English translation of Adhyay 11. See the Glossary for special terms.
॥ Shri Ganeshay Namah ॥
1. You pervade all moving and unmoving; you help in every way; you have grace upon (your) children.
2. You alone truly pervade; the spread proves to be your home; we live in your home — not as guests but as children.
3. The chief of the household should make the rules; the rest should follow them; should stay under his command; should live in harmony.
4. Where such a feeling is, contentment dwells. Gana-Maharaj knows; thereby he asks for the command.
5. The command shall be borne on the head; in that itself shall be considered the welfare. (I shall) keep faith on you, get caught in your word.
6. Let the command be obeyed in such a way that name-japa continues; let various experiences come; let them prove guiding.
7. What I consider joy — you know all this. Why do you cause me to make entreaties again and again? My throat goes dry.
8. Hurry to me; let there be help in the writing work. Let it be written so that it impresses on devotees' hearts.
9. Gana-Maharaj prays: as you gave darshan to Balkrishna, may there be such an experience for the devotee-fellowship; may you content all.
10. As you took Bhaskar near, so all the children. If you feel any lack, bring it to attention.
11. This is the eleventh chapter; let it prove instructive to all; let them feel support; thereby may they take support.
12. Where what is to be obtained — there the mind shall run. The disciple shall come near the Guru; shall satisfy the hunger for knowledge.
13. You are gracious, O Compassionate One; descriptions are in many books. Having come near you, you alone now decide.
14. Only to you shall I come, take your support; (you) shall run for the devotees, even if another spurns (them).
15. Ramdas convinced Balkrishna; he told (him): "Don't see (us) as different. Although in body the two are different — thereby (Balkrishna) held the Master's feet.
16. Balkrishna insisted to the Master that he stay; he said: "Come to Balapur; we shall be joyful."
17. The Master accepted the invitation; went to Balapur; fulfilled the heart's desire; the devotees became joyful.
18. There was a profusion of devotees — chief Balkrishna and Sukhalal. The earnestness in their inner being — the Master knew all.
19. Along with him were Bhaskar, Balabhau, and Pitambar; Ganu Jagdev along; all ready in service.
20. One day dawned that proved different. A rabid dog began to bark loudly.
21. It began to run wildly; each was afraid of it. But Bhaskar came forward; began to confront the dog.
22. Destined experience came across; Bhaskar was unaware. The dog bit him; Bhaskar began to writhe.
23. Sanchit, prarabdha, kriyamana — they shall not let go of the soul. Without ever bearing them, how shall Bhaskar be free of it?
24. They gathered around Bhaskar; began to help. He warned all: "The Master alone shall save (me).
25. My physician is Gajanan; his remedy is unfailing. Without his grace, I shall not become free of this."
26. They brought (him) to the Master; informed him: "A rabid dog has bitten Bhaskar."
27. The Master knew all. The wickedness of the cow had come across; the mind was tempted to drink (its) milk; thereby the cow was taken close.
28. At every step (he was) entreated; (he was) asked to calm (the cow). The cow's stay was in the math; thoughts of milk-yield came to mind.
29. The Master said to Bhaskar: "The wickedness of the cow blocked (us); it has bitten in the form of a dog. Destined experience has not been averted for anyone.
30. What one avoids in this birth, one bears in the next birth. By bearing destined experience, the burden becomes less.
31. If your wish is so, I shall request Sat-Chit-Anand." Bhaskar said to the Master: "Don't increase my life-span.
32. I am foolish, ignorant; you are all-knowing. Whatever comes to your mind, let it come into practice."
33. When we have an illness, we remember the vaidya, the doctor. Whatever he shall say, that alone shall be the treatment.
34. Suffering has to be borne; what the doctor says happens. Bhaskar knew (this); the same was being expressed.
35. Here the doctor is Gajanan; keeping faith on him is the welfare in conduct. So his mind told him.
36. The Master said to Balabhau: "A dog has bitten Bhaskar. From one viewpoint it is good; the anguish of rebirth is averted."
37. "Two months of life remain." Balabhau understood. The Master made a blowing breath; his writhing stopped.
38. All came to Shegaon. The villagers learned the news. They came to see Bhaskar; began to inquire.
39. He told the villagers: "Now two months remain; all of mine is over; the Master has so spoken."
40. One wish in his mind he began to tell the villagers: "As Dnyaneshwar's memorial is at Alandi, Tukaram's at Dehu —
41. so build at Shegaon, the Master's memorial. Don't forget Gajanan, our most revered Guru.
42. If no one keeps this word, my soul shall remain caught. If you give the promise to build the memorial, my soul shall obtain peace."
43. If a wish remains at the time of dying, the crow does not touch the offered ball (in shraddha). Bhaskar knew this; therefore he told all.
44. At the time of death the soul gets caught in anything. The contemplation in which one stays — there the soul gets caught. The crow does not touch the offered ball.
