English translation of Adhyay 12. See the Glossary for special terms.
॥ Shri Ganeshay Namah ॥
1. O Formless, O Without-form — for devotees you take form; you awaken (us) again and again.
2. We shall be in slumber; you shall awaken (us). Who shall forget you? He who forgets shall remain in slumber.
3. The seal of joy on the mind — this alone the soul shall ask for. He who is awake — he alone shall remain joyful.
4. You give us joy. Whoever gives whatever to another — who shall forget him? Gana-Maharaj knows this.
5. Therefore I invoke you; you alone are always pleased. Whatever you tell — that I tell to the devotees.
6. One entreaty to you: hurry for the devotees; the devotees' soul will be content; my soul will be joyful.
7. Don't teach us to see only with the eye. Teach us to know with the inner mind.
8. What the eye does not see — that you shall see. This I know. How shall I forget you?
9. Come to this place; to make my disposition steady; useful for the writing of the book — this is my prayer in the heart.
10. As I beg compassion, to fulfill my purpose, so the devotees were begging compassion of the Master.
11. Bachhulal of Akola, well-mannered by upbringing, walking in purity, with the longing for Guru-worship —
12. Bachhulal made entreaty: "Master Sadguru, come to my home; the motive of Guru-worship is in mind."
13. Knowing the motive, the Master accepted the invitation, gave him assent, and sent him back.
14. Maharaj went to Akola, to Bachhulal's house. Joy came to (his) mind; the motive was fulfilled.
15. The worship rituals began; he applied utne (paste) to the Master; gave a hot-water bath; dressed (him) in a brocade pitambar.
16. Arrangement for a shawl was made too; flower-garland placed on the neck; saffron-sandal applied on the brow; many ornaments put on.
17. Ten rings on ten fingers; no shortage of jewel-encrusted (ornaments); placing a bracelet on the left arm — the Sadguru-Lord looked beautiful.
18. Ashtagandha, argaja, attar were applied on the arms; rose-water on the body; great fragrance pervaded.
19. Jalebi, Raghavdas, pedhe (sweets) were placed in front as prasad; betel-leaf rolls placed on a tray; rangoli enhanced the splendor.
20. A display of splendor was made; everything became inverted (wrong). It did not please Maharaj; the feeling appeared on his face.
21. Whatever pleases (a person) — by giving that to him, his mind is content; the gracious blessing is obtained.
22. He flung off the ornaments; spoke through action; awakened Bachhulal — (saying he is) not enamored of splendor.
23. The yogi's inner being should be known; there should be no excessive display. Offer him such (things) as content him.
24. The situation went wrong; expectation was disappointed; Bachhulal felt remorse; recognized his own mistake.
25. Maharaj said to him: "Do you consider me a Pola-festival bull? You put on me many ornaments; you test me?
26. I am not a Pola bull, nor a Dasera horse; no use of ornaments. The yogi is hungry for service."
27. Bachhulal bowed his head; began to entreat: "I have realized my mistake; such a situation shall not happen again.
28. Guru, forgive me; have grace upon me; (I have) pure feeling within; don't reject the ornaments.
29. The wish of my mind to build a Ram temple has been (here) for many days. Truly fulfill it."
30. Bachhulal's heart, brimming with devotion-juice, was known. The Master's heart melted; gave him blessings.
31. His coming calamity was averted; the Master became gracious; left from Akola; returned to Shegaon.
32. Pitambar would not leave the Master, like an infant from the mother. Always ready in service; no shortage in (it).
33. Always in his proximity, always before him. Mad for the Guru in the inner being — was visible in his actions.
34. Every mother's thoughts are the same. Always the welfare of the infant — that is the mother's aim.
35. The mother should think: let the infant grow up — not just in body, but in complete knowledge.
36. For some reason she pushes (him) away, but the consciousness is in the child itself. What is obtained by staying near is obtained more by going far.
