Shri Guru Gajanan Leela Granth

English translation of Adhyay 20. Post-samadhi miracles. See the Glossary for special terms.

॥ Shri Ganeshay Namah ॥

1. O Creator of creation — your acts have no end, in essence; thereby called Ananta (the Infinite).

2. Whatever act you do, who shall describe it? It shall remain incomplete; he shall prove incompetent.

3. Your act shall remain infinite, shall ever keep changing; what shall I describe? It shall prove only ignorance.

4. If you shall help, only then shall I lift the pen; though Saraswati shall cause writing, only when your help is there.

5. You created one yogi, created one Master; he performed wonders; in his own leela, protected devotees.

6. All this is your leela; the leelas of the Master, all of them are your leelas — so it feels to Saraswati.

7. (I) feel one should remember your leelas, sing your praise, in that forget the surroundings, make life meaningful.

8. The kinds of remembrance are many; book-writing is one of those; whatever many were remembered — their collection (is) one book.

9. You alone fed (me) morsels of the Name; you alone impressed the importance of the Name; you alone immersed (me) in the Name; you alone satisfied (me) with the Name.

10. One who shall be absorbed, become one with — he alone shall write, shall give color; on the consciousness becoming one with, he shall become absorbed in it.

11. Saraswati knew this; she made (me) sit on the seat; Shri Ganpati's help was obtained; thereby the writing of the book began.

12. By describing one Guru's leela, by describing Guru Gajanan's leela, devotees shall sway with joy, shall begin to sing with joy.

13. All this is yours; what is mine? I too am yours; everything is your leela.

14. I am truly a non-doer; you alone are the doer of the act; (I) know in essence; thereby (I have) become entreating you.

15. Gana-Maharaj prays: come to this place; show Gajanan's leelas, which (are) useful for book-writing.

16. Although Maharaj is (in) samadhi, (he) gives darshan again and again; becomes helpful to devotees; gives the sign of his (presence).

17. Ganpat Kothade was very fortunate; always did meritorious conduct; (gave) Brahmins meals from time to time; thereby great joy in mind.

18. So one day, on the day before Vijayadashami, (he) came to the temple for darshan; the Master gave him inspiration.

19. "Give plentiful charity to the math." (He) followed the Guru's command; this did not please (his) wife; (she) spoke harshly to Ganpat.

20. The wife said: "By this the storehouse shall become empty; the support shall prove helpless." Her mind retreated; (she) felt: should give plenty of charity later.

21. "(I shall) miss out on ornaments and clothes." But Maharaj came in (her) dream; awakened her; gave her instruction.

22. "Let Ganpat behave as it comes to his mind. If you stop him, you shall miss out on ornaments."

23. The wife realized her mistake; Maharaj put (her) on the right path; the true meaning of life was understood; (she) gave charity on Dasara.

24. Such (was) the experience of household troubles, of Lakshman Hari Janjal; for some work, the convergence of Mumbai came.

25. Having gone to Mumbai, while going to Boribandar, (he) saw the Paramahamsa; became joyful in heart.

26. Tall sage with arms reaching to the knees, gaze steady on tip of nose, with kamandalu in hand and pasodi (cloth) on body; a garland looked beautiful on his neck.

27. (Sage) said to him: "You at Amravati did the punya-tithi; gave immense charity.

28. Four hundred Brahmins came; (you) fed (them) to (their) fill; Petkar, Bapat-master came; Bapat had a dream.

29. Gajanan tells Bapat: 'Don't grieve for the son. Go to Janjal's home for the punya-tithi celebration.'"

30. So saying, (he) became invisible. Janjal looked here and there, but no one was seen; astonishment came to him.

31. Once Madhav Martand Josh had to go for work, to Kalamb-Kasur; it was Thursday.

32. (He) felt: let me go for darshan, to the math at Shegaon; said to the servant: "Yoke the bullock-cart."

33. (It was) the days of monsoon; the servant said to Joshi: "The sky is cloudy; flood shall come to the Man river."

34. The servant's saying did not convince (him); Joshi decided to go; the bullocks were yoked; both set out for Shegaon.

35. Reached halfway; the rain made havoc; eager for darshan, (they) continued forward.

36. Flood came to the Man river; Joshi understood in mind; he said to the servant: "Your advice itself proved true."

37. The bullock-cart would not go forward; couldn't go back either. Nothing came to mind to do; (he) remembered Maharaj at that moment.

38. Madhav Martand Joshi said: "Saints have saved (people) from the ocean; here only a flood has come on a river. (I) entrust (it) to you now.

39. Let Guru-Maharaj run to (us); save us; save our lives; take us to Shegaon."

40. Such (was) the prayer in mind; closed eyes tight at that moment; could not see the next situation; nothing was visible without Maharaj.

41. Such was the entreaty made; Maharaj had to run; had to protect Joshi; (they) came safely to Shegaon.

42. Joshi told the news; Balabhau understood; took darshan of the samadhi; took blessings.

43. Did abhishek and food-distribution; took darshan of the palanquin; became pleased in heart; left having become fulfilled.

