the afternoon. V.K.Kale came earlier on purpose to read nxxxx nxxxx of the Upanishad but Mr Bhowjee Peshvé father of the pleader Peshavé of Yeotwal came & we sat talking. Poor Peshwe has his brain affected. He does no work and what is the worst of all, hates his own people & relations. The old father naturally feels very anxious. I had my evening constitutional with him and V.K.Kale. Bamangaonkar also came. We read a part of the essay written by V.K.Kale & also Mandukya. There were many clients. I told them to come tomorrow morning. At night Bwaji & Jayavantrao came & we sat talking.

1912 June 17 Monday
Amravati

I got up early, prayed, & sitting in the hall, drafted two appeal memos and later on with the help of Mr Asgar Hussain a petition for the Yeotwal client. This took up the whole of the morning. After the midday meal I lay down but found it too close and warm to rest. So I got up & sat reading. It came on to rain in the afternoon &continued to rain till night fall. A man from Karanja came & told a long story, how there was a small association of young men to help the blind, lame & poor, how it expanded collected small funds & deposited them first with Bapusaheb Ghude, then with Jodha & how finally one Paloskar got hold of it and never satisfactorily accounted for it. The police have got trace of it and they are making enquiries. Later on V.K.Kale, Asnare, Godbole & our usual people came and we sat talking. The suit against Mudholkar has been filed. It is said to be for accounts. Then Mr Karkhanis came. I gave him Madhavarao Deshpande ’s letter written at Sayin Maharaja ’s request to read. He said he had great reverence for Sayin Maharaj & would obey him in every thing except the matter of his wife. I asked him to go &see Sayin Maharaj. He replied he would not do so now. At last I asked him to daily adore Sayin Maharaj & he agreed to do so. After he went Bwaji came &we sat talking. He brought a shoe-maker who measured my foot & said he would make a slipper for me. Though it did not rain much, we feel pleased & cool.

1912 June 18 Tuesday

Amravati

In the morning I got up early, prayed, and noted the authorities in Mutsui Bhushan Kuisha ’s case. I also looked into the papers of the evidence case before Mr Paranjape today. After an early breakfast I went to court with my son Baba & Bhaw Durrani. The case before Mr Price was adjourned. I appeared before Mr Paranjapé. The other side had only two witnesses of whom they examined only one &the case was adjourned. I then went to the Bar Room, looked for Kanga who could not be found and proceeded to the Small cause court. I had to wait there for about two hours & more. Mr Kanga turned up after 3 P.M. Then the case was argued & he had to admit one of our points. The case was adjourned and I returned home. Asnare was there but he appears for the other side. In the evening V.K.Kale, Asnare, Shamrao Deshpande, Karandikar & others came & we sat talking. I forgot to mention above that my third son Balvant returned this morning from Satara. He stayed a few days at Poona on the way and saw the Tilak family. He lived at Poona with Mr Bhusari. I wrote a letter to Madhavarao Deshpande of Shirdi giving full account of my interview with Karkhanis yesterday.

1912 July 27 Saturday
Nagpur

I got up early in the morning &said my prayers walking in the garden. It used to rain a bit off & on, and I had to seek shelter either under a tree or in a verandah. While I was bathing Mr Nilkanth Rao Uddhavaji came with Mr Pandit and his adopted son Bhaiya & we sat talking. He was much interested in my visit to & stay at Shirdi & the talk was naturally about Sayin Maharaj. He invited me, Gopalrao Bootee & Dorle to the midday meal at his house tomorrow & we accepted the invitation on condition of his staying for breakfast with us which he did. The meal was late & after it I lay down and was awakened by the arrival of Bhagirath Prasad, Ballal and Narayan Rao Alekar. We sat talking. Mr Nilkanthrao went away with Alekar. Later on I went with Dorle and Bhairulal who had come, to Dr Moonje ’s house. We sat talking there with a number of friends & then went to the Kirtan in Ramamandir. It was by one Ghule but was a poor performance. We slept with Dr Moorjé.

1913 July 4 Friday
Amravati

In the morning I got up as usual prayed and wrote a few letters. Godbole came. After food I went to court with Godbole and appeared before Mr Morris. There was only one appeal that I had and it was soon finished as it was purely on evidence. Kly Kly. Deshpande appeared on the other side. After it I signed a few papers and returned home & sat reading. The Guruashta of Shiralal Motilal of Hyderabad came to see me and sat talking. He is fond of Vedanta. While he was sitting Asnaré came and read out to me the story of King Avikshet. He wishes to dramatize it for being acted at the ensuing Ganpati Festival at Elichpur. It is a beautiful story and will be very interesting. We sat talking about it. Durrani came but went away very soon. The managing committee has revised the rules of the Berar Education Society. They would have to be submitted to and passed by the general body. I had my constitutional with Mirza Yad ali Beg. Appasaheb Watave came later on & I sat talking with him. It being Friday there was no class today. Trimbak Rao who used to serve Sayin Maharaj when I was at Shirdi came today in the after noon. He says he is going to Jagannath, & has completely changed his usual dress. He puts on now the kind of long shirt that Sayin Maharaj does and eats with it on.