37. A common mother knows; how shall it not be known to the Master? To watch the disciple's welfare, the Guru's mind strives.
38. Because the Master is wise, he knows in time and circumstance. Because of his yogic-leela, his mastery is known on occasion.
39. In time and circumstance, the dear ones must be pushed away. The provisions of knowledge become company to the disciple.
40. The provisions kept near, the mother's impressions, the filled pot of knowledge — have great importance in time and circumstance.
41. As (it is) with mother and child, so it is with Guru and disciple. Affection has great importance; the world endures on affection.
42. Such was the relationship of Gajanan and Pitambar — of Guru-disciple, mutual pull, infinite affection.
43. One day it happened thus: Pitambar's mind was caught up, absorbed in performing worship, become one with it.
44. What was near — content with that — such was Pitambar's behavior, of Gajanan's disciple.
45. The Master said to Pitambar: "What torn clothes are you wearing? An old worn cloth — don't you have anything else to wear?
46. Pitambar! Take this dupeta (waistcloth); leave from here. Don't stay here now; don't put a stigma."
47. Pitambar felt bad; he was filled (with emotion). In one eye laughter came; in the other eye tears came.
48. He wore the dupeta; bloomed in body and mind; for a moment kept staring; nothing was understood by him.
49. Some could not bear it. They said at that moment: "Hey! While giving the dupeta, the Master gave an ear-opening.
50. This is not a gracious gaze; this is your dismissal. The Master knows the inner being; thereby such an act has occurred."
51. The yogi knows the inner feeling of (another) yogi; another does not know. This saying proves true; Pitambar proves the example.
52. The Master drove away Pitambar; he set out on the path ahead, to the next work, to make Maharaj's name (great).
53. The foot stepped forward; the consciousness was back at the Guru; was caught in Maharaj; the mind's thoughts would not go.
54. Shegaon would not move from before his eyes. The body's actions were one; the mind's actions were another.
55. As a daughter goes to her in-laws' house, so it had become for him. The Guru's house was the maternal home; the path ahead was the in-laws'.
56. The in-laws' household life in destiny — which every girl has — so it felt to him; was visible to the eyes.
57. One joy was setting; another was at dawn; mixed feeling settled (in him); was making the heart eloquent.
58. Tears welled in the eyes; took the path ahead, never seen before, quite new.
59. "From the beginning to start, to keep everyone's mind, to live without Maharaj — like living without mother."
60. "On remembering the Mother, she shall not meet just now; only memories should be drawn forth; consider those alone fresh."
61. Such a path he had to walk — never had been his habit — the path of pleasure and sorrow, to be experienced without Mother.
62. Steps were falling forward; as if being placed; no strength in body; no facility for speech.
63. Memories of the past times — their revision was happening; nobody brought any obstruction; tossing the past forward.
64. Without the first going, the second shall not come of itself. This is what happened; Pitambar was not free of it.
65. Tables of past memories quickly came forth; tables of future life — reciting them, he went forward.
66. In the trance of thoughts, the distance was covered; he himself did not realize it. Watching, watching, a village came; Kondoli village began to appear.
67. Each village's atmosphere is quite different; the fixedness of principle never differs.
68. On seeing something special, four people gather; they have a thorough discussion; each feels himself wise.
69. But in time and circumstance, the wise prove fools; fools prove wise; experience the upside-down.
70. So it was with Pitambar. He had to sit on a tree all night. Watching, watching, dawn broke; the cock began to crow.
71. The village awakened; transactions began; due to footpath movements, the silence faded.
72. The chirping of birds, the lowing of cows and cattle, the playing of children — was happening freely.
73. Pitambar, sitting on a mango tree — when the children gathered there, they began to laugh at him.
74. He kept changing branch by branch, kept moving forward. It seemed monkey-mischief; the children's curiosity (was) in it.
75. Ants and termites on the tree tormented him greatly; for release from those, he was practicing such an act.
76. When two gather, four gather; they keep the rule exactly; specific questions are asked; specific answers are obtained.