44. Maharaj's devotees (are) immense; the support of his gracious gaze — this proves the support in life; no one becomes helpless.

45. So one devotee, Yadav Ganesh Subhedar — house and home at Hingani; (he) did the cotton trade; immense faith on the Master.

46. Once came to Wardha, to Vinayak Asirkar's home; brought along carts for the cotton trade.

47. Both were on the verandah; one beggar came upon (them); beggars come from time to time, fill (their) bellies by begging.

48. But this beggar was different — trembling on the body, wearing a banat cap, having a stick in (his) hand.

49. (He) said to Yadav; began to ask for rupees: "Quickly give to me; (I) have come here to ask alms."

50. But he would not be content; (he) would not go from there; how to drive (him) away didn't come (to mind); nothing occurred to Yadav.

51. Vinayak in the meantime went into the house for some work; the beggar said in the meantime: "Ten thousand rupees loss in the trade.

52. (I) shall pass hand over you; the illness shall go quickly." The voice was like the Master's; as if the Master himself stood (there).

53. But Yadav was clever; (he) said in reply: "If profit comes today, (I) shall call you Maharaj."

54. The beggar became invisible; Yadav got caught in that very thought; here the trade began; watching, watching, profit came.

55. The sign was convinced to Yadav; profit came to him in the trade; relief came to the illness; (Maharaj) gave darshan to Yadav.

56. Such (is) the story of Bhau Kavar — Bhau (was) transferred to Telhari; the pull of Shegaon in (his) consciousness, the pull of darshan in (his) consciousness.

57. (He) felt: first do darshan, then go to Telhari; yoking the bullock-cart, set out from (his) stay.

58. In the evening went for darshan; while leaving after darshan, Balabhau said to him: "Don't go on vyatipat (inauspicious time).

59. Come tomorrow here for prasad; then go to Telhari." Bhau had no escape; (he had to leave) without going to Telhari.

60. Taking leave, the master set out; took the path of Telhari; the cart kept going forward, but did not leave the path of Shegaon.

61. The bullocks stopped at a pond; the cart-driver came to (his) senses; said: "Lost the way, sir; the cart shall not go forward."

62. Bhau became angry; began to talk to the cart-driver. He remembered Maharaj; heard the sound of bells.

63. Bhau said to the cart-driver: "Listen to the direction of the sound; let the cart go just so, on the road of Telhari."

64. Looking ahead — that path is of Shegaon; the wonder of Maharaj was understood; Balabhau's image before the eyes; the sign of (Maharaj's) authority was convinced.

65. Bhau returned to the math; took prasad that day; later went to Telhari. Such a vyatipat convergence was averted.

66. So protected Bhau Kavar; just so protected Dinkar — a little different in kind, but the importance is on the protection.

67. One devotee Ratansa at Shegaon — Dinkar (was) his good son. Once (he) became diseased; the sobani disease came to him.

68. Food and water would not (go down); medicine would not work; though many remedies were done, no use happened.

69. Ratansa was wearied of the illness; relief did not feel to Dinkar; no strength remained in body; (he) made a vow:

70. "Let Dinkar become well; (I) shall give you sherni; sustain (the vow) now; protect the devotee now.

71. If the opposite happens, (I) shall break (my) head; (I) shall (cause) shame in Vidarbha. Don't let such a moment come; (you) should protect the devotee."

72. So once for Chandrabhaga, the daughter of Ramchandra, while she was due for childbirth, illness came to her.

73. Brought her from Ladegaon to (her) maternal home for childbirth; showed (to) doctors and vaidyas; no diagnosis happened to anyone.

74. Ramchandra was her father; was the Master's devotee; though (he) did medicine, no improvement was coming.

75. Got tired of medicine; said to Maharaj: "(I) give tirth-angara to Chandrabhaga; let relief come to the illness."

76. Stopped medical treatment; placed (faith) on tirth-angara; many days passed thus; gradually the illness reduced.

77. Faith bore fruit; relief came to the daughter; Chandrabhaga went for darshan; said: "Swami, you alone are now in (our) help."

78. So once with Janakabai, Ramchandra's wife, an illness of vat (mental) disorder came to her; nothing came to mind for her.

79. (She) would say many things; would do whatever; would behave as if mind-deranged; would behave like a deluded person.

80. Sometimes wouldn't eat; would remain hungry; would eat whatever; sometimes would sleep hungry.

81. Some said "spirit-affliction"; some said "witchcraft-affliction"; some said "skin disease"; some "mental disease."

82. Medical treatments were done; doctors and vaidyas (came); mantriks and tantriks (came); amulets, threads, talismans (were made).

83. Medicines would not be useful; relief would not come to the illness; peaceful sleep would not come; nothing came to mind for Ramchandra.

84. Got tired of life; would go for darshan; one day pleadingly said: "Now to the last vow:

85. (I) shall do circumambulations of the temple; let relief come to the illness; (I am) tired now of medical treatment, of mantrik's remedies."

