The "Wire-puller" of the show of this Universe
When Das Ganu Maharaj met Baba for the first time, he was in active (police) service as a Havildar. He used to take great interest in Tamashas (village plays) and take part in them. Also, he used to compose poems impromptu, in lavani and other metres. While Das Ganu Maharaj was in service and Nana Saheb Chandorkar was D.C. or Collector’s chitnis, he took him to Sai Baba. Even from the outset Sai Baba foresaw his future and wanted Das Ganu Maharaj to give up his profession and pastime. However, Das Ganu maharaj heed Baba’s advice under some pretext or other. The following incidents narrates how in 1903 Das Ganu Maharaj was forced to give up his profession after several disasters took place in his life in which Baba’s grace saved him from punishment, disgrace, trouble of various sorts, and even death.
Around 1898 or 1899 there was a notorious dacoit named Kana Bhil who was robbing British and Native States, in parts of Ahmednagar districts. For three years the police were on his track, but could not catch him. I was only a havildar (Co) at the time. But I and three others were put on special detective duty and directed to watch and report his movements. K.Bhil was so cunning and desperate that he spotted the three men and killed them one after another. At that time I was substituting for a Ramadasi and was doing Kirtans in the Ram Temple at Loni Varni. The headman (Patil) of this village was a friend and receiving visits from K.Bhil.
K.Bhil found out all about me, my name, number (727), station, etc., and came one day to shoot me. I went and bowed to Sri Ram and prayed for life. The dacoit left the place with a warning to me that I was watched. I was really watched by his men and I could not leave the place. Again I got information from the village boys as to the programme and movements of K.Bhil and communicated it to the police. The police came and put a cordon round the hill in which K.Bhil was hiding but he escaped after a severe battle with guns etc. in which a number of police were shot down. I got a certificate of heart disease and escaped further detective duty. Then Rale, Mamlatdar, tried the villagers of Loni Varni for harbouring a dacoit. I gave evidence in favour of the Patil that he helped me with information and he was acquitted.
Absent from my jurisdiction without leave, I visited a holy place and returned up to Godavari and there I prayed and vowed to Baba holding Godavari water in my hands that if he would save me I would give up service. Then I discovered a gang with some booty and I got an excuse for my visit. The situation was saved miraculously.
Das ganu Maharaj continued his profession with an ambition to become a Fouzdar and appeared for an examination. Meanwhile, Baba continued to pressurize him to give up his service and told him that he is not going to get the fouzdari post. Once Das Ganu Maharaj met Baba accidentally on his way back from an official Duty. Omniscient Baba reminded Das Ganu Maharaj about the vow he took with a palmful of Godavari water. Again, Das Ganu Maharaj convinced Baba that he is going to resign from his service soon. In reply Baba told him: “Wait ! You will not listen till things are running smoothly”. Finally, Das Ganu Maharaj gave up his service and devoted the rest of his life in Baba’s service in 1903 after he was saved from another trouble:
A convict’s fine – Rs.32 was realized and sent up to my station to be credited to Govt. That was received by my Assistant in my absence and he quietly pocketed it. Later, the man not being released, a complaint was made and inquiry followed. I was suspended. Punishment seemed imminent. I had composed in 1898 a poem on Sivaji, which became a matter of inquiry. My defense was that I was an impromptu poet and this was my impromptu. I was not punished.
Later on the advice of Baba Das Ganu Maharaj retired from service and went and settled at Nanded in Nizam States and spent his time in performing Kirtans, and got food thereby. Following were the conversations between Baba and Das ganu Maharaj:
Baba: “Go and settle at Nanded”.
Das Ganu Maharaj : Which Nanded?
Baba : Nanded in Nizam States.
Das Ganu Maharaj : How am I to get bread?
Baba : I will provide for you.
Jai Shri Sai
Source: DEVOTEES’ EXPERIENCES OF SRI SAI BABA