77. The rule proved true here; a multitude gathered; each began to ask the cause of his such acts.
78. Pitambar was asked; he told all; the people felt curiosity; not all were convinced.
79. The chief disciple of Gajanan! On hearing Pitambar's word, the villagers were not convinced; they said: "(This is) a fraudster's move."
80. A disciple is recognized; he need not be told; the whole burden is on action; man becomes Narayan only by action.
81. Those gathered said to him: "Don't lie. Don't do fraudster's tricks. Don't deceive women and children.
82. We shall investigate true and false. If proved false, we shall thrash you, peel the skin off your body. Don't be a deceiver of women.
83. Thief, fraud, mocker — you shall speak after being thrashed; after telling everything quietly, we shall not torment you.
84. Don't pretend pointlessly; don't tell wrong things. We know Gajanan; don't put a stigma on him.
85. Maharaj brought fruits to a withered mango tree; (you) bring just leaves to it; show your wonder."
86. Unexpectedly the situation came; Pitambar became uneasy; began the call to the Guru; began to invoke (him) in the heart.
87. He said: "Maharaj! What a situation has come today. You alone keep my honor; otherwise dishonor will come today.
88. You sent Bhaskar to Vaikuntha; what have I done such (a thing)? All have surrounded me; calamity has come for no reason.
89. You alone hurry now; you alone shall prove the savior. This dupeta you have given — you alone must protect it now.
90. If leaves don't sprout, people will kick (me). The true disciple shall prove false; a stigma will fall on your name."
91. Inspiration came to him; courage came to him; the strategy of Name-resounding occurred to him; that very (one) proved his savior.
92. He set a condition for the people: "When you raise the dhun (chant), the Guru-Mother shall hurry. On obtaining the shade of grace, fine leaves shall come on the tree."
93. The villagers said in reply: "If after raising the dhun, leaves do not sprout, then we shall thrash you."
94. Voice joined his voice; some time passed; sap began to appear on the dried branch.
95. Each began to look; the shock of astonishment hit (them); began to pinch themselves; even forgot awareness.
96. People thought it was a magic trick; thought it was an optical illusion; at first did not believe; the true speech seemed false.
97. At last Pitambar (as) disciple was accepted. The villagers began to ask forgiveness; saluted with humble feeling; placed flower-garland on the neck.
98. Pitambar proved wise; the misunderstanding was removed; leaves sprouted on the branch; green color on the leaves.
99. The villagers recognized Pitambar; paraded him in a palanquin; began to catch his words.
100. By Guru's grace alone all happens; otherwise the opposite happens. Nobody catches words for nothing; the action must be supreme.
101. The Guru shall come in search of Pitambar; the cow-mother shall come in search of the calf; the whole village shall be sanctified; new vitality shall be created.
102. The fruits that came to that tree later were more than (on) others. The villagers redeemed their mistake; Kondoli proved a field of action.
103. As Pitambar was protected, may you be protected likewise. Obey the Guru's command; thereby you shall (receive) Guru's grace.
104. Each one's field of action is fixed; Guru Gajanan's was so; Shegaon would not be left; that was in his destiny.
105. The villagers were doing service; the Master would not stay still in one home; he liked devotees; staying with one was not preferred.
106. "Pointlessly to devotees' household, no troubles in (their) lot. (For) all to be in his service" — was not preferred by him.
107. In the truest sense (he) was a yogic person; was not living merely in body; was convincing through each action; was not flaunting himself for nothing.
108. Situations came again and again; daily new (ones) happened; not behaving tit-for-tat — this he convinced to all.
109. Came down spontaneously through action; had become a habit; nothing has to be done deliberately — this he was convincing.