45. His soul was not in the household, as common men's are in worldly life. His soul was in the Master — known from his speech.
46. Even in mother and father's destiny, rare are the convergences when, after their death, a worthy son builds a memorial.
47. Here Bhaskar and Master, between disciple and Guru, infinite love; thereby utterances come (forth).
48. Blessed (is) that unique-in-the-world (love); it proved an ideal in the world. His wish was accepted; the villagers learned its greatness.
49. The Samartha Mandir at Shegaon — Guru-devotion is ideal in it. Not just an image in the sanctum — there is the moisture of love in it.
50. Such Guru-service should be done as proves to be ideal. The pull of the heart should be there; not on the surface.
51. Then the Master went to Trimbakeshvar; on Shivaratri all reached; bathed in Kushavarta; took darshan of Gahaninath and Nivrittinath.
52. Took darshan of Shankar; went to the Black Ram temple; met Gopaldas, who was sitting having lit the dhuni.
53. In front of the temple was a peepal tree platform. The devotee-circle sat there in front of him.
54. Gopaldas said to the devotees: "Coconut and flower-garlands — give to Gajanan; pay him salutation."
55. Symbolic talk took place; all became joyful; all the devotees became knowing; the Master's authority was understood.
56. Because of the importance of the pilgrimage place, coming here became necessary. The greatness was convinced to all; the pilgrimage place was obtained.
57. "You alone are my Trimbakeshvar" — once Bhaskar said. The Master said in reply: "Trimbakeshvar is Trimbakeshvar."
58. Bhaskar was convinced; thereby his coming happened; in the truest sense (Maharaj) proved to be the Guru. Everyone's fortune arose.
59. Maharaj's devotees were so; love was infinite. They lived on his words; thereby (Maharaj) took (them) home.
60. Such was Zhyamsing of Adgaon; he held the stubborn (wish) of taking (Maharaj) home. The pure motive of his mind — the Master truly knew.
61. Here it is to be said: such should be the Guru-disciple relationship. The disciple should call (him) of his own accord; the Guru should go there.
62. The Guru should be taken spontaneously; let there be no place for advertisement; let worship be done with heartfelt feeling; let there be no pretense of the Guru.
63. The Master knew the mind; agreed to go home; in Adgaon all gathered; many wonders happened.
64. One day at high noon, the Master began to thrash Bhaskar. Otherwise the spring of compassion within — here it appeared very dry.
65. He had him roll in dust. Balabhau could not bear it; asked the Master: "Baba! What did he do?
66. Baba! Enough, enough now. Don't beat now. What's the use of beating the dead? He has come to the path now."
67. The Master said to him: "I was prompted to thrash you with the umbrella. Devotion was paining him."
68. Balabhau's heart melted; he released Bhaskar; enmity-feeling did not awaken; only friendship-feeling awakened.
69. Blessed are that Balabhau and Bhaskar — both's love for each other; by which Balabhau forgot (himself); the spring of compassion burst forth.
70. Birth time and death time — the play of past accumulation runs. For the convergence of both, karma alone shall prove the support.
71. Bhaskar's past accumulation was certainly good; thereby in the Guru's proximity he was at his last breath.
72. Chaitra Krishna Panchami came; the Master knew the time. The footsteps of Vaikunthanath he recognized; (it) had come to take Bhaskar.
73. The Master knew what was to come; he commanded Bhaskar; Bhaskar made salutation; took it as authority on the head.
74. Facing east he sat; assumed the lotus posture; remembered the Guru's word; became one-pointed.
75. Disposition turned inward; the longing became calm; disposition became calm; settled in the One.
76. Devotees applied bukka on his forehead; placed a garland on his neck; choked-up hearts — overflowed for him.
77. Maharaj sat in front; song-bhajan began; the atmosphere resounded; tears welled in the eyes.
78. What was to come was being known; (yet) it could not be spoken. What is for all — that very thing was to happen now.
79. A little different (it was); it had a relationship with merit; the Guru's grace was there; all were feeling it.
80. Maharaj knew; at midday he said "Har Har Mahadev"; Vaikunthanath came in front; Bhaskar's going happened.
81. All devotees lamented; wept profusely; remembered the situations of his lifetime; no one could stop them.
82. "My devotee has gone" — the utterance came forth; tears dripped from the eyes; the feeling of homage was expressed.
83. The Master commanded the devotees; preparations for the samadhi were made; one mile away, near Dwarakeshvar, preparations for the samadhi happened.
84. One devotee went to Vaikuntha; the soul left the body; the body remained here; began to ask for last rites.
85. Even after death the rites are done; tilanjali is given; flowers of feeling are offered; all according to scripture, with faith, is done.
86. Although the soul is not in the body, in the contemplation of the soul, all rites and rituals happen; all run on faith.
87. By experience the meaning of scripture is convinced; there must be some support; generation after generation it runs; according to the times, each behaves.