86. He told (his) wife; the wife did circumambulations of the temple; relief came to the illness; faith bore fruit.

87. After Maharaj took mahasamadhi, Balabhau came on the seat; behaved according to Guru's command; proved support to devotees.

88. (He) was doing service of the math; the company of Master's grace was (with him); along with tirth-angara; obtained the fruits of faith.

89. Proved support to devotees; became their guide. On Vaishakh shudh shashthi, he went to Vaikuntha.

90. To Narayan of Nandura, the Master told in a dream: "Go to Shegaon." Narayan accepted (it) as authoritative.

91. Narayan went to Shegaon; ran the (math's) authority; after some time, on Chaitra shudh shashthi, he went to Vaikuntha.

92. Once during temple repair work, workers were at their work, quite absorbed in it, on the spire of the kalash (dome).

93. At a height of thirty feet, (they) were catching stones from time to time; were engrossed in giving stones into each other's hands.

94. Among them, one's balance went; in a moment fell down; without striking, (he) was caught; his life was saved.

95. (He) easily got down; said: "Who lifted me?" In a moment got confused; people looked at him.

96. Who saved him: "Maharaj himself" — all said. Saved the mason's life; the devotee got a new life.

97. Such (was) Maharaj's devoted woman, a daughter-in-law in Jaipur; she would do remembrance of the Guru; from time to time would happen protection.

98. The torment of spirit-ghost came to her; would behave strangely at every step; would ask for whatever to eat at whatever time.

99. Sleep would not come; peace would not (be) felt; would speak many bad words; medical treatment would not work.

100. Maharaj gave her inspiration; said: "Go to Shegaon for darshan; relief shall come to the illness; (you) shall forget the torments."

101. Took the Guru's command as authority; took her two children; came to Shegaon for darshan, to be released from the illness.

102. Were the days of Ramnavami, the days of celebration; the construction of the temple was going on; supporting pillars were standing.

103. She was standing near a stone pillar; the pillar slipped at that moment; (she) fell down at that moment; (people) felt: "Her head will be (broken)."

104. People felt: "Bad has happened to the woman." (They) lifted the pillar; set (it) aside.

105. All saw her; called doctors; doctors examined; no sign of injury was visible.

106. Astonishment came to all; Maharaj had protected her; the spirit-ghost fled away; for that itself the falling of the pillar happened.

107. Ramchandra Patil (was) an unfailing devotee; was behaving with faith; daily would go to the math; would take darshan of the samadhi.

108. Would invoke Maharaj; would speak with Maharaj; would tell (his) hurts and pricks; would obey his command.

109. One day dawned; a sadhu came at the door; began to look at Ramchandra; began to gaze at him.

110. Astonishment came to Ramchandra; observed the sadhu carefully; the resemblance to Maharaj — (it) seemed Maharaj himself to him.

111. Seated him on a low wooden seat; did hospitality; gave five rupees as dakshina; asked: "What command?"

112. Maharaj said to him: "What do you give as dakshina? Look after the affairs of the math; service itself (is) the dakshina to us.

113. (I) give a talisman to your son; sorcery-witchcraft shall not afflict him; relief shall come to the illness; peace shall come to the mind."

114. Maharaj gave instructions: "Obey the Guru's command; do not practice pretense, likewise envy and jealousy.

115. Recognize sadhu and fraud; don't waste time pointlessly; don't send a sadhu away empty-handed; do charity.

116. Recognize greed; don't practice greed; keep the motive in mind pure; behave just so.

117. Stay in Guru-faithfulness; stay in Guru's command; don't go against the king; don't snatch from someone else.

118. The heart should be pure, likewise the conduct in action; let name-remembrance be on the lips; that itself shall do (the) protection.

119. Excessive anger does destruction; let there be compassion in the inner being; guard words in speaking; be vigilant in duty."

120. So saying, the gosavi went out of the home; Ramchandra began to look for him, but he was not seen anywhere.

121. Such was the darshan to Ramchandra; may such darshan come to you; the mind shall rejoice in darshan; in joy itself, peace and contentment.

122. For the grand and divine temple, subscription was gathered for it; many's help was obtained for it; the temple reached completion.

123. Kisanlal performed Shata-Chandi yajna; called Brahmins for it; did plenty of food-distribution; the ritual was completed.

124. This ritual is extremely difficult; on (any) mistake (it) gets ruined; for completing (it), Guru's grace's joining (is needed); thereby itself the joining of completion.

125. To Agarwal Bankatlal, Kisanlal's father, illness came at this very time; the illness reached extremity.

126. As if Time had called; all became frightened; remembered Maharaj; (he) told (them) to complete the yajna.

127. The yajna reached completion; Bankatlal got better; the influence of Guru's grace happened; everyone's burden lightened.

128. As Maharaj gives darshan to others, may we obtain (it) likewise. This is Gana-Maharaj's wish. There itself the twentieth chapter reaches completion.

॥ Shubham Bhavatu ॥
॥ Offered to Shri Ganapati and Saraswati ॥
॥ Thus ends the twentieth chapter of Shri Guru Gajanan Leela Granth ॥