110. As when some guest comes, deliberately making good tea — there is some lacking. This you experience.
111. Don't do anything deliberately; live spontaneously; don't behave forced and strained — this he was convincing.
112. One who shall win all hearts shall dwell in their hearts; each one shall become his — why shall he not be a yogi?
113. Practice such action that gets impressed in another's heart; always proves special; proves inspirational.
114. The Master was not learned; (it) was inborn for him. Much is on inborn-ness, which one does not get from all education.
115. A yogi shall consider all the same; house and home are not special; he who considers the directions themselves clothing — how shall he give importance to a house?
116. One day the Master told all the devotees: "We don't want anyone's house. Let us go to another place.
117. Two factions have grown in the village; each is picking quarrels. This I cannot bear; I shall not stay here now.
118. I have set out; shall leave the village; don't (want) this Shegaon; shall search another village; (where) the crowd gets no scope."
119. The Creator did not approve; destiny was in the way; the field of action would not change; thereby (he) was to stay at Shegaon itself.
120. To transfer someone, or to cancel (the transfer) — this is (in) the officials' looking; that very (one) wields authority.
121. Entreating the official, winning his goodwill, the motive is achieved; otherwise the opposite is borne.
122. The Lord (is) the doer in the world, the sustainer and savior; the supreme authority in his hand; the wielder of the (cosmic) reins.
123. Devotees' prayers — many to the Lord. For the Master to move from there — none preferred.
124. (Lord) gave inspiration to the devotees; the devotees said to the Master: "Forgive (our) acts. Don't leave Shegaon.
125. Whatever you say through action, no one shall pain (you)." The devotees made entreaty: "Don't leave Shegaon."
126. When no one is ready, one has to be coaxed. The Shegaonis were clever; they were thoroughly seasoned.
127. Convincing the Master was not easy; the Shegaonis were worthy; were of fine caliber; were not ready to leave him.
128. The Master's gracious gaze — that very was the support-image; trouble was not felt; but it was company.
129. From darkness to light, the Master alone (was) capable of taking (them); a true support was found. Who would let him go?
130. Behavior should be such that it proves company to others. The accompaniment of detachment is needed; the company of pure consciousness is needed.
131. The devotees' word could not be broken. What a compassionate-minded one! Not to be found by searching — the karmic bond of Shegaon.
132. Fortune of the Shegaonis: the Master listened to them, changed his own thoughts, lived having become the devotees'.
133. "Take such a place that no one has ownership of (it). On obtaining a guarantee for me, I shall stay at Shegaon."
134. The Master is wonderful; not practical. If you want his closeness, you must obey each of his words.
135. A question fell on the devotees; (they) remembered him. The Master knew the mind; averted the difficult moment.
136. The Master said to the devotees: "The government shall give a place. Ask for a place; you shall get success in it.
137. The place is not the government's; the ownership is of Sat-Chit-Anand. He shall not have the chest to refuse the place."
138. The authority then was foreign — of the British government; the time was of India's slavery to them.
139. The Indians were slaves; convincing the British was not easy; the Master's help was there; thereby all things came together.
140. The Guru's command was taken as authoritative; an application was made for the place; the officials read (it); all fell into thought.
141. Meetings were held on it; consultations took place; some conditions were set; the application was approved.
142. A written reply came; the government's assent was learned; there was no limit to joy; the Master's word proved true.
143. For the math, "Kari" Saheb gave the place at once; giving one acre of land, sent the details.
144. As is the Master's grace on Shegaon, may it be on Vadodara; a grand and divine structure at Vadodara — this is Gana-Maharaj's wish.
145. What happens after the place is obtained — that comes in the next chapter. Read the situations with peaceful mind; the mind shall be pleased by them.
146. Don't practice pretense; don't (display) splendor. Invoke Gajanan thus; leaves shall sprout on the wish-fulfilling tree.
॥ Shubham Bhavatu ॥
॥ Offered to Shri Ganapati and Saraswati ॥
॥ Thus ends the twelfth chapter of Shri Guru Gajanan Leela Granth ॥