88. In the matter of Bhaskar's samadhi, (people) saw the wonder. It did not happen so here — each said.
89. A tamarind tree was there, near the samadhi. With the help of its shade, food-distribution was happening.
90. The crows there were tormented in mind. "Bhaskar has gone to Vaikuntha" — this might be the cause in (their) mind.
91. The importance of the crow touching the offered ball — no longer for it. The food-distribution there caught the crows' attention.
92. They would not let anyone be at peace; would not let (them) sit even a little; obstructions in their meals from moment to moment.
93. Those crows were all knowing; emboldened by daily habit; began to trouble all — which the people did not endure.
94. Bows and arrows were taken out; aimed at the crows. The Master saw the scene; stopped them from doing so.
95. The Master said to the crows: "Don't come here again. Don't trouble anyone. Don't come to (this) place again.
96. Bhaskar has gone to Vaikuntha; your honor no longer remains; thereby jealousy has come to you. Don't practice envy."
97. The crows understood the essence; the villagers did not understand. They laughed at the Master; they considered (him) mad.
98. Who is the real madman becomes known when a situation comes. First the wise one is considered mad, but the mad one alone proves wise.
99. The villagers proved mad; the Master's speech proved effective; the crows' coming stopped; the Master proved wise.
100. Once in Shegaon, drought befell the village; the prosperity in the village slowly came to an end.
101. In drought, public works (drought-relief) come up; on those some fill their bellies; officers feed on those; forget compassion and love.
102. The officers' authority runs; pressure comes from above; the cycle starts running smoothly; everywhere it is the same.
103. Orders are issued from above; paper dramas happen; those below become like sheep, become prey to the tiger.
104. As long as life is in the body, poor people toil; bear all the troubles; fill one stomach.
105. Workers were employed to dig a well; whatever work befell, they had to accept.
106. Two purush deep was dug; black stones began to appear; the iron rod proved useless; could not dig deeper.
107. Holes were drilled on all four sides — all by iron rod; took the help of explosives; began to break.
108. Holes were drilled on all four sides; gunpowder packed inside; took the help of fuses; pushed each cord one by one.
109. Castor-stalk fuses were lit; sent down with the cords; got stuck in the middle; would not go further by any means.
110. The fuse would not go down; the powder would not catch fire; water would not let the explosive (set off); nothing came to mind to do.
111. One mistry (foreman) said to that Ganu Javare: "Go down into the well; push the fuse a little."
112. To push those fuses, no one would dare. Therefore the mistry sternly told Ganu.
113. As if Death itself told Ganu to descend into the well — to Time's stern command, he said nothing.
114. He recognized the warning of death; quickly took the leap; pushed the fuse inside; struggled to come up.
115. Just then huge blasts happened; all became frightened; said: "Ganu's life is gone; nothing has remained."
116. Here Ganu, in a crevice, sat hidden in it; was making the call (to the Master); was invoking the Master.
117. He was sitting in the crevice such that no injury came (to him). The Guru was helping; he alone proved the savior.
118. The call to the Master — that very (call) bore fruit for him; sent away Death; (he) came out of the mouth of death.
119. After some time he shouted; someone heard the sound; thought it was a joke; but listened (carefully).
120. The shock of astonishment hit (them); heard Ganu's voice itself; tried to take (him) out; Ganu was released from it.
121. Ganu was frightened, muttering something; nothing was being understood by him; was just watching all that was (happening).
122. Each was asking: "What did you do in the crevice?" Many questions to him. At last he came to his senses.
123. Ganu's mind had become filled with Maharaj. He saw only Maharaj; nothing else was visible. He said: "He alone saved me."
124. He requested all to take him to the math. Some came along with Ganu; took darshan of the Master.
125. He embraced Maharaj; began to hold (him) tight; throat became choked; expressed the heart's feeling.
126. Placed his head on the feet; held the feet tight. Maharaj said to him: "Ganya, how many stones have you blasted in the crevice?"
127. Maharaj said to him: "You have been saved once. Don't undertake such a venture again. Don't be afraid of the stern command."
128. Maharaj saved Ganu; in the same way (he) protects devotees. What care of the Master! Such faith of the devotees.
129. Gana-Maharaj tells the devotees: he who keeps faith on the Guru, follows his words — he is uplifted without fail.
130. There should be no competition in devotion; faith should be kept on the Guru; readiness to bear sanchit; in the Name, prarabdha becomes bearable.
131. Don't practice envy and jealousy; that itself shall do destruction. As one practices karma, so shall be the fruit obtained.
132. Don't forget the Guru; invoke him; let (him) come running on the call; call out so.
133. As the Guru was obtained by Bhaskar, by Ganu Javare — may such (a Guru) be obtained by all the devotee-fellowship. There itself the eleventh chapter reaches completion.
॥ Shubham Bhavatu ॥
॥ Offered to Shri Ganapati and Saraswati ॥
॥ Thus ends the eleventh chapter of Shri Guru Gajanan Leela Granth ॥