1914 July 14 Tuesday
Nagpur – Amravati

We reached Nagpur about 7 A.m. L.C.Bupat was in the train joined it at Wardha. He, I & Dorle drove in Bootees carriage. He got down near Bootees Mahal & I with Gopal Rao Dorle proceeded to the Wada. I sat looking into today ’s second appeal. The clients came & paid. After food I & Dorle went to court &our case was soon called. Sir B.K.Bhose was engaged on our side. Dillon, Joshi and Abhyankar appeared on the other side. Sir B addressed the court and argued the case very ably. Mr Dillon replied & Joshi also added, as he said, a few words but they got lengthened into a speech. All this took the whole and it was nearly 5 P.M. when we finished. We drove to Bootee ’s Wada. L.C.Bapat again went away somewhere near the Rajaram Library. Mr Abhyaonkar came to see me & we sat talking for a long time. It came on to rain also. Dr.Moonja came later & sat talking about election matters. Savat Ram Rampratip ’s agent came to see us & we sat talking. Ganpat Rao Narké is here. So are all the children. Gopal Rao Bootee is at Shirdi. I had a long talk with Ganpat Rao Narké about Sayin Maharaj of Shirdi. He is a great living saint. I & Dorle drove to the Railway station at 9 P.M. & got into the 9.50 P.M. We reached here about daybreak. At Badera I met Bedorkar Kanga & others going to Nagpur.

1915 December 29 Wednesday
Shirdi

I was awakened about 3.30 A.m. at Manmad and put into the train for Kopargaon. I prayed in the train & on getting down at Kopergaon before day break met Dr Deshpande who is in charge at the Dispensary at Kopergaon. I did not know him before. I gave him &his son a lift up to his Dispensary and he gave me a hot cup of tea & something to eat. There was a great mist & I drove in it to Kopargaon reaching it about 9 A.m. My wife and children were there. I went to the Masjid with Madhavarao Deshpande and made my Namaskar to Sayin Maharaj. His health is very poor. He is much bothered by cough. I got the Morchal at Puja. The day here passes very easy. G.M.Bootee alias Bapusaheb is here with his master & Gurashta. Kakasaheb Dixit, Bapusaheb Jog, Balasaheb Bhate & all old friends are here, & I am exceedingly happy.

1915 December 30 Thursday
Shirdi

I got up as usual in the morning, prayed and sat talking with one Karnik who turned out to be related to the late Amrit Rao Abaji. I sat talking with Fakir Baba who has advanced wonderfully and appears to be on the point of being permanently admitted to the spiritual hierarchy. I sat talking with him. Sayin Maharaj is getting slightly better. I did the Naivedya and Puja today. There were about a hundred people invited to breakfast which was very late. In fact we finished about 4 P.M. MadhavaRao Deshpande was as usual very useful. Bapu Saheb Bootee ’s Wada is progressing beautifully. It is a stone building & very strong & very convenient for occupation. There was Chavadhi today & I attended it with Morchal. Ayisaheb is also unwell. Mr P.Haté went today to Kalyana as his son in law is said to be unwell. Sayin Baba gave him a full coconut. So I think the young man will recover.

1915 December 31 Friday
Shirdi – Bhusaval

I wished to go to Masjid for Kakad Arti but felt disinclined at the last moment &did not go. After morning prayer when I was going to the Masjid Rao Bahadur Sathé got hold of me & took me to his Madi. There some eight gentlemen assembled & told me that the arrangements they wished to make for the Samsthana of Sayin Baba. They have a good scheme & I made the suggestion that they should make no endeavour to collect monies from those whom Sayin Baba gave them. They approved of my advise. All this took time & we were late for Arti, but we went in time and I had the chavari or rather mayur piccha. After food I went with Madhava Rao Deshpande and got permission without any difficulty for returning. My wife, Manu Tai, Uma & children will remain behind. In the compound of the Masjid I met Wassudeorao Dada Piriplekar of Malkapur & Mr Bhagavat Executive Enquirer of Kopargaon. I made ready and left by Balabhau ’s Tonga, reached Kopargaon had a talk with the station master. His assistant was at one time at Amravati. I got into 6.30 P.M. train reached Manmad & got into the passenger that leaves at 8.30 P.M. I had a compartment all the way to myself and reached Bhusaval about 4 a.m. & put up in the waiting room.